The Unknown Sister Read online

  As he started the engine and drove out of the parking lot, his hands tightened on the steering wheel.

  He didn’t want to think about that question right now, let alone consider answering it.

  There was something he had to do first, something he had to find out.

  MELANIE HAD GIVEN Catherine explicit instructions to visit Jack after her client consultation. He usually experienced a sense of letdown, a feeling of being at loose ends whenever he finished a race, and Melanie tried to spend a few hours with him directly afterward.

  Catherine slipped in the side door of the mechanic’s garage attached to the garage of the Casey family home. It looked like she’d arrived just in time. The purple Chev had already been parked in its spot, and Jack was revving his restored 911 Porsche, ready to take off somewhere.

  “Congratulations, Jack! Sorry I had to leave the race early today, but Mom and Dad told me the wonderful news. You’re now ten thousand dollars closer to your goal!”

  “Thanks, CC.” As long as she could remember, Jack had called her by her initials. She noticed his brown eyes didn’t reflect his usual excitement.

  “Hey—what’s wrong?”

  He hunched his shoulders. “I guess you didn’t hear about the crash before the end of the race. Bernie Phelp’s car went out of control and he took two other cars with him. They’re all in the hospital.”

  Her expression sobered. “That’s awful. Did you know the other drivers who were injured?”

  “Not personally, but one of them—Mitch Britton—might have come in first if he hadn’t been involved in the accident.”

  Racing was a dangerous sport. Accidents happened all the time, but Catherine tried hard not to think about that. If Jack was ever seriously injured, she couldn’t imagine how she’d deal with it—let alone losing her brother. Brody had been in a near-fatal small plane crash a few years earlier. The family didn’t need to go through that kind of emotionally wrenching experience again.

  “He was driving the red Taurus that gave you a run for your money, wasn’t he?”

  “That’s right.” Jack nodded. “He’s good, CC. Let’s hope they’re going to be okay. I never feel like it’s a fair race when anyone ends up hurt.”

  “I don’t blame you. Do you know which hospital they were taken to?”

  “Yeah. Sacred Heart. I’m headed there right now.”

  “I’d be happy to go with you if you want some company.”

  “You don’t have a date tonight?”

  “No. At the moment my love life is boring.”

  “Get in, then.”

  Catherine ran around to the passenger side and slipped inside. He pressed the remote for the garage door. The instant it opened, they shot down the paved drive leading away from the house. Whenever she got the chance, which wasn’t very often since Melanie had entered the picture, she enjoyed driving with her brother. He was an expert who knew when to let it rip and when to slow down.

  “Oh…I adore it out here so close to the woods. Smell the air tonight. Don’t you love it after it’s rained?”

  “Why don’t you move back home? We all miss you.”

  “I miss all of you, too, but my condo in town is two minutes from work and I’m getting busier all the time.”

  “You’ve got Dad’s flair for design. That’s why. One day the sign on the building is going to read Casey, Casey and Associates.”

  “Don’t I wish!” She turned to him. “Funny, isn’t it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We’re all adopted, so I didn’t inherit his architectural talent.”

  “Maybe camping out on steel girders with him as soon as you could toddle meant you inherited it by osmosis.”

  She laughed lightly. “You think? I’ve often wondered where you got the desire to race cars.”

  “Not from Mom and Dad, that’s for sure.”

  “No.” She laughed again.

  “Now, if I could ever find my birth parents, maybe I’d have the answer.”

  Catherine rolled her eyes. “You still feel a need to know who they are?”

  “Yup. It’s got nothing to do with Mom and Dad. You know that. But I can’t stop wondering about the blood running through my veins.”

  “It’s blue, like everyone else’s.”

  “Very funny. Don’t you ever wonder if you’re part Scot or English, maybe, or Swedish? I want to know about my roots. Melanie can trace both sides of her family back at least six generations. I’d love to be able to do that.” He glanced at her. “I’ve never figured out why you’re not driven by the same curiosity.”

  “Of course I’m curious. But as I’ve told you before, I can’t imagine having parents as great as Mom and Dad. Maybe I’m afraid to look for my birth parents in case they come as too great a disappointment. Perhaps that’s the biggest difference between you and me. You’re willing to take huge risks.”

  “That all depends.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Want to know a secret?”

  “I thought I knew most of yours.”

  “Not this one. Are you ready?” When she nodded, he said, “I don’t like heights.”

  “You’re joking!”

  “Nope.”

  “But you don’t mind planes.”

  “That’s different.”

  She stared at him, remembering the times he’d found an excuse not to walk around an unfinished building with her or their dad.

  “So that’s the reas—”

  “Yup.”

  “I had no idea. You seem so fearless in every other way.”

  “To me you’re the fearless one, stepping out on those girders.”

  “Maybe your birth father’s a coal miner.”

  He flashed her a quick smile. “Or serving in the military on a sub.”

  “The possibilities are endless, aren’t they?” she mused.

  “Yeah. I might even have brothers and sisters.”

  “You do!” she blurted. “You’ve got Mark and Brody, and you’ve definitely got me!”

  “So I do, and I wouldn’t change any one of you for all the racing cups in existence.”

  “Well, that’s nice to hear,” she said. “But you lose a certain amount of credibility when you exaggerate like that, you know.”

  He laughed as he performed some breathtaking maneuvers in his Porsche.

  Too bad the freeway leading to the hospital in downtown Portland was always crowded. Considering the mood she was in, she would just as soon Jack let the car fly. She craved the mindless exhilaration of speed, since she still felt a little disoriented, a little on edge. After all, it wasn’t every day she met a handsome stranger like the man at the track. Just remembering him made her heart leap frantically.

  What were the chances of bumping into him again? Ten zillion to one?

  DAVID STOOD as the ER physician entered the cubicle. “I finally got the X rays back. Despite your accident, there’s no concussion and no broken bones. You’re free to go,” he said to Mitch. “I’ve written a prescription for a painkiller. You can fill it at the pharmacy. It’s located in the next wing over.”

  “I know where it is. Thanks, Doc. Before you leave, how are the other guys who were brought in?”

  “One’s already been released. The other suffered a broken foot. He’ll be ready to go home as soon as his cast is on.”

  “That’s good news.”

  “All in all, you guys were lucky. Take it easy for a while, okay? Give your body a rest.”

  Mitch nodded.

  As soon as the doctor had gone, David helped his brother put on a buttoned shirt he’d brought from home. No way could Mitch lift his arms over his head.

  “Thank God you’re going to walk out of here with only a bad headache and a couple of bruised ribs.” He was thinking of their mother as he said it.

  “Yeah. I thought for sure something got smashed this time.” With David’s help he pulled on his jeans.

  “We don’t need
to stop by the pharmacy. I’ve got painkillers left over from my last accident.”

  “I assumed as much. I’ll bring the car around to the entrance. Why don’t you call Mother and tell her I’m driving you back to your apartment? If she hears your voice, it’ll calm her down.” David saw him hesitate. “Just do it, Mitch.”

  David had no problem with his brother’s latest craze. In fact he’d backed him in his race car driving. But when it came to their mother, who’d been overprotective of Mitch since the death of the other twin, Mitch preferred to have his older brother fight his battles.

  It was understandable. Their mother lived alone, and she was still grieving for their father, who’d died of a heart attack four years earlier.

  Mitch felt guilty enough for moving out of the house a year ago, let alone for pursuing several high-risk hobbies that went against her wishes. Still, David knew his brother had reached his limit—he couldn’t deal with her anxiety any longer. David did what he could to run interference, but there were times, like now, when Mitch needed to deal with their mother himself.

  When David pulled up in front of the sliding glass doors of the emergency room a few minutes later, Mitch emerged with a brooding expression on his face. Even if the phone conversation hadn’t gone well, David was pleased Mitch had called their mother. As long as there was communication, there was hope.

  Once he’d climbed into the passenger seat and they were on their way, David turned to him. “You hungry?”

  “No. When I get home, I’ll have a beer. That’s the only thing that sounds good to me right now.”

  “I’ll join you,” David said. “Look, Mitch, I’m sorry I wasn’t there when the accident happened. Something unexpected came up, and I had to leave the bleachers. I didn’t learn about Phelp’s car catching fire until I got home. I played back the messages on my answering machine and heard mother’s version of things.”

  “Hey, that’s okay.” Mitch shrugged, then winced—the movement had obviously hurt his ribs.

  “I’m always surprised you get to as many races as you do,” he continued. “There wasn’t anything you could have done about it, anyway.”

  “That’s true. Accidents are part of the game. But Mother lives in constant fear because she sees you as risking your life over and over for no reason. Have you ever thought of going to counseling to learn how to help her understand you better?”

  “You mean talking to some quack?”

  “No. I mean seeing a really good psychiatrist. My friend Allen used to go to one after his wife was suddenly killed. Those visits helped him get through that really rough period. Now he’s married again and happy.” David glanced at his brother. “I’d go with you, Mitch. Maybe a professional could teach us how to get through to Mother so her fears won’t overwhelm her so much. Think about it.”

  After a long silence, Mitch said, “You’d come, too?”

  “That’s right. You’re going to be in a lot more races down the road. I can’t say I’m looking forward to dealing with more of your guilt and her paranoia.”

  “No kidding,” he muttered. “Okay. If Allen vouches for him, go ahead and make an appointment. It would be nice to get Mother off my back, once and for all.”

  “I’ll get in touch with Dr. Morton, then.” David relaxed against the back of the seat.

  One subject down, one to go.

  “If that accident hadn’t happened today, you still would’ve won the race, you know.”

  “I doubt it. Jack Casey’s hot, and getting hotter.”

  “I grant you he’s good, but what’s a little healthy competition? You’re better.”

  Mitch flashed him a grin. “So, big brother, tell me what was more important than watching the rest of my race today. Did some gorgeous groupie see you in the stands and decide to proposition you instead of one of the drivers?”

  “You got the gorgeous part right. But she was no groupie. If anyone was about to do the propositioning, you’re looking at him.”

  Mitch let out a groan because he’d straightened in his seat too fast. “You’re putting me on.”

  “Not about this. The problem is, she ran off before I could get an address or a phone number.”

  He blinked. “What’s her name?”

  “I have no idea. She was already gone by the time I reached the parking lot.”

  “Then how are you going to find her?”

  “That’s the problem I wanted to talk to you about. She did leave one clue. Maybe you can help me.”

  David felt his brother’s speculative gaze.

  “Are you telling me you’re interested in some woman you saw in the stands? A woman who was more exciting than my race?”

  A smile lifted a corner of David’s mouth. “I realize that’s a little hard for you to imagine.”

  “Not with some guys, it isn’t. But we’re talking about you.”

  “You thought I was immune to good-looking women?” he mocked.

  “Hell, no. But I never knew you to react like this to a perfect stranger before.”

  With that comment, David sobered. “That’s the whole point, Mitch. She wasn’t a stranger. At least, I didn’t think she was at the time.”

  Mitch shook his head. “You know something, David? Your brains must be scrambled or something. If I weren’t in major pain right now, I’d say you were the one who had the accident today instead of me.” He sighed. “Okay, what’s the clue and how can I help?”

  “I thought you’d never ask. I need you to use all your resources to locate a garage that does work on a restored vintage-model, hunter-green MG.”

  “That’s what this babe was driving?”

  He nodded. “I’ll make it worth your time.”

  Mitch eyed him in shock. “You’re serious!”

  “Dead serious.”

  “How much are we talking?”

  “Find her for me within a week and you’ll get a bonus in your paycheck.”

  “What if I find her in twenty-four hours?”

  “Then you can name your price.”

  “You’re on!”

  CHAPTER TWO

  “EXCUSE ME. I’d like to know the status of the three race car drivers who were brought to Emergency from the Portland speedway this afternoon. Their last names were Phelp, Britton and Clark.”

  The triage nurse looked up from her charts. “Are you related to one of them?”

  “No. I was driving in the same race. I want to know if they’re all right.”

  “Just a minute.”

  As she walked through a set of swinging doors, Jack confided, “We’re not going to learn anything. I probably should have lied.”

  Catherine shook her head. “I’m sure she’ll tell us something. Do you want to watch TV while we wait? There’s nobody in reception except a man who’s fallen asleep.”

  “I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. But go ahead if you want.”

  “No. I’ll stay with you.”

  “I hate hospitals.”

  “I do, too.”

  Within seconds the nurse came back through the doors. “You’re too late. All three have been released. One went home with a cast on his foot. The other two had no serious injuries.”

  Jack’s face reflected relief. “That’s all I needed to know. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Let’s get out of here,” he muttered to Catherine.

  She waited until they were in the car. “Now we can celebrate!”

  “Is that why you’re all dressed up?”

  “Yes. Melanie asked me to take you to dinner if you won. She even gave me the money.”

  A light entered his eyes. “She did?”

  “Yes. That’s why I came over to the house tonight. She knew you’d be feeling sorry for yourself.”

  He grinned. “So where are we going?”

  “What do you feel like?”

  “Steak.”

  “Perfect. There’s a new steak restaurant in that warehouse I redesigned last
winter.”

  “The building all of Portland is talking about. My big sister’s triumph. Yeah. Let’s go there. I’m starving!”

  Catherine enjoyed her brother’s company anytime, but she knew the evening would be delightful—just the distraction she needed. Now that Jack was reassured his girlfriend had remembered him, he’d reverted to his usual charming self. Which was a relief, because Catherine had been at a loose end herself since the incident with the stranger.

  Every time she thought about the attractive man at the speedway, excitement surged through her body. The longer she put off going to bed, the better.

  Saturday night in downtown Portland meant there were few parking spaces available. Jack drove around the underground parking area for at least ten minutes before finding a spot.

  “It’s a good thing that didn’t take any longer,” he murmured as they got out of the car. “I’m about to expire from hunger.” Catherine could believe it. Her wiry, five-foot-ten brother required more food than most people, but his intensity affected his metabolism and prevented him from putting on weight. Lucky guy.

  After the maitre d’ had seated them, a younger man approached. “Hi! I’m Steve, and I’ll be your waiter tonight.”

  He handed Jack a menu, but when Catherine’s turn came, he held back. There was an appreciative gleam in his eyes. “I think I know what you want.”

  Jack gave her a knowing glance.

  A smile broke out on her face. At twenty-eight years of age, she found it flattering, if not amusing, to have a college-age guy flirt with her.

  “What would that be?”

  “Filet mignon with champignons and raspberry sorbet for dessert. Correct?”

  “That sounds delicious. Make mine very well done.”

  The waiter looked perplexed. “Last time you ordered it medium rare.”

  Last time?

  “I beg your pardon?”

  His glance darted to Jack before returning to her.

  “Oh, I get it. Sorry.”

  “Have you been holding out on me, CC?” Jack gave her a pretended fierce look. “I thought you said you’d never been here before. Now I find out you came with some other guy!”

  “But I didn’t!”