Michael
was guilt-stricken and full of remorse. It wasn't the flu. Kate
was sick with fright. Using her as a decoy in the investigation
had reduced her to this. Without pausing to think of what he was
doing, or of Kate's possible reaction, Michael put his arms around
her forlorn and miserable looking figure.
"Ah,
Kate," he murmured softly. "You don't have to go through with
it anymore."
Kate,
gratefully hiding her face and embarrassment in the warmth and
comfort of Michael's bare chest, was confused. What was he talking
about? Since when did anyone have control over morning sickness?
"Michael,
I don't think you understand what I was saying, what I was trying
to explain."
"Sure
I do," he said soothingly. "No more decoy outings. You've done
a great job and there's nothing wrong with wanting to stop now."
Holding
Kate like this and feeling her lips against his chest, Michael
was suddenly and uncomfortably aware of being clad only in a towel,
and of his entirely inappropriate response beneath that towel.
Either Kate was oblivious or didn't give a damn. Fortunately for
them both, she chose this moment to step back.
Lifting
a tear-stained and puzzled face, she informed him, "This isn't
about the investigation, Michael."
Now
Michael's face was a study in confusion and bewilderment. Kate
figured her unexpected--not to mention gruesome--visit to the
bathroom had to be explained. Better the truth than be thought
of as a wimp, crying and sick with fear. Nor would she pass it
off as the flu. And above all else, she was tired of the subterfuge,
the effort it took to conceal what was, to her, the miracle of
her pregnancy. It was time to inform Michael of her condition.
His reaction couldn't be any worse than Jeffrey's.
It
would be a relief no longer having to keep it a secret. The truth
would certainly clear up other aspects of their relationship as
well. There'd be no chance of further passionate embraces once
he knew--Michael would be running scared. As to what he or the
police department thought in regard to using a pregnant decoy--well,
she'd have to take her chances.
Kate
looked him squarely in the eye and in a clear, strong voice announced,
"I'm pregnant, Michael. That was morning sickness you just witnessed."
His
face registered shock, horror and anger--in that order. Kate sat
on the closed lid of the toilet seat and braced herself for the
blast. It didn't take him long to find his voice.
"Are
you out of your mind?" he shouted in rage. "Have you taken leave
of your senses? How could you have gone through with this knowing
you're pregnant?" Pausing, he added hopefully, "Or did you just
find out?"
"I've
known since the beginning," Kate admitted calmly. "And everything's
been fine so far."
"Hell,
Kate," he exploded again. "You don't require a bodyguard--you
need a keeper. You're crazy!"