Wild Keepers

by Dee Bridgnorth

  “Does the boss have a guest staying?” He stared at Ted.

  Ted’s eyes flickered towards the door. Was it Zach’s imagination or did he redden slightly? The old guard took a deep breath, trying to gain his composure. He gazed down at his wristwatch.

  “It’s getting late,” he barked. “I need to show you the grounds before you start your first shift. Follow me.”

  He abruptly turned and quickly headed back down the hallway.

  Zach stared at the door. He was almost one hundred percent certain he had heard something in there. If a guest was staying in there, why wouldn’t Ted have just told him? The guard had most definitely been acting weird. As if he didn’t want to mention who was behind that closed door.

  He yearned to twist the door knob and enter the room, but it simply wasn’t possible at the moment. He took a deep breath. Chill, he told himself. You can investigate it later.

  He felt a wave of elation. Sienna was behind that door. He just knew it.

  ***

  Zach’s eyes flickered towards the clock in the guard’s kitchen and dining area. Almost seven at night. He had just finished the chicken and avocado sandwich he had brought with him for dinner, and the room was bare. He still had another fifteen minutes before he had to report back for duty. Time enough to climb that staircase and check out what was behind that door.

  He got up, trying to be casual. If he was discovered on the top floor, he would just say that he had gotten lost. It was his first day, after all. Perhaps they would be forgiving of a supposed lapse in spatial awareness because he was a newbie.

  Zach shrugged slightly. He had to take the chance when it was presented, and there wouldn’t be another this evening. His shift ended in three hours, and he was stationed on the grounds. He would come back into the house to pick up his things before he left for the night, but it would leave no time to investigate.

  It was now or never.

  He ran swiftly up the stairs, his heart thudding slightly. Would she be behind that door? There was a chance that she wasn’t, of course. She may have been moved; and that was if she had ever been there. Just because old Ted had turned cagey when questioned about the room wasn’t a surefire indication. Zach might open that door and surprise a house guest after all.

  No. His instincts told him that he was on the right path. He had to get to her.

  He paused at the top of the stairs, thinking. He had no choice but to simply open that door and waltz in, but it would take Sienna by surprise. She might even scream. On the other hand, if he knocked she mightn’t answer. He took a deep breath. He would just have to surprise her and deal with the consequences. He was fairly sure that once she knew it was him she would be okay. She would have to realise that the only reason he was here was to help her.

  He had just taken his first step down the hallway towards the room when he heard a woman’s laughter behind a door. Jack Fitzpatrick’s bedroom door. He froze, watching the door knob start to twist. Whoever was behind that door was coming out, now. His heart racing, he dived behind a large potted plant near the top of the stairs, crouching low.

  The door opened, and two people stepped into the hallway. Zach strangled a gasp of anger.

  It was Jack Fitzpatrick, alright. And by his side was none other than Julia Ford.

  She was giggling, leaning in toward him. He smiled, like the cat that had just gotten the cream. He slowly lifted a hand to her face and stroked it. Julia almost purred, turning her head slightly and biting his fingers gently.

  “You should do it now,” he said to her, in a low voice. “Find out as much as you can about what she did when she was gone, and what she knows about that night.”

  Julia nodded. “You know that she probably won’t say much to me. She still doesn’t trust me.”

  Jack’s smile broadened. “You have your wiles, Julia. Just take it slowly. Even if you just hang out with her for a while. Build up her trust in you again.” His hand lingered over her face. “It is very important that we contain her.”

  Julia pouted. “I would much rather stay with you. We were having so much fun.”

  “I know,” he soothed. “I would prefer to spend my evening with you as well. But unfortunately, I have a dinner to attend with the city mayor, and you, my dear, have work to do, too.”

  Zach watched him whisper something in her ear. Julia giggled again, then walked slowly away from him toward the room at the end of the hallway. Jack Fitzpatrick turned and walked in the other direction. Zach held his breath. He almost felt a breeze as the politician’s legs swished past where he was crouching on the floor. He was that close.

  Fitzpatrick headed down the stairs without glancing back. Zach stared at Julia, who was gazing after him.

  The woman tossed back her hair then knocked softly on the door. It seemed for a while that no one was going to answer. But then, it opened slightly. Zach could just see a woman’s profile. His heart started thumping painfully. It was Sienna behind that door, just as he had thought.

  “Sienna,” Julia said, a wide smile on her face. “I am so happy that you are safe! Can I come in?”

  Zach watched Sienna staring at Julia, her face impassive. A few minutes ticked by as she gazed at her. Julia shifted uncomfortably.

  “I should have known,” Sienna eventually said. “Has he sent you?” She sighed. “Well, it’s not as if I have a choice. Come in.”

  Julia entered the room. Zach watched as the door closed softly behind her.

  He cursed softly underneath his breath. His chance was gone. For tonight, at least.

  Chapter Ten

  Sienna walked back into her room, not even bothering to check if Julia had followed her. An impotent rage consumed her. She wanted to pick up one of the expensive vases scattered around the room and smash Julia’s face with it.

  She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. There was no point doing that. She would be punished for it, well and truly. And for what? The satisfaction of seeing Julia’s smug face covered in blood? There were other ways to get satisfaction, and they didn’t involve violence.

  She was learning. Slowly but surely. It had been over a week since she had been placed back in her gilded cage, and she had managed to avoid any major retribution for running away. She had swallowed her disgust and anger, and instead focused on pleasing Fitzpatrick. The trick was to lull him into a false sense of security.

  Because she had another more important goal, now. If she had to be here, she could use the time wisely. Try to find out as much as possible about where Lola was, and try to save her. Even if she had to sacrifice herself in the process. It didn’t matter. She had nothing worth living for anyway. Her life would just be this, day in and day out, forever. Groundhog Day.

  And that’s where Julia came in. Perhaps her former employer might have some information on Lola, as well. But she would have to approach her cautiously. She didn’t want Julia reporting back to Fitzpatrick that she had been asking too many questions about her friend.

  Sienna took another deep breath, and swung around, facing Julia. She forced herself to smile.

  “Would you like a drink?” she said, walking to the cabinet and taking out a bottle of vodka. “I just made myself a vodka martini. They’re refreshing.”

  Julia looked a little startled then smiled back. “That sounds lovely, Sienna. Almost like old times. Remember when I used to make us drinks at the end of the day, back at the house?” Her eyes were dreamy. “Those were the days!”

  Sienna nodded, mixing the drink. She turned around and gave it to Julia, then picked up her own from the coffee table. “Please. Have a seat.”

  Julia sank into the plush leather sofa, taking a sip of her cocktail. “You’ve mixed it well. Very impressive. You even remembered the olives.”

  “Of course.” Sienna sat down opposite her. “You can’t have a vodka martini without olives.”

  They were both silent as they sipped their drinks, gazing at each other. She looks older, thought Sienna. Harder. I
t was difficult to believe now that she had once thought that Julia was the epitome of glamour and style. That she had been so seduced by her. And what was she? A brothel owner who betrayed the women who worked for her. A snake in the grass.

  Julia was only concerned about number one. If it benefitted her, she didn’t care who got hurt in the process.

  “How are you settling back in?” Julia asked now, breaking the silence.

  Sienna plastered a smile on her face. “Good. It is so much more comfortable here, of course. I think I had forgotten how rough it is, living on the streets.”

  Julia smiled, too, taking another sip of her drink. “You are better off here, Sienna. Jack can protect you from yourself.” Her eyes widened dramatically. “Those visions of yours! They used to scare me, just a little. At least here you are being taken care of properly.”

  Sienna kept smiling, but her heart filled with rage again. Julia was talking about her as if she was an invalid of some kind or terminally ill. Almost like a weak and broken woman who needed palliative care.

  She forced herself to nod. “I know. Being out on the streets again brought it home to me how lucky I am here. That’s why I chose to come back.” She paused. “You were looking for me as well.”

  “Pardon?” Julia blinked at her.

  “You got someone to look for me.” Sienna smiled. “A guy found me and told me that you had sent him to find me and bring me to you. He said you cried when you talked about me.” She took a deep breath. “It warms my heart to know that you were so concerned for me, Julia.”

  Julia paled slightly. “Of course! I’ve always loved you, Sienna. You are like a little sister to me.” She paused. “I hadn’t realised the guy I sent had found you. He never got back to me.”

  “Zach,” said Sienna. Her heart started to beat faster just saying his name. Where was he now? She expected that he probably would have gone back to Julia and told her everything that had happened. It kind of surprised her that he hadn’t.

  Shelby had told her that there was a possibility that he was indeed trustworthy, and not privy to Julia’s ultimate plan. But she had dismissed that idea as soon as she got back here. All men were untrustworthy at heart. Except Shelby, of course. But he had always been the exception that proved the rule.

  Now, staring at Julia’s surprised face, she wasn’t so sure. Was Zach on the level? She sighed, telling herself it was pointless to speculate. He was long gone out of her life. He had told her he wanted to play the role of her rescuer, but it was all just words. And she would never see him again, anyway.

  Still…she felt uneasy now that she had mentioned him to Julia. Almost as if she had betrayed him.

  She grew warm, for a minute, remembering him. He was so handsome, with those dark eyes and olive skin. Tall, and strong. His smile had taken her breath away…

  “Zach. Of course.” Julia smiled brilliantly. “I’m sure he had his reasons for not telling me that he’d found you.”

  Sienna nodded. “It wasn’t his fault, Julia. I ran away from him, and then I was discovered anyway. He probably thought there was little point telling you, since I eluded him. He’s probably still looking for me now.”

  Julia nodded also. “Yes. I’m sure he is.” There was an awkward silence.

  “How is Lola?” Sienna asked suddenly.

  Julia’s eyes flared a little. “Good. She’s been concerned for you, too.”

  Sienna sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry any of you.” She paused. “I saw her that night, you know. Jack sent for her on the boat, and I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.”

  “She told me,” said Julia quickly. “She said you seemed fine.”

  “Give her my love,” said Sienna. “Is there any chance I could see her?”

  Julia shook her head. “You know that’s not possible, Sienna. We are like ships passing each other in the night. You might see her again here…eventually. You know that Jack likes to mix things up.” She smiled. “I will give her your love and tell her that you seem happy to be back. You are happy, aren’t you?”

  Sienna sighed, sipping the last of her martini. “I won’t lie, Julia. I wanted to escape. That was why I took the opportunity. But I realise now that you are right. I should be here. There’s nothing for me out in the big bad world.”

  Julia smiled gently. “You have a good gig here, Sienna. A lot of girls I know would kill for this security.” Her eyes flickered around the room. “To live in this luxury. To have your own designer wardrobe. It could be a lot worse, believe me.”

  Sienna nodded. “I know.”

  Julia took a deep breath. “Tell me, who is the designer of the dress you are wearing now? It’s simply divine.”

  They talked about clothes for a while. Sienna showed her all the outfits crammed into the walk-in wardrobe. Julia’s eyes boggled. She gasped as her hands moved greedily through the clothes, pulling out some and holding them against her. Sienna watched her carefully. It was all an act, of course, but some things were genuine. Julia had always had a passion for clothes.

  As the woman babbled on about how beautiful they were, Sienna zoned out, staring at her. She claimed that Lola was safe and back at the house. She said that Lola was concerned for her.

  Sienna didn’t believe it for a second.

  ***

  Zach sighed, quickly checking his watch. He couldn’t wait any longer. If he didn’t get back out there, they would start looking for him. He was already five minutes late.

  He swallowed his disappointment. He had been so close. If only Julia and Fitzpatrick hadn’t interrupted, he would probably be with Sienna now. They could be planning her escape.

  He ran down the staircase, walking swiftly down the hallway towards the guard’s back entrance. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. It didn’t matter. He was in here, now, and there would be other opportunities to speak to her and get her out of here. At least he knew for certain now where she was being held. That was something.

  He rounded a corner, almost colliding with a man standing there. He backed up, breathlessly.

  “Sorry,” he said automatically. Then his mind slowly registered who he had almost bowled over in his haste to get out the door.

  Jack Fitzpatrick. The great man himself.

  He was tall, thought Zach. Taller than he had expected. But everything else was the same as he had seen in magazines and on the television. The wide, dazzling white smile. The dark hair that was swept back and styled impeccably. He wore a black dinner suit, complete with bow tie. Zach noticed a Cartier gold watch around his left wrist and diamond cufflinks.

  The man oozed money and power through every pore. Zach could see why people were so impressed by him. Jack Fitzpatrick sure knew how to dazzle. And ordinary people always thought that maybe, just maybe, a little of that razzle-dazzle might rub off on them if they could get close enough to it.

  A pity he was morally bankrupt, thought Zach darkly, strangling down an urge to punch the man in the face.

  “You are in a hurry,” he said, now, studying Zach carefully. He frowned slightly, and the brilliant smile faded a little. “Are you new? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

  Zach took a deep breath, forcing a smile onto his face. “Yes, Mr. Fitzpatrick. This is my first shift here. My name is Brad Miller.”

  Fitzpatrick kept studying him. “Your first shift? And running late, by the look of it. That’s bad form, Miller. I run my security like clockwork and don’t tolerate tardiness.”

  “No, sir.” Zach straightened, as if he were a soldier being reprimanded. “I lost track of the time in the dinner room. It won’t happen again, sir.”

  Fitzpatrick eyed him. “Make sure it doesn’t, Miller. I don’t give too many second chances.”

  A minder in a dark suit suddenly appeared. “Your car is ready, Mr. Fitzpatrick.”

  He nodded, walking away. Then he turned back to stare at Zach. “You need to go, Miller. Now.”

  “Yes, sir.” Zach disappeared do
wn the corridor, hauling the door open.

  He ran the rest of the way to his post. Ted was already there, waiting for him. The old guard was frowning. “Where have you been? I told you strictly half an hour.”

  “Sorry,” said Zach, panting a little. “I ran into Fitzpatrick, and he wanted to know who I was. I didn’t think that I could get away without causing offence.”

  Ted’s face softened a little. “Well, that’s okay then,” he said gruffly. “If the boss wants to talk, that takes priority. But just so you know in future we don’t tolerate anyone running late on a shift here.”

  Zach nodded. “I understand. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

  Ted nodded, too. “Don’t blow this chance, Miller. This is a cruisy job. If you get on here and do well, you could be set for life.”

  Zach smiled. “Sounds great. I’ll do my best.”

  The old guard wandered off, whistling under his breath. Zach released the breath that he didn’t even realise he had been holding. That had been close. Too close. The last thing that he needed was to be fired from this job before he had a chance to even speak with Sienna, let alone save her.

  His eyes flickered up to the top storey of the mansion, seeking out her room. He could see a light in the window and shadows moving across. Was Julia still in there, trying to milk information out of her?

  He sighed. Sienna was surrounded by enemies. Even the ones masquerading as her friends. No wonder she was so distrustful. It seemed that wherever she turned, someone was waiting in the shadows, trying to get something out of her.

  ***

  Jack Fitzpatrick leaned back into the leather seat of the car, watching the streets of the city whizz by. He stifled a yawn. Another boring official dinner. And this one promised to be even more boring than usual. The mayor of Covenester was an uptight jackass. But he was also a Fitzpatrick supporter, and could contribute significant funds to his campaign to be governor. If he was buttered up enough.

  His mind flickered back to Julia, and he smiled briefly. He actually would have preferred to spend the night in her company. She was good at her job and knew how to please him. And she was the one who had handed Sienna to him on a platter.