My Forever Hero

by Karen Legasy

  “This is a lot bigger than Hannah,” Tyler said. “We’re not equipped to deal with terrorists.”

  “I know, but hopefully the Australian Police Force is on top of that one.”

  “Don’t count on it,” Tyler said. “They didn’t even bring in the right suspect from AbTay Biosystems for questioning when they pulled in Abigail instead of Hannah.”

  “Hannah told Abigail she lost her security badge yesterday,” Marlee said. “She apparently checked in to her hotel around six last night then went for dinner. It would have been impossible for her to be in the Sydney office last night.”

  “Nothing’s impossible these days,” Tyler said. “It’s just a short hop between the two cities and there’s a commuter flight almost every hour.”

  “I was wondering about that.” Marlee wrapped her towel around her neck and tugged the ends. “She could have easily driven to Canberra, checked in to her hotel for an alibi, then jumped on a plane back to Sydney for a few hours. There’d be a flight record of course, but even then, she might have used a false name.”

  “It’s so tempting to check out Hannah’s banking information,” Tyler said. “Do you think we should make one small exception to Abigail’s order to stay out of personal accounts?”

  “As much as I’d like to, we can’t.” Marlee sighed. “We gave our word and I won’t betray her confidence in us. I’m heading for a swim now. You should get some sleep.”

  Marlee was looking forward to a good workout in the water. She put her towel on one of the chairs by the pool then performed some stretches. She bent over to touch her toes and held the position for a few seconds when a small piece of paper beside one of the large planters bordering the deck caught the corner of her eye. She reached over and picked it up. The paper had been torn, one little piece of a bigger page, and had a few handwritten numbers that didn’t mean anything to her.

  “I thought you’d be in the water by now.” Abigail approached with car keys dangling. She had on a light blue business suit with a silky yellow blouse and low-heeled pumps.

  “You look gorgeous in that skirt.” Marlee smiled. “Makes me want to put my hand up it.”

  “Maybe later.”

  “Do you know what this is?” Marlee held out the slip of paper. “I found it under one of the planters.”

  “Let me see.” Abigail brushed up against her. “It looks like my security code to override the hidden cameras around the house. I had them tested and reset last month to make sure everything was in order. One of the workers must have written down the password then ripped up the paper.”

  “Okay, that makes sense. Just thought I’d check. Too bad you can’t join me for a swim.”

  “I know.” Abigail hugged Marlee. “It’s going to be another long day and I’m so glad I have you here to come home to.”

  “Life sure has changed a lot in the last few days.” Marlee peered into warm blue eyes. “I can’t imagine mine without you now. What are we going to do when it’s time for me to go back to Canada?”

  “Let’s not think about that for now.” Abigail pecked her on the lips. “I have to go. Try not to get too much sun today. Keep me posted on anything new that might crop up.”

  “I will.” Marlee watched Abigail rush away and wondered what the day would bring.

  Tyler was still at his computer when Marlee popped into the den following a rigorous swim and long shower. His head reclined on a hand and he stared at the screen. “Hannah’s bank accounts and credit card statements look normal.”

  “What are you doing in her accounts?” Marlee gasped. “I told you not to do that. Abigail will be furious.”

  “She doesn’t have to know,” Tyler said. “We’re just looking out for her anyway.”

  “We’re betraying her confidence and I don’t like it,” Marlee said, feeling like she’d just let Abigail down. “I’m going to have to tell her”

  “Should we also tell her that Hannah might go by another name?”

  “She does? What is it?”

  “Taylor Williams,” Tyler said. “Abigail’s last name combined with hers to create a new identity.”

  “Are you sure?” Marlee moved closer. “How did you find it?”

  “I said she might use another name.” Tyler leaned back and folded his arms. “I didn’t say it was for sure. I stumbled on it when I was in her document of usernames and passwords. It was identified as a username, but there was no account or password attached to it.”

  “It could be anything then,” Marlee said. “She has the hots for Abigail, so who knows, maybe it was just wishful doodling on her part.”

  “On her computer and in an important file like that? I doubt it.”

  “So then figure it out,” Marlee said. “Do what you do and find out for sure.”

  “I can’t. You just told me to stay out of her personal stuff and without more trolling around, we’ll never know.”

  “Argh.” Marlee backed away, feeling tortured at the thought of betraying Abigail’s trust again. “Okay, see what you can learn and I’ll tell Abigail about it tonight.”

  “Blame it on me because I’m the one who broke the rules first,” Tyler said. “You’re just telling me to keep breaking them.”

  “What am I doing?” Marlee grabbed her hair and pulled as she struggled with her guilt. “Abigail trusts me and I shouldn’t be letting you do this.”

  “You’re doing everything you can to protect her,” Tyler said. “Sometimes you have to break the rules to get ahead.”

  “It’s not about breaking the rules,” Marlee said. “It’s about breaking her trust and it makes me feel like shit.”

  “You’d feel worse if Hannah does something to hurt Abigail.”

  “True.” Marlee pulled out the scrap of paper she’d found earlier and handed it to him. “There’s one other thing. I found this lodged underneath one of the planters by the pool this morning. I showed it to Abigail and it wasn’t hers, but she recognized the numbers as being the access code for her security cameras.”

  “It is,” Tyler said. “The system was one of the first things I checked when we got here. Everything’s working.” He brought the video images to his screen. External cameras were installed around the perimeter of the building, including the pool area, the garage, and main entrance.

  Marlee leaned over his shoulder and studied the images. “Are you sure? Something doesn’t seem right. The pool is empty and I’m sure the water polo ball was floating on the surface when I got out just awhile ago.”

  “Let me have a look.” Tyler tapped a few keys and followed the feed from the camera. “It seems to be working. I see the ball now. It’s lodged in a corner, up against the tile and bobbing.”

  “That’s funny because it wasn’t there a minute ago,” Marlee said. “At least I don’t think it was.

  “Your guilty conscience is getting to you,” Tyler said. “I need to get some sleep now. Toodle-oo.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “He did what?” Abigail swung around and glared at Marlee. “I told him not to do that. I won’t invade anyone’s private life and especially Hannah’s.”

  “I know.” Marlee sighed. She stood at the kitchen counter preparing a quinoa and feta salad with roasted tomatoes and squash for a late dinner with Abigail. The recipe was one of her favorites that always made her feel better after a long day. She hoped Abigail would appreciate it. “I’m really sorry, but we couldn’t resist digging into her personal affairs after her pass was used to access the building last night.”

  “We?” Abigail’s face and neck reddened. “You were involved too? How could you have done this to me? I trusted you.”

  Marlee dropped her utensils and rushed to Abigail’s side. “I know and I feel so bad, but we couldn’t help it.”

  “You couldn’t help yourselves.” Abigail pushed away. “I’m disappointed in you Marlee.”

  Marlee stumbled back as though she’d been slapped. She knew that Abigail was right and felt awful about
breaking her trust, even though she had Abigail’s best interests at heart. “I’m sorry, Ab, but I’ll stop at nothing to protect you.”

  “You make it sound like I’m some pathetic little creature. Just because I’m not a police officer like you doesn’t mean I can’t look after myself.”

  “I know you can.” Marlee took Abigail’s hands. “You’re a strong woman, my hero, and I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for you. You’re all about protecting others, just like you’re protecting Hannah right now, and I love that about you.”

  “Hannah’s my best friend and I won’t compromise her right to personal privacy.”

  “Tyler uncovered a few things about her that I think you should know,” Marlee said.

  “I don’t want to hear about it.” Abigail pulled her hands back.

  “So you’re going to just bury your head in the sand and hope for the best?”

  “Is that what I’ve been doing with you?”

  “Of course not,” Marlee said. “I expect you looked into my background and gathered whatever information available about me. Like when you interrogated me at the beginning. A smart businesswoman like you wouldn’t have just accepted me into your circle without checking up on me.”

  “I was upfront with you the entire time,” Abigail said. “Yes, I did my research, but I didn’t hack into your bank accounts to see whether you were a broke, money-hungry predator.”

  Marlee’s eyes watered with disappointment and dejection. “Is that what you think of me? That I’m just after your money?”

  “Of course not.” Abigail sighed. “It’s what Hannah thinks. She’s begging me to get away from you.”

  “Then why aren’t you listening to her?” Marlee’s voice shook. “I thought she was your best friend.”

  “She is my best friend, but you’re my lover now.” Abigail dropped into a chair. “Why does this have to be so complicated?”

  “Because your best friend is my main and only suspect right now,” Marlee said. “I need to find out if I’m on to something and the only way I know how to do that is to let Tyler go through her personal accounts. Please trust me on this.”

  “Trust.” Abigail scoffed. “I don’t know what that word means anymore. Look at me. I’m betraying the confidence of my best friend by letting my lover get away with violating her right to privacy.”

  “This has nothing to do with betrayal.” Marlee put a hand on Abigail’s shoulder and squeezed. “It’s about finding out if your friend is the one double-crossing you.”

  “I don’t like this.” Abigail got up, shaking her head. “I’m hungry and want to eat. Let’s have dinner. It’ll give me time to think.”

  “Good idea,” Marlee said. “I just need a few minutes to finish the salad.”

  “Fine. While you’re doing that, I’ll run up and change out of these work clothes.”

  “Can we hug and make up first?” Marlee took Abigail into her arms. “I missed you today. I don’t want to go to bed mad at each other. Let’s never do that, okay?”

  “Okay.” Abigail relaxed into a kiss.

  Tyler walked into the kitchen just as Marlee’s hand was reaching up Abigail’s skirt. They jumped apart and Abigail headed to the stairs. Marlee felt her cheeks flush.

  “Hello, Tyler.” Abigail smiled as she passed him. “I’ll be right back as soon as I change.”

  “I’m almost finished making a quinoa salad,” Marlee said. “We’re just about to eat. Will you join us?”

  “Is it safe?” Tyler asked. “I heard the two of you arguing with my name thrown into the mix and next thing I know you have your hand up her skirt. What’s going on?”

  “Obviously she’s upset with us.” Marlee’s hands went to her hips. “I don’t blame her. From now on, we have to make sure she knows about everything we’re doing.”

  “Did you tell her Hannah might be going by another name?”

  “No, not yet.” Marlee turned back to her salad. “Let’s eat by the pool since it’s so nice outside. Grab a few plates and I’ll bring out the rest.”

  Marlee and Tyler were seated at the patio table when Abigail came back down, dressed in khaki poplin shorts and a white fitted T-shirt.

  “I’m famished,” Abigail said, taking a seat next to Marlee. “I didn’t have time for lunch today.”

  “Oh, Ab, you have to eat and keep yourself healthy.”

  “I know, but things are so busy this week with Hannah in Canberra.”

  “Here, dig in.” Marlee struggled to keep her eyes off that beckoning bosom as she pushed the salad toward Abigail.

  “This looks delicious.” Abigail smiled as she dished up her plate. “I’m being spoiled coming home to a healthy dinner like this.”

  “I’m feeling pampered too,” Tyler said. “I could get used to a life like this.”

  “I really appreciate the work both of you are doing for me,” Abigail said. “Hannah is also a big help right now. I felt lost without her at the office today. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

  Marlee’s knife clanged against her plate in frustration. How could Abigail be praising Hannah? “Have you ever heard of a Taylor Williams?”

  “No.” Abigail’s full fork stopped midway to her mouth. “Who is she?”

  “Nobody really,” Marlee said. “We stumbled across the name today. Just thought I’d ask in case it sounds familiar.”

  “Of course it’s familiar.” Abigail eased her fork back to her plate. “It’s my last name with Hannah’s. Where did you see it?”

  “It was referenced in one of Hannah’s documents.” Marlee sipped her water.

  “I see.” Abigail picked up her fork. “Your salad is delicious.”

  They finished their meal while watching a few squawking cockatoos fly amongst the trees and land on the fence. Conversation was light, concentrating on mundane things like the weather and grocery items needed for the next week.

  “I want to check the video feed on the camera by the pool.” Tyler had gotten his laptop when he helped clear the table. They were having a light dessert of vanilla ice cream topped with fresh strawberries.

  “Is there something wrong with it?” Abigail asked.

  “I don’t know,” Tyler said. “I’ve been tracking it all day and things seem to be okay, but thought I’d verify the feeds while we’re by the pool.”

  “We’ve been monitoring the video cameras all day,” Marlee said. “I know you said they were checked and reset last month, but I wanted to double-check after finding the slip of paper with the code on it this morning.”

  “Okay,” Abigail said. “What do you mean by verifying the feeds while we’re here?”

  “The pool camera acted a bit strange this morning,” Tyler said. “Marlee thought there was a ball in the water, then there wasn’t and all of a sudden it appeared. It must have been the wind, but I just want to have a look while we’re sitting here. Marlee, can you walk toward the steps at the pool and stand still for a minute?”

  “Sure.” Marlee sauntered over and put her hand on the rail. “How’s this?”

  “It looks fine,” Tyler said. “Now jump up and down.”

  “Are you trying to get me to fall in?” Marlee bounced a few times.

  “There,” Tyler said. “Did you see it?”

  “See what?” Abigail leaned toward the screen for a better look.

  “Jump again,” Tyler said.

  “What is it?” Marlee hopped up and down, anxious to know what was happening.

  “There,” Tyler said. “Marlee’s not jumping on the video, but look at her jumping by the pool. There’s a delay in the camera.”

  Marlee rushed to the screen just in time to see herself in the video for another second. “We need to get your security company back here as soon as possible to make sure the surveillance cameras are working properly.”

  “I’ll contact them right now.” Abigail stood up. “They’ll have to come tonight and fix it right away. This is unacceptable to be paying for t
he best in video surveillance only to find out it’s not working properly.” She stormed inside.

  “I don’t like this,” Marlee said. “Do you think someone’s tampered with the system?”

  “Hard to say,” Tyler said, “but we’ll know more when the technician comes.”

  The service agent arrived within the hour and Abigail led him out to the pool, where Marlee and Tyler were waiting.

  “We noticed a slight delay in the camera by the pool,” Abigail said. “I want it fixed. Marlee and Tyler can show you. ”

  “Hi.” Marlee shook his hand, noticing Bob on his company nametag. “We can start with this camera, but I’d like all of them checked. Okay, Bob?”

  “Sure, no problem,” he said. “Let’s have a look.”

  “I have some work to do tonight,” Abigail said, “so I’ll leave you to it.” She went into the house.

  Tyler and Marlee demonstrated the time delay, but when Bob used his own computer to monitor the system, everything was functioning in real time.

  “Seems to be working fine,” Bob said.

  “It wasn’t fine about an hour ago,” Marlee said. “Something’s not functioning properly and we need to fix it. Any suggestions?”

  “I can try one more thing.” Bob connected some wires to the camera and read the output on a handheld device. “Hmmm. The readings are a bit off. Must be something wrong with the camera. I’ll replace it and see if that helps.”

  It took him fifteen minutes to install a new camera and recalibrate the system. When they tried it, the camera seemed to be working okay, but the readings on his device were still off.

  “I don’t understand it,” he said. “It’s a brand-new camera so the readings should be precise. Can one of you go in front of the pool and move around?”

  Marlee went over and began to bounce. “I feel like a kangaroo.”

  “There it is,” Tyler said. “See?”

  Bob shook his head. “You’re right, there is a delay. This shouldn’t be happening.” He rubbed his chin. “I don’t know what to suggest other than having someone come back tomorrow to check all the wiring.”

  “Could someone have tampered with the system?” Marlee asked. “As in being able to control it from somewhere else?”