Order of Truth

by Lisa Caviness

  “Sure. Thanks again, Brandon.” As he slunk away, Lila couldn’t help wishing it were Cody who wanted to drive her home.

  Chapter 13

  Relief greeted her after the back door of her father’s restaurant slammed shut. Jeb remained in the parking lot, content to wait outside.

  Her mood had grown somber after Cody arrived just as Jeb pulled up. He wanted to follow her back to Jeb’s, but she had other plans. Tensions erupted, and they argued. She told him she needed to see her parents in case things got bad, then jumped into Jeb’s car and slammed the door. As they drove off, the hurt and concerned expression on Cody’s face stabbed her heart with surprising force. If they were in for their next battle with The Order, she wanted to see her parents one last time before she sealed herself off from them.

  A large party of executives had booked one of the private rooms, so her father would be working late. With the go-bag in hand she’d placed in Jeb’s car earlier, she entered through the back entrance passing the pristine kitchen and food preparation area. Peeking into the main dining room, she glimpsed the restaurant still over half full despite the time ticking closer to closing time. An unwritten rule of staying open until the last patron left would keep her father at the restaurant tonight until the last car exited the lot. The Ranch restaurant exuded quiet sophistication. Rich, dark wood matched modern wall designs made of matching material. In the colder Dallas months, several fireplaces added warmth and ambiance. Lila followed the back hall to her father’s office and knocked on the opened door.

  Dan stepped out of the wine closet in a corner of his office where he kept his most expensive bottles. He had brown hair with a hint of gray, giving the fiftyish man an old Hollywood debonair appearance. Many times, Lila had witnessed her father rebuffing the advances of women patrons. At least she could count on her father to cherish his relationship with his wife.

  He whistled as he held two bottles of wine. “You look beautiful.” He stepped closer. “You okay, honey?”

  Lila rubbed her temples and breathed for what felt like the first time in hours. “It’s been kind of a rough few days.”

  Dan Caldwell’s eyes shaded. She and her father shared the same hazel eye color, which darkened when angry or under duress. He waved to the restaurant manager passing by the office and handed him the bottles. “Make sure the Smith party gets another bottle of pinot. And please ask my wife to come to the office.” Placing his hand on Lila’s shoulder, he said, “Let’s talk.”

  She held up her bag. “I’ll change first.” Fifteen minutes later, she emerged from her father’s office bathroom in sweats and a T-shirt, the weight of her fancy dress lifted along with some of the angst of the evening. Lila sank onto the couch and pulled her feet under her.

  “Has Lance threatened you?” Her father remained standing, his eyes full of concern.

  “No, but I have news.” She expelled a sigh.

  “About the Struthers’ murder?”

  “Not exactly.”

  Dan held up a finger, then exited the room. A few minutes later, he returned with a glass of iced tea.

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “It’s the Sinclairs, right? I wish I could remove the danger they hold over you.” He sank onto the sofa next to her. “I kick myself every day for even getting involved with April. But I can’t be totally upset because if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have you.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  Lila leaned against her father, warmed by the knowledge he’d always wanted her in his life. Vivian, her grandmother, and April, her mother, had conspired to keep him away, by convincing the authorities that Lila’s father wanted nothing to do with his child. By threatening his parents and brother, her father had been forced to sign away his parental rights. But as soon as he could, he jumped at the chance to reclaim her as his daughter.

  “April was very beautiful,” Lila said, unwilling and unable to call the woman Mother.

  Dan nodded. “That she was. I’ll never forget the day she walked into the restaurant.”

  Lila’s stepmother, Patty, burst through the door, her brown skin clear of any wrinkles. The fifty-year-old woman had light-brown hair and a trim figure. “I’m sorry I got delayed. We’ve been busy all week and tonight we had two big parties going on at the same time. I managed to get a peek at you in your gown, Lila. So beautiful.” She stopped talking and stared from Lila to Dan. “What’s wrong?” She sat on the other side of Lila and gave her a hug.

  “I wanted to speak to you both. The press showed up at the Veridian benefit tonight. They were asking me all kinds of questions about Jack’s death. My name is now out there, and they may start sniffing at one of the restaurants or try to get quotes from my family.”

  Dan emitted a loud sigh and stood. “I thought your name wasn’t to be released to the press. How did this happen?” He splayed open his hands then crossed the room to shut the office door.

  Lila shrugged. “No clue.” She shifted in her seat. When she came to live with her father, one of the first things he told her was she could tell him anything. He made sure she felt comfortable talking about her mother and the Sinclairs. As she grew older, Lila always briefed her father when she could about Lance and The Order. Due to the sensitive nature of their FBI taskforce, she couldn’t disclose everything. But both Lila and her father understood the danger they could face. She continued telling them about Lance’s video presentation at the charity event that evening.

  “I can’t believe the nerve of that guy,” Dan said.

  “I feel sorry for his wife and that baby.” Patty shook her head.

  Lila nodded. “I’m sure he feels very manly about fathering a new son to take the reins of evil, but I hope this child takes after his Aunt Carson and turns away from The Order.” Although Lila freely spoke about her past with The Order, she remained mum about her nightmares and panic attacks. She hadn’t wanted to worry anyone.

  Patty placed her hand on Lila’s arm. “Why don’t you pack some things and come stay with us? Since we’re in a gated community, we can let security know not to allow in members of the press. Your Dad and I will both feel better.”

  Patty never fit the evil stepmother image. She’d always been warm, welcoming, and caring. and treated Lila like her own, far better than her biological mother. When their kids came along, first Jenna, who was now twenty, and then Brent, now sixteen, Lila was thrilled to be a big sister.

  “Patty is right. Come back to the house.”

  Putting her family at risk had always driven Lila’s decisions on how much time she spent with them. Even starting her career in Dallas had been an agonizing decision. In the end, she decided she could watch over them better by being close. Now that the press had found her, she hoped her refusal for interviews would be enough to send them elsewhere, but with Lance’s appearance tonight, and her encounter with Cody, her nerves were raw.

  “I’m staying with a friend tonight. I’ll try to come by this weekend.” She hated lying.

  Dan crossed his arms. “That determined expression tells me I won’t succeed in talking you into coming home tonight, but I’m holding you to this weekend. Besides, I have some contracts I want you to look over.”

  Lila grinned. “You’re moving forward with the new restaurant?”

  Dan’s business had grown from one restaurant in New York to ten from coast to coast. He had plans not only to add new restaurants but also to expand into the resort industry. Ever since Lila graduated from law school, he’d been clamoring for her to join his company. But Lila wanted to make it on her own and not be granted breaks because she was the boss’s daughter. She hadn’t, however, ruled out joining DBC International in the future.

  “I have the final papers to sign right here.” He slapped his desk. “It will be great to have a presence in Las Vegas.”

  Patty beamed. “Did you tell her the news?”

  Dan shook his head. “We’re contracting with a major hotel on the Strip.”

  “Wow, Dad. I c
an’t wait to see the designs.”

  Patty stood and hugged her husband. “I’m so proud of him. In fact, I’m proud of my entire family. Jenna made the dean’s list last semester, and Brent is doing well with football and school.”

  “All great news. I’m looking forward to catching up.” Lila scooted off the sofa. As Lila reached for the doorknob, she glanced at her parents, and her heart constricted…if anything ever happened to them…

  Concern washed over her father’s face and he strode over and hugged her. “Text me when you get to your friend’s.” He leaned back and looked into her eyes. “And make sure to lock your doors.”

  “You be careful, as well, Dad.” Lila left the restaurant thankful for the love and support of her parents. They wanted her behind the safety of their gated home, but Lila knew a fence wouldn’t stop Lance.

  Chapter 14

  Muzzle flashes lit the dim tunnel. Lila crouched against the cool wall searching in vain for a way out. A bullet slammed into the concrete splattering her with chips of rock and dust.

  They were outmanned. She counted at least ten men, all with guns. Reid couldn’t hold them back forever. The wall and several vintage vehicles provided a modicum of cover. Her pulse raced, and her muscles tensed. How would they survive?

  Holly screamed. “Lila!” She beckoned her toward the truck she and Cody had taken cover behind. Metal pinged, and sparks flew as bullets blasted into the vehicles. Lila’s eyes teared as she searched through the smoke for a path toward her friends. The odor of gunfire seared her nose and spurred bouts of coughing.

  Another bullet ripped by like a firecracker exploding around her. She screamed and fell to the floor.

  “Lila, follow my voice!” Cody’s voice cut through the battle sounds.

  Her gaze locked on his as he inched toward her.

  “I’m coming!” Cody stood and raced toward her.

  “No, stay back!” She couldn’t let her friends be killed trying to rescue her.

  But he lunged forward.

  Before Cody could reach her, she screamed when a rough arm clamped around her, lifting her up. She twisted and struggled against the grip of the strong, unknown person.

  Cody’s eyes were huge as he stared at her. “Lila!”

  Gunmen formed a barrier between her and the people she loved. Reid, Holly, and Cody stood with shocked expressions on the other side. A white van zoomed onto the scene, almost mowing down her friends. Panic flooded her as her fate became clear. She kicked and screamed but the man’s grip tightened. Even though she was no match against his strength, she refused to give up. As the van’s back door burst open, Lila spotted a gunman training his weapon toward Cody. “No! Cody!”

  The bullet drilled into Cody and seconds later she landed on the hard surface in the back of the van. The vehicle lurched forward, and they rocketed away. Her last thought: Cody was dead. Then her vision dimmed to black.

  * * *

  Lila’s eyes popped open. Her breathing, in raspy staccato rhythm, filled the semi-dark room. Damp sheets clung to her body as she sat up. She shivered as the sounds of gunfire and screams dissipated in her memory. Hot tears snaked the length of her face as she rocked back and forth. The butterfly nightlight in front of her bed illuminated a small portion of the room. The light from blue and yellow wings sucked her in, creating a dizzying effect as her mind whirled through time. She counted in an attempt to control her breathing. In and out.

  The count reached fifty before her heart slowed to a normal beat. When her body stopped shaking, she stared up at the ceiling. The argument with Cody last night had been her fault. He’d been concerned about her safety, and she’d treated him like he was the criminal. The nightmare had to be her subconscious reminding her how much danger those around her could be in. Hopping out of bed, she raced into the bathroom. She had to talk to Cody.

  Twenty minutes later, she’d showered and dressed in jeans and a short-sleeved shirt. She rushed downstairs and ran straight into Cody in the living room.

  “Uh, Cody. Hi.”

  He nodded and remained rooted to his spot. “Did you get some rest?”

  “A few hours.” She shifted. “I was rude to you last night. The press showing up sent me over the edge but that’s still no excuse. I know you had my well-being in mind and I’m sorry.”

  His brows hiked upward. “You were completely out of line. I discharged my gun the other day. You owe me bullets.” He remained stoic with arms crossed.

  Lila met his gaze and erupted in a smile. “Jerk.”

  He grinned. “Takes one to know one.”

  Her grin dissolved. “I really am sorry. I needed to talk to my parents before things get worse. You know—warn them.”

  “Understandable.” He moved to the window and peeped out the blinds before pivoting back. “Your SUV is out back.”

  “Thanks. I tutor kids at a church, but I’ll be back before everyone gets here.” She rushed past him on her way to the back door.

  Cody caught up to her. “Full disclosure. I will follow you. Or I could just go with you.”

  She threw up her hands. “Fine, follow me. I don’t want to answer questions if someone sees me pull up with you.”

  The aroma of, candles, wood polish and old books tickled Lila’s nose as she stepped through the heavy, wooden doors of Fox Street Christian Church. Muted lighting created an ethereal effect and wrapped a soothing arm around her. She ventured into the quiet sanctuary and took her regular seat, fourth row, left side.

  Cody sat several pews behind her. Lila was surprised how comforted she felt with Cody near.

  She’d been coming here for over a year. One summer day, she’d taken a walk during lunch, getting away from the office had been her goal. The church, a block away from her building, beckoned her inside. She attended church services on occasion but she much preferred to sit in quiet and reflect on life before tutoring started. Sometimes she allowed her mind to go where it wanted. Thoughts about faraway vacations, books she wanted to read, or any noncontroversial idea would traipse through her mind. She wouldn’t allow bad memories to taint this place. Noise and activity commanded so much of her life that she relished the calm. However, today her mind wouldn’t settle. The contents of the files on Fox7011 replayed in her mind. Unable to pinpoint how the church related to Jack’s warning, she settled on wild speculation. Was a member of the church in trouble? Perhaps someone here had threatened Jack.

  Large stained-glass windows refracted the afternoon sun in splintered rays. The pulpit rose upward and resembled a phoenix rising from the dead. Pictures depicting scenes from the Bible were painted on the walls and rows of candles were stationed at tables on either side of the sanctuary.

  She often found herself here after a nightmare or a bad night. The church and the calm solitude helped ground her. Glancing at her watch, Lila pulled herself out of the pew and jogged downstairs for the math tutoring group.

  Cody would wait in the downstairs lounge where some of the parents passed the time working on their laptops, reading, or socializing with other parents.

  The basement classroom hummed with life and excited voices when Lila entered. Metal chairs scraped against the old tile floor and the aroma of fresh popcorn charged through the room.

  “Ms. Caldwell!” one of the kids shouted from across the room.

  “Hi, Ryan.” She hugged the cute ten-year-old boy before he scampered off to his group. “Hi everyone.”

  A chorus of hellos were echoed back.

  The Fox Street Christian Church Tutoring Program catered to neighborhood children but accepted anyone, free of charge. This church not only pulled from several low-rent housing areas but also bordered in another direction with more middle-class neighborhoods. Some of the kids attending the tutoring program were in foster care which tugged at her heart. As a child growing up in the same system, she appreciated the need to be treated as someone special, even if it were for a small amount of time.

  "Everyone bring your chairs to our
regular corner.” Lila placed her bag near the chalkboard and settled into the circle of chairs.

  For the next hour, Lila provided math help to her small group, today consisting of six students from both middle and high school. She always had a quick topic or a fun math game they tackled as a group before she provided each student with individual help on homework or test preparation. When the last child had left, Lila hung back. “I’ll clean the room,” she told the other two tutors. “I appreciate you taking my group when I was busy.”

  They nodded and vacated the room.

  Twenty minutes later, Lila rushed out of the room and up to the sanctuary, slipping past Cody who was involved in a conversation with one of the parents. She hadn’t told anyone about Jack’s dying words.

  Inhaling the earthy scent of fresh flowers, she neared the back of the church. Preparations for a wedding were underway. She crept around boxes of tulle and pink roses and headed upstairs. A tiny office and a small conference room were the first two rooms she passed. There were no signs to indicate a room number. As she neared the next door, a man she recognized as one of the janitors lumbered around the corner.

  “Can I help you?” he asked.

  “Frank, I’m looking for storage room 3B. I was told there were supplies inside I could use for the tutoring club.” She stiffened. Would lying in church send her straight to hell?

  Frank scrunched his nose then scratched his balding head. “Storage 3B was the old broom closet up in the bell tower. I can’t imagine anything would still be stored there.”

  “Do you mind if I check anyway?” She cocked her head and waited.

  Frank fumbled with his huge keyring, flipping through several keys. When he found the one he was looking for, he nodded. “Follow me.”

  When they reached the third floor, Frank showed her to the bell tower. “You don’t want to be up here when they’re ringing. I was here one day and almost went deaf, my dang ears were ringing for a week. Other than that, it’s actually nice up here.” He pointed to the set of three brass bells. “Those are originals, seventy-six years old. Were refurbished again last year.”