The List- Alyssa's Revenge

by Casi McLean

  She glanced toward the van and nodded. “Agreed.”

  A crease formed above his nose. “So…back to Emily’s trip to Georgia. I thought she and Ash flew to Savannah for some R and R. Sounds like there’s more to her trip than a few days of rest. What the hell is AquaStar? And more importantly, why did you send her to Savannah on a case without giving me a heads up?”

  “She’s with Ash, Wyatt.” Noting his glare didn’t fade with her response, she continued. “I was about to tell you tonight before the whole Hanna situation occurred. Hang on a sec.” She held a hand toward him then tapped her earpiece and gazed at the boathouse. “Parker, update.”

  “Sorry Director, Brewer thinks she has something upstairs…On my way there now.”

  “Ten-four,” she said, turning her attention to Wyatt. “When we finally broke the encrypted code protecting The Association’s list, we hoped to find the scum responsible for Alyssa’s murder. But aside from a few key icons, we found pages of companies and acquisitions.”

  “Yes. Steel mentioned that earlier. He’s been working on tracing connections back to their source.”

  She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Right. At first, the list appeared to be empty leads and dead ends…until I stumbled on a name that kept reappearing.”

  He raised his voice with a stern reply. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”

  Shaking her head, she rolled her eyes. “If you recall, I searched for you to show you something shortly before you found Hanna, but the conversation didn’t quite play out as I intended. Since then we’ve been totally preoccupied.” She raised a brow.

  “Touché.” He glanced toward the van. “Go on.”

  “We spent weeks digging into dead ends. I knew if the list was important enough to kill Alyssa, The Association must have hidden more than a few empty corporations in the document. When Logan mentioned the dark web, the image of a spider web imprinted into my thoughts. A spider spins a huge web to catch her prey. What if the list was designed to frustrate those without the key?” She paused to let the concept sink in. “Think of the list as sort of a Chinese puzzle box…you know, those decorative wooden boxes that can only be opened after a series of complicated moves? To find the prize in the middle, you have to push, pull, slide, lift and press the panels in the correct order.”

  Harper crossed her arms and stared at Wyatt. She’d seen his expression many times before, years ago when they teamed together to unravel the Iranian deal. His deep aquamarine eyes twinkled like a child’s at Christmas as puzzle pieces fell into place.

  God, how she loved that expression…that passion…that man. His sable hair, longer now than the shaved marine cut he wore in Afghanistan, softened his features. A tight tee-shirt outlined his muscular build, sending a warm quiver between Harper’s thighs as she recalled running her hands over his body…and his smile still took her breath away. How could he have changed so much? Granted, his injury was life-altering, but so was their relationship. What the hell was he thinking to just walk out of her life without so much as a text goodbye?

  “Okay, so did you crack the puzzle?”

  His comment volleyed her thoughts back to the present. “Not exactly, but I found a few shell companies linked to one name with offices in Savannah. AquaStar.”

  “That doesn’t explain why you sent Emily and Ash to Savannah to investigate AquaStar without running the idea past me.”

  “I didn’t mention the trip because I didn’t want to worry you.” She paused to watch his reaction, aware he hated being left in the dark about anything. “Since Alyssa’s death, you’ve been a bit overprotective of Emily, and understandably so.”

  “Let me get this straight. You lied to me about sending my sister to Savannah on a hot lead…to protect me?”

  “No.” Harper bit her fingernail, a habit she’d had since childhood that always surfaced when she manipulated the truth. “Listen, Wyatt, you have to ease up on Emily.”

  “I’m not about to lose the only sister I have left.”

  “Why do you think our crew works so well?” To be sure her question remained rhetorical, she slid right into her own answer. “We all have unique expertise. Few people could beat Parker Teale and Victor Price in hand-to-hand combat or sharpshooting. Brad Miller’s forensic photography catches what our eyes miss. Stephanie Brewer’s Marine tactical background gets us in and out of dangerous situations in one piece. I haven’t seen a security system Kara Rhodes can’t hack, which complements Logan Steel’s physical manipulation skills––like momentarily blacking-out an entire city. Think about this, Wyatt.”

  He stiffened. “I think this bullshit has nothing to do with why you lied to me.” His chin jutted forward.

  “Just hear me out. Your IED and arms proficiency is unrivaled, and your strategic analysis of situations is constantly spot-on. My position affords the ability to open doors. The New Patriots have every angle covered and our trusted contacts within the government can pursue enemies of the state using our intel. We’re only missing one thing.”

  “I can’t wait to hear this.” Wyatt glared. “Let me guess. My sister’s extrasensory abilities?”

  Again, her fingernail shot to her mouth. “In part…Wyatt, don’t forget Emily’s psychic powers and investigative reporting training paired with Ash’s intuitive detective skills cracked Alyssa’s murder. Their talents waste away in the tech room. They’re so much more valuable in the field.”

  “I see.” He tensed his jaw. “And you’re worried I’d put Emily’s safety before the needs of the New Patriots?”

  “No…well, maybe.”

  “Harper, you know damn well Emily’s sixth sense will place her in the line of fire every time and I can’t let that happen.”

  “Bingo. That’s why I didn’t elaborate on Emily’s investigation…at least not until if or when I needed to.”

  “I’m not a child, Harper. And I sure as hell––”

  “Neither is Emily.”

  “Director, we found something.” Parker’s voice echoed through the night as he burst outside.

  “We’ll continue this later, Wyatt.”

  He mumbled under his breath. “You’re damn straight we will.”

  Harper turned toward Parker. “Bag it. We’ll take a close look when we get to the compound. Hanna needs some sleep. Let’s get out of here.”

  “I don’t think that’s…a practical idea.” Parker strode toward Harper.

  Tapping her foot, her hands flew to her waist. “Why the hell not?”

  After a shrug, Parker turned toward Vic standing in the doorway.

  “I have to agree.” Vic smiled then stood to one side and bent at the waist, sweeping an arm toward Brewer.

  Stepping to the foreground, she approached Harper and Wyatt. A small boy clung to her, his face burrowing into her shoulder.

  Chapter Seven

  “Geez, what a day.” Emily Rose slid into the corner booth and accepted the menu the hostess offered.

  Ashton Frasier thanked the hostess then leaned forward and kissed Emily’s forehead. “I need to hit the head. If the server comes before I return, order me some iced tea.”

  “Damn, did you know this place is one of the oldest and most haunted structures in Savannah?” Her gaze drifted to Ash. “Sorry babe. Iced tea. Got it.” Again, she buried her face in the historic account of The Pirates’ House. Shadows and ghostly apparitions walk through the rooms and sometimes disappear down the twisted stairway to tunnels below. Noticing a distinct drop in temperature, she shivered and raised her gaze, envisioning the building circa 1753. Despite the eerie cold, a warm calmness curled into her stomach.

  “I should think you have enough ghosts of your own.”

  The whisper, so soft yet vibrant, startled Emily. Squeezing her eyes shut, she envisioned her sister in a flowing white gown studded with diamonds and gold. She’d dreamed of this moment for months. Slowly, she lifted her gaze, opening first one eye then the other. Her eyes widened. “Alyssa.”

 
The room faded to a misty blur. Across from her, as crystal clear as daybreak, sat Emily’s twin.

  But flashy entrances were never Alyssa’s style. Instead, her dark brown hair fell in soft curls over her shoulders, adorning a royal-blue t-shirt splashed with I love Savannah’s River Street. Her typical blue jeans and a pair of Nikes completed her outfit. “In the flesh…well, not exactly.” She smiled and slid her hand across the aged wooden table. “I tried to choose the right place and time to materialize without scaring the crap out of you. Are you okay?”

  Emily tentatively extended her hand until her fingers brushed over Alyssa’s. “Oh my God. I can feel you. I mean…you’re really here.” She grasped her sister’s hand and tugged, drawing her closer until they could hold each other’s wrists. “I’ve missed you so much, Lyssa. Sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe without you.”

  “I know. And I’m so sorry. But I’m never more than a heartbeat away. I wanted to tell you, to materialize, but our last encounter drained my energy and I needed time to regain my strength and figure out how this whole ghost thing works.” She squeezed Emily’s hand.

  “You saved my life.” A single tear escaped and trickled down Emily’s cheek. “I was so afraid I’d lost you forever but look at you. You’re beautiful and so alive. How?”

  “There’s something about this town…so many souls wandering, searching for loved ones. It breaks my heart to feel their pain. I’m not sure how, but these spirits strengthened my power.”

  “I wish Wyatt could see you, Lyssa. He puts on a great show, but he so broken. Even Harper can’t get through to him.” She bit at the corner of her lower lip. “How he blames himself for your death is beyond me, but losing you sent him to a scary place.”

  “I’ve tried so hard to connect with him, but he sinks inside his own mind. The terrors of war, losing his legs, disappointing Harper…I guess my death was too much for him to bear.”

  “He won’t even talk to me about anything personal, but I sense his torment.” Emily loosened her grip and leaned back. “Duke helps. He loves that dog so much.”

  “So do I. He’s super smart and follows every command I give.” She smiled. “And Wyatt talks to Duke. At least he bares his soul aloud…and I’m usually around to eavesdrop on his one-sided conversation. That’s why I sent Hanna to Roosevelt Island. I think they can help each other.”

  Emily’s smile wrinkled her nose. “You little sneak. Still messing in our lives…right where we need you, Lyssa.” She drew her long dark hair into a ponytail then fastened the mop with the claw clip hanging from her purse. “When I sensed you on the flight, part of me was afraid I dreamed the connection, but I tried to call Wyatt anyway. When I couldn’t reach him, I texted Harper and told her to take Hanna’s case. “So, who is this magical woman and how can she help Wyatt? I hope not at the expense of Harper. I really like her, Lyssa, and she is so in love with our brother.”

  Alyssa leaned forward then rested her crossed arms on the table. “Yes, I know, and don’t worry. Hanna is no threat to Harper. She’s only sixteen and she needs the team’s help.”

  Emily cocked her head. “How so?”

  “Someone kidnapped her and for almost two years, she’s been traded like a commodity, sold for sex, beaten, abused…” Her voice trailed off to dead silence for several beats. “She’s been a prisoner along with several other children, owned by a high-power human-trafficking ring.

  “How did you know about Hanna?”

  “A slimy freak-job moved the kids into the boathouse near the old Aqueduct––I hang out there from time-to-time––anyway, I tried to help her for a solid month. Of course, she didn’t know that. Fear dominated her thoughts to the point I couldn’t break through. I finally haunted her dreams––in a good way, though. I showed her how to dislocate her thumb so she could free herself from the handcuffs that bastard made her wear every night.”

  “I used to hate it when you did that. It gave me the creeps. But oh my gosh, the thought of human trafficking…raping children…babies…peddling their souls like commodities to sexual predators. That’s unconscionable.”

  “I know. I had to help Hanna. Her spirit is so strong. She’s such a fighter. Last night, she escaped, but had no idea where to go. I wanted to help her so badly I concentrated all my energy on her…and she actually saw me, Em. I don’t know if my power generated my image or her fear made her vulnerable, but we connected. I helped her find a canoe and directed the craft toward Roosevelt Island. Then, knowing Wyatt’s walks would lead them toward the shore, I showed Duke where to find her.” Alyssa’s face beamed.

  “That’s amazing. The team is on the case now.” She reached across the table and squeezed Alyssa’s hand. “You’re getting pretty good at this ghost thing.”

  Alyssa smiled. “I’m still learning how the spirit world works, but I’m so glad I could help Hanna. I think she might be able to break through Wyatt’s shell, too. He’s so wrapped up in what he sees as failures, he can’t see the man he’s become. Saving those kids and taking out the drug ring changes his focus to the real world. They need a hero in the worst way, and when he’s successful, he’s bound to see himself in a better light.”

  “I agree.” Emily bubbled. “I am over the moon to see you, but why did you come to Savannah––and for that matter, how?”

  Alyssa raised her chin and briefly peered toward the ceiling. “This morning, I thought about you and your investigation, closed my eyes and visualized Savannah…and when I opened them, I was standing by the Waving Girl’s Statue on River Street, about two blocks from here.”

  Eyes flared wide, Emily dropped her jaw. “Holy crap. You totally transported yourself. That’s way cooler than psychic sensing.”

  “Right, but here’s the thing. When I materialized, I opened my eyes to see a huge container ship navigating the river toward the Port of Savannah…a ship carrying a container marked AquaStar.”

  Emily’s thoughts raced. “Are you sure?” Since they arrived, she and Ash had followed every lead they uncovered on the Dark Web but found no trace of AquaStar’s holdings, despite the Savannah tag that appeared every time they pulled up the name. If Alyssa’s sighting was accurate, she might break this case wide open.

  “Positive. I went to the port and watched them unload the ship. You need to get over there, Em. I have a really bad feeling about your case. When Ash returns to the booth, tell him. You’ve got to find out what’s in those containers.”

  “Yes.” Emily fisted her hand and drew her arm close. “Alyssa, you totally rock.” For the first time since Lyssa appeared, Emily glanced around to see the mist fading. “Where is Ash? He’s been in the restroom for so long. I hope he’s okay.”

  “I’m sure he’s fine. I have to go now, Em.”

  She shifted her gaze to her twin. “No. Please, don’t go. I want you to meet Ash…and there’s so much more I want to talk to you about.” Emily’s stomach tightened at the thought of losing her sister again.

  “We’ll talk soon. I promise.” Her image faded into a translucent form. “Tell Ash I approve. He’s hot, Em, and a really good guy. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Has the server stopped by to take our drink order?”

  Emily snapped her gaze toward Ash. “What took you so long? Oh my gosh, you’ll never guess who just––”

  “What are you talking about? I’ve been gone maybe two minutes, tops.” He squinted then slid into the seat exactly where Alyssa had sat only moments earlier. “I’m starving.” Gazing at the menu, he added, “Anything catch your attention?”

  Emily’s heart pounded so hard she could hear the thumps. “You have no idea.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Just look at those two kids, still clinging to each other but fast asleep,” Wyatt whispered. He inched the door until the latch clicked closed. “It’s a miracle they can sleep at all after all they’ve been through. I hope Brewer can extract something we can use to find his parents. They must be frantic.”

  Harper
brushed a strand of soft blond hair from the boy’s eyes. “She’s a pro, especially with kids. Even his last name would help.”

  “How much can he know at his age? He can’t be more than five or six and God knows what he was exposed to at the hands of that” ––he paused as a lump twisted in his stomach at the thought of such perverted behavior. “Damn those bastards. Who does that kind of shit?”

  “You’d be surprised.” Harper glanced at her watch then placed a hand on Wyatt’s shoulder. “It’s almost five a.m. I imagine you could use some sleep as well.”

  “Nah, I don’t sleep much anymore. After spending years initiating night raids and missions, I rarely get more than a few hours at a time.”

  “I remember. Luckily, my operations rarely included middle-of-the-night missions.”

  Nodding, he faced the hallway that led to the recreation center opposite the sleeping wing. “You go ahead and get some rest. I want to grab something from the kitchen before I turn in.”

  “No sense in sleeping now. I have to be at NCIS by 7:00.” She followed his lead. “Food sounds good. Mind if I tag along?”

  “Suit yourself.” He reached into his pocket and dug out his phone then strolled down the long corridor, flipping through his messages in silence. Not that scrolling held his interest, but the effort gave him an excuse to avoid the elephant in the bunker.

  Drawing a long breath, he savored the soft scent that was Harper. Even after the hellish night, her fragrance sent a hot quiver shooting into his groin. He wished he could take her right there in the hallway, but common sense tamed his desire. Drawing her into his chaos…no…he wouldn’t subject anyone to the madness, especially Harper.

  She paced with him in silence, gazing his direction several times.

  Approaching the kitchen, he tucked his phone into his pocket then shoved open the door. He grabbed a cold brew from the fridge and offered it to Harper. “Beer?”

  She shook her head. “I stored a few energy drinks in the door. I’ll take one of those.”

  After tossing her a bottle, he scavenged for the ham, lettuce, tomato and mayo, placing them on the prep island. Aware the sexual tension between them was so thick he’d need a machete to slice it, he gritted his teeth. He needed to resolve the issues for the team’s sake if not his own.