15 Minutes- The Complete Saga Boxset

by Jill Cooper

  Miranda gazes up for the first time from her clipboard. “We’re close to being able to fix the mentally unstable, but we’re not there yet. If we can cure test subject one of what ailes her, we’ll beg for forgiveness.”

  It’s for a good cause but to hurt human minors….

  She implores me. “Think about what this could mean for everyone, the country. We would be saving millions of dollars and so much heartache if we could simply just take the memories and pain away,”

  Patricia and Rex leave and Miranda isn’t far behind. I’m disheartened as I watch them go. I didn’t get into law enforcement to end up head of security for a corporation that can’t follow the rules. If I hadn’t been fired for discharging my weapon into a crowd, I wouldn’t even be here.

  Don takes my hand and slowly kisses it. “She’s…ambitious. I’m sorry for that.”

  I gaze onto him with loving eyes. “You can’t be held responsible for her actions. Any more than I can expect special treatment just because…”

  “You’re engaged to her son?” Don grins as he kisses my cheek. “She’ll cool down. She always does. I’ll walk you to the security office while I head to my next meeting. Senator O’Reily is still sniffing around and I need to head him off at the pass.”

  We walk down the stark white halls together of the secret Rewind Agency wing that almost no one has access to. Everywhere men and women in white lab coats bustle back and forth between labs and offices. I can’t shake the bad feeling I have and I roll my shoulders back to try to clear some tension.

  “You’re not going to be able to let this go, are you? The conversation we had at breakfast…”

  “It bothers me. Rex isn’t leveling with me about something and Doctor Crane? How she can treat her test subjects so coolly? It doesn’t make sense. Where are the little girl’s parents? If they agreed to this, they should be here, but they’re nowhere, Don.”

  I’ve checked and rechecked.

  Don sighs as we get to the security office. There is a big window that looks in to a room full of monitors and staff. “Doctor Crane has reasons for wanting to clear mental illness and the memories associated with it.”

  “Everyone has reasons for doing things they shouldn’t. It’s called money and just because your family has it, doesn’t make it a motivation for others.”

  He holds up his hand and leans in closer. “I shouldn’t be telling you but since I can trust you not to talk about this with anyone, I will. Dr. Crane had a daughter. Years ago she was murdered in a robbery at home. She got up at the wrong time and…” Don’s sentence trails off, not able to bring himself to say the rest.

  “That’s horrible.” My face scrunches up when I consider it.

  “The trauma of finding her, tore her marriage apart. Mom’s been worried about Miranda far back as I can remember. So, if you can just hang in there a little bit longer…”

  I sigh and gaze back at the security office. I knew when I took the job it was being offered to me because of my colorful past with law enforcement. Patricia wanted someone that wasn’t credible, someone she could control. I took it because I needed the money, but human test subjects wasn’t what I thought I was signing up for.

  That was over a year ago. Now, I’m in up to my eyeballs just as everyone else that works for Rewind’s secret wing.

  “All right,” not like I have any choice. I might love Don James, but I certainly don’t love his mother. The sooner I can get him away from his place, the better. But first, I’ll need to convince him of that.

  He rubs my arms and leans in for a slow, drawn out kiss, the kind we shouldn’t be doing in front of the security office. “Dinner tonight. I’ll catch up with you.”

  “Sounds great.” I wave good-bye to him as he heads down the hall. A moment later, I walk into the security office and ask for a status report. The guards are watching the front of the building, the rear, and side entrances. I sip the lukewarm coffee on my desk and am hit by a jarring memory.

  I’m standing in a building filled with computers and technicians. My arm is around a girl’s neck and she outstretches her arms to someone who stands in front of me. The woman in front of me has long curly brown hair. Her jaw is set tight and her eyes sparkle with determination in a way I’ve never seen before.

  Even though she wears simple jeans and Converse sneakers, she’s a force to be reckoned with.

  The little girl yells. “Lara!”

  That name again. My heart skips a beat as I reply. “Come with me and Molly doesn’t have to get hurt.”

  As the memory fades, the coffee cup slips from my hand and smashes at my feet. I’m jarred by what I thought I knew. This memory spits in the face of all that. Molly, the girl in the bed, did know me, but the circumstances were completely different. What the hell was going on?

  ****

  The first steps I need to take are to find out who Molly really is, where she comes from, and what connection she has to this Lara that no one seems to remember. The test subject files are all kept in Miranda’s office so I head up to go through them while she’s in a meeting with Patricia and the other scientists who work for them.

  Her receptionist, Delilah Chase, is at her desk right outside the cushiony office. She’s a real looker for an older woman with firetruck Red hair and the trendy clothes from Boston’s finest boutiques. “Ms. Winters, can I help you with something?”

  I couldn’t lead with ‘I want to go through Miranda’s files’. “I’m looking for Dr. Crane. Is she in?”

  “I’m afraid she’s in a meeting, but she’ll be back in thirty minutes—more or less. Can you try coming back?”

  Hmm. “I don’t mind waiting. Would it be all right if…” I gesture to the door.

  She grimaces apologetically. “I’m afraid not.” Tap, tap, goes her pencil on the top of her desk as she answers me with a nervous twinge to her voice. “Miranda has strict orders that no one is allowed in her office while she’s away this week.”

  “Ohh…well…I’ve waited for her inside before.”

  “Tensions are running high with the scientists right now. I’m afraid the answer is still no. Terribly sorry about this.”

  “No, it’s okay.” I wipe my hands on my pants as I step back down the hall. “I’ll come back tomorrow. Tell Dr. Crane good night from me and I’ll see her later.”

  Delilah says that she will so I do an about face toward the elevator and come face to face with Rex Montgomery. His smile is smooth as butter and looks nearly as expensive as his fine Italian suit. “Can I help you with something, Cass?” He says my name casually, like a friend would and a chill runs up my spine.

  I don’t know why. We are friends, or at the very least work acquaintances.

  “No. I’m fine, Mr. Montgomery, but thank you.” When I try to side step, he mirrors my steps with a smirk.

  “Dinner then, sometime? I’m being forward, but we rarely get a chance to see each other in our comings and goings.”

  Should I be flattered? Instead my stomach twists with acid at the thought of eating a meal with him. I’m not sure why it revolts me—he has a charming accent, he’s sophisticated and good looking, but my skin shivers at being so close to him.

  “Thank you for the offer, but I’m already seeing someone. Exclusive.” Being I’m engaged and all, I flash my ring to him.

  “Aww,” Rex’s smiles as if he’s relieved. “Well, maybe in a different time or place, then.”

  What a strange thing to say, but I’m quiet as we ride the elevator down together. An awkward silence lingers between us. I cross my wrists and watch the floors count down before we both get off in the lobby. Rex goes left and I head straight ahead with a sigh of relief.

  The lobby is with paying customers waiting for their chance to rewatch fifteen minutes of their chosen memories. The front desk’s phone continuously rings and is answered as I hurry past. I walk over the Rewind Seal of a clock that’s etched in the floor and gaze over my shoulder at the bustle.

  Why
do I feel like I’m escaping something sinister rather than just leaving for the day?

  Outside, Don’s limo waits for me, idling by the curb. The chauffer opens the back door and I slip inside. Handsome and smiling, Don hands me a glass of champagne. He’s more relaxed than I’ve seen him in weeks.

  “Things went well with Senator O’Reily?”

  “I have a feeling he won’t be a problem anymore.” Don grins and we clink our glasses together, that’s something we can both drink to.

  Chapter Twelve: Cassidy Winters

  We have dinner at my favorite fresh seafood restaurant and eat on the balcony overlooking the harbor. The railing and pergola twinkle overhead in small lights. By the time dessert comes, Don reaches across the table to stroke my hand. By the look in his eye, I can tell he has one thing on his mind.

  His arm is tight against my waist as we walk along the pier toward the waiting limo. Don’s had a little too much to drink and he stumbles slightly as we lean on the railing. “We could’ve had the valet bring it by.”

  Don shrugs. “Then I’d miss how beautiful you look with the harbor sparkling in your eyes and how your hair blows in the breeze.” His arms scoop beneath mine and we fall into each other with a romantic kiss that takes my breath away. My lips part against his and I’m sure nothing’s ever felt as perfect as this.

  But the problems with Rewind…it all lingers in the back of my mind as his wine tinged breath takes me away to places I thought were kept for fairytales.

  ****

  Back at the penthouse suite we make love, long and hard until we’re both too tired to do anything else. This is where we are building our life together, but it doesn’t feel like mine. There’s always a reminder that it is strictly his. I’m hoping once we marry, things will be different.

  Don sleeps beneath the simple white sheet and I creep from the bed. The gas fire place warms me as I dress in a pair of skinny jeans. I pair it with a long sleeve blue t-shirt and slip my feet into a pair of high top sneakers. My resolver sits on the dresser and after great internal debate, I grab it and stick it in the back of my jeans.

  Just in case.

  I gaze out the window before heading to the elevator and ride it down to the lobby, my mind spinning about what I’m doing. As head of security, going to Rewind after it’s been locked down for the day, isn’t exactly prohibited, but going through Dr. Crane’s files…. well, that was another story.

  The doorman [name from yesterday] tips his hat at me as he gets the door. “Can I get the car for you, Ms. Winters?”

  I grease his palm with a few crisp bills. “This time I rather walk. If you could keep this between us…”

  He winks his response. “It never happened.”

  Just what I like to hear.

  ****

  I approach the Prudential Tower and just beyond it is the skyscraper that Rewind calls home. The lobby lights are dim for the night. When I knock, the night time security guard, Thomas, lets me in. “Everything okay, Cass?”

  “Sure. Just some late-night paperwork I forgot to file for Patricia.” I grimace and suck in my breath to make it appear bad.

  Thomas widens his eyes as he locks the door behind me. “Damn. Go on up.”

  “Thank you.” I snap my finger at him, playfully, “our secret, right?”

  “Like you were never here.” It’s becoming a trend.

  I slip over the security carousel and push the button to call the elevator. My stomach is tight as I step on and I get a sinking feeling that I’ve done this before, but I haven’t. It’s one of the worst cases of dejavu that I’ve ever had.

  Getting off on the level where my main security office is. Inside, it’s dark and the monitors are off as nightmare security is run through the lobby. By my private office I grab the copy of skeleton keys hanging by my monitor. I show myself out, making sure the halls are clear before I take the stairwell up another three levels.

  To the private lab of Miranda Crane.

  Delilah’s screensaver rotates on her screen, dimly lighting the way. I slip on a pair of black gloves and disable the alarm system using security’s access code that gives us carte balance and unlock the door.

  The office is bigger than most people’s apartments. The wall is lined with bookcases jammed packed with binders and there are two tan leather sofas in the middle of the room. I head to the back where the sprawling desk is and behind it the filing cabinet.

  Just what I’m looking for.

  Drawer after drawer, I search for information on test subject one—Molly. I find information on everyone but her. Not able to cross reference her last name, leaves me drifting in the dark. Sighing, with my hands on my hips, I think back to what Molly said.

  She called Miranda mom.

  I search under Crane and I find nothing about Molly, but instead I find a folder marked Lara—the girl that Molly thinks we should all know. Maybe I didn’t find anything on Molly yet, but maybe this would unlock what I need to know.

  Pulling it out, I allow the filing cabinet to close as I flip through the information in the folder.

  Police reports, autopsy diagrams, and lists of suspects for the break in from over fifteen years ago. My heart stills at the photo of a little girl’s cupped hand, her body just out of frame. I flip page after page, looking for how all of this is relevant in anyway when I come to Lara’s smiling school picture.

  I’m taken back by how much she looks like Molly from the chin to the brown curly hair. Is it possible they’re the same person and somehow Miranda figured out a way to use time travel to bring her here?

  It doesn’t feel right, that’s not the right answer. I have to keep digging.

  Bringing out my smart phone, I use it to take photos of the file. If it’s important, I don’t know yet, but in my gut, I think it is. After I organize the folder the way I found it, I slide it into the filing cabinet—prepared to slink away.

  When I grab the door handle it starts to spin in my hand. It pulls open and I stare into the dumbfounded expression of Miranda Crane.

  Chapter Thirteen: Cassidy Winters

  “What are you doing in my office?” Her words rip through the air, indignant and arrogant as ever, but there’s something different about her eyes. They’re wider, almost manic as she looks me up and down.

  I swallow my own misgivings and play the only card that can get me out of this. “Official business. Maybe I should be asking you while you’re here after hours so late at night? Don’t you have a family to go home to, Dr. Crane?”

  “That’s an insensitive question.” Her scowl falters and she holds onto the door tight. “Who sent you here?” Miranda’s question almost demands an answer from the fury in which she asks it. “Did Patricia send you?”

  The question throws me off guard. I thought they were the best of buddies but if Miranda suspected her of something… “And if she did?”

  Miranda steps through the door and glances over her shoulder out into the hall before she grabs my wrist. “You can’t listen to her. Please, Cassidy. I just need a little more time. Don’t tell her I was here, please. Tell her…something. Anything you think that’ll work. Please.” She tacks the please on with sincerity.

  I’m not used to seeing the great Dr. Crane beg for anything, especially from me.

  “What does she have on you?” My eyes narrow with suspicion and I think back to the file on Lara Crane I found. “Does this have something to do with your daughter?”

  “Of course it does,” Miranda hisses. “You know that! Everything that is happening has to do with her!”

  “I don’t know anything. I came here to find out information on Molly, but I found nothing on her at all. Only a file on your daughter.”

  ,“So Patricia didn’t send you?” Miranda closes her eyes as if in a silent prayer and the color slowly returns to her cheeks. “Then why are you here? What are you up to?”

  I cross my arms and stare her down. “What does Patricia have to do with your daughter?”

&n
bsp; “Everything,” Miranda whispers, tears springing up to her eyes. “But we can’t talk here. It’s not safe. We’ll meet tomorrow.” She searches her purse for a piece of paper. On it she writes something and shoves it into my hand. “You can get away for lunch, can’t you?”

  I commit the address to memory before I stuff it in my jean pocket. “I’ll be there.”

  “This conversation never happened.” Miranda pulls her purse strap onto her shoulder and tosses her hair back. “You can make sure of that, can’t you? Clean the security tapes. Immediately.”

  Doing so would get me fired if I was caught, but I nod. She has the answers I need and her fear of Patricia surprises me. More than anything, my curiosity must be sated and Patricia can never know I was here.

  “It better be worth all this trouble,” I warn her. “If it’s not, I go to Patricia James myself.”

  A lie, but a good one. Miranda’s face crumbles with fear and I realize how dangerous Patricia, my future mother-in-law, might be to inspire that kind of fear.

  In the security office, I do as I say I would. I remove the security tapes so it looks like neither I or Miranda were never there and I clear the visitor’s logs so it looks like no one ever visited the Rewind Agency after dark. I’m reasonably sure that Patricia never speaks to the guards about such matters, she barely speaks at me except to bark orders.

  On my way out, I wave good-bye to Thomas, doing my best to smile and stay cordial. He doesn’t need to know what I know—which at this point isn’t very much. Soon, that’ll change and I just hope all this trouble is worth it.

  When I get back home, the penthouse is still dark. The gas fireplace has dimmed in my absence and I change out of my clothes and slip into my pajama bottoms. Back in the bed, I shimmy under the covers and Don stirs.

  He moans with one arm thrown over his forehead and his other hand reaches for me, pulling me down for a kiss. “There you are, Lara,” he whispers, half asleep. “I’ve missed you.”