Lethal Affair

by Noelle Hart

  “I just kill you softly?” he said jokingly, while his eyes said something more profound.

  She laughed then, the tears spilling, salty on her lips. “You always know just the right thing to say too. Damn it, Will Delaney, you're just about perfect, you know that?”

  “Just about?”

  “Okay, you're spot on perfect. Satisfied?”

  Will pulled her closer. “Not just yet. Let's work on that.”

  *

  At seven in the a.m. Kylie wondered if Drew would even be up and at 'em, plotting his evil deeds.

  Decked out in running gear and fueled with power smoothies, she and Jolene headed out for a light jog through the Village toward Beacon Hill Park. Much discussion had gone into it as Jolene had insisted on shadowing Kylie, her argument being that it would seem more natural for Kylie to be out with her usual running partner. Lyle had fought that one tooth and nail but in the end had lost out to her reasoning.

  Neither spoke, but both sets of eyes darted into morning shadows and still dark crevices as they stepped up the pace, approaching the park.

  Not a soul in sight. Wait, there was an old woman walking a dog. Or was it?

  Over there. A park employee opening the vehicle entrance gates. Was that earpiece he was wearing police issue, or was he just enjoying some early morning tunes?

  Hold on. A single jogger had entered the park just behind them and was gaining fast. They both held their breath as he passed them with a friendly wave.

  Nerves were being stretched taut here.

  What was that? A squirrel, scurrying up a tree.

  Each tiny movement sent shimmies up Kylie's spine. Beside her, Jolene kept her head low, hiding the anxiety in her eyes beneath the brim of her cap. They appeared to be typical young women working on their fitness, but Kylie felt Jolene's tension in each stride as surely as she felt her own.

  As instructed, they followed a route to where the path narrowed, with tall trees and bushes on either side. Surely if there was a place to pounce, it would be there.

  They came out on the other side of it unscathed, and kept moving.

  Sweating now, the two women turned back into the depths of the park where tall pine encrusted firs cut off sunbeams at their knees. They jogged on through, their hearts hammering from exertion as well as anxiety, a deadly combination at best. Each massive tree trunk provided cover for a lurking figure, just as the tall hedges lining a pond to their left were dense enough to camouflage a stalker.

  This was their sanctuary, a place to run off their frustrations and harmonize with nature, but today in this eerie morning light the park felt sinister and foreboding.

  Jolene looked at her watch and broke the silence. It had been forty-five minutes. “Time's almost up. Let's head back.”

  Kylie relaxed by degrees. If Drew was watching them, he wasn't giving up the ghost. Probably snoring in oblivion while here they were at the crack of dawn hoping to snare him.

  “We've been all over this place.” Kylie panted. “Guess he's not a morning person. We'll try again this afternoon.”

  Leaving the park they loped across a wide expanse of lawn where the long shadows of trees spanned across, the rising sun at their backs. They were almost at the roadway. Feeling jaunty now, Jolene turned and ran backward, facing Kylie. She grinned, squinting into the sunlight...

  ...and saw a silhouette loom up behind Kylie, materializing out of thin air! Her startled scream had Kylie trying to turn but overcompensating, tripping herself up as she tumbled to the ground.

  The figure came out of the sun and into sharp focus. It was the jogger who had passed them on the way in. He came to a skidding stop.

  “Oh God! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.” He reached down and offered Kylie a hand up.

  She wasn't having it. Heart hammering in her chest, she grasped her throbbing ankle instead.

  “What the hell do you think you're doing sneaking up on us like that?” Jolene snapped, squatting beside Kylie.

  He squatted on Kylie's other side. “I just wanted to know if you had the time, that's all.”

  Calming, Jolene glared at him. He was good looking and if she'd been in the market she might have flirted with him, but between Lyle and this morning's assignment, she was all out of niceties.

  Where the hell was Crane and his crew? Weren't they concerned about who this guy was? Were they even out here right now?

  Kylie's breathing slowed as her heart rate followed suit. Her ankle was starting to swell and her body was cooling too fast from having stopped so suddenly.

  “Help me up,” she said, and got two pairs of arms doing just that.

  On her feet, she hobbled and then faltered. Instantly the jogger was holding her up but she shrugged him off and took hold of Jolene instead. It was obvious she wouldn't be able to go further on her own.

  The jogger was insistent. “I feel responsible. At least let me help you to your car, or wherever.” He looked genuinely upset.

  “We're okay,” said Kylie defensively. “Just go about your business. Leave. Vamoose. Be gone!”

  With a stunned look that bordered on disbelief, the jogger took off at a slow pace, looking back over his shoulder and shaking his head. He disappeared down a side street, hitting his stride once again.

  Jolene had her cell phone in an armband. She called Lyle and asked him to come and get them.

  Crane's people never made an appearance.

  *

  “We couldn't break cover!” spouted Crane. On his cell, he took a deep breath and counted to ten. Anger was something he didn't need right now, and Will Delaney's ire was a thing to be admired.

  “That fucking jogger could have been Hammond!”

  “It wasn't. We were sure of that, but Hammond's a sneaky bastard and we didn't know if he was somewhere nearby, watching. If we would've closed in when she fell it would be game over right now. We've got to keep going until he takes the bait.”

  “What about Kylie's ankle? She's got an ice pack on it and might need crutches for God's sake. Running in the park is no longer an option.”

  “Then she'll just have to go about her daily routine and when the opportunity presents itself we'll...”

  “Are you joking? Do you have enough manpower to keep her surrounded by undercover officers all the time?”

  “We're borrowing personnel from other departments and they've been lining up to help since Hammond took down Stacie Hoyle. It's Kylie he wants, but he's taking out innocent people as collateral damage. How many more victims must there be to make you understand how vital this operation is?”

  Will digested Crane's tirade. His bark became a resigned growl. “Fine. I get it. So what now?”

  “We wait. Mr. Delaney, rest assured we'll never be far from Miss Lambert no matter what she does. We'll be watching her every move, making sure she's safe.”

  “After all that's happened, I sincerely hope so.”

  Will clicked off his phone and went back into his living room where Kylie was settled on the couch watching TV, her ankle on a pillow with a bag of frozen peas over it. He rearranged his anxious features and shot her a grin. “How about some lunch?”

  * * * *

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  Drew was amused.

  They'd actually thought he would make a grab for Kylie right there in the park. He knew it was all a ploy, with Crane and his lackeys waiting to nab him. Had the jogger been a plant, an actor in the girls' little play? He'd find out soon enough, because their performance had inspired him and he'd formulated the perfect way to isolate Kylie and make her his very own captive audience.

  Humming to himself, Drew raised his binoculars and homed in on a figure as it arrived to a gate, went through and then entered a small cottage.

  He committed the address to memory, got back on his all terrain bicycle and sped off down the pretty cherry tree lined street.

  *

  Twenty four hours in her apartment and Kylie was going mad!

  Her bos
s Margie had insisted she stay off work for a week while the worst of her twisted ankle healed. She was already feeling stronger; either that or the pain killers were really good.

  She tried reading, always a favorite pastime, but couldn't concentrate. Daytime TV left a lot to be desired. Remembering Jay Humphrey's suggestion, she booted up Jolene's computer and went on line to Youtube, calling up self defense videos. Intrigued, she practiced a few basic moves with the fervent hope she'd never have to put any of them to the test. Countless videos later she was going cross eyed and had to stop even that.

  With the four walls closing in, what she really needed was to get out. Will, Jolene and Lyle were all at work. Who else might be free?

  Just as she reached for the phone, it rang. She looked at caller I.D. “Hi Mom. You're a mind reader. I was just about to call you. What's up?”

  Rita's voice was a little too cheery. “Hello kitten. I'm wondering if you're up for a wheelchair ride. We can take in the flea market downtown and then I'll take you for lunch at one of those outdoor restaurants along the harbor. That way we can enjoy the last dregs of this summer weather. How about it?”

  Seemed safe enough. Late summer tourists still packed the causeway along the harbor front, safety in numbers and all. If Rita had suggested a place less populated she wouldn't have gone for it; not with her mother anyway. She'd insisted that her parents be kept in the dark about what she bemusedly referred to as operation bait and snag. Rita's plan seemed benign enough to keep them both out of harm's way.

  “Sounds good, Mom. But let's nix the wheelchair. I'll wait for you at street level.”

  As instructed, Kylie called in her intentions to Crane, then headed out utilizing the cane Crane had brought her in lieu of crutches. It took a while but Kylie managed to navigate the stairs down to the street just as Rita pulled up in her nifty late model Volkswagen Beetle.

  “Oh sweetie,” Rita crooned through the open window, “are you up for this? Let's skip the strolling part and go straight to the restaurant.”

  Kylie climbed into the passenger seat. “Are you kidding? I'm going bonkers lolling around the apartment. All my other body parts have taken up a petition against my ankle. They're not used to all this sitting around; they need to move.”

  “That's one of the things I love about you, your constant pep. Got that from me I think. Your father's turning into a couch potato and I refuse to follow suit.”

  “Well then, let's get this fine chariot of yours rolling.”

  They lucked out and found a parking spot along the waterfront just off of Bastion Square. Nestled between Government and Wharf streets with historical buildings rising on either side, the square was more of a long rectangle where vendors set up their stalls flea market style, attracting throngs of tourists throughout the summer months. At the harbor end were several sidewalk restaurants. A busy thoroughfare, today was no exception as both tourists and locals alike were out in full force, taking in the last warm summer weather.

  Arm in arm the two women made their way, stopping to snoop, to marvel, to admire. All manner of artisan stalls held their interest: jewelry, carvings, hand woven materials, dream catchers, hand made pottery and blown glass. Who better to drool over it with than her mother, thought Kylie. It was something they both enjoyed immensely.

  One of the stalls caught Kylie's discerning eye with its collection of intricately carved soapstone animals. Small enough to fit into the palm of her hand, a seal with huge eyes and actual whiskers embedded into its bluish stone face reminded her of Max. Hadn't he said he wanted to be a marine biologist?

  She smiled at the First Nations vendor. “How much?”

  He named his price. “If you take three, I'll give them to you for half.”

  Kylie knew how hard these artisans worked to produce their treasures and didn't bother haggling.

  “Deal! Give me that whale, this seal and that starfish, the one with the little curling fingertips. Can you wrap them as a gift?”

  “You got it.” While the vendor placed the trio in a bed of tissue paper in a small decorative box, Rita asked, “I take it they're for Max?”

  “Yes. I'll courier them over to Vancouver. It'll be a nice surprise, don't you think?”

  Rita gazed at her approvingly. “I want to hear all about Will Delaney's son. Ready for lunch?”

  Kylie paid the vendor. “My ankle says yes. It's starting to throb again.”

  With Rita supporting Kylie, they moved through the now denser crowd toward the waterfront.

  Someone jostled her and she dropped the box containing the soapstone figures. The package never made it to the ground as a hand snaked out and caught it in mid fall. Turning, she looked into the face of the good Samaritan jogger from Beacon Hill Park. His handsome features were distorted, his eyes bulging with panic as he held her package in a death grip.

  Kylie's smile of gratitude faded. This couldn't be good. Knowing nothing of operation bait and snag, Rita looked on neutrally.

  “You!” Kylie uttered. “Are you part of this?”

  He could barely speak. “I've been given instructions. Please, it's imperative that you come with me.”

  Rita pulled Kylie close. “Who is this man?” she growled, a tigress protecting her young.

  His focus included Rita now. “This crowd... can we find a place to talk?”

  Kylie spotted a niche where the noise level might be less intrusive. Taking back her package and hobbling over, Kylie asked, “What's your name?”

  “It's Paul. Paul Stokes. I know who you are.” He paused, under duress. “Boy do I know who you are!”

  Rita held out her hand. “I'm Rita, Kylie's mother.”

  “Okay Rita, Kylie's mother, I need you to go away now and for Kylie to come with me.”

  “You're not making sense,” snapped Kylie, her own panic level rising. Paul Stokes's agitation was contagious.

  “He's got my wife and baby girl!”

  Kylie's stomach dropped as she filled with dread. “Go on.”

  It poured out of him in a waterfall of words. “He said you'll know how important it is that you do what he says. He must have followed me home from the park yesterday after I ran into you and your friend.”

  Kylie gripped his arm. “Where does he have your family?”

  Paul's desperation was acute. “He stayed with us all day yesterday. He had a knife. He tied me and Sela up.” A sob broke free before he contained it. “Ruby's only three months old. He took them away this morning, said they'd be okay as long as I persuade you to come with me. Oh God! Is he going to kill them?”

  Rita tried to speak but Kylie stopped her. “Paul! Stay focused. Tell me what he wants me to do.” Out of the corner of her eye Kylie saw a couple edging closer. They both wore earpieces.

  Paul gulped in air. “He wants you to come with me, no fuss, no drawing attention to ourselves. He said that since you like acting so much, you need to pretend that we're old friends who have just run into one another. He said if you don't do it right, he'll dump Ruby down a sewer drain someplace and we'll never find her and that Sela won't be as lucky as that! What the hell does that mean?”

  He was shaking now. Kylie felt overwhelmed while Rita stared at her in alarm. “Listen to me, both of you. I'm working with a police team and they're monitoring us. See that couple right behind me? They're undercover cops and I'm the bait. It looks like Drew has taken it, only not quite the way we thought he might.”

  “Is that his name?” asked Paul frantically. “He didn't tell us his name. He's one scary dude.”

  “You already know how dangerous he can be. Let's play this thing out, see how it goes.”

  “No cops! He said if you call anyone it won't end well.”

  Rita was flustered. “Kylie, what do you mean, you're bait?”

  Kylie shoved her package into Rita's hands and linked arms with Paul. “Mom, go home. We'll do lunch another day. I'll explain everything then.”

  Astonished, Rita opposed her. “Not on your life
! I'm coming with you.”

  They were passing the undercover couple and Kylie raised her voice for their benefit. “I'm going with Paul Stokes now, Mom. Please make sure you get home safely!” To compound her words, she looked hard into the eyes of the female half of the couple and was rewarded with a quick wink. The couple immediately surrounded Rita and herded her away through the crowd, with Rita sputtering the whole way.

  *

  Kim Moon had a day off. Living all the way out in rural Metchosin had its benefits; plenty of fresh air and open spaces, just the way he and Carrie liked it.

  That aside, he enjoyed the city too with its civilized culture and thank God for that, because today Carrie was going to set up her stall at the flea market in Bastion Square and would hopefully sell the lion's share of her summer's work. Between the twins and the newborn she'd been kept busy but had still miraculously found time to weave gorgeous throw rugs made from hand spun wool on her grandmother's loom. Labor intensive as the work was, the rugs would supplement their income nicely with just a few sales.

  Thank God again for their ungrudging neighbors Amy and Big Bart Mayer who had volunteered to take charge of their munchkins for the day. Kim still thanked his spirit totem that their son had suffered no ill effects from the helium gas episode at their party earlier that summer.

  The square was in full swing when they got there. Setting up the stall while Carrie brought her rugs from their car, Kim thought he glimpsed Kylie Lambert through the crowd, but then lost sight of her.

  The stall ready to go with Carrie's work artfully displayed and already attracting attention, Kim wandered off to get some cool drinks from one of the sidewalk cafes.

  There she was, he hadn't been mistaken. Kylie Lambert was with her mother and some guy who looked like a bundle of nerves. The trio seemed surreal, the air around them charged with energy.