Free Bird (Anna Series Book 1)

by Lee Alan

  “Well, Miss Price,” he greeted her with that grin. “Fancy meeting you here.”

  “Professor Young,” she replied, finding his smile infectious, “It seems you are full of surprises.”

  He performed a florid bow, which made them both laugh, and then he bounded up the stairs toward her. His muscular thighs flexed as they propelled him up the wooden steps.

  “Well?” He pressed with boyish enthusiasm after reaching her side.

  “Well what?” Her face was a vision of innocence.

  “What did you think?”

  “Meh,” she replied, finding the urge to tease him irresistible. But she swapped her neutral expression to a matching grin, finding his disappointed expression unbearable. “I’m tugging your chain, Corey. It was great!”

  His youthful smile returned immediately, prompting an amusing mental image of a puppy dog wagging its tail. “Woo hoo!” He exclaimed, followed by a spontaneous, silly dance. She couldn’t help but chuckle at the ridiculous spectacle. Oh, I nearly forgot,” he said, producing a small parcel wrapped in silver paper from his pocket, “To say thank you.”

  Touched, she took the neatly wrapped item. “Thanks for what?”

  “For helping me realize I was being a big pussy and to stop feeling sorry for myself.”

  Lost for a suitable reply, she removed the silver wrapping to reveal a polished, red gift box made from a heavy material‌‌—‌‌not the cheap plastic she’d become accustomed to. A handwritten note accompanied it, simply stating, “Anna”. She lifted the lid to find a black, leather notebook. A single word embossed the soft material: “Truth.” Beside the notebook lay a sleek, silver fountain pen. Its hallmarked nib looked like the solid, expensive kind.

  “I don’t know what to say,” she replied. “But we didn’t talk about why you left the class.”

  “Didn’t have to,” he said with a shrug. “Before you turned up on my doorstep‌‌—‌‌”

  “Some doorstep,” she interrupted.

  His mouth twitched with supressed humor, but he became serious, once more. “I felt like a hopeless teacher. You made me feel, well, different.”

  Without thinking, Anna stood and kissed him on his cheek, her lips lingering a moment longer than intended. She felt her cheeks blushing at the spontaneous show of emotion. The sentiment he’d expressed was simple, yet beyond anything she’d received from any man before.

  Awkward silence followed, while her thoughts raced to the rhythm of her pounding chest.

  “Listen, I hope I’m not being too forward, but would you like to do something tonight?” He asked finally.

  “Sure,” Anna replied instantly.

  “Cool. Listen, I just need to grab a few things from my office and meet with the head of my faculty to sign off my return. Then, I’m all yours,” he said, reddening at the inappropriate choice of words.

  “No problem. How about we meet in the cafeteria in twenty minutes?” She suggested, secretly enjoying the minor indiscretion.

  She left the lecture hall feeling light‌–‌headed. There seemed to be a definite spark between them‌‌—‌‌something new, and so intense that she needed a moment to breathe before diving back into his company. Anna headed straight to the cafeteria. Unable to face another cup of coffee, she, instead, took the opportunity to reign in her tumultuous emotions. Everything had moved so fast‌‌—‌‌even Julia remained unaware of just how complicated things had become. As if to emphasize the point, her phone pinged to announce an incoming text.

  “Hey, Little B. Your favorite congressman came to the house. He looked v keen! I told him you’re at college. Hope that was okay? Love ya.”

  “Shit!” Anna exclaimed, not believing the awful timing.

  She did want to express her disgust to James at the way he’d treated her. But she didn’t want to do it with Corey around to witness the end of her relationship with the manipulative pig. Looking at her wristwatch, she could see it’d been a little over five minutes since leaving the lecture hall. Julia’s house was only a few minutes away, so there would be enough time to head off James when he arrived and send him packing.

  Anna headed toward the main entrance around the corner from the cafeteria. As soon as she reached the aircraft‌–‌themed area, James came through the swinging glass doors ahead and spotted her. He looked agitated, and his handsome face held none of the warmth of their previous meetings‌‌—‌‌the mask had slipped. Obviously, Bill Moyer had relayed news of the previous day, because Jim strode straight toward her. His expensive suit and tinted sunglasses made him look every inch the congressman. She mentally prepared for the confrontation, relieved that he’d, at least, come without his hired thug.

  “We need to talk,” he said, taking her arm roughly to lead her to one side.

  “Take your hand off me,” Anna responded, shrugging off his grip.

  The heated display gained the attention of a pony‌–‌tailed girl passing by and James let go, a flash of surprise passing over his features. Obviously, this was a man unused to others resisting his controlling behavior. He smiled toward the girl and then Anna to allay the tension. His grey eyes, however, continued to glint icily. Seeing that the situation had seemed to ease, the youth continued on her way.

  As soon as they were alone again, the reassuring smile dropped with an effortlessness Anna found disconcerting. The real Jim Peterson now stood before her, and she didn’t like what lay underneath the shallow, slick exterior‌‌—‌‌not one bit.

  “Stay out of my business,” he stated, after checking that they were out of earshot.

  “What business would that be, James?” She asked, folding her arms. “The business of perverting the course of justice, by any chance?”

  Again, his shocked look conveyed a misplaced expectation.

  “Listen, Anna, you don’t understand. It’s not as simple as you think.” His tone was persuasive. “This country isn’t run in the magical land of fucking Narnia. Decisions have to be made for the good of all. Sometimes that means breaking a few eggs.”

  “That’s some fucking omelette, James,” she retorted. “Sabotaging a court case, so your buddies can destroy a National Forest.”

  His expression became incredulous.

  “You don’t buy all that left wing bullshit about fracking, do you?”

  “What if I do? How many acres of forest will your little endeavour destroy, hmm? What about anyone living nearby? Do you think they’ll be oh, so grateful to the mighty congressman in his infinite wisdom for poisoning their drinking water?”

  Adopted a look of naked aggression. “Do you think the opinion of a fucking dumb blonde matters?” He said, his attractive features marred by a contemptuous sneer. To her further dismay, something about the sheer venom in his expression reminded her of Tony‌‌—‌‌an implied threat that spoke for itself. “You think that anyone will take you seriously, woman? A fucking part‌–‌time secretary who dreams of being a reporter. You’re still in college, for God’s sake, you stupid bitch!” He continued with venom. His sudden, alien change of character horrified her so much, that she didn’t know what to say. “Even if you did write your ‘story,’ tell me, how will you afford to defend the monumental fucking lawsuit I’m gonna stick up your cute, little ass?” He leered down at her body as he spoke, obviously encouraged by regaining the upper hand. “Who’s gonna stump up the cash to protect you?” He added, removing his sunglasses and staring at her, like a cat toying with a mouse.

  “I will,” a male voice said from behind Anna.

  The spell had been broken. Anna turned to find Corey standing there, outrage written all over his face. At once, feelings of relief washed over her. He laid a hand on her shoulder in a clear gesture of support.

  For a moment, Anna thought she saw a wave of envy pass over the face of the congressman, as he digested the significance of the action. “Oh, I see,” James said, his tone insinuating. “Well, let me tell you, Teach, this bit of fluff isn’t worth the trouble. She’
s nothing but a cock tease‌‌—‌‌trust me.”

  Corey flushed at the leering comment, but continued to grip Anna’s shoulder regardless. “I don’t know who you are, but you should leave,” he replied.

  James Peterson eyed the couple menacingly, but with a renewed hint of uncertainty. He looked at Corey, as if trying to recall his face. “Well, Prof, I hope you’ve got a big pension fund, because, by the time I’m done with her, you’re gonna wish you’d never clamped eyes on this dumb whore.”

  The next moments seemed like a blur. Anna felt Corey’s arm leave her shoulder, and, within a split second, he’d punched the sneering congressman in the jaw, sending him flying onto his back in the middle of the passageway. He started forward toward his prone adversary a second time, but Anna laid a restraining hand on his arm.

  Jim sat up after a few stunned moments, and then wiped away a single trickle of blood running down his chin from the corner of his mouth. He appeared wary, now, like a cornered rat ready to defend itself.

  “I think my pension fund would surprise you,” Corey said ominously. “Ready when you are, Anna,” he added, offering his hand. Without comment she took it, and they left.

  “Do you want to take my car or yours?” Corey asked, as they walked into the huge, adjoining parking lot. He seemed unconcerned by what’d just transpired.

  “We’d be lucky to get to the end of drive in mine. Better take yours,” she replied, embarrassed by the thought of her sad station wagon featuring in their first date together. Shit, she thought, A date.

  “No problem. I just need to remember where I parked,” he said brightly.

  Corey led them through rows of parked vehicles, apparently more concerned about where he’d left his car than anything else. While they searched, she found a new wave of affection toward him. He’d not hesitated for a second before choosing to defend her, proving the true metal beneath his shy facade. Although the assault on James would be considered downright Neanderthal by some, she felt thrilled that he felt strongly enough to intervene. No man had ever done anything that brave for her‌‌—‌‌certainly not Tony in the years they’d been together.

  They stopped in front of a black sports car, where Corey tapped the key button. Anna headed to the polished door on the passenger’s side. But she quickly realized that the answering beep had actually come from a modest hatchback behind its grander neighbor.

  “Sorry. It’s not quite what I expected,” she observed, stepping away from the expensive automobile. “I assumed you’d have one of those supercars I passed on the way to Clear Water.”

  “It’s not very dramatic, is it?” Corey agreed, opening the passenger’s door invitingly. “Trust me, though, I’ve met plenty of guys driving V8 monsters, and they’re always boring assholes trying to compensate for the size of their dicks,” he quipped. “Plus, it makes me a little less ‘look at me, kids, I’m really a billionaire playboy.’”

  “Playboy? Really?” She teased.

  “Well, maybe more of a playman.”

  “Playman? That’s a new one for me. What do playmen do differently from playboys?”

  “Our dicks are big enough not to need a huge car.” He paused and winced, realizing the implication of his joking response. “You get the idea.”

  “Yeah, I get the idea: you’ve got a big dick.”

  Corey grinned before sitting in the driver’s seat and pulling his seatbelt over toward its socket. As he did so, he let out a sharp intake of breath, while clutching the same hand he’d hit James Peterson with.

  “Not used to socking people in the jaw, huh?” She asked with sympathy, and then took the seat next to him.

  “It’s been a while since I was angry enough to hit someone,” he confessed, rubbing his bruised knuckles.

  “How long?”

  “Nineteen ninety seven,” he confessed. “A kid called Billy Bright stole my G.I. Joe.”

  “You didn’t have to,” Anna replied, watching the way the smooth skin of his brow furrowed in pain.

  “What’s the point in having friends, if they don’t stick up for you?” He shrugged. Corey started the engine of the little car, and they quickly left the college behind, only to hit rush hour traffic. “I don’t want to intrude on your business Anna, but considering I’ve just thumped a guy in the face, it might not be a bad idea to tell me why‌‌—‌‌other than he is clearly a prick, of course.”

  And he talked like my lover, she thought the unspoken point for him.

  Sensing the importance of being honest, she told him everything about her job and the blackmail Jim had orchestrated against Moyer. As she relayed the details, it became obvious that Corey was already familiar with the ongoing battle between the energy sector and environmental interests.

  “You’re telling me Mr. Butthole is the Jim Peterson?” He asked, recognition dawning. “Wow. If I’d known that, I would have smacked him twice.”

  “You’ve met him?”

  “I know of him,” Corey explained. “My pals at Greenpeace call him Congressman Frack. He’s got his tongue so far up the ass crack of Vaudrillion Corp that you can’t tell where he finishes and they start.”

  “Aren’t you worried because he’s a congressman?” Anna asked, articulating her own concern.

  “Hey, he’s not the only one with friends in high places,” Corey glanced over and winked. His lack of fear gave her a reassuring sense of safety. “Seriously, though, Anna, wow. You said uncovering truth is your thing, but I’d expected maybe you’d start with a few sharply‌–‌worded food reviews, not skip straight to busting corruption at the heart of government,” he said with undisguised admiration.

  “It’s not like I set out to,” she protested.

  “Listen, what you’re doing is great‌‌—‌‌seriously. I’m just glad I found out, so I can help. Those Washington parasites can be slippery fuckers. Trust me: I learned from bitter experience.” She believed him. “Have you got any proof that he’s blackmailing Moyer?”

  “I’m not sure,” she replied. “I copied computer files from the office, but I haven’t checked them, yet. They could show that Bill had no intention of defending the trust.”

  “We need to warn them,” he concluded.

  “Corey, you don’t have to be involved…‌”

  “No,” he disagreed, “We’re in this together, now.” He gave her another reassuring glance.

  Anna’s sense of relief was palpable. Here was an ally who was more than a match for James Peterson.

  Chapter 13

  Leaving the suburbs of Phoenix behind, the car sped onto the interstate and into the gathering dusk. A gloriously crimson sun hung low in the sky as the world darkened around them. It occurred to Anna that they weren’t headed in the direction of the Clear Water Estate, as she’d expected.

  “Where are we going?” She asked, her racing thoughts finally allowing her to focus.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  Intrigued, she did her best to find out their secret destination, but, after another thirty minutes of travel, he’d refused to spill the beans. Although the sensible part of her grew frustrated with the game, it felt thrilling to drive into the night with the promise of unknown pleasures to come.

  She didn’t have to wait long before part of the mystery unravelled. Corey exited the interstate and headed toward a sign marked “Coolridge Municipal Airfield.”

  “We’re headed toward an airport?” She asked.

  “Airfield,” he corrected. “It’s privately owned.”

  Hold on a cotton‌–‌pickin’ minute. “We’re flying?” She exclaimed. “Corey, I’ve never flown!”

  “Perfect! You’ll love it,” he replied, seemingly oblivious to the note of terror in her voice.

  She was quickly learning that her new companion had a spirit of adventure so natural that he seemed to assume everyone else was made of the same stuff. Pushing aside her fears, Anna willed herself to embrace the daunting prospect of stepping into a metal can before being propell
ed into the air at the speed of sound.

  Soon enough, twinkling, red lights appeared in the distance to denote aircraft taking off. As they drew closer to the illuminated complex, she could hear the unmistakable sound of prop engines roaring into the air. A second later, the entire scene rolled into view.

  A single control tower sat at the center of the hub, its tall body covered in satellite receivers and blinking indicators. A variety of craft could be seen on show, from single engines Cessna’s to the sleek jets of the super‌–‌rich.

  They carried on past the bustling spectacle, and then approached a large hangar at the extreme north end of the facility. It stood apart, surrounded by a tight ring of security fences. Several armed guards patrolled the exterior. Corey pulled the hatchback in front of a gate, which gave access to the mysterious building, before winding down his window opposite a muscled professional manning the checkpoint. His uniform sported a green leaf motif accompanied by the name “Green Gen.”

  “Good evening, Mr. Young,” he greeted them.

  “Hey, Jed,” Corey replied. “How are things?”

  “Quiet one, sir: we’ve only gunned down three terrorists today,” Jed replied, obviously comfortable enough to jest with his boss.

  “Only three? I need to pay you fellas less.”

  “I’m not sure that’s possible, sir.”

  Corey laughed, clearly used to the cheeky banter. “Have you seen the latest weather reports?” He asked, his tone more serious.

  “Looking fair, sir,” Jed replied. “I reckon you’re good to go.”

  “Excellent. Looks like my friend, here, will get to fly for the first time, after all,” Corey remarked, introducing Anna.

  “Hello, ma’am,” the guard said, touching a hand to his black cap. “You’re in for a treat‌‌—‌‌the Mark II is one hell of a machine.”

  She smiled politely while quivering with fear inside. What the hell is a Mark II? She thought in near panic.

  The entrance gate parted, and, with a final wave to Bill, they passed through before parking opposite the ominous, black hangar. Corey exited the car and walked around to the passenger’s side, opening the door for Anna.