by Krysta Scott
“So now you’re interested in the inner workings of our people. Very good. But you better tread lightly. There are elders who question your loyalty to the Guild. Some are concerned that you haven’t cleared this matter already. That you are becoming too attached to the Angelus woman. Unless you clean up this mess, I’m not sure how much more help I can be. I’ve already told you too much because you are my son. But make no mistake, everyone involved in this matter must be erased. If the Angelus woman is part of this, she must be destroyed.”
“Just so were clear. What exactly do you mean by destroy?”
“You are to do whatever is necessary to contain this situation. If that means the Angelus woman should die, you will not hesitate”
“Are you telling me the Guild has resorted to killing?” A chill crept down his spine. Surely his mother couldn’t be serious.
“It is an unusual request. But an active Shadow Dancer developed without our knowledge. Our usual methods have not been successful at preventing this development. More severe actions may be necessary. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Mother.” The cold edge of inevitability sliced away a piece of his freedom. But he’d hold on to whatever freedom he had left to extricate Nikki from this mess.
“Good. If you don’t take care of this, the council will send someone else. I don’t have to remind you what that could mean for you.”
“Nope.” After disconnecting with his mother, he dialed Nikki’s office. It was past time finding out exactly what she knew. The need for subtlety was over. The sooner he discovered Nikki’s part in this fiasco, the sooner he could resolve the matter of Nikki and her unusual associates for good. As long as this ended with Nikki still having a pulse, he would walk away with a clear conscience.
Chapter Twelve
Garrett headed to the Juvenile detention center thanks to Nikki’s trusty assistant. His fingers twitched as he veered into the parking lot, scanning the vehicles. Spotting Nikki’s sedan, he pulled into a vacant spot, waiting her to exit the building. He sank down in the seat low enough to escape her notice.
No doubt her visit was with Lori Hanover. He itched to hear the conversation. If only the Judge had granted the grandparents custody. It irked admitting they weren’t the warm and fuzzy type, but that didn’t mean they weren’t capable of attending to the needs of a small child. Even the most cold and callous grandparent could turn to putty in the presence of their only grandchild.
If the Judge had bought Garrett’s arguments he would have access to the child. More importantly, access to her mind. If she were the Shadow Dancer, he could quickly take care of any interference. If she wasn’t, well…
Then there was the problem of the child’s resistance to living with the Hanovers. He had to admit, Lori might have good reasons for wanting to remain away from them. He didn’t have a lot of experience with children, but people in general rarely held beliefs without reason. He needed to know why she preferred remaining in the Juvenile center.
Maybe she was afraid they could take her powers away like they had her father’s. If that were the case, he could reassure her they would do no such thing as long as he was their lawyer. But it didn’t seem to him that they were inclined to strip her of her family legacy. They said she was talented. That meant they wanted to train her. It was like they were trying to gain an advantage over something or someone.
Then there was Nikki and her adoption. Suspicions churned deep inside. Just how much did she know? And how dangerous did that knowledge make her? Overwhelming qualms on her association with Songe burned huge grooves of reservations. Not to mention her role in the Hanover events.
Since the moment he’d kissed her, he’d had the unnerving sense of being a puppet in someone else’s drama. Compelled to react to designed prompts and cues. Nothing could erase the realization of how neatly Nikki was wrapped up in this mess. He didn’t like the reeling out of control any better than not knowing who was in charge. Nikki had answers and she was damned well going to answer them.
His phone rang. “What do you have for me?”
“Wow, you must be desperate.” Mark chuckled. “Not even a how do you do.”
“I don’t pay you for chit chat. I don’t have time for bull shit right now,” he growled, eyes on the building exit.
“I ran the name William Songe through all my filters. Not a very common name so not much popped up.”
“Anything of interest?”
“Actually, yeah. I found a wedding announcement, two birth announcements and an obituary.”
“Was the obituary for William Songe?” That was not good. If the man known as Songe had a previous identity there was no easy way to find out who he was. Unless he could pilfer an item. If Songe was as much of a threat as Garrett thought he was, getting something he owned could prove difficult.
“No, he’s listed as next of kin.”
“All right.” The tension eased from Garrett’s body. “Then who died?”
“That’s the interesting part.”
“Dammit, Mark, spit it out.” Garrett opened his car window, allowing cool air to circulate.
“Is that petty sarcasm I hear?”
“Out with it,” Garrett growled.
“Says here, William Songe had a daughter. Melanie. She married a man named Dale Summers in 1980. In ’82, they had a son. Six years later, a daughter.”
“Do you think that daughter could be Nikki?” Garrett thumped the steering wheel heavily. A loud pulsing thundered through his ear canal. He was close to the truth. He just knew it.
“Unlikely.”
Garrett’s hopes plummeted. He couldn’t believe Songe was a dead end. “Why?”
“That’s where it gets interesting. The baby’s name was Nikki, but she died in a house fire along with her brother and father.”
“They’re all dead?” Garrett’s vision blurred. How was that possible? He was so sure Songe was behind the adoption scam. Had his supposition been too simple? What he thought he knew was engaged in a tug of war with what he was now being told. He didn’t want to let go of the idea that Nikki was Songe’s relative.
“Yes.”
Garrett’s certainty depleted the same instant Nikki emerged from the detention center. She climbed into her car. “Scan the columns and email them to me.”
“Right away, boss.”
Garrett disconnected and started the engine. He followed Nikki out of the lot. If he had to dog her all day, he would. Whatever it took to find out what she was up to.
****
Nikki stood at the backdoor of the Hanover residence. Just a small rectangular box. The type of homes sold after World War II. A basic three bedroom, one bath, with no more than 1500 square feet. Her father would have called it a starter home.
Tired evergreen bushes framed the house in brown thick clumps. The grass barely held its green color. No flowers or other adornments alleviated the barren lawn. She doubted the Hanovers could have afforded much more beyond this house. Most people of their wage-earning potential were lucky to own a home at all. Notes from the file indicated the house had been inherited by Amy Hanover. Which was one of the reasons she was awarded possession of the home in the temporary order. All that changed when Amy dismissed her case. Amy’s fatal error landed her in the hospital and sent Lori into the care of Child Protection Services. Nikki hoped she had the ability to alter Lori’s tragedy. Then Lori could have a fresh start.
No crime scene tape crossed the premises. Luck was with her. The local police had completed their collection of evidence several days ago. Otherwise she would have been stuck with no access to the residence. Now there was nothing to stop her from poking around. Nikki took out the key and slid it in the lock. She entered through a small kitchen laden with appliances dating back to the late 1950’s. The most modern thing in the room was a microwave oven, and even that was old shown by its dial temperature timer. The strong stench of bleach hung over the kitchen. Clean dishes were stacked carefully in the drying rack. Nothing e
lse appeared disturbed since the inhabitants’ departure. But then this wasn’t where the crime had occurred.
Nikki pushed through a swinging door that opened into the living area. Ah, the crime scene. The room was a disaster. Glass covered the carpet. Blood spatters stained the wall. A chair was knocked over, and what pictures remained on the wall were slanted askew just like in the dream when Parker drove the butt of a gun into Amy’s skull.
Suddenly cold, she shivered before forcing herself to enter a tiny hallway. Family photos littered the floor as if tossed aside in anger. She tried imagining what it was like for an eight-year-old held hostage in the center of this sort of chaos. Scary, certainly. Each step on broken glass sent warning shocks up her spine.
As Nikki made her way through, she peered around open doorways. The first was a large room with a queen-sized bed. Books and papers were strewn from wall to wall over the floor in such haphazardness, it occurred to her the fight began here. A bloody fingerprint stained the door frame. She closed her eyes briefly, breathing through a wave of nausea. She swayed but stopped herself from drifting into the sullied area.
The urge to flee was overpowering. But she’d made a promise to Lori. Teddy bear, where the hell was the teddy bear? She gathered her bearings and forced herself to move on to the next room. Just an old stained couch and a TV. Completely untouched. No glass or other indication the fight invaded here. The next, a bathroom.
Then, finally, the room she wanted.
Busted hinges and splintered wood had the door hanging by a thread. A feeble remnant of the last barrier blocking Mr. Hanover from his prized possession, a small quaking child. Nikki turned on the light surprised by how ordinary the room looked. A white dresser and desk rested against the far wall. It was painted pink with sweet pea stencils over an arching window. A large white posted canopy bed occupied the center. The canopy and comforter had tiny rose buds threaded within green vines. With the exception of the broken door and a dust ruffle flipped up over the side of the bed, there was no indication a domestic disturbance had even occurred. She was looking at a perfect little girl’s paradise, right down to the small tea set resting on a tiny table in the far corner of the room. Sometimes the sweetest places held the darkest secrets. It broke her heart.
A pet net hung from the ceiling on one side of the desk. It was too high to reach without assistance, so she dragged the desk chair underneath and stepped onto it. Nikki rummaged through the stuffed animals, sneezing a time or two as dust sailed into the air at the disturbance.
Clearly no one had touched these toys for a long time. They were there merely for decoration. She pulled out a red dog, a green bunny, and a blue poodle before finding the teddy bear she sought. It was just as Lori described, minus a patch of fur here and there. Cuddling the bear to her chest, Nikki jumped to the floor.
“What are you doing here?” A smooth silky voice spoke from the other end of the room.
She froze. Caught like a criminal in the act of breaking and entering. Bullshit. She was here by invitation. So what if it was that of an eight-year-old. Lori may not have the authority to grant access, but he didn’t know that. He stood in the doorway, confident and sure of himself as always. “I have a key. Can you say the same?”
“I was asked to check the house to make sure it was secure.” He rubbed a finger against the broken door frame. Maybe he’d get a splinter for scaring the crap out of her. “Imagine my surprise seeing the back door open and you inside.”
Although she was certain that every word that dripped from his lips was a lie, at this point she was in no position to argue. It seemed every time she saw him they were at opposite ends of the pole. Arguing at every turn. She sighed. Right now, she just didn’t have the energy. Too bad she didn’t think to lock the door behind her. Ugh! She hated explaining herself. “Not that I have to answer to you, but Lori asked for her favorite toy.”
“From way up there?”
A lame excuse, but that’s all that came to mind. If he wanted to contradict her, he could prove it. Right now, all she wanted was to get out of this house and away from him. “Yes.” She tried edging passed him but his shoulders filled the doorframe. “Step aside and let me leave please.”
“I see you’re not as innocent as you pretend.” He reached and fingered the amulet on her neck. His touch was warm and vaguely comforting. It had the effect of transporting her back to her most recent dream—about him. And that kiss. She resisted the urge to move closer and breathe in his masculine scent. To rest her head on that broad shoulder. He was the enemy. Her mission was to stay alert and armed. Nikki stepped back. The amulet slipped from his hold, dropped onto her breastbone. His eyes held her mesmerized with an unpleasant gleam.
A slow smile spread across her lips. Her eyes traveled to his ring, letting him know there was no point in pretending.
He got the message.
“You don’t know who I am do you?” He stepped closer, leaned in. His breath grazed her neck, and despite the efforts of avoiding him, a whiff of cinnamon and cloves assaulted her. She moved away allowing reason to filter its way in. But he followed again, closing the distance between them. “Answer my question.”
“I don’t care,” she blurted, then clamped her lips shut. She hugged the bear close. Using it to shield her from Garrett’s overpowering presence. It wasn’t working.
“Did Songe give you this amulet?”
“Who gave you yours?” she retorted. He would not get the best of her. Two could play this game. She drew closer and lifted his hand, inspected his ring. His hand trembled, surprising her. “Is this an heirloom, too?”
“Quit the cat and mouse games.” He eased his fingers from her. “You need to answer my question, right now.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m an Enforcer.”
“So? I don’t even know what that is.” How was she supposed to know or understand the inner workings of the Guild? She hadn’t thought to ask a single question about the politics. She’d been too caught up in what her abilities were for it to occur to her that the Guild had a social structure. Songe hadn’t exactly been forthcoming on the inner workings. In typical cryptic fashion, Garrett tossed out a position title that had absolutely no meaning to her.
“Well, you should.” He was so close their noses almost touched. The gleam in his eyes mocked her.
She pulled back, taking in cool fresh air, mastering a calm she didn’t feel. “I don’t understand.”
“An Enforcer makes sure the rules are followed.” He placed a hand on her shoulder like he was her mentor. She tried another step back but his hand tightened, held her in place. There was no wriggling out of his grasp. His voice lowered, turned husky. “So tell me, Nikki, are you following the rules?”
“As far as you’re concerned, yes.” She bluffed once more pulling the teddy bear into her chest.
“I’ll just bet you are.” He clucked his tongue and shook his head. “Be careful because if you break the rules I will have to come after you, you won’t like that. I would prefer sitting down and discussing things like civilized human beings.”
She pushed him away relieved when there was air between them. “There is nothing civilized about you, Garrett Nightshade. You skulk around trying to intimidate me. When that doesn’t work you resort to outright threats.” She poked him in the chest with her finger. “Don’t tell me you want civility. That’s the last thing you want. We aren’t on the same side. This is war.”
His jaw twitched. “It doesn’t have to be.”
“You could have fooled me. I know what you did the other day. You may have succeeded in changing Sam’s mind, but it won’t work on me.” She laughed. A brittle sound. “It must irk you to know that I’m not that pliable.”
“Irk, no, but it does concern me.” He leaned in. “Do you know how many people can do that Nikki?”
“No.”
“None.” He formed his hand into a semblance of a zero. “A big goose egg. Tell me, is Songe protecting you?
”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Courage deserted her and she didn’t feel that certain about her stance anymore. She stepped past him into the hallway. To her surprise, he let her pass, but his eyes trailed her every movement. “Even if I did, you are the last person I would cooperate with.”
“I suggest you reconsider that one.” His voice followed her out the door, but she stepped into the fresh air alone. For the moment.
Chapter Thirteen
That night, Garrett prepared to enter Nikki’s mind for the second time. He wouldn’t attempt to alter her motivation in order to win his case, he vowed silently. Nikki’s surface memories were of no use to him in unraveling the mystery of her true parentage. He would have to probe deeper into events she’d forgotten long ago. He relaxed his muscles, assured he was armed with enough information to pilfer the truth from her subconscious. Soon he would have his answers. Even the person protecting her would have trouble interfering now.
Once he was successful, she would know what it meant to defy an Enforcer of the Guild. He would take special pleasure in teaching her respect. If she wanted war, he was in. All the way. Be careful what you ask for, darling, I’m about to deliver it in abundance. Her ignorance was his fortune. He grinned. Wouldn’t she be shocked at what he could do, now that he knew she was one of them?