by Krysta Scott
“No.”
“What do you suppose your mother would tell me regarding this situation?” It was a calculated question, and it didn’t fail to hit its mark. Parker’s face grew red and his eyes widened in panic.
“Uh, I, uh…what do you mean?”
“What will your mother tell me about the allegation of abuse?”
Parker’s expression went blank, regaining composure quickly. “Amy is a liar.”
That might be part of what she would say, but Nikki would lay odds that wouldn’t be everything. She held out no hope that Mrs. Hanover would reveal Parker’s confession. The woman would protect her son no matter what. She wasn’t so certain, however, his mother would completely side with him anymore.
“I need the name and phone number of your parents so I can speak with them.”
“I would prefer they not be involved, ma’am.” Parker met her eyes with deep concentration. A slight pressure wafted passed.
“I understand.” For a moment he seemed relieved by her words. “But I need to talk with them regardless. Often times, grandparents have great insight into their grandchildren.”
Red crept up his neck, but he dutifully wrote their name and number on the paper she indicated. He pressed on the paper, and the angry flourish ended in scribbles nearly tearing the paper.
He tossed it to her, sneering. He hadn’t gotten his way, but his reaction was way over the top of frustration. Had he expected her to comply with his wishes? Curious.
His attitude portrayed that of someone with high status who demanded respect. A lofty expectation for an auto mechanic with less than two years of college. “It’s not my intent to upset you, Mr. Hanover. It’s in Lori’s best interest for me to speak to as many family members as possible.”
“I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m her father. What’s in her interests should be up to me…and her mother.” He steepled his fingers against his chin.
His attention focused on her, but something in his expression seemed …off. His pupils dilated, making his gaze too intense.
A chill hung in the air.
She rubbed her hands up and down her arms but refused to reach for her suit jacket. Alerting him to how his behavior unsettled her didn’t seem wise.
She leaned back in her chair. “I understand how you feel. However, while this case is ongoing it’s up the court to decide what’s in your daughter’s best interest. My investigation helps with that.”
“Fine.” His expression relaxed but his gaze never left her face. He said nothing further drawing out the silence staring at her. Waiting. Expectant. But for what? Since he’d calmed down it was probably best to continue as usual.
“One of the things that might help you, would be if you attended counseling. I would recommend Dr. Sanders. She is very familiar with situations such as yours.”
“Oh, I don’t know that there is any counselor familiar with my situation.” His voice was slippery. “Nor yours.”
Her back went rigid. “I’m sorry?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.” His eyes burned through her, evaporating any façade he’d mustered. Nikki clasped her hands together to stop them from shaking.
He measured her with his gaze. Never blinking. Never twitching.
“Why are you really here, Mr. Hanover?”
“I thought it was time we had a chat.” He grinned.
“About?”
He scooted his chair closer to the desk.
She pressed into the back of her own chair. The stacks of files failed to fend off his intruding presence. The intensity in his gaze returned. “I think you have done enough to assist my family. From now on, I suggest you keep out of our business.”
Hackles raised, she bit out. “I’m sorry, Mr. Hanover, but it’s my duty to look after Lori’s best interests.” Nikki riffled through her rolodex and pulled out a number. She copied it on a piece of paper, then stood and held it out to him. “Here is Dr. Sander’s number. Allow me to walk you out.”
“I’m not finished.” A warm blanket of air blew past, freezing her in place. Parker rose, placing both hands on her desk. A slow sinister smile curved his lips. The air squeezed around her. She gasped, unable to get a complete breath. “You will leave us alone.”
She squirmed under the pressure. All she managed were a few grunts.
He nodded. Apparently, pleased with the outcome of his visit, he turned his attention to the contents of her desk. Nikki fought against the constraints of the invisible barrier. She had to do something to keep him from reading her files.
He picked up a small piece of paper. The article.
She struggled to get free. Desperation seized her. He was holding personal information about her family.
“What is this?” His eyebrows lifted as he scanned the contents. He slipped the article into his pocket. “I think I’ll keep this. You have a good day now.”
Parker strolled from her office. Once he was out of sight, the pressure on Nikki’s lungs eased. She inhaled a huge gulp of air then sprang into action. She raced down the hall. But Parker had disappeared, along with her private history. She leaned against the wall, its cold surface the only thing that kept her standing. What had she done?
Chapter Eighteen
Adelaide Nightshade couldn’t curb the mounting anxiety pounding through her veins as she drove into the upscale neighborhood on the west side of town. These were houses filled with people who could afford professional landscaping, never believing their idyllic lives could topple over in a split second.
They decorated their lawns with red, purple, and yellow flowers, forming rings around trees placed equidistant from each other. The order of the foliage mocked her as she wound her way down the road. Everyone went about their business fearing nothing. She hated them all.
No one in this community, save one, knew of the benefits her society gave them. The pain the Guild eased and suffering erased. They were blissfully unaware of the delicate balance and order necessary to serve mankind. She compressed her lips tightly. And that structure had been breached.
Her tension level was at an all-time high since Garrett paid her a call earlier that morning. She pounded her fists against the steering wheel. How could the Guild have missed such an important development as the birth of the Shadow Dancer? Arrogant bastards! So sure no member could slip through the boundaries set for them in childhood. But one of them had. And there was only one person it could be. The outsider.
All children raised within the Guild had boundaries set for them from childhood. Even if their thoughts led them to alter more than they were allowed, they wouldn’t have mastered the skills to do so. All signs they had more powers than the Guild allowed were expunged early on.
She could no longer deny someone had evolved to the point that they could change real events, not just feelings and opinions. If Garret was right, it was all William Songe’s underhanded work.
Garrett refused to confirm how deeply involved Nikki Angelus was. Since her son had made the unfortunate acquaintance, he’d behaved as if the Guild was the enemy. As if someone messed with his mind. Fury surged through her veins. It was past time to pay Mr. Songe a personal visit. And that she lay at Garrett’s unhelpful feet.
“Your destination is on the right,” the annoying GPS voice-over said.
“So, I have arrived,” Adelaide mimicked. She considered the grand structure with its meticulously manicured lawn. So this was where the traitor lived.
Adelaide stepped from the car and made her way up the long curving path, bordered by white periwinkles on either side. A welcoming scene. One she was certain would disappear once she met the monster residing inside. She lifted the door knocker and let it drop. The sound reverberated hollowly. The door slid open revealing a man around sixty dressed in an elegant navy blue pin-striped suit.
Her breath caught. He’d aged well. He should be shriveled, bent and tortured by his defection. Not the picture of health and fine living.
“May I help you?” His eyes
landed on the Guild crest hanging around her neck. To his credit, no crack appeared in his composure. He smiled as if greeting a stranger. They’d never officially met but he knew what she represented. Yet he chose to play daft? She bristled under his show of ignorance.
“Don’t play coy with me, Mr. Songe. You used to wear the Guild ring. I’m sure you know why I’m here.”
His lips curled in amusement. “Do I? I’m sure I don’t. You have me at a loss. You know my name but I don’t know yours.”
She squared her shoulders, pulled herself upright. “I’m Adelaide Nightshade.”
He lifted his eyebrows although she was certain he wasn’t surprised by her response. “Garrett Nightshade’s mother I presume.”
She gave a sharp nod.
He stepped back, swinging the door wide. “Why don’t you come in?” He said with all the reception of a host greeting an honored guest.
“Thank you.” She didn’t mean to sound so stiff, but Mr. Songe’s tranquility threw off any semblance she might have of a calm demeanor.
“As luck would have it—” He motioned her into a large living area, managing the temerity to execute a slight bow, “—we have the house to ourselves.”
“Good.” She smiled, hoping he didn’t pick up on her uneasiness.
He poured himself a cup of tea, adding milk, then sugar. He stirred the brew in lazy circles before giving her his attention. Irritation burned behind her eyeballs. She wanted to shake his composure. “I suppose you don’t want anyone to hear what you’re up to.”
“And what is that?” He lifted the cup to his lips.
He hadn’t offered her any. His manners were positively barbaric. She wouldn’t have accepted if he had, she decided, piqued. Her gazed scanned the large overly furnished room. She chose the couch across from him and sank onto the cushions. Her bones ached from the change in weather. The soft couch was a short respite until her journey back home. “Messing in Guild politics that don’t concern you.”
He handed her another of those ingratiating smiles. So condescending. “Oh, but they do concern me, my dear.”
She observed the expensive furnishings. Dark mahogany end tables and a matching coffee table that framed the overstuffed couch and two chairs. Shelves stacked with books and a silver tea service sat atop the sidebar.
Songe lifted his dainty china cup and picked up its mate, a plate with a half-eaten scone.
“You scoff at the very rules that provided you with all this. You’ve done well for yourself.”
“We’ve all done well,” he said, setting down the teacup and scone. “And I’m certain you didn’t come here to discuss my circumstances. Out with your suspicions, my dear.”
She didn’t hesitate. “Have you unleashed the Shadow Dancer?”
He considered her from beneath hooded lids, fingers steepled at his chin. “The fact that you are here tells me you already know the answer to that question. At the very least suspect.”
“Garrett tells me that someone has skills far beyond what the Guild condones.”
“Does he?” Songe leaned closer.
She resented his smug face. His attitude indicated a disrespectfulness of her title, her authority. He believed there was nothing she could do to stop him? Think again, Mr. “Yes, he does. What have you done?”
“I have merely accomplished what your precious Guild didn’t have the guts to when I asked them to simply let us evolve.” He shrugged, and picked up his blasted plate again.
Adelaide’s heart thumped hard against her chest. She wasn’t surprised by his answer she just hoped it wasn’t true. “You won’t get away with this,” she hissed.
A chuckle. “I already have. My granddaughter is by far stronger than any of your brood. Stifled by your own constraints. They are no match for her.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Adelaide stood, knocking the table askew in the process. Tea spilled over the rim of the dainty cup sitting there.
“Why hasn’t someone put a stop to her actions?”
Adelaide was brought up short by this question. He was right, no one had stopped her. Not even Garrett could get close enough to dent Nikki’s progress, and he had tried. She narrowed her eyes. At least, he said he had. Was he committed though? She’d considered sending someone else, but no one was as strong as Garrett. Still, she didn’t trust him any longer. She had no choice but to find someone else to deal with the aberration. “Don’t be so sure of yourself.”
“Oh, I’m quite sure of myself.” His grin widened, and she felt a little like red riding hood peering into the toothy gullet of the wolf. “She will change things.”
“What could you possibly hope to attain from this treason?”
“You can’t be that naïve, Adelaide. The Guild stole my family. I intend to get them back.”
“At what price? The Guild will sanitize you just as they should have done years ago.”
For the first time she’d entered the lion’s den, his carefully structured composure cracked. “I don’t care what the price is,” he said harshly. “The Guild needs to learn whose bad side they end up on. They incurred my wrath the minute they set that fire.”
Adelaide’s hand went to the collar of her cotton dress. It felt as flimsy as she did at that moment. “The Guild had no involvement in that fire.”
“Don’t bother lying to me. You were just a cog in the machine when my family was stripped from me. I doubt the Guild is forthcoming with the truth to one so wet behind the ears. They did as surely as I live and breathe.”
“I beg you to stop this craziness before your granddaughter gets hurt.” She turned on her heel and stormed from the room.
“Warn Garrett. He is the one that needs to be careful. You wouldn’t want something to happen to him.”
She spun. His face was red and he grabbed his chest. Any calm he’d presented prior, completely obliterated. He crumpled to the floor shaking. His frail hand reached in his pocket. He drew out a small bottle. Nitrogen. The plastic bottle dropped from his hand and rolled away. He crawled after it, clawing inch by inch to reach it.
In two quick strides she was upon it. She raised her leg to kick the bottle away then though better of it. Songe lay gasping like a fish out of water. His helpless desperation touched a nerve she’d thought had long been obliterated. He believed the Guild responsible for his family’s destruction. Guilt filled her because it was possible someone out there had done as he said. She snatched up the bottle and placed it in his hands. As he struggled with the top, she dialed 911. If he ended up dying, at least her conscience would be clear.
****
Parker pulled up in front of his small brown ranch house hoping to catch Amy before she left for work. It had all the basics—a kitchen, living room, dining room, three bedrooms, and one bath. Not as large as he preferred but it was home. At least until that stupid judge handed it over to his whiney wife. The bastard didn’t care that it was his family’s money poured into the mortgage and the fireplace she held so dear.
Things were going to change. This house belonged to him. No one was going to tell him to stay away. Parker gave the door a swift hard knock.
Amy opened the door. Terror filled her widened eyes. “What are you doing here? I have a restraining order.”
“This is my house, too,” he said, maintaining eye contact. Would it work? It hadn’t on the Angelus woman but it was worth a try. His wife’s mind was more pliable. He held her gaze.
Amy held the door wider, tilting her head in a slight bow. He stepped into the entryway brushing his arm against her. She didn’t flinch. Encouraging.
She followed him into the living room then sat in her graceful way, smoothing her pants legs as she did. The very quality admired at one time was a sick reminder she thought she was too good for him.
Parker leaned against the stone fireplace careful not to disturb the glass figurines. Now that he had her attention he couldn’t spoil it by irritating her. He took a few minutes to digest what had just occurred. Merely
by telling her they didn’t have to listen to the judge’s order, she had complied with his wishes.
“What do you want?” She sat across from him, fidgeting. Dark circles under red eyes indicated she had been crying. About their separation? Warmth spread through him. He thought she had wanted the divorce, but maybe just maybe, she wasn’t as sure as he’d first thought.
“I want another chance.” He maintained eye contact willing her to submit.
She broke it and focused on her feet shuffling against the wood floor. He dragged a finger around the edge of his collar. Maybe he didn’t have enough discipline to manage her yet. Fighting to regain composure, his eyes swept the room. She had removed the stained throw carpet revealing dark gleaming wood grain. The faint odor of lemon hung in the air. He couldn’t detect a speck of dust. His stack of Motorcycle Madness Magazines were gone, and a brand new remote control caddy hung off the arm of the couch. She’d been cleaning to work out a problem. Maybe getting the house in order for his return. That was promising.
She pulled at a string from the hem of her sweater. “I don’t know. It hasn’t been right between us for a long time.”
“Look at me, Amy,” he said softly.
Her head snapped up at the command. Limpid pools took on the edge of a cornered rabbit. So innocent, sweet and scared. Who knew such a raging bitch hid behind those placid eyes? “We need to try again—for Lori’s sake.”
“I am doing this for Lori.” But the conviction in her voice days ago was absent. She didn’t sound half as sure of herself.
Parker smiled his best ‘I’m a good guy’ smile. He went and knelt by her side, took her hand in his. Suspicion clouded her expression but she didn’t pull away.
“Lori needs both of us now,” he said, gently. And for good measure he played his final card. “Aren’t you tired of strangers looking into our business, Amy?” He thought of the Angelus woman, all her nosy questions. He knew Amy was thinking about that too. All he had done, after all, was punish Lori. So it left a few bruises. It wasn’t illegal to spank his kid.