Three Times as Deadly

by Erin Wade

  “Constant,” Knight cooed and raised a salacious eyebrow.

  “I . . . I don’t think that’s necessary,” Eden said.

  “Suit yourself,” Knight said in a huff as she whirled back toward the elevator.

  “Agent Knight, I need you on this case,” the chief said. He narrowed his eyes at Eden and got to his feet.

  Knight turned around to face the two. “I’m happy to help, sir, but I won’t babysit some spoiled brat with a death wish.”

  Eden blushed from head to toe. No one had ever called her a spoiled brat. “Who the hell do you think you are?” she snapped at the agent.

  “I am all that stands between you and certain death,” Knight said. “You want my help or not?”

  The truth almost made Eden throw up. She knew she was in danger from something. “Yes, please,” she said.

  ##

  Chapter 2

  As they rode down the elevator, Knight stood beside Eden. Eden was five eight and the agent towered over her. She must be six feet tall, Eden thought. Knight shifted from one foot to the other, and a soft, pleasing fragrance filled the elevator. She smells good too. Eden studied the woman beside her from the corner of her eye.

  As the elevator door opened, Eden realized that once again she was holding her breath in Knight’s presence.

  “Where is your car?” Knight asked.

  “I . . . I don’t have it with me. The police picked me up at my home and brought me here.”

  “I have mine,” the brunette said with a shrug. “Is that okay with you?”

  Eden nodded. She was surprised Knight had asked her approval. They walked to the parking garage, where an unbelievable car backed from its parking space and pulled to a stop in front of them.

  Knight approached the car, and the front doors opened automatically. The back falcon-wing doors lifted, and the wolf glided into the back seat. The car looked like a giant hawk preparing to take flight.

  Eden took her seat and the seatbelt locked around her as the door closed on its own. Knight slipped into the driver’s seat and all the doors closed. “Address?” she said, one brow cocked at Eden.

  Eden recited her address and watched as the information appeared on the car’s computer screen. Without making a sound the vehicle moved forward.

  “What kind of car is this?” Eden inquired.

  “Electric,” Knight answered. “Tesla prototype, test vehicle.”

  Eden watched as the agent steered the car out of downtown Ft. Worth and onto I-30 West.

  With all her wealth, Eden had never ridden in a car as smooth and luxurious. The eerie silence of the vehicle was almost unnerving.

  “I’m surprised you drive an electric car,” Eden said. “I expected you to be more the hopped-up speedster type. You know, like a Bugatti Veyron SS.”

  Knight glanced at Eden and smiled. “Tess will go from zero to sixty in 2.5 seconds and tops out at speeds over a hundred and fifty miles per hour. I figure that’s all the car I need.”

  “You call your car Tess?”

  “I name everything that is important to me, Miss Daye.” Knight narrowed her eyes and looked at the blonde.

  Eden glanced over her shoulder. The sleeping wolf lay on her stomach and covered the entire seat. Eden guessed her weight at over a hundred pounds.

  “What’s her name

  “El Cazador. I call her Caz,” Knight replied.

  “The Hunter,” Eden said.

  Knight cast an approving glance at the blonde next to her and nodded.

  “What about you? Do you have a name?” Eden said.

  “You may call me Agent Knight.” The brunette smirked. “K-n-i-g-h-t.”

  “I bet you’re no one’s white knight,” Eden’s caustic tone made Agent Knight look at her, again.

  Agent Knight didn’t respond.

  ##

  The GPS system led them around a beautifully manicured golf course. Knight recognized it as River Crest Country Club. Her family had belonged to the elite club for more years than she could remember. Tess eased to a stop in front of an imposing set of gates. Knight watched as Eden dug thru her purse for a remote device.

  “I . . . I’m sorry,” Eden muttered. “The gates automatically open when they recognize my car. I’ve never used the remote before.” She finally pulled the small box from her purse and pushed the button. The gates swung open to allow the car admittance then closed behind it.

  Agent Knight surveyed the grounds as far as she could see. A winding road ducked behind tall shrubs and trees, hiding the gate and entrance road from sight. They were in their own little world.

  “Follow this road to the back,” Eden instructed. “You can park Tess in the garage.”

  Knight chuckled. “Thank you, Miss Daye.”

  ##

  Agent Knight pulled the Tesla into the garage and the doors opened by some unseen command. Caz leaped from the back seat and stretched. Knight watched the wolf as the animal slinked into the woods around the Daye mansion. Let me know if you find anything unusual.

  The wolf stopped and looked back over her shoulder as if acknowledging her master’s thoughts before disappearing into the woods.

  “I need to go home and get a few things,” Knight said as she walked into the library of the mansion. “If I’m to stay here, I’ll need clean clothes and a toothbrush.” Her glorious smile captivated Eden. “I assume you’ll take me out in public.”

  “Probably not,” Eden huffed. “I don’t even know your name. How can I introduce you to people? Do you want others to know you’re with the police?”

  “Darke,” Agent Knight said.

  “You’ll be back before dark?” Eden snorted. “That’s reassuring. What if that . . . that thing comes back for me?”

  “D-a-r-k-e,” Knight said. “My name is Darke Knight. I’ll leave Caz to protect you. You’ll be safe, and I’m not exactly with the police.” Knight turned on her heel then hesitated at the door. “Don’t leave the house until I return.”

  Eden walked to the door. Her mouth hung open as she watched the dark beauty getting into her car.

  “Darke Knight?” Eden said. “Who the hell names their daughter Darke Knight?”

  Eden jumped when Margaret, her estate manager, entered the room. “Miss Eden, there’s a huge black dog lying on the back terrace. Should I call security?”

  “No, Margaret. That’s a guard . . . dog. Her name is Caz. Please inform the rest of the staff of her presence.” Eden started up the stairs to dress for dinner. “Oh, and Margaret, a tall brunette will be here in an hour. Please put her in the gold room. She’ll be staying with us for a while.”

  Eden wasn’t certain how long she could stand Darke Knight. The woman made her uneasy. Knight was too smug, too self-assured. Eden had been on edge from the moment Knight stepped from the elevator.

  Of course, she’s confident and at ease, Eden thought. She’s been in her element. She has the police wrapped around her little finger and a wolf and car—Tess—that do her bidding. Eden chastised herself for using the car’s name. Only children named inanimate objects.

  A soft knock on her door drew Eden from her thoughts. “Come in.”

  “Miss Eden, are you attending the dinner at the country club tonight, or do you wish to dine at home?” Margaret inquired. “It’s the beginning of the holiday celebrations.”

  “I’ll dine at home. No, on second thought, I’ll attend the dinner.”

  Eden walked to her window overlooking the mansion’s courtyard. Yes, dinner at the club will be interesting. Let’s see how at ease Agent Darke Knight is in my world.

  ##

  Eden surveyed her image in the full-length mirror. She had selected a burgundy dress with long sleeves and a scooped neck. Pearl earrings and necklace complemented the dress. Her long blonde hair fell freely around her shoulders. She examined her reflection and wondered if Agent Knight would approve of her appearance. It troubled her when she realized what Knight thought mattered to her.

  Ed
en located Margaret in the kitchen. “When Miss Knight arrives, please ask her to join me in the clubhouse for dinner,” Eden said.

  The evening was pleasant with a slight breeze whispering through the trees. Eden decided to walk to the clubhouse. It felt good to get outside and walk. She had been cooped up in the mansion since her sister’s disappearance.

  ##

  Eden was nursing her second drink at her table in the back of the dining room when a hush fell over the merrymakers. She looked up to see what had caused the stillness. She watched as Darke Knight glided toward her table. Eden realized that every eye in the room was on the ravishing brunette.

  Darke wore an amber-colored floor-length dress, plunged low in the front to reveal perfect cleavage. A floor-to-thigh slit provided a fleeting glimpse of the woman’s long, toned legs.

  Darke stopped at Eden’s table and waited to be invited to sit with her. Her gaze locked with Eden’s as she stood across from her.

  Eden cleared her throat. For some reason, she couldn’t make her lips move. She nodded at the chair.

  Darke’s lips twisted into a half smile. Eden knew the woman wasn’t going to make this easy. She gulped the rest of her drink and cleared her throat again. “Please join me.”

  Darke nodded her head and reached for her chair. A man appeared from nowhere. “Please, allow me.”

  Darke smiled and thanked him as she took her seat. A waiter appeared with a bottle of wine and another glass.

  The sommelier joined them and bowed as he uncorked the wine. “It is a privilege to have you with us tonight, Miss Knight.” It was obvious Darke was no stranger to those who worked at the country club. He waited as Darke sipped the wine and gave her approval of the selection.

  Eden was surprised to see that Darke was as at home with the country club set as she had been with the law enforcement officers.

  Darke waited until the waiter took their order and left the table before she spoke to Eden. “I told you to stay in your home.”

  “You can’t order me around,” Eden muttered through clenched teeth.

  “I wasn’t ordering you around.” Darke’s voice was calm. “I was trying to save your life.”

  Eden watched, spellbound, as Darke moved her head from side to side and seemed to sniff the air. Her blue eyes turned darker and narrowed. Her nostrils flared. She surveyed the room and settled on the man approaching their table.

  The man bent down and kissed the blonde’s lips. “Hello, Eden. Have you heard any news about your sister?”

  Eden shook her head and watched in silence as Carter Winthrop scrutinized her dining companion.

  After what seemed like several minutes, Eden broke the silence. “Carter, this is my friend Darke Knight. Darke, this is my fiancé, Carter Winthrop.”

  Darke nodded but said nothing.

  “She’s visiting me for a while,” Eden added.

  “Miss Knight,” Carter said with a slight dip of his head. He opened his mouth as if to say more but snapped it shut without uttering a sound. He seemed stunned by the woman’s beauty. She had certainly rendered him speechless.

  Eden cleared her throat. “Would you like to join us for dinner, Carter?”

  “No, I’m with clients,” he said, his eyes glued to Darke’s. “I had hoped you would join us, but it would be rude to leave your guest.”

  “Yes,” Darke murmured, her husky voice sending shivers through Eden. “We’ll be leaving soon.”

  Carter turned away from Darke and addressed Eden. “Don’t forget we’re going horseback riding tomorrow.”

  “I’m not sure I can,” Eden said, casting a look at Darke.

  “I would love to go horseback riding,” Darke looked up at Carter. “I will be staying close to Eden until the situation with her sister is resolved. Like a body guard.”

  Carter nodded as an unhappy look flited across his face.

  ##

  “Where’s your car?” Darke asked as they left the country club.

  “I walked,” Eden replied.

  “In those shoes?”

  Eden reached into her oversized purse and pulled out a pair of tennis shoes. “I wore these.”

  “You should put them on,” Darke instructed.

  “I won’t need them in Tess,” Eden said with a smirk.

  “I walked,” Darke’s tone was flat.

  “In those shoes?” Eden gasped as she stared at the six-inch stilettos worn by the agent.

  “They’re more comfortable than they look.” Darke’s blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight as if she were enjoying toying with the blonde.

  Eden changed her shoes and almost ran to keep up with the other woman. “There’s no fire,” she grumbled. “Can’t we slow down?”

  Darke said nothing but shortened her stride and slowed their pace.

  Eden suppressed a scream as Caz materialized in the dark and joined them. “She scared me,” she explained.

  Darke nodded but said nothing.

  “Are you angry with me?” Eden moved closer to the taller woman. For some reason, she felt safe next to Darke.

  “I don’t want you to meet the same fate as your sister,” Darke said. “If you want me to protect you, you must do as I say. This isn’t a game. It’s serious.”

  Eden was silent. After several minutes, she asked, “Do you know what happened to my sister?”

  “Since the chief called me in for your case,” Darke said, “I’m certain it can’t be good.”

  “They don’t call you in for the normal, everyday cases, do they?” Eden almost whispered.

  “No, they don’t.”

  The tone of Darke’s voice left a coldness in the pit of Eden’s stomach. She wondered what had taken her sister and who had killed her father six months earlier. Even though Darke scared her, she was thankful for the agent’s presence.

  ##

  Eden was restless. Nightmares of Sharon’s abduction kept screaming through her mind. She walked from her bed to the window. A full moon cast a brilliant light, filling the trees and statues with grotesque shadows.

  She caught her breath as she realized two of the shadows were slinking across the lawn. It looks like Caz has found a friend. She watched as the two wolves loped across the grass and disappeared into the trees.

  ##

  Darke smiled as Eden joined her in the garden the next morning. “I thought you were going to sleep all day.”

  “It’s eight in the morning,” Eden grumbled, rumpling her hair with both hands. “How long have you been awake?”

  “Long enough to take Caz for her morning run and convince your housekeeper I would die without coffee.”

  Eden couldn’t suppress her smile.

  “She even gave me an extra cup in case you joined me.” Darke poured coffee for Eden from a sterling silver carafe. Eden watched as smoke curled upward from the hot coffee.

  “When you feel like it,” Darke said, “would you show me where your sister was when she was kidnapped?”

  Eden suppressed a shudder as she thought about walking in the dark corner of the garden. “After breakfast I’ll take you there.”

  “How long have you been engaged to Carter Winthrop?” Darke asked as she refilled her coffee cup.

  “A month,” Eden said.

  Darke tilted her head to the side and watched Eden. “When is the wedding?”

  “We haven’t set a date.”

  “I’m sure you’re anxious to marry him,” Darke said. “He’s quite handsome.”

  “I plan to finish college first,” Eden said as she avoided commenting on Carter Winthrop.

  They ate their breakfast in silence. Eden was amazed at the amount of food Darke consumed. I wonder how she maintains her perfect figure.

  “I’ve finished with breakfast,” Eden said, jumping to her feet. “Would you like to see the garden where Sharon was abducted?”

  Darke followed the younger woman into the garden on the west side of the house. Eden keyed a passcode into the gate leading into the garde
n.

  “Is this the only entrance to the garden?” Darke asked.

  “It’s the only outside entrance. We can enter from the house too.” Eden swept her hand toward a beautiful patio with two spotless glass doors that opened to the house.

  “Where do the doors lead?” Darke said.

  “The left door is Sharon’s suite.” Eden bit her lip, fighting back the tears. “The right door leads into the breakfast room.” She turned away and burst into tears.

  “I’m sorry,” Darke consoled her. “I know this is difficult for you.”

  Eden nodded, wiped the tears from her eyes with the heel of her thumb, and walked toward the far corner of the garden where yellow crime scene tape still billowed in the morning breeze.

  Darke stepped over the tape and studied the tracks on the ground. “Your sister was wearing tennis shoes,” Darke stated.

  “Yes,” Eden said. “She had just returned from the country club and was still wearing her tennis shorts and shoes. The police took her tennis racquet. It was twisted beyond recognition.”

  “Do you own a large dog?” Darke squatted down to study the huge prints beside those left by the tennis shoes. She picked up a handful of dirt and sniffed it.

  Eden trembled. “No. Why do you ask?”

  “There are three sets of prints,” Darke said as she continued to stare at the ground. “The third set of prints are bare feet. Looks like a man’s size eleven.”

  “I . . . I only saw two things,” Eden said. “Sharon and that monster.”

  Both women watched as Caz slinked along the garden wall and began to dig in the far corner. She looked at Darke and whined.

  “What have you found, girl?” Darke bent over and shoved dirt away from the object Caz had uncovered. “A pair of shoes?”

  Darke looked up at the garden wall. It was easily eight feet tall or more. “The . . . abductor threw your sister on its shoulder and leaped over the wall?”

  “Not over it,” Dawn said, her brow furrowed as she recalled the horrifying event. “To the top of it. A wall this tall is also wide. It’s about four feet thick. It stood on top of the wall and . . . and—”

  “And what?” Darke’s voice was low and persuasive.