by Dale Mayer
"Nope. I think he's hiding. Starting these extra classes has ruined his peace and quiet." Elizabeth tugged on the dog's collar. "Let's go home. It's good to see you, Kali. Take care."
"You, too." Kali watched her coax the Newfoundland toward her van, before she walked into the center. She greeted several other people on her way. Stan would be in his office. She knew he preferred the old days when the center was more about rescues and less about dogs. He often forgot that he hadn't built a business, he’d built a community. People came to socialize themselves and their dogs.
She appreciated his call today. Helping out should keep her mind off the damn letter writer. A win-win situation.
At the open doorway to Stan's office, she watched him stare at reams of paper in his hands. Wrinkles creased his brows; a brown color tinged his jowls. He looked unhealthy. Her heart lurched. She wasn't ready to lose him. He'd been a mainstay of her life for years now. She couldn't image life without him.
"Hey, Stan. Nice trick if you can manage it."
Her absent-minded friend lifted his head, confusion clouding his face. It cleared almost instantly. "Oh, hi, Kali. Thanks for coming. What was that about a trick?" He ran his fingers through his hair, making it stick out at odd angles.
Kali sat on the spare chair, Shiloh at her feet. "Hiding in your office. What's the matter? The center too full for you right now?"
His sheepish grin slid free, brightening her spirits. "You could say that. It's crazy out there. We've got obedience classes going on right now. I used to enjoy Saturdays. I enjoyed the center more when it was smaller, too." He dropped his pencil and leaned back. "You had a rough go this time, I hear. And made the headlines again with the Sacramento disaster." At her grimace, he added, "But then what else is new, right?"
Stan fixed his gaze on her as if wanting to say something else. His eyes piercing, yet sad. The salt and pepper hair that she remembered had turned more like pure snow. The wrinkles of his face sagged, reminding her of a topographical map. Every job he'd worked had contributed to those heavy lines. This man had heart. He'd spent a fortune of his own money helping others and keeping the center going. Mostly the company survived on government grants, contracts, training classes, and private donations.
Instinct prodded her to look closer. Something deeper was going on. She waited for him to continue.
"You know I've seen some nasty sites in my time. I've also learned more than I'd like about what one person can do to another. This letter business..."
Kali winced. She so didn't want to go there if she could help it. "That mess is bad news, I know." She hesitated. "Is something else bothering you?"
Stan wrinkled his forehead, a heavy sigh escaping. "It's probably nothing. Not like he hasn't done it before. Brad still hasn't reported in from Sacramento. He shipped Sergeant home that last night, isn't answering his phone, and he hasn't been seen since. Susan's called several times already today."
"Oh no. Not again." Kali didn't know what to think. Brad often disappeared for a day or two, particularly after a bad disaster; still it was rare for him to let Sergeant travel alone. "If he's gone on a bender, he wouldn't normally check in for several days."
Brad's drinking binges often lasted three to four days. His wife hated them and usually called his friends to see if he'd bunked on their couches. Susan hadn't called her yet. Apparently they weren't friends anymore. Truthfully, Kali couldn't remember if she'd checked her messages when she woke up. Grant's visit had thrown off her routine.
"I wouldn't worry yet." Kali injected hope into her voice.
"We'll give him a day or two to check in." Stan's face lightened, the wrinkles eased as a happier look appeared on his face.
"Let me know when he calls." Shiloh nudged her hand and Kali refocused for a moment on her furry friend. Shiloh always knew when she was upset. "I'll worry until I know he's okay.”
"Me, too." Stan's fingers played restlessly with the stack of papers in his hand. When he looked up at her, the dread in his eyes shook her. "I don't know, Kali. I'm not sure what's going on, but I've got a bad feeling about this."
So had she. That didn't change anything.
***
The kitchen door lock snicked open. Kali had been gone for hours. She'd probably gone to the center again. He knew he could be cutting it close, but he'd wanted to deliver his gift in person.
Careful, he placed the plate on the table and tucked the note half inside the wrapping. His gift stood out like a center piece. She couldn't miss it.
Perfect.
Backtracking to the door, he stopped. Her car lights would be visible well before reaching the house. He'd have lots of time to get away. What could it hurt to look around?
Decision made, he headed straight upstairs to her bedroom. He opened her dresser drawers, neat stacks of cotton underwear lay inside, his black gloves a strong contrast to the pristine whiteness. The need to touch the smooth cotton was a temptation he couldn't afford. Slamming the drawer shut, he opened the next and the next. He moved toward the large closet, examining clothes and shoes layered inside. Only then did he allow himself to focus on her bed.
He sighed. A cream duvet covered the chocolate sheets, with one corner turned back as if in invitation. As if. He forced himself back, angry as lust twisted against his purpose. She was the devil's tool, and the sooner he proved it to the world, the better they'd all be.
He walked downstairs, determined to erase the intimate picture of her bedroom from his mind. He cast a quick glance at the plain but comfortable living room with several arm chairs and couches arranged around the well-used fireplace before heading down the hall. He passed the laundry room and main bathroom. The next door was closed. Curious, he pushed it open.
A studio? She painted?
Her easel stood in the middle of the room, a sheet tossed over the top. Unable to resist, he walked over and lifted the sheet.
And jumped back.
He hissed his fury. Witch. Evil spawn.
Control, cold and clinical, returned his focus. He had to study her work - to know his enemy.
It also sealed her fate.
***
Kali enjoyed bookkeeping. Seeing the overall picture of the financial state of the center, stable and growing, gave her such a great feeling. She was part of something good, worthwhile. And she needed the distraction now. She couldn't get Brad out of her mind. She'd tried to call Susan several times, only she wasn't picking up. Kali had left messages. Susan hadn't returned her calls.
She thought about the teams she'd met in Sacramento. Her industry was relatively small and the dogs and handlers well known. Who could have stayed behind and worked with Brad? It took her a few moments, then it hit her. Jarl.
Pulling out her cell phone, she dialed his number. No answer. She left a message. She hoped he'd call her back. Their ten-year friendship had hit the rocks late last year when she realized he'd been pilfering little things from the center. He'd stopped after she'd confronted him about it. Their friendship had taken a hit for a while. Still, things were cordial now.
Kali picked up a receipt, read it and placed it down on a pile. She snatched it up again, reread it and placed it on a different pile. She needed to get a grip or she'd really make a worse mess of the accounting than Stan.
Her mind refused to let go. Someone was killing people. Could Brad have somehow run afoul of this killer? She closed her eyes. Please don’t let him have been a victim of this killer. She didn't even want to think about Jarl in the same light. That he hadn't returned her calls yet, surely didn't mean he'd been kidnapped, too. This nightmare was making her crazy.
No. Brad had to be drowning his sorrows. Like the last time and the time before. He'd check in soon.
Determined, she reached for another handful of paper. This load had phone bills mixed in with several crumpled restaurant receipts. One for take-out Chinese food. Burger King. Stamps and envelopes. Kali groaned. Damn, Stan had entered the last batch of figures. That usually meant she had
to review all his postings. Another hour of trying to read his writing. Honestly, he shouldn't be allowed close to the bookkeeping.
"Kali, good to see you." Janet stood at the doorway a big cheery grin on her face.
"Janet." Kali threw her pencil down on the desk in relief. Any interruption was welcome at this point. "Hey, thanks for finishing the cleanup from the last trip. I appreciate it."
"No problem. You were exhausted and I was glad to help," Janet said, leaning her tall willowy frame against the wall. "Besides, Brenda was hanging around, so I put her to work, too."
Kali rolled her eyes at the thought of her cute bouncy friend being put to work by Janet. Brenda loved to help out - for a little while. She wasn't great on sticking around. Janet, on the other hand, was one of those rare individuals who could see what needed to be done and did it.
Janet's happiness seemed so genuine. If only Kali knew her secret. Janet's breath of fresh air and light-hearted laughter were just what Kali needed right now. "Still smiling I see."
"Of course. Life is too short for anything else."
Kali avoided that topic. It was easier to present a front of peaceful contentment than to open up about the unsettled emotions chewing up her insides. Life was too short. And she had too much death in hers, as it was.
"What are you doing today?"
"The new guy is helping me this afternoon. He worked at the Maine center years ago. He does have a magical tough with the dogs. If he works out and stays around, we should consider hiring him as an instructor."
Kali blinked. New instructor? Maine? Jesus, Janet was talking about Grant.
Janet glanced behind her to see if anyone was close enough to hear, before she stepped further into the office. "Did you see him? Oh, my God." Her eyes gleamed with humor, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "He's stunning. That tall-dark-and-take-charge look always does it for me." The tall redhead fanned herself and rolled her eyes, a huge grin on her face.
Kali sat back and watched her as-good-as-married friend rhapsodize over Grant. Kali didn't dare voice her opinion. She'd give herself away, for sure. Besides, she didn't need to say anything. Janet was right. Grant was stunning. And a little unnerving. "That good, huh?"
"Oh yeah, that good." Janet looked furtively behind her again. "Not only that, he's going to be here full-time." Her face split in huge smirk. "I'm about to volunteer every day."
"So much for Dennis." Dennis was Janet's police officer boyfriend. They were perfect together. Both would do anything for a person in need.
"Maybe not. Dennis wouldn't mind if I played a little." Mischief lit within her deep brown eyes. "I won't ask him about it, though. I'll just go ahead and snag this guy. Maybe, we'll have a threesome."
There was no help for it. Kali laughed. The thought of Dennis letting anyone close to Janet was comical. He was loving, possessive and never let her out of his sight when he was off duty. Even on duty, he called her several times a day. "I can't imagine Dennis with another guy."
"Well, I'd be in the middle of course. So technically, it wouldn't be Dennis with another guy." She jutted out one hip in an exaggerated imitation of deep thinking. "This has possibilities. Hmmm."
"Jeez, woman. How am I going to get any work done with you putting those damn images in my mind?"
"You need to laugh more often. You're serious these days. As if the weight of the world is on your shoulders. You need some fun in your life." She grinned. "Jesus, I bet you haven't been laid in months."
Like she needed thoughts of Grant rolling around in bed mixed up with her bookkeeping. Kali narrowed her gaze. "Like I'd tell you. You'd just post it on the bulletin board."
"How about I post a job ad for someone to apply for the position." Janet raised and lowered her eyebrows in a rapid movement, sending Kali into fits of laughter.
"What ad are you looking to post, Janet?" Stan had arrived unnoticed behind her and stood in the doorway.
Janet half choked. "Nothing, Stan. I'm just hassling Kali."
"That you are," declared Kali. Energy hummed into the room. Grant. She didn't need to see him to know Grant stood behind Stan. A lightness she was starting to recognize and respond to filled her.
"I brought someone for Kali to meet." Stan looked expectantly at Janet.
Janet took the hint gracefully. "I'm heading out. I'll talk to you later, Kali." Smiling coyly at Grant, she sidled past the two men and left.
Stan moved inside the office, whispering, "I wanted you to know Grant's going to be-" He looked behind him and dropped his voice further, "you know...around."
Kali barely withheld her smile. If it weren't for the deep worry lines on Stan's face, she'd almost think he was enjoying the cloak and dagger event. As much as she hated the reason for it, it was good to see the normally frail man energized by something.
Studying Grant's casual jeans and a white Henley, she could see he'd fit in perfectly as their new instructor. He didn't need power suits like he'd had on this morning - power radiated off him. His persona came across as large and in charge. Comforting. And attractive.
Power had a seductiveness few women could ignore. "Hi, Grant, welcome."
He studied her face intently before nodding as if satisfied at something. "Thanks. By the way do you help out with the classes?"
Kali looked over at Stan. "Sometimes. If I'm needed. It's not what I've been doing lately, but I've taught in the past. Why?"
"Just wondered how many people know you well and how many might know of you?"
She groaned. "You're after another list of names, aren't you?"
He tilted his head in acknowledgement.
Kali reached for her bag and the list she'd started. "This list is those people I could remember seeing in Sacramento, I put an asterisk beside those that that aren't fans of mine and vice versa."
"Everyone loves you." Stan was nothing if not loyal.
A half laugh escaped. Kali shook her head. "If only that were true. You know perfectly well that some people resent me."
"They just don't understand."
It was Kali's turn to nod.
"Don't understand what?"
Both Stan and Kali looked at Grant, surprised at his question. Stan looked over at Kali. "Does he know?"
She wrinkled her nose at him. "I'd have thought so at this point."
Stan turned to face Grant. "Kali is financially independent. Some small minds would like to blame her success on her wealth. You know, she can afford better equipment, do more advanced training. Things like that." He straightened his back. "I, for one, would be lost without her help."
Grant studied her for a long moment.
Kali flushed and stared at the stacks of papers piled high in front of her.
"Has anyone ever said anything about it to you?"
Startled, Kali looked up at him. "Pardon?"
Pulling out his notebook, Grant asked, "Has there been anything more than usual grumbling. Like arguments? Threats?"
Kali and Stan exchanged looks. "No. At least none I know about." She looked over at Stan. "Has there?"
He shook his head vigorously, sending tuffs of hair flying in all directions. "No, I don't think so."
"Okay, but if you do remember anything let me know."
"Will do." She waved toward the stacks of paper on the desk. "Stan, this is the biggest mess yet."
"I'm sorry. I tried to stay on top of it, but...it ran away from me."
"Yeah." Kali groaned. "It always does. Take off you two. I've got work to do."
The men left.
The soft hum of warm energy hung in the air. Reminding her. Teasing her.
Did she really want to open her heart again?
And was it already too late?
CHAPTER TEN
Kali worked on the accounts late into the evening with Shiloh sprawled at her feet. Stan had tried to send her home at one point. She told him she'd rather finish than come back tomorrow.
When she finally locked up, the sun had set a
nd the intense summer heat had dissipated slightly, a welcome relief from the stuffiness of the office. Shiloh perked up in the fresh air. She explored the brush and pranced through the cool grass.
"It's past time to go home, isn't it?"
Kali yawned as she unlocked her Jeep, holding the door open for Shiloh to jump into the back seat. As she threw her purse to the passenger side, a rustling noise sounded by the trees to the left of the front stairs. She spun around. Jesus. Her heart pounded as she searched the deepening shadows. "Hello?"
The outside light from the center cast a yellow glow that barely reached the edge of the parking lot. A half whine, half growl slid from Shiloh's throat. With a last nervous glance, Kali scrambled into the front seat. "Let's go home, Shiloh."