I replayed the job over in my head several times. When did he realize I was watching him? Where should I have done the hit? I should have stayed undercover at all times. I had been bold and relied on my ability to blend in for too long of a period. Finally, I closed out my photo program and searched for Lima headlines on the Internet. It didn’t take long to find the one I was looking for. Penumbra had struck again. This time, he’d taken one of Lima’s finest, except it had just recently come to light that the victim was suspected of taking bribes. There was no mention of any evidence being found other than the routine calling card.
I was considering calling out for lunch when my phone rang “How’re you feeling? Did you get enough sleep?”
“I’m a little sore, but I’m fine.”
“From the looks of the rest of your body, you’re lucky you got out of there.” He sighed. “What do you think of telling people that someone tried to mug you?”
“That works, but how do I explain the sunburn?”
“I don’t know. That one’s harder. How about you tried out a tanning bed and stayed in too long?”
“I suppose that could work. Okay. That’s the story. I went tanning, stayed in too long and then got mugged on the way home. You should see the other guy.”
White’s laugh was brief. “You’ll be leaving for EOD and flight training later today.”
“Today? I just got back,” I grumbled. “I hoped to spend more time with you.”
“I know, but Brown wants to get it over with.”
“Fine.” I decided not to argue. Brown wasn’t the only one who wanted to get this over with.
“Now that we’ve got that out of the way, would you like to come down for lunch?”
“I’d love to.”
“Hurry. Our food is already getting cold.”
I did the best I could with my makeup but decided I needed a lot more practice when I inspected my job. I washed it off and tried to just blend away the bruises on my face and neck. It didn’t work well with the sunburn so I washed my face again and decided to carry the bruises with pride.
As I rode the elevator down it stopped on Red’s floor.
“Damn it,” I said before the doors opened.
“Ms. Grey,” Red greeted me as he stepped on and turned to face the doors. He didn’t seem to notice my wounds.
He held the doors for me as I stepped out onto the seventh floor.
“So? What happened to your face and neck?” he asked as he followed close behind me.
I didn’t answer him until I stepped into the outer office. Gabriella would want the story. Her expression was just as I expected, a mix of fear and concern. “Some guy tried to mug me,” I said.
“Are you okay, hon?” She stood from her chair.
“I’m fine, Gabriella. I’m here to see White.”
“Does he know?” She indicated my appearance her face contorted with anger.
“Yes. It’s okay. I’m okay. He’s expecting me.”
“Of course. And you, too?” she asked Red.
“Yes, please.”
Damn it. I can’t get ten minutes with White anymore. Maybe Red will get out quickly.
Gabriella pushed the intercom button. “Ms. Grey and Mr. Red are here to see you.”
“Send them in.” White’s voice was unreadable.
Red allowed me to lead him into the office and took the seat to my left.
“Sorry, Red,” White said as he handed me the white Styrofoam box that held my lunch. “If I’d have known you were coming down I would have ordered you something. What can I do for you?”
“Actually, I was just coming down to ask you where Ms. Grey was when we met on the elevator.” He hiked his head toward me.
“Me? What did you need?” I asked.
“Nothing. I just haven’t seen you around for a couple days. I was just wondering where you were.”
“Oh, I’ve been hanging out in my apartment.” I shrugged.
The three of us sat in silence for a couple of minutes as White and I ate our lunch. Finally, White said, “I called you down to let you know that you’ll be leaving for EOD and flight training early this evening.”
“Sounds good,” I said with a full mouth. “Where am I going?” I played along.
“Nevada. Brown is teaching the EOD class and I’ve gotten Will to do the flight training. Do you think you can handle both classes at the same time?”
“I think so.” Again, the three of us sat in silence as White and I ate. White showed no signs of concern but I was uncomfortable. Finally, I offered Red some of my food.
“No thanks. I already had lunch.”
“I think you’ll enjoy this training,” White said.
“I know I’ll enjoy the flight training.” I grinned at the thought.
“EOD is probably more important than the flight training,” Red said.
The ice had been broken and the three of us chatted and my uncomfortable feeling passed. Red remained through the meal and stayed even after I left to go pack for my four-month fiesta. He either had something to talk to White about that he didn’t want me to hear or he was just being an ass and making sure we’d have no time alone. I suspected the latter.
Red seemed sure of my relationship status with White and I didn’t expect him to let it drop until we admitted it. I still wasn’t sure if we should admit it or keep it secret, but I didn’t know how long I could take this extra attention from Red.
Brown showed up at my apartment a few short hours later. I was packed but I wasn’t ready to leave. Of course, I had to explain my bruises and sun burn again.
“I hope you kicked his ass,” Brown said after I told him I’d been mugged.
“I don’t think he’s in very good shape today.”
“Did you report it?”
“No. He didn’t get anything and he ran away.”
“He was still able to run away? What the hell were you thinking? You should have broken his legs.”
I laughed. “I broke his nose.”
“At least you broke something.”
We arrived at the Nevada compound late that evening and went to the compound bar for a couple drinks.
Brown said, “We won’t start training for a couple days. We might as well relax and have a little fun before we have to work.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Brown informed me this is our last morning in the simulator.” Will’s regret was obvious, even through the headphones.
I sighed into the microphone. “I know. I finished EOD yesterday.” The four months had not passed quickly and had been full of hardships for me. For one thing, I hated EOD. White hadn’t contacted me once while I’d been in Nevada. Also, I’d realized I enjoyed Will’s voice in my ear much more than I wanted to. The first month had been okay, but no contact with White had killed my spirit. I still held hope, but doubt had grown roots and would soon start producing fruit or berries or melons. Whatever it was that doubt produced once it was mature.
Flight training and getting to know White’s little brother better had been the only reason I was able to complete Explosive Ordinance Disposal.
As my feelings for Will grew so did my guilt and longing for White. The old adage out of sight, out of mind, popped up almost every day as my thoughts inevitably wandered to White. Why couldn’t the saying be right? Decisions and conversations would be much easier if I could just get White out of my mind. I was convinced he’d forgotten about me.
The similarities between the brothers didn’t help, either. Every day Will would say something that reminded me of White, but he did have his own way with things, too. For one thing, he was much more open in our conversations than White had ever been. This made it easier for me to be more candid with him and as a result, we’d developed a real connection.
Even though Will was back home and I was at the Nevada compound, the mornings I’d spent with him had made me appreciate him as more than just White’s cute little brother. My guilt was thick but I knew it woul
d be worse had he been training me in person.
“Brown told me you did great with EOD. You’ve done great with flight training, too. As soon as we get a chance I’ll take you up in one of the jets. This time you’ll have the controls all to yourself and Brown will have no say.” His voice had perked up and invaded my pining.
Butterflies fluttered around in my stomach. Mostly in anticipation of flying the real thing instead of the simulator, but partly at the thought of spending time with Will. I hated myself for feeling this way, but White’s absence over the past four months really bothered me and Will was the closest thing to White I’d had. I knew there could never be anything solid between us, but I couldn’t help wondering what if.
“Rick told me you should be home this afternoon.” Will rarely referred to his brother by his alias, Mr. White.
“When did you talk to Rick?” I fought a quiver at the mention of White’s name.
“Oh, I’ve been going to the office almost every day since you started training with me. He asked me to keep him up to date on your progress.”
White wasn’t completely ignoring me. Actually he was ignoring me but he wasn’t ignoring my training.
“He hasn’t contacted me at all since I started EOD.”
“He wouldn’t. You’re in training.”
“He always has before. Plus, Brown lets me talk to you.”
“You’ve been talking to me because I’ve been involved in your training this time around.”
“I suppose.”
I didn’t completely believe Will. Deep down I still wanted White, but I was afraid it was probably one of those things that would remain forever in the background. Besides, the what if was a little fun to think about.
The conversation turned, as it usually did, to what we were supposed to be doing in the simulator – flight training. The time allotted for our session expired too quickly. We exchanged glum goodbyes and promised to get together as soon as I got home.
“I thought you were going to be in there all day.” Brown startled me as I stepped out of the simulator.
I caught myself just before I toppled backward. “I didn’t expect to see you here, you sneak.”
Brown laughed. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get home. I packed for you.” He held out my large duffle bag.
“You didn’t snoop through my stuff, did you?” I grabbed at it.
“Of course I did. You’re boring. Did you know that?”
“Jackass.” I replied and I meant it. Brown and I acted like siblings, but I was acutely aware that he was not my brother. The last thing I wanted him doing was touching my underwear.
We made our way to the chopper that Brown had ready to go. I thought he’d let me fly, at least part of the way home, but he wouldn’t let me touch the controls.
“Why won’t you let me fly?” I complained more than halfway through the flight.
“Because, you’ve spent the last four months in the simulator and I haven’t been able to fly anything. I’ve been grounded because you needed EOD training.”
I had always wanted to learn to fly but I didn’t realize my passion until Will took me up in the jet so many months ago. The main thing the two of us had in common were the stars in our eyes whenever we even thought of flying. Until now, it never occurred to me Brown must have the same feelings. Though my fingers itched to take the controls, I understood his need and decided to be content just to be up in the air.
As we neared the office building that housed White & Associates and our apartments the palms of my hands started to sweat. I wiped them on my pant legs as inconspicuously as possible.
“Should I check in at the office?”
I had mixed feelings about this. I’d been okay with no contact for the first month of training but then I really started to worry. Three months of wondering where I stood with White had put a strain on me and I dreaded all outcomes. If White had gotten over me and only wanted a professional relationship I would be heartbroken. Yet, if he was happy to see me and wanted to pick up where we left off, did I?
“I have to go give your final progress report so you’d have to wait, anyway. I’m sure White can find you if he needs to.” Brown set the chopper down smoothly.
“I guess I’ll be in my apartment if anyone needs me.”
I tossed my duffle in the corner and headed to my computer. My computer was always what I missed the most when I went off for any kind of training. At least that’s what I thought I missed the most for the first five minutes. Time slowed to a crawl as my eyes wandered back and forth from my computer screen to my phone. Is he going to call?
A knock on my door made me jump in my seat. I straightened my shirt and my hair and answered it.
“Glad you’re home.” Black stood in my doorway with a grin.
I was only slightly disappointed when he walked past me into my apartment.
“I’m glad to be home.”
“Brown and Will just briefed the rest of us on your progress. Sounds like you did as I expected.”
“EOD sucks, but the flight instruction kept me going. So, what’s been going on?”
“Not much. Small jobs that we’ve been farming out to the employees, nothing needing the involvement of the partners. I should have gone to the cabin.” He’d made his way to the coffee pot.
“Sorry. I’ll make some.” I reached around him and pulled the freezer door open. “Grab the coffee for me.” I’d learned after my extended trips the best place to put coffee, so it doesn’t go stale, is the freezer.
“Here.” Black handed me the cold container.
The two of us sat in comfortable silence enjoying our coffee when a knock came at my door. My heart leaped and again I straightened my hair and shirt before going to answer it.
Black had followed me to the front door.
“Will.” Black said as he slid past us and out the door.
Will reached out and shook his hand and turned back to me. “May I come in?”
“Sure.” Saying the word was a chore. “See you later,” I called to Black as he stepped into the elevator.
“I was in the building and thought it would be terrible if I didn’t stop in,” Will said.
He’d already found a chair at my kitchen bar.
“I’m glad you did,” I said.
My innards were getting quite the workout today.
“Would you like some coffee?” I gestured to the freshly brewed pot.
“Sure.”
He was quiet while I poured him a cup but I could feel his eyes on me.
“Thanks.” He took the steaming brew I held out for him.
He took a careful sip as I refilled my own cup. The moment became decidedly awkward.
“You realize we’ve not actually seen each other since we went joy riding in the Goshawk in Nevada?”
I smiled. “Yes. That thought has actually crossed my mind several times.” A flash of the memory broadened my smile.
“It’s different than talking to a microphone.” He indicated our face-to-face conversation with a back and forth motion of his hand. His warm smile invited me in just enough to make me blush. He was definitely a Malone boy.
“Would you like to join me for lunch?” His inviting smile remained and was accompanied by a hopeful hike of his eyebrows. Will’s tone of voice didn’t waver but I noticed that his coffee cup was shaking in his hands as he set it down.
Is he nervous?
“I’d love to.” I splashed coffee as I set my cup down next to his and felt my face growing warmer again.
“Shall we, then?” He rose from his seat and offered his arm. I took it and we quietly rode the elevator to his vehicle in the parking garage.
The tension lifted as he drove us to the restaurant and we talked about my EOD training. He’d not undergone much training for explosives and was genuinely curious, unlike me. It hadn’t taken me long to realize it wasn’t something I wanted much to do with in the future. However, I humored him and told him all about my
training.
Inside the restaurant the conversation changed to various topics, like it usually did during my flight training. We talked about childhood experiences. He told me about the time him and Rick tried to parachute from a rock wall with pillowcases. Rick made him jump first and he almost broke his arm.
The addition of Rick Malone, A.K.A. Mr. White, into our conversation threw me a little. Rick was the last person I wanted to think about while out to lunch with his brother. The reminder that he did exist injected feelings of guilt.
It’s just lunch. Besides, Black and Will came to see me, he didn’t even call.
After internally berating myself I told the story of the first time I jumped from an airplane with an instructor and then ended with the first time I jumped to the cabin and was pulled into the lake with the parachute. The description of how hard it was to pull that damn thing out of the water made him laugh.
I ate as slowly as I could, hopefully without being obvious, and I noticed Will’s pace matched mine. Was it for the same reason or was he just being polite? When I finally finished my sandwich I expected to leave but we sat and visited for an hour more.
Eventually, the looks from the wait staff made me conscious that they probably wanted their table open for new customers. I suggested we had better go and Will left money on the table for our meal and I put some extra on the table. I couldn’t go without paying something.
The afternoon sun was warm and my hair hovered in the slight breeze for a second. I waited for Will to reach my side before I stepped into the parking lot.
“Thank you for lunch,” I said.
“Do you want to go for a walk?” Will had stopped in the middle of the road and indicated the sidewalk with a shift of his head.
“Sure.” I wanted nothing more than to spend more time with Will.
It took us half an hour to cover two blocks to the nearest park where we sat on a bench. I didn’t even notice the time until the sun started to set.
“We better get back,” I said.
“Would you like a tour of the carrier?”
“The carrier?”
“Yeah. I’m shipping out soon. Someone has to fly the jets off the ship. I thought you might like a tour before I go.”
Traces of Grey: Book Four of The Alexis Stanton Chronicles Page 16