by Wylder Stone
“Are you worried, James? Or is this just that uptight, stick up your ass talking?” Genevieve never swore unless James Force drove her to it, and he’d floored it straight to pissing her off. “Why didn’t I bring one of your brothers?” she said under her breath.
James unholstered his weapon and examined it, checking the chamber. “God knows where you’re taking me. Backwoods people eat their own kind, right? Better be ready.” He was full of shit, but he didn’t care. Keeping her pissed off kept him pissed off, and everybody was better off that way.
“It’s really not that serious, James. I don’t think you’ll need that,” she snarked. Time to hit him where it hurt. “Besides, I’ll be there to protect you. I’ll beat up the bad guys for you.”
“One black eye and you're tougher than me? Okay, Genevieve.” His phone blipped a quick sound, and he read the screen. “No service. I can’t check anything from out here.”
Genevieve grinned and offered a monotone threat. “Also, can’t call for help.”
He rolled his eyes and sat in silence but only for a moment. “And the only reason you landed a few hits on me was because I let you. I didn’t fight back. I’d never hit a female.” He turned his focus back to his window.
“Yep. No cell service, no way to call…for help.”
“Are you serious right now?” James turned in his seat to face her, even leaned in her direction to make his point. Even Killer, the dog, sat up and paid attention. “That isn’t the least bit funny. Someone is after you, capable of killing you, and you have jokes?”
“Lighten up. We’re safe out here because there’s no cell service or technology of any kind, really. He can’t reach us here, James. Besides, you said you wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”
“That I did,” he said softly.
“Thank you for that.”
James tapped his foot nervously and huffed. He was uncomfortable with the conversation. It was getting personal, and he didn’t want to send the wrong message. “Well, Ruby would be crushed if anything happened to you. I owe it to her to keep you safe.”
Cop-out, she thought. He cared, or he wouldn’t have leaped out of his seat and volunteered to go with her. “And you, James?”
“And I…” He hung on his own words for a moment, not sure how to answer. He felt guilty lying to her and for telling her the truth, so it was a lose-lose for him. Saved by the sign, he thought. “And I think we’re here.”
A large ornate sign engraved with Riverbend Resort was posted on the side of the road, held by totem poles on either side. Genevieve turned onto the narrow road that carved its way through the thick forest. They happened upon trail signs with maps every so often, and wooden benches were placed all about. The farther in they got, the thinner the trees became until they opened into a beautiful space – a parking lot.
“This is the nicest parking lot I have ever parked in,” Genevieve said. “The flowers, the waterfall, and the fountain? It’s all so natural too. Very…organic.”
“Organic? Really? Not park-like but organic?” He laughed at her choice of words but had to agree.
Mossy logs lined the place, even marking the parking spaces and steps that led up to the top of a grassy berm where the actual resort must be. Spring flower gardens bordered the perimeter and the water features while baskets of trailing foliage hung from the surrounding trees. It was like its own calming oasis, not a parking lot.
“If this is the parking lot, I can’t wait to see what the rest of the place looks like. What is this?” he asked when he noticed the wooden signs all around that said no cell phones or cameras of any kind beyond this point. “No phones or cameras. Is this one of those sweat lodge places where you write letters to yourself as a form of self-discovery?” he teased.
“Something like that.” Genevieve turned to him, a little more pissed off than she probably should be by his condescending attitude. “Did you ever think maybe it was just to shut off the outside world?” She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. “And relax maybe? Do you even remember what that is, or do you enjoy being so uptight all the time?”
Stunned by her reaction, he said, “Are you okay? It was just an observation. I’m on your side, remember?” He reached for the rear car door and let Killer out. James scratched the dog’s ears, his head hitting just above James’s waist.
Genevieve rolled her eyes at how uptight he was and headed for the stairs that led to the resort grounds.
Once at the top, they could see a gorgeous clubhouse in the distance, but they were stopped by a self-service information center that had basic resort rules posted and information on where to find golf carts and clubs, the swimming pools, hiking maps, and whatever Riverbend Resort had to offer. From the looks of it, it was a pretty swanky place.
James grabbed Killer’s leash from his back pocket, minding the sign that said it was required. Then he bent down to one knee in an effort to clip it to Killer’s collar.
“So, I sort of didn’t mention what kind of place this was because I thought you may not go in.” A nervous chuckle danced in Genevieve’s words before a subtle snort erupted. “I, uh…”
James stood, leash in hand, and looked around. An odd look crossed his expression, “Where are we exactly? They’re all wearing the same thing. Like a white toga.”
“They’re gowns,” she said.
“Nearly see-through gowns. Why are all the men and women dressed like that, and why am I afraid to drink anything offered to me? Is this some religious cult?”
Genevieve bit her bottom lip to nearly bleeding, finding far too much joy in James’s discomfort. “Riverbend is a health and wellness resort. Everyone wears the same thing so you can’t be judged for your means, lack of means, looks, et cetera. Everyone is on a level playing field here. Very Southern California, don’t you think?”
“Very something,” he said. “What are we doing here?”
“I found Watson’s old partner. I know why he bailed when he did now,” Genevieve shared. “It was when Watson got weird and started keeping the money, turning their real business into an illegal operation. That’s got to be it.”
“And he’s here, living like…this?” James waved a finger at the groups of people scattered around the grounds. “He’s living here? A tech guy living off the grid? What’s he do all day? Yoga?”
“I guess. Only one way to find out,” she said, moving farther into the resort grounds. “I guess this place has everything from nutritional guidance, homeopathic, and plenty of outdoor activities for individuals and groups. I looked it up before we came out here. It’s a place to unplug and reconnect with…yourself, I guess.”
“The idea isn’t terrible, though it seems a little cultish seeing them all dressed this way and doing things in sync as they are.”
Genevieve rolled her eyes. “Well, then pretend they all have laptops, and they’re working, shutting out the rest of their world.” She started to walk away before saying, “He was always good to me. He’s a good guy, and he might be able to help.”
“Genevieve,” James called her back with a shouted whisper. “I don’t think we’re supposed to be here. We’re getting odd looks, and I think it's because we aren’t wearing the white dress.” He grabbed her arm to keep her from going anywhere without him. “We are not going in there. We don’t have the white dress, and I’m not capturing some bad karma for it. I hear chanting.”
A certain awareness fell over her at his last statement, and she was prepared to exploit it. “Well, well, well… are you superstitious, Force?”
“Me? Of course not!” He was offended and still whispering loudly. “I mean, we just don’t know these people or what they’re about. I think we’re offending them.”
If James’s head could explode, Genevieve was certain it would, given how wound up he was. “Offending them? I think you’re afraid,” she accused. “You’re out of your comfort zone, and this is something you don’t understand. That freaks you out. It’s just people relaxing and f
ocusing on self-care. You wouldn’t know anything about that, though.”
“I’m not afraid. Just seems like maybe we should have called instead. We’re offending them.” James looked around for prying eyes before landing his back on hers.
She pointed at the sign right behind him that touring visitors didn’t have to wear the robe.
“You couldn’t just point that out ahead of time?” James scolded. “Let’s just get the information we came for.”
“It’s off the grid. Couldn’t call,” she reminded and headed down the main path without him.
“Genevieve…”
James didn’t get to finish whatever he was about to say, nor did Genevieve get very far because at that very moment, Killer, the dog, reminded them of his presence by pulling from James’s grip and chasing a taunting squirrel. Up the path he went, across a group picnicking on the grassy lawn, through the putting green, and he just kept going, his playful bark, albeit loud, indicating this was his new favorite game.
James and Genevieve chased after him, James screaming Killer while Genevieve laughed her ass off. So much for calm and serene. James was running like a maniac, screaming Killer through crowds of strangers. If he thought he’d offended them by wearing jeans, Genevieve could only imagine what was going through his head now.
“Why does this shit happen to me?” he shouted over his shoulder.
“You’re the one who brought up karma.” Genevieve laughed herself breathless.
“Will you call him? He listens to women better.”
“No. It’s better when you do it. A little louder, James. Maybe he can’t hear you,” she said.
“Killer,” he yelled louder as she suggested.
The dog had long since passed or missed the groups James and Genevieve were crossing paths with, and they were sure to scatter at the scene of a mad man screaming killer as he ran through their compound. They continued to run through the field, past the community pool, and around the ninth hole on the golf course to the top of the grassy knoll.
James looked at Genevieve, realizing what he had fallen for. “You’re a pain in the ass and kind of a jerk. You knew this would happen. It was your idea to bring him. I hope that dog pisses in your car on the way back.”
Genevieve tossed her head back in laughter, her run stalling to a jog, then a brisk walk while she caught her breath. Killer had been caught just up ahead, and the chase was over. A large man knelt on one knee on the other side of Killer, petting him while he talked to him.
“He’s not even holding his collar,” James whispered to Genevieve. “Killer is just listening to him?”
“Oh, my God!” Genevieve squealed. “Chugg?”
“Genevieve Huff, I’ll be damned,” the man said. “What brings you out here? Say, is this your Killer? Name’s on the tag. I didn’t make that up.”
James’s head swung back and forth between them. Genevieve was beautiful, charismatic, and radiated confidence and joy. This guy, the dog whisperer, he was…not. This was her good friend?
“Sure is,” she replied. “Well, it’s his Killer.” She laughed, gesturing toward James.
“Sure is nice lookin’,” the man said, walking Killer back to James.
James wasn’t sure if the guy’s glasses were prescription because nothing was good lookin’ about that ugly as sin, beast of a dog.
“It’s my brother’s dog,” James said as if it mattered before grabbing the leash and gripping it tighter than before.
Just when he thought his bad day hit an all-time low and couldn’t get any worse, it did. The man stood to full height, the dog no longer blocking the majority of him. James would normally be struck by his sheer height but was immediately put off by how short his white gown was and what appeared to be steel-toed boots with thick wool socks slouched around said boots. The dark-rimmed Coke-bottle glasses were the last thing he noticed as he prayed the guy didn’t bend over because there was no guarantee he was wearing anything underneath.
The man extended his large hand to James. “Name’s Big Vic. A pleasure to meet ya.”
“James,” he said, reciprocating the introduction as he extended his hand.
“I’m headed to a new class we’re offering. Yoga. Nude. Kind of odd but interesting. Very LA. You guys want to join me?” Vic asked, walking back in the direction James and Genevieve had just come.
“No,” James answered quickly, drawing a line in the sand. When Genevieve sent a threatening look, he rephrased. “I already worked out this morning. I don’t think I have it in me. Maybe another time.”
“Oh, sure, sure.” Vic reached over and squeezed James’s bicep, then snorted. “I’m just kidding anyway. We don’t offer that here.”
“Right.” James shrugged. “Good one.”
They were there to see Genevieve’s friend, yet she had been quiet the past several moments. When James looked over at her, she was biting her bottom lip again, and her face was flushed, eyes blinking wildly. Maybe she was embarrassed or perhaps trying not to laugh. It didn’t matter. This was as awkward as a situation could get, and it was her fault. He gave her a stern get it together look, then went on to save her ass so she didn’t offend her old friend.
“So, Genevieve, it’s really good to see you, but I gotta ask. Whatcha doin’ all the way out here?” Big Vic asked. “What can I do for you? You thinking about joining the center?”
“It’s lovely,” she said, taking in the scenery and trying not to offend him. “But no. I’m here to see you. Something significant has come up. Got a second to chat?”
Genevieve took a seat on the grass, Big Vic joining her while she explained everything that had transpired over the past several weeks. She narrowed down the specifics that stood out as Watson, the few facts they were able to gather thus far, and of course, the attacks they’d already endured. Genevieve said something that she hadn’t before, that Watson was just getting started, playing, and she anticipated him upping the ante sooner rather than later. That was the first he’d heard her say that. She was truly afraid of what that man was capable of. Especially when she mentioned Benson and Tasha.
“Tasha? Alive?” Chuggs looked at the ground, twiddling his fingers through the grass. “That had to be a blow.”
“It was – is,” Genevieve admitted. “I don’t know what to think of it all. I mean, is she helping them? Was she all along? And where’s my mom?”
“That’s right. I remember hearing about your mom too. Man, I’m sorry,” Chuggs sympathized. “I thought Benson had been one of those John Does in the warehouse. I was sure of it. How did they hide for so long?”
“I don’t know,” she offered. “That’s a long time to be on the run. I mean, how did they survive? Did he take some of Watson’s money? Steal what he needed? He’s a hacker. He can get whatever he needs and be whoever he needs to be so long as he has a computer.”
“Wow. I wish I could help you, but I can’t. When stuff got real weird, I bailed.” Chuggs looked as though he was going to cry. This really affected him. “After I saw the stuff about the warehouse in Long Beach…I took off. Been hiding here ever since. I wasn’t going to go down for what he did, and I didn’t want him to find me either. I took what I had, invested in this place. It’s great here. Technology stuff is in the past. The simple life is my choice now.”
“I understand, and I’m happy for you.” Genevieve was sincerely happy for him, even if she thought it was an odd lifestyle. To each their own.
“How’d you find me anyway?” Chuggs laughed, giving her a nudge as he tried to lighten the mood.
“It was easy, actually. I remember you always teased me about retiring in a nudist camp. You also love this area, always talked about it.” Reminiscing left something that sounded like sadness in Genevieve’s voice. “I just started searching area resorts and colonies, and there you were, on the website. Not a nudist colony, but…”
“Oh yeah. I did sign a consent form for that.” He nodded in surprise. “I had no idea I was actually on t
here.” He tossed up his jazz hands and said in a sing-song voice, “Famous,” before he fell into a fit of snorting laughter.
“That you are, my friend.” She giggled. “In tech world anyway. You’re a legend.”
Chuggs walked them to the edge of the grounds just before the parking lot. “Hey, yoga is underway. I’m late! You sure you guys can’t hang out? You’ll feel amazing.”
James briefly looked at the grassy area where two or three dozen people practiced yoga, and they were passing around a cup and sharing drinks from it. Cult. “Nooo. Sounds…great, but we gotta hit the road. It was really nice meeting you, Big…guy.”
“That’s too bad. It would be nice to talk a bit longer. I’m teaching, though, and they’re all waiting for me,” he admitted. “Don’t know what I’m doing, but they don’t know that. Kind of fun. They just do everything I do.”
James looked at Genevieve.
“Yeah, it was nice seeing you again. I’d love to spend more time catching up. Soon, okay?” she said.
“Well, you know where to find us if you have a change of heart, you two.” Chuggs waved before he turned to run like the awkward goliath he was and took his place at the head of the class.
11
James drove back to Santa Marina, allowing Genevieve time to reflect on what she had just learned – or what she hadn’t. “That was different. Interesting guy.”
Without turning in his direction, she kept her sights anywhere but in that vehicle. Genevieve wasn’t interested in anything James had to say. “Mm-hmm.”
“What? Are you mad or something?” he asked, tossing her a quick glance.
“Just drive, James.”
“You’re mad at me? Or mad we didn’t collect any intel?”
She let out a deep sigh. “All of it. I really thought he’d at least have something to work with.”
James felt bad for her. It couldn’t have been easy visiting a part of her past like that. Especially when it was so connected to the piece haunting her. But there wasn’t much he could do to offer comfort. It was too risky to let her in. He’d let her in one time, long after his wife had died, and he hadn’t forgiven himself for it. He’d slept with Genevieve. It was on the anniversary of Hannah’s death. They were grieving. One thing had led to another, and he’d failed Hannah and Genevieve. Maybe even himself.