With a hyper vigilance, she payed attention to the route the car took. It meandered all over Oakland, sometimes going down the same road twice as if it were lost. The more it played around, the less concerned she became. If some scary military agency were kidnapping her, wouldn’t they swoop in as soon as possible? It started to feel more like a game of cat and mouse.
After a few more twists and turns, the car directed itself East, and into the hills beyond. The densely populated units disappeared and gave way to a beautifully maintained, quiet residential neighborhood. As quietly as if it were pulling into her own driveway at home, the car slid to the stop at the side of a cul-de-sac, the turn around behind her.
Penelope froze. Her gaze darted around to every dark shadow or moving tree branch, waiting for a group of armed men to surround her at any moment. Moments passed and nothing happened. She was about to test the navigation controls once more when a message chimed on her phone. A breath caught in her throat as she read it.
It’s me. I’m here. Open the door.
She dove for the door and flung it open. Crouching in the opening, ready to protect herself if it proved a trap, she squinted into the darkness. Like a figment of her imagination, Cameron jogged from the bushes between two of the closest houses. She got out of the way just as he dove into the car, slamming the door behind him.
“Drive. Pattern 5a,” he panted.
Penelope pushed herself onto one of the bench seats, fingers gripping the soft cushion. Cameron panted on the floor, his arm over his forehead. As the car zoomed off, he started to laugh. A chuckle quickly verged on the maniacal.
“What’s so funny? You scared me half to death, you know that?”
He rolled his head from under his arm and continued to laugh. “You should’ve seen your face. Jesus, I wish I had a photo of it.”
She resisted the urge to kick him in the ribs with her toe. “You programmed my car?”
“Just a little hack.” He leaned onto his elbow, wiping his face with one hand. In the passing lights, she could tell he’d lost weight since the last time she’d seen him. His beard was scraggly and his clothes were dirty, but otherwise he seemed to be in good condition.
“So you’re a hacker now?” she asked dubiously, her heart rate refusing to slow down. She was relieved to see him, yes, but the past few weeks had given her a healthy dose of skepticism.
“A friend helped me.” He straightened and leaned against the seat. He shook his head as a broad smile spread across his face, white teeth flashing in the dark. “You have no idea how good it is to see you.”
Penelope remembered the fight they’d had before he disappeared, the week of her ignoring him. The anger was still there, but covered by curiosity and concern. “Where did you go?”
“Wish I knew.”
“You were taken?”
“Not the first time I’ve been kidnapped,” he replied nonchalantly. “Do you have any food on you?” He started to rifle through the bags she had on the floor around him.
She reached into her purse and pulled out a nut bar. “Did they starve you?”
“No, nothing like that. I’m just hungry,” he smirked.
Penelope’s patience was razor thin. “Stop fucking around Cam, and tell me what happened to you.”
He talked around the food in his mouth, chomping and chewing as though he genuinely hadn’t eaten in a few days. She wondered if he was keeping things from her only to stop her from worrying.
“I wish I could, Pen, but I don’t really know. One minute I was working at home, the next I was in a windowless room with a bed, a desk, and a chair all screwed to the floor. They left me alone for a couple hours before some G.I. Joe came in to ask me questions.”
She slid to the edge of her seat. “What did he look like?”
Cameron sneered. “I don’t know. Generic Army guy with tan skin. Anyway,” he replied, irritated with her apparent irrelevant question. “They fed me, gave me water, didn’t abuse me. Let me sleep. On a scale of one to ten, I’d highly recommend being kidnapped by them again.”
“Cameron…”
“No, seriously. Do you think I should leave them a review somewhere? I want to let other potential victims know what a great experience they’ll have.”
Penelope screamed in frustration. Cameron had a way of bringing that out in her. “How can you be so fucking calm? Why is this so funny?”
“Because it proves I’m on to something,” he replied, his eyes glittering in the dark. He held her gaze for a moment and shook his head. “I know you don’t believe me, and that’s alright. I promise I won’t rope you into this. I just needed help getting away. Once the car drops me off at…”
“I believe you.” Penelope squeezed her eyes shut, hating how difficult that was to say.
“You do.” It wasn’t a question, but a shocked statement.
“A lot has happened.” She didn’t know where to begin, which part to start with. These weren’t linear stories to tell around a campfire and worse yet, she didn’t fully understand it enough herself.
Penelope slid off the seat and joined Cameron on the floor. She reached out for his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“I’m not out of the woods yet. I need to get somewhere safe and preferably off the grid.”
Even though she had no idea how they were going to get there, she nodded. “I know just the place.”
They reached the cabin in Lake Tahoe just before sunrise. Since it didn’t make any sense to try hiking through the forest before day, she scrambled together a half-way decent breakfast.
“I’ll drop off some supplies for you later before I go. Wesley’s not exactly used to having guests around,” she said over the lip of her coffee cup.
Cameron dried his hair and draped the damp towel over his bare shoulder. “How receptive is this guy gonna be to us just showing up at his house? Everything I’ve ever read says that he’s a massive recluse.”
“Well, he didn’t shoot me on sight when I went up there, so that’s a plus.” She shrugged and moved the eggs around on her plate. “He’ll be fine. I’ve got most of the stuff he wanted and you.”
“Me?”
“He said he wanted to talk to you, so I imagine he’ll be happy to see us.”
She watched as he devoured his now-cold breakfast, having opted to shower before eating. Funny priorities, she thought as she watched him inhale the food.
“You two should get along famously,” she smirked, wondering if he’d lick the plate.
“What did you tell Joey?”
Her gut churned with dread. “I sent him a message, said I forgot something at the cabin and would be back later today. I don’t think he’s gotten it yet.”
“I suppose he’s used to sleeping in an empty bed.” Cameron looked up, obviously remorseful. “I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry.”
Penelope waved the comment and apology away, but it stuck with her. The Cameron she knew would’ve never apologized for that. Was he actually acting different and if so, was it just the fear of being taken in the middle of the night that had set him straight? Or was it something else?
Two hours later, the remote cabin came into view as they crested the hill. They dripped with sweat, the humid air so thick Penelope imagined she could wring it out to drink.
“There it is,” she pointed as she dropped the heavy bag and caught her breath. “He’ll already know we’re here.”
Cameron waved to the trees around them before resting his hands on his knees. “I’m so out of shape it isn’t even funny.”
“No gym facilities at camp kidnap?” she laughed, slapping him on the back. “Come on, I want to drop you off so I can get back home at a decent time.”
The door swung open as they approached the house. Wesley appeared in the door, his expression a blank slate.
“Morning,” Penelope called out. Don’t know why I bother with the pleasantries, she immediately thought when he didn’t reply. “I’d like to in
troduce Cameron Richards, my friend I was telling you about.”
Wesley regarded him as if he were a poisonous snake. “You said he was missing?”
“Well, I guess I’m found,” Cameron replied. He extended his hand to Wesley and was left hanging. “Okay…” he said after a moment, looking back to Penelope for an explanation.
The meeting already wasn’t what she’d imagined. “I also have the things you asked for.”
Wesley lingered in the doorway as if debating whether or not to let them in. He stared at Cameron but hadn’t yet greeted or acknowledged him. He licked his lips. The corner of his left eye twitched as he glanced over to Penelope.
“Everything?”
“Well, not everything…”
That was the trigger. He flung the door open with enough force it slammed against the inside. Although he disappeared into the darkness, his cursing was as clear as ever. “For fuck’s sake, woman. It isn’t difficult, is it? I ask you to do…”
Penelope gave Cameron a tight smile as she gestured toward the door. “Please, after you.”
They settled inside. Wesley eventually calmed down after deeming the items she had brought to be adequate. It was only then he turned his attention to Cameron.
“So. You have a theory about the Seed technology. Please, tell me everything I did wrong while designing it and how your brilliant mind plans to fix it.”
Penelope considered stepping in for a moment, but decided not to. It was strangely satisfying to see these two men battle it out. And for once, she could play spectator.
Cameron wasn’t taken aback at all, but he hadn’t yet learned how to handle the grumpy hermit. He unsuccessfully chose the flattery route. “Sir, I wouldn’t presume to come into your home and criticize your genius work. No one can deny the brilliant achievement you and Pen’s father have made.”
Wesley snorted, his wild mustache blowing under his nose. “I don’t remember writing cocksucker on my shopping list,” he said to Penelope. “I know I’m a lonely old man, but I’m not desperate enough for this.”
Penelope pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. For the first time in her life she saw Cameron awkwardly stumble for a conversational foothold.
“Sir, I didn’t mean…”
“Okay, enough with the sir. You’re a smart doctor, clearly you worked this out faster than anyone. But now I’m here, so let’s try and work together, yes? Good.” He clapped his hands as if the issue had been sorted. Somehow Cameron had passed his fast test and he was ready to get to work.
Penelope was itching to get home. “Actually, there’s no rush. I know it’s a bit of a presumption, but I was thinking Cam could stay here with you for a few days. I’ll go back into town to get anything you need, make sure you’re both comfortable.”
Wesley stiffened. “Why?”
Penelope and Cam exchanged a look that was apparently obvious enough, the old man stood to his feet.
“You’re trying to hide him.”
“I just need a couple of days to lay low,” Cameron explained, his hands open and empty like he was appeasing a dangerous man. Wesley backed away as if they were holding weapons.
“You said yourself he’s valuable. Cam put together a lot of the pieces, probably more than me. The fact he was kidnapped just proves we’re on to something,” Penelope explained.
The old man moved faster than she thought possible from a man his age. His expression didn’t telegraph anything. Like lightning, he launched himself straight at Cameron and tackled him to the ground. Cam had a chance to yelp in surprise before Wesley’s hand clapped over his eyes. They toppled to the floor in a rolling heap, tilting the heavy wooden table against the wall at a precarious angle.
“What are you doing?” Penelope screamed.
“Get his legs!”
She watched in shock as Wesley shifted on top like an expert wrestler. He pulled Cameron’s shirt over his face and over his eyes. With a strange grace, he floated above Cameron’s body and came down hard, his knees on either side of Cam’s head. He rocked his weight back, pinning Cam’s shoulders and holding him to the floor.
“Get his goddamn legs,” he snarled as he struggled to stay in position.
Penelope instinctively obeyed, first holding then sitting on his legs. Once her weight held him firm, she felt his muscles relax. With a shout, he stopped resisting.
“Pen, what the fuck are you doing?”
Wesley squeezed his knees tighter and glared over his shoulder. “I can’t believe you brought him here. He could be compromised. Everything he sees, hears, smells… You’ve jeopardized everything and we haven’t even gotten a chance to start.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
London, UK
June 26th
JULIAN ALWAYS GOT a little thrill when The Gardener’s messages popped up on his screen. These secret communications meant more to him than he’d ever admit to anyone. But standing on the brink of greatness, it was good to have someone by his side.
We’re all set for today.
I’m so fucking excited I can barely stand it. I called in sick today.
No need to curse. It makes you sound common.
Julian winced at the chastisement, glad to be speaking through a screen so he could hide his red cheeks.
Of course. Sorry. It’s just amazing that all our work is actually coming together. I can’t believe how far we’ve come.
And we have far to go. You were too ambitious in our previous trials.
I might’ve fried a few circuits along the way, but it proves they were weak to begin with. This new fix will take care of that, right?
Only one way to find out.
A gentle knock at the door pulled his attention from the conversation. He typed out a message without looking at the screen and sprang from his chair.
He didn’t think he could get any more excited about the days’ events, but was proven wrong when he opened the front door to his flat.
Harriet stood across the hall, leaning against the wall with her hands tucked behind her ass. The position caused her breasts to almost spill out of the little red dress he’d been thinking off when he’d called for her assistance at the office. The smirk on her crimson lips showed she knew what sort of effect this was going to have on him.
This was a reaction he didn’t mind revealing.
“You going to invite me in or what?”
“I’m surprised you came.”
“I haven’t come yet,” she said with a wink as she slipped by and into the flat.
He admired the view from the back, his head cocked as if appreciating a famous painting or statue. She bent at the waist to lower her purse and coat to the floor, revealing a glimpse of lacy black fabric between her thighs.
Julian’s nostrils flared, but he kept any arousal from his voice. “You’re right on time.”
She flipped her long hair over her shoulder and pouted. “It better be worth it. I haven’t been up this early in… shit, I don’t know how long.”
“It’s eleven in the morning.”
Harriet’s unimpressed expression showed she missed his point. While he lived on the back of his own hard work, she chose to indulge in the trust fund lifestyle. Even with the vast amounts of wealth accessible to them, she kept her spending largely in check. She had a healthy respect for money but never working a day in her life had still left her spoiled.
“Well, you’ve certainly been a busy boy, haven’t you? My train was delayed almost an hour the other day because some idiot threw himself on the tracks.” She dropped her bag on the floor and spun. “Couldn’t you get them to be a little more considerate of other people?”
“It doesn’t exactly work like that.”
They made their way into the living room, sitting together on the plush designer sofa. Julian flicked the smart wall on, arranging a half dozen different screens into formation. A few were live broadcasts from various networks, a couple print pages that he knew to be updated frequently when breaking news h
it. He muted the sound and shifted on the sofa, leaning closer.
“I just had a funny thought,” she said before he could speak. “Remember when we were little and we’d build forts out of pillows and blankets?”
Julian grinned at the memory. “Of course I do.” He ran his index finger along the smooth curve of her neck, pulling her hair to the side.
She bounced in the seat to face him, drawing her knee up so that the hem of her dress skated dangerously high. “We should do that again. Today.”
“But we can watch it just like this,” he laughed. “Like adults.”
“Let’s get sushi and wine and other treats. I’ll even build the fort if you want,” she replied, a touch of petulance to her voice.
There was no real reason to fight her, but he loved playing the big, angry brother sometimes. He crossed his arms and pulled away, stealing back his warmth. He pretended to watch the wall. “It’s like you never grew up.”
He watched peripherally as she nibbled on her bottom lip. In a flash, she threw herself onto his lap, her knees straddling his hips. “You remember the last time we made a fort?” She tucked her hair behind her ear, knowing the gesture drove him wild.
That memory was one he never needed encouragement to conjure up. It was one of his fondest. It’d been the one and only time they’d taken their relationship to a place they could never go again.
Julian cleared his throat, knowing his cheeks were flushed. The exhale from his nose revealed he’d caved to at least some of her wishes. She clapped her hands and bounced in the most appealing way before jumping off.
“I’ll make the fort in here. You order a big plate of sushi. We’re gonna have the best time.”
He laughed to himself as he obeyed her orders.
Julian had to admit, the fort idea was a nice idea, better than what he’d originally planned. Tucked up cozy under the bedsheets she’s pilfered from his closet, he couldn’t remember a time he’d been so happy.
Harriet was spread out on her back, head propped up by pillows. A glass of wine balanced on her stomach, rising and falling with her delicate breaths. He tried not to watch her too closely, knowing it would only drive him insane, but it was nearly impossible. Her presence was enchanting. That was the essence of Harriet.
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