D.J.’s smile turned predatory. “More on the Guard? I checked out most of the locals and didn’t see anything. Bunch of fucking Boy Scouts.”
“Expand your search and repeat it every day or so. Something is going to show up eventually.” He sat down on the edge of his desk and met the gaze of each of his friends. These were the men who he would trust with his life, and more important, he’d trust them with Laurel’s, as well.
“You all know part of what I’m going to tell you, but I’m going to start at the beginning to bring you all up to speed.” He closed his eyes briefly to gather his thoughts. “The last time I died, human hands were wielding the sword. That’s why D.J.’s been checking out the bank records of the Guard. Someone had to have a good reason to come after me. Since I don’t know of any reason that one of the Guard might have it in for me, I’m assuming money is the motivation. I hope so, because that would give us a chance of catching him.”
“I’ll rerun everything when we’re done here.” D.J. started to put his feet back up on the desk, but a glare from Devlin stopped him cold. He grinned sheepishly and sat up straighter.
Devlin resumed his explanation. “I haven’t actually seen him, but my gut tells me someone has been following me, both down in the tunnels and on the streets.”
These men wouldn’t question his relying on a gut feeling. None of them had survived this long without having a highly developed survival instinct.
Cullen spoke for all of them. “That takes balls. The stupid bastard has to know that he’s a walking dead man. Any one of us would love the privilege of gutting him with a dull blade for what he’s pulled.”
“That’s why I figure there must be some serious money behind the attack. They would have to make it worth the risk. But there’s more to this than someone being pissed at me. D.J. got the test results back from his friend in Research this morning. Those bags we found had traces of blue dust in them. Seems the stuff had to come from across the barrier because there’s nothing like it on Earth.”
“Yeah,” D.J. agreed. “He couldn’t do a full analysis with the small amount of the stuff he could collect from the bags. He seemed to think it came from some kind of garnet, except they aren’t blue in our world. I don’t know yet what they’d be good for. We’ll need more than dust to figure that out.”
Restless, Devlin paced across to his weapon wall and back. “Something has been bothering me since we found those bags, and I finally figured out what it was. My first time back in the tunnels, I cornered a pair of males up near the surface. They seemed damned surprised to have to fight. The older one even asked me why I was there, because they’d ‘already paid.’ Someone is telling the Others that they get a free pass to the surface if they cough up a healthy bribe. Then the sick bastard turns us loose to mop up his mess. No wonder they’ve been coming across in such big numbers lately.”
The tension level in the room was climbing by the minute. Paladins weren’t always likeable men, but to the last man, they were men of honor. To betray the safety of the entire world for profit was unthinkable. Whoever was operating behind the scenes had a lot to answer for.
“Right now the readings are stable, but Mount St. Helens has been venting steam and ash pretty frequently. Next time it looks as if she’s going critical, I want us down in the tunnels long before she blows to catch whoever killed those guards and slit the bags, before he has a chance to do it again.”
“Do you think he’s the same one who has been following you?” asked Cullen.
“No way to know for sure, but it makes sense. It strikes me that the one doing the dirty work is getting paid for his willingness to kill, not for his brains. Someone else is doing the thinking for him.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“So, what are we going to do about it?” Cullen’s eyes narrowed, and his smile was grim. “Besides kill the son of a bitch.”
“I want him dead, too, but we need information more.” Devlin held up one hand and began ticking off items. “First we need to find the money trail, because that’s where we’ll find the most answers. Secondly I want to find some of those blue stones to test. Once we know what they are good for, we’ll have a better idea of who wants them so badly. Finally I want to get my hands on the little rat bastard who’s after me.”
He glanced at Trahern in the back. He’d had no intention of bringing up Laurel, yet it was his fault that she was involved. She wouldn’t appreciate having her name linked with his, though, not in front of the other Paladins.
Trahern understood what he was asking and shrugged. “So, do you want me to tell them the rest or do you want to do it?”
No, goddamn it, he didn’t. “Maybe you’d better, since you’re the one who found the evidence. I’ll fill any holes when you’re done.”
Cullen and D.J. twisted around to look at Trahern. “The rest of what?”
“Someone has been spying on Dr. Young.”
“How do you know?”
“I found a pile of cigarette butts behind a Dumpster. The spot gives you the perfect view of the front door of her place.” Trahern’s light-colored eyes darkened to the color of sword steel. “I found some of the same brand on the other side of the street, by one of those bus stop benches—too many butts for someone waiting for a bus that runs every half an hour.”
Cullen went right for the heart of the matter. “And you just happened to be hanging around her place because why?”
Trahern kept his eyes on Devlin, his expression carefully blank. “The day she pulled the plug on that Paladin, Devlin went to her place to see how she was handling it. We think he was followed. Now, maybe some poor homeless SOB sleeps there every night and the cigarettes belong to him, but we doubt it. Devlin and I both think the guy is really after Devlin and hopes to catch him coming out of Dr. Young’s place.”
Cullen swung his attention back to Devlin. “You’ve gone back to her place? How many times?”
Devlin bit back the urge to curse loud and long. Cullen had managed to convey several levels of questions in those few words, the answers to which were none of his damn business.
“That doesn’t matter. She doesn’t deserve to be collateral damage just because she knows me.”
“So what do we do next?”
“We can’t do much about the blue stones until the pressure builds up on the barrier again. The way it’s been flickering lately, that could be any minute. As far as my own problem, Trahern and I plan on leading the sneaky little bastard on a merry chase.”
D.J. sat up like a hunting dog on point. “And what about Doc Young? I’d be glad to keep her safe. Hell, if she doesn’t mind you sniffing around, maybe she’d let me console her, too.”
Devlin’s temper flashed hot and furious. He hauled D.J. up out of his chair by his shirt and put all his strength into a punch straight to his friend’s gut. “SHOW HER RESPECT OR I’LL KICK YOUR WORTHLESS ASS OFF THE NEAREST PIER.” Then he shoved D.J. back, who dropped to the floor in a puddle of pain.
He stepped back to look at Cullen. “Any questions you want answered?”
“Ah, that would be no.”
Trahern’s laugh sounded rusty as he held up his hands in mock surrender. “You’ve already given me that particular lecture.”
“Okay, back to business then. I haven’t told Dr. Young about our concerns, because every thought she has runs across her face like a fucking billboard. If we told her to be careful around the Guard, she’d get all twitchy around them and warn the bastard off. And I can’t start showing up to carry her books home every night like a lovesick schoolboy without causing all kinds of complications.”
“So where does that leave us?” D.J. had managed to sit up, his words ragged with pain.
“As much as possible, she should have an escort. She just won’t know it.” Devlin offered D.J. a peace offering with a hand up off the floor. “I figure we can take turns, working in pairs. Trahern will stake out her place late this afternoon. I’ll trail her home. You two can do the same
tomorrow.”
“Fine by me,” Trahern said. “And if you don’t mind, I’m going to call in a couple favors from someone to see what he can find out.”
Devlin frowned. “You’re sure you can trust him?”
“With my life.” Trahern met his gaze head on and didn’t blink.
“That’s good enough for me.”
“Okay. If you don’t need me for anything else, I’m out of here.” Trahern disappeared out the door with D.J. hobbling after him, still rubbing his stomach.
Cullen hung back until they were both gone.
“What?” Devlin knew he sounded belligerent, but Cullen was used to it.
“I’m thinking Doc Young isn’t your usual type.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? I wasn’t aware I had a type.” He prepared to punch another friend.
“We usually limit our choice of women to those who’ve been around the block a time or two and don’t expect more than a good time, especially in bed. Laurel Young isn’t like that. She’s too good for the likes of us.”
Devlin knew that and even agreed with it, but that didn’t mean he appreciated Cullen shoving it in his face. “Keep your opinions to yourself.” He widened his stance. “What’s between her and me isn’t up for discussion, not even with you. Maybe especially with you.”
What Cullen lacked in size, he more than made up for in sheer cussedness when it came to fighting. They’d sparred together before, but never got down and dirty enough to hurt each other. Devlin had a feeling that was about to change.
Cullen backed away to give himself room to maneuver. “That’s bullshit, Devlin, and you know it. You get in her pants, and she’s going to be hearing wedding bells and dreaming about little babies with your ugly face.”
“Shut up, Cullen. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” His face flushed hot.
His friend’s jaw dropped. “Oh hell, you two have already done the dirty.”
That did it. Devlin’s left fist shut Cullen’s mouth for him, sending him stumbling back a few steps. Devlin followed, but before he could land a knockout punch, Cullen got in a few good licks of his own. The little bastard was as slippery as a snake, combining martial arts with down-and-dirty street fighting. It didn’t take long before Devlin had blood streaming down his face from a cut above his right eye. Cullen wasn’t faring much better, but he was still dancing from one foot to the other.
“Come on, you can do better than that.”
Devlin charged, sending Cullen crashing into a chair that cracked and splintered under the impact of the two men. They both went down onto the floor, taking a lamp and a small table with them. When Devlin got Cullen pinned and was about to pound him into the floorboards, something that felt suspiciously like the tattered remains of his conscience stayed his hand.
Breathing heavily, he rolled to the side and tried to bring his temper and pulse back under control. Cullen lay where he was for a few seconds and then slowly sat up.
“Got it bad, huh?” He grinned and wiped a dribble of blood off his mouth with his sleeve, then checked to see if his teeth were loose.
This time Devlin didn’t bother to deny it. “She’s got me tied up in knots that would make a sailor proud, but I don’t want to talk about it. It’s going nowhere and we both know it.”
“Fair enough. Well, I’ve got to go help D.J. with his hacking.”
Devlin slowly climbed to his feet, wincing when a couple of bruised ribs protested. At least they didn’t feel cracked. He laughed when Cullen spat out a string of colorful curses as he tried to move slowly enough to avoid pain. It didn’t work.
“While you two are playing cybergames, see how hard it is to get into our medical files without leaving a trail.”
The fight already forgotten, Cullen smiled. “You forget who you’re talking to. I have a modest talent for sliding in and out of tight places online, but D.J. is a fucking genius. Do you want anything in particular?”
“No, I just want to know if we can do it. Colonel Kincade can’t be happy about our scans and I wouldn’t put it past him to try to alter a few. Might pay to keep an eye on them.” He dropped his voice. “Especially Trahern’s.”
“Will do. Take care, Devlin. And let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” He limped to the door. Just before he left the room, he looked back, his eyes full of sympathy. “I think I’m jealous, you lucky bastard. Keep her safe. And if you hurt her, we’ll pick up where we just left off.”
“Fair enough.” If the situation were reversed, he’d be the first in line to start swinging his fists.
He looked at his desk and the stack of paperwork piled on the corner. Then there were all the e-mails he needed to answer. Rather than deal with either one, he decided he had time to check in on Lonzo before it was time for Laurel to leave work. Besides, it gave him a legitimate reason to be in the area. Satisfied with his plan, he walked out and locked the door behind him.
• • •
He had to do something and soon. Every time the phone rang, he about jumped out of his skin. The man had been patient up until this point, but he wouldn’t stay that way for long. He hadn’t mentioned a deadline, but no one offered that much money for a job without expecting that it get priority.
Luckily, he’d finally come up with a plan to take down Devlin Bane. If Laurel Young were taken captive, Bane would walk straight into hell to try to save her, even if it meant this time when he died, he’d stay dead.
His cigarette had burned down to a stub. He dropped it at his feet and then ground it out with the heel of his shoe. It was getting too dark to risk lighting another one. Before he could lure his bait out of her home, he had to take care of one little problem. He didn’t know how Trahern had come to be standing guard outside of her home, but the last thing he wanted was for that half-crazy bastard to come after him with death in his eyes.
So, he’d arranged a little distraction for Trahern. It wouldn’t fool the man for long, but it should force him to reveal his current position. Although he couldn’t compete with a Paladin like Trahern, he was a damn fine shot. Trahern would be unlikely to recover from a head shot. But even if he did, he’d be out of the picture long enough for the rest of the plan to succeed.
He checked his rifle and sights. His night gear gave everything an unnatural glow, allowing him to pick out far more details than normal eyesight. From his position on the roof across the street from Dr. Young’s condo, he had a clear view of every possible approach. His cellphone vibrated, telling him that the next step in the plan was about to be put in motion. He settled himself comfortably and waited for the show to start.
• • •
Lord, she was tired. She couldn’t remember her last good night’s sleep. After locking the door and throwing the deadbolt, Lauren kicked off her shoes and tossed her purse on the closest chair. She also missed Devlin. Of course, if he were there, they wouldn’t spend much time sleeping, but that was a sacrifice she’d be willing to make.
He’d told her that she wouldn’t see him tonight, and she believed both what he said and the regret in his green eyes. Although she might not be all that experienced, a woman knew when a man wanted her. She could still feel the heat of his gaze when she’d turned back to smile at him.
She padded into the kitchen to pour herself some iced tea. A glass of wine sounded better, but she still had a few things to take care of before retiring for the night. Dinner was due to be delivered in half an hour or so. Until then, she’d change into her favorite flannel boxers and a baggy T-shirt.
Maybe she’d put in a movie to watch while she ate, something romantic and sweet.
Back in her living room, she waited for the delivery car to arrive. Her mother would be horrified to learn that Laurel rarely cooked. She knew how, of course. Her mother had seen to that because a woman was expected to cook for her family. However, working twelve-hour days through medical school and with longer days and sometimes nights at the lab now, she wasted little free t
ime on household chores.
The doorbell rang. She checked out the window to make sure she recognized the driver, then handed him a check in exchange for a bag holding several white boxes. The smell of soy and garlic had her stomach rumbling in cheerful anticipation.
She set the bag on the counter while she got out a plate and flatware. But before she even had the boxes out of the bag, the peace and quiet was destroyed by sudden screams and the shriek of sheet metal crashing against something solid. Adrenaline had her running out of her front door toward the accident before she realized she’d even made the decision to do so. She could render first aid until an ambulance arrived.
From the condition of the small import wedged against the building across the street, she had no doubt that someone was hurt, maybe several someones. She ran back to her condo to grab the medical bag in her hall closet.
It took some quick maneuvering to work her way through the clutter of people. Intent on her goal, she didn’t notice she was no longer alone. Just as she passed a Dumpster, a big hand reached out to snag her arm and drag her into the alley. Before she could manage more than an outraged squeak, the hand’s partner clamped down over her mouth.
“Don’t scream, Laurel. It’s me. You’re needed.”
Devlin’s harsh whisper in her ear left her limp and shaking. She nodded so that he’d release her, then she rounded on him, ready to rip into him but good.
“Are you crazy? You scared me half to death! Again!” Then she remembered the accident. “I’ve got to get to that car.”
He blocked her way. “I need you here more.”
“Somebody could be dying out there.”
Devlin looked grim. “I’m sorry, but the ambulance should be there any minute. Trahern can’t wait.”
He was right—the sound of sirens was growing louder. “Trahern is hurt? I didn’t get a call.”
“You wouldn’t have. He’s back here in the alley.” He took her arm and pulled her along with him. “He’s been shot. We can’t let him die.”
She shoved the car wreck to the back of her mind and concentrated on keeping up with Devlin, regretting she hadn’t put on shoes before charging out the door. The alley was relatively clean, but rocks and other objects made walking painful.
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