Whisper of Memory (Whispering Woods Book 2)

by Berry, Brinda

  “That’s not what I said. He didn’t chat. He showed up. Playing the game.”

  “Using his old character?” I couldn’t imagine that he would do that since he had been in serious hiding all this time.

  “Of course not,” Tiny said. “But it was him. Came right up and joined us while playing.”

  “How do you know it was him?” I hated to sound skeptical, but I had learned some lessons in trusting people. Just because something walked like a duck and quacked like a duck, it didn’t mean it was a duck. Maybe it had feathers and a beak, but…

  “We know in the same way that you would know. You can’t fake some things. It’s Pete.”

  “Back to the questions. Let’s assume it’s him. What did you find out?” I asked.

  “Number one is that Pete asked me and Tiny to look out for you. Like you’re in some kind of danger,” Austin said. “Number two, he doesn’t trust your boyfriend and his devoted sidekick.”

  “I think he doesn’t know Regulus and Arizona so he’s not trusting anyone outside our circle,” Emily said quickly with a smile. “Don’t let Austin make you think you have to choose between your boyfriend and your brother. They’re not on opposite sides.”

  “OK,” I said. I appreciated Em’s effort to keep the conversation civil and fair. “I’m going to tell Regulus and Arizona about what you’re telling me today. It’s not because Regulus is my boyfriend. It’s because I can’t live with secrets and not trusting everybody. I trust them even if you don’t.” I looked pointedly at Austin and Tiny.

  “Sure. I knew you would. It took this long for us to decide that it all has to be out in the open between us.” Austin leaned back. “Another question?”

  “Number three?” I asked.

  “The Goliath connection is important,” Austin said.

  “I had that feeling already. What’s with the ghost hunting? You think there are ghosts there?”

  “No. Pete advised that we hook up with them because there’s safety in numbers.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Nothing will happen to us when we’re there because we’ll be part of a documented group that caters to strangers in town.”

  “That’s sort of brilliant,” I said. “It’s like a cover.”

  “And there’s some crazy stuff going on in that town, and they have nifty equipment,” Austin said. “One thing you have to agree to.”

  “Shoot,” I said.

  “Leave Regulus and Arizona out of the trip. Tiny won’t go either. Just you, me, and Em.”

  I stared at him for a moment before letting myself look over at Em and Tiny. Their faces were expectant. They had already discussed this.

  “OK.”

  “Oh, there’s one more little thing Pete said the last time.” Austin looked uncomfortable.

  “What?”

  “Your mother works for Bleeker, and you shouldn’t trust her. Ever.”

  “No news to me. Same relationship I’ve always had with her.” I hesitated and then added, “Correction. We don’t have a relationship, Austin. Thanks for the tip.”

  Chapter 10

  Doubts

  The sound of a sports announcer on the downstairs television told me that Dad was probably napping in his recliner. He always said football games were the best for lulling him to sleep on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

  “I think that you need to know more about the people coming through the portals,” Em stated. “The corporation listed on the business card you think Pete left is legit. They’re doing some good research.”

  “Uh-huh,” I said with a certain amount of skepticism. She hadn’t been with us last month when we’d found the dead bodies. Of course, I had told her everything. But hearing about an experience and actually being there are miles apart.

  “Seriously. If I didn’t know what I know—about Bleeker I mean—it would be hard to criticize the Aidos Company.” Em lay back on my bedroom floor to join me as I reclined, staring at the ceiling. “They did find that injections of a certain mouse gene might cure diabetes in humans.”

  “Mice. So they have a legitimate front. He’s still a murderer.”

  “I’m not saying that he’s not. And I’m not sure you can link him to this company based on a hunch. I’ve looked at every reference that mentions the company. No Bleeker is ever listed as an employee or scientist working for them.”

  “I figured that. Bleeker’s probably an alias. I don’t know how to find out the real name. And then he might not be using his real name at Aidos.”

  “Tiny’s been doing a lot. He knows that he can find out something if he can break into some national security information.”

  My jaw dropped. “No way,” I said, shaking my head back and forth. “He cannot do that. Even if he could do it, he can’t risk getting caught. That’s like federal offense type stuff.”

  “I said the same thing to him,” Em said.

  We both lay looking at the ceiling in silence for a few moments. Biscuit sauntered over, plopped down next to me, and laid his chin on my arm. Comforted, I rubbed his head. “And he’s doing something that could land him in federal prison.”

  She cleared her throat. “He said he’s finding other ways. He says that he can eavesdrop on key players in government because they often use private e-mail addresses and websites to discuss stuff that people should only be discussing on a highly secured site. Tiny says he’s less likely to get caught this way.”

  “He can get in less trouble.”

  “Maybe.” She shifted and turned to lie with her arm thrown up above her head. “Listen.”

  “All ears.”

  “Couldn’t you leave all this alone?” She hesitated for a moment and then continued. “I mean, if Bleeker would kill to test out his gene stuff, he’d kill you. Dead.”

  “I know.” I tried to speak nonchalantly so she wouldn’t think I was scared. My voice betrayed me by squeaking.

  “You’re not responsible for finding Dr. Bleeker. I’ve been thinking. We could leave and go to college out of state. You and Regulus could see each other. We could drive home most weekends. We could be roomies.”

  “I couldn’t do that.” I shook my head. “Why would I do that?”

  “Because this is a dangerous situation. Pete disappeared, and we don’t know how related that was.” She started to pick at the carpet between us. “You’re putting your dad in danger. Your friends in danger. Yourself.”

  Em knew I would do anything to protect my dad. It was unfair of her to bring him into this argument, and she knew that. That hadn’t stopped her.

  I took a deep breath. “You can stay out of it. I won’t hold it against you. If you’re scared of what’s happening, I’ll understand.”

  The silence sat thickly between us.

  Em rolled to look up at the ceiling again. “You shouldn’t say that. I’d never leave you in this alone. I wanted you to see that there are alternatives.”

  “I see that there are no choices, Em.”

  “Everybody has choices. The question is whether you will choose to see them or not.”

  * * *

  “Hey, watch out.” A slim man with a shiny head unloaded supplies and equipment from the back of his SUV. His mustard-colored turtleneck sweater made his neck seem long and narrow. I thought of a giraffe carrying boxes and suppressed a giggle.

  Em and I scooted away a couple of feet to clear a path for unloading. Since they said we couldn’t touch anything until they organized the equipment, we both stood awkwardly watching. Austin had disappeared in search of sodas after being told to wait.

  We were a couple of miles from Goliath. Everyone’s cars sat in a small circle of bare earth that served as a makeshift parking lot. Although we weren’t far from the freeway, no other cars, not even one, rumbled along the dirt road. The dense foliage lining the nearby railroad track hid the outside world from view, giving us a view of only the metal rails and occasional discarded timbers.

  I shoved my hands into my pockets
and shivered. Goliath was cold. My hoodie was warm enough, but I wished that I’d worn gloves.

  Em looked toasty in her wool sweater, gloves, scarf, toboggan cap, and boots, ready for a blizzard. “Here, take my scarf. I’m hot,” she said.

  I smiled. “You sure?”

  “Yeah, yeah. My mom made me put all this on. It’s not that cold out here.”

  “OK, then. Thanks.” I reached for her pretty pink scarf. “How’d you get permission to stay out all night?”

  “Said it was a school assignment. Sounded really legit.”

  “Smart.”

  “They’re afraid I’ll let my grades slip since it’s our senior year. I could tie anything to a grade and they’d say yes. What about you? Your dad doesn’t care?”

  “Nah.”

  “Your dad traveling this month?”

  “Not every day.” We hesitated to talk about anything more personal as the crew worked around us, carrying bags to an area near the railroad tracks.

  A brunette wearing a navy suit approached. I studied her polished looks and briefly felt envious of her and Em. The feeling quickly passed. At least Em was naturally pretty. This woman’s makeup would take an hour at least.

  “Hello, girls,” the woman said, her teeth blinding.

  “Hi,” Em answered with a bright smile.

  The brunette looked around, and then her gaze returned to us. “Busy around here this morning.”

  Em and I nodded awkwardly. I snuck a look at Em and raised my eyebrows. Shifting from foot to foot, I waited for the woman to say something.

  “I’m Alexandria.” The woman held out her hand. I zeroed in on her shiny silver rings and red nails.

  Em took her hand. “Emily.”

  I wondered if the woman belonged with the crew. “Mia Taylor,” I said, without taking her hand. I wasn’t trying to be unfriendly, but wished she would clue me in. “Alex, are you with our group?” I asked.

  “Alexandria.” Her smile irritated me. “Yes, I’m here as an observer.” She leaned forward and whispered, “I’m a reporter. They don’t allow reporters to attend, so I’m here as a participant.”

  That was interesting. I wondered if they would throw her out if they knew. This group had been pretty no-nonsense, judging from the sign-up process. Alexandria’s clothing should have been a clue that she didn’t add up to the usual guest. Her kitten heels yelled “suspicious.” Em was fashionable but prepared in her barely-worn suede boots. Alexandria was ready for a business meeting. Or a photo shoot. I toed the dirt with one sneaker.

  Austin parked and hopped out of his Jeep. “Hello, ladies.” He held three cans of soda.

  “Thanks.” Em took a can from Austin. “This is Alexandria. She’s a guest. Like us.”

  Not like us. I pursed my lips and stopped before the words popped out of my mouth.

  “I’m Austin.” He smiled at her, then looked at me. “Here’s yours.”

  I took the soda and glanced from Austin to Alexandria. I really wanted her to leave before she got too comfortable. She wasn’t with us, and I wanted it to stay that way.

  “Here, would you like a drink?” Austin held out the soda can to her. My mouth dropped open. He was offering her his soda and thus inviting her to be part of our group. I wanted desperately to stop him.

  Alexandria smiled brilliantly. “Oh, I couldn’t take the last one. Isn’t this one yours?”

  “I’m really not thirsty. I wanted to get a look at the place and that gave me an excuse.” Austin practically shoved the can into her hand.

  “That’s what I needed,” Alexandria said. “Thank you so much!” She gave him an even bigger smile, and I wondered how much dental work she had. All she needed to do now was start waving a stiff hand from a convertible while wearing a sash.

  A package slid to my feet as a guy walked by me. I bent for it, and my head hit something hard. “Ouch!” I straightened, blinked, and laughed.

  The guy facing me rubbed his forehead. “Sorry about that. I might have a concussion. What about you?”

  “I’ll live. Oh, here.” I handed him the brown package. I examined the twentysomething guy and decided immediately that I liked him. He had an honest face and exuded a warm yellow aura. I smiled back.

  “You guys are first timers, right?” The guy asked our little group.

  “Yes,” I answered. “It’s that obvious?”

  He chuckled. “Bob tends to make the new ones stand back and watch in awe of our scientific processes. I’m Cade, by the way.”

  Austin stepped forward a little. “I’m Austin. This is Mia, Em, and Alexandria,” he said, nodding his head toward each of us.

  Great. Beauty queen was now officially part of our group.

  “Want to give me a hand?” Cade asked Austin.

  I frowned at the sexism. “I will. Point to something, and I’ll be happy to carry it.”

  “Sure. Follow me.” Cade led the way to a van parked beside the SUV. I walked beside him with Em close behind. Austin and Alexandria brought up the rear.

  Cade gestured inside the van. “There’s a few more things to grab. We’re going to set up a tent canopy as headquarters. We’ve got some chairs and a small card table to go underneath it. Put the canopy over there.” He pointed.

  After watching him walk away, I grabbed some chairs in nylon bags, finding them bulky rather than heavy. Em located another armful of chairs to carry. We lugged them toward the designated area. Austin lifted the folding table and tucked it under his arm. I glanced over my shoulder to see Alexandria standing with her arms folded, staring at the inside of the van. She shrugged and followed.

  A smacking sound came from somewhere behind me, and I turned. Beauty Queen’s heels had stuck in the mud. The sucking sound made me grin.

  I stopped short of the area Cade had indicated, where he waited with an armload of stuff. “Austin, if you can set up that table, I’ll put some of these electronics on top of it.” Cade turned to me. “You can put those chairs anywhere. We can set that canopy up first.”

  Em and I followed orders and began the setup, removing chairs from the nylon bags and unfolding them into seats. Again, Alexandria stood watching, pouting a little.

  “Is this what you do full-time? As a job, I mean?” I asked Cade.

  “Hell, no. You don’t think I get paid, do you?” He laughed while assembling the telescoping rod that would be one corner of the canopy frame. “I work for the fire department here in Goliath. The rest of our team’s from nearby towns. Nobody here does this for a living.”

  “Oh.”

  “It’s a hobby…or obsession for us. We love it and would pay to do it. Actually, if you count the investment in equipment and travel expenses out of our pockets, most of us do pay.”

  “Why do you guys charge, then? For us, I mean.” I didn’t want to sound rude. The ticket price wasn’t much. I didn’t even have to ask my dad for the money but paid it out of my savings jar.

  “We’d like to have some equipment in the future. A thermo-imaging camera would be nice.” He hesitated and looked around for anyone who might be listening outside the five of us. “It’s really a luxury we don’t need. Totally unnecessary. Bob thinks we need it.”

  “You do this every weekend?” I asked him.

  “Pretty much. Someday, I’ll be married and have a family that will tie me up. For now, it gives me something to do that I’m interested in.”

  “You have a girlfriend?” Alexandria asked.

  I thought the question was extremely rude since we had only met the guy. Em’s eyes met mine and I guessed she felt the same. Beauty Queen must be interested.

  “No,” Cade answered nonchalantly.

  “How can you expect to date if you’re doing this every weekend?” Alexandria wanted to know.

  I decided to save Cade some embarrassment. “The chairs go under the canopy, right?”

  Cade turned to me and smiled. “Yes,” he said as he walked over to grab one nearby. With his back to Alexandria, he winke
d at me. “We need chairs in case people get tired.”

  While Em and I arranged chairs underneath the newly erected canopy, Austin helped Cade unpack a few electronic items on the table—a laptop, an audio recorder, a small, handheld video camera, and a digital thermometer.

  One of the gadgets wasn’t familiar. “What’s that?” I asked.

  “EMF meter.”

  “What do you do with it?” I picked up the small handheld that resembled a walkie-talkie.

  “Detects fluctuations in electromagnetic fields.” Cade picked up a notebook and pen. “Anybody here a good note taker?”

  “Don’t look at me.” I nodded my head at Em. “She’d be great. She takes the best lecture notes of anybody at school.”

  “Em it is,” Cade said as he handed Em the notebook. Em appeared so pleased at the assignment that I would swear she glowed.

  “Why electromagnetic fields? What’s that going to show us?” Austin asked.

  Cade turned toward him. “Paranormal phenomena will have lots of EMF activity recorded in the area around them.”

  “What about me? What can I do?” I asked. I pushed up my sleeves to emphasize the fact that I was there to work. I stole a glance at Alexandria, who sat in a chair beside Austin. Her head was turned, and she wasn’t listening but instead watched the other members of the team. The head guy, Bob, walked along the railroad track talking to a woman wearing a camo hunting jacket.

  Cade picked up the video camera. “You know how to work one of these?”

  “I bet I can figure it out.” I took it from him and examined the buttons. The camera fit nicely in the palm of my hand with an LCD screen that flipped out to the side. “Battery life?” I asked.

  “Four hours. But you can practice on it all you want. We have extra batteries that are charged and ready to replace,” Cade said.

  “We’re going to be here all night, right?” I asked.

  “Yes. Most paranormal activity takes place at nighttime, so that’s when we’re out here.” Cade fished a bag from his backpack. He extracted a lighter and some mantles for the Coleman lantern that sat in the middle of the table.