Killer Assignment

by Black, Maggie K.

  At least Sunny should be willing to answer that question.

  “It is. When my father was younger, he liked the idea of living at work for some reason. Made it easier for him to just work through life, I presume. The two biggest buildings used to be Shields Corp offices. The medium-sized one was the family home, and the smallest was a row of townhouse apartments for guests.”

  “Why are you talking like this was all in the past?”

  “As you’ll no doubt discover at the media brunch tomorrow,” Sunny said drily, “my father has been making some changes.”

  Gently, the helicopter flew over the buildings before dropping down on a small, square helipad. Sunny had her seat belt off before they had even touched ground. The door to the helicopter opened. A young blond man in an expensive suit reached for Sunny’s hand. But she stepped back and waved Katie on ahead of her.

  “Hurry,” Sunny said. “We need to get Mark to a doctor.”

  Katie let the blond man take her hand and help her down the stairs and out from under the propeller blades. Then she turned back toward Sunny. But to her horror, the helicopter door was beginning to close.

  “Wait!” she shouted.

  The helicopter rose in the air again, and it disappeared into the setting sun. Taking Mark’s unconscious body with it. Leaving her behind.

  TWELVE

  “Ms. Todd?” said a voice at her elbow. “I’m Tim Albright.”

  Jonah Shields’s personal secretary had broad shoulders and closely cropped hair. He smiled politely and extended a hand to shake hers.

  “You can call me Katie. Where are they taking him?”

  “My understanding is that they are taking him to a doctor.”

  “Where?”

  “The nearest clinic is in Kapuskasing, but Ms. Shields thought you’d be more comfortable waiting here.”

  Of course she did.

  “I understand some unfortunate circumstances prevented you from attending this afternoon’s briefing,” he added. “So I’ve taken the liberty of putting together a folder for you with some information about the company and its history.”

  She nearly laughed. Was she just supposed to go ahead with the story now as if none of this had happened?

  “You’ll find it in your rooms,” he went on. “Also, we were informed by the Cobalt police that your luggage was stolen. So when I heard from Ms. Shields that you were arriving, I took the liberty of having someone lay out a few things. Now, if you’ll be so kind to follow me.”

  She didn’t move. “What do you mean my rooms?”

  “It was felt by Mr. Shields that you would be more comfortable staying with us on site.”

  “Are any of the other media staying here?”

  He shifted from one foot to the other. “No.”

  “Then why me? Seriously? What’s going on here? I mean, I just got airlifted off the highway in a helicopter.”

  His back straightened. “I’m afraid you’ll have to ask Mr. Shields that. Now, if you’d be so kind as to follow me.”

  Katie pressed her lips together. She glanced up to where the last dying streaks of red and gold were brushing the indigo wash of evening sky. The sun had set, leaving her no closer to answers.

  But as long as she was just standing here on a helipad, her options were pretty limited. She followed him through the complex toward a small row of townhouses. The grounds were tidy, but the buildings were more modest than she’d expected. He opened the door for the second townhouse and handed her the key.

  “I’ve already taken the liberty of informing the police of your whereabouts.” He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to her. “But of course, I presume you’d like to talk to them yourself. Just call this number and ask for Officer Ward.”

  “Thank you, and how about my friend?”

  “I will let you know if I hear anything.”

  He closed the door behind him. She let out a long sigh and locked the door. Okay, Lord, now what? There was a spacious living room with dark leather furniture. French doors led out to a balcony, overlooking the same green lawn she’d seen from the helicopter. Someone had laid an array of sandwiches, pastries and fruit out on the counter of the kitchenette. In a bright yellow master bedroom, she found several outfits laid out on the bed—skirts, shorts, tops, dresses, sandals, along with toiletries and makeup. Everything she needed except, of course, answers.

  She forced herself to eat, then washed and changed into simple yoga pants and a jersey top as quickly as she could—trying not to let herself obsess about where Mark was. Then she called the Cobalt police station, thankful to hear both Officers Sakes and Parks were on duty. After assurance that the name and number Albright had given her was genuine, she called the Kapuskasing station and filed another report with Officer Ward, making sure to mention that one of the kidnappers had a bandanna from Langtry Glen.

  Finally, she called her boss. Ethan answered on the first ring. “Where on earth are you? Why haven’t you been filing any stories? You better still be on track to cover the Shields thing.”

  A tight smile crossed her lips. “Actually, I’m in the Shields complex right now.”

  He let out a loud, unflattering cross between a snort and a gasp. “At this hour? I thought you’d be in your hotel by now.” That seemed to knock him back one. Not that he was the type to admit it.

  “Actually, they’ve arranged guest rooms for me.”

  “Not without clearing it by me first.”

  “Are you kidding? I thought you’d be dying for an inside scoop.”

  There was a long pause on the other end of the line. “Well. Okay. But I’m expecting regular updates from you from now on. You got that? This story is too important for us to lose over some mishap.”

  “Mishap? Like being kidnapped?” She lay down on the couch and leaned her head back on one of the arms. “For that matter, since when do parties at a rich guy’s house qualify as important? There’s a bigger story here somewhere, isn’t there? That’s why you sent me up here so suddenly. You got some tip from one of your clubbing buddies that something big was going down? The old man getting married again to someone young and unsuitable? His wayward son planning a takeover? Something involving someone you know? A friend? A family member? Someone on the board? Look, if there’s something I need to know to do my job—”

  “This conversation is pointless.” Ethan sniffed. “You know your job, Katie. I expect you to go do it.” Then the phone went dead.

  Wow. Katie tucked the phone beside her on the couch and lay back. She closed her eyes and started mapping out the facts of the past few days in her mind like she would a news story waiting to be written. A rich man was holding a party. Strangers had made several, increasingly violent and risky attempts to kidnap her. Her belongings had been stolen. A Shields helicopter had descended unexpectedly from the sky, taking Mark’s unconscious body away with them.

  Then there was Mark. The strength in his arms. The feel of his hand on the small of her back as she’d nestled into his arms. The warmth of his lips as they’d brushed along her hairline.

  She yanked an afghan off the back of the couch and wrapped it around herself as an ache spread inside her chest. Despite everything she didn’t know—the questions, the doubts, the random facts piling up that made no sense no matter how she turned them around in her mind—one thing was clear. She missed him. Missed his smile, his laugh. Most of all, she missed that sense of peace and security that had come from knowing he was there beside her. Here was a man she could admire. A man worthy of respect. Who had risked his life to protect hers. Who might even have been about to kiss her at the gas station if she hadn’t pushed him back. And now he was hurt and gone, and she wasn’t sure when she’d see him again. She blinked back tears that suddenly rushed to her eyes.

  Please, God. Please let h
im be okay...

  The memory of Mark’s face filled her mind. The strength in his jaw, the tenderness in his mouth, the depth of concern in his eyes. “Trust me, Katie. Please...” His voice drifted through her thoughts as she slipped into a fitful sleep.

  * * *

  Mark steadied his hand on the door frame. The morning sun was creeping over the horizon. His stomach was in knots. He’d barely slept, let alone had much of a stomach for breakfast. Of all the doors he’d knocked on in his life, he couldn’t remember ever being this worried about what would greet him on the other side. He took a deep breath and knocked twice. The door swung back. Then Mark saw Katie.

  Her hair was fringed with golden hues, backlit by rays of sun filtering through the windows. A relieved sob escaped from her lips. “I didn’t know what had happened to you.” Tears shone in the corners of her eyes. “Or if I was ever going to see you again.”

  “I’m so sorry.” He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair. His mouth brushed over her trembling eyelids and down across her cheeks until finally touching ever so lightly on her lips. Then he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers, feeling her breath against his face. “I tried to get to you sooner. I needed a couple of stitches, and they insisted on holding me overnight in case I had a concussion. Then it took some time to find you.”

  She ran her fingers down his arm. “You’re okay, though?”

  He nodded and pushed up his sleeve and showed her the small white bandage. “Honestly, it was nothing. They would have discharged me right away if they hadn’t been concerned I hit my head.” He followed her into the living room. “How are you?”

  “I’m okay.” She squeezed his hand. “I was mostly worried for you. Not to mention confused—”

  “Mr. Shields!” Albright appeared in the doorway, holding both a coffee tray and attaché case. “What an unexpected surprise.”

  “It’s Mark, please.” Instinct kicked in before he could even process what had happened.

  Katie let go of his hand. Her hand rose to her lips. For a moment, Mark thought she was going to scream. Then his heart twisted in his chest as he watched instead as an eerie, emotionless calm spread across her features.

  “Mr. Shields would be pleased if you would both meet him for coffee at your earliest convenience.” Albright set a tray down on the counter. He smiled at Katie. “Mr. Shields is especially looking forward to meeting you. While he is extending this morning’s invitation as a purely social visit, he is also happy to arrange a private interview on the record later this afternoon after the press conference.

  “I took the liberty of finding you a computer to assist you in your coverage of today’s events.” He pulled a slim laptop from the case and set it down beside the coffee. “There are some gowns hanging in the closet to choose from for this evening. However, if you would like to go shopping for something more suitable, we can arrange for a car to take you to the nearest town.”

  Katie nodded. Her lips unfroze long enough to thank him and smile. But Mark noticed the smile came nowhere near reaching her eyes. What must she be thinking?

  “I presume you’ll be needing a suitable wardrobe for today’s events, as well, sir?” Albright turned to Mark. “May I suggest a suit for the morning and a tuxedo for this evening?”

  Mark swallowed hard. “Please thank my father for his hospitality, but I’m afraid I’m not planning on staying for the day. I will be in touch later about rescheduling my meeting.”

  Albright nodded.

  “Do you happen to know what happened to the motorcycle I was riding yesterday? I’m afraid it didn’t come with me in the helicopter, and I must return it to a friend.”

  “A van was sent to collect it. I believe there was some question as to whether it had been damaged, so it was taken to a garage in Kapuskasing. I will inquire. If either of you require a car, I’d be happy to arrange one. If there’s anything else I can assist with, please don’t hesitate to call.”

  “Thank you.”

  Albright stepped out, closing the door behind him.

  Mark turned toward Katie. “I’m sorry. I can explain...”

  “Jonah Shields is your father?” The words were calm. Her voice level.

  He nodded slowly.

  “You’re Jonah Shields Junior...” Again, her tone was so composed. Like a consummate reporter, just checking the facts, making sure she had the story straight.

  “I was. But I haven’t been my father’s son for years...”

  “You lied to me.”

  “No, I didn’t. In fact, I was very careful not to. We never really discussed our families or our pasts—”

  “Don’t you dare give me that lame excuse!” The composure dropped in an instant as a flash of irritation swept across her face. “We didn’t discuss a lot of things, but that didn’t stop you from kissing me just a few moments ago. I’ll accept that you never actually lied to me. But you sure didn’t tell me the entire truth, either.”

  “Yes, I did. I told you the only truth about me that matters. None of this—” he turned to the window and swung his arm out toward the buildings of the Shields Corporation “—has anything to do with me. Yes, I grew up in the shadow of these buildings, but they don’t define who I am. I’m an engineer. I founded a small charity and run around the world finding ways to make people’s lives better. I walked away from my family empty-handed. Nothing but the clothes on my back and the key to the safety deposit box my grandmother left me. I am not Jonah Shields Junior anymore. I haven’t been in a long time.”

  Her arms crossed in front of her chest. “Is your name even Mark?”

  He fought the urge to sigh. Was she going to question everything now? Yeah, he probably deserved that. “Yes. My legal name is now Mark Armor. My middle name was Mark, and that’s what my family and friends always called me growing up. Armor was my grandmother’s maiden name. I changed my name legally the day I turned nineteen.”

  Katie rolled her shoulders slowly. She walked over to the patio doors and then back toward the couch as though she were trapped in some kind of puzzle and trying to find her way out again.

  “People treat me differently when they find out who my father is. Like I somehow have access to my family’s wealth or some kind of say in Shields Corp business decisions. Is it so wrong that I wanted for you to get to know me for me?”

  “Yes.” She neatly spun on the balls of her feet. “Yes, it is, Mark. Because it’s not like we just started chatting at a party. You knew my life was in danger. You knew I was headed here. And you decided it was more important to protect yourself than take care of me—”

  He stiffened. “That’s not fair. Everything I did was about trying to protect you.”

  “Are you sure? Or were you just trying to avoid conflict? Waiting until the last possible minute to tell me so that you wouldn’t have to deal with the fallout of answering questions you didn’t want to answer?” She groaned. “So this is what you and Zack were arguing about...”

  “He worked for my family when I was a teenager.”

  “Which is why he knew about the GPS,” she gasped. “That’s why the Shields helicopter swept out of the sky and rescued us. You set off the emergency beacon!”

  “Yes. I did. I saw Al and his crew pull up, and I knew I wasn’t that far from my family, so I figured this was my best chance of getting help. But I didn’t know if anyone was still monitoring the signal. I didn’t even know my sister had come along for the helicopter ride until someone at the hospital told me. I haven’t seen her in years.”

  “Do you have any idea how frightened I was?” she demanded, fighting the urge to scream. “I had no clue whether or not I could trust these people or where they were taking you. For all I knew, they were kidnapping both of us. What if I’d done something reckless, like try to escape? What if your need to keep sec
rets put me in even greater danger?”

  He crossed his arms in front of his chest. Now she was being ridiculous. “I said I was sorry. But I did what I thought was right. What if you had decided you hated my father so much you wouldn’t let me help you?”

  “Then it was my choice to make.” Fire flashed in her eyes. “You asked me to trust you, but you hardly trusted me. You should’ve told me before we’d even left the farmhouse.” She ran her hands up through her hair and clenched it at the roots for a moment before letting it fall through her fingers again. “Or were you afraid I’d call up my boss and say, ‘Hey, new scoop. Jonah Shields’s son is running a near-bankrupt charity’?”

  He turned toward the window.

  She took in a sharp breath. “Wow. You actually thought I might. That’s how little you trusted me.”

  “If this gets reported in the media, it will kill TRUST.” His shoulders sagged. “We’ll be blacklisted. Our funding will dry up. No one will be willing to let the son of the almighty, evil Jonah Shields so much as change a lightbulb.”

  “So it’s not just me.” She sighed softly. “You don’t actually trust anyone.”

  He turned back. Her arms had dropped to her side, and the anger in her eyes was replaced by a much softer look than he’d ever expected to see there again.

  “Let me guess,” she said. “You dash into a problem, solve it and run away again before anyone has a chance to take care of you in return?” Her voice was gentle. Probably a lot gentler than he deserved under the circumstances.

  But even so, he could feel the muscles in his jaw tightening and that old familiar tension spreading across his shoulders. “You don’t understand.”

  “Yes, I actually do. The women in my family have a habit of marrying untrustworthy men who hurt them. My boss would let me spin the wind if it suited his whim. I know what it’s like to be afraid of trusting anyone. Believe me, I do. People can be pretty irrational and self-serving, and a lot of them aren’t worth putting your faith in. But I’m not like that. You should have given me a shot with the truth. I deserved that much. And as long as you’re going through life trying to hide away such a big part of yourself, you’re not giving anyone a chance. Not a chance to care about you. Not a chance to surprise you. Not a chance for them to understand you. Because you’re too busy trying to control how much of you they’re even allowed to love.”