by Ciana Stone
“You think she’s attracted to Maxwell?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s certainly a first. However, it does give me pause to consider Ms. Morgan’s role in our strategy.”
“Shall I have her placed under surveillance?”
“That is always advisable in the initial phases.”
“I’ll see to it. “
Simon wheeled his chair to the bookcase and activated the switch to open the secret door. “Once Richard and Helen have gone, I advise you to be extremely careful in your visits to the estate. Richard’s eye, the ever-vigilant Mr. Robinson, is sure to step up his surveillance.”
“We’ve already begun preparations to circumvent his actions.”
“Excellent.” Simon extended his hand to Gaspar. “Walk well, my friend. We will speak again soon.”
Gaspar pressed Simon’s hand affectionately in his then left. Simon rolled his chair to the window that looked out over the Bay. “So, the young woman is attracted to Maxwell? Interesting. I wonder just how deep the attraction runs?”
With a sudden inspiration, Simon went to the phone and dialed. “I need to see you as soon as is safely possible.”
Hanging up, he settled back in his chair, his mind already busy forming the beginnings of a new strategy.
Nikki was in the midst of packing when her cell phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Nik, it’s Chris. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, what’s up?”
“I need to see you.”
“About what?”
“I can’t talk about it over the phone. Meet me at my office in fifteen minutes?”
She considered it for a moment. Christian didn’t sound like he wanted to discuss her dissertation or anything academic. He’d dropped hints the last few months that he’d like their relationship to move back to a more intimate level, but she wasn't interested. She couldn’t imagine that would be what he wanted to discuss, but aside from that, what could he not talk about over the phone?
Finally, out of curiosity, she agreed. “Okay, see you then.”
Nikki glanced around the one-room efficiency she called an apartment and saw nothing else she needed to pack. Aside from her clothes, an old television and an even older portable stereo, she didn’t own much. After grabbing her keys and purse, she locked the door and left.
She arrived at the university a few minutes late, thanks to a traffic accident. Christian was not in his office. Nikki decided she would wait.
Ten minutes later he rushed in. “Nik, thank god.”
His disheveled appearance and frantic manner alarmed her. “What’s wrong?”
Christian looked around his office frantically. He snatched up his briefcase, dumped its contents on the floor and ran to a row of locked file cabinets. From one he took a box of memory cards and three fat file folders. After stuffing them in the briefcase, he took one more look around then turned to her.
“Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Hold on!” She grabbed his arm to stop him. “What’s going on?”
“Not here!” He pulled her along with him toward the door. “Come on.”
Nikki had never seen him act in such a way. In the time she had known him, Christian Bernard had always been one of the coolest, most collected people she’d ever known. Nothing ever ruffled him. Now he was acting like he was scared to death.
Christian kept looking around and over his shoulder as he hurried to his car. The moment he opened the door, he threw his briefcase in the back seat. “Get in!”
“Where’re we going?”
He jumped in and started the car. She barely had time to close her door before he screeched out of the parking slot and tore through the lot. Checking his mirrors, he raced through traffic, ran lights and finally, after ten harrowing minutes in which Nikki was sure they’d end up road kill, he slowed and turned off into a residential area.
She kept silent until he pulled into the parking area of a neighborhood park and turned off the engine.
“What’s going on?”
He turned to face her. “Have you spoken with Gaspar de Troyes?”
“Yes.”
“About?”
She wasn’t sure she wanted to tell him about the bizarre situation she’d gotten herself into with the job at the Weston estate. “Chris, what’s wrong? Why are you asking about Gaspar?”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “What’d he tell you?”
“Hey!” She wrenched away.
“I’m sorry.” He collapsed with his head on the steering wheel. For a few moments there was only the sound of his harsh and rapid breathing. He raised his head and ran his hand back through his hair. His eyes moved to the rearview mirror and grew round.
Nikki looked at him then whirled to look behind them. A dark sedan with tinted windows was pulling into the parking area.
Christian almost dove over the seat to get his briefcase. “Get out!”
Nikki sat staring at him like he’d completely lost his mind. He jumped out of the car and raced around it to jerk open her door. Christian grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the car then took off across the playground, dodging the few children present.
Nikki could do nothing but try to keep up or be dragged along. As they dodged around the swings, Christian cut a look over his shoulder. She did the same. Two men in dark suits were running after them.
Christian let go of her and reached into his pocket. He withdrew a small cloth bag and pressed it into her hand. “Get out of here. Now!”
“What’s this?”
“There’s no time, just go!”
“No!”
“Nik, do as I say. Go!”
Scared by the way he was acting and the fact that the men in suits were closing in on them, she did as he ordered. Nikki darted through the swings and headed for the duck pond, never looking back until she had bounded across the footbridge and rounded a group of children being led by several women carrying bags of bread for the ducks.
There was no sign of Christian or the men. Nikki didn’t know what to do. What was going on? Should she look for Christian? She had no idea, but the thought of running into the men who were chasing them was not very appealing. They sure couldn’t be friends if Christian was that terrified of them.
As she scanned the area, she spotted a city bus stopping in front of the park entrance. Nikki took off, running as fast as she could. The doors closed just as she got to it. She screamed and banged on the doors and the driver opened them. It was then she realized she had left her purse in Christian’s car.
“Sorry.” She watched it pull away, then looked around and cautiously made her way to the edge of the parking lot. Christian’s car was still there. So was the dark sedan. With her heart in her throat she ran to Christian’s car.
Her purse was still on the seat. Nikki gave a silence thanks that the car wasn't locked, grabbed her purse and set out at a brisk walk toward the street. It took her several minutes to reach a commercial area of the city. She ducked into a coffee shop and took a seat at the window, scanning the street. After several minutes she started to relax. It was then she remembered the small cloth bag she’d stuffed in her pocket. She took it out and dumped the contents on the table.
A pendant on a chain spilled out. It was shaped like an odd key, of a dull silver material. The chain and pendant seemed to be very old and hand crafted. Nikki couldn’t imagine why Christian would have put importance on it. Could this have anything to do with why they were being chased?
That thought sent a shiver of fear through her. Maybe it would be unwise to wear it. Maybe the sphere she wore now would call attention to her as well. Maybe someone knew Christian had given it to her.
She was loath to remove the sphere, but did so anyway, tucking it into the bag with the key pendant and shoving the bag into the front right pocket of her jeans.
Satisfied that she had not been followed, she left the café and headed for the nearest bus-stop. The
bench at the stop was vacant so she sat down to wait. She saw the bus coming down the street a few minutes later and stood. Just as she did a dark sedan skidded to a stop in front of her and a man jumped out.
Before she had time to think, he grabbed her and, shoved her into the back seat of the car and climbed in beside her. Before he even had time to close the door, the driver took off.
Nikki had her back on the seat, kicking and hitting at the man as the car accelerated. The driver shouted at the man in the back seat with her to take care of her. That diverted the man’s attention for a moment, giving Nikki an opportunity. The moment his head swung back in her direction she kicked him as hard as she could in the face. He shouted in pain and grabbed his nose. When he did she fumbled for the door handle, pushed open the door and threw herself out.
One moment of blinding pain when she hit the pavement, and the sound of car horns and skidding tires preceded the blackness that claimed her.
Simon looked away from the computer monitor as Gaspar entered via the secret door.
“Did you locate Bernard?”
Gaspar nodded, but before answering, collapsed into a chair and covered his face with his hands. Simon wheeled his chair over beside Gaspar. When Gaspar looked up, Simon knew the news was bad.
“What happened?”
“He’s dead.”
“How?”
“An apparent suicide.”
“That’s preposterous.” Simon knew that could not be true. Christian was too curious, had too many mysteries to explore to end his own life.
“Yes, but the authorities seem to be buying it. Thanks to the phone tap we know he called Nikki Morgan and asked her to meet him. She was seen arriving at his office at the university. He wasn’t there when she arrived.”
“Yes, I know. He was meeting with Mark Robinson.”
“How do you know?”
“He called and told me that Robinson had asked to see him. He was offered an…opportunity.”
Gaspar nodded thoughtfully. “In other words, Richard tried to recruit him.”
“Yes, apparently Richard’s network thought they could sway him to their side.”
“What happened?”
“Christian said no to the offer and Robinson made it clear he didn’t have a choice. Christian thought he could stall for time and told Robinson there were some things he would have to attend to and would meet him again later.”
“But Robinson didn’t fall for it?”
“Apparently not,” Simon replied. “But continue with what happened after he arrived at the university.”
“He was there only a short time before he and Ms. Morgan left, got into his car and sped away. They were followed and I, in turn, followed their pursuers. Christian drove to a small neighborhood park, he and Ms. Morgan got out of the car and ran. They split up. Robinson’s men followed Christian. Ms. Morgan got away.”
“Did Christian have anything with him?”
“Yes.” Gaspar nodded. “A briefcase.”
Simon leaned back with a sigh of relief. “Thank the powers that be. Bless you, Christian.”
Gaspar looked at him incredulously. “What are you saying? Christian’s dead. I had his house watched. He returned with an unidentified man in his car. They went into the house. Twenty minutes later the man left. Our people were about to go in when the first police car arrived.”
“Have you any details on how he died?”
“Gunshot. It appears he put the barrel of a gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger.”
“Are the police still there?”
“Yes.”
“And what of the briefcase he was carrying when he left the university?”
“He didn’t have it when he arrived at his house.”
Simon nodded. “He was a brave man.”
“But foolish, Simon, very foolish. He shouldn’t have called Nikki.”
“Yes, that was a mistake. However, if the background check you did on her is accurate, it can be explained. She was a past lover. He was distraught. It’s understandable. Was there a note?”
Gaspar shook his head. “Nothing.”
Simon nodded again. “I grieve with you, Gaspar. Christian was a brilliant scholar and a good friend.”
“Yes, and now all his work, and possibly information vital to our goals, are in the possession of our enemies.”
“No. What was contained within the briefcase was information I specifically provided Christian with should such an eventuality as this arise. The enemy will think they have gained valuable data, but in time they will discover that they have been duped. Christian gave them nothing.”
“Then he died for nothing?”
“Hardly. He died to protect that which each of us have sworn to give our lives for. His life was given in service. He will be remembered as a hero.”
“Perhaps. There’s more.”
Simon’s eyebrows rose at the tone of Gaspar’s voice. “I don’t have all of the details, but witnesses saw a dark sedan pull up to a bus stop and a man jump out who grabbed a dark-haired woman and shoved her inside the car. Minutes later, a woman was either thrown or jumped out of a speeding vehicle.”
“Nikki Morgan?” Simon asked in a strained voice.
Gaspar nodded. “She was taken to the hospital where she’s being treated for head injuries. As yet she hasn’t regained consciousness.”
“Is she expected to recover?”
“Yes, from the injuries. But she was with Christian and Robinson knows it. He’ll go to Richard and our final and best chance at uncovering the truth will more than likely end up alongside Christian.”
Simon shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Would you like to fill me in?”
“Simple,” Simon replied. “Robinson has an agenda of his own. I suspect he’ll hold the information he has on Nikki in reserve. It might prove valuable to him.”
“Simon, please tell me you aren’t setting that young woman up.”
Simon regarded him solemnly. “Do you think me so callous and uncaring that I’d cavalierly sacrifice the life of an innocent?”
“No, but I fear you may unwittingly place her in an untenable position with Robinson and your son.”
“Have no fear, my friend. Our young protégé will have my full protection. Make sure she has the best medical care available, and arrange for round-the-clock protection while she’s in the hospital. Discreetly, of course.”
Gaspar nodded and stood. “Let us hope that will be enough.”
Simon watched Gaspar leave then pulled out his cell phone. “This is Simon. Tell him I will meet with him at midnight. The usual place.”
Simon returned the phone to his shirt pocket, then steepled his hands in front of him, his index fingers tapping on his chin as his mind turned to new intricacies in his strategy.
Nikki parked her car behind the long limousine in front of the Weston mansion. She wondered if the Westons would give her a hard time for not showing up until the morning of their departure.
Tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn’t believe that Christian was dead. What was more unbelievable was that everyone thought he’d killed himself. She was terrified and confused. Why hadn’t the police come to question her while she was in the hospital? Surely getting grabbed and tossed into a car was a crime?
But then maybe she should be grateful. If she told the police what had happened when she went to see Christian, and how that led to her being grabbed it would sound insane. And she’d have to show them the pendants.
She felt for the cloth bag in the pocket of her cargo shorts. Even though she was afraid to wear them, she felt she had to keep the pendants close.
No, she decided. She’d never go to the authorities. Talking to the police about it would only draw attention to herself and she wasn’t about to do that. If the men who had chased her and Christian were responsible for his death, then she sure didn’t want to turn their attention to her.
She brushed away the tears from her
eyes. She shouldn’t have any left. She’d cried a river. It was probably guilt. Christian had called her for a reason. If only she’d been able to find out what the reason was. Now she would never know.
Her hand went to her pocket again. Why had the necklace been so important to Christian? It seemed that suddenly her life was filled with questions that had no answers.
Like this job she’d taken. If she had any sense she would forget about the job, Maxwell Weston, Gaspar and his stories, and get the hell far away from there. However, now she was convinced that Christian’s death was connected to Gaspar, who in turn was connected to the Westons. The only way she was going to get to the truth was to take the job and hope she could ignore the feelings Maxwell Weston inspired in her.
A man in a dark suit greeted her as she got out. “I’m sorry, but you can’t park here.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She hadn’t stopped to think that the Westons wouldn’t want her leaving her ratty old car parked in front of their house. “Where should I park?”
“That depends. Who are you?”
“Nikki Morgan. I was hired to watch Maxwell while the Westons are in Europe.”
“Yes, of course. I’m Steve, Mr. Weston’s driver.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Same here. If you’ll pull around to the left side of the house and follow the drive, you’ll pass a tall hedge to your right that has a drive winding behind it. The staff parking garage is located in the second garage. You can’t miss it. You can take the walkway from the garage to the servant’s entrance in the back. Someone’ll direct you from there.”
“Okay, thanks.”
After locating the garage and parking her car, Nikki got her bags and walked to the house. She paused at the door and knocked.
An older, heavyset woman with thick white hair pinned up in a bun opened the door. “Yes?”
“Hi, I’m Nikki Morgan. I’m here to—”
“Oh yes, come in, come in. I’m Louise, Louise Gaynor, head housekeeper. The Westons are expecting you. Put your bags down right here, dear. We’ll attend to them shortly. Right now you should hurry to the conservatory.”
“Where’s that?”
Louise chuckled. “Come with me.”