“Alice, it’s not what you think.”
“You don’t know what I think.”
“Allow me to explain.
“Either you killed her or you didn’t. What’s to explain?”
“A lot, actually,” he said.
He gently but firmly urged me to sit back down.
I was too exhausted to fight anymore. I did as he asked.
“I’d known Catherine all my life. She was my best friend and my soul mate. Eventually my lover. As much as I loved her, I wasn’t her one great love.”
“Barret?” I asked.
He half smiled and half sneered. “Barret was a childhood friend who lusted after Catherine. But he was nothing more than a friend. No, Catherine’s great love was her art.”
His eyes were intense, misty emeralds looking far off through the plane windows and out across the dawn sky.
I felt a pang of jealousy for his obvious love for a ghost.
“Catherine grew terminally ill,” he said. “She was very brave and very stubborn. She refused treatment that would have interfered with her one great passion.”
“Her painting?”
“Exactly. She was determined to leave behind a legacy. She knew she’d never be able to have children. Her art was her one chance to become immortal.”
He sighed and returned his gaze to me.
“As the disease became increasingly debilitating,” he said, “it got to the point where I had to help Catherine hold the brushes to the canvas. Eventually, she despaired and asked me to help her commit suicide. But I couldn’t face losing her. I refused.”
“But she died?”
He nodded. “One day she said she wanted to paint alone amongst the lavender fields where the scent helped ease her ravaged senses. At that time she had little strength to walk far. I left her alone, promising to return. After some hours I went to look for her, but she was missing. Instinctively I knew something was wrong.”
“You found her?” I asked.
“I did. She had managed to walk to the bridge that spanned the river that divides the farm. She had jumped from the bridge. I found her drowning, I waded into the river and managed to reach her in time. I carried Catherine to the river bank.”
His trembling hands lifted the coffee mug to his lips.
“But she fought me off,” he said. “She begged me to let her drown. She told me if I truly loved her I would let her do this. By then she was too exhausted to walk into the river.”
“What did you do?”
He took a deep breath and let it out. “I could see how much pain she an endured all the months of her illness. She was bent over like a broken woman, crippled with pain. I carried her to the center of the river and as I kissed her lips for the last time I lowered her into the water until the river claimed her.”
My hands flew to my mouth to stifle a gasp.
Tears formed in his eyes. His head seemed to hang heavy with shame. He looked down and stared at his crooked fingers with horror etched across his face.
“Each night I dream of her smiling face looking up through the water at me and know I did the right thing.” He looked up as tears flooded down his cheeks. “So why do I feel so bad, Alice?”
I tried to imagine Emily terminally ill and succumbing to pain that was slowly driving her to madness. Would I have done the same as Michael? Could I be that brave?
I had no answer for myself or for Michael, but I felt his pain and I felt compelled to soothe his suffering. I reached over and wrapped my arms around his powerful shaking shoulders. I hugged him tight.
“Everything is going to be all right, Michael.”
He pulled away and wiped his eyes.
“So why does Barret hate you so much?”
“When I carried Catherine out of the water, I saw Barret had been watching. I tried to explain to him what he had witnessed, but he wouldn’t listen.”
He shrugged. “Barret was always so jealous of what Catherine and I had. He blamed me for Catherine’s refusal to accept treatment for her illness. Then when I gained fame and respect for my work to prevent all disease, he became consumed with the notion that I was seeking redemption for Catherine’s death. Perhaps I was. But in Barret’s mind I had murdered her and in killing her I had stolen from him his fantasy that he could ever be with Catherine.”
“And then he sent me to you,” I said.
“His twisted joke,” Michael said.
“I’m a joke am I?”
He smiled kindly. “He thought sending you into my life would send me over the edge. I don’t mind admitting for a while it nearly did.”
“Michael, I’m not Catherine,” I said.
“I know that. I always did. That’s what made it so hard to be around you. That’s why I was a jerk. I had to discover for myself the real Alice Angelo.”
He held my hands. “The Alice I love.”
We shared a long kiss.
“So we’re good?” he asked.
I nodded.
He held my face and his emerald eyes bore deep into me. “Alice, are you sure?” he asked. “I’m man enough to take the rejection.”
“I thought it would matter,” I said. “But all that matters is our love.”
He smiled.
“What now? I asked.
“Barret has the formula. His next step will be to produce the virus and manipulate it as he sees fit. It will take time, but he has the facilities all around the world. It’s just a matter of figuring out which laboratory would give him the most flexibility.”
Robyn sat down opposite us.
“I’ve been giving that some thought. Maddox enterprises owns a mobile laboratory doesn’t it?”
“Sure,” Michael said, “but as far as I’m aware it’s not fit for purpose.”
“Presumably Barret’s been planning this every step of the way,” I said. “So he may have updated his most mobile lab.”
“Well,” Robyn said, “I’ve been thinking that once word gets out about the potential dangers of the formula, the US authorities will want to get their hands on it. So if Barret wants to continue to manufacture the virus, he will need to be as flexible as possible.”
Michael nodded. “That’s logical. My old company has a medical ship for international emergencies,” he said.
“I’ve done some research,” Robyn said. “Barret has upgraded the laboratory ship. It is now state of the art. It attracts the keenest scientific minds for literal voyages of discovery.”
“But I don’t know where in the world it is,” Michael said.
“I do,” Robyn said, “and we’re headed right there.”
“Where?” I asked.
“The ships scientific staff are often comprised of Kimberley University science graduates invited on special all expenses paid secondment as part of their studies. And right now the ship is currently moored at Kimberley docks as its captain readies her to set sail.”
“We can contact the FBI,” I said.
“Good work,” Michael said. “But we have another problem.”
“Just the one?” I asked.
“By now Barret will have contacted the authorities. Given them enough evidence to build a case against me for stealing the formula. All of which is true. So it’s the word of a criminal against the undeniable evidence furnished by Barret.”
“What are you saying?” I asked.
“I’m saying, Alice, we can’t get the FBI involved,” Michael said. “At least not yet. I need to confront Barret face to face and stop his plans, once and for all time.”
I swallowed hard. “He’ll know you’re coming for him, Michael,” I said.
“Good. I’m counting on it.”
THIRTY NINE
Robyn’s Journal
After thirty six hours without sleep and an exhilarating, but exhausting adventure in France, all I wanted was to curl up in bed with Harry for a couple of hours. The plan was to raid the docks tonight and recover the formula. That gave us six hours to kill. Admiring Harr
y’s athletic body I could think of how the first hour or two would go down.
We arrived at out cottage on Lake Kimberley. Only to be met by a black sedan with government plates.
A large man in an ill fitted suit struggled to step out from behind the wheel. He didn’t need to flash his credentials. I could smell Federal Enforcement a mile off.
“Special Agent Jackson,” I said. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”
You can turn off the charm, Loxley” he growled, “and hand over Michael Maddox.”
“Who?”
“Don’t get cute, Loxley.”
“What makes you think I know Michael Maddox? He’s not a client.”
“But Jonathan Barret, CEO of Maddox enterprises is your client. He hired you to find Maddox. Correct? Don’t bother denying it. Barret filed a serious complaint against Maddox this morning.”
“If I see this Michael Maddox I’ll be sure to let him know you’d like to speak with him, Special Agent.”
“You either tell me where Maddox is, right now, or I’m busting you.”
“For what?”
“Anything I can think of.”
“I have nothing to hide. Trust me.”
He laughed.
My cell phone rang. It was Mai Ling.
“Yes, Mai?”
“Robyn, the office is being raided by the F.B.I.”
I held the phone away from my mouth and shouted, “Jackson you son of a bitch. After all I’ve done for you, did it you have to resort to this? Couldn’t we just work out something?”
He smiled. “First thing you’ve said worth listening to since I arrived. OK, bring Maddox in to my Kimberley Falls field office by the end of the day or I’ll bust you both for obstruction of justice. Understand?”
I nodded. As Jackson climbed back behind his wheel and his car rocked back and forth under his weight, I called Alice on speed dial.
Watching Jackson drive away I heard Alice pick up her phone.
“Alice, where’s Michael?”
FORTY
Alice’s Journal
I felt like I’d been away from Kimberley campus for a year instead of just a matter of days.
Michael said he had to take care of a few things and so I came back to Mai’s apartment with her. She left to catch up with Charity at the Sorority Eyes office.
I was busy in the kitchen making an omelette when the doorbell rang. I left the pan on low heat and ran to the door. Through the peep hole I couldn’t make out who the caller was. A man stood with his back to the door.
“Who is it?” I shouted.
“Me,” said the muffled male voice.
“Michael?”
“Who else?”
I opened the door and stared at Nathan.
“What the Hell are you doing here, Nathan?”
He smiled in the way that always used to make me weak at the knees. But not anymore.
“Long story. Ain’t you gonna let me in?”
“No Nathan. We’re done.”
His smile wavered, but he shrugged and nodded. “OK, I respect that.”
“You do?” I said sounding a little more surprised than I meant to.
“Sure, we had good times,” he said taking a half step towards me and planting a foot in the doorway. “But I understand now I ruined it.”
The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood up. “Nathan, if you’re angling to get me back, then forget it. I’ve met someone.”
His eyes flashed with an instant of anger and then resumed to their normal shifty selves.
“I’m not surprised,” he sighed. “Whoever he is I hope he realizes how lucky he is.”
I felt my stomach tie itself in knots.
I said nothing and gripped the door handle hard.
“Was there anything else, Nathan?”
“Just thought I’d give you something to remember me by.”
I sighed. “What?” I said a little too impatiently.
“Not out here,” he said reaching behind his back. “Perhaps I can just show you it inside.”
I shook my head. “Whatever it is,” I said, “here is just fine.”
“OK, suit yourself, bitch,” he growled as he whipped out a hand gun and shoved it in my face. Instinctively, I pushed hard on the door, but he was clearly anticipating that as the door slammed into his foot. He threw his weight against the door and kicked out.
I fell back against the floor.
The door slammed shut as I looked up at the barrel of his gun.
“Nathan, please don’t do this.”
“If it was up to me, bitch,” he said, “I’d never set eyes on you again.”
“Then why?”
“It ain’t personal, Alice.”
“Yeah, right,” I said.
“Really, it’s just business.”
“Someone put you up to this?”
“Are you gonna come quietly or what?”
“Go to Hell.”
“I’m sorry, Alice.”
“For what?”
“You’ll see,” he said stepping forward and colliding his weapon hard against the side of my head.
FORTY ONE
The last journal of Michael Maddox
As excited as a kitten I rang the doorbell for Alice’s apartment. The tiny blue velvet box was burning a hole in my hand. What if she says no? Maybe I should find a more romantic way of doing this? Yes, I’m an idiot, of course I should.
I shoved the box in the pocket of my jeans.
Just as I turned away, the doors of the private elevator opened and Mai Ling stepped out with Brad.
“Alice not home?” She asked brightly.
I shrugged. “I guess not,” I said.
“She might be in the shower,” she offered
Mai unlocked the door to their apartment and invited me in.
I followed her into the kitchen.
“Can I offer you anything to eat or drink, Michael?”
I was way too nervous to consider food or drink. “Nothing, thanks.”
She paused by the gas stove. “That’s funny,” she said.
“What is?”
She pointed at a frying pan and a smoking piece of what looked like charcoal. She turned off the ring.
“It’s not like Alice to forget something like this,” she said.
I dialed her cell phone. No answer.
That’s when the text message came through on my cell phone with a picture of Alice, bound and gagged.
My stomach back flipped.
The message read: Tell anyone and she dies. Kimberley dockyard. Midnight. Come alone.
“What is it, Michael?” Brad asked as he glanced over my shoulder.
I fought down the bile in my throat. I knew Robyn and the others wanted to hit the dockyard tonight. She was keen for the F.B.I. to be involved. I called her and explained that was off the agenda. Permanently.
I looked at Brad and Mai Ling. “I need a ride to the dockyard tonight.”
“You got it,” Brad said. “What’s the plan?”
“It’s too dangerous to involve you folks,” I said. “I have to do this alone.”
“No way,” Mai said. “Alice is the responsibility of Sorority Eyes. We don’t turn our back on our agents. Ever.”
I looked at Brad. He shrugged. “I can’t tell her what to do, man,” he said. “So what’s the plan?”
FORTY TWO
Alice’s Journal
I woke up hours later with an almighty head ache. A slight swaying motion washed through me. I felt of all things, seasick.
I tried to lean forward and stand. But as my wrists screamed out in pain, I realized I was tied firmly to a chair. My view through a round window was of a starry sky over the Kimberley Bay.
It was clear I was on a ship. There was only one ship I could imagine.
The door to my small room opened. In stepped Nathan, followed by Jonathan Barret. He looked as handsome and suave as ever, but I noticed an additional quality. A cruelnes
s underlying Barret’s aloofness.
He stared at me as Nathan checked my bindings.
“Why are doing this, Barret?” I asked.
“Nothing personal against you, Alice, I assure you,” he said. “But it seems Michael Maddox cares for you. And anything or anyone he cares for must be destroyed before I am at liberty to finally destroy the man.”
“Is that what this is about, just some pathetic jealousy over a ghost?”
Barret slapped me hard across the face.
As blood flowed into my eyes, I blinked and caught the look of agitation on Nathan’s face.
“The F.B.I. are on to you,” I said.
He laughed. “I hardly think your pathetic little bluff worthy of your talents,” he said.
But it wasn’t a bluff for Barret. My target was Nathan. He was and always will be afraid of authority. He was a pathological coward. After all, why else use me to get an easy payday?
Nathan’s stoic face tried to stifle the alarm I knew he was feeling.
“How much did he offer you, Nathan?” I asked.
“I bought Nathan’s debt,” Barret said impatiently.
“Am I worth it, Nathan?”
“Gag her,” Barret said.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked. “Lure Michael here with the promise of freeing me?”
Barret smiled. “Something like that.”
“He won’t come,” I said.
“Oh you had better hope you are wrong,” Barret said. “Because come midnight, either you or Maddox are dying.”
I smiled. “That’s a shame,” I said. “I really thought you and I had a spark, Jonathan.”
Barret bit his lower lip and Nathan did a double take at me.
“You and Barret?” Nathan asked.
“Strike that as the one who got away,” I said.
Barret smiled.
Sui Lee appeared at the doorway. “Maddox is on board.”
“Alone?” Barret asked.
Sui Lee nodded.
Barret smiled. “Is the trap set?”
“There’s only one way in,” Sui Lee said and stroked the long silencer on the end of the barrel of her hand gun. “I can take him out anytime. He’ll never know what hit him.”
“No,” Barret snapped. “I want Maddox begging at my feet for mercy. I’ll be in the laboratory. Bring Alice with us.”
Sorority Secrets (Campus Love and Murder Sorority Eyes Romance Book 2) Page 12