Ember (The Seeker Series Book 1)

by Ditter Kellen

  * * * *

  An insistent beeping noise permeated Ember’s sleep-fogged mind, interrupting the delicious dream she was having about her sexy neighbor. She muttered a curse, pulling the blanket over her head to block out the annoying sound, and inhaled his amazing scent. His scent?

  Her eyes flew open as memories of the previous night crashed through in a kaleidoscope of heated images. She eased the covers down and glanced at the other side of the bed. Empty.

  Ember sat up and scanned the room, but there was no sign of Angel. Disappointment was instant.

  She turned off the alarm and climbed out of bed, wincing at the slight soreness between her thighs. Last night had been incredible. She’d never been so thoroughly loved before. Even in her fantasies.

  Making her way down the hall, she stumbled into the bathroom to start the shower. It was going to be a long day, and she needed to decide what to do about the pictures. Going to the police wasn’t an option. It would only disrupt what life she still had. It may not be all glitter and rainbows, she mentally grumbled, but it was hers, and she was the lead photojournalist, damn it.

  Ember hurried through her shower and dressed in record time. A short tan skirt, white sleeveless top and brown flats made up her ensemble. Stilettos wouldn’t play a part in her near future, she decided with a cringe.

  She couldn’t stop thinking about Angel. It stung a little that he’d left without saying good-bye, but she figured he probably had a job, which is something she wouldn’t have if she didn’t get it in gear. She grabbed her bags and left the house.

  * * * *

  Ember was relieved she’d made it to work on time. The familiar black sports car parked next to her reserved spot surprised her. She’d assumed Laura would take the day off after her mom’s fall.

  Her friend seemed preoccupied with something and didn’t look up when she pulled in next to her and shut off the engine. Ember gathered all her things before locking the door and approaching Laura’s car.

  Shouldering her purse, Ember tapped on the glass.

  The blonde jumped and lowered the window. “Damn it. You scared the crap out of me.”

  “Sorry. What has you so edgy? And why are you sitting outside?”

  “Balancing my checkbook and opening mail.” Laura seemed nervous as she put everything away in a hurry. “We better go, or we’re going to be late.”

  Ember backed up while her friend climbed out and locked the car. Laura seemed distracted as they made their way toward the employee entrance. Ember decided it was probably the situation with her mother.

  “How’s your mom doing this morning?”

  “What? Oh. She’s sore, but doing fine. Nothing was broken. Dad hired someone to come in a few hours a day to help with housework and cooking until she’s better.”

  Ember halted her at the entrance with a touch to Laura’s arm. “Hey, are you okay? You aren’t acting like yourself this morning.”

  “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

  The door suddenly opened, startling them both. Ember glanced up and met the emotionless gaze of Frank, the janitor. He held the door for them and remained silent as they inched by him and strode toward the elevators. Neither spoke until stepping inside and pressing the button for the seventh floor.

  Laura broke the silence first. “Okay. Now I see what you mean. He was totally looking at you like a pork chop.”

  Ember’s nose wrinkled. “He was not. It was more of a your-very-existence-pisses-me-off kind of look.”

  “Well, I’d steer clear of him either way. There’s definitely something about you he finds fascinating. I think I even saw some drool on his chin. It had some food in it, but it was drool none the less.”

  “You’re the blonde bombshell. If there was drool, he was no doubt wondering if the carpet matched the drapes.”

  Laura’s lips twitched. “I don’t color my hair, and neither of us have carpet.”

  The doors slid open with a ding, and Ember hesitated. “Do you have a minute to walk with me to my office? I need to talk to you.”

  Ember had thought about the pictures all the way to work. There was no doubt she could trust Laura and her brilliant insight. Hopefully she would know what to do.

  Something passed through her friend’s gaze but was gone before Ember could identify it.

  “Sure.” She motioned for Ember to precede her.

  They exited the elevator and trudged down the hall to her new office. Ember unlocked the door and flipped on the lights, leaving Laura to close the door behind them.

  Taking a seat behind her desk, Ember deposited her bags underneath. She motioned for the editor to take the one across from her.

  Laura got right to the point. “What is it? You know how I hate suspense.”

  “Well, I have two things to tell you, so I’ll start with the good news first.” She paused. “I slept with Angel last night.”

  “Holy shit. Who is Angel, you little hussy?”

  Ember grinned. “My new neighbor I told you about on the phone.”

  “Oh yes, I remember now. Your love-at-first-sight guy.” A chuckle sprang free. “Was he any good? Deets please.”

  “The best I’ve ever had. Oh my God it was amazing.”

  Ember recited the details of her incredible night with Angelo, ending it with “And when I woke this morning, he was gone. No note. Nothing.”

  It still hurt that he hadn’t bothered to say good-bye or given any indication he’d be back. She hoped she’d see him again soon. Her pulse leaped at the thought.

  “Just play it cool, Em. You know how men are. Don’t go falling in love with the guy. You just met him. And what about Clay? I thought you were interested in him?”

  “I am, or was. He showed up at my place last night and tried to kiss me.”

  “You kissed Clay? Laura’s eyes were huge, and Ember’s humor sparked.

  “Yes, I did them both.” She managed to keep a straight face.

  “You did not.” The blonde gaped at her.

  “Of course I didn’t. I just wanted to see the look on your face.”

  They laughed for a moment before Ember sobered. “It really was great. I feel something with Angel I’ve never felt with anyone before, and I hope I didn’t mess that up by sleeping with him so soon. I just couldn’t help it.”

  “So, Clay is out of the picture then?”

  “I don’t know what to think right now. I may never see Angel again.” The very thought sickened her.

  Laura’s gaze softened. “I’m sure that’s not true. He’ll be back, wait and see.” She paused. “What was your other news?”

  Ember reached under the desk into her bag and pulled the pictures free. She stared at them for a short time, then passed them to her friend who was watching her with a strange expression.

  “What are those?” Laura took the prints offered and gazed at them without moving. Her head lifted after a long moment. “Where did you get these?”

  Warning bells went off inside Ember. Laura was too calm. She’d expected her to fly off the handle or have twenty questions spouting out one on top of the other at the very least. The pale-faced woman sitting before her looked as if she already knew the answer.

  “Apparently, they came on Friday, but I didn’t get them until yesterday. I wasn’t going to say anything. I mean for all we know it could be a sick joke. Worst-case scenario, a copycat. I’d even considered Alan—”

  “Wait. Alan? Why would you say that?”

  Ember took a deep breath. “The promotion. And the complaint filed against me, remember? I’m willing to bet he had something to do with it.”

  Laura dropped her gaze and studied the pictures once more. “The thought crossed my mind also.” Her voice slightly wavered.

  “What are you not telling me?” Ember knew the editor better than anyone. Something was definitely wrong, aside from the obvious.

  When Laura glanced up, her anger was evident. “Here, I’ll show you. I found it on my doorstep this mo
rning. It makes sense now.” She pulled her purse around and tugged a folded piece of paper free; handing it to Ember with unsteady fingers.

  Ember slowly unfolded it with dread. The blood drained from her face as the words came into focus. Let’s play a game. Heads she lives. Tails she dies.

  She read it again before locking gazes with her closest friend. “I don’t understand. Who would do this? He’s behind bars. They caught him…”

  “It can’t be a copycat. The Watcher never left a note or made a threat. I don’t know who is doing it, but we need to go to the police, Em. I’m afraid of—”

  “No. We can’t.” The words came out with more force than she’d intended, but she wasn’t ready to involve law enforcement yet. Her life had been a steady stream of nameless faces tailing her and camping outside her home for an entire year. If it was someone trying to scare her into resigning, she planned to do some investigating of her own without involving the cops.

  “I get that you don’t want this to get out, but your life has been threatened, and you need to at least tell the detective what’s going on. He can help.” Laura’s voice cracked. “I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”

  Ember came around the desk to kneel beside Laura’s chair. She took hold of her hands and ran both thumbs across her knuckles in a soothing motion. “I promise you if I get anything else, I’ll make the call.” She gave a gentle squeeze. “Please?”

  Laura held her gaze for a long moment. “Okay. But if something else happens, I’m calling the detective.”

  Ember blew out a breath and stood. “Thank you.” She hesitated. “Can you call in a favor with your dad?”

  “You know he’s going to ask questions.” Laura ran a hand through her hair. “I’ll talk to him tonight. But I’m serious, Em. One more thing, and I involve Detective Harper. I don’t like this at all.” She stood to go. “I have a meeting in five minutes. Call my cell if you need me.”

  Ember wrapped her friend in a hug. “I love you. Thank you again.”

  “Love you too. Please be careful.”

  Her stomach tightened the second Laura left her office.

  Left alone with her thoughts, Ember took a seat once again and studied the note. Even if Laura’s dad agreed to run a trace on the sly, the chances of finding a fingerprint on the pictures or paper were slim to none. Being a retired sheriff certainly worked in his favor, and it was no secret he still had quite a bit of pull at the station. Keeping him from taking it to Clay would be another matter altogether.

  The hairs on Ember’s neck rose. She tucked the evidence inside her purse and slowly stood. Something was off. Her gaze swept the room and landed on the slightly open bathroom door. The light was off, and she couldn’t make out anything but a shadowed outline of the sink.

  Ember took a hesitant step toward the bathroom, trying to convince herself it was all in her mind. Her heart rate spiked with rounds of adrenaline as she inched closer. With baited breath, she flexed her fingers and cautiously wrapped them around the knob.

  “Hey, are you in here?” Someone shouted from the doorway.

  Ember nearly jumped out of her skin. She spun around with her hand on her throat to find Linda Ratcliff, Kalli’s secretary, standing just inside the room, holding a pile of papers that had seen better days.

  “You scared the shit out of me.” Ember’s heart was pounding so hard it was almost painful.

  “I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just a little jumpy.” And imagining things like trolls in my toilet, she thought with a shaky breath. “What can I do for you?”

  “I need your help. The copy machine is spitting out crap left and right. Kalli said you were the expert with it.” Linda threw the door open. “We have to hurry.”

  Ember took one last look at the bathroom before turning to go. “It happens all the time. They were supposed to replace it a month ago. Let’s go.” She darted past the secretary and practically ran to the copy room.

  Chapter Five

  “I hope this wasn’t important.” Ember dislodged a wrinkled and torn piece of paper from the copy machine and held it up for Linda’s inspection.

  The other woman groaned, accepting the ruined offering. “It was, but thankfully I saved it on my computer before printing. I’ll speak to Kalli about this and have it replaced as soon as possible. There’s no excuse for faulty equipment.” She mumbled a thanks, cleaned up the papers littering the floor, then left the room.

  Ember checked to make sure nothing was left jammed inside the machine before trudging back to her office. She hesitated outside. I don’t recall Linda closing this door. She glanced around but didn’t see anyone else in the hall.

  Taking a deep breath, Ember turned the knob, and cautiously stepped inside. The first thing she noticed was the bathroom door standing open. Her stomach tightened with dread and more than a little fear.

  She picked up a paperweight from the desk, held it in front of her, and crept toward the bathroom. Her breath hitched as she raised the weapon high and reached inside to turn on the light. The exhaust fan came on with a roar, and she jerked back as if burned. “Son of a bitch.” She flipped the correct switch, and bright light flooded the room. Empty. This is ridiculous.

  Ember lowered the paperweight, and stumbled to the desk on wobbly legs to replace her weapon of choice.

  An incoming text buzzed from her purse. She fished out the cell and slid a thumb across the screen to see it was from Laura. Meeting is over. Why don’t you go home and get some rest. Leave the items with me and I’ll make a call. Love you.

  That’s the best news I’ve had all morning. She snatched up her bags, replaced the phone, and locked up on her way out.

  The walk to Laura’s office gave her time to calm down and think. Someone had definitely been in the bathroom. Her mind spun with different scenarios, and Alan was at the top of the list. She knew he was pissed that she’d gotten the promotion over him, and snubbed his attempts at a second date. Then there’s the janitor with his vacant eyes and creepy disposition. A shudder passed through her.

  Ember tapped lightly on Laura’s open door.

  The editor glanced up and smiled. “Come in. I’m almost done.”

  “Sure. Take your time.” She took a seat in front of the massive desk and set her bags on the floor.

  Laura finished what she worked on and rubbed her eyes. “Are you okay?”

  “Not really. Someone was in my office.” The memory of it twisted Ember’s stomach into knots.

  “What are you talking about? When?”

  Ember quickly filled her in. “And I’m sure the bathroom door was almost completely closed before Linda came in.”

  “Alan?” Laura asked in a hushed tone.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t notice his car in the parking lot when we came in. And besides, what would he be doing in my office?”

  They both jumped when the stairwell door creaked open. Ember put a finger to her lips in a signal to stay quiet. The two of them got up and moved silently to take a look. She whispered. “It’s probably Lurch.”

  Laura didn’t even flinch at the nickname Ember had given the janitor.

  The elevator gave a loud ding, and she grabbed Laura’s hand in time to see the mail guy disappear inside. With the pictures reappearing and Stanley coming from the stairwell two hours before he was due to clock in, Ember was curious to see where he went.

  They sprinted across the hall and hit the stairwell, taking the steps two at a time to the ground floor. Another bell sounded as they reached the door. Ember pushed it open just enough for them to see a skittish Stanley emerge and take off in the direction of the mail room.

  “Let’s go find out what he’s doing,” Laura whispered and gave her a little shove.

  “I don’t think it was him. Stanley would pee down his leg if he attempted to break in somewhere.” Ember pushed the door wide and let go of Laura’s hand. “Come on.”

  They took the elevator back to the edi
tor’s office. Ember knew the chances of them finding out the identity of the culprit were ridiculously low.

  “Go on home and take a nap. I’ll talk to Dad and see about having a camera installed for you tomorrow. A small one that can go undetected. It may be a good idea to think about better home security also.”

  Ember gathered her things, placing the pictures and note on the desk before wrapping her friend in a hug. “Thank you for doing this for me. Are you sure it’s okay for me to leave? I really could use some sleep.

  Laura gave her a squeeze before stepping back. “Of course it’s okay. You have tons of sick days to use. Don’t worry about it. I’ll make that call. I can’t promise he won’t involve the detective, but either way something has to be done.”

  Ember attempted a smile. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “Get out of here before I change my mind and have you do my hair all day while I work.”

  Ember turned to go.

  “Hey, Em?”

  “Yeah?” She glanced back.

  “Call me and let me know you made it home safe.” Worry shone in Laura’s beautiful blue eyes.

  “I will.” Ember left the room with a small wave.

  * * * *

  A tapping noise invaded Ember’s sleep-fogged mind. Please let that be a dream, she prayed, rolling to her back. It came again, louder this time. A knock. Someone’s at the door. She sat up and glanced at the clock. It’s evening already? She’d slept through the day. “Hold on.” She crept to the glass sliding door.

  “Who is it?” Fear kept her from pulling back the curtain.

  “Angel.” His deep voice did wonderful things to her insides.

  “One second.” Ember darted into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. She ran a comb through her hair and splashed water on her face in record time. He was back and so were the butterflies.

  She glanced down at her attire and cringed. She’d been sleeping in the sleeveless nightshirt for years, and couldn’t bear to part with it, even though it was less than flattering.

  Fighting the urge to run, she forced herself to walk back to the glass door, disengaged the lock, and dragged it open.