THE WILDE TOUCH: Book Two of The Touch Series

by Stoni Alexander

  After clearing his throat, Larry glanced at his screen. Crockett stepped forward, prepared to stop him if he tried deleting anything from his computer.

  “Are you telling me NML is buying our devices and passing them off as their own? That’s outrageous.” He stroked his moustache while his beady eyes darted around the room.

  “I would never authorize the competition purchasing our devices,” Crockett said.

  “Right. Of course not.”

  “I consider myself to be a reasonable man, wouldn’t you agree, Larry?”

  “Sure.”

  “Great. Let’s try this again. My code has been tampered with. Devices have failed at key times and the evidence points to you. What can you tell me about that?”

  Larry leapt out of his chair. “I wouldn’t do that.”

  “Sit down.” When he did, Crockett continued. “Larry, you’re digging yourself a hole you won’t be able to climb out of.”

  Larry’s back slumped. “I wanted to help her out.”

  “Who?”

  “Ruth.” He broke eye contact. “Ruth Lizzard.”

  He wanted Larry to spill his guts, so he softened his tone. “Why don’t you tell me about it?”

  “She hated being passed over for the promotion. It’s all she talked about. After you fired her, we got close. When she started working at NML, she proposed a crazy plan, but I told her no.” Larry wiped the perspiration from his brow. “She told me she loved me. Said she’d bring me onboard as soon as NML was awarded the FBI business. I’m leaving my wife for her. I gave her a couple of Spy Flies for the demo and a few since then. She encouraged me to tamper with the equipment to get even for what you did to her.”

  “So you did?”

  “Yeah.” Larry broke down. “She said we were invincible.”

  “You had a good thing here.”

  The QA Director wiped his eyes. “Are you going to have me arrested?”

  “What would you do in my situation?”

  “Fuck, I’m screwed.”

  Knock, knock.

  After opening the door, Crockett addressed both agents. “Gentlemen, he’s all yours.”

  31

  Black Tie Only

  On Friday afternoon, Crockett entered the high-end jewelry store on Connecticut Avenue in northwest DC. A man in a tailored suit greeted him with a friendly smile. “Good day, sir.”

  “Crockett Wilde to see Mark Whitaker.”

  “Right this way, Mr. Wilde.” The man escorted him into a private room. “Please have a seat. Mr. Whitaker will be right with you.”

  The elegant room housed two plush maroon velvet chairs separated by a small table covered in black linen.

  Marriage hadn’t crossed Crockett’s mind until Alexandra had come back into his life. But as he waited for the owner of Tiny Jewel Box to present him with his custom engagement ring, he couldn’t wait to make Alexandra his, forever.

  His phone buzzed and he read the incoming text from Danny. “Congrats. Director impressed with your efforts. Wilde back in the running. Email from the Contracting Officer going out next week.”

  “Great news,” he texted back. “Thanks for hearing me out.”

  “Pit bull,” Danny texted back and Crockett laughed.

  The owner of the upscale jewelry store entered the room. “Crockett, good afternoon.”

  “Good to see you, Mark.” The two men shook hands.

  “You’re going to be delighted with the results.” Mark sat, opened the ring box and presented it to Crockett. “Magnificent, isn’t it?”

  “It’s stunning.”

  Mark handed the diamond ring to Crockett. “The four-carat radiant cut is flawless.”

  Crockett examined the ring from all sides. A halo of brilliant round diamonds surrounded the large, sparkling stone. “It’s perfect. She’ll love it.”

  Alexandra was anxious to get to Incognito. Her imagination had been running wild since she’d glimpsed the hidden room. Though she hadn’t said anything to Crockett, she’d been obsessing over poor Sage.

  As she struggled to zip her black sequined gown, her phone rang. Crockett had resurfaced. Finally.

  “Hey, honey. On your way home?” She tossed her tiny clutch next to the black faux fur shawl coat.

  “Hello, my love. I’m sorry I’m running late.”

  Her smile faded. “Still at work?”

  “Stuck in DC. Traffic reporter said the President is traveling by motorcade. There are cops everywhere and traffic hasn’t moved in ten minutes. It’s a nightmare. If it’s any consolation, I was picking up a little something for you.”

  “You smooth-talker, you. Why don’t I bring your tux to the office and meet you at the club?”

  “Thanks, babe. I’ll text you when I’m—dammit. My battery is almost dead. Where the hell is my phone charger? I’ll see you soon. I love—” The line went dead.

  “I love you, too, Crockett,” she said out loud to herself.

  Tonight, she was determined to find Sage. Even if she had to confront Jase himself, she was not leaving without talking to her. If Sage refused help, Alexandra would walk away. But if Sage gave the slightest indication she was ready to make a break, Alexandra would help her in every way possible.

  When she finished getting ready, she tucked Crockett’s tuxedo and dress shirt with all the accessories into a garment bag. She placed his dress shoes and both masks into her carry bag. Feeling like a pack mule, she left.

  Once she arrived at Wilde Innovations, Ellen showed her into Crockett’s office.

  “You look fantastic,” Ellen said. “I love the wig. It’s so fun. It’s amazing how different you look as a blonde with bangs. I might have walked right by you in a crowded room.”

  Exactly what I’m going for. Alexandra smiled as she set down the bags. “Thanks. We’re going to a masquerade party and I like keeping a low profile. With work and all.”

  “Oh, right. Well, make yourself at home. Can I get you coffee or a bottled water?”

  “No thanks, I’m good.”

  “My family and friends are excited to watch DC’s Brightest Tech Star. I am, too.”

  Alexandra’s chest tightened. She didn’t have the heart to disappoint Ellen with the bad news. “The show is in limbo until the station finalizes the schedule.”

  The assistant’s shoulders drooped. “Oh, that’s a shame.”

  “When the show airs, you’ll be happy with your interview. You did a great job.”

  “You made it easy.” Ellen headed toward the door. “Have a great night.”

  Alone in Crockett’s office, Alexandra removed the tux and laid it and the white dress shirt over his sofa, along with the bow tie. She set his cufflinks and mask on his desk and placed his shoes on the floor. Eager to get to the club, she jotted a note and left it on his desk.

  Can’t wait to see you.

  Alex

  That’s a little cold. She added a heart beside her name. It was almost six o’clock and she hoped her butterflies would settle down once she found Sage. She tied on her mask and hurried out.

  The underground garage at the Silver Towers building was filled with cars, so she parked on the side near the business elevators and made her way toward the private elevators in the far corner. Several other masked clubbers waited, also dressed in formal wear. When the doors slid open, everyone squeezed in.

  Instead of being greeted by the usual sultry sounds of jazz, rave music blasted through the wall speakers. Members shoved her out of the elevator and barreled into the lounge. She wanted Crockett to know she’d arrived, so she checked in via a tablet. She turned and was greeted by a smiling server with a tray of flutes. She whisked off a glass and tossed back a sip of the crisp champagne. I’ll never find Sage in this crowd.

  The elevator delivered another boisterous group and she hoped her handsome man was among them. But he wasn’t and her heart dipped. Where is he?

  Francois, sporting a slick toupee, greeted guests like a politician running for reelec
tion. “Good evening, Ms. Electra.” His French accent sounded rusty. “Welcome back.”

  “You’ve got a fresh, new look.” Her sweet southern accent rolled off her tongue. “Très beau.”

  His cheeks flushed. “Merci.”

  “This is quite a party.”

  “Glad you approve. Enjoy your evening.” With a staged smile, he moved on.

  Eager to find Sage, she walked down the hallway. As she passed the alcove, she slowed, hoping Sage would burst out the door marked, “Private”, but she didn’t. Alexandra walked the entire floor with no luck. Coming full circle, she entered the lounge. Members were sandwiched into the bar, but she found a vacant table near the arched doorway and slipped into a chair.

  Jase, wearing a tuxedo, sauntered in, scanned the room, and returned to the busy hallway to greet incoming guests.

  Wendy bustled past. “Be right back, Electra,” she called as she whizzed by.

  Alexandra checked her phone for a text from Crockett, but there was nothing. Again, she scoured the crowd for Sage.

  “Good evening and welcome to the insanity…er, I mean, Incognito,” Wendy said.

  Alexandra laughed. “Pretty crazy tonight.”

  “If Mr. Jase intended to recruit new members, this evening is a whopping success. Another champagne?”

  “I’d love one,” she said. “My friend, Huntah, should be here any minute, so I’ll take two.”

  “Sure thing. Can I bring you a shrimp cocktail or exotic cheese and fruit platter?”

  “I’ll wait until Huntah arrives to order food.”

  With a quick smile, the server took off toward the bar. Alexandra slid her phone out of her clutch and checked for messages. Still nothing. Where is he?

  When Wendy returned with the champagne, she set down a plate with four shrimp and a side of cocktail sauce. “On the house. Enjoy.” Alexandra thanked her and the server scooted off.

  As Jase greeted guests at the bar, a masked woman sidled next to him and tugged his tux sleeve. After she whispered something to him, he gripped her arm and headed down the hallway toward his office.

  Sage! Alexandra hurried into the congested corridor. Determination powered her forward but Jase was moving too fast. She caught a glimpse as they passed his office and disappeared around the corner. When she rounded the bend, she crashed into two men. “Oh, excuse me.”

  “Hey, gorgeous. Join us for a threesome.”

  Alexandra darted around them and spied Jase standing in front of the alcove that housed the linen closet and the room marked “Private”. He shoved Sage and she flew backwards. Seething with anger, she raced toward them. As she approached, she heard Jase’s menacing warning.

  “I fucking warned you, Sage. You leave me no choice. Now I have to punish you to teach you. When will you ever learn?”

  “But he’s sick and needs help,” Sage replied.

  Breathing hard, Alexandra blurted, “Don’t touch her.”

  Jase whipped his head around. He curled his lips into a joker-like grin.

  Sage’s cheeks were streaked with tears. But that was nothing compared with her black eye. Even the mask couldn’t hide that.

  Anger, pain, pity and rage fueled Alexandra. “He struck you, didn’t he?”

  As soon as Jase released his vise-grip on her arm, Sage rubbed it with a shaky hand. Her lower lip quivered while she peered at the floor.

  Rising to his full stature, Jase stepped between the two women. “This is none of your business.”

  Her stomach roiled from his disgusting cigarette breath. “Come with me, Sage. I can help you. I want to help you. Please let me get you out of here and away from him before he kills you.”

  Jase growled. Staring into his eyes should have terrified her, but the image of her mother—no longer the faceless woman in her nightmares—along with the women at the homeless shelter bolstered her courage. If she didn’t help this waif of a woman, no one would.

  “You have the wrong idea.” Jase had lowered his tone, but the pronounced pulse in his temple beat a fast rhythm. “Sage is fine, aren’t you, Sage?”

  “Like hell she’s fine.” Steeling her spine, Alexandra stepped around Jase to address Sage directly, but Sage refused to look at her. “I’m reporting him for abuse, either way, but I want you to leave with me. Please, Sage, let me help you.”

  Jase jabbed something against her side. The agonizing shock traveled through her like a lightning bolt. Crying out, she crumpled to the floor, immobilized. The onslaught of torture ripping through her rendered her paralyzed.

  “Sage, open the door,” Jase barked. “Now.”

  “Please don’t—” Sage whispered.

  “Goddammit. Open the fucking door or I’ll kill you both.”

  Alexandra lay there writhing in pain while Sage held open the door and Jase dragged her limp body through it. When Sage’s eyes met Alexandra’s, Sage murmured, “I’m sorry, Jase. I’ll behave. Please don’t hurt her.”

  Crockett yanked open the heavy glass door to Wilde Innovations. Reception was empty as were the offices he powered past on his way toward his own. “Six fucking thirty,” he grumbled. As soon as he entered his office, he spied his tux on the sofa.

  He dropped his phone in the rapid charger and smiled at Alexandra’s note. After depositing the engagement ring in his safe, he hurried to dress. He wouldn’t breathe easy until he could pull Alexandra into his arms and hold her close.

  On his way out, he grabbed his charged phone and sent her a text. “On my way.”

  Knock, knock.

  “Crockett, are you in there?” Decker asked.

  The tightness in Decker’s voice had Crockett flinging open the door.

  Normally laid-back, deep worry lines puckered his brows. Decker brushed past him and set his laptop on the conference room table. “I need to show you something.”

  “What additional damage did Larry and Ruth do?”

  “I finally got a hit on rejuvenation. You’re not gonna believe this.”

  Two strides and Crockett stood beside him. After reading the online ad, his blood ran cold. “Holy fuck.”

  32

  Rejuvenation

  Alarms sent Crockett powering out of his office. He broke several traffic laws and arrived at the club in seven minutes. Though he had no reason to believe Alexandra was in immediate danger, he needed to locate her and get her the hell out of there. Being at Incognito wasn’t safe and it sure as hell wasn’t smart. He’d alert the authorities and let them handle the situation.

  According to the tablet in the greeting room, Alexandra had checked in forty five minutes earlier and would be waiting in the lounge. He strode across the hall, bumping into several clubbers as he pushed his way in.

  “Good evening and welcome to Incognito’s grand reopening.” The familiar voice of the faux Frenchman boomed through the mic. “Time for our first drawing of the evening.”

  The spindly assistant stood on the bar sporting a microphone and a cheap toupee. You’d think he was in Vegas.

  Crockett strode around the restaurant, but he couldn’t find her. Where the hell is she?

  Wendy hurried over. “You’re Electra’s friend, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “I waited on her earlier and she—”

  Francois announced the winner and the applauding partygoers drowned out what she said. “Say that again.”

  “Electra vanished.”

  Adrenaline shot through him. “What do you mean?”

  “She ordered two glasses of champagne and told me she wanted to wait to order food until you arrived. I brought her the champagne, but when I checked on her, she was gone.” Wendy held up the black clutch. “She left this.”

  Crockett opened the purse and retrieved her phone. When he pressed the home key, his unread text appeared on the screen. “When did you last see her?”

  Wendy shrugged. “Maybe twenty minutes ago. I thought you’d arrived and you guys went into a suite. It’s not like her to stiff me.”


  “Thanks for telling me.” He pulled a Ben Franklin from his pocket and offered it to her.

  Shaking her head, she threw up her hands. “I wasn’t telling you for the money.”

  “I know that. Is Jase here?”

  “Of course. It’s a big night for the club.” She bit her fingernail. “I’m worried something happened to her.”

  He dropped Alex’s phone into his pants pocket, then shoved the money and the clutch at Wendy. “Keep these. I’ve got to find her.”

  Even if Crockett had access to every suite on the floor, he wouldn’t check them. His gut told him she wasn’t in any of those rooms. Somehow she’d gotten into that hidden room behind the unmarked suite and couldn’t escape.

  Crockett’s feet ate up the wood flooring as he strode down the hallway, his sights set on the room at the end of the hall. With adrenaline coursing through his veins, he centered himself. Then, he inhaled a deep breath, aimed for just above the handle and kicked the hell out of the door. The frame snapped and the door burst wide open, amber light glowing from the night table lamp. Three quick strides and he stood at the back wall. Desperate to get into the secret room, he couldn’t find a handle or button to trigger the door, so he felt along the contours of the wall.

  “Get out now or security will throw you out.”

  Crockett spun around.

  Francois’s ridiculous French accent had been replaced with a hissing, gritty voice.

  “Open this door.”

  The squirrely assistant came at him with his arm raised. Years of karate training kept Crockett calm and in control. Just before Francois struck, Crockett grabbed his wrist, twisted his arm around and put him in a choke hold. Then he started counting. By the time he got to ten, Francois went limp.

  He dragged him into the bathroom, took his cell phone, and left. Before continuing his exploration of the back wall, he tossed the phone on the sofa, then shoved it against the bathroom door ensuring Francois couldn’t escape.

  Several agonizing seconds passed before he located a lever near the floor. The panel slid open and he stepped into a dimly lit stairwell before the door slid closed behind him. After taking the steps three at a time, he yanked open the fire door and crossed the threshold.