by Joyce
"Not everyone."
"But you do from me. Don't you?"
"Yes. Sometimes."
"Is it something bad?"
She lied. “It's general. The kind of cereal you eat. Nothing important. People seem to keep important memories on a different level."
He seemed relieved. “Just tell whoever's at the door that you need a car. They'll take care of it."
"Thanks."
"Rae?"
"Yes?” She throbbed with the remnants of her vision, impatient to leave him.
"Don't make this a one woman show. I want Bryce back alive."
* * * *
Rae told the large, stone-faced man at the front door that she needed a car. He asked if she needed a driver. She declined. He nodded and put in a call to the garage for her. Ten minutes later, another man drove up in a small Mercedes and handed her the keys.
She picked up the car phone and dialed a number she didn't expect to call again in her lifetime. The phone at the other end rang a few times, then a familiar voice answered.
"Federal Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta Branch, Agent Lynn Durstan speaking."
"Hi, Lynn. It's me."
"Rae? Rae Harris?"
"Yeah. How are you?"
"Fine. Fine! Where are you?"
"In Atlanta. Well, just outside Atlanta. I'm here for a few days. A private case."
Lynn sighed. “You know I can't help you."
"I know. But I know you will. Where can you meet me?"
"What do you want, Rae?"
"The file you have on the Williams’ kidnapping."
"The Williams ... technically we're not involved in that case.” Lynn recited the words by rote.
"Technically, I'm sure you're not. At least as far as everyone else is concerned. But we both know that nothing happens to men like Steve Williams without the Bureau knowing."
"I could lose my job,” Lynn protested.
Rae laughed. “You're too smart for that! Where can we meet?"
"Nowhere near here.” The other woman paused. “There's a little coffee shop at the Sunset Mall in Snellville. Perky's. Meet me there in thirty minutes."
"Right. Lynn? Would you also bring the file on David Williams’ death?"
"Rae—"
"What? It's just one more file. They can only hang you once!” The line went dead and Rae hung up the phone.
She and Lynn went through FBI training together. They were the only two women in their class. It created a bond between them that outlasted everything else that happened to either woman. Lynn went to work in the main body of the organization while Rae went to the spooky section of behavior and analysis.
They kept in touch, had a drink together when they were in the same city. They worked on a couple of cases together. Rae was there when Lynn's five-year marriage went bad. They talked for hours through the night. Lynn was there on the last case Rae worked. She was the voice of sanity in Rae's ear. She pulled her back and kept her from killing the man who raped and tortured his own daughter.
Rae stopped for a map to find Snellville. There were so many small suburbs that poked up around Atlanta since she was there on a case with John, fresh out of training. A ten-year-old boy was missing for several weeks. The local and federal authorities couldn't find any trace of him. Rae picked up his backpack and smiled at John. They found the boy together the next day. He was still alive, hidden in his uncle's basement. They received their first, but not their last, commendation for their work.
The city was bustling. The subdivisions were becoming small towns that bordered it. Rae finally found Snellville and the mall with ten minutes to spare. She went into the coffee shop and ordered coffee for Lynn and hot water for herself. She carried her own teabags with her for that purpose. A good cup of chamomile would be soothing. She helped Lessie gather the herb over the summer. Just the thought of it evoked the strong scent of green grass and fresh herbs drying in the sun.
By the time she sat down, the other woman was there.
Lynn Durstan was an attractive woman in her early-thirties who was careful about her appearance. She was always very conscious of the fact that she was a woman in still a predominantly male role. She never let down her guard. Her dark suit was unwrinkled and her blond hair was always worn in a short, professional style.
"It's good to see you.” Rae sat down with both their drinks.
Lynn allowed herself a smile. “It's good to see you, too, Rae. You're looking healthy! How's Lessie?"
"Thanks. I'm afraid Lessie's not so good."
"What happened? I just saw her last April for the herb walk. She seemed strong and healthy."
Rae played with her teacup. “I know. I almost lost her, Lynn. She needed emergency surgery."
"That's why you took this job?"
"You know nothing else could have moved me to come here."
"I should've known.” Lynn considered her friend's worried frown. “Is she going to be okay?"
"I think so. How about you?” Rae wanted to know. “What's going on in your life?"
Lynn shrugged. “I met a man. I'm thinking about getting married again."
"Really? That's wonderful. Are you going to go the whole route with kids and everything?"
"Maybe. That's up the road a'piece, as Lessie would say.” Lynn took a sip of her coffee. “How'd you get involved with the Williams’ thing?"
"Steve Williams came down to the island to ask for my help. He said his private security people weren't getting much done. And I needed the money."
"I'm sorry. I would've been glad to help if I'd known."
"Thanks. But it was too much money. And I could finally do something for her. Lessie needed me for once."
"I can imagine.” Lynn tried not to pry but she had to know. “How did he know about you?"
"He tracked me down from the old cases. Especially the last one."
"Why would that impress him?"
"I don't know,” Rae admitted. “I lost it but not before I found the baby and the father, I guess."
"That's true,” Lynn agreed. “You were always good at what you did. Even with the other problems. Does Lessie know you're on another case?"
"She guessed, Lynn. I didn't have to tell her. She's old but she's not stupid."
"She must be worried about you. I'm worried about you.” Lynn looked around herself surreptitiously then slid a folder across the table towards Rae. “I wouldn't do this for anyone else."
"I know.” Rae opened the file. “And you know I appreciate it. What do you think about the case?"
Lynn drew a deep breath. “It's not officially a case since he hasn't admitted there was a kidnapping to us. You know how this works. Officially, we don't know anything about it."
"Unofficially?"
"The agent who would be in charge if there were a case, thinks the girl might be a pawn in some major game between Williams and one of his competitors. It's been happening worldwide to the big name CEO's of major companies. Have you seen the demands?"
"Yes.” Rae pushed the list Steve gave her towards Lynn as she shuffled through the FBI file. She looked at the pictures of Bryce and Steve. They were stark, black and white. They didn't do justice to Bryce's lively face or Steve's good looks.
"Is this it?” Lynn scribbled down the demands.
"Steve said they call each day. Not yet today. Some kind of change in pattern. But they told him at the beginning that there would be six demands. He has to do whatever it is each day or they threaten to kill Bryce."
Lynn looked at the demands. “It matches our profile on the case. Selling off half the company. Deciding not to diversify. Who else could want that? This is a professional job."
"Someone with close personal access could pull it off. Although I can't imagine the reason for the corporate maneuvers if it's personal."
"Right. They would've just asked for a huge sum of money. And the kidnapping was too smooth, even for someone close to him. We feel that the kidnapping was professional. Probabl
y hired mercenaries. It's our guess that the girl is no longer in this country."
Rae nodded grimly. “So you think she's dead?"
"Even if she's still alive right now, she's not coming home. That's the way these things go. To tell you the truth, we were just as glad that he didn't come to us. No law enforcement group has had any luck with this kind of thing recently. The people they hire are too good at what they do. If we know enough ahead of time, we can prevent it. But once the kidnapping has occurred, it's almost hopeless."
"Do you think there's someone on the inside?"
"Maybe.” Lynn sat back and folded her arms across her chest. “But not necessarily. It's usually orchestrated from the outside. They just hire someone to watch him and the girl until they know everything about them. Then they strike quickly and flawlessly. If there's a witness, they take him out. No loose ends."
"Inside involvement could also account for that knowledge.” Rae thought about Sandy. If Lynn's profile were correct, then Sandy would be dead. “Did anyone talk to the people directly around Steve Williams?"
"Not officially."
Rae glanced up from the file and smiled. “Still the same old game, huh? What about Bryce's father, David?"
"I couldn't get his file. But I know that he died last year. There was some question of how it happened. He was killed tearing down a back road too fast. They said he missed a turn and went off the road into a tree."
"Were drinking or drugs involved that you know of, Lynn?"
"Not as far as I know. There was a question about a faulty airbag. The police investigated it. But Williams hushed it up quickly. The investigation didn't lead anywhere anyway and the case was closed."
"But you don't buy it?"
"I don't know. Steve Williams might not have closed down the investigation for anything except the family's privacy. But he did inherit all of Solutions and there was some evidence that the two brothers had reached a parting of the ways before the accident. That could just be coincidence."
"Or you could be implicating Steve Williams in his brother's death."
"It wouldn't be the first time that money and power made justice look the other way."
Rae knew that the assumption sounded correct. Yet that extra sense of hers wouldn't let go of the idea that it was wrong. It wasn't the first time that her psychic sense was at odds with what the facts of the case seemed to be. And the truth was that sometimes she was wrong. But she trusted that small voice inside of her. She had no choice.
"You don't buy it, do you?” Lynn asked as Rae closed the folder and handed it back to her, knowing she couldn't take it with her.
"No, not really."
"But you have to admit that it's been a while for you and that—” Lynn stopped and bit her lip.
"I've been wrong before? My instinct isn't what it used to be?"
"Something like that. I'm sorry, Rae. You were a good agent. Even after all this time, you can probably still outthink most people. But I think that you could be wrong this time."
Rae traced the rim of her cup with her finger. “I know."
Lynn touched her hand.
Rain poured from the dark sky. Lynn screamed at the night. She threw the gun she held in her hand and fell across the body on the ground.
Rae was shocked by the impression. “Lynn? Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine. I have to go. Call me if you need any backup. Let me know what you turn up, huh? Even if we're not officially involved, I'd like to know how it all works out."
"I'll let you know. Thanks for bringing the file. Be careful, huh?"
"You, too.” Lynn stepped back to warn her. “You might be in the middle of a turf war or it might be that Steve Williams knocked off his brother so that he could inherit his part of the company and have a ready-made family. Anything's possible here and all of it could be dangerous."
"I'll watch it. And I expect an invitation to that wedding."
"If we make it that far!"
"You'll be okay."
Lynn left first. Rae waited until she was gone and the parking lot was empty. She didn't see anything that made her think that Lynn was followed. You could never be too careful with internal FBI investigations into misconduct. It would mean Lynn's career and more if they were caught.
She wasn't sure what she saw when Lynn touched her. It felt terrible. Like something constricting her chest. But she knew from experience that an image that vague could be anything. All she could do was warn Lynn to be careful.
"Who was that?"
"Steve?"
He closed his car door. “Close personal friend?"
"You could say that.” He followed you here and you didn't realize it.
"Come on, Rae. I told you that I want to be involved. You need someone watching your back."
Or to catch you when you fall. “You don't have any training or background doing this work. I can handle it or I wouldn't be here. Stop treating me like I'm really your lover. I did things that make this look like a Sunday social."
"First you accuse me of treating you like a computer. Then you accuse me of treating you like my lover. Which is it, Rae?"
"I don't know, Steve. You hired me to find Bryce. Let me work.” She turned away from him to look for her car. It was gone.
"You can ride back with me,” he said, holding the car door open. “We can talk."
Rae was furious but short of hopping a bus back to the house, she was trapped going back with him. She couldn't believe he followed her. She was always so careful. How did he manage to get past her defense?
Steve drove back to the estate slowly. It was nearing late fall twilight. Traffic was heavy.
"So? What did your friend say?"
She closed her eyes and quieted her anger. It wouldn't do any good. “Lynn is an FBI agent. The Bureau isn't officially involved since you didn't call them in on the case."
"But that's not what she told you, is it?"
The strength of his psi reached out to her again. Probing. Demanding. She shook it off with difficulty. “She thinks it's corporate, like your people. She thinks Bryce was kidnapped by mercenaries and they took her out of the country."
"But you don't believe that?"
"No. I don't. But I've been wrong before."
"I'd rather have your take on it,” Steve assured her.
"Why? You don't know me. You only know what you've read about me."
"That's enough for me. I trust you, Rae. Even if you don't trust me. I know that you can find Bryce."
His blind trust was devastating. His words echoed through her. The sound and timbre of his voice whispered through her senses, seducing them. She shook her head and tried to clear her mind, breathing deeply. She couldn't be distracted from her goal.
Steve parked the car in the front of the house. “Mrs. Hamilton should be setting dinner out. Care to join me?"
"No thanks.” Rae wasn't eager to spend time alone with him.
"You have to eat."
"I need to make a phone call."
He wouldn't be put off. “I want to know what else your friend said. Did you sense anything from her that she could be hiding?"
"Maybe you should reconsider asking for their help. They have resources—"
"I don't want them involved."
"I needed some information. She supplied it."
"And you picked something up from her psychically. I saw it on your face when you walked out of the coffee shop."
"If I did, it was personal.” Rae started to walk away from him. It was frightening that he could guess so much from her.
Steve put his hand on her arm to stop her. “I want to know everything."
She gasped and closed her eyes. The visions were becoming stronger. She could smell his aftershave. His hair was damp like he'd been in the shower. Her breath came faster and she fought for control.
He drew her back against him and slid his arm around her waist. “You're seeing something right now, aren't you?"
"Y
es,” she whispered.
"What do you see?"
She struggled to pull away from the vision and his touch that created it. His long, agile fingers slid up from her waist to cup her breasts. His face was buried in her hair as he whispered her name. His tongue played with the outline of her ear.
"I see you.” Rae pushed away from Steve's light embrace. “That's it. I see you and Bryce. That's all."
"You're a terrible liar."
She ignored him and headed for the stairs. “I have to make a phone call."
"I think I can help with that phone call.” Steve handed her a piece of paper with a phone number on it. “Dr. Salter's new cell phone number. He called a few minutes ago."
She looked at the number blankly. “Did he say anything?"
"Only that you should call him. I'll meet you in the dining room. It's the next door after the kitchen."
Rae started to decline. Then she realized she was only making it worse. If she acted like it was nothing, he'd act that way too. “Okay, thanks.” She desperately wanted to hear her grandmother's voice. It reminded her that Steve was suffering through the same thing. “I have some things to ask you about Bryce."
"Anything immediate?” Hope flashed in his eyes.
"No, I'm afraid not. But we can talk."
"Over dinner?"
"That's fine."
Rae hated the disappointment that flared out him. “I'm sorry."
"Make your phone call. I'll see you in a few minutes."
Rae hurried up to her room and dialed the number on the paper. The phone rang once then Dr. Salter answered. “Rae! I've been trying to reach you!"
"Lessie?"
"She's fine. Feisty as always. The surgery went well. They think they got all of the mass. We should know a little later if it was benign."
"That's great! Is she awake? Are you there now?"
"Hold on."
"Rae?” Her grandmother's voice was clear and sweet.
"Lessie?” Rae didn't realize until that moment how afraid she was that she would never hear her voice again. “How are you?"
"I feel like a mule kicked me but they say I'm fine. I'm sure that will be true if I can keep them from loading me up with their drugs."
Rae laughed. Tears stung her eyes. “I heard. You do what Dr. Salter says and get well."
