by Gary Jonas
Kelly looked at the Lamborghini and shook her head.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
“You spend scads of money on a car like this, and they don’t even give you a windshield?”
“Cheap bastards,” I said.
We approached the front doors. They were hand-carved cedar done up to look like the entry to an exotic French estate. Before I could ring the bell, the doors opened and I saw they were about three inches thick.
“Mr. Shade, I presume?” the British guy asked. He looked like a butler from the thirties. Think My Man Godfrey, but go with a crusty Brit instead of William Powell.
“That would be me.”
“Please do come in.”
We stepped into a two-story foyer with twin grand curved staircases that swept up to the second floor in symmetrical beauty. The white marble floor glistened and brightened the place in spite of the wood paneling. A crystal chandelier hung between the staircases. If you walked between the staircases, you could go into the center of the home. I suspected there would be a kitchen and several large dining and living areas before you hit the bowling alley, movie theater, and indoor swimming pool staffed with lovely lifeguards.
“Dr. Noble will be with you directly. Please wait in the drawing room.”
Esther stared in open-mouthed wonder at the place. The butler walked through her as he gestured to a side room three times the size of my apartment. He wandered off and I figured he was going to let Graham Noble know we were waiting. There was no urgency to his stride, so it was also possible he was heading to his own room to take a nap.
“We’re waiting in the drawing room,” Esther said, trying to mimic the accent.
There was a time when this would have amused me. I knew she was trying to get me to smile. At least she was talking to me.
I ignored the leather furniture and remained standing. French impressionist paintings hung on the wall. I gazed at them, but I couldn’t name the artists. I always meant to take more time to study and appreciate art. Maybe someday.
Kelly stood beside me, admiring the paintings.
“I want to haunt this place,” Esther said.
“You and me both,” Kelly said.
“Feel free to wander as far as you can,” I said to Esther, but she remained in the room. While she could have popped away to any place that held a piece of her old typewriter, she couldn’t go more than fifteen feet from whichever piece was nearest. I had a typewriter key on my keychain. Kelly had a key too, but I was closer to the foyer.
A few minutes later, Graham Noble entered the room. He wore an Armani suit, and as he approached, he removed his sunglasses and extended his right hand. What kind of guy wears sunglasses in his house?
Strike one.
“Graham Noble,” he said, shaking my hand.
“Jonathan Shade.”
“I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time. Mr. Endar phoned earlier, and I told him we don’t need protection.”
Strike two.
“Your father was murdered, and Mike thinks the killers will be after you and your sister.”
“Our entire family, if you believe him,” Graham said. “But that is not your concern.”
“We’re getting paid to make it our concern.”
“We don’t want you here.”
“But you agreed to meet with us.”
“To keep Mr. Endar happy. He’s a major investor in our company.”
“The Steam Room?”
He gave me a heavy sigh. “That’s one of our businesses. We have an umbrella company, Noble Enterprises, Incorporated. We have a variety of businesses under the parent corporation. My sister and I run The Steam Room. We’re not in any danger, Mr. Shade.”
Strike three. Definitely an asshole.
“Your father thought otherwise,” I said, trying to keep a professional tone.
Graham shrugged. “My father set up his deal with Dragon Gate Industries nearly two decades ago. At the time, he thought I’d be taking over his personal business. I have no interest in his investment firm. Rayna and I want to help people get into shape and feel good about themselves. Our spa is the result of ten years of hard work. I seriously doubt my father’s enemies have any interest in us.”
“You’re not a big fan of DGI,” I said.
“You’re very perceptive.”
“They’re footing the bill, so let us tag along for a while. We’ll make sure you’re safe, and it won’t cost you a thing.”
Graham laughed and gestured at the house and its contents. “Do you think I worry about what things cost, Mr. Shade? My sister and I make far more money than my father ever did, but we do it by helping people. We have no enemies, and we really don’t want strangers telling us what we can and cannot do. Especially in our time of grief. I’m sorry you wasted your time, but we really don’t want your help.”
A young woman with long dark hair entered the room. She wore a short sky blue dress that hugged her like a second skin. She was in perfect shape, so the dress didn’t need to be forgiving. I recognized her from the commercials—Rayna Noble. Her beauty was slightly marred because she wore her concern like a two-hundred-pound backpack.
“Graham, we need to go,” she said. Her eyes swept the room, taking in Kelly then me and finally settling on her brother. “Who are your friends?”
“They aren’t friends,” Graham said, “and they’re on their way out.”
“Is something wrong, Ms. Noble?” I asked.
She looked at me then cast a glance at her brother, who shook his head.
“We might be able to help,” I said.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Jonathan Shade. This is my partner, Kelly Chan.” I didn’t introduce Esther because they couldn’t see her. “We handle all kinds of problems for people. Especially life-and-death problems.”
Graham sighed. “Mr. Endar from DGI sent them.”
“At your father’s request,” I said.
She furrowed her brow. “My father?”
I nodded. “He had a contingency plan in place in case he was murdered. We’re here to help.”
“We don’t like wizards.”
“Neither do we,” Kelly said.
Rayna started to reply, but instead she turned to her brother. “I still can’t reach Mother. Frederick says she never came home. We need to find her.”
“We can help with that,” I said.
“She’s probably dead,” Graham said, ignoring me.
“Don’t say that,” Rayna said.
Graham sighed. “I’m supposed to be at the banquet in thirty minutes.”
“Mother is more important than your stupid banquet.”
I stepped forward. “One of us can go with Graham to the banquet, and the other can take you to find your mother.”
“I’m not taking a man to the banquet,” Graham said.
“I’ll be your date,” Kelly said.
“I’m supposed to be there with Rayna.”
“I suspect your father’s death will buy you enough sympathy to make a substitution.”
“People die,” Graham said. “I’m not looking for anyone’s sympathy.” He didn’t say it in a cold way. He said it in a very matter-of-fact way, as if death had been by his side from the day he was born and it was simply an accepted occurrence that didn’t slow anything or anyone down.
“Little tip,” I said. “Pretend to be stoic instead of heartless.”
“He’s not being heartless, Jonathan,” Kelly said. “He’s being a realist.”
Graham looked at Kelly with respect. “You’re lovely. I would be honored to have you on my arm tonight.” Then he frowned at her business suit. “However, you can’t go dressed like that. Rayna, could you help Ms. Chan find something more appropriate to wear while I have words with Mr. Shade?”
“Is he going to help me find Mother?”
“Yes.”
She nodded then led Kelly out of the room.
Esther watched them go then looke
d at me. “I’ll stay here for now,” she said.
I didn’t need to reply to her.
Once Kelly and Rayna were out of sight, Graham turned to face me. “You will protect my sister this evening.”
It wasn’t a question.
He hesitated. “This doesn’t mean we’ll let you accompany us again. I don’t believe my father’s enemies are after us, but if Rayna goes to find our mother and the killers are still there, she could be in danger.”
I nodded. “I’ll keep her safe.”
“There will be thirteen of them and one of you.”
“I’ll keep her safe,” I said again and held his gaze. He knew how many there would be, so he clearly knew who had killed his father. He also knew beyond the shadow of doubt that he and his sister were targets too.
He raised an eyebrow. “Very well. Your partner and I will be back by midnight.”
FROM THE JOURNAL OF KELLY CHAN
My best friend, Jonathan, told me I should keep a journal. He said a life worth living is worth recording. He didn’t come up with that line, but it makes sense to me. My life before I met Jonathan was not worth living or recording. It was filled with training and killing, and nothing much mattered. Now, thanks to Jonathan, I have a life and a purpose.
Perhaps I should cross that out and start over. I don’t really want to talk about how I feel about things. After all, who cares? Nobody is going to read this anyway. Except maybe Brand. Brand, if you’re reading this, I will cut off your head and mail it to Graceland. Close this notebook now. To hell with it. Let’s just move on.
Rayna led me up one of the curved staircases and down a long hall to her bedroom. Her room was about the size of my dojo, but it was decorated in a much more feminine manner. I’m not a fan of pink unless it’s the watered-down blood of my enemies.
Rayna opened a huge walk-in closet and turned on a light. The room was filled with expensive clothing. I’ve never bothered with an extensive wardrobe. I prefer clothes I can fight in without multiple wardrobe malfunctions.
“You’re more slender than I,” Rayna said as she started sliding hangers aside. “I have a few gowns I bought because I loved them, but they’re a bit small for me, and I haven’t had them tailored yet. I think we can find something that will work.”
She pulled out a pink gown, and I made a face. “Black or red,” I said.
“Yes, I suppose pink would be a bit soft for you. Are you a Sekutar?”
“You know about the Sekutar?”
“I’m familiar with them. My father didn’t approve of the program. I heard horrible stories about the torture they put you people through before they deadened your pain receptors. Are they true?”
I nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what? You didn’t make it happen.”
“Well, I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“I’m not,” I said. “It made me who I am today.”
“But you were a regular girl before they tampered with you. Right?”
I pointed to a slinky black dress. “Let me try that one.”
She took the dress down and handed it to me. “How old were you when they took you?”
“What difference does it make?” I slipped out of my clothes and slid into the dress. It flowed over my body and felt cool on my skin.
“Come with me,” she said and led me to a chair in front of a large mirror with an array of lights around it. “Let me fix your hair and add just a touch of makeup. You’ll be a brand-new woman.”
“I’ll be sleek assassin in high heels and lipstick.”
She sat me down, undid my ponytail, and started dragging a brush through my hair. “You didn’t answer me. How old were you when you entered the program?”
“Eight. Why?”
“So young.” She looked sad. “I can’t imagine what you went through.”
“You don’t want to imagine it.”
“Are you happy?”
“That came out of left field.”
“Just making conversation.”
“I don’t normally talk about myself.”
“You want to do this protection job. Right?”
“I want it for Jonathan.”
“Strange for a Sekutar to align herself with a human.”
“He’s the best man I know,” I said. “But . . .”
“But?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on, Ms. Chan—”
“Kelly.”
She nodded. “Call me Rayna.” She finished up my hair, and it fell about my shoulders as if I’d been done up for a glamour shot.
I felt a bit uncomfortable. Rayna was turning me into a feminine creature instead of a warrior. Of course, I was all warrior, but it felt strange to look in the mirror and see a softer, more sultry look. Then again, that could prove beneficial since no one would expect a warrior to be dressed like a Hollywood actress at the Academy Awards. Rayna went to work on the makeup.
“You’re worried about your friend,” she said.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to. It’s obvious to me. I pick up on things like that. I’m very . . . how do you say it here, in tune?”
“I want him to do this job.”
“I can talk to Graham and get him to go along, but I want to know why. Is he broken? No, that’s the wrong word. Without money. Broke?”
Broken. I hadn’t thought of that. Jonathan seemed so much harder and meaner lately. “It’s not the money,” I said. “He’s been making investments he swears will pay off. He seems certain about them. No, I just want him working on a job. He’s only done a few little things in the last several months. Our last real job went down in ways I didn’t see coming, and he’s not the same man. I miss the old Jonathan.”
“What about him do you miss?”
“His bad jokes,” I said. “And his smile.”
“He is a very serious man from what I can see.”
“You’re very good,” I said. “I haven’t told anyone my feelings about Jonathan. You don’t seem to be using magic.”
“I have no magic,” she said. “I just care about people. Perhaps you sensed that and said more than you normally would.”
That bothered me. I don’t normally lower my defenses. “Perhaps.”
“Hold still while I apply lipstick.”
When she finished, she had me look in the mirror, and I couldn’t believe the transformation. I really looked like a movie star.
“I like it,” I said. “I could walk through a crowd of bodyguards with a wink and a smile and they’d never know what killed them.”
“I do hope you’re speaking figures.”
“You mean figuratively?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. My English is improving, but I find I still struggle with some words.”
“Bullshit,” I said. “You’re pretending to struggle.”
She seemed surprised then gave me a wink. “You’re in tune too.”
It impressed me that she didn’t try to deny it. “I don’t normally like someone who tries to deceive me, but for some reason, I don’t think that was your intent.”
“I find that people open up more if I seem to struggle a bit with the language.”
“I don’t like opening up. I can’t believe how much I told you. I should probably hate you right now but I don’t. Weird.”
“Perhaps you sense I don’t have bad intentions.”
“That’s not it,” I said. I realized that it was because her interest in me was genuine. She wasn’t just having a conversation. She actually cared about people. Even someone like me.
“Then what is it?” she asked with a slight smile.
Her pretense with vocabulary was a tool she used to get people to open up. But there was more to it. Perhaps it was a distraction to keep her mind off her mother.
“I think it’s a useful technique.”
She seemed to relax a bit, but sh
e gave me a knowing look. “Let’s get you some shoes.”
She picked out a pair of shoes that probably cost more than Jonathan’s car. They were black and had high heels that would make excellent weapons. I slipped them on.
“You’re almost ready,” she said. She reached for the typewriter key I wore as a necklace. “What’s this?”
“Family heirloom.”
“Leave it here. It really doesn’t go with your dress.”
I hesitated but figured it was only for an evening and I didn’t need Esther showing up during the banquet. I removed the necklace and placed it on the vanity counter next to my clothes. I started to grab my phone, but I didn’t have any place to put it, so I left it by the sink too.
“Shall we?” I said.
We went downstairs.
Graham nodded his approval.
Jonathan’s jaw nearly hit the floor.
“Wow,” he said. “You look amazing.”
I gave him a smile then placed a hand on Graham’s arm. “Are you ready?”
“I’ll have Bitterman bring the car around.”
I turned to Jonathan. “Don’t wait up.”
CHAPTER FOUR
JONATHAN SHADE
While Kelly and Graham slid into a Rolls Royce, Rayna, Esther, and I walked over to my Firebird. I opened the door and, to her credit, Rayna didn’t seem to notice the car wasn’t up to her normal luxurious standards. The same cannot be said for Esther.
“I want to go with Kelly.” She stared at the Rolls. “Now that is ritzy! You can handle this yourself, right?”
I closed the door and shot Esther a look. “I need you,” I whispered. “There could be trouble, and a heads-up would be nice.”
“I know, I know.” She stepped through the car into the backseat and folded her arms in resignation.
I climbed into the driver’s seat, started the car, and looked over at Rayna. “Was your mother working today?”
“Yes. She works at Sundown Hospice Center.”
