Tam slammed the receiver down into its cradle, breaking both in the process. He lost more phones that way. Looks like I won the office pool. “So, big brother, what gave you such an outstanding disposition this fine day?”
Tam shoved away from his desk, walked over to a small safe built into the wall. “I’m not in the mood for your smart-ass mouth today, Valeria,” Tam hissed as he leaned forward so the retinal scanner could do its job.
The locking mechanism released with a soft swish and Tam looked back at me with a lopsided frown on his face. He walked away from the safe and grabbed my hands. Tamerlane turned each one over and over in his hands, inspecting them for signs of injury.
“Damn,” he breathed. “I think I’m going to plan a visit to the FaeLands to introduce myself to FaeVar, as soon as possible. Your power boost is sweet. I want one.” He dropped my hands, went back to his safe and began jerking papers and throwing them on his desk. He was still pissed, but his attitude had improved a little.
“So are you going to tell me what’s going on, or do I just get to stand her and watch you throw things all over the place?” I pulled out a chair and straddled it, leaning forward on my elbows.
Tam sat down and began organizing his mess. “I’m leaving for the Atlanta building.”
“How soon?”
My brother’s features twisted into a snarl as he pulled his leather saddle bag open and began throwing his paperwork inside. “I’m leaving in five minutes. The goddamn bio facility was broken into an hour ago. Two labs were destroyed. Initial damages could be in the millions. If anything is lost that we need for the new product line, projected losses are in the hundreds of millions.”
My chest tightened at the news. There was too much going on at once. That facility was Tamerlane’s pride and joy. The work that came out of the Bio-Tech T was the primary foundation for the security products that Trumaine Security produced and marketed. If research was disrupted in the labs, production could come to a standstill.
“What has father said about the break in?” I was almost scared to hear his answer. After Daddy’s blow up about the fire in Russia, I could only imagine his reaction to this latest news.
Tam slung his bag across his shoulder and stood. “He’s threatening to remove me from my position. Said too much was happening on my watch, like I can be everywhere at once.”
I flew from my seat and threw my arms around my big brothers neck. “Don’t pay Daddy any attention. He's just upset at the thought of losing money. He'd never force you out of your position. You're too good at what you do.”
Tamerlane pulled away from me and headed for the door. “I hope you're right, Val. You're in charge while I’m away. You might as well get used to the office and what goes along with it. It might be yours sooner than you think.”
Tam left and I stood there looking around his office trying to figure out how in the world everything had gone to hell so fast. Nothing was making sense about any of the occurrences that had taken place in the last few days; a fire at a random warehouse in Russia, the murder of a human with ties to my family, the break in and vandalism at the labs. Sometimes one plus one plus one doesn’t equal three, it equals; I’m even more stumped than I was before. There was a connection that I wasn’t seeing. I could feel it,
When all else fails, start at the beginning. Constantine was a link to the murder. The warehouse fire could be very well be a random incident, but the lab was another thing all together. While my brother is an anthropologist, and none of his work had anything to do with our bio tech labs, his was the only name I had to go on.
I logged into the system and pulled up everything we had on Constantine’s research. I sat there for over an hour pouring through boring interviews and diagrams tracing Extras blood kin connections. I spent another hour reading the origin myths of so many subsets of races that I had lost count. The next folder to explore was his travel itinerary, but I was done for the moment.
I turned off the monitor and yelled in frustration. The nagging feeling that the answer was right in front of my face wouldn’t let up. Something was there; I know it, but I just didn’t see it.
There was a soft knock and a guard I’d only seen once or twice poked his head around the door. “Ms. Trumaine,” he said cautiously. “My name’s Derrick. I’m here to rotate out with you; it’s my turn for monitor watch.”
Shit, I’d neglected the monitor array my entire rotation. I smiled and waved toward the pale blue door that led to the video room. “Sure, I was just on my way to change with you,” I lied through my teeth.
Derrick nodded and headed for the door and I got up and left. So much for my first night as acting head of security. I’d forgotten about one of my most basic tasks. I was going to stick to my duties the rest of the shift. I couldn’t let Tamerlane down; Daddy would only ride him harder.
Anything else would have to be done on my own time.
Chapter 9
I wasn’t acting head of security for long. When I went in the next night, Tamerlane was back from Atlanta. He was seated at his desk staring at a black folder like it had all the answers to his problems inside of it. I hated black folders. His head snapped up when I walked through the door.
“I’m glad it’s you, Val. Come talk with me.” Tamerlane smiled at me, and I felt my insides clench. Constantine might be the oldest, but in many respects, Tam was the one most like our father. I think that’s the reason they always butted heads so much.
Tamerlane was an imposing individual. Where Daddy was long, lean and mean, Tam was built like a brick house...and mean, but they could both pull auras and force lower vamps to go feral. They were also relentless when it came to their jobs. Nothing stood in the way of getting the job done. Nothing.
The way Tamerlane called me over made me feel like a deer in headlights. He knew something, how much, I wasn’t sure, but it was enough to lead him to me.
“When was the last time you talked with Constantine?”
Oh hell, was what I thought. What I said was, “About two weeks ago when he got back, why?”
“Just wondering.” He flipped open his file and held up a picture. He scrutinized the picture for a few minutes while I stared at the Kodak seal stamped across the back of it. He put the picture back and clasped his hands in front of his face as it went blank. I couldn’t believe it; he was giving me the Trumaine poker face. ME! “Tell me about Sophie Blackmon.”
Huh? That was the last name I was expecting to come out of his mouth, but it was confirmation that I was on the right trail. Sophie was another link to Constantine. That meant the break in and vandalism was another piece of a growing puzzle. Damn it all to hell and back. What had my brother gotten himself mixed up in?
“Sophie Blackmon is the mambo that made it possible for me and Irulan to figure out what Tristan was up to. Why do you ask?”
He let his hands drop to his desk. “Did you know Constantine was working with her?”
That wasn't news to me. Sophie agreed to aide him with his research, only if he kept her involvement off of the record, but I kept that information to myself. He wasn’t the only one who could wear the look. “I knew he had intentions of contacting her. I believe he wanted her for some speaking engagements for his classes. Are you going to tell me what this is all about?”
Tam opened his mouth, but the crackle of his intercom interrupted him. “Tam, your brother is taking the western elevator to your floor.”
“Thanks, Cash.” Tamerlane clicked the intercom off and slid the folder into his desk.
“Since when do we watch members of our own family when they're in the building?” I fumed.
“Stay out of this, Val, and let me do my job,” Tamerlane hissed.
“I will, but you'd better remember that that’s our big brother you're about to question. Question, not interrogate.”
Constantine walked in, and I got up to throw myself around his neck. “I’ve missed you, Tino, when did you get home?”
Constantine hugged me and pulled back to
stare at the worried look that was written all over my face. It was at total odds with the happy go lucky tone I tried to force into my voice.
“I just got in this morning, woolybooger. You were going to be my first stop. Mother told me what happened to your hands.” He pulled out of my hug and inspected my hands. “They look better than she described.”
I wiggled my fingers and sighed. “Believe me; they looked awful.” Tamerlane cleared his throat and began strumming his fingers on his desk. God that was so annoying.
Constantine looked past me and laughed. “Yes, the summons. I’ll admit I’m curious. I don't get called to the Complex on official business that often.”
Constantine’s laugh faded as he took in the oh-too-serious expression on our brother's face. “Am I missing something here? Why so serious, Tamerlane?”
“Sit down, Tino; this is serious.” We sat down, and Tamerlane continued. “How’s your work going with Sophie Blackmon?”
Constantine’s face lit up. “Remarkable. The Gullah are a god send. Their heritage allows for them to access the ether in ways no witch has ever dreamed of.” Constantine paused and turned to me, “She says hello, by the way, wanted me to send her love.”
Tamerlane huffed, and Constantine turned back to him. “As I way saying. It took me weeks of begging and coaxing, but I finally got Sophie to go on the record and agree to genetic mapping. I should have my results soon, and then I can take my research to a whole new level. The dean is seriously considering entering my findings into a bid for new funding for an entire wing devoted to the study of Extras. The college has been looking for something fresh and new to gain the public’s attention. This could put us on the map.”
Tamerlane groaned and shook his head. “Tell me about Russia, how’d that trip go?”
Constantine frowned at me, but he started talking despite his growing confusion. “I spent a week in Azov chasing djin sighting. It's an interesting area. I wasn’t able to find any djin, but a local did lead me to a series of tombs deep below the old ottoman fortress there. I found some interesting glyphs and artifacts. Is anyone going to tell me what this is all about?”
Tamerlane pulled the folder from his desk and handed it to Tamerlane.
“I spoke with Thade about an hour ago; the inventory destroyed in the fire included all the artifacts you stored there.”
Constantine looked up from the file and shook his head. “I don't understand. Why would someone burn down an entire building just to destroy a few ancient tablets and some glyphs?”
Tamerlane shook his head and frowned. “Maybe for the same reason they trashed six point three million dollars worth of equipment and property at Bio Tech T. yesterday.”
Constantine’s face paled at the news, and he began flipping through the papers. “I don't understand…”
Tamerlane pulled his cell from his pocket and flipped it open. “Understand this, Constantine; all your samples were destroyed. Someone has been following your movements and obviously doesn’t want your research completed. Until I find out who, I’m placing you under guard.”
Tamerlane sent a text, and then pulled a small tracking disk from his desk. “I also want you to wear this.” He held it out, and Constantine pushed his hand away.
“I’m not wearing that thing like I’ve done something wrong, and I don't need a guard. I can take care of myself.”
Tamerlane slapped his hand against his desk, and his face flashed into a shift, but he reined it in. “Damn it, Tino, I wasn’t asking. Something could be after you and I’ll be damned if I let them get close. Hell, Constantine, whoever did this is, they're good. They got past all our security in Atlanta.”
Constantine sighed and let his head drop into his hands. “This is too much.” I rubbed my brother across his back.
“Well find out who this is, Constantine. I promise Tam and I will do everything we can.”
Tamerlane laid the tracker on his desk. “Come on in,” he called out to the person who was just about to knock on his door. Two building sized guards came in. From the looks of it, they were both Ursideas. I’d never seen them before, but they may have been part of the daylight crew.
“This is Gridlock and Ballistic. They'll be guarding you until this mess is sorted out.”
Constantine’s eyes bugged out of his head he pointed at the living mountains. “I can't take Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum into my classroom, where would my students sit?”
Tamerlane shrugged his shoulders, “Not my problem, my brother’s safety is. Father knows all about it, so there’s no use in whining to him. He agrees with me.”
Tamerlane tossed a bag to Gridlock. “Here’s enough equipment to secure his car, the classroom, and his office on campus. I’ll take care of his home myself.”
Gridlock and Ballistic nodded and left to go rig Constantine’s car with the latest security devices we had. Most of it was probably better than the stuff we had on the market and that was saying a lot.
Constantine pounded his fist against his knee and tried a futile attempt at protesting. “I don't need all this Tam. It's probably a colleague that doesn’t want my work to outshine their own. I can take care of myself.”
Tamerlane ignored him. “Can you think of anyone outside of the poindexters you hang with that might want to hurt you? Has anything unusual happened lately?”
“Besides a good portion of my work being destroyed…NO.”
Liar, liar, pants on fire. I jerked my head toward Constantine before I could catch myself. He jabbed me with a quick one two to the brain, and I recovered, but not before Tamerlane saw.
“What?” He looked back and forth between the two of us. “Something’s going on that I don’t know about, I don’t like being in the dark.”
“It’s nothing, Tam,” Constantine hissed.
“I don't like being lied to.”
“And I don't like being bullied into this situation, deal with it.” Constantine got up and headed for the door. “Now if you'll excuse me, I’ve got a date with the double mint twins.”
He slammed the door behind him, leaving me at Tamerlane’s mercy. Fuck me sideways. I looked at the intense gaze that graced my brothers coco face and the urge to run for cover seized me. “Um,” I pointed to the door and flashed toward it. “Be right back,” I yelled after I flashed out the door.
I expected him to follow me, but miracle upon miracle, he didn’t. I caught Constantine just as he was about to get into his car. The two bodies crowded into the back seat made the full sized sedan look awfully small.
“We need to talk.” I grabbed my brother by the arm and led him away from the prying ears of his bodyguards. They prepared to get out, but I flashed back to the car and poked my head inside the door. “Relax; we're still on company ground. He's with me and I’ll keep him in your line of vision, okay.”
Ballistic reluctantly nodded, his bottom lip stretched into a frown and he leaned back into his seat. I smiled and turned the car on. “Don’t want you guys getting heat strokes or anything.” I turned the air on full blast and the volume on the radio up. “Gotta love John Tesh.”
I left the two weres fighting over the radio. “When were you going to tell Valerian about your past relationship with Fee Baker? Or were you hoping that William Baker had forgiven you for almost killing him all those years ago?”
Constantine’s control cracked and tears pooled in his oval eyes. “Fee was…is, the love of my life. I was the love of hers, but she couldn’t accept what I was. I couldn’t love her and watch her age; she couldn’t love me and watch me stay the same.”
He blinked the tears from his eyes and shook his head. “William would never hurt a hair on Fee’s head. The least I can do is see that he's cleared of her murder. I owe it to my Fee.”
I listened to the sorrow coated confession, and my heart ached for his loss, but I couldn’t afford to get all puffy eyes and start bawling. I settled into the empty void that all of us Trumaines fled to when we needed to operate free of the confines o
f emotion.
“Whoever killed her is after you, and now they're after me. My car was deliberately sabotaged, T. This person is an Extra, and they've got an agenda. When was the last time you spoke with Fee, did she know about your work?”
“I hadn’t talked with Fee in years, so how could she know?” He stumbled away from me and drug shaky fingers across his short cropped head. “Listen, Val; I’ve got to go.”
As I stood there watching my brother get in his car and walk away, I don't know what hurt me more. The fact that he lied to my face or the fact that he knew I was aware he was lying and just didn’t care.
Whatever. I was tired of lies. Constantine’s silence was going to get someone hurt. Sorry, Vedo, I’m, gonna have to rat you out to Daddy…after I take another look at the Baker home.
Chapter 10
I didn’t bother asking Tamerlane if I could leave work early. If I went back to his office and asked for permission to go, we were going to get into an argument about Constantine and it so was not worth it.
I stopped at the guard booth and told one of them to call up and let Tam know that my car was gone. That would do for now. When I come back to work, I plan on having enough info to lead us to our murderer/vandal, hopefully that will be enough to keep him off of my ass for ditching...maybe.
I called ahead to Irulan and let her know I need her help. By the time I got to home, she was standing at the curb waiting for me. She leaned over and gave me a quick kiss before buckling up. “So what’s going on?”
“The break-in and vandalism in the Atlanta lab is connected to Constantine, along with the fire in the Russian warehouse.”
Irulan gasped and turned in her seat. I didn’t have to read her mind to know what she was thinking. I was already kicking myself for keeping Valerian’s case quiet for so long. “Before you ask, no, I haven’t said anything about Valerian’s case. I didn’t get a chance, but as soon as I leave the Baker home, I’m going back to the Complex to tell Daddy and Tamerlane everything.”
Black Moon Rising (DarkLife Saga) Page 8
