DEADLY GAMES Jaycee Clark 1

by james

  were neatly organized and stocked full. She chose a bottle of protein juice and water.

  DEADLY GAMES Jaycee Clark 191

  Taking them both, she walked to the table and sighing, plopped down in the chair

  next to Roth.

  “You get her back asleep?” Roth asked.

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  His gaze ran over her. “You look beat. You should get some sleep while you can.”

  She twisted the cap and drank the juice.

  “Heard from Tanner?” she asked setting the bottle back on the table.

  He nodded. “Yeah, called and checked in from some Southern Plantation. Said he

  felt like he was on the set of Gone with the Wind or some such.”

  Rori had seen the movie and had never understood the rave behind the bloody

  flick. But then that was her.

  Roth stretched, his back popping. “At least Brayden and his family are safe.”

  “True.” She studied him for a moment. “You have any luck yet on finding out

  where Darya came from?”

  Roth grinned and rested his temple on his fisted hand. “If I did, I wouldn’t tell

  you.”

  “Why not?” She snatched one of his cookies.

  “Ian would have my ass.”

  “You don’t tell me, and I’ll have your ass.”

  Roth’s eyes narrowed on her. “No, I haven’t.”

  Not a big surprise. If someone wanted to get rid of a kid, they’d hardly advertise

  they were looking for them. Some did, but then those cases tended to be an altogether

  different issue.

  “I see we weren’t the only ones with midnight cravings,” Jock said from the

  doorway.

  Rori turned and smiled at them. Jock in a worn navy robe, the elbows faded and

  frayed. Kaitlyn in a silky ivory dressing gown. “Sit down, I’ll put some tea on.”

  She stood and helped Kaitlyn set the kettle to boil.

  Roth looked at her, then at them, and said, “I’m going to check in with the guys

  outside, then head to bed.”

  She nodded, and waited. She knew what was coming.

  “Did you ever get Darya to eat anything?” Kaitlyn asked, sitting at the table.

  Rori shook her head as she sat down in her chair. “No. She won’t touch a bit of

  food.”

  “Maybe she’s coming down with something,” Jock said, frowning. He reached for

  the plate of cookies and grabbed three.

  Kaitlyn slapped his hand. “One will suffice, dear.”

  He kept two.

  Rori grinned.

  Jock speared her with a look. “She had nightmares last night all damn night. She’s

  already woken up screaming. What the hells going on?”

  And there it was.

  Rori took another drink of her juice and wished she’d gone upstairs.

  Some appliance started to hum and they both looked at her expectantly.

  What the hell did she tell them? Nothing.

  DEADLY GAMES Jaycee Clark 192

  Kaitlyn looked down at her hands then back up. “After the kids were kidnapped

  last year, they both had nightmares for weeks. Tori woke up crying for months.”

  Rori nodded.

  “You said she was adopted, but the other night Ian acted as though something had

  happened to her.”

  And last night she’d been in the cupboard again.

  Rori sighed and rested her head on her hand. “There’s nothing you can do.”

  “Maybe not, but it would help if we understood,” the woman said.

  Rori looked from one to the other. “Sometimes people want to know things, then

  wished they didn’t know them at all. Darya’s story isn’t a pretty one.” She rolled the

  bottle between her palms.

  “Just spit it out, damn it. Who the hell hurt that little girl?” Jock barked.

  Rori looked at him. “I don’t know, Mr. Kinncaid. We have no idea who she is.

  We found her on a child porn set hiding in a space we could barely get her out of.” She

  shook her head.

  “What?” Kaitlyn asked, leaning forward. “You mean to tell me… That poor girl

  … they.… Did she….” She snapped her mouth shut and stood, hurrying to the stove.

  Rori swallowed.

  “What happened to her? Was she raped?” Kaitlyn asked from behind them.

  Jock’s face hardened and in that instant she again saw where Ian got it. That hard

  unforgiving expression.

  “As far as we could tell, no. Thank God. Evidence from the house did show she’d

  been filmed in a new batch that thankfully never made it to the market.”

  “That poor, poor little girl,” Kaitlyn said sniffing. The kettle moaned then

  whistled. She slammed it down. “Bastards should be shot.”

  Instead of answering that they would be, she merely took another drink of her

  juice. The look in Jock’s eyes said he knew what she wasn’t saying.

  Taking a deep breath, she decided to tell them all of it, at least as far as Darya was

  concerned. “There’s more.”

  “More?” Jock asked. “What could be more?”

  They didn’t have a clue. “Her sister was brutally raped and murdered.”

  “Oh God.”

  “Darya witnessed it and when she ran, they tried to catch her.”

  Kaitlyn, her hand to her mouth, sat down hard in the chair, her eyes sparkling with

  tears. “Why?”

  Rori shook her head. “There are some very evil people in this world, Mrs.

  Kinnciad. Darya was lucky she could run and hide. God only knows what they would

  have done with her.” Though she had an all together too good an idea after seeing the

  room, the video, her own bloody memories.

  Jock cleared his throat. “How old was her sister?”

  Rori shrugged. “We have no idea. Probably thirteen, is our best guess.”

  A tear slid down Kaitlyn’s cheek. “I just can’t fathom. I just.…” She shook her

  head and stood up, pulling her hand from her husband’s.

  “So when we find her in the linen cupboard, that would be why,” Rori said.

  Kaitlyn slammed the cups down on the counter. Then she turned to Jock. “Well,

  DEADLY GAMES Jaycee Clark 193

  Ian might not be home, but by God, that little girl is going to have some fun. Tomorrow

  we’re going shopping.”

  Rori didn’t think that was a very good idea. “Mrs. Kinncaid, with all due respect, I

  understand where you’re coming from, but I really think it would be best if.…”

  She swung back to Rori. “I’m going and that’s final. You and a contingent of

  guards can either come with us or stay here. But I’m taking my newest granddaughter

  shopping for clothes and toys. Period.” Kaitlyn turned back to the cups.

  Jock leaned over and patted Rori’s hand. “It’s no use arguing, trust me.”

  “Mrs. Kinncaid, it’s simply easier to keep an eye on you here and it’s not safe for

  Darya.”

  Kaitlyn whirled. “I want to show her, that … that…” Tears tracked down her face.

  Jock started to get up, but she waved him down and carried the tray over to the table.

  She sat at the table and wiped her eyes. “Jock, I want to redo her room next

  week.” Then she pierced Rori with a look. “And you will all still be here.”

  Rori’s lips twitched. “Yes ma’am. But about tomorrow. I won’t allow you to put

  her in danger. Darya’s safety is my first priority. When it’s safer, you can take her to

  Swartz if you want.”

  She looked like she was about to
argue, but Jock put his hands on hers and

  squeezed.

  Christ, his blood was boiling. If not for all his meds, he knew his blood pressure

  would be sky rocketing.

  Rori stood, tossed her bottle into the glass bin and grabbed her water. “I should

  get back upstairs. I don’t want to leave her too long.”

  Kaitie nodded. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry for going on so,” she sniffed and wiped

  her eyes again. “Makes me so furious!”

  “Well, Ian might not be happy I told you, but I figured you had a right to know

  what’s going on with your granddaughter.”

  “Damn straight,” Jock said nodding.

  She smiled at him. “Good night then.”

  The phone shrilled and they all froze. He reached over and grabbed it just as it

  rang a second time.

  “Hello?” His heart slammed in his chest. One a.m. phone calls were never a good

  sign.

  “Dad?” Gavin asked.

  He sighed, then straightened. “What? What’s wrong? Is it Taylor? The baby?

  Ryan?”

  Gavin laughed. “Taylor’s in labor and we’re on the way to the hospital. I just

  wanted to call and let you know.”

  He smiled and nodded. “Thanks. I’ll let your mother know.”

  “Well, it’s early yet and I’ve had her walking for several hours. Maybe you could

  stop by in the morning?”

  Jock nodded. “All right. I’ll let her know so she doesn’t demand we come over

  there right now.”

  Gavin chuckled and Jock remembered that feeling of giddiness.

  “How’s it feel to be on this side?” he asked his son.

  DEADLY GAMES Jaycee Clark 194

  “Different,” Gavin answered.

  Jock laughed. “Keep us updated or we’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  “I know,” Gavin said.

  Jock heard the mumble of Taylor’s voice in the background as he hung the phone

  up.

  Kaitlyn was watching him. “Taylor?”

  He nodded. “Gavin said to wait until in the morning to go to the hospital.”

  He looked to the door and saw the slight disappointment shift across Rori’s face.

  “I’m off to bed, then.”

  “Good night,” he and Kaitie said at the same time.

  They listened to her soft footfalls down the hallway. For a moment neither said a

  word, then Kaitlyn propped her chin in her hand and looked at him. “I like Rori.”

  He grinned. “I know, so do I.”

  Her russet brows furrowed. “I think she understands Ian.”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t. I don’t know that man. Sometimes I glimpse our son, but…”

  He brushed a strand of hair back from her face. “Time.” He half expected her to

  still be angry at him, but she only looked at him.

  “He found that child in hell, Jock. And I’ve heard Ryan and Tori talking. John

  was in Colorado. I know Ian sent him and I’m still so furious with Aiden for never saying

  a word. Not a single word in all this time.” She took a deep breath and he stroked his

  thumb across the back of her hand.

  “Kaitie. Time.”

  She nodded. “I know. I know.” She grinned and that dimple he’d always loved

  winked at him. “I still want them to stay here.” She sipped her tea “No one’s bought the

  Cooley place have they? Maybe Ian would be interested in purchasing --”

  “Kaitie, what did you just tell me this morning?”

  She ignored him and sipped more tea.

  He shared a smile with her.

  “I want to get to know our granddaughter,” she admitted.

  “And our son?”

  “And his wife.”

  Their grins grew. “I have a feeling Ian knows the Cooley place and I seriously

  doubt he’d want it.”

  Kaitie chewed on the inside of her bottom lip. “Maybe not. But the entire family

  knows what a great child’s psychologist Dr. Petropolis is.”

  He chuckled. “Kaitie, you’re hopeless.”

  “I know, and you still love me.”

  He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “That I most definitely do.”

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  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  November 19: 1:04 p.m.

  Rori looked at the silent child who still hadn’t eaten since Ian had left two days

  ago. She still hadn’t heard from him and she didn’t want to worry.

  She hated to worry.

  The little girl was pale, but her eyes seemed overly bright.

  “All right, Poppet?” She reached her hand out and felt the girl.

  Darya was hot. Rori cupped her face in both her hands and Darya looked at her

  miserably.

  “Oh, baby. You don’t feel well do you?”

  No one was in the house. Roth had taken the Kinncaids to the hospital where

  Taylor was still in labor. Rori had the fleeting thought that perhaps not being able to have

  children had some strong points--mainly hours upon hours of labor.

  She picked Darya up and walked down the hallway with her. They had been in the

  living room, Darya playing with her blocks Ian had bought her, glancing out the window

  every few seconds. When she’d stopped playing, it drew Rori’s attention. For Darya to be

  quiet was one thing, but she’d become withdrawn since Ian’s departure and Rori so

  wanted to be able to communicate with the girl. No one had apparently thought of that

  fact. But they had gotten along well enough until now with only a couple of glitches. The

  nightmares and the fact she wouldn’t eat. To get her to drink something, they gave her

  bright colored glasses with swirling straws--Mr. Kinncaid’s idea.

  But this … she was hot.

  Fear thrummed through her. Probably just a fever. But what if it wasn’t? What the

  hell was she to bloody do?

  Becky was still here.

  Rori carried Darya down the hallway and into the kitchen. The little girl put her

  head on Rori’s shoulder, her arm slung over Rori’s back. Becky was humming and rolling

  something on the center block.

  “Becky?” she asked.

  Becky turned and smiled. “Lonely are you? Don’t worry, they’ll call. You should

  have gone to the hospital with them.” Her grin grew. “Babies are such a joy.”

  “Becky,” she said, walking up to the woman. “I think she’s sick.”

  Becky’s round face frowned. “What?” She wiped her floured hands on a

  dishtowel.

  “She feels warm to me.”

  Becky put her hand on Darya’s face, then her arm, and shook her head. “No

  wonder. Child won’t eat, doesn’t sleep, she’s bound to get sick sooner or later.”

  The panic fluttered anew. What did she bleeding know about sick kids. “Becky?

  What do I do?”

  Beckky’s face softened. “Just hold her. I’ll call Mrs. K. and see what we have to

  DEADLY GAMES Jaycee Clark 196

  give her.”

  Rori pulled back and studied Darya. “Do you think we should take her to the

  doctor or something?”

  Becky chuckled. “Oh, new parents.” She patted Rori’s arm. “You just go put her

  up in her bed and sit with her. I’ll bring up some soup. Main thing is to keep liquids down

  her.”

  She nodded. “Anything else?”

  Becky’s smile was tender. “Just mother her, luv, like ye’ve been doing.”

  Rori turned and walked out of the kitchen. Well, she knew the girl had a fever, but


  what to do about it was another matter. Becky acted as if it was nothing out of the

  ordinary, but still…

  She turned back and walked into the kitchen again. “Becky.”

  “Yes?”

  “Mrs. Kinncaid was a doctor wasn’t she?”

  “Yes. Doctored little ones, she did, still does from time to time. “

  “So she’ll know what to do?”

  Becky frowned. “We should take her temperature. Mrs. K. has one of the

  computer kind around here somewhere.” She opened a drawer, then closed it muttering.

  Next she checked the cabinet next to the sink. Aspirin, bandages, first aid supplies. “Ah,

  here it is, then.” Becky pulled out a box with a coiled wire and thermometer on the end.

  She slid a plastic cover down over the thermometer and motioned Rori over.

  Rori set Darya on the counter. The little girl blinked slowly. “Ian’s going to be

  bloody furious,” she muttered.

  Becky humphed and picked Darya’s arm up, sliding the thermometer under her

  arm. Five seconds and several beeps later, she said, “One-oh-two point 3.” She frowned

  at Darya and said to Rori, “Put her to bed and I’ll call Mrs. K.”

  So relieved that something was being done, she leaned over and pressed a kiss to

  Becky’s cheek. “Thank you so much.”

  She carried Darya out of the kitchen and upstairs. She opened Darya’s door, the

  room felt cool to her. Maybe she should build up the fire. She sat her on the edge of the

  bed and undressed her, tossing her jeans and sweater to the side and putting some flannel

  pajamas on the girl. She at least knew enough to keep the girl warm.

  She pulled the covers back and tucked Darya in. The entire time, the girl only

  stared, her hand clutching the photograph. She pulled the ragged teddy bear to her and lay

  down, her eyes closing.

  “Please don’t let her have any nightmares,” Rori whispered, brushing the hair off

  Darya’s forehead.

  Maybe a cool cloth would be the thing to do. She hurried to the bathroom and wet

  a washcloth. Sitting on the bed, she put the folded linen on the girl, who opened her eyes

  and stared for a moment, before closing them back.

  God what if they’d been wrong? What if she had been sexually molested or some

  such and had come down with something? It could be any thing.

  Rori chewed on her thumb nail and a memory flashed through her brain. Nikko