Sun Storm

by Marlow Kelly

  “That’s why you’re in a snit. Stand up.” He gave her a hard stare.

  “Don’t give me that look. You smiled. Hildy blushed. She’ll remember you.” She stood, bending so her head didn’t hit the roof.

  “You jealous?” He seemed to be enjoying himself.

  “Jealous, no.” She couldn’t begrudge a middle-aged waitress a pleasant goodbye, but a twinge of envy festered in the back of her mind. She wanted more than the emotionless glare he tended to throw her way. “The rules have to be the same for both of us. And by the way, not smiling is a stupid rule. You’re too memorable with your light eyes and the scar—”

  “I’m memorable? You’re the one everyone will remember with your curvy little body, wearing nothing but long johns—”

  “Well, pardon me, the next time men burst into my cabin in the middle of the night, I’ll be sure to dress first. Would you like me to do my hair and put on lipstick, too? Besides, my coat is done up so they can’t see anything.”

  He sat behind her, held her waist, and drew her down so she rested on his thighs. “It doesn’t matter. You’ve got those sexy bedroom eyes—”

  “I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous in my life.”

  He grinned as he placed an arm under her knees, swiveled, and elevated her legs so she lay across his lap, bridal style.

  For a moment she was distracted by his smile. It was genuine, bright and devastating. “What are you doing?” She tensed, holding her body rigid. He really was the most annoying man. She’d stated her case, and he’d tried to distract her with a lot of nonsense about bedroom eyes and a sexy grin.

  “Getting comfortable. You’ll need to put your arm around my neck if we’re going to convince Jake we’re a couple.” He reminded her of a cheeky little boy. The muscles on the uninjured side stretched in to the correct position, while the scar seemed to prevent the corresponding movement, giving him a lopsided smile.

  She was not ready to let go of her anger, even if he was. Although why she was so upset, she couldn’t say. Maybe because it was something she could hold between them and use as a barrier to prevent her from becoming too attached. She jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, so he knew he wasn’t off the hook. “He’s more likely to believe we’re a couple if I’m mad at you, so I’m going with that.”

  “Why are you so angry?”

  “I’m not,” she lied. “I’m—I’m frustrated.”

  “Why?”

  She needed to come up with something. She needed to exercise some restraint, but not because she wanted to be rid of him, but because she liked him a little too much. Each time he smiled, cared for her, or seemed genuinely interested in her, she became even more drawn to him. The way iron filings were drawn to a magnet. She couldn’t trust herself in this situation. There was a chance she would get too emotionally involved, and she couldn’t let that happen. “B-because I’m not equipped to deal with this. I don’t know about tracking phones and being chased. You’re prepared. Fearless. I’m not. I’m just a scientist. I study, research, and experiment. I also examine the facts and draw conclusions. I don’t dodge bullets and fight bad guys. I’ve never been bold and daring in my life.” It was the truth as far as it went.

  He tilted his head. “You haven’t?”

  She gazed out of the window as her cheeks burned. She was ashamed of her cowardice, but it was easier to explain than her attraction.

  The truth was he couldn’t count on her in a fight. She wished she were different, but she had to face whom and what she was—a coward. He needed to know that so he could protect himself. “No, I live a very safe, orderly life. In fact, my father’s nickname for me is Mouse. He calls me that because I’m scared of everything.” She cringed at the admission. One of her father’s taunts echoed through her mind. “You’re a mouse who never leaves your house.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, I was frightened when you burst in to the cabin, and I was terrified at the airport.”

  “Being afraid is normal. When we invaded your cabin, you didn’t freak out. When those bastards were going to rape you, you reached for the car keys. And then at the airport, you got away from Alex. Every time you’re in trouble, you don’t freeze, you do something to help yourself. You handle yourself well.”

  “I do?” Could that be true, or was he just being kind? She went back over the events in her mind. “I managed to get away at the airport, but you’re the one who fought them.”

  “I’m trained. You’re not. It would be suicidal for you to take them on. And while we’re being frank, I want to know how come you’re not scared of my death stare?” He gave her the cold, hard stare he’d used earlier.

  “You had that look on your face when you burst into my cabin, and you’ve used it a few times since.”

  “I know. I’ve practiced and perfected that look over the years. The ability to make people back off with a glance is invaluable and has saved me from a fight on more than one occasion.”

  “I need to learn that.”

  “My friend, Tim, has nicknamed that particular expression my death stare. All those years of practice wasted because it doesn’t work on you.”

  “To be fair, it did. That was why I was so terrified of you, even though you put yourself in the line of fire. It wasn’t until you left me at the police station that I realized you weren’t dangerous, at least, not to me.

  “There are grown men I’ve known for years who are still scared of that look. You’ve known me for less than a day, and it has no effect on you. I think you’re wrong.”

  “About what?”

  “You are brave. You just don’t know it.”

  “That’s so-so…” It was probably the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her. She put both arms around his neck and gave him a small, quick hug. He returned the embrace, rubbing his warm hand down her back. She pulled away, aware that she enjoyed being held by him a little too much. Oh boy, she was in big trouble.

  ****

  “I think Jake’s coming. Now remember, we’re a couple,” he whispered into her ear as he allowed her to lean back and put some space between them. Not that she could do it effectively when she was lying across his lap. As displays of affection went, her hug was small, but it was genuine, which was a surprise because he hadn’t said anything flowery or romantic. He’d simply stated the truth, but for her it had been significant. He would have thought a scientist would be more aware of herself and her capabilities, but Marie’s reaction suggested she had no idea how competent she really was.

  Jake slid into the driver’s seat, put two fingers to his lips, kissed them, and then put them on the photo of the boys, which was attached to the visor.

  Jake had a pocketknife attached to his belt. That wasn’t a big concern. Pocketknives were mainly used as a tool. Plus, you had to pry the blade out of the handle, making it slow and awkward as a weapon. David would bet his property there was a handgun close by. It wouldn’t be in the glove compartment. That was too far away. Maybe under the driver’s seat.

  Jake turned to David. “My boys are my lucky charm. Do you two have any kids?”

  “No, but we’re thinking of it. Aren’t we, sugar?” He kissed her hair again, enjoying the feigned intimacy.

  Marie smiled and shrugged, but didn’t reply.

  “You should,” Jake said. “Being a daddy is the best thing in the world. It’s hard being away, but knowing I’m providing for my family is worth it.”

  They bounced on the ice-rutted road and took the exit onto the main highway. Soon they would be away from Granite City. Once Jake dropped them off, David would look for a phone and call Finn. Maybe he could help them figure out their next move.

  When Marie wiggled, trying to get comfortable, her soft body curving against him, an erection throbbed to life. He stifled a groan as he imagined her breasts pressing against the soft cotton of her thermal underwear. With a shake of his head, he forced away the vision of sucking her pert nipples into his mouth. This wasn’t the time.r />
  He leaned back in the captain’s chair, pulling Marie with him. He wished he could relax, but that was impossible. He’d known Portman for nearly twenty years and had believed he was a friend. The man had rescued him, fed him, educated him, and given him a future. David couldn’t even fathom why he would go to such lengths to rescue the children of Marshall House if he considered them disposable. David’s gut twisted again. He had to compartmentalize and deal with the emotional crap later. Right now they needed to survive, and getting out of Granite City was a good start.

  Marie squirmed in his lap and flicked her hair over her shoulder. It was a uniquely feminine gesture, which made him wish he’d met her under different circumstances. If he’d bumped into her at a grocery store, or maybe a coffee shop, he might have made an excuse to talk to her. They could’ve discussed their plans and dreams with no mention of killers or being chased. Regular life—it'd been so long since he’d experienced it, he didn't know what it was anymore or if it even existed. He longed to be normal and whole, instead of a washed-up ex-soldier.

  He nuzzled Marie’s hair. “We should eat and then get some rest. You must be tired. You didn’t get any sleep last night.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Eat,” he insisted.

  She eyed him as if she’d like to gut him like a fish, but said nothing. Instead she plucked a brown bag off the floor and passed it to him. Then she levered herself into a sitting position and searched the purple backpack until she found a chocolate bar.

  He liked it when she got prickly and sharp. He’d wanted her to eat, but instead of eating breakfast, she’d chosen a sweet. It was an act of pure rebellion, and he loved it, although he couldn’t say why. Maybe it was because every person he’d met since he’d been shot either pitied him or treated him as if he was a monster. There was no middle ground. But now that Marie had gotten over her initial reaction to his appearance, she had no problem showing her displeasure. That didn’t mean she was completely comfortable with him. There was something she wasn’t telling him, something to do with her father and friends. She’d flinched when they’d talked about him in the diner. It was a small movement, almost imperceptible. She probably didn’t even know she’d done it.

  On a purely emotional level, it annoyed him she didn’t trust him enough to explain her feelings, although he wasn’t about to explain his deepest emotions to her either. They’d known each other for less than a day. He’d have to be patient and get to know her.

  Now there was an idea, he could become intimately acquainted with her. It was selfish to drag her down into his bleak world, but there was something about her. She was an intriguing combination of feistiness and inexperience. She made him want to be whole again. He wanted to save her, protect her, and love her because she gave him purpose. He didn’t know if those feelings were temporary or if they could develop into something permanent. One thing was certain; if he didn’t take the chance, then nothing could happen.

  She didn’t seem to be repulsed by his appearance, but that didn’t mean she was attracted to him. Nothing could happen without mutual attraction. As it stood, time was on his side. While they were hiding out, he would charm, cajole, and nag her if necessary until she was comfortable enough to share everything with him, even her bed.

  The nickname, Mouse, bothered him. It wasn’t that bad. He’d heard parents call their kids far worse. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was about it that troubled him, but he knew it was something important.

  She finished eating, and he was about to tell her to eat more when she relaxed against him. Within minutes, her rhythmic breathing told him she’d fallen asleep. Her body molded to his, as if they were a married couple and not just acquaintances. He stared at the icy highway as the truck sped west. They were in one piece, and they were leaving Granite City. Things were definitely looking up.

  Chapter Twelve

  Supervisory Special Agent Finn Callaghan had just finished unpacking the last of his boxes. As the newly promoted senior agent at the Granite City resident agency, he was still remembering names and faces. He needed to learn the players, the influential businessmen, community leaders, and most of all, figure out who were the good guys and who were the bad. Something that was hard to tell by position alone.

  His second-floor office in the Granite City-Elkhead County police station was nice as ex-storage rooms went. His superiors in Salt Lake City had assured him the space was temporary until something more suitable could be found.

  A large filing cabinet with a small television on top stood in the corner behind the door. The size of the cabinet was a testament to the amount of paperwork inflicted on all law enforcement officers. His desk sat on the opposite side of the office, and behind it a luxurious, ergonomic swivel chair he’d given himself two Christmases ago. If he was going to put in sixty hours a week, he wanted to be comfortable.

  But the thing he enjoyed most about his workspace was the large south-facing window with a view of the square. The town fathers had done a decent job planning the downtown. The police station was situated on the north side, with the town hall and law courts to his left, and a coffee shop and news station to his right. The grandiose building that housed the headquarters for Public Domain Energy was located on the south side of the square.

  Twenty years ago, when executive Marshall Portman had moved his power company headquarters to Granite City, he’d taken over a derelict hotel, saving beautiful architectural work and handcrafted moldings from the wrecking ball. He had revamped and modernized the building into a unique five-story structure that was both elegant and functional.

  Finn stood at the window, squinting at the sky. It was a beautiful, sunny day. Mounds of snow glistened in the square as if they’d been scattered with tiny diamonds.

  He pictured David sleeping in the city center as a teen. A twinge told him something about David’s situation didn’t add up. The fact he had been part of a home invasion went against everything Finn knew about his friend. And Marie Wilson had been terrorized and threatened because of a solar panel. If this was a puzzle, then the pieces didn’t fit. The solar panel was not new technology. People all over the country used them.

  A knock at his open door interrupted his thoughts.

  “Good morning, Agent Callaghan.” Agent Kennedy Norris, the junior FBI agent assigned to Granite City, stepped into his office.

  She was tall with strong shoulders and a trim torso, a swimmer’s body. As usual, she wore her shoulder-length, light brown hair neatly tied at the nape of her neck. Her practical cargo pants were coupled with a long-sleeved turtleneck sweater, and an expensive down-filled coat hung over her arm. She seemed relaxed, her disposable coffee cup in hand. But after working with her for two weeks, he knew she was a whirlwind of impulse and insight disguised as a sensible woman.

  As striking as she was, he found he wasn’t attracted to her, which was a surprise, and a relief. He was a normal, healthy male with all the usual urges, but there was no chemistry between them. Sexual chemistry had to be the most noxious, toxic, and inconvenient bioweapon ever unleashed on mankind. He smiled at his underling, thanking his lucky stars it hadn’t reared its ugly head. Dealing with Kennedy’s sharp instinct was enough. He didn’t need to be involved with her, too.

  “Morning.” Finn crossed the room and sank into his chair.

  “I heard you had a visitor.”

  “A scientist named Marie Wilson. She was the victim of a home invasion.”

  “We don’t do home invasions. That’s a PD matter.”

  “She was saved by a guy I knew in basic training.”

  “How did he save—”

  “He was part of the gang that invaded her home—”

  “And then he rescued her? How likely is that?” Kennedy took a step closer.

  “That got your attention, didn’t it?” Finn smiled.

  “Who starts a home invasion and then changes his mind halfway through?”

  “David Quinn, apparently.” He leaned fo
rward, propping his elbows on his desk. Once again, he questioned the likelihood of David being part of a criminal act. It just didn’t reconcile with the man he’d known for fifteen years. David had always been honest, direct, and straightforward. He wasn’t a criminal, and he was very protective of women.

  Finn could believe he had saved Dr. Wilson. He just had a hard time understanding why he was involved in the first place. “Anyway, the Granite City-Elkhead police are dealing with it. I just sat in because she asked me to.”

  Detective Ramirez knocked at his door. “Do you have a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  “Your friend, Quinn, hasn’t come to see me. Has he contacted you?” Ramirez closed the door behind him.

  “No, but I’ve been in a meeting with the federal attorney for most of the morning.” Finn picked up his phone, five messages, and two from unknown numbers. “Hang on. I’ll see if he’s called.” He swiveled his chair so his back was to the detective as he entered the code for his voicemail.

  The first three messages were from Kennedy concerning items she needed for the office, toilet paper being at the top of her list. Two were from David and included some choice curse words. It was the tone of the message that really got his attention. Quinn sounded anxious and stressed.

  Finn stood and walked to the window. Damn, his friend had needed him, and he’d been in a meeting.

  “Well,” Ramirez pressed.

  “He said he’s in trouble.” Finn decided not to reveal the entirety of the conversation to the detective.

  “Did he say what kind of trouble?” Ramirez jotted down the details in a small, coiled notepad.

  “No, he didn’t give specifics,” Finn lied.

  “Did he say where he was?”

  “No.” Finn’s back cramped. He stretched out his shoulders to relieve some of the pressure.