Timeless Trilogy, Book One: Fate

by Tallulah Grace

       Kris nestled her face into his neck and held on for dear life. He was here. He was safe. She waited for her body to stop trembling before leaning back to look up at him.

       “Let’s sit down.” She kept one arm around him, he was just as reluctant to let her go. Dylan made himself busy getting coffee, giving the couple time to settle.

       Kris waited until Dylan was back in the room before telling Nick about her vision. “It was so clear, Nick. You were hurt, badly hurt, bleeding and unconscious. Tied to a chair.” She gripped both of his hands with hers. “We can’t let that happen.” She looked over at Dylan in desperation.

       Nick was silent as he digested the scene Kris described. He did not doubt her, or the fact that he would soon be duct-taped to a chair unless they circumvented it.

       “Now that we know that Nick could be a target, we can take steps to prevent it.” Dylan tried to reassure Kris. “What else did you see, can you describe the room?”

       “It was concrete block and concrete floor and smelled like mildew and dead fish. I didn’t notice the ceiling.” Kris closed her eyes to concentrate, trying to bring the vision back into focus without focusing on Nick. “Looks like there’s a tarp covering something big against a wall. I don’t see any windows.”

       “What shape is the object beneath the tarp?” Dylan prodded.

       “I can’t tell, but it takes up most of the length of the wall, at least the part I can see. It’s only half as tall as the wall, but there are parts that jut up higher than others.”

       “Like a boat or a sailboat?” Nick was thinking about the concrete boat houses near the waterfront in Charleston.

       “Maybe, but it would be a small boat. Definitely not a sailboat, unless the mast is down.”

       “How about a work table with a saw or drill press or something like that on top? Does that fit?” Dylan was thinking basement.

       “That’s closer in size, but I really can’t say for sure.” Kris opened her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she apologized to Nick.

       “For what, Krissy? You can’t help what you see and it may just save my life. I should be thanking you.” Nick pulled her to him and leaned against the back of the sofa. Looking up at Dylan, who appeared deep in thought, Nick asked, “Do you believe in her visions now?”

       Dylan focused on Nick and simply said, “Yes.”

       “Good. Now how can we use what she saw to stop this guy?”

       “I wish I could tell you that narrowing down a concrete block building with a concrete floor smelling of mildew and fish would be easy to do, but we’re on the coast in an area that treasures its history. Old, leaky buildings are more common than new construction, in some parts of the county. It’s called the ‘low country’ for a reason; at most we’re only 118 feet above sea level.

       That’s not to say we can’t work with what Kris saw. The room could be a basement, which is not that common around here, a garage, a warehouse or an old shed. Unless Damien rented a house with a basement, it is more than likely empty or abandoned. He wouldn’t take a chance that someone could find you.” Dylan narrowed his eyes. “We’re assuming that Damien is behind this. I have to ask, Nick, could someone else be out to get you? Someone totally unrelated to this investigation?”

       “Not that I know of.” Nick tried not to resent the question, he knew Dylan was doing his job.

       Dylan made a mental note to check Nick’s background. He was leaving nothing to chance. “Kris, there’s nothing else you can do now. Why not get some sleep?”

       “Fine, but Nick’s coming with me.” She felt Nick tense, but she wasn’t ready to let him go yet. She looked up at his startled expression, “To sleep,” she said softly. Then louder, to Dylan, “you can protect us both tonight.” She smiled to soften the hard tones of her no-nonsense statement.

       Dylan didn’t even think to argue. Neither did Nick, especially since in her bed was where he most wanted to be. Even just to sleep. He was helpless to protect her from his house, at least now he could be close to her.

      “For tonight.” Dylan smiled back at Kris, but there was no mistaking his meaning. This was an exception, not the rule.

   

  ~~~~~

   

       Tossing the computer on the bed in the plush beachfront condo he had rented for his stay in Charleston, Damien strode to the sliding doors and opened them wide to the sounds and scents of the ocean. Standing on his deck overlooking the black night, dotted by strips of white foam where the waves met the shore, he fingered the phone in his pocket as he considered his next move.

       He reconsidered his decision to upload the feed from the cameras in Kris’s house to the internet, where he could watch to his heart’s content, no matter where he was. Initially, he opted against linking the view to a server, even a private one, to avoid a potential trace. Besides, he liked being as close to her as possible as he watched her sleep. Now, the cops’ involvement complicated things. They would likely be patrolling the area and have a greater chance of noticing a parked car, especially one with a man inside using a computer.

       It couldn’t be helped; he would have to set up the feed. Cursing his decision not to purchase cameras with audio capacity, he made a mental note to do things differently in the future. “Live and learn,” he quoted sardonically. He preferred watching in silence as sound interfered with his fantasies. “At this point, it can’t be helped,” he said aloud to the pounding surf. He briefly considered calling Kris again, just to hear her voice. Her fear gave him such a thrill. No, he thought; let them get complacent for a few days. Maybe the cops would lose interest.

   

   

  Chapter Thirteen

   

       Kris awoke to the gentle rumblings of Nick snoring. It was a light snore, nothing to keep you awake at night, but somehow comforting. Before she opened her eyes, she took stock of strong arms wrapped tightly around her; even as he slept, Nick refused to let her go. She didn’t mind. They had always slept tangled up in each other. She reveled in the feel of him along the length of her body. They fit together perfectly, that hadn’t changed. Sighing, she tried to gently extricate herself. She had to work, no matter how much sleep she didn’t get and no matter how much she wanted to stay here, forever wrapped in Nick’s arms.

       He tightened his hold, even as she tried to slip away. His eyes flew open and she found herself staring straight into a sea of deep sapphire. She smiled, relaxing back into him.

       He said nothing, just looked at her like he had never seen her before. After a minute, she sensed a change in his breathing and saw his eyes turn stormy. She knew that look, had loved that look. Almost instantly, she felt the change in his body as he pressed against her.

       Kris fought every instinct she had and not-so-gently pushed away from him. Smiling to soften the blow, she shook her head slightly. He released his hold and let her go.

       “Not like this,” she whispered.

       He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “Not like this,” he agreed.

   

        Agent Jerry Forbes met Kris in her office parking lot. Kris spotted her the minute she pulled in, but had a hard time believing she was a federal agent. She looked more like a supermodel. This woman resembled the picture that Dylan had showed her this morning, but the picture did not do her justice. She was leaning against her car, watching the street as Kris pulled in. She gave Kris a slight wave and smiled as if they were old friends.

       Kris parked next to the innocuous Toyota that braced Agent Forbes. She smiled as she got out of the car and was surprised when the agent gave her a quick hug.

       “Pretend that we’re old friends,” she whispered in Kris’s ear. Then louder, “Kris, it’s great to see you, thanks so much for doing this.”
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br />        “Great to see you too; you’re very welcome.” Kris had no idea what the woman was talking about; Dylan didn’t know the cover story this morning.

       “Call me Jerry and introduce me as Jerry Owens,” the agent said softly. “We went to school together. I’m a writer researching a screenplay and you’ve generously allowed me to follow you around for a while.” She gave Kris the bare facts as they walked into the building.

       “I thought you were going to work here?” Kris asked as they waited for the elevator.

       “Nope, too complicated. This way, I can stick to you like glue and no one will ask why.” Jerry saw Kris’s forehead wrinkle in a slight frown. “Don’t worry; I’ll stay out of your way. Unless you need me, you won’t even know I’m here.”

       The day flew by; Kris was busy finalizing Roni’s demo tape and compiling proposals for the networks. She included the various focus group results, preliminary cost projections and conservative ad sales. She knew in her gut that his project was a winner. Hopefully, at least one of the networks would agree.

       True to her word, Jerry stayed out of Kris’s way. Watching the road and the parking lot in a chair by the window, she focused on Kris only when someone came into the room.

       As promised, Kris called Cassie before she left for home. “Everything is fine, so stop worrying.” Kris didn’t feel like getting into the phone call and the vision from the night before. It would only cause Cassie to worry more, and there was nothing she could do.

       “Good to hear. How’s everything going with your shadows?” She asked.

       “So far, so good.” Kris smiled as she recognized the perfect lead in. “After this is all over, I want to introduce you to Dylan. I think you two might hit it off” She shot a quick look at Jerry to gauge her reaction.

       “Are you playing matchmaker again? Okay, twist my arm.” Cassie didn’t tell Kris that, unless this Dylan had the face of the man in her dreams, she wasn’t interested. She already knew that the name wasn’t right, not according to everything that she had remembered so far. There was a lot that she hadn’t told Kris or Roni about her dreams. Cassie knew without a doubt that this life was not her first, but she had a funny feeling that it might be her last unless she and Nathaniel got it right this time.

       “I doubt I’ll have to twist your arm, once you see him. Drop dead gorgeous, muscles in all the right places and sweet as pie.”

       “Can’t wait,” Cassie lied. “Call me tomorrow, or before if anything happens.”

       After disconnecting the call, Kris looked over at Jerry, whose expression had not changed in the slightest.

       “My best friend,” she explained. “At least one of them. I hope my instincts aren’t wrong about Dylan. He is a good guy, right?” Since Jerry didn’t seem to be inclined to jump in, Kris drew her in.

       “The best.” She looked like she debated what else to say. “But you might be wasting your time. I think he’s sworn off women.”

       “Really? Why?”

       “Not my story to tell.” Jerry smiled and tried not to remember her bruised ego. She’d been interested in Dylan for a long time. After his wife died, she waited six months before making her move. He shot her down like a rocket. Granted, that was almost two years ago, but it still stung. She’d been keeping an eye on him, up until he moved here, and there was no one in his life.

       “Well now you’ve just made me curious.” Kris smiled back.

       “Sorry.”

       Just then, Kris got a text from the man in question.

       “Speak of the devil; Dylan wants to know when I’ll be home. Would you like to come over for dinner? We can pick up a pizza on the way. I think he’s supposed to be waiting for me there, right?”

       “Pizza sounds good. It will give us a chance to coordinate. Tell Dylan I’m coming with you.”

       Kris answered Dylan’s text, and then called Nick.

       “Hey you,” she felt her heart tumble a little when he answered the phone. “Pizza party at my house in thirty, are you in?”

       “Hey yourself. Can’t wait, I’ll bring the beer.” Nick smiled to hear Kris sound almost normal. The slight strain in her voice would be evident only to those who knew her best.

       “See ya.”

       “See ya.”

   

       Kris and Jerry came through the front door, laughing like the old friends they were pretending to be. Dylan looked up from his computer screen, surprised to see Jerry so relaxed. They had been colleagues and friendly acquaintances for years, but he could count the times he had seen her laugh that way on one hand.

       Though he hadn’t gotten to the house much before Kris and Jerry, Dylan had already made himself at home. Pegasus had accepted him, grudgingly, until Dylan had passed the huge tabby some of his sausage this morning at breakfast. Now they were on friendly enough terms that Peg was sitting next to him on the couch.

       “Do I dare ask what’s so funny?” He smiled as the women came in. Each one was carrying a large pizza box which they stacked on the bar at the edge of the kitchen. Dylan stood to greet Jerry.

       “Hey partner, long time no see.” Jerry ignored his question, gave him a quick hug, and then kicked off her shoes. Who was this woman, he mused. He couldn’t remember seeing her so relaxed. “Nice digs, Kris. I could get used to this. Hey Dylan, I think we should trade off assignments. I’ll stay here and you can have the day shift.” She grinned up at him. Granted, there wasn’t much difference in their heights; Dylan only had her by about an inch.

       “Sorry, no can do.” He watched her roam around the living room, looking at Kris’s photos and memorabilia, making her way to the screened porch.

       “Wow,” she said as she wandered outside. “This is spectacular. How do you stand to leave?” Kris had followed her outside.

       “It’s easier now that someone wants me dead.” Kris was trying to make light of it, but it didn’t quite work.

       “We aren’t going to let that happen.” Jerry patted Kris’s arm.

       “I know, and I’m grateful. But somehow, this house doesn’t feel the same to me.” She shook off the maudlin thoughts that were beginning to invade. “I’m sure things will change when this is over.”

       Both women heard footsteps coming around the side of the deck. Jerry instantly pushed Kris behind her as she drew her weapon, immediately focusing it on the approaching intruder.

       When Nick came around the corner, Kris cried “No, it’s okay, don’t shoot.” Nick immediately stood still and placed his hands in the air as Dylan came onto the porch, his weapon also drawn.

       “Stand down,” Dylan told Jerry tersely. Then to Nick, he barked “Are you crazy? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Nick had started forward again, looking sheepish.

       “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Kris invited me over. I heard her on the porch as I was walking across. It never occurred to me that Annie Oakley would be here.” He went to Jerry and held out his hand. “Nick Evans. You must be Agent Forbes.”

       “Jerry,” she said as she holstered her gun and shook Nick’s hand. “You’re lucky to be alive, Nick Evans.”

       “Yeah, thanks for not pulling the trigger. Pretty fast on the draw, I must say.” He turned to Kris and kissed her on the forehead. “Hey Krissy, you can breathe now.”

       “You’re awfully calm for a man who was almost shot.” Dylan didn’t even want to think about the cluster that almost happened. “Seriously, man, use the front door next time.”

       “Yes sir,” Nick drawled, giving Dylan a mock salute. Kris was still trembling slightly; he wanted to change the subject. “I thought this was a pizza party.” He looked down at Kris. “Damn, I forgot to bring the beer. I’ll be ri
ght back.” He squeezed her shoulder and headed back across the deck. Turning to grin at Jerry, he said “Hey Annie, hold your fire, I’ll be back in a jiff.”

       Jerry glowered at him, but couldn’t help but smile. “Idiot,” she breathed.

       Nick was back in a flash, but he was the only one who wanted beer with the pizza. Correction, he was the only one who could have beer with the pizza. Dylan kept eyeing the bottle, but he was technically on duty. More than likely, it would be hours before Damien was a real threat, but he couldn’t chance it. Jerry and Kris preferred wine, but Jerry limited herself to one glass.

       Dinner conversation was light and centered around sports—Dylan and Nick were both avid soccer fans—movies old and new and the incontrovertible appeal of classic rock versus new country. It was the last topic that led Jerry to share the latest office gossip with Dylan, whether he wanted to hear it or not. He was curious enough to want to hear it, even though he’d never admit it. He missed his old friends—some of them were like family—but not enough to go back.

       “You should have seen it. The elevator doors opened and there he was, Brian something or other, strumming his guitar, butt naked, and singing an old George Strait song to the top of his lungs. The man was obviously drunk out of his mind, or just out of his mind, not sure which, but he could carry a tune. Apparently, he and Shelby had been dating—Shelby’s another agent in our office, she explained in an aside to Nick and Kris—but she had called it quits. Broke the poor guy’s heart, so he did the reasonable thing and tried to woo her back. Too bad it fell flat. Literally.” Jerry looked at Kris and they both broke out laughing.

       Dylan and Nick both cringed a little for a brother’s humiliation, even if he did bring it on himself.

       “Shelby just stood there, in the middle of the bull pen, with her mouth hanging open.” Jerry continued as she wiped away tears from laughing at the memory. “Every few words, Brian would insert her name in the song, so there was no doubt who he was singing to.” Jerry shook her head, “I’ve never seen so many trained federal agents in one place at one time, speechless. Until the laughing started. Poor Shelby. She grabbed a coat off the rack, ran into the elevator and called in sick for the next two days.”