by R. J. Blain
~~*~~
Someone was poking my nose. I rolled over to escape, ending up sprawled across Evelyn, who laughed. The cinnamon scent of her hair filled my nose, and I snuggled closer to her. “Morning,” I mumbled.
“It’s afternoon, Layabout.”
I bolted upright, scrambling for my watch.
It was after two. “Melanie,” I choked out.
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed to slits. “The second word out of your mouth in the morning should never be another woman’s name.”
Stiffening, I gawked at her, my face burning. “I’m sorry.”
Reaching out, she tugged on my ear. “I’m just teasing you. They’re talking to her. I’ve been banned from the interview. My duty is to stay up here and watch you sleep. Amber says that you’re to stay in here with me until told otherwise. Apparently, they’re all convinced you’re at a high risk of a breakdown.”
“They’re probably right.” I set my watch back down, flopped onto the bed, and draped my arm over my eyes. Evelyn settled in beside me. “What did I do, Evelyn? Why would she go to such lengths to be rid of me?”
“We’ll never know for sure. I wish I had the answers, but I don’t. But I do know this: she didn’t deserve you. Now that I have you, I’m not going to let you go, so get used to the idea.”
When I didn’t say anything, she sighed. “Jackson, I can’t even imagine what you possibly could have done wrong. Since I’ve met you, you’ve been kind and considerate. You helped me when you didn’t have to—when it could have cost you so much. It did cost you. Take a look around you. Consider Richard. You’re like a brother to him. You didn’t see him after the crash when he thought you were going to die. I did. Look at Elliot.”
“Thanks, Evelyn.” While her words couldn’t erase my doubts, it helped a little. “I care about all of you.”
“I know. We all do. Maybe she just couldn’t accept that she wasn’t your entire world. Maybe she resented that. I’m not so stupid. That’s who you are, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. So, because Amber and Richard asked me so nicely, I am to keep you contained in here while they speak with Melanie, pretending I’m your psychologist.”
“Maybe I do need one,” I muttered.
“This must be so hard on you.”
“I’ll live. I really should talk to Melanie, though.”
Evelyn snorted. “Let them handle it. Trust them. They’ll find out everything you need to know. Together, we’ll find Jacqueline’s killer. For now, you need to rest and relax.”
“But what if—“
“Trust them, Jackson. Let us help. And anyway, if I’m not allowed to talk to her, you’re not allowed to talk to her.” Something about her tone warned me something was amiss. Removing my arm from over my eyes, I watched her.
Evelyn was frowning, and the green of her eyes was rimmed with yellow.
“You don’t want to talk to her. You want to hit her, don’t you?” I accused.
“You told me I could hit the women.”
“Why do you want to hit Melanie?”
“For the same exact reason you wanted to hit that Sven bastard,” she grumbled, wrinkling her nose at me.
“I didn’t want to hit him. I wanted to kill him,” I corrected. “If you hadn’t stopped me, I might have.”
That caught her attention. Sitting up, she gazed down at me, making thoughtful noises. “Maybe, maybe not. You didn’t kill them, and that’s what really matters. I know you wanted to kill them. I did too. They hurt you.”
“You were the one who was hurt. They didn’t touch me.”
“No. All he did to me was leave a bruise and some broken bones. Those heal quickly. What they did to you is far, far worse. Maybe no one will see your scars, but you’ll carry them with you for a long time. They had no right. Suzanne had no right. You didn’t deserve that.”
At the anguish in her voice, I sat up, reaching out to take Evelyn’s hand. “The truth will out. It always does. It always will. I didn’t want to hear what they had to say, but I needed to know. I’ll be fine.”
With time, I would be. Evelyn was with me. Maybe there was no future for me that included Jacqueline, but perhaps in time, there would be other children.
For the moment, I carried Suzanne’s ghost with me, right along with the pain of her betrayal and hatred for me. The grief of my daughter’s loss would never go away, but my ex-wife’s memory could no longer come between Evelyn and me. I wouldn’t let her.
The truth had, once again, set me free.
~~*~~
While I wanted to find the others and join them in questioning Melanie, I stayed in the room with Evelyn. Despite having slept for so long, I was still tired. At Evelyn’s urging, I soaked in the jacuzzi while she sat on the ledge.
“You’re going to turn into a raisin if you stay in there much longer,” my mate chided without looking up from her phone. I wasn’t sure what she was playing, but I liked the way she scowled when she lost. Determination hardened her eyes, and she muttered something under her breath as she tapped frantically at the screen.
“You’re going to go blind if you keep holding the phone so close to your face.”
She stuck her tongue out, her brows furrowing in concentration. “Rabbits shouldn’t taunt wolves.”
“Blind wolves can’t catch rabbits,” I countered, grinning. “There’s plenty of room if you want to join me.”
“If I do that, we’ll never leave our room. We’ll starve to death.”
“Isn’t that what room service is for?”
Pocketing her cell, she stood and stretched. “Why don’t you get out and dressed. I’m hungry, and I don’t want room service.”
“Never come between a hungry woman and her next meal. I’m pretty sure it’s in a rulebook somewhere. Will you survive long enough for me to get presentable?”
“Maybe.”
Chuckling, I shooed her away. “I’ll try not to take too long.”
“I’ll be timing you, Mr. Jackson.”
“Can you call them while I get changed and ready? I think Richard’s cranky enough with me as it is. I’d rather not push any more of his buttons right now.”
Evelyn paused on her way out of the bathroom. “Sure, no problem. You need to take your medications, too. I’m surprised he hasn’t demanded you take them yet.”
“I’ll skip the painkillers, I don’t need them.” While I was still a bit achy from the crash, it didn’t bother me enough to warrant suffering through the side effects. I dressed and shaved, leaving my hair to do what it would as I didn’t want to keep Evelyn waiting for twenty minutes as I tried to coerce it into a tidier state.
When I emerged from the bathroom, she took one look at me and burst out laughing. “You look like you stuck your finger in an electric socket.”
“And now you know why it takes me so long to get ready. Did you get a hold of Richard?”
“They’re waiting for us at the bar. Melanie left, but Nirliq is still with them. Ready to go?”
I grabbed my wallet and put my watch on. “Let’s go.”
When we arrived, Richard stood, circling me with his eyes tinged with yellow. After his second pass, he turned to Evelyn. “Well?”
“He’s fine. Did you learn anything?”
“Enough,” he replied, sitting back down between Gerald and Nicole. “We know where to continue the hunt.”
“Let me guess: Montreal.” With so many of the victims having originated in the Quebec city, I had no doubts we’d end up there. “Do we know anything other than the city?”
“We do. It’s not much, but we have a few names—a couple of people and a university in the area. It’s something.” Richard replied, drumming his fingers on the bar. “We’ll head there as soon as we can book a flight. There’s also the issue of your lack of an Alpha, Nirliq.”
“We’ll stay at the lodge until you can send someone.” Nirliq sighed, turning to face me. “You aren’t one of us.”
“I’m not.”
&nbs
p; “But you’re dominant.”
Leaning on the bar between Richard and Gerald, I scowled at Nirliq. “This again? It’s simple. If I let men like Richard bully me, I’d never get any work done.”
“What sort of work do you do that requires such dominance?”
I sighed. “I’m a consultant. I’d be very ineffective if I was browbeaten by every CEO or official I work with. I make businesses more efficient and make recommendations on how they can better use their resources.”
“You’re acquaintances with Mr. Leclerc. You don’t just work with businesses, do you?”
I met his gaze and said, “You’re not cleared for that.”
“Was Suzanne?” he pressed.
“No.”
“Evelyn?”
“I don’t see how this is any of your business.”
Richard jabbed me with his elbow. “Will you stop that? Must you challenge everyone? You’re going to drive us all insane.”
Fending the Alpha Fenerec off, I tapped Gerald’s shoulder. “You may as well get her clearance. She’s already volunteered to help.”
Instead of arguing with me, Gerald pulled out his cell. “What level?”
“Take her as close to the top as you can. I’ll be teaching her the ropes when I get some time.”
“All of the ropes?” Furrowing his brows, Gerald sent a text. “No promises, but I’ll do what I can. I’m headed back to Ottawa tonight on a red-eye flight. There are a couple of flights headed to Montreal. If you hurry to the airport now, you should have time to grab a bite to eat before catching a flight. As always, you’re welcome to come with me to Ottawa.”
I shook my head. “I’m going to Montreal.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll call the airport and see if I can arrange a flight for all of you so you all have a chance to pack and get on the road.” Gerald pointed at me, scowling. “Keep me in the loop and don’t get into trouble.”
“Don’t ask for the impossible,” Richard muttered.
“Don’t worry, Gerald. We’ll take care of him,” Nicole promised.
The yellow in Richard’s eyes brightened. “When we are finished, those responsible for this will regret all they have done.”
~~*~~
There were no direct flights between Thunder Bay and Montreal. We landed at two in the morning. Thanks to the airport’s location on the western side of the island and road construction, it took us forty minutes to reach our hotel.
“Welcome to Montreal,” Richard muttered, hauling the suitcases out of the taxi’s trunk. “I hate coming here. They have two seasons.”
“Construction and winter,” Nicole stated, taking one of the cases.
“Why didn’t we stay near the airport?” I asked, helping Richard with the last of the bags, making sure to claim Gerald’s laptop bag.
“We can walk to Mount Royal from here. It’s convenient.”
Stifling a yawn, I staggered into the lobby. “We could’ve gotten a rental and stayed near the airport.”
“If we need a rental, we’ll get one. Parking is hell here. It costs a fortune, too.”
“I can afford it.”
“Whine, whine, whine,” Richard grumbled. “You’re just as bad as Nicole.”
Placing her hands on her hips and glaring at her husband, Nicole hissed, “What was that?”
Alex shook his head. “You’re doomed,” he said, heading for the counter.
Joining Richard’s brother, I took charge of the room assignments before I would end up sharing with someone other than Evelyn. Despite my efforts, we weren’t able to escape completely, as Nicole, Richard, Alex, Lisa, and Amber occupied the rooms flanking ours.
“So much for privacy.” I flipped a rude gesture at the walls.
“We’ll survive,” Evelyn replied, flopping onto the bed and stretching. “I like this room. The bed’s cozy.”
I took out Gerald’s laptop from its bag and set it on the desk. I had my doubts about whether or not we’d both fit on the bed. Once I started booting up the computer, I hung my clothes in the closet. “I prefer the company.”
“Why the laptop?” she demanded, pointing at the desk.
“I need to check over my work, especially after the calls Richard made yesterday. If I don’t, I’ll have a lynch mob after me. The emails won’t answer themselves, alas.”
When I sat down at the desk, Evelyn joined me, draping her arms over my shoulders to squint at the screen. “Can I help?”
“It depends on who has emailed me about what. There’s a lot you’ll need clearance for.”
“Does that mean I can’t help you very much tonight?”
“Afraid so,” I replied. “You can help soon enough.”
“Okay. How long will you be?”
“Hopefully not too long.”
“I wish I could be of use to you,” she grumbled.
I leaned back, tilting my head so I could look at her. “You’re useful.”
Evelyn pouted at me. “I’m not right now.”
“Let me count the ways,” I murmured.
“I’m listening.”
I grinned at her. “Bodyguard.” Pausing, I made a show of counting. “Therapist.”
Narrowing her eyes, she waited.
“Bully.”
“Bully! What is that supposed to mean?”
I reached up and pressed my finger to her nose. “Beautiful and fierce, able to subdue your prey with your glare alone.”
“Keep digging your grave, Jackson.”
“You’re fair, at least. Those you push around deserve it.” I paused again, exaggerating my sigh. “Okay, you’re not a bully. You are a fierce huntress, however.”
“That’s a little better. What else?”
I thought about it for a long moment. “A threat to the local food supply?”
“Jackson!”
Smirking at her, I trailed my finger along the line of her jaw. “You’re very convincing and very skilled using your assets.”
“And you, sir, are a flirt.”
“Hey, you asked for it.”
She sniffled “It’s not my fault you’re dense and required extra persuasion. You’re stubborn.”
“And you’re impulsive,” I teased.
She snapped her teeth at my finger. “Now you’re just being mean.”
Turning in the chair, I caught hold of her waist and pulled her onto my lap. “Maybe I like when you’re impulsive. Maybe I like when you try to bully me. Maybe I like everything about you.”
With a smile, she kissed the tip of my nose. “Finish your work so we can play. It wouldn’t do if you’re distracted.”
“I won’t be too long,” I promised, giving her a pinch as I evicted her from my lap. “Once I take care of the most important things, we’ll play.”
“Good.” Evelyn hopped onto the bed. “What sorts of things are important?”
“It’s my job to figure that out. Half of the time, I’m convinced no one knows what is going on. I sometimes think that I’m a janitor, cleaning up the messes of others.”
Holding up her hand, she counted her fingers. “Smuggler. Inquisitor. Consultant. Mechanic. Janitor. Is there anything you can’t do?”
Leaning back in the chair, I sighed. “I can think of a few things, including turning back time and bringing back the dead. I haven’t killed anyone yet, either.”
“I’d argue that it’s a good thing that you haven’t killed anyone.”
“I want to,” I reminded her with a frown.
“I have a proposal.”
Wary at the seriousness of her tone, I asked, “What sort of proposal?”
“You find out who I need to kill and I’ll kill them. I’ll be your knife in the dark. It’ll be a team effort. You get the information, tell me where to find them, and I’ll finish them off.”
I shook my head. “You’re too important to risk.”
“Bullshit, Jackson.”
“To me, you’re the most important person alive. I won’t risk you, n
ot for anything.”
She thumped her fist against her chest. “Maybe I feel the same way about you. This is not a fight you will win. If I can protect you by killing people, I will. You’re a rabbit. You’re a cunning rabbit. You’re my rabbit. I’ll even buy you a monocle and top hat so you can look fancy. You’re the mastermind. I’m the one who’ll do the killing.”
“What if this rabbit wants to kill somebody?”
“You’ll find the bastards who killed your daughter. When you do, I’ll serve you their head on a platter. It’ll be my wedding gift to you. I’ll rip him into pieces,” she snarled.
“What if it’s a her?”
“We already discussed that. I hit the women.”
I sighed. “As you wish.”
“Finish your work. I’ll take a shower. When we have more time and you get me clearance, you can teach me so I can help you more.”
“That’d be wise. Enjoy your shower. I’ll finish as quickly as I can.” I blew a kiss at her and turned my attention back to my email, bracing myself for the inevitable flood of messages from my contacts all around the world.
~~*~~
The road to hell wasn’t paved with intentions, good or otherwise. It was paved with emails. Over a thousand messages waited for my attention, and that was after pruning away all of the ones I could delegate to someone else.
Scheduling work wasn’t something I could hand off to just anyone. Each upcoming shipment required prioritization before I could assign the task to the appropriate person. Before I could deal with the more mundane work of arranging calendars and assignments, I had to reply to everyone who wanted personal verification of my survival. Some I could handle with an email, while others demanded a phone call.
By the time I had addressed the most important tasks, it was a little after nine in the morning. I spun in the chair, wincing when I noticed Evelyn watching me.
“I may have lost track of time,” I confessed.
“Was it important work?”
“Unfortunately.”
“A necessary evil, then. I’ll forgive you—but only this once.”
