Shadowed

by Connie Suttle

  "Did that man take Mr. Lawford's gun?" Ashe thought to ask.

  "Yes. It wasn't on him when we placed him on the gurney," Winkler nodded to Ashe.

  "Not good," Ashe muttered, crossing arms over his chest defensively.

  "No. Not good at all, since the perpetrator now has another method of committing murder at his disposal," Director Jennings acknowledged. "Sadly, we have our suspicions as to who it might be and that isn't good news."

  "But he didn't kill Elizabeth Frasier, did he?"

  "No. It would be convenient if this one was the only one we had to worry about, but he doesn't possess the power needed to do what was done to that poor girl."

  "Yeah. I got that idea, too."

  The bodyguards shifted when the doctor walked in, but relaxed immediately when they saw who it was. "Mr. Lawford is resting comfortably at the moment, but we are monitoring him continuously," the physician, dressed in traditional blue scrubs, informed Winkler.

  "How quickly can he be moved?" Director Jennings asked as he rose from his seat. Winkler was already standing.

  "Perhaps tomorrow," the doctor replied, eyeing the Director suspiciously.

  "This is Bill Jennings, Director of the Joint NSA and Homeland Security Department," Winkler introduced the Director. "Nick Lawford is one of his agents."

  "I recognize you now," the doctor shook hands with Bill. "Let us know when you want your agent transferred, and I'll make arrangements."

  "Thank you. Nick and I are friends from way back, so I want him to pull through this. What can you tell us about his condition?" Bill searched the physician's face for any clues regarding Agent Lawford's actual circumstances.

  "Can't say for sure at the moment," the doctor shook his head. Ashe noticed his nametag read Like. This was Doctor Like? Ashe forcefully pressed his lips together to keep a smile from surfacing. "My name is Melvin Like, in case you need to get in touch," the doctor handed a card to Director Jennings. Ashe turned his head and worked to squash the snicker.

  Why do you find this humorous? Ren, who'd remained silent for several minutes, chose that moment to ask a question.

  His name, Ashe coughed to cover the laugh that bubbled to the surface.

  Ah. Like. Adverb, preposition, adjective, noun, Ren went through a list of potential uses for the physician's last name.

  How do you say it if you don't like him? Ashe coughed a second time while a slow smile spread across Ren's face until it became a full-blown grin.

  Yes—should you say you dislike Like? I like that, Ren's mental wisecrack almost forced Ashe from his chair as he stifled laughter.

  "Is he all right?" The doctor was now staring at Ashe.

  "He's fine." Winkler hauled Ashe upright by his shirt collar, setting him on his feet easily. Ashe schooled his face, forcing a blank expression. Ren gave a gleeful, mental snort at Ashe's predicament.

  "One of my agents will remain here. Please inform him when Agent Lawford is moved from the emergency room. I want a guard placed nearby for protection." Bill nodded to the doctor. Winkler shoved Ashe toward the door and they swept out, one of the guards falling in at the rear of the procession.

  "Kid, I almost laughed, too," Winkler grinned at Ashe as they followed Director Jennings to a black Lincoln Towne Car parked in the hospital's small parking lot. Ashe sat in the front passenger seat while Winkler drove, since the Dallas Packmaster was more familiar with the area than Director Jennings' bodyguard.

  "I never can spot the entrance," Bill muttered as Winkler drove through the small gate into the community of Cloud Chief.

  "Meant to be that way. Only the ones with a little extra can see it," Winkler said, slowing down to drive over the graveled road that ran through the hidden community.

  "Dad's home," Ashe whispered as Winkler drove into the Evans' driveway and parked. Aedan was outside the house, talking with Nathan, Marcus and Adele.

  "Bad news, Mr. Winkler," Aedan sighed as Winkler stepped out of the vehicle. "We almost had the culprit, until he got in a couple of shots." Aedan handed two bullets to the Dallas Packmaster. "He hit me twice, knocking me down. Managed to get in his car and drive away while I was picking bullets out of my chest."

  "Dad!" Ashe rushed to his father's side. "You okay?"

  "I'm fine, son. That gun carried a bit of a kick; otherwise, I'd have been on him. Trace and Jason did their best, but even they can't catch a speeding car."

  "These are from Agent Lawford's nine millimeter," Director Jennings carefully examined the bullets Winkler handed to him. "May we come in to discuss our fugitive?" Bill asked politely.

  Ashe was sent to his room while the adults remained upstairs. Adele was serving drinks and snacks as Ashe clumped downstairs. Ashe? An unfamiliar voice sounded in Ashe's mind, causing him to halt at the base of the stairs.

  Who? Ashe sent out.

  It's me—Edward. I just found out yesterday I could do this. We didn't start looking until Mr. DeLuca asked us, and then we started trying. Luanne has mindspeech, too. Macy and Keith don't—not that we could tell, anyway, and Philip is just too stubborn to try. Ashe, what is going on? Did they catch whoever killed Lizzie?

  We tried, Edward. But he got away. Ashe was afraid to tell Edward that there was more than one killer on the loose. Edward sounded frightened, and Ashe didn't want to scare the older teen more than he was already. Ashe continued walking toward his bedroom, finding Ren sitting on the bed once he was inside.

  Have you tried to do anything else? Like shapeshift? Ashe asked, attempting to calm Edward down.

  We don't know how to do anything like that. Keith mentioned it since you can do it, but we have no idea what we're doing.

  I'm pretty sure Elizabeth could turn to mist—that's how she got away from Cloud Chief without the wolves knowing. She should have told someone. Maybe you guys could have talked her out of leaving. Ashe was still upset over her death, although Elizabeth hadn't been the easiest person to deal with.

  Luanne blames herself. She stayed home that day instead of coming to visit. I don't know how Luanne does it, but everybody feels better around her. Ashe agreed with Edward—he'd noticed the same thing about Luanne.

  Luanne? Ashe included Edward in his sending to the teen girl.

  Ashe? You can do this too? Luanne was surprised.

  Yeah. Luanne, don't blame yourself for Elizabeth's death. It's not your fault. You, too, Edward. We have some of the best and strongest people here in Cloud Chief, and a mister can get right past all of them. Ashe realized he should take his own advice.

  What's a mister? Edward asked.

  Hold on, I'll be right there, Ashe sent and cut off communication. "I'm going to visit Edward," Ashe informed Ren. "Want to come?"

  "Of course. I've been listening to your conversation through Edward. I can't hear your mindspeech unless you direct it to me. Part of the unreadable thing, you know."

  "Want me to mist you, or do you want to get yourself there?"

  "Please, take me as mist. I may never get the opportunity again, once this period of study is over." Ren stood, prepared to go with Ashe. Ashe obliged and in seconds, he was inside Edward's bedroom. Luanne was there with Edward, waiting.

  "Wow," Edward's mouth was almost a perfect O as Ashe appeared from nothing.

  "I turn to mist and get around that way," Ashe admitted. "See?" He went invisible again, causing Luanne to gasp.

  "You mean Liz found out she could do that, and used it to leave us?" Luanne was upset.

  "I'm pretty sure," Ashe said.

  Correct, Ren silently supplied.

  "In fact, I'm sure of it," Ashe added. "Did they tell you she went to a dress shop in Cordell first, before asking someone to drive her out of town? She would have been better off misting to her destination, but she probably didn't know enough about it to realize that."

  Correct.

  "So, if you get the urge to leave Cloud Chief, make sure you tell somebody. We're not dealing with amateurs that want to kill us," Ashe went on. "These pe
ople have one goal in mind, never forget that. They want us dead."

  Correct.

  * * *

  "This is the one we're chasing now." Bill Jennings handed over photographs to Marcus, Winkler, Aedan and Nathan. "I don't know what the boy's mother told him about his father, but this one went as bad as it is possible to go." Depicted in the photographs was a dark-haired man with green eyes and a scar on his upper lip. "If Ashe hadn't reported the scar, it never would have occurred to me that this one might be here, committing these crimes. We've all believed he was far away and no longer cared what happened to his son."

  "You don't believe the boy has any idea?" Winkler lifted his gaze to the Director.

  "Doubt it. I have no idea what he thinks at this point." Bill's white hair shone in the light of the pendant lamp that hung over the kitchen table.

  "Are you going to tell him—and his mother?" Marcus asked.

  "I'd prefer not, at this point. We won't, either, unless we have no choice. He walked away from her and into a life of crime, leaving his son behind. It will only terrify the family more if they learn of this new threat."

  "I agree," Aedan nodded. "The others shouldn't know, either. Ashe knows not to say anything—he wants to protect those children as much as any of us. I'll have a talk with him anyway, just as a precaution."

  "Good. Alex and I have hotel reservations in Clinton. The hotel isn't far from the hospital, and we'll escort Agent Lawford to Oklahoma City tomorrow as quickly as it can be arranged. We'll make sure he's placed in the same hospital as the Scott woman, so my agents can easily guard both rooms."

  "Want a wolf or two to help?" Winkler asked. "Marcus can send one of his tonight, and I'll get some of mine up here tomorrow, if you want."

  "Do it," Bill sighed. "I hate to impose, but we've all seen what this one is capable of doing." He stuffed the photographs inside a folder and handed them off to his agent bodyguard.

  "I'll get Ben Billings," Marcus dialed his cell and spoke rapidly to Principal Billings when the older werewolf answered the phone.

  Chapter 14

  "Dad, there's no way I'd say anything about that man. They have enough to worry about as it is." Aedan hadn't given Ashe the name of the hunted man, just that he had connections to one of the families and warned Ashe not to say anything to anyone about it. "But there's something you need to know—you, Mr. Winkler and Marcus," Ashe blinked at his father. "Edward sent mindspeech to me a little while ago. He says he and Luanne both have it, but he said that Macy and Keith don't seem to. They can't get Philip to even try."

  "That could be a good and a bad thing," Aedan said softly. "What if those creatures attempt to contact them? Try to convince them to leave, as the girl did."

  "They've never tried to contact me. Or if they did, it didn't get past the barrier. Why would they try with the others?"

  "I don't know. We'll think on this and I'll have a talk with Mr. Winkler. It's past your bedtime, now. Get in bed, son, and we'll sort this out later."

  "All right. Dad, I'm glad those bullets didn't hurt you."

  "Bullets always hurt, but they generally don't kill a vampire. Getting them out is sometimes more painful than getting them to begin with. Goodnight, son, and don't worry about this." Aedan rose from his seat on Ashe's bed. "Mr. Winkler says you can talk to him tomorrow—he has questions, I think." Aedan walked out of Ashe's bedroom, closing the door carefully behind him.

  * * *

  "You going to the graduation tonight?" Sali flopped into a lawn chair beside Ashe.

  "Yeah. Cori's graduating. Of course I'm going. Why wouldn't I?" Ashe shook his head at Sali's indifference.

  "Marco called last night. He'll be here, too."

  "Does this mean you'll come with me? Mom and Dad are coming; Mr. Thompson offered to help guard the perimeter since Nathan and Dad will be at the graduation. Trace and those new werewolves, Roger and Toby, will help Mr. Thompson. And Jason and Marcie will run the store for Mom until they catch the guy who attacked us." Ashe and Sali sat outside in lawn chairs on the south side of Ashe's house. Aedan had built a small deck there that led into Adele's solarium.

  "Mom says that Aunt Marcie really likes Jason."

  "I like Jason, too."

  "Yeah, but I think Aunt Marcie might like to marry Jason."

  "Really?" Ashe stared at Sali. "You think so? That's outstanding."

  "She gets to pick this time. She didn't with Uncle Dominic. We might not see cousin Jackson or cousin Dustin again," Sali muttered. "They had to stay in Phoenix with Uncle Dom."

  "That sucks," Ashe nodded.

  "Well, we didn't see much of them before. Jack's a year older than I am, and Dusty's five years older. Uncle Dom didn't like it if Aunt Marcie wanted to visit us."

  "He sounds like a jerk," Ashe said.

  "He is. Dad never liked him, and having two Packmasters in the house can be a little tense."

  "Are you coming to graduation or not?" Ashe changed the subject, going back to the scheduled ceremony.

  "Yeah. I'll come. Let's sit in the back."

  "But I want to see Cori. Mom said I could borrow the camcorder and record it. Besides, she worked really hard on her speech." Ashe didn't blink when Ren appeared and sat down on the wide boards of the deck, silently joining the two boys. He did blink, however, when Elizabeth Frasier's ghost floated in and settled nearby.

  * * *

  "You didn't see her? Man, she was right there beside you," Ashe paced inside his bedroom later, after Sali had gone home for an early dinner. Most of the community was preparing to attend the graduation later. Ren sat cross-legged on Ashe's bed, his tall frame leaning against the wall behind the bed. He'd taken up the habit after seeing Ashe and Sali do the same.

  "We, as a rule, do not have the talent to see spirits," Ren offered. "A talented few among the many races that populate the universes can. Sadly, I am not one of them."

  "So I can see ghosts. You don't think I'm crazy, do you?"

  "No. I do have the talent for detecting lies. You are not offering an untruth."

  "Good. At least I don't have to defend myself to you."

  "You would not, anyway. You are trustworthy, Ashe Evans."

  "I'm not telling anybody else. Sali couldn't see her, and he stared right at her several times. What's she doing here, anyway?"

  "Many tales abound regarding the reasons spirits stay in one place or another. As I have not been able to question any of them directly, I have doubts concerning those tales." Ren's bright blue eyes were thoughtful as he seriously considered Ashe's question.

  "At least she left after a while," Ashe blew out a breath. "That was a little creepy, though. And she just kept staring at me." Ashe shivered at the memory. Elizabeth's appearance had rattled him greatly and he'd barely been able to stay focused on Sali's conversation.

  "Friend, do not take responsibility for her death," Ren said. "Only she bears that burden. If she stares at you, perhaps she hopes that you might help her in some way."

  "If I can, but how can I know that for sure? It's not like we can have a conversation," Ashe muttered.

  "Again, I have no experience in this area, so I cannot offer advice."

  * * *

  "Kid, I don't expect this to end pretty," William Winkler sighed, taking a seat beside Ashe in the school cafeteria. Ashe, camcorder in hand, sat near the front on an aisle seat so he could get images of Cori when she marched in. He'd come early, just to get a good seat.

  "How do you think it might end?" Ashe turned a curious gaze on the Dallas Packmaster.

  "I'm hoping for no more deaths or attacks, but I think that may be unrealistic."

  "Yeah," Ashe huddled into his seat.

  "Kid, none of this is your fault. If anybody should take the blame, then Director Jennings and I should take it."

  "But I should have guessed sooner that they might develop their abilities."

  "Ashe," Winkler patted Ashe's shoulders, "we all think we should have known things after the fact. A g
ood friend called that hindsight once, and asked me if I had eyes on my ass."

  Ashe snickered at Winkler's description before schooling his face—Mr. and Mrs. Booth had come in to sit across the aisle. Usually the parents were ushered inside first, ahead of the graduating seniors. Ashe wondered why Diane and Neil Booth weren't waiting for that. For a short while, he'd forgotten that Chad and Jeremy were graduating with Cori. Mr. and Mrs. Booth's appearance reminded him of that fact. At least Chump and Wormy couldn't give a speech and bore everybody; it was part of their punishment. Ashe felt sorry for Mr. and Mrs. Booth. They seemed like nice people. Perhaps a cuckoo had laid an egg in their nest, too.

  "Hey, Ashe," Marco walked in, carrying a digital camera and smiling hugely.

  "Marco!" Ashe grinned at Sali's older brother. "How's college?"

  "Tough. Tougher than high school," Marco acknowledged before turning to Winkler. "Hello, Mr. Winkler."

  Is that lipstick on your cheek? Ashe snickered mentally to Marco.

  "Maybe. Depends on who's asking," Marco chuckled aloud.

  "Are you two having a private conversation?" Winkler stood to allow Marco to move past him and sit down.

  "Apparently I'm wearing some of Cori's lipstick," Marco grinned at the Dallas Packmaster.

  "Good," Winkler laughed.

  "Ashe, this is a new camera and I haven't figured it out, yet. Sali told me to give it to you to set up for me." Marco handed the camera to Ashe. It was a digital SLR and Ashe admired it as he handled it carefully, going through electronic settings quickly, setting up for auto focus and digital displays.

  "Here," Ashe handed it back in a matter of seconds. "All you have to do is point and press the button now," he grinned at Marco. "Nice camera," he added.

  "You've done this before?" Winkler lifted an eyebrow at Ashe.

  "Nope." Ashe shrugged.

  "Sali says Ashe never looks at the instructions for video games either. He was born knowing how they work, I guess," Marco supplied. "And he knows all the shortcuts, too."

  "I just do," Ashe shrugged again.