Secrets

by Lynn Crandall

  Jackson knitted his brow. “What’s up, Case?”

  He sank into the chair at his desk and gathered his thoughts. “I’ve got information about the Pretid case.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve acquired documents from Carter Enterprises that tell a large part of the story.”

  Jackson frowned. “You acquired?”

  Casey stared at his questioning look. “Don’t ask if you don’t want to know the truth, boss.”

  A little muscle in Jackson’s cheek twitched. “Go on.”

  “Unbeknownst to Pretid, Carter Enterprises has tampered with the electronic diary we helped them patent and are using the device to corrupt a trial of an insulin pump.”

  Jackson dropped his head against the back of the chair, sighing heavily. “Do you know why?”

  “Not yet. I think it’s only the most noticeable part of your father’s current plans.”

  His eyes piercing Casey’s, Jackson shook his head. “What else do you know?”

  Casey shuffled the documents and pulled up the one about expansion and research, handing them across his desk to Jackson. “It appears that your father’s research company is using the device in some kind of project. I don’t know what that is, not yet. But something about the study has gone wrong. Notice on the page you’re holding the words ‘unexpected side effects,’ ‘collateral damage,’ and ‘property acquisition.’ That research facility is being run by a shell company for Carter Enterprises. It is located a few blocks from Michelle’s property. I’m only speculating, but I think whatever research is being pursued there has dangerous elements. The swift zone change, Michelle’s deed problems, and the Pretid device malfunctions are all a part of a big plan. I think the plan includes hurting Michelle, specifically, but not as a primary goal, just a plus for your father. He’s using the need for more room and more privacy as a way to exact revenge on Michelle. She was raped by one of his cronies’ sons and Michelle pressed charges. The rapist was acquitted but apparently Carter is still angry at Michelle’s audacity for accusing the young man.”

  Jackson leaped to his feet. “Will it never end?” He paced from one side of Casey’s office to the other, back and forth.

  “There’s one more thing, Jake.”

  Jackson stopped midstep and turned a glare on Casey.

  “Don’t hate the messenger, man.”

  A deep sigh escaped from Jackson. “Sorry. What more?”

  “I’ve been recruited by the FBI to get close enough to your father to get information that would give them something to charge him with. The agent, who not-so-nicely engaged my services, said there’s something big in the works and I’m to find out what. Apparently your father’s been in the FBI’s scrutiny for years, but they’ve never been able to get anything of substance on him.”

  “You said recruited.” Jackson rubbed his chin. “Have your breaking and entering skills come to their attention? Let me guess, probation be damned, they’re putting the screws to you.”

  “It’s not funny.”

  “I know, I know. Thank you for telling me, Casey. I’d hate to learn you’ve jumped ship and joined my father’s business.”

  Casey walked to the window, taking in the afternoon ambiance of nature. It did little to lift his soul.

  Behind him, Jackson’s footsteps stopped. He had to tell him the rest, no matter how much it hurt.

  He turned to Jackson and dipped his head. “I’m sorry to have to tell you this about your father. But—”

  “Damn it. It’s my father. Always my evil father, behind all things bad.”

  “I know. I know it hurts.”

  “No you don’t. Your father, as you’ve pointed out, is a dentist. He’s always been there for you. He’s a good man. You don’t know what it feels like.”

  Casey’s heart imploded. “I do.” He shook his head. “If you’d read all the papers, you would have found my father’s name.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My father is working with your father in this mess. I know exactly how much it hurts. It’s as though an atom bomb just flattened my entire life.”

  Jackson put a hand to his shoulder. The place on his shoulder where the bullet grazed him didn’t hurt anymore, but his heart sure did.

  “I’m sorry, Case. There’s got to be an explanation, one that puts some sense into this, one that absolves your dad. One thing’s for sure, we’re in this together. And if we have to, we’ll get Lacey and Sterling to help investigate.”

  “Thanks. I’m on it. It’s my case to work. I just needed to tell you what’s going on and what I’ve discovered. Of course, the FBI thing rubs me wrong, but I didn’t want to keep that secret from you. I can deal with it. But just so you know, I do plan to work undercover at the research facility. I’m going to ask Carter for a job.”

  Jackson nodded. “When you go for something you really reach. Okay. Keep me in the loop. Be safe.”

  Casey watched him leave, closing the door behind him. Time to think, time to puzzle out mounds of divergent bits of information and put them in their place.

  But foremost in his thoughts stood Michelle. He knew when he gave an order his colony cats would obey. That included Quinn, so Michelle was covered for the day.

  Then why was helplessness climbing up his spine and spreading throughout his body, taking all the starch out of his muscles? He looked at his arms and flexed his biceps. His strengths were more than physical. His ability to shimmer into a powerful animal gave him an edge. But he was helpless to his feelings for Michelle, a human. He knew the rules of secrecy and he would never put his colony or his species at risk. Still, his love for Michelle had been ignited. There was no going back. There was only living with that love in secrecy and separation or taking a risk that none of his colony members would support. No one but maybe Booker and his wife Shaun.

  • • •

  Michelle rubbed her hand across Jojo’s back, putting her attention on his soft yellow fur. He purred loudly, and turned to climb close to her face. She rubbed the sides of his head and watched him close his eyes while purring like a motorboat. The sound of it soothed her confusion. She sat on the living room floor with him and let his soft pawing on her lap quiet her anger.

  There was nothing left to do but start packing. After Casey left, she had called her mortgage broker, hoping he’d clarify her right to ownership of her dear little house. He wouldn’t take her phone calls.

  The letter from the lawyer that Carter had dropped in her lap had been sent to her bank as well. She’d talked to the manager and been given the standard “It’s out of our hands” blow off. No one in this town could stand up to William Carter.

  She hadn’t had the heart yet to call her parents. The purchase of their former home by one dastardly William Carter would potentially drive them to do something rash. One did not do rash with Carter and get away clean.

  But she had thirty days. She was not lying down and letting Carter walk over her. Things were different now. She’d vowed already not to let the rape determine how she would live. Now, resolve thrummed steady throughout her body. She’d taken a big step toward completely reclaiming her life when she dared to let Casey close. Revealing her secret to him had given her strength. By God, this was her life and she’d live it how she pleased.

  Jojo looked toward the backyard window, then jumped off her lap. She heard the meowing, too, and went to the window to look out with Jojo. Her heart leapt. Madeline stood outside. Her presence was a good sign. She was coming back here for food.

  Michelle gave a quick, dismissive thought to the memory of Casey’s directive to stay inside, then crept to the back porch. She filled the bucket with cat kibble, trying very hard to be invisible and silent, then slowly stepped into the lawn. Madeline eyed her, a low growl grumbling in her throat.

  “I mean you no harm, kitty, kitty,” Michelle cooed, then placed the bucket a few feet from the cat. So far, so good. Madeline kept grumbling, but didn’t blast out of the yard. Michelle took shallow breaths and care
fully walked backward toward the porch, her fingers crossed.

  If anyone was watching, she knew they would probably laugh at her antics. But Madeline’s wellbeing was important. If food was unavailable here in her yard, Madeline would stop visiting, maybe even starve eventually.

  One more step and Michelle was on the back porch. She leaned close to the corner wall where she was almost half hidden. Madeline’s head went into the bucket and she warily took bites. Michelle’s heart glowed, watching.

  Suddenly Madeline popped up her head and tentatively scanned the yard. Michelle’s breath caught. A small cracking sound had interrupted the cat’s eating, but it hadn’t scared her into running away. After a moment’s pause, she ducked her head back into the bucket and resumed eating.

  Another crackling whispered through the air, sending a shiver stuttering through Michelle’s body. She got no sense of foreboding or fear, but something was out there in her field. Maybe it was the lynx. She willed it to come through the hedge. The lynx had given her a solid feeling of protection at earlier sightings. She could use some of that right now.

  The sound didn’t bother Madeline, probably because it wasn’t from an approaching predator. Moments passed and Michelle’s body stiffened, frozen in place so as not to intrude on Madeline or the lynx that possibly lurked nearby.

  Madeline raised her head and licked her lips, then dipped her head into the water bucket Michelle kept filled and waiting. Except for the wind tossing the branches into creaking sways, she didn’t hear any more extraneous sounds. Madeline finished her drink and sauntered off toward the field at the back of Michelle’s property. Michelle let out a sigh and stretched her limbs. Curiosity burbled inside her. She hesitantly walked toward the side hedge. That’s where she’d seen the lynx before. Maybe she’d get lucky and see him again.

  She dared to peek over the hedge and began scanning the field. The dried weeds and grasses would provide camouflage, but not a lot since the fall season was taking its toll. Just about to give up, Michelle caught a flicker in the corner of her left eye. She turned quickly, just in time to get a glimpse of a large animal. Her heart raced at the sight of a lynx. But not her lynx. This lynx had russet fur, dotted in brown. As quickly as it passed through her attention, it was gone. It could have been the trees teasing her imagination.

  But no. There was no mistaking the characteristic markings and tufted facial fur and ears.

  Thoughts whirled in her head, distracting her as she walked back to her house. Two lynxes in the area were startling.

  The crunch of a car on her driveway grabbed her attention. She didn’t know whether to run inside and lock all the doors or see who had just pulled up. This fear, this confusion, felt all too familiar. It was a state of living she’d planned to leave behind here in her house as she made a new life.

  So she didn’t do anything. She just stood at the porch, torn between the fear and the power to take control of her life.

  She closed her eyes and tried to settle her warring parts.

  “Hey, what are you doing out here?”

  At the sound of his voice, Michelle opened her eyes and let relief blanket her. “Casey.”

  He eyed her quizzically, then pulled her close. “What’s going on? Didn’t I ask you to stay inside?” He tossed glances around the property, but never let go.

  She rested her head against his solid chest and breathed in his musky scent. It calmed her and strength and resolve trickled briskly throughout her body. She pulled back and offered a contrite grin. “There’s nothing going on. It’s just me. Me and my hypervigilance.”

  He nuzzled her neck, sweeping kisses up to her cheeks, her forehead. “Something triggered your attention, Michelle.”

  “My imagination. I came outside to feed Madeline—”

  His eyes flashed, happiness glistening in the piercing hazel irises. “Madeline found her way back here? Of course you’d ignore my request to feed her. Encouraging her to come here for food is the right thing to do.”

  Self-confidence and determination swelled in her chest. He understood and supported her choices. “Yes. It’s important to establish a new pattern for her. And then I saw a lynx.”

  Casey’s pleasure dropped from his face. “Really? Where?”

  Michelle pointed to the field. “Right out there. It was just a glimpse and it happened so fast that I could have mistaken it.”

  “But you don’t think so.” He crossed his arms and nodded his head. “Could you describe it?”

  “What I saw was a large animal in the brush. It was russet color.”

  “And you’re sure it was a lynx?” The wind tossed his hair in his face and he shoved it behind his ears, his gaze steady on her.

  “No. It had the right physical characteristics. I’ve seen a lynx here before.”

  He froze. “You have.”

  It wasn’t a question. Michelle picked up thundering fear rolling around Casey. It made her gasp.

  He opened his mouth to talk, then he closed it. His eyes searched her face. Gut-aching misery came next, triggering her own fears. The minutes stretched and Casey just stood there, helplessness dripping from him.

  “Casey? Did I say something wrong?”

  He looked wistfully at her and he slanted a weary smile. “No. Not you.” Casey wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go inside.”

  Inside, Casey guided her to the kitchen table, where he pulled out a chair for her and sat across the table. She’d rather snuggle up under his embrace, but she understood his reserve. That was his way, but she’d also made it difficult for him to get close without unintentionally raising her walls. It would take time.

  “So it was the lynx that scared you out there?” He rubbed his thumb across his chin, and the scratchy sound of his stubble raised goose bumps on her skin.

  “No.” She dropped her head and measured her words. “It was you driving in my driveway. I heard the sound of the car and I just froze.”

  He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “I’m sorry for startling you, Michelle. Tell me how I can do better?”

  A pleasurable sensation of power and tenderness rolled off him, the fear gone. Slowly, she drew her eyes up to meet his. “It’s not you. It’s me. I’ve been working very hard to just put the fear behind me. I think I’m doing the right things to reclaim my life finally, but now … ”

  He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it gently. “You don’t have to explain. I understand. This new threat from Carter is putting the pressure on your wounds. It’s inevitable, Michelle. You’ve been through hell and your instincts are programmed to take care of you. They’re what have kept you sane these years since your assault. But you’re making great progress. Your triggers are rapid fire, and in the past I’m sure you didn’t get a choice, they just happened. You can’t fault yourself for your simply brilliant defenses.”

  The earthy tenor of his voice and the words he’d spoken filtered through her body and lit up her heart. “I like the way you think. In fact, I think I got a moment or so to decide what to do, flight or fight. I froze mid-decision, but it’s a step in the right direction, ya think?” She flashed him a smile and got one beautiful Casey smile right back.

  “That’s a positive way to look at it.”

  The moment shifted, inexplicably. His enthusiasm for her healing process remained noticeable, but something else troubled him. He drew in a deep breath and she could sense his indecision.

  He chewed on his lower lip and avoided her eyes. He pulled in another breath, then directed his gaze on her. “I have more information about your property, Michelle.”

  Her breath hitched as she waited for the bomb to drop.

  “I have more to investigate, but so far it looks like plans for purchasing your property have been fast-tracked because a William Carter project has gone awry. He wants to put the problems behind him and move fast into the next stage.”

  “What does my property have to do with William Carter’s project?” Casey s
teadily stroked her hand and she matched her breathing to it.

  “I don’t have all the details yet. But it’s serious, the project, I mean, and his intention to take over your property. I don’t want to scare you but he owns the facility down the street and that is where the project is taking place.” He twisted in his seat, still holding her hand. His facial expression was sober, but impatience twitched in his muscles.

  She pursed her lips and contemplated the spot she was in. “So I guess I start packing.”

  “No. This is your home and I intend to make sure it stays your home.”

  Not an ounce of doubt colored his statement. She took hold of his assuredness and determined to stand in it with him. “What can I do? I’m not going to just cower here day by day.”

  He walked to her side and gave her a tug up. He put his hands on her hips, sending warmth swirling throughout her. “You take care of your cats. You run Cats Alive, and you go to work. You live your life and let me take care of the investigation, and when I need your help, I’ll ask. Oh, and I’ll have someone keeping an eye on you and your property at all times when I’m unavailable.”

  “I don’t want to impose on your life and it’s unnecessary for others to take time away from their lives to protect me.”

  He gave her a smirk and shook his head and she knew she wasn’t winning this one. But she couldn’t deny the relief filtering through her, knowing she wouldn’t be alone and vulnerable.

  “Then that’s settled,” Casey said. “We’re going to do what it takes to thwart William Carter and we’re not giving up.”

  “I don’t want to give up. It just all seems so complex and daunting. But I’m glad you’re here with me.”

  “Always, babe.” He pulled her chin up and met her lips with his, softly, tenderly.

  The feel of his body pressed to hers and the taste of his lips sent heat cascading through her. Michelle pulled back and met his eyes, steamy and glazed. “You’re so perfect,” she murmured.

  Instantly his mouth devoured hers, his tongue darting and dancing with hers. Cravings for more deepened her breaths.

  Breathless, Casey took her face in his two hands and pierced her with his luminous eyes. “Are you sure about this?”