Secrets

by Lynn Crandall

  “Coming up.” Lara selected the movie, a romantic comedy, and they sat back to enjoy.

  Part way into the movie, Michelle turned her ear toward the backyard. A sound had drawn her attention, but as she waited, everything seemed quiet.

  Lara stopped the movie and turned to her. “I hear something, too,” she whispered. “Are we just jumpy?”

  Lara’s eyes flew wide open. At the same moment, Michelle noticed a red dot floating on Lara’s chest. “Get down!” she screamed, and dove for the floor herself. Michelle’s four cats scrambled down the hall, out of sight.

  Crashing from the back door sent Michelle’s nerves almost over the edge. With no time to think or prepare, suddenly she faced men with guns pressing her to the ground, her face into the carpet. She saw boots and dark pants tucked into them. There were no words, only the sound of heavy breaths, as the two pairs of boots put plastic ties on her hands and feet. Trying to turn her head to see Lara, she got a boot pressing hard on her back. “Don’t move.”

  Lara screamed, but it muffled in the carpet and brought a punch to her head. Michelle fought the waves of fear that pounded her head and sent trembles through her arms and legs.

  A voice muffled, she thought behind a mask but she couldn’t see, spoke gruffly. “This is for you, blondie. We’re not going to use the guns tonight. But you’ve been warned to leave this property. It doesn’t belong to you anymore. Pack your things while you can and move out or we’ll be back, and if that happens you won’t be leaving with anything.”

  The only thing Michelle could hear was her heart pounding in her ears. She couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. Terror froze her body flat on the floor.

  Lara! And Tizzy! She rolled up on her side and saw Lara was still unconscious. The men might still be around, but priority now was to get out of these zip ties and help Lara.

  Thoughts of what she’d learned in the personal safety class she’d taken after the rape had surfaced through the panic that ripped through her when the “boots” first charged in. It was almost second nature, as the class had promised. Funny that boots hadn’t noticed, but she’d clenched her fists and held them side by side while he pulled the zip tie tight. Now, she relaxed her muscles and turned her fists sideways and tugged her hands through the loop.

  She sat up and used a fingernail to lift the locking bar from the ratchet mechanism on the tie binding her feet, and pulled the tie open.

  Relief flooded her, but she wasn’t done yet. She gently shook Lara. “Lara, wake up, sweetie. I’m going to get you out of the handcuffs.”

  Lara moaned, lighting up Michelle’s hopes. She checked her breathing and her pulse, so she knew Lara wasn’t dead, but still, the sound she’d made was a good sign of life.

  She made quick work of lifting the locking bar first on the tie around Lara’s hands, then her feet. By then, Lara was rubbing her head and trying to sit up.

  “Take it slow. You’ve been unconscious. I’ll be right back. Just lie still.”

  The back door stood open. It was a sight that chilled her blood, but she had to check on Tizzy. Cautiously, she stepped onto her porch, carrying her flashlight. It was a huge, metal one with a long, bright beam. Michelle stepped into the yard making a mental note to thank her dad a hundred times for impressing on her the importance of such a thing. It lit the yard and would serve as her backup weapon, if need be.

  Clouds hid the moon and stars in the sky and Michelle felt the darkness on her skin like a cotton sheet. Even with her flashlight, out beyond the beam was the unknown. Her nerves urged her to run.

  But there was nowhere to run to. No place where she could escape from William Carter’s reach. Running and hiding was not the answer for her anymore.

  She trudged to the hedge and slipped through to the field. So far no men in sight. But where was Tizzy?

  She jogged through the field to places she’d seen Casey and Quinn in lynx form. No Tizzy.

  Had she left when her shift ended and no one replaced her?

  Her beam found Tizzy’s car parked in a group of trees, barely visible. She rushed to it, running around the driver’s side, and found a naked Tizzy slumped to the ground.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Tizzy! Wake up!” Michelle checked for a heartbeat and found a faint one. She stood in the dark field, fear biting at her heels, trying to rouse Tizzy. There was no blood anywhere, so she’d probably been hit over the head. Thank God she wasn’t shot.

  She stood and peered back toward her house. The distance was too far to … do what? Drag her? Carry her?

  Everything in her longed to call Casey. But he’d told her he’d be unavailable and to call Lara if something happened. Well, Lara needed her help, not the other way around. Ruefully, she slammed a palm to her forehead. “Think, Michelle. Think fast.”

  She couldn’t leave Tizzy lying on the ground. She wouldn’t. The car keys dangled from the ignition. If she could get her in the car, she could get her back to her house.

  She grabbed her shoulders and bit by bit, pulled her up into the back seat. Tizzy was slender and probably didn’t weigh very much. But she was muscled. Michelle’s back screamed in protest and her arms ached, but she got her completely in, slammed the door shut, and slipped behind the wheel.

  Her foot shoved the gas pedal to the floor, and swiftly spun out the tires in the dew-wet grasses and dirt. Michelle pulled in three deep breaths, then slowly pressed again and this time moved through the rough field and onto the lane.

  Sweat beaded above her lip. She kept intense focus on getting back to her house. Once there, she raced up the front porch steps and banged hard on the door, hoping Lara was doing better.

  She kept banging until the door opened and a sleepy-eyed Lara stood in front of her.

  “Where did you go? I—”

  “I’ve got Tizzy in the back seat of her car. She’s out. Is there any way you could help me get her inside?”

  Lara rubbed her head and pointed behind Michelle. “We don’t have to. Lynx physiology wins.”

  Michelle jumped as a hand touched her shoulder and she saw a fully dressed Tizzy standing behind her, shivering.

  Spontaneously, she wrapped her arms around her and squeezed. “Thank God! You’re all right? Here, take my sweater. That tank top makes me shiver.” She led the others back inside and shoved them each in to chairs. “Lynx physiology?”

  “We have an ability to heal quickly.” Lara continued to rub her head. “What happened to you, Tizzy? You have a concussion, too? Oh, wait. Is that a prick there on your shoulder?”

  Tizzy pulled on the sweater. “Yes. I heard you scream and came tearing out of the brush to see what was up. I arrived in time to see two men run out of the house and run down the street in the direction of the Carter building.”

  “But not before they darted you, right?” Lara shook her head. “This is crazy stuff going on.”

  “Yes. The dart fell out, so it didn’t deliver the full dosage of the sedative. I made it to my car, but just barely. Thanks Michelle, for bringing me here. Smart thinking.”

  “Well done you,” Michelle countered. “Metabolizing the drug quickly. And you as well, Lara, healing from a concussion. Would that dart gun have a laser sight?” Michelle asked, piecing together small slices of the story.

  “I’d say so.” Lara nodded slowly. “That would explain the red circle on your shirt just before the big intrusion.”

  “I saw one on your sweater, too. It probably saved us from being drugged. But why drug us?” Michelle ran her fingers through her hair. She didn’t wait for an answer as she remembered her terrified cats.

  Each one located a few minutes later, she left them to get relaxed.

  “I think it’s a campaign of intimidation. Sending you a message that nothing can stop William Carter’s plans from going forward. It’s scare tactics.” Lara picked up the first cat to make his way out of hiding. “Hi, Tiger.” She put him on her lap and he nestled in close.

  Tizzy pursed her lips a
nd frowned. “It’s really important to him to get what he wants. For some reason, he is enjoying intimidating you. He wants the final word on this house. His project, too, is important to him. We know he’s had setbacks with it and he’s not willing to give up.”

  “It seems like a lot of effort and a lot of imposition on my part to remain in my own house.” Michelle choked back sobs in her throat. “I’m sorry you’ve suffered because of me.”

  Lara tossed a pillow at Michelle’s head. “Will you please stop apologizing? We wouldn’t do this if we didn’t want to.”

  “Not even if Casey ordered you to?”

  “Don’t make me throw another pillow. That effort hurt my head.”

  “I’ll do it.” Tizzy let go of a pillow and a high-pitched laugh.

  “Okay, I understand. You’re here because it’s what you do. Thank you.”

  Michelle sat with Lara and Tizzy in silence for a few moments. Her thoughts were settling a bit. But one thought kept floating at the front of her brain. “I don’t think William Carter knows about your colony. The intruders saw you, Tizzy, running out of the field toward them and they probably panicked. The sedatives were meant for me. Maybe they were warned that you were here, Lara, but a lynx in this area? That scared them.”

  “He may not know about us, a local colony, but it appears he knows something about the existence of were-lynxes.” Tizzy said. “Considering the testing on cats he’s doing, it does prompt concerns about any feline species.”

  “We need to know more. But that’s what Casey is working on. We have to be patient. And on guard.” Lara stretched and yawned.

  “My bosses at Aegar Investigations, Sterling and Lacey, are working on it, too. They’ve found a group of influential people in Laurelwood who have banded together in secrecy. The purchase of my house is on their agenda.”

  Tizzy sat forward in her chair. “You mean like the Moose Lodge or, I don’t know, some fraternal organization?”

  “It’s called The Nexus Group. I don’t know what their plans are, other than to purchase property around Laurelwood and expand their present research project.”

  “When did you learn about this?” Tizzy’s voice held an edge.

  “Just today. Casey stopped into their office after lunch and they shared what they had discovered.” Anxiety suddenly throbbed at Michelle’s temples as she questioned whether or not she should have shared the information.

  “And then Casey disappeared. Great.” Tizzy’s edge had bloomed to a definite disgust. “Is that what a leader does, Lara? He’s going to give moggies a bad name. The pures are going to judge it a typical, irresponsible move by a moggy.”

  “Maybe it’s something only he can do, Tizzy. I’m sure we can trust him. As for the pures’ attitude, I disagree with you.” Lara studied her. “Now, why don’t you go home and get some rest. Sedatives do rough numbers on a body, yours included. I’m spending the night, so I’ll be here if something happens.” She turned to Michelle. “Unless you’re ready to give up. Then I’ll go home and I’ll let you explain your decision to Casey.”

  Michelle focused on her gut, and let herself try out giving up and staying to see how each felt. She closed her eyes and let her body provide information. When she opened them again, she knew. “No, I’m not giving up. This house is rightfully mine. Carter is a bully and I’m not going to be bullied.”

  “Good decision.” Lara nodded her head and Tizzy smiled.

  As Tizzy closed the front door behind her, Michelle turned her attention on Lara. “Are you in touch with Casey? Did he tell you what he’s doing?”

  “No. When he can, he’ll check in with me for an update.” Lara gave her a warm look. “Feeling abandoned? Truly, it’s a good thing he doesn’t know about what happened here today. He would declare war on Carter Enterprises. He’s struggled with his feelings for you, Michelle, but there’s no question he’s in love with you. When he can surface, he will. You can trust him.”

  “Trust is not easy for me, but I’m learning.”

  • • •

  Casey checked his face in the rearview mirror and put on his best bad boy face. He climbed out of his car and walked toward the William Carter Enterprises main building.

  The wind tossed the treetops about and the sky was absent of stars and moon. He pressed a buzzer at the main door and a voice came over the speaker.

  “William Carter Enterprises is closed for the day.” The night guard’s voice sounded bored but brusque.

  “I know, but I have an appointment at nine o’clock with Mr. Carter.”

  “Name?”

  Too bored to form sentences, fella? “Casey Mitchell.”

  Thanks to his keen hearing, he heard footsteps approach before he saw the guard. The man in uniform punched in a code on a pad on the inside not far from the door, then inserted a key and opened the door for Casey.

  “I apologize for keeping you waiting. Mr. Carter will see you now.”

  Casey nodded and fell in step behind the guard. He could have found his way back to Carter’s office, no problem. But he didn’t feel like sharing that bit of information.

  They took the elevator to the top floor and the guard continued leading until they reached first the reception area, then the door to Carter’s office. He knocked twice, then cracked open the door. “Sir, Mr. Mitchell.”

  Without acknowledging the guard, Carter stood and greeted Casey. “I must say this is a surprise. Have a seat, Mr. Mitchell.”

  Casey did as instructed. The leather chair was deeply cushioned and he sank a bit. He’d read about executives who purposefully provide chairs that make visitors feel small and at a disadvantage. Totally something Carter would do.

  Carter sat in his large and luxurious chair and eyed Casey. “Is there something wrong with the chair, Mr. Mitchell?”

  “No, nothing at all. One thing, though. You can call me Casey. If you use my title and last name, I’m going to look around for my father.” He pasted on a merry smile aimed at Carter.

  “You’re your own man, I understand.” Carter gave him a Cheshire cat grin with too-white teeth.

  Casey cleared his throat. He wanted to appear just a little nervous, but he didn’t feel it. This meeting was a complete charade, one he hoped would give him the information he needed to shut down Carter for good. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice. Since it’s late, I’ll get right to the point.”

  Carter’s fake smile never fell, but his eyes, the empty grey eyes of the heartless man, shuttered for a nanosecond, then simply looked cold.

  “I have been working for your son for eight months. His agency is top notch, and I’m proud to be associated with him.” He stopped for effect, letting the corners of his mouth dip. “But honor and high ideals in my work is not what I’m seeking.”

  Carter studied him, his smile gone. “Why is this of interest to me? You’ve known Jackson most of your life. You know his morals. Why is that suddenly an issue for you?”

  Casey leaned forward, adopting an earnest expression. “I’m sick of being prohibited from doing whatever it takes to serve clients who appreciate that kind of dedication.”

  “You’re not a do-gooder? I find that hard to believe.” Carter chuckled, a gravelly laughter that turned into a cough that lasted a full minute.

  “I understand. A man can change. Or maybe I’ve just come to a better understanding of who I am. Let’s not kid one another. You know I’ve done my share of breaking the law.”

  “You’re referring to your thievery? That was years ago.”

  “I know. But it’s in my blood and I’m tired of pretending it’s not. I don’t care about the same things Jackson does. And if I could be so bold, I think I have skills that would benefit your company.”

  “You’re asking me for a job?” Carter laughed heartily, tears coming to his eyes. “Never thought I’d see this day.”

  “Like I said, I’ve come back to my senses, to who I really am.”

  Carter stood. “What about Jackso
n? You’re not concerned about losing his friendship? And what about Michelle Slade? You two have gotten close.”

  Casey watched the tall man stride from one wall to another, and then come back to his chair. He noticed there were no windows; only dark mahogany wood paneling lined the walls. Pictures of Carter with dignitaries and heads of state and celebrities hung on the walls and sat on shelves. There were no pictures of his family.

  “I am enjoying Michelle’s company, such as it is. She’s a woman and she has her purposes.” He winked at Carter, feeling like a slimebag. There was no truth to anything he said. “As for losing my friendship with Jake, I don’t expect that. He’s kind and accepting. Were I to find a more lucrative position, he’d probably congratulate me.” Casey smirked, adding attitude to his lies.

  Carter rocked in his chair, rubbing his chin and all the while staring at Casey. “So what are these skills you mentioned that could help my company?”

  “I’m experienced in guiding companies through drug and medical device trials. I’m familiar with ways of ensuring expeditious approval by the FDA.”

  “I have people who do that. What can you do for me?”

  “I could do it successfully.” Casey didn’t miss the slight twitch in Carter’s cheek at his reference to problems with drug trials in the past.

  “It happens I’m working on something right now that could use some higher level expertise.” Carter’s eyes narrowed. “It requires discretion.”

  Casey guffawed. “Yes, you do need someone better on the Pretid trial. You’re using the device in an insulin pump trial but your staff’s tactics are clumsy. You’ve had trial participants who’ve suffered insulin shock.” He sat forward for emphasis and to present an aggressive, fearless position. “And the funny thing is, you don’t care about how effectively the pump delivers insulin, you just need the device to access information that will give you the participants you want. Those who may offer the genetic predisposition you want.”

  Carter’s fingers tapped a staccato beat on his desk and leaned in. “You’ve been messing in my business.”