That Which Survives

by Ciana Stone

  “I know there’s a point somewhere,” Konnor groused, even though he knew the information Slater was providing was far from inconsequential.

  “Indeed there is. The good doctor arrives in Charlotte this very afternoon. He is here only until tomorrow morning. When he leaves he will be headed for the Middle East.”

  “And you think this Weston has something we want,” Konnor said.

  “Oh, it’s much more than that.” Slater smiled. “Weston is here for a very specific purpose. He made a call to Dr. Laserian yesterday, requesting that she meet with him upon his arrival in Charlotte. It seems he needs her help on something and indicated that it was quite urgent. He would not go into details over the phone, which suggests that he at least suspects he may be under surveillance.”

  “He wants to see Senna?” Despite what he knew from the file he had read on her, Konnor was surprised. After yesterday he found it hard to believe that she could have anything to do with this situation. She might be a brilliant physicist, but she didn’t seem the type to be involved in something like this.

  Unless she’s a better actress than I gave her credit for, he considered, then immediately dismissed the idea. He had witnessed firsthand how shaken she had been when she witnessed the scene between her date and his partner. She had not been acting. Nor did he believe she could have faked what happened between them. That was the genuine article. He was certain of it.

  This posed more of a problem for him than anything else. His reactions had been just as genuine. If he had not made love to her perhaps he could have continued to try and fool himself into believing that his involvement with her was nothing more than him doing his job. But he was not accustomed to lying to himself. What he felt for her was strictly personal and he was not at all sure he could turn his back on that.

  Rising, he walked over to the window so that Slater couldn’t see his face. He would take no chances on Slater suspecting that his feelings about Senna were anything other than professional. That would give Slater power that Konnor didn’t want him to have.

  There was a churning, seething mass of conflict eating away inside him. When he left Senna yesterday he had returned home to find Shen waiting for him. He didn’t have to tell Shen where he had been. Neither did he have to tell him that he was having extreme difficulty handling the way he felt. Shen knew after taking one look at him.

  Konnor had tried to deny it, but Shen didn’t tolerate lies. In the end, he had admitted the truth to Shen and accepted it himself. Now he would not try to deny that he was more attracted to her than he had believed was possible, nor would he deny that his feelings were not merely sexual. But he also could not deny that the mere fact that he felt that way made him angry. Of all the women on this planet, why her? he asked himself, not for the first time. And what am I going to do about it?

  That was the crux of his problem. He could not turn away from the assignment now. There was too much at stake. Yet how could he let his feelings for one woman override the safety of possibly the entire world?

  There were no answers, at least none he’d been able to find. He had been asking himself these questions since he left her yesterday. The inability to resolve it had prevented him from getting in touch with her as he had promised.

  No, that’s a lie, he admitted to himself. The reason he hadn’t called was that he was afraid. Afraid that if he didn’t put some distance between them, get his bearings, that the feelings would win and he would not be able to do what he had to do.

  Abruptly, he turned to Slater. “What’s the plan?”

  Slater smiled and lit another cigarette. “Have a seat. You’re going to like this, Chase. It’s quite an elegant scenario.”

  * * * * *

  Black Oak Grille

  Ryan had already gotten a table and was drinking a glass of iced tea when Senna arrived. She took a seat across from him and ordered a cup of coffee and a salad from the waiter before she even acknowledged Ryan.

  “I was worried,” he said when she finally looked at him.

  “About what?” she asked coolly. She was still angry for what she had seen happen between him and Paige. Not because she felt she had a claim on him but because he had done it in such a deceitful way.

  “Come on, Senna! Can’t we just be civil and talk about this like adults?”

  “We can certainly try,” she replied with the same frosty tone.

  “Look…” He leaned forward and propped his arms on the table. “I know Paige was…well, she was out of line, and I’m sorry that she embarrassed you. I swear I didn’t know anything about it. Hell, I didn’t even know you had a shrink! But that’s no reason to bolt the way you did.”

  “That’s not why I left,” she said and held up one hand to stay him when he started to speak. “But since you brought it up, let me say that I don’t blame you for Paige’s behavior. I won’t deny that I was surprised and humiliated by the way she made it sound, but I certainly don’t hold you accountable for that. Obviously, I’ve made the mistake of putting my trust in people who don’t deserve it. That’s no one’s fault but mine.”

  “Then why—” he cut in.

  “But,” she interrupted, “as I said, that’s not why I left.”

  The waiter arrived with their order and they both fell silent. “So why did you leave?” Ryan asked as soon as the waiter left.

  “I saw you and Paige in the den.” She looked straight at him as she answered.

  Ryan’s eyes widened and surprise registered clearly on his face, but he recovered and looked down at his plate. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t deny it,” she said in a low voice. “I saw you.”

  “Just what is it you thought you saw?”

  Senna gave him a hard look. “Ryan, I’m not going to play games with you. I know there’s something going on between you and Paige. No, before you say anything, let me finish. Maybe I overreacted by leaving. I’m not saying that I didn’t. But at the time I was surprised and upset.”

  “I’m not having an affair with her!” His voice rose.

  Senna looked around to see if they were attracting attention. She had no desire to be the lunchtime spectacle. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “Ryan, you’re perfectly free to see whomever you choose. I certainly don’t have the right to say otherwise. You don’t owe me any explanations or excuses. But I won’t get into some contest with Paige for your attention. I told you in the beginning that I don’t play games. We’ve had a good time and I care for you, but I don’t like being lied to and I won’t be in a relationship with someone I can’t trust. So I think the best thing we can do is just go our separate ways and—”

  “I said I’m not having an affair with her!”

  “Maybe not.” Senna studied his face. “But you want to.”

  He blinked as if in surprise then sat back. She pushed her untouched salad aside and stirred sugar into her coffee. “I do have eyes, Ryan. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. And the way you look at her. You can deny it if you like, but it won’t change anything. You want her.”

  “Look, Paige and I are partners. When you work with someone day in and day out you begin to develop—”

  “I know the song,” she cut him off. “And whether or not it’s valid isn’t something I care to get into because it doesn’t change anything. Anyway, I have to go. I have a lot to do before my next class.”

  “Wait!” Ryan stood as she picked up the ticket and walked to the register.

  “I’ve got it,” he said as she reached for her billfold to pay the cashier.

  “Thank you,” she nodded and headed for the door. Ryan caught up with her before she reached her car.

  “Can we please try and work this out?” He caught her hand in his.

  Conflicting emotions swirled inside her as she looked at him. She did care for him and she had enjoyed going out with him. Two days ago, if someone had asked if she was happy with her relationship she probably would have said yes. Now she realized sh
e couldn’t ever be happy in a relationship with Ryan. Not because of what had happened between him and Paige. Because of Konnor Chase.

  Even though he hadn’t called and might not ever, she knew that what she felt for him was not imagined. She had fallen for him, and it was real. Knowing that, she couldn’t pretend to have a relationship with Ryan. It wouldn’t be fair to either one of them.

  “I don’t think so,” she said quietly. “I think it’s time to let go.”

  “Why? Because I made one stupid mistake? Senna, it didn’t mean anything. I mean, it was just…it was a mistake, okay? A mistake that’ll never happen again. I swear!”

  She shook her head. “Ryan, I just don’t think—”

  “Just give it a chance, okay? You’re hurt and upset right now and not thinking straight. Just give it a little time before you call it quits. I swear I’m not involved with Paige and I’m not going to be. I don’t want to lose you.”

  Senna didn’t want to remain standing in the parking lot discussing their relationship with people wandering by. “I have to go, Ryan.” She pulled her hand free from his. “I’m sorry, but I have a class to teach.”

  “Let’s get together tonight.”

  “I can’t,” she said as she unlocked her car door. “An old friend from Chicago is coming in to town for the night and we’re having dinner.”

  “Then tomorrow,” he pressed, holding her door so that she couldn’t close it as she got in the car.

  “Okay,” she agreed to pacify him.

  “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

  She nodded and he closed the door. She backed out of the parking space and pulled off. Things had not gone exactly as she had hoped. And the truth was, if Konnor had not come into her life, she probably would have forgiven Ryan’s indiscretion with Paige and continued their relationship.

  But was Konnor really in her life? She had to be realistic. She might have been nothing more than a one-night stand for him. Was that all it was? She didn’t know the answer and didn’t want to think about it anymore. Her world seemed to have tilted when Walter was murdered and she didn’t know how to right it. Maybe Ian could help. She certainly hoped so because for the first time she could remember she felt as if she was incapable of dealing with things alone.

  * * * * *

  University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  “Dr. Laserian?”

  Senna stopped in the process of unlocking her car and turned. Mike Harper ran over to her. “I’m glad I caught you. I left a couple of messages. I guess you didn’t get them.”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Harper.” She had gotten his messages, but had not seen a point in trying to contact him. He was not interested in physics or his performance in her class, and she had no desire to be involved with a student. “I really am in a bit of a hurry.”

  “I just need a second.” He took her arm.

  She looked down at his hand wrapped around her forearm then up at him. “Let go.”

  “Sorry.” He released her. “It’s just that I’ve been trying to get up with you and…well, you seem to be avoiding me. Have I done something wrong?”

  “I have a lot of students, Mr. Harper.” She inched toward the door. “And a heavy class load. As rude as it may sound I simply don’t have time to take every call that comes in.”

  “Why do you always run away?” He moved closer.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about and right now I don’t have time for this conversation, so if you’ll excuse me.”

  He grabbed her again as she turned to open the door. “Senna, wait! I have to— Jesus Christ, you crazy bitch!” he screamed and yowled as she twisted her arm, wrapping it under his, breaking his hold and giving his arm a good twist.

  “Go home, Mr. Harper. We have nothing to discuss.”

  “We have a hell of a lot to discuss.” He full-body pressed her back against the car. “Like the way you keep leading me on then pushing me away.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” She pushed him back a few inches.

  “Like hell it is!” He tried to press closer. “We both know there’s chemistry here. Why won’t you admit it?”

  Senna gave him a good shove, and jerked her car door open as he stumbled back. He reached for her and she blocked his hand away. “That’s enough, Mr. Harper. I suggest you leave before I’m forced to call campus security.”

  “Why are you doing this?”

  There was no way she was going to let the situation go any further. She got in her car and sped away, leaving her student standing the parking lot watching her.

  “Great!” she grumbled. “As if things weren’t bad enough. Now I’ve got a Lothario to contend with.”

  She checked the time on her dashboard as she braked for the stoplight. With the afternoon traffic, she would be lucky to make it by seven. She grabbed her cell phone and dialed for directory assistance and asked to be connected to Nolan’s hotel.

  She was put though to his room and the phone rang half a dozen times before she was switched back to the front desk. She left a message that she might be a little late then hung up.

  Her thoughts turned to her lunch with Ryan, which led her to thinking about Konnor. Even thoughts of him made her excited and anxious. She honestly didn’t know how she was going to put him and the night they had spent together out of her mind. But it looked like she would have to find a way. He still hadn’t called. Had he?

  She quickly called her home phone and listened to her messages. There was one from Minora saying that Walter’s attorney had been in touch with her and that he had left everything to her and Senna. There was a crate of books and personal belongings due to be delivered tomorrow that Walter specifically requested Senna go through personally.

  Sadness washed over Senna as she thought about Walter. It was so tragic and unfair. He had been a good man, so gentle and caring. To have been killed in so horrible a way made her sick at the injustice. She hoped that Ryan would find the guilty party and make sure he went to prison forever.

  She almost swerved into the next lane as Konnor’s voice sounded in the phone. He had left a message apologizing for taking so long to call. Some things had come up he had to take care of. He asked if they could get together that evening after his last class.

  She fumbled for a pen in her purse and jotted down his home and office numbers on the front of a file folder on the car seat, then ended her messages and rang his home phone. There was no answer. She called his school.

  “Konnor Chase,” he answered on the second ring.

  “Hi, it’s Senna.” She wished her heart wasn’t beating so fast. She felt like a love-struck teenager. “I just got your message.”

  “Sorry for the short notice, but I hoped I could see you,” he said.

  “I’d like that,” she replied immediately.

  “How about meeting me here after the last class?”

  “What time is that?”

  “Nine-thirty, ten.”

  She mentally calculated. If she met Nolan for dinner at seven and left by eight she could run by and see Ian and be at the martial arts school by then. “Okay,” she agreed. “But I may be a little late. I’m on my way to the airport hotel. A colleague from Chicago is in town for the night and we’re supposed to have dinner. After that I have an appointment with my psy—”

  “You’re doing what?” he asked then spoke to someone else,” I’ll work with you in a minute.”

  “Sorry,” he said into the phone. “I didn’t catch that last part.”

  “I said I have to see my psychiatrist, Ian Drake.” She decided it was best not to lie or evade.

  “Okay.” He didn’t seem the least affected. “I’ll wait.”

  “Great. I’ll see you later. Bye.”

  As soon as she hung up she let out her breath. Suddenly she wished she hadn’t made all the plans she had, because all she wanted to do was to get to Konnor. But she reminded herself that just because he had called didn’t mean he felt the same. She tried to focus her at
tention on something else. A few minutes later she exited off the highway and headed toward the airport.

  The parking lot of the hotel was crowded when she arrived. She couldn’t find a place to park in front of the building, so she circled around back. At last she found an empty slot.

  “Crap!” She had almost reached the hotel entrance when she realized she had left her purse in the car. All she had in her hand were her car keys.

  She hurried back to get it. As she drew near, she pressed the remote. She heard the latch release at the same time a noise behind her made her stop and turn. A man was getting out of a car parked one space over.

  She quickly got her purse, locked the car, and headed for the hotel. The man was right in front of her. He stopped and looked back at her. “Hi. Are you checking in?”

  “No.” She had always been a little wary of strangers.

  “I’m here on business,” he said with a smile. “Name’s Pete Lester, pharmaceutical sales and dad missing his wife and boys.”

  The mention of his family made Senna more at ease. “How old are your children?”

  “Three and five,” he answered as he opened the door for her.

  “Thanks,” she gave him a grateful smile.

  “Have a nice night.”

  “You too,” she said. “I hope you get to go home to your family soon.”

  “You and me both,” he said as he headed for the elevator.

  Senna went to the deck and asked for Nolan’s room number. The clerk checked the computer then informed her that Dr. Weston was in room 302. She thanked him and took the elevator to the third floor.

  She found the room and knocked on the door. As soon as her knuckles met the door, it gave way. She thought it odd that the door would have been open, but never looked to see what held it open. She pushed it open wider and called out, “Nolan?”

  There was no reply. She entered and looked around. The room was empty.

  “That’s strange,” she murmured to herself.

  She didn’t know what else to do, so she went back to her car. She had just tossed her purse in the car and started to get in when something rammed her in the back. Her breath whooshed out. Almost immediately something hit her in the back of the head hard enough to make her see stars. Dizzy from the blow, she staggered. A hand covered her mouth at the same time an arm wrapped around her throat. Before she could break free, her abductor had been joined by another man. Between the two of them they bullied her toward the open side door of an old faded green van.