by Ciana Stone
“Senna…” He stroked her face gently. “I know this is a bad time, but I really need some answers and I think you’re the only one who can give them to me, so I’m asking you to be honest.”
“I’ve always been honest with you, Ryan.” She felt she should have crossed her fingers behind her back or something. While she had been completely honest with him when they were involved, lately she had not been.
“I want to know what you can tell me about the cuneiform on the notes we found on the victims.”
“I’ve already told you that I’m not an expert in ancient languages.”
“But you do recognize the writing.”
“What makes you think that?”
“We’ve known each other a while. I saw it on your face at the station when Paige showed you the copies. You know something.”
She started to lie, but decided the best course was to be honest without divulging too much. “I recognized a name.”
“A name?”
“Yes. Enlil. He was a Sumerian god.”
“So I’ve been learning.” His comment brought a look of surprise to her face.
“Seems like our murderer is using an ancient bronze sword to do the killing,” he explained. “The experts think it predates an artifact housed at the Metropolitan.”
“And?”
“And that sword has an inscription that names Enlil. It seems to me that our killer is trying to leave us a clue.”
“Or trying to mislead you,” she said.
He looked at her thoughtfully and she looked away. Something in that gesture gave him a sinking feeling in his gut. For the first time since he’d known her, he thought she was being dishonest with him.
“I need to know the truth. Were you in any way involved in the murder of Dr. Pierce-Warner?”
Senna had not expected that question from him. But she answered it anyway with a nod and heard him draw in his breath sharply. “As an officer of the law, I am obliged to inform you of your rights.” He looked like he was about to be sick.
“Ryan, I didn’t say I have anything to do with him being killed. I said I think I’m involved. How can I not be? I knew him. Just like the others. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that I’m the only person in this city who knew all three of them. So that has to make me involved.”
“But you don’t know anything about the actual murders?”
“No. All I know is that people I know and care about are being killed and it scares me. Like Ian. Did he really commit suicide?”
“There’s some question about that.”
“I knew it! Ryan, listen to me. You have to stay away from me. Do you understand? I don’t know what’s going on or why, but everyone around me seems to be a target for whoever this…this lunatic is, and I don’t want you to be on the list of victims.”
“I can take care of myself,” he said with a hint of a smile.
“This isn’t a joke, Ryan.” She didn’t understand why he was smiling.
“I know.”
“Then why are you smiling?”
“I guess I like the fact that you’re worried about me. It shows you still care.”
“Well, of course I do.”
“So do I.”
She realized he had misinterpreted her concern. She tried to think of a way to set the record straight but before she could find the words he kissed her. She pulled away.
“Senna, you don’t know how much—”
“Please,” she cut him off. “Don’t.”
“It’s Konnor, isn’t it?” He sounded more angry than hurt.
“Partially, yes. But not entirely. Mostly it’s me. I need to be sure for myself. Do you understand? I have to find out what’s right and real for me.”
After a moment he nodded. “Okay, I understand. You need some space. I can do that. Just don’t cut me out of your life. That’s all I ask.”
“Ryan, you’ll always be important to me. It’s just that—”
“Don’t say it,” he cut in. “Like you said, you need some time. Besides we can talk about it later. We did have a dinner date for tonight.”
She had forgotten about her promise to have dinner with him and at that moment all she cared about was finding Konnor.
“We are still on, aren’t we?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” She tried to think of another excuse to get out of it. He obviously had not been paying attention to what she’d said about people around her ending up dead.
“I really think we need some time together, Senna. Besides, as much as I hate to do this, I have to point out that suspicion has been raised concerning your involvement with the murders. I really don’t want to have to go to the captain and tell him I’ve spoken with you and that you don’t have an alibi for the time of Pierce-Warner’s death.”
Senna was shocked that he would resort to that kind of underhanded threat. “Are you blackmailing me, Ryan?”
“No. Just trying to make a point. There are a lot of things we need to discuss and that’s one of them. I’d really like to be able to go to the captain and give him a plausible reason not to suspect you in these murders.”
“All right,” she gave in. It would increase the risk of Slater finding out she was back, but she supposed she owed Ryan that much. “Where and what time?”
“Eight,” he said with a smile and pulled his notepad from his pocket and jotted down an address. “It’s a new place. A guy who used to be on the force owns it. As a matter of fact, he isn’t officially open for business yet. He doesn’t even have a sign up, but he’s invited a few of us over to try out the place.”
She read the address on the slip of paper. “Okay, I’ll see you at eight, but right now I have to go.”
“Yeah, me too.” He leaned over to kiss her and she shifted slightly so that his lips contacted with her cheek. “See you later.” She opened the car door and slipped inside.
She didn’t wait for him to return to his car before she started the engine and backed down the driveway. She opened the glove compartment. Sure enough, there was a cell phone inside. She took it and dialed the number of Konnor’s martial arts school. It rang twice then a recorded message came on saying that the number was out of order. She tried his home phone and got his voice mail.
“Hi, it’s me. I stopped by your house but you weren’t home and I can’t get through to your school. Some trouble on the line. I’m on my way to Minora’s, so if you get this message please meet me there. I’ll wait for you.”
It didn’t occur to her that Slater might have Konnor’s phone tapped. She was thinking only of seeing Konnor.
* * * * *
Southeast Charlotte
Konnor stood and watched the fire-fighters battle the blaze. The building was destroyed. By the time they got the fire put out there would be nothing to salvage. The flames reflected in his dark eyes from the fire were not nearly as hot as the fire that raged inside him. He had no doubt who had set the fire. He had spotted one of Slater’s men watching when he arrived.
He got in his car and drove away. It was time he and Slater had a talk. It took almost half an hour to reach the private estate where Slater was staying. When he arrived, he was surprised that no one was on watch. It was not like Slater to be so lax in his security.
When he reached the front door, he understood. The place was empty. Slater had moved his operation. The fact that no one had notified Konnor of the change was a sure indication that Konnor was out of the loop. He was now as much under suspicion as anyone, which meant he was on his own.
That didn’t scare him. At least not for himself. He had been on his own most of his life and knew how to survive. But he had more than just himself to consider. There was also Senna.
He drove home. He would have to move. His house was no longer secure. Slater knew the location. But there were things he needed to get from the house.
When he walked inside, he snatched up the phone at the same time he saw Shen sitting on the couch. “Why are you here?” he ask
ed as he pressed buttons on the phone to retrieve his messages.
Shen didn’t reply, but watched as Konnor listened to Senna’s message. Konnor tried to keep any trace of emotion from his face, but inside he was in a knot. Slater no longer trusted him, which meant he would have already arranged to have his phone and house bugged. That meant that Slater knew Senna was back and where she was going.
“I have to go,” he told Shen.
Shen nodded and followed him outside. Konnor was surprised when Shen got into the car with him. “You’re going with me?” he asked as he backed up.
“We have reached a critical stage,” Shen replied. “I had hoped it would not come to this, but I find that we have no choice. If we cannot succeed in misleading Slater then he will have to be eliminated. We cannot afford his interference.”
“Excuse me, but right now I have more important things to consider,” Konnor argued with him for the first time. “I have to get to her before he does.”
“Slater is an obstruction, but not an indomitable one,” Shen said. “If he takes her he will not kill her. She holds the keys to all he covets. He may use unethical or even painful methods to extract the information from her, but he will draw the line at destroying her. If she dies, the knowledge dies with her and he will not take that risk. Our adversary, on the other hand, would rather see her dead than let the knowledge fall into our hands. If you want to concern yourself with someone, I suggest you turn your attention to the arena where the real danger lies.”
“Adversary?” Konnor barked. “Arena? Why can’t you just come out and say it? Who is this adversary? Tell me who he is and what he looks like and I’ll find him and eliminate him once and for all, but don’t keep telling me about some elusive goddamn phantom that I can’t be sure even exists, and expect me to endanger her life from a very real and concrete threat!”
“Our opponent is real.” Shen didn’t raise his voice or react in any way to Konnor’s anger.
“Sure.” Konnor scoffed. “So you say. Just like this knowledge that’s so important, but not enough that you’ll come out and tell me what the hell it is.”
“You know what it is.”
“Do I?” Konnor’s anger was getting the best of him. When he realized it, he blew out his breath and tried to get it under control. “All I know is that Slater seems to think that Senna knows something about some weapon, or plans for one, that her father discovered. He thinks the information on how to build or use it is locked up in her head.”
“He is correct.”
Konnor gaped at him. “What? Are you telling me that you believe this fairy tale?”
“It is no, as you put it, fairy tale. It is all too real. Lucas Laserian did make a remarkable discovery. Not only did he uncover the plans for an extraordinary weapon, he discovered a device that allowed him to store all the information on the weapon within a human mind. Or more precisely, in Senna Laserian’s mind. We cannot allow anyone to possess that knowledge. It is too deadly. If we cannot find a way to hide that knowledge forever, it and the vessel that stores it must be destroyed.”
“You’re talking about killing her.” Konnor felt like a band had suddenly tightened around his chest.
“If that is our only option.” Shen looked away.
“I can’t allow that, Shen.”
“You cannot stop it.”
“I can, and I will. In this I’m serious. I won’t allow you or anyone to harm her. We’ll find a way to hide the knowledge. If we can’t, I’ll take her somewhere we can’t be found. But she will not be killed.”
“You speak through your emotions and not your reason.”
“Yes,” Konnor admitted. “And I’m sorry that you can’t understand. I didn’t think I would ever find love again, and now that I have I won’t allow anyone to take it from me. Not even you. If you understood love then you would understand.”
“Perhaps I do.” Shen’s voice was so low it was hard to hear. “Perhaps all too well.”
* * * * *
Myers Park, Charlotte NC
“Let me have Cook fix you something to eat,” Minora made the suggestion for the second time since Senna had arrived.
“I’m not hungry.” Senna was getting frustrated. She had been trying to convince Minora to leave for the past half hour and so far had made no progress at all. “Min, please listen to me. You have to leave. Whoever these people are, they’re very dangerous. Look at what they did to Harlan!”
Minora regarded her calmly and Senna jumped up. “Aren’t you listening to me? People are being murdered! You have to leave!” Senna fell to her knees in front of Minora’s wheelchair and took Minora’s hand. “Min, please, I can’t lose you.”
“You are absolutely right,” Minora replied, eliciting a confused look from Senna. “You can’t lose me. I won’t allow it. Nothing will happen to me, my dear. I know nothing of what your father was working on before his death so there is nothing I can tell them.”
“Harlan didn’t know anything either,” Senna pointed out. “But he was still murdered. Don’t you understand? I’m afraid. I love you, Min.”
“As I do you. And that is precisely why I cannot leave. If there is adversity to be faced, we will do it together.”
Senna slumped down on the floor. She wished she could tell Minora the truth, that Marcus was alive. But he had insisted that no one know. Senna didn’t understand why he had never gotten in touch with Minora during all the years since the time he was reported dead. When she had questioned Marcus about it, he had simply said that he could not bring danger to his sister. It was best that she think him dead. That way she was safe. Senna understood completely. She would not put Minora’s life in danger either. But she was still afraid that Minora was endangered just because of their relationship.
“Will you do me one favor?” she asked her aunt.
“If it is within my power,” Minora answered. “And within reason,” she added.
“Will you just consider what I’ve said? Maybe I am overreacting and being paranoid. But then again, maybe not. Harlan’s death proves that something is going on we don’t understand, but somehow it has something to do with me or my father. And Ian Drake didn’t kill himself, which is further proof that something is terribly wrong. So, for me, will you please just consider it? All I’m asking is that you take a little vacation. It’s not for forever, just a little while.”
“Very well,” Minora relented. “I will consider it.”
Senna gave her hand a grateful squeeze then stood. “I think maybe I will take you up on that offer. I’m a little hungry.”
“I’ll ring for Cook.” Minora reached for the phone.
“That’s okay.” Senna stayed her hand. “I think I’ll just raid the refrigerator. Can I bring you anything?”
“No, dear. Thank you.”
“Okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
On her way to the kitchen, she heard a car door slam outside. Hoping that it was Konnor, that he had gotten her message, she ran to the door and peered out of the sidelight. A man she had never seen was opening the rear door of a black Mercedes, and Slater was getting out.
Senna wasted no time running back to the sitting room. “Min, we have to hide!” she exclaimed at the same time she rushed behind Minora’s wheelchair and grabbed the handles.
“Whatever are you doing?” Minora hit the brake on the chair.
“Don’t do that!” Senna groped for the brake release. “You don’t understand. We have to hide!”
Minora refused to release the mechanism. “I will do no such thing. Now, tell me what has you so frantic?”
One look at the set of Minora’s jaw squelched any ideas Senna had about arguing. Once Minora made up her mind, nothing could change it, short of an act of divine intervention. “There’s someone here. I can’t go into details. All I can do is tell you that he’s a very dangerous man and we can’t let him find us.”
About that time they heard the doorbell. “Come on!” Senna urged.
“No,” Minora refused and when Senna started to argue, she held up one hand. “Listen to me. Whoever this man is, he would not dare to harm me here in my own home. Besides, it’s possible that he is not here to do me harm, but merely to ask questions. However, I do think it best if you are not present when I speak with him.”
Senna could hear the muffled sounds of voices from the foyer and knew there was little time. She had to make a decision fast. “Okay,” she gave in. “I’ll wait in the library. But at the first sign of trouble I’m calling…someone,” she finished lamely. She could just imagine trying to call the police and tell them that the CIA was there threatening them.
“Go.” Minora shooed her along. “I will be fine.”
Senna wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do but at that moment she was too scared to think of anything else. She dashed into the library a moment before Mrs. Muller entered the sitting room. “There is a Mr. Slater here to see you, Ms. Laserian.”
“Please show him in, Mrs. Muller.”
Senna pressed against the wall beside the door and waited. Her heart sounded like a drum in her head, so loud she was sure it could be heard in the next room. A few seconds passed then she heard Slater’s voice.
“Ms. Laserian, thank you for agreeing to see me.”
“I do not believe we’ve been introduced,” Minora replied.
“Bruce Slater. I work for the government and I would like to ask you a few questions.”
“May I see some identification, Mr. Slater?”
“Certainly.”
Senna ventured a look through the crack of the door. Minora was looking at the identification Slater handed her. “Department of Energy,” she said. “Very well, what can I do for you, Mr. Slater?”
“Ms. Laserian, I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but during the past two years your niece has been working on a government project. I cannot discuss the details of that project. I can only tell you that it is classified. Three other scientists associated with the project have been murdered and we have reason to believe that your niece is the next target. As such, it is vital that I locate her so that I can take her into protective custody.”
