The woman looked at her wearily. “Then what do you want, money?” She asked. She looked to be in her mid-thirties maybe, natural auburn hair and hazel green eyes that revealed added pressures of surviving the Manic Shift.
“I don’t want money. I have a few belongings in the house. I’d like to have them if it’s no trouble?” Riley said feeling the immediate distrust in her. She also got the distinct feeling someone was watching them.
“There were only a few items other than furniture.” She said gesturing with her hands towards the door.
“Please. I left in a hurry. I wasn’t able to take everything with me. There’s a secret place, a safe of sorts in the bedroom. Have you found it?” Riley asked.
She shook her head no and then stepped towards the door. “Okay then. Come on in.”
“I’m Riley, Riley Collins.”
“Emily.” She said. “I recognize you from the pictures.”
“Oh yeah? Pictures?” Riley said. “He didn’t burn those?”
“Not the ones in the attic. Not a pleasant man?” She turned to Riley just before they entered the house.
Riley nodded no. "Not even in the slightest."
Emily bowed her head a touch, “I always wondered.” She said. “No wonder you don’t want the house then.”
It was a harsh reality, but the Shift had given Riley a new lease on life. “I don’t.”
Stepping through the door, Riley felt her chest constrict. She hadn’t been there since the night an intruder had watched her as she slept. Emily turned to her. “You okay? You want me to go get your friend?” She asked gesturing out to where Jack waited.
“No. I’m fine.”
Inside, it looked the same. Emily had recreated her worst memory.
“I fixed what I could.” She said. “We came with nothing.”
She grew nervous probably seeing Riley’s fear. Riley tried to calm the stormy tide in her soul. “You did a good job.” She said. “May I?” Riley asked motioning towards the stairs that led to the main bedroom. She waved at Emily to follow. “I’ll give you the combination.”
Emily nodded following her up the stairs. “I have two boys.” She said freely.
“No husband?”
"No. He died a few weeks after the Shift began."
There was something instantly calming about Emily, and it made Riley wonder how she'd survived. The house meant nothing to Riley, but any clues leading to where Mark went did. Just being there jeopardized her safety.
“Has Mark been back here?”
“Your husband?” She asked. “No.”
“How old are your boys?”
“Both are teenagers.” She answered.
Riley shoved the bed aside and opened the safe saying the combination aloud. Emily stood with her arms crossed watching. Riley recovered the rest of her belongings from the safe, her favorite pistol included. She stuffed several small photo albums, a drawing tablet, and several journals into a duffel bag. When done, the safe was empty. Riley scribbled the combination down and gave it to Emily.
“You might want to think about doing the same," Riley said. Emily nodded in agreement. Riley sensed her vulnerability. "Was there any paperwork left behind?" Mark, being a warm weatherman, would have traveled somewhere tropical. A man surrounded by wealthy women with the least amount of clothing.
“I put everything in a box and had Adam put it in the attic. You’re welcome to look through it or take it if you want.”
“Thank you,” Riley said. “It would probably be easier if I just took it.”
Riley didn't want to linger here any longer. She felt compelled to help this woman but was short on time. The streets of Sacramento were in shambles. Every corner secretly hid someone waiting to steal what the other had. As Emily retrieved the box, Riley learned that a teenage boy had murdered her husband when he refused to give up his car. She was a single mother raising two kids by herself.
“How old are your boys?” Riley asked.
“Adam is 17. Trenton is 15. Why?" She asked softly, and Riley wondered how this woman, this kind-hearted, and soft-spoken woman had survived here.
“Because, if ever you need to leave here and you have nowhere to go,” Riley slipped a card into her hand, “find us. We always have room for more people.”
The ache in Riley’s soul left her as she stepped back outside and into the sunshine. She could breathe, and she was happy the house had found someone like Emily. Maybe it could nurture happiness back inside of it instead of fear.
Riley glanced at Jack standing near the front of the dark Hummer. His long slender body leaned into the fender his arms crossed. Jack dressed in all black. His eyes hidden by dark sunglasses and his face showed a three-day shadow. Riley realized the complete irony of it all. The dark clothes, bulletproof vests, weapons close enough it would take a heartbeat to pull out and kill. Emily's first impression had been fear. Riley's was lust plus.
Emily stood on the doorstep of Riley's old house. Her pale blue blouse blew gently in the California breeze. Her skin softly tanned by the southern sky. She watched Riley walk away. Riley doubted she had a weapon but the boy in the second story window did. An AK-47 was aimed in Riley and Jack's direction. Now Riley’s black military style boots made a slight tapping sound on the cement walkway as she walked away. The walkway she used to cross over daily. Not anymore, not hers anymore.
Riley would never forget Emily's face. Mother and son watched her. Emily's hazel eyes were blinking out the sunlight. Long auburn hair wrapped around her shoulders dancing in the wind. Somehow, Riley knew she'd see her again.
Jack took the box and the duffel bag without saying a word and then slid into the driver's seat. Riley hesitated wanting to wave at the woman watching her go. Riley got in the car.
They drove out of Sacramento before pulling over on an isolated off ramp surrounded by dried up farmland. The battered gas station was open but unwelcoming in appearances. The half-burned down McDonald's made her mouth water at the thought of a big Mac and fries. She shrugged it off knowing the impossibilities.
The only shade was under the dying eucalyptus trees and California shrubs. Jack opened the Hummer up so air could trickle through. Riley climbed in the back seat with the box and duffel bag. She wasn't feeling all reminiscent of Mark's belongings and dove right in while Jack sat on the back of the Hummer, and smoked a cigar. He didn't say anything as Riley thumbed through papers. She leaned back in the seat and sighed softly.
“You find something?” He asked.
“A ledger," Riley said thumbing through the pages slowly. Female names and numbers were scribbled on the pages. Some she knew personally. Names and dates she knew. Riley shuddered at the thought of those women and Mark. She felt sorrier for them and even more hatred toward her husband. There were numbers and figures on some pages, but what caught her eye was a single folded piece of paper tucked neatly in the middle of the book. Riley opened it and stared down at a photo of an extravagant motor yacht.
“That’s a beauty,” Jack said leaning across the seat.
“You know anything about boats Jack?”
He looked at her with that Jack look. The look reminded her that she didn’t know everything about him. He grinned slightly almost missed. She returned it and waited.
“Come on, cough it up.”
“It’s a boat.”
"Really?" Riley said, knowing he was only teasing her. When she met Jack for the first time, Riley knew he had a humorous side to him. He liked to tease. Her dad told her once that when someone teases you, it means the person liked you. This analogy enlightened Riley of Jack’s feelings for her.
"An expensive one." He added. "The photo was taken in Huntington."
“Nothing but the best.” She said. “Especially when he couldn’t afford much of anything back then.”
“A good place to be when the world goes to shit,” Jack said. “Ironic that Axel called. We’re heading to Long Beach anyway. I have a surprise for you.”
; “Am I going to like it?”
“You’re going to love her.” He said.
Riley raised her eyebrows, “Jack, you don’t have something you need to tell me about yourself, do you? A daughter or are you keeping a mistress?”
“I’m a one-woman man Riley.”
“Okay so now you’ve got my curiosity.”
“Did you see a boat in your vision?” He asked.
“No.”
“Maybe he assumes you’re dead. Maybe it’s better to leave it that way.” He reminded her. “From the sound of it, he’ll come after you when he’s ready.”
“Unless I stop him before he stops me.”
“Or I do,” Jack said in a low voice. “He’ll release you.” He said softly.
Riley looked straight-ahead, letting the smile show softly on her lips saying nothing.
CHAPTER SIX
CURRENT DAY
The sun streamed in through the window reflecting warmth onto her cheeks. It made her skin tingle. Riley leaned into the oversized window watching the cattle mill around the enclosed arena. Their hooves sunk into the dry sand swatting sticky flies away with their tails. Riley gazed at the land from the third-floor window. Thin curtains hung from the window blowing gently outward in the Arizona breeze.
Jack divided several calves from the herd, but they dodged him, encouraging others to tag along. As fast as he separated them, another darted from the string filtering back into the herd. Just watching, Riley could feel moving his horse pushing the calves forward into the holding corral where they’d receive their first brand. Being home felt incredible even with the stir of unease. Unfortunately, Riley was dreaming.
The furniture and surroundings in their bedroom looked jumbled. They lacked color and depth. Somewhere in the complexity of Riley's unconscious mind, Riley feared her imagination was about to take her places she didn't want to go. Turning back toward the window, ignoring the inconsistencies of distorted colors and the placement of furniture, Riley watched Jack and the smokey gray horse.
Where was Sam, Jack’s horse?
The horse was moving side to side with elegance as Jack pushed the calves one by one into the corral. A smaller calf darted from the group. It crow hopped in the opposite direction. Suddenly the calves became restless pressing toward the fence. Their wet noses forced to the wood poles holding them in. The unnerving darkness enveloped her. The contrast of the sun brightened. Pin prickling sensations raced over her skin raising the fine hairs on her flesh. Riley tried to avert the dream, but the demon of nightmares had another plan.
Jack struggled with the gray horse. The animal sensed danger. Flaring its nostrils and biting on the bit, the horse danced from side to side. Riley stepped closer to the window. The sun’s heat was too hot to endure. Fearfully, the horse’s head went high snorting and spraying a warning of danger. Jack reined the horse into a tight circle.
The calves began to cry. Riley searched for a reason, but she couldn’t see what scared them. Jack took hold of the gray. The horse bolted in one movement nearly sending Jack to the ground, but Jack moved with him bringing the gray back under his control. Head held high, ears pricked so tightly forward they almost touched, the horse lets out an extended blow of air from his nostrils again. Danger! A long white figure appeared from behind the chute. Chocolate lines zigzagged across the body of the cat. Giant paws hid razor like claws that tapped in the sand. Its tail swayed slowly from side to side. It was all she could do to catch her breath. The white Bengal tiger crept towards Jack.
In an instant, Jack saw the cat and reached for his rifle. The animal crouched down, ears laid backward, its muzzle drew upward exposing long white teeth. The cat turned and Riley’s gaze connected. Silver blue versus emerald green. She tried to scream, but her voice caught in her throat. Pulled backward, Riley fought to see out the window,
“Riley,” the voice said. Reality and darkness tugged her into another world. “Riley, wake up. Just a dream.”
Riley felt a cold dampness as she twisted out of the sheets and exposed herself to the early morning air streaming in from outside. The breeze was just enough to send a small chill across her skin. The moon filled the sky showering a blue light through the window and into their room like spilled paint. Jack's skin was sticking to hers. His arms wrapped protectively around her as the rhythm of her heart started to slow. In his arms, the dampness of fear evaporated, turning to exhaustion.
“Just a dream,” he repeated.
“Just a dream,” she repeated. This dream was no stranger to her. It followed her trying to break her capacity to reason with reality.
It started just after Utah and Eric went away. She’d been experiencing visions of sorts, small happenings at first. Spilled milk before the glass tipped, broken faucet, Sadie bringing home a jackrabbit and hearing thoughts of others. Jack wanted to believe what she was telling him but it was a tough sell. He chalked it up to the stress and injuries Ringo inflicted on her, but Riley knew that wasn't the reason. However, when she found a missing girl, he’d raised an eyebrow in her direction and then Riley thought Jack began to believe. They hadn’t discussed it any further but mostly because a friend of Jack’s, Axel Harris, had sought their presence in Long Beach.
Thanks to the Manic Shift, an event that proceeded a rare full honeymoon night on June 13th, 2014 infected the human population. The effects included unwarranted violent behavior and disconnection of emotion. The ill acted out violently after a trigger of agitation. Over half the population was dead or still missing.
Now just a few years had passed towns were beginning to rebuild, and new families were starting over. However, reestablishing law and order had been slow. Jack Colton and his team had formed a coalition to fix broken towns. That’s when she met Jack. While searching for Eric, Riley and the girls faced a severe snowstorm. Forced off the road, they took shelter at a Wildlife Veterinarian Hospital in Ash Fork. Ironically, Ringo was searching for Shay. Shay was with Jack. If fate couldn’t have been any greedier, Ringo took a liking to Riley. Ringo decided Riley was a better soulmate. If the devil had a soul? Ringo kidnapped Riley. In the end, Jack and Eric fought the same battles. They saved her life. She found Eric who disappeared after Ringo murdered his newly married wife, Shay.
It is December 2017.
Riley’s body crashed into the bed on the boat last night around midnight. The sounds of the marina reminded her of where she was. Most times falling asleep came hard. The boat was like a sedative, rocking gently against the push and pull of water. The moving tide lulled Riley to sleep.
The captain's quarters was acceptable in size and modestly decorated by someone with an expensive taste of wood and brass. The port windows and bed coverings accented Baha green with chocolate undertones. The carpet was a lighter brown, lending brightness to the room. Combining colors made the interior appear bigger. She (the boat) reflected the richness and beauty. Riley felt like a queen aboard the "Seraphina."
Safety was a priority. The security on the docks mirrored a concentration camp. There were men dressed in dark clothing heavily armed who routinely secured the perimeter of the harbor. Iron gates with keyed entries encased the docks to restricted users only keeping out riff raft and markers. Markers were thugs marking their, claimed, territory with destruction and disorder,
There were few boats left in the slips. Most of them appeared abandoned. A small army, commanded by Axel, protected the harbor. When the city erupted into a war zone, he'd regained control by men and women like Jack and Riley, warriors, fighters, survivors of the Manic Shift. He knew the harbor was important historically as well as commercially. No one expected a perfect world, but if people were to ever trade again with other countries, they needed the LA harbor. However, healing meant burying the Shift’s residue and recover cities at risk from losing most.
The gentle movement of the tide pushed the boat, rocking it gently from side to side. Somewhere not faraway, a rigging slightly tapped the side of its mast pole, making a soft continual drummi
ng sound. Riley closed her eyes letting Jack's hand slip away. His finger brushed the side of her thigh leaving a warm sensation.
“You alright,” He asked?
She nodded and yawned as her lips turning into a grin. She wasn’t sure if her contentment was that she was on a beautiful boat or Jack’s fingers brushing her skin. Riley felt like a lucky woman. The fairy tale was short lived. The mission was the sole purpose for being there.
Tomorrow they’d be dodging bullets and laying their lives on the line. For now, Riley couldn’t fight the incredible feeling of warmth and comfort.
Three reasons brought them to Long Beach. Riley’s no-good ex-husband Mark Raeburn, to help Axel gain control of the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor, and to connect with her brother Eric, again.
The Port of Los Angeles had been the eighteenth busiest container cargo port in the world and second most active in the USA. The port was located in Long Beach, California was close to larger cities like Los Angeles all of which were hot zones. Jack’s team was there to help in securing the port and create a point of security so ships loaded with supplies could enter the harbor. A few years ago, the port was responsible for supporting over a million jobs. It was the gateway for trade between Asia and the USA. The mission reflected growth and intolerance to violence. America was in need of supplies as well as other countries needing supplies from the USA.
In the Shadow of the Tiger (The Fighter Series Book 2) Page 3
