by Delta James
“If I cooperate, you’ll let me go?”
“Tonight makes twice you’ve tried to kill my woman. What makes you think I’ll let you live? Perhaps your only choice is whether I slit your throat and you die easy or we allow the Spirit of the Bear to tear you apart before he starts eating your entrails.”
“Cade, please. It’s not Just Cal’s fault, is it? He fell in with a bad crowd and now can’t get out from under them.”
“Had the bear not shown up, he would have had his pants down and been in line to rape you,” spat Cade.
“Yes, but the bear was there, and I’m sure Just Cal regrets that indiscretion, don’t you?” said Halley. “But he’s willing to tell us everything he knows and then run for his life because the people he’s about to betray will kill him when they find out, won’t they?”
Just Cal nodded. “Oil. There’s oil under the Rockies. More than anyone knows. There are some who know and some exploratory drilling has begun. The people backing the casino believe that this portion of the mountains could be the richest find yet. They don’t care about some stupid casino. That’s just a cover to bring in heavy machinery and the workers they need to hide what they’re really doing.”
“If Halley’s work doesn’t affect what they’re really up to, then why go after her?” asked Cade.
“Because she was bound to discover them working offsite. And they knew once she did, she’d ferret out what was going on and blow the whistle on them. They had hoped to build a kind of pipeline to syphon off the oil. That’s all I know.”
“That’s not all you know,” said Halley. “Tell me about Plutus.” Halley smiled as Just Cal’s face registered surprise at her knowledge. “I traced the development company back that far and then ran into a lot of shell corporations. I haven’t had a chance yet to figure out who’s behind Plutus.”
Just Cal nodded. “Plutus was the Egyptian God of Wealth.” He laughed shakily. “That’s the hell of it, the company is foreign. I’m not sure you’ll ever get through all the dummy companies to find out who is really responsible. I’m not sure they want to get the oil to sell.”
“What else would they want it for?” asked Halley.
“I’m starting to be convinced that they want to hoard it to drive up oil prices and ensure the Middle East remains in control of oil production,” Just Cal continued.
“But you’re from Chicago, I’m guessing by that accent,” said Halley.
“Yes. I thought this was my chance to show the Chicago mob that I had what it takes to be a boss. Now all I want is to get out with my life. I’ll give you the keys to the office, my cell phone, and my laptop. Everything I know is in there. But if you make me stay, they’ll kill me for sure.”
“And if we expose them, will they keep coming after Halley?” asked Cade.
“I don’t think so. She’s associated with the feds. If you expose them, the foreigners will write it off as a business loss and without their financial backing, the mob will lose interest. Oil production is a big money proposition. Some back in Chicago have already been saying they needed to cut their losses. If the feds come after them, they’ll turn on each other. As long as they thought by getting rid of Halley, they could still get to their end game, she was in danger. Once they’re exposed, they’ll all run for cover,” explained Just Cal.
“Like cockroaches running from the light,” interrupted Halley.
Just Cal looked at her. “To an extent. At that point killing you accomplishes nothing and the price would be too high. A hitman to take out someone seen as a fed is expensive, and after they’re exposed there’s no real ROI.”
“ROI?” questioned Cade.
Halley laughed. “Return On Investment. In other words, once they’re exposed, I’m no longer worth killing because they’ve lost any chance they have at succeeding.”
Cade leaned over to cut Just Cal loose.
“No, Cade, I think we take a little trip with Just Cal to get his laptop and cell phone. We have him log in and give us his passwords. I want to make sure he can’t trigger something remotely.”
Cade leaned a bit further and kissed her instead. “For such an unruly female, you can be very intelligent when you want to be. I’ll remember that in the future.”
She laughed. “Now why is it I have the distinct feeling that’s going to be used against me at some point down the road.”
“What’s to keep you from killing me once you have what you need? I can expose you,” said Just Cal.
“Not without exposing yourself,” answered Halley. “And besides which, we’re not killers. Even if someone finds the bodies, they were all killed by a bear, not by Cade or me.”
“Why not just call the cops?” asked Just Cal, trying to see if he had any negotiating room.
“Because I’m an environmentalist, you ass, and grizzlies are endangered. I’m not about to let people track that animal down and kill him after he saved my life. Would it help if I told you whatever money is in that office, you’re welcome to take with you? As you guessed, Cade and I would just as soon the authorities aren’t ever informed of what happened here the other night.”
Just Cal nodded. “I can do that. Let me have the money and I’ll run so far and so fast no one will even realize I’m on the run before I’m gone.”
“What do you think, Cade?”
“I think we take him into his office and if he gives us what you think we need and you want to let him go, I’m willing to let him live,” said Cade evenly.
Chapter Fifteen
By the next morning, Halley and Cade had all that they needed to take to the authorities regarding Plutus and what was behind their development project. They had gone to the office with Just Cal who had given them everything he had access to. They had left him gathering his money and clearing out. Halley copied it over to her own computer and cloned the cell phone as a backup before phoning Charlie.
“Deputy Murdock here.”
“Charlie, it’s Halley. Any chance you can come back out here with our statements? They’re working on the security system and Cade isn’t keen on the idea of leaving people we don’t know alone in the house and is insistent that I’m not going anywhere without him.”
“He’s a good man, your Cade. I can head on out right now if you want.”
“Thanks, Charlie.”
The security team continued to work on the house and barn. Cade kept careful watch over them. Halley went to find him.
“Cade? Charlie is going to come out.”
Cade turned to her, bringing her into his arms to kiss and run his hand down her back to briefly cup her buttocks. Halley knew that not only did he enjoy touching her, but it pleased him that she no longer tried to avoid his handling. She also knew that other men took the hint that she was his and didn’t try to make a play for her.
“You go on and talk to Charlie, I’ll stay here with the installers.”
Halley turned back to the house and smiled. Cade was making an effort to learn new terms and sometimes still struggled. Words like installers were not ones normally used by those born in the eighteenth century. She walked up onto the porch and waited for Charlie to arrive.
“Hey, Charlie,” she called as he got out of his vehicle.
“Hey, Halley!” He joined her on the porch. “Cade not around?”
“He’s with the guys putting in the security system. He’s decided you’re safe.”
Charlie grinned. “I’m glad to hear that. I like him a lot, Halley. It’s easy to see you two are good for each other and belong together. Do you think you’ll settle down here?”
“Not sure yet. I just know that I want to be wherever he is.”
Charlie nodded. “I don’t think you have much choice about that. Cade doesn’t strike me as a man who’s going to be content with your not sharing his bed. Why don’t I leave your statement here with you and I’ll take Cade’s to him? You can both read and sign them and be done with it.”
“I have something else. I have Just Cal
’s laptop, cell phone, files, and passwords.”
“Jesus, Halley! How’d you get that? Does Cade know? If you put yourself in danger...”
“Cade was with me. We made a deal with Just Cal. He gave us what we need to shut down the development project and we let him clean out the cash from his office and hightail it for parts unknown.”
“He was with the guys who attacked you? How’d you talk Cade into letting Worthington run?”
“We wanted what he had. This has never been about a hotel and casino. It was all to cover up that they’re trying to explore for oil reserves under the mountains. With the work I’d already done, it’s pretty clear they were going to use federal and state land and take the oil.”
“I wonder if we can use this for evidence?”
Halley nodded. “You can. You couldn’t have gone in and gotten it without a search warrant, but Cade and I aren’t cops so there’s no Fourth Amendment violation. Besides Just Cal gave us his keys and also signed an affidavit to that effect.”
“Halley, this could be a huge deal for me.”
She smiled at him. “That’s what I thought, which is why I wanted to give it to you and not anyone else.”
“Thanks, Halley. Here’s your statement. You just need to read it and sign at the bottom. I’ll take Cade’s down to him.”
Charlie handed her the statement and trotted down the steps and over to the barn. Halley found herself glancing at the railing that Cade had repaired from when he crashed through it that first night. Then she looked at the one he’d thrown her over afterwards to claim her. She shook her head; he was right. He had claimed her that night and if she had to admit it, she was happy he had done so.
Halley watched as Cade and Charlie exited the barn acting and talking like old friends. She had to admit that Cade had come around fairly easily about Charlie, especially in light of his previous accusation about Charlie taking liberties with her. One thing about Cade, she’d never be able to say she didn’t know what she was getting into or that he was a decidedly old-fashioned man. Although, given his history he was incredibly enlightened.
Cade glanced back at the house and waved. She returned the gesture and smiled. She liked to think if he was good for her, she was just as good for him. Halley went upstairs and opened her grandfather’s tallboy dresser. She knew her grandmother had never emptied it and decided if she and Cade were going to spend some of their time down here, he would need clothes and a place to put them. She opened the top drawer. It was empty except for an envelope with a quick note from Kaye and the letter that lay within.
The envelope said:
Halley,
If you’re reading this, it means you’ve decided to stay and make this place your permanent home. Nothing would make me happier. I’m also hoping you’re cleaning out this drawer because you’ve found someone with whom to share your life. When I was packing up your grandmother’s things, I found this note to you. She loved you... so do I.
Kaye
Intrigued, Halley opened the envelope and withdrew the sheet of paper inscribed by her grandmother’s hand.
Sweet Girl,
By the time you read this, I’ll be gone. Do not weep for me. I’ll be with your grandfather and we’ll both be watching over you. I’ve known I was going to die for a while and wanted to set things in place to keep you safe. There are a few things I want you to know.
The first is that I love you. I have loved you since the moment your mother brought you home to your grandfather and me. You have been the greatest joy of my life.
One of the few regrets I have in life is that I never told you that I believed you about the bear who saved you from the cougar. I know others dismissed it as delusions because of the blood loss, but we both know it wasn’t. It was, as you often surmised, the Spirit of the Bear. He is real, Halley, and his name is Cade Devereaux.
Cade has lived for more than two hundred years and all the stories you’ve heard about him are true. After your grandfather died, I needed something to occupy my mind and got interested in his story. That sent me looking for Cade. To say he wasn’t happy about an old, terminally ill woman seeking him out would be an understatement. I’ve made him promise to keep watch over you and keep you safe. He is connected to you somehow. What started out as me looking for a guardian of sorts for you has turned into a true friendship. Next to your grandfather, Cade is the man I most trust and admire in this world.
Call it a foolish old woman’s pipedream, but my hope is that whatever forces brought him out of his slumber to save you that day and have kept him awake since then will lead him to have a place in your heart as well. He is a good man. If, as I suspect, he has feelings for you that go beyond those of someone he has saved, you will find him to be intelligent, compassionate, kind, and strict. Those are the same qualities I would attribute to your grandfather. Any sins that he thinks he needs to atone for were paid in full a long, long time ago. You can trust him with everything... including your heart.
The deed for the house and its property is in the safety deposit box. You will also find there a deed for the property from here extending the boundary of our land to include Cade’s cavern home in the mountain behind the waterfall.
Be happy, Halley. Build a life with Cade.
Nona
Halley plopped down on the bed. She heard Cade coming up the stairs. It was funny to think she could already tell his footsteps as opposed to others.
“Halley?” he said with concern. “Why are you crying?”
“I was cleaning out the dresser so that you’d have a place for your things if we decide to stay down here. I found a note from my grandmother. I think it’s safe to say that next to me, she was your biggest fan.”
“We were very fond of each other. We had you in common.”
“That’s what she thought too.” Halley laughed. “And it seems that my sweet, gentle papa had a decidedly dominant side.”
Cade grinned. “You said that the other day and things your grandmother said over the years made me think that was true.”
“I think Kaye may know about you. She found the note and put it in an envelope for me. I don’t think she’d betray us, but I need to talk to her.” Halley grinned. “Besides, I think she may know things that can help us get paperwork for you.”
He arched his eyebrow at her. “How would she know that?”
“When we were kids, Kaye was the best at making phony IDs.”
“I’m not sure Charlie would approve of that.”
“Don’t you bet on it... he had at least two he got from her that I know about. Oh, God, I wonder if she’s told Charlie?”
“If not, she needs to.”
“Why? Charlie doesn’t need to know.”
“Like you, Kaye has a man to whom she is accountable. Keeping secrets is not acceptable.”
“And Charlie is a deputy sheriff. I’m not sure how we get around the fact that officially you disappeared into the mountains two hundred years ago.”
“If that becomes an issue, you and I will simply fade into the Rockies and never be heard from again. But I will not condone, nor will I allow you to participate in, any deception on Kaye’s part where Charlie is concerned.”
“You don’t think he’ll tell anyone, do you?” Halley asked.
Cade shook his head. “No. I think he already suspects something isn’t quite right about me. You tell Kaye she has twenty-four hours to share her knowledge with him. If she does, I won’t tell him that she’s known and chosen to remain silent. At the end of that time, I will tell him myself and will also tell him that Kaye knew. I don’t think either of you will much care for Charlie’s reaction to that.”
“Before you start issuing ultimatums, let me at least confirm with Kaye what she knows.”
Cade nodded. “Get it done today.”
“You know you could ask me...”
“But then you would think you had a choice to say no. You don’t.”
“There’s a part of me that keeps think
ing I should just tell you to get out of my life...”
“But that’s not what you want, is it, Halley?”
“No, but I should.”
Cade pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. “But you won’t, will you?”
She shook her head. “No. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“That’s good, because I would never let you go. The only thing your trying to run away would accomplish is to get you put face down over my knee to get your bottom spanked.”
In spite of herself, she smiled. “You do say the nicest things to me... not. Of all the qualities my grandmother assigned to you, romantic and pigheaded weren’t among them.”
He chuckled and nuzzled her neck, nosing her hair out of his way to nibble kisses along the side of her throat as he ran his hands down her body.
Halley laughed. “She also didn’t mention sensual and great in the sack.”
Cade laughed as well and released her from his hold. “I just wanted to check on you. They’re almost finished outside. The lead man said then it’s just a matter of installing the window and door sensors and the control panels. He asked how many we want?”
“Of the control panels? Two, I think. One inside the kitchen door as that’s the one we’ll use the most and then one up here in case of an emergency.”
“Good thinking. Your grandmother said you were smart among other lovely things. She didn’t, however, mention what a spankable bottom you had or your responsive nature.”
“Get out,” Halley said, laughing as she pushed him away. “I’m going to give Kaye a call.”
Halley watched him leave the house, shaking her head. He really was impossible, and she really did love him. She picked up her phone and called Kaye.
“What’s up, girlfriend?” came the bright answer on the second ring.
“I found your note along with my grandmother’s.”
“Yeah, about that... I think your grandmother had gone off the deep end by the time she wrote it.”
“I don’t think so. We need to talk. Too many people here at the house.”
“It’s just me and the dogs at mine. Want to come over for coffee?”
