The Divine Devils: Mystery Suspense Crime Thriller: Book 1

by R Weir

  “I wish I had your musical talent,” she stated looking bummed.

  “If I was only as smart as you,” he replied with a smile. “We all have our strengths.”

  “I got the brains from Mom, while you got the artist side from Dad.”

  Deion laid the guitar flat on his lap. “We are half-siblings. We can’t share all the same traits.”

  Being half-siblings made little difference to Olivia. “Even though we have different fathers, I’ve never thought of you differently. You’re my brother, short and simple.”

  Deion grinned. “Thanks sis. Back at you. Even if you’re a pain in the ass at times.”

  Olivia laughed. “Back at you on the pain in the ass part!”

  “Are you happy about your high school days coming to a close?” wondered Deion.

  Olivia thought it over for a minute, her legs crossed, hands resting on her lap.

  “Mostly. Only a couple of days left and most of that is fun stuff or rehearsals for graduation. Though I do have to meet with the grief counselor again.”

  Deion made a pained face. “She seemed odd to me. What did you think?”

  “Similar impression. As if she was trying to stress us out even more than help us. Maybe that is part of the process.”

  “I’d just as soon put it behind me,” Deion revealed, the tips of his fingers rubbing the strings. “I really don’t care to think about how close we came to being taken away. Hopefully with this new security team in place, we’ll be safe now. Though them following me into the bathroom at school is a little weird.”

  Olivia shook her head in disgust, before getting up to walk over and kiss her brother on the head. A gesture she’d not carried out in some time. She nearly jumped when she heard the door open, then relaxed when she saw it was Athena. Though startled, Olivia was happy to have the woman watching over her with boundless confidence Olivia could sense.

  “Are you two going to sleep soon?” inquired Athena, standing in her jeans and t-shirt.

  “If we can,” answered Deion, while looking at his sister. “I’m not sure about Olivia, but I had a hard time sleeping last night, after what happened the night before.”

  Olivia agreed. “Sleep came and went. I’d wake up, startled by odd sounds or shadows in the room, before finally nodding off.”

  “Put your worries away,” noted Athena. “Cameryn is on the first watch and nothing short of a ghostly transparent spirit will get past him. And Keoki and Shen…well let me say without a doubt you can sleep soundly now that the full team is in place.”

  Though it was good to hear, Olivia still wasn’t certain she’d sleep well. Too much had happened over these last few days to shake from her memory.

  “You speak with a great deal of confidence in these men,” wondered Olivia.

  Athena leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed, gun buckled on her right hip.

  “We’ve worked together in the past. I know what they’re capable of when it comes to a fight.”

  “We saw what Hunter could do,” added Deion. “Shooting that one man in the leg and making it clear he wouldn’t allow them to fly away with us. It didn’t seem he feared them…or anything for that fact.”

  Athena nodded, though not convincingly. For she knew Hunter feared one thing and that was monogamous relationships with the fairer sex. But she kept that to herself. The kids really didn’t need to know or cared to know about her past with him.

  “When it comes to your safety, you couldn’t be in better hands,” remarked Athena while holding her palms out as if she were doing an insurance commercial.

  Deion picked up his guitar and put it back in the case and shoved it under the bed, before saying goodnight. Olivia walked out, Athena behind her, until she got into her room, and sat on the bed.

  “Try to get some sleep,” said Athena while standing in the doorway. “This is a special time in your life. You should be enjoying it and not worrying.”

  “I know,” replied Olivia with a glum expression. “But it’s hard after what has happened over the last couple of months. It seems the gods are working against me.”

  “Believe me, God has nothing to do with what is going on. It’s the other side trying to ruin your life. You have to have faith all will work out.”

  Athena and Olivia made eye contact, before Athena closed the door, walking back to her room. Laying down, minus her pants and gun holster, she hoped to get a few hours’ sleep herself, knowing it was easier said than done. The comforting words she’d quoted to Olivia and Deion, not providing solace to ease into slumber.

  Chapter 23

  Hunter was sitting in the offices of Nature’s Energy & Power in Boulder, having driven up that morning hoping to get an audience with their CEO, Troy Mayfield. To this point he’d been waiting for over an hour, having burned through the pile of magazines in the waiting area that interested him, which was only a small percentage present. Entertainment and People Magazine didn’t catch his eye, not caring about the litany of issues those in the public limelight were living through. And politics, well he’d experienced enough of it in his professional life to swear off reading the PR extravaganza which filled the pages of Time and the various newspapers. Only the color sports pages were appealing, but there weren’t enough of them to fill the boredom of waiting. At least the gray faux-leather chair was comfortable.

  Among all the magazines on the table, was a multi-page write-up on the building he was in. It covered the Green architecture of the structure, going into detail of all involved to make it one of the most energy efficient designs in the world, constructed using recycled materials whenever possible. Claiming an incredible undertaking to get it built, much of the back patting sounding eerily familiar to the building of Green Revival Living he had researched before taking the job. The two companies being two peas in a pod, it would seem, one following and the other copying. Though which one depended on the point of view of the person making the claims.

  After more time had passed and with Hunter growing frustrated, he decided to act. Walking to the front desk he asked the location of the restrooms, with directions leading past the elevators. Walking away, he lingered out of sight for a group of people to gather waiting to ride up. When roughly five employees arrived, he moved in next to them, climbing on, making the ride up getting off at the topmost level one of the employees had selected, which happened to be the fourth floor.

  Strolling out, acting as if he belonged, he made his way around the maze of cubes and offices, acknowledging anyone who said hello. Finding a room unoccupied, he stepped in, closing and locking the door. There he found a phone and dialed zero for the operator.

  “This is Peters in accounting,” stated Hunter, raising his voice and octave or two. “I’ve only been working here a month or so and I was told to drop off some spreadsheets with Mister Mayfield’s assistant for an important board meeting.” He paused, breathing hard into the phone, acting nervous. “And I’m embarrassed to say I forget where her desk is here in the building. Any chance you can point me in the right direction.”

  There was a pause on the other end, which lead Hunter to believe his ruse wasn’t working. Caller ID might be giving him away.

  “Funny how the head of a green company would want paper spreadsheets.” Hunter chuckled into the mouthpiece, adding levity to the conversation. “But his assistant said it’s easier for him to read than on a computer monitor and the boss gets what he wants.”

  More silence before she answered.

  “Yes, he does,” she replied, agreeing with his assessment. “He is on the fifth floor, but that section is locked down. There is no access without a keycard. I will have to send security up to escort you.”

  “That would be wonderful. I’m on the fourth floor, I can meet them at the elevator.”

  “Sid will be right up.”

  Hunter thanked her and stepped out of the office, making sure no one was suspicious of him before wandering to the elevator. His mind raced over options on how
to approach the situation. He was proficient in quick thinking on his feet, which was good because it wasn’t long before the ding of the elevator sounded. When the door opened Hunter was met by a man in his fifties, dressed in blue dress shirt and black slacks, badge on his chest, belt around his waist with gun, mace and taser, displaying he was the law when it came to this building.

  Hunter smiled at him appearing non-threatening, walking onto the elevator before he could get off.

  “That was fast, Sid,” he stated impressively, as if they were old friends.

  “An advantage of being in security. I can control the elevators.” He nodded at the security panel before him.

  “Thanks so much,” Hunter said patting him on the shoulder. “I feel stupid I haven’t learned all the rules of the office about needing an escort to the fifth floor.”

  “You’re Peters,” he declared, uncertain who he was, glancing at his shirt. “Where is your employee ID?”

  Hunter patted his shirt, then checked his jacket and pants pockets, with the expression of total shock on his face, the elevator doors now closed.

  “Damn! If I don’t feel even more stupid. I must have left it at my desk. I’m in big trouble now I assume.”

  Sid frowned, reaching down to grab his radio to make a call, his attention distracted. Hunter grabbed him around the neck in a sleeper hold, squeezing off the blood flow until he passed out, his attempts to break free failing.

  Checking his pockets after laying him down in the corner, Hunter found a keycard on his belt. Swiping it to allow access, he pressed the button for the fifth floor, their arrival happening quickly. As the door opened, he pressed the button for the first floor, stepping out acting as if he belonged, waiting for it to close, thrilled no one was waiting to see the man passed out on the tile. Without a care in the world, he strolled the marble surface until he found Troy Mayfield’s office, which wasn’t difficult since he occupied nearly a third of the floor.

  Walking up to the long-haired redhead assistant, Hunter smiled confidently. He was outfitted in an open black sports jacket smoothed out by his hands, over an ivory dress shirt and gray slacks. His business casual attire today fitting in with the other employees. He appeared to be a man who spent his working days in a cubicle.

  “Is Mister Mayfield in his office?” he inquired.

  The redhead looked him up and down, apparently unimpressed with his form.

  “He is in a meeting and can’t be disturbed.” She stood up, an expression of worry on her forty-year-old made up face. “How did you get up here without an escort from security.”

  Hunter shrugged. “Thanks for confirming his presence…”

  Walking straight for the office Hunter ignored the woman’s pleas for him to stop. As he burst through the door, her a few steps behind, he saw two men, one in a wheelchair, sitting at a meeting table. The other, more mobile man, stood up, his white long-sleeves rolled up, his aqua tie loose at his neck, the expression of protest on his face.

  “Who the hell are you?” blurted Troy Mayfield, his tanned face recognizable from his BIO picture on the web.

  “I’m here about the attempted kidnapping of Paige Hawkins children and your connection to it.”

  Mayfield looked surprised by the revelation. The man in the wheelchair spinning around to glare at Hunter, astonishment on his face.

  “I’m sorry Mister Mayfield,” said the assistant who was now standing next to Hunter. “I’m not certain how he got on our floor. I couldn’t stop him from barging in.”

  “No worries Janis.”

  “Shall I call security?”

  “They won’t keep me from talking with you about this?” stated Hunter firmly. “We can talk now, or I can have a Colorado Springs cop bring you in for questioning.” Hunter put his hand out, pointing at Mayfield. “The choice is yours.”

  Mayfield looked down at the man in the wheelchair, hoping for advice on how to handle the situation. He appeared to get his answer.

  “It will be fine Janis. Have security come up but have them wait outside until I’ve had a chance to talk with this gentleman.”

  Janis gave Hunter a cold glare, before walking out of the room and closing the door.

  “I can give you ten minutes,” stated Mayfield bluntly. “Don’t waste my time, because I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Shall we go somewhere private?” wondered Hunter.

  “Amari is an outside consultant and confidant of mine. He gives me advice on all matters. He can hear what you have to say and be a witness.”

  Hunter nodded. “There have now been several attempts by people hired by someone to take the Hawkins kids by force. Your name came up as a possible suspect. I’m here to find out if you’re involved.”

  Mayfield came out from behind the table, walking towards Hunter. He was about 5’11” with a fit slim figure, his dark slacks perfectly creased, his beige shoes shined to a high buff. He crossed his arms after running his fingers through his thinning blonde hair as he leaned against the edge of the conference table.

  “And for what reason would I be a suspect in this crime?” Mayfield declared.

  “Your history with Paige and her company. Not to mention the hostile attempts to buy her business and run her out.”

  Mayfield glanced down at Amari and started to laugh.

  “Your information is way off base,” he said working to control his laughter. “Where did this fabrication come from?”

  “Paige.”

  Mayfield let out a long sigh. “Figures. Rivals till the bitter end, even though that isn’t what is best for both our companies.”

  Hunter’s face scrunched in confusion.

  “Troy speaks the truth,” added Amari. “His attempts at merging with Green Revival Living are by the books. We want to make one powerful company in the renewable energy field, with no rivals.”

  “And kick Paige out in the process,” added Hunter.

  “Again, you learned this from her?” wondered Mayfield.

  Hunter nodded.

  “This is simply not true,” claimed Mayfield without hesitation. “We want Paige to be the CEO of this new company. Her positive press would be nothing but a boom for everyone involved. She is the one who appears to be balking at the prospect. Reasoning we don’t understand.”

  The words took Hunter by surprise. This didn’t sound like the woman he’d known in the past. A strong woman, a leader and one always looking to move forward in the business world. Why would she hesitate? It made little sense.

  “And you concur with Troy’s assessment of the situation?” inquired Hunter of Amari.

  “Those are the facts. Troy wants her to run things and make them all that much richer. The stock will skyrocket with the intellectual property each company owns. The patents alone could be worth billions.”

  “She claims you’ve stolen or have attempted to steal some of their designs.”

  Mayfield and Amari glanced at each other again, as if to agree on what to reveal.

  “There may be some truth to what she says about that,” replied Mayfield. “But it works both ways. She has raided us as well, when it comes to ideas and personnel. Intelligent, creative employees with smart concepts are often swayed to leave for better pay and benefits. That is why a merger will make sense for both of us and we can quit with the corporate espionage.”

  Hunter still was having a hard time believing.

  “I’m not convinced. For this doesn’t sound like the businesswoman I know.”

  “Ask her straight up,” declared Mayfield. “If she denies it, I will be happy to come down to Colorado Springs, sit in a room with her and hash it out. Believe me I have nothing to hide or any reason to do harm to her family.”

  Hunter looked over the two men, deciding what to believe. He’d always been a good judge of when someone was lying or telling the truth. His years in law enforcement honing that skill. Though those thoughts could be prejudiced when he knew the person, giving them the benefit of t
he doubt, like in this case—Paige. He had believed her not only because he wanted to but figured there was no reason for her to hold back information. Thinking further, he suspected his rose-colored view of her may have been an influence.

  “For now, I’ll walk away accepting your word,” he stated, before firmly adding. “But if I find out different, I’ll be back, this time with a Springs cop named Scanlon who’ll drag you in for questioning.”

  “You won’t be back, other than maybe to apologize,” insisted Mayfield.

  Hunter smirked knowing an apology wasn’t in the cards before turning to walk away.

  “You never told us your name?” questioned Amari.

  “Hunter Divine,” he replied, heading back and handing him his card. “If you decide to confess or discover information about the attempted kidnappings, give me a call.”

  Out the door he went, the security guard waiting for him. It was Sid, who didn’t look all that pleased and for good reason.

  “How was your nap?” asked Hunter with a half-grin.

  Sid didn’t smile back, his anger evident. “Gave me a headache and I’m inching to get even.”

  “It could have been worse,” was all Hunter said before getting in the elevator and being escorted out of the building alert for a retaliation that never came.

  Chapter 24

  Motor City Drive in Colorado Springs has many of the cities auto dealerships. All lumped together making for a one stop shopping experience for those searching for a new vehicle. A competitive environment a consumer could use to their advantage.

  Cameryn pulled into the parking lot on his Harley finding the car dealer, Red Autos, that Jose did the explosive exposé on. One that should have put them out of business, but still they were fighting to survive. Though they’d been hurt by the negative publicity.

  It didn’t take long before Cameryn was approached by a sales representative, itching to sell him a car. His over-the-top joyful attitude was to be expected from the world of high-pressure car sales.

  “Looking to move up from your Harley,” he stated with his hand out. “I’m Derek. You look like a man in search of a big SUV.”