Dead World 1, page 22
He’d make sure her death was swift and maybe while he was there Mike would find Roark’s connection and take care of him too...just in case he proved to be his replacement.
29
Red’s body was still humming when she awoke shortly before dawn. She’d had sex before. Enough times to know it had never been like this.
Sometime during the night, she and Morgan had connected. It wasn’t the frivolous kind of bond that came from sated lust, but a soul-deep melding that let her know if she left Nuria, she would not be walking away unscathed.
She glanced over to find Morgan staring at her. He had a strange expression on his face. Did he regret last night?
Red pulled the covers up to her chin. “What?”
“You really are beautiful.” He touched her cheek with the back of his finger. “I can’t get over that you’re mine.” Morgan pressed his lips to hers, then drew back.
“Yours?” she asked, confused. The words had a nice ring to them, but seemed a little premature. They hadn’t known each other long enough to make any kind of commitment. At least that’s what Red told herself while her stupid heart jumped for joy. “Morgan, I—”
“For as long as you’re here in Nuria,” he added hastily.
Somehow it sounded better before the addition. Her heart stumbled, then sank. She wasn’t disappointed. She wasn’t.
It was probably just the sex talking. So what if it had been phenomenal. Red could find someone else just as good. Yeah, sure you can. The little voice in her head popped off, sounding more than a little like Rita.
Red shook her head. Now she was hearing her navcom without wearing it. That didn’t say much for her state of mind. She needed to end this line of thought or it would lead to a mandatory mental health check once she put Rita back on.
Allowing Morgan to remove her was a testament to how far gone she’d been. She walked across the room and slipped the navcom on, then returned to the rest pad.
Rita sprang to life. “Gina, where have you been?”
“Here,” she replied, shaking off the mental cobwebs.
“Where is here? You’ve never taken me off this long unless I needed repairs. Which is often I might add.”
“I’m at Sheriff Hunter’s home.” Guilt assailed Red for a moment before she recalled who she was speaking with and what she’d been doing. “Some things need to remain private.” She glanced over in time to see Morgan smile.
“I do not understand,” Rita said.
“And I don’t have time to explain.” She and Morgan had to have that little talk now. “Do me a favor and power down.”
“But you just placed me on your wrist.”
Red sighed. “That’s an order, Rita.”
“Very well. Going to stand by.”
“Why did you lie?” Red cut to the chase.
Morgan stiffened beside her. “Back to business as usual I see.”
Red rubbed her arms. “Just answer the question.”
“I didn’t think it was necessary to mention Renee Forrester’s death, since I’d already attributed it to an animal attack.”
“Then why did you keep her? The only reason to do that is if you’re not sure.” Her gaze bore into him, but Morgan didn’t flinch.
He stared right back at her. “I am absolutely certain that’s what killed her.”
Red searched for any sign of deception, but found none. “I don’t understand why you didn’t mention her when I asked specifically about bodies.”
His face pinched with discomfort. “You came to Nuria expecting a cover-up. I wasn’t about to add fuel to your suspicions.”
Her gaze dropped to his stubbled chin. The short dark hairs only accented his lush mouth. Red could still feel his kisses on her throat, the sting of his teeth upon her skin, and the glide of his tongue as he tasted her. Heat spread through her body and she swallowed hard. She needed to focus.
Morgan eyes crinkled and his mouth twitched.
“You aren’t helping.” She looked away.
“With what?” The innocent question wasn’t innocent at all.
Red huffed. “With my line of questioning.”
Morgan tilted his head. “I thought I’d answered everything you’d asked.”
She met his gaze. “No, there’s one thing you haven’t responded to yet.”
He sighed heavily. “What is that?”
Red took a deep breath and released it. “Why did you suspect me of Moira’s murder?”
It was Morgan’s turn to look uncomfortable. “I didn’t. Not at first. It wasn’t until Moira’s DNA was found on your shirt that I suspected.”
Red grimaced. “Jim told you.”
“Yes, he contacted me before giving you the results, and then again after you left the lab in such a hurry. This is my town, remember?”
“How could I forget?” Red watched his expression carefully, when she asked her next question. “Do you still suspect me?”
Red braced for his answer. She knew it was hypocritical of her to ask, since she’d suspect him. Hell, she did suspect him. She just didn’t know exactly how far he’d crossed the line.
Morgan hedged. “I’m still not sure a crime has been committed.” He held up his hand before she could speak. “The deaths are tragic. You’ll get no argument from me. If I believed for a second that we were hunting a human being, I’d be the first to call in the tactical team. But I know we’re after an animal...possibly several.” He glanced away, unable to meet her eyes. “I don’t know how Moira’s blood got on your clothing, but I promise I’ll help you find out.”
Red listened to Morgan’s words, attempting to read between the lines. He knew more than what he was saying, whether to cover up his investigation or to protect her, she wasn’t sure.
The thought that he might risk his career for her only brought on more confusion. He’d only known her a short while. What might he do for someone he’d known a lifetime? Red opened her mouth to ask. The vidcom buzzed cutting her off.
Morgan reached over and pressed a button to answer the call. Red only had a second to cover herself before Jim popped onto the screen.
His eyes widened and his face flushed until his ears were beet red. “Excuse me.” He coughed and glanced away. “I don’t mean to interrupt, Morgan, but I thought you’d like to know that the emergency care center just dropped Jesse Lindley’s body off at the lab.”
Pain doubled Red over. Tears stung the backs of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Jesse dead? How? She couldn’t seem to breathe. Her chest hurt too much.
Red sprang out of the bed, ignoring her nudity and began to pace. Morgan swung the viewer away so that Jim only caught a glimpse of her.
“What the hell happened?” he shouted, before carefully lowering his voice. “I’m sorry, Jim.”
“It’s okay. I understand.” He fiddled with his dissecting apron. “I’m not exactly sure what to tell you. The report says natural causes. Heart attack, maybe? Kane was in attendance when she died. He pronounced. There were several nurses on scene, too.”
Red’s head jerked at Jim’s last statement. Poor Jesse. She was helpless with her wired jaw, broken body, and bandaged hands. What kind of animal would do this to an old woman? The synth-paper with the letter “H” came into her mind and her stomach lurched.
Was it possible? Had Kane killed her? Had he been the one who attacked them? The latter didn’t make any sense. Why would he when there was no reason to target her?
Yet, Morgan hadn’t left her side all night, so there was no way he’d gone to the care center. She glanced at him. Worry drained his features. Was it concern for Jesse or his cousin? He could always be covering for Kane.
Red’s chest clenched at the thought, squeezing her heart until she felt dizzy. Would Morgan cover up murder for a family member? He certainly seemed loyal enough.
Morgan stared at the viewer. “What am I missing?” His voice held no inflection.
“Something’s not right with the body,” Jim said.
He stilled. “What do you mean?” He glanced toward her and began to fidget.
Tension filled the air. Red knew it was rude to stay, but she wasn’t about to leave the room and miss what Jim had to say.
“I haven’t opened her up yet, but there’s hemorrhaging in the eyes. That only happens in strangulation deaths. I’ve gone over the charts twice and no obstructed airway was mentioned.”
Morgan ran his hand through his hair. “Maybe her throat got crushed during treatment,” he suggested.
“I’m sure you’re right.” Jim coughed. “Like I said, I’ll know more when I open her up.”
“Let me know what you find.” Morgan hit the disconnect button, severing the call.
The desperation in Morgan’s voice tore at her. He wanted Jesse’s death to be natural, but he knew in his gut that it wasn’t. She couldn’t tell him about her suspicions, not until she had proof. He’d never believe her.
She wouldn’t believe it herself, not with Moira’s DNA hanging over her head. Red didn’t even know if she was on the right track, but there was a reason Jesse had given her that note.
She’d have to keep her investigation quiet until she finished. Red couldn’t take the chance that Morgan might find out and tip his cousin off.
Kane was family. The closest family Morgan had in town. He wouldn’t accept her findings easily. Goodness knows, she wouldn’t either if someone told her that Robert Santiago was a murderer.
Red prayed that somehow she was wrong about this, but her gut was screaming. Jesse had tried to warn her. She’d been terrified of one of them. If it wasn’t Morgan, then it had to be Kane. Red wouldn’t turn her back on the woman now that she was dead. She owed her, her life.
“I can’t help but feel this is all my fault.” Red ran her hands over her arms.
“Why would you think that?” Morgan asked distractedly.
She stopped and looked at him. “If Jesse hadn’t come in during the attack, she’d be okay.”
He looked at her. “You don’t know that.”
“Yes,” she nodded, “I do. Jesse’s interference cost her, her life. You know it and I know it.” Red fought back fresh tears.
Morgan rose off the rest pad and grabbed her, pulling her into his embrace. “Listen to me.” His lips brushed the side of her head. “You did nothing to deserve that attack and neither did Jesse. I will find the individual responsible. You have my word.” He rocked her from side to side, the warmth of his body seeping into her, soothing.
Red wanted so badly to believe him, but what if it turned out to be Kane? She tilted her chin to meet his gaze. There was no mistaking the depth of emotions swimming in Morgan’s amber eyes. She couldn’t let him risk his life for her. There was no way she’d lose Morgan, too.
Her resolve hardened, and she pulled out of his embrace, steeling herself for what she needed to do.
“I can’t let you go after him,” she said.
Morgan blinked as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly. “What do you mean?”
“For some unknown reason, he’s after me. I won’t allow anyone else to get hurt trying to protect me.”
“Gina.”
“No.” Red took a step back when he reached for her. “Jesse died because of me, Morgan.”
“No, she didn’t.”
Her jaw clenched. “Yes, she did. I’m not going to have your death on my conscience, too.”
Something warmed in his expression and Red realized she’d just admitted she cared. Well, it didn’t matter. Morgan knowing her true feelings didn’t change anything between them. She was a highly trained tactical team member. Her attacker had gotten lucky the first time. He wouldn’t get a second chance.
Morgan advanced on her. “Gina, I don’t want to argue. I know this area far better than you do. No one can hide in my territory for long without me finding them.”
Red’s lip quivered. She wished more than anything that were true, but Morgan wasn’t looking for a stranger. He wouldn’t expect it to be anyone close.
If she was right, the news would break his heart. Red swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat. Emotions sucked.
“I can’t let you, Morgan. Trust me, this is for your own good.”
“Gina, please listen to reason. I’ve been on the job a long time and have had to do a lot of distasteful things over the years to keep Nuria and my people safe. I won’t let whoever did this get away with it. Jesse meant a lot to me. I take her death personally. There is more at stake here than you realize. I swear I will find him.”
She shook her head and retreated further away, holding out her hands to keep him back. “Not if I find him first.”
30
Mike arrived on the border of Nuria at sunset. He parked on the outskirts of town, hiding his vehicle amongst rubble, taking only the equipment he would need for the job.
He’d have to hurry once he was finished. People in small towns noticed strangers. He’d have to wait until dark to slip out undetected.
He made his way through the desert, keeping an eye peeled on the road. Mike didn’t want anyone driving by and finding his car. At least not yet. It took thirty minutes to reach the fringe of the town. The buildings on the outskirts were vacant, their windows covered to deter trespassers.
He broke the window in what looked to be an old auto sales lot office. From the dust and cobwebs, it was apparent no one had been here for a long, long time. Mike pulled out a rag from his bag and began to wipe the place down. He may be here for some time.
He had to locate Gina, then plan out how he was going to kill her. Mike had no idea how long that might take and he’d rather not spend it in filth.
Grime reminded him too much of the time he’d spent buried. For a second, he couldn’t seem to breathe. Mike clawed at his throat until it opened and allowed air inside.
He’d been so naïve. He’d trusted the scientists who’d told him that he’d still be the same man when the genetic manipulation treatments ended. They’d taken his trust and turned him into something so scary that even nightmares feared him.
Food no longer replenished him. Blood was the only thing that kept him alive. They’d tweaked his brain until he could project his thoughts and move larger objects with his mind.
Mike rarely slept more than a few hours a week. He’d been told these changes were a temporary side effect—much like the halt in his aging.
And still he’d believed them...right up to the point when they imprisoned him. In those bleak days, Mike had imagined what the outside world looked like. Smelled like. Tasted like. When his life had become an endless series of tests and torture, the dreams had kept him sane. The pain continued until someone blew up the lab.
Mike finished cleaning and picked up the items that Roark had acquired from Gina’s home. He pulled out one of her T-shirts and brought it to his nose, inhaling her scent into his lungs. He should be able to find her now if she was within a hundred mile radius.
He dropped the shirt and slipped his laser pistol into the inside pocket of his jacket. A mini-sword ran the length of one sleeve. It would inhibit his movement, but the position put the deadly blade at hand’s reach.
Night embraced him as he stepped into the twilight. The stars shown from above, twinkling merrily around the nearly full moon. In the distance, a coyote howled. The sound was cut short by a deep rumbling growl, then there was silence.
Mike shivered, staring into the darkness. There were predators here, human and animal. Some were just as dangerous as he. He would have to stay alert if he wanted to survive what he hoped would be his last mission.
Raphael Vega knew the second the vampire entered his territory. He’d been enjoying his dinner, when the point at the base of his skull began to itch. The itch quickly turned into a throb. He withdrew his fangs from Michelle’s delicate neck and instantly masked his psychic presence.
With any luck, the vampire would pass through Nuria without ever knowing that he was there.
The throbbing intensified. Raphael made his apologies and departed Michelle’s home with a promise to return soon. Outside, he inhaled the sweet night air in an attempt to pinpoint the interloper’s location.
He glanced out over the shadowed horizon, relishing the night sounds as the nocturnal creatures scurried out of their hiding places. Raphael’s footsteps were silent as he made his way into Nuria.
He continued on into town, scenting the air as he went. A spicy aroma reached his nose. It was unusual enough to catch his attention.
Raphael cocked his head. The strange fragrance wafted on the air, swirling around him. He frowned and inhaled again. The odor was still there. He turned slowly in a circle to ascertain the direction the aroma was coming from.
The scent reminded him of something. He’d smelled the aroma before. Raphael strained to remember, but the memory eluded him.
It was probably nothing, he thought.
When he’d turned south, the scent strengthened. Raphael instantly recalled what the aroma reminded him of.
Family.
But his family had been dead for years. Raphael breathed again. Whatever was causing the odor was coming closer. Had he finally lost his sanity? He’d been expecting that to happen for the last hundred years. Had the day finally arrived?
Without conscious thought Raphael moved to intercept the elusive odor. There was probably a perfectly logical explanation for the sudden sense memory. But for the life of him, Raphael couldn’t think of what it might be.
He rounded the corner at Spruce and headed out of town. Whatever he was tracking was moving swiftly, but it was easy enough to follow.
His curiosity turned to worry, when Raphael realized whoever it was seemed to be heading toward the sheriff’s house. His gut tightened and his sense of urgency grew. Not just for Morgan, but for whoever carried that elusive scent. Raphael picked up his pace.
