Vengeance In Blood (Book 1), page 13
part #1 of Vengeance In Blood Series
Twenty minutes later, Brian called, “Got number two.”
“Well, well, look who we have,” the CIA man said, taking the photo with a big smile on his face.
“Never good when someone that high up recognizes someone,” Kenneth said, not looking up from the pages.
Harry grabbed his arm. “Will you shut the fuck up?” he whispered.
Kenneth looked over at him. “I was just saying,” he said, shrugging. Harry leaned over to his ear.
“Ken, this is now all off the record, so shut the fuck up before we get stomped,” Harry said barely audible “Just hurry up looking at that so we can get the fuck out of here before we hear something we weren’t supposed to.”
“I’m done,” Kenneth said.
“Good. Let’s go.” Harry set his glass down.
“Do you want to know where they’re at?” Kenneth asked, and the room became quiet as a tomb.
Wobbling on his feet, Harry weaved backward. “What, you know where they are?”
“Detective Terrell, did I hear you right? You said you know where they are?” the director asked, strolling over with a bounce in his step.
“I know how they got there, and I see no reason they should change,” Kenneth said, setting down the stack.
The director clapped his hands with a sharp crack. “Please do tell us.”
“They are moving by boat. That liquor store is only a half mile from the ocean. Find the closest marinas, and pull their video. You should be able to use the NSA’s toys to check fast, and you will find the boat they arrived on. My guess is it will be a cabin cruiser registered here in the states so they can move around easily,” Kenneth said, moving over to grab his coat.
“Remarkable,” the director said, pulling out a cellphone like all the others.
“I have a predator launched,” someone yelled, and Harry grabbed Kenneth’s arm, pulling him toward the door.
“Marina’s surveillance penetrated with facial recognition running,” Brian called out with a phone to his ear.
“Thank you, Detective Terrell,” the director said. “You take the rest of the month off you have assigned to us, but I warn you; we may call again.”
Harry was almost dragging Kenneth toward the door. “Glad I could help, sir, but this fish tank is a little large for me,” Kenneth said.
“Keep the SUV. It’s on us,” the director said then started talking on the phone as Harry yanked Kenneth through the doors.
Before the door shut, they heard, “We got them boarding a forty-foot cruiser i—” as the door closed.
Kenneth looked down at his arm and noticed Harry’s fingers were white. “Ah, Harry, we are out, so can you let go? I can’t feel my fingers.”
Letting Kenneth’s arm go, Harry picked up his pace, almost running for the elevator. “Don’t talk,” Harry mumbled, pushing the button.
They reached the parking garage, and Harry led Kenneth to his SUV. “Take me home, and don’t talk,” Harry said.
Kenneth pulled out and drove to Harry’s house. Harry motioned Kenneth to step out, and then Harry leaned to his ear. “Careful what you say. I had a friend come over and sweep my house. He found two bugs,” he whispered. “Forget what we did today, and don’t talk about it. I’m sure your SUV is bugged.”
“Well, it was,” Kenneth said in a low voice. “I took them out and disconnected OnStar and the low jack they had in the engine compartment.”
“You didn’t tell me.” Harry leaned back, shocked.
“I’m sure you have one on you now,” Kenneth said. “But there is no worries. I’ve done what was asked of me, and I’m going to forget it,” he said, climbing in the SUV.
“I’ll send the paperwork over for the truck this week. The director is giving it to you,” Harry said, staggering toward his house. Shaking his head, Kenneth pulled out and headed home.
It was just past midnight when he pulled into the driveway. He saw a curtain pull up high and down low. He climbed out, feeling like a train had run over him. When Besseta opened the door and he saw she was okay, he truly relaxed.
“Hey, I was starting to worry,” she said as he walked up to her. Seeing the worry fall off his face when he looked at her made her smile. “What happened?” she asked, and he hugged her, catching her off guard.
Suddenly, her body jerked, and she didn’t hear his thoughts; Besseta was in his mind, picturing the attack as it happened with two men who she knew were vampires from the way they moved. Then suddenly, she was looking through Kenneth’s eyes as he walked the crime scene. Besseta could feel the fear he felt for her as he stared at the young girl ripped open. The fear Kenneth felt, she felt like she was part of him.
Then, it was gone as suddenly as it came, and she was standing in front of the house with his arms around her. “You cold?” he asked. “You’re shivering.”
“No, just glad you’re home,” she said as he let her go.
“I’m going to bed,” he said, walking inside to Bonnie and Clyde dancing around.
Stunned as she followed, Besseta watched him walk to his room. She had never had that happen before. She could only hear what others thought, not physically see what they observed. She could feel their emotions but never to that degree. Then it hit her. “He called to make sure I was okay.” She smiled.
She looked down at Bonnie and Clyde, “What do you two want to watch tonight?” she asked, jumping from the door to the couch, landing on her knees. The dogs ran over and jumped up with her as she searched for a movie.
The smell of coffee pulled Kenneth out of his deep sleep. He slowly sat up in bed, rubbing his face. “Talk about make a man feel guilty, spoiling him to food and coffee when he wakes up,” he mumbled, getting out of bed. After a quick shower, he followed the smell of food and coffee to the kitchen.
Like hitting a wall, Kenneth stopped, staring at Besseta standing at the stove, wearing one of his dress shirts. Then, he realized it was the one he had worn the day before. It hung down to just above her knees as she stood barefoot, humming as she cooked. “Well, it looks better on you than me.” Kenneth smiled, walking over and seeing a mug on the counter.
“Sorry, but I had to take down the clothes,” she said, putting the eggs on plates. She walked over with the shirt blowing open and put the plate in the sink.
“Phft,” Kenneth coughed, covering his hand with hot coffee. She was just wearing panties and a bra. He jerked his body back to save it from the fate of his hand.
“Too strong?” she asked, walking over and grabbing the food.
He wiped his hand on his t-shirt. “Perfect,” he whispered, not wanting to spoil it. She gave him a big smile.
“Harry called to say the director wasn’t kidding about the time off,” she said, putting the food on the kitchen table.
Kenneth grabbed the plates and silverware. “He say anything else?”
“No, but I swear he was drunk,” Besseta said, climbing in the chair next to his. She drew her legs up and crossed them under her.
When Kenneth sat down, he broke out in a sweat, trying not to look. “He was probably hung over,” he offered, fixing a plate.
“I’m just saying,” she shrugged. “So can you take me somewhere today?”
“Yes, where am I taking you?” he asked but just looked down at his food.
“It’s a surprise,” she told him, snickering.
Picking up a napkin, Kenneth wiped his forehead. “Man, it’s hot in here,” he said, trying not to look, but his eyes would dart over and catch glimpses.
“Well, it feels good to me,” Besseta said. She remembered what she thought about the night before. “What’s your middle name?” she asked, wanting to see if it would work.
“Don’t have one,” he said and took a sip of coffee.
“Really?”
“Nope.” He coughed when he looked over at her. “What’s yours?”
“Besseta. That’s what my friends and family called me,” she said, smiling.
He turned and tried his best to keep his eyes on hers, but the shirt was wide open. “Why didn’t you tell me that?” he asked, and his face instantly turned red, and his eyes dropped. Covering quickly, he snatched up some food, shoving it in his mouth.
She smiled, watching Kenneth. “You never asked, and it’s rude to tell people what to call you unless they ask.”
“Or they offer and tell you.” He coughed and tried to look her in the eye again, and his eyes promptly dropped down. Not able to take it and needing to regroup his thoughts, he jumped up and said, “I need more coffee.”
“I could’ve gotten it for you,” she said with a smirk.
“No, I can do it. You cooked, cleaned, did laundry, cared for the dogs—” He paused and looked around. “Where are they?”
“Oh, we sat up late watching dog shows,” she said, finishing her plate off.
“So may I call you Besseta?” he asked as she walked over with the shirt blowing open, and he spun around, looking out the sliding glass door.
“If you want, I would like it,” she said, putting her plate up.
Trying to get his heart beating at a normal pace and still not trusting himself to turn around, he said, “Then that’s what it shall be. Just don’t be mad if I slip from time to time.”
She walked over and jumped up to sit on the counter beside him. “Why would I be mad? You knew me as Holly first.”
Blowing out a lungful of air, he said, “Well, I’ve read women don’t like to be called by other female names,” he said, trying to get his brain to work, but the wrong brain was turned on.
She shook her head. “They don’t like to be called by other women’s names. Holly is my name,” she said, trying not to laugh. “Why won’t you look at me today?”
“Well…ahh…”
“It’s because I’m wearing your shirt, isn’t it? I didn’t ask,” she said, starting to take it off.
“No, no,” he said, reaching over to stop her. “You may wear my shirts whenever you want. You don’t have to ask.” Looking away and pumping up his courage, he faced her. “I’m just getting used to a beautiful, intelligent, and caring woman here,” he said, trying to smile. “I said beautiful, didn’t I?”
“Yes, thank you,” she said, grabbing his hand. Her skin was soft, and it was warm but felt a little cool.
“Your hand is cool,” he said, grabbing it in his to warm it up.
She looked down. “I’ll put more clothes on in the morning,” she said in a low voice.
“Oh,” he snapped. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” he said quickly then realized that sounded tacky. “I mean you can wear whatever you want as long as it’s what you want to wear,” he said.
“Oh yeah,” she challenged. “What would you have said if I was out here cooking naked?”
The blush hit Kenneth’s face so hard and so fast it turned purple. “Well, pheft,” he scoffed at the thought. “Well, I don’t think I would’ve said anything. I would’ve passed out,” he said honestly.
“You are such a gentleman,” she said, pulling him down and kissing his cheek.
“If that’s what you think,” Kenneth said, backing away. “Do you ever sleep?”
“Yeah, but I don’t need much,” she said, sliding off the counter with the shirt flying behind like a cape.
“I love gravity,” Kenneth said with a blank stare.
“Huh?” she asked, loading the dishwasher.
“Oh nothing,” he said, shaking his head and trying to smile but only managing a goofy grin.
“Well, go get ready so we can leave,” she told him.
“Let me do that, and you get ready,” he offered, moving over.
She spun around, and the shirt flew open. “I’m ready; I just have to put on clothes.”
Without another word, Kenneth spun around. “The effects of air on objects is another area I’m starting to grow fond of,” he said, heading to his room.
When Besseta heard Kenneth in his closet, a blur zipped around the kitchen and shot down the hall then zipped to the living room. Besseta brushed her hair back and looked down at the sleeping dogs. “We didn’t play that hard last night,” she said, patting them awake.
They lifted their heads and slowly climbed off the couch, trotting to the kitchen. “Well, not even a hello.” Besseta smiled, waiting on Kenneth.
He stepped out wearing a polo shirt and khaki pants. Threading his belt through, he looked up, seeing Besseta dressed and waiting on him. “I thought it was the female that had to take time to get dressed?” he asked, shocked.
“Hey, I already took a shower and fixed my hair,” she said, and the dogs bounced over to her. “Oh, you don’t come see me till you eat?” she asked, bending to give them love.
Walking over, Kenneth knelt down with her, loving on the dogs. “Hey, at least they came to you,” he pointed out.
“What car are we taking?” she asked.
Kenneth stood up. “The SUV. I don’t have to buy its gas.”
“Well, let’s get this show on the road,” she said, patting the dogs one last time as she stood up.
When they climbed in, Besseta handed him a slip of paper with an address. “Here is where we’re going,” she said. Reaching over, Kenneth put the address in the navigation system and pulled out.
“Something tells me I’m not going to be thrilled with this,” he said when they hit the freeway. Besseta’s laugh didn’t help with his uneasiness.
Finding a parking spot a block away from their destination, Kenneth parked the SUV. “We can walk down. Finding a parking spot for this monster is tough,” he said, climbing out. They walked side by side in the early morning as the stores opened up. “Will they be open?” he asked, looking at his watch and seeing it was nine.
“They better. I made an appointment,” she said with a smile. A thousand questions filled his mind, but Kenneth kept his mouth shut as they walked. “Here we are,” Besseta said, pushing him toward the door.
Looking at the storefront, Kenneth saw it was a fine men’s dress store. “Besseta, I can’t afford anything in there,” Kenneth said quickly.
“So? I’m buying,” she said as she pushed harder. Kenneth thought she shouldn’t be able to move him, but move him she did. “If I see you reach for your wallet, that will make me mad,” she told him.
Putting his hands out and catching the door, he stuttered in a soft voice, “Well…ah… You know… Would you like to wear another of my shirts tomorrow?”
Looking at him, Besseta chuckled. “If you do this for me, I will,” she said. Kenneth almost ripped the door off as he grabbed her arm, pulling her inside as she laughed.
A man in a nice suit came over. “May I help you?” he asked.
Besseta took her eyes off Kenneth. “Yes, we have an appointment. Besseta for Kenneth.”
“Ah yes. Right this way. My name is Laurence,” he said, leading them to the back. “Refresh my memory; how may we help you today?”
“Measure him,” Besseta commanded, shocking the man. “I’m picking out the suits, so get someone to help,” she said. “And they better fit him nice,” she added with a hint of steel in her voice.
“I assure you if they don’t, I’ll quit today.” Laurence said.
A smile sprang to her face. “Well, that’s putting your money where your mouth is,” she said as another man came over, leading her away.
The man turned to Kenneth, about to speak, but Kenneth raised his hand to stop him. “She’s a friend,” he said. “A good friend that likes getting her way and knows how to raise hell if she doesn’t.”
“Very well, sir. I’ll heed your advice,” he said, taking out a tape measure.
An hour later, Kenneth was standing in front of a mirror wearing a nice silk/wool suit. He had to admit it fit him well. Unlike his other suits, he could tell he had a waist and shoulders. In the mirror, he saw Besseta walking up with Laurence. Both had an armload of suits. They hung them on the fitting rack, and Laurence turned to Besseta. “I’ll bring the shoes, madam,” he said and turned around as Besseta came over, looking Kenneth over.
“Not bad,” she confessed.
Kenneth stepped closer. “Hol— Besseta,” Kenneth caught himself. “Jesus, one’s enough,” he said, holding up his arms. “They don’t even have price tags,” he whispered excitedly and looked around, making sure no one heard.
She ignored him. “This one’s fair, but it rides a little low,” she said, adjusting the pants.
“Besseta, did you hear me?” he whispered, looking around.
She shook her head. “Oh, did you say something?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Yes I did,” he snapped. “Nothing in here has price tags. You know what that means? They want body parts or firstborn children as a down payment.”
“Don’t start,” she warned. “Your suits don’t fit you at all. We can skip the ‘don’t fit well’ part. You are excellent at what you do, so others must get that impression before you ever open your mouth,” she informed him, getting closer then lowered her voice. “I know how much they cost, and I’m paying for them, so sit there, and let me dress you up.”
He stepped back and looked in the mirror. “I’m not saying they don’t look good but—” he stopped, seeing Laurence coming back.
“Laurence,” Besseta snapped, and he sped up his walk. “The pants are riding too low, and the right sleeve is longer than the left. Fix it,” she said, spinning around. “I’m going for shirts and ties,” she informed everyone with a royal flair.
“Refreshing,” Laurence said, putting down the shoes. “A young woman that knows her business.”
“Laurence, don’t take this the wrong way,” Kenneth said, looking in the mirror, “but shut the hell up.” Laurence smiled and went to work on the suit.
At noon, a young lady came over with pizza for everyone, almost giving Kenneth a heart attack as he stood in his boxers. It was just after two when they headed to the checkout with five suits, two pairs of shoes, a trench coat, a few other things, and a dozen shirts and ties. As the young pizza lady rang it up, Kenneth looked away as Besseta pulled out a credit card, waiting for the total.
