Finding Trust (Centre Games) (7 page)

He laughed and took another sip of his coffee. Minky sat straighter in her chair and the expression on her face ran through about five different options before she finally settled on what he thought was cautiously curious. She was getting easier and easier to read.

“Well, aren’t you a successful musician?” she pushed at him with just a slight impatient edge to her voice. He could tell she was mentally hopping between feet, hoping she hadn’t made a massive faux pas.

“I guess you could say I am a successful musician, from time to time.” With that remark, she opened her palms face up in a half exasperated, half encouraging gesture. “I was only filling in for the band last night. I do write or co-write a lot of their music but I don’t often perform.”

“Why not? You were so good last night. I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t perform.”

It was an obvious question given the circumstances, but the answer wasn’t as clear-cut and he wasn’t quite sure yet just how much he should divulge.

“I have other talents and business interests that keep me pretty occupied so it becomes difficult to spend any real amount of time with the guys.” He took another sip of coffee and went on. “So we decided years ago that they would do the band thing and I would help out when I could. I’ve known all the guys since high school. I love music and writing it. This arrangement allows me to do both.”

Ah ha, she thought. That explained the easy rapport between them backstage. Rihanna’s curious nature took over and she pressed on. “So what does other talents and business interests mean?”

He looked her directly in the eye and paused, contemplating the options. He could either give her a bit more of the picture or he could keep skirting around with evasion and gross half-truths. Instinct told him Minky was a lady who liked to take her medicine straight up, screw up her nose, take a gulp of water and then get on with it. He hoped she felt the same about what he was about to tell her, otherwise he might just blow the whole assignment.

He must have contemplated too long because she pushed harder. “So are you going to tell me or not?” He could easily pick up from her body language and tone that the “not” part was something she wouldn’t tolerate.

“Rihanna, what I’m going to tell you could be a bit out there.” Her beautifully curved eyebrows shot skywards at his remarks. “So I would appreciate it if you would give me the chance to fully explain.”

Right now she was very curious and a healthy dose of caution had been shovelled on top for good measure. What sort of profession had a guy so worried about telling her? Oh God, it must be bad. Her mind whizzed through a dozen shady career options and couldn’t quite find one that she thought fitted.

Rihanna watched Brayden suck in a deep breath and continue.

“I work for a very exclusive and highly confidential agency that tackles particularly unpleasant issues. The agency calls itself the Centre.”

Well, that told her a lot, she thought. In her mind, he had just described the taxation department.

So far so good, he thought. “I have specialist training and talents that make me unique in my field, which is mainly assignments regarding the investigation and apprehension of drug, biological, environmental, chemical, and quarantine felons.”

“Well, that’s not so bad. You’re sort of like a policeman?” she qualified.

“Not quite. The work I do is so confidential and classified that only a handful of people in this country even know that the agency exists.” He was letting her process the additional information.

“So if the work you do is so secret, why are you telling me?”

He was watching her clever mind line up the pieces when he joined the dots for her. “You’re my current assignment.” There, he’d looked her straight in the eye and said it.

A million different expressions and thoughts instantaneously rose through her mind and seeped through to her face. She was shaking her head in disbelief.

“What on earth are you talking about?” she demanded in a voice that cracked with her utter shock. Her stomach felt as if it had fallen through the floor. He could clearly see that she was struggling to keep her already frayed emotions in check. The temper simmered in her voice and he figured that one would be the first to seriously show its form.

“The attempted abduction last night was not random. It was well planned and executed.”

Realisation flashed through her. “You mean those bastards had somehow targeted me. What for? Why would they want me?” Rihanna sprung from her chair and stalked to the railing, her eyes flashing and her footsteps solid and purposeful.

She spun around and as he expected, unloaded right at him. “What the hell is going on and how am I involved in this? I want the truth and I want it now.” She folded her arms across her chest with considerable force.

Yep, she was royally pissed. That would turn to fright soon enough.

"The agency I work for discovered that there is a group of slightly less than legitimate businessmen attempting to smuggle something that you have been working on out of the country. We believe that the virology work that you and your father have been doing is slated to be used in a biological attack."

This immediately caused Rihanna's eyebrows to rise. "Are you referring to our work on the Hendra virus?"

His answer was a short, "Yes."

"But Brayden, the damage could be incomparable if somebody decides to use the virus as a weapon. You do know what that virus could do if it got into the wrong hands?" Rihanna spun on her heel and caught Brayden nodding in understanding to her question.

"We believe we have a fair idea of the potential threat. My agency was also hoping you could help confirm our thinking."

The Hendra virus had sparked fears throughout the entire equestrian and racing communities on the eastern seaboard. Over the last few years, the virus had killed several prominent figures, including two veterinarians.

“We believe that information regarding the virus has been passed on from within your veterinary hospital, prob—” Bray didn’t get time to finish before she had jumped all over him.

“We do not leak vital information from our hospital,” she spat, clearly outraged at the allegation. “I can’t believe this.” She shook her head in stunned, angry disbelief.

“How could anyone think this?” Unable to contain the rage within her body, she had started to pace—hurried, angry steps punctuated by abrupt changes of direction every ten paces or so. “How could you think this? Do I look like a terrorist to you?” she spat.

Bray empathised with her. He knew exactly how he would feel if somebody had suggested he was involved in terrorist activities. “Look, we don’t believe that you are involved directly.”

“Directly? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Yep, now she was definitely pissed off. He got the feeling that swearing wasn’t part of her usual demeanour but this was far from a usual situation.

He continued on unperturbed; he had expected this reaction, after all.

“Our information indicates that somehow the information on the virus is being channelled and distributed through the hospital. We have no evidence to link you or your father to the crimes at this stage. We actually think that both of you are in significant danger as a result of your positions and specialist knowledge.”

He gave her time to digest this before adding anything further. He could see her mind leaping about. Horror crossed her face.

“My father...He headed off suddenly the day before yesterday. He said he had to go down south to look at some yearlings for a client. I never thought too much about it.” Again her quick mind started to put the pieces together. “You don’t think something has happened to him, do you?”

He looked her directly in the face and answered the only way he truly felt comfortable.

“I think it is not outside the realm of possibility.” He could immediately see the distress and anguish that his response caused and he hastened to add, “Don’t jump to conclusions just yet. He may well have gone out of town on business. We need to check out all avenues and leads at this stage. My team are working on it now.”

Bray watched the physical transformation as the anger evaporated into the defeat of the gut-wrenching concern and fear. She slumped in the chair beside him and vacantly looked at the table without really focusing. Tears started to stream down her face and he knew that all the fear and uncertainty of last night had returned in spades.

Without thinking, he pushed her chair out from the table and hauled her into his lap, where he cradled her head against the junction of his chest and shoulder. He could feel the sobs wrack through her body again. If she stayed like this for an hour, he wouldn’t blame her. He understood how important family was and she obviously cared deeply about her father. He started to stroke her hair back from her forehead in a comforting manner, almost like a parent would a child. It must have helped because after a couple of minutes, her sobbing lessened and she lifted her tear-streaked face. The salty tears still clung to the ultra-long eyelashes framing her amazing hazel eyes.

“So what is going to happen now?” she asked. By all accounts, that was the most obvious question but Bray couldn’t help but be impressed she had asked it straight up.

“Well, I think we should go check out your place and see what we can find.”

“Okay.” She looked down at the tear-streaked T-shirt. “I guess I’ll go get changed.”

With that, she lithely rose and disappeared into the house. Bray turned and let out a huge breath that he didn’t realise he had been holding. It was his best defence against the amazing aroma of her body. He only had to be within ten paces of her and his animal senses went nuts. His animal senses were exactly that—animal—and his desire to mate and conquer was foremost in his mind at the moment. His very human training and brain won out as he removed his sleek cell phone from his pocket. He dialled a number saved into speed dial.

The call was answered on the first ring.

“Morning, Stud,” said the silky smooth voice of the female on the other end. Bray ignored the obvious innuendo and cheerfully responded, “Happy New Year to you, and I’ve definitely found the one.” He was referring to the assignment. Only when he realised the pause on the other end did he consider the unintentional double meaning of his words.

“Really—you sure?”

He was in this deep; he might as well play along. “Absolutely, as sure as I am the sun will rise tomorrow somewhere in the world.”

“What is your current plan?” he was asked in a slightly amused but very edgy voice.

“Going to check out the residence of Rihanna Mason. I’ll check in from there depending upon what I find.”

“Roger.” The line went dead.

Oh well, guess it was going to happen sooner or later. Maybe she was the one but it was odds on it would all be one-sided when she found out what he was truly like. He wondered for a second whether he could hide his animal traits? Wondered whether she would not notice them? Bray gave himself a mental slap—don’t be so dumb or naïve! As soon as she found out, she would run a mile. He might have a pretty face and a body that women went nuts for but he’d discovered that generally didn’t compensate enough for all the other bizarre and often unnerving characteristics he had.

He had learnt early in his life about how cruel people could be if you were different. He’d also learnt to mask his abilities but sometimes things slipped. It was the repulsion and rejection that truly hurt. As he’d got older and joined the Centre, he held no false hopes or illusions now.

Brayden was what he was and nothing could change that. His enhanced hearing, smell, strength, speed, and stamina was just a little too weird for many people. He was also trapped because he could not just divulge his strange physiological enhancements. It was not just his secret to protect. And he was not a person that could enter a serious relationship with anything but trust and disclosure.

Chapter Four

In a few short minutes, they were back in the powerful 4WD and heading along the M1 towards her place. The air-conditioning was working overtime in defence to the intense heat of New Year’s Day. She slumped back against the seat, lost in thought, going through the last few weeks and trying to make sense of what Bray had jettisoned her with.

Could there really be someone within their veterinary hospital passing information on their Hendra virus research operating out of their animal hospital? She couldn’t see how. Her brain was automatically resisting the thought or the possibility. It was logical. If there was information passing from the hospital, then that meant someone on her staff had betrayed her and her father. It wasn’t possible! Was it? She counted all the staff as friends. They were dedicated professionals who took immense pride and satisfaction in their job and the care they provided to their clients and their animals.

She must really have been brooding because Bray reached across and took her hand in his, giving it a warm, reassuring squeeze.

“It’ll be okay.”

Rihanna might not have believed him but she did feel better. That had no doubt been his plan. It felt so good to be connected with him. Almost peaceful, secure but so definitely aware of his innate power and something else she couldn’t really label right now. A feeling surprisingly familiar but different somehow. And it was reassuring in its familiarity. She had become so used to being independent and responsible, it felt good to be able to rely on someone else for a change.

She loved her father dearly but the man just was not interested in anything other than treating horses. So that meant the bulk of the practice management and general day-to-day organisation fell to her. Ever since her mother had died of cancer fourteen years ago, her father had immersed himself in the practical side of the hospital. He worked from dawn till well into the night, every day. When he did come in from the hospital, he flopped in front of the television and numbed his mind till sleep eventually took hold.

Honestly, she didn’t know what he would do if he didn’t have the horses to distract him. They seemed to be the only thing that really mattered to him anymore. The only real reason he got out of bed each morning. He’d never got over the death of her mother. She knew he loved her more than anything in the world but couldn’t help but think her near-identical resemblance to her mother made it very difficult for him to spend time with her. The constant reminder was just too painful.

She missed him so much. Just thinking about what their relationship had come to brought tears to her eyes. Rihanna turned her head to look out the passenger side window in defiance to the tears. She feared Brayden would realise she was crying again. Well, it was true—she just didn’t feel like talking about it or anyone intruding at the moment. Her emotions were just too jumbled.

Brayden immediately noticed a lonely tear streak down the side of her soft cheek. His sense of smell had alerted him to the saltiness of her tears. He’d become very familiar with the scent of her tears last night. He didn’t really know her well but some other sense suggested that he back off and give her some space. She had been through a lot in the last eighteen hours and if things were as he expected, it was going to get a whole lot worse before it got better.

They drove on in silence until he approached Biddaddaba. As if finally coming out of a daze, she realised she would need to give him some directions.

“Just head as if you are going to the polo fields; we are a couple of properties farther along on the right-hand side.”

“Okay.” He nodded and squeezed her hand again. She realised he had not let her go the whole time of her self-imposed silence. It felt as if his touch was the only thing that was stopping her from spinning into a million little fragments and just giving in to the enormity of the day’s events.

Brayden turned in to the drive that was marked with a sign indicating the veterinary hospital. He continued up the gravel drive at a slow pace. He was unsure as to whether he should warn her that her house and hospital could look like a discarded battlefield. Was it better to have her upset again now or in about two minutes? As usual, responsibility won out.

“Rihanna, I don’t mean to alarm or upset you but your house and the vet hospital may not look exactly as they did when you left them.” He’d turned to look her directly in the eye as he delivered the next likely blow.

“What do you mean?” she asked, perplexed by his words.

“What I mean is that it’s likely that the guys who tried to abduct you last night ransacked your place looking for the virus and any other information.” He paused, watching the visible pain of his words. “I’d like you to stay in the car. I want to check the place out first and make sure there are no other uninvited guests here.”

“No,” she said in a voice so cold it shocked him. “Don’t leave me here. I need to see.”

She’d made a decision over the last few minutes. Whatever this was about, she would stand up to it, work through it, and get on with her life. Nobody was going to ruin her reputation, her family, and everything she had been working the last years for.

Her life had not been easy since her mother died but she wasn’t unhappy or disappointed with it. In fact, Rihanna was proud of what she had accomplished. She was a no-nonsense girl to the core. Although she had to admit deep down, it was nice to have Brayden at her side. It wouldn’t be the first time she wondered whether she would be quite this brave or together if he wasn’t standing right beside her through this.

Brayden wrapped his hands around her upper arms and gave her a gentle shake, never losing eye contact. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Rihanna nodded firmly. “Yes.”

“Okay. You stay behind me at all times and do everything I tell you.” She nodded again, acknowledging his demands.

Brayden released the door and climbed out; he immediately let his senses scan the surrounds, seeking evidence of anything untoward. As he expected, there were literally thousands of human and animal scents mingling together in the surrounding area. He couldn’t detect any immediate “live” humans but he wasn’t all together confident.

“Let’s check out the hospital first,” he suggested, guiding her quietly toward the single-story brick building off to the left of the sprawling old Queenslander-styled farmhouse.

They rounded the corner of the building and as he expected, the front door was ajar and the locks were smashed. He moved cautiously through the door, keeping Rihanna behind him, his senses still telling him that all was safe. The inside of the building was another story. The place looked like a cyclone had gone through.

Rihanna shrieked as soon as she caught sight of the carnage that was once her pride and joy, her business, her place of work, the real reason she got up in the morning each day.

Bray immediately cautioned her to be quiet as he continued on. He leaned close to her left ear and whispered, “Where do you do the research work on the virus?” Even in her traumatised state, his whispered breath created goose bumps up and down her arms.

She leaned into him and whispered, “Down the corridor to the right—the door leads to a lower level that contains our lab.”

Brayden silently led Rihanna down the corridor and as he expected, the door to the lower-level lab was wide open. He turned and looked at her, noticing the river of silent tears spilling from her gorgeous eyes. He squeezed her hand reassuringly; it was a small gesture but one of intimacy and support when words could simply not compensate for the devastation she was undoubtedly feeling.

If the upper level of the hospital was a cyclone centre, the lower lab was ground zero. A quick scan of his senses told him that the floor was safe. He turned and gathered her into his arms, as she sobbed silently into his shoulder.

“It’s okay, sweetheart, we’ll sort this out.”

She wanted to believe him; she really did. But how did you even begin to replace the equipment, the effort, or restore order to the chaos that had now invaded their life’s work?

“Rihanna, can you tell me where you kept the virus?” His senses could detect a very faint hint but not in enough concentration to be the real deal.

She pointed at a stainless steel cabinet that was open. “The virus samples were kept in special containers, kind of like the ones you would have seen radioactive material kept in. They’re all gone.”

“How many were there?” he asked.

“There were six containers, all with various levels of virus intensity.”

He looked around again and noticed that there didn’t seem to be any computer equipment in the wreckage of the lab.

“Did you have computer equipment down here?”

“Yes, our laptops were over there on the bench to the right. We kept the door locked with biometrics, as you would have noticed.”

“Do you have backups of the data?” Given what he had learnt of Rihanna, he was positive he already knew the answer but he had to ask the question anyway.

“Yes, of course. We backup everything to external hard drives that we keep in the house safe and we also backup a copy over a VPN to the government agency that we are doing the bulk of the research for.” Her indignation at him questioning her professional standards and practices rolled off her in waves.

“Sorry, Rihanna; I figured you would but I had to ask. It is part of my job.”

“Well, your job sucks.” She turned and ran from the building.

Brayden let her go. His senses were clearly telling him that there were no other humans in at least a kilometre of the property. She was safe from immediate physical harm. However, the emotional harm at finding her business and most likely her home in ruins would be more than most people could take. He figured she needed some time and space to process the chaos that her life had become in a matter of hours.

After a last scan of the disarray of the lab, he removed his cell phone and dialled his contact at the Centre.

“What’s up, Stud?” It was getting really old after all these years but routine was routine and a gag was a gag.

“Hey, Rat Brat, I’m at the vet lab. As we expected, they’ve been here and trashed the joint.” He paused and took a breath. “The virus is gone. Rihanna is telling me that all six canisters are missing. Also the main laptops—although there should be solid backups of the data.”

He heard his colleague swear a blue streak.

“Wait one, Stud. I’ll check with the boss man on your next instructions.”

He paused on the outside of the vet hospital and casually leant against the brickwork, desperately trying to take advantage of any shade offered in the Queensland midday sun. He could see Rihanna sitting in the shade of the big Moreton Bay fig tree that framed the front entry of the house. Her knees were drawn to her chest, with her chin resting on top. She looked as if she was staring out across the valley, looking at nothing in particular.

A second later, his new directions were received.

“Boss says head back to your place ASAP. He’ll send a forensics and clean-up team out there. He doesn’t want you to move out from your place until further notice.”

“Roger. I’ll check in as scheduled.” He was just about to disconnect when it occurred to him. “Have you guys got any word on her father?”

“Last update indicated that he had been located and our operatives were moving in for an extraction. I’ll advise the outcome when I know.”

“Thanks, Brat—catch ya.”

“Don’t enjoy yourself too much, Stud…” The call disconnected to the teasing laughter of his colleague.

He let out the breath he realised he had been holding; maybe her dad would be okay. She sure didn’t need another body blow.

He was just starting to move toward her when his senses picked up the unmistakable scent signature of a horse in distress. He looked up and around; the best he could tell, it was coming from down the paddock towards what looked to be a creek that seemed to tuck in under a bit of a hill.

“Rihanna, come on!” he yelled and motioned for her to move towards him. Thankfully, she moved immediately on her feet and ran towards him.

“What is it?” Her beautiful tear-streaked face was tight with alarm.

“There’s a horse down that way in trouble.” He motioned with his arm the best he could. He grabbed her hand and started to run. “Come on.” They ran hand in hand down towards the creek, a thin sheen of sweat starting to build on both of them courtesy of the hot January sun.

As they rounded the crest of the hill and started down towards the creek, the source of the distress scent he was picking up became immediately obvious. There snagged on the edge of the creek bank was a mare with her leg caught through the post and rail fence that ran right to the creek.

Rihanna immediately walked quickly but calmly to the mare’s head and began stroking her cheek and neck.

“It’s okay, girl; we’re going to get you out of here,” she crooned to the mare.

Brayden quickly surveyed the scene and realised that the horse just needed a little help to get her leg out from between the rails of the fence.

“Looks like she rolled in the cool mud and got a bit too close to the fence.”

“Yeah, seems that way,” she agreed. “Do you think you can get her leg out or do you want me to have a go?” she asked.