Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series: Book 1) (7 page)

I was intrigued by a boutique that carried some of my favorite European designers. There was only one saleswoman attending a couple of women in the dressing room. I busied myself flipping through a rack of blouses.

A hand rested on my arm. “Nita.”

I jerked aside and his other hand pulled me in. “Jimmy!” Dozens of emotions fired through me. “Eduardo? Is Eduardo-”

“He’s fine,” Jimmy drawled, and I hugged him.

“It’s David. You’ve got to come now. My car’s out front.”

My eyes clouded with tears as he led me to a black sedan and deposited me in the front seat. Memories swirled with mounting fear.

Jimmy Hollinger had been a great friend and colleague of Eduardo and David. An outstanding Navy SEAL, Jimmy was recruited by the same agency that recruited them. Jimmy was so sweet with his Texas drawl and gentlemanly manners. But just like the others, he could kill you as soon as look at you.

I noticed we were entering the airport. “Where are we going?”

“Los Angeles. Your bags are in the trunk.”

***

“I’ve got to call Cat.” I reached for my handbag to find my phone.

He put his hand over mine to stop me. “They’re on the way. No need to call.”

We pulled into a private hangar, and he assisted me from the car, while another man appeared and took my luggage from the trunk. He followed us onto the plane. The doors closed behind us, and we were in motion.

I settled into a seat and let myself cry for a bit. Jimmy reappeared with coffee for both of us and took a seat. He stared out the window while I dabbed at the tears.

As the jet climbed high over Boston, I was back in Salzburg on last December twentieth – a day that was certainly in the top ten of my worst. It was the nineteenth anniversary of the worst day in our families’ lives. It was the day Eduardo’s audio tore my heart apart with fear.

Then I remembered our camp on Christmas morning. Cat told me: “Eduardo will be fine. Really. He will be fine.”

And today was likely the day she was talking about. David would need to be healed by a white-haired angel. God help us.

Glori

It was a gorgeous sunny day in Beverly Hills. Cindy’s dad, Bud, was doing his famous barbecue. It was her brother Rod’s thirty-ninth birthday, and everyone would be over to celebrate. Bud and Dottie lived for these family occasions. Children, grandchildren, friends, great barbecue, and beautiful weather – what could be better?

Cindy sat at the kitchen counter icing the freshly baked cakes and cookies she and her mom had made. I flipped through a fashion magazine.

Dottie poked her head through the door. “Marion called. Debbie is doing well. They’ll be over in a little while.”

I smirked at Cindy. “So who’d have thought Debbie’d be the first to show up with a diamond?” We burst out laughing.

Cindy composed herself, and wiped her eyes. In the process, she frosted her nose. “I think Debbie has a guardian angel up there smiling down on her. That guy saved her life.”

“Yeah, right, Cin. If she’s got a guardian angel, he’s been asleep at the wheel for a lot of years. And now she’s got a ring from some guy that’s a drug dealer. I gotta say a sexy drug dealer. But a drug dealer nonetheless.”

“Glori, we don’t know that.”

“Yeah, we know that, Cin.” I nodded. “Oh, did I tell you who left a message on my voicemail?” I took the frosting off her nose. “Dr. Payne!”

“No!”

***

The Aldridges arrived on the patio. George and Marion were in better spirits today because it’d been weeks since anyone had seen or heard from David Henning. And their daughter continued to improve.

“Dottie, I’m thrilled with Debbie. She’s gained almost six pounds. And she’s painting again. George thinks she may be able to go back to school in a month or so. Of course she told me this morning, she wants to study German now.” Marion heaved a sigh.

“Well, that’s okay. At least she’s taking an interest in something,” Dottie said. “And I know she’ll enjoy the barbecue today. We’ve got her favorites for her.”

Cindy’s dad had warned everyone about George and Marion’s problems with Debbie’s new diamond, so all the family and guests tried to be polite. But Rod’s wife, Julie, couldn’t contain herself. As Debbie sat at the table fidgeting with her ring, she took her hand to look at it closely.

“You know, my friend the history professor could probably tell you more about this ring,” Julie said.

“Really?” Debbie and I both seemed to think this was a good idea.

“I don’t know.” Being her usual overprotective self where Debbie was concerned, Cindy didn’t want any new opinions on the ring to ruin the day.

“Look, that little design, there.” Julie pointed with her finger. “It resembles… like a royal crest. You said he’s from Hamburg, Germany. They had all sorts of little tiny countries in Europe over the centuries.”

“Whoa! He did steal it from a museum! Royal jewels!” I couldn’t help myself.

Cindy opened her mouth to stop me from going down this rocky path. But then she stared right past me. I turned to see her dad standing with three big and very serious men in dark suits flashing credentials.

“George, these men need a word with you,” Bud said.

“Let me guess.” George’s face was red. “This couldn’t possibly have anything to do with David Henning?”

“Yes sir.”

Two of the men came over to our table and lifted Debbie out of her seat. Then they all disappeared.

Debbie

I gripped the ring on my hand, twisting it back and forth around my finger, staring at the back of the heads of the men, as we drove out of Beverly Hills in a black sedan. The third man drove the same type of car ahead of us. As I watched Mama wringing her hands, I repeated the scene in Cindy’s driveway in my mind.

Daddy would never agree to do anything that was not to his complete satisfaction. So he almost had a fit yelling at the men he said were trying to abduct us. Fortunately, one of our neighbors attending the party was one of Daddy’s lawyers. After examining the hologram and their paperwork, he said the men’s identification was authentic. He recommended we go with them.

For the first few miles Daddy unsuccessfully tried to question the men. At last he gave up and looked out the window.

Eventually, we arrived at the entrance to what looked like a military base. The guards had rifles slung over their shoulders. I shuddered with fear. How could David be involved with these people?

We proceeded through the gate, and traveled over a wooded road probably a mile before we could see a sign of civilization. At last I noticed a number of box-like office buildings, and the cars pulled up a circular drive to a hospital. The men assisted us from the back seat, and led us through the lobby to the elevators. We were escorted to a waiting area on the third floor.

The three of us were left to our own thoughts, sitting stiffly in the middle of a large open waiting room. One wall had huge windows that let in the sunlight. That was the only cheery thing about that room. There was no reading material and no activity in the hall for more than twenty minutes. I knew because Daddy repeatedly checked his watch and announced how long we’d been kept waiting.

Suddenly the same door that we came through snapped open. Another tall man in a suit appeared and gently guided a woman by the elbow. She hesitated, looking down the drab hallway.

She was the most stunning young woman I’d ever seen. Waist long, shiny straight black hair draped over a perfect, curvaceous body. Her fashionable blue silk suit fit her like a glove. I couldn’t help but stare, and then I noticed my parents were staring at her too. She never noticed us. Her beautiful dark eyes were filled with worry.

“Eduardo!”

I got up to follow her down the hall. From the waiting room door, I saw her hurry into the arms of a tall handsome man in fatigues. He had a smile that lit up his face. The guard nodded to him and went into a room, closing the door. As they embraced and kissed passionately, there were three of us onlookers, and I could feel myself blushing.

“Well!” Mama exclaimed under her breath, and turned to shield me. But I could see the lovers disappeared from the corridor.

I returned to my seat and my thoughts reeled back to the passionate kiss I shared with David, the kiss I’d relived constantly since I’d seen him. I remembered the look in his eyes that told me I was important to him, the curious way his lip curled when he was amused, the feel of his kisses that nearly made me melt. I remembered his arms around me
—
strength, power and gentleness at once. I could hear the steady beating of his heart, and it soothed me. I listened for his calming words whispered in my ear. Words meant just for me.

Would he come through that door and smile at me with his soft brown eyes? Would he take me into his arms and kiss me again?

What if he didn’t want me now? What if he realized it was all a big mistake? What if he knew the truth? The voices that raced through my head had never been wrong. I was ugly and fat, and not very bright at all. I couldn’t put a sentence together that made sense. I stumbled over words. I was afraid of everything. Why would he want such a silly, ridiculous girl?

I clasped the ring with all the power in my right hand. Grammy was in front of my face, as plain as day. Her warm smile filled me, and she said: “Remember, nothing can separate you from the love of God.”

This ring was a symbol, a symbol of his love for me. He still wanted me. That’s why I was here. I never did find Cat the Prayer Warrior, but I knew I was different now. Stronger now, and I thought it must be because I knew for sure God loves me. Me! So why wouldn’t David want me?

I felt faint. But I had to be strong. I’d show him I’d done everything he had asked. I could even step on the scale, and show him all the weight I gained. I’d hate to show him how fat I was, but he told me six pounds. And today the scale would show six more pounds with my shoes on. I’d keep my shoes on.

The painting was at home, in my studio. I’d take him to see it, and he’d be pleased with it. Cindy told me it was my best work to date. I’d tried my best to mimic the colors of heaven. That was impossible, I supposed, but I did capture some of that glorious light and color. It made my work better and better. I thought David would be pleased.

I wanted to kiss him first. Of course he’d kiss me first. No matter what my parents thought. He was so much bigger and stronger than Daddy
…
My mind was too fogged. David would know just what to do. “I know he loves me… he loves me.” I realized I was speaking out loud to my ring. Daddy stood sternly in front of me, piercing my dream world.

He took to pacing the floor, rubbing the back of his neck muttering obscenities under his breath. Mama stared at me and wrung her hands. The wait was interminable.

Chapter
Five

The same man who lifted me out of my chair on Cindy’s terrace appeared in the entranceway. “General Pearson will see you now.” He escorted us down the corridor to a small conference room.

“Hello Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge. Debbie.” The General shook our hands and introduced himself. He was a tall fit man with distinguished gray hair. His well-tanned face wore a friendly, sympathetic smile. I relaxed a bit as he took my hand with a look of fatherly approval. He motioned us to sit.

“Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge, I hope you understand what I am about to tell you is to be held in strictest confidence.”

“Of course, General.” Daddy had a great respect for the military and considered himself a patriot.

“Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge, I have summoned you here today for two reasons. First and foremost, I am concerned for your welfare. I have reason to believe you may be in danger, so I’ve ordered you to be taken into protective custody until we can determine it’s safe for you to leave.”

That got Daddy’s attention. “Henning. The drug dealer.”

The General ignored Daddy’s comment and continued. “Mr. Aldridge, you probably have never heard of the organization I run. To briefly summarize for you, we are a group of highly trained and skilled individuals from around the world. We carry out classified, and extremely sensitive and important work around the globe. You will understand most of our work is carried out ‘undercover’ so to speak.”

Daddy cleared his throat. “I see.”

I wasn’t so sure he did.

“Exactly how are we in danger, General Pearson?” Daddy asked.

“Suffice it to say, you’ve managed to place yourself and your family in a potentially dangerous situation. Until we have things sorted out, you’ll be quite safe here. At this point, I’m sure it doesn’t surprise you that your private investigators found out precious little about David Henning.”

“You’re telling me Henning works for you?”

The General nodded. “Yes, Mr. Aldridge.”

Daddy let out a heavy sigh. “General Pearson, do you have children of your own?”

“Why yes, Mr. Aldridge, I have two daughters.”