Trapped In Shadow (Shadow Walker Romance Series Book 4) (7 page)

Their breathing and heartbeats slowed. Stacey felt boneless, completely melted. Her legs fell open, her muscles ruined. Hugh slid from within her and she moaned, missing the connection. He paused searching her face.

“Are you all right?”

Stacey nodded, afraid to speak. No, she wasn’t all right. Something happened, something profound. The rational side of her brain told her she was being ridiculous, the intuitive side knew a merging had been completed. Somehow Hugh and Stacey were connected, a linking that couldn’t be severed and would last until death took them.

A tear rolled down her face. She couldn’t stop it. She wasn’t sad, but the tears kept coming. God, what was wrong with her? She put her hands over her face, trying to hide, not wanting Hugh to see her so vulnerable.

“Dammit!” Hugh swore. He gathered her into his arms and rocked her. “I got a little carried away. Tell me you’re all right, baby.”

Stacey grabbed at the hand holding her
.
She wanted to tell him she was fine. The words wouldn’t come. He destroyed her. His love ripped her apart and put her back together again. She didn’t know who she was anymore. The only thing she did know was that she couldn’t lose him.

“Hugh,” she whispered.

“It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you.”

Stacey smiled, knowing it was true. He was her anchor, her everything. She hiccupped and brushed the tears from her face. What a sight she must be, probably all splotchy. Hugh stopped the rocking and gazed at her tenderly. He brushed his fingers over her cheek.

“Beautiful,” he murmured.

“Yeah, right. I look awful when I cry, all red and blotchy.”

“You look beautiful. The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Now, tell me. Did I hurt you?” His face looked worried.

“No. I’m fine, just a little overwhelmed. Great sex can do that, or so I’ve heard.”

“Overwhelmed? Great sex? Honey, that was so much more than great sex. I’m so afraid of losing you, I’m having problems breathing. If you hadn’t already promised to marry me, I’d be planning a trip to Vegas right now. Me, I hate Vegas. I know all the odds of losing while gambling and the house always wins.”

Stacey couldn’t help but laugh at the disgruntled look on his face. Whatever happened, affected them both. As long as they stayed together, they’d make it okay. Hugh stared at her in amazement making her laugh harder.

He shook his head. “Great. Now she’s hysterical.”

It took a while to reassure Hugh that she wasn’t broken. Finally he’d gotten into the shower to clean up. They were expected for a briefing in an hour. Stacey stretched, enjoying the relaxed feeling of her body. She couldn’t remember a time she felt so peaceful.

A knock sounded at the door. Stacey didn’t want to get out of bed. She grimaced and grabbed a robe.

“Who is it?” Her stomach grumbled.

“Housekeeping. I have your breakfast cart.”

Stacey hurried to the door and opened it. “Breakfast. I’m starving.” A young man pushed the cart into their room. Damn, she didn’t have any cash handy. Should she tip him?

The waiter didn’t wait for a tip and headed out the door. “Have a good day, miss.”

“Hold the door,” a voice called from the hallway. Charlie White Owl walked in, passing the waiter on his way out. “Sorry for barging in. I need to talk to Hugh.”

“He’s in the shower.”

The water suddenly turned off. Hugh walked out with a towel wrapped around his waist and another in his hands wiped at his hair.

“I thought I heard your voice. What’s up, Charlie?”

“Joe Running Bear interviewed all of our department while you were on your mission and cleared them of stealing our designs. All, but one. Tessa Landon. She was out on leave.”

“Tessa? She’s a single mother. Her three-year-old daughter is Cassidy, right? I can’t see Tessa stealing anything let alone our designs. Stacey, grab your shower, sweetheart, and then we’ll eat breakfast.”

Stacey didn’t want to miss the rest of the conversation, but figured Hugh could fill her in later over breakfast. She rushed into the bathroom.

§

Hugh walked over to the breakfast cart and poured himself a cup of coffee.

“How long ago would she have taken the plans for the chip?”

“I’m thinking around two years ago. The same time her husband had an accident and was killed.”

“Do you think her husband’s death might be part of this? Zenith killed her husband?”

“I like Tessa. She’s sweet to everyone. Brings cookies and stuff into the office. She adores Cassidy. I’ve never heard anyone with a mean word against her. She’s brilliant in her designs and is working on a laptop computer made of all natural materials so we can carry it through Shadow.”

“If she’s a spy, she would do all those things to keep everyone from considering her a threat.” Hugh ran his hand through his wet hair. “Let me get some clothes on. Help yourself to some coffee.”

“Thanks. I don’t think Tessa is a spy. I think someone made her steal those designs and killed her husband to make her do it.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out. We have to track her down and ask,” Hugh called from the bedroom. He hurried to get dressed.

“My thoughts exactly. I thought we’d try her apartment first. She lives in the same place Frank Black used to live, Oasis Apartments. We can Shadow Walk there as soon as you’re done with breakfast.”

“All right. Give me a half hour and I’ll meet you in the tech department. Is Joe coming to read her mind? He does it so easily. I have to really work at it, and it gives me a headache.”

“I’ll tell him our plans. I’m sure he’ll want to come. I’ll see you in a few.”

Charlie hurried out the door. Hugh walked over to the table and started transferring dishes from the cart. The door to the bathroom opened and a wave of steam poured out, along with the scent of delectable woman. His woman.

Stacey walked up to the table in a robe, a towel in her hands to dry her hair. Hugh wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. His lips captured hers and she melted against him.

“You smell divine, like oranges and honeysuckle. I could eat you up.” Hugh pressed a fast kiss to her hair.

“Why don’t we eat food instead? I’m starving. You and Charlie are going after this Tessa?” Stacey sat and buttered a half bagel.

“Yeah. We’re Shadow Walking to her apartment in Albuquerque. Will you come?”

“Sure. It would be boring around here without you. Any word from my father? I thought for sure he’d be beating down your door to see me by now.”

“No one mentioned anything. I’ll call Katherine and ask what the situation is.” Hugh shoved eggs and hash browns into his mouth. He needed to get moving if he wanted to meet Charlie on time.

Stacey nodded and continued eating. She cleaned her plate and gave a contended little sigh as she leaned back from the table.

“Still hungry? I’ve got a couple pieces of bacon left,” Hugh asked.

“No. You eat them. I want to sip at my tea.” Stacey lifted the cup to her mouth.

“I don’t want to rush you, but you still need to get dressed.”

“Right. Shadow is cold. Do you have a sweater I can borrow?”

“The last time you were here, you stole my leather jacket. If I lend you my new one, will I get it back?”

“Maybe. It depends on how good it fits and how much it smells like you.”

“Wait. You took my jacket because it smelled like me?”

“I like your spicy smell and the jacket fit me really nice, even if it was a little big.”

“Go get dressed, beautiful. You can steal anything you want out of my closet. We’re supposed to meet Charlie, so hurry.”

Stacey arose a playful look on her face. “It’s no fun to steal things if you’re going to just give them to me.”

Hugh snagged her wrist as she walked past and tugged her onto his lap. “You’ve stolen my heart. I guess I better give the rest to you.” He searched her face. He liked her like this, playful and a little naughty.

“Don’t worry, honey. I take care of what belongs to me.” She leaned forward and brushed a kiss to his lips. “Let me up now, or you’re going to be late.”

Hugh growled. He couldn’t help it. He was so tempted to pick Stacey up and take her to bed. Her robe parted and he could see one rounded perfect mound of flesh waiting for his kisses. The worst part was Stacey knew exactly the temptation she offered.

Hugh kissed her hard, a claiming and promise mixed into one. “Go get dressed, beautiful.”

§

Stacey held Hugh’s hand as they walked into the tech department and stopped as four sets of eyes locked on them. All of the men looked formidable and dangerous. Joe, Charlie, and Dasan all wore leather Shadow Walking clothes, while Raven boasted a silk Armani suit. Hugh opted for cotton jeans and a T-shirt, which made him look much more relaxed than the others.

“Ah, there you are,” Raven said. “I take it, you’re joining the team Miss Holland.”

“Stacey, please. I haven’t been Miss Holland since my mother was killed.” Hugh squeezed her hand.

The awful feelings that usually came up when she mentioned her mother’s death seemed to be held at bay by Hugh’s touch. Stacey smiled at him. The group sat around a table. Raven at the head.

“This is what we know, right now,” Joe Running Bear said. He sat on Raven’s right side. “Tessa Langdon is thirty two, a single mom. She’s an MIT graduate who met and married her late husband while in residence. We hired her soon after graduation. There are no red flags in her financials. She’s never received a large unexplained deposit. She is well liked and from the outside looks like a normal everyday working mother.”

“What about from the inside?” Dasan asked.

“She’s a sweetheart,” Charlie spoke up. “One of the nicest people I know. Loves her daughter like she’s the sun rising. Tessa is kind and supports the local charity drives Isanti sponsors. I can’t see her as an industrial spy.”

“You said she was on leave?” Hugh asked.

“That’s the troubling part,” Raven said. “Katherine made inquiries and was told a man called in saying Tessa asked him to let them know she needed to take a couple of days off. Cassidy was ill. Tessa normally calls in herself, but the girl in human resources thought it might be Tessa’s new boyfriend so she didn’t worry about it.”

“Do we know if Tessa has a new boyfriend?” Stacey asked. Her intuition told her Tessa Langdon was in trouble.

“No. In fact, everyone I spoke to said Tessa doesn’t date,” Joe said. “The only person she’s ever shown an interest in is Dr. Rick. She makes him chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and takes them to the clinic. I think Rick likes her, but doesn’t know what to do about it, and there is her daughter. Rick wouldn’t know what to do with a three-year-old.”

“I think you need to get over there. She could be in trouble,” Raven said rising.

“I agree,” Stacey said, joining the others as they moved from the table.

“Joe will take point and lead you through Shadow. Tessa lives in apartment #309. Good luck,” Raven said.

Charlie flipped off the lights and Joe opened a door into Shadow. Hugh took Stacey’s hand.

“You think Tessa’s in trouble?”
Hugh’s voice filled her head.

“Yes. My intuition is screaming at me.”

Hugh nodded.
“Stay close to me.”

Raven stood watching as they walked into Shadow.

Cold and darkness wrapped around Stacey. She too was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt; she’d decided not to steal another leather jacket from Hugh. Now, she wished she taken it anyway. She began to shiver as she felt that strange shifting motion that meant they were traveling through Shadow.

She blinked and when she opened her eyes, they stood inside a courtyard that held a pool. No one sunbathed on the patio. Joe opened a door and they all stepped into the weak afternoon sunlight of February. Stacey rubbed her arms trying to get warm. Hugh wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. His welcome warmth surrounded her.

“The stairs are over there,” Joe said, pointing.

Charlie took the lead and they all tramped upstairs. The third floor apartment they looked for was situated in a corner of the building. Charlie knocked on the door. The curtains were drawn on the windows.

“Tessa? It’s Charlie.” There was no answer.

“Go in through Shadow and open the door,” Joe said.

Charlie found a shadow near the corner and quickly disappeared. The door opened and then they heard him swearing. Joe pushed in, followed by Dasan.

Hugh paused in the doorway. “Are you sure you want to go in. It could be ugly.”

“If you can handle it, then I can.” Stacey pushed her way into the room, Hugh on her heels.

The smell hit her first, bodily fluids and death. The light filtering in from the door made a beam that led right to the figure tied to a chair. From the blood spattered all over the room, Stacey knew Tessa Langdon had been tortured.

“Is she still alive?” Stacey asked, even though she knew there was little hope.

“No. Don’t touch anything, we don’t need your prints showing up when the cops sweep the room,” Joe said. He pulled out his cell phone and started making calls.

Charlie hurried into the room, a bundle of pink held in his arms. “Cassidy is still alive. They locked her in a closet. I’m taking her to Rick.” He suddenly disappeared.

A sinking feeling filled Stacey’s stomach. “What will happen to her? Poor kid.”

Hugh took her arm. “We’ll take care of her until her family can pick her up. Come on, Joe and Dasan can handle the cops.”

Stacey nodded. She was supposed to be in hiding, getting embroiled in an investigation wasn’t a smart move. Hugh stepped onto the landing and opened a door into Shadow before pulling her inside. Once the darkness surrounded them, Hugh pulled her into his arms and they moved through Shadow. They stepped out into the tech department.

“I don’t understand why they tortured her. What did they want from her?” Stacey asked.

“Good question. Let me check what projects she worked on.” Hugh walked into his office. His fingers flew over the keys of his computer. “Charlie mentioned her working on an all-natural computer we could take into Shadow, but she also worked on an all-natural material gun.”

“That’s interesting. How far along are the plans?”

“We’re still working on the barrel material. We’ve made a plastic out of corn resin and rubber then lined it with a ceramic liner. It works for a few shots, and then the rifling disintegrates. It’s close, but not quite there.”

“Didn’t I see on the news someone made a gun out of plastic with a 3D printer?”

“Yes, I saw that too, but to work in Shadow we would need a plastic made of all natural materials.”

“If someone wanted a gun to go through a metal detector then any plastic would work. A gun that was undetectable would be worth a lot on the black market.”

“You think they wanted her plans to make their own version of the gun?”

“I know Zenith is vicious, but someone went to a lot of trouble to torture that woman.”

“I’ll inform Raven immediately. I don’t see any evidence of our firewall being breached. I wonder if Tessa stored information on her home computer. I’ll have Joe check her apartment. Give me a few minutes to make a couple of calls, then if you like we can go down to the clinic and see Cassidy.”

“Cassidy doesn’t know me. It won’t help her either way if she sees me.”