Haunted (State v. Sefore) (9 page)

“I am sorry, Noah. I apologize for putting you in that situation.” Her words weren’t frantic like before but measured and sincere. “I have to get a handle on my fear.”

He braved eye contact. “It’s okay. Really.”

She pulled the car remote from her bag. “Thank you for the coffee, for everything.”

“You’re welcome. See you tomorrow, Nurse Walker.”

“See you tomorrow, CNA Seforé.” Slipping into her car, she waved as he stepped away.

As the car door shut, he heard her whisper, “I was right about him. I knew it.”

Forcing himself to keep walking, he pulled out his vidcom and headed for his car. Without his enhanced senses, he never would’ve deciphered her words, so he had no way to question her without tipping his hand. What was she right about?

She couldn’t have been referring to his sympathies, could she? He shook his head, thumbing the car locks to disengage. No, fearing liquidators didn’t equal involvement in the resistance. If it did, then he and Maddison would be members as well. There had to be some other meaning behind Nurse Walker’s words, but to be thorough, he should find a way to discreetly run her background in the system anyway.

He activated the vidcom and saw a waiting message. He opened the three-word text. “We’ll be watching.” He didn’t need a signature to know who’d sent it, which reminded him he had a report to file. Relocking the car, he marched toward the hospital entrance. He and Kelly needed to talk soon. The ARL and his stationary liquidators needed to give him some space, or he’d never infiltrate the anti-regime group. But first, he’d make sure Kelly transferred the tyrant guarding the main elevators.

Chapter Ten

N
oah paused, pen
hovering over the page. He couldn’t avoid it. Sighing, he added Nurse Walker’s name to his suspicious persons list. He hadn’t surveilled her officially, but the interaction he’d overheard today couldn’t be denied. It was a coded message, one he hadn’t been able to crack yet. One John Henderson had also received. He might’ve burned all the bridges with Henderson, but he’d have to exploit his relationship with Lynn. They were running out of time.

He added Ben Yancey’s name to the list as well. By himself, Ben wasn’t all that problematic, but his brother was an outspoken hothead, and Ben seemed to be the only connection between John Henderson and Lynn Walker, two very different people. The connection meant something. But what?

He slipped the paper notebook and pen back into the plastic baggie. He’d been able to hide his strategy once before with a hidden notebook. This time the stakes were much higher. The new notebook held names he didn’t want to record electronically, his theories, and his plan to keep Maddison off the Elite’s list.

Maddison. He had to orchestrate one interaction with her, one interaction that made her seem vehemently pro-Elite, without her being aware of why.

He huffed. Yeah, no problem there.

But he wasn’t giving up. So he had pages full of not quite right ideas. He only needed inspiration to strike once. It would come sooner or later.

He leaned over and pried out the small piece of drywall he’d slit away from the rest. He pushed the baggie into the wall then replaced the sheetrock. Even to his eyes, the small crack near the floor behind the toilet looked like exactly that. Just a crack and not a hiding place. The alarm on his vidcom beeped. Almost time to go. He brushed his hands off on his jeans and headed for the bedroom. Picking up the vibrating device, he silenced it and slipped it into his back pocket. He’d have to keep it on tonight. No more leaving it in the car when he saw her.

If only there was a way to mute or censor what the microphone picked up. Then maybe he wouldn’t have to be on edge twenty-four hours a day. Functioning in a state of high alert was taking its toll.

Tonight should help. If he couldn’t catch a break with the coded message, he’d give himself one. Fresh eyes always triggered insight. For now, he’d put it out of his mind. Grabbing his keys and leather jacket, he headed for the car and for her.

As he exited the hotel, his breath floated out before him, and he quickened his pace. If the temperature continued to drop, his plan for the evening would have to be trashed, but maybe the weather would cooperate for a couple of hours.

In the last three weeks, all efforts to keep his distance from Maddison had failed. Ignoring his attraction had become a lost cause, and he didn’t want to fight it anymore. After the first dinner at her house, something had shifted between them. They texted back and forth in the morning. They went out to eat after work. He’d come over for dinner with Jakob and Taylor several times, comforted by the home-cooked meals, teasing banter, and after-dessert card games. Last week, he joined her and her friends for a movie. Josh kept his distance, but Sophie and Olivia welcomed him with open arms.

Noah Seforé became more fleshed out every day. He had a stressful but respectable job, people to hang out with, and someone to come home to. Everything fifteen-year-old Noah wanted and planned for, he had a taste of now.

But it was all a mirage. Noah Seforé didn’t exist. Not anymore. And in three months, Noah State would be dead also.
What will happen to her then?

She deserved to know the truth, but he wanted to be selfish … just one more night. He downshifted into her neighborhood.

More lying, Noah?
The questions sounded more like his nonna’s than his own. He and Daniel would’ve broken her heart countless times by now, if she hadn’t died with their parents four years ago. A nonna’s love stretched wide, but murder wouldn’t have been covered. If she wouldn’t have been able to forgive him, her God definitely wouldn’t.

Nonna’s voice told him to come clean, but he shrugged it off and rang Maddison’s doorbell. She opened the door, wearing a white sweater dress, gray leggings, and a long burgundy coat. A filmy green fabric wove through her hair. The voice in his head shut up.

“You look amazing.”

She blushed. “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Shall we?” He held out an arm and bowed.

“Of course, dear sir.” She giggled and closed the door behind her. She shook her head as he led her around to the passenger side. “You really should’ve been born earlier.”

“Yes, but then I wouldn’t have met you.” The thought sent a sharp pain through him.

“That would’ve been a crime.” No teasing in her soft voice this time.

“You’re right.” His hand tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. The glow in her eyes brightened. He resisted the urge to kiss her by stepping back so she could slide into the passenger seat. He closed the door behind her and sprinted around the back.

Maddison leaned back into the warm leather seat and angled her body toward Noah’s. She batted her eyes. “Can I ask where we’re going?”

He grinned that fabulous lopsided grin of his. “I think I’ll keep it a secret for just a little longer.”

“But I’ll like it?” Silly question. Of course she would.

“I think so.”

“Well, then step on it, mister.”

He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”

Life had been dimmer before him. How had she not seen it? He evoked something in her no one else had. She fell harder for him every day, and it should scare her.

But he didn’t. So it didn’t.

If only he’d get on board and make it official.

“How warm is your coat?”

She shot him a questioning look. “Pretty warm. I have some gloves in the pockets I think. Am I going to need them?”

His only response was a smile.

“Should I be nervous? We don’t have long before curfew, you know.”

“I’ll have you home before eleven-thirty, I promise.”

She brainstormed, knowing she couldn’t use the car’s GPS as a guide. The car allowed for manual control, and Noah took advantage of the feature.

“Hey, how come you can disengage autopilot? My car doesn’t even give me the option.”

His head whipped toward her in surprise before he pulled his eyes back to the road. “All older models have the function.” His words leaked out through tight lips.

She didn’t press. His demeanor made clear the answer to her next question as well—the reason he could afford one had to be connected to his parents’ deaths—so she changed the subject. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me where we’re headed?”

The tension around his eyes faded, and he smiled but shook his head. She went back to wracking her brain for options. They wouldn’t need warm clothes inside the archives, coffee shops, or movie theaters. Could he be taking her to the Plaza? The observation gallery with its wine and coffee bar offered an exclusive way for couples who could afford it to end their evening. She’d heard the view of the metro area’s skyline took your breath away, but to mingle with all the people in Class One and Two?
Please don’t let that be what he has planned
.

Several minutes later, he turned away from downtown. She breathed a sigh of relief, but that left her out of options. She leaned over to lay her head on his shoulder. “Can I have a hint?”

His gaze warmed her. “Be patient for three more minutes.”

She sat up and crossed her arms. “You’re being stubborn.”

He laughed. “And you’re being difficult.”

Well, yeah, maybe. “Sorry.”

“You’re forgiven. Anything look familiar to you?”

She couldn’t make out much in the darkness. “It looks like a place I went hiking with the girls once, but I couldn’t be sure.”

“Hiking at the nature park?” He turned into an almost empty parking lot.

“Yes, but this can’t be it because they close at sundown.”

“For us, they close after the meteor shower tonight.” He looked down at her, waiting for a response. One lone finger tapped against the steering wheel. Oh. Her confident Noah was nervous.

“Are you telling me you talked the rangers into postponing their closing duties so you and I could watch the meteor shower?”

He nodded. “My trunk is stocked with blankets, hot chocolate, and flashlights. The junior ranger will meet us at the visitors’ center and guide us to an open field with a perfect view of the show. But if it’s too cold, or you don’t feel comfortable being out here alone, or it doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, say the word and we can go. ”

She covered his hand with her own. “I think it’s incredible.”

“Seriously?”

“I never get to see stars. Never. I love the idea.” She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” His fingers brushed her cheek, trapping the breath in her lungs. “We’d better get going, or we’ll miss the beginning.”

Did he not know what his nearness started in her? If he didn’t follow through on those promises his touch made soon, she would be forced to take matters into her own hands. She pulled on her gloves and came around to join him at the trunk. He handed her a temperature-sensitive thermos and picked up a huge pile of blankets.

She smirked. “Do you think you have enough?”

“You’ll thank me once we’re sitting on the cold ground. Come on, I see John waiting for us.”

They made their way forward on the asphalt path. “Is he a friend of yours?” she asked, although she had no idea how he could’ve known the bearded man waiting on them.

“Nope.”

His planning meant even more.

“Hey guys, you made it right on time.” The ranger smiled. “Looks like you’ll be outfitted once we get there, but can you walk the trails?”

Noah looked over at Maddison to make the call. She shrugged. “My ballet flats have traversed worse. Thanks for doing this by the way.”

“I thought Noah had a great idea, might use it myself sometime. Don’t be fooled though. He made it more than worth my time. Ready, then?”

Maddison looped her arm through Noah’s. “Lead on.”

John turned on a high-powered lantern and started down a path to the left. They followed several steps behind. She squeezed Noah’s arm. “I still can’t believe you thought to do this.”

“I like to get away from the hectic noise of the city, and I know you’re always looking for a new adventure. Good idea?”

“A very good one.”

They set out their blankets, three deep, in the middle of the field while the ranger slipped away. Noah settled another blanket around her shoulders before he sat. “Would you like some cocoa?”

“Yes, please.” She grinned and held out her hand for the steaming cup he poured. Holding the cup to her face, she took a deep whiff, enjoying the rich chocolate smell. Noah poured his own cup and shifted closer to her.

Once the initial wonder subsided, Noah pointed out several stars and constellations as he found them. After a while, his hand dropped to his side, and his voice faded into the background. She leaned into his side and focused on the streaming lights in the sky. Tomorrow, her neck would be stiff from being tilted back so long, but tonight, she didn’t care. For the first time in her life, she wished she were creative enough to paint or sketch. The inability to capture this night in her mind seemed tragic somehow. She never wanted the memory to dull.

Chapter Eleven

N
oah slid into
the booth, balancing a tray piled high with two steaming plates of chicken
tikka masala
,
palak paneer
, and
naan
, and two short mugs of hot tea. Inhaling the steam drifting upward, he set the tray down and broke off a piece of
naan
to drag through the
tikka masala
. “I can’t believe you’ve never had Indian food before. Why didn’t you drag Sophie or Olivia out here with you one time? Aren’t you the girl who’s introduced me to every cultural center in the metro area over the last four weeks?”

Maddison laughed, shaking her head. “Olivia’s allergic to anything that looks spicy, and Sophie’s not adventurous.” She cleared the tray of silverware and drinks as Noah arranged the dishes between them.

“Well, it’s their loss. Now, if you want to be …” He froze. He was hallucinating. Right? Blinking twice didn’t clear his vision. Not fifteen feet away, by the door, stood his older brother in full liquidator mode. Daniel was intimidating enough dressed in black from head to toe, but his predatory gaze and confident posture made plain that he was a man who got his way.

“Noah? If I want to be what?”

Maddison’s words sounded far away. Had his cover been blown? If not, what was Daniel up to? Noah’s gaze shot back to her face. He should’ve told her. He couldn’t have hidden it forever anyway. This moment was inevitable—but why did she have to find out like this?

She didn’t. Not if he held Daniel off. Noah only had to buy them some time. Squaring his shoulders, he looked back at the entrance only to find Daniel striding toward them. He leveled a threatening glare at his brother.

Daniel’s mouth lifted in a smirk, and mischief played in his blue-gray eyes. Noah maintained eye contact. Inside, every alarm blared.

Maddison reached over to squeeze his hand, her eyes locked on Daniel’s signet ring.

“Well, I was going for surprised, but I’ll take shocked.” Daniel slid into the booth beside Noah. “Given how hard I had to search to find you, that’s to be expected. Your compad, however, proved very helpful. You might want to change the security measures on it by the way. Anyone with a little knowledge could hack into all your private data.” He turned his attention to Maddison, her face emotionless and still. “Oh, how rude of me.” He smiled and leaned forward, holding out a hand. “I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Noah’s big brother, Daniel.”

Her fingers flew off Noah’s like a startled bird.

Noah laid a hand on Daniel’s arm, his right hand to be exact, the one missing his signet ring. Daniel’s eyes flickered over it, and though it seemed impossible, his smile grew wider.

“Daniel.” A low growl escaped with the warning.

“Listen to him.” Daniel leaned back in the booth, kicking his feet up on the opposite booth seat, blocking Maddison in. “You would think he’s a liquidator, the way he acts.”

Noah fought back the red flooding his vision and worked to keep his voice flat. “You should have called.”

“I did. Several times, and well, you haven’t been taking many of Callista’s calls either—you really should keep that girl happy, you know—so I decided to cut the vidcom out of it and pay my little brother a visit. Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving after all, and you should spend it with family.” Daniel’s eyes glided over to Maddison. “But I’m not making much of a first impression, am I? Let’s start over.” He switched sides of the booth before Noah could protest and faced Maddison. “Daniel State, the good-looking and fun brother. And you are?”

Maddison’s spine straightened like a rod, and the look she gave Daniel would’ve wilted a lesser man. “Maddison James.”

Would this have been her reaction to Noah if she’d known his real last name from the beginning? Or did Daniel’s behavior produce this particular attitude? Noah placed his bet on the latter. Daniel excelled in the art of provocation.

“Well, I’d love to say I’ve heard all about you, but my little brother doesn’t write often.” He threw a smile to Noah. “So you’ll have to tell me all about how you two met.”

She shot Noah a sideways glance, and he hoped his face had an apology engraved across it. Hers softened, a little. “I think I understand ‘complicated’ better now.”

“The tip of the iceberg.” Noah nodded his head in time with the words.

“Look at you two, with your clever insider-only conversation.” Daniel waved a hand in the couple’s direction and gave them a saccharine smile. “So cute.”

Maddison took Noah’s hand before turning back to his brother, defiant once again. “Oh, I can decode it for you. Noah mentioned your relationship was complicated. I couldn’t imagine how, considering that he gets along with everyone, but it’s becoming clearer.”

Daniel leaned closer. To her credit, Maddison didn’t flinch. “Spunky. I like it. Wherever did you find her, brother?”

“At the hospital. I’m sure I told you I transferred CNA positions.”

“I’m sure you did, but you know me, moving from MA to MA.” He shook his head and dropped his eyes. “It’s hard to keep track. A liquidator’s work is never done.”

The remark sliced through muscle and hit bone. “Enough.”

Daniel sat back with a hand over his heart. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I’m too blasé. It’s a way of coping, I’ve been told. I apologize.”

Noah gritted his teeth to keep from grabbing Daniel and ripping him out of the booth. His brother’s tactic mirrored the way cats tease their prey before devouring it, and Daniel knew he hated it.

He focused on Maddison. “Dinner doesn’t seem like such a good idea anymore. Why don’t I take you home?”

She nodded.

Noah pinned Daniel with a glare. “I’ll see you at my hotel.”

Daniel stood and saluted. “I’ll get right to work on that turkey.” He pivoted. “Until next time, Miss James.”

Noah didn’t shift his gaze, holding out a hand for Maddison to go ahead. She shuffled to the door as he dumped the trays full of food in the trash. They walked in silence to his car, and for once, he didn’t deactivate the autopilot, mumbling out her address when prompted. His hand gripped the gearshift out of habit. Several times during their drive, he opened his mouth to apologize, to explain, but nothing came out.

Once they’d pulled into her driveway, he shut off the car and faced her. “I’m sorry. I had no idea—”

“Is he always like that?” Anger flashed in her eyes.

“Like what?”

“Arrogant, insulting, demeaning. Smirky.”

Noah clamped down an inappropriate laugh. “You got it in one.”

“How do you stand him? I wanted to slap that stupid smile off his face. I don’t know how you do it. I mean, I know he’s your brother, but …”

“He gets under your skin?” The phrase didn’t even come close to doing Daniel justice. “You handled him well. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Daniel unable to make someone shrink back.”

“I hid my fear well then.” Her eyes dropped to her lap.

Noah clenched his jaw and tipped her chin up to meet his gaze. “You don’t need to be scared. Let me handle Daniel.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of, you stepping in between us and taking the brunt of his wrath,” she whispered.

“He won’t hurt me, even if it would be government sanctioned. Besides, I know how to pick my battles.”

“So you’ve said.” A half-smile snuck onto her face before disappearing again as she fixed him with a serious look. “Help me understand. It’s obvious you don’t like who he is, but the way you’ve talked about him, like you idolized him, I don’t get it.”

Noah shifted in his seat. His fingers traced the Mustang symbol on the steering wheel. “Daniel wasn’t always this man. I guess I remember who’s buried beneath the bravado. At least I hope he’s still underneath it. Some days I’m not so sure.”

“What could’ve happened to turn a decent human into him?”

The images he conjured made him shudder. Anyone who’d been through what Daniel had would be scarred for life. Knowing the truth might give Maddison some sympathy, but Daniel would rather be hated than let anyone see the internal damage. Noah had to respect that.

“It’s not my story to tell.”

But Noah could tell her his … and he should. To protect her from Daniel and the way he would delight in crushing her with his words. Noah had been granted a reprieve here at least, and he needed to take full advantage of that. Once she was calm. Soon.

He sighed. “I’m sorry, Maddison. If I’d thought for a second Daniel would show up, I’d have told you.”

“You could’ve at least told me he’s a liquidator. When I saw him walk in and zero in on you …” She crossed her arms and rubbed her hands against them.

He wanted to tell her, erase the fear paling her face, but the words lodged in his throat. He had his own battle. “You’re right. But I know how you feel about liquidators, and I didn’t want to put distance between us. I kinda hoped you’d never meet him.” He rolled his eyes. “Unrealistic, I know…. It’s hard to know how to tell people about him.”

“Did you think I would push you away because of something you couldn’t control? You have no say over Daniel’s occupation or how he chooses to live his life.”

Noah let out a shaky breath. “I needed to hear you say that.”

Her fingers grazed his cheek. “We are okay. I promise, but … I won’t spend time with him. I can’t.”

He took her hand in his. “Believe me, I don’t want to spend time with him either.”

“How long do you think he’ll stay in town?”

“With Daniel, you never know. He could be gone tomorrow morning, or he could decide to stay and torment me indefinitely.” Noah cringed, hearing the self-pity creeping into his voice. He pushed it away with his next words. “But I’ll set some boundaries if he chooses to stay.”

“Can you do that?” The words were soft and incredulous.

Noah locked eyes with her. “I can, and I will.”