Like a Bird (8 page)

- -

Wisdom sat in front of the large window in the hall, fixated on a rabbit perched in the garden, nibbling away at some greenery she held in her front paws. Sky came down the hall, scratching at a persistent itch on her upper back, and saw the wolf transfixed in front of the window. Distracted from her itch, Sky scanned the garden to see what had captivated Wisdom. She smiled when she saw the prey, sitting among the green shrubs and bright flowers. Sky fetched her new running shoes and opened the back door for Wisdom. The wolf dashed out the door, her limp barely evident.

The click of the door had startled the rabbit who had gained a good lead and managed to slip into a small hole in the rock outcrop on the side of the hill. Wisdom tried to claw her way into the hole and alternated between shoving her head in as deep as possible and reaching as far as she could with her front paw. Sky ambled into the garden, watching the hunt for her own amusement. Eventually, Wisdom gave up and left the hole, her gait once again punctuated with a pronounced limp. She glanced up at Sky, waiting to find out what their next move might be.

The two walked through the garden at the back of the house and entered a small patch of grass that narrowed to a dirt path. The path disappeared around the side of the cliff. With Wisdom right behind her, Sky stepped cautiously, her only hand brushing against the rock wall on her left side. The treacherous part was short and opened up to a wide, comfortable route ten or fifteen feet beyond her. Sky looked down the steep hill on her right, where clusters of brush and small flowers held the rocks in place. A few tenacious red cedars clung to the cliff’s side and a dense forest lined the bottom of the twenty-foot drop. Looking straight ahead, Sky could see the green waves of the valley rising and falling for miles.

She looked back down at her footing and held onto the rocks and roots, holding her stump out to the side for balance. With a few more feet to go, she glanced once more at her feet and didn’t notice the small root at eye level. As she advanced, the root swiped her face and the unpleasant surprise caused her to lose her footing. She gasped, unable to scream, her hand and feet scrambling to find a hold.

She slid down the rock face and kept her left hand out to act as a break, but she picked up speed. A small, sharp drop caused her to lose all contact with the cliff, and for a moment, she was airborne. A hard landing on her side knocked the wind out of her. She rolled a good part of the way down and stopped only when she collided with a shrub.

Lying still for a few minutes, she struggled to regain her breath. She tried to move but it was too painful. When her breathing had slowed somewhat she looked up and saw Wisdom standing at the start of the narrow path, staring down at her.

On her back, ensnared in a bush, Sky screamed for help three times. She heard insects buzzing and birds singing. Nothing else. She screamed again, the earth and leaves absorbing the sound of her cries. Wisdom sat down and waited.

Sky kept calling, grabbing her right side each time to ease the sharp pain in her ribs. She paused to catch her breath. A breeze came up and rustled the leaves of an oak tree above her. Wisdom lay down and rested her chin on her front legs. Sky shut her eyes tight, trying to resist the flow of tears that poured out the corners. She sobbed a little but it hurt too much, so she swore instead. She tried to distract herself by watching the clouds inch by. Every so often she would try calling out, and each time, fought back tears after another unanswered attempt.

Eventually she gave up and simply lay in the bush, talking to herself and telling the grim story of her death. She rallied her courage and tried getting up. She at least discovered that her legs worked, and so did her neck, so she knew wasn’t paralyzed. The branches of the bush scraped her face as she slid to untangle herself.

At last free of the shrub, she was able to turn onto her left side. She tried to get up onto her one hand and two scraped knees and roll up into a kneeling position. Sky looked up to see Wisdom still watching over her. With her injured hand, knees, and ribs it was too difficult to move, so she lowered herself onto her back again on a smoother patch of dirt. In the distance she heard a pulsing sound. The beating grew louder until she recognized it. The helicopter.

The familiar whir brought her a dose of consolation. It was harder to see Wisdom from her new position. Sky couldn’t tell if the wolf was still there.

- -

Gareth put his bags down in the foyer and began to remove his shoes but stopped and looked around. He frowned and walked past the staircase, still looking.

“Wisdom.” He waited. His companion did not appear. “Wisdom!”

Rose came down the hall toward him, carrying a pile of neatly folded towels. “Good afternoon, Mr. Renaut,” she smiled.

“Where’s Wisdom?” Gareth asked.

Rose paused. “I don’t know. I’ve been doing laundry most of the morning and haven’t seen her.”

“Did you leave a door open?”

“I don’t think so. I would have received a message from the security system.” Rose looked worried, too, and helped Gareth scan the main level and the garden out back for signs of the wolf.

“Something’s not right. Can you check the upstairs?” Gareth asked.

“Yes, of course.” Rose hurried up the staircase with the towels still in her arms.

Gareth called for Wisdom and walked toward the solarium to check the pool in case she had drowned, but there was no sign of her.

“Mr. Renaut!” Rose called from the top of the stairs. “Mr. Renaut!”

Gareth ran to the bottom of the stairs.

“I can see her sitting at the edge of the garden,” Rose said.

“Thanks, Rose.” Gareth dashed out the back door.

He started down the stone pathway, and Wisdom spun around at the sound of him. She limped over as fast as she could, happy to see him.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked as he crouched down and stroked her firmly, stopping to scratch behind her ear. Wisdom leaned into his hand, her mouth open in a canine grin.

“Did Sky let you out?”

As soon as the question left his mouth, Wisdom heard a distant cry for help and turned in the direction of the sound, her ears erect and her gaze intensely focused. Gareth followed her as she returned to her post. The wolf looked down the hill and his gaze followed hers. This time, he clearly heard a cry for help, the voice high and distinct.

“Sky?” Gareth shouted. The power of his voice made him cough.

“Gareth!” Sky answered, her voice breaking.

Gareth grabbed onto a sturdy root protruding from the rock and leaned over the cliff to look down. He saw Sky lying partway down. He stepped over the edge onto the cliffside and skated his way down with his hand dragging on the loose rock behind him. He bounced over gray boulders that jutted out and stopped near Sky by running into a tree. He groaned and continued jumping over the remaining rocks until he was next to her. He knelt down and examined the red streaks on her face and arms.

“Can you move?” he asked.

“Sort of, but my ribs really hurt, they might be broken.” She motioned to her right side. “I can’t stand up.”

“Is anything else broken?” Gareth asked.

“I don’t think so. I might have twisted my ankle. It fucking hurts.”

“OK.” Gareth brought his hand to his mouth while he considered the best approach.

“Can you turn over on your other side?” he asked, and Sky nodded.

She rolled over as Gareth lay down on his side in front of her. “Wrap your leg and arm around me, tight,” he instructed.

Sky grabbed hold and Gareth held her in place as he turned onto his front. He pushed up into a plank position and gradually moved to standing, leaning forward with Sky on his back.

“Is that OK?”

“Yeah,” Sky said, grunting in pain.

Gareth began taking careful steps toward the path he had slid down, being careful not to jostle his load. He pulled them both up the steep incline a few slow inches at a time. As he reached the top, Wisdom rushed to inspect Sky’s wounds, her ears turning out like a lamb’s.

At the top Gareth leaned forward on a large rock to rest. “Are you still OK?” he asked, winded.

“Yeah,” Sky replied in a strained voice.

Gareth continued toward the house, with Sky holding his neck tight. Rose came out to meet them.

“Call the doctor,” Gareth said to Rose, who immediately pulled out her cell phone.

Gareth brought Sky upstairs to the guest room, across the hall from his bedroom. She tried to roll gently off his back but hit her ribs on the way down. She howled and swore. Wisdom, who had followed right behind them, laid her ears back in distress.

“Sorry,” Gareth said with a look of concern. He brushed Sky’s hair out of her face, pausing to admire the array of freckles sprinkled across her nose. He pulled his gaze away from her face to get a better look at her injuries. He lifted her shirt and examined her ribs, while Sky studied his face. He moved to her feet and slid off her runners, which she wore without socks. As he pulled off each shoe, gravel and dirt poured out onto the bed. He brushed the debris onto the floor.

Wisdom sat near the foot of the bed, acting as sentry, while Gareth went to the guest bathroom to wash his hands and wet a small towel to clean the scratches on Sky’s face and arms. She frowned as he touched her, wincing as the water cleaned the deeper cuts.

Rose brought a first aid kit and a bottle of water. She set them on the table next to the bed.

“The doctor is on his way,” she informed Gareth, who nodded his reply.

He turned to Sky.

“Have some water and get some rest. The doctor will be here soon. If you need anything just press this button.” He picked up a small black device off the tray and handed it to Sky.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Rose traded places with Gareth, remaining to clean Sky’s wounds and take stock of her injuries. She looked at Sky with genuine concern. “You’ll be OK,” she said in a comforting tone.

Chapter 8

Under the sparkle of a chandelier, Kitty balanced a stiletto on a clear stand in the center of Luxxura Boutique. She turned to the new girl who clutched a clipboard to her chest.

“We rotate the main feature once per month. We have clients who come in every few weeks, and that way it makes the stock look fresh,” Kitty explained.

The new girl nodded and began scribbling notes on her clipboard.

“You know, you don’t have to write all of this down. It’s pretty simple. You’ll get the hang of it in a few weeks.”

The new hire paid no attention and continued writing, so Kitty packed up the other shoe in its tissue paper and flipped the box lid shut. The chime rang as the front door opened. A slim woman with dark hair and pointed heels marched into the store with her chin held high. Kitty spun around to the new girl and leaned toward her ear.

“That’s one of our best clients. I’ll take care of her,” she whispered. “Here,” she said as she handed three boxes to the new girl. “Take these to the back room.”

The new girl scurried on her errand with a stack of boxes. Kitty tuned toward her client.

“Hi, welcome back,” Kitty said.

The woman looked over from the handbag she was eyeing, and the arrogant air faded from her face as she smiled warmly at Kitty. “Oh, it’s you. Uh, hello.” The woman brought her hand up to play with her necklace.

“Is there something special you’re looking for?” Kitty asked.

The woman smiled as her gray eyes darted around Kitty’s face.

“I’m here to pick up a pair of shoes I have on hold,” she said, a manicured hand tucking her smooth, dark hair behind her ear.

Kitty went behind the counter and pulled a box off the shelf. She placed it on the counter and opened the lid. “Are these the ones?”

“Yes,” the woman said, leaning in and inhaling the uplifting scent of Kitt
y’
s perfume.

Kitty closed up the box and rang in the order, taking her client’s platinum card and putting it in the machine. She placed the box in a paper bag with ribbon handles and passed it over.

The woman left her shoes on the counter as she rooted around in her designer Caravelli bag. She found her business card and slid it across the counter. “Thank you so much for your help.”

“Oh, it’s my pleasure,” Kitty said with a grin.

“I’m always glad when I come in and see you here.”

Kitty and shifted from one foot to the other.

“If you’d ever like to get together for lunch or a drink, just give me a call,” the woman said just before she picked up her bag and turned to walk out the door.

Kitty stood behind the counter like a doe in headlights. She looked down at the card in her hand.

Elise Renaut, Attorney

Helmann, Cohen, Renaut & Associates

As the woman left the store, the new girl, who had been standing silent near the register turned to her coworker. “That was kinda weird.”

“I think she just hit on me,” Kitty replied.

- -

The thin carpet in the hallway did little to soften the clack of Kitty’s heels as she marched toward room 907. She didn’t bother to knock this time. When she entered, Gareth was sitting at a small desk across the room. The door closed behind her and with teal painted fingernails she flicked the lock. She dropped her purse, and hopped on top of the desk, snagging her black skirt on a chip in the wood veneer.

“Shit,” she said and examined the tear in the fabric.

“I’ll have it repaired,” Gareth said as he leaned in to see the rip for himself.

Kitty cupped his head between her hands and lifted it toward hers. She kissed him, then rested her forehead against his. “I really like seeing you. But can we please meet somewhere else? I need a change of scenery,” she said.

“I could hang some posters on the wall,” Gareth said, his face straight.

Kitty laughed. “You’re joking, right?”

“It doesn’t have to be this hotel; we can pick another.”

Kitty threw her head back and groaned. “No, not a goddam hotel. Anywhere else. A restaurant, a theater, my apartment, whatever. I’m tired of being holed up in this dark little cave.”

Gareth paused and rubbed his chin, his eyes staring straight ahead at the computer screen.

“Do you want some champagne?”

Kitty perked up. “Sure!”

Gareth walked over to the dresser where a bottle was chilling in a bucket wrapped in brown pleather. He ripped the foil off the bottle and twisted the top. The cork exploded into his hand and golden liquid and white foam sprayed all over the dresser and onto the carpet.

Kitty grabbed the towel that covered up the bathroom mirror. She handed it to Gareth, who sopped up the champagne and poured two glasses with what was left in the bottle.

Kitty took a quick sip and spilled some champagne on her fitted pink T-shirt. She glanced down at the dribble on her built-in shelf. “Oh hey, do you like my new T-shirt? I just had a bunch of them printed.” She pointed at the small, black paw prints that made a diagonal line across her shirt. Underneath the row of prints was the word
Prowler
. “They’re selling like hotcakes, everybody loves them. I should have had shirts made sooner. They’re practically paying my rent. Someone even placed and order for fifty of them!”

Gareth looked over to stare at her chest and smiled.

“I have no idea what anyone would do with . . .”

Gareth grabbed her breasts and pressed his face into her soft cleavage. He wrapped his arms around her to pull her close, spilling her champagne all over again. He moved toward her mouth and forced his lips against hers. Gareth began kissing Kitty’s neck, traveling in the direction of her breasts, and grabbed her ass with his better hand. Kitty struggled to reach the dresser to put down her glass. It hit the surface with a clunk just before Gareth picked her up and tossed her on the bed.

- -

Outside the window — nine stories down — traffic blared, lights flashed, and sirens traveled in waves through the streets. Two bodies lay damp and quiet in the dark room, surrounded by a sweltering heat, their pounding hearts counting down.

“You’ve never told me what it is you do. I mean, do you have a job or a hobby or something?” Kitty asked, in a panting whisper.

“What I do is not that interesting,” Gareth replied.

“
You
might not think it’s interesting, but other people do.”

Gareth sighed and pulled her in tighter toward him. “I run a small business,” he said.

“Uh-huh, and what does your business do?”

“We give cash to start-ups and hope they make us shitloads of money.”

“Oh, so you’re an angel investor?”

Gareth frowned and lifted his head, “How do you know what that is?”

“I’m not an idiot.” Kitty rolled her eyes. “It’s like fashion. You’ve heard of it, you think you know what it means, but you don’t pay much attention to it.”

“I don’t have to care about fashion. Nobody sees me.”

“Well, I see you.”

“You don’t like the way I dress?”

“I don’t
mind
the way you dress, but I’m more interested in what’s underneath.” Kitty looked up at him and slid her palm down his chest in a straight line for his cock.

Gareth blocked her and redirected her hand around his neck.

“The ratty old T-shirts are a little gross though,” she continued.

“Do your new shirts come in extra-large?” Gareth asked.

Kitty snorted “I don’t think pink is your color. Some guys look good in pink. Not you.”

“Why not?”

“You’re not a pink guy. I can pick out some shirts that would look good on you.”

Gareth shrugged.

“Do you like the way I dress?” Kitty asked, turning toward him.

“Everyone likes the way you dress. Except maybe the nuns.”

- -

“Can I come by next week?” Elise said, calling from her car.

“What day?” Gareth asked.

“How about lunch on Wednesday?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll be here.”

Elise laughed. “Ah Bear, you always were the funny one. I wish I could come out sooner but this case is consuming me.”

“It’s OK. I’ve been busy myself.”

“So I hear, you’ve got quite the romantic life. You’ll have to tell me all about it when I come by.”

“Have you been talking to Louis?”

“I’m going into a parking garage, I’m gonna lose you. I’ll call you later. Bye Bear. Love . . .” The phone cut out before Elise could finish.

Gareth slipped his phone into his pocket. He stared out the window, contemplating the lush green canopy. His phone rang again. Kitty this time. Gareth’s finger hovered over the answer button, but voice mail kicked in. He turned off his phone and stood at the window for a while before going to his desk to open the top drawer and pull out the small, elegant box Denise had delivered. He lifted the lid to peek inside before he left the room with the box shut tight in his hand.

Across the hall Sky was resting. He knocked softly and heard her quiet voice call out from the other side.

Gareth stepped into the room. “How are you doing?”

“Much better, thank you,” Sky replied.

Gareth moved to sit on the edge of the bed next to her. He looked at the box in his hands but said nothing. Sky shifted a little to get comfortable with his weight on the mattress. The rustling of the sheets seemed loud against his silence.

“This is for you.” He held up the box.

“Oh?” Sky lifted her head as much as she could.

Gareth pulled out a delicate chain made of polished silver links.

Sky’s eyes widened and she sat up too quickly, grimacing as pain shot through her chest. “It’s beautiful,” she gasped.

Gareth smirked. “Don’t get too excited. It’s a tracking device.” He pulled back the blankets and removed her sock to put the anklet on her right leg. With a click the anklet locked in place.

“It’s still beautiful,” she said.

“Well, I’m glad you like it. Next time you try to escape it’ll be easier to find you.”

“What? I wasn’t trying to escape,” she snapped.

“You wouldn’t be the first woman to say that.”

“Wisdom saw a rabbit in the garden and I let her out. Then we went for a walk. Well, I tried to go for a walk. If I wanted to escape, I would have gone in the other direction. I’m not a fucking idiot.”

“I don’t think you’re an idiot. That’s why I don’t trust you.” Gareth brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.

“Where would I go?”

“I don’t know. Home?”

“I have no home,” Sky said and looked away from Gareth. “This is my home.”

“Well, if you should stray from
home
, I’ll be able to find you.” Gareth stood up. “You’ve been lying here for a few days now. You should get up and move around.”

“It hurts too much.”

“I know, but it’ll be worse if you stay in bed.” He stopped just before the doorway. “And don’t bother to try to take the chain off. Only a custom tool can remove it.” And he was gone.

Sky eased herself back down and stared at the ceiling. A few moments after Gareth left, Wisdom paused at the doorway. Sky called to the wolf, who perked up her ears and trotted over to the bed. She inspected the chain around Sky’s ankle, her whiskers tickling. Sky laughed as she eased her leg back under the covers. Wisdom rested her chin on the edge of the bed beside Sky. “You’re a good girl,” Sky said as she ran her fingers through the animal’s thick coat and scratched under her chin. “Do you like the anklet Gareth gave me?”

Hearing Gareth’s name, Wisdom’s ears straightened and she cocked her head to one side. Sky pulled her leg out from under the blanket and swirled her ankle around to admire the way the silver reflected the sunlight from the window.

- -

From his office, Gareth watched Sky through the surveillance camera. He looked away when his phone rang.

“Hey,” he said.

“Gare! I just got out of a very interesting meeting,
”
Louis enthused. I think you’ll like these guys. No wait, I take that back, you probably won’t, but I’m really excited about what they’re up to. I think we’re onto something hot.”

“So what are they up to?”

“This shit is so cutting edge I don’t even understand what the hell it is.”

“Well that sounds promising,” Gareth shot back

“It’s something to do with diamonds and security. But not like that . . . it’s encryption. Yes, that’s what it is. Read the notes I just sent you. The government is all over these guys. But in a good way.” Louis was shouting over the roar of the traffic. He spoke again, but a siren drowned out his voice.