The Unseen (18 page)

“It’s nothing to worry about,” said Rebecca. “Come over here—I found something I want to show you.”

Andrew’s voice became a faint echo as he moved away. Tom helped Amanda to her feet. “That was close.”

A chill prickled her sweat-dampened skin. She nestled in and burrowed her face in Tom’s chest. “It sure was. But I loved the danger of it all.”

Tom wove his fingers through her hair. “Me, too. But you know what I love even more?”

“What’s that?” Amanda asked even though she already knew the answer. “You.” He kissed her on top of the head and rubbed his hands over her collarbone.

* * * *

Kent studied the spectrum plot generated from the X-ray bombardment of the powdered sample and frowned. “This is even weirder than I expected.”

David leaned over to review the data. “Maybe the calibration’s off.”

Kent shook his head. He had used this wavelength dispersive spectrometer regularly without mishap. “No, if that were the case, we wouldn’t see such clear K-alpha peaks for calcium and magnesium—what you’d expect to see in limestone.”

David pointed to the computer monitor. “But there are two strong peaks here that don’t match any known element on the periodic table. How can that be?”

“David, we’re dealing with a substance that enables people and everything attached to them to disappear—we’d have to expect to see something out of the ordinary. All indications suggest we’ve discovered two new elements, both whose K-alpha peaks have fairly short wavelengths. To determine anything more concrete, we’re going to need a full-scale laboratory.”

David pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “What do you think is the provenance of the elements we’re seeing? Biological material? A new mineral? Little green men?”

“Hell, I don’t know.” Kent scratched his chin, considering the possibilities. Science was all about solving mysteries and the thrill of searching for puzzle pieces that fit together to make a full picture. But he felt sure assembling a coherent picture on the invisibility powder would tap everyone’s intellectual capacities.

“My theory is it’s something biological,” said David. “A weird cave organism that’s interacted with the rock.”

“Anything’s possible at this point. Hopefully once Roberta gets here, she’ll have some insight on those hieroglyphics and we’ll be able to find the source of this strange substance.” Kent saved the analytical data on the computer and backed it up on an exterior drive. “What do you say we call in the troops for dinner?”

The brilliant orange sun spread out and then dipped below the infinite horizon of ocean, painting the sky and water pale hues of pink and orange. Worried about her friends’ safety, Bunny found it difficult to appreciate the sunset’s beauty. She sighed. “I wonder why Rich didn’t answer. I guess he could be out of range, but what if they’re all in trouble?”

Winston placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “You can try back in a few minutes. In the meantime, why don’t we go inside and I’ll start on dinner. I bought some fresh fish at the market this morning. I’ll sauté that and serve it up with asparagus.” As he rubbed his thumbs over her skin, he gazed at her, his eyes a warm, mesmerizing green.

His touch was like a match, lighting a fire that spread through her blood. The desire that sizzled in his green irises lured her in—she wanted to stare into them until her whole being tumbled inside. Desperate to fly free, she fought back memories that threatened to clip her wings. “That sounds fabulous. I’ll be your sous-chef tonight.”

Winston stood and reached for her hand, grinning, his blond curls alluringly tousled by the sea breeze. “That sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”

The floorboards of the deck squeaked nearby. Bunny jerked her head toward the sound, but saw nothing.
Just my imagination.
Bunny reached for Winston’s hand and let him help her to her feet. She reached for her wine glass and followed him inside.

While Winston sliced up the filets and breaded them, Bunny washed the asparagus, sliced off the ends and slid the spears into the steamer.

Once Bunny dried her hands, Winston picked up the phone and handed it to her. “Why don’t you try calling Rich again while I finish cooking the fish?”

“Good idea.” Bunny pushed the dial tone button a few times, but heard no sound. “That’s strange.”

“What is it?” Winston flipped the filets over in the skillet and turned away as sizzling olive oil splashed in his direction. The top side had cooked to an appetite-whetting golden brown.

Bunny’s stomach growled at the sight of the sautéed fish, reminding her she hadn’t eaten anything since the fruit plate she’d ordered at the hotel. “I can’t get a dial tone.” She handed the phone to Winston and he placed the receiver against his ear and fiddled with it.

“That’s really strange.” He clenched his jaw and worry lines etched his forehead. “I’m not liking this at all.”

“Do you think it’s a temporary outage?”

Winston examined the underside of a filet. Nodding, he turned off the burner and flipped a filet onto each of their plates, putting the rest of the fish on a serving platter. “I’m not sure, but given all that’s been going on, I seriously doubt it. More than likely, someone cut the lines.”

Bunny thought of the man who had climbed on the truck and shot at her. Recalling the I-want-to-kill-you look in his eyes made the hair stand up on the back of her neck. But she’d been alone then. Now Winston was here to protect her. Bunny used the tongs to divvy up the asparagus spears on the plates. “What should we do?”

He walked to the screen door and stepped outside, peered around, then shrugged and stepped back inside, locking the door behind him. “I didn’t see anything suspicious outside—it must have been a bird or something.”

He sat down across from her. “Don’t worry—we’re safe inside this house. Let’s enjoy our nosh.”

They sat facing each other on opposite sides of the small round table. Bunny eagerly cut into the fish, placing a moist piece between her lips and chewing. The flavor of fish, fresh lemon and seasoning exploded into her mouth. She licked the oil from her lips and picked up another piece with her fork. “Winston, this fish is delicious.”

His gaze fastened on her lips. “There’s plenty more if you’re still hungry.”

Bunny had already devoured a large filet and a heap of asparagus spears, but she eagerly slid another slice of fish onto her plate. “Thanks. I guess I’m hungrier than I thought.”

“You’ve definitely got a healthy appetite.”

“Yeah, well, I hardly ate anything today. There was barely a quiet minute to grab a bite. So much happened today, it feels like a week has gone by. First we’re leaving the country, then I’m back at the old hotel, in a taxi to a different one, and then I meet you. And ever since then, people have been trying to kill us. I feel like I’m in the middle of a movie.” Bunny thought she heard the whine of a cabinet opening.
It’s probably just Tas brushing up against furniture.
She glanced around the room and noticed Tas asleep on an oriental rug.

“You forgot the part about stealing my car.” Winston’s broad grin showed her he’d let go of his anger.

“Yeah, well, I’d rather forget about that.” Bunny spotted movement out of the corner of her eye. Tas’ ears perked up and he slowly pushed up on his short furry legs and sniffed the air, looking around. Whatever he detected made him whine in frustration.
Something’s not right.

“Did you hear something?” Winston jerked his head to one side.

“Yeah, and it sounded like it came from inside the house. And Tas is really upset.”

Winston leaped up from his chair and ran to grab his Glock from the drawer, releasing the safety latch. “That’s impossible. How could someone have gotten in here?”

“I’m not—” The room blackened. Fear gripped Bunny’s insides.

“Crikey, we’re definitely in trouble. Get up slowly and come with me.” Winston whispered in her ear, gripping her shoulders and urging her to her feet. His breath tickled her neck. “Stay right behind me.”

He waited for her to maneuver herself around behind him before he walked slowly, step by step through the dark. Bunny leaned in and whispered in Winston’s ear. She couldn’t stand the thought of him being hurt or killed. “But what about you?”

Winston squeezed her hand. Bunny’s muscles trembled. She’d always feared the dark. And now those nightmares about awful things happening to her in black obscurity were really happening. Her legs trembled, making it hard to walk.

The man who wanted to kill them was probably in this house. How, she didn’t know. But still, she could swear she heard floorboards creaking. She leaned in toward Winston’s ear. “Do you hear that? It sounds like someone’s walking toward us.”

Winston didn’t answer. Instead he continued taking slow steps across the floor. Bunny’s heart hammered away in her chest. Any second now, gunfire could erupt and this wonderful man who had protected her could be lying dead in a pool of blood.
I can’t let that happen.
She heard the floor creak again, this time only a few feet away.

She reached out to her left, sensing they were near the breakfast bar where Winston had left the wine bottle. She slid her hands across the granite. Please, let it be there. Tas whined again and Bunny heard the sound of a safety latch. Oh, no. All at once, her fingers collided with the bottle. She gripped it tightly and leaped out from behind Winston like an agile athlete. Adrenaline rushed through her muscles. Winston reached for her, but she dodged his grasp and swung the bottle like she was trying to hit a softball way out into the outfield. As it connected with solid flesh, a shot rang out.

Bunny wasn’t sure what had happened. But she swung at the lurking hulk again and again until blood splashed against her arm. Her rage subsided when she heard the body crash to the floor. Then she heard only silence and her heart pounding inside her chest. “Winston, are you all right?”

She heard only her blood pulsing through her brain. “Winston.” She stumbled back to where she’d last held him, flailing her arms through the air.
Please don’t let him be dead.
She wasn’t sure if she’d struck early enough to keep the assailant from taking aim.

She crouched down on her hands and knees, swiping her hands across the ground, looking for Winston’s body as tears streamed down her face. She heard the sound of toenails on the wood floor and the next thing she knew, Tas was licking her face. She patted the dog’s head and tried to push him away. “Don’t do that, Tas, my ears are ticklish.” She moved her hand across another swath of floor. All at once, her hands struck a foot.

“Bunny?”

Bunny looked up. “Winston?”

“I’m right here. Give me your hand and I’ll help you up.”

Bunny reached up into the darkness and waited for Winston’s strong hand to find hers so he could tug her to her feet. His arms enfolded her in a warm and comforting embrace. She nestled into the refuge of his arms, wanting to stay there all night. His lips brushed over the top of her head. She leaned in and kissed the muscular fortress of his chest. “Winston, I was so worried about you. Do you think it’s over?”

“I’m pretty sure you took out our attacker. We should be okay as long as there’s not another man lurking around here somewhere. I need to flip the circuit breaker to bring up the lights again. It’s in the kitchen closet.”

“Take me with you.” Bunny’s voice came out sounding like a desperate plea. She couldn’t bear the thought of standing alone in the terrifying darkness.

He kissed one of her cheeks before skimming his lips over to the other side of her face. Then he grasped her head between his hands, centering her face so he could kiss her gently on the lips. “Oh I plan to. I’m not going to let you out of my sight again.”

They strode carefully into the kitchen, feeling their way through the darkness. Bunny bumped against the wall and she heard Winston’s foot catch on a piece of furniture. After what seemed like an eternity, they reached the closet. Winston held onto Bunny’s hand while he flipped switches inside the circuit box. Seconds later, the lights came back on.

Bunny sagged against the counter, relieved to see Winston standing beside her and the familiar kitchen that looked so cozy fully lit. “Oh, thank God.” Unable to control her emotions, she dove into Winston’s arms, wrapping her legs around his hips and pelting his face and neck with kisses. “That was so terrifying. I’m so glad you’re all right.”

Winston clung to her for a minute before slowly setting her feet back down on the ground. “I’m glad you’re all right, too. I’m still wondering how the hell that bastard got into my house. I’ve kept the place locked the entire time. Speaking of that bastard . . . I have a feeling he won’t give us any more trouble. That was one hell of an attack you launched. What did you go after him with?”

“Wine bottle.” Bunny shrugged, feeling proud of herself for thinking so quick on her feet.
Instead of letting fear paralyze her, like she had in the past, she’d fed off the adrenaline it provided.

They walked back into the living room to where the bludgeoned body lay sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood. Tas sniffed at the body from various angles, apparently searching for signs of life.

“Wow, good job.” Winston gave her an admiring grin and raised his hand to meet hers for a high five. “Bloody hell, it’s Larry. And to think I worked with that sod. Was he the one on top of the truck?”

Bunny wrinkled her nose as she studied the body. “Yep.” His eyes were wide open as if in a state of surprise and his bleeding head was misshapen after so many blows.

Winston grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “Don’t worry, it’s over now.”

Tas prodded at the body with his nose. “Tas, no. Come over here.”

The dog trotted toward him and dropped beside his feet. “I know we shouldn’t tamper with evidence, but since I’m unsure I can trust the police and that bugger is going to smell dreadful before long, we’re going to have to get it out of the house. Maybe we can wrap it in a sheet and drag it. I’ll go grab one from the linen closet.”

Winston returned a moment later, laying a sheet over the gruesome figure. “Hey, I wonder what that is?” He flicked some blue powder on the floor with his finger. It lay scattered around one of the dead man’s hands.