Kate Donovan - Parallel Lies

“Right,” Zack drawled.

Theo corrected him with a warm, loving, “Take your time. We’re just going to look at the files. And, Sabrina?”

“Yes?”

“You made the right decision, coming here. We’re going to get little Shellie back. I promise you that.”

Sabrina beamed, then turned and strolled into the hall as though completely reassured. But as soon as she was out of their field of vision, she sprinted toward the grand staircase, then took the steps two at a time, anxious to get to the music room that was located directly above Theo’s study.

She only hoped things hadn’t changed since the day, almost twenty years earlier, when two little girls—who were tired of being sent out of “Uncle Theo’s” study every time he and their father had something important to discuss—had transformed the music room into their own personal, clandestine listening post.

Hurrying past the baby grand piano that dominated the music room, Sabrina opened a set of louvered closet doors on the far wall. A brass chest filled with sheet music was sitting right in front of her, just as it had been during her childhood. Inching the chest aside, she knelt and ran her fingertip along the rim of a large black knot in the oak flooring. Years of wax had sealed the knot firmly into place, but she was able to loosen it with the blade from her pocketknife.

Prying the lump of wood free, she pressed her ear against the floor and heard voices, courtesy of the tiny tunnels she and her sister had poked through the various layers of insulation and Sheetrock that separated the music room floor from the ceiling of the study.

Zack’s tone was predictably strident. “I get the point, boss. I was rude. I’ll apologize to her as soon as I get the chance. But in the meantime, I need to start looking for the other one. Assuming the lecture is officially over.”

“As long as we’re clear,” Theo replied. “I want you to treat her with kid gloves from now on.”

“Done. But spare me the concerned-uncle act. You aren’t worried about Sully’s kid. You’re just worried she’ll share secrets with Derringer that might hurt the company—”

“That’s not true! I love those girls. Their father was my best friend. And they—all three of them—were the only family I ever really had.”

“Sully was family to me, too,” Zack reminded him.

“Like a father,” Theo agreed. “And Derringer was like a brother, right up till the time he betrayed your trust. If anyone’s motives here are suspect, I’d say yours are.”

There was a moment of silence, then Theo spoke again, this time in a conciliatory tone. “I have complete confidence in your ability to find Michelle, Zack. How do you plan to go about it?”

“My crew can check the airports, et cetera. See if there are any reservations in her name or activity on her passport. I’ll head up to Sac tonight to check out her place. Maybe I can find something to show where they headed.”

“Sounds good.”

“Before I go, I want to hypnotize Sabrina—”

“That’s out of the question.”

“Huh? Why? It’s our best source of information. If she can remember what John was trying to dig out of her memory—”

“That girl is already miserable. I’m not going to let you go on a fishing expedition in her brain. That’s final.”

“If she agrees—”

“I said it’s final,” Theo retorted. “Find Michelle some other way. Not at the expense of Breezie’s sanity. Period.”

Sabrina could easily imagine the angry expression on Zack’s face at that moment. And while she was grateful to her uncle for trying to protect her, she agreed that her memory was the best clue available to them. Zack had to use it.

But Zack was obviously a zealot—and a hothead—so she was also glad Theo would be there during the hypnosis to protect her from his employee’s excesses.

When the zealot finally spoke, his words were clipped and measured. “When this is over, you and I are gonna have a long talk. Either I’m running Perimeter or I’m not.”

“You’re running it. But it’s my company. And I want Sabrina treated with kid gloves. Marietta can feed her and pamper her and I’ll reminisce with her about Sully.”

“You should show her the funeral video,” Zack murmured. “I always thought it was a shame his kids missed that eulogy you gave him.” Clearing his throat, he added more briskly, “We can postpone the London job for a few weeks, right? I need my full crew here if I’m going to find Michelle before Derringer’s done with her.”

“Of course. I’ll make sure the client understands,” Theo promised. “That leaves the birthday party in Dallas on Friday night, which can not be postponed. You know as well as I do that that particular client will never understand.”

“We’ll find the little sister before then. Or I’ll send Connor to Dallas—”

“No way,” Theo interrupted. “Our reputation stands or falls with our ability to please King Dominik. I need you there. That’s not negotiable.”

“It’s not an issue,” Zack said, his tone sharp with exasperation. “Just keep Sabrina out of my hair. I get the feeling she wants to play with the big boys, and ordinarily, it would be fun to watch her try. But I don’t have time for games.”

“She’s not exactly a civilian,” Theo reminded him. “Sully started training her before she could walk. I’ll never forget some of the crazy exercises he put her through.”

“Kid stuff. She never went out on a job, did she? And she’s been a million miles away from Sully’s world—teaching school kids how to tie their shoes—for the last five years.”

“She’s no ordinary schoolteacher. Read the reports. She never misses a Saturday at the pistol range. And she runs three miles every morning.”

“She’s in great shape,” Zack admitted. “The legs alone are gold standard. But this job’s too dangerous for an amateur. Aren’t you the one who said she needs to be pampered?”

“Sabrina will stay here,” Theo agreed. “You’ll take the lead on finding Michelle. But if you haven’t succeeded by Friday, we turn the assignment over to Connor so you can go to Dallas. No arguments.”

Zack’s laugh was gently mocking. “So much for the concerned-uncle routine.”

“Forgive me if I don’t want to see the company go down the tubes again, like it did when Sully died.”

“You mean, like it did when the daughters ran off with half the money and all of the cachet?” Zack chuckled again. “You’re a hypocrite, Theo. Making it seem like I’m the bad guy, when you resent them as much as I do. Probably more.”

“This conversation is over. Just review the faxes until Breezie gets back. Where is she, anyway?”

Grimacing, Sabrina plugged the knot back into its hole, then jumped to her feet and slid the brass chest into place, taking care not to make any noise. After making a quick stop in the bathroom, she rejoined the men in the study.

“There’s my girl! Feeling any better?”

“I’m fine, thanks. Are those the faxes?” She shuffled through a handful of grainy images, mostly of Johnny arriving at or departing from Shelby’s house, day in and day out for almost two weeks straight. “Unbelievable.”

“Tell me about it,” Zack drawled. “This guy comes and goes at will, and Connor’s crew just sits there and takes pictures.”

“It’s no one’s fault,” Theo interrupted. “Let’s just deal with the situation as it stands now, shall we?”

“Speaking of which, I was thinking…” Sabrina pursed her lips, feigning casual inspiration. “Maybe you should try to hypnotize me.”

Zack’s green eyes widened with surprise. Then he turned to Theo. “Interesting idea, don’t you think?”