Kathy Reichs - Code

Scowling to match the carving’s expression, Hi spoke in a gravelly voice. “ In my day, we ate the poor people. We had a giant outdoor grill, and cooked up peasant steaks every Sunday .”

“That is General Clemmons Brutus Claybourne, you twit,” a voice said dryly. “He commanded two companies during the Revolution, before dying at Yorktown. You might show a little respect.”

Chance leaned in the doorway, one shoulder against its frame.

Whoa boy .

Chance was dusk made flesh. Dark skin, dark eyes, and dark humor. His thick black hair framed strong features and a Hollywood perfect chin. Tall, slender, and muscular without being bulky. In a word, he was gorgeous.

Last I’d seen Chance, he’d been tired and bedraggled, with purple crescents under his eyes and a nervous tic. Exhausted, haunted, and questioning his own sanity, soon thereafter he’d recommitted himself to a mental hospital.

That boy was gone.

“So. The gang’s all here.” Chance smiled as if enjoying a private joke. “Everyone have a nice end of summer?”

“Hello, Chance.” Now that we’d come to it, my tongue was tied. “I hope you’re doing well,” I finished lamely.

“Do you now?”

Chance strolled into the room and gripped the back of the nearest chair, his fluid stride hinting of past athletic glories. The smirk remained on his face.

“Hey there, Chancy.” Hi is impervious to awkward moments. This one was no exception. “When’d you get out of the nuthouse?”

I know I gasped. My eyes might’ve bugged.

Chance chuckled without humor. “Hiram, you never disappoint. Stop annoying Uncle Clemmons and join us.”

As Hi flopped into a leather seat, Chance studied the group. “Nice uniforms.”

“Heard you’ll be sporting one again,” Ben shot back. “Not enough credits, huh?”

Chance’s grin slipped for a millisecond. “Good afternoon to you too, Ben. Yes, I’ll be back for a few weeks. I missed a handful of exams last semester. But I’ll be done with Bolton soon enough.”

“You’re eighteen now, right?” Shelton arced a hand, taking in the room. “That make all this yours?”

“Yes. I came into my inheritance last month. And with Father … away … I’m now the Claybourne of Claybourne Manor.”

Chance winked at Hi. “That’s when they discharged me. Funny thing. Turns out, I do own that hospital. Ironic, isn’t it?”

Chance had no siblings, and his mother had died giving birth to him. His father was doing hard time. That made Chance perhaps the richest man in Charleston.

“So you bought your way free?” Ben scoffed.

“Nonsense. I’m cured.” Chance’s gaze found me. “I worked a few things out during my second stint. Reordered my mind. Got back onto firm ground. Plus, it was past time I assumed my position as head of the Claybourne empire.”

“What about the criminal charges?” I hadn’t forgotten. “They just let you walk?”

“The district attorney thought I’d suffered enough.” Chance circled the chair and sat. “I agreed.”

“That’s crap!” I exploded. “You attacked us. Held us at gunpoint!”

“I wasn’t in my right mind,” Chance replied, all shocked innocence. “Ask my lawyers if you don’t believe me.”

His smugness infuriated me. “The court bought that crap?”

“It’s nice having friends in high places.” Chance flashed me his trademark wink. “Sympathetic ears.”

I bit back a scathing reply. Though Chance hadn’t been directly involved in the murder of Katherine Heaton, he’d done more than enough to deserve punishment. But arguing about it was pointless. He’d wriggled off the hook.

Chance seemed to be enjoying our visit. The old swagger was back, along with his former mock-stern levity.

But he’s not exactly the same .

The drollness was there, but sharper now, more caustic, with a cynical, biting quality. Chance’s eyes still twinkled, but without their former warmth.

He seemed harder. More jaded. We needed to be careful.

“Give him the bag and let’s go.” Ben shifted uncomfortably in his opulent chair. “I’m tired of this fake buddy-buddy garbage.”

“Bag?” For the first time, Chance looked uncertain. “What bag?”

I signaled Shelton, who handed me the pouch. Unlacing its straps, I removed a handful of gold coins.

“You must know we found Anne Bonny’s treasure. This is your share.”

Chance looked momentarily stunned. “My share?”

I nodded. “We wouldn’t have done it without your help. It’s only fair.”

“Fair.” Chance’s jaw tightened. “Fair,” he repeated, dark eyes darkening. “And you’d never be unfair to me, would you, Tory?”

My heart threw in a few extra beats. “What do you mean? I’m giving you the coins right now.” I held out the pouch.

Chance made no move to take it. He studied me, expression unreadable.

Abruptly, Chance stood. “Keep your trinkets. I’m a multimillionaire. I don’t need a cut of your pathetic haul.”

I shook my head. “Chance, this is yours. We owe you.”

The wry smile returned. “Yes, you do. But I’d prefer different currency.”

Chance crossed back to the doorway and turned. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to prepare for tomorrow. A few weeks of high school, then I’m done with childish silliness forever.”

“You won’t take the coins?” I pressed.

“No. After all, I wasn’t there to find them, was I?”

I didn’t know what to think. Chance agreed we owed him, but refused a share of the spoils. Why?

“Instead of haggling over trifles, we will talk.” Again Chance’s eyes locked on to mine. “About many things. I have questions that need answering.”

Butterflies fluttered in my gut.

Did Chance know I’d manipulated him? That I’d lied to protect our secrets? What things had he “worked out” in the hospital?

Suddenly, I didn’t want to ask Chance about the Gamemaster, the fragmented cache, or anything else. I had a sinking feeling he was going to make my life much more difficult.

“Fine.” I rose. The others did too. “I guess we’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

“Let me show you out.”

Chance walked us to the door. We scurried out into the sunshine and headed for the gate.

“Wait.”

I turned.

“I’ve changed my mind.” Chance strode to my side. “I’d like one coin, please.”

“Just one?” I scooped a doubloon and handed it over. “Why?”

“Gold reminds me of you, Tory.” Ice-cold smile. “This coin will bring a twinkle to my eye.”

Chance thumb-flipped the doubloon, caught it cleanly, then disappeared inside without a backward glance.

CHAPTER 16

“WHAT NOW?” SHELTON asked.

I had no answer. Chance’s last words echoed in my head. “We keep these coins for ourselves,” Hi crowed. “ That’s what now.” We’d nearly reached the city marina. Ben texted his father, who was waiting to ferry us back to Morris Island. But I wasn’t ready to call it a day.

“I’m going to Loggerhead,” I said.

“Why?” Shelton frowned. “Something at LIRI?”

“We need to examine the second cache,” I replied, “but don’t have the equipment. Kit will lend me a lab if I make up a reasonable excuse.”

I wasn’t as sure as I sounded, but had no other ideas. Plus, investigating the scorched cache might take my mind off Chance.

Shelton spoiled the effort.

“We gonna talk about what Chance said?” he asked quietly. “That last crack about gold, and twinkling eyes … It hit a little too close to home.”

I couldn’t agree more. Chance’s parting shot seemed like a challenge. A taunt. Or worse: a warning of things to come.