Encountering Evil: Dark Horse Guardians Book Two (18 page)

~ Lara ~

Lara had the new sign installed in front of the Craftsmen bungalow just blocks from the pink Victorian. "Dark Horse Renovation" was beautifully lettered in gold upon a navy blue background. The sign, itself, was distressed and made to look like an antique. The letters shimmered in the late afternoon sun and a satisfied smile spread across her face. She was placing flower pots on the front porch just before leaving. The furniture had arrived earlier and Monique helped her arrange everything so it flowed perfectly. Tony, the foreman on one of her renovation projects, allowed her to borrow a painter and the rooms were freshly painted in earthy tones two days before the furnishings arrived. Monique had done a wonderful job sourcing all of the pieces. It was a great project for her as an intern.

As Lara placed the last flower pot on the porch, the familiar white Bentley pulled up to the curb and the window rolled down, "I need a private tour!" Eliot Stone's deep voice projected from the backseat. "Hello, Eliot…of course, I'll show you the place…" The driver pulled into the small parking lot behind the bungalow and parked. Smiling, Eliot came inside "Dark Horse Renovation" for the first time. He paused in the entryway and his dark brown eyes met hers in the reflection of the Victorian mirror. "Oh Lara, this is
very
well done." Standing behind her, he put his hands on her shoulders, and stood a little too close for comfort. Lara led him through the large parlor and two bedrooms that now served as offices and ended up in the tiny kitchen with him. "You have arrived, Lara." Smiling, Eliot was seemingly sentimental as he gently took her hand into his. She smiled back, "I could not have done this without you, Eliot, and I want to thank you for everything…" He sat in a chair at the vintage kitchen table, "If you
really
want to thank me, you'll invite me for a private luncheon here in this tiny kitchen so we can talk together like old times at the firm."

Lara knew her husband would burst an artery if she invited Eliot Stone to
a private lunch in the bungalow Ben had just purchased for her. "Yes, Eliot, that would be fun." She was pacifying him. She knew deep down she would
not
be having lunch with Eliot in this kitchen unless other people were present and Ben knew about it well in advance. She was cautious not to push Ben when it came to Eliot. Ben despised the man even though Eliot had enriched Lara's life on so many levels. But Ben constantly reminded her that Eliot's
intentions
might not be so noble.

In an attempt
to move him on his way, Lara walked Eliot out of the bungalow to the porch. As she did so, Ben drove onto the front walkway with the Indian motorcycle. Lara watched as Ben removed his helmet and kicked the stand out from under the bike. He looked incredibly handsome and somewhat angry. "Hello Ben!" Eliot said standing on the porch extending his hand. Ben jumped up on the porch and shook his hand. Lara noticed how Ben leaned in and towered over Eliot as if he wanted to intimidate him. "What do you think of the place?" Ben asked. Eliot smiled and glanced at Lara with admiration in his eyes, "Our girl is doing well. She is a successful business owner now and there's no stopping her. I'm proud of what she has accomplished." Lara sensed that Ben was either going to throw up or punch Eliot in the face. So, she acted quickly to break the heavy tension. "Eliot, I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by."

Lara watched Eliot slide into the waiting Bentley that had pulled to the curb for him. She politely waved as the
vehicle was swallowed up by the heavy traffic on the avenue. Immediately she sensed Ben's suspicions. "What the hell was he doing here alone with you?" he asked in a measured tone. Lara remained calm, "It was an unexpected visit. I just got the sign up and was putting flower pots on the porch and,
voila
, he showed up – just like that. He was only here for a few minutes." Ben had that serious look on his face like he wanted to believe her but she knew he just didn't trust Eliot. He immediately apologized and embraced her, "I'm sorry my darlin', I know he has been helpful to you. But I don't
like
the thought of him being here alone with you. Plus, I'm a bit jealous. He got the tour before I did."

Taking Ben's hand she pulled him inside the front doorway. Lara stopped in the entryway facing the Victorian mirror and studied Ben's reflection as his blue eyes lit up. "Holy Jesus, this place looks great!" She loved his enthusiasm and the subtle Irish inflection in his voice at unguarded moments. She led him from room to room showing him every little detail. They ended up in the cute little kitchen and Lara handed Ben a cold ginger ale from the fridge proclaiming, “It's all stocked and ready to go!”

Ben drank the ginger ale in about two minutes and Lara felt his eyes roaming over her. Smiling, his dimples were on display along with that familiar mischievous look in his blue eyes. He placed his hand on the vintage kitchen table and teased, "I think this table is just about the right height…" Lara put her finger on his lips. His beard was full now and tickled her when she kissed him. "I'll be gentle," he continued. She lightly pushed him away, although the wild thought ran through her mind of doing it on that table with her husband,
just like that
. She managed to placate him as sensibility prevailed, "Another time, Ben." We've got to meet Mom and Rusty, Monique and Bettencourt, and Don and Olivia for dinner tonight…to celebrate. Remember?" He pushed her gently against the wainscoted wall in the kitchen and French kissed her slowly. "Okay, he finally acquiesced – but, you're not getting off that easily. I want to have
you
for lunch in this kitchen! I have an excellent memory, you know." Lara blushed, "Oh, I
know
!”

~ Ben ~

Even though Ben was kissing Lara in the kitchen of her bungalow he couldn’t get the disgusting thought of Eliot Stone out of his mind. Ben looked upon Eliot as a dog pissing on his leg. And, the trust fund brat really knew how to yank his chain. "
Our
girl
"…how dare that asshole utter those words about
his
wife? He came close to pushing Eliot's face in today, but Lara saved him from his childish anger. There would be a day of reckoning between him and Eliot Stone, this much he knew. In a few weeks he would be neighbors with the guy. Ben was all about giving orders, setting up boundaries and clarifying things right away. That came from his Navy training. Once they were moved into Clearwater Farm, he would have a private tête-à-tête with Eliot to make sure he understood
everything
.

Unbeknownst to the rich boy, Ben had been tracking his movements lately and discovered that Eliot had been making visits to a high-end prostitute with long dark hair and green eyes, no doubt a substitute for Lara. It didn’t bother him that the woman was a hooker. But he was shocked when he saw the surveillance photos; the woman could have been Lara’s twin. The whole thing made Ben's skin crawl. What was this man’s obsession with his wife? He wished the spoiled bastard would get a life. Ben knew for a fact that women continually threw themselves at the wealthy good-looking playboy at the yacht club and he had dated wealthy female clients. He could have any woman in the world
except Lara
. However, Ben sensed the snake was after his wife in a very surreptitious manner…so carefully orchestrated, in fact, that even Lara was unaware of it.

Back at the condo, Ben focused on getting ready for a fun-filled night with his wife and good friends. He ran his hand over his beard as he washed his face in preparation for the evening. He didn't like the way he looked with the beard, but he had no choice. He was getting ready for the upcoming mission and if he had to look this way for a few more weeks he'd suck it up. The Dark Horse Guardians all had beards now and were moving into places in Springfield finding rental units and blending into their respective neighborhoods. Recon was ninety percent of the work that they did. Ben had a few former FBI spooks on the payroll, too, sifting through human intelligence on a daily basis, tracking phone calls and all comings and goings at the compound. Every aspect of the terrorists' lives was scrutinized. If they purchased something on a credit card, it was noted. Everything they did or communicated was recorded and reviewed.

For a few hours tonight he would set aside the mission and its details. He wanted to enjoy this time with Lara. She was happy about her new renovation business and she had good reason to be -- it had taken off like a rocket. She had more clients than she had time, which was a good thing. But it also stole her away from him. He craved being alone with her and looked forward to every moment they shared together no matter how routine. Tonight they'd drive up the coast of Maine to a well-known restaurant for fresh lobster. The Lobster Trap, filled with tourists this time of year, was a wonderful restaurant about an hour away. Ben looked forward to the enjoyable drive along the picturesque coast. He told the police department he'd be Bettencourt's bodyguard tonight and armed himself accordingly. He knew Rusty would be carrying as well as Lara. And, Bettencourt would have his sidearm.

~ Eliot Stone ~

Eliot Stone was daydreaming about the tall dark haired woman waiting for him to arrive in her oceanfront unit. The resort town an hour north of Portland had white sand beaches and tourists coming and going on a regular basis. It was a bit out of the way, but he liked that about the location. He felt there would be less prying eyes in this locale. As the white Bentley glided along the highway, the driver turned onto Route 112 then onto Salt Spray Lane which ended at the Atlantic Ocean. He felt his heartbeat quicken and the anticipation was almost unbearable. It was as if he was going to see Lara, except
this
Lara would be a sultry sex slave for him.

He had met Cassandra in
the bar at the yacht club of all places. She was with another patron but struck up a conversation with him. Her resemblance to Lara was striking and he couldn't take his eyes off her. She must have sensed his attraction as she slipped her business card into his pocket before she left with the other guy. As he watched her long legs and beautiful dark hair exit the building, he wondered what it would be like to make love to her. There had been several conversations leading up to the first time. The first few communiqués were done by phone. She said erotic things to him and he pleasured himself while talking with her. He knew he
had
to visit her. The first time he went to her apartment, Cassandra had greeted him with a French kiss and proceeded to undress him slowly. She nearly drove him mad. As the Bentley pulled into the hotel-turned-condo parking lot he told the driver to wait. Cassandra would be coming down to join them this time.

Bounding up the stairs to the second level, he walked around the corner and saw Cassandra sprawled upon a lounge chair on the deck sunning her lovely body. The late afternoon light played upon her profile and his heart stood still for a moment. It was as if he was looking at Lara for a split second. He was embarrassed about the first time with Cassandra. They had made love like savages. In dim lighting he pretended she
was
Lara. He wanted to take Cassandra to dinner tonight. She had mentioned a wonderful lobster place nearby. He missed the conversational foreplay that he indulged in when with Lara. He loved how Lara tilted her head and laughed at his corny jokes. And, most of all he craved just touching her hand or brushing his leg against hers in the booth at the club. All of the memories of Lara ran through his mind in a split second as he squinted in the sunlight. Then Cassandra noticed him standing there observing her.

"Eliot …I didn’t hear you arrive, honey." She was squinting and holding her hand above her eyes to look up at him. Her voice was nothing like Lara's but he could get past that. Her green eyes were beautiful and he finally spoke, "Lobster tonight? How about that place you mentioned?" She smiled. Her smile was nothing like Lara's. Cassandra had an all-knowing type of smile while Lara had that girl-next-door innocent smile. "Let me get my purse…" Cassandra disappeared into her unit and Eliot stood on the long wide deck overlooking the expanse of white sand and ocean. It was a bit rustic for his taste but nonetheless a beautiful spot. At one time it was a two-story motel but refurbished now as tiny condos. Cassandra said it was perfect for one person.

As soon as Cassandra emerged he walked her to the Bentley and they drove along the beautiful coastline of Maine dotted with a mix of sandy beaches and jagged cliffs. The sun was on the horizon now and as Cassandra got out of the Bentley he slipped his arm around her waist. She had a body like Lara's and he enjoyed physical contact with her. Once inside the restaurant they were seated at a table overlooking the bay filled with moored lobster boats and families walking along the beach. The whole scene was awash in the golden tones of the sunset and he ordered two dirty martinis. "Make mine a double," Cassandra insisted, and Eliot nodded to the waiter. She powdered her nose at the table and checked her teeth in the compact mirror. "Well, here we are," Cassandra smiled at Eliot. He couldn’t wait to knock back that first martini. It seemed the more alcohol he consumed, the more Cassandra looked like Lara.

~ Ben ~

Ben had rented a limo and driver so the gang could ride together along the Maine coastline in comfort. It wasn't every day his wife launched a successful business and Ben wanted nothing more than to make this night special for Lara. The drive was spectacular as they drove through tiny towns with less than a thousand people living in them. The homes ran the gamut of old farmsteads to modern day condos with ocean views. The landscape varied from cows grazing in a pasture to all manner of ancient buildings -- Lara pointed out every type of architecture along the way. That was one of the things Ben loved about Lara -- she was so easy to please. Taking her on a ride through a rural coastal area was exciting for her, especially with her mother and Rusty, Don and Olivia Henderson, and Bettencourt and Monique. The whole crowd was chatty and alive with positive energy.