Energized (24 page)

“Security specialists,” Ryan and Ian said in unison.

“Security specialists,” Dev amended with a shake of his head. “In the business. They'll be working around the clock until this case is put to bed.”

“Now,” Ian clapped his hands together once. “Tell us what you know. So we can catch a killer.”

*   *   *

B
Y THE TIME
Ian and Ryan left, Hannah clearly needed five minutes to herself. Niall couldn't deny her a little privacy and offered up his office. After checking to make sure everything was running smoothly out front, he decided to check on her.

“I thought you could use a cup of tea.” Niall set the drink on the desk and knocked off a couple of pens in the process.

“Very coordinated.” Hannah laughed and bent to collect the pens.

“Maybe it was all part of my plan to get you bent over like that.” Humor threaded through Niall's voice, making Hannah laugh.

“Niall, come down here.” Her arm stuck up from beneath the desk, waving him closer. “I need you to look at this.”

He squatted to her right and peered into the little black hole she'd squeezed into. Sweat trickled down his back. He might be okay locked in the office with her, but not under the desk. “What do you need?”

“Hang on. Is your computer off?”

He glanced at the darkened monitor. “Yes. Why?”

She shuffled out of the space, then sat on her legs holding up an orange plug that had been in the wall. “This is not up to code. If the inspector spotted this, you could be in trouble. If it caught fire, the whole place could go up.”

Niall plucked the outlet from her hand. “Ross said the Cat had been rewired and passed inspection. Dammit. I'm gonna kick his ass.”

“Wait a sec.” She took the piece into her hand again with a gentle smile. “What was this room before? I might have lived next door, but I don't remember much about this place except the rickety front porch that isn't here anymore.”

“This used to be a closet, then a pantry or maybe the other way around.” He gestured to the area. “Until I came home last month. When I said I needed an office, Ross spent a weekend turning it over.”

“That was nice of him.”

“Yes, I suppose it was.” Why had Niall never thought of it before? Had he ever thanked Ross? Shit, probably not. He should probably call him. Niall nearly pulled out his cell to check on him when Hannah distracted him.

“I think I get what happened. Sometimes when old buildings are rewired, rooms that aren't used for more than closets or pantries get forgotten or ignored.” She tossed the adapter in the air and caught it again. “This is a bad shortcut that people take when they don't know better or how to do it properly. I can fix it. I just need to run to the hardware store and grab a few things.”

“You want to rewire my office?” He stared at her, amazed and pretty damned impressed with her skills. “Right now?”

“Sure.” She beamed at him, then narrowed her gaze at him. “That is unless you'd rather hire a local guy to do it. I mean, I'd understand since you don't know—”

“Go for it,” he said, cutting her off and was rewarded with another one of her heart-stopping smiles. “Let me tell Karma where we're going and I'll drive you.”

“Don't you need to be here?”

It was his turn to beam. “Lucky coincidence. Sundays are short days. We serve brunch from ten to three, then we're closed until Monday. It's a tradition left over from when my grandparents ran the first Boxing Cat. Plus, Virgil likes to have Sunday dinner with his wife.”

“Coincidence, huh?” She grinned at him. “I don't believe in them.”

“I know. You're all about signs from the universe. You're even starting to convince me.” He clapped his hands together.
“If I'm going to have you rewire my office, the least I can do is buy the supplies. And before you try to shove those twenties at me again, I'll remind you that we paid for the replacement parts when we hired the electricians who rewired the kitchen and the dining rooms.”

Hannah traced her tongue over her lips in a move that was far more sensual than she probably realized. “Fair enough. You buy the replacement parts, I'll rewire the office. By six o'clock tonight you'll have an office that's up to code.”

Niall helped her to her feet, then slid his arms around her waist. “Hannah Halloran, when you say things like that, you get me so hot.”

And since his office door was closed, he decided to show her just how hot.

H
A
NNAH
TWISTED
THE
screwdriver one last time on the cover plate of the newly installed outlet in the office. It hadn't been as quick of a job as it would have been if she'd had her tools from home, but it was complete. And this time done correctly.

She smiled at the shiny new outlet, then shoved out from under the desk. One quick test with the new multimeter she had refused to let Niall pay for, and it was official. But before she could tell Niall his office was up to code, she needed to turn the power to the office back on to run the test.

Hannah stepped over the battery-powered lantern and opened the office door, surprised to find the staff standing around the cleaned kitchen yelling at one another.

“No one took your purse, Sadie.” Virgil stepped between Sadie and Michael.

Sadie rounded on the old man. “You calling me a liar? That little bastard asked to borrow my keys to get his precious jacket. I don't see a jacket on his skinny ass, do you?”

“I didn't take your purse. I borrowed the keys you left on the counter and put them back there.” Michael's voice was low and raspy. He pointed a shaking finger to the counter beneath the corkboard where a pink poodle key chain sat. “I put them back where I found them. I'm
not
a thief. My jacket is right there.” He pointed to a light green raincoat hanging on the wall hook by the back door.

“I didn't see you bring in your purse today,” Dawn said, helpfully. “Could it still be in the car?”

“Of course not. I'd never be that stupid. Why are you defending him?” Sadie let out a growl, then pointed a finger at Hannah. “Maybe the new bitch took it. You did. Didn't you? Admit it.”

Sadie marched over and poked Hannah in the shoulder. “You took my purse and my money. Everyone knows you've been humping the boss for extra pay.”

“Enough!” Virgil yelled, stepping between them. “Sadie, I don't know what's gotten into your brain today, but you'd better pipe down. You're spouting things you know ain't true. This young gal's been working on the wiring in the office. She ain't come out all afternoon. Now whatever you got that's making you so angry, you better'd take it home before you find yourself out of a job.”

Sadie narrowed her eyes. “You can't fire me, you rumpled, stupid old man—”

“But I can.” Niall's words sliced through the air, cutting off Sadie. He held a small red clutch in the air. “I found this in the bathroom. I think it's yours.”

Sadie's face drained of color. “Shit. I took it in there this morning.”

“So I guessed.” Niall crossed the room and handed her the bag, disappointment and fury warring in his eyes. “Go. Home.”

Sadie whipped her gaze around the room, her eyes brimming. “I need this job, Niall.”

Niall folded his arms over his chest and sighed. “Everyone go home.”

Virgil was the first to obey. He strode to the back door. “Good-night, everybody.”

Dawn and Michael followed after him. Neither looking at Sadie. “Come on, Michael. We can catch the bus.”

Sadie sniffed but didn't let a single tear fall. The woman was made of iron will. If Hannah hadn't seen Sadie weep in a vision, she'd have thought the woman incapable of it.

“Go home, Sadie,” Niall said, holding the back door for her. “You can pick up your check next Friday.”

Sadie lifted her chin and was almost through the door when she stopped. “I was wrong to lose my temper.”

“Yes. You were,” Niall agreed. The resignation in his eyes made Hannah's chest hurt. “I warned you before not to go on the attack with my staff. I've lost too many people to your bad temper. I can't keep you here. No matter how much I might like you.”

“Fine.” Sadie cleared her throat. “Well, we'll see what Ross has to say. He hired me. I'll only accept being fired by him.”

A tick worked in Niall's jaw and his lips thinned. “You want to go to Ross? Fine. Have you seen him today? Neither have I. He's not here, so it's my call. Don't bother picking up your check. I'll have it mailed to you.”

Niall gestured for Sadie to continue her exit. When she passed through the door, he tugged it closed and locked it. His movements were quick and jerky. Fury radiated from him.

“You okay, Marine?” Hannah wanted to go to him, but kept her spot.

Niall closed the distance. His eyes softened as he looked at her. Gently he pulled her against him and kissed her. The control and the gentleness of his touch amazed her. She let herself be swept away in the moment. All too soon, he pulled back.

“I'm much better now,” he said with a grin. He set his chin on her head and stared at the wall behind her. “Sadie's been here a long time.”

Hannah turned in his arms until she faced the corkboard. Aside from the work schedule and various notes posted, there were a dozen pictures. A few faces were unknown to her, but most of the people on the wall were the staff she'd met since coming to work for the Boxing Cat. Some pictures were from holiday parties, some were from what had to be the old restaurant, and there were a couple photos of people smiling
outside the current restaurant. Niall plucked one off the wall and held it out to her. “That's from opening day here.”

“Ross looks pretty happy.” Ross had his arm slung around the necks of Paulie on his left and Michael on his right. Sadie and Dawn had their arms thrown wide and Virgil pretended to box with the cartoon cat on the front lawn. “They all do.”

Niall nodded. “Crap. Ross and Paulie didn't show for work today. Now I've fired Sadie. This keeps up and I'll be the only one showing up for work on Monday.”

Hannah set the picture on the counter and squeezed Niall into a tight hug. “It'll be okay.”

“Is that the universe talking?” He kissed the top of her head.

“Nope. That's all me.” She released him. “I'm all finished in your office. Just need to turn the power back on.”

“Let me do that.” He started away, then pivoted on his heel. “Hannah, thank you.”

“Hey, being a waitress is fun, but I get this little rush when I work on wires. All that energy, I guess. So I should be thanking you.”

Niall opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it again. He pivoted once more and left the room.

Hannah returned to the office. The lights flickered on overhead. She grabbed the lantern from the ground and switched it off. Earlier, Niall had pulled it down from a shelf in the office for her. The least she could do was return it.

Now that Niall had explained his office had once been a closet, Hannah could see it. In some ways it still was. A closet with a computer.

She pushed the lantern onto the shelf and had only a moment to regret not donning her gloves. The instant her skin connected with the metal, the world faded to smoke around her.

*   *   *

L
IGHT PEEKED FROM
under the closet door. The black closet wasn't nearly as scary as the black shadows that moved and blocked the sunshine.

The shadows meant she was back.

She always brought pain with her.

The door swung open. Sunlight poured in blinding streams. Then came the shadow and a vicious shove.

Mercy tripped over the shoes in the closet and banged against the wall hard enough to see stars.

“Stupid, clumsy freak!” Mona cackled. Tall and mean, Mona was supposed to be in charge when Mother was out. Instead, Mona did things. Bad things. Things with matches and pins and the bottoms of Mercy's feet.

If Mercy tried to tell, Mona made up a story. Mercy learned long ago it was better to be silent than to be beaten twice.

“Little freak! Get out of my shoes.” Mona snatched up a sparkly blue heel and swung it in the air.

Mercy ducked. Tried not to shake. In the dark, waiting for the blows to begin. Nothing happened.

“Whatcha got in there?” A man's voice spoke.

Mercy looked up to see a beautiful man. He was maybe six years older than Mercy and Mona. His long blond hair was shiny and golden in the sunlight, like a halo. He wore a ratty biker shirt, blue jeans, and cowboy boots. He looked like a fallen angel. Rugged and rough but kind.

“No one, Gray. Let's go back to bed. I can do that thing you like me to do with my mouth.” Mona stepped between Mercy and the angel.

“You got a kid in the closet, Mona?” Placing his hands on her shoulders, he pushed her aside, then squatted until he was eye to eye with Mercy. “Well, lookie here. It's not a kid. Why didn't you tell me you had a twin, Moaning Mona.”

“Eww, don't call me that. Besides, what do you care what I keep in my closet? That's the freak. Just ignore it. It doesn't understand you anyway. You know, it's not all there.” Mona made the cuckoo sign, circling her finger next to her empty head.

Mercy was a lot smarter than Mona or their mother knew. Smart enough to keep quiet and avoid some of the beatings their mother was so fond of giving.

“Shut your bitch mouth. You can't go locking people up in a closet. What is wrong with you?” Gray turned back to Mercy and extended his hand. “Wanna come out?”

His face was mostly shadowed but his voice was gentle.

Mercy started to say yes, but if this was a friend of Mona's he could be trouble. She shook her head.

“You're all tied up. Did Mona do that to you?”

Mercy nodded hesitantly.

“Gra-ay! Come on. I'm horny. Leave the freak alone. My mom'll be back soon and if she finds out I had a guy here, she'll tie
me
up in the closet. And you don't want to know what she'll do to you.”

The gray angel ignored her. He did something with his shirt, but it was hard to see, because squatting as he was, the sunshine poured in around him. His hair glowed in the light but his face and his front were hidden in shadows. Mercy squinted but then didn't need to. The scent of chocolate filled the air.

He stretched out his hand. “Come on out and I'll give you something sweet.”

Mercy moved into the light. God, he was an angel. Gently, he unwrapped the binding and Mercy's hands were free. Then he even rubbed the ache out of them. “There. That feels better, doesn't it?” he asked. “Want a brownie?”

Mercy nodded.

What was he doing with Mona? He was nice.

Mercy was so hungry. She ate the brownie in two bites. It was sweet with a strange aftertaste. Maybe all brownies tasted like that. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had one.

“Good, isn't it?” he asked.

Mercy nodded again. More would have been nice or some water. That stupid closet had been her home since Mona had locked the door at five this morning after Mother had left for work.

“Come with me,” he said with a warm smile. “A closet's no place to live. And you're so pretty.”

“No! You're mine! You came here with me! Get away from him, you freak!” Mona raged and slapped Mercy again and again until the angel threw her to the floor.

“Stay down or I'll whip your ass. Damn bitch. Don't you ever put your hands on me.” With his shoulders hunched and his hands fisted, he looked like an avenging angel. All rage and glory. “You are one fucked-up bitch!”

Mercy loved seeing Mona beaten. Bitch deserved worse. The gray angel was beautiful and terrifying. Something quivered in Mercy's belly. It wasn't fear.

And when he led Mercy to the bed, with Mona still crying on the ground, Mercy tasted love for the first time.

*   *   *

“
L
ET GO,”
N
IALL
said, prying the fingers of Hannah's right hand off the vertical pole of the metal rack. He'd heard her scream and come running. He hadn't expected to find her dangling like a seizing doll from his shelving unit.

His heart hammered as he tugged her hand free. She slumped against him, her eyes wide and vacant. “Hannah. Talk to me. Hannah.”

What could have sent her into a vision in here? And why had she touched something without wearing her gloves?

Hannah moaned and shifted away from him. She drew her knees to her chest and mumbled her name. “I'm Hannah. Halloran. Hannah. Halloran.”

Niall sat down beside her, rubbing her cold hands between his. “Yes. You are. Hannah Halloran.” Wishing he could shake her free of the vision that she seemed trapped in, he curled his body around hers. The scent of honeysuckle invaded his senses. Linking his arms around her waist, he rocked her. “Hannah. I'm right here. Wake up now.”

She shuddered once, then exhaled a long breath. Leaning against him she whispered, “I'm okay. I'm back.”