INK: Vanishing Point (Book 2) (31 page)

“We’ve all gone head to head
with you at one time or another, Walker.” Frank laughs. Last
year, I sent his client to death row. It was a tough sell, but I knew
the bastard was guilty.

“What is this about, Jason? I
thought we were going to be discussing Shay’s case,” I
ask, perplexed.

“We’ll get to that, but
first we want to make things more official. We want to bring you into
the law firm,” he says, full of pride.

“Jason, we’ve talked about
this. I’m sure you are making a very generous offer, but unless
you’re putting my name on the building I’m not
interested,” I boldly state, knowing there’s no way that
will happen.

“That’s just it, Eli, the
board has voted to ratify Oliver’s instructions to make you a
full partner in the firm. How do you like the sound of
Roth, Carmichael, Eddins, Brunner and Walker?” He raises his
eyebrows in anticipation of my answer.

“Aiden is never going to agree to
this.” I try using that as an out.

“He already has. I hold his proxy,
and he’s been out of reach for more than thirty days.”
Jason looks like the cat that ate the canary, and he’s enjoying
this way too much. The other men sitting at the table have similar
looks. It’s clear that one-upping Aiden has been a pleasure.

The shock of all this has silenced me.
Jason slides a stack of papers in my direction. “Just sign
these; Genie will notarize them, and it’s a done deal.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You say ‘yes.’”
Jason puts a pen on the stack of papers.

“Okay, yes.” What have I got
to lose? This certainly solves a lot of problems.

After I finish signing the paperwork, we
go into Jason’s office. “We’re going to get you set
up in an office on Monday.”

“This is all really overwhelming.
I’ll need to talk to Preston and let him know that I’m
taking a position elsewhere.” I blow out a breath.

“This is all going to be for the
better. Of course you can’t represent Shay, but having you here
as part of the think tank is going to be a huge asset.” He sits
and motions for me to do the same.

“Have you heard from her?”
I’m sure I sound pathetic, but I miss her.

“We talked this morning. We seem
to only really have one snag.” He seems optimistic.

“Did she come in?”

Jason opens a file on his desk where
he’s made notes. “Yes, we met earlier. She was able to
account for her whereabouts for every murder with the exception of
one. But they don’t have a body.”

“Really?” I’m honestly
astounded.

“Eli, I need you be honest with me
here.” His demeanor changes to serious.

“Of course, Jason.”

“Do you know where Aiden is?”

“Jason, if I knew where Aiden was,
I’d be the first to go and drag his ass back here.”
That’s the truth. How can I possibly compete with a dead man
that Shay thinks she may have killed?

“Well, those are the only charge
they are trying to file against her right now that could stick. If
they are able to process enough blood evidence in the house, then we
could have a trial on our hands.” He shuffles through the
papers.

“I’m going to talk to McNab
and see if I can’t express the importance of us getting in
touch with Aiden.”

“Please do.” He takes a
contemplative pause before he continues. “There’s
something else that has me a little concerned.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, I think perhaps we need to
convince her to get a psych-eval.” He waits for my reaction.

A laugh escapes me, and I look Jason in
the eye. “That could be dangerous.”

“Really Eli, she’s not
making sense with some of the things she’s talking about.”
He stresses the seriousness. “I’m all for going for an
insanity plea, but this isn’t the type of case where they would
sentence her to six months in the hospital. She would go away for a
long time.”

“I know what you are talking
about, and I have to tell you Jason, there are some very strange
things at work here. I don’t understand it, but I’ve seen
it firsthand.” Now he’s going to think I need a
psych-eval.

“Let’s keep that under
wraps, shall we?” He closes the folder. “Well, partner.
Why don’t you go and enjoy your last free weekend for a while?
Just because Oliver wanted you to be partner doesn’t mean that
the rest of the firm doesn’t expect you to earn it.” He
smiles and pats me on the back on the way out the door.

Shay

My gym bag makes a thump when I throw it
in the trunk. I had a great workout with Sifu Adams. The last few
days re-finding my center has been great. I jump a mile when I close
the trunk and find someone standing right next to my car. “Oh
Jeez, you startled me.”

“Sorry about that, Shay,”
Bailey answers.

This kid totally creeps me out. Ever
since he was in my studio, I get the heebie-jeebies whenever I think
of it. “What are you doing here?” I look around the dark
parking lot, realizing that there are only about four cars, it’s
pretty dark and there are no windows on the front of the dojo. I’m
instantly terrified, but that doesn’t keep me from thinking the
situation through. I’ve laced the car key between my index and
middle finger so I can jab his eye out if he makes a move toward me.

“I was in the neighborhood, saw
your car and wanted to stop by and say hello.” His stance is
confident, and I get really nervous when he moves toward me.

I match his movements with steps
backward, trying to keep some of the car between us at all times.
“You were in the neighborhood?”

“Yeah, have you had dinner yet?”
he asks, still moving toward me.

“I’m having dinner with a
friend but didn’t need to bring my bag.” I lie, as a way
to get back inside the dojo, to safety. I inch my way to the front of
the car, which is parked next to the steps.

“Really? Maybe we can have dinner
tomorrow night?” He’s coming at me and his tone has
lowered.

“I don’t think so, I’m
super busy. Things are just getting back to normal and all.” I
put my foot on the first step, and he doesn’t seem to notice.

“Well then, how about lunch?”
He advances on me quickly, and I hop up the three remaining steps and
put my hand on the door.

“Yeah, lunch. Um, give me a call
and we can get it set up. I gotta run.” With that, I slide
inside the door and close it behind me with my back leaning against
it.

“Shay? Is everything okay?”
Sifu asks from behind the counter.

“No, it isn’t.” I walk
to the front desk. “There’s this guy out there, I think
he may be stalking me.”

“Really?” He comes out from
behind the counter and opens the front door. After looking around for
a moment, he comes back in. “I didn’t see anyone.”

“Good, he must be gone.” My
cheeks fill with color at how stupid my next request sounds. “I
know I’m parked in front of the door, but would you mind
watching while I get in my car and leave?”

“No problem, hon,” he says
it with a smile.

I feel like a total fool scurrying down
the steps being watched so no one “gets” me. I check the
back seat and give Sifu the thumbs up. I get in and drive off.

***

McNab kept his promise, and no one has
tracked me down in the hotel room. There’s a little bit of
guilt nibbling at me, but I’ve really needed this time to clear
my head, and I’ve been checking in with McNab and Jason to make
sure there aren’t any new developments that I need to be aware
of. I’ve also been able to get all the info on the house
restoration. It’s going to be six months before I can move back
in, so I’ve already started looking for a short-term rental.

I get out of my gi and take a long hot
shower, keeping an eye on the time for my call with McNab. The water
courses over my skin and washes the day away, and I can feel the
clarity resulting from my solitude. There’s still a nagging
whisper that comes and goes, but I pretty much just try to ignore it.
Whether it’s the Specter or my own doubts trying to break me
down is a mystery. Either way, I’m not going to let it get to
me.

After slipping into sweats and a
t-shirt, it’s time to go to the balcony for a smoke. I sit in
the lounge chair and turn my phone on to listen to my messages. Of
course there’s a ton from Eli and Dad that I just skip to check
for messages from rental folks and work. There’s a couple of
messages where it sounds like someone’s whispering, but I can’t
make out the words. “Um, delete.”

Eight P.M. on the nose, and my phone
rings. “I’ve got McNab,” I answer playfully.

“No, I have McNab.” The
phone goes dead. I look at the screen, and the number is one I don’t
recognize. I immediately dial McNab.

“You’ve got McNab, what’s
got you?” he answers. I release the breath I was holding.

“You’re late,” I snap
at him.

“It’s only eight oh one,
kid.” He laughs.

“No, someone else called and said
they had you.” I realize I sound a little panicked, so I try to
bring my tone down.

“That’s odd,” he
states.

“It was very odd.”

“Has anything else strange
happened today?” I hear the gears turning in his head. He’s
worried, and I know he’s going to ask to stop by. Especially
when I tell him what happened.

“Well–”
I hesitate.

“Spill it.”

“When I was leaving the dojo, that
Bailey kid was there.” I take a breath and continue. “He
was really creeping me out, so I went back inside and waited for him
to leave. Sifu made sure he was gone when I went back out to my car.”

“I don’t like the sounds of
that, kid. Are you taking any unnecessary chances?” he asks,
concerned.

“No, I’m in the hotel, door
locked up tight and I’m not leaving until tomorrow when I go to
work.”

“Good girl.”

“If you were here, you could pat
my head,” I joke.

“Yeah…no.”

“So is there anything new?”
I keep waiting for some kind of news.

“No, nothing, really. It’s
been quiet. We still need to talk about the drawings you took off the
coffee table. There’s something about them, and I really need
to get them into the lab for analysis.”

“Can I drop them off on the way
home from work tomorrow?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

“How is Eli holding up?” I
really don’t want to ask, but I know McNab isn’t going to
be offering up any information.

“He’s okay. He’s
been…busy.” His tone is strange.

“What do you mean busy?”

“Lawyer stuff.”

“Ah, okay.” Clearly I’m
not going to get the answers I really want from him. What I really
want to know is that Eli is pining away for me and can’t live
and breathe without me. I’m only half joking.

“Well, I have a big day tomorrow,
so I think I’m going to get some sketches done for the new
issue six and head to bed.” Half of me really wants him to ask
to come by. I’m feeling a little too isolated, and since he’s
not trying to get into my pants, he’s the perfect candidate.

“Sounds good. And hey, kid?”

“Yeah?”

“Be careful.”

“Will do. Sweet dreams.”

Trish

The fucking phone is ringing again. I
swear to God, if that’s Eli looking for her one more time, I’m
going to rip his God damn throat out through the phone.
“Blood-borne.” I answer the phone as delicate as a
bulldozer.

“Jesus Christ, Trish, the customer
can hear your smile,” Raphael calls out as he walks through the
lobby to his office after checking to see if Shay made it in yet.

I give Raphael the finger and in my
sweetest voice say, “How can I direct your call?”

“Shay Baynes, please,” a
female voice asks.

“Sorry, she’s unavailable.
Would you like her voicemail?”

“Yes, please.”

“Hold, please.” I transfer
the bitch and answer the next call coming in.

“Blood-borne, how may I direct
your call?”

“Is she there yet?” Fucking
Eli.

“Eli, I swear to God I told you I
would text you when she comes in. I don’t even know what time
she’s planning on being here. Honestly, if I were her, I might
wait another day. I know she retrieved her voicemail last night.”

“How do you know that?” he
asks.

“Because it wasn’t full, and
I can see that she accessed the VPN this morning. She might just be
working from home and enjoying the quiet.”

“Okay, well I need to talk to her
as soon as she comes in.”

“Yeah, well I’m sorry Eli,
maybe if you weren’t a stupid fucking rectum pirate she
wouldn’t hate you.”

“Thanks, Trish.”

“Anytime you need a reality check,
feel free to call,” I snipe.

“Have a great day.”

“Go fuck yourself.” I hit
the button on the switchboard and find Raphael standing directly in
front of me.

“Your customer service skills are
unsurpassed by none,” he deadpans.

“It was Eli, again.”

“Is that the lawyer or the
disappearing act?”

“Lawyer.”

“Oh yeah. Well, I just got an
email from Shay. She’s doing some phone interviews today that
Stephie set up, and she’ll be in tomorrow.” He goes back
to his office.

“Okay.”

***

Trish

Jesus Christ will this fucking day ever
end. Everyone but Raphael, and I have left and he’s still
barking orders. It doesn’t matter much, I guess. Shay is in
hiding, so I can’t hang out with her, and Billy called to let
me know he had some family business to take care of and wouldn’t
be back until Wednesday. Still, I’m looking forward to getting
these shoes off and soaking in a hot tub. Maybe I’ll go to
Eli’s and beat where she is out of McNab.

Huh, could be fun. He is fucking hot as
hell, but just like all the other guys that fall all over themselves
for Shay, he’s a fucking weirdo, although I’ll bet he’s
freaky as hell in the sack.