“Last one in gets dog food for dinner.” Ripping off his shirt before he jumped in, he somehow missed the sight of Kane walking from the carriage house next door, on his way to the dock. Had he seen Kane, he would have wondered, for a split second, if his flashing golden eyes could be seen from the yacht, or if his tawny golden six-foot tail could be seen, or even the beginnings of what were clearly going to be wings. Yes, he would definitely have wondered.
Chapter 5
Abby spent the day resting, although she didn’t feel tired. For some reason, Echo continued to dog her steps all day long, even when she tried to rest up. She figured she must have slept for four hours, although she could have sworn it was only fifteen minutes. Where did my mind go for the last four hours? She had no memory of sleeping. Echo lay on the bed with her, by her side, both of them with their wings crushed beneath them. Hardly comfortable. So how did I fall asleep?
Glancing at the clock again, she remembered her date with Peter. Admonishing Echo to stay home until she signaled for her, she tucked her tail securely away, hurrying over to his house.
*
Echo sat upright against Abby’s pillows as Abby hurried out of the bedroom to keep her meeting with Peter. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the comforter slide off the side of the bed as a golden creature with rainbow eyes slid atop the bed to plunk down in front of Echo. The two creatures stared at one another as their auras spoke, twin wise furry cat faces looking like bookends.
“Echo, I think you need to keep your eye on Abby. She is going to need your help more than you know.” Netty sat at the edge of the bed, watching the two minions silently communicate.
Echo reached into her fanny pack to pull out the bottles of hair she had removed from Barney and Mimi, silently passing it to the other minion. She hung her head. “Are you sure—My Barney?” The auras dimmed.
Netty nodded, rising from the bed. She held her arms out for the other creature. “We will do the best we can. Come, Baby, time to get home to Wil.” She bent down to stroke Echo. “We will see you soon.” Straightening up, she held Baby to her breast and disappeared in a flurry of thin air and golden wings as Echo slid off the bed to head to Peter’s house.
*
Ringing Peter’s doorbell, Abby thought she heard voices, the sound of laughter. Definitely an unusual occurrence as Peter generally cultivated a quiet and stoic personality. Her curiosity aroused, she rang the doorbell again. The door opened suddenly, showing Peter standing in the entrance, his face flushed and smiling.
“Abby, what a nice surprise. Please come in.” He took her hand, drawing her into the room as she heard soft music coming from the sound system. Italian? He ushered her into the kitchen, suddenly shy.
“Abby, I would like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Ginger Mae Shrute. Ginger, this is my friend and employer, Abby Preston.” A very attractive blonde stood up from the kitchen table, her eyes unable to hide her intense curiosity. Peter went over to her, placing his arm around her shoulders. She looked at him, smiling.
This is obviously not just a friendly relationship, Abby realized with a start. Looking around the kitchen, the makings of a romantic dinner lay scattered over the granite countertops. Lobster and champagne? She raised her eyebrows in confusion. “Are you celebrating something?”
Peter hustled over to Abby, pulling out a chair. “Please, have a seat, Abby. Would you care for a cocktail?” Abby declined, keeping her eyes on Ms. Shrute. “Ginger and I aren’t celebrating anything special. This just happens to be two of her favorite things.”
I’ll bet, Abby thought. She watched Ginger simper as Peter refilled her champagne glass. The woman was clearly older than Peter. Why that should bother her, she didn’t know. Jose was younger than her, yet she thought nothing of it.
“So, Ginger, are you from Sarasota?”
“Ginger Mae. No, I’m from New York. I moved here a few months ago.” Fluffing her hair distractedly, she continued, “I love it here. My niece, Daisy, lives with me. I thought this climate would be good for her. She’s mute.” Ginger Mae cast her eyes down as she spoke Daisy’s name.
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Abby absorbed an uncomfortable impression from Ginger Mae. Desperation? Yes. And cunning, quite subliminal. Making a note to herself, she decided Ms. Shrute would bear some watching. Rising, she directed herself to Peter.
“I hope you don’t mind. Can I have a word with you . . . privately?” Unable to help herself, she threw a tight dismissive glance toward the woman. Ginger Mae picked up her champagne glass, smiling at Peter.
“Don’t worry about me, hon. I’ll just go out to the pool. Take all the time you need. Nice meeting you, Abby. I’m sure we’ll meet again.” She gave Peter a kiss on the cheek and sashayed out the door.
Abby turned to Peter, noting his red face and bashful grin, irritatingly simple. She caught herself. Wow, my claws are out. Could I be jealous? Abby realized she’d been the only female on the scene for some time now. She gladly welcomed another female presence—Echo didn’t count—as she could sure use a girlfriend. But she instinctively knew Ginger Mae wasn’t girlfriend material. She just didn’t know why. Dismissing the enigma of Ginger Mae Shrute, she turned to Peter, all business.
“I have a strange request for you, although I’m not at liberty to explain why I need the things you’ll help me obtain. Trust me that it’s urgent. I’ll make everything clear to you in time. First I need you to employ the services of a dozen truckers with vehicles capable of safely carrying wild animals. Their trip will be short, loading no problem. My concern is the heat and proper ventilation. The transport is for one hour. Water won’t be needed. The men must be reliable and competent. I need them to be available within two weeks. I know that will make your job more difficult. If need be, I’ll reimburse them for any previous commitment, with a significant bonus for themselves, of course. I don’t care what I must spend to make this happen.
“The pickup is here, in Sarasota. They’re not to know the exact location until minutes before the pickup. Please find hotels for the drivers and their trucks. I don’t want more than two truckers to stay in the same hotel.” Peter furiously took notes, his eyebrows raised, his brow furrowed.
“This next request is more difficult. I’ll need fifty drivers and trucks in the same amount of time. The haul will be longer. About two hours. The loading is more difficult . . . just unwieldy terrain. Again, the animals will be no problem. But make no mistake, this will be a herculean task. The difficulty arises at our destination. Again, difficult topography.
“I’ll also need five trucks capable of transporting elephants and four giraffes. Plus trucks capable of handling aquatic animals. I need a complete list of everyone employed at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. They’ll be quietly offered bonuses for their expertise regarding transport of their charges.” At that, Peter’s jaw dropped. He stared at Abby, ready with a question. She held up her finger to her lips.
“Not yet. There’s more. I need all the drivers from the second group to be single, with no attachments to family. They must be law abiding. No felons, absolutely no violent crime. I want you to hire the investigators who found Mama Diaz. It will be their responsibility to vet the drivers. I want all drivers who have any personal pets to be encouraged to bring them. Pets of any kind. Provisions will be made to accommodate any unusual pets beyond the normal dogs and cats.” Abby paused, the strain in her voice unmistakable. Her sunglasses slipped down her nose revealing a golden glow around the spaces between the glasses and her face. Her finger pushed the shades back into place. She glanced at Peter to gauge his reaction. His face had drained of all color.
“Peter, do you trust me?” Abby covered his hand with her own.
“Absolutely, I do.” His voice faltered, confusion ripping across his face.
“I need your faith in me more than ever.” Bowing her head, she quickly strategized. How much can I tell him without freaking him out? He does have a right to know. More than anyone. She
knew an easier way to force him to do her bidding, but if she chose that path he would probably never forgive her. She knew it would be better if he cooperated of his own volition. If she told him too much, he may shut down in shock. She needed his analytical non-emotional mind to pull all this together.
“I want you to also arrange transportation on a private airfreight flight from Tampa to Newark Airport for the Sarasota animals. I’ll need extra trucks with the appropriate accommodations, water included this time. They’ll be transported along with the group from the zoo. I’ll be at the zoo myself, along with everyone here at our compound, including you. Please arrange for our flights from Tampa to Newark. I think it would be best if you charter a private jet. All our dogs will be coming, of course.”
“Abby, I don’t understand. This is an enormous undertaking. I can’t make this happen in two weeks.” Peter withdrew a white handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his brow, his expression grave. Standing, he took a quick gulp of water from the tap, then turned to Abby, his face pale and leached of all color.
“What you are asking is illegal. Do you have permission to take these animals? And why would you want to? If you have a fascination for wildlife, there are other ways we can explore this. What about the safety of the animals and the people in their proximity? Abby, I don’t know.” Shaking his head, he began to pace. Abby saw him glance out to the pool where Ginger Mae waited. Rising, she fixed him with an icy glare.
“Perhaps I have made a mistake. I thought you would be up to the task. I understand the timing is difficult for you.” Softening, she went to him, placing her hand on his cheek. “Would it help if we hired Ginger Mae to help you? We can have her deal with the temp agencies. Of course you will need a staff to handle the paperwork and organization.” She really did not want to have that woman around, emanating her bad vibe. But right now, Peter was more important to her. She wanted to avoid having Echo subdue him at all costs. Observing his expression, she could tell he was conflicted, clearly making emotional calculations. Hmm . . . that was so unlike him. Perhaps she had underestimated his connection with this woman.
“Peter?”
“I just don’t think I can commit to something this fraught with danger. Maybe if I had more time. Abby, you know I don’t want to say no to you.” Abby’s hand slipped down to her side, defeat weighing her down.
“I’m so sorry, Peter, you leave me no choice. This is not what I wanted.”
Turning, she purposely hurried across the foyer floor to Peter’s front door as he trailed behind, still apologizing. Abby opened the door to find Echo awaiting her. Stepping aside, she let Peter see.
“What the heck is this?” Peter looked up, astonished but not frightened. Good, it will go smoother that way, she thought. With a nod to Echo, Abby stepped back toward the kitchen to keep an eye on Ginger Mae, still relaxing by the pool.
“Abby, what’s going on here?” His head swiveled to her then back to the front door. “What the hell is this thing?”
“It’s okay, Peter. This won’t take long.” Abby watched as Echo entered the foyer, a crystal antler splitting open. With a last glance toward the pool, she approached Echo, holding out her arm. A tiny blood-red circle dropped into her trembling hand. Moving over to a transfixed Peter, his owl eyes nearly bursting, she raised her hand. The tiny drop of red liquid launched itself, disappearing deep into his ear canal.
He frantically brushed at his ear, his efforts ineffectual. Movements slowed as the effect of the red drop became apparent. His eyes closed slowly, blinked, then closed again. They flew open, color coming back and a smile lighting up his face as if nothing untoward had happened. He didn’t even comment on Echo’s presence.
“You can leave now, Echo, thank you.” She picked Echo up, giving her a hug and a kiss, whispered, “I love you,” then closed the door behind her. Turning back to Peter, she repeated the instructions she had given him in the kitchen.
“I’ll get right on it, Abby. Let me talk to Ginger Mae straight away.” His face showed nothing but eagerness.
“Careful now, she is not to know any of the details of the mission, is that clear?”
Patting her on the shoulder, Peter assured her of his discretion. Doubting nothing, Abby left, confident her plans were now underway.
*
Ginger Mae kissed Peter goodbye at the front door, her anxiousness and fear of Armoni holding her in an iron grip, a definite damper on her evening. She was running very late and Armoni would have her scalp. Stifling her trepidation, she concentrated on Peter, who gazed up at her like a grinning fool. For God’s sake, he’s acting like this is the first time he’s ever had sex.
“Are you sure you won’t need me to pick up your things tomorrow? I can send a car for you and Daisy if it will be easier.”
She was convinced Peter would jump off the Ringling Bridge if she asked him to. “I think that would be very helpful, thank you. I can’t wait for you to meet Daisy. Are you sure she won’t be in the way?” Ginger Mae held her breath. She didn’t want Peter to change his mind. Making Daisy safe was always her first concern.
“Sweetheart, there’s plenty of room for everyone in this big house. You’ll be spending a lot of time here anyway. I’ll prepare a room for her in the morning.”
Looking up at the sky, they could see the sun starting to dispel the darkness, tendrils of a new day preparing to announce supremacy over the night. “I guess it is tomorrow already. I’ll let you go. This is going to be a difficult day—we have so much to do for Abby. I’m glad you’re willing to help us. It’ll be a perfect way for you to get to know the family.” He swept a piece of her hair away from her face.
“And to get to know you better.” Glancing outside, she saw the car Peter had ordered pull into the driveway. “I’ll call you as soon as I’m ready.” Thinking better of that, she then suggested he have the car ready in two hours. Anticipating trouble, she decided to make a quick getaway. It might be better if they sneaked out while Armoni slept.
On the way back to the high-rise, she plotted her escape, her thoughts then turning to Ms. Abby Preston. She had sensed the tension in Abby, surmising she might be part of the cause. She wasn’t sure if Ms. Abby had bought her act or not. She had seemed quite surprised to find her there, in her cool character kind of way. Ginger Mae could handle a female with a snippy attitude just fine, having no intention of letting any woman come between her and her plans.
What an astonishing surprise, to have Peter offer her a job. With Abby’s approval no less. And he sweetened it further by suggesting she move in. Although it was supposed to be for the duration of the project, she had no doubt she could make it permanent, getting swept away with the idea of becoming the mistress of Peter’s fabulous home. He wasn’t a bad guy to sleep with either. A little on the tentative side for her taste, but that would change as he became more confident with her. Actually, he really was a gentleman. The age difference was not a problem for her, a nice change from all the imperious older johns, with their grasping fingers and harsh demands. Gosh, this could be a real dream for me and Daisy.
And then she came crashing down, fast. She reminded herself: Armoni would go berserk. She was more than an investment in his scheme. She had convinced him she cared for him. No man would take this lying down. She wondered how an unstable ignorant one would take it. She felt in her purse for her blade. Having to use it would be dangerous. She could not afford to get herself embroiled in anything sordid, her relationship with Peter still too new for him to be fully invested in her. She doubted he would be able to afford the complication to his life right now. As they say, timing is everything. She must sneak out of the high-rise without trouble. She knew Armoni would have a difficult time finding her since Peter had sent a car for her, leaving him in the dark about her destination. By the time Armoni was able to track her, she would have worked her magic on Peter, maybe even telling him some of the truth. Just in case.
Feeling more confident, she watched the sun come up, praying
for an omen to bless her plans. As the car approached the high-rise, she asked the driver to wait, informing him she planned to send a child down to the car to wait for her. If there was any problem, he was to take the child to Bird Key where he had picked her up. She gave him Peter’s cell number, asking him to relay the change of plans.
Her heart beating wildly, she rode the elevator to the seventeenth floor. Getting out of the elevator, she put her hands to her face, trying to calm herself down. Her blood pounded so hard at her temples she thought it would wake the neighbors. Standing in front of their condo, she listened carefully, hearing nothing. She eased open the door and slipped in. Looking around at the mess on the floor, her heart almost stopped as she spied Armoni, his back against the refrigerator, sitting on the floor, asleep. His head rested on his chest, a bottle of gin in his lap, his face and shirt crusted with sauce from some mystery food item. Eyeing the empty gin bottle, she knew he would be violent if he woke before she made her escape.
Tip-toeing to Daisy’s bedroom, she woke the child, quietly instructing her to put on her robe and slippers. She put some clothes in a small travel bag and stole to the bedroom she shared with Armoni. Looking wildly around the mess, she spied a large piece of her luggage. Opening it up, she began stuffing clothes and shoes into the bag. On the dresser sat Armoni’s wallet. Picking it up, she hit pay dirt, stuffing a wad of bills into her pocket. Leaving some items behind, she hurried to Daisy’s bedroom where she found Daisy sitting on the bed with her bag and her stuffed dog. Slipping both bags over her shoulder, she put her fingers to her lips. Taking Daisy’s hand they hurried past Armoni, still asleep on the floor in the kitchen. Outside the condo, she didn’t breathe until they were on the way down in the elevator. She tried to catch her breath, her underarms soaked from the tension as she hustled them into the car. Daisy stared at her calmly, her eyes missing nothing. Leaning back in her seat, Ginger Mae wrapped her arms around the child, holding her close. She felt Daisy relax.