“Not the best strategy.” Justice smiled though. “Some of them are fresh out of prison or believe they’d find sanctuary here from whatever crimes they are about to face. I read the background checks on the regulars. We have our public relations people on this.”
“It would be better if our research on Ms. Abris had found something useful,” Fury said. “She’s clean.”
“You investigated Vanni’s life?” Smiley took a seat. “What did you discover?”
“She has two siblings. One is mated with two children and one is a New York police officer with a mate and one child. Her mother was a full-time housewife, while her father is retired. None of them have criminal records. Travanni was a good student, never in trouble and everyone interviewed had positive things to say about her. She works as an executive secretary in the same building as her fiancé. They met last year, dated and became engaged.” Justice paused. “She pays her taxes, owes only a few thousand dollars in debt on credit cards and most of her charges were for her upcoming wedding. We found nothing in the statements that indicated any illegal activity.”
“Those are some of the things she told me. She didn’t lie.” Smiley frowned. “Wouldn’t she have made up a false background if she wished to fool me?”
“Did she tell you she came with the Woods Church?” Bestial cocked an eyebrow.
“No. She said it was a vacation.” The silence in the room agitated Smiley. “You’re sure she’s going to say I drugged her and was to blame?”
“It’s standard procedure for news outlets to contact us when someone is holding a press conference regarding anything to do with the NSO. They want a statement in advance. We were contacted by at least six major networks half an hour ago.” Justice held his gaze. “I’m sorry, Smiley. You have to remember that you were just the unlucky Species she chose. It could have been any of us at the hotel.”
“Perhaps she suffered memory loss.” Jericho stepped closer to Smiley.
He knew his friend was trying to be kind. “They planned this. The actual details after the drug is given might be blurred but not the events leading up to it.” Smiley noticed a dull ache in his chest but he ignored it. As much as he had wanted to believe Vanni, he had to face facts. Anger came next. “What do we do?”
“Prove they were somehow behind this.” Justice’s relaxed demeanor disappeared. “That’s what I’m having Tim work on. I sent him to Fuller Prison to interview everyone we have from Drackwood. That’s where they had to have gotten the drug. We just need to prove it.”
“Otherwise,” Fury growled, “they’ll say it was a Species drug that only Species had access to.”
“Is there any way I could speak to Vanni?” It was a long shot but Smiley hoped if anyone could change her mind, it might be him. She’d seemed goodhearted. “I could call her and perhaps she’ll reconsider.”
“We don’t know where to reach her until she arrives at the Woods Church to make her statement.” Fury held his gaze. “It will be too late by then.”
“I thought we had males watching her. Couldn’t you have one of them take her a phone? Just ask her to speak to me?”
“They lost her. She was evading the press camped outside her apartment and managed to slip by all of them when her roommate took out the trash. They were focused on her. The only reason we know she’s no longer at home is because her roommate attempted to file a missing person’s report with the police last night and then in frustration walked outside to tell the reporters Travanni had gone to visit her fiancé but hadn’t returned home.”
Smiley tensed. “What?”
“She must have decided to stay with him overnight. She hasn’t returned. Her roommate talked to reporters again two hours ago asking them to help her locate Travanni.” Justice shrugged.
The bad feeling returned. “Her roommate is asking for help to find her? Something is off.”
“That’s what her roommate stated to the reporters. She is worried Carl Woods may have harmed Travanni,” Bestial stated. “She is obviously well enough to hold a press conference though. We have no idea what is going on with her.”
Smiley made a decision. “I want access to the team outside Vanni’s apartment. I need to speak to them.”
“It’s not a good idea.” Justice shook his head. “It’s best if we let our public relations people and the lawyers deal with this. I’ll listen to the Woods Church press conference and address it after I have a meeting with our people. We might need you there.”
“Contact me if you do.” Smiley left the office and didn’t need to turn to know Jericho followed. He stopped walking when they exited the building, spun and glared. “Why are you shadowing me?”
“What are you going to do?” Jericho sounded suspicious.
“Wait for Justice to call me.”
“Bullshit. I know you too well. What is your plan?”
“I want to talk to her roommate.”
“That’s a bad idea.”
Smiley didn’t care. His resolve must have shown in his expression.
Jericho reached into his back pocket and withdrew a folded sheet of paper and then a cell phone. “Her name is Elisabeth and this is her number. This is a blocked phone. I knew you’d be irrational but I’d want to do the same if I were you. Take them before I change my mind. Just remember anything you say could be used against us. She might be involved.”
“Why would she worry Carl Woods would harm Vanni? That implies he’s a danger to her, not us.”
“I had that same question. That’s why I copied the number from her background file and took one of our untraceable cell phones. The task force teams use them. This number is for the apartment and I called in a favor. One of the team members is going to text me if she leaves. She’s still home.”
Smiley moved behind the building, out of sight, and glanced around to make sure he was alone. Jericho waited at the corner, seemingly ready to intercept anyone who came that way. Smiley opened the paper and dialed the number. It rang four times before a machine with a computerized voice picked up.
“Elisabeth, my name is Smiley. I’m—”
The phone was immediately picked up. “I know who you are.” She had a pleasant voice but it sounded stressed.
“I heard you were worried about Vanni. What happened?”
“Can you help me?”
“Possibly. Why do you believe she’s in harm’s way?”
“She left yesterday to get her belongings. Carl wouldn’t give back the stuff she left at the hotel unless she returned his engagement ring in person. She never came home but she would have if he hadn’t done something to her. The police said they couldn’t look for her until she’s missing for seventy-two hours. I know something is really wrong. Now the police told me she’s talking to reporters with Carl later today, implying she’s fine and to stop bugging them.”
“I’m aware.”
“That’s bullshit! She wouldn’t talk to the press. Hell, we’ve been hiding in our apartment to avoid them. They even offered her money to talk and she refused. Nobody believes me when I tell them I think Carl has done something to her.” She sounded as if she were crying. “The police won’t do shit.”
“Do you know where she went?”
“To his father’s vacation house but I called there. The staff said she showed up but left with Carl in a limo. I’ve called but he won’t answer his cell. I even contacted his secretary but she told me she hasn’t heard from him directly but learned that he’d passed his upcoming cases to an associate. He told them it was because he needed to support his fiancé at this time.” She took a gasping breath. “Only she isn’t going to marry him.”
Smiley leaned against the building. “Are you sure? Perhaps he still wanted to marry her.”
“Bullshit! Vanni never loved him. I know my girl. He was nice to her and she’d dated a dickhead before him so boring seemed safe. She was almost relieved it was over. Sure, she felt guilty about what happened with you but not enough to go back to him or talk t
o reporters about anything. You have to trust me. I know her.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Find her. She’s kind of naïve about men. Carl was just too calm and reserved. That never bodes well to me. Something isn’t right with that jerk. I’d bet my last dollar he made her leave with him and is forcing her to talk to the reporters. She hasn’t called me. That alone is making me freak the hell out. We’re best friends. We tell each other everything.”
Smiley closed his eyes, trying to take in all the information.
“Including that she really likes you,” she added.
That snapped his eyes open. “What?”
“The only reason Carl would want her to talk to the reporters is to say something bad about New Species. I think he’s so far up his father’s ass it isn’t funny, regardless of what he swore to Vanni. He kept assuring her he wasn’t part of that church but he always does what his dad asks. I mean, he stopped sleeping with Vanni because his dad thought it would look bad for his son to have sex before the wedding. He said it was for his career but I call bullshit. He’s a lawyer, not running for mayor. Nobody cares if he’s sleeping with a woman or not. He’s a grown man, for god’s sake. His father says jump and Carl asks him how high. It’s like he’s a ventriloquist doll for his daddy.”
“What is that?”
“It’s a creepy doll that someone sets on their lap and they pretend to speak for the doll. Freaky stuff but that’s the kind of the relationship I suspect Carl has with his father. Is that plain enough? Anyone with a brain would put a few barriers between their career and that church if they didn’t want to offend some clients but I think Carl is totally onboard with them.”
He understood. “I’ll do what I can to find her, Elisabeth.”
“Call me Beth and thank you. Your number didn’t show up on the caller ID. How can I get hold of you? I was afraid to call the NSO because Vanni said you guys thought she might have drugged you. That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard, by the way. She woke up in the SUV and heard those guards talking about arresting her. It’s bullshit.” Her anger rose with her voice.
“They were discussing having her arrested?” He felt some anger too. “That’s why she escaped?”
“Yeah! Duh. She was afraid of being arrested for something she didn’t do.”
“I’ll call you.” He hung up and strode to Jericho. “We need to find Vanni. Her friend believes she’s being forced to talk to the reporters.”
“Shit.” Jericho studied him. “Are you sure that’s not what you wanted to hear?”
“Her best friend is certain. You know me. Wouldn’t you be alarmed if I acted contrary to myself all of a sudden?”
Jericho blew out a deep breath. “You have changed, Smiley. It’s just that I know why. It’s the female.”
“She’s in trouble. I told Beth I’d look for Vanni. Are you going to help me or not?”
“We need to go talk to Justice.”
“Let’s do that.”
* * * * *
Vanni clenched her fists and glared at Mable. The older woman returned the hostile look. The acting coach was a woman who should have been a drill sergeant instead. She issued orders with the same ruthless tone she’d seen in movies.
“Shoulders slouched, Travanni. You want to look beaten down and depressed. You were raped.”
“I wasn’t.” She turned her anger on Gilda. “How many times do I have to say it? This isn’t a production of some play. This is bullshit. Did you see the guard you passed at the door? I’m being held against my will. Do you want to do something useful? Help me escape.”
Gilda frowned. “I don’t think we used enough shadowing under her eyes.”
Vanni wanted to scream.
“I’ll get my makeup bag.” Mable marched into the half bath in the corner of the room.
“Don’t you have any morals at all?”
Gilda shook her head. “This is a war.”
“I’ve heard that before. With who?”
“We’re fighting for our future. Those things are going to take over the world and make us their pets.”
“Did you take your meds today?” Vanni doubted it.
“I don’t take meds.”
“Then go see a doctor. You need them. You’re delusional and paranoid!”
“Shut up,” Mable snapped, returning from the bathroom. “I never liked you.”
“It’s mutual.” Vanni jerked away when the older woman attempted to dot more makeup under her eyes. “Stop that.”
“Do we need to call Bruce in here?” Mable had made that threat a few times. “He said he would hold you down if you gave us any trouble.”
“He’s insane too.”
“Did you ever think the one with mental issues might be you?” Mable tried again to put the makeup on Vanni.
She backed away. “Me? You’re the one who joined a cult.”
“Shame on you,” Mable hissed. “Pastor Woods is a prophet. He knows what the future will bring. Those creatures are going to figure out how to multiply and create more of them. They’ll lure idiots like you into birthing their spawn. Mark Pastor Woods’ words, that day is coming. There will be more of them than us. Let history be a lesson. Look at what the white man did to the Indians. They’ll spread out and we’ll be the ones living on reservations.”
“Wow.” Vanni hadn’t heard that one before. “Just wow.”
Gilda nodded. “We’re saving our race from extinction.”
“Are they going to make us pets or kill us? I’m kind of confused,” Vanni muttered sarcastically. “Which is it?”
“It’s what will happen.” Gilda nodded vigorously. “First we’ll be turned into livestock to breed their evil spawn and then they’ll slaughter us after they’ve built up an army of them.”
“I hate to point this out but um, wouldn’t that make their children more human than New Species? I mean, try to be rational. They look mostly human already.”
“Pastor Woods said otherwise.” Mable glared at Vanni again. “He’s the smartest man I’ve ever met. Mark his words, they are going to be the destruction of mankind if we don’t send them back where they came from.”
“Mercile Industries doesn’t exist anymore. The company was shut down.” Vanni wasn’t sure why she was trying to talk logically with two idiots but it beat crying again.
“Then a new lab can contain them,” Gilda snapped. “Or they could be put down if zoos don’t want them.”
“They aren’t creatures. They are people.”
Mable huffed, shooting a disgusted look at Gilda. “Stop wasting your breath on this one. She’s not listening. I told Carl she wasn’t good enough for him. Miss Slut here had to go and chase after one of those creatures.”
Gilda shuddered. “That’s so sad. I pity her. Don’t you? It must have been horrible.”
Vanni ground her teeth but her anger wouldn’t be contained. “Feel pity for yourselves. You’re the ones with loose morals and you’re stupid. I don’t even want to count the laws you’re breaking by helping Gregory keep me prisoner. I’d stop worrying about what the New Species plan to do and instead start figuring out how much jail time you’re facing.”
Gilda frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re not getting away with this,” Vanni promised.
“Ignore her. Pastor Woods said he’s taken care of it. She won’t dare do anything but exactly what he wants.” Her gaze locked with Vanni’s. “I’m calling Bruce. Do you need a reminder?”
“Fuck you, Mable.”
“Bruce!” the bitch yelled.
The door opened and the guard stepped out of the way. Bruce entered the room. He wore a dark suit and a pissed-off look. “Is she giving you trouble?”
“She’s making threats of jail.”
He opened his jacket and showed off his gun. “It would be the last thing she does.”
“What are you going to do? Shoot me at the press conference?” Vanni’d had enough. “You can??
?t make me stand up there and lie. I won’t do it.”
“You will.” He allowed his jacket to close and withdrew his cell phone. A few taps of his screen and he turned it toward her. Even from five feet away she could make out the photo. It was Beth taking out the trash. Bruce grinned. “You don’t care about your life? This was sent to me by one of my men. He’s going to drive over there again when the press conference starts. You say anything besides what is on the cards put in front of you or fail to make it look convincing, he’s going to shoot your bitch of a friend.”
Vanni’s knees weakened but she kept upright.
“I also will have that package delivered to the NSO that we talked about. Do you want to know what that means? We’ll want you dead. They will want you dead. You won’t have anywhere to hide and one of us will take you out.”
“I hate you.” She said the words softly but meant every one.
He backed out of the room and the guard closed it. Mable beamed. “I knew he’d shut that foul mouth of yours. Now stand still and let me fix your makeup.”
Vanni froze, allowing it. Beth was in danger. It was bad enough that they were threatening her life. That was something she was willing to risk but not Beth’s. She had to get away before that press conference started and warn her to get out of the apartment.
But how?
Chapter Nine
“It’s time to go,” Mable announced.
“I’m going to be sick.” Vanni ran into the bathroom and slammed the door. She didn’t rush for the toilet though, but instead grabbed Mable’s cosmetics bag. There wasn’t much in it she could use but she spotted a small travel-sized hairspray. She shoved it down the front of her shirt into the gap between her breasts, securing it along the center.
She flushed the toilet, hoping it would mask the sound as she shuffled around the contents of the bag, searching frantically for the eyeliner pencil. It was at the bottom. She tugged it out and hid it inside her underwear, hoping it wouldn’t fall out, then returned the small bag to the counter. She ran water in the sink and opened the door.