Freaks Under Fire (12 page)

Satisfaction curved her lips. She’d correctly interpreted his body language and it felt…
good
. “Would you like the long explanation or the short one?” she asked.

He gave her what she now recognized as his “Are you freaking kidding me?” eyes.

“The short one, then. Fantasy, food chemical intolerances, whole food stores, inhalers and facial recognition software.”

Tyler blinked slowly and snapped his sagging jaw shut. “Okay, if you don’t want to tell me—”

“That
was
the short version, Tyler.”

“Then either I’m not fully caffeinated and my brain’s gone to sleep, or my brain cells eked out my ear last night and are currently residing on my pillow. Or—”

“Or I’m being deliberately obtuse.”

He waggled his brows at her. “You said it, not me.”

Jay allowed herself a full-blown smile, liking the way he bantered with her.

Pause current thought-thread.

It was something his twin, Caro, also did. Their father Michael, not so much. There was, Jay believed, too much history between them for Michael to tease her in such a casual fashion. He had shown with words and actions that he cared for her wellbeing, but he was far too aware of the harm she was capable of inflicting to let his guard down completely. And Marissa…. Caro had recently admitted her current relationship with Nessa, her former best friend and Tyler’s ex, was a “work in progress” and Jay believed that an excellent summation of her own relationship with Marissa.

Jay did not possess enough data to make an educated guess how the Davidson’s newest addition would react to her when he was old enough to form opinions. Hopefully the child’s increasing awareness of the world around him would not include the ability to sense her “otherness”, forcing her to resort to pheromones in order to successfully interact with him. Using such methods to soothe a domesticated animal, or as a distraction to deflect a strange human’s suspicions was one thing, but it would be morally reprehensible to manipulate a child in such a way.

Resume.

“Very well,” she said, “the long explanation it is. Seth’s position within Goodkind Electronics required him to delete all social media accounts, save for a professional page overseen and maintained by GE’s media department. That was standard for all employees of a certain level—as was the requirement to use company-issued cell phones, laptops and tablets. Of course, Seth hasn’t used a company cell phone since he went to ground.”

Tyler snorted. “Dude would have to be brain-dead to do that if he’s trying to keep a low profile.”

“Agreed. Consequently, my algorithm could not solely rely on mining data from common sources such as vehicle hire, motel and hotel registrations, and rental properties—although the chances of successfully securing a rental property given his current circumstances are remote. However, I was fortunate that medical records I obtained state one Seth Kyle Williams is an asthmatic who is highly intolerant of sulfites.”

Tyler’s brow crinkled. “Sulfites?”

“Sulfur-based compounds that occur naturally, but are commonly used as preservatives and enhancers in both food and drugs. His medical practitioner recommended he avoid a common sulfite preservative known to be potentially harmful to asthmatics, and which is frequently found in drugs used for the treatment of asthma. My algorithm tracked pharmaceutical companies that had developed preservative-free asthma treatments, and providers and outlets that have made these medications available to the public. It also tracked stores providing sulphite-free foodstuffs and offering a home delivery service.”

Tyler scratched his chin. “Clever. But Seth Williams can’t be the only guy out there who’s allergic to sulfites. And I’m guessing he’s not using his real name, right?”

“Correct. Although Seth obediently deleted his social media accounts, the data posted is still available if you know where to look. He belonged to a number of science fiction and fantasy reader forums, and had contributed frequently to posts advising readers where to source various out of print books in those genres. He is on record as stating so long as he has a good book to read, he can endure anything the world throws at him—a common attitude amongst devout readers. His username on these forums was NewbornDragon.”

“This is getting real interesting.” Tyler made a rolling gesture with his hand to indicate she should continue.

“The algorithm cross-matched the names of all characters in the science fiction and fantasy novels NewbornDragon had listed in his ‘favorites’ lists, with recent online purchases of sulfite-free foodstuffs and sulfite-free aerosol bronchodilators. The name that flagged on all counts was
Randall Thor
—an unsubtle play on the name of the main protagonist of one of NewbornDragon’s favorite fantasy series. From there, it was a simple matter of ascertaining the delivery address—which happened to be a motel room—and using facial recognition software to verify that Randall Thor is indeed Seth Kyle Williams.”

Tyler frowned. “If I’d gone to ground and was hiding from a rogue cyborg, I doubt I’d be careless enough to get caught on camera.”

“He’s more careful than your average person—he paid online using a generic preloaded debit card—the kind purchased by those who don’t have access to a credit card. In addition, he paid cash to purchase the card. But you might be surprised at how easy it is to be accidentally photographed or videoed. In this case, Randall Thor answered his motel door to sign for a delivery, and unknowingly ended up in the background of a selfie snapped by a couple who happened to be staying at the same motel complex. The female member of the couple uploaded the photo her social media account. My facial recognition software did the rest.”

“Impressive.”

“Yes.” Jay wasn’t a fan of the human habit of being falsely modest.

“So I guess you’re leaving sometime tonight to pay Seth Williams, AKA Randall Thor, a visit.”

“Correct.”

“And you don’t want me to know where you’re going. Or for me to come with.”

“Also correct. I anticipate an absence of three days, and you have already missed too many classes.”

Unsaid was something they both knew: He would only slow her down.

His lips thinned. “I get why,” he said. “Don’t much like it, though.”

“Would it help if I got down on my knees and apologized profusely?”

“Nope. I’ll get over it.” He glanced at the area beneath the window, where Brum’s doggie bed had taken up residence, and chewed his lower lip. “Who’s gonna look after Brum while I’m at classes? He’ll wreck the place if he’s locked up during the day.”

“I entertained the thought of taking him with me.”

Tyler puffed out a sharp breath. “You gotta be kidding me. You’re seriously considering taking along an untrained puppy?”

“I said I
entertained
the thought, Tyler. I didn’t say I was prepared to act on it. The attention Brum would require far outweighs any benefits of having him accompany me. I have requested a favor from Allen, and he has agreed to watch Brum during the day.” Jay cocked her head, closely observing Tyler’s reactions. “Will it inconvenience you to drop Brum at the studio on your way to classes? I would expect you to take the SUV, of course. If you drive to the campus rather than using public transport, the time saved will mean you won’t have to get up earlier than usual to stop by the studio.”

“You seem to have thought of everything,” he muttered.

“Yes.”

When Tyler didn’t say anything more she added, “And it would be very helpful if you questioned Allen about the letter, and any strangers he might have noticed in the area lately.”

His posture altered, chin lifting, shoulders rolling back, spine straightening. “You trust me to do that?”

“Yes.”

“Wow.”

That “wow” was uttered so softly on an exhalation that Jay didn’t believe he had intended her to hear it. Of course, she trusted him. And understood the instincts that drove him to show that he could protect her, too. She possessed those same instincts magnified tenfold. Which was precisely why she had allocated him this “safe” task that she hoped would satisfy him for now.

“I may have to relocate Seth, hence why I could be gone a few days,” she said. “I’ll get a message to you as soon as the opportunity presents itself.”

He nodded, veiling his expression into something resembling neutral that of course she saw through immediately. “I’ll be back as soon as humanly possible,” she told him, knowing he would fret until she returned, and knowing there was little she could do about that.

“Make that as soon as
inhumanly
as possible,” he told her. “It’ll be damn sight quicker that way.”

She smiled at his poor attempt at humor, and did the only thing she could think of to make her departure a little easier on him: took his hand and led him upstairs to their bedroom, where she employed a mutually satisfying, age-old distraction technique designed to wear him out.

It worked exactly as she’d hoped.

Jay kissed Tyler’s brow and eased from beneath the covers, leaving him to the oblivion of sleep. She grabbed her boots from the foot of the bed, and the items of clothing she’d previously laid out on the dresser, and headed into the ensuite to change. Once dressed, she tucked a small wad of large denomination bills, a credit card and driver’s license in one of her many fake identities into one pocket of her exercise pants, zipped it securely, and quietly exited the ensuite.

So far, so good. Now she had only to retrieve one more item from her office, and exit the house without disturbing Brum. With luck, both pup and boyfriend would sleep through the night.

As she reached for the bedroom door handle, she allowed herself one final glance over her shoulder at Tyler’s sleeping form. Her heart seemed to twist in her chest, wringing a painful gasp from her throat. And it took all the willpower with which she’d been programmed to strangle the impulse to wake him, and allow him to come with her.

Jay parked the unassuming vehicle she’d hired in a parking lot that serviced a number of stores, including an open all hours fast food restaurant. Once inside the restaurant, for the sake of appearances she purchased a burger, ate a few bites, and then discarded the remains on the nearest table as she headed to the Ladies.

She entered the first of a half dozen cubicles, and wedged the plastic-wrapped package inside the toilet cistern. So far as hiding places went it was imperfect, but less risky than leaving it in the car. Or carrying it on her person. It would be, as Caro liked to say, a disaster of monumental proportions if it fell into the wrong hands during this coming encounter.

Exiting the restaurant, she scanned the vicinity for unwelcome observers. And once satisfied she had attracted no undue attention, she jogged the six blocks to the motel.

The schematics for the motel complex had confirmed that her options for entering the motel room undetected were severely limited. Digging a tunnel wasn’t logistically sound. Climbing onto the roof and removing a section to allow entry, carried with it an unacceptably high probability that her actions would be noted and reported to authorities. Ditto with smashing through a rear wall. Her best option was the usual method of gaining admittance to a motel room: entering via the front door.

Her internal timepiece informed her it was 05:41. The motel complex was partially shielded from the main roadway by a stand of trees, and only the rare dedicated jogger or walker was up and about so early. Jay dialed back her speed to a relaxed yet purposeful walk, projecting “I’ve been for an early morning run and I have every right to be here”. She had already taken the precaution of tying back her hair, and as she passed the motel reception area, she twitched the hood of her sleeveless hoodie to partially conceal her face.

Nearing Seth Williams’ motel room, she refocused her sensors.

One inhabitant. Good.

At the door she paused, narrowing the range of her sensors still more.

The blackout curtains were closed, and the sole inhabitant’s breathing and pulse rate indicated sleep. Even better.

She rapped softly on the door and continued rapping, aware the muted noise would take a few moments to filter through to the man inside.

It took less time than she’d anticipated before she detected the groan of a human woken from a deep sleep. The groan was followed by the hissing slide of bed linen, the thump of feet hitting the floor, and finally, footfalls indicating the motel room’s inhabitant was approaching the door.

The footfalls abruptly ceased approximately an arm’s length from the exit.

Jay could hear the man inside fidgeting, and surmised he was debating whether to answer the door. Or perhaps venture close enough to peer through the peephole. She angled her body so her face couldn’t be seen. If Seth Williams wasn’t fooled by her precautions, as a last resort she would force her way in. With luck it wouldn’t come to that. The less she scared him now, the more chance he would cooperate in the future.

A hoarse voice called, “Who is it?”

Jay confirmed the male occupant’s identity by analyzing his vocal patterns. The distortions were within acceptable parameters—doubtless caused by a combination of the mild dehydration expected after a night’s sleep, and still healing facial injuries. “It’s Gabi,” she whispered, modulating her own voice to mimic that of Seth’s younger sibling.

“Who?”

Jay increased the volume of her voice a little and injected a hint of panic into her tone. “It’s
me
, Seth. Gabi.”

A pause—as might be expected when you’d been abruptly woken, and then forced to confront the likelihood that the lengths you’d taken to conceal yourself had failed dismally.

It wouldn’t be prudent to give Seth time to think logically, and realize how unlikely it was that, of all people, his teenage sister had been the one who’d tracked his whereabouts. “I’m in trouble,” Jay said, playing on the protective instincts an older sibling might harbor for a younger. “Let me in before someone sees me!”

Jay heard Seth lunge for the doorway, and the unmistakable sounds of him fumbling with the privacy lock. The hinges of the door squealed as it opened and a thin-faced man sporting an impressive case of bed-head peered out from the gloomy room. “Gabi! How’n the hell did you figure out—?”