Night Terrors (19 page)

Chapter Thirteen

Human spirit is the ability to face the uncertainty of the future with curiosity and optimism. It is the belief that problems can be solved, differences resolved. It is a type of confidence. And it is fragile. It can be blackened by fear and superstition.
Bernard Beckett

At Rawlins’ insistence, we order in room service. I load up on carbohydrates; I’m going to need all the energy I can get. I feel antsy, my body fizzing with pent-up emotion. It’s going to a long wait until nightfall. I might be able to glean something from Powers but it’s Carter who I’m really after. I just hope that he’s not a night owl and decides to go to bed early.

It’s helpful having Rawlins on hand. She’s quickly developed a rapport with the officers assigned to Ashley’s disappearance and they’re keeping her up to date with all the developments. The phone rings on and off throughout the afternoon. The crime scene guys have dusted Ashley’s flat for fingerprints and are running every one they’ve found through the national database. They’re checking the CCTV cameras but they’ve discovered nothing helpful so far. They’ve even already made a start on interviewing her friends and colleagues.

I’m impressed at how quickly the police have sprung into action. The cynical part of me says that it’s because Ashley is a well-off woman whose disappearance could be important, but there’s no denying the evidence of violence left at the scene of the crime. Judging by the grim expression on Rawlins’ face every time she answers the phone, this is a case which deserves considerable attention.

‘Do you think she’ll be alright?’ I ask her softly, in between calls.

Rawlins doesn’t whitewash her answer. ‘It’s difficult to say. She’ll be in a weakened state, especially if they’re using drugs to keep her awake. You really have no idea who they are in real life?’

I shake my head. ‘Even if I asked around, it would be useless. These men have avoided my Dreamlands zone for years. No one knows who they are.’ I’ve described the faces of everyone I’ve seen; the police even sent someone round to our hotel room with a laptop filled with faces of known criminals for me to flick through. Naturally, I told them I’d seen her with various male ‘friends’ the last time I visited. Somehow, lying to the police is easier when I have Rawlins in tow. It was depressing to see how many photos were on the system – although that was nothing compared to the feeling when I reached the end of the files and still hadn’t seen anyone who fit the bill. So far, we’re all drawing blanks.

Rawlins is taking a shower when there’s a loud, insistent knock on the door. Assuming it’s another police officer, I answer nervously. I know they wouldn’t telephone if they found Ashley so by the time I open the door, my stomach is in knots.

It’s not the police.

Dante’s expression is thunderous. He pushes into the room, slams the door shut and glares. His silver eyes glow with a menace that makes me step back. This only serves to piss him off even more.

I try not to react even though he’s so intimidating. ‘You really do enjoy appearing out of nowhere, don’t you?’

He snarls.

I sigh and push my hair out of my eyes. ‘I know what you’re thinking…’

His face darkens even further. ‘Do you now?’

‘I wasn’t lying before when I told you I had a panic attack on the way to the airport. And it was really hard coming here.’ I swallow. ‘Really hard. But Ashley needs me.’

For a moment, he looks dumbstruck. His jaw works as if he’s trying to formulate words. Then he grabs me by the arm and takes me to the nearest bed, pointing at me to sit down. Rather than argue, I do as he wishes. He releases me and starts to pace up and down the room.

‘I didn’t think you were lying,’ he grinds out.

Oh. ‘It’s just you look so angry,’ I say. ‘I thought…’

He interrupts me again. ‘I trust you,’ he says, frustrated. ‘Don’t you get that? At least, I trust that you’re not lying. How long are you going to punish me for thinking you were working for the Mayor?’

I hadn’t been doing that at all. ‘Dante,’ I say carefully. ‘You were the one working for the Mayor.’

‘A long time before we ever met!’

‘And I don’t hold it against you.’

He grinds to a halt. ‘The Department has taken Ashley?’

I nod. ‘Yes.’

‘Because they think she’s the dreamweaver?’

‘Yes.’

‘So you come running to where they are in real life and place yourself in serious danger. I trust you not to lie, Zoe, but I can’t trust you with your own safety! For someone who’s spent years living in fear, you have no regard for your own wellbeing! I’m taking you home right now. I’ve got a car waiting outside.’

‘Dante…’

‘Get your stuff.’

I stand up. ‘No. I’m going to find Ashley.’

‘Bron and Rob can…’

I fold my arms. ‘Bron and Rob can’t do what I can,’ I say flatly. ‘I’m her best chance.’

‘You’re an idiot,’ he dismisses. ‘Although it’s probably just as well. I’m having my doubts about Bron. He seems to be getting very cosy with Kevin.’

I stiffen. ‘Really?’

‘I’m sure it’s nothing.’

I scan his face. ‘What happened?’

‘This isn’t the time to talk about it. Come on. Stop messing around and come with me.’

His insistence is annoying. ‘I told you, I’m staying here. Besides, it’s not as if I’m here on my own,’ I say, just as the shower turns off.

Dante jerks his head in the direction of the bathroom. His dark skin turns pale and his shoulders drop slightly. ‘You’ve got company.’

‘It’s not what you think.’

He doesn’t seem to hear me. For a fleeting moment, he looks boyish and vulnerable. I reach out to touch him but he jerks away. He gazes at me for one long moment then turns.

‘Dante, stop!’

He’s already at the door.

I curse, just as Rawlins emerges from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. ‘What’s going on here?’ she demands. ‘I heard shouting.’

Dante freezes in his tracks. As soon as she catches sight of him, she freezes too. The pair of them stare at each other as if they can’t decide whether to attack or run. Fight or flight – I can relate to that. In these two, though, it’s almost comical.

‘Sergeant Rawlins, meet Dante the tracker. Dante meet Sergeant Rawlins.’ They still don’t move. I roll my eyes. ‘Relax. We’re the good guys.’

‘We’ve met.’

I nod. They must have crossed paths when Dante came to help release me from my temporary incarceration after Miller’s death.

‘Zoe,’ Rawlins says slowly, ‘did you tell him we were here?’

I pause. ‘No.’ I frown at Dante. ‘How did you find us so quickly?’

He continues to stare at Rawlins with narrow-eyed suspicion.

‘Dante?’ I prod, trying to quash the nerves I suddenly feel.

Without taking his eyes away from her, he holds up his palms and makes a show of reaching into his jacket. Rawlins tenses in alarm but I wave her back, trying to indicate that he can be trusted. I hope.

He takes out his wallet, flips it open and slides out a pristine white card. He passes it to Rawlins and she studies it.

‘What?’ I ask. ‘What’s on it?’

She holds the card up in my direction. ‘Your boyfriend’s a bounty hunter.’

Dante flashes a huge smile so quickly that I think I may have imagined it.

‘He’s not my boyf…’ I stop. ‘Wait. Bounty hunter?’ He shrugs. ‘I thought you were a lawyer?’

‘I can practise if I wish. I have all the paperwork and I sat all the exams. I just find it … dull.’

‘But a bounty hunter?’ I splutter. ‘Since when were we in a Hollywood movie?’

He throws me a droll look. Now that Rawlins is here, he’s all relaxed smiles and disarming charm. ‘I admit it’s not like the US,’ he says. ‘But it’s a similar concept. And to answer your original question, Bron told me you were coming to Manchester. It was a simple matter to call up hotels near Ashley’s apartment and find out where you were.’

He says it casually, like it’s no big deal. I stalk over and punch him in the arm. He frowns at me. ‘What was that for?’

‘I’m agoraphobic!’ I yell. ‘I freak out at the idea that
anyone
can find me! It was hard enough for me to come down here in the first place. Then you say that you can waltz off a plane and locate me in Manchester five minutes later? Is that supposed to make me feel good?’

He jabs a finger at his chest. He’s wearing a black T-shirt which moulds perfectly to his chest. Damn it. Why did I have to notice that? ‘One of the good guys, remember?’

I mutter a curse.

‘Besides, it goes to show,’ he says with an arch look at Rawlins, ‘that you shouldn’t be here.’

Rawlins is taken aback. ‘Is he your babysitter?’

‘He likes to think he is,’ I say nastily. ‘He’s worried about the Department.’

Dante stiffens. I wave a hand. ‘She knows all about it.’

‘Are you a Traveller?’

Rawlins shakes her head. There’s a gleam of amusement on her face. ‘No.’

He glances at me. ‘You told her about…’

‘It’s a long story. But yes, she knows everything. The Dreamlands, the Department…’

He glares at Rawlins. ‘And you let Zoe come here?’ he demands. ‘Knowing the danger it puts her in?’

‘She’s an adult,’ Rawlins says.

I put my hands on my hips. ‘
She
doesn’t like being spoken about as if she’s not here. It’s a done deal, Dante. And I didn’t drag myself down here to go back with my tail between my legs. I’m going to find Ashley.’ I glance at Rawlins. ‘We’re going to find Ashley. No one else can do it, Dante.’

‘And if the Department finds you?’ he enquires, a dangerous edge to his tone.

‘Then we’ll deal with it. But,’ I muster all the confidence I can, ‘it won’t.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Because we can’t afford for them to find me. Once Ashley is safe, I have to go the Badlands and sort them out too.’

The corner of his mouth lifts. ‘Sort them out? You sound like a schoolteacher.’

I glower at him. ‘What’s happening with the Badlands is more dangerous than what the Department is doing. And it might be my fault.’

‘Not possible,’ he says dismissively. He gazes at me, emotion dancing in his eyes. ‘See?’ he says gently. ‘You are brave.’

‘Patronising, much?’ I growl, although his words make my heart jump.

Dante just grins.

Rawlins coughs. ‘I’ll leave you two to it. I need some clothes.’ She scoops up a pile from a nearby chair and disappears back into the bathroom.

‘She called me your boyfriend,’ he says, once the door is closed.

‘Her detective skills require some work.’

‘Your mother did too.’

‘She called you my beau,’ I correct. ‘Not my boyfriend.’

He takes a step towards me. ‘Which would you prefer?’

I lick my lips. ‘I…’

Dante dips his head and his lips brush against mine. ‘Don’t forget that you like me,’ he breathes. ‘I’m really glad you’re safe.’

Inexplicably nervous, I pull back.

‘You’re a lot more confident in the Dreamlands,’ he tells me. ‘If you’d rather go there, I’m sure we can come to an agreement.’

I’m not sure what possesses me to do it. Perhaps it’s his observation that I’m a different person when I’m dreaming; perhaps it’s his musky scent that’s taking over my senses. Either way, I simply grab hold of his shirt and pull him towards me.

It’s not the first time we’ve kissed but it’s the first time we’ve done it for real in the real world. My head swims. His body is hard against mine and, as I coil against him, I feel the thud of his heartbeat. We explore each other’s mouths, his hands running down my back and coming to rest just above the base of my spine. He squeezes and I hiss involuntarily in pain, despite the delirium that’s attacking the rest of me.

Dante draws back immediately. ‘You’re still hurt.’

‘It’s nothing.’

He reaches out, tucking a loose curl of hair behind my ear. My mouth is dry; my hands are shaking. I tuck them behind my back but he tugs gently, bringing them forward again. He looks straight into my eyes.

‘I’m not trying to treat you as if you’re made of china,’ he says. ‘I don’t mean to be patronising. I just worry about you.’

I look into his eyes and I see the desire reflected in their silver depths. It’s mutual.

There’s a clatter from the bathroom as Rawlins drops something. She swears loudly and Dante and I share a smile.

‘America was a bust?’ I ask.

He shrugs. ‘I learnt a few things about the Department. I’m not sure how helpful any of it will be.’

‘It’s full of thugs. Power-hungry thugs.’

‘They are. But maybe they’re not all bad. Perhaps they just need some guidance.’ At my look, he laughs. ‘We’ll stop them, Zoe. Together. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.’

‘Ashley,’ I tell him. ‘Then the Badlands.’

He bends his head. ‘You’re the boss.’

Chapter Fourteen

Dreaming ties all mankind together.

Jack Kerouac

It feels strange trying to sleep with Dante and Rawlins in the room. They’re watching me like hawks. I try closing my eyes and blocking them out but it’s no good. ‘Go and get a drink,’ I say eventually, sitting up. ‘I can’t fall asleep with you staring at me.’

Dante looks at Rawlins. Some unspoken communication passes between them.

‘I’ll catch you later,’ Rawlins says with a wave. ‘I’ll be back by eleven. I don’t want to see you go through this again.’

I watch her go then frown at Dante. He lifts his eyebrows. ‘What? Do you think I’m going to let you do this alone? I might not be able to act but at least I can offer some moral support. Budge up.’

‘I have to sleep. Not…’

‘Hush,’ he says, lying down beside me. ‘Spoon.’

‘Huh?’

He gently manoeuvres me onto my side and lies against my back, one arm loosely round my waist. ‘Just sleep,’ he whispers.

I’m convinced that there’s no way I’ll drift off when I’m so aware of his body but he regulates his breathing, encouraging me to relax. I sink against him and close my eyes once more. The bed is narrow and there’s no space to pull away so I might as well deal with it. Something about having him wrapped round me makes me feel safe.