The Keeping(153)

“Well, well, well. What do we have here? Why, it’s my runaway werewolf bitch. Very naughty of you to try to escape me. Where’s Taylor? Hiding in the tunnel behind you?”

“No! Um, I mean he was behind me for a while, but...” Ryne could almost hear Melody’s mind sorting through various scenarios that might explain his absence. Keeping his ears tuned to what was going on outside, he slowly began to move deeper back into the pipe.

“Speak up girl? Where is he?”

“Well, he started to follow me, but he’s scared of small dark tunnels and rats so he went back.”

Ryne bit back an oath. He was not afraid of the dark! Still, it was quick thinking on her part.

“You won’t mind if I check out your story will you?” There was definitely doubt in Aldrich’s voice.

Ryne heard footsteps approaching and scooted even farther back into the pipe. A sliver of light played off the walls, but didn’t reach where he was. Aldrich must have had a small flashlight with him, perhaps the type that also served as a keychain given the fact it wasn’t very powerful.

“See? I told you he was too chicken to follow me.” Ryne could just picture the smug look on Melody’s face.

Aldrich’s laugh was tinged with derision. “I should have known. Those artsy types are usually nothing but insipid weaklings. Never mind, I locked the door of the safe house so he can’t get out that way. I’ll finish him off later.”

Melody spoke again. “Listen, Mr. Aldrich, I don’t have your stupid report with me, but if you let me go back home, I can print a copy for you.”

“Even if I still wanted the report, it wouldn’t be a wise move. I imagine the area is cordoned off as a crime scene by now.”

“Crime scene? What do you mean?”

“Didn’t I tell you? Your friend—I believe she said her name was Lucy—surprised me when I went to your apartment. Unfortunately for her, I have very quick reflexes. When I left, she was next thing to dead, lying in a pool of her own blood.”

“No!” The pain in Mel’s voice was undeniable.

Ryne had to steel himself not to rush out and comfort Melody. He hadn’t told her about the waitress, wanting to spare her the grief for as long as possible. Damn Aldrich! The fucking bastard sounded almost happy to share the news with Melody. Maybe it was even a strategy on his part, delivering bad news just to unnerve her so that she’d be too shocked to think. Soundlessly, Ryne moved closer to the entrance again, trying to assess where Melody was in relation to the lawyer. The man probably had some kind of weapon, so just rushing out might be dangerous. Melody could get hurt and, in her newly transforming state, she probably didn’t have sufficient healing abilities to deal with any kind of serious wound.

“So you see we can’t go back to your apartment. However, the report is of no importance to me now. That was Mr. Greyson’s project. Mine is quite different. You, my dear, are what I’m after.”

“Me? Why?” From his new location, Ryne could just make out Melody’s shocked profile.

“Aldrich!” Another voice entered the mix. It sounded winded, as if that person had been hurrying. Ryne had to restrain himself from poking his head out to see who had arrived.

“Mr. Greyson, sir. I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Dammit, Aldrich! Have you gone mad? I gave you orders that no one was to be here and now I find you traipsing all over my property! I’ve killed people for less and you damned well know it. Now what are you up to? And... That’s Ms. Greene isn’t it? Why the hell is she in the middle of the woods with you?”

“I—” It seemed Aldrich was about to explain when Greyson interrupted him.

“Don’t give me any of your bull crap, Leon. I’ll deal with you later.” Greyson’s tone softened when he spoke next. “Ms. Greene, I’m happy to finally meet you in person. I take it you have my report on Taylor?”

“Not really, Mr. Greyson. You see—”

This time it was Aldrich who interrupted. “Both of you shut up. Greyson, stay where you are—she’s mine. I don’t know what your plans were for her, but she’s going to make me a very rich man.”

Obviously unused to such disrespect, Greyson blew up at the lawyer. “How dare you speak to me like that? If you’re not careful, I’ll have you terminated, just like your predecessor. Now, put that damned gun away and watch your impudence. And what do you mean rich? You told me she was basically penniless!”

There was a certain quality of delight in Aldrich’s voice. “So you really don’t know? Curious. Who would have believed a coincidence like this would occur? She’s a werewolf, you old fool. The first damned werewolf ever captured.”