Night Walker (19 page)

Edie! She smiled and nodded as she reached for the phone. Edie would help her without asking too many questions.

142 LISA KESSLER

And after a quick call, she had it all arranged. Edie would stop by Kate’s parents’ house to pick up her clothes for her and then meet her up in La Jolla at Calisto’s to take her back to pick up her car. It was going to work out perfectly.

Then she heard the doorbell ring.

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Chapter Seventeen

The slut never came home.

Father Mentigo left her house late last night and returned this morning right before sunrise, but her car was already gone. Kate never came home.

He wasn’t sure why he felt betrayed by her actions, but it didn’t really matter. It was her fault. Her doing. She would pay penance for her lust in due time. He would see to that. They would both be punished.

Severely.

Father Mentigo cranked the wheel to drive away when a white midsize sedan caught his eye. It pulled into Kate’s driveway and stopped. Yanking his binoculars from their case, he watched a blonde woman with a ponytail get out of her car and hurry to the front door.

She plucked a red square-shaped rock from the flowerbed to the right of the main entry, turned it over, and slid a hidden key from the back.

Father Mentigo observed her every move, noting the exact location she returned the rock with the key hidden safely inside. His heart thumped with anticipation. He waited for the blonde woman to leave.

He would have a key to come and go as he pleased. Perfect.

144 LISA KESSLER

After what seemed like an eternity, the blonde finally reappeared, locking the door and pulling it shut. She had a backpack hooked over her shoulder, and an overnight bag in her hand, leaving him to wonder if she might be picking up Kate’s things.

The white sedan drove away, and he stowed his binoculars back in their case. Dressed in his plain khaki shorts and matching button-up shirt, Father Mentigo made his way down her driveway. Picking up the red rock, he turned it over and slipped the key into his pocket.

Kate could return at anytime. He had to work fast.

Within the hour, he returned, parking his car across the street, and walked down her driveway. Replacing the key inside the red rock, he put it back into the flowerbed, leaving no clue he had ever been there.

He glanced over his shoulder before removing a second key from his pocket and sliding it into the lock. Relaxation filled him the moment he was safely inside of her house.

It was done. He had access to her whenever he desired,
if
she ever came home.

Patience
, he reminded himself. He plotted for a chance at eternity.

Nothing could be rushed.

Her scent lingered amidst her few possessions. He poked through some of the opened boxes, caressing the soft fabrics that touched her skin. Soon he would touch her skin, her soft throat.

The woman with the moon in her eyes would understand the value of immortality. In the end, she would understand why he had to hurt her. She probably wouldn’t forgive him, but he wasn’t seeking forgiveness.

He wanted victory. After surviving an abusive father, a suicidal mother, and the constant fear of not enough food or a place to sleep, he stood on the threshold of the ultimate victory. He would never feel death’s sting. He would never feel fear or hunger or pain again.

And he would love Kate Bradley forever for sacrificing her life to help him achieve his goal. Her blood was a small price to pay for the prize he stood to gain.

A twisted smile curled his lips, as Father Mentigo imagined the scene. She would be a beautiful sacrificial lamb. A perfect tribute to
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the God he would soon become.

But right now he had another package to deliver to the Night Walker.

He would meet Kate face to face soon enough. He could hardly wait.

§

Kate balanced on her toes to look through the peephole in Calisto’s door, cringing when she saw Betty outside, reaching to ring the bell again.

Crap!
She looked down at her robe.

“Calisto?” Betty called after the second doorbell chime. “I’m going to assume you’re not home and use my key.” The knob turned. Kate had nowhere to hide. She hoped she wouldn’t look too much like a deer caught in headlights when Betty walked through the door. She smoothed the robe into place and lifted her chin. When the door swung open, sunlight framed Betty in her impeccable dark blue business suit and stylish heels.

“Kate?” Betty frowned. “You scared me. I didn’t think anyone was... ”

Her voice trailed off as her cold gaze took in Kate’s ensemble.

The disapproval in her eyes was painfully obvious. “What exactly are
you
doing here? Didn’t you go back to Reno?”

“I did.” Kate nodded with a forced smile, pulling her robe a little tighter and wishing she’d at least found a brush for her hair. “But I decided to come back here for a while.”

“So I see.” Betty walked past her without a second glance.

“Where is Calisto?”

“I don’t know.” Kate turned around to follow her into the living room area. “He left me a note saying he had business all day today.”

“A note. I get a lot of those from him myself.” Betty spun around to face her so quickly that Kate nearly flinched with surprise.

“So what exactly is going on here? Last time we met, you mentioned something about a job back home. But that probably doesn’t matter to a woman like you.”

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Kate wanted to scream, but she didn’t. The cool, controlled tone of Betty’s voice and the way her tight ponytail made her eyes look like slits reminded Kate of a venomous viper, coiled and ready to strike.

Attempting to defuse the situation, she said, “I was mugged last night, and Calisto helped me. He let me spend the night. I’m expecting my friend here any minute with my clothes. She’ll take me to pick up my car.”

“Oh isn’t that sweet,” she said with a sarcastic grin that made Kate sick to her stomach all over again. “Is Calisto aware that his

‘damsel in distress’ has invited her friends to party in his house while he’s away?”

Kate clenched her fists and counted to ten. Betty went into Calisto’s office. What a pill.

“I said
a
friend was coming. That’s hardly a party.” Kate followed Betty. “We won’t be staying anyway. As I said, she’s taking me to pick up my car.”

Betty settled into Calisto’s leather chair as if it were her own and glanced up from her paperwork. “And will you be coming back?”

“That’s not really any of your business.” Betty glared, aiming her pen like a weapon at Kate’s chest. “Oh, but it is. Calisto is a bit eccentric and a lot reclusive. He hasn’t had as much experience with gold diggers as I have. I can smell them from a mile away. As the director, it’s my job to keep his assets secure.” Kate had a feeling Betty was more concerned with Calisto’s ass

than his assets. She turned to leave. “I really don’t care what you think, Betty. Calisto’s a grown man, and I’m sure he’s more than capable of taking care of himself.”

Kate didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, she walked away from further confrontation and prayed Edie would drive up soon. She’d feel more prepared for a verbal jousting match when she had clothes on.

Kate went upstairs and made the bed while she waited. Anything to keep busy and not have to cross paths with Betty again. Finally, she heard a car drive up and went downstairs to open the door before
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Edie could ring the bell.

“Oh my God, this house is gorgeous!”

“Hurry.” Kate tugged Edie inside and closed the door behind her.

She made a beeline for the stairs, but unfortunately she wasn’t fast enough.

“And this would be your friend?”

Kate and Edie turned to find Betty standing tall in the hallway with her arms crossed and wearing a judgmental glare.

Kate sighed. “Yes it is. I didn’t want to interrupt your work by bringing her in to—”

“You’ve already interrupted,” Betty said, stepping forward and offering her hand. “I’m Betty Parker, the Director of Foundation Arts.”

Edie took her hand with a tentative smile. “Nice to meet you. I’m Edna Banks, but my friends call me Edie.” Betty shook her hand with a curt smile. “Then I’ll call you Edna.

Please don’t touch anything, and be sure not to give out this address.

Mr. Terana treasures his privacy. I’m sure you understand.” Edie withdrew her hand with a nod and quietly watched Betty disappear down the hall and into the office.

“Wow. She’s not very friendly is she?” Kate chuckled, heading up the stairs with Edie. “That’s a nice way of putting it.”

“What’s her problem?”

“She’s bent out of shape about finding me here in Calisto’s robe.” Edie grinned and handed her the backpack of clothes. “Oh I see...

She’s jealous!”

Kate took the backpack and slipped out of the robe with a shrug.

“Probably, but I can’t say for sure. She thinks I’m after Calisto’s money, and as much as I’d like to smack her for saying that about me, more than likely there are quite a few women out there who
are
after his checkbook. She’s probably just doing her job.”

“She’s really good at it.” Edie shuddered.

Kate laughed as she tugged her jeans up over her hips. “Thanks for bringing my clothes. I really appreciate it.” 148 LISA KESSLER

“No problem. I was hoping I might catch a glimpse of him.” Edie walked to the window and whistled low.

“Him?”

“Your Prince Charming.” Edie winked at Kate, then returned to the view.

Kate pulled on the t-shirt. “Unfortunately he left before I woke up, but he left me this.” She handed Edie the blossom and the note, watching her friend intently as she read his words.

Edie clutched the note to her chest. “Oh, Kate! He sounds wonderful!”

“He is. I still don’t know him that well, but... ”

“But what?” Edie grinned.

“Don’t tell Lori or she’ll kill me, but I might be falling in love with him.”

Edie squealed and hugged her tight. Kate grinned. She’d made the right choice calling her. Edie was happy because Kate was happy, no questions asked, and right now that was exactly what Kate needed.

Because right now, she had plenty of questions of her own and not nearly enough answers.

§

Betty tried to lose herself in her work. She usually enjoyed sitting at Calisto’s desk. Knowing she was the only person in the world he trusted to use his things... But she wasn’t the only one anymore.

The pencil lead snapped.

“Dammit!” She cursed under her breath, jamming the tip into the electric sharpener on the corner of the desk.

It was the fourth time she’d broken it since she found Kate in that goddamned bathrobe. What else had she touched? How could Calisto have trusted her and left her alone in his house while he was away on business? Kate was practically a stranger. He’d never been so trusting of anyone before. Betty waited a year for him to present her with her own key to his house.

Yet Kate was already in his bathrobe.

She couldn’t stand it. How could he have fallen for her little damsel in distress act? God, it was the oldest trick in the book.
Oh
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please, someone help me... Oh I’m too scared to be alone...

She wanted to vomit.

The pencil lead snapped. Again.

“Shit!” She slammed the weak-leaded piece of crap into the wastebasket. Reaching for a new pencil, she heard a knock at the door.

She got up to answer it with a frown. Kate and her little friend left about twenty minutes ago. They couldn’t be back already. With any luck, maybe they wouldn’t come back at all.

She left the security chain latched and carefully opened the door.

“Can I help you?”

“I hope so. I have a package here for a... Calisto Terana?” The man reminded her of one of the homeless guys in Ocean Beach with his wiry beard, but he spoke with an accent that sounded more like Nebraska than San Diego. His brown uniform looked familiar, though, and he wore designer sunglasses.

“I can sign for that. Hold on.” Betty closed the door and unhooked the security chain before opening the door again.

He handed her a clipboard to sign as he glanced around. “This is a beautiful house.”

Betty gave him her professionally aloof smile and handed his clipboard back. “I’m sure Mr. Terana will be glad to hear that you thought so.”

She waited impatiently for the courier to give her the small brown package, but her impatience gave way to unease when she realized he was no longer checking her signature. Instead, he seemed to stare at her.

“It appears that Mr. Terana is fond of many beautiful things.” His dark beard made his teeth look whiter than normal. Almost predatory. A chill slid down her spine. Maybe it was his wiry beard, or the way his sunglasses hid his eyes from view, but now he looked like a wild animal, lying in wait for his prey to come close enough for him to pounce.

Dismissing her irrational fear, she ignored his comment, cleared her throat, and held out her hand. “I’m sorry, we’re very busy now.

150 LISA KESSLER

Can I have the package?”

“We?” He peered around. “Is Mr. Terana inside?”

“That’s really none of your business,” she said, using her practiced, professional demeanor to cover her sudden wave of dread.

“Give me the package before I call your supervisor.” He chuckled and leaned against the doorframe. “You would have a hard time reaching my supervisor. I work for a much higher power than you could imagine.”

His words chilled her. When he offered the package, she snatched it from his hand and slammed the door closed, quickly locking it and sliding the security chain back in place. She leaned against the door for a moment to collect her herself. What a creepy courier.

Something about him, the way he’d looked at her, the way he tried to determine if she was alone, terrified her. She would definitely lodge a complaint to...