Secrets (23 page)

Walker stiffened. “I'm sure someone did.”

The guy was lying, Casey could tell. He knew someone had reported, he just wanted to find out if this guy had. And Walker had delivered all the telltale signs. “What is the end application? Why is this so hard, Walker?”

The young man wiggled in his seat and looked away. Seconds passed. Finally, he turned a fresh look on Casey. “Mr. Carter wants the lab to produce a particular drug that has the capability to enhance certain attributes.”

“In cats? What attributes?”

It appeared that Walker was now resolved to go all in. Now words tumbled out like a confession. “Not cats. Cats were the first animals we experimented on. It took a while for us to come up with the appropriate drug. The drug enhances innate feline characteristics, such as claws, teeth, and musculature.”

“So bigger and more ferocious than your average house cat.”

“Precisely. We're moving on to a larger feline now.”

Casey nodded his head. “The lynx. Do you have any more lynx in the study?”

“No, just the one.” Walker rolled his head around his shoulders. “But we received a new shipment yesterday, a female. She'll be integrated into the study soon. We started the protocol a week ago for the one you saw. We had to get it squared away with the cats, first. Already he's showing signs of the drug working.”

“So the insulin pump. You're using that as a delivery system. You don't care anything about insulin, right?”

“Right.”

“The insulin pump study is a cover for your real goals, using the digital diary to locate study subjects who carry specific genes and creating angry cats. Why a lynx?”

Again, Walker looked down at his feet.

Casey lunged across the table and grabbed Walker by the neck, just beneath his chin so that he could put pressure on his windpipe. “There's more you're not telling me. Spill!”

Struggling for air, Walker put up his hands and stammered. “I'll show you. Just let me breathe.”

Casey dropped his hand, but pulled at Walker's arm, dragging him to his feet. “Show me.”

Casey marched with Walker into the portion of the lab where the lynx was held, separated from the larger room. He could smell its fear. He looked into the lynx's glassy eyes and saw pain. A yowl threatened to escape his throat, loud and ferocious. He swiveled his head to stare at Walker. “Why a lynx?” he asked again.

“The natural abilities of a lynx, a feline, make it a good candidate for Mr. Carter's plans.” Again, Walker looked down, fidgeting with his fingers.

“Such as?” Casey's patience burned at the low end, nearly running out.

“Lynx are stealthy, powerful, and intelligent. They have keen hearing and eyesight. They're good hunters.”

“Of course, they're wild animals. You still haven't told me the end goal. Is Carter progressing his drug to use in humans?”

Walker stared at the floor.

Casey reined in his anger and surveyed his impressions of the lab area. All very organized and clean. He landed his gaze on Walker, who was fidgety and still hadn't answered his question. “You take pride in your work, don't you Walker?”

Walker perked up. “I do. Or, at least I have.”

“But not so much now, with this particular study.”

Walker turned panicked eyes on Casey, and shook his head.

“Are you new here at this lab, Carter's labs? I'm guessing you love your work, but this work,” Casey motioned to the lynx and the room filled with cats, “is not something you have the heart for.”

“I have obligations to Mr. Carter. And to these animals.” His face dropped.

“I get it. You're worried about the animals and you feel your ‘obligations' to Carter are lifelong and unbreakable. You didn't know that when you got the job. You were new in the field and this job with its pay and benefits fit your needs, so you took it.”

Suddenly Walker got antsy. “What is your interest in me? Aren't you just a lawyer, hired to supervise the legal work for this study?”

“You still think your study is legal? But yes, I'm here to help Carter meet his goal under the facade of a legal drug trial.”

“When the drug is finalized, Carter's plans for production begin. At least that is the plan, once the property down the street is secured and construction of the manufacturing and containment center is completed.”

“Containment of the poor souls who are transformed into who knows what by the drug?” Casey shook his head slowly, the idea of Carter's ambition striking a sour note in his gut. “He's out of his mind.”

“You've got to see the bigger picture to truly understand,” Walker said.

Casey suspected that Walker was feeding him information that could possibly thwart Carter. He studied Walker. “Tell me about the bigger picture. I know Carter is no humanitarian. So what does he want with ferocious half-humans, half-cats?”

“I'm not privy to all information. But … ” Walker drew in a deep breath, then let it out in one puff. “He's building an army.”

As crazy as it sounded it didn't surprise Casey. “The timetable for moving into production and containment depends on the extra space. I see.” Casey shared a gaze with the other lynx. It appeared Walker didn't know this was a were-cat.
I wish Asia were here right now.

And in that moment his plans changed.

“Thank you for providing information about this study, Walker.” He clapped a hand to Walker's shoulder. “If there is anything more, don't hesitate to contact me. Let's exchange cell phone numbers, just in case.”

They walked into the outer lab, Casey determined to be back soon.

“Just a minute,” Walker said, heading toward his office. When he came back out seconds later, he handed Casey a file folder. “Since you're managing this trial from the legal end of it, you should have this. You know, to read later.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “You're right. I'm very concerned about the process and the possible outcome of the study. I … I … I did report the problems. I would like to be a part of interrupting it, but I don't know how to avoid getting killed.”

“I thought so. Thank you.” Casey glanced around, keeping his voice low. “You can be my inside contact. I'll be in touch soon. I can find my way out.”

Casey headed out on the scenic route of the lower level. Guards walked the halls everywhere or sat at locked doors. Finally, he saw a sign for the loading dock and tuned in his senses for Booker. With so many guards and locked doors and video surveillance, he might not have gotten inside the building, and all things considered, that would be fine.

Rounding a corner to yet another hall, Casey caught a whiff of were-cat. Which meant Booker had also detected him. Casey looked up for cameras, but not one was in sight. How odd. He hadn't seen cameras in any of the labs he'd been in so far. Carter probably didn't want any footage that could be used against him. Scary thought.

Booker stepped out from behind an opened door and walked toward Casey. He was wearing a blue lab coat. “Where have you been?” he asked.

“Investigating. I guess you got into the building without a problem. No alarms set off or anything?”

“It was tricky business. There's a lot of activity in the receiving area and guards are everywhere. I grabbed this lab coat from a bunch lying in a laundry cart.” He stood silent for a second, sniffing and listening.

“Thanks for sneaking in. But plans are changed. I probably didn't think things through well enough. I just reacted to the plight of these animals, who are suffering. We need an organized, multi-person approach. Right now, we need to get you out before you're detected and set off red flags for Carter. I'm going to leave out the front door. Any suggestions for your departure?”

Booker grinned, lopsided. “The same way I got in. Don't think about it.”

Casey hid the folder Walker had given him inside his suit coat, tucked into his pants, and made his way upstairs. He had initially intended to visit with Carter, but Walker had given him enough information that he decided to hold off on that visit until he had no other options. Carter's sparring tactics drained him. Better to avoid the bastard if he could.

He walked to his car, gathering strength from the breeze that ruffled his hair and the sun's rays on his face. A longing to talk with Michelle, ease her mind and bring her up to speed fired in his belly. Did he dare chance it?

He drove to the nearest coffee shop and parked. He couldn't chance it. Casey had no doubts that Carter's spies were watching and listening, both him and Michelle.

He sat inside the shop, a small mom and pop he felt offered safety in its anonymity, and ordered coffee. He waited until the waitress set it down in front of him along with a smile and friendly greeting, before he pulled out the contents of the file Walker had given him.

It was a mission statement, specifically outlining Carter Enterprises' role in influencing local money, law enforcement, resources, and politics as a member of The Nexus Group. Casey's heart froze as he read Carter's chilling aspirations. Apart from the group goals of property acquisition, Carter's specific intentions outlined retribution, payback, for Michelle for accusing her rapist.

Casey nearly doubled over with anger and disgust. A ridiculous and insane manifesto, yes. But certainly something the mind of William Carter could produce. He'd even enjoy the whole siege.

It wasn't a fair fight—Carter Enterprises and The Nexus Group against Michelle. Casey gathered up his papers and shoved them into the file, resolve surging through his body. It was time to gather his resources and end this before it got beyond stopping.

• • •

Whatever Casey had meant to her, Michelle realized she couldn't rely on him to help her anymore. In fact, why had she trusted him in the first place? Why had she put her future in his hands? It was her problem, her life, and it was time to take responsibility for her own problems. It was time, past time, if she were honest with herself.

Exhilaration from the morning's two cat adoptions empowered her. She'd passed through hell, and by God she'd survived. Time to triumph, she vowed.

On her way back to the Aegar Investigations office, she called Sterling and asked for help from Ben, Sterling's cop husband. So when she walked into the office she wasn't surprised to see Ben in the sisters' private office. Dressed in his homicide detective suit and tie, Ben looked ready for business.

Both Sterling and Lacey were talking with him when Michelle walked into their office and said hello.

“Two cats on their way to a forever home, Michelle?” Lacey asked.

Michelle took a seat and shot them a small smile. “You bet.”

Ben chirped up. “You don't sound very happy about it. What's up?”

“No, I am happy … about the adoptions. So happy.” A frown took over and she dropped her gaze to stare at the wooden floor. “I saw Casey with William Carter this morning. They were having breakfast together and he looked like he was having fun.”

Lacey released a heavy sigh. “That can't be. I'm sure there's an explanation. You know him better than that, Michelle.”

Michelle lifted her eyes and shook her head. “Do I? There's more. Darrel Dobosky sat right next to him.”

“Michelle, I know Casey very well and those are not his kind of people. You should reserve judgment until you can talk to him.” Ben perched on the edge of Lacey's desk, his brow furrowed.

“Well, at any rate, I'm not waiting around for his help anymore. I need to step up to the plate and deal with Carter. He's threatening me, not Casey.”

Sterling nodded. “So what do you plan to do?”

“I was thinking of soliciting a good detective I know, one I can truly trust, to help me get an order of protection. I guess with Casey helping, and his friends, I thought it would prevent problems with the police, who I expect are smelly with the Carter stink. But not you, of course, Ben.”

“Smart move. I'll go with you to the courthouse and you can apply for a temporary order of protection. The judge will schedule a hearing for another date. But he'll have the order served to Carter.”

Lacey shook her head. “I'm not sure. Carter isn't going to abide by the order, and I'm afraid it will stir up things into something worse.”

Michelle jumped to her feet. “I know. But I'm tired of sitting around waiting for him to make a move, crash into my house, kill my cats, whatever he wants to do. I'm not weak. I want to take action.”

“Okay, let's go to the courthouse,” Ben said.

“Yes, go ahead.” Sterling waved her toward the door. “We'll manage without you.”

“Thank you.” Michelle nodded to both sisters, then followed Ben to the door. He opened it for her, but Michelle stopped short when she saw Casey, his tall and muscled frame filling the doorway.

“Michelle, could I talk to you, privately?” His expression tried for hopeful, but his trepidation went spiraling throughout her limbs.

She lifted her chin. “Ben and I were just leaving to apply for an order of protection. I don't have time to talk right now.” Mixtures of sorrow and longing weighed heavily in her gut, but she could be strong, she told herself.

“An order of protection?” Casey yelled. “You're going to poke the hornet's nest, Michelle.” He leaned against the doorframe, shaking his head.

“Carter's already going after me. While you've been enjoying his company, Carter has been busy, intruding in my life, hurting my friends. I'm going to show him I'm no pushover after all.” Michelle's breaths came fast and furious.

“I asked you to trust me.” His voice dropped low and flat. He stared at the floor for what seemed like endless, tortured moments.

And she let him.

Finally, he raised his head and straightened his stance. “Okay. I understand. But please, before you go, let me fill you and Ben and Sterling and Lacey in on what I've learned. If you still want to go, I won't get in your way.” He rubbed his hand across his mouth, his eyes troubled.