Dark Salvation Read online

  She nodded and made a few more notes. She should get back on the road and finish the drive up to Flagstaff, but it was heaven finally to be sitting down. She blinked, trying to keep her eyes from drifting shut. As soon as her feet stopped hurting, she'd leave. She could sleep when she got to a hotel.

  Someone knocked on the door, and Lacroix jumped up to answer it. She thought she saw Dr. Chen outside. The two men whispered intently for a moment, then the researcher nodded and hurried away. Lacroix closed the door and turned to her with a smile.

  "That was Dr. Chen. He's gotten some very encouraging preliminary results."

  "Congratulations." Was that what you said to good research results? It was a good, all purpose comment. She couldn't focus her thoughts. Her mind felt full of taffy. Or maybe caramel.

  "Would you consider staying on a few days to assist him with his research? It's a chance to add a human side to your story."

  She stared at his smile, a gleaming, almost predatory smile that suddenly seemed no more sincere than a politician's declarations of honesty, and snapped wide awake. He waited for her answer, his eyes glittering fever-bright with excitement. And something else. Something dark and ruthless hid in the shadows behind his smile.

  In a sudden flash of clarity, she knew that if she stayed, she'd learn his secret. But she wasn't sure that she wanted to know. The price of discovery might be more than she could pay.

  She forced her voice to remain light as she lied, "Thanks for the offer, but I'm on a busy schedule. I have two other interviews scheduled tomorrow."

  His smile faded.

  "Those interviews will have to be postponed. Dr. Chen's research is too important for you not to help him."

  "What could I do? Does he need a journalist to document his results?"

  "You can help him the way you did earlier today."

  "As a lab rat?"

  "As a valued part of a scientific research effort."

  This couldn't be happening. She snatched up her notebook and stood up on shaky legs. Taking a deep breath, she announced, "I'm leaving now. And you can't stop me."

  He frowned, his features darkening, and she thought her heart would burst through her chest with the adrenaline flooding her veins. Then he stepped away from the door and smiled like a perfect host. The sudden transition rooted her to the floor in fear, expecting him to transform into some terrifying creature from the horror movies as soon as she moved.

  "I'm sorry. My enthusiasm got the better of me. I naturally assumed you were as interested in the Institute's work as I am. Of course you are free to go."

  She stared at him, not trusting the truth of his words. Then she gave herself a brisk mental shake. Exhaustion and her failure to discover Lacroix's secret had set her on edge, and she was letting her overactive imagination get away from her.

  She walked past him, through the foyer to the elevator. He followed her, not making a sound. The whir and clank of the elevator rising in response to her summons echoed in the sudden silence. With a musical chime, it ground to a halt and the doors slid open.

  "Thank you for the interview, and the tour."

  He clasped her hand in a firm handshake, but did not let go as he said, "It was my pleasure. And my offer still stands. Any time you're in the area, feel free to stop by and help Dr. Chen with his research."

  "I'll remember that." She pulled her hand free and stepped into the elevator. The doors slid closed, shielding her from his haunting green gaze. Fanning herself with her notebook, Rebecca cursed the too hot elevator and stabbed the parking garage button.

  The elevator lurched and began its downward trip, reminding her of the underground garage Lacroix had failed to mention. Now that she'd met the man, she was sure he'd omitted that detail on purpose, hoping to throw her off balance. It hadn't worked, but he hadn't needed it to. The man himself was enough to unbalance her normal good sense.

  A musical chime and another lurch signaled her arrival at the parking level. The doors opened on the deserted visitors' lot, her rental car the lone sign of life. She'd drive through the employees' lot on her way out and see if there were any cars parked there. She wouldn't put it past Lacroix to bus his people in. From a walled city where they weren't allowed to talk to strangers.

  She smiled at the image, but admitted that her nervousness at being underground was making her silly. It would be best just to get in the car and get out of here, into the safe sunshine of a hot Arizona afternoon.

  Clutching her car keys, she stalked through the glass doors of the elevator bay to her waiting white Taurus. She fumbled with the unfamiliar lock, then wrenched open the door and threw her pad and pen onto the front seat. She jammed the keys into the ignition. Putting all of her frustrations into a savage twist, she turned the key all the way to the right.

  Click.

  She was already reaching for the gear shift before she realized that the engine was not purring in quiet contentment. It wasn't even coughing or sputtering. It hadn't made any noise after that one, lonely click.

  Just what she needed. She couldn't even get a car to cooperate with her.

  Gripping the wheel, Rebecca took a deep breath and turned the ignition back to off. She depressed the accelerator a few times, knowing some cars needed that to get the gas flowing, and turned the key again.

  Click.

  Nothing. But it had been working perfectly when she arrived at the Institute!

  She leaned back, staring at the unfamiliar dashboard, searching for an explanation. Then she noticed the stalk on the side of the steering wheel, and the indicator pointing to the icon for headlights. She must have brushed against it when she got out of the car this morning. Of course no one had come through the lot and seen her lights on. Who knew how long she'd have to wait before someone came by to help her.

  Trapped underground. Waiting and waiting for help that never came, as it grew darker and colder, and the rain made the soft sides of the cave start to crumble.

  She shook off the memory. She wasn't trapped.

  She climbed out of the useless car, slamming the door in disgust. Then she kicked the tire for good measure.

  "Ow!" Hopping awkwardly in one dress pump, she winced and hoped she hadn't done something truly stupid like breaking her toe. She'd forgotten she was wearing interview clothes, and not her good, serviceable sneakers. Nothing was going her way today.

  She limped back to the elevator, leaning heavily against the wall for the ride up. The elevator chimed as the doors slid open. Lacroix turned back from the entrance into the Institute proper, meeting her as she hobbled into the foyer. Cheeks blazing with chagrin, she tried not to look like a flamingo as she balanced on one foot.

  "Did you forget something?" His eyes widened, and he hurried to her side. "What happened?"

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her to one of the tiny marble benches. His arm remained long after the need to steady her had passed, and she wondered if his concern was for her safety or a possible lawsuit against the Institute.

  "My car wouldn't start," she said, reluctantly easing out of his embrace.

  He lifted an eyebrow and gazed pointedly at her foot.

  "So I kicked it," she admitted.

  His lips twitched, not quite smiling. "I trust you showed it who was in charge."

  She shrugged. "Not that it did any good. I accidentally left the lights on and drained the battery. Can I get a jump start?"

  "Does your car have jumper cables?"

  "No. It's a rental."

  "Ah. That could be a problem. There are jumper cables in the Institute's truck, of course. But Evan took it to run an errand, and won't be back for some time."

  Rebecca frowned. "Surely someone else has a set. One of the researchers?"

  "Perhaps. It might be faster to simply get a new car."

  "I need to call the rental company, then." She wondered if she'd have to pay extra for the second car, and if so, how much. This trip was rapidly turning into a financial disaster.
/>   Lacroix snared her attention again. "We're a long way from Phoenix. Even if they have offices in Prescott, it will be at least half an hour before they can get a car here. You can rest and put your foot up in the visitor's suite, and I'll make the arrangements with the rental company. Where are the keys?"

  She patted the pockets of her suit coat and skirt. "I must have left them in the car."

  He smiled. "Don't worry about it. They'll be safe there."

  "You really don't have to go to so much trouble."

  "You were here at my invitation. I feel responsible for you."

  He helped her stand. After confirming she was able to walk, he preceded her to the double doors leading into the Institute. The lock buzzed, and he held the door for her.

  "Maybe I should unroll a ball of string," she joked. "The one thing I learned during my tour was that all these corridors look alike."

  He chuckled. "It's not too far."

  They walked on in companionable silence. He turned down a narrow corridor she didn't remember, around a corner, and then the white-tiled hallways gave way to black-veined marble floors, stuccoed gray walls and recessed lighting.

  She hadn't seen this in her tour. Curiosity overwhelmed the lingering throbbing in her foot. What else hadn't he shown her?

  Lacroix's voice broke into her thoughts. "They may not be able to get a car up here until tomorrow. Did you bring your suitcase with you?"

  A trace of her earlier fear resurrected itself. "I'm sure one of the researchers can give me a ride into town."

  "Of course. Or I could drive you. But you won't be getting all the way back to Phoenix tonight. I was just concerned that you might have left all of your things back in your hotel."

  "Oh." She blushed, feeling foolish. She was normally a good judge of character, but today she was jumping at shadows. Maybe residual fear from her earlier panic attacks was clouding her reason. But Lacroix seemed able to keep her off balance with nothing more than a glance or a word.

  Rebecca shook her head. "My bag is in the car. I was planning to get a room up in Flagstaff tonight."

  "Is that where your interviews are?"

  "What?" Too late, she remembered the lie she'd told earlier. "Yes. Yes, my interviews are in Flagstaff."

  He opened a door to their right with his keycard, and gestured her through. Recalling the lab she'd been trapped in during the tour, she hung back.

  "I don't have one of those cards. What if I need to— "

  "There are extras in the guest suite. I didn't anticipate you'd need a card or I would have brought one for you."

  Not entirely convinced, but lacking a reason to resist, she walked through the door. It led into an L-shaped corridor, with a small park-like gathering of potted trees, ferns and benches at the corner. The glowing skylights above the plants reassured her, and she cheerfully followed him through the second door past the bend, into the living room of a generous suite.

  White wicker furniture with ivy-print cushions clustered around a low coffee table. She sank gratefully onto the couch and kicked off her pumps, tucking her feet up under her.

  "There are snacks in the cupboard and beverages in the refrigerator," Lacroix told her, pointing toward the low wall separating the living room from the kitchenette. Then he pointed toward the archway in the opposite wall. "The bath and bedroom are through there, so you can freshen up or take a nap."

  "Thanks, but hopefully they'll be able to send a car right away."

  She glanced around the room, but couldn't see the phone. She made a more careful perusal, finding a stained glass window, bookshelves with a TV and a VCR, a small breakfast table and two chairs. But no telephone.

  "If they can't send a car until tomorrow, it would make more sense for you to stay here, rather than going south to Prescott, then turning around and heading north tomorrow. You'd only be retracing your steps."

  She tried to keep her voice casual, and laced her fingers together so her hands wouldn't tremble. "I suppose you're going to suggest that as long as I'm here, I could help Dr. Chen with his research, right?"

  "It would give you something to do."

  "Where's the phone?"

  "The guest suite doesn't have one. Unfortunately, we had a problem with visitors making long distance calls."

  She stood up, shoving her feet back into her shoes. They pinched. "Then let's go where we can make the call."

  He didn't move. "Why are you so set against helping Dr. Chen?"

  "Why are you so determined to make me help him?"

  He paused, then rose from his seat. For a moment, she thought he wasn't going to answer. Then he asked, "What would you say if I told you my daughter was dying, and we need your help to save her?"

  "I'd say that seems like an unbelievable coincidence. What's your real reason? I found something, didn't I? I was getting too close, and you're afraid I'll spill the beans in my article. That's why you're making up this elaborate ruse."

  He glared at her, his eyes glittering a dangerous emerald, but he didn't deny it. Ice formed around her heart as she realized the magnitude of her idiocy.

  "I didn't leave my lights on, did I? You did something to my car so it wouldn't start, so I couldn't leave. That's probably what you were talking to that goon about. I'd have to be crazy to let one of your people anywhere near me with a needle. Heaven only knows what might be in it."

  She remembered the lounge, and the glass of water she'd gulped so eagerly. The glass of water he'd poured for himself but hadn't touched. That's when she'd started having trouble thinking clearly. The lying cheat had drugged her!

  "Are you quite finished?" His voice remained soft, but his pale hands gripped the back of the chair so tightly, his knuckles matched the white wicker.

  "I haven't even started! I saw the way those researchers were scared stiff of you. You think you're so high and mighty, the ruler of your own little kingdom here. Well, it's not the middle ages. I don't care who you are, you can't keep somebody locked up against their will. Take me into Prescott now, or— "

  "You're staying here. I'll just have to make sure it's not against your will."

  "You probably don't even have a daughter."

  Something sparked in the depths of his eyes, warning her she'd gone too far. He stepped around the chair. Rebecca dodged the other way and raced for the open door.

  He reached past her and stiff-armed it shut, slamming it closed and pinning her face first to the cold steel door. Her heart beat wildly, the blood pounding in her ears.

  "Let me go!" She shoved against the door. Lacroix grabbed her wrists, pulling her arms behind her back. She kicked backwards. Her injured foot betrayed her, and she pitched forward, slamming her cheek into the door. He took advantage of her unbalance and pressed up against her, using his weight to trap her against the door so that she couldn't move.

  Heat radiated from the hard wall of his chest that crushed her against the door with each of his rapid breaths. As if to counter his excess heat, her pinioned hands turned cold, and her breath caught in her throat. She was no match for his size and strength. No one would hear her if she screamed. He could do anything, and she couldn't stop him.

  "I do have a daughter," he whispered, his fingers tightening painfully around Rebecca's wrists. "Since her mother died, she means everything to me. But she's dying. I've thrown everything the Institute has into the search for her cure, and I'm barely able to slow the progression of her disease. Now you offer me the first ray of hope in three years."

  He leaned his forehead against the door so that Rebecca looked into his glittering green eyes. "I didn't want it to be like this. I was hoping you'd volunteer. But I have no choice. My daughter's life depends on it."

  She stared, captivated by the shimmering emerald reflections in his eyes, a thousand points of faerie fire that danced and leaped in strange, hypnotic patterns. She could stare into his eyes for hours.

  The fear and tension melted out of her, drowned in a wave of warmth that began and ended with t
he man before her. Everything would be all right, if she just let him have his way.

  "No," she whispered. "I don't believe you."

  "Believe me. Trust me."

  He eased away from her, no longer crushing her against the door, but she forgot why that was important. Her pulse sped up. It was important. She struggled to release the memory of why.

  Lacroix turned her so that she faced him, tipping her head so that she looked directly into his eyes. He slid his hands down her arms to capture her hands, and she remembered his gentleness as he comforted her after her panic attack. She had nothing to fear from him. Sighing, she relaxed into the warmth.

  He stepped back, pulling on her clasped hands, and she glided after him like a sleepwalker. He led her to the couch, sat her down, then took his place beside her. The whole time, she stared, transfixed, into the swirling splendor of his eyes. The secret she was searching for was hidden in those eyes. All she had to do was look. Look.

  "That's right," he whispered. "You wanted to find my secret. Discover what I was hiding. I was hiding my daughter. Help her, and you'll find the secret you were looking for."

  "Secret daughter."

  "You do want to help her, don't you?" His voice shifted away from soothing caramel sweetness, picking up a hint of insecurity.

  Rebecca blinked. How had she gotten to the couch, with her hands tucked inside Desmond's and clasped close to his heart?

  "You do want to help my daughter, don't you?" he asked again.

  "Of course I do," she heard herself saying. Then she added, "But I can't."

  He stiffened. "Why not?"

  "I can't. Got to stay independent."

  A strange warmth curled through her muscles and bones, as if she'd fallen asleep in a sauna and baked all of the tension out of them. She wanted to curl up against him and sleep. But there was a reason she couldn't do that. She had to fight. Only she couldn't remember what the fight was about.

  She stared at him, dazed, unsure of when he'd spread her clasped hands against his chest. His heartbeat pulsed against her palms, and the rhythm echoed through her body.

  "What are you afraid of, Rebecca?" he whispered.