Keepers of the Cave (28 page)

What the fuck was that?

“CJ?”

She jumped and let out a scream, her eyes wide. She caught her breath, embarrassed now.

“What’s wrong?” Paige asked.

CJ turned back to the window, pointing. “I saw something. Something I’m not sure I can even describe.”

Paige tilted her head. “And it scared you? Because you screamed like a girl.”

CJ laughed. “Yeah, well, a little.”

Paige came closer, linking their arms together and they both stared out into the dark night. Another flash of lightning illuminated the woods but there was no sign of...
it.

“I couldn’t sleep,” CJ said. “The storm. So I came out here to watch it. This...this thing was over by the edge of Fiona’s house. It was an animal of some sort, I guess. Four legs. But it was
standing
on its hind legs.” She turned to Paige. “It was like it knew I was watching. I swear, it turned and looked right at me. Then it took off running on all four legs, back into the woods.”

“What do you think it was?” Paige asked quietly.

“I have no idea. But whatever it was, I’d guess it’s the thing that we hear screaming at night.”

“And it wasn’t a black panther?”

“No. It was too big. When it was standing on its hind legs, I’d say it was eight or nine feet tall.”

Paige looked at her skeptically. “You’re sure?”

CJ stared at the spot where it was, trying to picture it again. Granted, she had only seen it for a few seconds, but the image was ingrained in her mind. “Yes,” she said. “I’m sure.”

And off in the distance, the eerie scream was heard, loud enough so that even the rumble of thunder couldn’t cover it up. Paige leaned in closer to her, her fingers digging into CJ’s arm.

***

Fiona jerked awake, her eyes wide. She was surprised to find herself in her bed. She lay back down, blinking her eyes several times.

Only a dream.

But a vivid one, for sure. She’d been running. Fast. In the tunnels. And...something was chasing her. She rolled her head to the side, seeing the remnants of the storm flashing behind her closed blinds. A gentle roll of thunder, then there it was, the haunting scream from deep in the woods. No one talked about it. Not even her own mother. But they all knew what it was and where it lived. Mother Hogan assured them that they were safe, but still, Fiona made it a point not to be outside late at night. More than a couple of the flock had turned up missing over the years. She wondered if that wasn’t one of the reasons the tunnels were built, so that they could move about without fear—fear of the outsiders and fear of
it
. Funny, since the tunnels linked to the chamber anyway.

A sharp pain in her gut made her gasp, and she pressed her hand firmly against her side, willing the ache to go away. When it subsided, she reached for the bottle of pills Don had left. She’d only taken a half of one at bedtime. She took the other half now, swallowing it down with the water she’d left on the table.

She rolled away from the window, eyes blinking slowly, waiting for the drug to take hold. She felt herself growing drowsy, her eyelids heavy. She was surprised to feel a tear running down her cheek. She wiped it away impatiently. It would do no good to allow her heartache and sorrow to escalate. It was too late for that.

There was only one way out of this nightmare. Fiona only hoped she was strong enough.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Paige eyed the legs that were swinging back and forth beside her. CJ was perched nonchalantly on the counter, an unopened bottle of wine between her thighs. She turned the sauce down to a simmer, finally stilling CJ’s legs.

“You must know you’re breaking all sorts of rules by sitting on the counter.”

CJ laughed. “Driving you crazy, Miss OCD?” She hopped down, the bottle of wine forgotten as CJ reached for her, tickling her sides with both hands as Paige slapped at them.

“God, will you stop,” she said, laughing, trying to get away.

“You should have never told me you were ticklish.”

Paige grabbed the wine bottle and shoved it into CJ’s hands. “Do something useful, please.”

“Okay,
dear
. I don’t want to come between you and your wine.” She resumed her spot on the counter, the wine bottle again secured between her legs as she twisted the corkscrew.

Paige felt an unexpected wave of affection come over her at the sight. She enjoyed CJ’s company immensely, yet they were nearly complete opposites.

“I don’t know why I like you so much,” she said, giving voice to her thoughts. “You are so not my type.”

CJ looked up, a smile playing on her lips. “Baby, I’m exactly your type. You’ve been such a good girl all your life, I think you like a little
bad
.” CJ met her eyes, her playfulness vanishing. “That’s why I like you. I need some good in my life.”

“I don’t know why you’re so convinced I’m good,” she said. She took the wine from CJ and set it aside, standing between her legs. “What’s wrong?”

CJ shook her head. “Nothing really. It’s just, you’re right. I’m not your type.”

Paige frowned, puzzled by the change in her tone. She linked their fingers together tightly. “Talk to me. What’s bothering you?”

CJ shrugged. “It’s just...if we didn’t work together, if we’d just met somewhere, you wouldn’t give me the time of day. Because I’m not—”

Paige put a finger to CJ’s lips stopping her.
I’m not
g
ood enough.
She hated that CJ felt that way, but obviously her childhood, her upbringing, had a profound effect on her. But she wanted to be truthful with her.

“You’re probably right, CJ. If we’d met on the street, at a party, I probably wouldn’t have thought twice about you, about getting to know you,” she said. “But that’s not how we met. I do know you. I know the passion you have for the job, for the people, the victims. I know how much you love this, how personal it is for you. I know you just want to take care of everybody, yet you don’t take care of yourself. It’s like you don’t think you’re as worthy as everyone else.” She squeezed her hand tighter. “I know all that, CJ. You have more integrity and honor than anyone I know. So don’t say you’re not good enough. You’re better than good enough.”

Their eyes held and Paige could tell that CJ was looking for the truth in hers. She opened herself, letting CJ see all that she needed. CJ finally nodded, a small smile forming.

“So, even with my good looks and charm, you wouldn’t have thought twice about me, huh?”

Paige laughed. “Gee, you’re so modest.”

CJ laughed too, her grin chasing away the last of the somberness that had sprung up. “You know, I’m really glad we stopped all that pretending. The tension was really unbearable.” She poured wine into one of the glasses. “Isn’t this so much better?”

Paige nodded. “I’ll have to agree with you. This is
much
better.” She leaned closer, kissing CJ lightly before taking the wineglass.

CJ’s legs resumed their swinging as Paige lifted the lid on her spaghetti sauce. She poured most of her glass of wine into it, then stirred it. Without her having to ask, CJ dutifully refilled her glass.

“I never used to drink wine much,” CJ said. “I think you’ve got me hooked on it.”

“Well, I try.”

CJ took a sip, looking at her thoughtfully. “You know, that night...”

Paige smiled. “
That
night?”

CJ laughed. “Yeah,
that
night. At the bar. Afterward—even though it was weird for us at work—I kept hoping you’d come back.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. I kept looking for you, hoping I’d see you there again.” She shrugged. “I know, it’s crazy. I mean, seeing as how we didn’t even talk about it. Didn’t even talk at all.”

Paige shook her head. “It’s not crazy. I actually thought about it a time or two. But I didn’t want to make things any more awkward than they already were.”

They were quiet as Paige stirred the sauce, but she felt CJ’s eyes on her. She finally looked at her questioningly.

“You were right, you know,” CJ said. “When you said I didn’t know how to treat women.”

“Oh, no, CJ. I’m sorry.” She put the spoon down, moving to stand between CJ’s legs again. “I didn’t mean that. I was angry. We were having an argument—”

“No. No, you did mean it. And it’s true. I don’t know how.” She shrugged. “I could blame it on the role models I had growing up, but that would just be an excuse,” she said. “Truthfully, I never wanted anyone to know me. I didn’t want there to be anyone I had to tell my story to, you know.” CJ took her hand, her thumb rubbing lightly across it, back and forth. “It was easier to be alone, easier to have those one-night affairs.”

“I’m glad you trusted me enough to tell me, CJ. I think if you had let anyone get close to you and you’d told them your story, I think they would have understood. You were a child. There’s no blame to be placed on you.”

She tugged CJ off of the counter, wrapping her arms around her tightly. She kissed her cheek, moving slowly to her mouth. They pulled apart, their foreheads resting together, eyes closed. She felt her attachment to CJ growing with each kiss, each touch. The fact that CJ trusted her enough to let her vulnerabilities show only served to strengthen the bond that was growing between them. Yes, they were very different. They grew up at opposite ends of the spectrum, their upbringing could not have been more dissimilar. Yet here they were, in each other’s arms, comforting and consoling. Friends and lovers. She tucked her head, burying it at CJ’s neck. Lovers? Yes. But friends? That’s something that she never considered before, not with CJ. Because they were so different. But those differences meant nothing now. She would venture to guess that CJ had no friends. And if she took an honest look at her life, she would have to admit that she had no close friends either. Superficial relationships that meant nothing, really. The people she was closest to, the people she spent time with, the people who actually mattered in her life were Billy, Ice and, yes, CJ. Why had it taken this assignment for her to see that?

She lifted her head, finding CJ’s mouth again. Their kiss was light, soft, neither of them deepening it. She pulled back, seeing CJ’s gaze on her. She smiled quickly, then kissed her again.

“Thank you,” CJ said. “I didn’t mean for our conversation to be so serious.”

“No. I think it’s good that we can talk like this. We should be able to be honest with each other about what we’re thinking.” She took her wineglass and moved away from CJ, going back to her sauce. “I want you to feel like you can talk to me about anything.”

CJ smiled and Paige saw the tension fade from her face. “Okay. Then let’s talk about this meatless sauce you’re making. I’m starving.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

CJ opened the blinds enough to peer out, then closed them again when she saw nothing. She glanced at Paige.

“Did she say what time they’d be over?”

Paige stood at the fridge, staring inside. “She just said after school.”

CJ watched as Paige squatted down, opening the vegetable crisper and shaking her head.

“What’s up?”

Paige stood again and closed the door with a sigh. “I don’t really have anything to offer them. You know, hors d’oeuvre or appetizer.”

CJ laughed. “And this is just...
wrong
?”

Paige put her hands on her hips. “You’re making fun of me?”

“Oh, no,” she said quickly. “I love that you know about hors d’oeuvres and such.”

Paige tilted her head, staring at her. “I’m making too big a deal out of it, aren’t I?”

“I think maybe she just wants us to meet her boyfriend or something, don’t you? I mean, they’ll probably pop over, say hello, then go back to her place.” She shrugged. “Of course, it’s Friday so maybe he’s coming to get her. You know, since she stays in Hoganville over the weekends.”

“I guess you’re right. I am curious though, aren’t you?”

“For completely different reasons, yes.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning you’re looking at Fiona as a friend and you want to meet this person she claims is
special
. I want to see if he’s got horns and a tail and see if he could be a person of interest in this so-called investigation we’re supposed to be doing.”

“Horns and a tail?”

“You know what I mean.” She opened the blinds again, finally seeing Fiona coming out of her house. “Jesus, she’s huge,” she murmured.

“Is she on her way?”

“Yeah. And there’s a normal looking guy with her. No horns. Appears to be about her age, maybe a little older,” CJ said.

“Is he cute?”

CJ laughed. “I’ll let you be the judge of that.”

Paige opened the door at Fiona’s knock, smiling broadly at them. Fiona returned her smile, and CJ could tell the genuine affection both Paige and Fiona shared.

“Come in,” Paige said. “How are you feeling?”

“Honestly? Like my skin is stretched so thin I’m about to burst at any moment.”

“Then I’ll say again, maybe you should see a doctor. A
real
doctor,” she added with a wink. Paige turned to the man standing nervously beside Fiona and held out her hand. “I’m Paige Riley,” she said. “This is CJ Johnston.”

“Don...Don Hogan,” he said.

Although CJ and Paige both knew that everyone took Hogan as their last name—and that Don was the
doctor
in Hoganville—Paige played right along.

“Oh? Are you related?”

Fiona laughed. “We could be.”

CJ walked over, shaking his hand as well. “Nice to meet you.”

“I’m disappointed if you are related,” Paige continued, a smile forming. “I was hoping you’d come to introduce us to your boyfriend.”

Both Fiona and Don sported matching blushes as Paige led them inside and closed the door behind them. Don helped Fiona to sit, and CJ wondered if maybe Paige wasn’t right-on in her assumption.

“Not boyfriend, no,” Fiona said. “But I wanted you both to meet him.” She glanced at Don nervously. “We have...we have something to discuss with you.”

Fiona’s tone was serious and Paige noticed it as well. The role she was playing as hostess disappeared, replaced by the curiosity inherent to their job.