Passionate Immunity (13 page)

The men nodded their following of this logic.

“I think the reason so many different pathogens fill Abigail’s blood is because in a very short space of time she has been exposed to multiple different diseases all in the one hit. The vaccine is supposed to enhance her immune response so that she can fight off all of them simultaneously. Harper, I believe, is trying to effectively make a vaccine to give humans a super immune system, possibly to rid us of sickness altogether.”

“And he’s doing this by using humans as guinea pigs and possibly killing them in the process?” Preston added.

Kimber shrugged, helpless to answer such a question. “It’s possible the others died from coincidence, or genuinely would have died at that time regardless of any vaccine testing. It’s impossible to say. We don’t even know at this stage if the nine people were even aware of what was occurring, let alone a willing party to it. All I can say is that it’s possible overloading their systems in such a manner led to their deaths, but it’s equally possible the two things are not connected.”

“Could Abigail have died in the last day or two, since she saw Dr Harper and he gave her blood test?” Tristan asked.

Lucas shook his head and interjected, “No, the first thing I had the guys check out was the local morgues and the recent death certificates. Abigail Turner has not officially died in the last three days and none of the half-dozen Jane Does who have turned up match the description we have from her medical file.”

“Well, that’s something at least,” Preston replied. “I’m going to put top priority on finding Abigail Turner. What happens to her after she’s found we can figure out when we’ve spoken to her. For now I want her found—preferably safe, alive and in perfect health.”

“I’m already on the guys,” Lucas said. “They’re monitoring her cards, going through her records to find any alternate housing or boyfriends—”

“You might want to try other medical facilities, maybe respite clinics or sanatoriums,” Kimber suggested.

Lucas’ head swivelled to glance at her, his expression unreadable. “What? What are you saying, Kimber?” he snapped.

“Hey!” Tristan retorted sharply.

“Well, she can’t just say shit like that and—”

“She’s worked her arse off on this case and given us every lead we’ve—”

“That doesn’t means she can—”

“Okay, hey!” she shouted over the two men, her anger boiling. “I’m bloody well standing right here and am not some little kid you can argue about in front of as if I don’t have my own damn voice.”

Both men fell silent, though Kimber felt certain it was more from surprise at the tone of her voice and acid in her words than the fact they actually had cooled down one iota. Taking what she could get, she rushed on before they could start up again. “Tristan, I love you, but in this case I’m happy to support my suggestion. Lucas, before you jump down my throat next time, maybe let me explain myself, all right?”

She paused for a moment. Looking at Tristan, she saw him visibly relax. Something inside her unclenched, glad they wouldn’t argue about this later on in private. Turning to glance at Lucas, she caught his nod for her to continue, appearing suitably chastised.

“With everything Abigail has been through recently, it stands to reason that sooner or later when she’s feeling unwell and decides to see a doctor she will go for a second opinion,” Kimber pointed out. “I presume your people are calling Abigail’s friends and family, people whom she might seek shelter or comfort from. She also very well would seek an alternative medical opinion. It’s quite possible she doesn’t understand why she’s constantly feeling sick or even just under the weather and tired. With this vaccine bombarding her immune system it could easily make her lethargic constantly. A logical step would be to seek a second opinion. That would show on her NHS records.”

“You’re right,” Lucas said. “Kimber, I’m sorry. I’m just a bit worked up over this. Harper and Henley taking advantage of these people, using them like lab rats…it’s got under my skin a bit.”

“That’s fine, Lucas. I understand,” she replied.

Before she could say more Preston cut in, “Get yourself sorted out, Sloan, don’t make me reassign you.”

Lucas nodded, his jaw set in determination. His blue gaze was troubled, but she could see from the way he’d narrowed his eyes to focus intently on something that he wasn’t a man to be easily swayed.

“Right, Kimber, I need you to write your findings up in a report. Add in all the trimmings, attach the test results and detailed hypothesis with support. Also a summary of the tests you’ve run so I can have our own techs go over it and use it for reference later. Can you have it on my desk by close of business tonight?”

Kimber winced but nodded.

“Excellent,” Preston continued. “Lucas, Tristan, I want you both to go home for at least four hours of downtime. Yes, Sloan, no arguments. You both need to decompress and catch a few hours’ rest before we start up again later this afternoon. We now have a good understanding of what Henley was doing and the net is closing around Dr Harper. Let others deal with it for a few hours and come back refreshed.”

At first Kimber thought Lucas might argue, but he remained silent.

Preston waited, giving each man a chance to argue their case, but nodded with satisfaction when they both remained silent.

“I want a joint report from you both outlining every step you’ve each taken in the last twenty-four hours, the powers that be will want a thorough timeline. If either of you have suggestions on how to move forward that will be the medium to best take it up. For now, I want to congratulate you both on an excellent job. It might not be over, but the most pressing questions have answers and we have a definite course of future action to follow up on. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Kimber, I include you in that. You’ve been an invaluable asset and I’m grateful for the assistance you’ve given us.”

“Oh, I’ve enjoyed it,” Kimber replied, surprised to be included in Preston’s speech. “But that’s not it for me, right? I’ll come back with Tristan later this afternoon. There’s still tests to be run and—”

“We’ll still need your assistance, absolutely,” Preston reassured her. “If you feel you need more rest, however, I want you to come in later. These guys are used to going a few days on not much sleep. I don’t want you burning out, or worse, making a simple error and leading us unknowingly down the wrong path. I need you sharp and aware. Come back here only in top form, am I making myself clear?”

“Crystal,” she replied with a firm nod.

“Okay, that’s it, any questions?”

Kimber shook her head. Lucas stood, clearly itching to get moving. Tristan rose slower, turning towards her with a small smile. Feeling as if she shared a secret with him, she got to her feet. The three of them left Preston’s office, Tristan holding the door open for her.

Lucas stalked a few paces ahead, but Tristan called to him. “Hey!”

She followed Tristan to catch up with Lucas.

“What the fuck, mate?” Tristan asked.

Lucas shrugged and wouldn’t meet their eyes.

“I can’t get over what’s been done to this chick. I can’t explain it better than that. It’s staying with me. I need to resolve it,” Lucas explained disjointedly.

“Bloody oath you’d better work through it. If you speak like that again about Kimber I’ll—”

“I really am sorry, Kimber,” Lucas apologised.

Kimber could see the sincerity in his gaze, his words heartfelt. She waved a hand, dismissing it like old news.

“Forget it, honestly. Get some rest, Lucas. You’ll feel much better for it and hopefully this won’t be quite so emotional or overwhelming for you. We all react strangely when we’re overtired.”

“I just want to check with the computer guys,” he insisted. “They might have found Abigail and besides, I want to put them onto that suggestion you made about her NHS file and look into other medical facilities. With luck they’ll stumble on something quickly and I can come back and we can get moving. I hate waiting around. Inaction drives me mental.”

“Well, make sure you get that downtime,” she urged, hoping he would heed Preston and her suggestion.

Lucas nodded but didn’t actually agree. He glanced at Tristan. The two men looked at each other for a moment, then both nodded.

“We good?” Lucas asked.

Tristan nodded again.

“We’re good. Go rest.”

A tiny smile hitched the corner of his mouth and Lucas shook hands with his partner. Without another word he turned and left.

Kimber sighed, faintly worried for the man.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?”

“Sure he will. These things are really hard sometimes when you’re just getting started.”

She nodded, not quite convinced but unsure why she felt so concerned. Tristan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and eagerly she turned into his embrace. They hugged for a long moment, drawing strength from one another. She took these precious few seconds to breathe in his spicy, masculine scent. Tiredness almost overwhelmed her.

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” he whispered against the curve of her neck. She frowned, her frazzled mind at a loss as to what he was referring to.

“When?”

“When you said you loved me. Did you mean it or was it just a figure of speech?”

Her heart skipped a beat, worried she might have already driven him off without meaning to.

“Oh,” she replied, desperately seeking a clever thing to say but unable to come up with anything. Finally she settled on the plain, honest truth.

“Yes. Yes, I meant it, but please don’t get turned off. I didn’t meant to say it so soon, I don’t want to scare you and—”

“I love you too,” he cut her off, the words spoken deeply, coming from his chest or maybe even his very soul.

She lifted her head, needing to read those dark, fathomless eyes of his to see the truth in his words for herself. He met her gaze, clearly meaning every word of it.

“Really?” she breathed, barely able to believe her luck.

He nodded as he cupped her face and drew her mouth to his for a sweet, perfect kiss. It felt like a blessing or sealing of their fates and lives being interwoven together, forever. Relief coursed through her body, making her legs shake from the sheer thrill of him feeling as deeply committed as she.

Kimber wrapped her arms tightly around Tristan and held him close, burying her head in his chest and nearly shouting with joy. He held her just as firmly, as if he would never let her go.

“I’m exhausted,” she said. “Do you want to come back to my place? Get some rest?”

“Darling, if you genuinely want a full four hours of sleep then don’t invite me over,” Tristan said.

She chuckled, torn and not certain of how to react. She loathed the thought of spending her down time so near yet so far away from Tristan, but she didn’t want to push or cling to him. Thankfully, he continued.

“Of course, if you’re happy with two hours of sleep and two hours of free rein explorations, then I’d love to come back to your place and show you a thing or two.”

Chuckling, she lifted her head to his. Pressing their lips together, she kissed him slowly, enjoying the indulgence of being able to explore his mouth fully with her tongue. After a moment they pulled very slightly away, only inches.

“I think I can manage on a few hours’ sleep,” she murmured. “I’d much rather spend my free time exploring you than sleeping any day. It sounds like Preston means to keep you busy when you return, and after all the reports and such are cleared up I’ll be returning to my normal, boring lab work anyway. It would be terribly wasteful for me to sleep for four hours when we can both manage on two.”

“Mmm,” Tristan agreed. “What did you have in mind?”

“Well,” she teased, drawing the word out slowly. “I’ve been known to be a wonderful breakfast chef and my flat has this enormous marble-topped kitchen bench…”

“Oh yeah, baby,” he muttered huskily. “I’m a sucker for bacon and eggs, or maybe a Spanish omelette.”

“I’ll even throw in some French toast,” she promised. “I can think of some interesting things I’d like covered in maple syrup.”

“Sold,” he replied, bending his head to kiss her fiercely once again. Nipples tightening Kimber lifted herself up on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck and pull their bodies flush together. Her clit tingled in anticipation and her pussy grew slick with need.

When they were both panting Tristan braced a hand to the base of her back and lifted his head.

“We better get going or someone’s going to walk down here and catch us,” he insisted. Kimber nipped a biting little kiss to his full lower lip before stepping way.

“Let’s go,” she agreed.

“Lead the way,” Tristan said. “I promise I’ll follow you anywhere.”

With a satisfied grin Kimber took his hand in hers, threading their fingers together and headed for the door. They might not have had a lot of time right then, but there was the rest of their lives ahead of them. She figured it was plenty of time for many more adventures.

Also available from Total-E-Bound Publishing:

The Agency: Courting Passion

Elizabeth Lapthorne

Excerpt

Chapter One

Garth locked the two goons into the back seat of their car. Tennent had a bullet in his shoulder so, with his wrists cuffed, there appeared to be no fight left in him. Dixon—currently unconscious—was similarly restrained but posed even less trouble. With both men secure, Garth watched as Jack Berwick assisted Victor into the other car.

Victor, his mentor and one of the few people on earth who truly mattered to Garth, paused as the back door opened. Garth caught Victor’s gaze as he looked up at him. Garth nodded at him. Victor acknowledged it and tilted his head in return before making slow, tender progress into the car.

Victor’s face was badly cut and bruised from repeated beatings. One eye was swollen shut. Caked blood stained his face. He cradled one arm, the collarbone having been broken, probably in multiple places from the bruises that were already blossoming.