Striding across the terrace toward the library, Alexis distinctly
heard voices. Slowing, she strained to listen. Perhaps she was
mistaken. It could be the library radio. Had she left it on? No,
there they were again; male voices, two of them. One was a deep
baritone, the other a tenor, like Grant’s. But, Grant had left,
what, half an hour ago. He would be almost home.
She could not discern the words, but they were close enough to be
on the property; they sounded angry. Stepping quietly, Alexis went
into the library, crossed to the desk and removed a gun from its
drawer. Holding the Glock made her shiver. A gift from her father
when she moved into this house, she had never become completely
comfortable with it.
"Alexis, this house is remote, a lot of glass and too many doors.
You are a woman living alone. Take this for your protection. Take
the lessons at my gun club. Learn to use it, keep it near you.
Please, for my peace of mind."
Feeling very alone, Alexis stepped off the terrace onto the path to
the pool.
The voices were louder now and angrier. It was Grant. After a
year together she could not be mistaken. Why was he still here and
who was the other man? A huge part of her wanted to stop, go into
the house, call the police. But, it was Grant, her friend, her
lover; there was a rational explanation.
"I know your type. You are a stalker, a user. You have no
business here, no business with a woman like Alexis."
"I’m the stalker? I have no business here? You’re the one
skulking in the shadows; she doesn’t even know you exist. You’re
pathetic, a nothing. I will not allow a nothing to destroy the
relationship I have built with Alexis. "
Alexis stopped dead. It is Grant and he is confronting a stranger.
‘Skulking in the shadows’? There was something vaguely familiar
in the other man’s voice. The Glock felt cold in her sweaty hand.
She forced herself forward.
"That is just it, ’the relationship you have built.’ Built on her
vulnerability. When Simon died, there you were supporting the
grieving daughter. She never had a chance to recover before you
pounced. Does she know, even now, about your connections to
GeneTech; does she know what your payoff will be? Does she know it
is her father’s work, not her that you want?"
I cannot believe what I am hearing, Alexis thought. "No! NO!"
Grant took a step closer to the other man and shoved him hard. As
the second man regained his balance, Grant pulled something from
his pocket.
"Grant, no! Don’t shoot him!" Alexis screamed stepping into the
light. Both men turned and saw her, the Glock held in remarkably
steady hands. The second man was Tad, unmistakable tousled hair
and emerald eyes, now filled with fear and anger. Tad, her
father’s assistant; she had almost forgotten he existed.
