Hidden Talents

dollars.”
    “Good lord.” Serenity angled her head to get a better view. “What's the date?”
    “The twentieth of October.” Caleb glanced at her, his eyes hard. “Just a couple of days before you came to my office to sign that contract and casually mentioned in passing that you were being blackmailed.”
    “I wasn't casual about it,” Serenity said defensively. “I just didn't think it was such a big deal at the time. How was I to know you'd fall out of your tree when you got the news?”
    “Let's not start that argument again.” Caleb closed the folder. “Come on. We're getting out of here.” He shut the drawer and headed toward the stairs.
    “Suits me.” Serenity slammed her file drawer closed and hurried after him.
    At the top of the stairs, Caleb hit the light switch, plunging the basement back into darkness. He opened the door and urged Serenity out into the heavily shadowed kitchen.
    She found the way to the open window by touch. When she reached it, Caleb's hands closed around her waist. He hoisted her up and sat her on the sill.
    Serenity swung her legs over the edge and landed on the back porch. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and adjusted her hood up over her head as Caleb climbed out through the window. He tucked the file folder inside his jacket and reached for her hand.
    “Let's go,” he said.
    Serenity didn't need any encouragement. She hurried along beside him as they made their way down the steps and into the moonlit fog.
    “I don't understand any of this,” Serenity said. “Why would there be a record of sale to your uncle that dates back to the twentieth? I thought he told you that he received those photos the day before yesterday.”
    “Yes.” The single word was as sharp and savage as a razor. “That's what he told me.”
    “But I was the one who got blackmailed first,” Serenity continued. It was difficult to think clearly because Caleb was forcing the pace. She was getting breathless. “I received copies of the photos and the threat at the hotel on the morning of the twenty-third. If Franklin had already bought the photos from Ambrose, who sent copies to me?”
    “Good question. One of many I intend to ask Franklin.”
    “You think he's had them all along? But that doesn't make any sense, Caleb.”
    “I think it does,” he said roughly.
    “This is no time to go mysterious and enigmatic,” Serenity grumbled. “You're not Sherlock Holmes and I'm no Dr. Watson. I want some answers, Caleb.”
    “So do I. And I'm going to get them.”
    Serenity abruptly realized that he was furious. The anger in him was all the more dangerous because it was so tightly controlled. She had never seen him like this, not even on the day when she had told him that someone was trying to blackmail her with a set of nude photos.
    “Uh, Caleb, I think maybe we should talk about this before you do anything rash.”
    “Later.”
    “Sure. Later,” Serenity said agreeably. “When we get back to my place, I'll make us a nice cup of tea and we can sit down and discuss this whole thing very carefully before you pick up the phone and call your uncle.”
    Caleb did not bother to respond. Serenity risked a sidelong glance, trying to see his expression. It was impossible.
    She was contemplating a variety of soothing remarks when a dark, predatory-looking shadow materialized out of the fog directly in front of her. She stifled a small shriek as Caleb drew them both to a sudden halt.
    Blade stepped out of the trees, the rottweilers at his heels. “Thought I heard you two,” he said so softly the words were almost inaudible.
    “We're just out for an evening stroll,” Caleb said quietly. “What the hell is your excuse?”
    “We got a problem, Ventress,” Blade said. “You want to give me a hand?”
    “Problem?” Serenity realized she was automatically following Blade's lead and keeping her own voice down. “What kind of problem?”
    Blade looked at her. “Don't know how close he is. Probably best to take you home first, then go after him.”
    “Go after who?” Serenity demanded in a fierce whisper. “If this has anything to do with the big invasion, I vote we postpone the counterattack until tomorrow. It's getting very late.”
    “We're in a hurry here, Blade,” Caleb said impatiently. “What's this all about?”
    “I increased the patrols around Zone's place,” Blade said. “Heard she was so nervous she was spendin' the night with Adriadne. Just came from my last check.