Callie’s Last Dance

17.

THE DE LUCAS’ FRIDGE yields thin-sliced smoked turkey fresh enough to pass her smell test. That, plus mayo and oat nut bread makes a meal. She’d prefer some lettuce and tomato, but beggars can’t be choosers. She grabs a bottled water, sits on a barstool by the island in the kitchen, and nibbles her sandwich while deciding what to do about the De Lucas and their dog. That done, her mind drifts to the conference call she received last night from Annie Lorber and Emerson Watkins, whose fathers co-founded Sensory Resources.

“Lou Kelly’s dead,” Annie said.

After expressing shock, Callie asked what happened.

“You know Rachel Case?”

“Creed’s former girlfriend.”

“Former?” Annie said.

“Forget I said that. What about her?”

“You’re aware Lou was dating Rachel Case’s mother?”

“Sherry, right? What happened?”

“Apparently Lou and Sherry were infected by the same mercury poisoning Miles Gundy created for his terrorist attack in Memphis.”

“How’s that possible?”

“We believe Gundy combined dimethylmercury poison with a live HSV-1 virus and placed it on the barre of a dance studio. The dancers were infected on contact.”

“Lou was locked away at Sensory Resources, in Virginia.”

“He and Sherry went to Roanoke, on a date.”

“Still. Roanoke’s a long way from Memphis.”

“The contagion life cycle was four to five hours. A client took the class in Memphis, flew to Roanoke to visit her sister, and wiped out the whole family. Apparently Lou Kelly or Sherry came into contact with her at some point.”

“Wrong place, wrong time?”

“Exactly. But the reason we’re calling-”

“Lou’s job?”

“Exactly.”

“Have you spoken to Donovan Creed?”

“Not yet.”

“Why are you calling me? To vouch for his character?”

“No,” Emerson said. “We’re offering you the position.”

Callie laughed. “Creed’s the one you need.”

“He killed our fathers!” Annie said.

“What?”

“We don’t know that for certain, Annie,” Emerson said.

“Yes we do.”

“Please dismiss that,” Emerson said. “We’re offering you complete control, Miss Carpenter. You’ll run the agency, Creed will work for you, should you care to keep him.”

Callie laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“Why wouldn’t I keep Creed?”

“Keep him, kill him, your choice,” Annie says. “I hate the bastard.”

“Let me put an end to your anger,” Callie said. “Creed didn’t kill your father, Annie. Nor yours, Emerson.”

“You know that for a fact?” Annie said.

“I do.”

“Then who killed him?”

Callie paused. “Tara Siegel.”

“Who?”

“She used to work for Sensory.”

“Where is she now?”

“Dead.”

“What happened to her?”

“I killed her.”

“That’s awfully convenient.”

“Tara might disagree with that comment.”

“Still, we have only your word on it.”

“And I’m the one you asked. Look, do you think I care if you hate Creed? If you’re determined to hate him, there are plenty of legitimate reasons. It’s just that killing your father’s not one of them.”

Emerson says, “Will you accept the position? It’s yours for the asking.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“We need to know by ten a.m. tomorrow.”

“What happens at ten?”

“We call Creed, to offer him the job.”

“Does Creed know Lou’s dead?”

“No,” Emerson said. “So if he tells you, act surprised.”

“Okay.”

“That’s it?” Annie said. “No thank you?”

“For what?”

“For giving you this opportunity.”

Callie laughed. “What do you want me to say? It’s a shit job.”