Chapter Twenty-Two
Jayla’s face went from shocked surprise to narrow-eyed suspicion. “Why do you want to know?”
Chloe gave her a brief rundown of Erik’s conversation with the plastic surgeon, and Jayla’s lips pinched in a grimace.
“Doctor Anne Dietrich is the geneticist who created us, and in Erik’s case, she’s the one who scarred him.
He wouldn’t want her anywhere near him. Especially not when he’s vulnerable. ”
Covering her mouth with a hand, Chloe dropped heavily onto the couch. “No wonder,” she breathed, only to shake her head. “Wait. No. Isn’t Black Bay your home?”
“It is.”
“But Doctor Fernandez said that’s where Doctor Dietrich is. Why would you let her live with you?” That didn’t make sense.
Jayla smiled, and suddenly, Chloe could see the predator that lived inside her. The expression was ice cold and anything but friendly. “She decided to come visit, and we decided she should stay. Permanently. In a cell just like she once kept us in.”
“So, she’s a prisoner.”
It wasn’t a question, but Jayla answered it anyway. “Yes. Serving a life sentence with no chance of parole.”
And Doctor Fernandez not only wanted her input on Erik’s surgery, but also for her to assist, and Erik was actually going to arrange it. Chloe jumped to her feet. She needed to do something, and she looked around the room as if it would give her the answer. “I should…”
Her phone suddenly rang, and thinking it might be Erik, she whipped it out of her pocket only to see that Lattie was calling.
“Hello?”
“Chloe, dear! I know it’s short notice, but are you free to meet by chance?”
Chloe looked at Jayla. “Right now?”
“Or within the next little bit. I’ve made some calls, and everyone loves the idea, but we need to nail down a date as well as the program, and John is leaving tonight for a trip.
If we can’t meet today, it’ll have to wait until next week, and when we spoke last night, I had the sense that you wanted to do this with some urgency. ”
Urgency was a good word for it. Chloe looked once more to Jayla, and the other woman nodded, clearly having heard Lattie’s side of the conversation. “I can meet. At the opera house?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll leave right away.”
“And you’ll have Erik with you?”
“Er… Do you need him?” Erik had said he had some calls to make, and she didn’t know how long that would take.
“Not for this, but I know he’s your protection detail, and I don’t want you coming out alone.”
“I won’t be alone.”
“Splendid! I’ll see you soon.”
“You heard?” Chloe asked Jayla as she tucked her phone back in her pocket.
Jayla nodded and stood, pulling her own phone out. “I’ll just text Erik, let him know where we’re going.”
When they arrived at the opera house, Jayla did a quick check of the area, then she set herself up outside of Lattie’s office while Chloe went in.
It was a tight fit. In addition to John Madison, Lattie had gathered the dance choreographer, the orchestra manager and conductor, the opera house’s lighting and sound designers, Mitch from sets, Tom from wardrobe, and the house’s PR rep.
Everyone was talking, creating a loud buzz around her, making it almost impossible to pick out any one conversation.
Spotting her, Lattie clapped his hands together a few times. “Okay, okay. Let’s settle down. Everyone’s here now.”
He looked from face to face, his expression somber. “We all know why we’re here. Daniel was family, one of ours, and we will honor him with the music and performance he loved.” He pointed at the PR rep. “Fatima! How much time do you need to fill the seats?”
“To create the appropriate buzz? Six weeks, minimum.”
“You have three weeks.”
Three weeks? To Chloe, that felt like an eternity, but she’d known this wasn’t something they could reasonably throw together in a couple of days.
Lattie continued snapping orders, like a general assembling his troops.
To reduce prep time, the performers would be using appropriate pieces they were already familiar with, costumes would come from what the opera house had on hand, and sets would be simple backdrops where they’d project footage of Danny’s past performances, as well as any videos or photos his friends and family might wish to contribute.
From there, they began to discuss the order of the program. The orchestra would open and close the performance, the dancers would do two numbers, and Chloe and John would each do two solos as well as two duets.
“You may take a few days to decide on which pieces you would like to perform. Keep in mind that if you require accompaniment, the orchestra must have the arrangements as soon as possible.” With that said, Lattie nodded to the Choreographer.
Pauline stood. “I have some news to share.” With a smile, she announced, “Our dear Thadeus is out of the ICU, and the doctors are optimistic that with therapy, he’ll make a full recovery.”
Chloe breathed a sigh of relief while others applauded and cheered the good news.
They took another thirty minutes discussing thoughts and ideas before the meeting broke.
“Chloe,” Lattie said, and made a staying motion before turning his attention to John.
“I know you need to catch a flight, John, so I won’t keep you.
I’ll text you the rehearsal schedule, but for Chloe’s sake, please be thinking while you’re away, about what duets you’d like to do. ”
“I will.” John turned to Chloe. “I’ll text you.”
Chloe nodded. “I’ll do the same.”
A few minutes later, the room had cleared, and Lattie turned to Chloe, his expression serious. “I have a feeling there’s more going on here than a tribute to Daniel. Not that I don’t think it’s a wonderful idea.”
“You’re aware of my stalker situation?”
“Yes.”
“We’re trying to draw him out, and we think a performance might do that.”
“I see.” Lattie grimaced and inhaled deeply through his nose as he tipped his head back to gaze at the ceiling for a moment. When his eyes returned to hers, he said, “I’ll hire additional security.”
Chloe winced. She’d been so focused on luring Jackson out, she hadn’t thought about what that would mean for the opera house and its staff. What havoc Jackson might cause, or who might be hurt. “I’m sorry, Lattie. I’ll pay for the…”
Lattie cut her off with a raised hand. “I’m not worried about the expense, Chloe. I’m worried about you. Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes. This is something I need to do.”
Lattie nodded thoughtfully, his mouth opening as he began to say something when his phone went off.
He looked slightly confused when he saw who was calling, and then his eyes widened.
“Oh, no! I completely forgot!” He connected the call and spoke as he rushed to gather up his things.
“I’m on my way, darling! So sorry, I’ll be right there! ”
Ending the call, he hustled for the door only to hesitate. A look of panic overtook his face, his body swinging one way and then the other as if he wasn’t sure what to do. Chloe shooed him off. “Go. I’ll lock everything up.”
“Thank you, Chloe!”
Smiling, Chloe watched him race away and shook her head.
“Ready?” Jayla asked, appearing in the doorway.
“Just about. While we’re here, I want to pop into my dressing room quickly.” Since production had ended so suddenly, some of her things were still in there. She may as well grab them now.
Turning to look over her shoulder at Jayla once they reached her door, she opened it as she said, “I’ll just be a minute.”
When she turned back around, dread washed over her in a wave. There was a rushing sound in her ears, and her heart thumped madly as her stomach rolled. On her vanity was a single, long-stemmed red rose. Fresh, recently placed, and below it was a small, gift-wrapped box.
There was movement in her peripheral vision as Jayla charged into the room to search it, and Chloe heard a strange, repetitive clicking noise.
It took her a moment before she realized she was shaking so badly that her teeth were chattering.
Firm hands gripped her arms as Jayla steered her deeper into the dressing room and gently pushed her down onto the couch.
The other woman lowered herself until they were eye to eye.
“I’ll open it. You don’t even have to look at it. ”
Chloe nodded. She didn’t want to see what was in the box. The only thing she wanted from Jackson Savoy was to be rid of him.
“Chloe,” Jayla suddenly barked. “I need to see the key to your apartment.”
Confused, Chloe pulled out her keys, and Jayla snatched them from her hand.
A moment later, the other woman let out a harshly growled curse.
“He made copies of the key to your apartment. Probably used an impression kit when he snuck into your dressing room that time, and he’s taunting you with the knowledge. ”
Her skin prickled as a cold sweat broke out all over her body.
Jayla reached under her jacket, drew the gun that was holstered at the small of her back, and did a press check. She latched onto Chloe’s arm and hauled her to her feet. “Come on. Stay close to me. We’re leaving right now. We’ll get those locks changed.”
Chloe let the other woman lead her, too dazed to even pay attention to where she was going. When they reached the stage door exit, Jayla maneuvered her up against the wall. “Stay here. I’m going to check the area.” Then slowly opened the door.
With her SIG Sauer M17 at low-ready, Jayla hugged the exterior wall as she scanned the area.
The only car in the back lot was Chloe’s.
It looked undisturbed, but she’d clear it after she finished her sweep.
Reaching the corner of the building, she paused, scanning for movement, checking the ground for shadows that were out of place, and inhaled.
Nothing but the faint scent of trash from the bins kept on that side of the building.
She raised the pistol to high-ready and sliced the corner.
The attack came fast, but she managed to fire a shot to warn Chloe and scream, “Chloe! RUN!”
Male, six-two, gray hair, and a beard. Dirt-streaked face, filthy clothes, and he smelled like a dumpster, but he was strong and trained.
He crushed her weapon hand in a vice grip, and Jayla struck out with her left, connecting with his throat.
He choked and staggered. She smashed his nose, felt cartilage give, and the hot spray of blood splashed her face, but he didn’t let go.
His other hand got past her to clamp onto her throat, lifting her off the ground, then slammed her onto her back.
Air blasted from her lungs, and pain ricocheted down her spine.
He dropped on top of her, pinning her with his weight, choking her with one hand while the other hammered her weapon hand against the pavement until it spasmed and her pistol skittered free.
Jayla swung again, connecting with his jaw, but the choke-hold only tightened.
He was going to crush her windpipe. Her lungs burned, and black spots swam in her vision.
Lightheaded and fading fast, her next strike was weak as she fought to stay conscious.
If she blacked out, Chloe would be vulnerable…