Page 78 of Sundowners
Barringer held up a hand to Vanessa. “May I?”
She shrugged and stepped back from the table and Barringer leaned forward. “Here’s some information that might influence your decision, Mr. Lowell. Stephen Allman created Elite Ventures in 1978 as a shell corporation to fund bio research in the field of genetics and synthetic blood. He was allegedly killed in a car accident in Texas in 1985.
“Since then, similar learning environments to Gateway of the Sun have been documented around the world. StephenAdamswas born in San Francisco on April 1, 1986. No school records or work history have been located prior to the formation of Elite Ventures Enterprises, or EVE, in 2005 in Barcelona, Spain. EVE has been suspected in a couple of high-profile embezzlement cases, which never made it to court as the accusers mysteriously disappeared. Adams has been questioned by authorities in California and New York, has warrants for his arrest in Spain and Monaco. He received a speeding ticket in Santa Cruz last year.
“Am I gathering that you believe Stephen Adams and Stephen Allman are the same person? Is that what you’re confirming?” Barringer asked. He slid two photographs across the table to Creed, who sat up straighter as he looked them over.
“It’s the same person. Stephen Allman killed my best friend. I will never forget his face.”
“Mr. Lowell,” Barringer said. “I want you to trust me when I tell you that I can protect you. I have been authorized by the FBI to form a task force to work on cold cases connected with unexplained phenomenon. I have contacts who operate outside the parameters of the federal government. They specialize in protecting people from those who use their abundant powers irresponsibly.”
Creed tilted his head and squinted at Barringer. “So you know what I am?”
Barringer smiled. “I’ve only recently learned the truth about people who have particular gifts, but yes, I sensed it the moment you walked in this room. I know you’re different. I don’t know much about yourparticulardifference, but I’m very interested in learning from you.”
Creed sat back in the chair and shook his head. “And this is exactly why I’m not keen on telling you anything. You’ll focus more on figuring out what makes me tick than you will on stopping Stephen from hurting more people.”
“No, Mr. Lowell,” Captain Rojas said. “I have a woman missing who was supposed to be safe from harm after she cooperated with Detective Cabral. We believe her husband, Timothy Hicks, and this Stephen Adams have kidnapped her, and I want to get her back safely. That’s why we need you to talk. Anything else,” he said, glaring at Agent Barringer, “is fairytale shit I’m not interested in. If you can help us save this woman, you’ll be free to leave…town.”
Creed’s shoulders hunched a bit and he nodded.“Fine. Thank you. I’ll tell you what I know. First, the four men from the attacks are dead. I saw them die. They were killed by Stephen Adams, and I was a witness.”
“You were there?” Rojas asked him.
“Yes, sir. I followed them to the house and was…watching from across the street and through the front window of the home when Stephen and his minions arrived. The men had their throats slit. Stephen and the others left. A few minutes later, the house blew up.”
He said it all so matter-of-factly that I had to keep my jaw from hanging open in surprise.
“Do you recognize any of the others who were with Stephen?” Captain Rojas slid two sets of pictures in front of Creed.
Creed looked them over and pointed at one and his eyes flared. “This is Leader Caleb. I don’t have a last name. I assumed he was killed in the mutiny but recently learned he was involved.” Creed gripped the edge of the table. “He must have been the one to give Stephen access…he must have.” Creed pushed back from the table and blew out a breath. “May I have a moment?” His hands shook as he pushed his hair back. “Is there a restroom?”
“I’ll take you,” Rey said.
I had to follow. It was breaking my heart to see him so distraught. Rey opened the door for him and said, “I’ll wait out here,” but I wasn’t giving him that space. I pushed through the door after Creed.
He walked straight to the sink and turned the water on, leaning over and splashing his face.
“I’m sorry, Creed.”
He wouldn’t look at me. His posture was that of a much older man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Roman,” he said. His voice wasn’t warm like I remembered it. It was hoarse and weak. “I never should have involved you in any of this.”
“How did you involve me?” I asked him. “The only thing you did was make my lola fall in love with you. And makemefall in love with you.”
He stood up straight and looked at me in the mirror. “Roman—”
“No, don’t say anything. You have more than enough on your plate. Let’s get through this, and then I’m taking you home with me.”
“Roman, haven’t you been listening to me?” He turned to face me and threw his arms out in despair. “These people are dangerous and they’ll kill you if they know how much you mean to me! They’ve takeneverythingfrom me. I can’t let them take you!”
I approached him slowly and reached for him, afraid to spook him.
“They won’t hurt me.” I grasped his waist and tugged gently, giving him enough space to pull away.
He melted against me and shudders racked his body, his too thin body. I pulled him close, fighting back tears of my own.
“You don’t have to do this alone, Creed. I swear to God, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
