Free Captured Lies by Maggie Thom Page B

thing and find it he knew he must, he made his way to the door and
flipped on the overhead light. If someone came in, he’d make up something. Then
he’d make sure that the servants were still scared of him and wouldn’t even
think of breathing a word to Dorothea about his being in her office.
    Wherever the rubber piece had
gone, it wasn’t sitting out in the open. Cussing he went to the far corner and
slowly walked forward looking from side to side. There was a snapping sound
that came from outside and caught his attention. He stepped over to the window
and peered through the small crack in the curtains. The light from several lamp
posts lit the area well. The well groomed expansive gardens looked immaculate
and beautiful. Although in the dull light the colors weren’t as brilliant as
they were during the day. Nothing seemed to be out of place. There didn’t appear
to be anyone there. He waited several minutes but nothing stirred. It had
probably been one of the twenty or so cats that ran amuck around the place.
    He was ready to get down on his
hands and knees - something he’d never done in his life - to look for the dumb
piece. Being 6’2” and twenty pounds overweight wasn’t something he was looking
forward to but he didn’t know where else to look for the stupid thing, except
under something. He stepped back wanting to stay away from peering eyes that
might be lurking outside. Something hit his shoulder. He jerked around, almost
falling over. The large rubber tree he’d backed into sat there no worse for
wear, almost mocking him. Hacking the thing down was his first choice but he
knew he’d be the one they’d come looking for, since he’d said on more than one
occasion what a grotesque, disfigured plant it was. He was about to turn away
when he looked down and there sitting in the pot, was the rubber end.
    “I guess I shouldn’t hate you
after all. You just saved my ass.”
    He quickly replaced the end,
gently set the cane down on the desk, walked to the door, shut the light off and
stepped out of the room.
    He never looked back. He’d never
needed to. Being sneaky was something he prided himself on. After all, that was
how he’d found out the real truth about himself. And now he knew he had to get
rid of baby Cassidy. Again.
     

 
     
    CHAPTER ELEVEN
     
     
    Bailey stopped so suddenly she wobbled a bit. Who was this
nut case? What could he mean she wasn’t who she thought she was? That didn’t even
make sense. Was that how he picked up women?
    Slowly, she turned around. He
hadn’t moved from his position on the ground but he was leaning forward as
though he was planning on chasing her if she took off again. She stiffened. Her
gaze raked over him. Dark hair, blue eyes, pursed lips and a crooked nose -
maybe broke once or twice. She couldn’t really tell anything from that. Broad
shoulders covered in a black leather jacket and jeans that encased long and
what she guessed, were athletic legs. Normal. Her eyes wandered back to his
face, hard lines there. His jaw clenched. The cords in his neck were taut as a
newly cocked bow. He believed what he was telling her.
    He has the wrong person. “Look. I don’t know who you think I am. But I do.”
    He raised his eyebrows.
    “Know, that is, who I am. I don’t
know who you’re looking for but it’s not me.” As she talked she walked slowly
backwards. She wanted to tear her gaze away but there was something compelling
in the depths of the coal black center of his. Something that begged for her
trust but at the same time told her to run like hell.
    “So good luck.” She balanced on
the balls of her feet.
    He jerked upwards. “Wait!”
    Every nerve in her body fired up
at his barked command but something about the desperation in his voice kept her
where she was. He hung his head and swore but didn’t make any move forward.
    “I have something I want to show
you.” His fingers slid into the pocket of his beige golf shirt. Bailey kept her
eyes