Shadow of My Heart - By Caryn Moya-Block Page 0,21

evidence, I'm afraid we'll have to have her arrested.”

“That's too bad. I never meant for this to happen,” Derek said. “At least she only sold the terrorists the photograph. It will take more than a photo for them to go after Cara. You need to stop pacing. You’re making me dizzy.”

“We released publicity pictures of the annual awards banquet,” Raven said. “As a winner, Cara’s name is listed. So the terrorists have more than her picture. They have her name and the name of her school. I let it be known that you are out of town on business, so no one will question your absence. Don't let anyone see you in the building. I called our contacts in the military. Except for the brochure, they don't know how the Isanti, Inc., connection was leaked.”

“That’s worrisome. Could it be the mole in the admiral’s office?”

“He’s still looking into it,” Raven said. “Go get some sleep. I want you back on watch as soon as possible.”

“Why, is your spidey-sense tingling?”

“Not funny, Derek. But yes, I can feel danger coming. I just don’t know from where.” How could he keep Cara safe if he didn’t know where the danger would come from or when?

“Joe will keep Cara safe until I get back. Don’t worry so much.”

“How can I not?” Raven said. “She is everything I want. She won’t even answer my phone calls.” That really burned him. Why wouldn’t she at least talk to him about it?

“Give her some time. I’ve heard her muttering to herself. She is feeling overwhelmed. Let her work through it.”

“How can you understand? You don’t have a woman that you want more than anything.”

Derek grimaced and looked toward the door. “I better get to bed,” he said as he disappeared into the shadows as easily as he appeared.

“I wonder what that was about,” Raven said, shaking his head. Would he ever understand his little brother?

§

Cara typed the last grade into the school computer file and hit save. It was done, another year completed. The next two days would be filled with end-of-school parties and assemblies. All she had to do was ride herd on the students. No more homework for her or her students.

Cara stretched in her chair and powered down her computer. She felt the cool breeze of Shadow blow over her skin and frowned. This was getting silly. How long was Raven going to keep her under surveillance? They were already on day three. She didn’t even know who was watching her. It irked her that someone was always spying on her.

Picking up her purse, Cara turned off the light in her classroom and walked out to her car. She still didn’t know what to do about apologizing to Raven. She knew she had overreacted. His calling her several times a night was both irritating and sweet. She could feel him missing her.

She hadn’t been sleeping well the last two nights. She kept having bad dreams. She was lost, and Raven was calling for her, but she couldn’t answer him. Maybe she should go home and go to bed early. She was tired and cranky. But she didn’t want to take it out on her students. Pulling into her assigned parking spot, she walked up to her building. Someone must have just gone in because the door was still closing.

“Geez, anyone could just walk in.” She’d have to bring up the security of the building at the next homeowners meeting. Shaking her head, she got into the elevator and pushed number six to take her up to her floor.

She felt the cold air near the shadows in the corners of the elevator and squatted down to feel along the edges. There was a certain spot that looked like it wavered. She pushed her hand into that spot and gasped when her fingers disappeared. She wiggled her fingers. They were still there. But the cold was almost painful just as it is when you put your hand in a freezer. She pulled her hand back out and shook it, trying to warm her fingers. She stood up, making a fist and then stretching her fingers, trying to get the circulation going. They were still cold, and she put her hand under her arm to help warm it. Man, Shadow was cold. How Raven did this day after day was a mystery.

The elevator dinged, and Cara walked out on her floor. She fumbled with her keys, her fingers still stiff from the cold. Finally, she got the