NOVEL: The Panic Pure, by Harper Kingsley [mm suspense] – Chapter Five

Title: The Panic Pure
Author: Harper Kingsley
Genre: mm suspense thriller
Rating: mature

Summary: Daniel Worth, billionaire and CEO of Worth Enterprises is questioned by FBI agent Marshal Newman about the disappearance of one of his employees. They strike up a conversation and soon are regularly meeting and begin dating. However neither realizes just how close danger is lurking.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

After sharing a week and a half of dinners with Danny, Marshal figured it was his turn to do something. Which is why he was heading into Worth Enterprises at eleven-thirty in the morning, a cloth shopping bag swinging from his hand.

He headed right to the reception area. “Can you let Daniel Worth know that Marshal Newman is here to see him?”

The woman gave him a quick up-and-down look, though she was too well trained to show any kind of skepticism about his presence. “Is Mr. Worth expecting you?”

Marshal shook his head. “Not exactly. But if you let him know I’m here, I’m sure he’d be happy to see me.”

“I’m sure.” She gave him one more look over, then lifted the receiver to make a phone call. After a few seconds, she said, “Hello, Ms. Hawthorne, this is Lori from reception. I have a gentleman here that says he would like to see Mr. Worth. He said his name is Marshal Newman.”

If he hadn’t been watching her so closely, he probably would have missed the flicker of surprise that crossed her face. She was just that good at keeping her face blank. “Certainly, ma’am. I’ll be sure to send him right up.” She hung up the phone and looked at Marshal. “If you step into that elevator right there, I’ll send it right up.”

“Thank you,” Marshal said politely, walking over to the elevator. He didn’t even slow his stride when she had it slide open in front of him, just stepped inside like he wasn’t inwardly freaking out.

Worth Enterprises had gone a little overboard on their security, in his opinion at least. The receptionist had complete control of the elevator, not only opening and closing the door, but also controlling what floors the elevator went to. There was just something so eerie about not having a panel of buttons. He couldn’t help wondering what he was supposed to do if the elevator stalled out.

His stomach did the usual lurch when the elevator rose up through the building. It was such a smooth ride that he couldn’t even tell what floors he was passing through and there was no number display anywhere, which was a little creepy. There were so many options for horror movie type shenanigans that he had to force himself not to think about it.

Marshal crumpled the folds of the paper bag in his sweaty hand. It had felt like such a great idea this morning, but now he was having second thoughts about coming here. There was a very good chance that he would end up feeling like an utter tool by the end of today.

The elevator made a melodic ding sound, then the door slid open soundlessly. He had no idea what floor he was on. It was a real mindfuck, which was probably the effect the manufacturers had been aiming for.

He stepped out of the elevator and headed directly to Sophia Hawthorne’s desk. Danny’s personal assistant was typing away at an invisible keyboard–one of those laser ones that could be displayed on any surface and could only be seen by someone wearing special glasses. It was all very high-tech and was a definite corporate espionage deterrent.

Sophia’s silver-framed glasses were elegant and gave her rather pretty face a severe countenance that emphasized how serious she was about her job. The royal blue blouse, black pencil skirt, and sensible low heels she displayed when she stood up and came around her desk were just as business oriented.

“Agent Newman, are you here for official Bureau business?” she asked, her hazel eyes piercing him over the frames of her glasses. Her dark hair was pulled back in a perfect chignon, not a single wisp allowed out of place.

Marshal shook his head with an awkward smile. “No, actually. I don’t know if you know this or not, but Danny and I have been dating.”

Her perfectly groomed eyebrows rose in surprise. “Really? Mr. Worth hasn’t bothered to inform me of that yet.”

He was kind of glad she didn’t sound completely skeptical, though she didn’t sound like she believed him either. “Yeah. Anyways, we’ve been eating dinner with each other for the last week, so I thought that maybe I should…” he lifted the paper bag. “You know, food?”

Sophia’s lips pursed slightly. “I don’t know how aware you are of Mr. Worth’s particular brand of psychiatric issues, but it is highly doubtful that he will be able to eat any food that you have prepared.”

“What do you mean?” Marshal asked.

“Simply put, Mr. Worth will only eat food that his cook, Olivia, makes for him. He refuses to eat anything from the company cafeteria or from any outside restaurants. Mr. Conway usually delivers his meals for him.”

“Oh.” Marshal didn’t quite know what to say. He’d know that Danny had some serious issues… but it was kind of sad that they weren’t going to be able to enjoy a meal together in a restaurant or grab a hotdog from a shady vendor.

He drew in a deep breath. “Well, if he’s not able to eat anything I’ve brought today, that’s okay. We can just wait for his lunch to be delivered and eat together.” He licked his bottom lip. “Do you think you can let him know I’m here?”

She looked at him for a long moment, her eyes encompassing him from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. Finally, she smiled slightly. “Happily. Just give me one moment.”

Sophia went back around her glass and metal monstrosity of a desk and approached the closed door behind it. She knocked once before going inside, the door clicking shut.

Marshal waited semi-patiently. He was tempted to head over to the couches along the wall and maybe flip through a magazine, but at the same time he didn’t want to get too comfortable if Sophia was going to come right back. He felt it would be kind of rude if he was lounging around like a sultan on his throne, flipping through fashion magazines and maybe even checking his email on his phone when he was the one that had come for a visit. It was one of his biggest flaws.

He knew what to do when he was acting as an agent of the FBI, but the rest of the time he had to just kind of wing it. He felt awkward and he never knew what to do with his hands.

The door opened and Sophia came back out with a smile. It transformed her face; she really was very beautiful. “Mr. Worth says you can go right in.”

“He’s not busy or anything?” Marshal asked, suddenly nervous. He was having definite second-thoughts, but it was too late for him to run away now.

“Nothing of real importance.” Sophia sat back down in her luxurious desk chair. “You can go right in. He’s waiting for you.”

Marshal squared his shoulders and walked over to the door. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she called as he went into Danny’s office. There was a note in her voice that he didn’t dare to identify even as it made him blush a little.

Danny was sitting at his desk with a laptop opened in front of him, a sheaf of papers held in his left hand. There was a puzzled expression on his face when he looked up. “I wasn’t expecting you here.”

Marshal shrugged. “It was kind of spur of the moment. I wanted to see you. Plus,” he held up the bag, “I brought us lunch.”

He hated the way Danny’s face seemed to fall, his neck drawing into his shoulders and color flushing over his ears. “Oh. That was very thoughtful of you, but…”

Marshal waved a hand, stopping him. “It’s all right. Sophia explained to me that you only eat food made by Olivia. I can’t really blame you because she seriously has to be a five star chef. I think it’s kind of criminal that you’re the only one that regularly gets meals made by her.”

Danny examined Marshal’s face as though looking for any signs of mockery, then relaxed. He smiled tentatively. “I’m glad you’re not mad.”

“Why would I be?” Marshal asked. “It’s something you did long before you met me. It’s not like you just decided that my food was disgusting or something. ‘Cause you know, maybe then I would be a little hurt.”

“Still…” Danny chewed on his lip, looking at Marshal through his lashes. “I hate that I’m so strange.”

“Who said you’re strange?” Marshal walked over to sit in the chair across from Danny. “I think you’re perfect just the way you are.” He’d added that last just so he could watch him blush delightfully. There was just something so charming about Daniel Worth and his unrestrained responses. It was as though the man had never been complimented before, much less actively wooed.

He sat the bag on the floor next to his chair and started fiddling with the things on Danny’s desk. Everything was pretty strictly executive office ware, but there were plenty of multi-colored post-it notes and there was an organizer tray filled with paper clips, thumbtacks, rubber bands, and an assortment of expensive pens. “You need more toys.”

“I’ll be sure to bring a bunch in just in case you want to hang out in my office.” Danny tapped something one-handed into his computer, a minute frown drawing his brows together.

“Are you doing anything important?” Marshal asked. He was a little curious, but he didn’t even try to see over the desk at what Danny was doing.

Danny shrugged, then tossed the papers into the trashcan next to his desk. “Nothing all that important. I was just looking into the possibility of acquiring a little known software company.”

“So Worth Enterprises does software and electronics?” He had kind of a general idea of what the company did, but it was one of those corporate giants where it was impossible to know all the pots it was mixed up in.

“Not really,” Danny said. “We try to keep stuff diversified. I’m not a hundred percent behind the idea of this business, but one of the vice-president’s is really for it. I’m going through all kinds of prospectuses from various department heads for the rest of this week. So really, I’m not all that busy.”

Marshal grinned. “Good. Maybe I can visit you tomorrow too.”

“You don’t want me to get any work done, do you?” Danny sounded amused though. He tapped a few more times at his keyboard, then closed the lid on the laptop and put it in a desk drawer. “My lunch should be here soon and we can eat together.”

As though she’d heard his words, there was a quiet knock at the door, then Sophia came in with a tray in her hands. “Your lunch is here.”

As she set the tray in front of Danny, Marshal leaned down to pull one of the three-sectioned plastic containers and napkin wrapped silverware sets from the paper bag. He left the one he’d made for Danny in the bag, figuring he could eat it later himself.

“What’ve you got there?” he asked, peeking at the tray.

Danny shrugged. “Olivia made chicken enchiladas with Spanish rice, refried beans, and it looks like a fruit and yogurt parfait.”

“Ooh, that sounds pretty good.” Marshal popped the lid off his container and unwrapped his silverware from the napkin. “I’ve got Korean food. White rice, bulgogi, kimchi, bean sprouts, and some spinach.”

Danny leaned over the desk and sniffed. “It smells really good, though the kimchi looks spicy. Did you make it yourself or did you buy it?”

“I made the bulgogi and the rice, but I bought the rest.” Marshal stirred things around with his fork. “There’s a Korean market down the street from my apartment. The lady who runs it barely speaks any English and sometimes I think she makes fun of me to her friends and her daughter, but she has all kinds of fresh stuff. There’s also a bunch of Korean restaurants in the neighbor and the one with the karaoke bar is open twenty-four hours. That place has pretty much kept me from starving to death on the days when I have to work late.” He looked at Danny. “Maybe I could give some recipes to Olivia?”

Danny bit his lip, poking at his own lunch. “I’m sorry I’ve got so many issues.”

Marshal shook his head. “You don’t have any reason to be sorry.”

“But I…”

Marshal held up his hand to stop him. “You are the way you are, and I like you.”

“I like you too.” Danny looked down shyly. His eyelashes were so long that it made something clench low in Marshal’s stomach.

“Come on, you should eat your food before it gets cold.”

Marshal could tell that Danny was embarrassed, and from the length of his silences probably didn’t know what he was supposed to say next. It made Marshal ache a little to reassure him that everything was going to be all right, that he wasn’t suddenly going to flee and never come back.

They ate in companionable silence, Danny even letting him have a scoop of parfait, though he had to use Danny’s spare spoon and there were no double dips allowed. Naturally, it was delicious, all raspberry yogurt and fresh fruit.

“This was really nice, don’t you think?” Marshal said, packing his things back in the bag.

“It was,” Danny said. “It’s always great eating with you. Usually it’s just me all by himself.”

Marshal couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry for him. It just seemed to him that Danny was one of the loneliest people he’d ever met. “Well, if you ever want lunchtime company, you can always ask me to stop by. You know, unless I’ve got to work.” He made a face just to get Danny to laugh.

“Thank you.”

Marshal gave him a serious look. “You don’t have to thank me for wanting to spend time with you. It’s really my pleasure to be here.”

“I know. Maybe that’s why I want to thank you,” Danny said.

* * *

After following Starkweather around, he’d half expected Newman to be just as boring. He was pleased to find that he was only partly right.

It had been kind of curious that Newman went to Worth Enterprises just before noon, but it had become somewhat clear when Adam had followed him that evening to a mansion outside of town. And when he’d looked up the address online…

He’d giggled like a fool and hadn’t even cared. Who would have thought that someone as bland and unassuming as Agent Marshal Newman would have the balls to date a multi-billionaire, especially one that was known to be so eccentric and secretive?

There was just something so thrilling about knowing that his FBI agent was involved with someone so important. In some way, it made him feel as though Daniel Worth belonged to him too, even though he hadn’t seen the man yet. But it was only a matter of time.

When he’d run an online search about the guy there hadn’t been very much information, just his name, birth date, and a rather blurry photo that looked several years old. Now that his interest was caught, he would have to make sure that he at least got a glimpse of Worth in the flesh.

Adam parked and switched off the headlights. He wondered how long Newman was going to be with Worth… and what they were doing.

A nasty smile twisted his lips as he reclined his seat and settled in to wait. He didn’t have the largest car, but he’d made sure to choose one that gave him enough leg room to be fairly comfortable if he was sitting in it for a long time.

* * *

It was kind of funny that just when he’d pretty much resigned himself to a life of being lonely, that was when someone would walk in and want to spend time with him. He’d honestly never thought it would happen, had begun to truly believe that the only people that would ever want to get close to him like that were just out to use him.

Maybe he was fooling himself, but there was no way he could believe that Marshal had any kind of deep dark reason to come around. There was just something so honest about the man that Daniel couldn’t help trusting him.

“What are you thinking about?” He hadn’t even heard the soft sound of footsteps in the grass so was surprised when Arthur appeared next to him.

Danny shrugged one shoulder. “Do you remember when we were kids?” He glanced at Arthur out of the corners of his eyes, unable to look at him head on. “Sometimes I don’t think any of that was real.”

Arthur knelt next to him on the ground. “You were the nicest kid I’ve ever met in my life. Sometimes it was kind of scary just how nice you were. All the crap you went through… I’ve been waiting my whole life for you to crack and become some kind of monster or something.”

A sound escaped Danny’s mouth that wasn’t really a laugh because there wasn’t any humor in it. “Sometimes I think I am a monster.”

Moving so slowly it almost made Danny want to cry, Arthur reached out his hand and laid it against Danny’s arm. He didn’t grip down or anything, just rested his hand there, a mote of warmth seeping through Danny’s sleeve. “Your aunt was a real bitch. If I could go back in time I would change everything that happened then.”

“Even being friends with me?” Danny asked.

“Just the part where I was your only friend.” Arthur leaned close against his side, not-quite touching him. “I know I was just a kid myself, but I knew that what she was doing was wrong. I should have helped you more. I should have saved you.”

Danny shook his head, his face turned resolutely toward the small man-made lake in front of them. There were a couple of ducks swimming around, their feathers glinting green and gold. “There wasn’t really anything you could have done. You were just a kid and she had a lot of power. People trusted that she was doing the right things for me. She was such a pillar of the community that no one wanted to see what she really was.”

“She was a monster.” There was no doubt in Arthur’s voice. Lauren Green was a monster. She had done things to Danny in the name of money that could never be forgiven, but she had also done things for her own cruel amusements that had gone far beyond the realms of just sickening. “She hurt you just to hurt you.”

“I don’t really remember all of that.” Danny hated how his voice got all dreamy and his mind kind of hazed over when he tried to remember his past. His psychologist called it disassociation and a self-defense mechanism that had probably kept him alive and fairly sane. He just saw it as weakness and it only made him hate himself more. “I don’t want to remember all of that, but I should kind of know what happened.”

Arthur laid his head against the blade of Danny’s shoulder. His breath was warm as it stirred the hair on the back of his neck. “I’m glad you don’t remember,” he said quietly. “I was a kid and I didn’t really understand everything that was happening, but the things I did see… No, I’m glad you don’t remember everything. And I hope she burns in hell for what she’s done.”

“She’s still out there,” Danny said starkly. “She ran away when it was time for her to get in trouble. She could come back at any time.”

“I would kill her if I ever saw her face again,” there was no doubt in Arthur’s voice. “I won’t ever let her hurt you. Not again.”

Danny sighed. “She doesn’t even have to be here to hurt me. She screwed me up inside so bad that I don’t think I’ll ever be a normal person because I just don’t know how.”

“Normal’s overrated anyway,” Arthur said. “So you’ve got a few quirks, who cares? You’re still a good man, Danny. You’re still someone that people respect because you always try your hardest to do the right things for people, to help out.”

“Do you like Marshal?” Danny bit his lip slightly.

Arthur shrugged. “The question is, do you like Marshal?”

“Yeah,” Danny said. “I really kind of do.”

“Then I guess he’s all right.” Arthur lifted his head enough to be able to look right in Danny’s face. “If he ever hurts you, though, I’m going to punch him in the face. That’s kind of a promise right there.”

One side of Danny’s mouth quirked up. “You’re kind of great, you know that?”

“I know. Really though, I just feel like there should be at least one person out there protecting your honor.”

“And how did that person get to be you?” Danny asked.

“Just lucky, I guess.” There was a smile in Arthur’s voice, though it was bittersweet.

They both knew that Danny was screwed up, that all the things that had happened to him as a kid were never going to go away. He had been shaped by what had been done to him, by all the many ways he had been broken and allowed to heal wrong.

“How did you find me?” he asked quietly.

“Please,” Arthur scoffed, “where else would you be? You weren’t in with your Legos, so the only other place you could be was out here next to the lake. I just wish you’d decided to wear a jacket.”

“It’s nice out here,” Danny excused.

“It’s a bit breezy,” Arthur corrected. “You should be wearing a jacket. And maybe a hat and gloves.”

“You really shouldn’t worry so much.” Danny reached down and grabbed a small scrap of bread. He threw it in the direction of the ducks just to watch them fight over it. “I know it’s hard to believe, but human skin is pretty weather proof, especially when it’s like sixty-five degrees out.”

Arthur shifted to get comfortable, finally just lying down on his back, his hair tangling with the grass. “It is kind of a nice day. Perfect for cloud watching.”

“You know, you’re probably lying in duck poop, right?”

Arthur rolled his eyes at him. “I am planning on taking a shower later. It’s just nice to sit here with you.”

“I’m sitting, you’re lying,” Danny said.

“Yes, with duck poop in my hair.” Arthur sighed. “Do you know what’s going on with you and Marshal?”

Danny shrugged. “Not really. He just seems to like coming around for dinner with me. He’s actually going to be here later.” He chewed his lower lip. “I think he really likes me. How did that even happen?”

“Because you’re great,” Arthur said, “and he’s got eyeballs.”

“I’m screwed up. I’ve been screwed up for a long time.”

“You’re not that screwed up,” Arthur said, “and not in a terribly bad way either. In fact, I think you’ve actually been getting better.”

“What do you mean?” Danny asked, genuinely curious.

Arthur gazed up at him, his eyes tracing lazily over Danny’s face. If it had been anyone else, Danny would have been uncomfortable, but it was just Arthur. “You haven’t been so strict with your routine lately. You’ve been relaxing more and just letting things play out.”

“I didn’t even notice,” Danny said, and it was true. He’d stayed up later a few nights playing with his Legos, he’d gone to work a few minutes off schedule, and he hadn’t had a single anxiety attack over things not going exactly right.

“I know you didn’t.” Arthur grinned. “I’m glad. It means that you’re getting better.”

Danny sighed. “I don’t know what you’re getting so excited about.”

“Why don’t you feed your ducks?” Arthur said. He stared up at the clouds. It was one of those semi-lazy days that happened so seldom since they’d become adults. “This makes me think of the first time we met. You fell in the decorative pond and I had to pull you out.”

“Because I couldn’t swim,” Danny said. “Lauren didn’t want me to take lessons. She said it might detract from her investment.”

“She was a bitch.”

“Yeah.” Danny smiled a little. “My clothes were ruined by the pond water. I think I swallowed frog poop.”

“You’re disgusting,” Arthur laughed.

Danny looked at his friend and felt a burst of happiness go through him. For the longest time he had lived with the feeling that he was disappointing Arthur with his introverted personality. So to find out that he was actually doing something right…

“Don’t fall asleep out here,” he said, smiling slightly, “or I might put duck poop in your hair.”

Arthur grimaced. “Please, as though you would ever touch something that disgusting. I have met you before, you know.”

“But I’ve been more outgoing lately,” Danny said. “My obsessive compulsive disorder has been fairly well controlled. So for all you know, new-Daniel might think duck poop is perfectly okay to be handled.”

“Yeah, but you still need me to drive you around, so you’re not going to do anything to me.” Arthur closed his eyes. “Wake me up before I get sunburned, okay?”

Danny sighed. “Fine.” He couldn’t help the gentle smile that curved his lips. It was such a beautiful day today, the prettiest one he’d seen in a very long time.

/CHAPTER

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