Night Watch (Kendra Michaels #4)(5)

“How did you know what I was talking about?”

She said simply, “I read your lips.”

He gazed at her in disbelief. “You can do that?”

“I guess I never told you. When I got my sight, I was amazed to discover the visual aspect of human speech, the whole interplay of tongue, lips, and teeth. It was fascinating to see what caused the sounds I’d been hearing my entire life. I just paid attention to what movements caused what sounds. After a couple years of studying that, I was pretty good at lipreading. It’s nothing I planned to do. It just happened.”

“Pretty good is right, but you’re not infallible,” Waldridge said sourly.

“I never said I was. Did I get a word wrong?”

Waldridge stared at her for a long moment. “Clever as always, Kendra. You’re always a surprise and experience for me. But you could get yourself into trouble.”

She grinned at him. “Well, I’m always doing that.”

“I’m serious. I shouldn’t have come. This was a bad idea.”

Her smile faded. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

He shook his head. “Drop it please. It was a mistake.”

“I know you have a right to say that this is none of my business.” She was silent a moment, then she said with sudden passion, “But you’re wrong. You became my business when you gave me my sight. Nothing can ever change that. But if you don’t feel comfortable talking to me about this, so be it. I’ll try to back away.”

He pulled the napkin from his lap and tossed it onto the table. “Things aren’t as simple as they once were, Kendra. I wish they were, believe me. I think that’s why I wanted to see you. Seeing you takes me back to a happier time, when things were more clear-cut, black-and-white.”

“They were never that black-and-white for me.”

“Of course not. But from a purely scientific point of view, we saw a problem that needed to be solved, and we fixed it. You’re my greatest success, Kendra, and I will always feel good about that.”

“Even if you don’t feel good about what you’re working on now.”

“You’re guessing, and I’m not confirming.” He made a face. “I’ve said too much. Perhaps we should call it a night.”

She didn’t want to let him go. She felt frustrated, and the uneasiness was growing by the minute. But she could see by his guarded expression that he wasn’t going to tell her anything more. “Perhaps we should.”

Kendra paid the check, and they walked out to the valet stand in silence. After they handed their tickets to the attendant, Waldridge turned toward her. “Things aren’t always what they seem, Kendra. The Night Watch Project was formed to do great things, but there was more going on than any of us were aware. Even I didn’t know until much later that I couldn’t take pride in all of it. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Enough, Charles. Forgive you? You gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever give me.” She took a step closer, her eyes holding his own. “You have to talk to me about this.”

“I’m afraid I can’t.”

“Bullshit.”

“I’m afraid it’s not. This was a mistake.” His rental car rolled to a stop in front of them. Waldridge embraced Kendra and kissed her gently on the forehead. “I’m sorry. I know I must be driving you mad, but it’s for your own good. Trust me. It’s better for you.”

“That’s my decision. You don’t call the shots any longer in our relationship, Charles.” She gripped his arm. “Whatever is going on, I can help. Try me.”

“All that intensity. How I’ve missed it.” Waldridge pulled away and looked down at her for a long moment. “No, Kendra. You can’t help. I can’t let you.”

He climbed into his car and drove away.

*

JADEN STOOD AT HIS HOTEL room’s floor-to-ceiling windows and stared out at the twinkling lights of West Hollywood. His mobile phone was on speaker while he finished changing his clothes.

“No problems?” Hutchinson asked. His voice on the phone had a slight echo.

“No problems,” he replied. “The snow will melt off before anyone finds him. There will be no footprints, no trace I was ever there.”

“Good.”

“I’ll be out on the early flight tomorrow. I’ll be back with the team by early afternoon.”

“That’s what I wanted to discuss with you. He needs you to stay a few more days.”

“It was supposed to be in and out. He promised me.”

“I know, but there’s been a development. Dr. Waldridge has reached out to an old friend. We’re still not sure why, but we’d be foolish to ignore it. Sit tight until we can check it out.”

Jaden muttered a curse as he turned from the window. “I don’t like this.”

“Nothing to worry about. Just a precaution. You haven’t asked me who the friend is.”

“I didn’t ask because I don’t give a damn.”

“You will.”

“I doubt that.”

“It’s Kendra Michaels.”

Jaden froze. “Are you sure?”

“They were having dinner together less than an hour ago.”