Videos.

  Yet Barnes hadn’t used any of the evidence in his campaign. The issues. He stuck to what he stood for. People no longer went in for that hokey crap. They wanted mud-slinging, name-calling, but only if it wasn’t taken too far.

  Like Marion’s depression and her rehab stint.

  That had been well received. Of course, they didn’t share it was because her baby girl died. Then he would have been considered a heel.

  And he was anything but.

  But the world was a strange place.

  Thinking on strange, where was Ilsa? He’d been home for a while, and she hadn’t come out to say hello.

  A search was in order. His little Lisichka, or little fox, was probably hiding again. He loved when his fox peeked out of her hole. The game was his favorite.

  Chapter Twelve

  Wednesday…

  Ericka yawned behind her hand. The amber colored sunglasses Rosetta wore would be a plus today. They would hide the bags and black circles under her eyes. She stomped into the kitchen and grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee.

  “Someone had a rough night.” Tim looked over the back of the couch at her.

  “Excuse me?”

  “All that screaming, I thought a wildcat had gotten you.”

  Maggie slapped Tim on the head, and he covered it with his hand and rubbed the area.

  “Sorry, Ericka. He needs more couth.”

  Ericka peered over the rim of the coffee mug but didn’t reply. The thought that more people had heard the throes of her nightmares depressed her. But it was over and couldn’t be changed now.

  Her past was her past. She wished she could keep it there, but it refused to stay.

  Quinn entered the room. “I had breakfast sent to the studio.”

  She nodded. She’d be having cantaloupe, a piece of baked salmon, and water. It was Rosetta’s breakfast of choice when singing. The protective detail was back. The line to the elevator formed. The surrounding began. Escorted to the car once more, she already found it stifling and annoying.

  Greg was stretched out in the back seat. His eyes were closed and his breathing even. Snores echoed in the small space.

  She’d kept him awake too. Maybe it was time to talk to Dr. Ellen again. She’d said she could help Ericka forget. She’d put it off because she was afraid to forget; it might mean she would forget other things. But maybe now was the time.

  She backhanded his chest.

  He didn’t budge.

  She cleared her throat.

  No movement.

  She raised her hand to…

  “Don’t hit me again. I’m up.”

  Ericka felt heat flush her cheeks. “Why didn’t someone wake me? If I was that loud—”

  “I tried.”

  “You did?”

  “I did.”

  She remembered hugging a giant Teddy bear in her dreams, but other than feeling warm she hadn’t continued to be afraid.

  “Want to share the dream?”

  “No really.”

  “So, you do remember it?”

  “I do.”

  “It wasn’t about your mother and the abusive man then?”

  “No.” Her throat hurt from holding back emotion.

  The dream was one that she didn’t want to share. It wasn’t about family per se, it was about her time in the military. It was about a little injured girl that ran up to her while they were overseas. She’d pulled her aside and tried to save her, but it was too late.

  Too late for the little girl.

  Too late for her to try and make up for her past.

  The car jerked forward bringing her from her revere. Traffic was bumper to bumper. If the person trying to kill Rosetta didn’t succeed the New York traffic would.

  Greg looked over a sheet of paper in his lap. “Today we’re going to the studio. You’re cutting a demo for a new song that Rosetta wrote. Have you practiced it?”

  “Yes.” Whether she was good was a different story.

  “Rosetta won’t be in your ear for this.”

  “I know.”

  Not that Rosetta had been much help anyway. She had heard none of Rosetta’s modeling tips the day before. She’d followed the photographer’s suggestion. Pouty lips. Cocked and curious brow. Hands on her knee when her legs were crossed. She’d tried them and the photographer had scowled at her. She must not have been doing it correctly. She had tried.

  Ericka wondered if that was Rosetta’s first official photo shoot with someone other than her own people.

  “How goes Tito’s part of all this? Any proof that Alexi is our guy?”

  “Sadly, no. And Barnes was released. There were cameras all over that kitchen. Dude walked in, stood for like an hour with his hands in his pockets, and walked out. He went to the bar and drank a cola. The whole thing was just to make him look bad for the cameras, we think.”

  “If he didn’t poison the workers and try to poison us, who did?”

  “Good question. I think someone wanted to frame Barnes and kill Rosetta at the same time. Think about it? It kills two birds with one stone. And Representative Vilo comes out smelling like a rose.”

  “Why was a North Carolina Representative candidate in New York on some random day of the week, anyway?”

  “He said Vilo asked him to come.”

  “How?”

  “By email. And before you ask, it is no longer on Barnes’ computer. Even Quinn attempted to retrieve it and it’s just not there.”

  Ericka would have questioned more but they pulled up outside the studio and she felt like she was going to be sick. Now was when the rubber met the road. She’d trained for many missions before but nothing like this. Pulling this off would take everything she had.

  ****

  “Maggie, go in and get her.”

  “No, you.”

  “It’s the woman’s restroom.”

  “So? If she really does puke I might too.”

  Greg muttered under his breath as he entered the restroom. “Ericka, I’m coming in.”

  There was no response.

  He leaned against the counter. Legs and feet could be seen under one stall. “Come on, Ericka. What’s going on?”

  “I can’t. I can’t do it. The photo shoot was one thing, but this is me singing like I know what I’m doing! The sound engineer will know. He’ll know.”

  Greg didn’t have any more patience. He opened the door and dragged her from the stall. He placed his hands on either side of her face. He stared into her brown eyes.

  “Ericka Stone, you can do this. You’ve done more things than I’ve thought humanly possible.”

  “You mean for a girl.” She sounded full since he had her face slightly smooshed.

  “No, I mean for any gender. You’re amazing. If anyone can make that sound engineer believe you are Rosetta Vilo, you can.” He let his hands drop to his sides, despite his desire to keep touching her.

  Tears coated her eyes.

  He’d only seen that a few times. None had he liked. This time didn’t seem like sadness.

  She swallowed. “Let’s do it.”

  Her shoulders straightened, her spine stiffened. She adjusted her amber sunglasses over her eyes and left the restroom. Greg followed to awkward stares. He didn’t really care what they thought.

  He followed Ericka into the booth. He introduced them. “I’m Benji Hunley, Rosetta’s manager. Are you ready for her?”

  “We were just getting everything set up. Rosetta you can go in and speak into the mic whenever you’re ready.”

  Ericka looked at him one last time before she slipped into the room. Rosetta had given her the song. They’d practiced the one time over the phone, Ericka had practiced on her own, but Greg knew this would be different. They should have rescheduled.

  She needed more time.

  Who cared about this girl’s contract?

  They should have come down harder on Alexi Romanov.

  A thousand different ideas came to his head, but it was too late.

  Ericka spoke into the microphone. The music had been prerecorded.

  “Reckless on the highway, 100 in a 50,

  Doing things my own way-ay,

  Never cared to drift astray…”

  Greg was mesmerized by her voice. She continued to sing the rest of Reckless Sinner. She might be better than Rosetta. What does one do with that information?

  Right now, they just be happy. Happy that Ericka’s ability helped keep her secret that she wasn’t Rosetta. At least that was one good thing.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The framing of Barnes had been a fiasco. Yuri’s friend, Günter, was clueless about such things, obviously. Ilsa should have taken care of it herself.

  Ilsa stood off to the side in the partially dark alley. Stray cats appeared and rubbed on her pantyhose clad legs. She shooed them away, but they kept coming.

  She moved farther into the light.

  Since her brother’s play didn’t work, Josef went another way. He ordered her to send a package to Rosetta under a name she would recognize. Mud must have seen the box and thrown it in the cargo hold beneath the bus, because it no longer sat outside the vehicle.

  It was in the perfect location.

  The timer had been set when he lifted the box.

  Ilsa would wait close by until the bomb exploded. She needed the publicity. New York news was perfect. A national station was sure to pick it up and everyone would know that Representative Don Vilo’s daughter was still under attack.

  It was perfect.

  Ilsa pulled her gloves higher over her wrists. The sound of a feminine voice made her lift her head.

  Rosetta.

  Her and that bossy manager talked loudly as they walked toward the bus.

  “I don’t know that this is a good idea.” Benji slowed his pace as they walked across the open parking lot.

  “I have to do it. I know that Ericka is good, I’ve heard her. Maybe too good. I thought I was okay with all this, but I’m getting worried. What if people notice the change of style and voice and they like it better? My career that we’re trying to save will be over.”

  “Your career will never be over. You’re the best.”

  Rosetta smiled. “You’re sweet.”

  Ilsa laid her hand against the wall. She’d been prepared for a few minimal workers to die or be injured in the bus, but if Rosetta died it would ruin the entire plan.

  She could call her. She might stop walking. But still she was too close to the bus.

  She could tell her to move to get a better signal, but that wouldn’t be easy to fake.

  When Ilsa looked up it was too late—Rosetta was already on the bus.

  ****

  Charles had been stuck with the bus for days. He’d managed to elude those asking for his paperwork and he wanted it to stay that way.

  He laid his arm across the bus seat. The seat had bounced when the luggage space opened and closed. After the bounce, Mud climbed aboard.

  “What was that?”

  “Package.”

  “From who?”

  “Not sure. I’ve seen the name before on stuff, but someone just left it waiting outside on the pavement.”

  Charles had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Rosetta had been threatened twice before already. And obviously threatened before since Ericka had agreed to take her place and protect her.

  The door opened.

  Rosetta, with her mouth beaming in a wide smile, stepped onto the bus. “Hello, gentlemen.”

  “Hello, Rosetta.”

  “Mud, I’m glad you’re here. I’m going to need my sound booth set up to record.”

  “Now?”

  “Yes, now.”

  Charles could feel anxiety building inside him. Hesitation over speaking his mind was setting in. But there was something there, he was sure of it.

  “Pardon the intrusion, but I think we should get off the bus.”

  “Whatever for? Besides, I just got here, and it is cold outside.”

  Charles rose. He grabbed her hand and tugged her towards an emergency exit. “We have to go now.”

  “What could be so urgent?”

  He paused. He looked into her eyes. He hadn’t used the skill since Olivia’s mate camp, but he didn’t know what else to do.

  “You want to get off the bus.”

  “I want to get off the bus.”

  “Order the others to come with you.”

  She turned. “We’re getting off the bus now.”

  While she spoke, Charles led her to the rear exit. He wasn’t exactly sure why he cared about the others or her for that matter, but here he was rescuing people.

  The door opened and a blast of winter air slapped him in the face. He practically dragged Rosetta out of the bus. Mud followed while mumbling about wishy-washy women. Benji was last. He hadn’t said a word about the change in plans until now.

  “What are we doing now? I thought you wanted to switch the demos. Rosetta, will you—”

  The explosion propelled Charles and Rosetta into the air and against the hard pavement. Ringing filled his ears and his skin felt raw.

  Sirens might have been coming but he wasn’t sure. Either way, he couldn’t be present when emergency personal arrived. And they would arrive. A blast like that couldn’t go off in New York without a plethora of police.

  He had to leave now.

  ****

  Ericka finished the song and started to head out of the booth. She’d thought it sounded pretty good. The sound engineer hadn’t stopped her once. That had to mean something, right?

  She stood at the cracked door. Greg lowered the phone from his ear. His face was a mask of anger and something she couldn’t read.

  “What’s up?”

  He looked at her. “The tour bus just exploded.”

  “Ah, man, that’s not cool. Good thing you guys were here.” The sound engineer adjusted a few dials.

  Ericka looked at Greg, her eyes widening.

  He nodded.

  Rosetta had been on the bus.

  This was a disaster. When news of her death reached the world and then the sound engineer explained Rosetta had actually been singing in his song booth, the world was going to go crazy. Conspiracy theorists would go wild with rumors.

  Greg thanked the guy who offered to work up the demo and send it to the managing record company. Once they stepped out of the room they ran to the limo. He explained the explosion as far as he knew Quinn and Maggie.

  Both were silent.

  Who could blame them?

  “We need to get there.” Quinn put his hands on the steering wheel.

  “Law enforcement won’t let us in.” Greg sighed.

  “True. Tito! I’ll call him.” Maggie had her phone to her ear.

  Ericka listened as Tito was given the information. Over the phone she heard him say he was already on his way.

  Greg ordered Quinn to just wait before pulling out on the road. “I shouldn’t have said anything in front of the guy upstairs.”

  They both knew that was true, but shock had taken over.

  “What do we do now?” Ericka asked.

  “I guess we wait.”

  Greg shifted against the back seat several times. He wasn’t any better at waiting than her.

  And what was taking Tito so long to get back to them? They needed an update on this situation yesterday.

  ****

  Tito raced out of the apartment again. Blake and Nick never moved or questioned. They didn’t even look away from making their afternoon coffee. The guy they were watching never seemed to leave his house.

  It was weird.

  Tito hit the roads but was soon blocked by traffic. He found an empty parking spot, pulled over, plugged money into the meter, and took off on foot. The parking lot next to Sarah D. Roosevelt Park had held the bus. He wasn’t too far from there.

  But the city was so confusing.

  Sirens wailed and lights blinked ahead. Officers stood around everywhere. Tito flashed his badge and gained immediate entrance to the scene. Fire trucks and crews were hard at work putting out the flames.

  He approached an officer closer to the scene. “What happened?” He knew the basics, but he wanted to get specifics, if any were known.

  “Explosion.”

  Tito didn’t say it. He moved on. “Any dead?”

  “Just one. Pretty much lost his face.”

  “That’s great that no one else was on the bus.” Tito held his breath. If anyone else was on the bus, then they had a serious problem.

  “If there were more then they got out in time.”

  “Can I be of any assistance with your investigation?”

  “Nah. Just gotta wait until the fire is out then we’ll find out more.”

  “Well, if you need me, here is my card.”

  “‘Course, ‘course.”

  Tito backed out of hearing range and called Greg.

  “Well?”

  He’d skip chastising him about no hello. “One dead. No face.”

  Greg groaned. “Follow the body to the morgue. Speak to the medical examiner. If it is Benji or Rosetta the press can’t know about it. Not yet anyway.”

  “On it.”

  “And, Tito?”

  “Yes?”

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem.”

  They hung up and Tito slid his phone into his pocket. A body bag was being rolled away. He raced to catch up. “Hey, I need to ride with that.”

  The gentleman appeared ready to say no, but Tito flashed his badge once more. He was allowed to climb aboard the ambulance with the dead body. This wasn’t how he pictured this assignment. One thing he’d learned was any case Ericka was involved in one had to learn to expect the unexpected.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ericka and the team returned to The Plaza hotel. Tito had yet to call with an update about the body. The officers guarding Rosetta at the safehouse admitted she had snuck off with her manager some time that morning and they hadn’t seen her since.

  Ericka knew she wanted to cut her own demo because she was afraid Ericka’s would be good or that people would be able to tell the difference.

  This was all her fault. If Ericka had been terrible then Rosetta wouldn’t have worried. She could have faked the whole demo thing, maybe.

  “Stop pacing, darling, you’re making me dizzy.”