Shaking Off the Dust Read online

  He went to my suitcase, which was on a stand, grabbed the bag of toiletries and came towards me. I held up my hand for him to stop and he offered me the bag.

  “You don’t want to get close to me. I stink.”

  I wobbled at first, but grew stronger with each step. When I reached the bathroom, I closed and locked the door, then I stepped out of my clothes. I needed a shower desperately. I pulled out my IV port and applied tissue to it until it stopped bleeding. I stood, leaning heavily at the sink while I brushed my teeth. That worked so well I turned on the faucet in the shower, then sat on the seat cover while the water heated up.

  I ignored Jack hammering on the door. I was ready to get into the shower when I heard Takeshi.

  “Hannah, let me in. You need someone with you. You’re still woozy from the drugs. I’ll be there to make sure you don’t fall or get dizzy again.”

  “I’m fine,” I responded, but I sat down on the edge of the tub, feeling limp.

  “Hannah, they’re going to break down this door if you don’t let me in.” He talked urgently. “Just open the door.”

  I stood and unlocked it, then sat back down on the edge of the tub.

  Takeshi opened the door and came quietly to where I sat. He took off his clothes, pulled the curtain back and tested the water. My legs were shaking, but I managed not to lean on him much. I let the water beat against my front as Takeshi held me from behind, helping me wash.

  “Sit, Hannah.” He positioned me on the edge of the tub again. He switched off the water, put a towel around his waist then helped me dry off.

  “Jack, we’re coming out. Can you leave us alone to dress?” he called.

  “I guess I could do that.”

  “Did you get some sleep?” I asked.

  “I did. When he hung the second liter of fluids, I decided I could lie down. You were out for the count. Dr. Santiago will be back later and the three were instructed not to let you run amok until he gives his clearance for you to be up and about. You are stuck until then.”

  “Lovely.” I hugged him and took in a deep breath. It was nice not to feel the least bit nauseous. “You always smell so good. I’m beginning to think it’s just you, all male and spicy.”

  “And you smell like blackberries.”

  He helped me dress in my gym pants and Goth tee shirt and put his clothes back on. Takeshi held on to the back of my pants, offering his support without forcing me to lean on him.

  We entered a large common room, with an overstuffed couch and four cushioned chairs. One wall was a breakfast bar with four stools and behind that a kitchen area, including a regular-sized refrigerator and two-burner stove. Towards the entrance were a large table with six chairs and a regular bar with a minifridge, very upscale and decorated modern. A large-screen TV hung on the wall.

  “Is Dr. Santiago FBI?” I asked.

  “He’s an American doctor often used by the consulate when they have American diplomats visiting with health issues. We called the consulate from the plane and they paged him to the hotel.” Bill came towards me like he was going to help me sit.

  I put my feet under me on the couch and leaned against the corner. “What time is it and how long was I out? By the way, thank you for helping me. You’d think I’d try to make up for being such a pain, but don’t count on it.”

  Jack laughed and Bill almost smiled.

  “It’s a shame it hit you so hard. Hopefully the next plane ride won’t have so much turbulence,” Jack said sympathetically.

  “I’m curious as to what we should expect from the Spanish investigators.” I looked from Bill to Jack. “Will they come here or will we go there or what?”

  “We will be the lead in terms of your participation. They have assigned three of their own people to take part. These three were hand picked by the highest level of their government. They have made a list of questions specifically geared to each person that Tom has named as remaining after the crash.” Jack motioned to Bill.

  “Oh that’s a good idea,” I agreed. “Will I have a chance to review the questions with Tom ahead of time?”

  Bill cleared his throat. “It’s unlikely. I know the men that have been assigned. They’ll be testing you in much the same way we had to test you, to verify you were being honest with us. They keep their cards pretty close to the chest until they are comfortable with the fact you can communicate with ghosts.”

  “Ghost, only one. I guess I expected that. I’d prefer not to be hospitalized again for at a day or two. It’s becoming so déclassé.”

  “Soon enough they will realize we are here to help,” Takeshi reminded me in his calm voice. “Do they know she has been ill though, and will they be reasonable in their expectations?”

  “She’s the director’s new darling,” Jack said. “We can pull you out of their questioning at anytime. Because of Tom and you, we now have new leads on seven cold cases. Two more cases were closed, based on information from Tom.”

  There was a knock on the door and Jack went to answer. He checked the peephole. “It’s Rachel.” He opened the door and took one of the two grocery bags out of her hands.

  Rachel nodded at everyone and set the bag down on the breakfast-bar counter. “How are you feeling, Hannah?”

  “Much better, thank you. I find it suspicious that the only female agent is the one forced to do the shopping.”

  “We drew straws, but I’ll be checking them before we use them again. I picked up a lot of soup and sports drinks. Dr. Santiago advised us to stick with the recognizable brands. He’s worried about the local water and cuisine being too much for you.”

  I got up slowly and went over to the counter. Takeshi started to follow me, but I frowned at him and he sat back down.

  “I’m going for the old standby, chicken noodle. Anyone joining me?”

  No one spoke up, even Takeshi had deserted me. I didn’t blame him. I managed to make an entire can of soup disappear in less than five minutes. “You never told me how long I was out.”

  “There’s a six-hour time difference here. What is your body telling you?” Bill asked.

  “It’s telling me to take my meds, then sit on the couch and spew cruel remarks at all of you when your real food arrives.” I headed to my room.

  Tom appeared before me when I reached it.

  “Where’d you go?”

  “Takeshi asked me not to come around until you were better.”

  “Where’s Sharon?” I looked up as Takeshi joined us. “Tom’s here.”

  “She’s here. She and Bethann bonded. They have been staying in Bill’s room when he’s not in there.” Tom plopped into the only chair in the room.

  “When can we tell Bill or talk with Sharon? There are too many things we need to accomplish.”

  “Tell Bill what?” Takeshi turned me until I stared up into his curious eyes.

  “I forgot, you don’t know. Right before I was sick, Tom informed me there was another ghost on the plane. Bethann. She’s Bill’s deceased wife. She was pregnant when she fell down the stairs two years ago. He blames himself, because he wasn’t there. Tom informed me that Sharon has been with her, in Bill’s room.”

  Takeshi sighed and searched my face. “Hannah, let this go for a while. I don’t like you pushing yourself.”

  “I feel like I should hurry up and fix everyone’s life. When did I become this person? I’m going to have to talk with Bethann and Sharon sometime. I don’t think I can wait indefinitely.”

  “Let’s think about this for a few minutes. Tom says the light appears every day at sunrise, no matter where he is. As long as the sun keeps setting and rising, we have time. She’s waited two years to tell Bill whatever it is she needs to say. Another few days shouldn’t matter.”

  “She’s a nice woman, Bethann,” Tom said. “Bill was a lucky man. She won’t leave until she knows he’s all right. She’s been soothing Sharon, talking about how lucky she is now to be with us, that sort of thing.”

  “Has Sharon revealed wha
t happened to her? Does she know anything about those missing children?” I was getting more agitated. It wasn’t my responsibility, but it felt that way. “Can you bring them here, so we can talk? I guess we’ll be talking through you, but if she’s told Bethann anything we need to pass that on and Bill would be the one to help.”

  “Hannah, let’s save this for later, when there’s not food coming or people expected. If you get anxious, grab hold of me. You need to channel that energy into something else.”

  “That’s so kind of him to offer up his body as a channel for your pent-up tension,” Tom said with droll sarcasm. “I had no idea he was such a hound dog.”

  I laughed out loud.

  “What did he say now?”

  “He thinks you’re a hound dog.” I grinned up at Takeshi.

  He smiled back and shrugged. “With you, always. I also think you’re used to jumping in and solving problems. Someone comes into the emergency room, you zero in on what needs to be done and do it. This is very different. That energy you so easily use up at work is getting more and more pent up. It’s made you anxious and ready to jump at things. This situation is too delicate for that approach. I’m the master of channeling energy. If some of that force can be channeled into mind-altering sex, that’s a plus for us both.”

  “I’m leaving.” Tom popped out.

  I was ready to lay a big sloppy kiss on him when someone knocked on the door. “Food’s here.” Jack opened the door enough to make sure we heard him.

  It seemed like a good time to move my stuff into Takeshi’s room. “I’ll get the hanging clothes out of my stinky sickroom while you eat.” I pinched his bottom as I walked by.

  “I’ll get them and then I will hurry and eat. You go sit down and save your energy.” He caught me by my pants again, walked me backwards to the bed and pushed me back on the edge. He fell over me. His hand slid under my tee shirt and it tickled. I started laughing, but his hand moved higher and my laughter turned into a gasp. “Screw the food,” he whispered.

  I caught his earlobe in my teeth. “No, Shimodo, ignore the food, screw me.” I glanced across the room. We hadn’t bothered to close the door. “Damn, the door’s open. I’m such a selfish bitch. Go eat your food. You’ll need the energy.”

  “It’s true.” He kissed my neck, his hand closing over my breast. “You’ve been quite ill. You need to be better hydrated and eat. Come and have more soup and crackers with us.”

  I lay on the bed. My breast still tingling from his touch. Whew, something was pent up all right. As I stood, I felt a tinge of dizziness going from flat to standing, but it passed.

  Takeshi ate a salad and fresh bread with butter. I went to the table and stole a piece of bread. The three were eating sandwiches and talking about the weather.

  A loud knock at the door sent Jack to glimpse through the peephole. “Dr. Santiago.”

  The handsome doctor entered and smiled when he saw us all around the table. “You look much better,” he observed, joining us. “How long have you been up and what have you taken PO?”

  “She’s been up for a couple of hours,” Bill answered.

  “Gatorade, soup, crackers, bread and water,” Rachel added. Every one was my keeper today.

  “You are still very pale. How do you feel?” He took my hand, checking my pulse.

  “I’m great. When am I off the leash?”

  “Tell me the truth and I will determine that. Your pulse is a little high.” He looked at my face. “Truth now, Miss Campbell, or I will keep you in bed for forty-eight hours on principle.”

  “He barely knows you and yet he has already learned to threaten.” Jack sniggered.

  “Yes, and you see how far that got you. It wasn’t until you learned to play nice that your reaped the benefits of our relationship. He’s probably not merely a doctor, but works for some security agency too, because they all want to threaten first.”

  “Quiet children,” Dr. Santiago interrupted. “Truth now.”

  “I’m wobbly at times. Dizzy when I stood up after lying flat. I have the slightest of headaches. I’m parched, but I’m trying to go slow on the fluid intake. I’m antsy to do something, anything.”

  “Come turn your chair towards me, so I can take your blood pressure. Then I will tell you what I think.” He opened his medical bag.

  I rotated to face him. He was tall and handsome in that cowboy way, big, brawny, with delicate hands, despite his size. He appeared my age, early thirties, with dark brown hair and blue eyes.

  Santiago stared back at me and cocked his head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Dr. Shimodo took good care of you.”

  I nodded and didn’t say anything while he listened to my blood pressure. He winked at me. “Much better than the first time.”

  Takeshi continued to eat his salad and bread, but watched us. He began to take on that detached silence and I couldn’t have that. After Dr. Santiago removed the blood-pressure cuff, I scooted my chair around to face the table and moved it closer to Takeshi. When I turned to sit back, my leg rested against his. He reached down and touched my thigh and the aloofness faded.

  I grabbed the last of his bread. “I’m waiting, Dr. Santiago. I was truthful. What do I get for total honesty?”

  “If you rest a couple of hours yet today, have a light dinner and then a good night’s sleep, you should be much improved by morning. Make tomorrow a short day, four hours or so of activity and only if you must work at all. No local water, and that includes ice. Stick with bottled. You need rest and hydration. I am leaving you in Dr. Shimodo’s care. I am also leaving him medications and supplies in case you have another episode. I’d advise it prophylactic for your plane ride home.” He stood to go. “I’m available should you need me, but I think you are a very resilient woman.” I reached out my hand to shake his. He took it, but bent over and kissed it. “A rare pleasure, Miss Campbell.”

  Bill glanced at his watch after the good doctor left. “Rachel and I are meeting with our Spanish counterparts in an hour.” He gestured to Rachel and they disappeared into their rooms.

  Jack pointed to the big-screen TV hanging on the wall. “There’s an American football game on and I’m planning to watch it. You’re free to rest or watch the game too. Each of the bedrooms has a TV.”

  “If you could get room service to change the linens, bedspread, pillows and perhaps fumigate, the room I was in might be used by someone else,” I suggested.

  “I’ll call room service,” Takeshi said. “Why don’t you wait for me in the bedroom? I’ll use some pressure points for your headache.”

  I frowned. “I’m sorry I mentioned it.”

  He went to the phone and I dragged my feet heading back to the bedroom. Jack switched on the TV, flipping channels, hunting for the game.

  “Did you pick the short straw to have to stay with us?” I teased, standing in front of him.

  “Not this time. Bill had to go, but I talked Rachel into going by telling her that our counterparts were very attractive and single. She pretended she didn’t care, but she perked up and decided it would be nice to go out for a while.”

  “What about you? What’s your story, Jack?” I sat down on the couch across from his chair. His name fit him.

  Takeshi hung up the phone and joined me on the sofa. He rubbed his hands together and urged me down to the floor in front of him.

  Jack watched us. “My story is boring. Minnesota boy, marines, then worked Minneapolis PD four years. I was accepted to the FBI. Divorced, no kids.”

  “And so efficient, even in your words,” I said.

  Takeshi began his pressure points on my neck. I cranked my face up to him. “If you try that putting-me-to-sleep crap, I’m going to be a very unhappy companion when I wake up.”

  He put my head back into alignment. “I’ve learned my lesson.” He continued to apply pressure and I closed my eyes to enjoy the sensation.

  “Hannah, wake up.”

  I rolled over to pull blankets around me, but instead
I caught someone’s arm. I was too tired to open my eyes, so I moved my head to a more comfortable position. Fingers were caressing my face.

  I sat up groggy and took in my surroundings. I was on the couch. A pillow lay in Takeshi’s lap, where my head had been.

  “How do you feel?” he asked.

  I put my hand over my face and rubbed my eyes. I got up, gave him a scathing look and marched into the bedroom. As the door shut, I could hear Jack’s voice.

  “You’re in trouble now.”

  I went into the bathroom and splashed my face with cold water. Takeshi came to the door and I slammed it in his face. I hissed a litany of curses loud enough for him to hear me. I pulled the door open. “Fuck you, Shimodo. I warned you what you could look forward to.”

  He leaned against the wall, outside the door, blocking the way. I swung at him and hit his chest. I went to hit him again and he caught my hands. “Get out of my way. I’m getting my stuff and moving back into the other room. I won’t stand for this. You can’t treat me like a child.”

  “Hannah, be quiet!” His voice was harsh.

  I stopped talking and stared at him. I’d never heard him shout. He was angry. That was unacceptable. I was mad at him. He was not allowed to be angry at me.

  He pulled me against him and looked into my face, from inches away. “I plan to treat you very much like a woman and there’s not much time.”

  He picked me up and carried me to the bed, setting me against a mound of pillows as his mouth covered mine in a fierce, demanding kiss.

  I reveled in the warmth of his body against mine. My skin was alive with sensation as I sank into the heat of him. I tasted the cavern of his mouth, pleasure deepening our kiss. He was an artist stripping away any clothing to allow the delicate layering of one sensation after another. Our kiss broke in a gasp.

  His tongue created a warm, wet trail under my breast. He used his teeth to harden my nipples, then captured as much as he could in his mouth pulling as he suckled, lifting me off the bed. His amazing fingers disappeared into my gym pants. I jerked as he found my sex and teased that sensitive nub with his thumb. A finger created moisture as it caressed my slit over and over. I was damp and open when that finger slid into me. I squirmed until I managed to get my pants and panties off. He used two of his fingers preparing me for his invasion.