Secrets in the Storm Read online

  Secrets in the Storm

  Cindy M. Hogan

  O’neal Publishing

  Contents

  Also by Cindy M. Hogan

  Description

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  About the Author

  Also by Cindy M. Hogan

  Also by Cindy M. Hogan

  The Watched Trilogy

  Watched

  Protected

  Created

  Christy Spy Novels: Christy’s story continues from the Watched Trilogy

  Adrenaline Rush

  Hotwire

  Fatal Exchange

  Redemption Lost

  Christy and Rick Novellas

  The Royal Guard

  Secrets in the Sand

  Secrets in the Storm

  Code of Silence Series

  Kate Unmasked

  Kate Concealed

  Kate Empowered

  Kate Unleashed

  Gravediggers

  Sweet and Sour Kisses

  Novellas

  Dangerous Truth

  The Descension

  SECRETS IN THE STORM

  Copyright ©2016 by Cindy M. Hogan

  First Edition

  All rights reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the author. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  Cover design by Novak Illustrations

  Edited by Charity West

  ISBN:978-0-9972555-1-5

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  Description

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  Secrets in the Storm

  High in the Canadian Kananaskis National Forest, super spies, Christy and Jeremy try again for a romantic getaway, in hopes that their remote destination will give them a long awaited private holiday.

  Unfortunately, someone else has found shelter in the same abandoned lodge, but with much more nefarious intent. Christy and Jeremy set off, determined to get the evidence into the right hands in Calgary.

  But a violent flash storm rolls in, as well as a beautiful girl from Jeremy’s past. Combined, they threaten to not only help the terrorists have their way, but also to end the relationship between handler and spy for good as jealousy and distrust come between them.

  Chapter 1

  

  Vast waves of green pines rose up to meet the helicopter and swallow it whole. The rush of wind punched a hole in the forest for the chopper to land on the dusty, hard clearing. My stomach flip-flopped as we landed, and the majestic resort, fifty yards to our left, disappeared behind the trees. I took a deep breath, letting go of Jeremy’s hand and taking off my headphones to set them on their hook above and behind me.

  “You may want to hurry,” our pilot, Max, said. His large forehead was accentuated by his severe ponytail, and his tiny, bespectacled eyes made him appear owlish. “I’m hearing chatter about a storm coming our way, and it looks like it’s gonna be a big one if it hits us. If I’m going to get you to town and back, it’s gotta be soon.”

  “We’ll be quick.” Jeremy patted Max on the shoulder and slipped out of the machine. I was almost afraid to open my door and climb out. It couldn’t be. Was I really here in the Kananaskis Canadian National Forest with Jeremy until tomorrow—without a mission hanging over us?

  The cool, somewhat humid end-of-summer air filled my lungs as my door swung open and the wind rushed down over me, whipping my blonde hair into my face. I grabbed our go bags from the floor of the chopper and swung mine onto my back. We never went anywhere without them, so even though we’d only be at the lodge for a twenty-minute supply check, we took them with us so we could be ready for anything.

  I ran out from under the slowing propellers, the expectation for the next two days high. Hiking, lazing around, and a little kissing—or maybe a lot— would be a welcome change from our regimented lives as spy and handler. A bit of fear fluttered through me as I looked into his intense brown eyes. What would our relationship look like without the press of spy business on us at all times? Would he like me as just me? Jeremy took my hand as I handed him his go bag and a tingle shot up my arm, making me feel giddy. He put his arm around my waist, pulling me close against his hard body, a kiss landing on the top of my head.

  We started up the path that led to the large pinewood log lodge. A huge, weathered sign hung askew from a few metal rings that splayed dangerously open. It swung to and fro in the wind, twisting and turning. Despite that, the former elegance of the place was obvious. The grand entry, with its large, graceful portico and massive solid wood doors, screamed exclusivity. The long path leading to that grand display boasted overgrown bushes, planter boxes, and large sculptures. Despite how it was littered with forest debris, animal tracks, and even some tracks that were obviously human made, I could imagine how beautiful it had been when manicured.

  “You weren’t kidding,” I said, grinning up at him. “This place is not only isolated, but awesome!” I couldn’t help but notice how easily he smiled, his smooth face lighting up. I could see how proud he was in the erect bearing of his broad shoulders as he took in my praise.

  It really was stunning. The two story building rose up, taller than many of the trees, with large balconies on the second level that held small hot tubs and barbeques. They must have been the suites he told me about. The idea of staying in one sent a thrill through me. Plywood covered most of the windows, and the weathered exterior logs had aged a nice dark brown.

  “Just wait until they get it back to its normal splendor. It doesn’t look like much right now.”

  “It looks like Christmas morning. I can just imagine how grand it was and will be again. I’m so glad you thought to bring me here.”

  One ski lift, bare of any chairs, snaked up the mountain behind the lodge next to a longer one that had a quad carrier still attached, sitting at the transfer site. The pile of chairs from the lift sat next to the loading site. While it was obvious where the runs had once been, large swaths of the mountain had minimal but growing bushes and trees surrounded by the larger, beautiful Lodge pole pines and spruces. It must have been something before the flash rainstorm hit six years ago.

  His hand left my waist and took my hand in his strong one and squeezed it once. “I hope the interior isn’t too bad, so we really can stay here. I hate that we have to get supplies in town. I don’t want to run into anyone in trouble.” He raised an eyebrow. “
I’d really like to spend every minute until tomorrow with you and you alone.”

  “I’m not going to let anything get in our way this time.” Our first attempt at a romantic getaway had ended badly—with me in a Florida jail accused of murder—all because I couldn’t help but get involved in other people’s problems.

  If it hadn’t been for Rick, my first true love and heartbreak, we would have been found out, and we would have lost our jobs. Relationships between handlers and their spies were strictly forbidden. As far as Division knew, Jeremy was in Siberia on a mission, and I was still in Florida, getting some advanced training in disguises with one of my old handlers, Cort. At least until tomorrow night when we were supposed to be back. I sighed, grateful that Jeremy and I still had the jobs we were made to do.

  We tromped up the decaying wooden steps to the main deck to check everything out.

  “I can’t believe your family owns this place.” The wood was soft under my feet, and we swung our hands back and forth as we climbed. To be able to leave it abandoned for so long had to speak to his family’s wealth.

  “I can’t believe we let a broken bridge stop us from keeping the lodge open.” He let go of my hand and unhooked the sign and laid it next to the building.

  “I’ve read about the wicked fast storms that sometimes come through here.” I picked up some debris and tossed it into a heavy metal trashcan near the door. “And I can imagine that a lot more than the bridge was washed away in that storm, including everything around it. I’m sure it would have cost a fortune to replace it.”

  “You’re right. It was an expensive endeavor, but mostly my dad wasn’t inclined to spend all that money to improve the land when the government could pull back on the lease of the land at any time. He’s not a big lover of the government and doesn’t want to give them any more than he already does through taxes.”

  “You don’t own the land?”

  “No. It’s public land but we have a lease to build and operate the resort. The government kept refusing to sell it outright and when the bridge washed out, it was the last straw for my dad. He wanted to make them suffer by not getting money from us, I think.”

  “You, know,” he said with a sly grin. “I wouldn’t mind a quick storm rushing through tonight. It would be fun to be holed up with you.”

  I raised my eyebrows.

  “We could build a fire and tell ghost stories.” He laughed, the sparkle in his eyes irresistible.

  I shivered slightly. “Or we could build that fire and snuggle under a blanket while you tell me all about your childhood here, instead.”

  Jeremy leaned back as if to appraise me more carefully. “Are you telling me, Christy Hadden, that you’re afraid of ghosts?”

  “Well, no, I mean—not exactly.” I blushed furiously.

  “You are!” I thwacked him playfully on the chest and hid my reddening cheeks behind my hand.

  “These stories have been passed down for generations, by cultures all over the world. You can’t help but wonder if they have some basis in fact. And when you’re in a place like this,” I gestured to the abandoned building in front of us, “the stories feel more real than not.”

  Jeremy grinned at me. “It’s all right—I think it’s cute. Unstoppable Christy Hadden, spy extraordinaire, thwarted by spooky spirits.”

  I glared at him, though I couldn’t suppress a smile. “You take that back. I’m pretty sure I could totally take one in a fight.”

  “I’m pretty sure you could totally take anyone in a fight,” Jeremy said, wrapping his arm around me and leaning in for a sweet kiss that lingered and made me forget all about ghosts and spirits. “In any case, a fire sounds good,” Jeremy said.

  “I can’t believe you are a Canadian by birth.” I leaned on a boarded up window and looked out at the peaceful area surrounding the lodge.

  “You knew that before, right?” He turned to me, his lips lifted up in a smile.

  “Actually, no. We don’t ever talk much about ourselves, do we? I was hoping to find out all about you on this trip.” Knowing each other’s pasts could lead to big problems if we were ever kidnapped and forced to tell our coworkers’ secrets. But Jeremy and I were more than coworkers now. I would guard his secrets with my life.

  It never occurred to me that Jeremy would have been born anywhere other than the U.S. “Your parents live in Calgary?”

  “Lived. They live in Vancouver, now—British Columbia. Gave up the mountains for the sea. My brother is the one leading the charge to reopen the resort, but even he lives in Edmonton. It’ll be interesting to see if he follows through with it.”

  “You have a dad and a mom and a brother?” I asked, a roguish look on my face. It was fun to find out things about him that had previously been considered secrets. Really fun.

  Jeremy chuckled. “Surprising, I know.”

  “You know all my secrets, but I don’t even know about how you grew up or anything.” I’d met Jeremy for the first time in Washington, D.C. when I was only fifteen and about the farthest thing from a spy imaginable. I’d thought he was a bad guy. A handsome bad guy, but a bad guy nonetheless.

  “Well, you’re about to be immersed in my world. Calgary and the Kananaskis were my playgrounds growing up.” His face lit up this time and it made me feel excited to play in his world.

  “I can’t wait to see everything and experience the places that helped make you who you are.” I couldn’t help myself, I leaned over and gave him a kiss on his cheek. He didn’t let it end there. As I began to lean back, he pulled on my arm and planted a hot, soft kiss on my lips, his stubble brushing against my skin. I smiled, his lips on mine and then kissed him right back.

  He leaned his head on mine and whispered, “I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

  A pleasant tingle ran through me. This amazing man was mine. “Never.” He’d researched me and my family thoroughly when I was fifteen and despite all the embarrassing truths he had to have found, he still chose to love me. I touched the dark shadow of stubble growing on his face. I liked the sandpapery feel on my hands, but not on my face. He reached up and took my hand, kissing my palm and smiling at me.

  “Christy, I feel like the luckiest guy alive having you here with me.”

  “Ditto.”

  “You know, it’s going to be a dust bomb inside, but everything’s supposed to be covered, so it shouldn’t take us long to clean out a suite for us to use. We’ll buy some sheets and blankets, some stuff to dust and clean with, and we’ll be set.”

  “Don’t forget the food,” I said. “I’m starving already.”

  “Well, let’s get a move on, then.” He leaned down to put the key in the lock, but the door creaked slightly open at his touch. He looked back to me, his face suddenly alert. “It’s unlocked.” His whispered words made my whole body stand at attention.

  Without having to turn around, I pulled up a memory of everything I’d seen as we walked up to the building, and all the tell-tale signs that someone had been there recently took on a new meaning. Two broken branches. A trail that not only had animal prints dug into it, but also footprints, the size of men’s feet, overlapping each other.

  “Someone’s been here.”

  Chapter 2

  “Did you notice the tire tracks near where the helicopter landed?” I asked.

  “Now that you mention it, yes. I should have been paying better attention. I was just so excited to be here with you.”

  Tire tracks had been pressed into the soft earth, over and over again. In a mere second, I knew at least six people had been here recently as I easily recalled six different shoe tread tracks between the clearing and the tall, wide entry doors.

  “A cleaning crew—or your family, maybe?” I held on to the hope. The long bridge had finally been repaired a few weeks ago. The family could have come to check the building out in that time.

  He shook his head. “No. My dad would have told me when I called him about coming here earlier today.” There were no cars in the pa
rking lot, and the windows were all boarded up. Except for the phantom footprints, the place looked completely abandoned.

  “Maybe… teenagers?” I said, though a prickle of anxiety was developing in my spine. “Some kids looking for a weekend hideaway? Probably long gone by now.”

  Jeremy frowned and prodded at the prints in the thick dust on the porch with the toe of his boot. “These look fresh.” Something unspoken passed between us, and we both reached for our guns. I stepped into position at Jeremy’s back and nodded slowly.

  Jeremy pressed carefully on the heavy door —our bodies tight with anticipation, our go bags on our backs—then slammed the door open just in case someone was hidden behind it. It would knock a hidden person out. The door hit the springy doorstop and bounded back toward us. Clear.

  He pushed gently on the door to reopen it and stepped inside, his footfalls making no sound as he scanned the room. I followed closely behind, checking opposite him. Nothing. We stood, silent for several heartbeats until it was apparent the room was empty. Many, many steps had been taken on the dusty floor leading in all different directions.

  He signaled me to go behind the reception desk. I couldn’t help but notice the grand chandelier hanging from a long rafter. Furniture covered in white sheets was clustered in corners, and there was nothing to indicate anyone had used the place in some time. All surfaces were thick with dust—only the floor betraying the intruders. My heart pounded hard in my chest.

  We made our way down the left hall, following some footprints, clearing each room: an equipment rental room lined with every kind of winter gear imaginable, a restaurant with stacked chairs and tables, a cafe, a mini store with empty shelves and coolers. A couple housekeeping rooms stocked with all sorts of cleaning supplies were on our left, with a laundry next door.