29° (Twenty-Nine Degrees) (Twenty Nine Book 3) Read online

  “Can I have your attention?” When it grew quiet, he continued. “Nathan and Ashley Kalas, could you join me?” We waited for them to come to the railing.

  “Nate.” Lucas put his hand on his shoulder. “I couldn’t ask for a better friend. Sometimes Allie accuses me of stealing you from her, but we all know that isn’t true. I could never steal you away because your heart’s big enough for both of us. Thanks for finding a place for me in there.” Lucas patted Nate’s chest. “My gift to both of you, our two best friends, is a honeymoon. We leave tomorrow but you will stay here for one more week. Congratulations! To Nate and Ashley!” Lucas held up his glass. The staff poured more champagne, and I swore I saw Ryan fill his glass to the top.

  “Ryan,” I slipped in next to him at the table. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m great. Nate and Ashley have been so good to me. I want to see them happy.” He sipped from the glass.

  “Only one of those,” I said, trying to make the warning serious.

  “Really?” He gave me a surprised look. “I’m older than you.” He turned to fill the glass again, and I put my hand on his. “Oh, I thought you meant I could have one more.”

  “Teenagers!” I said under my breath, but of course, he heard me.

  Ryan stared at me then rolled his eyes. I began to laugh and hugged him. “Ryan, you know you have to come back with us, right?”

  “Yeah, I was pretty sure I wouldn’t get to stay in this awesome place.”

  I placed my arm around his waist. “Come on, the shuttle’s here to take us to dinner.”

  We joined the group, walking down the lit path to the waiting van. I breathed in deeply, taking in the scents of the tropical paradise. We made it through the ceremony without incident, and I hoped it was a sign of good things to come.

  * * * *

  Back to reality. Now that we were home and our lives had settled down, it was time to find my calling in the Niner community. Lucas told me about their Archive Museum, a place where Niners donated important pieces of art, documents, photos or valuable items they collected during their lives. I majored in Art at UCLA and worked at a modern museum of art in New York City when I was on the run, so it sounded like the Niner museum was the perfect creative outlet for me. The place had gathered dust since its caretaker, Abraham, had passed away and a new Niner had taken over. I wanted to turn the place into a showcase for the arts.

  Carol, my boss in New York, would be proud of me. I hadn’t thought of her in quite some time, and suddenly I had a twinge of regret. I had loved her and the museum. Carol was head of operations and believed in me and my abilities. Even more, she had become like a big sister to me. She now dated my college boyfriend, Will, who was at least twelve years younger. But that was so Carol.

  “Lucas, I’ve contacted the toddlers’ playgroup, and someone will stop by to pick up Zak. I’m going to make a standing date with them because we’ll be busy.”

  “We will?” Lucas put his arms around me and bent me back as if we were dancing.

  “Not like that!” I gave him a slight punch to his chest, and he returned me to an upright position.

  “Oh.” He stuck out his lower lip.

  “Well, maybe one day of the week can be reserved for that.” I kissed him so passionately I surprised myself. Zak sat in the corner of the living room playing with his blocks. “Save that for later.” I whispered.

  “He can hear you.” Lucas whispered back and kissed me on the nose.

  A knock came at the door, and Lucas went to answer. “Hi, Becca, come in. Zak? Becca’s here to take you to your play group.”

  Zak toddled over to her and took her hand. He’d been at the group before but never full-time. “If there’s any problem—”

  “We’ll call you, Mrs. Montgomery, but I’m sure there won’t be.”

  “Becca, didn’t I tell you to call me Allie?”

  “Yeah, sorry, Allie.”

  “Have you started applying to colleges? Your mother said you’re interested in education. You could teach here, you know.”

  “Yes, I've applied several places but haven't decided where to go yet. After I graduate, I may live with my grandparents and look for work there.”

  “Oh.” I realized not everyone wanted to stay in the compound. “You want to see the world.”

  “I guess.” She shrugged.

  How could I tell her the real world wasn’t as great as she imagined. “Well, thanks for picking up Zak.”

  “We should be going, too. Ready?” Lucas took my hand as Beetle pulled in the drive.

  “Will Nate be at the meeting?” I asked as I settled in my seat.

  “Of course, he’s one of us. He’ll check in on his screen from Hawaii.”

  “Just remember he needs more rest than you Niners do. He looks tired. I hope the extra days in Hawaii help.”

  “Sometimes I forget he’s not one of us. Thanks for reminding me.” Lucas grimaced. “I should have noticed.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Nate has always been my hero. I think he can do anything and probably gave you that impression from the day you met him.”

  “And I should have been a better friend and acknowledged his talents but also realized he needed more rest. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he knows he’s appreciated and has nothing to prove.”

  Beetle parked in front of the second floor elevator when we arrived at Headquarters. We jumped out and headed for command central on the fourth floor. The first time I'd seen this building I was sixteen. So much had changed. The stations and cubicles were gone. Large tables for working and planning were scattered throughout the room with enough space to bring up large virtual screens. The conference room and lounge area with its comfortable leather furniture remained the same.

  “Thanks for letting me come.” I said. “You know I’m staying for the whole meeting. If you’re discussing Doug, I’m in.”

  “You should stick with your plan. Go to the museum. It will be boring, analytical stuff today.”

  “I like boring, analytical stuff,” I said as I peeked at him from the corner of my eye.

  Lucas smiled. “I promise to keep you in the loop. As soon as we find out what Doug’s up to, I’ll let you know.”

  We entered the conference room to find Julian already seated. Nate was on the screen, and Sean and his security team came in behind us. We gave each other a quick greeting.

  Lucas looked around, satisfied that everyone was there.

  “Before we begin, Allie has asked if she could have a few minutes of our time.”

  I cleared my throat and began to speak. “As you know, the Archive Museum is pretty much in shambles. Lucas told me the rooms are filled with an assortment of artifacts donated throughout the years, and there’s no rhyme or reason to it. The Niner history should have a better home, and I would like permission to categorize the collection, then remodel the facility. I know a good crew with terrific building skills.” I winked at Sean. He'd redone Zak’s room when I had the vision to change the master suite in our home into two bedrooms.

  “I think it’s a fine idea.” Julian tapped his chin with one finger. “We don’t have the time to maintain it. We just stick stuff in the rooms and forget about it. The guy in charge is completely overwhelmed even though he won’t admit it. You could take over completely, Allie, if you want.” My heart did a back flip. “Only one problem. Tobias. He took over for Abe and may not appreciate the interference.”

  “Would he like an assistant?”

  “Very clever,” Sean pointed at me. “You need to act like you’re the assistant only you’ll really be in charge.”

  “I’d like to rename the museum, too. Archive Museum sounds cold. I was thinking The Levi Zimmer Museum would be a good name.” As I gazed around, I saw nods and appreciative smiles. Levi had been in charge of the western region and had lived at the California compound. He was our only casualty during the STF assault on the now extinct Spanish Village.

  “Even Tobias can
’t argue with that,” Julian said.

  “I’ll introduce myself after the meeting.”

  “Wonderful idea.” Lucas looked at me with pride. I decided to keep my next idea for the museum to myself, until I got over the Tobias hurdle.

  Lucas stood. “Everyone’s had time to think about Doug’s reasons for moving to Virginia. I want this to be a brainstorming session. No idea is a bad one. Remember, Allie’s mom said it was for political reasons.” He turned to the screen. “Nate, we’ll start with you.”

  “Ashley and I stayed up late last night trying to think of why Doug suddenly wanted to come home to live. Obviously, he wants his parents on his side. If he acts like he needs them, they’ll be less suspicious and more supportive. He’s doing damage control for everything he’s done to Allie and is trying to make a statement. Look at me, the family man. A strong, supportive family is needed in politics. He might run for some type of office, nothing big, just to get noticed. The mayor of our town has been in power for decades, but we don’t think he wants that job. Despite our opinion of starting small, he’s after something bigger.”

  “Okay, anyone else?” Lucas glanced around the room.

  “I think Allie’s mom is right. He wants to go into politics, but we need to know why,” Sean said.

  “I agree with Sean,” I said. “Doug doesn’t do anything without a goal in mind.”

  “So what’s the goal?” Lucas looked at Julian.

  Julian shrugged. “We’ll follow him as closely as we can. Nate’s parents and the Sanders’ cells are bugged. We’ll keep doing intel.” He shook his head. “It’s not like he can be president. No one knows who he is. Nate’s right. He’d have to start small, make a name for himself. That would take time. And we know Doug doesn’t like to wait.”

  Lucas made eye contact with each one of us. “I want to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible. I have no clue what the bastard’s up to.”

  I rubbed my forehead in frustration. Doug had become the center of attention again, and I had a strange feeling he was very aware that the Niner’s had him on their radar. I leaned over and whispered to Lucas, “I’m going now. The museum and Tobias may be the distraction I need.”

  “Sure.” Lucas kissed my forehead. “Go. I’ll let you know of any breakthroughs.”

  I pushed my chair back and raised my hand to the group. “I’ll let you finish brainstorming. Good luck.”

  Beetle waited outside the elevator doors. Archive Museum. She zoomed around the ramp and outside to the main road leading to Victorian Village. Before reaching the village, we made a sudden left turn. The service road ran parallel to the houses. We passed the industrial, invention and bio centers and curved past the hydroponics building. If we headed straight instead of looping to the right, we’d continue onto a dirt road to the Montgomery barn where they kept their motorcycles.

  Instead we continued to curve around the outskirts of Victorian Village, I took in all the new construction. The Montana compound had the beginnings of a true city. We traveled past the recreation area where every sport could be played, indoor and out. A well-manicured soccer field was first, then baseball fields. A huge indoor swimming pool and skating arena were housed in a giant recreation center down a dead-end road.

  Beetle drove past empty fields for another half mile then the road suddenly ended in a cul-de-sac, and I was staring straight at the Archive Museum. The gray concrete building had a regal look with tall, white columns and a peaked roof. Statues stood on either side of the columns. A set of brick stairs led to the entrance. The cold look of the building needed work to make it more inviting.

  “Don’t leave, Beetle, I shouldn’t be long.” I climbed out and went up the steps to the main door and pulled it open.

  “Hello?” I called as I strolled into the main room. Silence greeted me, no visitors or school children were in this historic place. The room had a huge skylight, letting in the sun that made patterns on the worn wood floor. Two smaller rooms were off to each side of the larger one. Art work leaned against the walls waiting to be hung. Pieces that had been mounted were a mix of centuries and styles.

  I walked through the huge area to a long hallway that extended toward the back of the building. Wide open doorways led to smaller galleries. The layout was good. A person could stroll in and out of the rooms, making their way down one side and up the other. I peeked in as I went along, seeing a ceramic vase on a white pedestal, then ancient Indian art next to it. The place had no rhyme or reason. Footsteps invaded my thoughts, startling me, and my heart stopped. Is someone following me?

  “Allison Montgomery, so good to finally meet you.” A man I assumed was Tobias came from the opposite end of the hall, his hand up in greeting. He had long white hair that hung almost to his shoulders with fine wispy bangs covering his forehead. A white beard and mustache, neatly trimmed, gave him a scholarly appearance. When he stopped in front of me, I noticed he was one of the shorter Niner men, just hitting the six-foot mark. He seemed to be studying me with his crystal blue eyes, quizzical yet friendly.

  “Tobias?” I took his hand and felt the warmth in his handshake.

  “That’s correct. Tobias Hayes at your service. So glad to have a visitor. People just aren’t interested in this old stuff anymore.” He waved his hand around as he talked. “Too much to do, so much technology. Visit anywhere you want on the wall … oh, excuse me, the wall has become a dinosaur. Now it’s a virtual pop-up screen that goes anywhere you go. You can order food and poof! It magically appears in your transporter. Those darn flying saucers you young kids drive are making you lazy. Now what can I do for you?” He smiled at me, and I returned the smile.

  “I just …” How could I hurt this man’s feelings? He had been in charge for years. “Came to look around.”

  “Great! Let me give you a tour. If I remember correctly, Art History was your major in college.”

  “Yes.” I nodded self-consciously, surprised Tobias knew anything about me.

  “Let’s start here.” He entered the first doorway. Sculptures, quilts, and some paintings lay on tables. I bit my tongue, almost causing it to bleed as I followed him into the room. It pained me to see this wonderful museum in such disarray.

  “Would you like some tea?” Tobias asked when we finished. “It’s hard for one man to tackle this by himself. I’d love to pick your brain about the time you spent in New York. I hear Carol Baker does wonderful things at the museum you worked at.”

  “Yes, she does.” I followed Tobias down the main corridor and turned the corner, walking down a short hall at the back of the building. We came face-to-face with a beautiful door. “Oh! My,” I said as I reached out to touch the dark wood, intricately designed with carved panels of flowers and ivy. It brought back memories of my time at the California compound.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it? I spent many years in California and Spanish Village. I brought my door with me.”

  Tears filled my eyes. “I’m so happy a piece of the village exists. The door to my house had a similar design.” I dropped my hand and stepped back. “I was told one man carved all the doors.”

  “You were told correctly.” Tobias opened the door to reveal his living quarters.

  “You live here?”

  “Yes, I moved in after Abe’s death. He built this apartment years ago when he felt he was too old to walk back and forth from his house in the village.”

  “I’m sure someone would have driven him.”

  “Abe liked to walk.” Tobias gave me a knowing smile. “English Breakfast? Earl Grey? What’s your tea preference?”

  “Whatever you’re having is fine.” I didn’t want to tell Tobias that I preferred coffee in the morning and later in the day it would be a caramel latte.

  He opened a small canister shaking it into a mesh basket then placed it in a dark blue cast iron teapot covered with white outlines of butterflies. He lit a fire under a teakettle, and sat at a little table by the stove, waiting for it to boil. “Please, sit.
”

  “Tobias.” I tried again, but soon the teakettle whistled. He poured the steaming water over the loose leaf tea basket hanging in the pot.

  “There, we’ll let that steep for a while. Now what were you saying, my dear?”

  “I just came from a meeting at headquarters and suggested we change the name of the museum to the Levi Zimmer Museum.”

  “How thoughtful.” Tobias covered the teapot with its lid and held up a plate. “Scone?”

  I hadn’t eaten in some time and heard my stomach growl. The brown baked roll looked tempting.

  “Take two.” He set another plate in front of me containing lemon curd and clotted cream. “Now let’s get started on your idea. I take it all the big wigs over at headquarters approve.”

  “Yes, they do.”

  “I’m sure more was discussed than just changing a sign in front of this old building.”

  “Actually, the meeting was about my brother, Doug.” I wasn’t sure how much Tobias knew or if he was kept up-to-date by security.

  “Ah, yes, Douglas Sanders. Doesn’t have his head on quite straight, does he?” Tobias chuckled and looked at me with those mesmerizing blue eyes. My nerves vanished, and I felt safe.

  I don’t know what came over me, but suddenly everything poured out. I told Tobias my entire history with Lucas from the moment I laid eyes on him in high school until the time I left the meeting today. Tobias never said a word and just nodded at the appropriate times. He didn’t judge or comment. His gentle eyes urged me on until I placed my head on the table exhausted and began to sob.

  “Have another scone, you’ll feel better.” He stroked the back of my head, and we sat in silence until I could finally sit up.

  “You’re a good listener,” I sniffed.

  “How about if you come back tomorrow and we work on designs for the new sign?” Tobias poured himself another cup of tea. “I have another brand of tea I’d like you to try. I might switch you over to a tea drinker yet.”

  Tobias knows I drink coffee? I nodded and smiled at him. “That would be great.”

  “Cataloging could be next,” he said. “It hasn’t been done in years.” Tobias stood, and I realized it was my signal to leave. He walked me to the front door of the museum. I had the urge to hug him but stopped myself.