A Secret to Shatter by Katie O’Connor
Chapter Twenty-Two
Late Sunday afternoon, Honey and Ira lay in bed after making love. They sipped coffee with Kahlua and chatted. Honey started dozing off in Ira’s arms, so he flipped on the television at the end of his bed and muted the volume.
“You don’t have to mute it,” she murmured. “It won’t bother my nap.”
He chuckled and turned the sound up slightly. The news anchor droned on about flooding in Saskatchewan ruining some crops. After a commercial break the anchors chatted with a local author about her upcoming poetry book. Ira could never remember the male anchor’s name. The man frowned when someone interrupted their discussion by handing him a slip of paper. His frown turned to a look of panic.
“Sorry to interrupt this discussion folks. But we’re going to breaking news. Tragic. Very tragic.” He started reading from the sheet as video footage took over the screen.
“This is the scene outside of the parliament buildings in Ottawa.” Flames engulfed one corner of the building and licked along the base of one side. Fire trucks were on scene battling the blaze. The noise was horrific.
Honey bolted upright to stare at the screen as the scene changed.
“This is the scene outside the White House in Washington.” Massive craters marred the White House lawn. It looked like mortars had gone off.
“Holy crap,” he murmured. “This is terrible.”
“Scenes like these are being enacted all over the world as major political buildings are being targeted by terrorist attacks. New York, London, Paris, Prague, Inverness, Beijing. The parliament buildings in Edmonton have been fired upon by high powered rifles.”
“Here in Canada, CSIS believes these men may be involved.” Two faces appeared on the screen. A Nordic looking male and a dusky skinned man of indeterminate origin stared out at the screen. The photos were poor quality.
Honey face went white. “What the hell? This is terrible.”
Two more images flashed on the screen. “The FBI is looking for information regarding the whereabouts of these men.”
“I have to call my friend in Edmonton.” Honey leaped to her feet, snatched her phone off the bedside table and raced from the room, pulling the door shut behind her.
“What in the world?” He muted the television, trying to hear her conversation. As much as he wanted to know what was going on outside his door, he knew better than to openly listen. Every relationship needed privacy. Was her friend in danger? Did she live near the parliament buildings? Or work there?
Moments later, Honey came back. She had more color in her face than before, but she looked shaken.
“I’m sorry. My friend needs me. I have to go.” She leaned in to kiss him. Her lips trembled against him. The news had really rocked her.
“Let me drive you home. You’re in no shape to drive. You’re shaking.” He slid out of bed and grabbed his clothing.
She sighed heavily. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Are you close to your friend? Is she okay?” he asked as he slid into his underwear and jeans.
“I’m not super close to him. But I need to be home. I’m sorry for rushing out on you.”
Jealousy stabbed at Ira. A man? She was rushing off for a man?
As if she sensed his emotions, Honey paused half way into her dress and looked at him. “Cameron Zindle is an old friend. He’s fifty-five, if he’s a day. I know him from SAIT. He’s not competition in any fashion. Relax.” She hurried to Ira’s side and threw her arms around him. “You’re the only man I’m interested in. Trust me.”
He wanted to trust her. Why was this the first time he heard of this ‘friend’? Who was he really? Why was he suddenly so important? What did he have to do with the terrorist attacks? Honey was hiding something and he didn’t like it. Not one bit.
“Get dressed.” He stepped out of her embrace. “I’ll take you home. Did you need to go to Edmonton? I can drive you.”
“No. I’ll just call him back. I think he just needs to talk.”
It took every ounce of Ira’s willpower to resist demanding answers to the questions flashing through his mind. Only knowing he’d drive Honey away kept his mouth shut. Life as a soldier had taught him there was a time and place for everything. Right now, he needed to keep his mouth shut and trust her. But, damn, it was difficult.
“I’ll get one of my brothers to bring your car home for you. You’ll need it tomorrow.”
“Thank you. You’re a good man Ira Castillo. A good man.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. She trembled in his arms.
Her shivers worried him. What had her so shaken? He held her until her shaking ebbed. He raised her chin and kissed her cheek. Unable to resist, he brushed his lips across her lips. “Come on, Honey. Let’s get you home. You can check on your friend and fill me in later.” It was an invitation to her to open up. One he knew would go unaccepted. He’d press the issue later. If helping her home was all he could do for her now, that’s what he’d do.