Read Recourse 2 (The Arrangement) for Free Online

fear.”

    She clenched her jaw. “There is the other, much more dangerous factor that I am worried about. Imagine Matrox is called a complete failure in future trials on purpose. They bury it and ridicule Chase for believing it might ever work.”

    “That would be terrible.” I nodded.

    “Now, what if in reality it actually works all along, but a few years later, after it is off everyone’s radar, it finds its way into private hands. And it is effective, really effective, only the people who have it don’t want anyone to know that.”

    “Why wouldn’t they?” I rubbed my chin.

    “Exclusivity. Control. Power.” She ratted off, “Imagine being in the right circle, and knowing some very important people who, in their old, prominent age begin to realize that without health power is nothing. How much do you think they would give up to have another five years at the top?”

    My eyes widened. “Sounds like your father has a good motive.”

    Amy nodded, “Control that, and you control the world.”

    She kept her eyes focused on something off in the distance. We stood side my side resting our arms on the freshly painted fence. The horses played in front of us, gracefully trotting and bucking around before breaking into full gallop.

    I drew my eyebrows in as I hit her arm. “Hey, if your father gets his hands on it, doesn’t it mean that he’ll be first in line to take it?”

    Her green eyes turned cold as she closed them and slowly nodded.

    “But then, your arrangement…” I muttered feeling my stomach drop.

    “Laura I need to ask you a favor.” She raised her voice as she kept looking straight ahead.

    “Anything.” I said.

    “If anything happens to me, please promise me you’ll look after Chase.”

    My eyes narrowed as I studied at her face.

    “What…” I cleared my throat, “What?”

    “I have a feeling this thing will turn ugly.” She let out a deep sigh. “I think people will get hurt. There is too much at stake and too many sharks circling the waters.”

    I felt the skin on my neck raise up. I chewed on the inside of my lip as I thought it over. “Do you think it would be better if I leave?” I said.

    She tightened her lips, “That’s entirely up to you.”

    I contemplated that advice many times since. Her words forever etched in my memory.

CHAPTER 8

    Chase and Amy were requested at their trustee’s office in Chicago on short notice. The trip would take two days. They offered to take me with but I decided to stay, figuring that being near the beach was a better choice in early April. I’d have a fun time checking up on my website and browsing through new client inquiries. Not that I was going to definitely get back in the business, but it was always good to have a backup plan.

    I ran through a bottle of very delicious early twentieth century wine Chase left to keep me company, and passed out before heading for a swim. When I opened my eyes it was already dark outside. I stretched on the soft cream sheets and let out a deep yawn. The windows of the guest house faced the mansion from the back, and I made a note of how dark a white building could look in the night when the decorative lights were switched off or just forgotten about.

    I took a stroll barefoot through the thick shaggy carpet and turned on the small sound system. The soft music filled up the room as I shook my hips to a couple of familiar beats and danced over to the TV. I pressed a button on the wall and a part of it slid sideways, revealing a glossy black screen. I didn’t care much what was on and just wanted a little company. I kept the lights off and with a deft scoop picked up the half full wine glass and the yearbook as I crawled back into the bed.

    With an excited flutter in my belly I lifted up the cover. The white page stared back with big blocked letters. “Addison High, class of 2002.” I wondered where the hell Chase dug it out from. I had absolutely no idea where my own copy could be. As I