Chapter Four: Trojan

"I absolutely insist on taking you home. I'm not letting you walk."

"I'm fine, really!" I asserted. Daniel was arguing with me. This wasn't what I'd expected angels to do.

"You blacked out, you hit your head. You should go to the hospital…"

"I'm not going to the hospital!" I snapped, cutting him off. I was confused, I was sore and worse, I was embarrassed. Of all the cars to walk out in front of, I'd had to choose his. My hand reached up to my head where a lump was forming. I pulled it back, it wasn't bleeding thank goodness. "And I can walk home." I added, getting to my feet and completely failing to stand without swaying. Daniel caught me, both hands grasping my upper arms.

"That's it." He said, guiding me firmly towards the passenger door. "You're going to the hospital."

I didn't argue; a really bad headache was setting in.

Port Angeles County Hospital was no place to be on a Saturday night; even more so on Halloween weekend, where it looked a lot like 'Night of the Living Dead'. Tonight the place was heavy on drunken vampires, most having stuck their fangs through their bottom lips, so their mouths really did run with blood. Daniel seemed to find it annoying. Thankfully, I didn't have a long wait. The staff checked me over, deemed me to be suffering from no more than mild concussion and discharged me. I made my way back over to where Daniel was sitting. He'd moved into a quiet corner and was engrossed by something on his phone. He snapped it shut as I approached and eyed me with concern.

"I'm free to go now."

"I'll take you home." He said quietly. I didn't object, I really was very tired.

I followed him back out to his car and slid into the passenger seat. Here, concentrated, his cologne was even more alluring than it had been in the coffee bar. I wondered what it was, making a mental note to tour the men's fragrance counters in town. I laid my head back against the rest as he started the engine, asked for my address and pulled smoothly out of the parking lot. On my lap was the care sheet about concussion that I'd been provided with. I'd told a lie that Daniel would be with me all night, so that I could leave; that had gotten me an envious look from the Nurse. Sat here now, a little more clear-headed than I'd been on the drive to the hospital; the conflicting feelings were back: Attraction and fear. They were finely balanced, neither one dominant enough to let me make a decision about him. Whenever I concentrated on what attracted me, the fear came back. When I focussed on the fear, the attraction claimed my attention. In that, he was an enigma.

I didn't live far from the hospital, I could've easily walked; but how many times did I get to ride in a beautiful Jaguar? This was a bonus. A teacher's salary didn't pay for fantastic cars like this; my four year old Ford was more my pay grade. I settled into the cream leather seat and enjoyed the ride. Daniel pulled up outside my apartment building and I got out. I walked to the door and fished in my pocket for my keys and when I put the key in the lock he was by my side.

"People who have concussion shouldn't really be alone." He said hesitantly. It was a statement of fact rather than him pressing for something he wanted.

"I'll be OK." I said. "I feel fine."

"I'm working tonight, so I'll be at the end of a phone if you get concerned, need to go back to the hospital, or want anything. This is my number." He handed me a cream business card printed with his name and number. I flipped it over; there was nothing else on there.

"I didn't know there was an observatory around here."

"There isn't. I don't work in an observatory."

"What do you do?"

"I work on computer systems, it's not very exciting." He smiled, slightly embarrassed. "I started an Astronomy degree in College, but… life sort of took a left turn. I dropped out and ended up working on computers. So, if you need anything tonight, give me a call. I'll be up." He backed slowly away. "Even if you can't sleep and… just want someone to talk to." He raised a finger to bid me farewell, got in his car and drove away.

A little smile started at the corner of my mouth and spread across the rest of it. The angel had given me his phone number. More than that; without making the complete hash of it that mere mortals would, he'd placed the ball subtly but firmly in my court. Well played Daniel, well played!

All idea of sleep was instantly banished and I sprinted up the stairs, while in my head Audrey Hepburn sang 'I could have danced all night' from My Fair Lady. I had an actual chance here! I dwelt on those few precious minutes and thanked God that it was his car I'd walked out in front of. The stars had brought us together!

He worked on computers? Well that could be anything, from fixing home PC's through to programming missile defence systems. With a car like that it could well be the missile defence systems; which would explain the card with nothing but his name and number on it. In that line of work, it wouldn't be a good idea to tell people where you lived. There was nothing to fear about him, it was just me reacting to him being supremely gorgeous. How many times had someone like him washed up on my beach? Never! No wonder I wasn't sure how to handle it, he was being nice! He'd insisted I go to the hospital, he'd taken me there, stayed with me, brought me home again and even given me his number to call if I wanted anything. 'Hi Daniel, it's Stephanie. Could I get a serving of you, please?' I snickered at what I really wanted; knowing that any calls I made would be for slightly more realistic requests; like milk or Advil.

I opened the door of my apartment. Lyra jumped down off the window ledge and ran off. She was still acting strangely after whatever had spooked her. On the floor was an envelope that had been pushed under the door. It wasn't addressed, but as I opened it, I was left in no doubt that I was the intended recipient:

This is your second warning.

Stay away from Daniel Mitchell

For your own safety.

My insides turned to ice. Who the hell was doing this? They knew where I worked, they knew where I lived and they knew that I knew Daniel. What was this, a real-life version of the X-Files? Was I under surveillance? I went to each window, checked the locks on them and pulled the blinds down. I walked around my apartment, opening drawers, cupboards and closets, checking for obvious bugging devices. I found nothing and slumped onto the sofa. It was nearly two in the morning now but I was wide awake and not for a reason I wanted to be.

What really concerned me was that I needed to look for the bugging device in my head. I hadn't mentioned Daniel to anybody and I couldn't think that Will, Jane, Seth, Anthony or Marie would be actively warning me off a guy who they hadn't met before, either. So who or what was getting into my head? I wracked my brain for unguarded comments that I might have made to anyone over the last ten days, but I drew a blank. I'd said nothing. I'd mentioned him to no one.

I didn't know where he lived, tonight was the first night I'd had his number and I hadn't called him. However, I had emailed him, to book the course and to respond to the circular emails he'd sent out. I stared at my computer. Was there something on there that shouldn't be? A Trojan horse? That was the only possible route someone would know that I knew Daniel; that had to be it! But it still didn't explain how they knew where I worked or where I lived. Still, with access to my computer, they might be able to retrieve anything.

Lyra issued a terse meow to let me know that it may be the dead of night but that didn't stop her from being hungry. I got her some food. I got a glass of water for myself, tilted the kitchen blind open and looked out at the lights of Port Angeles, mulling things over in my head. I needed to get my computer looked at as a matter of urgency. I didn't trust using it until I knew it was clean. Should I tell Daniel about the notes? He'd invited me to call him for anything, even if I wanted to talk. I couldn't deal with the computer at this hour, but I could speak to him and I should at least ask why I was getting the notes.

I picked up the card and called the number. It rang twice before he answered.

"Daniel Mitchell."

"Hi, it's um…"

"Stephanie? Are you OK?"

"Yes, I'm… fine." Oh be honest Stephanie. "Actually, no I'm not."

"Do you feel sick?" He asked urgently.

"No, it's nothing to do with the concussion. Look… When do you finish?"

"I don't have a set time, do you need me? I can come over."

"No, it's not urgent. But, I wondered if you could stop by on your way home. There's… something I need to ask you."

"If you're up, why don't I come over now?"

I thought for a second. "OK."

"I'll be there in about twenty minutes. What apartment number are you?"

"Six."

I spent the next twenty minutes wandering aimlessly around my apartment. I cast worried glances at my computer, as if at every second I expected it to explode. I put some coffee on, pulled the first note from my bag and put it with the second. I washed my face and tried not to look as much like death as I felt. By now I must be running purely on adrenaline. Presently the external door chime went and I released the lock to let Daniel in. I opened the door to my apartment as he was walking up the last few steps to the top floor. "Thanks for coming." I said, smiling hesitantly and standing back to let him in.

Where I looked pretty wrecked after two disturbed night's sleep and what was turning into an all-nighter on a third; Daniel looked amazing. I hadn't had the opportunity to study him much in the hospital, or in the coffee bar; but now that I could, he was even more astonishing and even more unsettling.

He was dressed in brown pants, a cream casual top and a brown leather jacket. He must be around 6ft 4 as he was about a foot taller than I was, and I was 5ft 4. His eyes were dark brown and his features were crisp and defined. His skin was flawless and incredibly pale, apart from the slight suggestion of dark rings around his eyes. Working nights always took its toll somewhere. Forget computer systems, this guy could rake it in from modelling. Perhaps he did that on the side? That would be another explanation for the Jaguar.

"Coffee?" I asked, walking through to the kitchen.

"No thanks. I won't sleep later."

"It's keeping me going right now." I said and poured myself another cup.

"You have a cat?" He asked.

"Yes, are you allergic?"

"No, they don't like me."

"Oh Lyra's very good natured." Or she had been, until recently.

"So what's the matter?"

I exhaled. Here went nothing. "Something was under door when I got back." I walked over to the dining table and picked up the two notes. I cleared my throat. "Daniel, is there any reason why somebody would be warning me off you?" His expression changed in an instant. It became guarded and I knew that this guy had secrets.

"Yes." He said simply. He didn't elaborate.

I exhaled, glad that he was being honest. I held out the two notes. "I got these. The crumpled one was on my desk at school on Friday. The other was pushed under my door while I was out."

Daniel took them from me and read them. He stood absolutely still, as if he were the fixed point in the universe around which everything else orbited.

"I'm sorry you've gotten these and yes, there are very good reasons why you should stay away from me." He handed them back. Gone was the guarded look, it had been replaced by sadness. He took a few steps around the room and dragged his fingers through his hair.

"Is it to do with work or your personal life?" I needed to know what I was dealing with.

"It's what I do." He said simply.

"Your job?"

His nose wrinkled. "I can't…"

"It's classified?" He nodded. Of course, if he worked at such a high level then the less I knew the better. "So it isn't an ex-wife chasing you around the country?"

He smiled. "No. There is an ex-wife, but she's not chasing me around the country." That stunned me and my face must have betrayed me. "That shocks you?" His eyes looked amused. "Everybody has a past Stephanie and I'm sure you do too."

I nodded. "So this is because of the work you do? You're not on the list of America's most wanted, or something?"

Daniel snickered. "No."

"Just checking."

"You already have." He raised an eyebrow at me. "If I'd gotten a note like that, I'd be checking every most wanted list from here to Maine."

I smiled apologetically. "Guilty."

"Don't feel bad, it's what people do. Did you find anything about me?"

"No."

"Good, that's the way it's supposed to be."

"You operate under the radar?"

"That's a good way of putting it, yes. But the question you really need to be asking, is how do these people know that you know me?"

"My computer, it's the only way, I've not mentioned you to anybody. I think there must be something intercepting my email. That's the only thing I can put it down to; unless they've fitted a chip into my head, or somebody around here can read minds."

He pointed to my laptop. "Do you want me to take a look?"

It made sense. "Go ahead. "

He booted up the machine. "Nice wallpaper." He said, looking at the picture of the small Italian hill town that brightened my computer desktop.

"It's San Gimignano in Tuscany. I've always wanted to go there." In the gloom of the winter months the picture helped me to dream of the sun; of warmer days and of course, warmer nights.

He certainly knew his way around a computer. He found what he was looking for buried in my registry and set about deleting it. "I find it hard to believe that you accidentally downloaded this. Your computer's incredibly clean otherwise. Usually, if you make a habit of clicking on stuff, all sorts of crap ends up in here; but this is pretty much untouched. Have you had anybody in to look at it?"

"No. It's never given me any trouble. It's only eighteen months old."

"Do you take it to work?"

"No, I have one in class. I email the stuff I need back and forth."

"Hmm… I think somebody's been at this."

His words struck fear into me. "Somebody's been in here?"

"This couldn't have downloaded itself; it had to have been installed."

"Am I in any danger?"

He stood up and shrugged his shoulders. "I honestly don't know."

Panic was starting to rise in me and my chest felt tight. "What should I do?"

"The most important thing is to keep calm." His expression wasn't the slightest bit calming. He looked as concerned as I did. "I need to call someone." He pulled out his cell phone and dialled a number, turning away to talk. "Hi, it's me. Sorry to call right now but we have a problem. No, not that. Can I meet you?" He spoke in a quick businesslike manner and arranged to meet the person a few miles away. He snapped the phone shut and looked at me. His eyes were showing stresses that I didn't want to see. "We'll try and figure out who this is and keep an eye on things here."

"Surveillance?"

"Don't imagine blacked out cars parked down the street, they're a lot more discreet than that. Please don't worry."

"That's easier said than done."

"I know. But try. If you notice anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to call me. Otherwise, I'll see you next…" He was abruptly cut off by Lyra hissing and spitting at him from the doorway of my bedroom.

"Lyra!" I went to pick her up to reassure her.

"It's OK, I told you cats don't like me. I should be going." He went to the door and opened it.

I shooed my angry cat back into the bedroom and shut the door. "I don't know what's gotten into her; she's usually so placid. But ever since Thursday night she's been almost neurotic."

Daniel shut the door again and looked at me intently. "What happened?"

"I don't know, I woke in the middle of the night and she was yowling and hissing and tearing around the apartment like she was possessed."

"I think whatever happened to your computer happened that night."

"You think?"

"I'd put money on it. You got the first note the next day, right?"

"Yes."

"Figures. Anyway, I'd better go. Try and get some sleep and please, don't worry."

"I'll try not to." I said lamely. Fat chance of that.

"I'll see you Thursday?"

"Do you think I should be there? Perhaps I should quit? What about the others, do you think they're being sent messages too?"

"I don't know, but don't stop doing something you enjoy just because of this. If we all caved at the first sign of trouble, these people will always win. You're doing nothing wrong in attending an Astronomy class; my concern is why they're targeting you at all?" He opened the door again. "I'll see you Thursday. OK?" He gave me a hesitant smile and I tried to respond, but I was too keyed up. He was half way out the door when I asked another question.

"Daniel? Is what you do, dangerous?"

He turned back to me. "Sometimes, yes. But you're absolutely not to worry about me. Get some sleep Stephanie. Goodnight." He closed the door and I listened to his footsteps fading as he went down the stairs and the click of the external door as he exited onto the street. My apartment was at the back of the building so I couldn't watch him go. I checked that the windows were locked and that my door was bolted.

Lyra made a dash for where Daniel had been sat. She looked like a calico puffball and she growled, as she rubbed herself along every surface to re-mark her territory. I thought back to Thursday night and wondered why, if there'd really been someone in my apartment, that I hadn't seen them?

I tried to sleep but it eluded me for hours more. Finally, just as the sun was peeking over the horizon, I fell exhausted into the arms of Morpheus.