Ian shot Helen a look that Adam couldn’t read. He said, “I’m sorry. With all of the excitement of your arrival, I didn’t think to tell you to pull the car into the garage right away.”
The conversation made Adam feel uneasy, and he could tell by the look on Maddie’s face that she felt the same way.
“I’ll get the car,” said Adam as he reached for the keys in Maddie’s hand.
Ian put his hand on Adam’s and said, “Maybe we shouldn’t draw any extra attention to ourselves. It wouldn’t be a good idea for them to see a stranger pulling the car into the garage. I’ll do it.”
Maddie knitted her eyebrows but proceeded to hand Ian the keys. She looked a little perturbed that they hadn’t told her ahead of time about the neighborhood newcomers.
When Ian walked out of the room, Helen said, “Madeline dear, don’t worry. I’m sure Ian is just being paranoid. They’re probably just a nice couple.”
Maddie snapped, “Well, some members of the KTP can appear to be the nicest people in the world. But then they’ll kill you without thinking twice about it.”
Helen pursed her lips but didn’t say anything.
Adam couldn’t help wondering if Ian and Helen were trying to protect Maddie or not. If they were, they weren’t doing a very good job of it.
Maddie sighed and said, “Adam would you like a tour of the house?”
“Of course. Can’t wait.”
Helen said, “I’ll check on the stew. You two enjoy your tour.”
Maddie thanked her and motioned for Adam to follow her. Her house was larger than Sancha and Mel’s. It was definitely more space than a single person would ever need. It looked like a museum, lavishly decorated with paintings, sculptures, and very expensive-looking art and furniture.
Maddie said, “When I used to travel a lot, I collected antiques, artifacts, and all kinds of treasures. I needed a place to display them, so here we are. Just think about it—I used RTP to manifest this house and everything in it.”
Adam glanced sideways at her as she quickly added, “I might have gone just a little overboard.”
He raised an eyebrow and gave her a sideways grin.
“OK,” she said. “I went way overboard. But you get the point. I’m trying to show you the potential of what you can do with RTP in your life.”
It was all so unbelievable, but Adam could tell she was really trying to drive her point home. He nodded in understanding. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe she could do it. He was way past doubting Maddie could do anything. The problem was believing he could do it. He had never imagined he would be dating a woman who lived in a mansion. She must’ve had wealth untold. It seemed like every time he started to feel like he knew Maddie well, she would reveal another secret part of herself. He wondered if her surprises were endless. It made the mystique of her even more appealing.
Chapter 40
Maddie and Adam held hands as they walked from room to room in her gigantic museum of a house. They toured her billiard room, art room, library, and several of the guest bedrooms. The master bedroom suite was unbelievable. It contained a very large, king-sized, canopy bed with sheer bed curtains flowing around it. The suite also contained a large, lavish bathroom, complete with a full-sized hot tub and a balcony that provided a magnificent view of the mountains. Adam found it ironic that Maddie had amassed so much wealth and luxury, but she couldn’t fully enjoy it because she was always on the run.
He said, “Maddie, do you realize how ridiculous it is that you can’t live in your own house?”
Her back was to him as she drank in the scenic view. She seemed to freeze for a moment before she turned around to look at him. He thought he saw a hint of sadness in her eyes.
She said, “Yes I do. I haven’t been here in ages, and coming back now really drives it home. It really is sad that I can’t live in my own house.”
He said, “Sancha and Mel managed to do it. Why can’t you?”
She looked at him intently and said, “Because I am a primary target.”
She paused to let her words sink in and then continued. “The truth is, while Sancha and Mel would be very desirable additions to the KTP, I would be Paul’s most prized possession. After my meeting with him in San Francisco, he turned up the heat in the search for me. It was almost like it triggered something in him, and he decided he wanted to force me to join. I don’t know if he wants me back as his wife, or if he just wants to possess and rule over me. Whatever the motivation, he has been relentless in tracking me down. So I haven’t risked living here for many years.”
“What about Ian and Helen? Are they practitioners of RTP?”
“They know about it. They’re aware of it, but I don’t think they’re very strong in it. They seem to have aged since the last time I saw them, which makes me think of James. They know I don’t age, but they’ve never questioned me about it. They’ve always protected the secret.”
“Are you sure about that?”
She gave him a quizzical glance.
He said, “Have there ever been double agents who have infiltrated the underground and reported back to the KTP?”
Maddie said, “I’ve heard of it happening to others. To my knowledge, it’s never happened to me.”
He said, “Well, that was a careless mistake, letting you leave the rental car out front if he is unsure of KTP members living nearby.”
Maddie looked conflicted. “I know. It did seem kind of odd, didn’t it?”
He could tell that she wanted to trust Ian.
“Ian has protected
