Holiday Amnesia

by Lynette Eason

  “An excellent plan.”

  “What about you? Any favorite Christmas traditions?”

  “Mmm,” Amber said. “Yes. My family loves Christmas. We usually gather at my parents’ house, eat too much, watch football, play some football if the weather cooperates, take a horse ride, play in the snow...” She shrugged. “Stuff like that.”

  “Sounds idyllic,” Robin said softly. Sounded exactly what she’d always dreamed of Christmas being—but not one she’d ever experienced. Longing welled and she cleared her throat. “Toby said you were in law enforcement before. What branch?”

  “I used to work for one of the government agencies.”

  “So, you’d rather not say.”

  Amber gave her a faint smile. “Not unless it will help you feel better.”

  “You don’t have to tell me.” She figured it was probably the CIA or something like that. “Do you miss it?”

  The woman shrugged and glanced out the window before turning back. “Sometimes. But I’d miss my family more if I were still working, so I help out some friends who are still active every now and then.”

  “Like Toby?”

  “Like Toby.”

  Robin pressed a hand against her aching head. “I wonder where he is.”

  * * *

  Toby stashed the bag in the back seat and scanned the area one more time. The guy was gone, and Toby started to wonder if he’d been overreacting in the store.

  When his phone rang, he yanked it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Yeah, Ben, what’s up?” He turned his attention to the parking lot, the cars leaving and arriving, the people loading their bags. The guy’s car was still in its spot.

  “The fire at the lab’s been ruled arson.”

  He walked to the back of the vehicle and noted the license plate. “That didn’t take long.”

  “ATF guys found bomb materials. They’ve been shifting through everything with the dogs.”

  “Can’t say I’m surprised.” In fact, he would have been surprised to hear otherwise.

  “So, right now, we’re looking for someone who has the motive to blow it up,” Ben said. “What was going on in there that someone wanted to get rid of?”

  “I’ve already passed on to you everything I know.” Which hadn’t been much. Ben already had the background on all of the employees, including as much personal information that Toby had been able to dig up.

  “Hold on a second,” Ben said. “I’ve got a text coming through.”

  While Ben checked his messages, Toby did a three-sixty, still on high alert. There was nothing there to alarm him and yet he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. He pushed the cart to join the others in the designated area.

  “Toby?” Ben was back on the line.

  “Yeah?” He headed back to his truck, his nerves itching.

  “Alan Roberts and another man were found dead at the scene. They both had bullet holes in them.”

  “Great. Just great. Who’s the other guy?”

  “Not sure. They’re still trying to ID him. May have to use dental records.”

  “Alan has a family,” Toby said softly. “And a little girl fighting leukemia.”

  “Oh boy.” Ben sighed.

  “Yeah.” Toby frowned and took another look around the parking lot. It was busy, with a steady stream of people. “Once we know the identity of the other guy, maybe we’ll know why they were killed.”

  “I hope to have that information soon. How’s Robin?”

  “Hanging in there, but she doesn’t remember anything that happened at the lab.”

  “Nothing?”

  “No. Seems like she’s lost the last six months of her life at the moment.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “I wish.”

  “Fabulous.” Ben paused. “We need her to remember.”

  “I know, but right now, she’s so stressed and shaken, I don’t see that happening any time soon. And pushing her isn’t going to help. The doctor said to let her heal and feel safe, and the memories should start to return.”

  “Toby...if someone tried to kill her because of something she saw, we may not have time to let her feel safe.”

  “I’m working on that part.”

  “Yeah. Okay. I guess we don’t have a choice. Stay low and keep your head down until I get back to you.” He paused. “In the meantime, you find her that safe quiet spot to heal. The faster the better.”

  “Already thought of that.”

  “I thought you might have. Where will you be?”

  “Wrangler’s Corner. It’s small and close-knit. If any strangers show up, I’ll know it.”

  Ben fell silent. “That might not be a bad idea. Plus, you have law enforcement friends and family there.”

  “I do.” The law enforcement friends were in-laws, but he counted them as family.

  “All right. But let me know immediately if she remembers anything. She’s not safe if she can’t tell us who did this—and why.”

  “I know, Ben.”

  “I know you do,” his friend said. “This thing’s got me rattled. I never saw this coming.”

  “I didn’t either.” Toby kept his head on a swivel, goosebumps pebbling his arms, the air shifting. “When I get back to the hotel, I’m going to send you a picture of a guy. See if you can identify him, will you?”

  “Sure.”

  “Look, I’ve gotta go. I don’t like being out in the open like this. Talk to you later.”

  “Be safe.”

  “That’s the plan.” Toby hung up and placed his hand on the door handle.

  A footfall sounded behind him. He started to turn when something hard pressed against the base of his skull.

  Toby froze. The man had been watching. Waiting for him to get off the phone, then striking quickly.

  “Where is she?” a low voice demanded.

  “Who?”

  “You know who. Robin Hardy. Where is she?”

  “Who wants to know?”

  The gun pressed harder. “I’m not playing, man!”

  “I’m not either.” Toby bent his knees and dropped in one controlled movement. The gun slid away from his head. In a crouched position, he spun and kicked out, connecting with the man’s knee.

  His attacker yelled but instead of pulling away, he surged forward and struck out, catching Toby on the cheek with a hard fist. Toby’s head snapped back and pain vibrated through him, but he kept his feet beneath him.

  “What’s going on over there?”

  The shout startled him and he stumbled back two steps, just in time to avoid the second punch headed for his face. He grabbed the swinging arm and shoved. The man went to his knees, rolled to his feet and bolted toward the back of the parking lot.

  Pounding footsteps from the opposite direction grabbed Toby’s attention. A man in a uniform reached him. Another swept past him in pursuit of the fleeing attacker. “Are you okay?”

  Toby touched a hand to his cheek. “Yeah, I think so.”

  “What happened?”

  “I got jumped. Let your partner know the guy is armed.”

  The officer did so while backing away from Toby. “If you’re okay, I’m going to go give him backup.”

  “Go.”

  “I’ll be back to take your statement,” he called over his shoulder.

  Toby didn’t plan to be around for that. He snagged his keys from the asphalt, climbed into his vehicle and headed for the motel. If whoever was after Robin had found him, it was very possible they would soon find Robin. Time to run.

  * * *

  Robin had dozed sitting upright on the bed, her head against the cushioned headboard. When the door opened, she jerked awake, setting off a pounding in her skull. Ignoring it, she swung her feet to the floor and tightened the sas
h on the shin-length robe.

  Amber stood at the door and hit the deadbolt after Toby shut it behind him. “Did you get what you needed?” Amber asked.

  “Yes, but we’re going to have to take off. Someone attacked me in the parking lot of the store.” He set an overnight bag on the bed.

  Robin gasped. “Your cheek! Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, but if they found me there, it’s possible they could track us here.”

  “How?” Amber asked.

  “I don’t know. I checked the truck for tracking devices, but I could have missed it.”

  “Not you,” Amber said. “What about your phone?”

  “It’s not traceable.”

  “Everything is,” she said. “Even that one.”

  He frowned. “That would take some pretty high-tech equipment.”

  “And until we know who you’re dealing with, you need to assume they have access to that equipment. You need to ditch it. We’ll stop and get you another one on the way.”

  His frown stayed put, but he nodded.

  Robin watched the exchange with a curious detachment. They were obviously good friends.

  “Are you a cop, too?” she asked Toby. “I mean, Amber told me she used to work for some government agency, but what about you?”

  Toby stilled. “No. I’m not a cop. Although...” He paused. “I have a lot of friends with the FBI.”

  “Why do I have a feeling it’s more than that?” she murmured.

  Amber lifted a brow and shot Toby a look Robin couldn’t decipher.

  Toby sighed. “Although I’m not with an official law enforcement agency, I’ve—we’ve—both had some training. And we’re going to keep you safe, all right?”

  She nodded, but something flickered in her midsection. Not fear of Toby, but more of a wariness...an anger? But why? He’d saved her life and was continuing to do so. The feelings didn’t fit. Or was her subconscious trying to tell her something?

  Toby motioned to the bag that held her clothes and other items she’d requested. “Hurry, we need to get going.”

  Robin grabbed the bag and slipped into the bathroom. She found the clothes and pulled them on. They weren’t a perfect fit but close enough. Next, she downed one of the prescription pills for pain and used the brush to gently force her hair into some semblance of style. She settled for a loose ponytail that didn’t pull at her wound.

  She was ready. She hoped. Taking a precious peaceful moment, she shut her eyes and drew in a deep breath. Then tried to force herself to remember the explosion.

  Heat. Flames. Smoke. Terror.

  The knock on the door jarred a gasp from her and she opened her eyes while her heart pounded fast and furious. From the knock or the blips of memory? “I’m coming.”

  She opened the door to find Toby holding his car keys. “You okay?” he asked.

  “Okay might be pushing it, but I’m ready to go.”

  His eyes darkened with an emotion she couldn’t identify. And wasn’t sure she wanted to. She was already drawn to this man who’d saved her, but the twinge of...something...that she felt toward him every so often cautioned her to hold herself distant until she could figure it out. She slipped past him and into the room.

  Amber stood guard at the window. “I’m going to follow you back to Wrangler’s Corner,” she said to Toby. “Wait, a car just pulled in the parking lot and slowed when it drove past yours.”

  “I parked several doors down. They won’t know what room we’re in.”

  She held out a hand. “Give me your keys and your phone.”

  “Why? What are you thinking?”

  “Change of plans. I’m going to drive a circuitous route and you guys are going to take my car and phone back to Wrangler’s Corner.”

  “Amber—”

  “If someone managed to plant a tracking device on your truck, we need to throw them off. I’ll leave it at a bus station, grab a ticket to Nashville, then rent a car and drive to Wrangler’s Corner.”

  Toby nodded. “Tell us when he’s gone and we’ll go together.” He and Amber swapped keys and phones.

  Robin stood, bag over her shoulder, ready to act when signaled to do so.

  When he tugged on her hand, she followed him to a new blue Tahoe and climbed into the passenger seat. Toby scrambled behind the wheel and within seconds, they were turning right out of the parking lot. Robin could see Amber in her side mirror driving Toby’s black Ford F-150. The woman turned left.

  Robin watched until she couldn’t see Amber any longer and never saw anyone who looked like they were following her—or them.

  “You can rest now if you want. It’s only about thirty minutes to Wrangler’s Corner.”

  Since her head was protesting in spite of the medication, Robin didn’t argue. She closed her eyes and prayed she was making the right decisions, trusting the right people. Because if she was wrong, she was as good as dead.

  FIVE

  Toby pulled into his sister’s driveway with one last glance in his rearview mirror. He’d been on high alert the entire way, and at no time had he seen anything that worried him. While relieved for the moment, he wouldn’t drop his guard.

  The front of the house shouted that children lived there with small riding toys and a pair of roller skates parked under the wicker table on the front porch. Christmas lights hanging around the perimeter of the door blinked a welcome while the wreath in the center proclaimed Merry Christmas in big red letters.

  As a child, Toby had hated Christmas thanks to his dysfunctional family situation. Now, he looked forward to it as much as his nieces did. Which reminded him he still had some Christmas shopping to do.

  His sister, Zoe, stepped outside and wrapped her coat tighter around her. The smile that seemed permanently attached to her lips since marrying the town’s veterinarian, Aaron Starke, beamed in his direction. Toby climbed out of the Tahoe and went to hug her, then turned and waved for Robin to join them.

  Robin opened the door and stepped out next to the SUV, looking unsure and fragile.

  “Come meet my sister, Zoe,” Toby said. His brother-in-law joined them dressed in his warm winter coat, carrying his medical bag in one hand and his gloves in the other. “And her husband, Aaron.” He shook hands with the man. “Sorry to get here so late.”

  “Not a problem,” Aaron said, setting his bag on the wooden floor of the porch and pulling on his gloves. “I was just getting ready to head over to the Wilsons’. They’ve got a foal who’s having some issues, and Bud’s worried.” He nodded to Robin and grabbed his bag. “It’s good to meet you. Y’all make yourselves at home and I look forward to talking when we have more time.”

  “Thank you.”

  Aaron kissed his wife and headed for the truck parked near the barn.

  Zoe rubbed her hands together. “So, come on in. We’ve got rooms ready for you.”

  “Wait a minute,” Robin said. “We can’t stay here.”

  “Why?” Toby asked, frowning. “What’s the problem?”

  “B-because we just can’t. What if—” She broke off and bit her lip.

  Toby placed a hand on her upper arm. “Excuse us a second, sis.”

  “Sure,” Zoe said. “Just come on in whenever you’re ready.”

  Once his sister was inside, Toby turned to Robin. “What is it? We need you in a safe place. This is about as safe as it gets.”

  She rubbed a hand across her forehead and he could tell her head was hurting. “But that’s just it. It might not be safe. At least not for them. And I’m not willing to put your family in danger.”

  Toby breathed a sigh of relief. “Is that what’s bothering you?”

  “Of course. Doesn’t it bother you?”

  He paused. “If I really thought I’d be bringing trouble to Zoe and her family, there’s no way I’d risk it, but
no one followed us here. I got rid of my truck and my phone so no one could track us. I really think we’ll be all right.”

  “But—”

  The door opened. “Sorry, I couldn’t help overhearing,” Zoe said.

  “Eavesdropping you mean?” Toby asked.

  She waved a hand in dismissal. “Whatever. Come inside for just a minute where it’s warm so we can discuss this without freezing.” Once inside she turned to Robin. “We want to help. I promise we can handle whatever comes our way.”

  Robin pressed fingers against her temples. “I appreciate it, I really do.” To Toby, she said, “But I just... I can’t put them in possible danger. If something were to happen, I’d never forgive myself.”

  “If it helps, we’re not going to be here anyway. We’re leaving tomorrow shortly after breakfast to go on a little mini vacation. You can use one of the guest cottages,” Zoe said. “Toby stayed in one for a while before moving to work at the university. The one right next to it is fully furnished and comfortable. And vacant. Toby can stay in his cottage and you can stay in the other. Both cottages even have some nonperishable food there you can snack on.”

  “Will that be okay, Robin?” Toby asked.

  “I... Yes. That’ll be fine. Thank you.”

  “Great. Let me just get the keys.”

  Zoe left and Robin clasped her arms to her stomach, the lost look on her face just about doing him in. Toby held still, not allowing himself to go to her. She was a case. He was there to protect her and help her remember.

  And he had to keep his heart out of it.

  Those last words were ones he’d been preaching to himself from the moment he’d realized she had nothing to do with anything illegal going on at the lab. His head was willing to listen to the sermon; his heart was in compete rebellion.

  “What are we going to do?” she asked. “I can’t hide here forever.”

  “Not forever. Just long enough for your memory to come back so you can tell the police what happened at the lab.”