Holiday Amnesia

by Lynette Eason

  Oliver slid into the driver’s seat. “You’re not trying any funny business, are you? I don’t mind killing cops.”

  “I get it, Oliver,” she snapped. “I’m not doing anything.”

  “But you’re thinking about it.”

  “Well, thinking and doing are two completely different things, aren’t they?”

  He shot her a hard look and drove them around to the side of the building where he’d initially stopped. The housekeeping cart was now at the next room with the young woman dressed in black slacks and a blue shirt rummaging for rolls of toilet paper underneath.

  “You killed Ben, didn’t you?” Robin asked.

  “Ben figured out something he shouldn’t have.”

  “What was that?”

  “That the only way you and Toby could have been traced to Wrangler’s Corner was through me. He called me on it.”

  “So, you killed him and set it up to look like an accident.”

  “I did.”

  When the cleaning woman disappeared back into the room, Oliver got out of the SUV and rounded it to open the passenger door. He uncuffed her from the handle but kept the second cuff on her wrist. “Let’s go.”

  He led her to the room, opened the door and shoved her inside.

  * * *

  Toby slammed a fist on the dash of the vehicle and Trent shot him a sideways glance. “Are you going to be all right?”

  “That remains to be seen. Robin’s still in the hands of a lunatic. One of my best friends.” Toby scoffed. “I can’t believe I didn’t see this. How could he have fooled me like this for so long?”

  “From what you’ve said, you were both working. You weren’t really around him that much, were you?”

  “No. Not much, but we talked occasionally.”

  “Who called first when you talked?”

  Toby hesitated, then rubbed his eyes. “I did.” He thought about all the times he’d called and Oliver hadn’t picked up—or called him back. “But I didn’t think anything about it. He was my grieving friend and I was calling to check on him. I mean, I knew he was having a hard time and I even recommended he talk to a counselor, but this...” He shook his head. “I never would have suspected this. Every time I brought it up, he said he didn’t blame me, that he should have seen it, that it was his fault. Not once did he let on that he blamed me.” Toby blew out a low breath. “All this time, he’s blamed me and his bitterness just kept growing while he plotted his revenge. Unbelievable. I can’t even wrap my brain around it.”

  “Grief can do strange things to people.”

  “Yeah. No kidding.”

  Trent’s phone rang. He put it on the vehicle’s Bluetooth. “Agent McBride, what do you have?”

  “I got a call from one of the agents investigating the bombing of the lab. They’ve identified the other man and are now searching his apartment.”

  “Good,” Toby said.

  “Another thing, a call came in a few minutes ago from an officer along Interstate 40. He spotted the BOLO vehicle and started to tail it, then it disappeared.”

  “He lost it?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Where’s the last place he saw it?”

  “Exit 65.”

  “So that’s where we need to head,” Toby said.

  “Manning could have spotted the tail, got off on the exit, hid somewhere and then got back on the interstate.”

  “Maybe,” Toby said, “and maybe Oliver wasn’t even in that vehicle. He could have traded it out and gotten someone else to drive it down the highway to throw us off, but it’s a start.” He shot a desperate glance at the deputy. “We’ve got nothing else. We have to run with what we’ve got.”

  Trent nodded and aimed the car toward the interstate with Agent McBride still on the line. “We’re flying blind here, Toby, you know that, right? This is a major long shot.”

  “I know. But I also know Oliver. He’s a thinker and a planner. If he stays true to his personality, he’ll want to find a place to hole up and think. To plan.”

  “Another motel?”

  “Probably. And he’s going to want to unload that virus.”

  “Agent McBride,” Toby said, “has there been any chatter about some kind of auction? Anyone selling a virus to the highest bidder?”

  “No. Nothing. If they’re talking about it, they’re doing it offline, but we’re checking other resources to see if they’ve heard anything.”

  “Great. Let me know if you hear anything else?”

  “Of course.”

  Toby sent up prayers as Trent sped up and they headed for the exit where he could only pray they’d find Robin alive.

  * * *

  Seated on the floor and cuffed to the leg of the bed while Oliver paced from one end of the room to the other, Robin had managed to come up with a sort-of-but-not-really plan. The question was could she make it work. Then again, what choice did she have? If she failed, she could die. If didn’t try, she would die.

  “I need to use the restroom.”

  He stopped his pacing and held up his phone. “I have a plan.” His eyes narrowed and he brought his weapon up to aim it at her.

  She flinched. He laughed. A shudder swept through her and the fear that she’d managed to keep under control up to this point came close to consuming her. “What’s your plan, Oliver?” she asked softly.

  “To FaceTime with Toby. He’ll watch every minute. Of course I won’t be on camera. Can’t be stupid about this.”

  “Oliver...please!”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to let you say hello first.”

  “Everyone knows it was you, Oliver. Why continue this? There’s no way you’ll ever be a free man again.”

  “Maybe not in this country, but there are other places to live.”

  Panic squeezed her lungs. Pain thudded at the back of her head. “Oliver? Can I please use the bathroom?”

  He blinked. “Why?”

  “Why? Because I’m human! I’m a person and I need to use the bathroom!” She bit her lip, grappling with her tears and terror. God, please, be merciful and let it be fast if I’m to die, but I really don’t want to die yet. I’ve got too much to live for.

  Oliver stepped up beside her and released the cuffs. “Fine. But no funny business or you’ll hurt for a long time, understand?”

  “Yes.” She slipped into the bathroom and stuffed her fist against her mouth to keep her sobs and screams at bay. He was going to FaceTime with Toby and kill her while Toby watched. Then he’d leave the motel, get in his car and find a way to sell the virus to the highest bidder. Then live off the grid for the rest of his days. If he could make it work. He certainly had the skills to make it a real possibility.

  Robin stared at the toilet tank lid. It had worked before. Could she dare hope it would work again? Only one way to find out. She hefted it from its resting place and held on to the bottom.

  And waited.

  It didn’t take long. A hard fist pounded on the door. “Time’s up!”

  She stayed quiet.

  More pounding. “Robin! Don’t make me come in there!”

  Robin bit her lip and refused to let her tears fall or the terror distract her. This was it.

  Something slammed against the door and it shuddered in the frame. A squeak left her lips, but she doubted he heard it as he used either his foot or his shoulder to crash against the door again and again.

  It was a lot more sturdy than she thought it would be.

  “Robin! I’m going to kill you!”

  Another loud bang against the door and it flew inward. Robin swung the lid with everything in her, slamming it into his midsection. He cried out and went to the floor. Robin rushed past him. A hard hand caught her knee. She kicked out, swung a fist and connected. And she was free. Not stopping, she rushed from the b
athroom and yanked open the outside room door with a frantic glance over her left shoulder.

  Oliver stood in the doorway of the bathroom, weaving. Blood ran from a gash on his forehead. He stepped forward, then stumbled to his knees. He lifted the weapon he still held in his right hand.

  Cold air blasted Robin as she bolted from the room and turned left on the sidewalk.

  Panic gripped her. She hadn’t knocked him out cold like she’d hoped she would. That meant she had very little time. His angry roar reached her as Robin ran faster, aiming for the only hiding place she could think of.

  A shot rang out and Robin screamed when a burning pain hit her in the back.

  SEVENTEEN

  Toby held on as Trent swung the squad car into the parking lot of the motel. The officer who’d called in to report Oliver and Robin’s location waved them to a stop. Toby leaped out of the vehicle. “Where is she?”

  “They’re in room 112. This way.”

  A low scream reached them and they took off toward it with Toby leading the way. He rounded the corner and pulled to a stop. Oliver stumbled along the sidewalk. “Oliver!”

  The agent turned. Surprise pulled his brows up, then fury lit his eyes. He dashed down the sidewalk.

  “Oliver! Stop!”

  “I’m not going to prison!”

  “Where’s Robin?” Toby hurried after his former friend. Trent and an officer named Wilkes followed, weapons ready.

  Oliver darted into the stairwell, lifted his weapon and fired.

  Toby ducked behind the nearest car and knew Trent and Wilkes had done the same. “It’s over, Oliver. You know how this is going to end if you don’t stop it now.”

  Helicopter blades beat the air above. More police cars squealed into the lot.

  “I’m not ready to give up yet, Tobe, sorry.”

  “Where’s Robin?”

  “She’s dead.”

  Toby’s heart stopped for a brief moment and he swallowed hard. “I’ll believe that when I see her.”

  “How’s it feel, Toby? To know you’re helpless? That you couldn’t do anything to save her?”

  Dear God, please let him be lying.

  Officers continued to spread out and surround the building. “Oliver, give it up. You don’t have to die today.”

  Oliver gave a harsh laugh. “I died the day you killed my wife.”

  “Maybe you should take responsibility for that one. You never said a word about her being so distraught over you and your job or that you were having issues. How was I supposed to know what was going on? You were her husband. I was your friend. And you never say anything? No way, Oliver. Her death isn’t because of me. It’s because of you!”

  “How dare you?” Oliver hovered at the corner, trapped near the vending machines, protected by the small area. He waved his weapon. “Tell them to clear out. This is between you and me, Toby.”

  “Put the weapon down now!” The voices of various law enforcement rang out, one after the other, with the order.

  “No, it’s not,” Toby said. “It’s over. Now, where’s Robin?”

  “I told you. She’s dead. You’re too late! I shot her!”

  His heart dropped. The man almost had him convinced. “Then at least tell me where she is so I can say goodbye.”

  Movement in the doorway of the room next to Oliver captured his attention. The housekeeping cart shifted, started to roll. A woman darted from the open doorway right in front of Oliver.

  Quicker than Toby could blink, the agent snagged her by the hair and pulled her against him, jamming his weapon against her temple. “Now back off!” Oliver yelled as he moved away from the vending room. The woman screeched over Oliver’s order.

  Shouts and commands echoed around him. Toby calculated whether he could make the shot. He thought he could, but at what cost? Would Oliver pull the trigger with the impact of Toby’s bullet?

  “All of you, back off!” Oliver shifted the weapon and pointed it for one brief second at Toby.

  A figure shot out from behind the housekeeping cart and slammed into Oliver’s back. He gave a harsh grunt and stumbled, releasing his hold on his hostage but keeping his grip on his weapon. The housekeeper bolted.

  Robin! She grappled with Oliver, who swung his weapon to her head.

  Toby fired. Three shots center mass.

  Oliver stilled. His weapon dropped. He staggered backward and went to his knees. Agent McBride, Toby and Trent raced toward the wounded man.

  Toby grabbed Robin up against him. “Are you okay?” His right hand landed in a warm wetness on her back. “You’re hurt!”

  “It’s okay. He shot at me when I ran, but it’s just a graze, I think.”

  Two ambulances turned in to the parking lot. “Great timing,” Toby said. “Let’s get you looked at.”

  He turned toward the first ambulance, his gaze landing on Oliver Manning, who lay still on the ground. Agent McBride and Trent knelt next to him. “He had a vest on,” Trent said. “He’s going to hurt for a while, might even have a couple of cracked or broken ribs, but he’ll live.”

  Gratitude crashed over Toby. He hadn’t wanted to see the man dead, but when Oliver had turned his weapon on Robin, Toby’d had no choice. “Thanks.”

  The paramedic and Toby helped Robin into the back of the ambulance. The woman examined the area and jutted her chin at Toby. “Are you her husband?”

  “No, I’m—”

  “Then get out for a minute, please.” Her eyes softened. “I’ll let you know when you can come back in.”

  Loathe to leave Robin now that he’d just managed to get her safe, he hesitated.

  “It’s okay, Toby,” Robin said. “Go check on Oliver.”

  He didn’t want to check on Oliver, he wanted to stay with Robin, but with a sigh, he backed up and gave Robin her privacy.

  A hand settled on his shoulder and he turned to find Clay there. “Hey, how is she?” the deputy asked.

  “Alive. That’s all that matters to me.”

  “She was hurt?”

  “Some fragment from where the bullet struck the wall.” Toby drew in a deep breath. The first one he’d taken since learning of Robin’s kidnapping. “But she’s going to be all right.” He paused. “How’s Oliver?”

  “Paramedics have him in the other ambulance. Go see him.”

  Oliver was the last person Toby wanted to see, but he needed to. He found him sitting in the back of the ambulance just as Clay had said. Under heavy guard, his former friend looked worn and beaten. Oliver’s gaze met his and the empty expression in the man’s eyes chilled Toby. “Things could have been so different, man.”

  Oliver pursed his lips and breathed in. Then winced. “I don’t think so. Once I got past the shock of losing Debra, I needed someone to blame. You were it.”

  “You never let on.”

  “Because I hated myself for blaming you. Then it just became second nature. Then I wanted to hurt you as much as I was hurting.”

  Toby nodded and looked away for a moment. “I’m going to miss the man I thought you were,” he finally said. “I hope I can forgive you one day.”

  Oliver’s gaze slid from his. “I don’t want or need your forgiveness. Just go away, Toby.”

  “Maybe you don’t, but I do.” A grief tinged with anger invaded Toby’s emotions. A grief that was similar to losing a loved one. Which he’d done. Oliver, his friend, was as dead as if he was buried six feet under.

  Toby left and made his way back to Robin’s ambulance. She stood just outside the doors, wearing a scrubs top in place of her bloody T-shirt. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “You scared me,” he whispered.

  She gave him a gentle shove and he stepped back. “I remembered the email,” she said.

  * * *

  Toby’s face dropped and he shoved his hands
into the front pockets of his jeans. “I’m sorry, Robin,” he said. “I wanted to tell you, but—”

  She placed a finger over his lips. “Shh.”

  His lips snapped together.

  “I remembered the email, and I’m not mad about it anymore. I think it’s time to move past that.”

  He grabbed her and hugged her, squeezing the breath from her.

  “Toby? I need to breathe.”

  And then she was free. Or rather, his hold loosened. “Can I tell you something?” he asked.

  “Of course.” Wetness dropped on her cheeks and she gasped. “It’s snowing!”

  “I ordered that for you,” he said. With a look over his shoulder, he gripped her hand and pulled her away from the chaos to load her in a Wrangler’s Corner deputy’s cruiser. He climbed in beside her. “Okay, so here’s the deal. I used to love my job with the CIA. I got to go to some really cool places and do some really cool things. I also had to deal with the dregs of humanity.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He shrugged. “It was what I chose to do, and I was good at it. While home, here in the states, I taught.”

  “I know. International studies and cultures.”

  “You do remember.”

  She nodded. “Everything.”

  “When Ben got a tip something weird was going on at the university lab, he knew I was there full-time. He also knew I didn’t want to get back into the whole espionage game, but he convinced me he needed me. That everyone in the lab was in potential danger.”

  “From what? The virus?”

  Toby grimaced. “Ben never said that was what was going on exactly, but I think he suspected it. Alan Roberts and the other man who was killed had been meeting in secret for several months. The only problem was we couldn’t catch them doing anything suspect. We couldn’t even get a listening device close enough to hear what they discussed at their meetings. Which were always held in public places with lots of noise. But the night they died, the feds picked up something about an auction and delivery. They were able to track down several of the bidders who are now being rounded up in various countries.”