by Becca Monroe
I held my hand up to stop her. “You know this?”
“Yes, I know it,” momma said.
The anger inside me was palpable. “You knew this entire time she was married and didn’t tell me?” I reached for the door handle to leave.
David stepped in front of me. “Something’s happened and you need to listen. Josh, your old captain called me a few minutes ago with some information regarding Delaney.”
“I don’t want to hear a damn thing about Delaney! She’s married,” I raged. “She told me she was mine, but she wasn’t free to be mine.”
Momma came up to me and placed her hands on my shoulders. “I know you’re angry, and I understand it, but you need to hear this.”
I leaned against the door. “Fine, spill it, and then I’m getting out of here.”
“Delaney walked into the restaurant last May looking for a job. She walked with a slight limp on her left side but had a kind smile and pained eyes. We talked for a good hour and I hired her on the spot.”
Josh smiled. “I remember mom, you told us you hired a splendid girl that night.”
“Because I did.”
“How did you know she had pained eyes?” I asked.
“Because twenty-five years ago when we moved to Kodiak, I had the same look in mine.” Momma sat down behind her desk and David walked to her, putting his hand on her back.
“It’s time to tell them, Mary,” he said.
“Tell us what?” Josh asked.
“Twenty-five years ago, I took you boys in the middle of the night and ran away from your father. He was a cruel, angry man, and he beat me every chance he got. The night we left, he broke two of my ribs and fractured my orbital bone.”
Momma’s voice was quiet, and a glance over at Josh told me her words surprised him.
“I’d been secretly saving up money to leave because I was afraid he’d turn his rage on the two of you. He came home from the bar and found me counting the cash I had saved up and he started beating me. Jake heard my cries and tried to stop him, but your dad slapped him so hard, he flew across the room.” She wiped the fresh tears from her eyes as David handed her a tissue.
“Your father passed out soon after and we left and never went back. Honestly, I never even looked back. I came here because I had an old high school friend who was living here - Shelly. We stayed with her until we got on our feet and we built a life here. About five years later, your father died in a drunk driving accident he caused.”
Josh stared at momma in disbelief. “You said daddy died, but I knew none of that happened. Why didn’t you say something, mom? All these years, you just carried that with you?”
“You were too little to remember much, but I didn’t want you to hate your father or have anger towards him for how abusive he was. Jake didn’t seem to remember much either and would never talk about that night. I had him see a counselor, but she said to force memory isn’t a good thing, and so we let him set the tone for the visits. He never discussed it, never even mentioned it.”
Momma was the strongest woman I’d ever known, and I loved the life she built here for herself. And for us. The way she overcame everything she had gone through was a testament to the person she was.
“I remember, momma.” Her eyes had tears in them. “I remember the hateful son of a bitch and how he would hurt you. But when we left, and we got here, I saw life and possibility in you again, and I saw freedom for us. You had the courage to leave, to run, and I loved you for it and I love you even more now.” She stood up, walked over to me and hugged me tightly.
When she pulled back, her eyes held an intensity I often saw when she was determined about something. “Delaney is running from a man who hurt her horribly. I knew her name wasn’t Delaney Newcomb. She never told me why, but I knew. She asked if she could work under the table for cash tips and said she would do anything for work and work hard. I remember that feeling of desperation, of fear. So scared that you will do anything to stay hidden, but afraid every day that he’ll find you. Delaney’s fear poured out of her that day. But as we talked, she seemed lighter, and I knew everything I had been through led me to that moment with her. To help her. So, I did.”
“That’s why she isn’t on the payroll and you never cut her a check of any kind,” I said.
“Yes, and she pays the rent on her cabin early each month, never late, always in cash. She doesn’t have any bank accounts or anything. Nothing to draw attention to herself.”
“You don’t think she’s hiding from something else, maybe something she’s done?” Josh asked.
“We thought about that,” David said. “But last week one of my deputies told me more about his interaction with her last summer. He was driving by the restaurant when Delaney had just finished locking up. She was walking to her cabin, and he offered to give her a ride because it was raining. She accepted and when he went to open the door for her, she slipped and his hand flew up to grab her so she wouldn’t fall. She curled into the fetal position, there in the mud, and begged him not to beat her. Delaney apologized, said she was just scared of the storm and being in a new place so far from home, but he said it was a classic reaction to someone who’d taken hits many times before.”
I ran my hands down my face and glanced over at Mike. “She’s flinched with me on over one occasion, and she told me she was with a man who broke her.”
David handed me a folder. “There’s more. The information Josh gave your buddy with the FBI, it paid off. He said that Delaney’s name is Delaney Combs Rider, and she’s the star witness in a case the bureau is putting together against her husband, Matt.”
“What’s the case?” Mike asked.
“Delaney witnessed him murder a man in cold blood, but their focus has been racketeering and other financial crimes. Apparently, her best friend works for the Bureau. Delaney went to her for help, but this Matt guy got wind that she may leave him. They don’t believe he had any idea she was working with the bureau, just that she may leave him. He beat her good. Took a blowtorch to her skin, but she got away. Two days later, she died in a ferry accident, leaving Manhattan. Obviously, that was a cover for her to remain safe. They hid her until she healed up enough to travel, but then she ran from the FBI, telling no one where she went. Not even her best friend.”
He continued as I looked through the file. “Now, her best friend and two other agents are missing and have been for the last couple weeks. The bureau believes Rider is behind their disappearances.”
“Jesus, Brittney is leading him right to her. She has to be heading to my place, I need to get out there,” Jake said.
Mike and Josh stood up. “We’re with you,” Josh said. “Momma, can you and David head over to her cabin, in case she stops there?”
“Yes,” exclaimed momma.
“Jake, she’s running scared now. Brittney said he was coming here, she’ll try to get as far away from here as possible, as quickly as possible.” David said.
“I have no intention of letting her go, and I messed up saying what I said to her.”
“Let’s go find your girl. You can make that right,” Mike said.
David waved his hand. “We’ll head to her cabin, but the FBI will be here by morning. They want her back in protective custody, where they can keep her safe. With their agents missing, they consider this case their highest priority.”
I let Mike drive, knowing he would be calm and get us there in one piece. My mind was racing with snapshots of our last conversation. The look in her eyes when I said I never wanted to see her again. I broke her heart.
“I told her to trust me and that I would love her no matter what. Then I didn’t even give her a chance to explain anything. She’s never going to forgive me for that,” I said as I stared out the passenger window of the truck.
Mike stepped down on the gas a little harder and Josh leaned up over the front seat. “She’ll forgive you. This is just a jacked-up situation, and she’s scared. We’ll find her, things will be okay, just focus
on that.”
Josh’s phone rang, and he put it on speaker. “David?”
“She’s been here. The door was open when we arrived and there is a panel missing from the wall. Looks like she was hiding something in there. Your mom said it was probably cash. She’s running. You want us to head up to Jakes or stay in town?”
“Stay in town. If she circles back, she may try to get a boat out,” Josh said and disconnected the call.
My truck door was open before the truck came to a stop in my driveway, and I raced toward the house, seeing the front door open and the lights on. “Delaney!” I yelled. “Where are you?”
No response. Mike and Josh followed me in, and we scattered, searching the house. “Delaney?”
I opened my bedroom door, nothing.
Mike’s voice boomed through the hall. “Jake, get in here, I’m in her room!”
I entered the room, clothes strewn on the floor and bed. Her bag gone, and the framed picture on her nightstand was missing. Mike handed me a small phone I’d never seen before.
“Look at the text and photo,” he said solemnly.
I know where you are, and Kelly said goodbye. See you soon, wife. The picture was of a blonde woman tied to a chair with a bullet wound in the middle of her head.
I handed the phone to Josh. “Call your buddy, I’m assuming that’s her best friend and the agent that’s missing. Get him that information and tell him she’s running. Let David know, I think she will head back to town, that’s my guess.”
Josh nodded and handed me a note. “Found this on the kitchen counter.”
Jake,
He killed her to find me. It’s my fault she’s dead. I’m so sorry I lied to you. I pray one day you can forgive me. I must go - he’ll kill anyone I care about. Tell Josh I will leave his jeep safe, I just need it for now. I’m so sorry I didn’t have the courage to tell you the truth. I love you and I always will. ~Delaney
I drove my fist into the wall. “Damnit! She’s got to get off the island somehow. David and mom have the ferry covered, can you call the airport and have them keep an eye out for her? She’ll try to get to Anchorage and get a flight out. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
Mike pulled out his phone. “Last month I put a tracker in Josh’s jeep. Hang on, we may get a signal and follow her.”
“Why would you do that?” I asked.
“He went down to the lower forty-eight, and I didn’t trust that it wouldn’t be a target. We put like twenty grand into the rebuild on that thing and I trust nobody but us,” he grinned. “Give me a minute to bring the app up. I would have done it earlier, but I assumed we would find her here.”
Josh stepped back into the bedroom. “Okay, FBI has people in Anchorage heading over on a flight and David is having state patrol put a bolo on my jeep and do checkpoints the best they can. We’ll find her.”
“Call Brittney. I want to know what they talked about and what he told her, but if I talk to her, I won’t help with how pissed off I am.”
“Um, guys, according to the tracker, she’s up near the cabin,” Mike said.
I ran to the gun safe and opened it. We all grabbed our weapons of choice. Delaney was mine and nobody was taking the woman I love away from me again.
“We can catch her,” I said as we climbed back into my truck.
Mike shook his head. “The jeep isn’t moving. Let’s get going, maybe we can catch up quicker than we think.”
Delaney
I built a little fire in the fireplace and wrapped the quilt from the couch around my shoulders. He killed her. Shot her dead because she helped me. Maybe it was best to end this now. Maybe I shouldn’t hide anymore? If he comes here, everyone is in jeopardy. I can call him and meet him somewhere. Maybe that would be best.
The last burner phone fell from my bag as I emptied its contents onto the bed. I powered it up, then set it back down. No. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea. Just keep running Delaney, maybe that is the life you deserve now. Kelly. God, why Kelly? Everyone I loved he took from me.
Tears poured down my face as I curled up close to the fireplace. Maybe just rest for an hour, then get on the road. Nobody will know I’m at Mike’s cabin, it will be okay. Everything will be ok.
The cabin was darker when I woke hours later. Only coals at the bottom of the fireplace gave a slight glow into the room. I stood and placed the quilt back on the couch, then turned the lamp on, that was sitting on the end table.
“I wondered how long you would sleep, sweetheart. You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you. You’ve been busy, my love. With all your running and hiding. Why did you have to run and hide little one?” Matt’s voice made the hair on the back of my neck stand at attention.
My eyes darted to the door, and I ran as fast as I could, but powerful arms wrapped around my waist and slammed me hard onto the floor, forcing the air from my lungs.
“No, no, hush,” he ordered, clenching his hand over my mouth, crushing my body with his weight. “I have known where you were for two days, but I couldn’t let on until tonight. When I saw the look on your face, seeing what your actions cost Kelly, my heart sang. She was always a bitch and got what she deserved, thanks to you.”
Tears fell from my eyes at his words. “I’ll take my hand away from your mouth if you promise not to scream. Do you promise sweet girl? Promise me you won’t scream?”
I nodded, and he removed his hand. “Now. I have a car and we will leave. If you promise to be good, I will only bind your hands but allow you to ride in the car with me. If not, I will gag you and throw in the trunk for our journey to the boat. Which will it be?”
I lowered my head, not making eye contact. “I’ll be good.”
“That’s my good girl. Put your hands in front of you so I can bind them and we’ll be on our way.”
I tried not to cry, but as he taped my hands, sobs escaped me once again. “Matt, please, let’s just go home, only the two of us. Forget all this craziness.”
The only chance I had of surviving this was to make him believe I wanted to be with him and had made a grave mistake. “I was heading to fly back to you. These months away from you have made me realize I was wrong to run away, and I, well I love you,” I said, trying to hold back the nausea at the lies spilling out of my mouth.
He yanked my ponytail down hard and kissed me. “I missed you so much, Delaney. Let’s go home.”
Jake
Josh’s Jeep was sitting on the side of the road about a mile from Mike’s cabin. As we headed up the narrow road, I prayed she was still there and safe. I needed to tell her I loved her, to tell her I was sorry for not hearing her out and not being there when she needed me.
Josh hung up his phone and leaned over the front seat, concern in his eyes. “Spit it out man, you’re making me nervous,” I said.
“Delaney’s husband and two of his guys flew into Anchorage the day before yesterday on a private plane. FBI identified him off several cameras in the airport. They lost him, but he’s here and has been. David’s guys and state police are on the way up here too.”
“Shit, look,” Mike pointed to the stairs of the cabin.
A large man was escorting her down the stairs, with her hands bound in front of her. Two other men on each side of them. Josh and I exited the vehicle immediately, drawing our firearms.
“Let her go!” I shouted. She cried out when he pulled her to him and held a gun to her head. His two goons drawing their guns on either side of him.
“You must be Jake. I’ve learned so much about you the past couple of days,” he sneered. “Move aside. My wife and I are going home.”
I shook my head as Josh moved to the right side of me. There was no doubt in my mind Mike had the other. “I can’t let you do that,” I said.
Delaney’s eyes met mine, and the terror I saw in them forced my rage to the surface. “The police are on their way, you have no way out of this,” I said.
A sinister look passed over Matt’s features as he press
ed his weapon underneath her chin. “You move any closer, and she’s dead,” he said.
An ominous laugh cascaded through the air. “I was her first, you know?” He scorned. “She gave me her virginity, and it was oh-so sweet. You know how sweet she can be, don’t you, Jake?”
“Please let me put a bullet in this guy’s head,” Mike seethed.
“She makes the best noises too, doesn’t she? You should hear what she sounds like when you torture her. It’s so beautiful in every way,” his diabolical grin made me want to charge him and pummel his face into the ground.
“Step aside, or I just kill her!” He yelled.
I lifted my gun into the air and showed him I was placing it back into my thigh holster. “No need for that, let her go, and we let you leave.”
Mike and Josh knew I was full of shit. But hopefully, this prick would take the bait, just hesitate long enough for one of us to get a shot off.
Tears fell from her eyes and she squeezed them shut tightly. When she opened them again, our eyes locked, and I saw determination. That flash of fire she sometimes held inside them. Freedom.
Delaney
“Jake, you need to leave us alone,” I said. “I’m going home with my husband. He’s who I want to be with. This was all just a mistake.” The lies falling from my lips needed to sound real, but the nausea in my stomach made it difficult.
Jake studied me, an understanding flashed in his gaze. “I love you, even though I made some mistakes tonight, but I want us to try. You don’t love him.”
He was apologizing for what he said at the restaurant, I knew that is what he was trying to do. Apologize for saying he never wanted to see me again.
“I don’t love you,” I lied. “Please, just let us go.” I dropped my eyes to the left, hoping he would understand what I was about to do.
My arms went up and backward quickly, driving my elbows into Matt’s rib cage, and I turned into him as he tried to wrestle with me. The sound of two gunshots rang out, and I heard Jake yelling my name as I wrestled with Matt, trying to get away from him. His gun was between us, his finger on the trigger, and I kicked at his knee, like Mike taught me. It buckled and both of us to fell to the ground. More gunshots, but this time Matt’s limp body fell on top of me, stealing my breath away.
