by Kim Koby
“Right. She wasn’t happy I was pushing to know more, but every time I bring the topic up, she changes direction and refused to talk about things. Now I’m left wondering why she chose the way she did.”
“Guilt?” he asked.
“Yeah, I think so. But what does she have to be guilty for? If all she did was drive him there, she couldn’t know how things would end. Right? I could have handled the truth years ago. Why lie?”
Neither of them said anything. Silence hung in the air.
Ben cleared his throat. “Now what?”
“Now I see if I can get Mr. Anderson to talk about what he knows about my father’s visit to their farm. I don’t mean to badger, but they seem like a key piece of the puzzle. And the tunnel…that was just…odd.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”
“I think it’s better if I do this alone. Do you want to meet for ice cream or something after, so I can tell you what I learned?”
That was his in. He grabbed it. “Hot fudge sundaes for the win!”
Abby laughed. “That sounds amazing. I was thinking more like a small twist cone, less calories, but I have to admit a sundae sounds good.”
“Forget the calories. You look great. No need to deny yourself!”
She whispered a small thank you. He could almost hear her blush.
Chapter Twelve
Abby’s stomach knotted the closer she got to the Anderson’s property. What secrets did it hold? What happened with her father? A piece of her felt betrayed. Why hadn’t her mother told her sooner? What purpose did her father have there?
Her mother said not to mention it to Ian, but what if he had his own secrets? He deserved to know the truth about his father. There had to be a logical answer somewhere. She debated calling her brother but held off until after she spoke with Mr. Anderson. Would he even talk to her? It was hard enough getting her own mother to say anything. What made her think Mr. Anderson would warmly welcome her after he’d already kicked them off his property?
He wasn’t happy when they confronted him in the stables. Maybe she should stop pressing for more information. Yet, how could she? Her father’s death would go unspoken for. Somebody knew more than what they were admitting to. Her father deserved justice.
A chill went up her spine. There might be more her mother wasn’t telling her. Anger throttled her throat. Should she coddle her just to see what else she could find out? She rubbed the back of her neck. Manipulation wasn’t the right way to do this.
As she inched closer to the Andersons’ property, her chest tightened. He wouldn’t be happy to see her. She drew a deep breath, hit her turn signal, then pulled into the long driveway. Ben said he had six children. Maybe he’d understand her plight if she begged for any scraps that he’d be willing to offer. Was it possible he’d take mercy on her?
She knew she was probably deluding herself, but if she gave up hope, what would she have left? Abby parked her car and went around back to get Shadow. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Shadow hopped out of the back of the SUV and joined her. Together, they walked toward the house. She stood on the porch and hesitated. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the doorbell. She counted to ten and tried to steady her nerves. Finally, she pushed the button and waited.
Mrs. Anderson scowled when she opened the door and saw her standing there. She shook her head in disgust. “Young lady, there’s nothing for you here. Why did you come back?”
“Mrs. Anderson, please, I’m desperate. Can I speak with you or your husband? I don’t know where else to go. I lost my father in the fire, and all I’m trying to do is find closure. I think your husband knows more than he’s saying.”
“If you’re looking to collect some type of insurance, it was listed as an accident whether the paper called it an arson or not. There is no money to collect. There was enough to rebuild the barn, that’s all.”
“This has nothing to do with money,” she said, surprised that was even mentioned. “I don’t want your money.”
Mrs. Anderson’s shoulders relaxed. “You don’t?”
“No. Why would I want money from you? I don’t blame you for what happened. Besides, it won’t bring my father back. I just want to understand why he was here. What business did he have? He didn’t work; he couldn’t drive. None of it makes sense, and I want to put these answers to rest finally.
I understand there was an accident. Maybe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but why was he here? I didn’t know he had an association with your family. Apparently, in what’s new information to me, I found out that he’d asked to be dropped off. He wanted to talk to your husband. If I could learn why, it might help me. I’ve struggled with his loss for two years, and I don’t know what else to do. Please? Can you help me?” Her bottom lip quivered as she held back the tears that wanted to burst out. She reached down to pet Shadow.
Mrs. Anderson sighed. “My husband doesn’t want me talking about these things. He says that it’s bad news to bring up the past. Too much time has gone by, young lady. Anything we’ve had to say, we’ve already said to the investigators and insurance companies. You do understand? It was a tragic time in our lives, too. I don’t want to dig up the past.”
“And I can understand that,” Abby said. “Truly, I can. It’s just that I have no where else to turn. There’s no other information, and your husband is the last chance I have for closure.”
Mrs. Anderson closed her eyes. She slowly opened them again and said, “He’s out at the barn in the stables, but I can’t promise that he’ll speak with you. He wants this in the past, where it belongs.”
“Thank you. I’ll be quick, and I won’t bother you again. Thank you.” Abby scrambled toward the stables before the woman changed her mind. Once at the barn, she looked this way and that, hoping to spot him.
A farmhand was stacking bales of hay. “Excuse me, is Mr. Anderson here?”
The helper pointed toward one of the far stalls in the stable. “He’s checking in on the horses.”
“Thank you.” Abby and Shadow slowly passed each stall hoping to find him. It was a large barn with slots on both sides. She finally found him near the end.
Mr. Anderson cooed to the pregnant mare before him. “How are you feeling, Mama?”
Abby cleared her throat to get his attention. “Mr. Anderson?”
He looked over at Abby and shook his head. “What are you doing here?”
“She’s pregnant,” Abby noted, pointing to the horse.
“Yeah, due to give birth soon enough,” he said. “Another month or so.”
“Mr. Anderson, I’m sorry to bother you again—”
“Then don’t.”
“Please, sir. I’m desperate to put some of this to rest. I just learned that my father came here to speak with you. Can I ask you what it was about?”
Mr. Anderson grunted. “Your family’s dirty business is of no interest to me.”
Abby arched a brow. “Dirty business? Your wife was worried I was looking for a payout. I can assure you I have no interest in money.”
“Maybe you should be asking your mother these things, instead of me.”
“What does that mean?” She cocked her head to the side. It was like he was speaking in code.
He shook his head. “Your father came to speak with me, but I couldn’t help him. It wasn’t my help he needed.”
“What kind of help?”
He shook his head. “I’ve already said too much. You’d be smart to put this to bed. The less it’s talked about, the better for everyone. What’s done is done. I’m sorry you lost your father, but I can’t help you. Your mother can tell you more than I can. She’s the one he was trying to help.”
“What?” She was stunned and stood silently, trying to absorb what he’d just told her.
“I’ll ask you not to come back, or I’ll have to call the police. Do we understand each other? You show up, and I’ll consider it harassment. Are we clear? I’ve had
just about enough of this.”
She swallowed hard and nodded.
Her entire world collapsed as she walked back to her car. Dad was trying to help Mom? How? And what did a barn have to do with anything? Her chest heaved as she forced the tears back. What was going on? And why did nobody want to talk about it?
She knew exactly where she was heading next. It was time to have a face to face with her mother, and she wouldn’t leave until the truth was out. No more beating around the bush. No more changing the conversation. She refused to take no for an answer.
There was only one person that could answer her questions now. It was time for her mother to spill the rest of her secrets.
Before she could pull away, Abby looked across the street. If she left, she’d never have another chance to look at the cavern and tunnel. She’d need to be fast, before they realized she was lingering. If not now, when? She had to do it this instant. There was no other choice.
Her heart pounded deep in her chest as she quickly dodged across the street to the other side of the property. Shadow was steadily by her side. “I know, I shouldn’t be doing this.”
Shadow didn’t judge. He simply kept pace.
“Just a peek,” she said as they made their way to the place they’d recently found.
The board they’d pulled aside was still pushed off, but the cellar-type door was closed. She cautiously pulled them open and cringed when they squeaked. She glanced at Shadow and told him to stay put. “I’ll be right back. Stay.”
Abby carefully climbed down the ladder to the cavern. With only natural light coming in, it would be hard to see in the crevices. She tripped on the last rung of the ladder and fell to the ground. The hard earth didn’t cushion her fall. Her ankle twisted. “Ouch!”
Shadow barked.
She called up to him. “I’m okay, shh. You need to be quiet.”
Abby stood and hobbled on her sore ankle, bearing most of her weight on her other foot and leaning into the structure to make standing easier. She put pressure on it, delicately testing her ankle. After a few tense moments, she worked out the discomfort the best she was able.
She dug out her phone and turned on the flashlight mode to help her check hard-to-see areas. It wasn’t large, but definitely had plenty of shelving for storage. She squatted and tried to see behind the shelves, hoping to get a clue of what had been there in the past.
Abby turned toward the tunnel opening and glanced around, double checking that it was sturdy. She inched forward and followed it until it closed from the collapse like Ben had mentioned. It was important to see it for herself.
The odd thing was that it reminded her of a drug tunnel they’d shown on the news that people used when they smuggled drugs from Mexico into the United States. It had that same sort of feel. Yet, that was ridiculous. Why would you smuggle drugs thirty feet from a barn! The tunnel was probably there for convenience more than anything, but why? To stay out of the rain? To keep grain dry?
Shadow’s sharp bark caught her attention. He growled and barked aggressively.
Slam!
The heavy cellar doors closed shut. The noise rang through the space around her. Everything went dark.
“Shadow?” she called out. Her phone didn’t have a lot of battery left, but at least there was some. The light from her phone would be all she had for now. She felt her way toward the ladder. She needed to get to the top and push open the doors. Shadow continued to bark.
Abby limped up the ladder, her weak ankle testing her. At least it wasn’t too bad. She still had strength in it. With each step up the ladder, she was closer to the top. She reached up and pressed on the cellar door to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. Her heart lodged in her throat. Suddenly, there seemed to be less oxygen around her. Anxiety started to crowd her like a venomous snake ready to strike.
“Shadow!” she called out.
The dog scraped at the cellar door, trying to reach her. She could hear him whimpering from the other side.
In a panic, she banged on the door, but nothing happened. She pressed again. It was too heavy to move. Anxiety continued to creep up her spine. Her usual help was outside of the cavern, though if she dug through her purse, she could take something to calm her nerves. She rooted through her purse, leaning into the ladder, and pulled out her prescription bottle. She shook it out of habit, but it didn’t rattle.
Abby’s lungs tightened. She’d forgotten to switch the bottle out with the refills. They were sitting on her counter at home. The world was closing in on her. She tried to remain calm, breathing deeply, but the panic tightened its grip.
Think. Think clearly. It was hard to focus. She could only think about being trapped. Use, common sense, come on. What to do?
Her phone. Her phone was in her hand. Okay. She drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. There was only one person that knew where the tunnel was. She flipped through her contacts and clicked on Ben’s name. She barely had a signal, but there was enough to get through. She held the phone as close to the surface of the opening as possible.
“Hey,” Ben answered. “I was wondering how things went.”
She wanted to talk but started to hyperventilate. In between breaths, she pleaded with him, “I need help.”
“Abby? Where are you? I want you to breathe with me. Come on, slow inhale, and hold it for a minute.”
“Tunnel. I’m trapped.”
“I’m on my way,” he said. “Don’t hang up. Keep breathing with me. Come on, inhale, hold it, and now exhale. Slow and steady. Come on, you can do this. Where’s Shadow?”
“Outside. I’m scared.”
“It’s okay. I’ll be there shortly. Just stay with me, okay?”
She was trying to calm herself, but for every deep breath she drew, she burst out with six or seven shallow breaths. “Please hurry.”
“I’ll be there as fast as I can. I’m putting you on speaker. I’m in my truck. Give me ten minutes and I’ll be by your side. How did you get trapped?”
She heaved and sobbed. “I don’t know. Somebody closed me inside. The only one who knew I was here was Mr. Anderson.”
“Keep talking to me. I’m going to be there shortly. You’re going to be okay.”
Abby’s heaves turned to crying. “I don’t want to die like my father did.”
“No, hon, you won’t die. I’m almost there. You’re okay. Shadow is there to guard you. I’m going to get you out…tell me about Shadow. What was he like as a puppy?”
Abby tried to collect herself. She stifled her tears the best she was able. “We went through a lot of training together.”
“Tell me about that,” he said.
The distraction was helping. It didn’t take long for him to arrive. He turned off the roadway and instead of parking, he drove onto the property and over to the cavern site.
Shadow was loyally guarding the entrance. Nobody else was around. Ben jumped out of his truck and ran for the doors. A thick piece of a branch was wedged between the handles. He yanked it out and pulled the doors open.
Abby looked up at her saving grace.
“Come on. Let’s go.” He reached his hand down to help her out. Once fully removed from the underground room, she threw herself into Ben’s arms, and clung to him for dear life.
He wrapped his arms around her. “Shh, it’s okay.”
She trembled in his grip. “I was so afraid. What if I didn’t have my phone? I would have been stuck.”
“Don’t think like that. You’re safe.” He held her close, trying to soothe her frazzled and frayed nerves.
“If it weren’t for you…” she started to shudder. Tears of relief trickled down her cheeks. “Thank you for saving me.”
He rocked her gently in his arms. Shadow was like glue to the side of her leg, not wanting to be an inch away. The pressure of her dog leaning against her leg was another welcome relief. She reached down and stroked his thick fur. “You’re such a good boy.”
“I think it’s time I go have a t
alk with Mr. Anderson. This has gone too far. You could have been hurt.”
She pulled back and looked at him. “Do you think…?”
“I don’t know, but who else is there?”
She nodded cautiously. “Maybe we pushed too hard?”
“He doesn’t know pressure yet. There’s no way I’m letting him get away with this,” Ben promised.
“You’re a natural-born hero.” Her cheeks lit up as she looked into his eyes.
He looked away. “Hardly. If you were there…I told you about my past. I’ll never forget that day. Just outside of the bank, the alley by Sugar Hill Road…I wasn’t a hero that day. It will forever haunt me.” He couldn’t continue.
Abby’s shoulders stiffened. She cocked her head to the side. “The bank? Sugar Hill Road?”
“Yeah. I wish I’d been a hero that day.”
Her stomach churned. Nausea moved about like a ship in a storm. “Ben? Sugar Hill Road?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Was it just past dusk?”
He nodded. “How did you know?”
Abby flung herself away from him and got sick. She coughed and gagged after vomiting. Her entire world came unhinged.
“Abby?”
She recited the date.
“No!” He stared at her, dumbfounded. “Not you?”
Her entire body trembled. Her lip quivered as she tried to get out the words. “You’re the witness who took off? The one that could have saved me, but instead left me in the hands of a savage?”
He buckled over, pressing his hands to his knees. It couldn’t be true. It was too much to bear. He’d hated himself for years, but now this?
Chapter Thirteen
Abby stepped back. Her eyes went hollow as she stared right through him.
Ben went to reach for her, but she shifted, turning from him. Everything moved in slow motion.
Before they could register the twist in events, a shotgun blew off behind them. The sound echoed loudly.
“Get off my property,” Mr. Anderson yelled.
Ben grabbed Abby’s hand. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
