by Kim Koby
Abby shook out of her daze. They jumped into Ben’s truck with Shadow in tow. Ben spun his tires, kicking up a dust storm, then jerked the steering wheel toward the road. Thankfully, it was only a warning shot, but it didn’t stop him from doing it again.
Mr. Anderson pointed his shotgun straight up in the air, before he racked it and pulled the trigger again.
Ben laid on the horn as he sped past the irate farmer. His heart hammered in his chest, pounding hard and fast. Once on the pavement, he peeled out and tore down the road. “We’ll come back for your car. I don’t want to stop while he’s still got his gun.”
Abby nodded, not sure what else to do. Between being locked in the cavern, learning about Ben’s location at the time of her assault, and now Mr. Anderson threatening them with his shotgun, she could barely think, let alone breathe. She dug her fingers into Shadow’s coat, afraid to let go. Shadow burrowed his head against her, as he sat between them on the truck’s bench seat.
She could barely look over at Ben. “We need to go to the police.”
“I guess.”
“You guess? The man trapped me in the cavern and shot a gun at us.”
“Right. Here’s the thing. You were trespassing, and technically he shot the gun up in the air to scare us. It was never pointed at you or me. Did he do bad stuff? Yes. Did he have a right? I don’t know. Was he going to call the police, and have you arrested for trespassing? Is that why he closed it, so you couldn’t get away? What if it all looks innocent when he speaks with them. And then we’ll be the ones that look like we were stirring up trouble.”
“You sure are good at running from trouble,” she spat out. The moment the words were out, Abby regretted them. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.”
Ben said nothing. He pulled over in front of the Gold Coast Elementary School. “I’ll go back and get your car. Let’s switch places. You drive my truck, give me your keys, and I’ll jump out and drive your car out of there. We can meet back here. I don’t want you getting hurt. You’ll be safer in the truck.”
Abby didn’t know what to say. She was trapped between frustration and wanting to thank him. Yet, how could she thank the man that destroyed her life? Okay, so the attacker was the real predator, but Ben walked away. He knew something was going down, and he walked away. He could have helped. He could have saved her.
The bitterness caught in her throat. “Fine. We’ll do it your way.”
They switched places. While Abby adjusted the seat and mirrors, Ben buckled into the passenger side of the truck.
Abby gently pulled away from the curb and turned the truck back toward the farm.
“That day,” he started. “If I could do it over again, I would. There was a gun pointed at my head. I panicked. I didn’t know what to do.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said, shutting him down.
“So, that means you get the final say? Why is that? Look, I can’t go back and change things. You think that it doesn’t cross my mind? It does all the time. I was angry and disappointed with myself. I should have done something different, but nobody knows how they’ll react until a gun is pointing at them. I’m sorry you were hurt, but I wasn’t the one who attacked you.”
“No. You were the one that could have stopped it.” Abby shuddered. She pulled over to the side of the road to let other cars pass. She turned and glared at him. “Do you know how long I’ve struggled with that day? I was a different person. I had confidence and was independent. Now I’m afraid of my own shadow half the time. I’m a freak, because I can’t control myself. I break down over stupid stuff. I’ll never be who I used to be.”
He cautiously reached out and placed his hand over hers. “Abby, I’m truly sorry you were hurt. The thought that our worlds collided that day…and here we are now. Maybe it’s a chance to undo the heartache from the fall out. I’ve suffered in my own ways. I know you won’t see it that way, but it made me question everything I knew about who I am. My chief accused me of having a death wish the day I was suspended. He may be right, because I live with this disappointment and am desperately trying to redeem myself.”
“Ben, I don’t know what to think right now, but I need space.” She pulled her hand out from under his, then guided his truck back onto the road. “Let’s go get my car.”
“You’re going to shut me out, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know.” She refused to look over.
Ben stroked Shadow, who sat quietly between them. He leaned in and whispered, “Take good care of her.”
When they arrived back at the Andersons’ property, Mr. Anderson was nowhere to be found.
Abby started to get out of the truck.
“Wait,” Ben said. “Let me.”
“I’ll be fine.” Her shoulder’s fell, as she climbed down and waited for Shadow to follow. There was nothing left to say. She wanted to go home. She needed time alone.
Chapter Fourteen
Abby turned the radio off and drove in silence. She was numb. There were no feelings to sort through, no thoughts to fight with. She was trapped in a daze as she followed the familiar roads back to her house on auto-pilot.
Once inside, she gave Shadow a biscuit, then dropped onto the sofa. It was like a bombshell went off within. It was bad enough to go through the earlier events at the farm, but nothing could compare to the kick in the gut she got on learning that Ben was the witness who took off running. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be him?
It was like the universe was laughing at her. For a moment in time, she was on the road to a happier future, maybe one with a love interest. Instead, she was shoved under the fridge like a dust bunny to be forgotten about.
Still no closer to answers about her father, her book wasn’t getting written either. It wasn’t like she could write his story if she didn’t know what happened. Giving up would be the easy way out. Let go, no need to keep digging, let the secrets and skeletons of the past stay there, and get on with her life. No more talking with cops and firemen over the issues and find another path. There were dozens of things she could work on. Why had this one been so important? It didn’t feel very important now.
“Sorry, Dad. I don’t know if I can keep going,” she said, hoping he was out there in spirit and could hear her. Her faith in humankind was being tested in ways she didn’t know how to cope with. Her father was killed, her mother apparently had some secret, and Ben wasn’t the hero she thought he was.
At least there was Shadow. The one true and faithful companion she could always rely on.
Abby’s heart was heavy. She curled up on the sofa and pulled a blanket down from the back and spread it over her. The depression crowded her on the furniture, pressing in tighter like an elephant sitting on her chest. She closed her eyes to shut out the world, but it refused to go away.
She drifted back to when she’d jumped into Ben’s arms. For a fleeting moment, he was her hero…then like a swift kick to the back side, like a rug being pulled out from under her, the entire world shifted on its axis and dumped her on the ground.
Shadow sat beside the sofa and rested his head on her leg. She reached out for him, petting him almost without thinking. “You’re a good friend.”
She had no idea what tomorrow would hold, but today she’d mentally checked out. She had nothing left. She was depleted, completely empty, a shell of her former self.
Chapter Fifteen
Ben flicked his thumb nail. The day had gone in too many directions to know how to feel. Anger bubbled to the surface when it came to Mr. Anderson. He wasn’t through with the man—not after what happened.
Then there was the shame and disappointment. A single look from Abby and the entire world fell to his feet. There was no undoing the damage. She’d never see him as a hero again, let alone boyfriend material. There was nothing left to say.
The rush of adrenaline from earlier faded away, leaving him scattered and worn. There was still time to kill. If he could throw himself into
work to distract himself, it might be easier, but that was obviously out of the question.
What if he could find answers where Abby couldn’t? What if he could at least offer a shred of hope? Ben closed his eyes and sighed. He wouldn’t even know where to start. They’d already worked the one angle that was relevant, and any more encounters wouldn’t go so well.
He had no idea where to go from there. Lost, he cocked his head back and stared at the ceiling.
Why was Mr. Anderson so hostile and abrasive? It didn’t make sense for him to react so strongly and be defensive if he did nothing wrong. He’d always taken him for an honest man, but now he wasn’t so sure. His actions proved otherwise.
Could he get anywhere if he went through his son? He’d gone to school with one of the Anderson boys, though they’d lost contact when he left the area. What if he went back to the property under the cover of darkness? Could he learn something new?
He’d already been in the tunnel and cavern. What if he could find the other side, in the barn, where it had collapsed? Would it show them anything different? Ben shook his head. Let it go. She wants nothing to do with you.
It was hard to keep faith when the one thing he wanted had just sifted through his hands like sand in an hourglass.
He’d been looking forward to their date; looking forward to gently running his fingers through her soft and silky hair. He wanted to taste her sweet lips. She brought out a tenderness in him that he hadn’t felt in ages. Not only did he want to help her, he wanted to protect her, give her comfort, and bring her joy. Instead, he’d destroyed her faith in him. Her expression was vacant when he looked into her eyes. The spark that was once there was gone.
Was there any way to get it back?
He couldn’t stop thinking about Abby. He loved the way her hair glistened in the sun, and the way she laughed. He adored how tender she was with Shadow and seeing their connection. Her drive and determination to find answers was inspiring. And somehow or other, in such a short time, she’d stolen his heart. He thought they were heading down a path of companionship, of boyfriend and girlfriend, the start of something beautiful. Instead, it was a dead end. It didn’t matter what he wanted, because she’d done an about-face and was gone.
He racked his brain, desperate to find a way back into her life. If he could just get his foot in the door, maybe she’d find a way to forgive him. He had to try. Ever since that fateful day, he’d lived in fear of messing up again. He couldn’t give up. He was a fighter now. He had something to prove—to them both.
When darkness fell, Ben knew what he had to do. He’d come up with a plan, even if it wasn’t a solid one. At least it was a start. He stopped at a local sporting goods store before heading out. With two no-glow cellular game trail cameras in his arsenal, he’d set one up at either side of the barn to see comings and goings. If something shady was happening, at least he’d have evidence to back it up.
Ben crept up to the property and turned off his headlights before he got too close. He’d need to travel the rest of the way on foot if he wanted to go unnoticed. He threw a camouflaged backpack over his shoulder and moved quietly. His aim was to be stealthy, or as close to it as possible.
Once he was in range of the barn, he studied the pattern of trees around the structure to see where the best place to secure the cameras out of view would be. Maybe inside the barn entrance would offer a better opportunity.
As he approached the barn, watching over his shoulder, the biting sting of something sharp hit his neck. Everything went blurry. He stumbled, trying to keep his balance. There were shadows…then nothing.
Ben reached for his head as he slowly came to. He rubbed his eyes, trying to make sense of where he was. He wasn’t near the barn. What happened? Slowly, his vision cleared.
A man dressed in all black sat beside him and shook his head. “I see you’ve decided to join us. Do you realize that stupid stunt of yours could have cost us our operation?”
“Where am I?” he asked, not sure if the man was on the good side of the law or the bad. He pulled back defensively. “Who are you?”
“DEA. You’re safe. We’ll fill you in later. Thanks to you, I’m stuck sitting here instead of out there in the field on the mission.”
“Attitude much?”
The man glared at him. He had black smudged beneath his eyes, but his hat was pulled up, no longer covering his face. He didn’t respond.
“DEA? Like, for real?”
“You’ll need somebody to pick you up later. We towed your truck.”
“My truck? Don’t you want to know what I was doing there?”
“We searched your backpack and wallet. We’re aware of your intentions. We checked our database. You’re clear. Listen, you were in over your head. You’re lucky we pulled you out of there. Local police may have some interest in your activities of trespassing on private property, but the DEA doesn’t want you. Figure out who can come to get you. When the task force wraps up, you’ll be given an all clear to go. Until they finish the sweep, you’re stuck here with me.”
“I’m one of the good guys,” Ben said, trying to make inroads.
“You’re one of the guys that almost threw our mission out into the open.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I don’t know what you’re into, but I’d stay far away from that farm,” the agent finally said, warming up a bit.
Ben bent over and dropped his head in his hands. “A friend…her father’s remains were found on the property after a fire that was originally reported as arson. Records have been changed. Something’s not right. Then we found something…DEA? Drugs?”
The agent nodded. “Sorry to hear about your friend’s father. We’re familiar with the case, but I can’t discuss details with you.”
“My ride is that very friend, Abby Donovan. Her father died here.”
“I’ve already said too much.” He got up and paced. “We’ll get you out of here soon enough.”
“If you know something, you’ve got to tell her. Nobody’s been straight with her about what happened to her father.”
“Not my responsibility. Enough talking.” He sat back down.
Ben groaned. So close, yet so far.
The man’s phone lit up with a message.
“Okay, you’re clear. Call your ride. The phone’s right there,” he pointed to an old landline on the wall. Dial 9, then the number you want to reach.
“Where are my things? I need my phone. It’s got my contacts in it.”
The man leaned to his side and scooped up Ben’s backpack. “Look up the contact. Make the call on our phone. You’ll be recorded.”
Ben stood up. “Where do I tell her to get me?”
“At the Redwood Cove Police Department. We’re at an outpost, but I’ll be dropping you there shortly.”
Ben scrolled through his phone for Abby’s number. She probably didn’t want to hear from him, but she was the one that needed to know what was going on. What if she refused to pick him up? Maybe he’d be safer calling somebody else.
Ben stopped at her contact information, the went to the landline phone on the wall. He dialed 9 first, then her number. It was late. He hoped she answered her phone.
Chapter Sixteen
Abby fumbled for her phone. Who was calling her at this hour? She squinted and tried to focus on the number. She didn’t recognize it. She put the phone back down and rolled over. Stupid caller woke her up.
The phone rang again. Fine. She’d have to tell them they had a wrong number. They obviously weren’t taking a hint. She rolled back over, grabbed her phone, and answered. “You have a wrong number!”
“Abby, it’s Ben.”
Silence.
“Can you hear me? It’s Ben. I need a favor.”
Confused, she tried to connect the dots. It was Ben, but she didn’t see his caller ID. It simply said “unknown.” And of all the people in the world to ask for a favor? “Not interested. Bye—”
Before she could ha
ng up, he shot out, “It’s about your father.”
Abby sat bolt upright in bed. That got her attention.
“I can’t talk about it right now, but I need you to come get me. I’ll explain when I see you. Please, can you do me this one favor? I won’t ask for anything else, but this is important.”
She sighed. “Where are you?”
“I’ll be at the Redwood Cove Police Department.”
“What?” She was perplexed. None of this made sense. She grumbled, then finally said she’d get him. “Fine.”
“If you get there before me, wait. Long story, but I’m about to be moved there from another undisclosed location.”
“Great. What did you get into now?” she asked.
“I’ve got to go.”
“Fine.” She hung up the phone. Shadow was snoring on the carpet beside her bed. “Hey Shadow, we need to go out for a little bit.”
Shadow opened an eye, stretched a leg, then closed his eye again.
“Shadow,” she tried again. “Time to get up.”
It took a few moments, but he finally moved from his sprawled position to sitting up.
“I’m sorry, boy. We need to get moving.” Abby climbed out of bed, dug through her clothes, and pulled out a baggy sweatshirt. She pulled it over the T-shirt she’d been sleeping in. She felt around for shorts after pulling a drawer open. Finally, she reached for a lamp and clicked it on. She squinted as her eyes adjusted to the light. “I know, I know. I’m not thrilled either. You’re being a good sport about all of this.”
Shadow yawned, then stretched. She reached over to pat him on the head. A simple wag of his tail told her he was ready when she was.
Ben was the last person she wanted to see, but he mentioned something about her dad. What could he be talking about?
She slipped Shadow’s vest and leash on, then out the door they went.
Once they got to the car, she groaned. It was way too late to be awake. At least there was a reason, but of all the people to call her so late, she hadn’t expected it to be Ben. And what was he up to? And the police department? She shook her head, frustrated by the not knowing.
