Forever Hers

by Walters, Ednah

  She’d chosen to use a pseudonym for her work and an old high school picture. As she studied her picture, her bangs, her long hair, a memory teased her.

  Frowning, she took her laptop to where she’d left Eddie’s. He was still logged in on Ken Lambert’s company website. She clicked on the replay button and re-watched the surveillance videos on Nolan then froze the frame with his girlfriend.

  The woman was around Amy size. Her hair color, length and style were exactly like Amy’s during high school through sophomore year in college. After she married Nolan, he had begged her to grow her hair out. The dutiful wife that she was at the time had obliged.

  The more Amy watched the recording, the more she realized just how much the woman looked like her. Either Nolan had a thing for women with light-brown hair and bangs, or Eddie was right about his obsession with her.

  The next footage she watched showed Nolan at a cemetery, carrying flowers to a grave. He knelt at the edge of the tombstone, placed the flowers and appeared to be praying. No, his eyes weren’t closed. He was talking. Then he pressed his fingers to his lips then to the tombstone, got up and left.

  Who had he visited? His parents were buried in New Orleans, not in Charlottesville. Amy tried to read the name on the tombstone, but it was too blurry.

  The doorbell rang. Amy automatically checked the tablet. A blond-haired man in a black suit and a light-colored shirt stood outside the front door. One hand had a manila envelope and the other pushed his black-framed glasses in place. He looked like one of the forensic guys.

  Amy hurried to open the door before he could ring the doorbell again. Raelynn was still asleep. “Yes, can I help you?”

  He smiled. “Ms. Kincaid, I’m William Burgess. We need to talk.”

  CHAPTER 16

  “About?” Amy asked.

  “Nolan Reither.” He rolled back his sleeve and raised his hand. The eye of Horus tattoo stared at her.

  Amy’s stomach dropped, and the instinct to survive took over. She grabbed the door frame, shifted her weight to her left foot and slammed him with a side-kick, catching him on the chest. He stumbled backwards, lost his footing on the top step and landed on his butt in the grass, the envelope flying from his hand.

  She slammed the door and ran. Her mouth dried up with terror, her heart threatening to burst from her chest. Any second, she expected to hear the sound of the door being kicked in. She grabbed her Glock from under her mattress, loaded it while moving toward the door.

  Where the hell was her cell phone? She’d used it earlier in the living room. She wished she hadn’t unplugged the landline. Gripping the gun with both hands, crisp breaths coming in painful gasps, she stepped into the hallway and pointed the gun left then right.

  No one was there.

  Swallowing her fear, she closed the door softly behind her and moved slowly toward the living room, her back to the wall. Any moment, she expected Nolan’s man to come flying toward her.

  Anger rolling through her, she looked around for any sudden movements and inched closer to the coffee table. Just as she reached for her cell phone, the doorbell rang again. The sound echoed around the quiet room and she jumped, her eye flying to the tablet and the activated feed from the front door.

  Why would this man risk coming to her house in broad daylight? It didn’t make sense. She grabbed her cell phone to call Eddie, but she realized she didn’t have his cell phone number. She punched in 911.

  “911, What’s—”

  “I need assistance.” Her voice squeaked and was barely audible.

  “Sorry, ma’am. I didn’t catch that. What’s your emergency?”

  “My name is Amy Kincaid. I need help. Tell Captain Briggs.”

  “What is the nature of your emergency?”

  “William Burgess is at the Fitzgerald’s lake house. Please, I need help.” She ended the call and pocketed the phone then moved closer to the door. A clammy mixture of ice and dread knotted her stomach. Beads of sweat dripped down her back and her knees quaked with each step, but she refused to cower. The man was not coming inside the house.

  She glanced through the peep hole. He was still there. Her stomach tightened and her damp hand was slippery against the rough grip of the weapon.

  “You’ve got some nerve coming here after everything you’ve put me through,” she said, still watching him.

  “I know you’ve already called the police, Ms. Kincaid. If you want to know the truth about Nolan, shut up and listen to me. Nolan is a very sick and twisted man and—”

  “You work with him. What does that make you?”

  “A fool for allowing him to blackmail me. He will not stop until you’re dead.”

  Tell me something I don’t already know. Maybe if she kept him talking, the police might get here in time to nab him. And then there was the cameras recording his every word. “Why should I believe anything you say?”

  “Because I was with him the night he killed your fiancé.”

  For one brief moment, Amy’s mind went blank. Then like a white squall, the past flashed through her head with a vengeance. Only this time, the face of her attacker was Nolan’s. Anger slammed into her. This man was the key to stopping Nolan and she wasn’t letting fear paralyze her.

  Her heart pounding, Amy unlocked the door. The snap of the bolt scraping along its socket echoed around the foyer and her stomach lurched. You trained for this…you are ready…you are strong... Repeating the words in her head, she opened the door and wedged the nozzle in the opening. Feeling sick to her stomach, she pointed the gun at Burgess’s chest, stepped outside and closed the door behind her.

  “How do I know you’re telling me the truth?” Her voice came out calm although her heart pounded and her stomach churned with dread.

  He didn’t seem surprised or scared, and neither did he raise his arms. Instead, the corners of his lips lifted into a smile. “You’re full of surprises, Ms. Kincaid.”

  “I’m sick and tired of being pushed around by you and Nolan. I’m done running.”

  “Somehow I knew you’d say that, but you have no idea who you’re dealing with. You see this?” he indicated the tattoo then licked his thumb and rubbed at it. It smudged. “It is fake, just like the ones we wore the night Nolan killed your fiancé. He’s smart, he’s ingenious and he will not stop—”

  “I heard you the first time.” Her voice rose. She took a breath and added calmly, “Sit.”

  Burgess shook his head. “No, Ms. Kincaid. I will not sit. I plan to walk away after I’m done here because you will not shoot me, an unarmed man who’s not attacking you. You are not a killer.”

  Her hands shook and her finger grew twitchy on the trigger. In her gut, she knew she couldn’t hurt someone without provocation, but the terror she’d gone through at Nolan’s hand egged her on. Her chin shot up. “Try me.”

  Once again, he didn’t show any signs of fear. He lifted the manila envelope. “This is for you. Call it a present or an apology for my part in all this and use it as you see fit.” He placed the envelope by the pillar manning the entrance, pushed his glasses in place again, turned and started down the stairs.

  “Don’t you dare leave, you bastard.” Sweat was dripping down her back, fear making her voice squeaky. “Do you think I’m stupid? Why would you change now? Bring me this…this gift after you slashed my tires and destroyed my car.”

  Burgess glanced at her over his shoulder. “Sorry about your car, but I had to create a diversion and make it look authentic. You haven’t been alone since I planted Nolan’s cigarette filters under the tree. Yes, he smokes now and had the gall to tell me to pick them up after I mowed your neighbor’s lawn while he stood under the tree and stared at your house. Bastard. I also left the crowbar with his fingerprint for the police to find, the gloves which he wore and the laptop with his fingerprints.” He smiled smugly. “I could have left the thumb drive too, but it’s you I was interested in giving it to in case the police mess up like they always do. Use my gift wisely, Ms.
Kincaid, and good luck.” Once again, he started to walk away.

  Amy wanted to pull the trigger, maybe aim at his feet, but she couldn’t do it. She just couldn’t. Her hands shook. “Why did he kill Charles?”

  Burgess threw a mocking smile toward her. “I know what you’re doing. You think if you keep me talking, the police might get here in time to capture me. They won’t. They never will. This time, I’m disappearing for good. Nolan killed Charles because he wanted you, because you look exactly like Penelope.”

  “Penelope?”

  “My fiancée and the woman Nolan was obsessed with. Just remember, he’s not above using those you love.” He took off, disappearing from view.

  Amy stayed rooted on the spot, her body shaking so hard her teeth rattled. Tears rushed to her eyes. She slid down the pillar until her butt landed on the step. Somewhere the engine of a motorcycle started and took off. Sobs shook her body.

  She didn’t know how long she sat there feeling sorry for herself before she composed herself. She eyed the envelope as one would a poisonous snake. It could be a letter bomb, something to finish off what Burgess and Nolan had started. His coming to see her and everything he’d said could all be lies to fool her.

  Amy shuffled backwards inside the house, locked the door. She went to the garage for a shovel. She didn’t care that she wasn’t supposed to move suspicious packages. There was no way she was leaving that envelope near the house, where her little girl was sleeping.

  She shoved the gun into the small of her back, under the waistband of her Capris, and used the shovel to scoop up the envelope. Walking slowly, she carried it as far away from the house as she could then propped it against a tree trunk, went back to the steps, sat and waited.

  By the time three police cars with blazing lights screeched to a halt outside the house, she was calmer and rational. Captain Briggs heaved out of the passenger seat, his movements awkward. He hobbled toward her with his crutch. Four more cops poured from the remaining cars.

  “Where’s Detective Fitzgerald?” Amy asked, jumping to her feet.

  “He’s working on something for us back at the—”

  “You didn’t tell him?” Her mistrust of the police returned with full force. “Why?”

  “Ms. Kincaid,” the captain said soothingly, as sweat dotting his forehead even though it wasn’t hot. “Fitzgerald is trying to hack into a laptop found at Burgess’ rental home. If you want us to stop this guy, we must know everything about him.”

  Taking a deep breath, she backtracked. “I’m sorry. It’s been a horrific day. He planted the laptop, the crowbar and gloves. That’s what he said. He also left that,” Amy pointed at the envelope, “called it an apology for his involvement. I moved it,” she added and grimaced when the captain frowned. “I know I’m not supposed to but my daughter is asleep in the house and I wanted that thing as far away from her as possible.”

  “I understand.” The captain nodded to his driver. “Tell Jim or the new guy to get over here. I want the envelope checked for explosives, radioactive or potentially hazardous material.” While the cop disappeared inside the car to make the call, the others stared at the envelope. “Tell me exactly what happened, Ms. Kincaid,” Captain Briggs added. “What was Burgess wearing and what car was he driving?”

  “His hair was dirty blond, not black, and he wore black-rimmed glasses.” She jerked a thumb toward the front door. “The camera caught the whole thing. He wore a black suit and a white dress shirt. I heard the engine of a motorcycle start after he left. I tried to detain him but…but…”

  “That’s okay, Ms. Kincaid. I’m just happy you called us.” He turned to his men. “He couldn’t have gone far. Call patrol and give them the description. We’re inspecting every car leaving Sandpoint,” he explained then indicated the house. “Show me this recording.”

  Inside the house, she handed him the tablet and watched his expression as he watched it. He pressed pause, called someone and added more to the description of Burgess, things she didn’t notice, then went back to watching the recording.

  “Good job defending yourself. I was told you’ve been taking self-defense classes, but no one mentioned you had a gun too. ”

  Amy flushed. “Much good it did me. I couldn’t stop him from leaving.”

  The captain chuckled. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. It takes courage to step out of the comfort of your home like you did and confront him. You are to be commended. He also knew you wouldn’t shoot a defenseless man. I’d like a copy of that footage please.” He handed her the tablet. “In the meantime, I’m leaving a squad car behind. Once we figure out the nature of the ‘present’ Burgess left you, I’ll give you a call.”

  “Thank you. Could you do me a favor, Captain Briggs?”

  Amy explained as they walked outside to his car then shook his hand and waited until he drove off. The two cops smiled at her from their car. Smiling at them, she reached another decision. It was time for Raelynn to start seeing cops as friends.

  ***

  Eddie sat back and rubbed his eyes. His watch said it was almost five o’clock and he had a headache brewing. He couldn’t stand con artists, especially computer savvy ones.

  “Look, Sly. How about we call it a day, huh? I need to head home.”

  “Home?”

  “To the lake house.” And Amy. Funny how the word home had a new meaning.

  “You sure you can’t ship the computer to us?” the younger man said, his shaggy, shoulder-length hair a mess from the countless number of times he’d run his fingers through it in frustration. “I can work on it faster on my own.”

  “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll see what the detective in charge of this investigation says.” Eddie left the conference room. All the desks on the floor were empty. He headed to Captain Briggs’s office. No one was there. He turned to leave and saw the captain and two cops walking toward him. “Where’s everyone?”

  “Trying to stop Burgess from leaving,” the detective said. “Come into my office. I want you to see something. How did it go?”

  “Sly wants us to ship the laptop to their office.”

  “Nah. We’ll send it to Salt Lake City and let the Bureau work on it. Take a look at this.” He sat behind his desk and started his computer. Within a few minutes, a video started.

  A tawny-haired man in his mid-thirties appeared on the screen. He was of medium height and built, hair cropped short. The brown eyes behind the black-rimmed glasses were intelligent, alert.

  “William Burgess?” Eddie asked.

  “Yes. A month ago when he paid for the rental house, his hair was black. About an hour ago, it was blond. Sit.”

  “Hi, Ms. Kincaid,” the man said into the camera. “I’m recording this for you—”

  “Whoa, stop,” Eddie snapped, leaning forward. “The recording is for Amy?”

  “Yes,” Briggs said impatiently. “Let’s watch it then you can go home and discuss it with her.” Briggs pressed play.

  “What you choose to do with this is up to you. I like to think of it as a lesson, so you can understand who you are dealing with.” He sat back and crossed his legs like some damn professor. “I grew up with Nolan. His family situation was crappy—an abusive, alcoholic father, a mother who abandoned him and no siblings. You could say his father turned him into his punching bag, but he rose above the abuse and when he finished high school, he never looked back. He survived because of one person, Penelope Digger. Penelope was…” His voice trailed off then he cleared it and squinted at the camera. “Penelope was an angel. There was nothing broken that she never tried to fix and she took Nolan under her wings. But she wasn’t his girlfriend. She was mine. I knew Nolan was in love with her, but I was his best friend and he never once crossed the line. A week before our wedding, Penelope broke off our engagement with no explanation. I tried to see her, talk to her, but she wouldn’t see me. The day she agreed to see me, I went to her home and it was a mess. A burglar had broken into her apartment and Penel
ope was…she…” The man went silent, head bowed, then he walked away from the screen and left Eddie and Briggs staring at a blank screen.

  Briggs pressed fast forward until Burgess appeared again with a glass of water.

  “She was dead, killed by the burglar. The evidence, unfortunately, pointed to me. It didn’t make sense. I barely got there, yet my watch, stained with blood, was clutched in her hand, my ripped shirt…” A sigh then, “Let’s just say it appeared I had killed her. Someone was determined to frame me, but Nolan got rid of the evidence and gave me an airtight alibi when they found my fingerprints.”

  There was another long pause as he sipped the water.

  “Penelope’s death was hard. It changed me. It changed Nolan too, until he met you, Ms. Kincaid. He told me he’d found his Penelope. I didn’t understand until I saw you. You looked exactly like her, except you were younger. Much younger.” He paused and sipped the water again. “I lost contact with Nolan for a few years, until six years ago. We were at a restaurant having dinner with friends and you were there with another guy—Charles Dunbar, the man stopping you and Nolan from being together. Nolan’s words, not mine. After we dropped off the women, Nolan called in his favor.”

  Sitting through an hour long confession that chronicled everything Nolan and Burgess had put Amy through was like twisting a knife in a stab wound. That she’d survived and come out sane was a testament to the strength of her character.

  “I can’t stop him because he’s keeping all the evidence he collected from Penelope’s apartment, evidence against me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the one who killed her.” He frowned. “I’m done with him. This time, I will disappear for good. I did my best to help the police, made sure I left the cigarette filters, the crowbar with his fingerprint, the glove, which might contain his DNA and the laptop.” He leaned forward and stared into the camera. “If you plan to go after him, Ms. Kincaid, there’s one last thing you need to know. Nolan likes to keep things, mementos. He did it when we were young and he still does even now. I don’t know where he keeps them, but if you can find them, use them against him and get him off the streets. He needs help and will continue to come after you until someone stops him.” He stopped, smiled and made a peace-sign with his fingers.