In the Shadow of Love

by Annie Bruce

  Maggie pulled back even further. “But what about Owen?”

  “Owen? We don’t even know where he is.” Morris paused hating to say what came next. “Or, if he’s even alive.”

  “But he is.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I heard that Lieutenant Baxter talking in the hall telling those other two men that before they killed me,” she swallowed hard, “they were going to use me to get Owen to talk and tell them some kind of code they needed.”

  Morris straightened. “I’d prefer to get you out of here first and come back for Owen with proper back up.”

  “I’m not leaving without him.” She was as stubborn as ever, and he knew it wouldn’t do any good to try to reason with her.

  “Okay, but first we have to come up with a plan. Do you know where they’re keeping him?”

  “Yes. He’s in the foreman’s office.”

  “All right, you stay here and–”

  “Oh no, I’m coming with you.” Maggie’s voice was unyielding, her stance defiant.

  Morris knew that arguing with her would just waste time. They needed to act and fast.

  Maggie held onto Morris’ hand for dear life as he led her away from the room where she had been kept and expected to die. They crept down the hallway as quietly as they could, searching for the foreman’s office and Owen, her heart beating frantically.

  The silence was deafening, interrupted only by the continued pounding of her heart, and even though Morris had rescued her from a certain death, they weren’t out of danger yet. The sudden cadence of heavily-booted feet running up the hall broke the silence and Morris quickly pulled her along with him.

  They were in terrible danger and Maggie mustered the strength to keep up with him surprising even herself. The image of her sons and the life they would have without her gave her the surge of adrenalin she needed to keep going.

  Morris continued to test door handles looking for an unlocked door and a place to hide as they navigated the warehouse corridors to escape the din of running marauders – Lieutenant Baxter’s men, no doubt. They must have found the other two tied up and discovered that Maggie was no longer isolated.

  After several locked doors one finally gave way to his demands and he pulled Maggie inside yet another darkened room. He held her close as he struggled to lock the door, not letting go as he whispered in her ear, “Don’t say anything.”

  Pulling a small flash light from his pocket he scanned the room with its pointed beam, inspecting every inch before satisfying himself that they were alone. He guided Maggie away from the door and behind a desk that was across the room. They huddled in silence, save the sound of their labored breathing, waiting for their pursuers to pass.

  Then the inevitable sound of heavy footsteps sounded close by - too close as the rattling of the door knob made Maggie gasp. Morris instinctively placed a hand across her mouth.

  “Check all the exits.” The voice was loud. “Don’t let them escape!” The last words were barked out as footsteps and voices faded down the long hallway.

  After what seemed like an eternity Morris lifted his hand from her mouth. Maggie didn’t dare speak. Her heart wouldn’t stop pounding inside her chest.

  “Stay down.” She did as he commanded.

  The beam from his flashlight shown like a beacon in the dark. Pulling away from Maggie, he followed the path of his light to the other side of the room. A chill ran through her body without the warmth of his protective hold. Shoving aside the fear that gripped her, she quietly crossed the room, blindly but carefully avoiding any of the sparse furniture in her path.

  Peering down the length of the only light in the room, Maggie was horrified by the strips of familiar gray tape and shortened ropes that littered the floor around a chair in the corner. Blood stains told a story of torture and pain. She now feared for Owen’s life, wondering if her escape accelerated her captor’s plan to get what he wanted. Her mind whirled with all the horrible things that might have happened to him.

  But Morris had come to save her. She braced herself and sought the strength to do whatever it took to get out of this mess alive.

  Turning off his flashlight Morris grabbed her by the shoulders. Pulling her close he whispered in her ear, “We don’t have much time.”

  Maggie’s instinct was to hold onto him even tighter.

  “I want you to stay here.”

  Tensing at his words, she tried to pull back but he held onto her. When she tried to resist, he held on even tighter.

  “I’m going to find Owen and get us out of here.” Tracing his hand down her arm her took her hand in the dark and placed the cold metal of his gun in her hand.

  “If anyone comes in here besides me, I want you to–, “she tensed, “–I want you to do whatever you have to do to protect yourself.”

  Her heart froze. She’d never fired a weapon before let alone at someone. She didn’t know if she ever could, a shiver cursing through her body at what he was asking her to do.

  “Trust me, Maggie, when your life is being threatened you’ll do whatever it takes to stay alive.” He read her thoughts. He was good at that.

  Reluctantly taking the full weight of metal into both her hands, she took a deep breath and felt Morris do the same.

  Feeling him turn away she sensed him hesitate before slowly opening the door allowing the light form the outer hall to spill through the narrow crack. Looking from side to side he closed the door and turned, giving Maggie one last hug that threatened to take her breath away. Then he ushered her behind one of the few pieces of furniture in the room – a desk and pulled her down until they were both on their knees. She held onto his arms to steady herself in the dark, amazed at his prowess in complete blackness.

  “I want you to stay here and don’t leave for any reason. Not till I get back with Owen.”

  She felt him leave, then saw the thin ray of light through the door as he walked stealthily away from her.

  The silence surrounding her was more ominous than the darkness that kept her from seeing her own hands in front of her, the heaviness of Morris’ weapon reminding her of the danger they both faced. She felt her blood course through her body as she waited for him to return. The agony of time passing slowly was more pronounced by the uncertainty of the situation.

  Squirming under the desk she bumped her knee against its sharp edge. Pain shot up her leg and she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out. She held her breath waited for it to subside.

  Morris words, “When your life is being threatened you’ll do whatever it takes to stay alive,” gave her confidence. She prayed he was okay and that he’d find Owen alive.

  The sound of the door knob turning made her jump. She anxiously pulled herself from her hiding place under the desk and limped over to the door through the darkness.

  Then the sound of metal against metal interrupted her journey as she realized a key was being turned in the lock. Morris didn’t have a key. Stepping back, she braced herself against the desk that once served as her refuge.

  Light from the hallway spilled slowly into the room as the door opened, the contrast almost blinding her while her eyes tried to adjust from total darkness.

  Raising her arms, Morris’ weapon firmly held in both hands, she readied herself to do the one thing she never thought she’d ever do - take the life of another human being.

  Her eyes still burned from the sudden light in her face but she could see the silhouette of a male figure filling the doorway - too tall to be Morris. She felt the gun shake in her hands and willed herself to steady her aim.

  “Hello, Maggie.” That voice! A shiver ran up her spine. The memory of the first time she saw him in a doorway – her doorway – made her grab the weapon more firmly and with a determination she’d never known before.

  “Now, that would be a mistake, Maggie. You wouldn’t want to hurt Owen, now would you?”

  “Where is he,” her voice was assertive, her eyes still adjusting to the light.

>   “Put the gun down Maggie and we’ll talk.” He advanced further into the room, his face still in the shadows. If she could just see his face, maybe she’d know what to do.

  In what seemed like an eternity, Maggie agonized through her choices. She raised the weapon a little more, held it more firmly and fired. The darkened figure staggered back at the impact of being shot but didn’t fall.

  “That wasn’t very smart, Maggie.” His tone was menacing.

  Preparing herself, she closed her eyes and said a prayer. As she opened her eyes, she grasped the weapon hard with both hands and aimed.

  Bright light concentrating from her captor’s direction suddenly beamed down on her and she instinctively shielded her eyes with one hand. In one quick moment, she felt the weapon being pulled from her other hand and the sting of its butt slammed against her head. It was the last thing she remembered.

  Chapter 17

  A piercing pain brought Maggie back to consciousness. Her head throbbed, her vision blurred. Ropes pinched her skin as she struggled to move.

  Muffled talking reached through the walls and she recognized the voice of the man who’d turned her life upside down. The dirty cop! Lieutenant Baxter as Morris called him. She had to get out of here. Squirming in the chair trying to free herself, the ropes cinched her skin even more.

  The voices grew louder and she strained to hear their words. Her captor’s was loudest, the other one softer, more timid. It too was familiar but she struggled to connect it to a name. Blood trickled down the side of her face and she froze at the words she heard next.

  “Why do you have to kill her?” This time she recognized the voice. Fred!

  “I’m not going to kill her.” Silence punctuated the Lieutenant’s next words. “You are.”

  Her heart nearly stopped. They were talking about killing her! A more ominous chill invaded Maggie’s body as she realized Fred was the one stealing money from Owen. Of course! He’d have access to everything. Owen had trusted him explicitly, had given him control right after Helen’s death. Her heart filled with intense pain for Owen. He had given Fred everything and now he was being betrayed by someone he should have been able to trust.

  She struggled even harder to free herself but was interrupted by the opening of the door. Lieutenant Baxter loomed before her.

  “You won’t escape this time, Maggie.” His voice held a finality that told her the end was near.

  He reached behind her and released her bindings with a quick flick of a knife, its edge scrapping her skin and causing her to wince.

  “Oh, did I hurt you?” Sarcasm laced his voice as he replaced her bindings with handcuffs.

  Fred stood in the doorway, a look of fear mixed with remorse on his face.

  “Here, make yourself useful.” The Lieutenant pushed Maggie in Fred’s direction and she fell hard against him. Fred steadied her, avoiding eye contact.

  “Why Fred, why?” Her voice was a muffled plea meant only for him.

  “I’ll tell you why.” The Lieutenant was still in control. “He’s got a serious gambling problem and got in over his head with the wrong people.” Fred finally looked at Maggie and his eyes told her it was true. “He doesn’t have a choice now.”

  “Owen treated you like a son.” She tried desperately to reach out to him. “How could you do this to him?”

  “Shut her up!” A roll of duct tape was tossed in their direction. Maggie’s face began to sting in memory from the last time the tape was used on her.

  “Please, Fred.” Tears streamed down her face as she tried to make him look at her. “Think about my children, think about Owen. We can work it out.”

  “Shut her up or I’ll kill you both.”

  Her hope at reaching Fred faded as he shoved her against the wall, applied duct tape to her mouth, sealing the taste of salt from her tears against her lips, and her fate.

  Finding his way to the foreman’s office with less trouble than expected, Morris was quick to note every entrance and exit should he need one. Avoiding security cameras and search teams, he knew the process was easier to execute on his own. He hated to leave Maggie behind but knew he would have been distracted worrying about keeping her safe. He fought off the feeling he had abandoned her.

  Glass windows surrounded the foreman’s office. A beaten old man was tied to a chair in the corner of the room, a sole guard kept watch over him. Owen Cassidy looked near death. As Morris was contemplating his next move, the pounding of boots on the linoleum-over-concrete floor echoed through the hallway. He quickly hid in a storage room as the sound of voices boomed closer and closer.

  “Bring her in here.”

  Recognizing Baxter’s voice he pushed on the door and peered through its thin opening. A frightened and bruised Maggie was being dragged towards the foreman’s office. Her mouth was taped and her hands cuffed behind her. The sight of blood caked on Maggie’s beautiful face made his blood boil. His immediate instinct was to burst from his hiding place and rescue her, but he kept it in check. Baxter would pay for this. It was a promise that he silently made to himself – and Maggie. It was a promise he intended to keep.

  Shoving Maggie into the office, Baxter showed no mercy. Morris heard and felt her sense of alarm when she saw Owen’s condition. It was clear Baxter still intended to use her to get Owen to talk. He had to act fast.

  Only one guard stood outside the foreman’s office. Morris needed backup now. It was time to call Geridano.

  “Bravo Charlie Six, this is Bravo Charlie Nine, over.” Morris’ voice crackled from Baxter’s police radio. Just the sound of Morris’ voice gave Maggie strength.

  “Copy Bravo Charlie Nine.” She didn’t recognize the other voice but she could tell that Baxter did.

  “Subject is missing from last known location, need backup.” Maggie’s strength and hopes began to fade. Morris didn’t know where she was. He wouldn’t find her in time.

  “Looks like your boyfriend wants to try and save you but doesn’t know how.” Baxter’s voice was caustic. “Don’t get your hopes up.”

  “Roger that. ETA your location ten minutes.”

  Baxter didn’t look the least bit concerned about being interrupted by Morris or anyone else. Maggie wanted nothing more than to wipe that condescending smirk off his face.

  He walked towards the door and ordered the guard to find Morris and get rid of him –anyway he could. Turning back towards Maggie he gave her a look that chilled her to the bone. A surge of pain shot across her face as he unceremoniously ripped the gray tape from her mouth. Maggie winced as her skin burned in response.

  “In ten minutes everyone will be dead unless I get some answers and fast.” His words were punctuated by a loud slap when his hand made contact with Owen’s face.

  “Stop it.” Maggie’s voice echoed in the small and now crowded office. Owen looked so beaten down. She didn’t know how much more of this he could take.

  “Owen, please! Tell him what he wants to know.”

  “Then he’ll kill us for sure.” His voice was not much more than a whisper and Maggie had to strain to hear his words.

  Breaking free of Fred’s hold, she rushed to Owen’s side unconcerned with Baxter’s reaction, her arms still pinned behind her back. Kneeling before him she was frightened by how frail he looked. Steading herself she leaned into him, giving the most reassuring look she could muster.

  “How could you!” Looking over her shoulder at Fred she glared at him with all the contempt she felt building inside.

  An impatient Baxter charged towards her raising his hand with his service weapon ready to strike. Maggie leaned back and nearly fell to the ground but was stopped by the edge of the chair where Owen was bound. Bracing herself for the pain she knew she’d feel at Baxter’s strike of fury she closed her eyes and turned her face away to try and protect herself from the expected blow.

  Holding her breath she felt herself pushed aside as a weak but determined Owen raised himself, chair and all, to intercept Baxter’s assault.
The unexpected sound of the door banging against the windowed walls of the foreman’s office was followed by glass shattering to the ground. Still shielding herself from the impact of Baxter’s expected strike she didn’t realize that Morris was in the room until he was near her side.

  “Are you okay?” His voice reached out to her like a beacon in the dark.

  A raging Baxter recovered from Owen’s block and struck down hard on Morris, knocking him away from Maggie. She tried desperately to reach Owen who was now on the floor but still bound to the chair that constrained him. Morris quickly recovered, catching his breath, struggling to reach Maggie and shield her from any more attacks.

  Baxter was quicker, grabbing her by the upper arm and pulling her between himself and Morris’ forward assault. Her wrists strained against the metal bracelets that kept her hands imprisoned behind her. Her shoulders ached at the unnatural position.

  “Come any closer and I’ll kill her.” Baxter’s words sent fear rippling through her body as he punctuated his intent, placing the cold steel of his gun against her temple. Maggie felt it dig into the already injured side of her head.

  Morris halted his forward movement. “You don’t want to do that Baxter.” His voice was menacing yet calm.

  “But you know I will.”

  And he did.

  “You won’t get away with this Baxter, and you’ve been around long enough to know that.”

  He pulled Maggie even tighter into his deadly grip. “I want one thing and one thing only.” He glanced over at Owen who was still on the floor. “So you’d better get the old man to talk if you want to keep your girlfriend alive.”

  Baxter gestured for Morris to join Owen on the other side of the room. “Don’t try anything stupid, or everyone is dead.”

  “That won’t get you what you want.