by Lisa Boone
Jamie ignored the pain as he continued to fight. Fletcher grabbed Jamie’s hair, jerking his head back and then hitting Jamie’s jaw with enough force to push Jamie back.
Stars burst behind Jamie’s eyelids and his vision swam as he fell back against the floor. He blinked up at the gaping holes in the top of the stables, momentarily stunned. Suddenly, Fletcher was straddling him with the knife in his hands. “I still haven’t thanked you for your little impromptu cosmetic surgery the other night.” He raised the knife above his head. “No time like the present.”
Jamie caught at Fletcher’s wrists and held on tight as Fletcher brought the knife down towards his chest. He kicked and struggled until the point of the blade had shifted enough that it was pointing up towards his head. Letting his arms slacken a bit, he jerked his head to the side just as Fletcher brought the knife down and into the wooden floor next to Jamie’s head. Jamie kicked out then, sending Fletcher over his head and onto the floor.
Fletcher jerked the knife out of the floor and scrambled to his feet, lunging at Jamie with the knife.
Jamie jumped back at the last second, wincing and grunting in pain as the knife slashed at his shoulder. He spun around, grabbing at Fletcher’s arm with his left hand and pinning it down at his side while striking out with his left elbow. Fletcher’s neck snapped back as Jamie’s elbow struck him across the face. With his heel, he struck out against Fletcher’s already injured ankle, smiling as Fletcher screamed in pain.
Jamie reached for the knife in Fletcher’s hand. He grabbed the other man’s wrist, twisting it towards Fletcher just as Fletcher’s ankle gave away and he stumbled forward, driving the blade into his own chest.
Fletcher gasped in surprise as his knees buckled and he slid down Jamie’s body to the floor.
Cursing, Jamie knelt next to him. He pressed his hands to Fletcher’s chest trying to stop the flow of blood.
“Too late,” Fletcher gasped. “You’re too late. You can’t save her. Nothing’s going to change. Your girl’s still going to die.”
“Who hired you?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” He coughed. “Not before Sarah dies though.”
Jamie’s jaw clenched. “Why Sarah? Why does she have to die?”
Fletcher chuckled and then coughed, spitting up blood as he did. “Because you love her.”
Jamie’s brow furrowed. “Revenge? Is that why? Who wants to hurt me that much?” He grabbed Fletcher’s shirt as the other man began to laugh at him. “Who?”
More blood came up and Fletcher’s laugh turned into a strangled cough. There was one last gasp of air and then nothing.
Jamie stood up, breathing heavily, watching as Fletcher’s eyes eventually lost focus and his head lolled to the side.
*
“Wow, that went bad real quick,” Danny said. “Did you see Moose? I’ve never seen him like that before. I hope he’s not dead.”
Sarah closed her eyes as Danny continued to chatter.
“Stupid moron. I don’t know why he didn’t just run when he had the chance. There was a moment back there when he could have gotten away. Stupid idiot.”
“Where are we going, Danny?”
“You’ll see. Just sit back and relax, Sarah.” He turned on the radio. “Do you like country? Rock?”
“I’d like to know why you just kidnapped me.”
He snorted. “Kidnapped? You’re so dramatic.”
“You’re the one with the gun.”
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
She crossed her arms and sank back against the seat. “Is that what you told Robin before you killed her?”
He readjusted his rearview mirror to look at her. “Robin? What are you talking about?”
Anger bubbled up inside her. “Why play games? You’ve got me now. Might as well tell me all about it.” She glanced out the window. “Confessions are good for the soul. Why don’t you try it?”
“I didn’t kill Robin. Jamie killed Robin.”
“I know you were at the pub the night she died. What happened, Danny? Did you find out that your crush was about to run off with another man? Is that why you killed her? Is that what happened?”
“No, that ain’t what happened? You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then after you killed her, you called your old buddy Moose to help you clean up your mess.”
“You’re nuts.”
“Then Jamie showed up and you framed him.” She caught his eyes in the rear view mirror. “You two knocked him out, stole her engagement ring and the money on the desk, and then planted the gun used to kill her in his hand. Why did you keep her engagement ring? Did you just need something of hers to hang onto? A memento to remember her by?”
His brow furrowed as his mouth fell open. “What ring? Look, I didn’t kill her and we didn’t steal nothing. Do you think we’re crazy? Patrick O’Malley would have hunted us down like dogs.”
“Then what happened?”
“I told you. Jamie killed her, and then when he came back to scene of the crime, we knocked him out. We didn’t steal nothing. She wasn’t even wearing any jewelry to steal, but that money belonged to Patrick O’Malley and we certainly weren’t going to let the cops or anyone else get their hands on it. We took it back to Mr. O’Malley that very night. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Kristen. She was there when we told her old man that Jamie killed Robin and gave him back the money. When we get to Bellemeade, you can ask her. You know, you’re in a lot of trouble. They’re going to take the damage to this car out of your pay. I’m not paying for it. This is all your fault.”
She narrowed her eyes. “We’re going to Bellemeade?”
“Yeah, she told me to come and get you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I just do as I’m told. The boss lady told us to find you and bring you back home no matter what, so that’s what we did.”
Sarah’s mouth fell open. “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?”
“I tried, but you elbowed me in the gut. After that, things got a little out of hand.”
“A little?”
He made a face. “Oh, just sit back and relax.”
Some of the tension left her body as it dawned on her that Danny wasn’t planning on killing her. “What were you doing at the pub that night?” When he didn’t say anything, she said, “I already know you were there, so you might as well tell me.”
He groaned. “Fine, I woke up one night and looked out my apartment window and noticed that the lights were on at the pub. So, I got dressed and went down there to check things out. That’s when I found Robin’s body.”
“Was anyone else there?”
“No, not until I called Moose and he came over.” He scowled. “A few minutes after he arrived, Jamie returned to clean up the crime scene, or steal the money or something.”
“He wasn’t there to do any such thing. Robin had called him and asked him to come over. He had just gotten the message.”
“That’s what he says,” he said sharply. “He’s lying. He was her boyfriend. They had a fight and he killed her. End of story.”
“No, not the end. Her killer is still out there somewhere and you helped him get away.”
“Don’t be stupid.” He held up his hand when she started to respond. “Enough,” he shouted. “Just shut up. You’ve caused enough trouble tonight as it is.” When that didn’t stop her from talking, he turned up the volume on the radio to drown her out.
Fuming, Sarah sat back and glared at the back of his head.
*
Jamie cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder as he washed his hands, waiting for Sarah to answer. When the line connected, he said, “Sarah—”
“No, it’s Casey.”
“Hey, Casey, put Sarah on the phone. I need to speak to her.” When there was no response, Jamie froze. “Casey?”
“I’m sorry, man. I can’t do that.”
Jamie’s heart started beating
faster. “What’s wrong?”
There was another moment of silence and then, “They got her.”
Jamie reached out a hand to steady himself as his knees started to give way. “What do you mean they got her?”
“I tried to fight back. I took one of them down. He’s out cold. The other one took her though. I don’t know where. It’s only been a few minutes. The police and an ambulance are on the way. I got a pretty good description of the car—”
“What did they look like?”
“I’ve never seen ‘em before. The one who grabbed Sarah was small, wiry. Face like a whippet. The other one was enormous. I felt like I was like hitting a brick wall.”
Jamie gripped the edge of the sink until his knuckles turned white. “Danny Dwyer and Michael Mullins. The big one goes by Moose and occasionally Mickey.”
“We had just been talking about them on our way back to Lexington. They were there the night Robin died. We think they’re the ones who framed you.”
Jamie shut off the water. “When the police get there give them Danny’s name. Tell them he lives in the apartment building across from the pub. 12 C. He may have taken her there or to the pub.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Find Sarah,” he said hanging up.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Home sweet home,” Danny snapped an hour later as he pulled in front of the Bellemeade.
Sarah watched through a torrential downpour as Nathan stepped onto the veranda and stared as Danny opened the back door and let Sarah out.
“What happened to your nose?” Nathan asked with mild curiosity, which was quickly followed by a far more concerned and urgent, “What happened to my car?” He bellowed as he got close enough to see the damage.
Danny shook his head. “This is her fault,” he said letting Sarah out. She dashed out of the rain and up the stairs to the veranda as Danny slammed the car door shut. “I had nothing to do with it,” he complained as he stomped up the stairs after her.
Nathan scowled as Kristen came running out just then.
She pulled Sarah into a hug. “Thank you for coming.”
“Oh, it was my pleasure,” Sarah said sarcastically, shaking the rainwater off her raincoat before stomping her tennis shoes against the welcome mat. “It’s not every day that I get kidnapped.” She ran her hand through her now wet hair, trying to shake the water out. “I can now cross that off my things to do list.”
Kristen’s eyes widened. “Kidnap?” She turned on Danny striking him against the arm. “What did you do?”
His face darkened. “Hey, you told us to go and get her.”
“I asked you to find her and bring her here,” Kristen said. “I didn’t tell you to kidnap her if she refused to come.”
“How else were we supposed to get her here?”
“I don’t know,” Kristen said through her teeth, “ask her, politely.”
“You didn’t say that.”
“It was implied,” Kristen snapped. “Moron.” She turned back to Sarah. “I’m so sorry, Sarah. As you can see … everything’s falling apart.” Her voice broke as she motioned for Sarah to follow her inside.
“Moose is probably dead now,” Danny mumbled. “I shouldn’t have to take this—”
Nathan pointed to the door. “Go do something useful and watch for Fletcher.”
For a moment, Danny looked like he might protest, but in the end, he did as he was told.
“Nathan, I can’t deal with him,” Kristen said as the door shut behind Danny. “I have had it. I want him gone.”
“You’re the one who told him to bring her here,” he threw over his shoulder as he walked away. “He was just following your orders, dear.”
Sarah followed him and his wife into the study. Brian Shaw stood near the fireplace. He looked up in surprise as Sarah entered, his gaze slipping past her, searching for someone else for a moment before returning to stare at the fire.
Shivering, Sarah joined him next to the fire and held out her hands.
“I’m sick of Danny’s attitude.” Kristen said sitting down in a nearby chair. She sat up straight as she delicately crossed her legs at the ankles and tucked them back. “I want you to get rid of him right now.”
“Then who’s going to protect you?” Nathan shouted. “Where’s your defender? Where’s Wade Hogan?”
Kristen gripped the armrest. “He’s looking for Fletcher.”
“And he’s doing a mighty fine job of it,” Nathan said derisively. “I know, maybe Fletcher’s in Ohio. I’m sure they’re closing in on him as we speak. He’s probably at some motel in some little town in the middle of nowhere. Right, Kristen?”
Kristen tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear. “That wasn’t Wade’s fault. One of his men betrayed him. He lied to him about Fletcher’s whereabouts. Wade assured me it won’t happen again.”
Nathan walked to the bar and poured himself a drink. “You know, I’m rather surprised, darling. I would have thought your lover would want to stay by your side while Fletcher was out hunting. Did he get sick of your drama already?”
Kristen closed her eyes and when she spoke, it was in a weary tired sounding voice. “Do you know why I’m here, Nathan?” she said. “I’m here because you’re here. You are my husband and despite the fact you’ve never been faithful to me, I have always honored our wedding vows.”
Nathan snorted.
“Wade begged me to stay with him and I told him no. He offered to let me stay at his place while he personally went out and looked for Fletcher and I said no. I told him that my place is with my husband.”
Nathan rolled his eyes. “Too bad he couldn’t find Fletcher before the man killed Phoebe, but I have a feeling that was all part of his plan.”
Sarah gasped. “Phoebe’s dead?”
“No,” Brian said harshly. “Phoebe is not dead.” He glanced over at Nathan. “I wish you would stop saying that. She’s fine.”
Nathan held out his arms wide. “Where is she then?”
Brian rubbed a hand across his eyes. “I don’t know.”
“The Magician got her,” Nathan said.
Kristen shut her eyes tightly. “Danny was supposed to be watching her, if he had been doing his job.”
“He did the best he could,” Nathan said, “considering she wouldn’t let him in the door.”
“What happened to Phoebe?” Sarah asked.
Kristen held her cast to her chest. “I don’t know what happened. All I know is that she’s missing. Danny was supposed to be standing guard outside but he took a smoke break at some point and we figure that’s when we lost her.”
“Where were you?” Sarah asked Brian. “I thought she was supposed to be staying at your friend’s place with you.”
“She was, but I got called to the hospital this morning. When I got back, the apartment was empty. She left a note saying that Kristen asked her to come back home.”
“I didn’t ask her to come home,” Kristen said. “I told her I was coming home and she should stay there with you. I haven’t even talked to her since this morning.”
“Then why did she leave a note saying that you did?” Brian snapped.
“I don’t know,” Kristen said. “Maybe Fletcher forced her to write it. I wish she would call me.”
Sarah sighed. “You know, I’d like to call my sister. She’s probably worried sick about me.”
“Of course,” Kristen said rising to her feet. She smoothed down her dress before leading Sarah to the desk.
Sarah glanced down at several pages of computer printouts listing local private detectives. “You’ve hired a detective?”
“Not yet,” Nathan said. “She’s been calling all day.”
“Waste of time,” Brian said. “You do realize that is why all this is happening, don’t you? If you would just drop it, maybe whoever is behind this will call Fletcher off.”
Kristen stiffened. “I am not going to let someone scare me away from discovering the trut
h. I will find out what happened to Robin if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Might as well,” Nathan said. “We’re not going to be able to go forward with the TV project until this is all over anyway.”
Kristen handed Sarah the phone.
“Thank you.” Sarah pressed the phone to her ear and started to dial but stopped when she realized there was no dial tone. She held the phone out. “It’s dead.”
“Don’t be silly,” Kristen said taking the phone from her. “It was working a few minutes ago.” Her eyes went wide as she stared in disbelief at the phone. “There’s no dial tone.”
“Oh, for pity’s sake, Kristen, don’t panic,” Nathan said. “It’s storming outside.”
“I’m not panicking,” she spat out. “What are we going to do?”
“You have a cell phone, don’t you?” Sarah held out her hand.
Kristen blinked. “Right, I’ll go get it. Be right back.”
“She’s been like that all day,” Nathan said as his wife stumbled from the room. “She used to be so stable, but lately, she’s getting as bad as Phoebe.”
Brian stepped away from the fireplace and strode across the room.
“Where are you going?”
“See, if I can help your wife,” Brian snapped.
Sarah turned to Nathan. “Can I use your cell phone?”
Nathan patted his pockets. “Must have left it upstairs,” he said sitting down with his drink. “Sorry.”
They glanced up as the lights went out.
Just then, Kristen let out a blood curdling scream.
Sarah rushed out into the hallway. “Kristen?” she yelled as she raced to the staircase. She stopped at the foot of the stairs and looked up. “Kristen?”
“It’s all right,” Brian called down from the upstairs. “She just got scared when the lights went out.”
Sarah felt a cold breeze hit her back and spun around, surprised to see the front door wide open. She stepped out onto the veranda, calling Danny’s name as she did.
Where could he have gone? Was he just not answering or did something happen to him?
She glanced over her shoulder, wondering if something had happened to Kristen or if Brian had told her the truth. She wrapped her arms around her middle as she walked along the wraparound veranda and peered along the other side of the house towards the stables.
