Silent Memories

by Pat White

  Sean’s blood ran cold.

  “Raymond!” Annie cried. “You came!”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “You called him?” Rage burned in Sean’s gut.

  “We needed help,” she said. “Raymond has always taken care of me.”

  “And that I have.” He smirked at Sean.

  Damn, Sean should have told her the whole story, regardless of what she’d think of him. At least that way she’d know Phelps was not her savior.

  She started up the stairs, such trust in her eyes. Sean wanted to rip something apart with his bare hands. How could it have come to this? Annie trusting her enemy, the man who’d ordered her death?

  “Annie,” Sean said.

  “It’s okay,” she said.

  “Come on, Mama. We’re safe.”

  Annie took her mom’s arm. Margaret Price glanced at Sean. She knew something wasn’t right.

  Sean followed the group upstairs where Phelps locked Hatch and Jackson in a hall closet. Sean didn’t buy it. He knew Hatch and Jackson were looking for him. This had to be a show for Annie, to keep up his “good guy” image.

  “This is far too complicated for the local authorities, wouldn’t you agree, Agent MacNeil?” Phelps said.

  So, Phelps knew he was FBI. What was he going to do about it?

  “Calling the locals would only confuse things,” Sean agreed.

  “Please sit. I’m desperate to know how you managed to find my Annie and take care of her all these months when I thought her dead. I’m in your debt.” Raymond motioned with his gun for him to sit down. Settling her mom on the couch, Annie didn’t notice the subtle threat.

  “I’d be dead if it weren’t for Sean,” Annie said. “Bad men are after me, Raymond. They want my research.”

  “And Agent MacNeil. What does he want?”

  “He’s been protecting me.” She glanced at Sean.

  Sean sat across the room from Annie.

  Raymond positioned himself in a leather wingback chair, resting the gun on his knee. “I think the best thing for everyone is if I take Annie home. You must have been through such an ordeal, child.”

  “I’m okay, thanks to Sean.”

  She smiled at Sean and the gratitude in her eyes wasn’t lost on Raymond.

  “Yes, well, I’m sure he did a splendid job. But then that’s what he gets paid to do. You’re safe now. I’m here to make everything right. I need you to put the final touches on the vaccine. You told me it was ready, but I’ve had it tested and it isn’t effective. I’ll take you home and you can get right to work.”

  “But I’m not going home with you,” she said.

  Silence blanketed the room.

  “Annie, that’s where you belong,” Raymond said. “You’re special. No one in the outside world understands you the way I do.”

  “I’m twenty-seven. I should have a life of my own.”

  “No, child,” Raymond scolded. “You don’t have the ability to function in the real world. That’s why I’ve taken care of you all these years. You’re different. You don’t belong out there.”

  “You’re wrong.” She stood and paced to the window. “In the last few days, I’ve learned a lot about myself. I may not remember everything about my life before, about the accident…” Her voice trailed off. She turned and squared off at Raymond. “But I remember feeling lonely. I shouldn’t feel lonely, Raymond. I should have friends, I should be able to spend more time with Mom and my sisters and their kids.”

  “It’s been over a year since you’ve seen Cindy and the twins,” Mrs. Price offered.

  “That’s not right,” Annie said, sitting next to her mother, then looking at Raymond. “I’m sure you had my best interest at heart, but that’s over now. I might be smarter than most, but I’m still a human being. I have feelings and needs that I can’t satisfy by hiding out in your mansion.”

  Sean marveled at the new Annie, the strong-willed, determined young woman who was finally standing up for herself.

  “I suppose this is your doing,” Raymond said to Sean.

  Sean cocked his head to one side, as if he hadn’t a clue what Raymond was referring to. He couldn’t let the bastard know how important Annie was to him, or Phelps would use it against him.

  “Annie, this is unacceptable. You must come home and finish your research.”

  But according to Annie, her research was finished. Did that mean she didn’t trust him?

  Sean could only hope.

  Raymond got up and paced to the sofa, towering over Annie and her mom. “Your mother can even come stay for a few weeks. She could have the guest quarters. It will be like a family reunion.”

  Sean focused on how to turn the situation around, how to subdue Phelps without upsetting Annie, and without the gun that Phelps casually held in his hand going off. Sean stood and took a step toward the sofa.

  “Stay where you are, MacNeil,” Phelps ordered, but didn’t aim the gun at him. Not yet. He was still playing “nice Raymond” for Annie’s sake.

  “Annie?” Raymond said. “My home is where you belong.”

  “I’m an adult, Raymond. I should be living on my own.”

  “Mrs. Price, talk to your daughter.” Raymond pulled Annie’s mom to her feet with a grip of her elbow. “Tell her how important it is to come stay with me.”

  Raymond’s words reverberated in Annie’s brain. She’d heard them before, years ago. He’d said them when he came to visit the farm for the third time, the day he took her home with him.

  Her eyes caught on Raymond’s hand, squeezing Mama’s arm. Sharp, bright memories flashed to the surface. Praising her, then belittling her. She’d thought it a normal childhood, but as she grew older she wondered. Then she’d met Sean and felt true love for the first time.

  Raymond didn’t love her. He wanted Annie for her research. She remembered something about the farm, it was failing and…

  “You bought me,” she whispered.

  Raymond glanced at her.

  “You bought me and took me away from my mother and sisters when I needed them more than anything.”

  “You needed to hone that brilliant mind of yours. Your mother knew it, just as I did.”

  “You threatened…what was it? To take the farm?”

  “You remember it backward, my dear. I offered your mother to pay the mortgage on the farm in exchange for educating you. Seems like an unfair deal for me, but I’m the philanthropic type. I sacrificed thousands of dollars so your family could keep their precious spot of land. I had to clothe and feed you. Pay for tutors and friends.”

  “You paid for my friends?” She felt as if she’d been punched.

  “There were no other children in my house. You needed playmates.”

  “You took care of me.”

  “Very good care.”

  But that’s not how she remembered it. Assaulted by memories, she took a deep breath, a part of her wanting to fight them off, another part wanting the truth.

  In the lab…accidentally recording a conversation between Raymond and a stranger. They planned to unleash a virus. She didn’t understand. Must talk to Sean. He’d explain things. But Sean was…ordered to kill her? No, she wouldn’t believe it. He’d been pretending to love her, when all the time he was FBI, working undercover as her bodyguard. Now her guardian had ordered him to kill her.

  Must take off, get away. Driving very fast. She’d only driven a few times. Wasn’t skilled. Didn’t matter. Had to get away. Heart aching with betrayal…the two men who were supposed to care for her most in the world had used her.

  Not worthy of love. Tears streaming down her face. A sharp turn—

  “Mama,” she whispered.

  Mama squeezed Annie’s hand, bringing her back to earth.

  What a fool she’d been—Raymond was the enemy, not her protector. But she’d wanted so desperately to believe that someone truly loved her for herself, not for her brains.

  Her gaze caught Sean’s green eyes. He’d used her, too
, but not now. Now there was more. She knew it in her heart. And his life depended on her next move.

  She placed her arm around her mother. “I’d like to stay with Mama for a few days.” Lame, but worth a try.

  Raymond sighed and let go of Mama’s arm. “I’m sorry, Annie. That’s not acceptable.”

  He went to the hallway closet and opened the door. Sean lunged at him. “Annie, run! Get out of here.”

  With an arm around Mama, she raced toward the front door.

  “I’ll kill him,” Raymond threatened.

  Annie froze, afraid to turn around.

  “Help me with him,” Raymond ordered.

  She spun around to see Sean pinned to the floor by Hatch. Jackson stood by with a satisfied grin on his face.

  Of course, they were all Raymond’s men: Zinkerman, Hatch, Jackson. And Raymond always got what he wanted.

  “You’re coming with me until you finish what you started,” Raymond said. “If I’m to unleash the Influx Virus, I need to have the vaccine to cure it.”

  She held her mom closer. “Why?”

  “For a smart girl, you’re so naive. I thought you’d finished the formula, but I was wrong. Something didn’t feel right about your death so I hired a team of investigators and found you at Appleton. I sent my man to assess the situation and decided it best to treat you there because we didn’t know who we were dealing with. FBI, incompetent, bumbling idiots.”

  Hatch kicked Sean in the ribs and he grunted.

  “Zinkerman, that fool. His associate nearly killed you, then they both let you slip through their fingers. They had to pay for their incompetence.”

  Annie swallowed hard. “You had Dr. Zinkerman killed.”

  “Insignificant man. Like MacNeil. A thorn in my side.” Raymond knelt down and trailed the gun along Sean’s jawline.

  “Stop it! Sean, I’m sorry. I didn’t remember,” she cried.

  “Enough!” Raymond shouted. “What’s the matter with you? This man manipulated you, used you to slake his lust over and over again, and you care about him? He’s only in this for the job. He used you once and he’s using you now. At least I’m honest about what I want.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Sean, tell him he’s wrong.”

  “Silly girl,” Raymond said.

  She didn’t move, waiting for Sean to defend himself. His eyes burned fire at Raymond.

  “Sean?”

  He shot her a cold, steely glare that froze her heart. It was as if he wasn’t there anymore, as if the kind, gentle man she’d loved somehow had vacated his body.

  “Get her out of here,” Raymond ordered.

  Jackson started toward Annie and her mom.

  “I love you, Annie.”

  Sean’s words stopped her cold. She turned and studied his eyes, eyes filled with love, drenched in guilt.

  Hatch kicked him in the stomach, and Sean rolled onto his side with a moan.

  You’re smart, Annie. You can figure out a solution to anything.

  The words that had been both a blessing and a curse rang in her ears. She had to buy time. If she angered Raymond further, he might shoot Mama, or Sean, or both.

  Buy time. Think your way out of this.

  “You’ll let Mom go after I finish the formula?” she said.

  Raymond smiled “You have my word.”

  Like hell.

  “What about Sean? You’ll release him if I leave with you?”

  “I’ll do even better. We’ll keep him at the mansion for personal recreation.”

  Did he mean hers or his?

  “It could take months to finish,” she said.

  “Let’s not play games. You told me you were finished and I believed you.” He took three steps toward her. “It’s time to come home.”

  Sean looked at her with such defeat in his eyes.

  “No games, Raymond. Just–” she hesitated “—instinct.”

  Adrenaline shot through her body as she shoved Mama aside and shouldered Raymond in the stomach. He stumbled backward into the wall, and the gun went flying.

  “Nnnnnoooo!”

  Annie was shoved out of the way as Sean punched Hatch in the gut, then shoved him through the screen door. With seemingly superhuman strength, Sean grabbed Raymond and tossed him onto the porch like a rag doll. He grabbed Jackson, who whimpered and held his hands to his face.

  Sean released him. “You’re not worth it.”

  He took Jackson’s gun, then stormed out onto the porch. Annie watched the man she loved pistol-whip Hatch into submission. Raymond tried to escape, but Sean tackled him and grabbed him by the lapels.

  “You’re not going anywhere.” He slammed Raymond’s head against the porch, grunting a low, violent sound that shot goose bumps down her spine. She could feel the anger, rage and hatred emanating from his body. Raymond swung blindly, and Sean slugged him in the face. Raymond went still.

  “Annie?” Mama said, fear lacing her voice.

  “It’s okay, Mom.”

  She went to him and touched his shoulder. “Sean?”

  He looked up and blinked twice, as if trying to figure out where he was and what he was doing.

  “It’s okay now,” she said. “They can’t hurt us.”

  He glanced at the men, then at his bloodied hand. Annie thought she heard a sob rack his chest.

  He placed a closed fist to his mouth and sat there for a few seconds. Clearing his throat, he stood.

  “I’d better call in.” He pulled out his cell.

  She stared at him, wondering what self-torture he put himself through for losing control and saving her life. She knew Sean better than she knew herself. The pain and self-deprecation in his eyes nearly tore her apart. She knew what was coming next. Self-condemnation, guilt, shame.

  Hadn’t he had enough of that in one lifetime?

  As she calmed Mama, two squad cars pulled up. Oh, great. They were going to arrest her.

  A patrolman got out of his car. “You MacNeil?”

  “Yes.” Sean went to the officer and explained the situation, then returned to Annie. “Connors called the local cops to take Phelps and his men to jail. The other officer will take you back to your mom’s.”

  “Sean.” She touched his arm.

  He pulled away. “I’ve gotta wash up.” He glanced at his hands, then disappeared into the house.

  Sean was desperate to get away from her, from this whole damned scene. Of all the places to snap, he had to do it in front of the woman he loved.

  The woman he loved. Well, if he loved her all that much, he’d disappear from her life for good this time.

  He made his way to the bathroom without Annie finding him. The best thing she could do is leave him alone, walk off into her new life and forget the goodbyes, the apologies. But then she had nothing to be sorry about. Not like Sean.

  He stood in the small powder room and rinsed off his hands. The commotion of agents echoed down the hall from the living room. They were questioning Annie and her mom. How much would she tell? Would she confess that she and Sean had made love?

  It didn’t matter. Right now, all that mattered was getting away. From this place, from Annie, from the ghosts that hounded him.

  He glanced into the mirror and spotted Annie’s compassionate expression behind him.

  “How are you?” she asked.

  “Fine.”

  “No, you’re not.” She stepped inside the bathroom and closed the door.

  He ripped his gaze from hers and continued washing his hands.

  “Sean—”

  “Annie, don’t.” He shut off the faucet and grabbed a towel. “Look, this didn’t happen. We were never real. I’ve accomplished my job and now you can get on with your life.”

  He reached around her for the door. She blocked it with her body.

  “Please move.” He didn’t know how much more of this he could take.

  “I’m not going anywhere until you listen to what I have to say.”


  He braced himself.

  “I want you to grow up,” she said. “Forget this stupid notion that you’re like your dad, and live for yourself. I love you Sean, and I know you love me.”

  “Use your head, Annie. You saw what I did out there. I’m an animal.”

  “Get off the pity pot. You’ve been on it long enough.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You’re not your father. What you did for Mom and me is what any normal, red-blooded man would do to protect the people he loves. And you love me, Sean. I know you do because you became your worst nightmare to protect me. Can’t you see that?”

  “All I see is how many ways I can hurt you.”

  “Think about this,” she said. “I taunted you at the cabin, got in your face and wouldn’t let up, but did you hurt me? Did you lose it and come after me like your father came after your mother? No, because you’re not him. You’re a wonderful, caring, generous man.”

  “And you’re a naive scientist.”

  Her breath caught as if he’d slapped her.

  “I’ve said what I needed to say.” She pushed up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, her breath warming his skin like sunshine on a hot summer’s day. “I love you.”

  She turned and ran down the hall.

  “You really are a bastard,” he whispered.

  And she deserved better.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sitting in the den, Annie studied the family photo album and smiled at the picture of her milking Hennie the cow for the first time. She was only six.

  But she didn’t have to study the worn, yellowed pages for help. She remembered. All of it.

  Sometimes she wished she hadn’t. She remembered she’d lost years of her life to her own naiveté, trusting a man who only wanted her for her brilliant mind, namely for the vaccine that he could use to hold the world hostage.

  She was a one-dimensional scientist, obsessed with her work, a naive farm girl with an overactive brain.

  No wonder Sean didn’t love her.

  “Argh!” She jumped to her feet and marched into the kitchen.

  “Hungry?” her mom said, wrapping a loaf of bread for the neighbors.

  “Kinda.” She sat at the kitchen table.