It still feels strange hearing her say my real name.
“I g-got to g-get the hell out of here. He’s c-coming, you’re r-right. Is she okay? P-please say my baby’s okay. I d-don’t want her to be too scared.”
“She’s fine, I promise. Rachel left the truck in the spot. You remember the plan we discussed, right?” she asked.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, remembering. “In the w-woods, near the tree th-that looks evil and twisted, I have to d-dig up the c-containers. Sp-splatter them around, dr-drop the t-teeth I saved on the floor, and th-then p-put the containers and my cell phone into the d-duffel bag.”
“You put the rocks in there, right? The heavy ones from your garden? It needs to be heavy, you know? We need that bag to sink, so that no one finds the cell phone or the containers…” Al explained.
“It’s lined with the r-rocks,” I assured her. “Now where’s the v-vehicle again?”
“Parked less than half a mile down the road. Keys should be in it. And there’s a map to where you’re going and a new cell phone in the glove box. Just drive, okay? Don’t stop to dump the bag until you’re at least two states away.”
“Okay. Th-thank you, Al. How long will it be t-till you c-come t-too?” I asked, my voice shaky with emotion. I love her. When I imagined falling in love, I never expected it to be this intense, this unbelievably painful and good, all at the same time. And so different than how it was with Martin…
“I don’t know. I’ll need to stay a while, so it doesn’t look too suspicious. We don’t want them to connect us somehow. But we’ll talk as soon as you get to Krissy’s house okay? I know you don’t know her well, but she’s my daughter so you have to trust her. You can stay with her and her husband as long as you need. You need to get going now. I love you.”
“I l-love you, too,” I choked. I held the phone away from my head and forced myself to press ‘end’.
Immediately, I sprang into action, pulling on my jeans and a pair of boots. In the laundry room, there were gardening supplies. I grabbed a small shovel and brought it with me.
As I pulled the duffel bag across the back lawn, chills ran up my spine. I stopped pulling and looked all around me, spinning in circles, unable to shake the feeling that I was being watched.
Through the woods, I kept my ears perked as I located the twisted tree Al told me about. Supposedly, she had scoped out the property and cabin when she found the ad in the paper. She’d come out here at dark and buried the containers of cow blood for me.
The fact that I was standing somewhere Al had been made me want to lie down on the ground and cry. But I kept going, thrusting my shovel into the hard, cold soil at the base of the tree. The cannisters were full of dark, rosy liquid and in the moonlight, they sparkled and shone, as I loaded them into the rock-filled duffel bag. It was so heavy on the way back, that I was panting and sweating.
Back inside, I closed the door behind me. I still couldn’t shake the feeling that Martin was close and coming soon. It wouldn’t take him as long to reach West Virginia as it did me…I imagined him in his truck, foot to the floor and eyes ablaze as he charged across the country to find me.
In the living room, I unlatched the bloody cannisters. The blood came out faster than I thought it would, forming a strangely circular blot in the center of the room. It reminded me of one of those inkblot tests they used to use back in the day.
What do you see, Nova? What does this look like, and what does that say about you?
I knelt on the floor next to the massive blood puddle and I tried to wipe the blood around and spread it out wider. Next, I retrieved the broken teeth from a Ziploc bag in my kitchen drawer. Because of Martin, I’d lost three teeth. When he smacked me or squeezed my face, they just got looser each time. Originally, I’d saved them hoping I could get them fixed. But now, I was putting them to a better use…
I grabbed the duffel bag from the floor and took one last look at the cabin. “Thanks for your help,” I told it, for once not struggling to say the words. Then I slipped out the front door, leaving it unlocked behind me.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
The Cop
ELLIE
“You have to believe me,” Clara moaned from the floor. It looked like the news that her sister was missing had caused real, physical pain. She was writhing on the floor as though she were in agony.
“Tell me what happened. I need to know.”
“Martin always said he’d make Lily disappear if Nova tried to leave him. She wanted to run away with Lily, go stay with my daughter… It was only supposed to be temporary. We had a plan and Rachel wanted to help us. Rachel and I are sisters, but we haven’t been close in years…but then…well, we both cared about Nova. Rachel was her midwife during her first pregnancy. For a long time, Rachel suspected she and Lily were being abused…
“Rachel agreed to drive down here and leave Nova the truck. She bought it cheaply from one of her former clients, another member of the site…”
I put up a hand to stop her. “Why didn’t Nova just drive her own car? This is weird.”
But Clara was shaking her head. “The Celica was in Martin’s name, just like everything else they owned. We couldn’t put it past him that he might report it stolen, or even have a tracking device on there…”
“Okay. Keep going,” I urged her.
“The truck was an escape vehicle for Nova. Rachel was supposed to come back to my house afterwards, to arrange a rental car back home. But she never showed up, and then I heard about the truck just sitting there…I guessed Martin had got them. All three of them…” Clara started wailing again.
“So, Rachel delivered Nova’s baby? Lily was real, then.”
Clara let out a strange laugh. “Of course, she’s real. Like I said, Rachel was Nova’s midwife during her first pregnancy. But then she lost the baby. A baby boy named Matthew. Martin blamed her for losing the baby. He wanted a child so badly…and he also didn’t want Nova getting any medical help with Lily’s birth. Rachel did an ultrasound for her, but then she just assumed Nova got a different doctor…that wasn’t the case though. Martin forced her to deliver the baby all on her own. Lily was born on the bathroom floor. Even Martin didn’t stay by her side. He didn’t want anyone involved. He was practically holding them prisoner! But then, Nova needed a babysitter, so she called Rachel. Technically, Rachel was the only person who could verify Lily’s existence—besides Nova and Martin, she’s the only other living soul who’s laid eyes on her. Do you think that’s why Martin took my sister?” Clara’s face crumbled.
“How did you connect with Nova on the website? Did Rachel ask you to do that, to reach out to her?”
Clara shook her head. “No, I’ve always been a member of Krissy’s website. In fact, I was one of the first members. My husband was abusive, so you see…Krissy was inspired to help women like me because she grew up in an abusive household.”
My cell phone buzzed in my pocket and I turned away to take the call.
“Sergeant, I’m so glad you called. I—what? Okay, I’m on my way.” I pointed at Clara and said, “Don’t move a muscle till I get back. I’m serious.”
“Where are you going?” Clara pleaded.
It almost hurt me to say it because I could tell she was hurting. “That was Sam. They think they just found Nova’s body.”
CHAPTER FORTY
80 hours earlier
Martin
She was beautiful as she ran. Long, dark legs and shorts so short, they ended where her ass stopped, and her legs began. Killing her served only one purpose—she was a loose end. But even if she wasn’t, running around like that at night, she was simply asking for it.
I hired Rachel Coffey as a midwife for my first child because she came highly recommended and because she was attractive. I hoped she might have an affair with me, but as it turned out, she was a prude. She was also careless. She couldn’t keep my son alive. There was no way I’d let her be involved in my daughter’s birth. Plus
, I’d read somewhere that if you birthed a child without medical assistance, then you legally didn’t have to file a birth certificate. If Lily didn’t exist on paper, then she didn’t have to exist in real life…if Nova tried to run and take my daughter, I could kill her and keep my daughter, without anyone knowing she was alive. Or I could make them both disappear if I had to.
Now that time had arrived: Nova had run away, taking my daughter with her. It was only a matter of time before I tracked them both down. Punishing Nova would be fun when I found her…
But first I had to take care of Rachel. She was the only one that could prove my daughter’s existence. And I had a sneaking suspicion that Rachel was the one who helped her get away. Who else? Nova didn’t have any friends, and I’d made sure to keep her separated from her family.
Before I could get my girls back, I had to tie up this loose end…
I’d watched Rachel before, many times, fantasizing about how it would feel to tear her pretty little body apart. And it’s a good thing I did, because now I knew that she took evening runs at least three nights per week, usually at the same time.
And I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was involved in helping Nova escape.
Jim and Jane Krowski needed a new house and I needed an alibi. The refurbished colonial on Vermouth was a good choice—I chose it specifically because the woods behind it connected with Deer Place Park, and Deer Place Park connected with the bike path.
So, while the Krowskis, with their too-tan, cracked skin and tummy-tucked waists, banged one out in the master bedroom I was trying to sell, I slipped out the back door. If they fucked as long as they did last time, then I had more than enough time to get the job done, and then I could go get Nova…
I watched through the trees as Rachel approached the bike path. As she curled around the corner, legs gliding like a prized filly at the Kentucky Derby, I stepped out from the shadows onto the path behind her. Immediately, she either heard or sensed me there. When she turned around, ponytail swishing back and forth, she froze when she saw it was me. The look on her face was priceless. I could almost taste her fear.
Her eyes flitted down to the knife in my hand. Her mouth opened into an O of horror, then she turned around and took off running. This should be a challenge, I thought, sarcastically.
It took me only a few seconds to catch her. She kicked, and she fought, slamming the backs of her heels against my shins. I squeezed my hands around her neck, long enough to make her go unconscious but not enough to kill her.
After dragging her body off the path, I carried her through the woods to the closest shelter bathhouse and locked us both in a stall. For fifteen minutes, she held out. The knife always does the trick…
She told me about her plans to take the truck to Northfolk, West Virginia. She even gave me the keys to the truck and revealed their little crummy “plan”.
I stabbed her once because I’d always wanted to try it, but she was still alive when the flames rose.
Through the hot glowing body of fire, I watched her. Admired the way her body twisted and curled, like an exotic dance she performed only for me. I kept watching, never blinking, until the life was sucked from her chest.
The feeling it gave me could only be described as exhilaration.
By the time I made it back to the Krowskis, covered in sweat and panting, the keys to Rachel’s truck curled in my hand, they could only assume that I’d been enjoying their little performance as much as they had hoped.
But all I could think about as I shook their hands and smiled, was how sexy Rachel looked, even in death. If it felt this good killing a woman I barely knew, I couldn’t imagine how good it would feel when I finally killed my wife.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
71 hours earlier
The Mother
NOVA
I reached the truck in under a quarter mile, but it felt like walking across the Sahara with that big bag in tow. Fear surged through my veins. I was afraid Martin would pull up beside me and force me into his truck, or worse yet, mow me down. But I had to stay strong.
Most people think that abused women are weak, and I used to think that, too. Until I became one. The women I met on that website were strong. And right now, I’ve never felt stronger. It took a lot of strength and endurance to make it through my marriage alive. Every day…the tolerance, restraint, and fear I endured, made me feel more sturdy than weak.
I’d dreamed about this moment for a long time, and now it was finally happening. I could almost see Lily running around outside, baking under the sun…Oh, how I cannot wait to get there with her.
The truck bloomed before me as I curled around a windy curve, and I was pleased to find it unlocked when I walked up on it. Thank you for doing this, Rachel. Without you and Al, I never could have pulled this off…
I just have to keep the faith and follow the plan. I can do this. I can do my part…
I tossed my bag inside and scooted it over in the passenger seat. I leaned in and opened the glove box. As promised, there was a map inside with an address for where I was going and a new disposable cell phone.
Cell phone! “Oh, god! Dammit! Dammit!” I slapped the steering wheel and jumped back out, pulling the bag out too. I’d left the cell phone on the bedroom dresser after I’d hung up with Al. If I left it behind, they could trace the call and find her. They might even find Lily!
I was supposed to put the phone in the bag, Al had told me that a hundred times!
The police could find it. Or worse, Martin might find Al.
I considered leaving the heavy bag behind, but what if that police officer came and found the truck sitting here while I was running back to get the phone? I made a quick decision, to take the bag. Closing and locking the truck, I started the hellish trek back to the cabin.
My arms were numb and burning from the heavy load, but I pushed harder this time.
I have to hurry up and get back to the truck.
The road swayed, the cabin in the distance growing smaller and smaller. Silently, I counted, trying to focus on my daughter and Al. I can’t lose it and freak out now! I’m almost home-free.
Several minutes later, I was standing in front of the cabin again. Martin could be on his way to Northfolk by now. I have to get going…
It was a grisly thought, but I had no choice. I needed to get that phone. I had to dump the entire bag. I only hope the stones are heavy enough to weigh it down…we can’t leave any evidence behind that we staged this…
Gripping the car keys in my hand, I dragged the bag around to the back of the cabin. I left it leaning against the back door, securing it tight in case Martin showed up and tried to sneak in on me. Through the dark cabin, I ran through the kitchen and down the hallway. The phone set on the dresser, taunting me. I can’t believe I almost forgot it!
I grabbed the phone and ran back to the back door. I was about to drop it in the bag when suddenly, I saw a stream of headlights poking through the trees. Someone was coming up the road from the other side. They will reach the cabin in a matter of minutes!
My body jolted with fear. The headlights looked just like the ones on Martin’s truck, or so I imagined. I gripped the keys and cell phone, leaving the bag behind, then shot out the front door, running for my life back toward the windy curve where the truck set.
By the time I came around the bend, the headlights were right behind me.
I only need to go a few more feet. I could outrun him in the truck if I had to, I thought, my thoughts whirling out of control.
But then blue and red lights flickered on top of the vehicle.
A police car. Officer James had picked a bad time to check on me now!
But this was good news. It wasn’t Martin, and as long as I could get her to turn back around, I’d have enough time to go back for the bag I’d just left behind. The cell phone was still gripped tightly in my hand. Did I really need to go back for those cannisters? Al’s instructions repeated in my mind. Dammit.
; The police lights flickered again and this time, I started walking toward them. The lights were blinding, and they pulsated, their rhythm pulsating inside of me…
I didn’t want Officer James to turn the corner and find the strange truck parked back there. What will I do if she sees it? Should I tell her it’s mine? My thoughts were spinning out of control.
The police cruiser slowed to a stop as I approached the driver’s window. The window rolled down and a police officer I’d never seen before looked out at me.
“Get in,” he ordered.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
The Cop
ELLIE
She was here in Northfolk all along. Strangely, as I peered over the shoulder of the medical examiner and other officers at the scene, I couldn’t help thinking her face looked serene, almost peaceful.
Lips curled up, almost as though she were smiling, and hair spread out around her face like a shiny black halo of feathers. It was her body that told a different story. It was blackened and burned, her arms and legs curled up to her torso like a newborn baby.
Sergeant DelGrande said, “They’ve collected evidence here, and around the woods, but there’s still more to do. If there were footprints, the rain must have washed them away, though…”
“That isn’t Nova Nesbitt.” I choked the words out, holding my hand up to my face to combat the overpowering smell of charred flesh.
“What did you say?” Sergeant DelGrande knelt down beside me.
“I recognize her face from the photo. This is Rachel Coffey, the other missing woman from Granton.”
Sarge stood up and walked off to make a phone call. When he returned minutes later, I was still mesmerized by the doll-like mask that was Rachel’s face.
Without a Trace Page 17
