by Debra Sage
She settled at the small kitchen table and ate her bagel. She scrolled through a few news items on her phone’s browser while she finished eating.
Oh. Wait. Her car. Alex had driven her over. She didn’t have a way to get to the market. Well, that was foolish. Maybe she’d have him drop her at her car when he came by for lunch. She could hit the market later. Or maybe she’d grab a cab and get a ride to her place. She’d be able to pick up her car and bring it back. That made the most sense. Besides, she wasn’t sure how long he’d have for lunch and she wanted to pick him up a sandwich.
She’d call and get a ride.
It was a simple enough task. When the cab showed up, she headed home with one goal in mind. There was no need to go inside; she’d just grab her car and leave.
As they approached her neighborhood, her heart quickened. She rubbed her sweaty palms on the front of her slacks. Each block closer, anxiety circled in on her, tightening its grip.
When they pulled up, she paid the taxi driver and thanked him. She glanced at the door to her home, then the window. Amanda swallowed hard. That was the window that they’d shot at…aiming for her.
The well-guarded illusion she’d worn on waking up shattered into tiny shards of glass. Her heart hammered in her chest. Her lungs refused to cooperate. She inhaled deeply and tried to calm her nerves.
There was no preparing for the wave of emotion that hit her.
She reached in and dug through the bottom of her purse, desperate to get her hands on her car keys. The faster she left, the better she’d feel.
Glancing nervously over her shoulder, she waited for somebody to jump out, but nothing happened. With keys in hand, she quickly climbed into her car and locked the door behind her.
Again, she looked over her shoulder, thinking somebody was out to get her. Her fingers wrapped tightly around the steering wheel. She hoped it would stop the trembling in her hands, but still they shook. She gripped the steering wheel harder, trying to steady her nerves.
She drew a deep breath, turned on the car, then backed out of the driveway. She needed to get out of there. Her sense of calm only returned when she’d gotten far enough away. Is that what it would always feel like to go home?
She drove back to Alex’s place and scrambled inside. She’d go to the market later. She needed the safety of being under the blankets again. It was foolish for her to go back there without him so soon.
She’d wanted to stop and pick up sandwiches, but it would have to wait. She’d try again later. Hidden away at Alex’s place, she found the safe cocoon that she’d left earlier.
When he stopped home during his lunch break, she still hadn’t made it to the market.
“Hey, I saw your car,” he said, walking in.
Amanda nodded. “I went to pick it up. I think it was a mistake. I was feeling really good this morning. I thought about going to the market, then realized I didn’t have my car. I took a cab over to get it, only when I got there everything crashed over me like a wave.”
“Stay put,” he said. “No need for you to go back there right now. Don’t worry about the market. I’ll pick up whatever you need.”
“I just…I woke with a smile, thanks to you,” she said shyly.
He grinned. “Yeah, I did too.”
Amanda walked into his arms and melted as he wrapped them around her in a warm embrace. Their talk turned to kisses, but he needed to head back to work.
“There’s a bunch of take out menus in the drawer by the fridge if you want something.”
“I wanted to get something for you,” she said.
“Me? That’s sweet, but I’m fine.”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t expecting to be taken down a notch when I went for my car. It startled me how quickly my mood changed.”
He held her close. “You have every right to go through those feelings. What you went through…anyway, you’re safe now.”
She nodded. “I’ve started a list of people I know, but nobody stands out that might try to hurt me. It doesn’t make sense.”
“It will help us narrow things down.”
“I’ve got to go back to work tomorrow, but I need a few things. Would you go with me to my house later so I can get my work clothes and shoes?”
“Absolutely. We can do it when I finish my shift. Do you need anything before I go?”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
Alex gave her a soft peck on the cheek before heading back to work. He took her delicate hand in his and kissed it.
She was glad she’d taken the day off, but she couldn’t live like this. It was back to work the following day. She had no other choice. Living in fear wasn’t the answer.
Chapter 19
Alex insisted on driving her to work when she went back, but she declined. “I need to get into my normal pattern. The more I coddle myself, the more I’ll pull back and stay traumatized. Besides, the distraction at work will be good for me. Driving home helps me unwind after a long day.”
“Fine, but I’m stopping in to check on you at some point. Besides, the chance to see your gorgeous face will brighten my day.”
“You’re too sweet,” she said.
“And you’re sweet and delicious,” he replied, wrapping her up in his arms. He couldn’t get enough of her kisses, and was falling for her fast. Odd circumstances might have brought them together, but he had no intention of letting her go.
After a night of snuggling and enjoying one another, it was time for Amanda to get back to reality. She’d figure out a way to get back home and get over the situation. She could stay with Alex for a few more days, but it wasn’t like she was moving in. They’d only just started seeing each other.
When he left for work, she went downstairs and flipped through some channels, but nothing caught her attention. She settled on the news, but muted the sound. It was too depressing, so she switched the channel to Animal Planet.
Amanda got ready for work and went out to her car. She measured her anxiety. Okay. She was fine. She felt safe at Alex’s place. Nobody knew where she was. She could do this.
Once at work, everything fell into place. The busy day kept her on her toes, and the nonstop flow of patients kept her distracted.
At the end of the day, she was good and ready to leave, but still had some extra paperwork to do. Finally, she grabbed her things.
“Hey, what are you still doing here?” she asked on seeing Lee walk through the emergency room.
“Long day. Paperwork to catch up on.” He shook his head. “Besides, things are a little chilly at home, so I wasn’t in a rush to get there.”
“Trouble at home again?” She knew of their previous troubles. In fact, she knew more than most.
Lee shrugged. “The kids are fine. Suzanne is just being her usual bitter self.”
“Sorry to hear it,” Amanda said.
Jack saw that Amanda was ready to leave. “I’ll walk you out.”
“No need,” Lee mentioned. “I’m heading that way. I’ll walk out with her.”
“Okay, no problem.”
“You ready?” he asked.
“Yeah, let me grab my bag.” She scooped up her bag and joined Lee. “How are the girls?”
“Hannah graduates this year, and Tara has gotten involved in track and field. They’re growing too fast,” he said. “Amanda, do you ever think about us?”
She looked at him. “Lee, don’t. Too much time has passed. Don’t make things awkward.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I guess with Suzanne being her lovely, pleasant self it has me wondering if we’ll ever get it right. I stay, but sometimes I wonder why.”
They walked down the hallway that led to the parking garage. The sound of their shoes was the only noise along the tiled hall. Lee stopped and pressed the button to the elevator. They stepped inside and pushed the button to the second floor. A glass walkway connected the hospital to the garage. It was a nice addition. Previously without the garage, there was too little parking and you’
d end up outside in the elements, soaked to the skin in the rain, and shivering in the cold.
The couple stepped out of the elevator. Together, they walked toward their cars. The garage was quiet, since it was the end of the night.
Out of nowhere, a man with a mask ran at them. Amanda screamed and tried to run. The masked man yanked her arm, pulling her toward him. Lee tried to jerk her away, but got shoved to the ground.
She spun, trying to unleash the attacker’s arm, but he held fast. She stomped hard on his foot, then elbowed him hard.
The man cursed loudly, shoved something over her head, then wrapped his arm tightly around her. He started to drag her toward a car.
“Lee, help me,” she called out, now unable to see him. She tried to dig her feet into the ground to stand firm. When that didn’t work, she kicked and lashed out at her blind target. With one final blow, she must have hit him just the right way. He loosened his grip and she pulled free. She yanked the mask off her head and without looking back ran as fast as she could. She screamed and headed for the elevator. Frantically, she pushed the button. In a panic, she turned to see the man coming for her. Lee was nowhere to be found. At least he’d gotten to safety.
The elevator opened. His footsteps closed in. She banged the Close Door button over and over. He was coming faster. He went to shove his hand in to stop the doors from closing, but it was too late. With barely a second to spare, the doors shut him out. He banged on the doors, but the elevator was already in motion.
Her heart beat wildly and lodged tightly in her throat. As the elevator brought her to the familiar walkway, she burst out and ran for the emergency room. Her voice cried out, begging for help.
Once back inside, she stopped.
Jack saw her panicked expression and heard her crash through the doors. “Amanda, what’s wrong?”
“Somebody tried to grab me in the garage. Call the police,” she said.
“Did you see them?”
“No, but they might still be out there.”
Jack yelled, “Stay here with people around. I’ll see if I can find him.”
“Be careful,” she called out behind him as he ran toward the way she’d just retreated.
She grabbed the phone and called the police. Tremors shook her body, and the shock of the event rattled her nerves. She couldn’t do this anymore. Somebody was after her. It didn’t matter if she was in the safety of her home or at work…they had every intention of hurting her.
Amanda slid to the floor with the phone in her hand. She pressed her back to the counter. This wasn’t the place to melt down. It wasn’t professional. In that moment, there wasn’t another option. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.
One of the doctors saw what was happening and squatted down beside her. “Why don’t we go to one of the rooms?”
She nodded silently and took his hand. He led her over and closed the door behind them. “What’s going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
When Jack came back and found her, he told her they were gone. He hadn’t found anyone.
“What about Lee? Was he still there?”
“I didn’t see him. His car was gone, so I’m guessing he went home.”
“He was there. He saw what happened.”
A few minutes later Lee joined them.
“Lee? What happened?”
“I jumped in my car and got away when I saw you get in the elevator. I drove to another level of the garage, then came back to make sure you were okay.”
“Did you see them?” Jack asked.
“I can’t give you much of a description. They were wearing all black, had a mask on, stood maybe six feet tall, and average build. Not much to go on. I didn’t see any suspicious vehicles.”
“I’ll go check the garage’s video feed and see if there’s anything there. Maybe we can get a license plate number or an image of the guy before he put a mask on. You’re sure it was a guy, not a woman or anything.”
“It was a guy, I heard him curse. Deep voice, sounded like a man,” she added. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“You, too.” Lee walked over and rubbed her shoulders. “Thank goodness. I couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to you.”
Amanda pulled away. “Please don’t touch me.”
He was startled by her reaction, but stepped back.
Apologetic on seeing his face drop, she explained. “It’s just…after what happened. You understand, right?”
“Sure.”
She shuddered, realizing how close she was to being snatched right out of the hospital’s parking garage. She wasn’t safe anywhere. She messaged Alex with a quick text.
When Jack came back, he didn’t bring good news. Nothing. No video feed, no guy, no suspicious vehicle. They took off, and must have blocked the camera. There’s nothing but a black screen.
“Thanks for trying,” she said.
“I’ll be right outside your room here. If you need anything…”
She thanked him again and then climbed off the bed and opened one of the cabinets. She pulled out a spare blanket and pulled it around her. Lee sat in the chair usually set aside for visitors. “I’ll stay here until the police arrive. They’ll probably want a statement from me, too. I can’t believe this happened.”
“It’s not the only time I’ve been attacked,” she finally admitted.
“What?” He stood, outrage shadowing his face. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know, Lee. It’s been scary. Somebody shot at my house, and the other day somebody shattered a window trying to break in. I didn’t want to say anything. We’ve all had other things on our mind, but I’m getting scared.”
“I can imagine. Shit, Amanda, if I’d known, maybe I’d have been able to help.”
“I appreciate it. I have…” she stopped just short. “Anyway, I’ve got somebody on my side.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You know you mean the world to me,” he said. “What we had…”
She nodded. “It’s the past. Let’s not relive it now.”
“You’re right. It’s just seeing what happened out there and the thought we could have lost you reminds me how special you are.”
“Thanks,” she said.
Alex burst into the room. “I got here as soon as I could.”
She climbed out of the bed and clung to him. The sobs came fast and hard. “I’m scared, Alex.”
“I’m here for you, babe.”
Lee watched the relationship unfolding before him. He hadn’t realized….it was the way that she held him, the way her face changed the moment he walked into the room. Good to know. It would be easier to find her if she wasn’t at home. Of course, a cop made things sticky.
He’d need to talk to his guy. Who the hell screws up a simple job like grabbing a girl in the middle of the night. Fucking asshole ruined everything.
Chapter 20
Lee drove home to his wife, his mind still wrapped around the earlier events of the night. He’d need to be careful if he didn’t want to end up in the spotlight. He’d already made too many attempts to get at Amanda and they’d failed.
He was better than that. What the hell was his problem? He’d think about it later. It was time to go home and be a husband and father. Well, his kids would be sleeping. Hopefully his wife was too. He didn’t need her waiting up for him.
He needed a plan. Something that diverted the attention in another direction. He was getting sloppy and careless, and the more people he involved the bigger risk he was taking.
Pulling into his driveway, the answer hit him. He knew exactly what he had to do and who to frame. He even figured out how to make things happen. He was a freaking genius.
Lee caught himself before he got greedy. Stop. Think this through. No more mistakes.
Maybe he’d gotten in too deep. Maybe it was time to dismantle the drug-smuggling operation. Maybe it was time to get away, start fresh, change thi
ngs up. It was too much pressure. The way things were going—it wasn’t how he’d meant them to be. First Dawn, and now Amanda. There were no easy answers.
He knew what he had to do. He’d put the spotlight on somebody else. At least it would buy him time to unravel the mess he’d made.
***
The following morning, he set into work with one goal in mind. Before he set his plan in motion, he’d need to carefully leave a trail that made sense. Lee locked himself in his office and pulled out the files he’d need. Breadcrumbs would be a start. He’d mention in the paper files that he omitted the digital copies for the employee’s privacy concerns. There’d be a stern warning that if things progressed, he’d have to file things and wouldn’t be able to cover for his victim.
Lee scrambled and created a log of ongoing opioid abuse. He wrote in extra notes saying that he’d discussed his concerns. He mentioned that the employee promised to get help, and was given warnings that their job was on the line if anything happened again. There was a small note about losing drug cart privileges. Just enough without going into too much detail. He added a couple of comments about wanting to help them, and offering them a path to change.
All he had to do was plant some evidence, and he’d be ready to take the next step. He hated to lose another good employee, but if he wanted to self-preserve there was no other action.
Lee waited for the twelve to twelve nursing shift to change over and made his move. Nobody would be in the locker room. With bag in hand, he got to work.
He knew the one he’d have to break into. The lockers were assigned. There were no cameras in the room due to privacy issues. Many changed before or after work. There were a couple of rows of lockers, a long bench, and two curtained-off areas for changing.
Lee looked over his shoulder. Nobody was coming. He slipped into the room and wedged the door closed. He’d need to move quickly. He pulled out small bolt cutters and clipped off the combination padlock, then quickly slipped on a glove and removed the lock. Opening the door, he placed a small stash of pills and the hammer inside. His heart raced as he worked. It was risky, but there was no other choice at this point. With the job done, he slid a new padlock onto the locker and walked away.
