Stranded

by Debby Giusti

  Tonight, everyone would focus on search and rescue. By morning both the Freemont cops and the military law enforcement would have more time to question Colleen. Until then, Frank would keep her under watch.

  Too many things didn’t add up. In spite of being on convalescent leave, Frank needed to learn the truth about how a military wife with a gunshot wound had ended up in Colleen’s car.

  * * *

  Colleen tried to ignore the pointed stare of the CID agent who had dug her from the rubble. His deep-set eyes and gaunt face were troubling and cut her to the core. In fact, the only redeeming quality about the guy was his dog.

  She rubbed her temple, hoping to drive away the pounding headache that had come with the storm. Her memory was fuzzy at best, and she had difficulty recalling some of the most basic information, especially pertaining to Vivian. Without thinking, she’d left her purse in her car along with the memory card.

  A pickup truck pulled to a stop in the triage area. The driver, a middle-aged farmer wearing bib overalls and a baseball cap, rolled down his window and nodded to the EMT.

  “We found a guy hunkered down in a ditch just over that ridge.” The farmer pointed to the rise in the roadway. “His sports car was destroyed, but he survived, although he’s scraped up a bit. Face could have been in worse shape if he hadn’t been wearing a sweatshirt. Looks like the hood protected him. A guy with an SUV is bringing him your way.”

  Hooded sweatshirt. Colleen’s heart jammed in her throat. Trey had a sporty BMW, although she hadn’t seen which of his many cars he was driving today.

  If he was the injured man, Colleen had to get out of sight. She’d come back later for the things she’d left behind.

  A gold SUV headed down the hill.

  Her stomach fluttered. She turned and started to walk away.

  “Where are you going?” Frank called after her.

  To hide.

  What could she tell him? Think. Think.

  Her stalled brain refused to work. Searching for an answer, she glanced at the house on the knoll.

  “I’m taking you up on that invitation to stay with your sister.” Even she heard the tremble in her voice.

  Frank raised his brow. Surely he wouldn’t rescind the offer?

  Her pulse throbbed and sweat dampened her back.

  The SUV drew closer.

  Colleen waved Frank off. “Stay here and help with the rescue operation. I can find my way up the hill.”

  She lowered her head, wrapped her arms around her waist and started along the path with determined steps. Keeping her back to the approaching car, she was grateful for the descending twilight and the shadows cast from the tall pines. The path wound along the roadway for a short distance and then burrowed deeper into the woods.

  If only she could reach the denser underbrush before the SUV got too close. She couldn’t let Trey see her.

  Flicking a quick glance over her shoulder, she recognized the firm set of Trey’s jaw and the bulk of his shoulders as the car pulled to a stop.

  No mistaking the man riding shotgun.

  At that moment, he glanced up.

  Ice froze her veins. Her heart slammed against her chest. If Trey recognized her, he would track her down. Not only did Colleen have incriminating photos, but she had also witnessed him shoot Vivian in cold blood.

  She increased her pace and darted along the path.

  “Wait, Colleen.”

  The military CID agent ran after her, along with his dog.

  Stay away from me, she wanted to scream, but reason won out. She needed Frank. She was stranded without a car with a killer on the loose. She needed the security of his sister’s house and his protection throughout the night.

  Later, she’d return to the wreckage and retrieve her purse and the memory card. Tomorrow, she’d catch the bus to Atlanta. From there, she’d hop a flight for the West Coast and disappear from sight. She’d leave Trey behind along with the special agent who didn’t understand what she was trying to hide.

  * * *

  Frank wondered at Colleen’s rush to get away, but then, he wasn’t the best at reading women. Case in point Audrey, who said she’d wait for him. The memory still burned like fire.

  “Wait up, Colleen.”

  Frank ran after her. His hip ached, and his breathing was tighter than he’d like.

  Before the IED, he’d never questioned his strength. Now he had to weigh everything in light of his physical stamina.

  Drawing closer, he grabbed her arm.

  She turned troubled eyes filled with accusation. “Let me go.”

  Releasing his hold, he held up both hands, palm out. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  She glanced through the bramble to the triage area, where a cluster of rescue workers gathered. “I’m still shaky.”

  An understatement for sure. “You’ve been through a lot today. The temperature’s dropped since the storm. You must be cold.”

  “A little.”

  He shrugged out of his windbreaker and wrapped it around her shoulders. “This should help.”

  “What about you?”

  “Not a problem.” He pointed to the path. “Let’s keep going while there’s still some light.”

  “Are you sure your sister won’t mind taking in a stray?”

  He almost smiled. “She welcomed me a few weeks back with open arms. If I had to guess, I’d say she’d enjoy having another woman in the house. She claims I get a bit snarky at times.”

  “I’m sure she loves your company.”

  “She loves Duke.”

  Colleen almost smiled. “Who wouldn’t?” She patted his head, and he wagged his tail, enjoying the attention.

  “You’ve got brothers?” Frank asked, hoping to learn more about the reclusive flight attendant.

  She faltered. Her face darkened. “One sister. She passed away four months ago.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “So am I.”

  “Watch your step.” Frank pointed to an area littered with rocks. Taking her arm, he supported her up the steep incline.

  “Thanks,” she said when they reached the top.

  Stopping to catch her breath, she glanced over her shoulder. Frank followed her gaze. Darkness had settled over the small valley, but headlights from the response vehicles and flashing lights from law enforcement cut through the night.

  A number of Amish buggies were on the street. Lights from additional rescue vehicles appeared in the distance. Frank needed to get Colleen settled and then return to the triage area and wait for personnel from post to arrive.

  If anything good came from the tornado, it was the wake-up call that Frank had been lingering too long, nursing his wounds. He didn’t want to appear weak. Not to the military or the other CID agents. Most especially not to himself.

  Colleen turned back to Evelyn’s house and paused for a long moment. Perhaps she was as unsettled about moving forward as he was. Frank could relate.

  But that wouldn’t change the problem at hand. He needed to learn more about Colleen Brennan and the gunshot victim. Why were they on the run, and who was after them?

  THREE

  Some of Colleen’s nervous anxiety eased when Frank opened the door to his sister’s home, and she stepped inside. The dog followed.

  A brick fireplace, painted white, drew her eye along with a beige couch and two side chairs, nestled around a low coffee table. An oil seascape hung over the mantel flanked by built-in shelves filled with books. She neared and glanced at the titles, seeing some of her favorites.

  Frank came up behind her. “Did I tell you Evelyn is a librarian?”

  “I’m in here.” A voice called from the kitchen.

  He motioned for Colleen to follow as he hea
ded toward a small hallway that led to a keeping area and open kitchen.

  A slender woman, early forties, with chestnut hair and big blue eyes, stood behind a granite-topped island and greeted Frank with a warm smile. She was fair and petite and contrasted with her brother’s rugged frame and broad shoulders.

  Colleen and her sister had shared similar facial structures, although Briana had been golden-haired like their mother, while Colleen inherited her flaming-red locks from her dad. Seeing the warmth of Evelyn’s welcome made Colleen long for her own sister.

  “I’m baking a ham and making potato salad for the rescue effort.” She stirred mayonnaise into the bowl of boiled potatoes and sliced hard-boiled eggs.

  As Colleen moved closer, Evelyn glanced up. The look on her face revealed her surprise at finding a visitor. She wiped her hand on a dish towel.

  With a pronounced limp, she moved around the island and opened her arms to greet Colleen with a hug. “Welcome. Looks like you were caught in the storm.”

  The sincerity of Evelyn’s voice touched a raw edge in the depths of Colleen’s self-control. Her eyes burned and a lump formed in her throat in response to the genuine concern she heard in the older woman’s voice.

  Frank quickly made the introductions, his tone suddenly curt and businesslike and so opposite his sister’s soothing welcome. As if unsure of where to stand or what to do next, he headed for the coffeepot.

  “Care for a cup?” he asked Colleen before glancing at his sister. “Decaf, right?”

  “Always at this time or I’d never sleep.”

  “A glass of water might be better,” Colleen said. “But I don’t want to trouble you.”

  Duke nuzzled her leg. He held a tennis ball in his mouth and wanted to play. Before she could take the ball, Frank motioned him to the corner, where he dropped the toy and obediently lay down.

  “Good dog.”

  Frank turned to his sister. “Colleen’s car was damaged by the tornado. She lives in Atlanta and hopes to return home in a few days.”

  “Preferably tomorrow,” she quickly added.

  “You need a place to spend the night.” Evelyn’s eyes were filled with understanding. “We have a spare room. Of course you’ll stay here.”

  Turning to Frank, she added, “Did you bring her luggage?”

  “I’ve got a carry-on bag in the trunk of my car, but I didn’t think about it until now,” Colleen admitted.

  “I’ll get it when I head back to the triage area,” Frank volunteered.

  Colleen held up her hand. “No need. I’ll get it in the morning.”

  “Is there anyone in Atlanta you want to call who might be worried about you?” Evelyn asked.

  “That’s kind of you, but I have a cell phone.” Colleen patted her pocket, reassured by the weight of her mobile device.

  “You might not have coverage,” Evelyn said. “Some of the cell towers were hit by the storm. Thankfully our landline is still working.”

  “I take it you got through to the rural fire department,” Frank said to his sister.

  She nodded. “Which was a blessing. They passed on the information to emergency personnel in town. The local radio station quoted the mayor as saying search-and-rescue operations would continue into the night and throughout the next few days.”

  “At a minimum.” Frank glanced at his watch. “I need to hurry back.”

  “You need to eat something,” Evelyn insisted.

  He shook his head.

  “Then I’ll make a sandwich to take with you.”

  “More of your attempts to fatten me up?” His tone held a hint of levity that surprised Colleen.

  Evelyn opened the refrigerator and pulled out lunch meat, cheese and mustard. As she layered the meat and cheese on two slices of bread, Frank grabbed a glass from one of the overhead cabinets. He filled it with ice and added water from the dispenser on the door of the refrigerator.

  “You’ll need your coat,” Evelyn said, cutting the sandwich in half and wrapping it in foil.

  Colleen accepted the water from Frank. From all appearances, his sister was the nurturing type, and despite the macho persona he tried to impart, the CID special agent seemed to readily accept her advice.

  “I’m changing into my uniform. Fort Rickman’s getting involved, and I want to help them set up.”

  “You’re still on convalescent leave, Frank.”

  “Only for another week.”

  He glanced at Colleen and then headed into the hallway that led to the front of the house. “Back in a minute.”

  While Frank changed, Evelyn showed her to a guest room located behind the kitchen. “This doubles as my office and sewing room. I hope you won’t mind the clutter.”

  A computer sat on a small desk, and colorful baskets filled with fabric and threads were neatly tucked in the shelving that covered the far wall. A double bed, nightstand and small dresser took up the rest of the space.

  “If the weather warms tomorrow, you can use the screened-in porch.” Colleen pointed to the French doors leading to the private sitting area. “It’s usually nice this time of year, although tonight the temperature’s a bit chilly.”

  “It’s a lovely room, Evelyn, but I fear I’m putting you out.”

  “Nonsense. I’m glad Frank found you.”

  Which he had. He and Duke had found her in the rubble. If they hadn’t, no telling how long she and Vivian would have been trapped.

  “You’re fortunate the storm spared your house,” Colleen said as she glanced outside at the downed branches littering the yard.

  “God answered our prayers.”

  Colleen nodded. “I’m sure the Amish folks prayed, as well.”

  “Of course. Their faith is strong. In fact, they are a resilient community and a forgiving people. They’ll rebuild.”

  “I hate to see dreams destroyed.”

  Evelyn nodded knowingly. “If only we knew what the future would hold.”

  The melancholy in her voice gave Colleen pause. Perhaps Evelyn had her own story to tell.

  “Frank said there’s a bus station in Freemont.”

  Evelyn raised her brow. “You’re in a hurry to get back to Atlanta?”

  The question caught Colleen off guard. “As...as soon as possible.”

  Mentally weighing her options, she realized none of them were good. She couldn’t fly without her driver’s license and airline identification. Both were in her purse, buried in her car.

  She had planned on a fast trip to Freemont to gather the last bit of evidence she needed to send Trey to jail. Now Vivian was in the hospital, and Colleen was stranded in an area devastated by a tornado. To add to her situation, she was holed up with a law enforcement officer who made her uneasy.

  A tap sounded at the entrance to her room. She turned to find Frank standing in the doorway. He was clean-shaven and dressed in his army combat uniform. Maybe it was the boots he wore or the digital print of the camouflage that made him seem bigger than life.

  She needed to breathe, but the air got trapped in her lungs.

  “I’ll be back later. Don’t wait up, sis.”

  “The sandwich is on the counter.”

  “You’re spoiling me.” Raising his hand, he waved to Colleen and then hurried toward the kitchen.

  “The sandwich,” Evelyn reminded him.

  “Got it,” he called before the front door slammed closed behind him.

  “Why don’t you wash up and come back to the kitchen for something to eat.” Evelyn motioned toward the hallway.

  “Thanks, but I’m not hungry.”

  “A bowl of soup might be good.”

  The woman didn’t give up.

  As if on cue, Colleen’s stomach growled, causing her to smile. “A cup of soup s
ounds good.”

  Once Evelyn returned to the kitchen, Colleen pulled back the curtain in the bedroom and watched Frank lower the back hatch on his pickup truck. Duke hopped into the truck bed and barked as if eager to get under way.

  Frank climbed behind the wheel. The sound of the engine filled the night. He turned on the headlights that flashed against the house and into the window, catching her in their glare.

  She stepped away, hoping he hadn’t seen her. Much as she appreciated Evelyn’s hospitality and grateful though she was of having a place to stay, Colleen worried about Frank’s questions and the way he stared at her when he thought she wasn’t looking.

  After her sister’s death and her own struggle with the Atlanta police, Colleen wanted nothing more to do with law enforcement. Now she was seeking shelter in the very home of a man she should fear.

  Only she didn’t fear Frank. Something else stirred within her when he was near. Unease, yes, but also a feeling she couldn’t identify that had her at odds with her present predicament. She needed to leave Freemont as soon as possible, but until she retrieved her purse and the photo card, she had no other choice but to stay with Frank and his sister.

  Hopefully she wasn’t making another mistake she would live to regret.

  * * *

  A desire to protect her stirred deep within Frank when he saw Colleen standing at the window as he pulled his truck out of the drive. She had a haunting beauty with her big eyes and high cheekbones and the shock of red curls that seemed unwilling to be controlled.

  Did her rebellious hair provide a glimpse into who Colleen really was? She tried to maintain a quiet reserve, yet perhaps a part of her longed to be free like the strands of hair that fell in disarray around her oval face. That disparity between who Colleen tried to be and whom he had caught a glimpse of when she wasn’t looking gave him pause.

  Driving down the hill from his sister’s house, Frank thought of his own past, and the picture he had painted for his life, all with broad brushstrokes. At one time, he’d had it all and thought the future would provide only more positive moments to share with Audrey. He found out too late that she lived life on the surface and wasn’t willing to go beneath the false facade she had created.