Being Lovers

by Rachel Carrington

  He looks over his shoulder and catches my gaze. The look of realization must be on my face for he gives me a slight nod. It might be that he’s just trying to tell me everything’s fine, but my instincts tell me he’s acknowledging the truth I already know.

  “Really hot,” Laura adds. “Wish I could find a guy like that. I’ve been stuck here in this diner for the past six years. I don’t reckon I’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.”

  “I used to think that, too, but I got out of my hometown.” I’ll keep the details of how I escaped to myself. “Sometimes, you just have to take a chance and run with it.”

  “You live around here?”

  “Not too far. In Juniper Springs.”

  Laura’s a lot calmer now. She’s even relaxed enough to drop her arms away from her waist. “I’ve been there once when my Daddy had a pool tournament. He was a hustler. That’s what ended up getting him killed.”

  “I’m sorry.” The words are barely out of my mouth before Laura starts rambling again.

  “He and my Momma used to fight a lot, and when he got killed, she just seemed relieved. Took off with the first guy who’d have her and left me with my granny in Cider Holler. You know where that is?” Before I can respond, she answers for me. “It’s up the side of this mountain. Just a small little place. Not really even a town, although we do get our mail delivered to Cider Holler, Kentucky. There’s only about fifty of us living here, though. Once folks turn eighteen, they try to get out as fast as they can. Most of the ones remaining are the older folks. Except for me. My granny is in bad health, and I can’t leave her, not when she took care of me when I couldn’t take care of myself.”

  I give her a smile to encourage her to continue. What’s the harm in her talking if it keeps her mind off the killer outside the door?

  “There was one guy, Mason Ellery. He was interested in me, but when he realized I couldn’t leave town anytime soon, he took off without me. I guess I can’t blame him. I wouldn’t stay here if I didn’t have to. He didn’t really get all that far himself. Settled down in a town about forty miles or so away. Never have heard from him, though.” Laura stops talking and nudges me with the back of her hand. “I think your man is trying to get your attention.”

  I look over my shoulder to see Adam waving his hand. I crawl toward him across the tiled floor that is more comfortable on feet than knees. “What is it?”

  “I don’t want to scare anyone, but the closest town is Broomtown, and they don’t have enough police to offer assistance. The state police can be here in an hour. Until then, we’re staying put.”

  “If he,” I thumb toward the Marine, “has his truck parked out back, why can’t we used that to get some of these people out of here? Some of these older people don’t look well.”

  “It’s too risky. We don’t know where the sniper has moved.”

  “Mrs. Ellery, you okay?” Laura scrambles to her feet to assist an elderly lady who’s jerking uncontrollably. “She’s having a seizure!”

  Adam backs away from the door and, staying bent low at the waist, hurries to Mrs. Ellery’s side. “Does she have epilepsy? Does anyone know her medical history?”

  Though the people murmur, asking questions of one another, no one has an answer. Laura holds the older woman’s hand and tries to comfort her with soothing words.

  As suddenly as the seizure had started, it stops. Adam checks the woman’s pulse then bunches her sweater up behind her head. “She’s okay for now.”

  “Not for long,” Laura interjects. “We have to get her out of here. I ain’t never seen her do that before.” She jumps to her feet. “But Mason would know. That’s her son. He lives in Jacoby. I can call him.” She’s only a few inches away from the phone hanging behind the counter when a bullet rips through the glass above our heads and pierces her skull.

  “Laura!” I crawl to her, but I can’t catch her before she goes down. Her body hits the white tiles with a loud thump. The room falls silent. Everyone is too petrified to move.

  “Emily, get back here.” Adam comes after me, but I reach Laura first and look down into her face.

  There’s no expression which might be a blessing. It means she didn’t see the bullet coming and had no way of knowing she was about to die. I take hold of her hand and caress it between my own, though she’s long past feeling anything now.

  Blood pools beneath her head, and irrationally, I want to grab a towel to mop it up. “Why did he do this?” I whisper so only Adam can hear me.

  “Because this is his end game.” The look on his face centers dread in my stomach.

  “Here? He’s going to try to kill me here?”

  “It’s the perfect setup. Between two towns with help an hour away and plenty of people he can use.”

  My eyes widen. “Use? What do you mean?” I don’t give him time to answer. “How did he know we were in Broomtown? Or was he already in Broomtown? Was he waiting for us to get there? But he couldn’t have known we were coming. No one knew when to expect us there.”

  “But someone knew when we left Juniper Springs.” Adam’s jaw tightens.

  I lower Laura’s hand to her side and raise my head to look at him. “If you’re thinking about Francine, you’re crazy. She would never do anything to hurt me…or you, for that matter.”

  “She wasn’t who I had in mind.”

  “Then who? Hein’s killer? How would he even know we were in town? You think he just happened to be in the attorney’s office when we got there?”

  He shakes his head as the Marine approaches.

  “Is there something about this joker you know, Sheriff? Something I should know?”

  Adam and I trade glances, both of us wondering how much information to present to a stranger.

  “There’s obviously something going on.” The sergeant’s brows dip low. “Don’t you think we should all be in the loop, considering all of our asses are on the line?”

  He has a point. Adam sees my concession and gives Sgt. Henley the briefest explanation possible without making the man ask more questions.

  “So you think this is your boy’s ground zero?” The Marine transfers his gaze to the front door. “Well, I don’t know about you, Sheriff, but I’m not too keen on sitting here waiting to get picked off.”

  “It’s not on my list of things to do today.” Adam shifts up onto one knee. “That’s why we need to take the fight to him.”

  Henley sucks his teeth. “Now you’re talking my kind of language. What did you have in mind?”

  Once Adam details his plan, Henley heads off in search of the tornado shelter one of the patrons insists is located just outside the back door of the diner.

  I don’t wait until he’s out of sight before I let Adam know I hate his idea. “Adam, if you go out there, and that sniper really has decided today is the last day, he’s going to kill you.” I’m holding onto his arm so tightly he’s going to need a crowbar to pry me loose.

  It’s clear he’s not listening to me. His focus has shifted from protecting me to eliminating the threat.

  “No, he won’t.” Adam peels my fingers away.

  “You don’t know that.” I know I sound hysterical, that I’m probably amping up the diners’ fears, but I’m desperate to stop him.

  He gives me the full force of his gaze when he responds. “Yeah, I do. Because I know who the sniper is.”

  My heart raps wildly against my breastbone. “What? How? What? Who? You can be sure. Can you?” The questions tumble out rapidly as I search his face for answers.

  Adam takes both of my hands in his. “It’s Gary.”

  My head reels, and I drop to the floor. “Wh-what? What are you talking about?”

  “He’s the only one who knew we left town last night, the only one who had time to prepare this type of attack. He probably followed us to Hein’s office, maybe looking for his pay or something more. When he didn’t get it, he offs the guy.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. Why would Gary try to kill
me? He never knew Mark.” Or did he? I know little of Gary’s past. “How long has he worked for you? Did he grow up in Juniper Springs?” I have more questions than answers.

  “I don’t have all the answers, but all the pieces of the puzzle fit. He’s in the Reserves so he has access to military weapons and vehicles. He’s always been a little too close by after every attack. Though I had my doubts about him a couple of times, I couldn’t pin anything on him. Until today. This connects the dots.”

  The blood runs sluggishly through my veins, and I shake my head in an attempt to clear the dizziness. This couldn’t be right. For once, let Adam be wrong. I don’t even want to think about what this information would do to Francine. The thought reminds me, and I lash out. “You suspected Gary all along, and you didn’t tell me? Francine is sleeping with him!”

  “I said I had doubts, but I didn’t have concrete evidence.”

  “This can’t be right. Gary’s been close to both of us. He could have killed me at any time.”

  “That’s not how he wants to do it. Anyone can kill close up. He’s made it into a game.” Adam clenches his jaw. “I’ve seen bastards like this before. It’s not about the kill itself.”

  “If that’s the case, why kill Hein? Or Laura? Or shoot at Francine? That can’t be part of the game.”

  “Yeah, it can. Odds are good he hasn’t gotten paid. That’s why he went to the lawyer. Hein knew there was money in that box.”

  “But why give it to me? And we don’t know that Gary hasn’t already been paid. I can’t imagine anyone committing to this type of job without at least a down payment. With Ike gone, why would Gary go through with this? He could get out of town, and no one would ever know he’s responsible. At least he’d have half the money he’s owed.”

  Adam covers my hand with his. “Because in his mind, he has a duty to finish what he started. He made a contract with Ike Metzger, and with a sick kind of integrity, he intends to honor it.”

  My teeth start to chatter. “Which means he won’t take money he hasn’t earned.” The nausea returns, and I flatten one hand against my stomach. “So he’s not going to just walk away even if he has gotten paid.” I lower my head and close my eyes. “I hope you’re wrong, that Gary isn’t the killer. I know you don’t think you are, but I really hope you’re wrong.”

  Adam gives my hand a squeeze. “I know.”

  Sgt. Henley pokes his head around the counter the deep fat fryer where Adam and I have crawled to have our impromptu conversation. “I found the shelter. It’s a bit small but should hold everyone. So we doing this?”

  Adam doesn’t look away from me when he responds. “Yeah.”

  “Doors are unlocked.” Henley tosses Adam the keys to his truck. “But I still think I should be the one driving.”

  “He won’t be expecting me to leave so when he sees the truck, he’ll assume someone’s getting away. But that won’t be important to him. He’ll think Emily and I are still in here. She’s who he really wants. I suspect I’ll just be a bonus to him. Now, let’s see if we can get these people out of here.”

  In the midst of the shuffle of footsteps and walkers, my phone rings. I tug it out of the back pocket of my jeans and see it’s Francine. As my hand starts to jerk, Adam yanks the cell out of my grasp and shakes his head.

  “I have to tell her,” I whisper.

  “No, you don’t. Not until this is finished.”

  “And what if it doesn’t end the way you think it will? My friend will be with a killer, Adam. I can’t let that happen.” I snatch my phone back from him and answer the call, feeling his glare on the back of my neck.

  “Francine, hi.”

  “You don’t sound too happy.”

  “We’re trapped. The sniper has us pinned inside a diner in the middle of nowhere.”

  “What?” She shrieks the question in my ear. “Have you called for help? Is someone coming? I’m calling Gary. He’ll know what to do.” She hangs up on me before I can say anything else.

  And in the eerie stillness of the empty diner, I hear the lyrics of a country music song. It’s twangy, loud, and quickly silenced.

  “That’s Gary’s ring tone.” Adam puts me behind him and starts backing away from the front door. “Change of plans, Henley. He’s right outside.”

  The sergeant whips around, drops to one knee, and takes aim at the front door. “Well, let’s just give him a proper country welcome.”

  An engine roars to life, and all three of us race to the window and pull back the curtain in time to see a black truck squeal away from the edge of the road. I can’t see the driver clearly, but there’s no doubt it’s Gary.

  It’s been Gary all along.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Francine, you have to get out of the house now.” I blurt out the words the second she answers the phone.

  “What? I just talked to Gary, honey, and he’s on his way to help.”

  “No, he’s not. You have to listen to me. It’s Gary.” I pause, take in a deep breath, and let go with the rest. “Gary is the sniper.”

  “What? That’s just crazy! Where’d you get a foolish idea like that? I can’t imagine Adam thinks Gary’s a killer. He’s worked with the guy for five years or so now. He knows him.”

  “Look, I don’t have time to explain everything, but you and Art need to get out now. Don’t stay there. Gary just left here, and he’s probably on his way back to Juniper Springs…to you. I know you’re going to have a hard time believing this, and I’m not asking you to right now. Just trust me. You and Art need to get out of there, and don’t tell Gary where you’re going or even where you are right now. If he calls you, ignore his calls. We’ll explain everything when we get back.”

  My hand grips the overhead handle as Adam’s truck bumps over a rough patch of road. His foot has the accelerator pressed to the floor, and the speedometer is hovering around 120. Sgt. Henley is behind us, his truck eating the bumper of Adam’s. I don’t even know why he’s coming, but I suspect it has something to do with his personal dislike of being a target.

  “Emily, I trust you, but this isn’t making sense. I’ve known Gary for years. He’s as harmless as a deer on tranquilizers. I don’t even think he’s ever shot his gun except for at target practice. And if I don’t answer his call, he’s gets worried.”

  Adam takes my phone out of my hand and places it to his ear. “Francine, get out of there. I wouldn’t be telling you this if I didn’t think it was necessary. You and Art could be in danger.” He hands the cell back to me.

  “You’re serious?” Adam’s gruff tones have clearly shaken her. “Tell me you’re mistaken, Emily.”

  “I wish I could.”

  “I can’t…there’s no…” She breaks off, as horrified as I would be if I’d slept with a killer. “This can’t be happening.” Her voice goes thick with tears.

  “I know this is hard, but right now, you need to focus on making sure you’re safe.” Next to me, I hear Adam talking to someone and see his phone against his ear. “We’re trying to get there as fast as we can, but I think Gary’s figured out that we know. So he’s going to seek sanctuary somewhere.” And a hostage. The idea made my stomach churn.

  “When you get to my house, call me, and I’ll give you the entry code to the garage.” Adam ends his conversation while I’m still trying to comfort Francine. He touches my arm and quietly tells me he just talked to Art.

  “Francine, I’m so sorry.” In the background, I hear Art’s boots thump toward her. He tells her she has to get off the phone. Then the call ends.

  I drop my cell to my lap and lean forward to let the blood rush to my head. “This shouldn’t be happening. How is it even possible that Gary has been behind this all along?”

  “I don’t know. He’s been a member of my team for five years. If you would have asked me a year ago if I thought he’d do something like this, I would have said hell no. But time and events change people.”

  “He got involved with Francine even th
ough he’s been trying to kill me. That takes a special kind of bastard.” Adam reaches for my hand, but I pull back. I don’t want comfort right now. I want anger. Fury even. “He must have really hit it off with Mark when he came to visit me in jail.”

  “No, he identified with Ike. Evil usually recognizes evil.”

  “Five years.” I shake my head. “What makes a person change so drastically? I mean, he’s gone from a small town cop to a killer…and a brutal one at that.”

  “Circumstances change people. You know that. Events happen, and we’re never the same.” Though he’s talking to me, I feel like he’s hundreds of miles away. And the conversation has shifted to his own past.

  Several long minutes pass in silence. Neither one of us knows what to say. I know Adam is questioning his judgment for trusting Gary. He’s asking himself why he didn’t see the signs, recognize the signals, while my heart is breaking for Francine. It’s the first time she’s allowed herself to get close to a man since she escaped an abusive relationship. And this is what happens.

  Adam’s cell rings, and my heart jumps to my throat. “It’s Art.” He jabs the answer button. “The code is 42987739.” He repeats the numbers at a much slower pace. “I know they’re usually four digits. Mine’s a custom system. Will you just get Francine inside and stop worrying about how many numbers you had to punch in?”

  Imagining Art’s grumbles eases some of the tension from my shoulders. They’re at Adam’s house. Surrounded by bulletproof glass. They’re safe.

  Once Adam ends the call, he tosses his cell into the divider compartment. “I’m taking you straight home. Henley is redirecting the state police to town. If Gary’s still there, we’ll find him.”

  “Where else would he go? If he’s trying to get this money, I doubt he’ll leave without it. By now, he needs it.” My foot touches the box at my feet. The bag next to it rustles, reminding me of the mysterious contents inside.

  We’re barreling down the road at a ridiculously dangerous speed toward a killer who just might be expecting us. Waiting to know what was inside the safe deposit box no longer seems like the best idea. If I’m going to die, I’d at least like to know all the secrets.