Being Lovers

by Rachel Carrington

  “What are you doing?” Adam watches me lift the bag. “You’re going to look at that now?”

  “It’s as good a time as any.” The folded papers are creased with age, and I smooth them out to read the neat typing. There are dozens of letters from my mother. Several from my father. But not to me. To my grandmother, detailing dark, sordid secrets. My gaze follows page after page while my heart rate increases. This couldn’t be happening. None of this can be true.

  I start to shake as I remove the final document from the bag. A birth certificate. I stare at it until the words start to blur, and my hands curl around the edges.

  “Emily? What is it?” Adam’s hand touches my thigh. “You’re shaking.”

  I lift my watery gaze to his. “I have a sister.” That’s all I have time to say before we roll past Juniper Springs’ town sign.

  Adam’s cell phone goes off again, and he’s all business, his focus narrowing to the deputy who’ll soon be facing a difficult decision.

  Henley blows the horn behind us, and Adam taps his brakes and eases his truck over to the grassy shoulder.

  “What’s going on?” I see Henley approaching the drivers’ side and lean across Adam so I can hear.

  “I don’t have any reception,” the Marine explains when he reaches the window. “You know how long it’s going to take state police to get here?”

  “Probably about forty-five minutes or so now, but if you have some place to be, I can handle this.” Adam gives the man an out, but Henley quickly shakes his head.

  “No, I got some buddies coming in from the west. They can be here in about twenty. Told them I’d check with you to see if you think we could use the help.”

  “Couldn’t hurt.” Adam inclines his head in the manly way of saying thanks. “I’m taking Emily straight to my house where I know she’ll be safe. So you can follow me in. Gary’s had enough time to hit up the gun locker at the station so he’ll be loaded. He has to know we heard his ring tone so he’ll want to regroup.”

  “What about your other deputy? Are you going to call him?”

  Adam flicks a glance at me. “No. We don’t know if Gary’s working alone. Richardson could be in on the deal. For now, it’s just us.”

  “Works for me.” Henley bobs his head and lopes back to his truck.

  “Why is he doing this?” I watch him over my shoulder. “This isn’t his battle.”

  “He’s a Marine, and Marines solve problems.” Adam rolls up the window and accelerates back out onto the main road.

  The radio squawks to life. “Sheriff, we got a problem.” Deputy Richardson doesn’t waste time. “Someone’s emptied out the gun locker, and the tires on the patrol cars have been slashed.”

  “Acknowledged,” Adam replies. “Remain at the station until you hear from me.”

  “Remain here? Are you sure?” Richardson sounds surprised. “Don’t you want me to start—”

  “What I want you to do is follow orders.” The hardness in Adam’s tone can’t be mistaken. “Clear, Deputy?”

  “Yes, sir.” Surprise gives way to confusion. “Standing by.”

  “You think he would have reported in if he was working with Gary?” I twist my fingers together, pressing them down against my sister’s birth certificate that’s still in my lap.

  “Could be a trap. He won’t get my trust until he earns it.” He takes a right off the main road with Henley right on his bumper. “When we get to my house, I’m going to need you to trust me, Emily, and promise me you’ll stay put.”

  “I’m not going to go out hunting for Gary if that’s what you’re thinking.” I slide closer to him.

  He wraps his arm around me and draws me in. “I just need to know you’re safe.”

  “I’ll stay put. I promise.”

  He kisses the top of my head. “Thank you.”

  His street comes into view, and I swallow the lump in my throat. The curtains aren’t open, and the house looks empty even though I know Francine and Art are inside. Adam uses the garage door opener and glides the truck into the one car slot then quickly lowers the door.

  “Come on.” He jumps out of the truck and wiggles his hand toward me.

  I gather up the box, the papers, and my purse and follow his command. At the top step to the side entrance to his house, I realize he doesn’t intend to come inside. “Adam, you have to come in, even if it’s just for a moment. Henley should meet Francine and Art, to know who he’s protecting, and they need to hear the truth from you face to face.”

  He hesitates for a moment then nods. After keying in the code, he opens the door. Francine is standing in the laundry room and quickly steps away. When I cross the threshold, she barrels toward me, moving a little too quickly for a woman who was shot less than forty-eight hours ago.

  We hold each other in a fierce hug until I sense Art watching us. I pull back to greet him. His response is subdued but gentle.

  “I don’t understand any of this,” Francine whispers, taking hold of Adam’s hand. “How can it be Gary? Are you absolutely sure?”

  Adam trades glances with me. “Henley’s here.”

  As he walks away, Francine’s brow furrows. “Who the hell is Henley?”

  “A Marine we met at the diner where we were trapped. He’s going to help with the search. The state police are on their way, too, and Henley’s got some military friends coming in as well.”

  “Sounds like this is an all-out manhunt.” Art backs away to let Francine and me pass by him.

  “As much as I wish it wasn’t.” I let out a heavy breath. “I never thought this was Gary, Francine. Not for a minute.”

  She squeezes my hand. “I know you didn’t. You would have said something long before now.”

  Adam opens the door to let Sgt. Henley inside. He seems a lot taller now. Maybe it’s because we all spent a lot of time on our knees inside the diner.

  After introductions, Adam tells Francine and Art the little he can. Art seems to accept there are some details he can’t discuss, but Francine isn’t so understanding.

  “I want proof, Adam. I need to know you have proof before you put a bullet in the man I…” She lets the sentence drift off.

  Henley looks at her. “You’re involved with this guy?”

  She bristles like a startled tomcat. “Not that it’s any of your business, but, yes, Gary and I are dating.”

  His gaze takes her in from head to toe. “Seems like a woman like you would have better taste in men.”

  “A woman like me? What in the hell is that supposed to mean?” On the defensive, Francine launches a counterattack.

  Henley lifts a shoulder in a shrug. “Pretty women can have their pick of the lot. Can’t imagine how he’d be considered the pick of anything. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “Oh.” Her anger deflates, and twin high spots of color appear on her cheeks as she backs off.

  “Let’s keep the focus where it needs to be,” Adam commands. “Art, keep an eye out. Henley and I are heading into town to see if we can track Gary down. We’ll direct his guys here. You’re all be safe as long as you stay in the house.” He pins me with a warning look. “I mean it, Emily. Stay inside.”

  He knows how much I want to go with him, to offer what little protection I can, but I’ll only get in the way. So I nod, and he kisses me fast and hard. With Henley covering him, he runs to his truck.

  Once the door closes behind the Marine, Francine grabs me in another bear hug. “He’ll be fine, honey. If there’s one thing Adam can do it’s take care of himself. These doors are reinforced steel, but you probably already know that. And he’s got an armory in that back bedroom. If we need to, we can defend ourselves here.” She babbles through her fear.

  I pat her back then gently pull away. “I know, but simply put, he shouldn’t have to be out there at all. Art’s been right all along. If I hadn’t come here, none of this would have happened. You would all have been safe in your homes tonight.”

  “And Adam would have bee
n miserable, and I would be dating a psycho.”

  “Gary wasn’t a psycho until money was waved in front of his face.” But I couldn’t be sure of that. I know nothing of his past. I just knew what it took to convince him to betray his badge.

  Francine shakes her head. “You’ll never convince me of that. Not now.” She pauses with a pained look on her face. “I showed that man some of my best moves, and look where that got me.”

  “Frannie.” Art groans from behind her. “Stop before you start oversharing.”

  I come around from behind her to see her brother. “Art, I’m sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I know it’s small consolation now, but if I could change my choices, I would.”

  He clears his throat and shuffles one foot on the floor, clearly uncomfortable. “Yeah, well, I’ve been doing some thinking while you and Adam were gone, and the truth is, I was a little hard on you. Seeing Frannie like that just scared me, but I had no right to take it out on you.”

  “Actually, the truth is I told him he was being a dick.” Francine hooks her arm through mine and begins to lead me into the kitchen. “Let’s go fix a pot of coffee. God knows we’re going to need the caffeine.”

  I give Art a smile over my shoulder and stand firm so Francine can’t start tugging me. “Thank you for saying that even if you don’t mean it.”

  His eyebrows lower in a glower. “I do mean it. Sure Frannie gave me what for while you were gone, but I ain’t so stupid I didn’t figure that out for myself long before that. You’ve been through hell, and the last thing you need is someone dousing you in gasoline for another trip.”

  “Thanks, but I promise I’ll take better care of her from here on in.”

  “Hey, I can take care of myself. Look. I’m up and walking around, and except for a little bit of stinging now and again, I can’t even tell I’ve been shot. Now, about that coffee…” She’s not to be deterred this time when she propels me toward the kitchen.

  “Kathleen called Adam.” It’s not exactly the topic I have in mind as we walk, but the words are out before I can stop them. I’m not sure I would. Francine might have answers Adam isn’t willing to give.

  Her nose wrinkles. “As in Adam’s ex-wife? What did she want?” She doesn’t sound surprised which makes my radar go off.

  “She’s called him a lot since the divorce, hasn’t she?”

  “I don’t know if I would describe it as a lot, but a fair amount. The woman’s always looking for money. I don’t know how many times Adam has bailed her out, but she’s got a problem.”

  “Gambling, I know. Adam told me.”

  “Well, it’s about time he shared something about his past with you. The man’s more close-mouthed than a politician in handcuffs.” She secures the top on the coffeemaker and turns around to lean one hip against the counter. “So what happened? You answer his phone or something?”

  “How could you know that?”

  “Because I know that man of yours. He ain’t volunteering nothing because he thinks the less people know about his past the better.”

  “What about his past?” Curiosity draws me in, but Francine immediately clamps her lips shut, obviously realizing she’s said too much.

  “It really isn’t my place—”

  “Should have thought of that before you opened your mouth,” Art interrupts.

  “Oh, why don’t you—”

  Barry White’s throaty bass silences her, and her eyes widen. “That’s Gary calling.”

  “Really? Love Makin’ Music is his ring tone?” Art’s upper lip curls. “One of these days someone is going to invent something that helps guys like me unhear crap like that.”

  The song stops as Francine stands by the sink. “He said he’d call to check on me. If I don’t answer or call him right back, he’ll show up at my house. He doesn’t know I’m here.”

  An idea goes off in my head. “Maybe that’s what we want.” I exchange glances with all three of them. “Adam and Henley are out looking for him. If we lead him in, they get the upper hand.”

  “No way. That’s too dangerous.” Art shakes his head for emphasis.

  The music begins again, and Francine starts a slow walk out of the kitchen.

  Art tromps after her. “That doesn’t mean you should answer it.”

  “I have to do something.” She looks over her shoulder. “Emily?”

  I’m already on my cell calling Adam’s number so I shake my head at her. Leading Gary here is risky. Maybe he knows Adam saw him at that window in the diner or that we heard his cell phone. Even if I wouldn’t know his ring tone, Gary would expect Adam to. But would he be calling Francine now if he thought we were on to him?

  “What’s wrong?” Adam answers immediately.

  “Gary’s trying to call Francine. She says if she doesn’t answer or call him back, he’ll come to check on her at her house.”

  Adam doesn’t pause before giving me his answer. “Tell her to call him, let him know she’s okay, and that’s she’s with you at my house, but only if she thinks she can do it without tipping him off. Henley and I’ll head that way right now. Once she makes the call, all of you get to the basement and stay there. There’s no way for him to access it once the wooden arm is in place. Art will know how to seal the door.”

  I swallow hard, fear a thick knot in my throat. “We don’t know how close he is to your house now. He could get here first. You don’t think he’ll be suspicious if he gets here, and she doesn’t answer the door?”

  “Tell her to wait a few minutes before calling him. That way, he’ll start toward her house. We may get lucky and catch him on the road.”

  “Do you think he saw you at the window, that he knows you know he’s the killer?” I’m sure he hears the shakiness in my voice.

  “He wasn’t looking back. I can’t be sure about the rearview mirror, but he knows I was in that diner. And when his cell rang, I would have to have been deaf not to hear it. At any rate, he’s smart enough to know he can’t play this game forever. The walls are closing in. Have Francine make the call. We’re doubling back now.”

  I close my eyes, clutching the phone close to my ear. “Be careful.”

  “I will. Just make sure everyone stays away from the door. No one comes into the house, Emily. I mean it.”

  “I got it. The door won’t be opened.”

  He ends the call without saying goodbye, and I hurry into the living room to give Francine his instructions.

  “What?” Art roars his disapproval. “Adam wants to lure him here? With you and Frannie inside?”

  “He wants us in the basement.” I’ve never been to the basement, but from the look of approval on Art’s face, I’m guessing it’s as much of a fortress as Adam’s house.

  “That’ll work.” Art bobs his head. “Hell, I should have had the two of you down there all along.”

  “We’re not cattle that you can herd willy-nilly, Art.” Francine’s voice has a bite to it, and she’s rolling the cell over and over in her hand. “Not sure if I can do this.” Her face flushes. “I’ve never been much of a liar. Even you could tell I wasn’t telling the truth that time Jeremy called the diner.”

  This could be our only chance to flush Gary out, and if Francine can’t do it, I will. “Then I’ll call him and tell him you’re in the shower, that you told me to call him so he wouldn’t worry.” If there was one thing I could do, it was lie. Mark had taught me well.

  I hold out my hand for her phone. “You go on downstairs. I’ll be right behind you.” My icy fingers hit the redial button, and I wait for Gary’s familiar voice.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Hey, beautiful. I was starting to get worried about you.” Gary sounds as congenial as ever, like he doesn’t know today will be his last day to torment me.

  “Sorry. Wrong woman.” I inject a note of levity in my voice. “Francine’s in the shower. I stuck my head in and let her know you’d called a couple of times. She figured you’d be getting a little frantic
so I told her I’d call you.”

  “She called me earlier and told me you and Adam were in trouble. I was on my way to find you, but she didn’t have much information about where you were.”

  “We got pinned down by the sniper in a diner outside of Broomtown.”

  “Holy shit! Why didn’t Adam call me?”

  “Everything happened so fast. One minute the guy was shooting, and the next he was hauling ass.”

  “Did you get any information this time?”

  I’ll give it to the guy. He’s really good at subterfuge. No wonder none of us suspected him. “All we saw was a black pickup truck which tell us nothing considering the last time he was in some type of military vehicle.”

  “But the two of you are okay now?”

  “Yeah, we’re fine, but the waitress at that diner took a bullet. She didn’t make it.” I have marginal hope that my words will trigger any feelings of guilt.

  Gary hisses out a curse. “Dammit. We gotta catch this bastard.”

  I white-knuckle the phone and inwardly tell myself to remain calm. “I know. So now you know why Francine was so upset. She called right in the middle of everything, and I didn’t have time to tell her much.”

  “Sounds like it. How’s she doing now?” No change to his voice. As smooth as ever.

  “A little tired which she wouldn’t be if she’d stayed home like Art and I both told her.” I raise my voice a little as though issuing a reprimand to the bathroom down the hall.

  “Wait. She’s not home?”

  I can hear the wind rushing through the open window of his truck. He must be speeding. “No. The second Adam and I got back from Broomtown, she had Art bring her over because she’s nosy like that. Just had to know what we found out.” I make a big production out of sighing. “Then the wound bled right through her blouse, and now she’s in the shower, and her clothes are in the wash.”

  “Doesn’t that woman have a lick of common sense?” There’s an edge to Gary’s tone.