Memory Reload

by Rosemary Heim

  “Do you think you could get a picture of her? Prints would be helpful, too.”

  “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Details and facts, Ryan. There’s not very much I can do without data. Such as how you managed to walk into a stakeout. Perhaps you could clarify that detail for me?”

  He took a couple swallows of the tart lemonade as he raced through what he knew, how much Jacquelyn could use and how any of this was going to sound to his boss. Not much of it was going to sound good, but there was no avoiding it.

  “She’s a photographer and she had some exposed film with her. I figured it might be relevant. So we decided to get it developed.”

  “How did you happen to pick that particular shop?”

  “Every now and again, a spontaneous memory seems to break through. She remembered this place, so we went there. I didn’t see any reason not to when we might find out something.”

  “Did you?”

  “A little. The owner, Kimo Kealoha, recognized her, treated her like family.”

  “I’ll run a check on him, see if anything turns up. What else?”

  “He mentioned two other names. Justin and David. No last name. They may or may not be related to her. The film will be ready tomorrow at ten. If that gives us anything useful I’ll let you know.”

  “Anything else about the shop I can use?”

  “Not much. Their primary business is as a lab, processing film and custom printing. It didn’t look like they were very concerned about catering to the tourist trade.”

  “And the stakeout?”

  “An unmarked sedan was parked across the street from the shop when we arrived. Nobody was in it, but there were a few kid’s toys on the dash. When we were about to leave, I observed a very non-daddy kind of guy get in the car. He disappeared under the dash for a minute, then left. I’m guessing one of those plush puppies hid a camera connected to a time-lapse tape deck.”

  “What else?”

  “I’ve got a license plate and the address we followed him to. If you could run those for me, it’d help. That’s about it.”

  Jacquelyn hummed in a noncommittal tone, a sure sign she was double-checking her notes, looking for holes or details that needed clarifying.

  “Where did you say you met this woman?”

  “I didn’t. On the beach this morning during my run.”

  “On the beach?”

  Ryan braced himself for the storm about to hit.

  “Let me see if I have this right. You find a woman on a secluded, private beach. This mystery woman claims to have amnesia, refuses to go to the authorities but conveniently remembers a lab where the owner recognizes her. When you leave that lab, you spot a possible stakeout and tail someone long enough to get a plate and address you want me to check out.”

  “Yes, ma’am. That pretty much covers it.”

  Silence flowed through the phone line. When Jacquelyn finally spoke, her displeasure crackled through the phone earpiece. “Ryan, how many people know you’re in Hawaii? Who knows your vacation regimen? Have you checked your enemies list lately? Do you have any idea of how many people would like to get payback on you? This whole situation reeks of setup six ways from Sunday.”

  He sighed and rubbed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I know, I know. That’s why I want you to check things from your end. See if you can find out who the players are and who’s doing the watching.”

  “There’s something else, isn’t there? What haven’t you told me?”

  Jacquelyn read him too well, but there wasn’t much time left. AJ would be returning to the kitchen in a moment. He turned his back to the hall doorway and lowered his voice. “There was some kind of code book hidden in her camera bag. I don’t think she knew about it. If she is legit, she’s going to need all the help she can get.”

  “So are you. Have you talked to McRobbie?”

  “Yes, ma’am. He hasn’t met her yet, but if he’d picked up on anything, he would have mentioned it.”

  “Well, that’s small comfort.”

  “In the meanwhile, I’m better off keeping her close. If she is a setup, she might let something slip. If she isn’t…” Ryan let the sentence hang.

  Jacquelyn sighed again. “I’ll see what we can turn up from here. And Williams?”

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Watch your back and don’t play hero.”

  He turned to find AJ standing there, her arms wrapped around her waist, eyes wide as she stared at him.

  Blast, how long had she been standing there?

  “Williams?” Jacquelyn barked in his ear.

  “Yeah, I hear you. I’ll call you later.” He dropped the phone back in its cradle without waiting for a reply and took a step toward AJ.

  She took a step back.

  “AJ?” He took another step. She turned and walked away from him, her back straight as a preacher on Sunday. He followed her into the living room. “C’mon, AJ. Talk to me.”

  She whirled to face him. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, is that it?”

  He jammed his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching out to her. “It’s a sound philosophy.”

  “Which am I?” Her voice trembled.

  “Friend,” he answered without hesitating.

  “And if you find out different?”

  It took him a little longer to answer that one. “Then I’ll deal with it.”

  She blinked. “‘Deal with it’? What does that mean?”

  “I don’t know.” He sighed and brushed his hair back from his forehead. “Look, AJ… Right now we don’t have a lot of information, and we’re both running on instinct. My instincts say you’re in trouble and need my help.”

  “And that’s why you called the police even though my instincts say not to?”

  “I wasn’t talking to the police. That was my boss. I needed to check in.” His conscience twanged at the half lie, but Jacquelyn had been right. There were too many questions and until he had a few more answers he had to tread carefully.

  Her shoulders slumped and she sank onto the couch. “You told her about me.”

  “She isn’t local.” Ryan needed to erase the look of betrayal from AJ’s face. It hadn’t occurred to him that letting her down would bother him so much. Not after knowing her for less than eight hours.

  “Well, golly. I guess that must make it all okay, doesn’t it?”

  “She can access resources that aren’t available to me here. Don’t you want to find out what happened to you?”

  “Not if it means involving others. I thought you understood.” She shot off the couch and began pacing. “Too much is at stake, it’s already cost too much—” Eyes squeezed shut, head held with fisted hands, she stumbled to a stop. Her entire body trembled as she fought some internal demon.

  “What, AJ?” Ryan reached out but stopped, letting his hands fall to his sides without touching her. He was afraid to touch her, afraid she’d pull away from him. “What’s already cost too much?”

  “I don’t know!” She glared at him with storm-colored eyes. “It’s almost there, I can almost see it, see him, them, then it’s gone, and the harder I try the worse my head hurts, and the heavier the curtain blocking whatever it is I can’t remember gets, and I just want to go home, but I can’t even do that because I don’t remember where home is or if I even have a home.”

  Her voice cracked on the last desperate words. Ryan pulled her into his arms and cradled her against his body.

  The intimate contact set his heart to racing. The instant physical response came as no surprise. He’d been physically attracted to her from the first moment he saw her on the beach.

  What did surprise him was the emotional response she’d triggered in him. He wanted to shelter her from the pain, protect her from the frustrations life had heaped on her. He wanted her on a level beyond anything he’d ever shared with any other woman.

  The realization had the same effect
on him as a cold shower. He stepped back, holding her at arm’s length.

  But still touching her. Just until he knew she could stand on her own.

  Yeah. Right. What have you gotten yourself into, boyo?

  AJ straightened her shoulders and pulled away from his loose hold, turning her back to him, putting some distance between them. When she turned to face him again, her eyes had returned to their original pale gray. She seemed to have conquered her demon, at least for the moment. “Did she have any advice?”

  He wished he could settle his. “Who?”

  “Your boss. Did she have any advice for you?”

  “The usual watch your six and don’t be dumb stuff.”

  “Where do I stand while you’re watching your backside?”

  “Right beside me, sugar.” Where I can keep a close eye on you.

  His mama didn’t raise a dummy. Watch your six was military jargon. Not exactly a common phrase for a civilian to be so easily familiar with. Another tip that AJ was more than your average Jane Doe.

  Jacquelyn’s warning came back. He did have enemies and some would stop at nothing to get revenge.

  Chapter Six

  The expression in Ryan’s eyes shifted. The change was subtle, like a shadow slipping across a night sky, but AJ saw it. Unease crawled over her scalp. What am I doing here?

  She brushed past Ryan, heading for the kitchen door and the beach. At least out there she could see what was coming at her rather than being ambushed by the vagaries of his distrust.

  “Where are you going?” Ryan followed her through the guest house. At least he didn’t touch her.

  “You don’t trust me.” The kitchen door slapped open and she headed out onto the beach. She shouldn’t care, but it hurt more than she could have imagined.

  Beyond reason, from the moment he’d handed the gun back to her, she’d trusted him. She’d believed it was mutual. All morning there’d been an easy acceptance, concern even, on Ryan’s part. Then one phone call and his attitude had changed.

  “I don’t know if I do or not.”

  “Then you don’t. If you did, you’d know.” At least he was honest. Although she wasn’t so sure she wouldn’t have preferred just a little dishonesty.

  “AJ, stop.”

  “Why?” The loose sand shifted beneath her feet, slowing her progress. She headed for the harder packed sand near the water, all the time keeping her back to him. He appeared on the edge of her peripheral vision, keeping pace with her.

  “You don’t understand.”

  “No, I don’t. How can I? Everything I need, everything I know is wrapped in black cloth ten feet thick.”

  “That won’t last—”

  “What, suddenly you’re an expert on amnesia?”

  He touched her, a soft brush of his fingers on her shoulder. Heat cascaded over her back and down her arm, chasing the anger, light after dark. Her body ignored her demands to keep moving, to pull free from the warmth of his hand. Instead she turned and faced him, knowing everything she felt, all her confusion about the situation, about him would be evident.

  The pale green of his eyes reflected his emotions as well. She watched his dismay grow as he read her expression and guessed its meaning. Now he’ll let go of me.

  He didn’t. He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her, cradling her head against his shoulder.

  The contact shocked her. An image broke through her shrouded memory. Overlaying Ryan’s embrace, the sense of another man’s arms holding her, comforting her, shimmered into existence. The echo of a deep voice reassured her that she was safe and protected.

  No. This can’t happen. I won’t let it happen, not again. The thought relit her anger. This time, when her brain demanded that she pull free, every muscle in her body responded.

  “Shhh.” Ryan’s arms tightened just enough to let her know escaping from his embrace wouldn’t be easy. “We’ve got company.”

  She stilled and his arms loosened. “It’s Jamie.” He framed her face with his hands and looked into her eyes. “I think it’s time you met him.”

  The last thing she wanted to do was meet another stranger. She wanted to say no but Ryan didn’t give her that option. He brushed a flyaway strand of her hair behind her ear and turned her to meet their host.

  Jamison McRobbie was still some distance from them. His slow approach gave her needed time to collect herself. Details of his appearance came into focus as he strolled toward them. He was well dressed for a casual walk on the beach. Actually he looked as if he’d stepped out of a Ralph Lauren ad. The elegant drape of his clothes spoke of quality tailoring.

  Quiet strength was evident in his easy stride as he crossed the soft sand. He was tall, as tall as Ryan, and about the same age, but that was the end of any similarity between the two men.

  Jamie was lean compared to Ryan’s solid muscles. Ryan’s short, light brown hair had been bleached to a pale blond by the sun. Jamie’s hair was pure white, thick and long, held in tight check at his nape. The only evidence of its original color showed in a black shadow at his temples and in the dark eyebrows that slashed above his eyes—eyes of cobalt blue. Whether the color was natural or enhanced by contacts, she couldn’t say.

  It didn’t matter. Jamison McRobbie was a striking man and her hands itched for her camera. She could already envision how she’d like to photograph him, his exotic looks framed by the exotic foliage of the Hawaiian Islands.

  Ryan made the formal introductions, names only, leaving out any personal details for either of them.

  “I am honored to have you stay on the estate.” Jamie took her hand and held it between both of his.

  The sensation of his elegant, long-fingered hands encompassing hers was one of warmth and security. She relaxed as the gentle comfort of his touch radiated over her, easing her tension.

  She hadn’t felt calm since she opened her eyes that morning and realized she didn’t remember anything. Now calm settled around her, a warm cloak against the chill of fear.

  A strong impression of familiarity came with the comfort as he held her hand. “Have we met before?”

  “I think not.” His voice held a hint of some unnamed accent. “I’m sorry to intrude, but I must have a word with Ryan. Will you excuse us for a moment?” The men walked a short distance away.

  Exhaustion began gnawing at the edge of her awareness as she watched them. She’d been running on little more than fear since she woke up. The strange calm Jamie instilled had displaced some of that edgy energy.

  She studied Jamie as he talked with Ryan. His expression remained smooth and calm even as tension clearly began building in Ryan. Only forty-five seconds elapsed before Jamie raised his hand in farewell to her. He made a parting comment to Ryan then began retracing his steps.

  Ryan, hands jammed in his pockets, watched Jamie’s departing figure then spun on his heel and returned to her side.

  “What does Jamie do for a living? I know he said we’ve never met, but there’s something so familiar about him.”

  A grin tipped up one side of Ryan’s lips. “Well, now that’s a more interesting question than you might imagine. Jamie…helps people.”

  The hesitation in Ryan’s comment pulled her attention from the retreating figure of their host. “What kind of help? Is he some sort of philanthropic gazillionaire?”

  “Not quite. He’s a psychic.” Ryan’s grin developed into a full-fledged smile.

  She waited for him to enlarge on his answer. No one could make enough money to support an estate such as this by simply performing parlor tricks.

  “As for seeing him somewhere, you mighta caught sight of him on the news at some point or other. He’s worked with the police here and on the mainland on a number of cases.”

  Police. The mere word renewed the chill fear slithering down her back. Once more Ryan seemed to be pushing her toward involving the police and that was exactly what she couldn’t do. She stepped back, trying to put some distance between them.

&n
bsp; “They call him. He doesn’t call them.” Ryan matched her steps, keeping the distance between them consistent. “He also travels around to various universities and research centers to lecture on the topic. Sometimes private parties seek him out to help. And they pay him very well for that help.”

  “Is that what he’s doing now? Consulting with you?” Disappointment sharpened her question. Ryan didn’t trust her and it was becoming increasingly clear that she shouldn’t trust him. She’d told him she didn’t want to involve anyone, yet at every turn he seemed hell-bent to bring in yet another player.

  “No.” Ryan’s single word slashed across her thoughts. He continued in a softer tone. “No. He came to apologize. The doctor he’d recommended won’t be able to see you this afternoon, after all.”

  The tiny spark of hope she’d been hanging on to dimmed. She’d been counting on the doctor to provide some sort of direction for her, some instruction on how to go about pushing the blasted curtain out of the way of her memory. “What happened?”

  Ryan shrugged. “Something came up and he had to cancel.”

  “When can we reschedule?”

  “It doesn’t sound like he’ll be available again for some time.” Ryan brushed a gentle stroke across her shoulder, lifting her hair and smoothing it over her back. “I’m sorry.”

  The entire day had been a roller coaster of emotions. Now the bottom dropped out from beneath her. Her shoulders sagged and she closed her eyes.

  “Come on, baby.” The gentle pressure of Ryan’s warm hand against the small of her back guided her to the cottage.

  “Now what?” The bleak question echoed her hollowness. She’d been holding on for so long, fighting against the blankness of her mind, struggling to understand what had happened to her. Arguing with Ryan had taken a toll all its own. Now this latest disappointment leached even more of her energy. She just wanted to go home. Wherever that may be.