Dead Reckoning

by Stanalei Fletcher

  Egan curbed his impulse to inform O’Neal he’d found Kellee and stowed the prepaid cell phone in his rucksack. He may have located O’Neal’s daughter, but she wasn’t safe yet. It would be unfair to send the frantic father any message until she was in Egan’s custody. Once Kellee was secure, he’d do as instructed. Lie low and keep her safe.

  There were still a lot of unknowns to uncover. A Navy SEAL never liked to take on a mission unprepared. Right now, he’d give just about anything for a well-plotted chart to navigate the dangers that lurked in the shadows ahead. But until O’Neal gave the all-clear signal, Egan’s concern was Kellee’s well-being, nothing more.

  ****

  The bus lurched, jolting Kellee awake. Her throat was dry and the constant drone of the engine underscored the rise and fall of chatter from the other passengers. Swaying as the bus leaned into a curve, she wrapped her arms around her middle to ward off the sudden chill that crept over her, and tried to recall the remnants of a lingering dream. Her mind reached through the haze until an image almost cleared into a recognizable picture. Then it faded, leaving a dim, transparent ghost behind. “Shit,” she murmured, disheartened. There was no use pushing. Whenever she tried, the memories skittered away like a shy child and left her with an unforgiving headache.

  “Hey,” Tresha whispered. “You okay?”

  Kellee blinked away the cobwebs and nodded.

  “Was it the dream again?”

  Kellee stretched her back. “Yeah. I wish I could remember.”

  Tresha placed her hand on Kellee’s arm. “Stop trying so hard. That’s probably why it won’t come to you.”

  “I can’t help it. I feel like all my memories are right there, waiting.” She tapped her head before closing her eyes, willing the fragile images to return. Gently massaging her temples, a sense of knowing slowly took form. It wasn’t faces or real thoughts, but feelings. She bolted up in her seat. “Wait a minute! I remember something!”

  Tresha grabbed her shoulder and pushed her back against the seat. “That’s great, sister, but you don’t have to tell the whole bus.”

  Kellee felt stares from the passengers across the aisle. “Sorry,” she mumbled. Excitedly, she turned to Tresha. “I remembered something.”

  A big grin split her companion’s face. “I can’t wait to hear this.” She gestured with her fingers. “Spill. Who’s the boyfriend?”

  Kellee started to tell Tresha about the man, but his name refused to slide off her tongue. Damn it. Where’d his name go? Exactly what had she remembered? “Well, I’m pretty sure he’s not my boyfriend,” she said. “But I do know him.”

  “Well, you did say he knew you.” Tresha shrugged. “Maybe he was a speed-dial booty call, and you wowed him so much he had to track you down.”

  Kellee glanced down at her ragged shorts and the shirt missing most of its buttons. “I seriously doubt that.” A fleeting visual of the man as her lover infused her body with giddy warmth, even though the thought scared her a little.

  “Okay. So you’re not a couple.” Tresha bumped Kellee’s shoulder. “Does that mean I can have him?”

  Kellee laughed at her companion’s lusty enthusiasm. “He’s all yours.”

  “Sweet Heaven!” Tresha grinned. “You know I’m just kidding. Now give. If he’s not your boyfriend or lover, then who is he? What did you remember?”

  Good question. “I’m sure I know him from somewhere. It feels like the memory’s right there.” Kellee tapped her forehead again. “But it won’t come out. He said something about my father. So he must know my family. Maybe we were co-workers or neighbors…” Maybe they’d had some sort of argument and he’d threatened her—that’s why she was afraid of him.

  Just then, the bus jostled over another rough patch of road. She centered her body, as she had in the restroom when defending against the attacker. The powerful feeling kept her from swaying from side to side.

  “Oh my gosh. That’s it!” Kellee turned to Tresha. “He’s my martial arts instructor.”

  “He’s the guy who taught you all them moves? I knew he was a macho-man.” Tresha waggled her eyebrows. “What else did he teach you?”

  “I don’t remember.” Heat warmed Kellee’s cheeks. “I’m sure it’s not what you’re thinking.”

  “Don’t matter.” Tresha clapped her hands. “This is totally awesome. You finally remember something. And you have a name!” She gave Kellee a puzzled glance. “But if you know him, why’d you run from him?”

  “I’m…not sure.” Kellee leaned back in her seat. “When he said he knew my dad…I got a weird feeling, and it scared me. It doesn’t make any sense, does it?”

  “Not to me,” Tresha replied. “I think you should try to contact him. At the next stop, maybe you could call him. Or call your dad.”

  Kellee grinned, feeling less burdened than she had for days. “I’ll get right on that as soon as I remember a phone number…or his name…or my last name.” She grew serious again. “What if my real name isn’t Kellee?”

  Tresha tilted her head. “You look like a ‘Kellee’ to me. You just need more time. It’ll all come back.”

  Dropping her head against the seat, Kellee sighed. “Time. I guess when you have no place to go, that’s all there is.” Glancing sidelong at her companion, she asked, “What would you do?”

  Tresha appeared to consider the question. “Well, you remembered something, so you’re movin’ in the right direction. If it was me, I’d use him as your ticket home. You need to find him again.”

  Tresha was right. The question was how to find him when she couldn’t even remember his name?

  Kellee figured her other option was to ride the bus to the end of the line. Then what? Her instincts had really misfired this time. How stupid was it that she’d run from the one person who was linked to her life before the storm? Given that he was her martial arts instructor, her actions at the park had probably pissed him off.

  At least the pain around her temples had subsided a bit, and she allowed herself to hope. Maybe she could go home after all. Home. A place she still couldn’t remember.

  Resting her head on the back of the seat, Kellee closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift. She pictured the man’s face. Dark eyes. An unshaven, stubborn jaw that would set firm in an argument. A jaw that invited butterfly kisses to soften the hard lines. She smiled thinking about returned kisses and snuggled into her seat. Pure fanciful images, but seductive nonetheless. A pleasant diversion from the droning monotony of the bus…

  Another jolt woke her.

  “Damn,” Tresha grumbled. “They must’ve picked the worst road in all the south to drive out of the flood zone on.”

  Kellee brushed her hair away that had fallen into her face. The fringes of another dream had left her with a name. “Iain!” she said.

  “Say what?” Tresha looked over at her.

  “That’s his name.” Wide-awake now, Kellee straightened in her seat. “No, wait…that’s not right…” She massaged her temples. “Iain…Ethan…Egan…Egan! His name is Egan.” She did know him. More importantly, she remembered exactly how he’d react to her running away from him. No wonder he’d shot her those flaming stares. “Oh no, I think I might be in trouble.” Shuddering, she recalled how disciplined he’d been during training.

  “So, now that you remember him, what’re you gonna do?” Tresha leaned forward to look out the window. The same scenery of evergreens—probably cypress—lined the freeway and had been rolling past for hours. “We’ll stop again soon. You think he’ll follow the bus?”

  Kellee nodded. “I’m pretty sure he will.” She didn’t think he would flag them down, but she was almost certain he’d intercept the bus once they stopped again. “I can’t believe I’m this close to finding my way home…wherever that is.”

  “You mean, you can remember tall, dark, and gorgeous’ name but not your home?” Tresha’s dark eyebrows rose to her hairline.

  “I know. It’s really strange, isn’t it?” Kellee
rubbed the bruise near her temple. “It’s like I have a sieve in my brain and all the important stuff leaked out.”

  Half an hour later, the bus took an exit and pulled into a truck stop. Kellee and Tresha disembarked, along with other passengers.

  “How long do you think before he shows up?” Tresha asked as she scanned the muddy parking lot.

  Kellee eyed a row of long-haul trucks and tried to gauge how far they were from the actual interstate. She hoped it wasn’t too far, or else Egan wouldn’t spot the column of buses. “I’m sure it won’t be too long,” Kellee replied. “All the buses have been caravanning together. I’d think whatever he’s driving, would easily catch up.”

  As if to underscore her prediction, a black sedan slowed down and pulled off the highway into the parking lot. Anticipation bubbled inside her as the car stopped. She expected Egan to step out of the car. Instead, a sandy-haired man wearing a leather jacket opened the door.

  “Oooh,” Tresha gushed. “He ain’t half bad either.” She gave Kellee a sympathetic smile. “Too bad he’s not your man, though.”

  Kellee didn’t see the same appeal of the sandy-haired man that Tresha did. Her mind was focused on whether she’d remembered right. Egan could drive up any minute, and she hadn’t realized until just now how nervous she was about meeting him again. Voicing her doubts might upset Tresha, and she didn’t want to worry her friend. A bond had formed between them during the long evacuation, but Kellee knew this was her problem. She had to face up to whatever lay ahead. By herself.

  Tapping Tresha’s arm, she said, “Come on. Let’s see if they have a sink where we can wash up.” She headed into the small building with Tresha on her heels.

  Inside the store, fellow evacuees who had enough money in their pockets to buy treats walked the narrow aisles. A line had already formed outside the ladies’ room. Kellee let Tresha have her turn first. While she waited, the sandy-haired man entered the store and wandered down the aisle where Kellee stood in line. She glanced at him with a polite smile, her mind on what she’d say to Egan when they met.

  The man returned her smile and started to head down the next aisle. Then his expression froze. He switched directions and strode toward her. A look of recognition crossed his face as he stood in front of her. “Pardon me, miss.” His deep voice was quiet and slightly accented, almost pleasant.

  “Yes?” she asked, aware of the curious glance of the woman in line behind her.

  He nodded toward her throat. “I couldn’t help but notice the necklace you are wearing.”

  She touched the pendant that had settled just below her breasts outside her shirt. “This?” She lifted the thin braided chain and the pendant dangled between her fingers.

  The crest-like, double-headed eagle faced away in profile. The eagle held a globe in one of its talons and a scepter in the other. Each head had one eye, depicted with brilliant ruby gems. She’d studied it for hours during the evacuation, hoping something about the simple piece of jewelry would trigger a memory. Instead, all her recollections had come just recently on the bus. She still had no idea where she’d gotten the pendant.

  “It’s lovely,” he said. He leaned closer to study it.

  She caught a whiff of cigar smoke mingled with hair gel, but noticed his hands remained in his pockets and he didn’t try to touch it.

  He straightened. “It’s a Byzantine eagle. Where did you get it?”

  The man’s intense scrutiny disturbed her. She swallowed the knot in her throat and leaned away. “I’m afraid I don’t remember.” Taking a shaky breath, she slipped the pendant inside her blouse, and smoothed her dingy collar so only the chain showed.

  Regardless of his opinion, she didn’t think the necklace was particularly pretty. However, it seemed to have undeniable value. There’d been a point during her ordeal when she was tempted to trade it for food, clothing, and a good night’s sleep. But she couldn’t. The pendant was the only personal possession she’d had on her when the rescuers found her.

  “You should guard it carefully, little one. It will bring you good fortune.”

  “I will…” So far, the pendant hadn’t brought any luck, let alone good luck. She might not remember everything about her past life, or even have a home to return to, but the pendant was the one thing she could claim as her own. She had no intention of parting with it.

  “That is good.” On that cryptic statement, the man turned and walked out of the small store—without buying anything.

  The man’s comments freaked her out a little. Especially after everything that had happened recently. When Tresha came out of the restroom, she grabbed Kellee’s arm.

  “Hey, little sister, are you okay? You look whiter than usual.”

  Kellee shook herself. “I’m fine.” Hoping her smile was encouraging. “I’ll be right out. Watch for Egan, okay?” And then she took her turn in the ladies’ room.

  When she came out, Tresha was dancing back and forth excitedly. “He’s here! He’s here! I saw him drive up while you were in the bathroom.”

  A knot formed in Kellee’s stomach. What would Egan say? What would he do when he saw her again? There were still pieces of broken memory that hadn’t completely fallen into place, and she was worried that her recollections weren’t as accurate as she’d hoped.

  She took a breath. It didn’t matter. For the first time in days, she had a clue about her life before the storm. Time to grab onto some of that control she’d been wishing for.

  She looked out the store window where Tresha pointed. The sandy-haired man leaned against his sedan, smoking. Then she spotted Egan striding around the last bus and toward the building. He’d found her again. A rush of relief flooded her. At least she’d remembered that much about him correctly.

  The horn on the bus sounded for the passengers to board. Tresha groaned. “Man, oh man. I wanted to see the fireworks when you two hooked up. Now I gotta leave. I can’t risk missing my connection to get to my aunt.” She hauled Kellee into a hug and squeezed until Kellee thought she’d burst. “I’m gonna miss you, little sister.”

  Kellee hugged her back, clinging a moment longer to her special friend. “I’ll miss you too. How can I reach you?”

  Tresha let go and dug through her backpack. Finding a piece of paper with evacuation instructions, she tore off a corner and scribbled on it with a pen. “Here’s my aunt’s phone number. I wanna hear all about this. Call me in a couple of days. I’m sure I’ll be settled by then.”

  Kellee took the number and stuffed it into a side pocket on her pack, grateful to have a lifeline should the course she was about to take not work out. “I promise.”

  As the horn blared again, doubt surfaced. This time, it sounded more like the final call to keep to the path she’d come to know these last three days. What if she had remembered wrong? What if leaving with Egan was a mistake? She still didn’t remember much about him, not even his last name.

  Tresha must have seen the indecision on Kellee’s face. “Don’t worry. You got this far without remembering anything. You’re made of strong stuff. It’ll be okay.” She gave Kellee a final hug and hurried out the door to catch the bus. “Hey!” she shouted at the driver. “I’m coming! Don’t leave me!” She raced up to Egan and said something Kellee couldn’t catch, then pointed toward the store.

  Kellee hesitated next to the counter where the store clerk stood.

  “Isn’t that your bus?” the clerk asked.

  Kellee shook her head. “It was. But I have another ride, now.”

  She headed outside to meet Egan. The buses rumbled as they pulled away, signaling the end to this part of her ordeal. Spotting Tresha waving frantically, Kellee returned a goodbye wave with a sad smile. Then she was all alone, facing the man who could shed more light on who she was. And take her home.

  As she walked down the front step, she saw the sandy-haired man still leaning against his car. He straightened and looked at her, his interest obvious. She gave him a brief nod before turning in Egan’s dir
ection.

  “You’ve missed your ride.” The man’s voice drew her attention again. His accent seemed heavier than when they’d spoken inside. He pushed away from his car and started walking toward her. “Can I give you a lift somewhere?”

  Kellee smiled and shook her head. “No. Thanks.”

  “She’s with me,” Egan said as he drew closer. “Mind your own business.”

  Kellee frowned at Egan’s animosity toward the other man. He was only being polite.

  “I simply wished to be of service to the lady.” The sandy-haired man offered a slight incline of his head. “It is good you came for her. I am glad to see she is well cared for.” With that odd remark, he headed inside the gas station again.

  “Yes, she is,” Egan replied gruffly. He turned to Kellee. “Get in the car.” He nodded toward a silver SUV parked just off the main road.

  She couldn’t see his eyes behind his sunglasses, yet she was aware of his anger. Her earlier doubts kicked in again, making goosebumps prickle along her arms. She had remembered correctly, hadn’t she? Wasn’t he from her past—a real memory—after days with nothing but emptiness? She had to be certain.

  Of their own volition, her legs carried her directly into his space. He smelled of spicy aftershave and warm, male sweat. Finally! Now that the scent wasn’t mixed with restroom odors, it was familiar and sent her senses tumbling. She breathed it in, letting it wrap around her as she squinted up at him. “Thank goodness!” Her relief was almost palpable. “I definitely know you.” As the words left her mouth, she realized how silly she sounded.

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Of course you know me,” he replied. “Why did you run away from me back at the park?”

  “Because I didn’t remember you,” she said, trying to explain.

  “You’re not making any sense, Kellee. It hasn’t been that long since we last saw each other.” He glanced around. His gaze lingered on the doorway where the sandy-haired man had disappeared after his cryptic remarks. “Who was that?”