Lillian Duncan - Until Death Do Us Part

by Lillian Duncan

  Banging started somewhere in the cabin. Startled, she jumped.

  It sounded as if someone was hitting things with a sledge hammer. In the basement? Billy’s office was down there along with all his computers. Was that what this was all about? Billy’s computers.

  Her heart skipped a beat.

  That had to be it. Someone wanted Billy’s computers and they were willing to kill for it. Is that why no one was here? They’d already been…she couldn’t bring herself to think the words. Dylan wasn’t dead. She refused to believe such a thing.

  Dylan and Billy were two of the brightest and most capable people she’d ever met. Between the two of them, they would stay safe. Still, she closed her eyes and prayed. Harder than she ever had.

  She kept snipping.

  Snip. Pray. Snip. Pray. After losing track of how many snips, she decided it was time to see if she could get it off her wrists. Summoning all her strength, she spread her hands in opposite directions.

  Tape gave way but not enough. She took a deep breath and spread her arms again. She heard the rip of tape and then her arms were free. Thank you. She ripped at the tape circling her ankles.

  More banging. What were they doing down there?

  As much as she wanted to, she didn’t dare leave as long as they were in the house. All her effort would be for naught, if they caught her sneaking out. Not to mention, she didn’t want to remind them she was there.

  He might come back for her. Her skin still crawled from when the man laid on top of her. His smell. His breath. Repulsive. He’d enjoyed having that control over her. That wasn’t hard to figure out.

  Patience was a virtue.

  Tired of the dark, she wondered if it would be all right to turn on the light.

  Patience was a virtue.

  Fine. No light.

  If he came back, she wouldn’t be able to defend herself. Was there anything in here to protect herself? Maybe a gun? She discarded the thought. Theresa hated guns and insisted Billy keep them in his areas not hers.

  She needed to get out of the closet, but how was she supposed to do that while they were still here? They’d been here a long time. And it had been an even longer time since she’d eaten. Her blood sugar was on the downward swing and she needed food.

  Even if she managed to kick the door down, he was still in the house.

  As quietly as possible, she scooted to the door and put her ear against it.

  Talking, but she couldn’t make out the words.

  Footsteps headed toward her and a moment later, “Hey, you awake in there?” It wasn’t Mr. Fake Mexican accent. Another person. His voice was soft, almost a whisper. He almost sounded compassionate, sorry for what was happening.

  She didn’t answer.

  “I don’t know who you are. Nobody was supposed to be here. Nobody was supposed to get hurt. I’m sorry.” A pause. “Really sorry.”

  What did he mean?

  A moment later she understood.

  The nauseating smell of gasoline overpowered her senses.

  The darkness and the silence closed in around her. She felt her ten-year old self screaming to take over. No, I am not that scared little girl. I will not panic. God is with me.

  She gagged but refused to succumb to her body’s wishes.

  Had to get out of this tomb.

  She pushed against the door. It wouldn’t budge. Her fingers trailed down the door. Finding the knob, her fingers curled around it and turned. It turned easily. The door wasn’t locked. Then why wouldn’t it open?

  She pushed again, only harder. It still wouldn’t move. Something must be blocking the door. She moved backwards until the wall prevented her from moving. She took a deep breath…

  Smoke.

  Her pulse rate vaulted as the scent grew stronger.

  With all her strength she charged forward, her shoulder leading the way. She winced as it came in contact with the door, but she felt a slight movement of the door. Moving quickly, she went to the wall again and smashed into the door again.

  Pain shot through her shoulder and into her neck. A slight movement, but not enough. Sweat oozed from her pores as she body-slammed into the door again and again.

  Her breathing grew ragged from the effort. She stopped to catch her breath. As she sucked in air the coughing started.

  CHAPTER 35

  Dylan turned off the road at the top of the Cacapon Mountain. It was a truly spectacular view. No matter what the circumstances, you couldn’t help but think of God’s awesome power. Billy Clyde had told him it was once voted as one of the top ten best views in the country and with good reason.

  He’d shown it to Reggie when he first met her and told her the majesty of the mountain showed the magnitude of God’s power. He believed it then and he still did.

  God was in control and no matter what was happening right that moment, he was a loving God. He looked over at Billy Clyde who hadn’t said a word on the drive. His eyes were closed, probably praying. “We need a search team. We can’t cover all this area by ourselves. We’re going to have to call in the authorities.”

  He sighed. “I know. I’m hoping we’ll find another clue to take us somewhere else. Let’s take a look around and if we don’t see anything, then we’ll have to talk about our next move. I won’t let Theresa stay out in these woods all night if I can help it.”

  “And I’m not saying you should, but I need you to put your emotions on hold for a few minutes and let that magnificent brain God gave you do its thing.”

  Billy Clyde closed his eyes for a moment and then nodded. “I hate it when you’re right, Monroe but…I’ll take a quick look around and then take a few minutes to regroup.”

  Dylan nodded.

  People stood around staring in awe at the majestic view. Snapping pictures and whispering. Two children ran past him, screaming and playing tag. The normality of ordinary people enjoying the sight seemed too bizarre.

  Dylan limped in one direction while Billy Clyde took the other. The aspirin was wearing off. The throbbing was back along with a burning sensation. He’d take some more when he got back to the van.

  He peered over the guard rail. His gaze moved to the wild overgrown brush. No signs that someone had been walking around out there anytime in the recent past.

  He sighed, imagining how he’d feel if Reggie was kidnapped. He pulled out his phone and hit her speed dial number. It went to voice mail. “Reggie, honey call me. I love you.”

  He limped toward Billy Clyde who stood staring out at the trees. He was rubbing his injured arm. They were quite the pair, him with snakebites and Billy Clyde with a bullet hole in his arm.

  They weren’t up to full strength. If they did find the kidnappers, they might not be able to fight them off anyway.

  Billy Clyde walked up looking dejected. “I didn’t find anything.”

  “Me neither.” Dylan pointed at the brush. “Doesn’t look like anybody’s been out there hiking around. We need to—”

  “You know what I think, Monroe. This whole day has been about keeping us busy. Somebody didn’t want us investigating the information in that file. They probably knew I’d take a look at it.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “You told me to put my emotions aside and think the situation through. I’m done playing the game their way.” Billy Clyde’s voice shook with anger.

  “So, what are we going to do?”

  “Well, we’re not going to do what they want us to do. Which is to spend the next few hours out here clomping around in the trees looking for Theresa. An impossible task anyway.” Billy Clyde pointed at the van. “We’re going to go back home and I’m going to spend the next few hours learning everything I can about the case file I deleted. I’m going to find them and that’s how we’ll find Theresa.”

  It made sense but it was risky, too. He was sure Billy Clyde knew that as well. Kidnappers didn’t like it when you didn’t follow the rules. “Are you sure?”

  Billy Clyde leaned agains
t the van, his hands propping him up, his head hung low. Dylan waited knowing he was playing out the situation in his head. As a chess player, Billy was used to being several steps ahead of his opponent. But not this time.

  Billy Clyde straightened up and turned toward him. “We’ve spent the whole day being led around like good little sheep. I’m done. These…people are going to be sorry they messed with my woman.”

  CHAPTER 36

  Smoke filled Reggie’s nose and burnt her eyes. Tears leaked out and ran down her cheeks. I don’t want to die like this in here.

  She should have stayed home. What had she been thinking? Just because Billy and Dylan were able to handle themselves in dangerous situations didn’t mean she could.

  Dylan knew that—it was why he’d tricked her into going away without him.

  Her safety was always a concern of his. It always was—always would be. Sorrow filled her. Now she wouldn’t have a chance to tell him how much she loved him and how much she loved being his wife.

  She only prayed he was safe where ever he was.

  She coughed, unable to get a breath of good air. I’m not going to give up this easily. Getting harder to breathe now. She wanted to take deep breaths but knew it was the wrong thing to do. The smoke would kill her before the flames ever had a chance to reach her.

  A fit of coughing wracked her body.

  With her arms free, she should be able to figure a way out.

  After turning on the light, she fell to her knees and looked under the door. Two chair legs were hanging midair. They must have propped a chair under the door know. No wonder she couldn’t get the door open.

  She closed her eyes. Think. Think. Think. There had to be a way to get the door open. Her eyes scanned the closet. A yard stick. If she could slide it under the door, she might be able to knock the chair off-balance.

  Smoke slipped under the door like a cat burglar. Silent. Invisible. Intent on its purpose. To kill her. More smoke oozed into her mouth, her nose. She held her breath, not wanting to breathe in the deadly gas.

  Her coughing grew worse. Dizzy. Couldn’t breathe.

  Her fingers curled around the yard stick. Please let this work. She crawled back to the door, hoping the yardstick would fit under the door. She slid it toward the door. It stopped. Stuck.

  No, she needed it to go under the door. She pushed harder. For a moment, nothing happened and then she heard it cracking. She pulled it back in. Cracked and broken.

  She peeked underneath the door. The room was filled with smoke.

  Her eyes stung from the smoke and tears streamed down her cheeks. And then more coughing. It was getting hard to breathe, she had to get out of this closet. Think. There has to be a way out.

  She closed her eyes. What a way to die. Stuck in a closet. Something hovered at the edges of her mind. It wasn’t just any closet, it was Billy’s closet. Billy had designed this house.

  And that’s when she remembered.

  Why hadn’t she thought of it before? Didn’t matter, she knew now. Billy in his famous paranoia had built hidden exits in every closet in the house. Just in case, someone ever got locked in one.

  Her breathing was ragged. Dizziness threatened to overcome her.

  On her hands and knees, she crawled on the floor searching for the exit.

  ****

  As the van Dylan drove neared Billy Clyde’s cabin, dark billows of smoke rose up against the evening sky. Dylan looked over at him. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

  Billy Clyde nodded but said nothing.

  “Might not be your house.”

  “Sure, Monroe. It could be a forest fire. They happen all the time.”

  Dylan arched his brows. “You really believe that? What are the chances that smoke doesn’t have something to do with you?”

  “Not good. Put the pedal to the metal, Monroe.” Billy Clyde jumped into the back where the computer system was set up. “I’ll activate the remote. Keep going.”

  “At least no one’s home.”

  Billy Clyde’s next words were filled with tension. “Unless they brought Theresa back and…”

  His words hung in the air. Dylan watched the speedometer inch upward. Both hands on the wheel and his eyes glued to the curves on the mountain road, praying he wouldn’t lose control.

  As they neared the turnoff to the cabin, he slowed only slightly as the van met the dirt road. The van bumped down the road.

  “Keep moving. The gate’s open.”

  The cabin came into view. Flames leaped out against the darkening sky. Definitely the cabin. Dylan called back to Billy Clyde. “Better call 911.”

  “Will do.”

  They bounced down the lane. Dylan’s throat caught as he looked into the garage. “Reggie’s car is in there.”

  Billy Clyde jumped back into the front seat and was reaching for the car handle before the van stopped. Dylan slammed the car into park and jumped out all in one swift movement.

  He ran toward the garage all ready in flames.

  The car would explode any minute making it impossible to get in—or out of the house.

  “Reggie. Reggie.” He screamed, but didn’t expect an answer. With this much smoke, she’d probably all ready lost consciousness or worse.

  “Around back, Monroe. The patio door.” Billy Clyde yelled over the roar of the fire. He looked over his shoulder. “The sprinklers should kick on. It should be OK.”

  “Did you call 911?”

  “They said between seven and ten minutes.”

  Too long. If he waited, it would be too late for Reggie and Theresa might be in the house as well. “Can’t wait. Gotta get in there now.” He passed the running Billy Clyde and sprinted around the corner of the cabin and toward the back.

  He took the deck steps in one leap with Billy Clyde right behind him. “Get me a chair.” He yelled.

  “Hold on. It’s not always locked.” Billy Clyde stepped in front of him and slid the door open.

  A wall of smoke rushed out to greet them. Too much smoke. Nobody could breathe in that much and live. Please God, let her live. Take me, not her. He turned to Billy Clyde. “Stay out. It’s too dangerous. Wait for the fire crew. I’ll go in.”

  “Not happening, brother. Now move it.”

  “I don’t have—” Something touched his foot. He looked down.

  A second later, Reggie crawled through the smoke, coughing and gasping for air.

  Dylan grabbed her arms and pulled her out of the smoke. In another second, he picked her up as if she was a baby.

  “Dylan.”

  “Is Theresa in there?” Billy Clyde’s voice was loud.

  She shook her head. “I never saw her.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  Dylan handed Reggie to Billy Clyde. “Go. Get her away from here. I’ll go check.”

  He heard Billy Clyde and Reggie yell but he ran through the smoke and into the house.

  Fire climbed up the walls and was spreading across the ceiling. No sign of Theresa. He ran to the bathroom and put water on a face towels to breathe through.

  Dylan moved to the back of the house and made a room to room search yelling as he went. No response. Then the first guest room. Nobody. He checked under the bed and then the closet.

  As he left the bedroom he stared down the hallway. The flames were closer. Sweat trickled down his face and neck. The heat was intense. The escape route through the dining room was blocked with fire now.

  He ran into the master bedroom. The heat unbearable. Sweat poured into his eyes.

  Where were the sprinklers? This house would be nothing but rubble in a few minutes. Using the wet towel, he wiped the tears away. Too much smoke. His gaze scanned the room.

  He wouldn’t be able to check the basement. Had to get out now and not the way he came in. He ran to the window. He looked at the small window above his head, knowing it was going to be a problem. Billy Clyde had designed the cabin. Wanting to keep an authentic look to it, the windows were small about three fourths t
he way up the wall.

  His eyes moved to the hall as they passed the door. Through the smoky haze, flames climbed the walls. Billy Clyde emerged from the smoke.

  “Theresa’s not in here. I checked.”

  “Everywhere?”

  His first impulse was to lie but he couldn’t do that to his best friend. “Everywhere but the basement. But I’m sure…” He turned and tugged on the window.

  It didn’t budge.

  “Unlock it.”

  Billy Clyde reached up and turned the latch. He grabbed the window sash and thrust it upwards. With one hand he knocked out the screen. “I’ll give you a boost out.”

  Where were the fire trucks?

  He slid through the window head first. He felt Billy Clyde push him through. Using his arms to break his fall, he fell from the window.

  He jumped up. Flames shot out of from all over the house.

  “There’s no way I’m getting through this window. Don’t worry about me. You go take care of Reggie.” Billy Clyde yelled above the roar of the fire. “I’m going to the basement.

  His heart sunk. He couldn’t abandon Billy Clyde. “No, it’s too dangerous.”

  “Get out of here, Marine. That’s an order. There’s no way I’m dying today. I still have things to do—like find my wife. Now go.”

  Dylan chewed his cheek as he looked at the window. Billy Clyde wasn’t getting out of that window. Way too small. Dylan had barely been able to squeeze through. Please God keep him safe. He knew Billy Clyde well enough to know he wasn’t giving up. His brilliant mind would figure a way out.

  “God be with you.” Dylan yelled as he moved away from the house. His eyes searched for Reggie. On the grass. She was still as he knelt down beside her. “Reggie.”

  No response.

  He shook her and called her name.

  Still no response. He felt for a pulse, but couldn’t find it.

  He shut down his mind and let his medical training take over. His finger probed her mouth to clear it from any debris.

  He placed his mouth over hers. Two quick breaths.