by West, Shay
“He didn’t do it, you know that right?”
“Of course he didn’t! I’m sure the Marines will find out who the real killer is,” Alex said.
“Your aunt is beside herself, naturally, but is refusing to take any time off.”
“I can watch the store after school and on weekends if you think it will help.”
Patricia smiled and hugged Alex. “It actually might. I’ll talk to her about it tomorrow.” She walked out of the room but peeked back in. “Dinner is still on the stove. Want me to bring you a plate?”
Alex shook her head. “I don’t want to put anything in my stomach. I’ll probably just head to bed.”
“Okay. See you in the morning.”
“Night, Mom.”
Alex sat on her bed, wishing she had never traveled into AJ Jensen. Her decision had cost the girl her life. Not to mention that her aunt’s life was now in upheaval, worrying about her husband.
Get a grip, Alex!
She grabbed her laptop and opened her email.
Dearest Alex,
I am so sorry to hear of this latest development and I fear my demand to push for answers may have been the cause of this. Your life is in grave danger. Sean and I will be leaving for the States in a few days. We will contact you as soon as we reach Grand Junction.
Take care of yourself. We will see you soon.
Alex breathed a sigh of relief, fresh tears falling down her cheeks. She wished the waterworks would stop, already. Her eyes were going to be puffy and red tomorrow if she couldn’t stop crying. Alex sent Jenn a quick text and told her Gavin and Sean were coming to help. Alex could practically hear the squeal Jenn made when she texted back in all capital letters how glad she was.
Feeling a little better, Alex brushed her teeth and climbed into bed. She wished she could talk to her uncle and tell him how sorry she was that she had gotten him into this mess. Alex wondered if it would be possible to travel in time into someone that would have access to her uncle so she could get the whole story but quickly decided against it. She had already caused enough damage. The last thing she needed was to have another death weighing on her conscience.
CHAPTER 27
ALEX COULD HARDLY pay attention in class. She had barely slept the night before, being awakened every hour or so by vivid nightmares or sounds from outside that made her bolt upright in bed, convinced Stygian was going to come bursting into her room to kill her.
Her friends knew something was wrong but Alex didn’t say anything about her uncle. She didn’t want them to think he had actually killed someone and her reasons for knowing that he was innocent couldn’t be explained without giving away her secret. Her friends simply chalked it up to midterm nerves and left her alone.
Only Jenn stayed by her side, afraid to leave Alex alone for a minute. Alex thought it was sweet at first, but when Jenn insisted on accompanying her to the bathroom, Alex had to try to put a stop to it.
“Stygian wouldn’t be dumb enough to come after me in school. Too many people,” Alex said.
“He killed someone in a Marine barracks. If he can pull that off, he can find a way to kill you in front of all these people and get away with it.” Jenn’s eyes widened and she grabbed Alex’s hand.
“He can obviously do what you do. I mean, he can travel back in time whenever he wants so he can obviously inhabit anyone he wants,” she whispered, glancing around at the people passing in the hall as though any one of them could be the evil Traveler.
“I know that. Believe me, I know. At least I can feel when he’s near. If I didn’t have that ability, I’d have been dead a long time ago.”
Jenn visibly relaxed. “I’d forgotten about that part.”
“Gavin and Sean will be here in a few days. Hopefully they can help keep an eye on things. I don’t just worry about myself. I worry about mom, and Karen, and you.”
“I’m sure everything will be fine. Your uncle will be out of trouble soon. Hey, what are you looking at?”
Jenn voice was a low buzz in her ears. Alex wasn’t listening to a word her friend was saying. Someone was walking down the hallway, someone she’d never seen before. Her heart beat wildly, her breath quickened, and her skin pebbled in goose pimples.
The young man walking down the hall was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. His dark brown hair was long but not so long as to make him look messy and his eyes were the color of melted chocolate. His hands were shoved in the pockets of his blue jeans and he glanced shyly to the left and right.
But that wasn’t what took her breath away. It was the feeling that she knew this boy, had known him her whole life.
Their eyes met and Alex couldn’t catch her breath. The boy’s eyes widened and his pace quickened as he drew closer to Alex. He stopped a pace away from Alex and simply gazed at her face. His hand lifted as though he wanted to touch her but stopped just shy of making contact.
“Can we help you?”
Jenn’s question broke through the moment.
“Umm, yeah. Hi. Sorry to interrupt, but I could swear I know you from somewhere,” the boy said.
Alex wanted to tell this boy that she knew where the feeling had come from. She had felt it each time she had traveled back in time. One boy in each time period, someone she knew better than she knew herself. Someone who made her heart melt and her knees weak.
And she had the exact same feeling when she looked at the young man standing in front of her.
“I’m Jenn and this is Alex.”
The young man glanced at Jenn and smiled. “I’m Chandon. My family just moved here.”
Even his name is hot!
“Is this your first day?” Jenn asked.
“Yeah. Mom said I could wait until after Christmas break but I wanted to get started early.”
“Gee, Alex, a nerd like you who actually likes school,” Jenn said.
Alex shoved Jenn. “If you want me—” she blushed and stammered. “I mean, if you need anything, just ask.” Alex looked away, hoping a giant hole would appear and swallow her whole.
“Don’t mind her, she always like this,” Jenn said as she tried to catch Chandon’s eye.
Students pushed their way past the trio standing in the middle of the hallway. Alex knew the bell would ring any moment, signaling the start of afternoon classes. She wanted to ask Chandon to ditch so they could spend the rest of the day together. And by the way he smiled at her, Alex thought he felt the same way.
“We gotta run. See ya around,” Jenn said as she tugged on Alex’s arm.
Alex shouted good-bye over her shoulder as her best friend dragged her away.
“What was that about? I’ve never seen you like that with a boy,” Jenn said.
“Remember me telling you about the boys I met back in time? The ones I felt like I knew? I felt the same thing with Chandon just now,” Alex said.
“So maybe he’s your soul mate in the current time! Oh, how romantic,” Jenn sighed.
“The last thing I need right now is to be distracted by some guy.”
“Maybe a distraction like this is just what you need. I mean, you haven’t dated anyone since you and Drake broke up.”
“I just haven’t had the time. Between school, work, and fighting a time traveling maniac, I don’t have time for anything else.”
“You had time when you dated Drake.”
“I barely said two words to Chandon. He’ll probably ask out one of the cheerleaders.”
“Are you kidding me? Didn’t you see the way he stared at you? I was surprised he didn’t have drool running down his face.”
“Now that’s a sexy thought,” Alex said as she rolled her eyes.
“I bet he asks you out by the end of the week,” Jenn said with a sideways grin.
“I could end up dead at the hands of Stygian by the end of the weak,” Alex whispered miserably.
Jenn gave her hand a quick squeeze. “I’m sure everything will be fine.”
Alex’s phone buzzed in her back po
cket. She took it out and answered without looking, assuming it was her mom.
“Hello?”
“Listen, and listen very carefully. I know all about you and your little gift. By now, you must have heard about your poor uncle. If you interfere in my plans again, I’ll kill him. Do you understand?”
Alex couldn’t move, couldn’t speak.
“Alex, what is it?”
Jenn’s voice sounded like it was coming from a thousand miles away. Alex’s skin tingled and her vision narrowed.
I believe I might faint.
“I’m waiting for an answer.”
Alex opened her mouth but nothing came out. She couldn’t breathe.
“DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”
Alex cried out and nearly dropped the phone. “Yes, yes, I’ll do whatever you want, please, don’t hurt him!”
Alex heard soft laughter before the phone went dead.
“Alex, what is going on?” Jenn grabbed her arm.
“I need to sit...” Alex’s knees gave way and she crumpled to the floor, her back against a row of lockers.
Jenn grabbed the phone from her hand. She didn’t protest. “It says the number is restricted.”
“It was him. He said he’ll kill Uncle Mark if I try to stop him. What do I do? Jenn, he’s going to kill my Uncle Mark!” Alex’s chest tightened in terror.
“Oh, God, Alex! You have to tell Sean and Gavin right away. Come on, let’s get out of here,” Jenn helped Alex to her feet.
“We have classes—”
“Screw classes! This is a little more important.”
“What do I do, Jenn?” Alex’s voice broke and tears fell from her eyes.
“I don’t know. I wish I had an answer for you.”
“I can’t just let this guy change the past. But I can’t let him kill my uncle either, can I?” Alex swiped the tears off her cheeks. Her shoulders slumped with the weight of the decision she would have to make.
“Maybe it’s time to tell your mom. This is too big now.”
“Sean and Gavin are on their way. They’ll know what to do.”
“Do you want to wait that long? What if the evil Traveler goes back before they get here?”
“I’ll have to take that risk. I made the mistake of bringing my uncle into this and look what happened. He’s in jail and could be killed if I don’t do that the guy wants.”
“Okay. We’ll wait it out and tell Sean and Gavin when they get here.” Jenn’s eyes filled with tears as she hugged Alex. “I hope your uncle is proven innocent soon. And soon. We can use all the help we can get.”
***
Mark paced his tiny cell, waiting for his lawyer, Matt Schmidt, to arrive. He’d been stuck in this cell for days, only being allowed out for meals and an hour of exercise each day. When he was out among the other prisoners, he did his best to ignore the looks of hostility. Most of them were in for petty crimes; murder was another thing altogether.
Hurried footsteps came toward his cell.
“Stand with your back facing the door, hands behind your back,” the voice outside the door ordered.
Mark complied. The door clanked open and hands slipped cuffs around his wrists. Mark hated the feel of the metal cuffs around his wrists. He had never broken a law in his whole life and his service in the Marines had been exemplary. The cuffs chaffed, and not just his skin. He hated the thought of anyone believing he was actually capable of strangling a woman. The silver metal on his wrists marked him as guilty and he hated that he had to wear them.
The MP led him to an interview room, let him inside, and closed the door. Mark took a seat, trying to get comfortable with his arms behind his back.
Matt arrived shortly, dressed in the same suit as previous visits. The man looked confident as he placed his briefcase on the table in front of Mark.
“The good news is, the analysts have moved this case to the top of their list. The bad news is, it’s still going to take a few weeks for them to get through all the evidence. But if you are innocent, the analysts should be able to prove it soon,” Matt said.
Mark sighed. He had hoped the analysts had already proven he didn’t write the note that had been stuffed into Lance Corporal Jensen’s throat or found evidence that someone else had been in the room with her at the time of her death.
“I understand. At least it’s a few weeks rather than a few months,” Mark said.
“Just hang tight. We have your handwriting sample, your prints, DNA sample, everything we need to prove your innocence.”
“Thanks. Anything else you need to tell me?”
Matt shook his head. “Right now we’re just waiting. Wish I could give you more information than that.”
Mark nodded. “I can handle a few weeks in here. Especially since I know I didn’t do it.”
Matt closed his briefcase, started to stand, but sat back down. “I have to ask. What exactly were you doing at the barracks that night?”
Mark knew this question was going to come up sooner or later but he still wasn’t prepared to answer. “Just visiting with a fellow officer.”
“That’s it? Just visiting? At night? Alone? Is there any truth to the accusation of an affair?” Matt held up his hands when Mark leaned forward in anger. “I have to ask. If this comes to trial, you will be forced to answer these types of questions on the stand.”
“I have never cheated on Karen. Like I said, just visiting with a fellow officer.”
Matt shook his head. “Have it your way. I’ll let you know when the evidence has been analyzed.” He put his papers back in his briefcase and left the interview room.
The MPs arrived to take Mark back to his cell. He had put on a brave face while speaking to his lawyer but now that he was alone, fear reared its ugly head. He dropped to the floor and started doing push-ups. As he lost himself in the rhythm of his muscles, his fear turned to anger. Max Poder and Lane Stygian had turned his life upside down, killed an innocent woman, and put his niece’s life in danger. Mark meant to see them pay for what they had done.
***
“I’m going to travel tonight.”
Max Poder glanced at Drifter. “You know how important this mission is. Everything you’ve done up to this point has been to prepare you for this. You cannot fail.”
“I know what’s at stake. The girl will not stop me this time. We could be guaranteed of that if you would let me leave the base and kill her.”
“I have made my decision. It would look suspicious to let you leave now. Besides, I don’t think she’ll be a problem.” Poder said with a smirk.
“What do you mean?”
“I made a phone call. Told the girl I’d kill her uncle if she meddled in my plans.”
“Do you think she’ll keep out of it?”
“I think I scared her enough. If not, you’ll have to make sure to kill her yourself.”
Drifter walked slowly to the shelf holding Master’s most prized photos. He moved the front photos out of the way and glanced at the ones in the back, noting the German uniforms, the hard lines of their faces, the fierce eyes. A family one could be proud of.
“Rumor has it that Reynold’s case has been moved to the front of the queue,” Drifter said.
“I know.”
Drifter waited for more. “Doesn’t that worry you?”
“Of course it worries me!” Max Poder snapped. “We wouldn’t be in this mess if you hadn’t lost control of your urges.”
“I won’t fail in my duty. In a short time, Mark Reynolds and his whole family will cease to exist.”
CHAPTER 28
“JENN, THEY’RE HERE!” Alex jumped up from the lunch table.
“Wait, who’s here?” Simon asked.
Alex glanced at Jenn, cursing herself for forgetting where she was in the excitement of receiving the text message that Gavin and Sean had arrived in Grand Junction.
“Umm, just my cousin and uncle, visiting from out of town.”
“Why does she know and the rest of us don’t?�
�� Amy asked.
“She was at the house when mom said they were coming,” Alex said, hoping that would ease the hurt in her friend’s voice.
“Oh. So are you off to meet them or something?”
“I’m just taking Alex home,” Jenn said.
Alex gave her friend a grateful look. “Mom is stuck at the store all day so I’m kinda stuck with them till she gets home.”
“Oh. Just seems like you two have been thick as thieves lately. Like you have a secret or something,” Amy said.
Paul piped up. “Don’t think we haven’t noticed you two whispering. Not to mention Jenn’s scribbling constantly in that purple notebook of hers.”
“So what gives, guys?” Simon asked.
“Nothing, seriously. You guys have been watching too many shows about conspiracy theories or something,” Alex said as she slung her backpack over her shoulder.
She grabbed Jenn and led her out of the lunch room.
“Alex, they know something’s up. Why don’t you just tell them?”
“I can’t, Jenn. They’d never believe me and if they knew my secret, they would be in danger. I feel bad enough that you know about it.”
“Do you think they know what I’ve been writing about in the notebook? I thought I was being careful but guess we aren’t as sneaky as we thought.”
“I don’t think they’ve seen inside it. I just wish this whole thing was over,” Alex said.
“I wish there was more I could do to help.”
“Just you knowing the truth is enough. I couldn’t have come this far without you.”
Alex stopped and turned at a gasp from behind them. Her heart skipped a beat when she spotted Chandon standing there. How much did he hear? Jenn hurriedly shoved the time travel notebook into her backpack trying her best not to look guilty.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Chandon said.
“How much did you hear?” Alex tasted bile in the back of her throat.
“Not much. Just that you have some sort of secret. And that it has something to do with that notebook you put in your bag.”
“It’s nothing, really,” Alex said.
“You’re in trouble, I can tell,” Chandon said.
