Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End: The Day That Wouldn't End (Alex Desephano Series Book 4)

by Judith Lucci

  Anderson Cooper reported that the Secret Service, FBI, and local police were combing the 1200 acre plus estate searching for a missing Secret Service agent, the farm manager, and the granddaughter of Congressman Adam Patrick Lee, but admitted ‘it was looking hopeless’ in the subfreezing temperatures and sixteen inches of snow.

  Louis’s heart banged in his chest and the pain was excruciating. He felt dizzy. He was overwhelmed with nausea as he reached for his cell phone to call 911. His last thought, I’ll never see Alex because one or the other of us will be dead.

  Chapter 33

  “Hello, hello, is this Wyndley Farm?” Robert’s voice was impatient. There was no answer. After a long pause he began again, his voice confirming the frustration he felt. He could swear he heard breathing on the other end. He tried again. “Good evening, is this Wyndley Farm? This is Dr. Robert Bonnet. I need to speak to Kathryn Lee.”

  There was still no answer. What in the hell is going on there? Surely there is someone who can answer the damn phone. Panic set in. Robert looked over at the news playing to an empty waiting room. He then looked down at his cell phone and checked the digital display to be sure he had dialed the correct number. Satisfied that the phone number was correct, he disconnected and dialed again.

  This time a strange voice answered. “Wyndley Farm.”

  “This is Dr. Robert Bonnet. To whom am I speaking?”

  There was a long silence and the voice asked, “Please identify yourself and tell me the nature of your business.”

  Robert tried not to let the frustration show in his voice, but it was difficult. “This is Dr. Robert Bonnet of New Orleans and I need to speak with Kathryn or Congressman Lee. I was there this afternoon and accompanied Commander Jack Francoise and Dr. Monique Desmonde to the Medical College of Virginia Hospital. Commander Francoise was critically injured in the explosion.”

  “Hold on,” a curt voice responded.

  Robert waited as patiently as he could, but he could feel his anger rising. He was tired, dirty, and hungry, and just like everyone at Wyndley Farm, he was having the day from hell. Finally, a gruff voice picked up on the other end.

  “Robert, how is Jack?” Adam Lee’s voice was faint and he sounded tired. Who wouldn’t be after a day like today?

  Robert paused for a moment, searching for the right words. He was still, after all of these years, intimidated by Alex’s grandfather. He could picture Adam in his study, the phone in one hand and a tumbler of whiskey in the other, impatiently waiting for Robert to ‘speak his piece’ as he often referred to it.

  “He’s in surgery. It was a long, hard trip but we made it. The MCVH surgeon was hopeful and so are we,” Robert finally responded.

  “Dr. Desmonde, how is she holding up,” Adam queried.

  “Pretty well, she’s a strong lady,” Robert opined. “We suspect Jack will be in surgery until about midnight. I will call when he is stable.”

  Adam said nothing and the silence was uncomfortable. Robert was becoming more anxious.

  “Adam, how is Alex? Can I talk to her,” Robert uttered into the silent void.

  Adam Lee still didn’t respond, so Robert repeated his question, “Congressman, could I speak to Alex?”

  Finally, Adam spoke, his words quiet and gruff. “We don’t know where she is, Robert. We can’t find her.”

  Robert was stunned. “Can’t find her? What does that mean?”

  “I means just that.” Adam’s voice was irritated. “We cannot find her. She has been missing all afternoon. She was thrown during the blast and we simply have not been able to locate her.” Adam sighed deeply and continued,” I guess you could say she’s missing.”

  “Missing?” Rendered momentarily speechless, Robert looked at his watch. It was almost 8 pm. After several more seconds of silence passed, Robert blurted out, “Adam, she could freeze in this weather. Surely you have looked for her?”

  Adam’s short temper flared. “Hell yes, we’ve looked for her, boy. We been looking for over four hours. The Secret Service, local police, FBI, friends, neighbors, everyone. We can’t find her.”

  “But you must find her. If more time goes by, she will be dead, frozen to death. Let me get back there and I will search too.” Robert’s voice cracked as he thought of his beloved Alex lying dead somewhere out there in the snow.

  Adam laughed shortly. “Good luck with that Robert. It’s still snowing like a SOB here. There are no vehicles moving except snowmobiles.” Taking pity on his former grandson-in-law he continued, “We’ll find her soon, son. Don’t worry. I’ll call you as soon as we do.”

  “But Adam, I need to help.” Robert was adamant.

  “You can’t,” he said flatly. “There’s nothing you can do and there’s no way to get you back here tonight. Stay with Jack and Monique and take care of things at the hospital.”

  Robert was not pacified. His resentment toward Adam was profound. They’d never gotten along that well. Adam Lee was the most stubborn man Robert had ever met. “Could I talk with Kathryn,” Robert asked in desperation.

  There was another pause. “You cannot. She’s not available.” Adam’s voice was brusque.

  Robert couldn’t hold his tongue any longer. “What in the hell do you mean, ‘not available’? I want to talk to her,” Robert snapped.

  Adam was adamant. “You cannot talk to Kathryn because I can’t find her either. Someone said she just took off in a snowmobile with Mary Stildove and Digger has no idea where they went. I told you Robert, I’ll call you later ... when I know something.”

  Robert heard a loud click and the phone went dead.

  Chapter 34

  Travis Stoner, John Cole, and Digger Stildove shed their jackets and boots in the Command Center, and then headed through the kitchen and down the back hall to Congressman Adam Lee’s office. Adam was in his recliner, tumbler of whiskey still in hand, nodding off.

  Stoner and Cole turned toward Digger who shrugged his shoulders and said, “Let’s wake him. He’ll have our hides if we don’t keep him up to date.”

  Stoner gently shook Adam on the shoulder. Adam’s eye popped open and he jumped to his feet so that he could be eye to eye with the men.

  “Gentlemen, are you frozen,” he quipped, waiting for the inevitable as he carefully surveyed their body language. He couldn’t tell a thing from looking at them, but there weren’t the usual jokes or guffaws commonly heard when lawmen were together. He feared the worse. He had to hand it to them, these Secret Service agents were as professional as any lawmen he’d ever seen.

  Digger interjected, “Yeah, just about. The snow is letting up, but there’s a thin sheet of ice that has mixed in. Pretty bad out there. Slick as a whistle. Temperature’s up a little or it wouldn’t be sleeting.”

  Adam nodded and gestured to Stoner. “Did you find anything? I need a report.”

  Stoner’s face was grave and in a tightly controlled voice he said, “Yeah, we found Seth. Dead, shot in the back over near the creek on the far side of the estate.”

  Adam paled with anger. “Those Mother Fuckers. Shot in the back. These are some chicken shit bastards.” His eyes filled with tears as he looked at Stoner and Cole. “I am so sorry. I know you all were tight and had worked together for a long time.”

  John looked at the floor and said nothing. He was trying to keep it together. He and Seth were close. He briefly remembered their last time in Afghanistan, and recalled how Seth and Jacob Stark had pulled him out of the way of an IED, just in time. If it hadn’t been for them, he’d either be dead or a double amputee. His eyes filled with tears at the memory. The three of them had been like the three musketeers, always watching out for each other’s back.

  Adam had wandered toward the bar and refilled his tumbler. “What’s your poison, gentlemen. It’s time for a drink.”

  John answered, “Bourbon for me, rocks, and Stoner wants Scotch. The best you’ve got.”

  Stoner started to protest, but Adam interrupted,” I insist, Agent Stoner. I
’m still boss here and a snort won’t hurt any of us. Then we’ll sit down and figure out how to catch these bastards.”

  Digger shook his head and said, “Not for me, Adam. I’m going back out and look for Joe. We haven’t found his body, so maybe he’s alive and injured somewhere.”

  Cole stood up. “I’ll go with you, Digger,” he said, handing his tumbler back to Adam.

  Digger shook his head. “No, John, I’d rather you didn’t. I have extra search lights in my snowmobile and I can put them in the side seat. I’ll need the space to put Joe in if I find him. And,” he promised, “If he’s out there, I will find him. You guys have a drink for me and I’ll be back soon.”

  Stoner looked uncertain, but Digger waved his protests away. “You guys tell Adam about the guy in the blue pickup truck I told you about from earlier today. We need to get the State Police to get an APB out for that truck. I’m sure that guy is involved in this.”

  “Blue pickup? Fill me in, Stoner,” Adam insisted, pointing toward the sofa. ”I want to know everything about the chicken-shit bastards so we can roast them for breakfast.”

  Chapter 35

  Sarah Harding sat in the chair next to her deceased daughter and cried as quietly as she could. Even though she knew Helen was dying, it was still a shock to see her frail, white form lying lifeless in the bed. It was a little after six in the morning and Haley was still asleep. She’d heard Jacob’s truck leave about an hour ago. She had remained in her bed, hoping to catch a few more hours of sleep, but a feeling had propelled her to her daughter’s room.

  Another hour passed before Sarah eventually made her way to the kitchen and called Doc Smith, who had been Helen’s doctor since she was a baby. He answered immediately.

  “Sarah, good morning. I can only imagine you’re calling me because Helen has passed away,” Doc Smith began gently.

  Sarah was too choked up to speak. Her chest hurt so badly that she thought it would burst. She let out a stifled sob, still unable to speak.

  Doc sighed to himself and spoke gently, “It’s OK, Sarah. She was in so much pain. Now, there is no pain and she’s at peace. We both know Helen would want us to be brave for Haley. Tell you what, I’m going to have Dotty, my wife, come over and get Haley in our snowmobile and bring her here for breakfast.”

  Sarah finally found her voice and said, “Don’t you think it’s OK here?”

  Doc’s voice was soothing. “It probably is, but I have to call an ambulance to come and get Helen and that may be a bit upsetting for Haley. This way she won’t be in the house. I’ll have the ambulance take Helen directly to the funeral home.”

  Sarah thought for a minute. “That’ll be fine, Doc. Haley loves Dotty. We’ll treat it as an adventure. I’ll tell Haley her mother has gone to heaven tonight.”

  “OK, that sounds good. Do you still want the remains cremated, Helen? I know they will ask for instructions again.”

  “Yes, and Doc, would you please register her at the funeral home as Helen Harding?”

  Doc was curious. “I can, but why,” he asked in response.

  “Jake asked me to. He was here with her when she died, but had to leave. I think he’s leaving the country again.” Sarah’s voice sounded despondent.

  Doc seemed satisfied. “I’m sure there must be a good reason if Jacob requested it. I’ll take care of all of this and you know, Sarah, I am the medical examiner for Shenandoah County as well, so we can skip all of that paperwork.” Doc was proud of all of the titles he held for the small, Shenandoah Valley County.

  Sarah gave a sign of relief and replied, “Well, Doc, in my book, you’ve always had it covered. Thank you for all of your help with Helen, and for all of the help over the years.” With those last words, her voice began to crack noticeably.

  “You’ve got it, Sarah. I love you, and Helen. I’ll be here for you and Haley as long as you need me. I’ll see you shortly,” he promised as he hung up the phone.

  Sarah choked down another sob as she hung up the phone. What in the world would I have done without Doc these past few years? He’s been like a father to me and a granddad to Haley. It was then that she noticed the handwritten letter from Jake taped to the refrigerator with a children’s lime green band aid. She opened it, her hand shaking. The note read:

  “Sarah, I am so sorry to leave at a time like this. I was with Helen when she passed away. I loved your daughter, and I love you and Haley. I am going to have to relocate because I have several enemies who would love to find me. Please keep the funeral low key and try not to draw attention to you or Haley. When we reunite, we’ll take Helen’s ashes and we’ll distribute them together. I will try to accomplish this quickly, and will contact you as soon as I can. In the meantime, if there is an emergency, or if anyone comes looking for me that frightens you, please call me at the number below. DO NOT share this number with anyone. Commit it to your memory and then destroy this letter. I promise I will come for you all just as soon as I can. Please hug and kiss Haley for me.

  Sarah read the letter several times, trying hard to commit the words and the phone number to memory. She looked out of the window at the snow laden fields and trees. It was the loneliest, saddest feeling she had ever experienced in her life, even when her beloved husband had passed away. She allowed herself one more episode of tears and then went to wake her granddaughter.

  Chapter 36

  Kathryn pulled her North Face outerwear tightly against her as the snowmobile zipped across the field. The weather was beyond cold, the wind arctic. The snow was coming down fast and hard, and the ice crystals cut into her face. She stole a look over at Mary Stildove, who drove the snowmobile at optimum speed while maintaining complete control over the vehicle. Belle was running about fifty feet ahead of them. Mary doesn’t seem to mind the cold. I guess that’s the difference between old bones and younger ones.

  The vehicle turned suddenly and headed down a steep hill toward the river. The snow was deep and had drifted to over three feet in some areas. All around them and along the river line the trees were doubled over from the weight of the snow and ice. Kathryn shuddered as her heart constricted in her chest. Her breathing came out in short little bursts. She prayed they would get there in time. The explosion was hours ago and it was now dark. She hoped Alex hadn’t frozen to death, but had to at least consider the possibility.

  She strained her eyes to see Belle, who seemed to have disappeared. Mary slowed the accelerator and headed even closer to the river. Kathryn couldn’t see anything except the snow and ice. The snow mobile was virtually crawling now. Suddenly, Mary stopped and jumped out.

  “Stay here, Kathryn,” she ordered. “Let me see how slick it is.”

  “Why did we stop? Do you see Belle,” Kathryn asked.

  “Yes, she’s over there. Just wait here until I can determine how hard it is to walk out here.”

  “No, I’m coming now,” Kathryn said stubbornly. “At this point every minute counts.”

  “Kathryn, no. No. Please don’t come yet. I don’t need to try to bring back two of you. Just give me a minute to check things out and I’ll be right back.”

  Kathryn didn’t say anything, but she saw the pleading look in Mary’s dark eyes. Finally she said, “Just hurry up. You have less than five minutes and then I am coming.” Kathryn’s voice was defiant, resolute.

  Mary ran swiftly toward the river where Belle was standing. When she saw Alex’s still form, her heart sank. Oh no, we’re too late. She quickly searched for a pulse but felt nothing. Alex was so pale and her lips were blue. Several inches of snow had fallen since Belle had covered Alex with the leaves and canvas tarp.

  Belle looked at Mary with huge, dark eyes. “Mary, do something. We have to get her back to the house.”

  Mary looked briefly at the ghost. “I think it’s too late, Belle.”

  Belle shook her head vehemently. “No, no. She’s alive. If she were not, I would know. Now, hurry, let’s move her.”

  Mary didn’t look convinced, b
ut she moved quickly back to the snowmobile for the backboard and raced back to Alex, with Kathryn following close behind her.”

  Kathryn’s hand flew to her mouth when she saw the still form of her granddaughter in the snow. Her voice hysterical, Katherine cried out, “Oh my God, Mary, we are too late. She is dead.”

  Mary looked up from treating Alex just as Kathryn collapsed into the snow, crying softly. Belle was shaking her gently on the shoulder.

  Belle’s voice was soft but clear, in spite of the howling winds. “She’s alive, Kathryn, but we must help Mary move her.”

  Kathryn looked into Belle’s bottomless eyes and moved closer to Alex, kneeling at her side. “What do I do,” she asked Mary, her voice shaking.

  “Help me pull her over on her side so I can slip this backboard under her,” Mary instructed in a firm voice. “On my count of three. Do not move or drop her, or else we will break her bones. I’m sure they are close to frozen. Can you do this?”

  Kathryn nodded, and held Alex’s shoulder and hip gently as Mary deftly slid the board under her back. Alex’s thin frame moved stiffly onto the board. She looked like a china doll. Kathryn could feel frozen tears on her face.

  “Hurry, hurry, Kathryn. I am going to pull her to the vehicle. Can you make your way in the snow?” Mary looked at the older woman with skepticism.

  “Of course I can, Mary,” Kathryn snapped. “Do I look helpless to you,” she asked in a heated voice.

  Mary smiled to herself. I like her much better when she fusses at me than when she’s upset.