by Oliver, Tess
“To be honest,” I said, “I’m glad you came along. I was a little nervous about going there alone.”
“Then why did you agree to go?”
“I don’t know. Your dad just looked so distraught, and I was glad to be able to do something to help.”
He looked over at me. “Help? Maybe you forgot the twenty minutes you leaned over Ethan keeping pressure on his wound. You saved his life, Auggie.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but I’m glad I was there to help.”
“Especially because my dad was about as helpful as a piece of wood. I still can’t believe that he didn’t see the guy. He was the first person at the scene. How could he not have seen him?”
“His son was lying in a pool of blood in the snow— that’s how.”
He shook his head. “Such loyalty. You just won’t stop making excuses for him.”
“What can I say? There just aren’t that many cool professors at the university. Besides, I may not be a parent, but it had to be horrible for him. You need to give him a break.”
Dalton sighed and took another sip of coffee. “My leg hurts like hell.”
“I’m sorry. But you were moving pretty well in the snow after the shooting.”
He shook his head. “Yeah, for a second out there I forgot about the leg and remembered what it was like to be whole again.”
“I think it showed that with a little work and determination,” I glanced over at him, “and a little less self-pity, that leg could heal faster.”
He glanced over at me and lifted his brow. “Self-pity? I was actually using that line to earn a little sympathy sex.”
“I think you’ll find that I can be quite charitable when I put my mind to it. It might be arranged a little later when things have settled down.”
Chapter 17
We both fell silent as I turned the car up the road that led to the house. The surreal horror of it all was still fresh in our minds. Even in the dark, the blood-stained patch of snow made the landscape look like a contrived setting in a horror movie.
Dalton leaned forward and wiped some of the condensation off the inside of the windshield. He scanned the area, but the new evening had brought a layer of darkness that would give a cloak of invisibility to any predator lying in wait.
I looked up into the rearview mirror. The rear window of my car was nearly opaque with frost. “From what I’ve always seen on police shows, the criminal rarely returns to the scene.” But somehow that little piece of knowledge did little to ease my fear. I parked the car as close as possible without actually driving up the front porch steps and pulling into the entryway.
We were both tightly wound enough that the sound of Dalton’s phone made us jump. He pulled it out of his pocket, and the disgusted look on his face told me it was his dad. “Everything all right, Dad?”
I could hear Professor North’s deep voice but couldn’t make out the words. The tone coming through the phone sounded sharp and anxious.
“That’s because I left the hospital. You sent August by herself back to the house? Have you lost your fucking mind?”
The professor’s voice grew louder and harsher, but it was still too muffled to make out what he was saying.
Dalton lifted the phone slightly off his ear, and his forehead creased in total confusion. “Yes, I went with her. There was no way I was going to let her go alone. I can’t believe—”
His dad seemed to be yelling into the phone.
“It’s too late to turn around. We’re already home. We’ll be back soon.”
As unintelligible as the voice coming through the phone was, the rage could not be missed.
Dalton hung up on him and stared at his phone. Then he looked up at me. “So, when is it all right to stop cutting him some slack because it seems he has definitely lost his goddamned mind.”
“Maybe he just didn’t want to be alone at the hospital.”
He raised his brow at me.
“You’re right. Sorry.”
The phone rang again. Dalton glanced at the screen and then tossed the phone into the backseat. It rang urgently and then went to voicemail. Dalton peered out the windows of the car. “You ready with that dodge and weave pattern because I was kind of looking forward to watching it from behind.”
I smiled. “All hail, my great and heroic protector.”
He motioned with his head. “Let’s go.”
“Your dad said the side door was unlocked.”
“Obviously that’s a stupid habit that will have to end. That’s how I got in the night I climbed into bed with you. You and your very sexy flannel pajamas.” He reached into his pocket. “Since you nearly parked in the entryway, I think we might as well go in the front door. It’s the closest and I have a key.” His phone rang again and he ignored it. “I’m going to take a quick shower while you change and get the paperwork. Ethan’s blood soaked all the way through.”
We opened our car doors. I hopped out and dashed for the steps. Dalton followed as quickly as he was capable of with a swollen leg, and we shut the door behind us.
The last moments of hysteria seemed to linger in the empty house. An event like today would scar the cozy, charming home forever and that thought saddened me.
Dalton limped to the kitchen and emerged with a box of cookies. He held out the box but I shook my head. “No appetite yet. I’m going to change and get the paperwork. You should hurry in and shower or your dad really will have a stroke. Besides, you should be at the hospital.”
He shoved a handful of cookies into his mouth, put the box on the counter and headed to his bedroom.
I went in to wash up and change. The office door was ajar and I glanced inside as I walked by it. A small stack of boxes remained, and it was hard to know if would finish them or not. Professor North would now be occupied at the hospital, and it was entirely possible that he would tell me to leave the project for now. I stared at my reflection. I looked nearly as bad as the professor with my pale cheeks and eyes that were still swollen from tears. I removed my sweater. It wasn’t nearly as bad off as Dalton’s shirt, but it wasn’t salvageable, which worked out. It would be a far too grim reminder of this day.
I washed my face and arms. In junior high and high school we’d always been told never to touch another person’s blood. And yet when I saw someone in grave danger of losing his life from blood loss it was impossible to stop myself from helping. I pulled on a new sweater and brushed my hair. Dalton’s shower turned on, and briefly, I blushed at the thought of our first encounter under the water.
I walked back to the office and turned on the light. As always, I was met with the slight odor of mildew and dust that lingered on the ancient artifacts. I headed over to the bookshelves. Osiris still faced the computer, and I wondered, now, if I’d just imagined the change in position. I stooped down to the file cabinet and pulled out the drawer. The shower stopped. We would soon be on our way back to the hospital.
Just as the professor had said, the folder was in the front of the cabinet clearly marked health insurance. It almost seemed prophetic that the folder would be at the front since the remaining folders were in alphabetical order.
As I stood, a large cold hand went roughly over my mouth. The contents of the folder fluttered to the floor as my arm was wrenched painfully behind my back. I was terrified and all I could think was how pissed my mom was going to be at me for getting killed instead of flying to France.
“Thought you’d be alone. I won’t hurt you if you cooperate.” The deep, horrifying voice sent a shiver up my spine, and my heart pounded against my chest. The taste of his hand on my mouth sent a wave of nausea through me. My attacker’s hands gripped me painfully as he dragged me awkwardly backwards out of the corner and then shoved me roughly toward the bookshelf.
“Show me to the secret
compartment,” he growled.
In my state of terror, I didn’t comprehend what he was asking. He pushed my arm higher. “Hurry.”
Then I remembered the arm band, the priceless arm band. My free hand shook as I pointed toward the statue. He nearly lifted my feet from the ground as he shoved me closer to it. I moved the statue and searched around blindly for something, a switch, a lever, a button, something that would open the chamber. My eyes watered with pain as my thumb finally brushed over a small switch in a small notch on the otherwise smooth shelf. I flicked it and the motor rumbled as the door opened. The professor would never forgive me, but I had no choice.
I reached in for the box just as my attacker grunted and released my mouth and arm. I heard the awful sound of a bone breaking and willed myself to turn around. Dalton had the man by the throat. My attacker’s face was covered with a black ski mask but blood poured from the nose hole. His arms flailed wildly as Dalton raised his fist and plowed it into the guy’s face again.
Dalton released him, and the man dropped to the floor in a heap. He was dressed head to toe in black. Dalton reached down and yanked off his mask. The man was out cold and his nose was slightly off center along with his jaw.
“Call the police from the phone on the desk,” Dalton said. “I don’t want you to wander to any of the other rooms. We don’t know if he was alone.”
The guy groaned and his arm reached up to his nose. Dalton grabbed him roughly by the shirt and hit him again. The man’s head bounced off the floor. Dalton stretched open his fingers and rubbed his knuckles. “I’ll watch that he doesn’t come to.”
All of my limbs trembled as I raced to the phone and picked it up. The front door opened and shut and I held my breath in horror. Dalton kicked the guy’s head with his army boot a few times to make sure he was out. He lifted his finger to his mouth for me to be quiet and then he searched around the room and picked up a small marble statue. He stayed close to the wall as he stepped out into the hallway.
“Dalton!” Professor North’s voice shot down the empty hallway, and my shoulders relaxed.
“Dad, what the hell? Is Ethan all right?”
“He’s stable. They’re waiting for the surgeon. I was worried so I headed home. What has happened?
“Come into the office and see for yourself,” Dalton said.
“Police,” the sudden voice made me jump.
“Yes, I’d like to report a break in at 435 Evergreen Lane. We have the suspect. You might want a send an ambulance too.” I glanced up as Dalton walked around the corner. His dad followed with an expression that could only be described as complete and utter disappointment. I’d been explaining away his strange behavior all day, but this reaction was the most bizarre of all.
Professor North stared down at the man on the floor and then like a man moving through thick tar he turned slowly to me. “You weren’t hurt, were you?”
“No, I’m fine. Just waiting for my heart rate to slow down.” I looked over at Dalton. “I’m just glad Dalton came with me. The thief was after the arm band.”
Professor North walked over to the secret compartment and shut the door, not with an expression of relief that his priceless artifact had been saved, but rather with the same ill-timed look of disappointment.
“The police are on their way,” I said. “It seems we may have unraveled the mystery surrounding the shooter. Obviously, they were trying to get to the arm band.”
The man on the floor moved and writhed in pain. Dalton was about to grab him when his dad placed a restraining arm on his shoulder. Dalton’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.
“Dalton, look at him. He’s no threat to us now.”
“Then you stand watch over him.”
“I will. Why don’t you two go out on the porch and wait for the police.”
“Dad—”
“I’ll be fine.” Professor North reached for the small statue. “I’m armed.”
Dalton shook his head. “The second he comes to, crack him over the head.” He walked over and took my hand.
Flashing red lights flew up the road toward the house as we stepped onto the porch. “What a day, huh?” Dalton asked with the same amount of disbelief that I felt.
Then, like a massive bolt of lightning, the culmination of the day’s events hit me in one solid strike and my knees collapsed.
“Auggie.” Dalton’s strong arms wrapped around me before I could slip to the ground. Just being in his embrace and breathing in the scent of him revived me, and I clutched his shirt tightly and pressed my face against him.
“I’m sorry,” I sobbed, “it sort of all just hit me at once. And that guy had his hand around my mouth,” I cried harder and his arms tightened.
“Are you kidding with the sorry, Auggie? You knelt over my brother in his pool of blood and held your hand against a bullet wound. You just survived an assault and robbery.” He kissed my forehead. “Hell, I thought I was going to pass out cold when I saw my brother lying there in the snow.” He hugged me tighter. “I knew you were different and fucking incredible the first time I laid eyes on you.”
I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and peered up at him. “You mean after I ran you off the road with my car?”
“Well, maybe a little after that.” He lifted my chin and kissed me lightly on the mouth as the red lights reached the driveway. Three police cars flew at top speed toward the house and a giant beam of light spotlighted us on the porch.
“Show us your hands,” an officer commanded through the darkness.
“And the fun continues,” I sniffled.
Dalton released me, and we both put up our hands.
“The perpetrator is inside. My father is standing watch over him,” Dalton called down to them.
Dalton led them into the office, but I’d had enough. I couldn’t stand the thought of stepping into that office or seeing the man on the floor again.
“Dad!” It was not what I’d expected to hear as they entered the room, but once again, my heart nearly leapt from my chest.
Five policemen crowded into the office and several more began looking around at doors and other entry points.
I forced myself into the office to see what was wrong.
Professor North sat in a chair with two of the officers attending to him. There was a gash in his forehead and he looked completely dazed. My attacker was nowhere in sight.
Three of the officers pushed past me and ran out the side door of the house with their guns drawn.
I felt the blood drain from my head and I grabbed hold of the doorway to catch myself. Dalton raced over and put his arm around me. “I should have stayed with him. He grabbed the statue and hit Dad and then took off out the side door.”
I glanced at the book shelf. The secret door was open and the black box was sitting on the shelf, turned on its side and empty. Professor North looked miserable and confused. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that the priceless artifact was gone.
The next minutes were chaos as several officers searched the house and the rest searched the property. It seemed the man had vanished as if he’d had wings on his shoes.
Dalton and I gave a detailed description of the man and all that had transpired, but we needed to get his dad to the hospital for some stitches. Ethan would be heading into surgery and they needed to be there.
Dalton took hold of my hand. “How are you holding up, Auggie?”
I shrugged weakly. “And to think I could have spent the holiday in France.”
“I guess you’ll rethink my dad’s next invite to the house.”
I took hold of the edges of his jacket and tried to pull him toward me, but physics weren’t on my side and I flew toward him instead. “You’re like a paperweight,” I laughed feeling almost giddy with the craziness of the day’s events.
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His arm curled behind my back and he kissed me. “Solid as a rock sounds cooler than paperweight.”
I reached up and ran my fingers lightly down his cheek. “If I hadn’t accepted your dad’s invitation, I would have never met Private North, and, frankly, he’s been the best holiday fun I’ve had in a long while.”
He kissed me again. “I’m going to drive my dad in his car. Follow us in yours. One of the police cars is going to lead us there with lights so we can get back faster. I don’t think Dad’s head wound is as bad as it looks, but he needs to be looked at.”
I glanced over at the professor. He was sitting in the passenger seat of his car with a cloth pressed against his forehead. An officer was crouched down at the car taking down some more notes.
“Does he know that the arm band is gone?” I asked.
Dalton nodded. “Surprisingly, he wasn’t all that upset. I think too much has happened to worry about it. Officer Finch said whoever the guy was he was an expert. Got away for now but they’re putting out road blocks.”
“Whoever it was, he seemed to know that the artifact was hidden in the bookshelf.”
Dalton looked at me. “Really? That’s strange.”
“And I think there was something else the guy said that seemed really weird.” I tapped my chin but it didn’t help revive my memory. “I can’t remember it right now, but it’ll come to me.”
“With the day you’ve had today, I’m surprised you can even remember your name.”
He dropped his arm over my shoulder and walked me to my car. “Lock it,” he said, “apparently, there are all kinds of weirdoes running around these parts.”
Chapter 18
