I want nothing but the best for you. If you can find it in your heart, I’d like for you to get to know the real Sarah Harris. I hope you have a fabulous eighteenth birthday. I hope all your dreams come true. I’m sorry I wasn’t a part of your life, but you will always be a part of mine. I gave you away because I loved you, Molly. I still do.
Love always,
Momma
Molly folded the now tear stained pages and slid them back into the envelope. She put it in her pocket. No one needed to know she had it. Rainey would never tell. It was not related to Sarah or Cheryl’s murder. She imagined how it must have felt for her mother to write that letter, not knowing if Molly would reject her attempt to reconnect. She would not have. Molly would have jumped at the chance to see her mother again. No matter what a rotten parent Sarah Harris had been, she was her mother and Molly loved her without question.
There was a light tap at the door. Rainey opened it a crack to say, “Hey, are you all right? Detective Arnold is getting antsy.”
“I’m okay,” Molly said, sniffling and wiping the tears away again.
“Tough one, huh?”
A tension chuckle left Molly’s chest. “You could say that. I’m good, though, really.” Molly stood up. “We can go now, if you’re finished.”
Rainey smiled, a mischievous grin she often wore. “Good. Detective Porky was starting to get on my nerves. I’ve held off, but I’m afraid I may have to shoot him if he cracks one more sexist comment.”
Molly found a box of Kleenex beside Joe’s bed, wiped her eyes, and blew her nose.
Rainey waited patiently until Molly was at the door, before saying, “Love them or hate them, we are all our mother’s daughters. They leave their mark on us, for good and bad. I read her psych reports. She loved you, Molly. You can trust that was true.”
“I never doubted that, Rainey. I just wondered if she knew she did.”
“Did you get your answer?” Rainey asked, with her hand on the doorknob.
The right corner of Molly’s mouth rose, producing a dimple, and forming the exact same smile of the little girl in the picture holding the giant catfish. “She did.”
#
Molly and Rainey arrived back at the bed and breakfast to find everyone outside, gathered around a chiminea glowing with fire. Brad and Danny were by the grill cooking steaks. Seated by the fire, Randy and Leslie were entertaining James with stories of their harrowing run from the FBI that afternoon. It looked like any other friendly gathering, unless a closer look was taken. Glocks on hips, bulges at the ankles, constant scanning of the horizon, were all signs of vigilance from experienced law enforcement personnel. These were the ones Molly could see. She felt the eyes of others on her, as well.
Tammy came out of the house with a pitcher of tea, and two glasses for the new arrivals. “Y’all come sit over here by the fire. The steaks will be ready in a few minutes.”
Molly sat in the empty chair across from Leslie. She could see Leslie scrutinizing her face, trying to read her mood. Molly smiled through the smoke and sparks floating in the air. Leslie was not buying it, but fortunately, Rainey sat down next to Leslie and started talking about her kids. Molly wished Katie could have seen Rainey light up the way she did. Even as she complained about no sleep and no life, Molly doubted Rainey wanted to miss one minute of watching those babies grow. She was not with them now, and Molly suspected Rainey more than missed her family already. Rainey was making the sacrifice for Molly, a gesture that did not go unnoticed.
Randy was not as fascinated with the baby talk. He walked over to stand by Molly, pointing back at Leslie. “You better watch her. She’ll be wanting one of those.”
That shocked Molly out of her thoughts. She looked up at Randy. “You don’t think she wants a kid, do you?”
Randy shrugged. “I don’t know. Did you ask her?”
“No. It never came up.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. I doubt there was a lot of talking.” Molly punched him in the leg, playfully, but it did not stop him. Randy continued to taunt her. “I am so glad I’m a witness to the fall of Molly Kincaid the legendary player. I never would have believed it without seeing it with my own eyes. Smitten and carried away by a country girl. The social network will be all abuzz.”
“Do that many people really care who I date?” Molly asked, genuinely wanting to know.
“This isn’t dating, honey,” Randy said, kneeling down so they were eye to eye. “One of the Triangle’s most eligible bachelorettes has been taken off the market. Hearts will be broken. So, is she coming back to Durham with you?”
Molly looked across the smoke and fire at Leslie. “Yes, she is.”
Randy patted Molly’s shoulder. “Well, I like her. Her parents are nice too. She looks like her mother. She grew up in a loving supportive environment, as opposed to your somewhat rocky road. You balance well. She’s perfect for you.”
Leslie smiled toward them and Molly said, “Yes, she is perfect.”
Randy was not teasing when he said, “It’s a good match, Molly.”
Rainey’s phone rang. Molly watched her answer, assuming it was Katie checking in. The look on Rainey’s face told her it was not. Rainey stood and walked away from the group. She made eye contact with Molly and the look sent chills down her spine. She bit her lip, concentrating on Rainey’s face, trying to decipher what the call was about. Rainey spoke a few sentences to the person on the phone and then hung up. Molly stood up, leaving Randy by her chair, and walked to where Rainey was standing.
“That didn’t look like a friendly chat,” she said, when she reached Rainey.
“That was Brooks. You got another email.” Rainey pushed buttons on her phone and then turned it so Molly could read what was on the screen.
“You can’t protect them all. If you open that box tomorrow, people will die. I think I’ll start with Leslie Walker. You seem to fancy her. The FBI is watching you, but can they watch them all? Leave the key and leave town. I’ll deliver Cheryl Erickson’s murderer to the police. Joey goes free. Our business will be complete. You will receive instructions soon. I’m not alone. We’re watching you. Enjoy the steaks.”
Before Molly could react to what she read, Rainey grabbed her arm. “Look at me. Don’t look around. Now, laugh.”
Rainey laughed as if she had just told a joke. Molly joined her, following Rainey’s instructions not to look around. Rainey slid her arm over Molly’s shoulders, just two old friends laughing. She started moving Molly back to the group.
“Let’s get these people inside and then we’ll talk.”
Rainey left Molly standing beside Leslie’s chair, and went to speak with Danny and Brad.
Leslie looked up, asking, “Is there anything wrong? You were biting your lip. That usually means something serious.”
“No, everything is fine,” Molly answered, forcing a smile. She glanced over at Rainey. “I think this will all be over very soon.”
Brad turned to the group, saying, “Y’all go on in and make your salads. I’ll bring the steaks in a minute.”
Leslie stood and they joined the procession into the house, with Molly sneaking a look into the darkness. Yes, this was all going to end soon. She was going to see to that.
#
Molly moved the food around on her plate, but she ate very little. Her appetite left when she read that email. She was putting on a show, smiling appropriately, commenting during the conversation at the table, but inside Molly was weighing her options. Was knowing the truth worth jeopardizing so many lives? She could take Joey and Leslie away from here, washing her hands of the whole mess. If the person sending the email could really free Joey from jail, what else was important enough to risk Leslie’s life?
Once again, Molly was faced with the decision she had to make so many years ago. She could take a swing and hope the hit landed, say “no more” and charge head-on into danger, whatever the consequences. Or she could give up the key, walk away, never knowing what happened to
her mother, who killed her and why. The FBI could stay behind and hunt their serial killing pack without her. Molly did not care what was in that box, just that it involved the four men she suspected of criminal conspiracy. She realized she had been quiet for a long time, when Leslie touched her knee.
“You’re a thousand miles away. Aren’t you hungry?”
Molly looked into those eyes she had fallen so madly in love with and came to a decision. “No, not really. I’m going to go read over some things. Finish your dinner.”
Leslie looked concerned, but did not follow Molly when she politely excused herself from the table. Rainey’s eyes trailed after Molly, but she remained at the table, too. Molly went up to her room, finding her clothes from earlier, and removing the microphone and camera James had attached to them. A nearby surveillance van recorded her entire day, except when she was inside the courtroom. The plan had been for her to wear a wire, hoping someone would make a mistake, threaten her openly, anything to warrant questioning by the FBI. Danny was hunting a serial killer somehow involved in Molly’s case. He was hoping to be able to spot a clue during Molly’s interactions with the locals.
Molly pulled a black blouse out of the closet. She tore away one of the buttons, wiring herself back up, hiding the tiny camera where the button had been. She remembered James smiling, as he handed her the button from her Hugo Boss jacket, in the bathroom earlier.
“Good thing you can have that sewn back on, right?” He laughed, adding, “That button probably cost more than everything I have on.”
With the camera in place, Molly pushed the power button, activating it. She felt for the key in her jeans pocket. It had not left her since taking it back from the bank manager. She slipped the Duke Law jacket on over the blouse, zipped the Walther and her cellphone into the pockets, and hurried down the servants’ stairs to the family room, slipping out the side door and into the darkness. With Danny, James, and Rainey in the house, the other agents had been pulled back. She was sure no one saw her dart through the shadows. No one would be listening or watching her surveillance feed. No one knew she was wearing it. She hoped that when they realized she was gone, Rainey would know. Rainey would find her. Molly just needed a head start to draw out the suspects.
She had come to the decision to end this here and now, because she did not want to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life. Molly did not want to worry whenever Leslie was out of her sight. She walked away from this town once, and it still came back to haunt her. Molly was not running away this time. Sarah Harris’s girl thought her mother deserved justice and if it cost Molly her life, at least it would be over for the rest of them.
#
Molly stood in the shadows on the vacant street corner, watching as the vehicles pulled up one by one. She used her phone to call information on the walk to downtown. She called each man, asking him to meet her at Judge Whitehall’s office. She told them she would bring the key and end this now, but she had something she wanted to say. When they questioned her about a trap, she calmly said, “If you’re really watching me, then you know I’m alone.”
Three of the men were already there, standing by the judge’s office door. No one would think twice about seeing these men together. Molly was sure they had been meeting like this for years, deciding the fates of their neighbors over drinks. Jarvis looked nervously up and down the street. The other two laughed at something Molly could not hear. The final car pulled to a stop in front of the building. The passenger door opened, the interior light illuminating the old judge’s face. Molly saw that his grandson was driving. She watched the old man stand on shaky legs, leaning heavily on his cane. The grandson drove away, and the four conspirators moved inside.
Before Molly could move, a four-wheel-drive truck rolled slowly around the corner. When it passed under the streetlight, she saw that it was Stick behind the wheel. He craned his neck at the vehicles in front of the judge’s office. He stopped in the middle of the deserted street, sat a minute, and then drove away. He turned at the next block. Molly waited until she was sure he was gone, then took a deep breath, and strolled up the sidewalk.
She entered the building, the squeaking of the stairs announcing her ascent. The judge’s office door was left open. Light spilled out the door onto the hall floor. Placing a hand on the glass, she pushed the door open slowly. No one waited in the outer office. Molly had requested they wait in the judge’s office and so far, the men were observing her instructions. She followed the hallway toward the judge’s inner sanctum. Molly paused at the frame holding the picture of her mother. She took it off the wall. Sarah Harris smiled back at her. Molly stared at her reflection, the same eyes, the same dimple on the same cheek. Her mother was right. Molly never knew this confident, smiling woman.
“I’m sorry I didn’t have the opportunity to meet you, Sarah Harris. I loved you anyway. Your turn to keep me safe.”
She rehung the picture, adjusting the frame, straightening it again. Molly could hear men’s voices in hushed conversation. She continued down the hall, stopping just outside the judge’s door. The voices in the room hushed at her approach. Molly said a silent prayer that these men were not ruthless enough to kill her on sight. After all, only one of them was guilty of rape and the one in charge was ready to give up Jarvis for murder. She reached for the door handle, turning it slowly. Pushing the door open, she smiled broadly and faced the four men. She looked each one in the eye, before settling on the judge. She knew in a flash who her father was. Judge Whitehall stared back at her, biting his lip.
“Hello, daddy.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Molly, you shouldn’t have come here. They’re going to kill you.”
The judge’s words froze Molly to the spot. “What do you mean, they are going to kill me? Aren’t you running this show?”
The other three men laughed. Stewart stepped to the door, closing it behind Molly. Jarvis made a move toward her, before Bass stuck an arm out to stop him. Bass pulled his jacket back, exposing his sidearm, sneering at Molly.
“I know you got that thirty-eight in your pocket. Slide it out nice and easy and set it on the judge’s desk.”
Molly stood her ground. “I thought we were here to discuss what’s in that box in the bank, and how you can prevent it from being made public. That’s what it is, isn’t it? Something that could ruin all of you.”
“You’re never going to know, because you’re going to give us the key,” Bass answered.
Molly forced a laugh. “And why would I do that?”
Jarvis leered at her. “You played the wrong hand. You’re never walking out of here alive.”
“Are you going to shoot me in the judge’s office? How are you going to explain that?”
Stewart came up behind her, grabbing her arms at the elbows. He was not the scared pale man from this afternoon, now that he had the support of the others. While he removed the pistol and her cellphone from her pockets, he explained, “See, you’ve been making accusations of rape and murder. You believed the judge was your father and came here to kill him. Unfortunately, Bass shot you dead in the act. I think that will play well in the paper. I mean your mother was unstable. It’s not a leap to think you were too. Now, where’s the key?”
Molly wrestled away from him, stepping out of his grasp. “You don’t think I was stupid enough to bring it in here with me, do you? If you kill me, that key goes straight to the FBI. I’m not the only one that knows about all of you.”
The judge laughed. “I told you boys she was smart. It’s over. You had a nice run, time to pay for your sins.”
“What about your sins, Judge?” Bass spat out.
The judge pointed a palsied hand at Bass. “I’m ready to pay for my part in this, but I won’t be blamed for what you did after I was gone.”
Jarvis smirked at the judge. “There’s plenty of what you did do on that tape.”
The judge’s face turned scarlet. He rose partially out of his chair. “I thought she was d
ead when I called you for help. I never dreamed you would do that to her after I left. I’ve lived with that all these years, let you hold it over my head, force me to look away while you three did as you pleased in this town. I thought it would be better after Evan died, but it was worse. At least he was a scoundrel out in the open. You three are snakes in the grass. I’m glad it’s over.”
“You weren’t so high and mighty that night, when you asked us to clean up your mess,” Stewart snarled. He turned to Molly. “The judge here had a thing for your momma. He couldn’t leave her alone. Evan told him if he gave her a Quaalude she’d be willing to do anything. Old Marshall here couldn’t resist. She came to the courthouse that day to apply for a summer job. Marshall saw her and wooed her into his car and out to the fish house on the Branch property. He screwed her and then couldn’t wake her up. That’s when he called us.”
The judge was in a panic. “Molly, I didn’t mean to hurt her, I swear, but I thought she was dead. I was drunk. I called them because I didn’t know what to do. Jarvis drove me home in my car. I didn’t know she was still alive.”
Molly stared in disbelief, before finding the words to speak. “Your defense is that you thought she was dead after you drugged and raped her. That’s your mitigating circumstance, absolving you of guilt?”
Bass moved toward Molly. “Did you check her for a wire? The surveillance van is over in Goldsboro, so I know no one is listening, but she could be recording this.”
Molly had not thought of that. She just assumed the van was still around. The equipment only worked for a couple of thousand feet. Molly was on her own and in deep trouble. Stewart cornered her. Molly put her hands out to stop him.
“All right, all right. I’ll take it off myself. You do not need to touch me.”
Molly: House on Fire Page 39
