Protective Instincts

by Mary Marvella

  "Hello."

  "Brit," Julie whispered. "We're just inside the Peach county line on Hwy 78."

  "Julie! Are you --"

  "Brit, please don't interrupt. We're headed east in a battered green station wagon. My cell power is nearly gone, so I gotta hang up. He mustn't catch me using this phone or he'll take it away. He said we should be at the farm soon. I don't know any more, not where we were or where he's headed.

  Loud heavy footsteps headed her way. "Gotta go. Bye."

  "Be careful, love y-- "She heard the key slide in the lock.

  Julie disconnected and stuffed the phone into her pocket. She flushed the nasty toilet then washed her hands under the rusty faucet water.

  The door opened. Douglas stood silhouetted in the doorway. She wouldn't be able to make a run for it, but at least Brit could tell the police where she was headed.

  "Feel better?" he motioned for her to give him her hands. "Gotta put the bracelets back on 'til we get to the farm."

  "Please?" Julie tasted the bile caused by her need to beg this man for anything. She hoped her expression wouldn't give her away. "They hurt."

  * * * *

  "Well?" Esther gestured as she followed Brit to her computer crowded office.

  "I don't believe it. I just don't believe it." Brit reached to a high shelf for a folded, enlarged state map. She unfolded it, spreading it on the floor.

  "Brit! What are you doing?" Esther turned back to the door. "Sam, come see about your girlfriend. I think she's lost it."

  "Peach County. Peach County," Brit repeated like a mantra. Placing her fingertip on Florence she traced the main highway out of town, turning left, then north until she reached Highway 78, leading west.

  "Detective Briggs," she called. "Someone get Briggs."

  "Right behind you, Ms. Roberts," he hunkered down beside her. "The cell phone call?"

  "Yes, Julie said they're inside the county line, on Hwy 78." She pointed at the spot where the highway crossed the Peach County line.

  "Now?"

  "She was in the restroom of an old gas station two minutes ago."

  "Driving?"

  "A beat up old station wagon. Headed west."

  "Going?"

  "He said something about a farm. She heard him coming back and had to break the connection. That's all."

  "Let's find 'em." Briggs pushed past Sam and Drew to lean over a computer keyboard. Within seconds, he'd pulled up a screen showing a map of Peach County, two counties over. He flipped his cell phone open and punched his auto dial.

  Brit tried to listen to the detective's conversation while explaining to Sam and Esther what she had learned. "Sam, Julie is okay, so far.

  "Why didn't she call sooner?" Esther touched Brit's arm.

  "No signal or no privacy."

  She heard Drew saying something about kidnapping and having called the FBI. "The FBI is already involved." Drew turned to face Brit. "It's a kidnapping."

  "How many people can we involve before we spook him?" Brit narrowed her eyes at Drew. "What will happen then?

  Briggs cleared his throat. "He doesn't know we're on to him, does he? We assume he'll call back to try to get you to come to him. He'll surely use Julie as bait."

  Sam turned to her. "No," His quiet voice had a steely edge.

  "No?" Brit arched an eyebrow. "No, what?"

  "Not again. You're not putting yourself in danger again." Sam's hands cradled her cheeks, warming her. His eyes were as deep green as she'd ever seen them.

  "But Sam." Her lips trembled. "I have to try --"

  Sam's finger on her mouth silenced her. The jolt to her stomach was stronger than any reaction she'd had to him so far. Her heart almost stopped.

  "I will not let you put yourself in danger again. I can't take it. I won't allow it, love. Don't even think about it."

  "But --"

  "I know you and the answer is no! No, I won't let you."

  She saw red, but he stopped any argument. He was trying to show his mastery, stamping his ownership of her heart and her body. He already owned her heart.

  She couldn't give in to him. She'd risk her life for her closest friend, or for Sam, for that matter. She couldn't let him run her life. She couldn't deny her principles. Sam was too smart to deny that hiding would solve nothing. Someone wanted her dead and could hire another killer and another.

  Sam would be safe as long as he held her, as long as they were connected. She pulled away. He'd gone too far telling her what to do. She'd forgive him, though.

  "Sam, I have to do this. If anything happens to Julie because of me, I'll have a lifetime of guilt. I won't let that happen." She'd do what she thought was right, even if it meant facing her attacker again.

  "Brother." Drew and Esther moved to Sam's at his side.

  "Sammy." Esther touched Sam's collar and gazed up at him like a woman who wants something. Must be a childhood name for him, because he blushed.

  Brit moved away to confer with the officer who mapped out their strategy. "He said he'd call this evening. All phones are set on caller ID and we have back up from the Peach County Sheriff's Department. They're looking for any vehicle fitting the information Ms. Devereaux gave you. They'll be looking for someone using a pay phone, since it's unlikely Drake would use a phone at the same place he has your friend.

  "He might set up a fake site so we'll leave you, then maybe a different set of instructions for you to come alone, but he'll expect Mr. Samuels to be somewhere nearby."

  "If anything happens --"

  "Sam, we'll be with her every step of the way."

  "We were all watching out for her, but we all failed her already," Sam accused. "If we'd been doing our jobs, we'd have him and Julie would be safe. What if he beats us again?"

  "Not this time," Drew nodded at Sam and Brit. "We'll take care of you and Julie." He hugged her. "I promise."

  "You need to get some rest." Sam moved toward Brit again. "Please?"

  "I can't." She shook her head.

  Esther led her to a glider rocker. "Sit, I'll get us both some tea. I'll sit with you." She started toward the kitchen. "Julie will need you to be alert. Don't move."

  Brit sat. Her foot moved the chair back and forth. Letting Sam hold her would have been so much easier than what she had to do. He'd protect her. I have to do this myself. I have to do this for Julie. Tommy's killer will be caught and punished. The men who want me dead will be caught and put away. Then I can really begin to live. With Sam? The movement of the rocker soothed the terrors running through her. Slowly, she began to feel restful. Where is Julie? Is she safe?

  * * * *

  Julie watched the road, trying to remember landmarks. Where's he taking us? I hope the information I gave Brit will help. How can I get away, without making things worse?

  "You're awfully quiet, Julie dear. Is something wrong?" Douglas's tone was so damned solicitous.

  Jerk! Play along, just play along. "I'm just tired. The restroom back at the station was disgusting." She shivered and tried to look ill. "I'm still a little nauseous. How much farther?"

  "Almost there." He patted her arm. He slowed for a narrow bridge. The th-thunk thrummed in her blood. They turned onto a blacktop road, marked by a bent sign on a listing pole. She'd forgotten how loudly tires sounded on rough blacktop. She felt and heard everything so intently. Who would find her here?

  Blacktop gave way to gravel. With each bump, she wished she'd actually done more than make her call at the station. How long before her captor would search her and find her phone? How long before he would expect favors for favors?

  "You're gonna love this place," Douglas broke into her thoughts. She had to take note of their location. Houses were far apart, mostly back from the road, but at least there were houses. Definitely the boonies!

  "Does this place we're going belong to you?" she asked. She couldn't look him in the eye but she looked past his ear. "I'll bet it's your getaway." Shit! "I mean getting out into the country can be so soothing. Y
ou know, away from the hustle and bustle and nosey, I mean noisy, neighbors."

  He chuckled. "It's not the Hilton, but it's nice. There's electricity, hot and cold running water, even indoor bathrooms. Actually, there's a hot tub. We can have some fun there."

  Julie cringed at the images caused by that statement. Maybe she could drown him.

  "We seem awfully far from any place to buy supplies."

  He glanced at her, but put his attention back to keeping the station wagon out of the ruts in the rough dirt road.

  "I had someone put in food supplies. There's wood for the fireplaces, if we need it. Is there something you need?"

  "My – ah – tummy doesn't feel so good. Maybe it's something I ate. I hope so. Or I may need some – uh – girl stuff." Julie put on a pained expression to go with the blush naturally warming her face. She hoped this man was a cleanliness freak, who could be put off by what she would try to make him believe. Lord help her, she'd had enough experience with cramps to know how to fake them. He'd think she was sick; she could take him by surprise.

  "Get ready." He seemed excited. A large mailbox marked the drive where he slowed to a stop. The old vehicle rattled as they made their way down the neglected drive. Weeds scraped the sides and the under-carriage. The wood fence was missing paint and several posts. Past a curve, the faded, two story house loomed, large and dark, the perfect location for a spooky movie.

  Damn, wrong thought for someone in my predicament. The closer they moved, the shabbier the house front looked. A separate garage listed to the left, its door hung open and crooked. No one lived here. No one would be here to help her. She'd sorta hoped ….

  "It just needs a little paint," she offered. "Is it a working farm?" She nodded toward the red barn and two other outbuildings.

  His answering smile told her she had said the right thing. Could this house belong to him?

  "I've always proud of the farm, but my mother neglected it as she aged. This house was a place for me to belong." His low voice sounded as though he didn't mean to be heard. "She didn't need to sell my horse when she did. I saw to her bills and gave her money. Woman was too stingy to take care of my dog."

  "Can we take the cuffs off? Please?" She held her wrists out to him. "I can't wait to see your home."

  "You won't try to run? I wouldn't want you to get lost in the woods." He rubbed the cuff marks left on her wrists.

  "Are there snakes?"

  "I'll protect you." Douglas straightened.

  Who'd protect her from him?

  Julie followed her captor up cement steps and across loose boards on a large front porch. "We'll use the back porch next time. I can't have you falling through one of these rotten boards. I'll fix them once we've finished our job with the teacher bitch and her boyfriend."

  Our job? He's out of his freakin' mind.

  He was trembling and his face was an angry mask when he finished the sentence. By the time he'd unlocked the door and escorted Julie to a deacon's bench in the dark foyer, he had stopped shaking.

  He flipped a light switch bathing the hall in warm light.

  She sat calming herself, while he brought sacks from the wagon. He was strung tighter than an archery bow. Gotta make it work for me. Can't let him lose control and hurt me. God knows he's dangerous. How do I help him along? Releasing a long breath, she stood to open the door for him. "I should've helped you. I'm sorry."

  "No woman of mine has to carry stuff when she doesn't feel well. I'll get the rest later."

  Following him to the kitchen, she tried to ignore the mingling of musty smells and lemon flavored furniture polish. The piney scents of kitchen cleaners nearly knocked her back into the hall. Douglas opened the back door and a window.

  "Aunt Viola uses enough cleaners to strangle a witch. She believes she's chasing out evil spirits."

  Too bad she can't chase out his evil spirit. Julie smiled at his joke.

  "Make yourself at home, my dear. We may be here for a while. Just be careful of uninvited guests."

  Snakes? She wondered. Mice?

  "Hungry?"

  "Um, not really. But I'll be glad to prepare dinner for you. You've taken such good care of me." Maybe there was rat poison she could cook in his food.

  "Not enough time. I'd enjoy a quick snack, though.

  By the time she'd prepared a quick snack from ingredients in the old refrigerator, he'd need to leave. He had a phone call to make.

  Julie nearly retched when he gave her a tour of the second floor of the house. One bedroom was set up. He ran a loving hand over the polished dresser, then over the velvety bedspread.

  "Aunt Vi knows how to launder bedclothes fit for a king, soft and fragrant. You'll appreciate the feel against your skin tonight." He caressed her cheek. "You'll enjoy skin against skin tonight. We'll celebrate."

  Had she really been a free woman just this morning, her only worry why her best friend had moved without telling her? Even the bare mattress on a narrow bed in a second bedroom looked tempting. The other upstairs rooms were bare. Each time Douglas touched her, she steeled herself against her revulsion.

  His voice made her shiver. "If you want a shower or a bath, I can help you when I get back."

  At the door, his goodbye nearly undid her. His embrace, his caresses through her shirt disgusted her. He actually believed she liked him. When he'd tried to put her hand on his zipper, she'd panicked. Had he believed she was shy? She'd touch his privates if she had a hot iron or something sharp.

  He'd stopped short of an orgasm of his own, barely.

  For some reason he seemed to put her on a pedestal. She needed to keep it that way.

  Once he turned the station wagon around and drove down the rutted driveway she searched for a phone, a radio, any way to get in touch with Brit. Her cell had no reception and she had no idea how long he'd be gone.

  * * * *

  Douglas couldn't wait to call the teacher. She'd better be home to take this call. He'd have to kill the dark haired woman staying in her house to get her attention. The teacher didn't know that he couldn't kill Julie.

  He pulled up in front of Aunt Vi's house to use her phone. He let himself in with his key. She'd be at the American Legion playing Bingo.

  He punched the numbers on Vi's large number phone. The teacher had better answer her phone. On the third ring, he almost hung up. The voice on the answering machine made him see red. She'd defied him, she'd ….

  "You should have followed my instructions. I'll start killing everyone you love until you finally do as you're --"

  "Wait. Please wait. I couldn't get to it fast enough. What do I have to do? Where must I go?" Her voice sounded scared.

  "I've got your friend, Julie. She's a great lay!" He hated saying bad things about Julie. The teacher's gasp and moan were worth it. "She likes sex, doesn't she?"

  Mrs. Roberts didn't seem pleased to hear that. Too bad.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Bile burned Brit's throat. If that bastard Drake had harmed Julie, she'd never forgive herself. She had to keep him talking. She had to make him believe he was in charge.

  "Is she all right?" She sounded breathless.

  "Of course. She's had a good time, so far." He paused so long Brit had to make herself breathe normally. "I'm taking real good care of her. She tries hard to please. She does like it rough. That woman is a real wildcat!"

  "Please, don't hurt Julie. She isn't the one you want. I am. I really don't understand why you want to hurt me." The fear in her voice was real.

  "I've been watching you for a long time. You really upset me when you ran away. That wasn't nice."

  "I was just so scared." She fought the urge to put her hand over her mouth, to chew on her knuckles. "You left such awful messages. How could I come back to my house?"

  "Surely you couldn't think I'd really kill you, sugar. I was just upset. Surely you can understand my position."

  I understand all right, you son-of-a-bitch. And she didn't trust him worth a damn.


  "I sent you some really nice things, the food and the flowers. You weren't exactly grateful."

  "I know, but I didn't understand what you were doing." She swallowed the lie even as she told it. "I thought you were really trying to kill me."

  "Oh, no, my dear, I'd never kill you. I just wanted to scare you. It's so much hotter when there's fear involved."

  Hot for you. Hell will be hotter, when we send you there.

  Sam frowned at her. If his brows had come any closer together, they'd have crossed.

  Her tormenter crooned. "Come save your friend." His laugh chilled her blood.

  "How do I know you'll let Julie go?"

  "I definitely won't let her go, if you don't come trade places with her. I didn't enjoy my visit to jail. Those people were rude, uncouth and all. The food wasn't as nice as what I sent you. You owe me. And don't bring that boyfriend."

  "Where are you? Can I talk to Julie, just to let her know I'm coming to her?"

  "She's resting from our sweaty sex. You really ready to sacrifice yourself for your friend, are you?"

  "Of course," Brit answered immediately. "She'd do the same for me."

  "She already did." He chuckled.

  "Where is she? I can't come to you if you won't tell me where. I could come right now, if you want."

  The law enforcement crew and her self-appointed bodyguards in the room telegraphed their disapproval of that suggestion. She rolled her eyes in their direction

  "Meet me at the junction of 78 and old Forsyth Road. Come in your Mustang, alone. I'll be there at 11:30 tonight. Don't be late. Pull into the Shell station parking lot. I'll meet you there. Bye, now."

  "Wait, don't hang up. How will I find you? Will Julie be there? Damn!" The dial tone hurt her ears. He'd hung up.

  Sam enveloped her in his strong arms. "Good girl."

  "Trace went through. We snagged him," he spoke against her hair as he held her to his strong body. She could hear his heart beat through his shirt. It raced as hers did. "He's not even near there."

  Drew moved to them. "Aw, jeez, you two, get a room."

  Sam laughed. "Wish we could use one of the rooms we have. Or that we could get rid of our company."