by Diane Capri
“No, I think we’ll just spend the evening alone. Say good-bye to the house.”
“We are getting an invite to the wedding, right?” Mary wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I’ll have it served on you.”
“Come on you two, before we all start blubbering. We’ll walk you to the car.”
“No, stay here. Talk about redecorating. I want to say good-bye to Ella Mae before I leave.”
Joshua nodded. He knew good-bye wasn’t exactly what Sarah was going to say.
Closing the door, Sarah stood for a moment, eyes closed. This place was as much a home as any place she’d been in her life. Leaving it was like leaving a loved parent for the first time. She thought of Gavin, the way he looked at her, the way he loved Nikki as if she were his own child. She’d been lucky. She wasn’t going to waste another minute on regret.
“Ella Mae?” Sarah reached out her hand to steady the young woman who jumped at the sound of her voice. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ella Mae answered turning back to the table she’d been viciously scrubbing.
Taking her by the shoulders, Sarah gently turned her around. “There’s something you need to hear. Look at me.” Sarah waited patiently as Ella Mae wrung the cleaning cloth between her hands, finally lifting the huge doe eyes to look at her.
“You are a lovely person.”
“No, I’m not,” Ella Mae whispered, looking down at the floor. “I’m ugly.”
Sarah lifted her head gently. “I was once you Ella Mae. Scared of everyone and everything. I thought I was ugly, too. We’re all beautiful. And you deserve to be treated that way.”
Ella Mae shifted beneath Sarah’s steady gaze.
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Nodding, Ella Mae continued to wring the cloth, eyes fixated on the tips of her shoes.
“He hurts you, doesn’t he?”
Ella Mae nodded, eyes filling with tears.
“The next time he hurts you, I want you to promise me you’ll tell Joshua. Okay?”
He’ll kill him.
Ella Mae nodded, knowing she’d never do it.
Sarah reached out and hugged her, surprised at the strength in the arms that clung to her. “He can only hurt you if you let him. Don’t let him do it anymore.”
Wiping her nose on the back of her hand, Ella Mae sniffled. “Thank you.”
“You take care of yourself.” Sarah placed her keys to the office on the desk and stepped out into the evening breeze. She breathed deeply. Everything smelled fresh. New. Just like the life she was beginning. Smiling, she hurried to the Explorer. She could hardly wait to begin.
#
Gavin groaned as consciousness slowly returned. Struggling, he opened his eyes, groaning again as pain sliced through his head. He tried to remember, but could get no further than the tree in the road. He’d stopped to remove the tree, then everything went black. Opening his eyes again, slower this time, he glanced around and assessed his situation. He was in some kind of basement. He’d been strapped into a chair, hands tied tightly behind his back. Twisting, he struggled against the ropes, only to be overcome with dizziness and nausea. Slumping forward, he breathed slowly, controlling the urge to vomit by sheer will. He wasn’t gagged, meaning there was no one to hear him even if he had the energy to cry out. Assessment—you’re in deep shit, McAllister.
Gavin could hear the sound of footsteps overhead, pacing back and forth. His situation was grave, but he had a feeling it was all downhill from here. Light filtered down the steps, the footsteps descending. Closing his eyes against the light, Gavin bowed his head again. He needed to buy time, think.
Pain sliced through his head, a groan escaping, his hair pulling free from the scalp, as his head was jerked up roughly.
“Don’t play games with me, McAllister. I know you’re awake.”
Breathing deeply, Gavin waited for the dizzy spell to subside. “Well, you’ve got the advantage on me, then,” Gavin spat out. If he was going to die, then he was going quick. “Who the hell are you?”
The laugh chilled the air, a cold, wet chill that sank into Gavin’s bones. He knew that laugh.
“What say we give Sarah a call, see just how much she loves you?”
The rage that had simmered beneath the surface boiled over. Gavin fought the ropes, his eyes fierce, piercing, filled with hate. “You touch her and I’ll kill you.”
Laughter filled the basement, echoing off the walls. “Too late, McAllister. You’re too late.”
Gavin shouted at the silhouette retreating up the steps. “I’ll kill you! You hear me?”
#
Clarence glanced in the rearview mirror, checking on Carl. Millie would never forgive him if anything happened to Carl. Thirty years of military service had given him a sixth sense. Something about the situation with Campbell/Cooper had smelled fishy. Something not quite right. Walsh was going to have his head for taking off with Millie. Might even make it impossible for him to go with her. He knew little about the witness protection system, only that people disappeared never to be heard from again. Glancing at Millie out of the corner of his eye, he knew he’d never accept that. Life was too short and beauty too rare. He’d fight the whole damn army if he had to.
Carl lit another cigarette, smiling as Millie “humphed”, giving him a mutinous glare. He wasn’t really concerned that she was pissed at him. But poor old Clarence looked miserable. The man was sharp for his age. Would have made a hell of an agent. Clarence fingered the small bump.
Carried one hell of a wallop too. Carl knew they were all worried about Gavin and Sarah. But dammit, he liked the old codger, and a couple of minutes couldn’t hurt nothing. Desperate situations called for desperate measures. They’d been driving for over an hour, the only sound in the car the occasional flicking of his lighter. Tossing the cigarette out the window, Carl groaned loudly and slumped over in the seat.
“Clarence, honey, stop the car. Something’s wrong with Carl.”
Carl coughed to cover the giggle. He continued to groan loudly as Clarence pulled the car to the side of the road and parked. In seconds the two had jerked open the back doors and were hunched over him.
“Carl, honey, what’s wrong?” Millie touched his face gently, her voice quivering.
Grabbing an arm of each he pulled himself up in the seat, the strength in his hands belying the act of frailty. “It’s time the two of you kissed and made up, that’s what’s wrong. Tired of sitting in this goddamn car, with nothing to do but watch you sulk.”
Millie’s face flushed, and she struggled to pull her arm free.
“We’ll just sit right here until I bleed to death and that sick pervert kills Sarah and Nikki.”
Concern flashed in Millie’s eyes as she glanced at Carl’s wounded leg. Blood was seeping through.
“Damned old fool. I told you.”
“Yeah, yeah, you told me. Now kiss him so we can get out of here. Ain’t got time for this foolishness.”
Reaching across Carl, Millie planted a sound kiss on Clarence’s lips. “Can we go now?”
“Just waiting for you to lovebirds to quit smooching.” Carl winked at Clarence as the two climbed back in the car.
Clarence glanced in the rearview mirror. The groaning wasn’t all an act. Carl was growing weaker. They needed to get him back to the hospital and the sooner the better. The silence broken, Clarence voiced the questions that had been bugging him since they’d left the hospital.
“Chief Walsh said Williams was still in prison. What makes you think he’s in Glade Springs?”
Carl flushed, lowering his gaze. “Didn’t put it in the report. Rob and I visited Williams in prison. Son-of-a-bitch had his brother take his place. Even had his fingerprints grafted on the brother’s fingers. Somehow the bastard found Corrine Larson, followed her here and found Sarah and Nikki. Not sure how Campbell got in the picture. Might have gone to Cory when he felt the police weren’t doing enough. Got her to looking. F
ollowed her out here, too. Went crazy as a fucking loon after his daughter was killed. Must have seen Nikki and thought she was Isabella.”
Millie nodded. It made more sense that way.
“But where could Williams be? I mean other than the Coopers, everybody else has been in Glade Springs for years.”
“What about the Thomases?” Clarence reminded her.
Millie’s face paled. “Oh, God, that poor girl. I’ll bet he killed her.”
“Can’t this bag of bolts go any faster?”
Millie chuckled. “You ain’t seen nothing, Carl. Hit it Clarence.”
Clarence grinned, pressing the gas pedal to the floor. Yep, he’d found himself a real classic this time.
#
Sarah shut the lid on the box and peeked in at Nikki. It had been a long day, but she’d accomplished at least a third of what needed to be done. Joshua was sworn in as sheriff, and most of the packing was done. Now she could concentrate on the wedding. She raced the last few steps down the stairs as the phone rang. Glancing at the caller I.D., she smiled. Gavin.
“Miss me already?” She laughed into the receiver.
“Hello, Sarah.”
Sarah felt her hands begin to tremble, her body shake. It couldn’t be.
“Miss me?”
“What have you done to Gavin?”
He laughed that cruel, sick laugh she remembered. “You always were a whore.”
“What do you want, Todd?”
“Why, I want you Sarah. That’s what I’ve always wanted. I want my family.”
“We’re not your family,” Sarah spat out vehemently.
“Don’t fuck with me! You want to see McAllister alive, you’ll meet me at the Sampson place. And, Sarah, bring the brat.”
“No-o-o!” Sarah screamed. The sound of the dial tone echoed in the room as she stood trembling, the phone pressed against her lips
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Sarah hung up the phone, leaning her head against the cool surface of the kitchen wall. Flashes of lightning illuminated the shadows. Thunder rolled across the sky. An angry God.
Fitting, Sarah thought. The heavy leaden sky had to choose this moment to open up. If she went outside, would God’s tears mix with her own? Would the rain wash her clean? “Damn you, Todd Williams.”
“Mommy, we have to go.”
Nikki stood at the foot of the stairs, her favorite teddy bear clutched to her chest. Her powder blue eyes huge in the tiny face.
“I know.” Sarah turned away, gazing into the night. Rain slashed at the window. “Get dressed, sweetheart. Find your raincoat and galoshes.” Simple things. Normal things.
“No, Mommy. We have to go get Gavin.”
“We can’t.” Sarah’s voice caught on a sob. Dear God, what could she do? If they went, they all died. If she didn’t, could she live with herself? Could she ever look into Nikki’s eyes again?
“Please, Mommy!”
Sarah reached for her daughter, holding her close. How could she make her understand?
“Sweetheart, Gavin wouldn’t want us to do that. He’d want us to go away, somewhere safe.”
Nikki struggled against her, tiny arms flailing. “No, no, no! We have to go get Gavin, Mommy. We have to. We have to.” Sobs shook the tiny body. Hands clutched into fists she pounded at Sarah’s chest. “We have to.”
Pulling her closer, Sarah stroked the strawberry curls, her mind in torment as she fought back the tears, swallowed her own sobs. Gavin would want her to leave. Protect Nikki. What was it Millie had said? The past always catches up with you, and if you’re going to lose either way, then you might as well stay and face the music. If she left here now, like this, Nikki would never be the same. She would never be the same. What difference did it make if they were alive? They’d both be dead inside.
“All right, sweetheart,” Sarah whispered, “go get dressed, and we’ll go get Gavin.”
Sarah waited until she was sure Nikki was safely upstairs. Picking up the phone, she dialed the number for the cell phone, waiting for the tale-tale click that would tell her he’d pressed the talk button. She could see him, standing there, a smug smile plastered to his face, listening to the rings.
Click.
“We’re on our way.”
#
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Thomas.” Joshua called out as he left the Sheriff’s office. Ella Mae was just backing out and he waved, calling a quick “goodnight”.
Shops were closing along Main Street, and Joshua pulled up in front of the flower shop, looking across at Millie’s bookstore. The town seemed lonely. Joshua found himself torn between happiness for Sarah and Nikki and sadness at the loss of his friends. He glanced down at the sheriff’s badge pinned to his chest. He’d thought this was what he wanted. What he really wanted was his town back the way it was before Campbell came here and tore everything apart.
Dizziness hit him in waves as he started to turn the key.
Many a tear has to fall, but it’s all in the game … in the game … in the game…
Time stood still as Joshua found himself back inside the mill, gun extended, eyes fixed on Campbell hunched against the wall, holding the gun to his head.
Cooper, don’t! Joshua screamed, stepping into the small room. Put down the gun. Let’s talk.
Campbell shook his head. Name’s not Cooper. It’s Campbell. Jeremiah Campbell. He killed her again. Killed my little girl.
She isn’t dead. Nikki’s okay.
Joshua felt the hair at the nape of his neck stand on edge as he looked into Campbell’s sightless eyes. He wasn’t seeing Joshua standing before him. His eyes were seeing something else. Some terror only he could see.
I killed them, you know. The Coopers. Good people. He’s in my head. Makes me do things. Makes me kill people.
Don’t do it, Campbell. Put the gun down. We can talk about this. Just you and me.
Joshua would never forget the smile that crossed Campbell’s face. Relief, understanding, conviction.
He says I have to kill you.
Don’t do it. Don’t listen to him.
He’s in my fucking head.
Memory of the anguished scream still sent shivers down Joshua’s spine. The sound of the gun going off in the small room. The splattering of blood, flying through the air in slow motion.
Joshua shook his head, clearing the vision. What was it Gavin had said?
I don’t know if I’m connecting with the killer or the victim. It’s like the son-of-a-bitch is inside my head, playing games.
Ella Mae. He likes to play games. Sometimes he gets rough.
“Oh, God.” Joshua slammed his fist against the steering wheel and grabbed for the cell phone, dialing Sarah’s number. “Answer the phone, Sarah. Please, answer the goddamn phone.”
Laughter echoed in the cab. Too late, Joshua. You’re too late.
#
Sarah parked the car and cut the engine. A curtain fluttered back into place. The bastard was watching them. There were no vehicles in the drive, and Sarah wondered where Ella Mae was. Surely she couldn’t be part of this.
“Mommy?”
Sarah smiled bravely at Nikki. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I need you to listen to me carefully, though, okay?”
Nikki nodded, her face pale, eyes huge.
“If you get a chance to run, you take it. Don’t look back and don’t worry. I’ll find you. I promise.”
Nikki nodded again, her bottom lip quivering.
Taking a deep breath, Sarah opened the door and stepped out. The door to the house slowly creaked open. “Let’s go, sweetheart.” Sarah picked Nikki up, needing to hold her close. There was no turning back now. She had reached the eleventh hour.
Sarah stopped on the first step, the sound of an approaching car creating a sense of hope. She turned as Ella Mae parked and stepped from her car, smiling nervously.
“Why, Sheriff, I mean… what are you doing here?”
“You’ll have to ask your husband,” Sarah
answered, noting the paling of Ella Mae’s features. The way her eyes darkened, gaze darting toward the house, then to Sarah and Nikki.
Closing her eyes, Sarah prayed silently and climbed the steps. She could see nothing inside the house. Darkness. Where had the rain gone? The lightning? If she’d ever needed God, she needed him now.
Sarah found herself propelled forward, Nikki jerked from her arms.
“Mommy!”
Sarah righted herself, her eyes meeting the cold black gaze of Todd Williams. “Leave her alone,” she begged, arms reaching for Nikki.
He laughed. “Oh, I will. At least until I’m finished with you.” Glancing out the door he yelled, “Ella Mae, get your ass in here!”
Never taking her eyes off Williams, Sarah listened to the sound of Ella Mae’s scurrying footsteps.
“Philip, what’s going on? What’s the sheriff doing here?”
The slap was quick, vicious. “What have I told you about questioning me? Now shut up and take the kid upstairs. Lock her in the bedroom and join us in the basement.” He thrust Nikki into Ella Mae’s arms.
Seeing her opportunity, Sarah took it. She rushed Williams, her only hope to catch him off guard. She’d forgotten. Forgotten those damn eyes in the back of his head. How quick he could move. The fist caught her on the left temple, spinning her around.
“Mommy!” Nikki screamed, squirming in Ella Mae’s arms.
Williams grabbed Sarah by the arm, his smile cruel, fingers digging in. “See, Sarah, you’re upsetting the kid.” He looked at Ella Mae, his eyes fierce, deadly. “I told you to take her upstairs.”
Ella Mae scurried up the stairs, shushing Nikki.
Sarah could taste blood, her head still spinning. Fear gripped her, but she wasn’t going to show it. Meeting his gaze, she spit in his face.
Williams laughed, wiping the spittle from his face. “Still the same old Sarah.”
Grasping her hair, he pulled her up and pushed her toward the stairs. “Let’s go see your lover.”
Sarah walked in front of him, down the stairs into the dimly lit basement. She glanced around the room, her mind racing. The room was bare except for a cot along one wall and two chairs in the center. Her eyes filled with tears as her gaze fell on Gavin. He sat slumped in the chair, face swollen, bloody.
