23 Miles

by Renee Mackenzie

  As soon as they left, Shay opened the cat carrier. Poke made a beeline for the sliding glass doors where he sat in front of them and meowed.

  “Sorry, Poke, being an inside cat didn’t kill you at the safe house and it won’t kill you here. It may even keep you alive.” Shay walked over to him and scooped him up. She stroked him and kissed the top of his head. “Humor me, okay?”

  Talia rubbed under his chin.

  “You don’t mind having an inside cat, do you?” Shay asked Talia.

  “No, not at all.” She put her hand on the side of Shay’s face.

  “I really meant it when I said I’d love for you to move in with me.”

  “I know you did. And I will move in, under one condition.”

  Shay raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening.”

  “If it ever gets to the point where you regret asking me to live here, promise you’ll tell me. I’d rather find a place of my own and save our relationship than have any cohabitating issues ruin us.”

  “I promise.” She put Poke back on the floor and pulled Talia in for a hug. “I’m so glad to be home and even more glad to be home with you.”

  “Me too,” Talia said into Shay’s neck.

  †

  Talia walked into the bar with Shay and they were immediately engulfed in hugs from Dee, Lana, and Kate.

  “Thank God you two are okay,” Kate whispered in Talia’s ear as they hugged. “It is so good to see you both.”

  Talia stepped back then as Kate embraced Shay. She thought she might feel a touch of jealousy, but didn’t. She realized she felt secure in her relationship with Shay and the thought gave her a warm feeling.

  She looked around the bar and felt herself relaxing. It felt good to be out, nice to be out with friends, and terrific to be out with Shay.

  Shay went to the far side of the room to see some women and Lana went up to the bar to get a round of drinks, leaving Kate and Talia alone at their table. “So, what’s next for you?” Kate asked.

  “Shay is talking to a dentist friend of hers about getting me a job. They have a regular dental practice but also make dentures and crowns in their laboratory, and there might be an opening in that area.”

  “You would want to work in the lab?”

  “Oh yeah. That part was always my favorite part of being a dental assistant. I’d rather work with materials than patients any day.”

  “Then we’ll keep fingers crossed that you’ll be able to be hired there,” Kate said.

  “How’s school?” Talia asked.

  “I’m between semesters right now. Overall it’s going very well, but I can’t wait to actually see patients one day.” Kate played with the empty ashtray. “I’m more sure now than ever before about being a therapist.”

  “That’s great. Any word from your mom?”

  “Not yet but I’m not giving up on her coming around.”

  “Good. You shouldn’t give up on her.” Talia placed one elbow on the table and leaned slightly forward. “How’s April doing?”

  “Pretty good. She stayed at the inpatient facility for a couple of weeks but she’s home now. She’s seeing a therapist and Joey is trying not to work so much.”

  “So, you think they’ll be okay?”

  “As a future therapist, I don’t know. As her sister, I hope like hell she is,” Kate said.

  Talia nodded. Weren’t their families the strange ones, she thought. Then she took a deep breath and asked the question that kept drifting through her thoughts. “Do you think my brother is a psychopath?” she asked.

  “Actually, I think he’s a sociopath,” Kate said.

  “What’s the difference?”

  “Well, Brian is extremely organized and can be so charming. These characteristics relate more to a sociopath and not a psychopath,” Kate said.

  “What do you think about me?” Talia looked away as she asked the question.

  “You are not your brother, Talia. Period,” Kate said. “I’m not saying you aren’t charming,” she teased, “but you aren’t using your charm to manipulate people.”

  “Hey, how’s it going over here?” Lana asked as she placed their drinks on the table and slid into a chair next to Kate.

  “Good,” they said in unison.

  Talia laughed. “It’s nice to be out and about.” She glanced around the bar until she spotted Shay in the corner talking to Dee.

  “We were all really worried,” Lana said, also looking at Shay and Dee in the corner. “There was more of a police presence while you two were gone, but the women around here will never trust Officer Parker—or any other straight, male cop—the way they do Shay.”

  Talia nodded. “I get it.”

  “When you were hanging out with the feds, did they act like they really wanted to solve Allie and Diane’s murders, or do you think they’re just going through the motions?” Kate asked.

  “I think they really do want to solve this case. I don’t know about any of them other than Gish and Jackson, but those two have been really working hard to keep us safe and to find answers,” Talia said. She felt confident in the truth of her words.

  “Good,” Lana said. “Very good.”

  Shay rejoined their table. She sipped her soda and Talia knew she was still on high alert. She probably would be until the murders were solved and maybe well after that, considering Brian was out there somewhere.

  The first notes of a Cyndi Lauper song started and Shay stood. “Dance with me?”

  “Yes,” Talia said, allowing herself to be led onto the dance floor.

  Talia melted into Shay’s embrace. As “True Colors” played, Talia felt like she was hearing it for the first time. The pure sound of Cyndi Lauper’s voice vibrated through her. Then as the moments ticked by, Talia was no longer hearing the music over the pounding of her heart.

  The song ended and they stayed on the dance floor. Shay kissed Talia deeply and Talia knew that nothing else would ever feel as right as that moment, as loving Shay Eliot and being able to show their love to this corner of their world.

  †

  Two weeks later, Shay opened the door and stepped to the side to let their guests in.

  “You look nice,” Talia said to Kate as she and Lana came into the house.

  “We can only stay a minute.” Lana said as she squeezed Kate’s hand. “We have some big news and didn’t want to tell you over the phone.”

  “We’re meeting Mom and Winston for dinner.” Kate’s entire face lit up with her words.

  “Oh?” Talia smiled. “That’s wonderful.”

  Shay put her arm around Talia’s shoulders. “That’s great,” she added. “When did this happen?”

  “Mom called yesterday and we talked for a long time. She said she wanted to see us again and to meet Lana,” Kate said.

  “I hope the snow stops soon because if it doesn’t they might not want to meet us in Emporia,” Lana said, massaging Kate’s shoulders as she spoke.

  “April really wanted to come with us, but she doesn’t want to take Joseph out in this weather,” Kate said. “She’s becoming such a wonderful mother now that she’s in counseling.”

  “That’s so terrific,” Talia said.

  Kate smiled. “I’m so glad April’s open to seeing Mom again and I’m thrilled that Mom has reached out to us. I know it’s just dinner, but it’s a start.”

  “Baby steps,” Shay added.

  “Yeah, I know. I’m so happy for these small steps and so grateful for all you two have done to help us work it out. Thank you both.”

  Talia was about to say it was nothing, but she knew it wasn’t, and graciously accepted Kate’s words. “You are quite welcome.”

  “Well,” Lana said, “we’d better get going.”

  “Yeah, we wanted to come by to tell you in person,” Kate said.

  “Have fun,” Talia said.

  “Drive safely,” Shay added.

  They stood at the front door and waved as Kate and Lana pulled away then turned and went ins
ide.

  “We did good,” Talia said as she hugged Shay.

  “You did good,” Shay said.

  Poke meowed at the back door.

  “Are you really going to let him start going out again?” Talia asked.

  “Yeah, but he won’t go out in the snow.”

  “Want to go out?” Talia asked him.

  “He’s faking it,” Shay said.

  Talia went to the back door and Poke turned and sauntered away, leaving her standing there alone. “He never goes out in the snow?” Talia asked.

  “No. But I’m not complaining. I kind of liked him being a totally indoor cat while we were at the safe house. He’s too used to going out when he wants to when we’re here at home.”

  “Except when it snows.”

  “Yep.”

  Talia followed Shay into the kitchen. When she looked at Shay she couldn’t help but smile—a big, contented smile.

  Shay stood in front of the kitchen window. “It’s really coming down now,” she said.

  Talia came up behind her and watched as the fat snowflakes floated onto the bushes, the lawn, and the picnic table. “We should go out and play!” Talia bounced up and down on her toes.

  Shay laughed. “Okay, but I’m putting on at least two more layers of clothing.”

  “Okay, you put them on, we’ll go out to play, then come in and I’ll take them off.”

  Shay patted her on the cheek. “That’s just mean.”

  “What?”

  “Bringing it up and then making me wait.”

  Talia walked into the hallway and slipped into her coat and gloves. “Come on. The sooner you appease my desire to play outside, the sooner I’ll appease your desire to play inside. It is a win for us both, you know.”

  Shay met Talia in the hallway. “Well, when you put it like that,” she said as she raided the coat closet for extra layers.

  They finished layering their coats and went outside in the backyard. Talia noted the slight squeak of the snow underfoot. “Hey, let’s make snow angels.”

  Shay gestured to the ground. “After you.”

  Talia sprawled on her back and started moving her arms and legs to make the snow angel. “Come on, Shay, you do it too.”

  “If you insist,” Shay said. But instead of lying on her back as Talia was, she lowered her body until she was face-to-face on top of Talia. Talia loved the feel of Shay’s warmth through her many layers.

  “You are my angel,” Shay whispered.

  Talia kissed her. “Honey?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m freezing. I’ve changed my mind so may we please go play inside now?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Shay got up and pulled Talia to her feet. “Let’s go, snow angel.”

  †

  Talia drove her new Ford Ranger across the tunnel to Hampton, on her way to her old apartment in Newport News. The truck was the most inexpensive vehicle she could find and it would be just fine for her. She and Shay had joked about being a two-truck family.

  Her lease officially ended later that week and a few boxes of things remained that she wanted to go through. If there was anything left over it could be thrown away. She was sorry she didn’t tell Shay she was going to the apartment or at least leave her a note. She knew Shay would want to go with her and Talia didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.

  Life was getting more and more back to normal. She’d settled in easily with Shay and Poke, and would soon start the job Shay had found for Talia with her dentist friend.

  She smiled as she passed the Christmas tree planted in the median that was still adorned in sparkly items for New Year’s. So much had changed that it was a relief to see the tree was still there and still being decorated for each new holiday. She would have to ask Kate what she thought of the tree. Since she was usually traveling alone on the interstate, she never thought to ask what anyone else thought of the tree or if they knew who decorated it for each holiday.

  She exited the interstate and right away started craving a Slim Jim and Jolt Cola. She made herself show some restraint and went to the apartment first. She stood for several moments in the middle of the living room and noted imprints in the carpet where the furniture she had donated to charity once stood. From the spare room closet, she grabbed the last of her paints and a box of family photos to take with her. What remained she stuffed into two trash bags and carried them to the Dumpster by the mailboxes.

  She stood in the parking lot, not wanting to look toward Linda’s apartment, but she did look. She noted that the crime scene tape was gone and she assumed someone else was already living there. Life goes on. How sad. She adjusted the collar of her coat around her neck, fighting against the chill that had run up and down her spine.

  She started the truck and drove to the 7-Eleven. The feeling of being followed was still there and she wondered if it would ever go completely away. She went inside and bought a Slim Jim, potato chips, and a Jolt. As she walked back to the truck, it crossed her mind that she might not ever come to this 7-Eleven again. Her life was in Norfolk now with a new job, new home, and new love. She couldn’t help but smile.

  She put the key in the door but before she could do more she was grabbed from behind and slammed against the truck door. She sensed the gun more than saw it as Jeffrey Gardner told her to slowly get in the truck and slide across the seat to the passenger side. Her pant leg got caught on the ashtray that was slightly ajar. He punched her in the back and told her to get over. She was finally able to and Jeffrey grabbed the keys from her and started the truck.

  “Don’t even think about doing anything to piss me off,” he growled at her.

  “I won’t,” she gasped. “But, how—?”

  “Shut up! I don’t want to listen to your stupid questions.”

  She sat in silence as he drove down the highway with the gun pointed at her side. When he turned onto the parkway, she thought she might throw up.

  Jeffrey drove for several miles before he parked her truck at a scenic pull-off and got out, the gun still pointed at Talia. She wasn’t sure where she was because they were further down the parkway than she usually went and closer to Jamestown than Yorktown. “Slide over this way and get out,” Jeffrey demanded. “And don’t make me have to shoot you right here and now.”

  As she clambered out of the truck, Talia wondered if that meant he preferred to shoot her somewhere else and at some other time.

  He shoved her toward the woods. “Move it.”

  She tripped on a root and lurched forward, falling to her hands and knees. She was thankful for the cushion provided by the blanket of fallen leaves.

  “Get up!”

  She got back to her feet and he shoved her with his free hand, keeping the gun pointed at her with the other. She had no idea what was in the woods or on the other side because she’d never left the parkway any further than the small beach at Sandy Point.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Shut up,” Jeffrey said.

  She managed to keep her footing and after several minutes they came to a small shed. It had double-doors, like a barn or garage. Jeffrey removed an unlocked padlock that secured the doors and pushed her roughly inside. He yanked on an overhead string and a dangling light bulb barely illuminated the room. Talia could make out small engine parts on shelves around the walls. An old wicker chair squatted in the corner, spider webs around its legs.

  “Grab that chair from the corner and put it in the middle of the room,” he ordered.

  She looked at the wicker chair and grew even more scared. She thought about Shay’s self-defense class. Avoidance was no longer an option, and neither was drawing attention to them with no one else around. She played Shay’s recommendations over and over in her head. She could hear Shay’s words, “Go for the eyes, nose, neck, groin…”

  Talia took a deep breath, rushed at Jeffrey, viciously shoving the heel of her hand up under his nose, and roaring out as she did so. She ran to the door but it took sever
al jerks to get it open and she almost fell when it did.

  Run, she told herself, run!

  She could hear Jeffrey cussing behind her. She begged her legs to move faster but the sound of his voice got closer and closer. Then she felt his hand on the back of her coat and he jerked her onto the ground.

  He rolled her over and straddled her. “You stupid bitch!” he yelled, right before he punched her in the face.

  Talia was vaguely aware of being dragged back to the shed. Her vision had started to focus when she realized he was tying her to the unstable wicker chair.

  “You stupid bitch,” he yelled again. He wiped at his bloodied nose as he paced the short distance from one wall to the other in front of Talia. He held the gun in his right hand. With his left hand he fidgeted with a long knife in a leather sheath attached to his belt.

  The longer he went without speaking, the more fearful she grew. Several times she opened her mouth to speak but the look of twisted rage on his face changed her mind. Finally, she couldn’t take the silence any longer.

  “Who was in the van?” Talia asked, afraid of what the answer might be.

  Jeffrey stared at her for a long time. “It wasn’t your brother, if that’s what you’re worried about. It was just some homeless dude.”

  Relief and anger mixed in her gut. She didn’t know how to react to that. “You wanted the cops to think you were dead.”

  “Yep, and I bet it worked too, didn’t it?” He laughed. “I doused the van with gasoline. I learned my lesson from the last time not to use diesel.” He wiped his brow. “Who would have known that son-of-a-bitch diesel wouldn’t catch fire?”

  Talia felt the bile burn her throat as Jeffrey’s words sank in. Last time. Diesel. She couldn’t control the trembling that wracked her body.

  Jeffrey let out a growl. “All you had to do was give me the gun. The money would have been nice too but I really just wanted the gun.”

  “Why was the gun so important?” Talia asked, even though she knew the answer.