Time Thief

by Jill Cooper

  Everyone but one.

  Molly stands over by the punch bowl and she raises her hand to wave at me. She rushes over to me, but I raise my hand to stop her. If I could just carry her out of there unharmed I would, but things aren’t that simple. If Rex is here, he’ll just keep trying. I have to catch him and discover his plan of revenge, whatever it is.

  If he’s going to use Molly to get to me than he has to be stopped. Again.

  She seems to understand what I’m trying to tell her. She backtracks toward the punch bowl and I hurry behind a pole, hiding myself from just about everyone at the reception as time snaps into place. Time speeds up in an instant, from the strings of the violins playing gentle romantic music, to the clinking of silverware on China plates. People talk and laugh. What a joyful occasion.

  I keep my eyes on Molly as she talks to Mike at the refreshment table. Odd. I don’t remember him being there before. Had he always been there? He walks away and as he does, a new set of footsteps arrive on the scene. Slinking back, I keep my eye on a new set of freshly polished Italian loafers coming into my view.

  He steps from the crowd—as if magically manifested—and heads toward Molly. He adjusts his collar and just as he’s about to reach Molly, I leap forward in time so I appear to skip like a recorded frame on a movie reel. I take her place on the dance floor and my hand shoots out, grabbing the man’s throat.

  It jolts him back and he falls to the ground, dropping a white device—that looks like a futuristic taser—from his hand. I kick it away with the toe of my white pumps and gawks down as Rex sneers up at me. “How?”

  I pin his arm down with pressure from my shoe, and resist the urge to dig it in. “Let’s just say it’ll take more than a few parlor tricks for you to pull a fast one on me.”

  “Yes.” Rex sneers. “It might take me having an accomplice.”

  The hairs on the back of my neck rise. “What?” I can feel the presence of someone behind me and I spin, my hand up high to defend myself from whoever might be there. It’s a young man with brown hair and brown eyes, and they flash with recognition when our eyes meet.

  Everyone around us freezes, as if someone has pushed pause on a movie.

  “Who are—?” My question is sliced in half as he pushes his hands out toward me and time ripples me backward. The tiles of the floor bounce up, freezing in midair as if there’s no gravity. As I fall backward, I grab one and hurl it at the man’s head, but he deflects it with just a glance of his eye.

  Time dust—like pixel images—swirls around him. I’ve never met someone this gifted with the ability to use time as a weapon. I skid backward and I can hear Molly calling out in a panic. She rushes toward me. I can’t remember the last time I was caught off guard this badly.

  I’m better than this. I need to be.

  Rex and this young man stand together, gazing at me with equal part amusement and vengeance. “Now, dear Lara, it’s time for you to pay your dues.”

  “Not this time, Rex.” I wipe the corner of my mouth and feel a tinge of blood in my saliva. A moment later, I’m thinking of Donovan as we recite our vows. If I can’t stop Rex now, I’ll just go back further.

  And this time, I’ll be prepared.

  Rex charges for me and I blink. Time rushes by and I’m gone in the flash. With time travel, there are an infinite amount of choices and an unending supply of do-overs—at least that’s what I think before I open my eyes.

  I’m wearing an orange jumper and when I try to move, I can’t. Metal handcuffs keep them bound together. It’s a scary realization when it hits me that I’m in a court of law. My mouth falls open as I gaze around and search behind me, looking for a familiar face.

  “In the murder of Patricia James, how does the defendant plead?”

  Chapter Seven: Cassidy Winters

  I wait in the hall, hovering near Molly’s room. Soft voices come from inside the room between Jax and Miranda. I feel like a creeper as I listen to their private and intimate moments so I slink a bit further down the hall and take a drink from the water fountain. Wiping some stray cold water off my lip, I gaze to my left.

  Mike stands, staring at me and I stare back at him. I should say something to him, give my condolences. “Your sister….”

  I’m not good at this. I should easily be able to say what I need to, but I have to hide my relationship with Molly from everyone, even Mike. They wouldn’t be able to fathom or understand who I really am. It’s bad enough that, as it is, I’m living in the past.

  He blinks and points to the fountain. “I just wanted a drink.”

  “Oh, right.” I laugh nervously and step out of his way. “Sorry about that. Everything’s just…I want her to get better.”

  “Me too.” Mike grips the fountain as he bends down for a drink. When he turns back to me, he studies me. “I’ve seen you around before with Lara and Molly.”

  “You have?” His statement catches me off guard and I take a deep breath.

  “Yeah, no one really notices me. Not much. I see things. Are you really Donovan’s cousin?”

  I open my mouth to give the pat answer, the one I need to give, when Jax and Miranda walk by. I back up away from them as Jax motions for Mike to follow him. “We’re going to get some dinner. We’d like you to be with us, son.”

  “Okay, Dad,” Mike says, but as he walks away he gazes back at me. He’s not done with his questions and I’m not ready to answer.

  I guess I’d better get ready and soon.

  I’m glad for the chance to sneak into Molly’s room. While Lara’s gone to change the past, I’m the last one who might be able to protect her from Rex—wherever he might be. Being left behind is painful, but watching after her sister is the most important task I could have. My very future depends on it.

  Molly sleeps restfully and her breathing is calm. Any medical danger she was in, seems to have passed. I sit in the chair and watch her. When I grow restless of that, I peel back the curtains and peak outside at the bright sunshine and fluffy cotton-ball clouds. It’s a perfect day as any for a wedding celebration.

  Poor Lara. Time always just gets in her way.

  I stroke Molly’s bangs back and gaze down at her youthful face, the face of my grandmother. In bits and pieces, I remember the kind woman she had been. Rex stole me out of my timeline years ago, but Grandma perfect skin—despite her wrinkles—and her joyful smile had never really left me, even if everything else had.

  Here I am to protect her, the way she and everyone else has failed to do for me. Not that I blame them. No could have known Rex would come for me. It must’ve been an inconceivable notion.

  A knock drew my attention to the doorway. Donovan leans against the doorframe in a relaxed way. "I thought you might want some company.”

  I offer him a reserved smile as he steps into the room and I back up. While I had tried to kill Lara—several times—she’s family. I’m used to her being my crazy old aunt—something she lives up to every day. In a timeline he doesn’t remember, I’d ruined his life by selling him stolen stock information from the future.

  “Sure,” isn’t the most welcoming answer, but it’s the only one I’m comfortable with. I remember old Don with the silver hair and the business empire he’d run with his sons and his daughter. When I saw him, he was stern, nothing like my crazy aunt.

  “How is she?” Donovan asks, deep concern in his voice, and I’m reminded that he might not grow into the old man I remember. He gazes down at Molly as if she is his kid sister too, the worry in his eyes palpable.

  “Touch and go for a while, but things seem to be calm now. She’s resting comfortably at least.”

  “Have the doctors been by?”

  I nod. “I was hiding in the hall and couldn’t really hear what they said, but the tone was encouraging. Miranda didn’t cry, so there’s that. I think Molly’s responding to treatment.”

  He sighs, relieved. “And Lara? I’m guessing if you’re here, she’s out there. In the past, trying to fix all this.
”

  “You know Lara…it’s what she does. Hopefully soon, none of us will remember this. We’ll be back at the wedding reception and you’ll be ready to take Lara away on your secret honeymoon.”

  Donovan scowls. “We’re not taking a honeymoon. We—” Suddenly his face lights up. “I was going to take her away for the weekend, wasn’t I?”

  That’s how I remember it. "To White Mountains for a short romantic getaway. I promised to keep an eye on your business while you’re out of town. Even I can answer a few phone calls about computers.”

  His eyebrows rise. “Yeah, I remember now. Funny, that I didn’t until just a few moments ago.” He scratches his head. “Must be…stress.”

  “Stress,” I agree and glance back at Molly, but something in my gut doesn’t agree. Something in my gut is screaming this is a bad sign of something to come. Does a slight change in memory signal a change to the timeline? The bridge should’ve been able to track these things, but if it is down, if it is only following Lara, how would we know whether things are in jeopardy or not?

  We both turn as we hear footsteps and see Miranda enter with John Crane by her side. They’re holding hands, as they are accustomed to doing these days—Lara’s parents back together. Their faces right now are anything but happy, Miranda’s crinkling eyes on the verge of an emotional meltdown as they fall onto Molly, and then me.

  Funny, I thought she’d gone off with Jax and Mike?

  Miranda does a double-take between me and Donovan. “Visitors, at a time like this, Donovan?”

  Donovan introduces me with a flourish of his hand. “My cousin, Cassidy Winters."

  Her face clears. “I'm sorry. I should have recognized you from the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. Molly talks fondly about you. I'm just a mess right now.” She sighs with exasperation at herself and covers her mouth with a hand, sobs trickling out.

  John is there to massage her shoulders and he offers me a wink. He keeps my secret. “No one blames you, Miranda.”

  “Certainly not. You have nothing but my heart-felt concern. There’s more pressing on your mind than Donovan’s cousin visiting from Tallahassee,” I say.

  Donovan coughs into his fist, my explanation taking him off guard. “And how’s the weather there, this time of year?”

  “Great. Really nice.” I force a smile.

  “I’ll have to visit some time.” Donovan gives me a pointed look and I shrug. Everyone has to have a past, even if it’s something you’re lying about.

  Miranda steps past us up to the foot of the bed. Her hand strokes the top of the covers where Molly’s toes are. “Has she stirred?”

  I’m standing beside her so I answer first. “Not yet. But she will.”

  Miranda smiled softly. "You're very kind to care so much about someone you’ve just met.”

  “We’re all family now,” Donovan says, laying a gentle hand on me and Miranda. “Whatever happens, we’re all in this together.”

  “Amen to that,” John says as he steps up close. His hands go to Miranda’s waist and he leans his chin on the top of her head. He’s a big man, but big in a scruffy-teddy-bear way rather than a threatening way. He must suspect that Lara’s gone back in time to fix what’s wrong with Molly, and when he gazes at me, it’s in his eyes.

  “Where’s Lara?” Miranda asks suddenly. “I thought she’d be here. I have things I need to…apologize for.”

  “She’s not here,” Mike says from the doorway. Miranda startles to see him standing there—just as we all do. Where has he been for the last few hours? “I saw her by the nurse’s station before she disappeared.”

  “She’ll be back,” John says.

  Mike glances disdainfully at John, then rolls his eyes. He shoves his hands in his pockets and the tension in the room ramps up a notch. Even if Molly has accepted John, no questions asked, it seems her twin brother hasn’t.

  “Where does she go when she disappears like that?” Mike asks. “She does something that no one will tell me about.”

  “Mike—” Donovan starts, but he Mike keeps going.

  “No, it’s true. Everyone knows. She tells Molly things that she won’t tell me. I’m part of this family, but not really. I’m always shut out. Is it because I don’t like him?” Mike gestures to John but won’t bring himself to look at him.

  John’s stuck between a rock and a hard place. I feel for him as he gazes down at the floor. Miranda steps toward Mike and opens her arms to him. “No one means to keep you out of anything. I’m sorry, Mike. You’ve always been the strong twin. If I expect too much of you, I’m sorry.” She places a hand over her chest and I hear the tears in her voice.

  Mike rushes into her arms and I feel as if I’m witnessing a family moment I shouldn’t be part of. Miranda and Mike step out into the hall and I’m left with the two men in Lara’s life that know our secret.

  John raises his eyebrows. “We have to be more careful. Mike’s been alienated enough. We don’t need to make things worse on him.”

  “Or you,” Donovan adds.

  John smiles. “I was a maladjusted male once. I can deal with Mike, but what I can’t deal with is time travel putting anyone else at risk. The moment you see Lara, you tell her to find me.” He shakes Donovan’s hand and he heads from the room.

  I stare after him. “I think he’s mad that she’s gone to change time again.”

  “He’s mad that she has to change time.” Donovan’s tone is quiet, almost apologetic. “In a way, things are the way they are because of everything she’s done, but how can I regret any of that? If she hadn’t changed time….”

  “None of us would be standing together right now. Would we?”

  Donovan grins bittersweet. “Life’s a funny thing.”

  The machines start beeping and we’re drawn to the bed where the teen lays. She tosses her head back and forth before her eyes fly open, staring fearfully up to the ceiling. “Mom!” She screams. “Mom!”

  “You better get the doctors,” Donovan says.

  Donovan sprints off into the hall, calling for help. Meanwhile, the girl in the bed bolts straight up, gasping for air. Her chest heaves up and down as she takes short, shallow breaths. She’ll head into a full-blown panic attack of she’s not careful.

  “Easy, easy,” I say quietly and help her lay back down, but she stares at me, squirming away from me. “I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

  “Where is she?” She grits her teeth and looks ready to snap them at me. “Where’s Lara?”

  I scowl, shaking my head as Donovan returns to my side. “They’re on their way. Did she say anything?”

  “She’s looking for someone named Lara,” I say with a vacant stare. “Do you know of anyone by that name?”

  Donovan shakes his head, a blank look on his face. “No, I don’t. I don’t know anyone with the name Lara.”

  Chapter Eight: Lara Crane

  I’m going to go on trial for murder? That’s crazy. Patricia is in jail, she I sn’t dead. There was never a murder, so that just points to the fact that I’m in some crazy time and place where life is royally messed up. “What?” I call out in shock. The judge gives me a steely-eyed glance as she hammers her gavel onto the podium.

  “Control your client, Mr. Montgomery or we’ll find her in contempt along with the other charges.”

  “I’m sorry, your honor,” Jax says, his hands in his pockets. He’s wearing thick black-framed glasses and I gaze at him in shock. He can’t defend me of anything. We’re family. He raised me for over ten years so what the hell is going on?

  “Ms. Crane, how do you plead?”

  Ms. Crane? If I’m not a James I’m a Montgomery. Not a Crane. No one has called me that in such a long time. I reach back to travel in time again and get out of here before things get worse, but a pulsating pain assaults my vision. I groan and grab my temples, unable to see or process anything other than the intense pain I feel.

  Jax puts his hand on my shoulder. “She pleads not guilty, your honor. S
he has no passport, no money. She isn’t a flight risk. I request bail be set at ten thousand dollars.”

  “For killing a senator?” The judge smirks at Jax. “Bail is set at one hundred thousand. Consider that a gift, Ms. Crane.”

  “Ms. Crane has a lot of enemies. I request she put into protective custody while we arrange bail.”

  The judge nods. “Agreed, Mr. Montgomery. We’ll make sure she has our best accommodations.”

  I stare up at Jax as he snaps his briefcase shut. I don’t understand why he seems so unmoved by what the judge just said. “Jax?” I want him to hug me and tell me things will be all right, but his eyes are so cool. When he looks at me, it’s like he’s looking at a stranger.

  “Try to keep the attitude and theatrics in check next time, okay? We aren’t going to win this by playing that game, but if we can show people the hardships you’ve faced. How hard it’s been without your mother—.”

  Without my mother? I scowl at the near thought. “Where is she? Where’s my mother?”

  “Funny, Lara.” Jax sighs. “We both know where she is and whether it was Patricia James’s doing or not, it’s your life on the line now. Just don’t say anything until we talk tomorrow. All right?”

  “Jax—” I’m cut off as he walks away and two police officers grab my arms. They lead me away toward the exit. I’m caught up in a whirlwind of emotion and grief. This place, wherever it is, isn’t my timeline. I hadn’t killed Patricia James and I wouldn’t be punished for something I didn’t do, but when I had tried to jump out—

  Well, that pain had been very real. For whatever reason, I couldn’t jump backward. Maybe if I could find a way into another timeline, I could find my way home. Because this timeline wasn’t home.

  In this one, everything is twisted. There’s no way I would murder anyone, no matter what my background or circumstances.

  They take me to my cell and the guard unhooks my handcuffs without a word. “This is yours until someone makes your bail. If someone does.” The officer laughs and it leaves me hollow and flat.