When Lightning Strikes

by Aimée Thurlo

  Daniel walked around the vehicle once, then, taking a pair of latex gloves from his pocket, he slipped them on so he wouldn’t contaminate the scene with fingerprints. “The car certainly doesn’t look like it’s in very good shape. I’m surprised it carried you at all in this terrain. But one thing’s clear. It wasn’t used in a hit-and-run. There are no new dents, and no traces of blood anywhere,” he said, going over the exterior carefully. “The flat tire is here just as you described and, from what I can see, this car hasn’t moved an inch since you left it here.”

  “Which means someone else hit the guy who was going to kill me.” She wondered again if she’d caused the man’s death, even indirectly. The possibility made her blood go cold. If she had, his blood would be on her hands for the rest of her days.

  Almost as if reading her mind, he added, “Remember, his death is probably not connected to what you had to do to get away. My guess is that his boss doesn’t like failure, and he was run down by his own people.”

  Daniel opened the door, then began searching the interior. “I can see on the passenger side the spot where you pulled out the seat belt bracket that was used to fasten the handcuffs.” Extracting the car registration from the glove compartment, he called Silentman. Their conversation took a few minutes, but Daniel finally turned to Hannah as he hung up.

  “The registration is for the real owner, but the vehicle was stolen a few days ago in Arizona, and the tags were taken from yet another hot car. There’s nothing more for us here. The rest is up to the police department. They can dust the car for prints and try to match them to the John Doe they found. Hopefully, they’ll be able to ID the man who kidnapped you in no time at all.”

  “My fingerprints will also be in the car,” she said in a flat voice. It was easier not to allow herself to feel anything right now. She had to think clearly and that meant pushing back her fear and keeping it locked away inside her.

  “I know, but there’s nothing we can do about that. We can’t wipe prints—not without destroying other evidence that might lead to the suspects.” He captured her gaze with his own. “Don’t worry. We’ll see this through, too. We’re going to win this.”

  “But once the police find this car, my enemies will score another victory.” She saw the flicker of emotions in his eyes and knew he’d reasoned it out, too. “There are traces of the man’s blood on the driver’s door, and that’ll indicate that there was a struggle. Once they have that information, I’ll become their prime suspect. It’s inevitable.”

  “They can’t prove that struggle was with you—only that you were in the car sometime,” he pointed out.

  “It’ll still look pretty bad for me, particularly because I’m on the run,” she said in a heavy voice. “I wish there was some way I could force myself to remember those missing hours at the church. I’ve been thinking a lot about it, Daniel. I can’t help but wonder if what happened that day is linked somehow to my father’s suicide.”

  “Your uncle was present both times and that supports the possibility that there might be a connection. Maybe the link to your past is something that was left unsettled and has now resurfaced because of something that you saw or heard.”

  “I know you think that my uncle is a crook and behind all this somehow. But that’s not the kind of man he is, believe me. After my father died, I desperately needed him and he was there for me. He takes his responsibilities very seriously.”

  “But, because you did need him so much at the time, is it possible that you blocked out something that he did—or didn’t do—the night your father died?”

  “Even if I had, how would that tie in with recent events? It just doesn’t make sense!” She shook her head, exasperated. “No one died at the church.”

  “We don’t really know that for a fact,” Daniel said thoughtfully. “But I admit it does seem unlikely. Nobody else has been reported missing that we know about, and your kidnapper sure didn’t die at the church. Is it possible you misconstrued something you heard or saw?”

  “I’m not someone who falls apart at the slightest thing. You’ve seen that. We’ve been on the run and having confrontations with people who clearly want me dead, and they haven’t broken me yet. Whatever happened was far more than a misunderstanding on my part.”

  “But when something happens that reminds you of the past—like seeing the gun in one of the men’s hands—you’re certainly not yourself. Remember how you locked up before?”

  Hannah nodded. “Images get jumbled in my mind, that’s true. But I didn’t forget that incident.”

  “Good point.” He paused then continued in a slow somber tone. “But you’re more fragile than you realize, Hannah. I have a gut feeling that the memories you’re suppressing are like a time bomb of major proportions.”

  His voice was gentle, but guarded, as if he were working hard to hold something back and Hannah noticed it immediately. She realized then that, despite everything, her past stood between them because it made him uncertain of her. Her heart breaking, she pressed him to speak his mind. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

  “There is something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.” He paused, then continued, his unwavering gaze now on hers. “I owe you an apology, Hannah. What happened between us the other night—well, it shouldn’t have happened. I took advantage of you—”

  She held up a hand, interrupting him. “I wanted the same thing you did. But you’re right. It shouldn’t have happened.” Hannah saw the surprised look on his face, and suddenly wondered if he’d thought she would try to hold him and exact promises from him he couldn’t make because of what happened.

  She shook free of the thought. It didn’t matter, not anymore. The important thing was that she had to stop thinking with her heart once and for all. The truth was that she had no future, not until she faced all the demons in her past. The only thing she could offer Daniel now were feelings that were as fragmented as she was. And that just wasn’t good enough—not for her and not for him.

  She moved away silently and Daniel let her go without pressing her for more answers. That fact alone hurt her far more deeply than she’d imagined possible.

  Daniel waited several long moments before finally breaking the silence. “I’m going to make an anonymous call to the PD,” he said in a businesslike tone. “Don’t say anything until I hang up.” As she nodded, Daniel flipped open the cell phone. He spoke to the officer on duty in a low, barely audible voice, reported the abandoned car and its location, then quickly hung up.

  “What if they trace that call back to you?”

  “They don’t have the sophisticated equipment it would take to trace a cell phone. We’re okay for now as long as we don’t hang around here any longer.”

  Once they returned to the SUV, Hannah leaned back into the seat and closed her eyes, fighting back tears. “You know, even if I win this fight, I wonder how much of the life I left behind will still be there for me when I return? I may have to move far away, someplace where no one has ever heard of me, and rebuild my life.”

  Wolf, sensing she was upset, stuck his nose between the seat backs and tried to lick her hand. Absently Hannah scratched the big dog on the muzzle.

  When Daniel remained uncharacteristically silent, she glanced over at him. There was a quiet acceptance on his face. She suddenly understood that he’d known all along what the price of survival might be.

  DANIEL STEPPED OUT of the SUV to talk to Silentman while Hannah took Wolf on a brief walk. Getting good reception on a cell phone out on the Rez was a tricky thing sometimes, with relay towers few and far between. He ended up climbing to the top of a hillside before he got a signal strong enough to dial out. Even then, the transmission was weak, though he managed to hear enough to know that the situation continued to be bleak.

  Minutes later, he walked back to the SUV, noting that Hannah and the hairy beast had already returned, and were back inside. Although he’d hoped that Silentman would uncover something useful from the
files he’d copied from Robert Jones’s computer, no discrepancies had been found. The deacon looked to be as pure as the driven snow. The news would please Hannah, but he wasn’t in the mood to celebrate. His gut was telling him that they were missing something important. This case had more twists and turns than he’d ever expected. It had been that way from day one. Maybe the flat tire on the way to Handler’s office that morning had been an omen.

  Hannah’s story still had more holes in it than Swiss cheese, but he believed in her innocence, and the scanty evidence he’d obtained from the car had backed her up. Hannah lived with more shadows than light. There was no denying that. Yet, at the core of her was a strong spirit that called to him.

  He ran an exasperated hand through his hair wondering when he’d become such an emotional sap. Maybe he’d been inhaling too much car exhaust lately and that had scrambled his thinking.

  The sad truth was that these days he didn’t even recognize himself. Though he normally avoided relationships, he’d dived headlong into this one. Now his life was hopelessly entangled with Hannah’s, proving what he’d known all along. Love was a lot like a trick knee. You could beat back the pain by gritting your teeth, but from the moment you first got hurt, things were never the same again.

  As he climbed back into the SUV, she looked up at him with those hazel eyes that did strange things to his mind. He looked away and started the engine.

  “Your uncle’s files, the ones I managed to copy, were clean,” he said.

  “I told you they would be,” Hannah smiled briefly. “But what now?” she added in a serious tone. “Is there anything else we can follow up on?”

  “Silentman suggested I go talk to Pablo Jackson.”

  “Our church organist? Why?”

  “He’s the chairman of several church committees as well as being a prominent businessman. He may know something useful.”

  “You’re forgetting something…”

  “You mean that he’s seen us together at the church?” He shook his head. “No, I haven’t forgotten. But what he saw was an old Navajo man and woman.”

  “What if he recognizes something about you and puts it together?”

  “Not likely. Remember he only saw us briefly and neither of us looked directly at him. I think it’s an acceptable risk considering we’re pretty much out of leads.”

  She nodded. “I wish you’d never gotten involved in this mess. You can’t be sure of me, Daniel, not under the circumstances, yet you’re risking your life nearly every moment of the day. That’s just not right.”

  “I wouldn’t walk out on anyone who was in a situation like yours—least of all, you.”

  “And that’s precisely why you should walk away,” she said quietly.

  “I know. I’ve let it get personal between you and me and that’s not a good thing for you. But I am the best man for this job. You don’t need a P.I. who’s packing or goes by the book. So you’re stuck with me, lady. I’m not turning this case over to anyone else.”

  Wolf sat up in the back seat, barked and put a paw upon the seat back. “And that goes for him, too,” Daniel added.

  She reached back and patted the animal on his head, and he sighed contentedly. “You’re both too stubborn for your own good.”

  “The mutt and I are in this with you for the count, Hannah. Get used to it.” He turned all his attention back to driving for a while before speaking again. “Now tell me, how much do you know about Jackson?”

  “I run into him now and then, and we exchange greetings, but that’s as far as it goes. We’re not friends, just acquaintances. Are you going over to talk to him right now?”

  “Yeah. Silentman arranged for me to meet him over at the church office.”

  “I’d really like to go inside while you do that and just sit quietly in one of the pews. I know that the key to everything is remembering what happened at the church, and I can’t help but feel that if I sit there alone with my thoughts, I’ll somehow remember. I’ve always felt secure in that setting.”

  “Then by all means go for it. But Wolf will have to stay in the vehicle, and you’ll have to wear your wig. We need to figure out a way to hide your face somehow, too. Otherwise it’s just too risky. Maybe a veil?”

  “How about if I wear a scarf? It’s really windy outside today, so if I’m wearing one loosely around my hair no one’s going to think much of it.”

  They stopped at the trading post and Daniel went inside. Instead of doing his usual, simply picking whatever was right in front of him, he took his time. For some crazy reason it was important to him that she like what he selected for her.

  He came out several minutes later and handed her a small paper sack. He watched her as she took it out, knowing that she couldn’t hide her thoughts from him easily.

  Her expression as she admired the vivid turquoise and deep sunrise gold silk scarf made him smile.

  “It’s really beautiful. Thank you.”

  Her smile warmed him. He’d wanted to cheer her up a little, if only for a few moments, and it made him feel good to know she’d liked what he’d bought for her. Had things been different, he would have romanced her, bringing flowers and wine and little gifts for no reason at all. But as it was, this was the best he could do.

  Anger at the sleazy thugs who had put her in this position coiled in his gut like a rattlesnake. Her enemies were his now, and he would equalize the odds against her. That was something else he could do for her, and do well.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When they arrived at the church, Daniel took a careful look around the parking lot. It was empty except for the pickup Hannah identified as belonging to Pablo Jackson.

  “I’m going in through the side door, Hannah. Give me a few minutes to get him occupied, then come in quietly. Just remember to stay out of sight.”

  Hannah looked back at Wolf. “Will he be okay alone in the SUV?”

  Wolf barked once as if in assent.

  “Sure he will. I’ll leave the back open, and he can climb out over the gate if he gets too hot, but with the low temperature and the breeze, he’ll be okay. I’m more concerned about you.”

  “Don’t be, Daniel. The front doors are always open this time of day, and I’ll go right in. All I intend to do is sit there and let my thoughts drift.”

  She paused, looking thoughtfully at the church. “For years I protected myself from memories I couldn’t handle. But not having the knowledge I need is now more of a threat than anything I could possibly remember. I’m not a little girl anymore. I know who I am and that I can depend on my own strength to help me cope with anything.”

  She smiled hesitantly. “Sounds great, huh? Now if only my memory would cooperate.”

  “It will,” he said encouragingly. She was in a fight against herself, and those were the toughest battles of all. “See you in a bit then. And be careful.”

  “I will.”

  Daniel entered the church and walked down the corridor. Hearing footsteps ahead, he headed for the deacon’s office. Jackson was inside sitting on a small sofa, studying building plans he’d placed on the cushion beside him.

  Jackson gave him a nod. “Come in and make yourself comfortable. I’m glad your boss called me. All he wanted was more background information, but it made me realize that it was time we spoke. There’s more to what happened here than you were told and you need to hear the whole story.”

  “So you have been holding back on me. I always suspected that there was more to this case than I was told.” Daniel sat down on the chair opposite him.

  Jackson rolled up the blueprints and placed them back inside a cardboard tube. “There’s something we should have told you right from the start, but we’d made an agreement…” He shook his head. “Let me start again. This is complicated, and you need to understand.”

  “Take your time, and start at the beginning. I’m listening.” At least Jackson hadn’t recognized him as the old man from the other day. Maybe their luck was finally turning. But
as much as he wanted to believe that, he couldn’t ignore the instincts that were warning him to remain on his guard.

  “I’m afraid that none of us have been really up-front with Gray Wolf Investigations. Bob Jones made the contact on our behalf, but we all decided as a group how much you were to be told. We share the responsibility—and the guilt—equally.”

  Get to it, Daniel urged silently. He didn’t like leaving Hannah alone in this place. A survival instinct he couldn’t explain warned him that the danger to her was greater here than anywhere else—but so was the chance of finding the answers.

  “You see, we like to protect those close to us,” Jackson continued. “This is a relatively small church, but it means a great deal to all of us. We raised the money to build it, and we’ve kept it going through the years despite our shoestring budget. It hasn’t been easy, but we’re proud of what we’ve done for the community. We have an open door policy and anyone who needs us can always come here and get help. That’s the reason we’ve found it so hard to cope with the fact that one of our own felt it necessary to steal from us.”

  There was something about Jackson that was making Daniel’s skin crawl. He was trying too hard to justify himself and his friends, and his words sounded rehearsed. “What exactly did you keep back?”

  “The amount of money that’s missing from church accounts is far more than a few thousand. It’s closer to one hundred thousand. Every dime that had been allocated to the construction fund is gone, and we don’t know how it disappeared.”

  Daniel remained still. This was something he’d already suspected. “Why did you decide to cover that up?”

  “It was out of respect to Bob Jones, Hannah’s uncle. He’s one of the most trusted and dedicated members of the congregation, and we were afraid that if the real story got out, Hannah would be facing grand larceny charges. Our church’s image in the community would be hard hit if the news got out, too. Let’s face it, the cops would have been all over us, turning everything upside down, and the newspaper reporters would have put it on the front page,” Jackson said, shaking his head. “We really thought that it was just a matter of finding Hannah, and by hiring you, we felt our problems would be solved. But we didn’t expect it to be such a big deal, or that it would take so long to track down a disturbed young woman. No one here believes she acted out of malice.”