Long After Midnight

by Iris Johansen

  Seth followed her into the elevator. “For God’s sake, let me help you, Kate.”

  “I can’t. He told me to come alone.” She pressed the button for the fourth floor. “This is my business. Let me do it.”

  “Where are you going? He’s not in the hospital. His quarters are in the bungalow at the rear of the building.”

  She didn’t answer. The doors swung open and she strode quickly to the nurses’ station.

  The nurse on duty was dark and plump. Kate didn’t recognize her.

  She smiled pleasantly. “I’m sorry, it’s far too late for visitors.”

  “I’m Dr. Denby. Is Charlene Hauk on duty?”

  “Charlene’s working the day shift. She’s on at six A.M.” She glanced at the clock. “She’s probably sleeping.”

  “Get her out of bed. Tell her Kate is here.” She moved quickly down the corridor. “Right away.”

  Seth fell into step with her. “Where the hell are we going?”

  “I think I know where Ishmaru is.” She turned left and stopped in front of 403. She drew a deep breath. “Stay here.”

  She pushed open the door. The room was dark.

  “Ishmaru? It’s Kate Denby.”

  No answer.

  Seth pushed her aside and faded to the left of the door. The next minute the room was illuminated. It was empty except for the figure huddled under the covers on the bed.

  It was too good to be true.

  She strode into the room and pulled back the sheet.

  No one was in the bed. Only blankets rolled to resemble a figure.

  Agony wrenched through her as she stumbled away from the bed.

  Seth’s hands were on her shoulders, comforting, supporting. “Who was supposed to be here, Kate?”

  “Daddy.” Tears were running down her cheeks. “Daddy.”

  Her legs wouldn’t hold her. She dropped down in the wheelchair by the bed. “Daddy.”

  Seth dropped to his knees in front of her. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s happening. I can’t help if you don’t talk to me.”

  “You can’t help,” she said dully. “No one can help. Ishmaru has him. He took him away.”

  “Kate.” She looked up to see Charlene in the doorway. Her hair was mussed and she was wearing a sweater over her robe. “What are you doing here?” Her gaze went to the bed. “Christ, where’s Robert?”

  “When did you see him last?”

  “I went off duty at three but I came back at six and gave him his supper. We have a new LPN and I didn’t trust her to make sure he ate. But he’s still got to be on this floor. Everyone knows Robert. He couldn’t just wander around the hospital. But I’ll call Security right away.”

  “No.”

  “We’ve got to find him, Kate. You know how fragile he’s been lately.”

  “I’ll find him.” She forced herself to rise to her feet. “Go back to bed, Charlene. I’ll bring him back.”

  “Don’t be silly. I can’t go to bed. I love Robert. We all do, Kate.”

  Seth’s gaze was searching the room, skipping over the soft peach walls adorned with several framed pictures obviously drawn by a child, the colorful crocheted cover on the bed, and came to rest on the Tiffany lamp on the bedside table. An envelope was propped against the base of the lamp. He picked it up and handed it to Kate.

  Emily

  Ishmaru was the only one who called her Emily.

  She tore open the envelope.

  We’re in the woods in back of the hospital. At least, I am. I don’t know if he’ll survive a night in the open. He seems weak. Not like you. Come to me. Find me.

  Seth took the note from her hand and scanned it. “Bingo.” He turned toward the door.

  “No.” Kate was there ahead of him. “He wants me. If he sees you, he might kill him. I’m the one who has to go.”

  “Bullshit. I’m not letting you go alone.”

  “What on earth is happening, Kate?” Charlene asked as they went past her.

  “Don’t do anything,” Kate called back to her. “Do you hear? Nothing.”

  “Well, are you going to tell me about your father?” Seth asked quietly as the doors of the elevator closed.

  Talk. It didn’t matter now. Maybe it would help to keep her from flying apart. “He has advanced Alzheimer’s.”

  “Christ.”

  “He’s helpless.” She had to stop to steady her voice. “He’s like a baby. He couldn’t defend himself from a cockroach much less Ishmaru.”

  “You told me he was dead.”

  “That’s the way he wanted it. He’d treated hundreds of Alzheimer’s patients. He knew what was in store for him.” She moistened her lips. “You have to understand. My father was a very special man. He was warm and kind and had a deep sense of personal dignity. He had thousands of friends. Everyone loved and respected him. He always told me that Alzheimer’s was probably harder on the family than it was for the victim. He couldn’t stand the thought of what it would do to all of us. He didn’t want Joshua to see him deteriorate. He didn’t want anyone to know. He wanted them to remember him as he was.”

  “So you faked his death.”

  “I didn’t have any choice. He didn’t even tell me he was sick until he disappeared one day. Pinebridge was his practicing hospital and he was on his way home and he suddenly didn’t know where he was going. He pulled over to the side of the road. I found him still in the car two days later. He checked himself into another hospital the next week. His chart said he was suffering from cancer. It was a setup. When I got to the hospital, he told me what I had to do. He’d made his plans. He’d even talked to the administrator here at Pinebridge and arranged for care.”

  “And they agreed?”

  “They loved him. They even made sure most of the staff who took care of him were people he hadn’t worked with and wouldn’t recognize him. Later . . . he was so changed that no one would—You’d have to have known him. He’s like a shell now, and before he was so bright and quick that—”

  The doors of the elevator opened and Seth started for the front entrance.

  Kate stopped him. “No, there’s a back entrance that faces the woods.”

  “You know this place well.”

  “I should.” She led him toward the rear entrance. “Even when I couldn’t talk to him anymore, I still came every week to consult with the doctors or just watch him.”

  “I can’t see you going along with all this.”

  “Neither did my father. So he used pressure. He didn’t believe in suicide, but he could have changed his mind. I didn’t want to take that chance.” She swallowed. “He made me promise to fake the death and then go away and forget him.”

  Seth shook his head. “And he believed you?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know. I did almost everything he wanted. I faked the death and I set up the money I inherited as a care fund for him. I didn’t tell anyone.”

  “But you couldn’t leave him alone here.”

  “Don’t you understand? I loved him. I couldn’t do it. For the first year I visited him every week. He got worse the second year. He didn’t know me, but he knew there was some reason he should be upset at seeing me.” She blinked back tears. It still hurt. God, it hurt. “He cried. I cut the visits down to once a month.”

  Seth’s hand closed on her arm.

  “The first year he started to write a book. He was excited, he felt productive. The second year he couldn’t even read what he’d written. Do you know what that did to him? What it did to me?”

  “I can imagine.”

  “No, you can’t. No one can who hasn’t been there.”

  “How did you keep the visits from Phyliss?”

  “I lied. I got very good at lying.”

  “Jesus, how did you take it? Without anyone to talk to.”

  “I promised him no one would ever know. I promised him. . . .”

  She stood on the top step and stared out at the woods. A level meadow extended from the building to the edge
of the forest. That forest had always looked green and peaceful and inviting. But not now. Ishmaru was there.

  “Let me go after him, Kate.”

  “I can’t. Ishmaru will kill him. Stay here.”

  “Dammit, I can’t stay here.”

  “You will,” she said fiercely. “If you don’t, I’ll never forgive you.”

  “You won’t have the option if he kills you. Trust me. I can do this.”

  She shook her head.

  “I’m coming. It’s your choice whether I barge in with you or we have a plan.”

  He was determined, she could see with frustration. He would do what he said, and she couldn’t afford to have Ishmaru see her with anyone.

  “Good. Give me ten minutes before you go in.” He gazed out at the meadow. “The lights from the hospital make that approach too visible from the woods. I’ll go into them a mile north and try to locate your father.”

  “How?”

  He smiled crookedly. “I have a great nose, remember? Patients in hospitals have a strong antiseptic smell. His room reeked of it. It should stick out like a flare.”

  “Ishmaru will be with my father.”

  “Then I’ll take him by surprise, before he can hurt anyone.”

  She gazed back at the woods. “Ten minutes.”

  He was gone.

  She watched him run around the corner of the building. She started down the steps. She had gotten rid of him and it didn’t matter that she had lied. Not if it meant he would live. Ishmaru could kill him in ten minutes. She would not let that happen.

  No more deaths, Ishmaru.

  It has to end.

  But how? The moment she entered the woods, he would be in control and she would be just another victim. She had to discover a way to shake him, dominate him.

  Dominate him? When he’d been dominating her life since Michael’s death?

  He’d terrified her so much she hadn’t been able to function. She was terrified now.

  Get rid of the fear.

  Find a solution.

  Think.

  Remember.

  Suddenly the answer came to her; sure, swift, clear.

  Of course.

  Simple.

  * * *

  SEVENTEEN

  * * *

  It was Emily.

  Her golden hair shone in the moonlight as she walked across the meadow toward him.

  Come, Emily, let me send you back to the dark land.

  Let me have my reward.

  Just a few yards more and into the trees.

  He was here.

  She could sense him ahead of her in the darkness. Her grip tightened on the gun in her hand. She entered the woods. The leafy darkness enfolded her. “Ishmaru.”

  No answer.

  She went a little farther until she came to a small glade. She stopped, her gaze searching the trees ringing the open area.

  “Ishmaru.”

  No answer.

  “You wanted me here. Now stop hiding from me.”

  “Put down the gun. It’s not a fitting weapon.”

  “Where’s Kate’s father?”

  “Kate’s father?” There was a silence. “At last you admit you’re Emily?”

  “Of course, you always knew it. Where is he?”

  “Why do you care, Emily?”

  “Kate and I are joined.” The words came with surprising ease. “I have to care about what she cares about. I have to protect what she needs protected.”

  “Unfortunate. Such a delicate man. One twist of my hand and I could break his neck. Put down the weapon.”

  Was he standing in the darkness with his hand around her father’s neck? She couldn’t take the chance. She laid the gun down on the ground.

  “That’s right. Neither of us can claim coup with those clumsy guns.”

  Her gaze strained to pierce the veil of trees. “Where’s Kate’s father?”

  “I set him free.”

  Her heart lurched. Dead? Did he mean he was dead?

  “He was in the way.”

  She whirled as she saw a flicker of movement to her left.

  “You have a good eye.” His voice came from her right. “Yes, I was there. I move quickly, don’t I? I’ve trained myself to run like the wind, and I’m stronger than I was when we fought before, Emily. But you might have brought some shaman gifts when you came back.”

  It was a good opening. Make him uncertain. Take control. “I brought many gifts back. Why do you think you weren’t able to kill Kate’s son?”

  “It was my choice. I wanted to see her suffer, see you suffer.”

  “You may have thought the choice was yours, but it was mine. Since the first time you saw Kate, every thought you’ve had, every act you’ve taken has been guided by me.”

  “Liar.”

  “Why should I lie? Spirits have no need of lies.”

  “Because I have more power,” he said harshly. “You fear me.”

  “Did I fear you before? Did I fear you the night you killed me?”

  “No, you fought like the bitch you are.” He paused. “You cut me.”

  “I wasn’t strong enough to kill you then, but I am now. I’ve been waiting a long time to take you with me to the dark land. Do you know who will meet you there?”

  “I don’t want to hear this.”

  She could hear the fear in his voice. “The guardians.”

  He took a long breath. “Ah, you’re very clever. But you can’t make me afraid. I’ve been waiting too long for this. It should be a remarkable encounter.”

  “With me in the open and you skulking like a coward in the trees.” Was there a darker shadow beside that pine?

  “No, I suppose it is time. I’m coming out.”

  “Wait.” She had no weapons and he was stronger. He would have the advantage and she would be helpless. “That’s not how a warrior would do it. They’d stalk and pursue. Or do you think I’d get away from you?”

  “I think you want to try.”

  Why had she made the suggestion? Run in these woods? She could barely see two feet in front of her. But neither could Ishmaru. “Won’t that make it more enjoyable for you?”

  A silence. “Yes, I didn’t get to track you before. It’s such an exquisite pleasure. Yes, run and let me catch you.”

  She went still as another thought occurred to her. Hope surged through her. Maybe . . .

  “Do I get a head start?”

  “I hear the eagerness in your voice. You’re glad the waiting is over, aren’t you?”

  “Do I get a head start?” she repeated.

  “I’ll count to ten.”

  She ran forward and then turned left.

  No paths.

  Look for a landmark.

  All the trees looked alike when you were streaking past them, she thought in despair.

  No, that gnarled willow was different.

  The willow.

  And there was a moss-covered rock to the left.

  “You’re making too much noise. You’re making it simple for me,” Ishmaru called from behind her. “But you’re fast, very fast. And you run easily, like a warrior.”

  Her heart was beating too hard. She had to keep her breath under control. Pretend this was just another morning run.

  Yeah, sure.

  Her feet were suddenly wet. Water splashed on her jeans. She was running across a brook.

  Another landmark.

  “But I’m faster. I’m getting closer. Can you tell?”

  Of course she could tell. He sounded as if he were right behind her.

  “The little girl was fast. The one who told me you were Emily. I remember how her yellow hair flew behind her. It took me almost five minutes to catch her.”

  What little girl? Kate wondered wildly.

  “But there never was any doubt. She was the sign. Are you getting tired?”

  She was getting tired and his voice sounded as strong and even as when they had started.

  And he was closer, muc
h closer.

  He would be on her any minute.

  Please, I have to run faster. Help me. . . .

  She was running faster, her breath was easier. She felt suddenly stronger.

  Adrenaline? She didn’t know or care. She’d take it.

  She pulled ahead of him, one yard, two yards.

  She ran on, leaping over logs and shrubs in her path. Her vision was clearer. Her eyes must have adjusted to the darkness.

  He was still close but he was panting, she realized with savage pleasure.

  “Better hurry,” she taunted over her shoulder. “And don’t look behind you. You don’t think the guardians would let me fight you alone?”

  He made a groaning sound deep in his throat.

  But using fear as a goad may have been a mistake. His pace increased. He was close behind her again. Too close.

  She’d be damned if she’d let him pounce on her as if she were a frightened rabbit.

  That branch by the path.

  She stopped, scooped it up, and swung it at him as he caught up with her.

  He grunted with pain even as he grabbed the branch. “Good. I didn’t expect that.” He jerked the branch away from her. “You’ve drawn blood. My turn.”

  His hands closed on her throat.

  She kneed him in the groin.

  “Ugh.” His hands loosened and she was off again. She darted to the right of the path and then several yards later she crossed the path and started back the way she had come.

  He was behind her again.

  Run faster. Can’t stop. Not now.

  She crossed the brook.

  She heard him splashing behind her an instant later.

  Keep going. Keep going.

  The moss-covered rock.

  He was muttering something under his breath.

  The gnarled willow tree.

  Now she had to go faster. It was time for the sprint.

  “No,” Ishmaru called as he realized her destination. “No, you mustn’t do it.”

  The hell she wouldn’t. She was in the clearing.

  She dove for the pistol she had laid on the ground. She rolled over.

  He was standing right above her.

  She pulled the trigger.

  She saw him flinch but he still stood.

  She pulled the trigger again, and again and again.