Run, River, Run

by C. F. Francis

  “You’ve had two assaults in one day,” Rick said, as if that was all the explanation she needed.

  “Headache?” the medic asked. “Where do you keep your pain relievers?”

  “Bathroom at the end of the hall.” River dropped onto the sofa. The dining room chairs were stiff, and her muscles were beginning to object. Besides, she’d be seated next to the Smith & Wesson she’d tucked into the cushions before the cops arrived.

  The room was an open space. The dining and living room were combined. A breakfast bar separated the living area from the kitchen. Rick took up the large guest chair across from her.

  Kevin appeared with a bottle of non-aspirin pain relievers. He grabbed her unfinished soda off the table.

  “Here,” he said. “Caffeine will help, too.” As soon as she’d taken the pills, Kevin settled in next to her on the couch. She was quickly getting used to the size of the men. She no longer felt overwhelmed by their stature.

  “Where were we?” she asked.

  “Were the doors to the cabin locked?” Kevin asked.

  “At night? Yes, but rarely during the day when I was home.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Do you really need to be here?” River asked, turning her sights on Kevin. “Does anyone lock their doors when they’re outside washing their car or cutting the grass? I tended my garden and often took walks down to the creek or hiked into the preserve. It’s the country, for God’s sake. No one locks their doors every time they step outside even in the city.”

  “Back off, Kevin,” his friend advised. “Let her tell the story her way or you’ll have to leave.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Did you file a police report?” Rick asked.

  “Not when I found the beheaded snake. Like I’ve said, I assumed it was a sick prank. When I found the snake’s head, I called Dan.”

  “Who’s Dan?” Kevin snarled.

  “Dan Nelson. He used to be with the Department of Natural Resources. He was the first person to arrive after I found my family. I latched on to him like we’d fallen out of an airplane and he had the only parachute. He still watches out for me even though he retired several years ago.”

  “What was a forest ranger doing there?”

  “DNR is a law enforcement agency,” Rick explained. He walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed one of the bottles of water. “Do you mind?” Rick asked River.

  “No. Help yourself.”

  “Was the second incident reported?” Rick continued, retaking his seat across from her.

  “Dan pressured me to call the police, but I didn’t want the curiosity seekers to start showing up. My story was old news by then. I didn’t want to make it new again.”

  “But with your history...” Kevin started.

  “You don’t have to remind me of my history. It’s not something I’m likely to ever forget. What purpose would reporting the dead snake have served? You think in rural North Carolina they can afford to have a cop sit on my doorstep 24/7? Nothing of value was ever taken. I wasn’t harmed then.” River took a sip of her soda. “We had the locks changed and I kept them locked. We installed security cameras, but whoever was behind the campaign, managed to get by them both. I bought a weapon and Dan taught me how to use it.”

  “How long did this go on?”

  “A couple of months.”

  Kevin bounced to his feet. “Why the hell did you stay? Did you ever call the authorities?”

  “What’s your problem? You have a burr up your ass or something? Of course, I called the authorities when it continued,” she snapped. “Can you stop with the criticisms?”

  “I’m warning you for the last time,” Rick said to his friend. “Sit down, shut up and let her finish.” Mouth closed, Kevin sat.

  “Obviously, they looked for a link to the Engleharts.”

  “Did they come up with anything?” Rick asked.

  “Nothing. With the exception of the locals, the other agencies were gone by the time I left.”

  “Who has the lead on the investigation now?”

  “I assume the county sheriff is still in charge. If something had turned up, Dan or the sheriff would have let me know.”

  “What was the final straw? What made you decide to move?” Kevin asked. “You stuck it out for months.”

  River held out her right arm and pushed up her sleeve. The scar he’d noticed earlier stood out against her tanned skin. “He took a knife to something other than a helpless animal.”

  “Not to sound cold,” Rick said, “but what made him stop with a single slash to your arm?”

  “Because I hauled ass after I surprised him. I’d cut my morning walk short. I’m guessing he heard me when I stepped onto the back porch. As soon as I opened the door, I caught the glint of a large hunting knife. The split second it took for that to register was long enough for him to take a swipe at me.” She rubbed her hand over the scar. “I threw my full weight against the door. There was a thud. I assumed he’d landed on his ass. If he tried to follow me, he didn’t find me. I was unarmed. I’d left my gun in the house.” She still kicked herself for the miscalculation.

  “Did either man today, in any way, resemble the man from the cabin?” Rick asked.

  “I was focused on the knife. I don’t remember ever looking at the person wielding it. As for today, my instinct tells me the man who tackled me here was the same one from the beach, but I can’t swear to it.”

  “But not the guy from North Carolina?” Kevin asked.

  “I honesty have no idea,” River admitted. “Are we done now?”

  “What about today? Do you know what he was after?” Kevin pressed.

  “Other than name calling, I got nothing from him. I assumed this morning’s incident was someone seizing an opportunity. You know? A woman alone on the beach, but after the attack this afternoon I’d be a fool to continue with that line of thought. During both instances, the guy had plenty of time to hurt or even kill me if that's what he’d wanted to do, so I have to believe he was after something. I have no idea what it would be, though.” She hesitated. “There’s something else. It may, or may not, be connected.”

  A slight groan escaped as River stood. Her muscles ached. She’d been slammed to the ground twice in one day. She should have been moving instead of sitting next to the contrary man.

  “Let me show you something.” They eyed her cautiously. She was used to the look. They weren’t the first to question her mental state. She’d gotten accustomed to the questioning stares by people who recognized her name. Their wary expressions put her dent her armor. Was she normal? Disturbed? Long ago, she’d convinced herself what others thought about her didn’t matter. She couldn’t explain why, but today it mattered.

  Neither said a word as they followed her down the hall to her studio.

  “This is my workroom. That mask,” she said, pointing to the jeweled creation, “is one of my current projects.”

  “You make masks?” Kevin asked, his eyes widening.

  “Yes. One-of-a-kind, made-to-order, masquerade masks. I don’t hurt for clients.” If she sounded defensive, too bad. She considered her work pieces of art. “I used to do graphic designing. When I left North Carolina, I changed my line of business. As much as I loved my work, we felt the change would help conceal my whereabouts. Making masks was a hobby. I’ve turned it into a lucrative business.”

  Kevin walked toward the bench and reached for her creation.

  “Don’t,” River blurted out.

  Kevin’s arm dropped to his side. “What’s the mask got to do with the assaults?”

  River moved closer to the workbench. “I don’t know if it has anything to do with them. Maybe I’m reading too much into things,” she said. “Or going crazy,” she muttered under her breath. She’d seen a psychologist after the murders. The memories—the loss—would never go away. It was imprinted on her memory, but he’d helped her to find ways of coping. Most of the time she was able to bury her fears and s
hut down the horrific images, but she still had her triggers.

  “Being scared is normal, under the circumstances,” Kevin assured her.

  “Most people don’t think I’m normal,” she quipped. “Anyway,” she continued before either man could comment, “a couple of nights ago after I got back from the grocery store, I had the feeling—just a feeling—that someone had been in here. I didn’t find anything to support my intuition. The doors were locked. Nothing appeared to be out of place. The property manager has a set of keys, although they don’t fit these locks,” she added.

  “Smart,” Rick said. “Are you saying you had the same feeling today?”

  “Yes, but this time,” she pointed to the mask, “I found that.”

  “What? Kevin asked, leaning in, getting a closer look at the piece. “It looks expensive.”

  “Depends on what you consider expensive. When it’s finished, the customer will send the balance of the three-thousand-dollar price tag.”

  “Shit,” Kevin commented. “You think someone wanted to steal it?”

  “Then why not take it?” she said.

  “So, what are you trying to say?” Rick asked.

  “The ribbons aren’t the way I left them.”

  “The ribbons?” Rick joined Kevin in getting a closer look at the jeweled mask.

  “After I add the ribbons, I never fold them, let alone bunch them up. Even when I package them, the silk strands are wrapped and placed in the carton, so they don’t crease. I’d have never left them that way. They’re a mess.” River let out a breath, feeling a bit more confident. Neither man had immediately brushed her fears aside.

  Rick took a few pictures of the mask from several angles with his phone. “Do you mind?” he asked, taking a pen out of his pocket and pointing at the mask.

  “Go right ahead. I wanted you to see it like I found it.”

  The detective picked at the ribbons with the pen, coaxing them out from under her creation.

  “There are some empty spots,” Kevin commented. “Is something missing?”

  “No. Not missing,” River answered. “It’s not finished. A few semi-precious stones will complete it.”

  “Is this different from your usual work? Is it unique in anyway?” Rick straightened and turned to her.

  “Both. It’s the first time I’ve used stones of this value. Initially, I had some issues with the vendor for the semi-precious stones, but they were settled.”

  “What sort of issues?” Kevin asked.

  “He wanted me to exchange the stones. He claimed he’d sent me another customer’s order.”

  “Did you return them?” Rick asked.

  “No. They are exactly the ones I ordered. I suspect he had another buyer willing to pay more. He didn’t press the issue.”

  “Who is your customer?”

  “A recording artist. She wants the mask for a stage performance and music video—which is the reason for all the sparkle. The lighting will make this thing sing.”

  “Anything else in here out of place or missing?” Kevin asked.

  “I haven’t looked,” River said. She hadn’t checked the drawers. Why the hell hadn’t she checked the drawers? Her heart did a giddy-up when she studied the contents of the top drawer. No snake’s head left behind, but a signature, no less.

  “What is it?” Kevin asked, tugging her away from the bench.

  “My tools. Someone’s moved them,” she said. She shoved her fingers through her hair. “I’m a bit obsessive compulsive. I put things back in the same order every time.” She studied the drawer, fighting back tears. It was happening again. Christ. The disarrayed tools confirmed what she’d been silently denying. Did they believe her? She’d overheard some of the cops in North Carolina talk. Many figured she had a ‘troubled mind.’ A few of them believed there never was a stalker—that it was a ploy to draw attention to herself—a by-product of her childhood trauma.

  Kevin led her out of the workroom. She didn’t fight him. She wasn’t up to it.

  “Who else knows that you, River Chandler, lives here?” he asked.

  “Dan and Aunt Amy know my exact location. The Sheriff in North Carolina knows, but he’s kept the address out of my file, I’m told. Everything else is listed under my LLC.”

  “Can I get Dan’s number?” Rick asked. “I won’t bother your aunt.”

  “Sure.” Right now, she didn’t care who did what. All she wanted was to curl up in a ball somewhere. This feeling of doom would pass. She’d been there before. She needed some time to gather herself.

  She scribbled down Dan’s number and handed it to the detective. “Thanks for your help.”

  “We’ll be nearby if you need us. Put my number in your contacts,” Rick said, handing her his business card. “Call if there’s anything out of the ordinary. Even if you think it doesn’t qualify as an emergency.”

  “That’s it?” Kevin snapped at Rick. “That’s all you’re going to do?”

  “It’s all I can do. What did you expect?”

  The two carried on a lengthy debate regarding the detective’s job. River planted her face in her hands. It was like having two siblings squabbling in the room. Her head was ready to explode.

  “Go. Both of you. Now,” she said.

  “I’ll stay. You shouldn’t be alone,” Kevin said.

  “No one is staying.”

  “But…” Kevin started.

  “Thank you, gentlemen,” she said, reining in her temper and ending the debate. “But I want you to leave now.”

  River latched the deadbolt behind them, then pressed her back against the door until she heard their footsteps making their way down the stairs. When those footsteps faded, she ran to the sofa and retrieved her pistol from between the cushions. She was grateful she’d had those few seconds to hide the weapon before the police and EMT’s arrived. Her neighbor had helped her inside after she regained consciousness. When he’d gone back to the door to await help, she’d taken the opportunity to hide the gun. She hadn’t wanted the questions that would come with its discovery.

  With the weapon in her hand, she began a thorough inspection of her condo. The fact that it had already been cleared by the police didn’t matter. She wouldn’t feel secure until she’d done the same. The paranoia that had been slipping away over the years, was back. She’d been living on borrowed time since the day of the murders. How often could a person dodge fate?

  9

  “She should be more careful,” Kevin muttered the next morning as he pulled out of the condo’s parking lot behind River’s car. She either didn’t notice, or didn’t care, that she was being tailed. He wasn’t in the best of moods. He’d spent most of the night outside her unit, in his truck. Troy had stopped by late in the evening with some provisions. Kevin wasn’t surprised by Troy’s visit. He’d partnered with Steve in the security firm and knew Kevin had taken up watch duty at River’s place. Troy was a part of this close-knit group, as was his wife, Shayne, who worked for Cat at the garden center. Troy still wore a patch over his left eye. There was no hope of restoring it, but the scars from the suicide bombing that emanated below the patch were gradually fading. His plastic surgeon was doing a damn good job. Troy offered to take over the watch for a while, but Kevin had declined. She was his responsibility. If he’d been quicker yesterday, she might not be in danger now. Troy didn’t argue. Each one of his friends had the same sense of duty.

  River drove north on the main road through Sanibel, Periwinkle Way. Where the hell was she headed this time of the morning? His question was answered when she made a left turn into a mostly vacant parking area of a strip mall. There was no damn way he could avoid being seen and still keep an eye on her. The jig, as they say, was up.

  Kevin recognized the small shopping center from previous visits. As a result, he had a good idea where River was headed so early in the morning. The Sanibel Cafe. It was a popular place for breakfast and lunch on the island. He pulled up behind her. She slid out of her vehicle then leaned
against it, waiting for him to join her. The woman was stunning and sexy as hell, especially for someone who hadn’t got much, if any, sleep last night. He’d seen the light on in her workroom when he’d patrolled the property during the night. Her shadow had been backlit behind the closed blinds. Were the all-nighters normal for her or had the events of yesterday prevented her from sleeping?

  “You’re out and about early,” he greeted her. Those enchanting blue eyes still took his breath away.

  “I needed fuel and didn’t feel like making it myself.”

  “Does the fact that you’re not skinning me alive or pointing a gun in my face mean we can sit together and have breakfast?”

  “I can be civil,” she said, making her way up the ramp toward the corner eatery. “Thanks for not mentioning my gun.”

  “You don’t have a Florida permit for it, I assume,” he said, stepping ahead of her to get the door.

  “I have one for North Carolina. That should fly here. I didn’t want to test it, though.” She nodded toward the café. “Let’s get in there before it gets busy.”

  “Crowds bother you?”

  “Let’s just say I like intimate settings.”

  Kevin wouldn’t mind seeing her in a more intimate setting, but he kept that thought to himself as she walked by him.

  A man with graying hair and smiling eyes greeted them. “Good morning.”

  “’Morning, Richard. I had the yearning for Pina Colada French toast.”

  “Is this gentleman joining you today?”

  “For the moment,” she answered, grinning back at Kevin. Her gaze was a punch to his chest. He was beginning to believe in black magic.

  “Let’s get you seated. Maria will be right over with your coffee,” he added.

  “Thank you.”

  Since the restaurant was unlocking its doors as they approached, it was empty except for staff. Their host walked by the vacant seats before offering the two of them a booth tucked into the rear corner of the restaurant. He’d left one menu on the table. Kevin slid it over to River.