Escaping Memories

by Amanda Siegrist

  They rolled around on the floor a few minutes, dodging blows, taking punches, and fighting like two strangers in a bar fight. Seth was the first one to scramble away and stand up, his fists hanging in the air, waiting for another attack. His heavy breathing mirrored that of Evan's as they stared each other down.

  "I'm done fighting with you. In fact, I'm just plain done with you. Enjoy Stacy all you want, you asshole." Seth dropped his fists and walked away with a limp, slamming the door on the way out.

  Evan stood up, flexing his hands and wiped his face with his sleeve. A long smear of blood tracked onto his shirt. "Damn it!" He swiped his arm across the counter, pushing the beer bottle through the air and landing in a shattering pile below the fridge door. He watched the liquid spill down the door, wondering how his life went to shit in such a short period of time.

  ***

  The kitchen table acted as a lifesaver in a mellow river, hoards of papers splattered all over its wooden body. Danny stood staring at a picture with glazed eyes when Logan walked into the kitchen.

  "What's going on here?" Logan asked, eyeing the mess.

  Danny dropped the picture. "How's Aubrey?"

  "She's fine…I guess. Her head hurts and she's tired. She just fell asleep and I thought I'd check on what sort of progress we have. Do we have any progress? What is all this?" Logan asked. He walked closer, picking up the picture Danny put down.

  He stared in confusion as he recognized Aubrey in the picture. She was walking on the sidewalk, her phone pressed to her ear and a smile on her face. She looked happy.

  "Well, this half is the stuff we were piling over this morning," Deke said, pointing to the papers on the left side. Then he gestured to the right. "This stuff we found in one of the pockets of Wayne's backpack. It looks like he was following Aubrey a few weeks before he grabbed her. That picture you have was taken around the corner where she lived."

  The picture fell from Logan's hand as if it burned him. "Did we hear anything back about Richard yet?"

  Danny shoved a hand through his hair. "Yeah, he screamed like a little baby once our guys put a slight amount of pressure on him. It probably helped that they searched his car when they picked him up and found a bottle of oxycodone. Not prescribed, of course. They talked to Dr. Roberts, the same one Aubrey mentioned earlier, she heads the administration at the hospital. She checked the supplies, and surprise, surprise, some oxycodone was missing."

  "What did he confess to?" Logan asked.

  "Stealing drugs from the hospital and supplying one of the gangs in the area. The Cheetahs. Talked to one of the guys in the drug division who said The Cheetahs are one of the fastest growing gangs in the area. I think they were trying to be funny when they named themselves because they take pride in the fact they are the fastest in the industry. Quick supplying of drugs to even quicker distribution," Danny said, rolling his eyes at the lunacy of it all. Just what they needed, more drugs on the street with a faster distribution.

  "And Richard, a doctor…what kind of doctor?" Logan asked.

  "A cardiologist. Thinks he's a damn genius," Danny said.

  "Fancy." Logan had a difficult time keeping his sarcasm out of his voice. "So Richard, a prestigious doctor, takes to stealing drugs and supplying a gang. That makes no sense. Why would he risk his career over something like that? He doesn't sound like a dumb man."

  "He's not. But he had a friend who needed a bit of painkillers and couldn't get them. Severe back pain, but his doctor cut him off. So he went to Richard, who wrote him a few prescriptions, at first. Then Richard cut him off because he got a little nervous writing out illegal prescriptions. So his friend found The Cheetahs. He had a big mouth and mentioned Richard and how he would write him the prescriptions. Like I said, The Cheetahs pride themselves on a big turnaround with the drug supplies. They gotta get them from somewhere. So they paid Richard a visit and he caved pretty quickly to write out prescriptions and steal oxycodone from the hospital as well. I guess a gun to the head can be pretty persuasive," Deke said with a shrug.

  "So I'm guessing the conversation Aubrey overheard was him trying to weasel his way out of getting more drugs for them," Logan said.

  "Yeah, he's been trying for a while. Our guys asked if he knew Wayne. He said Wayne was one of their little lackey's they put on his tail to make sure he didn't veer off his job. Aubrey probably didn't see Wayne at the charity dinner that night because he wasn't there long. He showed up to put a little fear into Richard because he was late on his delivery. After Aubrey took that picture, Richard had turned around and saw him. They stepped outside where Wayne had a few choice words and left. Richard delivered the next day." Danny glanced back at the pictures on the table, his eyes squinting in frustration.

  "Did he confess to being involved with Aubrey's abduction?" Logan asked, trying to process everything they just told him without showing how it affected him.

  "No. He denies any involvement. He didn't start confessing about the drugs until our guys started threatening charges of kidnapping, accessory, and all that good stuff," Deke said, leaning back in his chair. He waved his hand around the table, pushing some of the photos as he tried hard not to crumble them up. "My theory is that Wayne saw Aubrey that night and something clicked with him. If you look closely, this photo here of Aubrey at the charity dinner, her hair is a darker brown with some highlights."

  Deke grabbed the photo and handed it to Logan. Then he picked another one up and handed him that one as well. "This photo was taken a few days after the charity dinner. She got her hair done a day or two after the charity dinner, dyed it a lighter brown. All these pictures of her, her hair is the lighter brown. That's when he started following her around. These photos suggest to me that she became an obsession."

  "Did he say anything at the hospital? Is he still there?" Logan asked. He wished he could've been there, but his main concern had been Aubrey. He hadn't left her side once since he brought her home from the clinic. He was afraid to leave her alone. Afraid her memories would become too much. Afraid his time with her was slipping away.

  "Besides calling us pigs and cussing like a sailor, nope. He asked for a lawyer. His dad showed up and started calling us pigs right along with his son. Said he was going to get the fanciest lawyer he could find and his son would be out in no time. He had to be escorted out of the hospital because of his loose tongue. Wayne is currently spending the night. Another set of agents will escort him back to Florida tomorrow. He'll be wishing soon that Danny shot him dead," Deke said, glancing at Danny.

  "Should've, that bastard," Danny muttered as he glanced down the hallway where Aubrey lay sleeping.

  "I'm guessing that has something to do with The Cheetahs," Logan said, waiting for a further explanation.

  "He dropped them without a word good-bye. They don't take kindly to that sort of thing. He let his obsession for Aubrey go too far. The minute he walked away from them, he signed his death warrant. I'm sure once they hear he's back in town they'll make a move on him. I can't say I really care," Danny said, sharing a look with Logan that suggested he didn't care either.

  "So, we don't need to do anything else? Case closed. I'm sure there's tons we could try to interrogate out of him and what he did to Aubrey those three months, even the reason why. But honestly, I don't want to know. I only want to know if she tells me, and only because it'll help her move on. That's all that matters. Who wants a beer?" Logan said, dragging his feet to the fridge.

  "I'll take one. So will Danny. I think we all need to unwind and just enjoy this victory for what it is," Deke said as he started grabbing all the photos and papers strewn across the table.

  Danny thought about arguing that fact when his sister still seemed so broken, but instead, took the beer offered from Logan's hand. He just twisted the cap off when the front door opened and slammed just as quickly.

  "What the hell happened to you?" Logan asked, setting his beer on the counter and took a step towards Seth.

  Seth waved him off and w
ent straight to the fridge, pulling a beer out. He gently rested it against his eye for a brief moment, then twisted the cap and took a long swallow. After downing half the beer, he shut the fridge and turned around to see the three men staring at him, waiting for his answer.

  "Nothing happened. What's all that on the table?" Seth asked, avoiding eye contact with Logan.

  "Your eye is black and blue, your lip has a cut, and I'm pretty sure I saw a slight limp. So, I repeat, what the hell happened to you?" Logan said, his voice conveying no argument would be had.

  Seth finished his beer in another long swallow and set the bottle on the counter with more force than necessary. "I saw Kat. She was upset. Derek reamed into her for taking Aubrey out in the woods. She told me everything that happened out there. I tried to stay and talk to her, but she kicked me out of her house. I have no idea what Derek said to her, but she was pretty upset…and hurt."

  "Why would he be that upset? And I can't imagine your sister did that to you. Did Derek for some reason?" Danny asked, intrigued by this development.

  "Maybe you haven't had a chance to notice, but Derek likes my sister. He probably let her have it because the thought she could've gotten hurt scares the hell out of him. I know how he feels," Logan said, picking his beer back up and took a sip. "But I know Kat didn't bust up your face and neither did Derek."

  Danny gave Logan a funny expression, but wiped it from his face before anyone could decipher what it meant. His eyes centered on Seth as they all waited for an explanation.

  "I had a chat with Evan. This is how it went." Seth turned around and grabbed another beer from the fridge.

  Before he could twist it open, Logan's hand covered the top. "Getting piss ass drunk isn't going to solve whatever the hell is going through your mind. How in the world did you get into a fistfight with Evan?"

  Seth shrugged Logan off and rotated the bottle in his hands. "He's still lying to me…about what happened to Aubrey. He's still denying he knew something. We went back and forth, words got heated, and he punched me. I'm done with him."

  "Seth, we have nothing to suggest he had anything to do with it. Maybe he's not lying," Deke said, cautiously.

  "Have you talked to Wayne?" Seth asked, glaring at Deke. "Because I know when my friend is lying to me. I'm not an idiot."

  "Wayne's not talking right now. If, or when he does, I'll let you know if it turns out Evan's lying to you or not. How long have you guys been friends?" Deke asked.

  "Long enough to know when he's lying." Seth looked over at Logan. "He admitted to loving Stacy. He's the other guy. He's the reason for all of our problems. But he said he never slept with her. I believe him." Seth looked back at Deke. "But I don't believe a damn word when he denies knowing something about what happened with Aubrey."

  "Seth, I'm not condoning anything Evan said about Stacy, but I wouldn't say he's the reason for all the problems between you and her. I've told you before you need to be more open with her. You both are at fault in that relationship. Why don’t you just stay away from Evan for a while? It sounds like you both just need a breather," Logan said.

  Seth's hand tightened around the bottle. "Oh, I'll be staying away from him because I'm done with him. And don't talk to me about Stacy. I don't want to hear her name ever again. You're one to talk. You talk to Aubrey yet?"

  Logan backed away, setting his beer back on the counter. "About what? Because, yes, I do talk to Aubrey."

  "Whether she's staying or not?" Seth demanded.

  Logan resisted the urge to look at Danny as he took a short breath to calm down. "I can see you're still looking for a fight. I'm not going to indulge you, Seth. And I'm not having this conversation in front of her brother. That's not even fair. Go home."

  Seth watched as his brother walked out of the kitchen, eyes straight ahead with no glance at Deke, and especially, Danny.

  "I don't have a huge problem with the sheriff like Danny does here, but that was a low blow, even I have to admit that," Deke said, eyeing Seth as he took another sip of his beer.

  "Yeah, I know. I seem to do well at hurting my brother lately." Seth set his beer on the counter and started to walk out of the kitchen when he stopped in front of Danny. "Maybe he hasn't said it. But I will. He doesn't want her to leave. I've never seen him with any other woman like I have with Aubrey. He loves her whether he chooses to tell her that or not. Don't be an ass like I just was. Let her make her own decision whether she wants to stay." He continued towards the door, closing it with a quiet click for the first time that night.

  Deke picked his beer up, taking another swallow. "He has a good point."

  "Shut the hell up, Deke." Danny grabbed his beer, downing it in the same fashion Seth had as he glanced down the hallway with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

  Chapter 19

  She inhaled the sweet aroma that she attributed to Logan and curled into him. His arm tightened around her waist and started stroking the skin between her underwear and shirt.

  "How are you feeling, honey?"

  She tucked her head under his chin. "Better. My head doesn't hurt as much. How long was I out?"

  "A few hours. Rest is good for you."

  "Did you stay with me the whole time?"

  As much as he wanted to lie and forget about the ordeal with Seth, he couldn't. "No, I stepped out for a bit. Richard's been arrested for stealing drugs and handing them over to a local gang in Tampa. Same gang that Wayne worked for. He hasn't said anything, but we have enough to arrest him for what he did to you. He can't hurt you anymore."

  "I never worried he could. Not when I'm with you." She brushed a finger across his chest. "So it was just Wayne involved? He's the only one I remember walking into that room. I don't remember who grabbed me. It was so fast. One minute I was walking, and the next, I was grabbed from behind and knocked out. I woke up inside a trunk. I hate the dark now, Logan. I just can't stand it."

  "I know, sweetheart. It's not dark in here," he said, pointing towards the bathroom where the light shined brightly, filtering into the bedroom. He gestured towards the bedroom door. "Door's wide open. You're safe. Not confined. Never again."

  "Any word on Bolt?" She traced another path across his chest, smiling at the slight shiver that erupted from him.

  "He lost a lot of blood, but he survived surgery and the doctors are hopeful he'll pull through."

  "Good. I'm so glad to hear that." She circled another path on his chest, then stopped. "Are you mad at me?"

  He grabbed her hand and pulled it up for a kiss. "Never. I know why you did it. I hate that you felt like you had to do it without me. I'm sorry I never even entertained the thought. I just have a hard time seeing you in pain like that. I'm just glad you're okay."

  "I was nervous that you were. Is Kat okay?"

  "She's fine. Seth said she was upset with Derek because they had some words, but she'll be fine. I don't know about Seth, though."

  "Why? What happened?"

  "Are you sure you don't remember anyone else coming into that room? It was just Wayne?"

  "Are you asking about his brother Evan?"

  "Yeah. I am."

  "He was never there. I saw a picture of him on Seth's phone and I don't recognize him. Will Seth be okay?"

  He kissed the top of her head and caressed her hand. "Yeah, I think he will be. I worry because I can't help myself."

  "Anything else you're worrying about?" she asked softly. "I don't like you worrying about anything."

  Logan let her hand go and cupped her cheek as he pulled her in for a kiss. She immediately pressed closer to him as her tongue swirled in unison with his. He kissed her with a tenderness that bestowed the love that he felt for her. His temptation to lower his hand from her cheek to the soft, pliant spot he ached for, took a restraint harder than he thought possible. His kisses turned more passionate as he urged himself to ignore the enticement of taking her to full completion. The bedroom door was wide open and he suddenly wished it would magically shut.
>
  She broke the kiss, murmuring against his lips. "I want you, Logan."

  "The door's wide open. But I want you just as bad."

  She looked at the door, opening her neck a little more to give Logan better access to pepper kisses all over. "Close it then."

  He nibbled on her ear. "Your brother's at the end of the hallway. I will not risk his wrath by closing the door. I shouldn't even risk what I'm doing now. The man doesn't have a fondness for me."

  She pulled away from him and jumped out of bed, walking to the bathroom. Logan frowned at her back that he upset her so quickly. She stood in the doorframe and turned towards him, a huge smile on her face. "I think I need help, Logan."

  "Help with what?" he asked, slightly wary. He wasn't sure what to make of the naughty gleam in her eyes. It wasn't something he'd ever seen before. He had a sudden feeling this was her true personality coming out, her memories resurfacing and all.

  "You're the sheriff. It's your job to find out what and then provide the help," she said, raising her eyebrows deviously.

  He hopped out of bed giving a quick peek at the doorway and followed her into the bathroom. She closed the door and flipped the lock. She put her back to the wall and grabbed his hands, pulling him into her body. "Your touch, since the first moment you ever touched me, soothes away every pain imaginable. No one else has that power like you do. Soothe me, Logan."

  He brushed a sweet path with his hands from her arms to her cheeks, lightly kissing her on the lips. "If your brother—"

  She kissed him hard, blocking the words she didn't want to hear. "He's been overprotective of me since the day I walked into his life as his dependent and not a sister. These last ten years, he's been more of a father than a brother. I won't lie. I haven't made it easy on him. If he has any gray hairs, they're because of me. But I won't let him get in the way of what's in front of me. No matter how hard he will try, he can't take this pain away. Only you can. You're making me a little worried here."

  "About what? You have nothing to worry about. Of course, I want you. I always will. It just feels…a little wrong to do this with him in the house." He rested his forehead against hers, his breath a sweet kiss on her lips. "He hates me. I really don't want him to. I don't want there to be any tension for your sake."