Coulter didn’t spare it a glance. “It’s just a flesh wound.”
“I need to examine it.” She had already undone the seat belt, turned backward, and rifled through one of the bags on the back seat.
“We’ll deal with it later.”
Just then, Marena’s cell phone rang. She turned back around and stared down at the bag by her feet. “Should I get it?”
“Uh-uh. Turn it off.”
“Why?”
“Because your location can be tracked. We need a place to get some supplies and a new cell phone. Any suggestions?”
She checked the time on the car’s console, trying her best to ignore the loud ringing.
“At this hour, we’d better make it the Walmart Supercenter in Morehead City.”
After a few moments, Marena saw Coulter flex the fingers on his right hand.
“I need to look at that arm.”
Coulter’s jaw clenched. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. We were just in a gunfight, Colt. You’ve exerted the most energy I’ve seen since you got here, and now you’re shot. You need to pull over so I can treat that arm, and you can rest.”
“You can worry over it later,” he said doggedly. “This is hardly my most extensive injury. I’ve had much worse—you know that.”
“Yeah, well, not while being poisoned,” she muttered.
Marena went to turn on the truck’s GPS. He grabbed her hand. “No GPS,” Coulter said quickly.
“Let me guess. They’ll track that, too?”
“We’re not taking any chances. You’ll have to give directions, old school.”
They were silent for a few minutes, but eventually, Marena couldn’t help but ask, “Why are they after me?”
“In hopes of getting to me.”
“How would anyone know you’d come looking for me?”
“I’m sure Brinkley realized I’d need medical help after being poisoned.”
“Then he’d also know that I didn’t have any involvement with Silent Night and that I’d resigned before it was created.”
“Maybe he’s playing the odds. My seeking you out would be the most logical choice.”
“That’s a stretch.”
Coulter scoffed. “You don’t think creating A.S.P.R. and being tapped to produce its converse wouldn’t put you back on the radar?” He glanced over. “Among other things?”
“It might,” she admitted, “and what...other things?”
“I’m sure he knows our history.”
Though it was dark, Marena still blushed. She turned her face toward the window. “Aside from the fact that we’re ancient history, there’s nothing to know.”
She looked back in his direction. Their eyes briefly connected before Marena resumed her fascination with the blurs speeding by her window. Her arms were crossed protectively around her like body armor.
Coulter observed her profile for a few seconds before focusing his attention on the road. “Yeah, ancient,” he said softly.
After the trip to the supercenter, Coulter drove to a nearby gas station to fill up. While there, Marena used the new phone they’d purchased to check her messages. Her father’s voice boomed into her ear. He asked how things were going and hoped that all was well before requesting she return his call. She dialed Burt next and waited for him to answer.
“Hey, Marigold,” he said affectionately. “What’s up?”
“Hi, Burt, I’m sorry to call so late, but I need a favor.”
“Anything,” the man replied. “What do you need?”
“Can I borrow Crystal’s place?”
“Sure.”
“I mean tonight, Burt.”
“Are you okay, Marigold? You sound off.”
“Not really, but I will be. But you should know that Coulter’s back.”
“Say what now?”
“He came to see me, and he’s not well. So, I’m trying to help him as best as I can. I thought Crystal’s would be a good place for him to recoup. It’s remote, beautiful, and on the water.”
“What’s mine is yours, Marigold—you know that.”
Marena sighed loudly with relief. “Thanks, Burt.”
“Use it as long as you need. And Marena?”
“Yes?”
“I’m not one to be jumping into other people’s business. But I know what he put you through. So you let that boyfriend of yours know that he and I are going to have ourselves a long talk when he’s feeling better.”
“He’s not my boyfriend, Burt. That’s ancient history.”
“When it comes to lovers, darlin’, there ain’t no such thing as ancient.”
“Thank you,” she said while trying to ignore his comment.
“My pleasure. And don’t forget what I said.”
“I won’t.” She smiled before ending the call.
Marena leaned her head against the door frame. She knew Burt well enough to know that he meant every word. He and Coulter would be having a “Come to Jesus meeting,” as Burt called them. She didn’t envy Coulter one bit. Her friend was a straight shooter and seldom held back what was on his mind.
She had also missed several texts and messages from Vivica, so she called her back.
“Where have you been?”
And so the next few minutes went almost identical to her conversation with Burt.
“I don’t like this,” Vivica replied after a considerable bout of silence. “I’d hate to have to kill him for playing with your heart again—though honestly, I’d probably enjoy it.”
“He’s not playing with anything. This is serious. Coulter is sick, and it could prove fatal.” Her voice trembled on the last word. “No matter what’s gone down between us, I can’t not help him, Vivi. That’s not who I am.”
“I know,” she agreed. “You’ve always been a saint when it comes to helping people. I love that about you, but truthfully, I’m worried. I’m sorry he’s sick, but you’re too kindhearted sometimes. I don’t want you falling back under his spell.”
“Quit worrying,” she replied. “Kind doesn’t mean doormat.”
“It better not.”
What if Coulter doesn’t improve? She dismissed that thought. Practice what you preach. She scolded herself.
“Vivi, I have to go. I’m sorry to worry you. I’ll be out of pocket for the next few days trying to get him better, so don’t take my absence personally.”
“Since when do I—”
“Since every time,” Marena quipped.
“Fair enough,” Vivica laughed. “I love you, Marena.”
“I love you, too.”
She hung up when she spotted Coulter at the counter.
“Perfect.” She hopped out and raced to the driver’s side before Coulter returned from paying the cashier. She took a moment just to get acclimated. She hadn’t driven in years, and it felt strange to be sitting behind the wheel.
Her skin felt a bit prickly, and sweat was forming at the base of her neck as her trepidation rose. Taking a deep breath, Marena closed her eyes and refused to let it take hold. “You’ve got this.”
Then, slowly, she turned the key in the ignition. The car immediately started. Relieved, Marena released the breath she’d been holding and sank back against the leather seat.
When Coulter returned and noticed where she was sitting, he glared. She flashed him a broad smile and motioned toward the passenger seat. Coulter got in and shut the door with more force than was necessary.
“Don’t get all huffy,” Marena retorted before driving off. “I did it for your own good.”
“It’s not you that’s annoyed me,” Coulter countered, pulling his seat belt into place. He gazed her way. “Truthfully, I’m starting to feel like crap again.”
The smug smile slid off her face.
“Is your fever back?” Marena scanned over his face as she touched his forehead.
Coulter shook his head. “I don’t think so.” His face wrinkled in concentration. “This is—different.”
Checking her rearview mirror, Marena eased over into the right lane when it was safe and looked for the next exit. “Different how? And be as descriptive as you can.”
“There’s an awful taste in my mouth. Like metal, but different. I don’t know. I can’t explain—”
Before he could say more, Coulter started shaking violently. His head hit the passenger window more than once.
“Coulter?” Marena yelled. She grabbed hold of his shirt to keep him upright. She called out again, but he was nonresponsive.
Marena pulled off the road and onto a side street. Throwing the car in Park, she jumped out and bolted to Coulter’s side. She yanked the door open and had to duck to keep from being hit in the face by Coulter’s flailing arm. She slowly reclined the seat and turned his head to the side. With one arm braced across his middle, Marena drew his seat belt tighter around him to keep him secure. It took several tries, and one of those times, his upper arm nailed her in the jaw. She blinked back the stars forming behind her eyes at the unexpected blow.
With Coulter partially braced against injury, Marena watched over him.
“It’ll be okay,” she soothed as his movements grew less violent and eventually stilled. “I’ve got you.”
Seconds turned into minutes, and he still hadn’t come around. Marena was beginning to worry when suddenly, Coulter’s eyes fluttered open. He stared at her. Confusion etched across his face. He blinked several times and attempted to speak but only mumbled intangible words.
“It’s okay, Colt. I’m here.”
Marena stroked her hand down the side of his face.
“We’re still in the car. You just had a seizure, but you’ll be fine. Just relax, Colt. You’ll be less disoriented shortly, I promise.”
Coulter’s breathing evened out before she had finished her sentence, and he stilled. He fell asleep minutes later.
Marena shut the door and returned to her side of the car. Before getting in, she leaned her back against the side. Her hand shook when she raised it to her mouth to stifle the crying. She couldn’t lose it now. Not when his symptoms were so unpredictable.
“Okay,” she said aloud. With a deep breath, Marena spun around and got in. Coulter was resting comfortably, so she drove off.
Thirty minutes later, Marena veered off the main road and down a long graveled path. It was pitch-black save for a lone light post. After she turned the car off, Marena turned sideways in her seat.
“Colt, are you awake?” She tapped his shoulder.
“Mmm-hmm,” he responded groggily, trying to sit up.
“No, wait. Let me help you.”
Before she reached him, Coulter had the door open and was getting out. Luckily, when his legs buckled, she was right there to help. Stooping, Marena came up under him so his arm draped around her shoulder. She braced herself against the added weight.
“This sucks,” Coulter said with difficulty.
“You had a seizure. You have to give your body time to rebound. You’re not in the field, you know—let me help you.”
He nodded.
It was a slow procession to the house. Marena had to take several breaks to rest. Coulter was all muscle and extremely heavy. The darkness swirled around them like a heavy canopy threatening to fall. The one perimeter light did little to keep Marena’s nerves from being on edge. Was someone out there watching them? Ready to strike? Of course not, she scolded. Nobody knew where they were. They were completely safe. That’s what you thought at your house, and look how that turned out.
There was also the matter of each ominous, unidentifiable sound floating through the air as they walked. Around this time, she also pondered her brilliant idea to cut the headlights off on the car.