Chapter Thirty

Though he’d taken a chance speeding, Addison reached his destination without complications. He breathed a sigh of relief when he pulled into the rutted lane so rough the van bounced and rattled along with his teeth. It was beyond him why anyone would live way out here in the sticks. He wasn’t complaining though, since it served his purpose. It had been the rusted “No Trespassing” sign nailed to a tree that had caught his attention when scouting the area. Seeing the ramshackle house and outbuildings, he’d known it would be the perfect place to carry out his mission. The crème-de-la-crème was the root cellar. He could lock her away and no one would find her for a long, long time. Maybe years from now someone would stumble across her dried-out bones.

Parking in a shed, Addison quickly strode across the hardscrabble yard to the root cellar and unlocked the double doors fastened with the shiny new lock he’d installed. He descended the rickety steps into the dank-smelling space. An old iron bedstead rusted with age stood center-stage in the middle of the room. Gloating, he thought the accommodations perfect for the cheating bitch.

Returning to the van, Addison found her still unconscious. Dismay filled him. Surely, he hadn’t killed her yet?! Not when he had so much fun planned for her. Pressing fingertips to her throat and finding a pulse, he wanted to shout for joy. He’d have his fun after all!

Hoisting her dead weight over his shoulder Addison returned to the cellar. Dumping her on the grimy mattress, he was quite smug, mentally patting himself on the back for having outwitted everyone. Now let the fun begin!

Untying and stripping her, Addison tossed her clothes aside. Ripping the tape from her mouth, he didn’t care that it took skin with it. Next, he flipped her on her stomach and secured her wrists and ankles to the four corner posts with lengths of coarse rope. Show-time! Time to start paying the piper. Crouching down, he briskly tapped the blood-smeared cheek turned toward him. “Rainey. Rainey. Wakey. Wakey.”

Fighting through layers of darkness, Raine vowed whoever was hitting her better quit or she’d punched them. Each strike was like a gong reverberating in her head. Hazily she wondered if she’d fallen and hit her head. Maybe that’s’ why she felt so muddled-headed. It would definitely account for the gong triple-pounding in her skull. Gradually she realized she was lying down and that really confused her. The last thing she remembered was vacuuming the rug. Why was she in bed?

Addison, though thoroughly enjoying her state of confusion, guessed he’d just have to help her remember. Leaning closer, he peered into her face. Feeling hot breath on her face, Raine forced her eyes open. Instantly the face in her line of vision brought everything rushing back in horrifying clarity. “No! No! No!” She shrank away only to realize she was tied down and stripped bare. Horrific memories of the last time he’d done this bombarded her and dear god in heaven here she was again at the mercy of the sadistic monster. This time would be even worse. He would kill her. His desire to do so bore into her from hate-filled eyes.

A heart-wrenching moan ripped from her as she came to grasp with the fact that her fate was sealed. Jess would never find her in time. Then, truly despaired, she realized Jess didn’t even know she was missing, or where to look. Even still, she refused to give up. Reaching deep into the depths of her soul, she forced herself into survival mode. Struggling against the tight bindings, she let loose a scream of frustration when they wouldn’t budge.

“You might as well stop. No one can hear you and you’re not going anywhere until I say so. And that could be a very long time, if ever.” Gloating, he trailed a finger down her bare flesh.

“Don’t touch me!” Her shudder of distaste sent his rage soaring. Whipping off the belt bought especially for the occasion, it made a swooshing sound clearing the loops. The familiar sound sent a fresh wave of terror through her. Even as the first lash bit painfully into her exposed back Raine vowed not to make a sound. Clamping her jaws together, she buried her face in the dirty pillow and used every ounce of willpower not to scream.

That’s what pushed Addison completely over the edge. He wanted to hear her beg for mercy. It wasn’t enough that she jerked with each vicious blow delivered. He didn’t care that inside she was screaming mindlessly. He was incensed, all control gone as he whipped her over-and-over again.

The torture went on forever until Raine finally reached the breaking point. “Stop! Stop!” She was crying so hard he could barely understand her. Perverse satisfaction filled him knowing he’d finally broken her. There wasn’t a place on the back of her that wasn’t covered in livid red welts and oozing blood.

Despite the chill of the room, sweat poured off Addison. He wanted to continue punishing her, but he was worn out. After days and nights of waiting and watching to grab her, then meting out her punishment, the adrenalin was seeping away. What he needed now was sleep and a healthy meal that didn’t consist of greasy fast-food fare. He’d leave now, but he’d be back. Besides, half out of it, she wasn’t any fun. Securing the doors, he got in the van and drove a different route back to town.

Hearing the doors slam shut, Raine lay in an agonized stupor, grateful the whipping had stopped. Her body a mass of fiery burning flesh, felt as though it had been doused with gasoline and set afire. Lifting her head she moaned as shafts of pain speared through then blackness claimed her.

While Raine lay in blessed oblivion Jess watched Cooper and the other officers gathering evidence. His mind flashed to the first time he’d seen Raine and the horrible damage Addison had inflicted. Now, he had her in his clutches again doing God knows what at that very moment. “God, please, please watch over her until I can get to her.”

Belle’s comforting hand on his arm got his attention. “Jess, Cora needs to know what’s going on.” Her eyes strayed to the cabin. Cooper hadn’t allowed her inside either, but she’d glimpsed the mess. Raine must have put up one hell of a fight before her ex-husband had overpowered her. Good for you, girlfriend! She cheered silently.

Jess nodded. “Then I’m heading out to where that van was last seen. I just can’t stand around any longer. I’m going crazy. It’s my fault he has her. I promised to protect her and I failed!” He railed with pent-up guilt.

Grabbing him, Belle gave him a brisk shake. “You listen to me, Jess Harper! No one failed her and none of this is your fault. Wherever she is, she knows it. She knows you love her and will find her.” Not sure she’d gotten through to him, Belle shook him again. “Listen to me! Raine’s going to need you when we find her. You can’t fall apart!” He opened his mouth, but she wasn’t finished. “No one had any clue his release date had been moved up, certainly not the detectives working her case, otherwise they’d have been standing at the jailhouse entrance the second he walked out. Hell, even her attorney didn’t know, and he called immediately upon getting the news. Unfortunately, it was too late.”

What Belle said was true. Jess was leading the officers to the cabin when Gordon had called. “You’re too damn late, Hanson! He’s got her!” He’d yelled, needing someone to take his anger out on; Gordon was it. “You promised her! You promised to call as soon as he walked out of jail!”

“Dear God, Jess, I just found out not five minutes ago. I checked with Detectives Green and Collins and they weren’t aware he’d been released early, either. I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure as hell going to find out and rip some new assholes. That was one of the plea bargain stipulations. She was supposed to know ahead of time when he was walking out of that jail.”

“Well, it sure as hell didn’t work out that way, did it? Somebody royally screwed-up!” He’d yelled sarcastically.

Gordon couldn’t blame Jess for being furious. In his place he’d be ready to kill the bastard and there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that Jess was about to go gunning for Addison.

Reining in his temper, Jess knew Gordon didn’t deserve the tongue-lashing. The assholes who’d let Addison out did. “Gordon. Damn it! I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Just find her.” Gordon had looked at a worried Molly as she cuddled their baby daughter against her chest. “And Jess, when you do, take care of him. That would be the best gift you could ever give your wife.”

“Count on it.” There’d been no mistaking the unspoken message. Apparently, they were two of a kind when it came to their women.

“What I can’t figure out is how he knew she was here. He had to have help on the outside.” Belle mused.

“Probably the same ones that cut Cora’s tire and break line. They didn’t get cut by themselves.” Reaching for his phone, he ignored her look of surprise. So, Cooper hadn’t told her. He’d explain later. “Gordon, Andrews had to have help finding Raine. Check the jail’s visitor roster for someone other than that S.O.B.’s folks and secretary. I bet you’ll find them.”

“Already on it, Jess. Green and Collins are headed to the jail as we speak, and Michaels’ man is meeting them with warrants. Here’s another thing. Addison’s folks claim they don’t know where he’s at. They only know that he was taking a little vacation to clear his head before going back to work.”

“Yeah, he’s on vacation, all right, and when I get my hands on him he’ll be on one permanently, six-feet under.” Jess’s gut screamed Addison and his accomplice were both here and when he found them they’d both pay. First, he’d give them a taste of the special punishment Addison was so fond of dishing out. Then, he’d put a bullet between their eyes.

Helpless and heart aching, he watched Cooper from the open doorway work the scene. Standing idle for even a moment while Addison could be doing God only knows what to her was eating him alive, but Belle was right. In order to find Raine he had to get a grip on his emotions, otherwise he’d be no good to her.

“I missed something. All week long I’ve had the feeling someone was watching us, but when I checked I never saw one damn thing.”

“Your intuition was alerting you something was going to happen.” She nodded to the cell phone still clutched in his hand. “I gather Raine’s attorney and the police have their heads together.”

“Yeah,” he concurred, “they believe someone helped him, too. And you could be right about intuition. Raine’s been really skittish the last few days thinking someone was lurking around. Now, we know it was true. Someone tracked her here and spied on her for that scumbag. Gordon’s working that end.” In frustration, he kicked a porch post. “Son of a bitch! Where the hell is she?”

Not about to let him lose control, Belle gripped his tensely muscled arm. “Jess, listen to me. Call Cora. She needs to know what’s happening here. The girls don’t need to be here. It’d only scare them to death. I’m sure Inez will keep them and knowing Cora, she’ll be right here in the thick of things. While you call, I’ll fix a thermos of coffee for us.” At his questioning look she smiled gently, the breeze gently ruffling her dark curls. “You didn’t think we’d let you go off on your own did you? We saw that gun tucked inside your waistband. You’re liable to shoot first and ask questions later. It’s not up for discussion. We’re going with you.” Her tone brooked no argument.

As it happened Cora and the McCullens were just pulling into their driveway when her cell rang. Seeing the number, she grinned. No doubt mom and dad were chomping at the bit to see the girls. “Hello . . .”

Jess’s terse tone cut her off. “Cora, don’t say anything, just listen. When you get to town I need you to leave the girls with Inez and get home quick.”

No elaboration was needed. Cora knew what had happened. Addison had found them. Her throat closed around the panic, but her voice was calm. “We’re just pulling into the driveway. I’m sure Inez and Hank won’t mind keeping the girls for a while.” She shook her head at Inez’s inquiring look.

Seeing through the cheerful façade, Inez realized something was dreadfully wrong. “Tell him we’ll keep the girls however long he needs.” Then she and Hank swiftly ushered the girls into the house.

Cora, white-faced and trembling, was sliding behind the wheel when Inez returned. “It’s Raine’s ex-husband. He’s got her.” She said shakily, “Oh my poor little girl. Inez, you can’t imagine what that monster’s capable of. He nearly killed her the last time he got his hands on her. This time he’ll do it for sure. I need to get home. Maybe there’s something I can do to help.”

“Get going and don’t worry about the girls. They’ll be just fine.” Through the open window Inez squeezed Cora’s hand. “We’ll be praying for you all.”

Watching Cora speed away, Inez keyed in Cory’s number. Seeing “Mom” on the caller ID, Cory knew the reason for the call. “You’ve heard.”

“We’d just got home when Jess called. Cora’s on her way home and the girls are with us. I know you’re probably out searching so I won’t keep you. But I’d appreciate it if you’d keep us in the loop.”

“I will, and mom, if they need anything I’d appreciate you taking care of it.”

“Count on it. I love you, sweetie, you take care, too. That ex-husband is a loose cannon.”

“I love you, too, and I promise to be careful.” Disconnecting, Cory smiled. She had the best mom and dad in the whole world.

Less than five minutes later Cora careened into the driveway missing a green and white sheriff’s unit by a hair’s breadth. She was barely stopped before she was racing up the hill.

Still not allowed inside, Jess was pacing the porch when he saw her swiftly moving form. Meeting her halfway down the stone path he gathered her in his outstretched arms. “What happened? And how on earth did he find her way out here?”

“We don’t know yet.” His voice was husky, “As for how he found her, we’re positive someone was helping him. Cora, I just missed her.” Grim-faced, he explained about the van and the possibility she’d been in it. “I think the guy driving the van looked familiar.”

“I know what he looks like, and I know where there’s a picture of him.” She was heading for the cordoned-off cabin.

Running after the sprinting woman, he yelled. “Cora, the police have it taped off! It’s a crime scene! You can’t go in there!”

“There’ll be another crime if they don’t let me get that picture! I’d hate to have to hurt somebody.” She yelled back but kept right on running. Just let someone stop her! She’ll punch their lights out!

Cooper, squatting down examining tracks in the snow, found Raine’s cell phone at the same instant Cora ducked under the yellow tape. Starting after her, he dropped it in his pocket. “Cora, you can’t go in there. It’s a crime scene.” Attempting to hold her back, she shook him off.

“There’s a picture of Raine’s ex-husband in there and I intend to get it with or without your permission.” Quick as a rabbit she darted through the door before he could stop her.

“Let her get the picture, Coop.” Jess ordered tersely.

Through the open doorway they watched Cora enter Katy’s former room. Moments later Cora returned; the picture in one hand and a large envelope in the other. “Here,” she thrust a glossy eight-by-ten at Jess. “Katy brought it with her when we left Phoenix. I guess the poor little mite knew something was wrong even back then. She’s kept it hidden all this time. I’m thinking she didn’t want her mom to know she had it, but Raine did.” Several times they’d secretly watched Katy take the photo from her hiding place.

Jess stared at the handsome man in the photo. No wonder the guy in the van seemed familiar. He had pictures in his file of Addison. And he had been driving the van. His stomach twisted painfully knowing Raine had been in that van when he’d passed it. “That’s him.” A new round of recriminations rocketed through him. “Why didn’t I turn around and following him?”

Cooper took the photo. “You have a scanner?” Jess nodded. “Then let’s get copies made to hand out and we’ll get this to the other agencies so they know what he looks like.” Cooper was already running down the hill.

Reaching the cabin, before going inside, Cora pulled Jess aside and handed him the envelope. “You need to see just what Addison’s capable of doing. You saw Raine after she’d had a few weeks to heal. This is what she looked like the night he attacked her. They were taken at the hospital.”

Sliding the photos out, Jess’s face blanched even grayer. Unable to believe what he was seeing, horror closed over him. His stomach curled so harshly he thought he’d be sick. The badly beaten woman in the pictures hardly resembled Raine.

“My God, this doesn’t even resemble her,” he whispered hoarsely. In the first photo her swollen and battered face was beyond anything he’d ever seen. Even her lips, split and bruised were swollen twice their normal size. As for her beautiful eyes, they were nearly swollen shut and the whites were bloody. It was a wonder she’d been able to see at all.

Other photos showed the bloody welts covering her body and the imprints obviously made by shoes. Mind-numbing fury consumed Jess. They had to find her before she suffered through the same agony, or worse. “Addison Andrews is a dead man!” he growled.

The fierce reaction snagged Belle’s attention. Joining them, she peered around Jess’s shoulder. “Dear God!” She gasped, swaying a bit seeing the horrific images. In an instant she was transported back to the night she’d been savagely attacked.

“Easy, baby,” Cooper, coming up behind her and seeing the photos, held her steady, knowing they reminded her of her own attack. “Come on.” Keeping her firmly by his side, he headed for Jess’s office. After faxing Addison’s picture to the sheriff’s office and other agencies, he made copies to take with them. By the time he was finished, though still white as a sheet, Belle had pulled herself together. She finished filling the thermoses while Cora, figuring they wouldn’t think about eating, threw a care package together.

“I’ve got to do something useful while you’re gone. I just can’t sit around twiddling my thumbs. Isn’t there anything I can do to help?”

Thinking for a moment, Jess hit upon what he wanted her to do. “Think you could watch the security tapes to see if anything’s on them that I missed?”

“You bet I can, and if he’s on them I’ll recognize him right away. Just show me how to work the machine.” Sitting in front of the bank of security monitors, Cora watched the cameras scan the various areas surrounding the cabins, the stables, and the perimeter of the property. It didn’t go amiss that despite all the security measures, Addison had somehow slipped by them.

Flipping a switch on a blank monitor, Jess showed her how to operate the machine then handed her the tapes. “If I see anything I’ll call you. Now, go find our girl.” She hugged him but didn’t let him go. She’d been holding back a vital piece of information. In case Raine hadn’t already told him, he needed to prepare himself for what else Addison might do to her.

“Jess,” her flat tone chilled him. “There’s something else you should know. Maybe Raine already told you. Anyway, remember the incident Katy talked about at Thanksgiving when she stayed with Addison while Raine went to the doctor?” A curtain of dread rose inside him. He wasn’t sure he wanted to hear what Cora was about to impart. “Well, you see, she went to the doctor because one night a few weeks earlier Addison had come home drunk, choked her into unconsciousness and . . . well you can figure out the rest of it.” The dawning horror turned Jess’s face from gray to mottled red. Okay . . . Raine hadn’t mentioned this. “She was late with her monthly and thought she might be pregnant from that night. Addison had found her stash of birth control pills she’d hidden and threw them away. Of course, she paid for that, too. She didn’t want to be pregnant and fortunately wasn’t. Anyway, I just thought you should know what else he’s capable of doing to her.”

Just how evil could the man be? “Let’s pray he doesn’t, but it won’t make a difference to me. I love that woman with all my heart and no matter what happens that won’t change. You don’t have to worry about me turning away from her.”

Joining Cooper and Belle, the deadly look in his eyes left questions flying around in their heads which both refrained from asking.