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SEPTEMBER MURMURED to Shadow, keeping him close to her side as she disembarked the train at the Van Buren Street Station, exiting to Michigan Avenue. She looked like a homeless person. Dirt from the cemetery still clotted her clothes. Without a phone, she’d have to check flights once she got to O’Hare. Now, she had a choice. She could walk to the Jackson Station Blue Line and buy a Ventra train card to take her to the airport. Or try to catch a cab. She’d have to use her credit card for the train card, and for the flight. The right cab would take cash. She needed to avoid using the credit card as long as possible.
She hugged herself, pinning her arms against her stomach. September ached to find out how Teddy fared, but couldn’t risk a call. Please God, don’t let him die. Let him live, so she could make it up to him. Somehow.
Shadow looked up, and whined. He pressed against her thigh. But the guilt continued to build.
Chris died because of her. The reason had changed, but the result hadn’t. And now because of September, his mother had also paid with her life.
She ran her hand through her hair, smoothing it behind each ear but the white streak kept falling into her eyes. She kept her eyes down, staring at her feet as she walked north, and a block later turned left on Jackson to get to Dearborn Street and the Blue Line. The South Shore train had been virtually empty. The same wouldn’t be true now, or at the airport.
She needed to call Combs. Her chin quivered. With his support and love, she’d dared believe in a new beginning, in a happy future. Only his assurance that all would be well could assuage her pain. Four short days ago, she’d been in his arms, and wished she’d never left. She’d given up Disney for...this! She touched her lips, and imagined she could still feel the last kiss they’d shared: sweet, soft, but quick because of his nearby kids.
Kids she’d grown to love. Imagine that! September never dared think of herself as a mom, let alone a stepmother. If she’d learned anything, September knew that blood alone didn’t create family; love forged bonds stronger than any familial relationship.
“Chosen family,” she whispered. And oh dear God, she didn’t want to risk losing any more family members. Her chest tightened.
September yearned to call Combs. But he couldn’t get back home in time to make a difference. Willie and Melinda had to be his priority. No, she’d wait until closer to home so the local Texas cops would respond and not have time to check with South Bend and second guess her story.
How many times had she brought danger to those she loved? She’d made mistakes in the past, and owned that. But this time, September couldn’t figure out what she’d done to set the deadly wheels in motion. So many deaths. It had to end.
The killer could strike from anywhere—Chicago, South Bend, Heartland. Please God, not Disney World! She’d remain a ghost, stay alive, and protect those she loved. Nobody else would die because of her.
At the station, just before she used her credit card for the train pass, a cab stopped to unload a passenger. September flagged it down. Cabs legally couldn’t refuse a service dog and partner, and weren’t allowed to charge more, but they did it anyway. September wasn’t surprised when quoted three times the usual fare. She didn’t quibble.
At the airport, she checked flight arrivals and departures, and headed for the ticket counter, Shadow glued to her side. The ticket agent’s smile faded when she noticed the dog, taking in the service dog tag. September asked for the next available flight to Dallas, producing her driver’s license and credit card. She knew advance notice was preferred, but not required. She also had Shadow’s vaccination records with her, along with Macy’s records, in one of her coat pockets. Although rarely enforced, most states required medical documentation when traveling across state lines with pets. Airlines could refuse service without them.
The ticket agent accessed flight availability. “I need to ask you some questions about your dog.”
September nodded. She expected that.
“Thanks for understanding, Ms. Day.” She read from a prepared card. “Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?”
“Yes.” She didn’t blink. September had come to grips with her challenges. She’d improved, but could still suffer an episode at any time.
“What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?”
Swallowing hard, September placed one hand on Shadow’s neck. “He alerts me to impending panic attacks.”
The ticket agent smiled again, and put away the card. “Let’s see if we can find you a flight. There’s no charge for service animals, of course, but he’s so big, we may have trouble finding space. He needs to fit at your feet, bulkhead would be most comfortable, but most of the earliest flights are full.” She typed on her keyboard for several moments, frowning, and finally sighed. “The next flight with space available departs tomorrow evening. It gets you in to DFW at 11:30 p.m.”
“Oh no, that won’t work.” September rubbed her eyes. Shadow whined and pressed against her.
“You could check him as baggage...”
“No!” September took a breath. “Sorry, but no thanks. Shadow isn’t cargo, and I don’t have his crate anyway. We’ll find another way.” She started to walk away, but the agent called after her.
“Maybe Amtrak? I think they have a route to Dallas.”
Hopeful, September turned back. “Thank you. I lost my phone, and have no way to check. I hate to impose, but—”
The agent smiled again, typing quickly. “There’s one scheduled to leave Union Station at about one-thirty. It would get you in a little after noon tomorrow.” She made a face. “A long trip, but still faster than waiting on tomorrow’s plane, and more comfortable, I’m sure. I’m a sucker for handsome, well-behaved good dogs.”
“Thank you so much!” September waved, grateful for the kindness, and Shadow wagged at the woman’s words.
They could sleep during the twenty-plus hour train trip. September held out hope that Mr. Bleak’s Chicago business would keep him there long enough for her to beat him back to Heartland. She had time to find fresh clothes before heading to the Amtrak station.
O’Hare had many shopping options. She quickly bought and donned fleece-lined sweatpants, matching sweatshirt, and thick warm socks. She also purchased a fluffy towel for Shadow to sleep on during the ride. September bundled up the soiled clothing in the shopping bag, but had to continue wearing tattered soaked shoes, and dingy overcoat. The dry, clean clothes felt amazing against her battered flesh.
Outside the terminal, she hailed another cab—this one didn’t overcharge—for which she paid cash. Once at Union Station, she stopped at the first trash can she found and dumped the bag of dingy clothes inside.
Shadow whined, nudging her hand. “I know, baby-dog, I’ll find us some food on the train.” She’d been in a rush and should have gotten food at the airport. It had been years since she’d traveled by Amtrak, but remembered the train service offered snacks and sometimes meals. If worst came to worst, they’d sleep the whole way, and eat once they got back to Dallas.
September checked her pockets, gratified to still have the baggies of Lia’s dog treats. Shadow wagged and munched as she fed him the remainder of the partial bag, reserving the other for emergencies. They hurried to the ticket counter, paid cash, then followed the instructions to the platform. While they waited, she rubbed down Shadow’s fur with the towel, to the dog’s immense enjoyment. She draped the towel around her neck when the train pulled up to the platform, anxious to board and relax.
She spread the towel on the floor by her feet, and Shadow settled with a grateful sigh. September wondered again just what Latana Ojo had done to attract the killer’s attention. Whoever she might be, September’s first priority was her mother. She prayed the train got her home in time.
