Jake picked up a rental car at Tampa International. He headed for the causeway that would take him to Clearwater where his father lived. The temperatures were in the upper seventies and a nice breeze blew across the harbor. He opted for open windows rather than air conditioning. He’d first called his sister, then spoken with his father on the phone so the man wouldn’t keel over from shock when his deceased son showed up on his doorstep.
He had told his dad he would stay only a few days, but now that he was here in the fresh air and sunshine, he might spend a week or two. He had a lot to sort out. The beach might just be the place to gain perspective. Angie had called twice, but he didn’t even retrieve the messages. He needed to step away from his life in Snoqualmie and he knew she’d understand.
After a tearful reunion with his father and with his sister and her family, Jake settled on the deck of his father’s home, gazing out at the Gulf. The sun had dropped low over the water, a crescent of orange glowing on the horizon. Jake felt a hand on his shoulder.
“You okay?” his sister asked.
He turned and looked up at her. “I will be.”
She sat on the chaise beside his chair and turned sideways to face him. “So we really have to call you Jake now?”
He grinned. “You don’t have to. But it’s easier for me to keep that identity.”
“No problem. Look, I know you’ve been through a lot, especially these past few months. I want you know I’m here for you if you need to talk. Or come and stay with us for a while. Charlie would love to spend time with you again.”
Stephanie was his fraternal twin. He could see himself in her eyes and her smile. “Thank you. He’s a great kid, you know. I wish I could have told you all the truth back then. I hate that you thought I was dead, mourned me.”
She smacked his arm playfully. “Yeah, well, just don’t expect me to do it again. I made a nice speech at your memorial mass. Nick probably taped it, but I don’t think you want to see it.”
“Probably not. But thanks for the kind words.”
She turned and sat back in the chair, staring out at the water. “What will you do now?”
He shrugged. “I need to go back to Washington. I have a life there, work.”
“Anything else?”
He fixed his gaze on the water. “I don’t want to scandalize you.”
She sat up. “Oh, my God, there is someone. I knew it.”
“What do you mean you knew it? You thought I was dead.”
“All through dinner, you were distracted.”
He turned his head to face her. “It doesn’t bother you that I got involved with someone while I was still a priest?”
“Heck, no. When you say someone, you do mean a woman, right? And you were never meant to be a priest. Nick and I had a running bet on how long you’d last.”
“What do you mean?”
“I just never saw you that way. I watched you with Charlie when he was little and always thought you should have kids of your own. You’re a good man. You have a big heart. But that whole celibacy thing? Seriously, that is a waste on you. You and the right woman will make beautiful kids.”
He thought of Bailey, how beautiful she was, the feelings she elicited in him just by smiling at him.
“What are you grinning about?” Stephanie’s eyes widened and she lowered her voice. “Don’t tell me you have a baby.”
“No. Heavens, no. But you’re right. There is someone.”
She sat up and turned toward him. “Tell me.”
He told her about Shannon and Bailey, including the fact that Shannon was now free on bail pending a hearing and possible trial. “Although now her cover’s been blown. Her real name is Heather Carlson and the baby’s name is Amanda.”
“Oh, bro, you sure don’t know how to pick ’em.”
“I don’t think she’s guilty. I got to know her and saw her in action as a mother. She’s a good person. She just got mixed up with the wrong guy and got into a mess.”
Stephanie gazed at him for a moment, then said, “You love her.”
He nodded. “Yes, I do.” It was a hard admission because he wanted not to love her, not to care. His life had been crazy enough for more than two years. The last thing he needed right now was more chaos.
“Then help me understand why it is that you’re here.”
“I needed to see you and Dad, let you know I was alive and okay.”
She patted his knee as she stood. “And now we know. Tell me one thing—does this woman deserve you?”
“Probably not. She’s deserves better.”
“Well, maybe you should let her decide that. I can’t wait to meet her.” She bent and kissed his cheek. “We’re taking the kids to the hotel before they get cranky. See you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight. And Steph, the kids are great. My new niece is just gorgeous. She’s going to be a heart-stopper when she’s older.” Throughout the day, every time he looked at his one-year-old niece, Julie, he saw Bailey.
“Thanks. And, yes, Nick’s already setting up his rules for dating. Mainly that she can start dating when she’s thirty-five.”
Jake laughed. “Sounds like a plan.” He stood and gave her hug. “See you tomorrow.”
He remained out on the deck long after the sun had dipped below the horizon. Lights from various water craft sparkled on the darkened waters of the Gulf. A part of him wanted to stay here until all the drama was over and he could resume his quiet life in the Northwest. Another part of him wanted to get on the next flight to Seattle so he could be there for Shannon or Heather, whichever name she was using now. He thought about her choice of paint for her bedroom—heather green. A hint? Maybe a way to subconsciously connect with her past.
He stretched and yawned, then went back inside. His father sat in a recliner, remote in hand, sound asleep. Jake lifted the remote and set it on the table beside the chair. He walked down the hall to the den that doubled as his bedroom. A computer sat on the desk in the far corner. Jake turned it on and paced while it booted up. He first checked his email which never amounted to much. Then he went to the website for the Snoqualmie Valley newspaper. He found the story about Shannon or, rather, Heather being arrested and then released on bail. The photograph on the front page must have been taken at the police station. He could see the fear in her eyes and. as much as he wanted to believe her, the accusations were also believable.
A glance at his cell phone revealed that Angie had tried twice more to reach him. He hit reply and waited.
“About time. Jake, where the heck are you? Do you know what’s been going on up here?”
“I’m in Florida reconnecting with my family. I guess you’ve seen the news and know all about me, huh?”
“Yeah, yeah. Look, Mark Hastings has kidnapped Heather and the baby. We think he’s intent on disposing of both of them.”
Jake felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. “You can’t be serious. Would he really think he’d get away with it?”
“Apparently so. The man is a sociopath.”
He thought about Heather and Amanda in the hands of a crazed killer and his stomach plummeted.
“Jake?”
“I’m here. I’ll be on the first flight I can get tomorrow. I’ll let you know once I’m on my way to Snoqualmie from Seattle. I’m sorry I ignored your calls. I won’t do that again.”
“I got the guys from Rusty’s forming a search party. They’re going up into the mountains in the morning. That’s got to be where he took them if he intends to…well, to not be found.”
Jake was already doing an online search for a flight. “Damn, I don’t have my truck at the airport. Can you send someone to meet me? I’ll email you the flight info.”
“I’ll pick you up myself.”
“Thanks, Angie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He found a flight that would get him into Sea-Tac at eight a.m. and booked it. Then he went to the living room to waken his father. “Dad, an emergency’s come up. I have to fly back to Seattle first thing in the morning.”
“What happened now?”
Jake explained the situation with Heather. “I have to be there, Dad.”
His father studied him for a moment. “This woman’s more than a friend, isn’t she?”
A flush warmed his face. “She is. Or, at least, I hope she will be.” He grinned. “You know, in a way she reminds me a bit of Mom.”
“Well, then, she must be special.”
He glanced at his father. “You’re not upset with me? I mean, having been a priest and getting involved like this?”
“All I ever wanted was for you to have a fulfilling life. You go to her. I’ll explain everything to your sister when she arrives for breakfast.”
“She’ll swear this was my way of getting out of cooking.”
“She knows already about the girl?”
Jake nodded. “She does.”
“Then she’ll understand. What time do you have to leave?”
“Now. But I’ll call you once I get there.”
His father stood and hugged him. “I only ever wanted for you to be happy. The way you talk about this girl, she makes you happy.”
Jake nodded. The implications carried both anticipation and terror.
~ * ~
Amanda’s cry escalated from a whimper to a full-out, non-stop wail.
“Will you shut her up?” Mark demanded.
“I can’t. She’s hungry and she probably needs a clean diaper. You wouldn’t let me bring anything.”
“Dammit.” He slammed a hand on the steering wheel. “Where’s the damned road I need?”
Minutes later they came to small gas station with a convenience store. Mark pulled over. “Tell me what she needs.”
“I can go in, just give me money.”
“Yeah, right.” He got out of the car, took the keys and rounded to the back door on her side. Opening it, he reached inside. “Dammit. How the hell do you get her out of this seat?”
“Where are you taking her?”
“I’m going inside and she’ll be my insurance that you don’t try to run.” He stepped back. “Get her out of there.”
Heather released the baby from the car seat and bounced her in her arms, cooing in a soothing voice. But Amanda was not about to be soothed.
Mark snatched the baby from her arms and then ordered her back into the car. “What does she need?”
“I doubt they have formula. Get milk and a baby bottle if they have them. Which I also doubt. Otherwise, get rice cereal and some jarred food—bananas, sweet potatoes, green beans. Any of those. Be sure to get a spoon. Why don’t you just let me come with you? I won’t say a word, I promise.”
“Stay in the car.” He slammed the door shut and juggled the baby in his arms.
Mark returned a few minutes later and tossed a grocery bag to her. Then he thrust the baby into her arms. “She stinks. You need to change her.”
Heather laid the baby in her lap and removed the dirty diaper, setting it on the floor. “I need wipes or something to clean her.”
“Use another diaper, dammit. And hurry up. We don’t have all night.” He choked. “Jesus, that stinks.”
Heather resisted a smile. She noticed the diaper that was soggy and full had leaked on his suit jacket. Good for you, baby, she thought. She used a diaper to clean Amanda as much as she could, then put a clean diaper on her. “Do you want to hold her while I throw the dirty diapers away, or would you like to do the honors?”
“Give them to me.”
She complied, making sure she handed the diaper over with a loose grip. As he climbed out of the car, the diaper dropped open and some of it’s contents splattered onto his leather seat.
“Shit.”
“Yep.” She had opened a jar of the bananas and was spooning them into Amanda’s mouth. She glanced sideways to see Mark trying to clean the seat without touching the excrement.
He flung the diapers into a trashcan and hurried back to the car, starting the engine.
“You can’t drive until I’ve fed her and she’s back in her car seat.”
“You’re kidding, right? You do know I’m going to kill you both, so I think we can take that little risk.”
Heather struggled not to gasp. She couldn’t let him see her fear now. “And if the police spot us, they’ll pull you over. You know, on second thought, just drive.”
“She’s had enough. Put her in the car seat and let’s get going.”
It was Heather’s one chance. If she could make a dash for the convenience store with Amanda before Mark got out of the car, maybe they’d have a chance. But as she opened her door, the lights of the business went out and the clerk came out a side door and got into a pickup truck. Screaming now would only result in an immediate death for herself, Amanda and the innocent clerk.
She got out, fastened Amanda into the seat, then got back into the car. “It’s getting dark. Where are we going?”
“There’s an old logging road not far from here. Leads to a deserted logging camp. They’ll never find you there.” He reached out and ran a finger along her cheek. “You were so sweet, so willing to please. Maybe we’ll give things one more go for old time’s sake. You just might die smiling.”
Her stomach twisted and she batted his hand away. “You’re disgusting.”
He laughed. “Now, now. No need for name-calling.” He started the car and pulled from the darkened parking lot.
Headlights shone in the side mirror as another vehicle approached from behind.
“Get the hell off my ass, jerk,” Mark complained. “I can’t see for shit with those headlights glaring.” He slowed and opened his window, flagging the other driver to go around him.
Heather recognized the vehicle as the truck from the convenience store. At least it looked the same. She wished the driver would have stayed behind them so someone would know where Mark had taken them. But the truck passed and the taillights faded into the mist that had begun to form.
Mark slowed, watching the side of the narrow road. “Finally.” He cut the wheels hard to the left and onto a rutted dirt path. The Mercedes bounced over the ruts, the bottom scraping every so often.
“This can’t be good for a Mercedes,” Heather said.
“Shut up.”
The headlights swept across a clearing where two small buildings sat in a state of disrepair. “Honey, we’re home.”
He stood with a flashlight, waiting for her to get Amanda out of the car. Popping the trunk, he removed a canvas bag. Then he led the way to one of the buildings.
“How did you find this place?” Heather asked.
“A little research. Brilliant, isn’t it?” He forced the door open and flashed the light around the inside. “Sorry I didn’t have a chance to clean.”
He removed two battery-powered lamps from the bag and set them on the filthy desk. His cell phone bleated, indicating a message. “What do you know? I have a signal all the way up here.” He put the phone to his ear, then began to laugh. “I guess someone called the wife on me.” He turned on the speaker so she could hear the message from Corinne Hastings. “Looks like I’ll have some explaining to do when I get home.”
Heather knew she had to buy time, keep him talking. “Why does Corinne want the baby?”
“Who the hell knows. Probably so she can rub my nose in my indiscretion every day. And there’s her pro-life stance. What could be better for an election than holding up a baby—one your wandering husband fathered—and loving it as your own? Dumb bitch. I’m sick of her politics and her pretences and her holier-than-thou attitude. I might be going down for this, but I’m taking her with me.” He stopped moving and faced her. “If you’d just stayed put a while longer, we could have worked this all out. And she’d never had to have known about the money. But, no, you had to run.”
“I’ll give you back the money. I have it.”
“You’re really clueless, aren’t you? Do you have any idea how much of Corinne’s money I’ve siphoned off over the years? And she would never have known. But, now, you’ll go to court and testify and she’ll start asking all kinds of questions. You’ve heard the expression take the money and run? Well, that’s what I fully intend to do. I think I’ll like Brazil.”
He snapped the cell phone closed. But she noticed he hadn’t turned it off. She wondered if anyone would think to track the GPS.
Amanda began to cry again.
“Now what’s wrong with her?”
“She’s probably wet.”
“Well, change her.”
“The diapers are in the car. Will you get them?” She feigned laying the baby on the filthy desk.
“And you wonder why I don’t want the brat.” He paused in the doorway. “Don’t even think about trying anything. There’s nowhere to go up here.”
Her thoughts raced as she frantically scanned the shabby cabin. The windows were boarded over. Mark slammed through the door. His eyes followed her gaze. “Don’t even try.” He tossed the package of diapers to her. “Change her and shut her up.”
“I can’t lay her on this desk. It’s filthy. Give me your jacket.”
He removed his jacket and threw it toward her. “You’re a pain in the ass, both of you.”
She spread the jacket on top of the desk and laid the baby down. Keeping on eye on Mark, she felt the pockets for the car keys. Nothing.
Mark paced the room, his agitation growing.
Heather picked up Amanda, soothing her. She fought to keep her voice calm. “Mark, it’s not too late to stop this. If you leave now, you’ll be in Canada before I can get to a phone. I’ll stay here until morning.”
“Shut up! Just shut up.”
She bounced Amanda in her arms when the baby whimpered. “If you’re leaving the country, there’s really no need to kill us.”
“Maybe I just want to clean up the mess and start over. No one will know I was even here. My loving wife has been the one tracking you down. Her brother will have to testify to that fact.” His smile and the wild look in his eyes made her tremble. “It’s perfect. I get rid of you and take down the great Governor Hastings at the same time.”
“So why don’t you just do it? Get it over with.”
He whirled and strode toward her. “This is my party. You’re a guest. I’ll decide when it’s over.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her toward a closet.
Heather clutched Amanda with her free arm. When he opened the closet door, she balked. She hated small, enclosed spaces. “There’s no need for this. We can’t go anywhere.”
“I have something to take care of. I want you here when I get back. That’s when the real party’s gonna start.” He shoved her inside the closet and a lock clicked.
His footsteps faded as he crossed the room, then the door closed leaving her in the dark and in complete silence. Her body shook and she tried the doorknob. She turned and something covered her face causing her to step back and gasp. Her arms protectively covered Amanda who now slept peacefully.
Heather kissed the baby’s head. “I’ll get us out of this somehow. I promise.”
When Mark returned and released her from the closet, light had begun to break outside.
“I need to use the bathroom. And then I need to feed the baby again.”
“Give her to me.”
She turned to keep him from taking Amanda from her.
“I’ll hold her while you use the bathroom.” He took the baby in his arms. Amanda took one look at his face and wailed. “Hurry up. It’s behind that partition.”
Heather rounded the corner to find a rusted and blackened toilet devoid of water. Her stomach rolled and she fought down nausea as she undid her jeans and relieved herself. She noticed something in the back wall of the cabin. A door. Did it lead outside or just to another room or closet?
Amanda shrieked and Mark shouted, “What the hell are you doing?”
She jerked up her jeans and hurried back to Amanda. “You were gone a long time. Where were you?”
His cold stare sent shivers through her. “Digging a grave.”