Holiday Amnesia

by Lynette Eason

  The sound of a gunshot filled the small store. Toby, ears ringing, rolled, expecting to feel the bite of the bullet. A chemical smell burned his nose, but when no pain registered, he looked up to see Mr. Richardson holding his Glock on the attacker. “Bad move, son,” the older man said to the wounded assailant. “Bad move.”

  The man glared and pressed a hand over the growing stain on his chest. “You don’t know what you’ve done,” he gasped. “Or who you’re messing with.”

  Toby swept the weapon away from him while the store owner gave a harsh laugh. “I know exactly what I’ve done.” He glanced at Toby. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine, but this guy has a friend outside in that Jeep.”

  “The one screeching away out there?”

  Toby hurried to the window in time to see the Jeep make a hard left as three law enforcement cruisers spun into the parking lot. “Yeah, that’s the one.” He opened the door and pointed. “Go after him!”

  One cruiser peeled off. The others parked and hurried to the door. Toby turned back to Mr. Richardson. “You got him?”

  “Oh yeah. This is one thing you never forget no matter how long you’ve been retired.”

  “Right.” And help was here. He hurried toward the back of the store. “I’ll be right back. I’ve got to get Robin.”

  * * *

  Robin leaned her head against the outer wall and closed her eyes as the echo of the gunshot faded. Indecision warred with fear for Toby and any other innocents inside the store. Should she rush inside to see if she could help? Or would that just cause more trouble? Like allow someone to snatch her. But what if Toby or someone else was hurt? If it was someone else, Toby would help and she could stay put. If it was Toby...

  She had to try.

  Robin stepped out from behind the Dumpster and slipped into the same door Toby had entered just a few minutes ago only to see him rushing toward her. “Is everything okay?” she asked. “I heard a gunshot, then sirens.”

  “Everything’s under control. The cops are here and we’ve got one guy in custody. The driver got away, but they’ll track him down soon enough.”

  “What about Clay and Lance?”

  “I’m hoping they’ll check in soon. If not, we’ll start looking for them.” He glanced at his phone. “I’ve got a signal.”

  “That means the radios should be working.”

  “Should be. The Jeep probably had the blocking device on it. Now that it’s gone, we’re good.” He led her back to the main store area where a deputy had the offender cuffed and heading out the front door. “Trent!”

  The deputy stopped at Toby’s call. “Yeah?”

  “Hold on a second.” Toby turned to Robin. “You recognize him?”

  She studied the square face and granite eyes. Pools of black ice stared back. “No. Not that I—” She blinked. “Wait. Yes, I think he does look familiar.”

  “You better run, lady, they won’t stop coming after you.”

  Robin wanted to shudder but forced herself to lift her chin and glare back. “Who are you and why are you trying to kill us?”

  He smirked and shrugged. “I’m just a hired hand, but you’ve made someone very powerful very mad.”

  “Who?” Robin demanded.

  “I don’t know, I just take orders.”

  She saw him. Watching her. “I’ve seen you before. But...where?” Sharp pain sliced behind her eyes and she winced, lifting a hand to press it to her head. “In the woods,” she said. “I heard you talking in the woods.”

  His nostrils flared. “I got nothing to say.”

  “Get him out of here,” Toby said.

  “Gladly.” Trent escorted him out the door toward the waiting ambulance.

  Toby placed a hand on her arm. “You remember the woods?”

  “Just a vague snippet. Seeing his face triggered it, I think.” Robin turned to the two other deputies. “Have you heard from Clay or Lance? We’re worried.”

  “Yes, ma’am, just as we turned in here. I’m Deputy Parker Little and this is Deputy Ronnie Hart. Clay said the radios and phones have been out of commission.”

  “That’s right,” Toby said. “I’d hazard a guess that the Jeep your other deputy went after had some sort of jammer on it. A pretty expensive one since it was a large range block.”

  “That’s pretty high tech,” Ronnie said. “And expensive.”

  “Not to mention illegal,” Parker said. “Not that these guys care about that.”

  “No, they don’t,” Toby said.

  “What’d they want?”

  “Me,” Robin said.

  Toby nodded to the door. “Clay and Lance are here.”

  Robin let her gaze rove over the two deputies. No bullet holes so that was a relief.

  “The shooter got away,” Lance said, his lips twisting in disgust. “Had a car waiting about mile from where he was shooting. Hopped in and took off.”

  “Unfortunately, we were on foot until Lance caught up with me,” Clay said, “but I got a license number. We’ll run it and see what turns up.”

  “Thank you,” Robin said. “I’m so sorry I brought trouble to your town.”

  Clay gave a small laugh and shook his head. “Can’t say we’re not used to it.”

  She frowned.

  Toby shot Clay a scowl. “Not funny.”

  “Nope, but true.”

  “What do you mean?” Robin asked.

  “I’ll have to regale you with Wrangler’s Corner tales another time. Like when your head’s not hurting.”

  She grimaced. “That obvious, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  Clay turned to Mr. Richardson. “Looks like you and I have some paperwork to fill out.”

  The man sighed and nodded. “Let me just close up and I’ll meet you down at the station.”

  “Nice job,” Toby told him.

  A faint smile tilted his lips. “I can’t say I wasn’t scared when he was holding that gun on my head, but now that it’s all over, I can admit it felt good to be back in the business of stopping the bad guys.” His smile slid into a scowl. “Just hate that one of them got away.”

  “We’ll get him.” Toby looked at Clay. “Your cruiser’s back at the cabin.” He handed Clay the keys.

  “Thanks.”

  Toby took Robin’s biceps in a gentle grasp. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.” More than. Toby was right. Her head pounded a nauseating rhythm and she needed some space and time to think. To plan. To leave? Where would she go? How would she provide for or protect herself? She didn’t even know who to watch out for.

  “Come on,” Clay said, “Lance and I’ll take you back to the cottages and you two grab what you’ll need for the next few days.”

  “What?” Robin asked.

  “You can’t stay there, it’s too dangerous. Too remote. You need to be where we can keep an eye on you twenty-four-seven.”

  “But—”

  “He’s right,” Toby said. “We’ll go back to the office with Clay and figure out what we need to do.”

  She followed him from the store and climbed into Clay’s cruiser. At the cabin, she stepped inside to find most of the smoke had cleared out. Quickly, she packed what little she had—ignoring the fact that everything would need to be washed thanks to the lingering smoky odor—and carried the bag outside where Clay stood, back to her door, hand on his weapon.

  Toby shut his cabin door behind him. He had a bag over his shoulder, too.

  “All right, you two, let’s go,” Clay said.

  When they arrived at the sheriff’s office without incident, Robin heaved a relieved sigh and followed Clay up the stairs. Toby brought up the rear, staying mere inches behind her.

  Protecting her.

  Gratitude welled, and she blinked against the sudden onslau
ght of tears. Now was not the time to get emotional. With effort, she was able to compose herself before taking a seat in one of the chairs opposite Clay’s desk. Toby dropped into the one beside her.

  “I’m going to the hospital to check on our prisoner,” Clay said. “See if he has anything to say. I’m guessing not, but while I’m busy with him, Joshua can come check you out,” he told Robin. “I saw his car at the office.”

  “Really, I’m fine. I grabbed my pain medication along with my clothes from the cottage, and it’s already helping.”

  “Nevertheless, I think it’s best.”

  “I do, too,” Toby said. “Please, Robin? For my peace of mind if nothing else?”

  She gave a small humorless laugh. “Fine.”

  “Good.” To Clay, he said, “I’ll take her over there. If we go out the back door, we can walk down the row until we get to Joshua’s office. I doubt anyone’s watching right now anyway. They’re going to have to regroup.”

  “Sounds good.” Clay slid his gaze to Robin. “I know we look like a small hick town, but Joshua’s a great doctor. Keeps up on all the latest in the medical field and has a full-fledged lab where he does his own testing for a lot of things. He’s gotten grants and worked hard to make sure Wrangler’s Corner’s medical facility is state of the art. For the most part. The only things it doesn’t have are the larger pieces of equipment and the ability to provide around-the-clock care.”

  “You don’t have to sell me on the doctor,” she said. “I’m sure he’s more than competent—and I appreciate your concern.”

  Clay shot her a sheepish grin. “Right. Sorry. I talk to a lot of visitors and tourists and that’s part of my spiel.” He cleared his throat. “I’m just going to go take care of my prisoner.”

  He ducked out and Toby took her hand. “I think I’m going to call for reinforcements.”

  “What kind of reinforcements?”

  He sighed and stood. “A friend. He and I used to work together.”

  “At the university?”

  “No. Before there. His name’s Ben Little, and we’ve been friends a long time. He’s one of about six people that I trust unconditionally. If anyone can help us figure this out, it’s him.”

  “I see. What’d you do before teaching, Toby? I know it was something in law enforcement.”

  “Yes. Something like that.”

  “But you don’t want to say what?”

  He hesitated. Before he could answer, the door opened and a woman rushed in and pulled up short when she saw them. “Oh, I was looking for Clay.”

  “Hi, Sabrina,” Toby said. He nodded to Robin. “Meet Robin Hardy. Robin, this is Sabrina Starke, Clay’s wife.”

  “Nice to meet you, Robin.” Sabrina gave them a shaky smile and wrung her hands.

  Toby leaned forward. “What’s wrong?”

  “My grandmother’s on her way to the hospital in Nashville. I need to go with her, but I can’t leave the B&B because I have a guest who’s supposed to check out and he’s not back yet,” she said, breathless and obviously agitated. “Clay’s not answering his phone, Aaron and Zoe are out of town, Julianna and Ross—Clay’s parents—” she clarified for Robin “—have the kids. Amber’s not answering her phone and everyone else is busy and can’t come. I have one more person to call—”

  “I’ll help,” Robin said.

  “Thank you, Robin,” Clay said, entering the room. “But I’ll take care of the B&B.”

  The woman spun at her husband’s voice, then rushed into his arms for a quick hug. “Oh, thank you.”

  “Go.” Clay gave his wife a gentle shove toward the door.

  She went out as quickly as she’d entered.

  “Thought you were headed to the hospital,” Toby said.

  “I got distracted making arrangements for his around-the-clock guard. Right now, he’s in surgery, so no talking to him right now. I’ll head over there when he wakes up. I’ll probably be there with Sabrina at that point anyway.” Clay rubbed a hand over his chin and studied Robin with a look that made her narrow her eyes.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked.

  “I think I know where you and Toby can hang out for the next few days.”

  * * *

  Toby frowned. “The B&B? I really don’t think that’s a good idea. What about the people staying there?”

  “The last person leaves tomorrow. Three more were supposed to come in, but we’ll tell them we’ve had a family emergency and they’ll have to make other arrangements.”

  Robin blinked. “That doesn’t sound like it will be very good for business. And have you forgotten that explosions seem to follow me? I don’t think you want to risk that.”

  “We’ll risk it,” Clay said. “We’re not going to let anyone get close enough to blow it up.”

  “That might be a bit optimistic,” Robin said.

  “We have insurance if something happens. But we’ll do our best to make sure it doesn’t. I just feel like this is our best option for you.”

  She bit her lip. “I’ll go along with it if you feel it’s best. And I don’t mind helping if you think it’s safe.”

  “I do. And trust me, we’ve weathered worse. What’s important right now is keeping you safe and letting your brain heal so you can remember. Once you do that, then I think all of this will be over pretty quickly.”

  “Yes, but I don’t think we can rely on my brain to cooperate.”

  Clay nodded. “I understand. So for now, our priority is keeping you safe. The bed-and-breakfast is less than two blocks up the street. You’ll be in close proximity to the station. Across the street is the diner and the medical clinic. There are people everywhere. Even at night since the diner stays open until one in the morning and it stays busy right up until closing. There’s usually someone there until around two.”

  Robin bit her lip and Toby thought about it. “It’s not a bad idea,” he finally said.

  “Of course it’s not,” Clay said. “I thought of it.”

  Toby rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the smile that curved his lips. He looked at Robin. “Is that okay with you?”

  “Yes.” She rubbed her eyes. “If you guys think that’s the best plan for now, I’ll go along with it.”

  “Great,” Clay said. “Doctor first though. Joshua’s expecting you. Toby, you take her the back way and I’ll make sure everything’s good at the B&B.”

  “Did you learn anything about the prisoner?” Toby asked.

  “His prints say his name is Brian Holloway. Lots of priors and an outstanding warrant for a murder in New Mexico.” Clay lifted a brow. “He blew up a convenience store with the clerk and a customer inside.”

  “Imagine that,” Toby said, eyes narrowing.

  “He’s not going anywhere but to prison for a very long time,” Clay said. “His partner who was driving the Jeep is a fellow out on parole by the name of Ian Olander. Thanks to the general store security footage, we got a good look at him and were able to run him through facial recognition. He’s in the wind right now, but he’s not going to get very far. If Holloway talks and leads us to Olander, he could probably help himself as far as how much prison time he actually gets, but I’m not counting on that to happen.”

  Toby nodded. “I have a feeling he was one of the men there that night the lab exploded, but I can’t prove it. I heard two men talking in the woods, whispering, really, but I couldn’t say if it was his voice or not. It’s just a feeling.”

  Clay walked to the front door and placed a hand on the knob. “Trent and Parker are going to start patrolling the town to make sure Holloway’s buddy’s not around. I’ll be at the B&B sending our last guest on his way, then I’ll head to the hospital to be with Sabrina. Let me know if you need me.”

  “Fine. We’ll check in shortly,” Toby said. “After Joshua takes a look at her head.�
�

  Toby led Robin from the office and out the back door. The wind whipped around him and he pulled his coat tighter, noting she did the same. “It’s just a couple of blocks straight through this parking lot.”

  The employee parking lot ran the length of the buildings. Most of the shops were separated by a narrow alley. The doctor’s office was a stand-alone building with an apartment attached to the far end. Garland stretched around the back door and a large lit wreath hung in the middle. “They decorate the back door, too?”

  “That’s Kaylee for you.” Toby rang the buzzer.

  The door opened and a young woman in her midtwenties smiled at them. Joshua’s wife, Kaylee. “Hi, Toby,” she said even as her gaze slid to Robin. “You must be the friend with the concussion.”

  “I am.”

  Toby introduced them, and Kaylee motioned them inside. “Follow me.”

  Soon, Kaylee and Robin disappeared into the nearest examination room while Toby took up guard outside the door. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Ben’s number. It went straight to voice mail, and Toby frowned. When prompted to leave a message, Toby said, “Ben, call me. ASAP, please.” He hung up and rubbed his eyes.

  Kaylee stepped out of the room.

  Toby straightened. “Hey, how’s the troublemaker?”

  She laughed. “Robin or Duncan?”

  “You have to ask?”

  “He’s two.” Kaylee grinned. “Give him a break.” Duncan, Kaylee and Joshua’s son, was notorious for finding ways to keep his parents exhausted. “And he’s fine, thank you.”

  “How’s Robin?”

  Her smile faded. “I think she’s going to be okay. Joshua will be here in a few minutes. He’s just finishing up with another patient.”

  “Thanks for working her in.”

  “No problem. You can go on in and talk to her if you want.”

  “I’ll do that.” Toby stepped inside to see Robin swipe a tear. He couldn’t stand it. He hurried to her and wrapped her in a hug. “It’s going to be all right, Robin.”