Hit and Run

by Amy Shojai

  “Relax. Nothing bad. But I’ve got a friend in trouble. She’s the one rescued your white cat.” He nodded at the Maine Coon. “Tell me true. Did you lie just to get my help? About things you didn’t share with the police?”

  She crossed her arms, and hunched her shoulders as the cat snuggled in her lap. “I’ve got plenty to say. I just don’t want to end up dead for talking to some old man.”

  He smiled, and put the RV into gear. “Buckle up, Charlie girl, we’ve a long drive ahead. Two days by myself, but only fifteen hours if we take turns and drive straight through. Plenty of time to tell your tale.” He waited until she’d buckled her seat belt in the passenger side, pulled out of the parking lot, and eased into traffic. “How about you start with your real name? And what you really were up to at Sissie Turpin’s house.”

  Chapter 51

  MORE CARS FILLED THE airport parking lot. Tee circled the area once more, just to see if anything had changed with September’s SUV. September’s car sat in the short-term parking in a handicap space, with no handicap designation, an obvious way to gain quick attention (which also didn’t make sense). But aside from a ticket under the wiper blade, the car looked no different than before. Nobody but she and Teddy had disturbed the car.

  “So why’d Steele tell Redford the police checked it out?” In the back seat, Karma woofed impatiently. The dog had been cooped up in the rental for too long.

  “You ready to go home, honey-girl?” Tee smiled, a bit lightheaded. “We gotta turn in our rental. And grab something to eat before we get on the train.”

  Once Tee turned in the car she walked Karma to the nearby pet relief station to take a break. Karma took more time than usual sniffing the area—interested in whatever pee-mail previous visitors had left—and Tee finally had to urge her to finish. They’d missed the early train, so the lunch run it would be. At least they’d gain an hour, with the time difference between South Bend and Chicago, and get in to the city a little after two o’clock. “Let’s go, Karma.”

  They trotted past the single baggage claim—empty—and the ticket counters for the various airlines. The ticket agent waved when she recognized Karma again, and Tee waved back. They continued down the long corridor to the train platform, stopping at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe. She didn’t want to risk the headache coming back. Tee ordered a coffee mocha and a cheese omelet bagel to go, with two plates and plenty of napkins. Karma licked her lips, and sniffed the bag. “Soon, we’ve got to hurry.”

  Tee stumbled. The numbness in her leg had progressed to include the bottom of her foot. Now that she’d probably be pulled from the case, she’d take time to check it out, once she got home and reported to Redford.

  After Tee bought their ticket she carefully plated the egg and bagel sandwich; three-quarters for Karma and a quarter for her. The dog finished in two gulps, before Tee had taken her first bite. After three nibbles of her own, her stomach rebelled, and Tee gave the rest to a grateful Karma.

  Only a handful of other passengers boarded the train. Tee settled with a relieved sigh, directing Karma to a place at her feet. Before the train began to move, a man clearly working for the South Shore line made his way down the aisle, taking tickets from some, and selling tickets to others. Tee forced herself to smile—her headache had returned, dammit—and produced both her ticket and her police identification.

  He smiled. “Two in one day. How about that.”

  Tee stared up at him. “Two what?”

  “Dogs. A German Shepherd rode with some woman on the earlier run.”

  Chapter 52

  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.”r />
  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.

  Chapter 53

  TEE GATHERED HER DUFFLE as the train rolled to a stop in Chicago. She’d spent the trip debating about who to inform regarding the news of the other dog on the train, and remained puzzled why September traveled to Chicago instead of taking a direct flight home. Redford didn’t like her to guess or speculate. She needed facts, concrete answers, before presenting to him.

  She wanted a shower. She wanted to sleep. And she wanted her laptop. The first two she’d defer long enough take a look at Teddy’s digital file on her computer once she got home. But all three would have to be deferred until after she found September.

  When the first several cabbies in line turned their backs at the sight of Karma, Tee impatiently pulled out her badge.

  “No dogs. My car’s new.” One man stepped forward. “Just like I told that other lady.”

  “Other lady?” Tee stepped closer. “You had another fare today with a dog?”

  He shook his head. “She wanted to go to O’Hare. I don’t put no stinkin’ dog in my cab, even if it’s one of them handicap dogs. She sure didn’t look handicapped, just raggedy. Maybe somebody else took her.”

  Tee gladly paid the driver extra to get her to O’Hare in a hurry, and promised more if he’d wait. She raced into the concourse with Karma trotting by her side, and skidded up to the first ticket counter she saw. Pulling out her badge, she asked again about a woman with a shepherd booking a flight. The ticket agent looked for September Day’s name, but found nothing on any recent or forthcoming manifest. Tee turned to leave.

  “Our day for dogs,” said another ticket agent returning to her station. “She’s a beauty. I’ve a soft spot for well-behaved dogs.”

  “You’ve seen another dog today? Did they book a flight?” Tee described September.

  The agent made a face. “She looked desperate to get back to Dallas. But we had nothing available for a German Shepherd.” She nodded at Karma. “She’s big, too. Even if she’s a K9 officer, there has to be room to fit in front of your feet. The earliest flight with space is tomorrow evening. Sorry.”

  Tee shook her head. “No, we don’t need a flight. We’re just trying to find the woman and her dog.”

  “Oh, I found her a train going into DFW from Union Station.” She frowned again. “She looked like she needed some luck. I hope she’s not in trouble?”

  As soon as the cab dropped them at Union Station, Karma hit on a familiar scent. The Rottie tracked it to a nearby waste can, and alerted. Tee looked inside, and carefully reached in to pull out a shopping bag full of filthy clothes. Tee recognized the plastic baggy with a bright label that spelled out “Corazon Candies.”

  “Karma, such!” The dog whirled, and with authority guided Tee to one of the train platforms. She glanced at the departure board and saw that the train to Dallas left an hour ago. “Dammit!” She threw up her hands. At least September made it this far, with Shadow beside her.

  Tee retraced her steps, gratified the cabbie once again waited as requested. He got her home to her tiny apartment in record time, despite new snow falling, and earned the bonus she gave.

  Once inside, Tee helped Karma shed the K9 working harness. The dog shook herself long and hard, then slurped up most of a full bowl of water. Tee drank a water bottle herself. She booted up her laptop. Sure enough, the emailed zip file from Teddy waited in her in-box.

  She called Redford to tell him about September and get protection assigned to the woman. And probably to her family. The call forwarded to Redford’s desk at the precinct, and someone she didn’t recognize answered. Weird. Probably the weather had wires crossed. She disconnected without speaking. She’d catch Redford later.

  Instead, she called Teddy. She couldn’t leave him worrying about September. She also wanted to thank him for sending the files.

  “This is Theodore Williams. Who’s this?”

  “Teddy? It’s me, Tee. Uhm, Officer Teves.” She heard road noises and frowned. “Are you driving?”

  “Glad you made it back to Chicago.” He chuckled. “Yep, on the road and making good time. But don’t worry about me. Charlie’s driving.”

  “What the hell is she doing out of the hospital? Are you nuts, Teddy?”

  “Never mind that, I’ll explain later. Did you get the documents okay? What’d your boss think?”

  She blew out a breath. “I just got in, and haven’t been able to reach Redford yet. You were right about September.” She filled him in on what they’d found at the train station.

  “Thank God!” His relief quickly changed to aggravation. “Why the hell does she scare me like that?” He sighed. “It’s not the
first time, and I doubt it’ll be the last. Trouble follows that girl like stink on a skunk.”

  She rubbed her nose, silently agreeing. “Her train arrives in Dallas at twelve-forty tomorrow and it’ll take her some time to get home to Heartland. She must have a reason for keeping us in the dark. But I’d be a whole lot happier with the local PD knowing about the situation, especially since that Victor character offed himself in jail. That’s way too convenient for my tastes.”

  “I’ll call Combs back. He’ll know who to contact, and can rally the Texas troops more quickly than either of us. Thanks for the call, Tee. We’re driving in shifts, nonstop, but we started a bit late. With good traffic and clear roads, we’ll get to Heartland shortly after September.” He hesitated, then added, “Keep me posted with anything new. And I’ll do the same.”

  Once they disconnected, Tee opened the zip file. She used her mouse to find the appropriate files they’d already perused. The “cat sales” file had today’s date, with Teddy’s notes and she hoped that wouldn’t piss off Redford. Highlights pointed out all of the high-dollar cat sales documented over the past thirty-plus years. She pulled out a notepad to jot additional comments with purchaser’s name and fees, along with the dates.

  One entry from nineteen years ago made Tee sit back in her chair. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. She and Teddy suspected someone pulled strings from the inside. But this changed everything. She called Redford’s direct line once again. She needed to give him a chance to explain, felt like she owed him that much. But it switched over immediately to another line.

  This time, she spoke. “This is Officer Teves. I need to speak to Detective Redford.”

  “Teves? Where the hell have you been?”

  Shocked that her lieutenant would answer Redford’s phone, she heard muted conversation at the other end of the line. “I just got back from South Bend. The Captain signed off on sending me to work on the Detweiller case.” Hadn’t Redford updated him?