Virtually Timeless

by Casi McLean

  Not wanting to overly alarm the girl, he downplayed his very real fear. Syd hadn’t seen the attack. The inability to talk freely with her left his sister essentially in the dark. But he could tell she picked up on his urgency. Time was of the essence and discussing the situation could have deadly consequences. “Why don’t you and BW go warm-up the car? I’ll douse the fire and grab our bags then join you.”

  In Atlanta, he’d have the instruments to perform a proper physical exam and run some tests to zero in on the cause of her memory loss.

  Syd climbed upstairs to the loft and threw her possessions into her bag then dropped the satchel down onto the sofa. “What about you, Noah? I’m not sure we should just take off without at least having someone take a look at that knot on your head.” As she eyed his wound, she grimaced. “Maybe we should stop by the hospital on our way out.”

  Already gathering his belongings, he continued without making eye contact. “I’m okay. I’ll sleep on the road and get the wound checked out when we get home.”

  BW flipped her hair behind her shoulders and stood. “I’ll keep an eye on him. A concussion is a functional brain injury with complex heterogeneous symptoms, all of which I’m able to treat. The first forty-eight hours is key, but I think he’ll be fine as long as I watch him closely.”

  At BW’s response, Noah’s stunned stare met Syd’s. Interesting. The patient recalls technical skills and rote abilities yet has no interpersonal recall. He nodded. “She’s right.”

  “Okay then.” Syd grabbed the dishes from the table and placed them into the sink. Turning to face her brother, she paused a beat. “I’ll grab the bags and take care of the fire. You two go wait in the car.”

  “Why don’t we all stay together?” BW wiped the table with a dishcloth. “There’s safety in numbers, right? And we’ll get out of here faster if we work together.” She shook the crumb-filled rag over the trash then scanned the area. “What else can I do to help?”

  Sydney stuffed her remaining possessions into her bag then bent down and flicked off the gas on the fireplace.

  “So, that’s how you two built such a nice fire so quickly.” Slinging his backpack over a shoulder, Noah chuckled and shook his head. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice the gas logs.” He snatched his jacket then peered outside toward the driveway. “Dang, I forgot we have two vehicles here.”

  “Hmm, and considering you two have medical issues, I’ll drive.” Syd slid a sheer curtain to the side and peered through the front porch window.

  “We can leave the keys in the ashtray and call a service to pick up the rental.” BW pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her hair. “Can I carry something, so we don’t have to come back inside?”

  “I only brought one bag.” He faced BW. “I think we have everything. Are you ready for a road trip?”

  She nodded and strolled toward the door.

  Noah flipped a light switch and the house went dark except for a small flicker from an LED candle on the kitchen counter.

  “Shhh.” Syd slipped behind the drape, fixing her gaze at the front lawn and the forest beyond.

  “What’s wrong?” Noah drew close to his sister. “What are you staring at?”

  “I’m not sure. But I swear I saw a glint in those bushes off to the left. Something moved through the darkness.

  “Are you sure it’s not just a low branch swaying in the wind, or the moonlight casting shadows?”

  She snapped back and froze against the wall. “I’m sure. At least two people, maybe more. They’re slinking around near the edge of the forest.”

  “Oh God, oh God, no… please, we have to get out of here.” BW rose to her toes to see over Noah’s shoulder.

  He felt her frail body trembling against his back.

  She clenched his arm. “We have to leave… now. He’ll kill me. He’ll kill all of us.”

  Chapter 9

  Shifting to the side, Sydney thrust an arm around BW and drew her close. “Look at me.”

  BW turned toward Syd, a panicked stare twisting her features.

  Syd’s right forefinger jerked to her lips. “Shhh.” Used to seeing weapons drawn, Sydney’s intuition snapped into gear. But she knew BW had no such experience and with what the girl had already been through, she needed reassurance. Syd placed her hands on the girl’s cheeks. “You trust me, right?”

  BW nodded.

  “Good. So, listen closely. I saw at least two armed figures slinking around the house. They’re in the back yard, so we have a chance to sneak out the front door to the cars. Now.” Briefly raising her gaze toward Noah, she intensified her stare, begging him to listen to her plan as well.

  He replied with a quick nod.

  Her gaze returned to BW. “We have no way of knowing who, how many, or where they’re positioned around the house, but the figures I saw had drawn firearms, which means danger. Without weapons, we’re at their mercy––unless we escape immediately.” She held up a hand, the rental car keyring encircling her middle finger. “This key goes to the black Camry on the left. Noah will slip out first.” She cast a glance toward her brother. “Keep low and head for the back seat of my vehicle. At the airport, I noticed the interior lights don’t automatically turn on when I opened the back doors, so the intruders won’t be alerted, unless you make noise.”

  Facing BW, she squeezed her shoulder. “You go next. Once you’re inside, pull the doors to a close quietly. Then, both of you crouch down as low as you can. When I open that driver side door, the light will burst through the darkness. I’ll need to hit the ignition and accelerate at once, so grab hold of something secure and hang on.” She scanned the front yard for movement but this time, saw nothing.

  “Hopefully, whoever was outside planned their assault through the rear entrance and now they’re waiting for us to fall asleep.”

  Noah nudged BW. “We’ve got this, right?”

  She nodded. “Let’s go… now, before they make their move.”

  Sydney patted her sweatshirt to make sure she secured the amulet in the zipped pouch then tiptoed toward the front entrance. She slowly turned the knob and pulled-open the door just enough to slide through. With a hand, she motioned for Noah to go, then watched as he crouched and shuffled toward the rear of the car. She prayed no one else was watching him. Once she saw him slip inside, she tapped BW’s shoulder, coaxing her to follow Noah. At last, Syd crawled out the door and pulled it slowly to a close, hoping the hinges wouldn’t squeak, and crept to the driver’s side of the car. A chill, totally unrelated to the cool evening breeze, slithered around her.

  The full moon cast an eerie glow along the edge of the forest and between the shadows but lit the landscape enough for her to peer into the car and see the dashboard. Drawing in the cold air, she held her breath. Now or never. Tightening her grip on the key, she gazed through the window toward the ignition.

  In one fluid motion, she opened the door and lunged into the car, aiming the key straight into the ignition. A quick turn engaged the motor. Pressing the accelerator, she slammed the shifter into gear. Engine roaring, the car jerked as the tires spun, spitting gravel in their wake. Sydney gripped the steering wheel, yanking it hard to the right. The car swirled around then shot down the gravel driveway toward the edge of the forest and the darkness beyond.

  Behind them, a gunshot rang out. Then another… and another. In a heartbeat, the trio fell under a bullet barrage cascading from the forest glen, lighting the night like a storm of deadly explosive fireflies. When the rear and back side windows shattered, Syd intuitively covered her head with an arm and cringed. Some things you never get used to. Whoever wanted BW, had hella-gunpower at their fingertips. “Holy Hell.” Syd swerved side-to-side in an evasive maneuver until she hit the woods. Flipping on the headlights, she scudded down the long driveway, scattering gravel from both sides of the vehicle.

  The gun spray ceased, but before Syd could breathe a sigh of relief, two lights blinked on in her rearview mirror and mimicked her every move.
Pressing the accelerator to the floor, she sped forward to put some distance between her and what appeared to be a black van, tailing them. “Stay down, you two. Someone’s following us. I’m trying to lose ’em but this road twists and turns so much I could spin out if I go any faster. Damn, BW. You must have pissed-off the wrong person.”

  When she could see the asphalt highway ahead, Syd yanked the steering wheel to the right. The rear end skidded into the turn. A burnt rubber odor flooded the car. Again, Syd peered into the mirror, this time seeing only a trail of tire treads beneath a cloud of dust. Flooring the pedal, she sped forward until the threat of being tailed ended. “You guys can get up now. I’m pretty sure we lost whoever followed us.”

  “Good God, Syd. Where did you learn to drive like that?” Noah struggled to settle into the back seat.

  She chuckled. “Evasive training from a good friend. Remind me to thank Wes Watley. He taught me that maneuver.” She glanced over her shoulder toward the girl still cowering on the floor, her arms crossed protecting her head. “You okay, BW?”

  “I’m… not… sure.”

  Her breathless voice alerted Syd. “Help her up, Noah. Make sure she didn’t catch a stray bullet.”

  ❋

  After shoving tiny slivers of shattered breakaway glass from the bench seat to the floor by his feet, Noah tenderly stroked her shoulder. “Let me help you.”

  Relaxing her arms, BW gazed upward. “What happened?” She squinted, peering around the dark car. “Where are we going?” After finger-brushing the scraggly hair from her face, she dropped her hands to her lap. “Do I know you?” Her dark image stiffened.

  “Yes. I’m your doctor, Noah Monaco…and you’re going to be just fine.”

  She slumped and rested against the back of the seat. “Good, because I don’t feel very well.” She leaned against his shoulder.

  “No surprise. You’ve been through so much the last few days. If nothing more, you’ve got to be completely exhausted. Just try to get some sleep.”

  He stroked her hair, luring her into a much-needed slumber. “I think catching a flight to Atlanta is no longer an option,” he whispered to his sister. “She’s wiped out. It’s a miracle she’s held on this long. Terrified, lost, cold, hungry…hell, from what I can tell without examining her, she’s emaciated, too.”

  Syd glanced at his reflection. “I agree. Honestly, taking a flight never crossed my mind. I just couldn’t talk earlier in front of BW. There’s no way she could go through security and crowds in her condition…for that matter, neither can you. I’m fine driving all the way home, but I’m kinda worried about the people chasing BW. My gut tells me they have access to the police broadband, and if so, they’ll run the plates on this car.”

  “Why? Did you notice anything during that ambush that gave you a reason to suspect police involvement?”

  “Not really. Just a feeling. They approached the back and had snipers set strategically around the house. That felt more like law enforcement than a criminal gang. Either way, we need to switch cars as soon as possible. I’ll call Luke and have him run BW’s face ID––under the radar. He can also secure a rental car on our route and take care of whatever is needed to reimburse Avis for this one.”

  “We have no idea who we’re up against until we figure out who she is,” Noah lowered his gaze to BW. “Micah Miller, an undergrad friend of mine, is into genetic genealogy. She might be able to help us.”

  “To identify BW Using her DNA? Again, she blinked a gaze at his reflection.

  “Maybe. It’s worth a try. I’ll give her a call when we get back to Atlanta.” As he adjusted his position, BW let out a labored moan. “Once we’re home, I can examine our girl and run some tests to determine why she can’t retain her short-term memory.”

  Syd slid a quick gaze to BW. The shattered windows glittered in the moonlight and the airstream flushed over her, flipping her windblown hair across her face. “Maybe you should turn her so she can lay her head in your lap. She has to be spent after today’s adrenalin rollercoaster.”

  Again, Noah twisted in his seat and tugged her closer so he could lift her feet onto the bench seat. Brushing a hand over her thighs, he gasped. “Oh, dear God.”

  “What’s wrong?” Syd frowned.

  Noah felt her forehead. The moon cast an ashen glow onto her face deepening the sallowness and cold prickles ran down his neck, bristling tiny hairs to stiff nibs. He slid his hand down her arm and over her thigh then jerked away. Drawing his palm into the moonlight, he stared at his fingers and rubbed a thumb over them. “Shit. She’s bleeding, Syd. Those SOBs shot her.”

  Chapter 10

  “She’s out cold. Pull over, Syd.” Noah searched the road ahead then pointed. “There’s a gas station. Make sure to park under some lights. I have to get a look at her wound.” When Syd pressed the accelerator, he sensed the car gaining speed. “Dear God, what else can happen?” After considering the thought, he closed his eyes and shook his head. “Check that. I don’t want to know.” Blindly searching for the source of BW’s wound, he brushed his fingers over her abdomen and thigh until he felt the tattered remnants of a bullet hole in her sweatpants.

  Probing the fabric around the wound, he brushed his fingers over dampness to determine how much blood had seeped into the material since impact. Too much.

  “We’re almost there.”

  He looked up to see Syd lean forward, her hand clamping the steering wheel.

  “How is she?”

  “Not good. This poor girl can’t get a freakin’ break.”

  Slowing the car, Syd pulled into the station and parked next to the outside pump at an angle, so the brightest light shone on BW. “I’ll run inside the store. I’m sure they sell some basic first aid.”

  “No need. Just give me my medical bag. I tossed it on the passenger side when I got into the car. I’ll get what I need.”

  She reached for the satchel, now resting on the floor, then handed it to Noah.

  “Thanks.” He opened his door then circled around the car to the opposite side. Adjusting BW’s position, he draped her legs over the edge of the seat and out of the car until he had space and light to work. A quick scan of the parking lot confirmed an attendant peering through the front window. “On second thought, this car looks like we drove through a war zone. The cashier could call the police and, after what BW told us, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “On it.” Syd threw open her door and snatched her purse. “You worry about BW. I’ll take care of everything else.”

  “Get some ice. I’ll need to pack her wound.”

  “Will do.” She darted between the pumps and ran toward the building.

  After tilting the flashlight on his phone to shine on the work surface, Noah inspected the injury. He opened his bag and withdrew a bottle of Betadine, gauze, and surgical scissors, then cut away the sweatpants and cleaned the wound. The shooter missed the femoral artery… but might have hit the bone.

  With a swatch of gauze, he absorbed the excess blood then squirted a shot of Betadine solution over the bullet entry. Carefully lifting her leg, he felt for the exit wound. Through and through. He struggled to clean the area without jarring her awake.

  BW reacted with an agonizing moan.

  Pausing for a moment to let her relax as well as to ease his pounding headache, Noah stretched his neck in several directions then felt her forehead. He stroked her hair and studied her face as if in doing so he might understand more about this strange young woman. For the first time, he gazed at BW, front and center, noticing her soft features and ivory skin. What happened to drive this poor girl from her home, friends, and family? Who terrorized her… and what part did the police play in pushing her mind to the brink? The secrets locked into the dark corners of her brain would have to wait for now.

  Again, he lifted her thigh, squirted Betadine on the tattered skin, then wiped away the excess moisture and lightly dressed the exit wound. He released her thigh and noticed the red-sta
ined bandage covering the entry point. The gauze did little to halt the ooze. Blood loss presented the foremost danger, followed closely by infection. Noah considered the options. Under ideal circumstances, the patient would require hospitalization, but so far, he’d found nothing normal about this young woman. The more he learned, the deeper her mystery seethed.

  “How is she?”

  Syd’s voice murmured from behind, and he flicked a glance over his shoulder to acknowledge her before returning his attention to the patient. “She got lucky. The bullet passed through her thigh and missed the femoral artery. She’s lost a lot of blood, though. The bullet might have nicked the bone. If so, shards could create further damage. Her emaciated condition has already strained her immunity system.” He raised his head, hoping the conversation went well. “Any luck with acquiring another car?”

  She stepped around to face him and crossed her arms. “Ye of little faith. Did you doubt my ability to schmooze the attendant?”

  “Not even a little.” He chuckled. “You could sweet talk a confession out of a killer. So, did you secure a limo to Atlanta?”

  “No.” She turned her wrist and checked her watch. “But I have a medivac unit about ten minutes out that will take us to Hartford-Brainard Airport where I chartered a plane to Atlanta. Can you get a helicopter to meet us and take us to Emory?”

  He dropped his jaw and wrinkled his forehead. “Of course. Brilliant idea. You never cease to amaze me, kiddo. The Medivac will have the equipment I need to examine BW and administer an IV––assuming they don’t shove me aside and take over the patient…but I think I can handle that issue should it arise. I’ll sedate her enough for the entire trip to Atlanta.”

  “Noah. Please make sure they examine you, too.” She smirked.

  “Right.” He paused and raised an eyebrow. “With any luck, we’ll be at Emory within three hours.” He wiped-off his equipment then tucked it into the front of his bag. “How’d you convince the attendant to refrain from calling the police?”