Message in the Fire

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Message in the Fire Page 6

by Dawn Merriman


  “Nice deduction, detective.” I can’t help but laugh along with him. It feels good, laughing, talking nonsense. I hate to ruin it by asking my next question.

  “What’s going to happen to the baby if she doesn’t wake up?”

  His tone turns serious, careful. “He’ll stay at the hospital for a while longer, but then most likely go to foster care until she wakes up.”

  “But if she doesn’t wake up?” I sit my ruined coffee on the counter, dreading the answer.

  “If no one claims him, then I’m not sure. At some point he’ll become a ward of the state, I imagine.”

  “She went through hell and he still might lose his mom.” I lean against the counter.

  “The coma could be temporary. She could wake up today,” he tries to soothe.

  “Hopefully.” I check my fridge for something to eat. Nearly empty shelves stare back at me. “I don’t suppose anyone has come forward looking for her?”

  “You know I would have told you.”

  “Did you find anything on her name?” I slam the fridge shut again.

  “Although it’s an unusual first name, without a last name we came up with nothing. I ran combos of all the names you gave us.”

  Dread creeps into my already sore shoulders. “And nothing on the ritual I saw?”

  His voice sounds guarded now. “Nothing but some sick stuff on the internet. Where are you going with this?”

  I rub a stain on the countertop, stalling. This is going to be a big ask. “You need more information.”

  “Gabby, I can’t let you do that again,” he warns.

  “Yesterday I was tired and in shock from finding her.” And hungry I almost add, remembering how I devoured the burger and fries last night. “I will do better today, I know I will.”

  He makes an exasperated noise. “Dustin was very clear after you left. He doesn’t want you anywhere near her hospital room.”

  Familiar anger at my brother joins the dread in my shoulders. “Dustin isn’t actually your boss, even though he acts like it.”

  “He out ranks me.” He says it with finality, adding to my anger.

  “But he isn’t your boss,” I push. I search my cabinets for a snack. “He might get mad, but he can’t fire you.”

  “Maybe not, but he’s my partner, and my friend. I can’t go behind his back on this, or on anything.” His voice is hard and firm. Lucas may be my friend, has been there for me more times than I can count, but I can’t compete with the bond he has with Dustin.

  Still, I try. “This is important. Someone tried to kill her.” I knock over a half-empty box of cereal in my agitation. Frosted Flakes scatter on the counter.

  “I’m very aware how important this is. It’s our job to find out what happened and get justice for her, and the baby. It’s not your job.”

  “Are you going to start that crap again?” I grab the trash can and slam it on the ground. “It didn’t work last time and you know it won’t work now.” I swipe the spilled cereal into the trash, adding the whole box for good measure.

  Lucas is silent so long, I wonder if he hung up on me. I check the phone and see the call time is still ticking seconds.

  “You know I’m going to find a way to do it anyway,” I finally break the silence. “It would be better if you just helped me.” I give up on my search for breakfast and shut the cabinet door gently.

  He swears under his breath, and I know I’ve won.

  “Tell Dustin if you need to. I wouldn’t want to get between you.” I’m surprised to hear the jealousy in my voice.

  Lucas still doesn’t say anything.

  “Do it for Addlynn, and the baby,” I push a little harder.

  Lucas swears colorfully, and not under his breath this time. “Meet me at the hospital in an hour,” he snaps. The line goes silent again. This time when I look, the phone is on the home screen.

  He hung up on me.

  With a fresh cup of coffee in a travel mug and my thickest gloves on, I open the door to head out. Preston stands on my front step, startling me.

  “Crap on a cracker,” I exclaim, stepping back.

  “Good morning,” he says with his usual bright smile.

  I’m lost in thought about Addlynn, going over the visions I already had, searching for details I might have missed yesterday. It takes me a moment to switch my mind back to the present.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask in a rough tone he doesn’t deserve.

  “I brought you coffee and muffins.” He raises his hands with to-go cups and a paper bag from my favorite coffee house.

  “Oh, thanks,” I stumble through the words, then take a step back to let him in. “I was just heading out, but come on in.”

  Preston breezes in easily, comfortably. I don’t deserve his constant kindness, but I’m thankful for it.

  “Where’re you headed?” A tiny edge has crept into his voice.

  I ignore the question and take the offered coffee. “You’re sweet to bring this over.”

  “That’s me, sweet.” The edge a little sharper now.

  “I’m sorry about last night.” I hope he’ll leave it at that. I’m anxious to get to the hospital. I have time before I’m meeting Lucas, but I want to focus on Addlynn, not confuse myself with Preston.

  “You mentioned a case. Does this have to do with the woman they found yesterday?”

  “Her name is Addlynn and I found her.” I dig in the bag for a muffin to avoid his eyes. “Thanks for these. I need go to the store. There’s nothing to eat here.”

  “Leave it to you to find the only nearly murdered woman in the area.”

  “My luck, I guess.” We both try to make light of it, to make this conversation seem normal. I sink into the spongy muffin. “Delicious.”

  Preston munches his muffin, thinking, deciding. “How do you know her name? I thought she was a Jane Doe and she was in a coma.”

  I take a large gulp of coffee without testing it first. It’s just the right temperature. I take another bite of muffin, too, avoiding the question.

  Preston connects the dots. “That’s what you were doing last night, getting information.”

  I nod, looking at the floor. A tingle of shame slides in my chest, a familiar reaction when anyone knows what I do.

  “She’s lucky you found her and has you to help her. No one else could do that.” Not a touch of sarcasm, just admiration.

  I raise my head to meet his eyes.

  “If you’re going back to the hospital, you should eat first.” He hands me the bag of muffins. “Keep up your strength.”

  I throw my arms around him and hold him close. He returns the embrace. I sink into his warmth, delight in the scent of his cologne. I don’t deserve this man in my life. “Thank you,” I whisper near his ear. “For the coffee and muffins.” I squeeze him tighter. “And everything.”

  He kisses the side of my face. “Just do what you do, Gabby. See what you need to see.” He murmurs my own words back to me. It melts another tiny part of my heart.

  He squeezes me tight, then lets me go. “Now go stop the bad guy.”

  I place my lips on his, a gentle moment with a hint of promise for more to come later.

  “See you tonight?” I ask.

  “I’ll be here, as always.”

  Chapter 10

  Gabby

  I have some time to kill before Lucas will meet me in the parking lot. I wait in my car and crank up the stereo so loud the loose door panels shake on my Charger. Grandma Dot’s tray of treats sits on my front seat and I help myself to a few. All this sugar can’t be good for me, but I don’t care.

  I’m scared.

  I forced Lucas to let me do this, but now that I’m here, I’m scared of what I might see. I sing at the top of my lungs to my favorite Twenty-One Pilots playlist and squash the fear to the back of my mind.

  A knock on my window makes me jump and squish the treat in my hand. Sticky crumbs roll down my shirt.

  Lucas smiles at me through
the glass. I quickly turn the music off and roll my window down.

  “Nice singing,” he laughs. “Think all of River Bend can hear you.”

  My cheeks warm. “Just psyching myself up.”

  “Psyching? Nice joke.” His laugh settles me more than the music did. “Are those Grandma Dot’s Rice Krispy treats?”

  “Want some?” I reach under the foil and pull two out for him.

  “Must be good. There’s not many left.” Lucas teases. “Except the crumbs on your shirt.”

  “Shut up, or I’ll not share.”

  Lucas takes the offered treat and steps back so I can climb out.

  “Did you tell Dustin?” I can’t help but ask.

  “I’ll tell him after.” He’s not happy about it, but he drops the topic. “Ready?”

  “Hope this works.”

  We walk silently through the hospital to Addlynn’s hall. No sign of nurse Jada from yesterday at the nurse’s station. A tall blonde nurse sits the desk this morning. She smiles shyly at Lucas as we pass. She looks him up and down, an unmistakable look of admiration on her face. I can’t blame her. He fills out his uniform nicely and she’s not blind. I turn away from her hungry look.

  My stomach sinks when I see the officer guarding Addlynn’s door.

  Brinkstone.

  He and I have met only once, but it didn’t go well. Lucas set him straight that time, but the expression on his face when he sees me makes it clear his opinion of me hasn’t changed.

  “Hartley, what’s she doing here?” Brinkstone demands.

  “Your job is to guard this door, Brinkstone.” Lucas pulls himself up to his full height in an unconscious move. “Just do your job.”

  The guard shoots me a venomous look as he steps aside and lets us into the room.

  Addlynn looks the same as last night. Peacefully oblivious. The morning sun shines in at different angles than last night’s fading sunset. Other than the light, the room and the woman haven’t changed.

  The machines beep quietly. Addlynn’s chest rises and falls smoothly. The fear I fought in the parking lot rushes back, and I hesitate just inside the door.

  “Sure you want to do this?” Lucas asks. “We can just leave.”

  I fantasize about turning around, running down the hall, forgetting all about this.

  But Brinkstone will see me run. I won’t give him the satisfaction.

  I fake confidence and take the seat I had yesterday. Lucas re-takes his seat as well, notepad ready. The way he acts like this is normal, just part of his daily routine, gives me pause.

  He really thinks I can find out something. Believes in me. He’s seen me do it before, many times. All part of a day’s work to him. The thought gives me actual confidence.

  “Ready?” I ask him.

  He nods.

  I pull off my left glove and shove it in my pocket. I close my eyes and say my prayer, out loud, not silently like I usually do. “Lord, let me see what I need to see.”

  One last glance at Lucas and another nod in reply.

  I take Addlynn’s scarred hand in mine.

  Crying in the bunk next to mine. Stop crying, she’ll hear you. I want my mom. Another bunk creaks, she heard. Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about. I want to go home. This is your home now. Leave her be, she’s scared. Dark-eyes full of hate turn on me, glitter in the moonlight. You shut up or I’ll make you cry too. I turn to the wall. Cover my head with a pillow. God help us.

  I open my eyes and let go of Addlynn’s hand. A deep sorrow swamps me.

  Lucas shifts in his seat, but waits for me to talk first.

  “She’s a child still. There are other girls in the room in rows of bunk beds. A girl is crying. She says she want to go home to her mom.”

  Lucas makes notes on his pad, the scratching of his pen loud in the room.

  “The same dark-eyed girl from before yells at the new girl to be quiet. Addlynn tells her to leave the new girl alone. Dark-eyed girl threatens her and she rolls over.”

  More scratching from his pen.

  “A room full of bunk beds? This doesn’t sound good.”

  “There’s lots of girls in the room, but I can’t see them.”

  “The new girl, do you know her name? Maybe one of the names from before?”

  I shake my head. “I think they kidnapped her,” I say quietly. I fight the sorrow, the darkness.

  “They?”

  I watch Addlynn sleeping and wish she would wake up and tell us what happened. She sleeps on.

  “I don’t know who they are, but this looks bad. Worse than just the stabbing.”

  Lucas thinks this over. “If this happened to Addlynn, it might be happening to others, too.”

  “Exactly.” I take a sip of the coffee I brought with me. It’s cold now, but I don’t care. “I wish she’d just show me, give me something useful,” my voice cracks.

  “She is showing you, just in her way.” Lucas pats me on the shoulder. “Can you try again? You don’t have to,” he adds quickly.

  I nod and take her hand again.

  The other girls hurry in the kitchen, scramble to clean up after dinner. Wash the dishes, wash the dishes, so many dishes. Sun outside on the grass, on the gardens. Fields in the distance. Cows on the pasture. Want to be out there, but have to wash the dishes, wash the dishes. Cute boy at the back door. Shy smile, looking at me. Drop the dish, crash. Let me help you. Fingers touch over broken plate, tingle, hope. So clumsy, extra hour of prayer before bed. Mother grabs hair, pulls. Stay away from her, Nolan. Don’t hurt her. Get out, women’s work.

  I float out of the vision, and the hospital room wavers back into focus.

  Lucas’s voice cuts through the haze. “You said, Nolan. You said it over and over.” His voice is high and emotional.

  “Did I?” I’m still a little fuzzy.

  “You kept repeating it. Is he the killer? Did you see it this time?” He’s so excited, I hate to dash his mood.

  “I didn’t see her attack. She was washing dishes, cleaning up after dinner with a lot of other girls. This cute boy came in and she dropped a plate. He helped her clean it up, but her mom told him to stop and stay away from her.”

  Lucas’s shoulders slump, but he writes the information down. “Anything else?” He makes the question sound hopeful, but I hear the disappointment.

  I think back through the vision. “There’s lots of girls, at least a dozen. Aged around seven to teens. They all wear braids and long dresses like the nightgown Addlynn had on when we found her.”

  “This sounds like a bad cult movie.” He means it as a joke, but it’s close to the truth.

  “Yeah, a cult in a movie, that’s what it looks like.” My words rush with my excitement. “It would explain the ritual, the girls all living together, the strange clothes.”

  “But not why someone stabbed her,” he points out.

  “That part’s coming. She’s showing me her life story, the highlights at least. She needs me to understand what led up to the stabbing.” I practically bounce in my seat, I’m so excited. “I finally get it.”

  “But we don’t have any cult compounds around here. We’d know if something like that was going one.”

  “Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean it’s not out there.” I think back over what she showed me. “They’re on a farm. Pastures with cows, large gardens, that kind of thing. It could be anywhere near here. The county is full of large farms. Start checking them out.”

  “Gabby, slow down. I can’t just start visiting farms and ask if they stabbed a woman there and are keeping girls in a room full of bunk beds. That’s crazy.” He leans forward to make his point. “I need something concrete to go on, a place to start. What about this name, Nolan. Who is he to Addlynn?”

  “She likes him. She’s older in this vision, but still young. Of course, she’s young now.” The freckled face of Addlynn in the bed looks younger than the first time I saw her. “How old do you think she is?”

 
; Lucas shrugs, “Fifteen maybe.”

  “Exactly, young. Like all the girls in the house. No family could have so many daughters that close in age.”

  He looks at his notes as if the answer will jump off the page at him. “They have to be kidnapping them from somewhere. We don’t have any missing girls from around here.”

  “They wouldn’t take them from here, it would be too obvious.”

  “It’s something to go on. I can check surrounding cities for missing girls those ages.”

  “This is big, Lucas,” I say quietly.

  He nods thoughtfully.

  “Let me try again.” I’m anxious to see more. I don’t wait for his response, I just take her hand again.

  Nolan sweet and tender. Stolen moments. Stolen kisses. No fear in your arms. Safe, safe, safe here with you. Tender touches in the dark. Sweet surrender. Not a sin, not a sin. I love you Addlynn Jeanette. New life, must keep secret. Baby growing, hide it. Safe with Nolan, surrounded by enemies. Must escape, run away. My baby cannot live in this. We can’t leave, this is our home. I’m leaving with or without you. We’ll go tomorrow. Mother’s angry face. You’re late for church. With him, weren’t you? Told you to stay away. Punch to the gut, grab mother’s wrist. Don’t hurt my baby. Eyes full of evil. Sinner, whore. He will fix you.

  The vision leaves me breathless. My head spins with the fast flashes of memory, each impression slamming in its intensity. I drop her hand and lean my forehead on the bed. A convulsive shiver courses through me.

  “Nolan is the father,” I gasp.

  Lucas places his hand on my back. “Just breathe.”

  I do as he says and my mind settles back into the present. “She and Nolan were in love. He was the only one she trusted. But she got pregnant.”

  “Was bound to happen eventually,” Lucas says pragmatically.

  “They planned to leave, to escape to protect the baby. Noland refused at first, but he agreed eventually. Her mother found out she was with Nolan and tried to punch her in the gut. Addlynn stopped her from hurting the baby. Mother, if that’s really what she is, called her nasty names. She said she was going to him, the leader, I guess. Was going to have him fix her.” I’m feeling breathless and panicked. “What if the fixing meant killing her? Did the leader kill her?”

 

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