by Elaine Meece
“This is the original group. I’ve narrowed it down to three.”
“Why them?”
“Joan Howard just purchased a house and car. Both out of her financial range. She paid cash.”
Cynthia’s brows rose when she looked at the cost of the car alone. “That’s more than she makes all year.”
“Let’s look at the next one. This one’s trickier.”
“How’s that?”
“Lonny Chambers spent just as much money and makes the same salary. What makes him more intriguing is he’s made several trips to Alabama where Novik is located.”
“And Joan hasn’t?”
“No, and neither has my third choice, Jason Baily. But lately, he has purchased several expensive items.”
“So, which one is the informer?”
“If I had to put my money on it, I’d bet on Lonny.”
“But you don’t want to rule the others out,” Cynthia said.
“Not yet. The investigator is focusing on these three.”
“Good work. Hear any more out of Kayla Miller?”
“Not since receiving her package.” This would be the time to bring up the drone. “There was one other thing that could be her doing.”
“What’s that?” she asked nonchalantly.
“A drone chased me yesterday.”
Cynthia’s brows rose. “You’re kidding?”
“No, I finally ditched it. When I find out who’s having me followed, I’ll let you know.” He excused himself, then joined the men in the cockpit. If he planned to fly them home, he wanted to familiarize himself with the instrument panels and get a feel for the area.
“Have a seat,” Tristen said.
Evan glanced back not appearing thrilled to see him.
Brice sat on the jump seat. He studied the flight deck. “Sure, you want me flying us back?”
Tristen smiled. “She’s a little intimidating at first, but she’s flies like any other jet. You’ll be on auto most of the way. Trust me she takes off and lands smoother than silk.”
♦♦♦
Annie sensed Mallory’s unhappiness. She walked over to her. “What’s wrong?”
“Jenny is mad at me.”
“Your doll?”
Mallory nodded.
“Why?”
“She wanted to sit by Mom and Mr. Jordan, but they didn’t want to be bothered. And when I came up here, she said I was bad and she was angry with me.”
“Sweetie, it’s just a doll.”
“She can talk.”
“Yeah, she’s designed to say certain sentences, but she’s not programed to recognize people and know them by name.”
“Yes, she does.”
Annie gave a slight chuckle. Mallory had a big imagination for a little girl. “She’ll forgive you.”
Brice stepped into the area outside the cockpit. He whispered to her. “I don’t think Cynthia was responsible for the drone.”
She nodded. “That’s good news.”
When he returned to his seat, his manly scent and aftershave lingered in the air. Annie found it intoxicating. She reminded herself he was determined to get his wife back not to mention he was the new CEO.
After lunch, Annie observed Mallory having a conversation with the doll. She nodded, then walked with the doll toward the bathroom. As she came back, she left the doll laying on the table by Cynthia and Brice before joining Gina and Sierra near the front.
Annie handed Cynthia a bottle of water she’d requested.
“Thanks,” she said.
For the rest of the flight, Annie played games with the kids and tried to keep them away from Brice and Cynthia.
Evan came through and stopped beside her. “Are you going to the resort?”
“No, I’m staying with a friend. What about you?”
“I thought about renting a car and doing some sightseeing.”
She wondered if he had planned to ask her to join him.
Her gaze landed on Brice, who watched them closely. His look almost seemed territorial.
I have a bigger imagination than Mallory. I should write novels.
Tristen announced they’d be landing soon.
Annie gathered up the trash and made sure everyone was secured in their seats.
The jet landed smoothly at South Valley Regional Airport, in South Jordan, ten miles out of Salt Lake City.
As they exited, Brice stopped in front of her. “Wish you were coming with us.”
“I’ve already told my friend I’m coming,” she lied.
Evan walked behind them, looking none too pleased that she was speaking with the charming CEO.
Annie had never been the object of a man’s jealously, let alone two men. Brice had no reason to be envious of Evan.
It’s for Evan’s benefit.
Mallory darted back on the jet and ran to the back. “I almost forgot Jenny.”
Once everyone had gone, Annie hurried to the front of the airport and called a taxi to take her to SLC.
An hour later after taking off, she landed in Phoenix. Due to the difference in time, she had enough daylight hours to drive to Garland. She headed out on U.S.10, then branched out on Hwy. 93 toward Whitman. In Glendale, she stopped at a Walmart and purchased a pair of binoculars and bullets for the .22.
The group had separated from the Colorado City group and moved farther south. Their land was dead center between Hwy. 93 and Hwy. 89. Very little existed in the area. Farther North across forty, there were several Indian reservations.
Late that afternoon, Annie finally checked into Garland’s only motel. At the desk, she retrieved her package she’d mailed to herself. The clerk didn’t question her about it. In her room, she kept the packaging, so she could mail the .22 back to herself.
She’d passed a small diner coming into town, but they had already closed. Annie left her room and drove to a convenience store/service station a few blocks up that sold fried chicken and burritos. The items appeared dried out.
She ended up purchasing ham and cheese and everything she needed for a sandwich. She tossed in a box of chocolate doughnuts and several bottles of water. As she drove back to the motel, brightly colored fireworks fill the distant sky.
Back at the motel room, she enjoyed her feast and watched television. Hearing a car engine, she peeked through the curtains. A car sat with the engine running and its lights on.
At first, she thought they could be spying on her.
Stop being so paranoid.
Once she turned off the lights, the car left.
Still think it’s my imagination.
With fireworks going off, sleep didn’t come easy. Each time someone set off firecrackers or a rocket made a whizzing sound, she jumped.
While lying in bed, she remembered Evan’s sour expression over the attention Brice had given her. Brice’s scheme seemed to be working. But it was him and his sons, Annie would’ve liked to spent time with, but she couldn’t miss an opportunity to make contact with Megan.
♦♦♦
Like every day in the commune, it started before daylight tending animals and working crops until the sun heated the air, making it unbearable.
Megan returned from the garden, entered the house, and headed for the shower. After she clean and dressed, she reapplied the white and brown mixture of shoe polish over the slight yellowing on her face to conceal it.
Connie and Ruth set food out on the table. She joined Emma and Emily, who were sisters and ranked behind Ruth. They talked about the trip into town that morning.
When she glanced up, Dan was staring. She offered him a sweet smile. He winked and returned the smile. A smile that said he was pleased with her. He’d stayed in her bed the entire night and had taken her again in the wee morning hours.
Ruth frowned over their friendly exchange.
An hour later, Megan watched from the kitchen window as the women loaded on the old school bus. She would remain behind with the older teenage girls and help with the children.
<
br /> Connie had promised to sneak her back a candy bar and soda. The girl didn’t feel as threatened by her as his first three wives did. It had been Connie who came to her with ice packs the night she’d been beaten.
Her mother joined the commune when Connie had only been nine. She’d never forgotten life on the outside.
When the bus pulled out, Megan wanted to cry. She thought about begging Dan to let her go but didn’t. He wasn’t stupid. He’d think last night was about the trip into town. That’s exactly what it was about. Apparently, it hadn’t worked.
♦♦♦
The next morning at the cheap motel, Annie crawled out of bed and showered. She selected a pair of jeans and blue/ black plaid shirt with old cowboy boots to wear. She’d first considered a sundress, but realized she’d stand out like a wasp in a bee hive.
Though she had the room another night, she loaded her bags into the rental car just in case they had to make a quick getaway.
After grabbing a cup of coffee, Annie scouted the roads around the store, looking for the quickest route to the main highway.
If Megan showed up and wanted to leave, Annie would take her and drive back to Utah. She’d run over anyone who tried to stop them.
She had the route planned. Now she needed to do a quick walk through the super market.
At the store, she found the bathroom Megan had mentioned. It was near the rear exit. Annie reeked with excitement.
The group would arrive within the next hour.
Annie parked out front of the grocery store, then waited. Finally, an old school bus carrying the women pulled in. Several trucks with trailers followed behind them.
The women came off the bus one by one, dressed in long cotton dresses, and wearing tennis shoes. They carried no purses or bags. They wore their hair long in braids, buns, or ponytails.
Fifteen women left the bus, but not Megan. Where was she?
♦♦♦
Megan glanced back when the door opened. Dan walked in, and his children crowded around him as though he were Zeus. Finally, he walked over to her. His boots thudded on the floor.
“Last night surprised me,” he said, chewing on the tip of a toothpick. “Wasn’t expecting that this morning either.”
Rather than smile, she looked at him with sad eyes and pouty lips. She turned back to the sink, grabbed a pan, and started washing it. “I wanted to please you.”
“You did. I just might have to postpone Ruth’s night.”
Megan nodded. “I’ll leave my lamp on.”
Dan jiggled his keys. “Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To town. If I drive a little fast, we should be able to catch the others.”
Megan couldn’t hold back the smile.
♦♦♦
Annie wondered why Megan hadn’t been with them. What was wrong? Maybe, she should go to the police. So far, they hadn’t taken her seriously. A pickup truck barreled into the lot. Dust flew up around it, making it difficult to see who was in it.
After the dust settled, Annie could tell it was a man and woman. The man was Dan James. Megan sat beside him.
He climbed from the pickup truck and walked around to the passenger side and held the door for Megan, then walked her to the door.
With Dan there, Annie couldn’t approach her sister. She’d met him when he had come to pick Megan up one day. Once her sister entered the store, he returned to his truck and drove away.
Annie started up her car and pulled around back of the store, leaving her car unlocked. She made the walk around the building back to the front of the store. Inside the store, Annie grabbed a cart and pushed toward the detergent aisle. To make her appear more like a shopper, she tossed in a three pack of paper towels, and an eight pack of toilet tissue. Once on the detergent aisle, she waited for Megan.
What if she’s been assigned a different shopping list? If she didn’t come soon, Annie would search the store.
Someone pushed a cart on the far end of the aisle.
Megan.
Annie’s heart raced. She had to be careful approaching her. If any of the others saw her, her sister would pay for it. She pushed the cart through the store, trying not to draw attention to herself.
♦♦♦
Megan tossed in gallon jugs of bleach, two very large boxes of washing detergent, and dish washing liquid.
“Could you use this coupon?” a familiar voice asked.
Megan’s heart leapt with joy. She wanted to grab Annie and squeeze her, but didn’t. Their gazes locked. “No, thank you.”
She glanced around to see if any of the others were nearby. Only an older lady not part of the commune shopped on the aisle.
“Wait for me in the restroom in back,” Megan whispered, then strolled past Annie.
If she made it to Annie’s car, she could leave today. They’d be gone before anyone realized she was missing. Then her heart squeezed when she thought of leaving Libby. Once the baby came, Megan wouldn’t be allowed to make the trips to town until the baby was weaned. She had to take this opportunity.
Megan quickly threw everything into the cart from her list, then pushed it to the back of the store. She glanced to see if anyone was watching her before entering the hallway.
She walked down to the end and turned the knob of the bathroom door.
It’s now or never.
Chapter Seven
Annie paced in the one stall bathroom.
Finally, the door opened.
She threw her arms around Megan and wept. “I didn’t think you were coming today.”
“He started not to let me, then changed his mind.”
Annie glanced at Megan’s stomach. “You don’t have much of a baby bubble. When’s this baby due?”
“Mid-August. I’m not showing as much as I did with Libby. I’m afraid something might be wrong.” Megan’s eyes swept over her. “You look good, Annie.”
“We can talk in my car. It’s parked out back. Let’s go.”
Megan nodded. “I’m ready.”
Annie cracked the door and peeked out. “I don’t see anyone. You go first.”
Instead, Megan broke into sobs and held her head down. “I can’t leave Libby. I thought I could, but I can’t go without her.”
“Leave with me. Please. Let the FBI come in and get her.”
“But what if they don’t. Almost everyone in this town works for them, including the sheriff.”
Annie’s stomach twisted. “I wrote him.”
“You didn’t mention our letters, did you?”
“No, just that you were being held against your will.”
“Maybe, he won’t mention it to Dan or Hawkins. I’m sorry I can’t do this. I’ve got to get back to the others.”
“Here’s some money in case you get a chance to escape with Libby. A hundred of it is from Mom and Dad.”
“Seriously? That’s amazing.” She tucked the money inside her bra under her breast. “Thanks.”
“I’ll be back. We’ll try it again on the third week of July. Can you make it that long?”
“Yes, I’m trying a new strategy with Dan, and it seems to be working.”
“Have Libby with you.”
“She won’t come with us willingly.”
“I know. I’ll come prepared to take her by force. Figure out a way to bring her shopping and get her into the bathroom. Let me take care of the rest.”
“I will.”
Annie frowned. “Is that a bruise?”
“Yes, but things are better. Just be here on the third Thursday in July.”
“Mom sends her love. You’ll receive a letter from me soon to tell you about this trip. Obviously, you didn’t get it in time.”
“No, I didn’t, but I had a gut feeling about today.”
Annie hugged Megan and kissed her cheek. “Go, before you get in trouble.”
Megan skirted out the door.
Disappointment overwhelmed Annie. She had hoped to get her sister out of that place
today. In July, if Megan showed up without Libby, Annie planned to take her sister by force.
It made her physically sick to leave Megan behind.
♦♦♦
Thursday, Brice sat beside Tristen who drove the silver Nissan van, they’d rented after landing. The tour through Komar had impressed him. The operation proved to be more than he’d expected. When he returned, he’d be the one negotiating a deal to increase the production of MX7. From what Cynthia had said, she wouldn’t be there.
Brice had made million-dollar deals with companies before. This one shouldn’t be any different.
An image of the flight attendant formed in his mind. He realized he would have enjoyed this more if she were here.
In the limo, Cynthia’s phone rang. It played Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. “Hello.” Her face paled, and her eyes grew sad. “When?” She paused listening. “I’m really sorry. He was a really nice man. We’ll be back by Sunday.”
Brice realized something had happened.
“What’s wrong?” Tristen asked.
“Mr. Garner died.”
“That’s tragic,” Tristen said.
“During the surgery?” Brice asked.
“Afterwards, he showed signs of distress but the equipment failed and didn’t notify the nurses’ station. By the time someone checked on him, he was dead.”
“Freaky accident,” Tristen added.
Cynthia appeared concerned. “Yes. Seems a little convenient with him being one of our largest shareholders.”
“There’s no way Kayla Miller could be behind this,” Tristen said. “You’re being paranoid.”
Brice grinned. “Never say never.”
“Maybe, I can speak with his daughter about his stock. I’m willing to pay full market value to keep Kayla Miller’s hands off of it,” Cynthia said. “I’m afraid if I wait, Kayla will beat me to it.”
Tristen nodded. “But if you ask too soon, Garner’s daughter might see you as a greedy opportunist.”
“True. I’ll wait until after the funeral.”
“When is the funeral?” Brice asked.
Cynthia tilted her air vent up. “Tuesday. We need to be there. Dad, will fly in for the funeral. More than likely, he’ll bring Lily.” She turned to Brice. “My dad just recently married someone. And I’m very concerned about him.”