Running Scared

by Shirlee McCoy

  The light on the answering machine was flashing as she walked into the living room, and she pushed Play as she passed it.

  She’d grabbed the ice cream from the freezer and was walking out of the kitchen when the message began to play.

  “Hey, babe. It’s been a long time. Bet you thought you’d never hear from me again.”

  The voice froze her in her tracks and made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

  “I saw you on TV. You’re looking good. Better than ever. The car business is booming, but as soon as things slow down, I plan on coming for a little visit and taking up where we left off. Bet you’re looking forward to that as much as I am.”

  The message cut off, but Maggie could still hear the voice. Derrick’s voice, crawling along her nerves, making her muscles weak and her blood cold.

  He’d found her.

  She’d known it when Justin had tried to murder her, but until she’d heard Derrick’s voice, she’d hoped she was wrong.

  She hadn’t been.

  And now Derrick was coming to Deer Park. Coming to pick up where they’d left off, coming to finish what he’d begun the day he’d put his hands around her throat and tried to choke the life out of her.

  She shuddered, the ice cream dropping from her hands as she ran to the phone and dialed the sheriff’s office.

  TWELVE

  Kane stepped back into the kitchen, smiling as Eli looked up from a huge plate of apple pie and ice cream. Edith sat next to him, nursing a cup of coffee, a small piece of pie untouched on a plate nearby.

  “Got enough pie and ice cream, sport?” Kane asked.

  “Ms. Edith said I can take it home if I can’t finish it all. She’ll wrap it up for me and everything.”

  “In that case, dig in.”

  “Everything okay with your sister?” Edith stood, grabbed a plate from a cupboard and cut a slice of pie, handing it to Kane without bothering to ask if he wanted it.

  “She’s doing okay. They’re still giving her fluids, but the test results were negative. No cancer.”

  “Wonderful! I know your whole family must be relieved.”

  “Yeah, after two years of chemo she’s ready for a reprieve, and we’re all hoping she’ll get one.”

  He glanced around, frowning when he realized that Maggie wasn’t in the dining room. Where was she? Hadn’t she come back yet?

  Maybe the chocolate ice cream had been her excuse to escape. Although it had seemed like she’d been enjoying herself. She’d laughed and joked as she lost the Monopoly game, then cheered on Eli as he won.

  “Is Maggie still upstairs?” he asked.

  “Yes, and I can’t figure out why. It takes all of two minutes to walk up those stairs and down again. I would have gone up to check on her, but I didn’t want to leave Eli in here on his own.”

  “I appreciate that. I think I’ll go up and make sure she’s okay. Then Eli and I will get back to the hotel. We’ve taken up way too much of your afternoon.”

  “Hardly. Although I am playing at the evening service tonight, and that starts in an hour.”

  “I’ll hurry.” Kane jogged up the stairs, knocked on Maggie’s door and frowned when it creaked open under his fist.

  “Maggie?” He stepped into her small living room, frowning again when he saw a half gallon of ice cream lying on the floor.

  “Maggie?” Adrenaline pumped through him as he stepped down the short corridor, peered in the kitchen, then the small bathroom.

  There was one other door, and Kane knocked, his body tense with expectancy. Something had happened, and whatever it was hadn’t been good. “Maggie, are you in there?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was muffled, and it sounded like she’d been crying.

  “Can I come in?”

  “No. I’m…not feeling well. Can you tell Eli that I’m sorry I missed out on the ice cream?”

  “What’s going on, Maggie?” He turned the doorknob, expecting it to be locked and feeling surprised when the door swung open to reveal the interior of the room.

  Maggie sat cross-legged on a bed, her face devoid of color, her eyes wide with surprise. “Don’t you know you’re not supposed to come into someone’s room unless you’re invited?”

  “Technically, I’m not in your room. I’m at the threshold.”

  “And technically, I’m not angry. I’m just completely annoyed,” she muttered, but there was little heat in her words.

  “Sorry, but Edith was worried about you. So was I.”

  “Neither of you needed to be. I’m right here, sitting on my bed, safe as can be.”

  “You said you weren’t feeling well.”

  She shrugged, getting up and walking past him out into the hall and to the living room. He followed, watching as she picked up the ice cream and put it in the freezer. Her movements were tight and tense, her muscles taut.

  She didn’t look ill. She looked exactly like what she’d said she was—annoyed.

  “Something happened when you came up to the get the ice cream.” He didn’t phrase it as a question, knowing she wouldn’t answer. “Did you hear from your ex?”

  She tensed even more at his words, swinging around to face him. “I heard from him. He said he plans to pay me a visit and that we’re going to pick up where we left off.”

  “Where was that?”

  “What?” She brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and stared at him blankly.

  “Where did the two of you leave off? Was he stalking you?”

  “No.”

  “Abusing you?”

  “I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “So he was.” Just the thought made Kane’s blood boil, and he wanted to fly to Miami and knock some sense into the guy.

  “I said I don’t want to talk about it,” she snapped, and seemed as surprised by her outburst as he was. “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault.” She took a deep breath and tried to smile.

  “I know you don’t want to talk about it, Maggie, but if you don’t tell me what’s going on, I can’t help you.”

  “I don’t want you to help me. I want you to take care of your son. Make sure he’s okay. That’s what’s really important.”

  “You’re important, too, and I’m not going to walk away from you. I’m not going to let you face your ex alone.”

  She frowned. “According to the sheriff, I won’t be facing him at all.”

  “You called him?”

  “Yes, and he said my ex is still in Miami, that leaving a message on my answering machine wasn’t a crime and that as long as I wasn’t overtly threatened there was nothing that could be done.”

  Kane’s anger surged again. He’d have to have a chat with the sheriff, see exactly what it was that was keeping the man from acting on the information Maggie had provided.

  “Did you erase the message?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Can I hear it?”

  She hesitated, and Kane took her hand, squeezed lightly. “You’ve given me my son back, Maggie. Let me do something for you. Let me help.”

  “There’s nothing you can do to help, but if you want to hear it, I’ll play it for you.” She tugged her hand away, walked to the answering machine and pressed the button.

  Kane stood beside her as the thug’s voice filled the room. The guy was smart. He didn’t say anything threatening. Didn’t even hint that he might have something else on his agenda besides reconnecting with an old girlfriend.

  But Kane had dealt with men like him before, had met enough of them during his days as a prosecuting attorney to know a con man when he heard one.

  “You said his name was Derrick. What’s his last name?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Sure it does. If I have his name, I can find the guy. If I can find him, I can stop him.”

  “From what? Like the sheriff said, he hasn’t made any threats. Besides, you have enough to worry about without getting mixed up in my troubles.”

  “I’m a
lready mixed up in them. Our lives connected the day you went to the sheriff and told him what you suspected about my son. I keep telling you that, and I keep meaning it.”

  “Kane—”

  “Would you change what you did for me and Eli?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  “And I wouldn’t change the fact that you and I have met and that there’s a connection between us.”

  “There’s no…” Her voice trailed off and she shook her head.

  “There is, Maggie. You can’t deny it any more than I can.”

  “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I can’t.” She took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye, all her worry, all her fear obvious. “But admitting it doesn’t change anything. I’m scared for Eli. I’m scared for you. I would never, ever forgive myself if something happened to either of you because of me.”

  “Then we’ve got a problem, because I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you because I turned my back and walked away when you needed me.”

  “I don’t need you.”

  “You’re wrong about that, Maggie. We need each other. Haven’t you felt it when we’re together? The way we click? The way it just seems to feel right when we’re near each other?”

  “Feelings don’t mean anything.” But her voice shook, and Kane knew she felt exactly what he did. Knew exactly what he was talking about.

  “Sometimes they mean everything.” He leaned down, did what he’d been wanting to all afternoon. Let his lips press against hers, let his hands settle on her waist.

  She stiffened, then relaxed, her arms twining around his neck, pulling him closer.

  And he went willingly, her fragrant perfume drifting around them, subtly intoxicating, wholly compelling. His hands swept up her back, tangled in her ponytail, tugging it loose from the band so that it fell around her shoulders in silky waves.

  “Dad? Ms. Tennyson?” Eli’s voice carried up the stairs, and Maggie jumped back, her cheeks flaming.

  “Right here, sport,” Kane called out, his voice husky, his heart pounding loudly in his ears as he watched Maggie sweep her hair up back into a ponytail.

  “We shouldn’t have done that,” she said, her fingers touching her lips and then falling away.

  “Maybe not, but I’m not going to say I’m sorry we did,” Kane responded as Eli bounded into the apartment.

  “What are you two doing?” Eli asked, his gaze jumping from Eli to Maggie and back again.

  “Just talking,” Maggie responded, offering Eli a quick smile.

  “About dating? Because you look all red in the face like you’re embarrassed, and I think talking about dating is probably embarrassing.”

  “Eli!” Kane and Maggie spoke together, and Kane laughed. Maggie didn’t seem quite as amused. Although he thought he saw a hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth.

  “What? Dating is a natural thing,” Eli responded with a valiant attempt to appear older than his nine years.

  “Who told you that?”

  “Ms. Edith.”

  “You were discussing dating with Edith?” Maggie looked both horrified and fascinated, her pink cheeks and kiss-stained lips making Kane want to lean in and press his lips to hers once more.

  “We were wondering what was taking you so long, and she said we were going to give you ten minutes and then I was going to come up to make sure you weren’t getting into trouble.”

  “She didn’t.”

  “I did,” Edith called from just outside the door, and Maggie stalked across the room.

  “I cannot believe you sent a nine-year-old to chaperone us.”

  “Did you need it?”

  “Edith!”

  “What? I’m a nosey old woman. I can’t help myself.”

  “You’re not old, Ms. Edith,” Eli said. “You’re beautiful, and you make the best apple pie in the whole world.” Eli grabbed Edith’s hand and patted it gently. Whatever Susannah had done wrong, she hadn’t been cruel to Eli. The more time Kane spent with his son, the more he realized that. Cruelty, after all, begets cruelty, and despite his confusion and his sometimes sullen demeanor, Eli had a very tender heart.

  “Are you trying to sweet talk me into sending more pie home with you, young man? Because if you are, it’s working.”

  “Maybe you could bring it to the potluck, instead. Ms. Tennyson invited me and Dad, and we’re going to come. Right, Dad?”

  “Yes, but right now, we have to head home. Grandma and Grandpa will be back at the hotel soon, and we’re going to pack up and get ready for tomorrow. You haven’t forgotten that we’re moving into our house, have you?”

  “No. Goodbye, Ms. Edith. Goodbye, Ms. Tennyson. I had a lot of fun with you today.” Eli offered a shy smile, and when Kane steered him toward the steps, he didn’t pull away, didn’t even tense beneath Kane’s touch.

  Spending time with Maggie and Edith had been good for him. It had been good for both of them. The stress of their reunion and the anxiety over Jenna’s health had sapped some of the joy out of what should have been one of the best times of either of their lives.

  They were back together again. A family again. Just the way Kane had dreamed they would be. And he wanted to enjoy every minute of it, cherish every second.

  Outside, the sky was deep cerulean, the clouds pure white as the sun began its descent behind distant mountains. Kane took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, clean scent of the air and for the first time in a long time he felt utter peace. Utter contentment.

  Thank you, Lord, for a good afternoon. Thank you for the gift of my son. And for Maggie.

  The kiss they’d shared had touched something deep in his soul, reminded him of what it meant to be truly connected to someone, and made him even more determined to find Maggie’s ex-boyfriend.

  Days ago he’d told her that she was family, but he hadn’t realized then just how quickly she’d burrowed into his life, into his thoughts, even into his heart.

  He glanced in the rearview mirror, saw that Eli had turned on a handheld game system, and pulled his phone out.

  First he’d call the sheriff and see what he had to say. Then he’d call Skylar and get her searching for any Derrick who’d been in trouble with Miami PD in the past five years. Eventually, they’d track the guy down, and when they did, Kane planned to send a visitor to let Maggie’s ex know just how foolish he’d be to keep coming after her. Hopefully, the guy would get the hint. He’d better because if anything happened to Maggie, Kane would hunt him down and make sure he spent the rest of his life paying for what he’d done. He frowned.

  Scratch that.

  Nothing was going to happen to Maggie because Kane was going to find her ex before the scum had a chance to strike again. Maggie hadn’t admitted she’d been abused, but she hadn’t denied it, either. Her ex was a criminal, pure and simple, and Kane knew just how to deal with guys like him. Dig up the dirt, turn over every rock, uncover every crime from shoplifting to murder, and then prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

  It would happen.

  Kane planned to make sure of it.

  He smiled grimly as he lifted the phone and dialed the sheriff’s office.

  THIRTEEN

  Maggie had been enjoying Wednesday night potluck at church for the better part of three years. It was something she looked forward to. A middle-of-the-week break from teaching and college. A time to fellowship with friends and neighbors. The fact that Eli and Kane were going to be there shouldn’t have changed that, but somehow it did.

  Kane had kissed her.

  She’d kissed him back.

  And she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it, no matter how hard she tried.

  She ran a brush through her hair, her reflection in the bathroom mirror eliciting a sigh. There were deep circles beneath her eyes and fear had gauged hollows beneath her cheekbones. Derrick hadn’t called again, but each time the phone rang she jumped, terror beating a hard, hollow rhythm in her chest.

  That had be
en his point, of course. To leave her wondering when he’d call again, when he might show up behind her at the grocery store or outside the window at the school where she taught. To make her wonder if she’d find him in the backseat of her car, hunkered down and waiting for her to get behind the wheel. Or if she’d see him in her rearview mirror, staring at her from a car right behind her on the road.

  Maggie shuddered, turning away from her reflection. The sheriff had assured her that Derrick was still in Miami and that the local police there were keeping an eye on him. He continued to believe that Justin had been working alone when he’d gone to Maggie’s house and tried to kill her.

  And Maggie wanted desperately to believe he was right.

  But she couldn’t.

  The tentacles of Derrick’s drug business were far reaching, and there was no doubt in Maggie’s mind that he’d either hired Justin or found someone who would. Doing so would have been as easy for Derrick as creating a lesson plan was for Maggie.

  Maybe eventually Justin would admit the truth, but until he did, the Miami police could take no action against Derrick, and Maggie would continue to jump at every shadow, wince at every creak and groan of the old house and freeze whenever the phone rang.

  She set the brush down, grabbed her purse, her coat, and the Bundt cake she’d made for the potluck and hurried outside. It was getting late, the sun sinking low behind the mountains. Soon it would be dark, the shadows blending together, hiding anyone who might lurk nearby. She shivered, holding her coat closed as she hurried to her car. She fumbled in her purse, wishing she’d thought to have her keys in hand when she left the house. Wasn’t that one of the rules of safety?

  Not that having her keys in hand would save her from a bullet.

  Maggie glanced around, a warning humming along her nerves as she finally managed to pull her keys out.

  Was someone hiding in the shadows and watching her?

  Was he going to attack as she got into the car? Force her to drive to some distant location where he’d—

  She pulled her thoughts up short.