Jenna's eyes popped open and bore into his. "What are you trying to say, Cole?" She sat motionless, her brow furrowed, knuckles white as they gripped the edges of the bed.
"Only Lee, Hank, and Marc knew the truth about our new operations. But several of us began to speculate. The money rolled in, and our Army brothers looked at us differently." His hands clenched into fists. "All those years wasted! Years of honorable service to our country. Years of upholding freedom. Years of doing what was right—gone. Do you hear me? Gone!"
"What do you mean Marc knew? What are you trying to say? That my husband was doing something illegal?" She threw him a murderous glare. "Well, I'm not going to let you defame him! Marc was a good man. He was a Christian! How dare you accuse him of underhanded . . . whatever it is you're saying. What does this have to do with the guys trying to kill us? What about the bad guys, Cole?" Her lips formed one single, grim line. Defense mode.
But her eyes betrayed her. Jenna had been suspicious of Marc's work as well.
Cole hated what he was about to do. To all of them. But it had to be done.
Moment of truth.
"Jenna, I know this is hard to understand. Like you said, your husband was a genius with computers. I don't know when or how things changed, but . . ."
She was shaking her head. Denying it. Like she knew what was coming.
"Marc worked with those 'bad guys,' as you call them." He faced her, head on. "We all did."
* * *
ANDIE
April 12
Providence Hospital
Anchorage, Alaska
7:10 a.m.
What?
Cole's voice pierced the curtain between Mom's bed and mine like a lion pouncing on its prey.
Cole Maddox, you did not just call my dad a criminal!
I slammed my fist onto the bed, pushing myself up into a sitting position. I threw back the curtains and two sets of eyes darted toward me.
"What did you just say?" My voice cracked.
"Andie, we didn't know you were—"
"I can't believe you just called my dad a criminal!" No amount of changing the subject could get him out of this one.
Cole's lips thinned. He didn't take it back.
"My dad was the greatest man on earth. I can't believe you, who knew him, would even think such a thing!"
"Andie, Cole didn't mean—"
"No." I threw back the covers and glared at him. "Cole Maddox, you take those words back, and you take them back right now! My dad was the best man to ever live!"
Cole looked hurt, and I could feel my eyes burn. I wanted to strangle him . . . and to strangle him good.
My hand flew down to my IV, I ripped it off and jumped up.
"Andie!"
I ran over to Cole. Standing face to face with him I clenched my fist. "I can't believe I ever trusted you!"
Cole reached for my arm but I jerked back. "Get away . . . you monster!" The room began to spin, I staggered, lost my balance, and then fell onto the floor, smacking my forehead against the cold tile.
Mom yelled something, but I couldn't hear or see anything but Cole. And my rage.
He rushed over.
"I . . . I've been so blind to trust you." Tears ran down my cheeks. I tried to hold them back. Nothing in my body seemed to work. "You made me trust you! You made me think you would always be there!" The sobs got quicker, worse.
I jumped up. I couldn't see where I was going. Why is everything spinning? My head felt like a ton of bricks and then a feather. Why wouldn't it stay attached properly? Something gooey ran down the side of my head.
I'm bleeding?
Cole stood in front of me holding my shoulders in a firm grip. He was talking to me. Saying something important.
But I didn't—couldn't—listen.
"Andie, calm down!"
No, I won't!
"Get away from me!" My brain went fuzzy again. All I could see was Cole, and all that registered was the urge to strike him for harming my family.
Before I knew what was happening, my arms and legs were aimed at him.
I took a swing, but slipped on the floor and fell, crashing into machinery. A sharp feeling shot through my head. Sliding to the floor I no longer tried to restrain the tears. My hair was plastered to my face and something liquidy dripped down my chin.
Cole's warm hand rested on my back. "Squirt, shh . . . Calm down. It's okay. You're hurt, let me check your head."
The warmth of his hand on my cheek calmed my racing mind. A glance into his eyes showed concern . . . I couldn't let him deceive me again.
I sniffed and my back tensed as I shoved him away.
He leaned closer and caressed my shoulder. "Andie, I wasn't insulting your dad." His hand returned to rubbing my back. "Look at me. I need to check you."
I shrugged his hand off. "No . . ." My breaths came in gasps. "I don't care what excuses you make. You betrayed us, Cole!" My voice rose with every word.
"Andie—"
"Just get away from me!" I jumped up and tried to run around him, but still not able to see.
He grabbed my arm.
"Let me go . . ." The plea was followed by gut-wrenching sobs. My tears fell faster and I jerked my arm away.
"Andie, stop!"
I screamed and pulled away from Cole's grip. Fuzziness and floating objects surrounded me. Pain shot through my head.
Something slammed against the wall.
"What's going on?" Familiar and stern, the voice echoed off the walls.
Auntie Anesia?
Was I swerving or was that the room?
"Andie!" Someone ran over and yanked me away from Cole. "What do you think you're doing, mister?"
Zoya?
"Anesia, go get the doctor, the call button's not working." Mom's voice quivered.
Zoya's arms wrapped around me. What's going on? What's wrong with me? Machines and alarms blared. Or were my ears just ringing?
Soon Auntie Anesia came back with the doctor at her heels. Why was my vision getting blurry again? Was there fog in the room?
Cole stood against the back wall. Shock filled his face.
God?
The tingles started to race up my back and my cheeks began to burn.
"Andie?" Mom's voice floated over to me but I couldn't focus. "She's overheating, we need to get her cool!"
"What happened?" I could feel the doctor checking my head as his gruff voice demanded an answer. People started talking, but I couldn't hear the words.
My heart still raced and my soul cried out in pain.
Spots and that crazy tunnel hearing.
Darkness.
* * *
JENNA
April 12
Providence Hospital
Anchorage, Alaska
7:18 a.m.
The nurse replaced the IV in her unconscious daughter's arm.
Jenna's hands shook and her heart raced. Andie had smashed her head twice while raging against Cole. There'd been no warning. No slow simmer of her feelings until they boiled to the surface.
Jenna had no clue that Andie could lose it like that. Her beautiful, sweet, laughing child had turned into a raging ball of fury in defense of her dad. Jenna wanted to react the same way, but that niggling doubt at the back of her mind told her there might be truth to Cole's words. Hadn't she seen Marc slipping away? Seen his love for money? His constant drive to be the best?
The nurse wiped down Andie's face. The gash in her eyebrow was long and bleeding. Poor kid. Nobody should have to deal with all this at twelve years old. Jenna's heart ached for her beautiful child.
Andie only wanted to defend her father. The memories they had of Marc were good. If only Marc hadn't gott
en himself involved in this mess.
No. Marc was a good and honest man. He'd poured himself into their family. Sure, they'd undergone some horrific trials. That could change anyone, couldn't it? And he really didn't care about the money, he just wanted to provide for them. He always wanted the best for his family.
What about Amy? What about the phone calls? The long trips? She gripped her head. The taunting always came at the worst time. That nasty voice wanted her to believe that Marc wasn't faithful to her. That he was an awful man. Who deserted his family.
No. No. No.
No! Marc couldn't have been involved with any evil, greedy men. Andie had a right to defend her dad. And Jenna really needed to focus her energy on her daughter right now.
But what if they were wrong? What if Marc really was responsible for what had happened in the plane, on the mountain?
"Jenna, we're going to take Andie down to the ER for cleanup and stitches." Dr. Baker stood over her, interrupting her swarming thoughts. "You all look like you need some space to sort things out." She didn't miss the look he shot toward Cole.
Jenna nodded at him, noting the worry etched in his wrinkled brow. "But—"
The doctor leaned a little closer. He'd known them since Andie was born, and didn't hesitate to cut her off. "Might I suggest a psych consult? You all have been through an enormous amount of stress."
"I really don't think that's necessary, Dr. Baker."
"What if I bring someone up to the room tomorrow? Just to talk things through? It won't be official, I promise."
"Fine. Whatever. But I reserve the right to ask him or her to leave, all right?" No matter how well the man thought he knew them, he really didn't have a clue. No way would she allow anyone to grill her daughter for a stinkin' psycho evaluation.
The doctor nodded. "Agreed."
"I'd also like you to be present."
The doctor quirked an eyebrow at her. "You aren't going to make this easy, are you, Jenna?"
"Not if I can help it." She stared down at the blankets, pretending to smooth out the wrinkles. "Now, I would like to go with my daughter."
"I'm afraid that's not possible this time. There's not enough room for the two beds, and it would be too much trouble to move you and all the equipment."
The ever-faithful, ever-quiet Zoya spoke up. "Can I go with her?"
The doctor glanced back at Jenna. "I think we can make an allowance this once."
"Sure, hon. She'll need you." Jenna pasted on a smile. Jenna loved Zoya as if she were her own flesh and blood, and knew Zoya's heart hurt for her friend. "Please, don't let anyone else near her, okay?"
Zoya grabbed Andie's limp hand. "I won't, Auntie Jenna. I've never seen her so angry. Will she be okay?"
Anesia laid her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I'm sure it's been a traumatic few days. She'll be fine."
Two nurses prepared the bed for moving, and then whisked her child out the door.
The doctor hesitated a moment before he spoke. "Whatever it is that just happened? Let's make sure it doesn't happen again. Andie needs to heal. I haven't even begun to tell you the extent of her ankle injury. She needs to stay off of it. Completely. We'll get her stitched up and run a CT scan while we're at it, but things need to be calm by the time we get back. Understood?"
Jenna glanced around the room. Cole stood stiff as a statue. That muscle twitching in his jaw. Anesia's eyes narrowed, studying him. The doctor seemed exasperated with the whole situation.
"I understand." She forced her words out. "It's been a harrowing experience for all of us. I had no idea she would ever react that way. But she's all right?"
"I believe so. Her eyebrow is split open. A lot of blood, but head wounds always bleed profusely. I'll take a look at her medications. Maybe the dosage of steroids triggered her temper. But please remember, she needs to stay off that ankle until we can discuss the injury further and talk about her physical therapy."
"Is there someone down there to protect her?" Jenna couldn't bear the thought of Andie being in danger.
"I'll make sure a nurse stays with her until we bring her back up. The hospital is safe, Jenna. We have lots of security, twenty-four hours a day."
"Thank you, Doctor." Jenna squeezed her eyes shut as he left the room. What a nightmare. Andie had never reacted so violently to anything. Ever. Poor kid. Jenna hoped her daughter's ankle wasn't damaged permanently, but understood the doctor needed to take care of one thing at a time. How much more could they take?
A familiar hand touched hers, bringing her eyes open. She gazed into her friend's eyes. "Anesia. Thanks for coming."
"Girl, you know I would do anything for you. Now please tell me what's going on." The dart of her eyes to Cole showed Jenna her friend's suspicion of the man.
"Actually, I think Cole and I need to finish before they bring Andie back." Anger returned as she looked over at her handsome, one-time rescuer. Conflicting emotions surged through her. How could she care so much and yet loathe him at the same time? The temptation to hate him and his stupid accusations almost won the battle over her Christian beliefs to love her neighbor as herself.
That muscle in Cole's jaw worked into overtime. "Anesia," he held out his hand in greeting. "I'm Cole Maddox. I've heard a lot about you."
Her longtime friend shook his hand, but didn't respond.
"Don't guess there's any way I could ask you to leave?"
Anesia's shoulders were rigid, arms crossed over her chest. "Not a chance."
"Even though you understand that this will put you in danger?"
"I'm the closest person in Jenna's life, Mr. Maddox. I think I'm already in danger. So just get on with it."
"Fair enough. Do you have a laptop with you?"
Anesia nodded, her expression quizzical.
"I think it's time I clear up this mess." Cole took the chair beside Jenna's bed again and looked at Anesia. "Do you mind if I use it?"
She looked to Jenna for approval and then grabbed her laptop bag from the doorway where she'd left it. Handing it over to Cole, she turned back to Jenna. "You okay? We were so worried. What happened? The news on the radio said there was suspicion surrounding your crash and they were investigating."
"Really? Suspicion?"
"Uh huh, something about the flight plan being erased, and garbled flight transmissions."
"Oh good grief. This just won't end, will it?"
"What won't end? Are you okay?"
Jenna gave her a weak smile. "Yeah, it was horrible, but I'm okay, I think. This infection in my leg is pretty severe." Jenna darted a glance at Cole. "I'll tell you everything in a little bit, but I need to understand what I'm up against."
Her friend's expression told her she didn't agree. "Who do I need to go beat up? 'Cause you know I will."
Jenna let out a feeble laugh. Feisty Anesia. Smaller than Jenna's own petite frame, Anesia didn't look like much of a threat, but Jenna knew otherwise. They'd been through so much together. Her trusted friend would go to battle for her with bare hands if needed. "Who's watching the house? And what about your kennel?"
"Peter said he would keep an eye on your property, and Joe is taking care of the dogs."
Cole's gaze shot up from the computer. "Who's Peter? And Joe?"
"Peter's been a friend of our family for a long time. Anesia and I both hire him to do odd jobs for us. And Joe is Anesia's friend. They're both safe."
A brief nod and he was immersed again in the computer.
"I brought the twins with me." Anesia's eyes held a familiar twinkle.
"You're going to sneak them in, aren't you?"
"Well, I'm going to try to do it legally first." Anesia's eyes turned serious and she whispered, "Are you okay? Really okay?"
"I don't know. This whole thing with Marc has d
riven me crazy for too long. I really need to know. Before I lose every good memory I have of him."
"Ts'akae! Are you sure you should be worried about that right now? Your plane crashed, you almost died—"
"I need to know about my marriage first, Anesia. I really need to know." Tears were unwelcome at this point, but her eyes didn't want to cooperate. How to ask? She didn't even know where to start.
She took a deep breath. Better to just blurt it out. "Cole, I need to know if this has anything to do with some woman named Amy." Jenna bit her cheek after she choked out the words. How embarrassing to say it out loud. What would he think of her now? That she'd failed as a wife?
Anesia's hand gripped hers tighter.
Cole's focus stayed on the computer screen for several seconds. But finally, he cocked his head, furrowed his brow deeper, and lifted his eyes to meet hers. "A woman named Amy?"
She really didn't want to hear his answer. Oh, why did she ever ask that question? It'd be better not to know. Not to bear the humiliation of seeing the pity in Cole's eyes. Her own eyes stung. Stinking tears! Biting her lip, she attempted to swallow her anguish.
Cole brought the computer to her lap, and brushed her arm with the back of his hand.
Anesia stood like a sentinel on her other side, holding onto her hand with a grip that threatened to break her fingers. Her friend would stick with her. No matter what. But this man? This man she dared to believe in? Dared to open her heart to? No. He would leave. She prepared her heart for the worst.
"Jenna," those brown eyes captured hers, "this won't be easy. Read it. It'll explain. AMI isn't a woman." As if reading her thoughts, he added, "And I'm not going anywhere."
Jenna sucked air through her lips and prayed for strength. She could do this. The laptop displayed an e-mail server. And a thread of e-mail conversation. Waiting to be read.
No Safe Haven Page 19