by Diane Hester
Had Shyler killed her son? He wanted desperately to believe she hadn’t, but wanting wasn’t enough. With all that was at stake he had to be sure.
He turned towards the cliff. He could just make out her silhouette outlined by moonlight where she sat leaning against a large rock. Keeping her in sight, he walked a short way through the trees, just enough to ensure neither she nor Zack could overhear him. The forest had been a problem before but here on the cliff top he should get a signal.
Taking cover behind a tree he opened the phone and hit a stored number. After three rings his call was picked up. ‘Mr Linnell?’
The man recognised his voice at once. ‘You again.’
‘I’m sorry, we were disconnected last time.’
‘We weren’t disconnected, I hung up on you. Just like I’m going to do now.’
‘No, wait! Please, this is important. I need to ask you about Shyler and Jesse.’ Chase held his breath. No answer but no disconnection either. ‘Mr Linnell, please. I understand it’s difficult for you, but I need to know how Jesse died. You said Shyler killed him.’
Again no reply.
‘Does that mean you were there? You saw what happened?’
‘I wasn’t there but I know what happened.’
Chase thrust a hand through his hair. He didn’t have time to decipher riddles. ‘Please, Mr Linnell, I need to know.’
‘Well, what version do you want to hear, Doc? Shyler’s or the cops’?’
‘I take it they differ.’
‘You could say that.’
‘Start with hers, then.’
‘Right, the Gospel according to Shyler.’ A second’s pause as the man prepared himself. ‘She picked Jesse up after Little League training, just around dusk. They were walking home when some drugged-out punks trapped them on a bridge and demanded money. Shyler didn’t have much and when she handed it over they thought she was holding out on them. To force her to pay, they grabbed Jesse and held him over the side of the bridge, at which point either they dropped him or he slipped. By the time Shyler got down to the water he’d been swept away. According to her.’
Chase frowned. ‘But you don’t think it happened that way.’
‘The cops didn’t believe her. Why should I? They never found a trace of the five men she talked about, despite her detailed and colourful descriptions. You know, she actually gave them all names based on some aspect of how she’d imagined them. Fish Hook was the leader. Puppet was the one who grabbed Jesse. And then there was Snake and Scarecrow, and some other one I don’t remember.’
Chase tried to keep the man on track. ‘So what did the police –’
‘They think it was a simple case of negligence. Shyler wasn’t paying attention and Jesse climbed up on the railing. When he fell and died, she made up her story to cover her guilt.’
‘Was Shyler normally careless with Jesse?’
‘No, not usually.’ His tone was grudging.
‘Then why would they think –’
‘Because they never found anything to support her claims. Not one shred of proof. Not a footprint, not a witness, not a fingerprint. Nothing.’
‘That still doesn’t mean . . .’ He couldn’t believe it. ‘Shyler was your wife. Didn’t you think she was telling the truth?’
‘I tried, believe me. All through the investigation, the months afterwards. In the end, I just had to accept their version of things.’
Chase gripped the phone. Of course you did.
‘I stuck around as long as I could after that. But it was no good. Shyler sensed how I felt by then.’
‘So you just walked out on her.’
‘Hey, don’t you judge me, you arrogant bastard! You know what it’s like to sleep beside the woman who murdered your child? You have any idea what that’s like?’
Chase took a breath. ‘Did you ever bother to check how she was going?’
‘I heard from a friend she was having problems – panic attacks, nightmares, weird spells where she’d relive the whole thing while she was awake.’
‘Intrusive flashbacks.’ Chase squeezed the bridge of his nose. ‘Sir, the things you’ve described are symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. They suggest Shyler really did have some kind of horrific experience. Did she ever receive treatment?’
‘She had a bit of counselling after it happened but she stopped it herself. Said she didn’t need it any more.’
‘This condition would’ve made it difficult, if not impossible, for Shyler to function. She’d have struggled to hold down a job, go out in public, even carry out everyday errands.’
‘I guess that’s what guilt does to a person.’ The line disconnected.
Chase stood a moment fighting his anger. He looked towards the cliff, to the woman keeping watch over a child who wasn’t hers. A woman so desperate to erase the memory of an event totally beyond her control that she would create an alternate reality in its place.
Slowly his outrage changed to conviction. In every conflict he’d ever known he’d always managed to see both sides. Not this time. This time for better or worse he had chosen. He’d known it before he’d even placed the call. For once in his life he was truly, wholly, unswayably committed.
‘You should’ve believed in her, Mr Linnell.’
Chapter 76
Chase closed the phone and bowed his head. Never had he felt such a sense of relief, nor vindication that his intuitive faith in a person had been justified. Now, with the information he’d gained, he might finally unlock some of the mysteries surrounding Shyler.
First and foremost, she hadn’t killed her son. Yet, like her ex-husband, she could very well blame herself for what happened, a common reaction in people who’d experienced such trauma as she had.
Unlike others, however, Shyler had had no support in coping. Her husband had left, her father was dead, she was estranged from her mother. And, if she followed the pattern of most PTSD sufferers, she’d withdrawn from friends.
Slowly her behaviour began to make sense. Her overriding goal in everything she did would have been to avoid any situation that triggered memories of her ordeal. And if she were forced into such a scenario – like crossing the ravine – she could well be expected to experience symptoms. Like seeing the men who’d killed her son hiding in the bushes on the other side.
Surely, for Shyler, the greatest threat of triggering bad memories would arise from contact with children. Zack’s presence around her cabin would have placed her under enormous stress. She might have dealt with it for a time by denying his presence, blocking him out. Which she’d managed to do, according to Zack, by simply ignoring him. But when Nolan showed up and tried to kill him that would have tipped her over the edge.
At that point everything would have changed for her. Forced to take action in a situation far too similar to her original trauma, her denial would have shifted – from not seeing Zack at all to seeing him as Jesse. The son she would give her life to protect.
Chase looked down at the phone in his hand. He still had a signal. Just one more call to make. There was no reason not to any more. Shyler’s fear of the police clearly stemmed from their treatment of her in regard to Jesse’s death. If she were thinking clearly now he had no doubt she’d agree to letting him contact them.
Entering nine-one-one, he waited. He didn’t know their exact location but the police would hopefully be able to triangulate –
A scream from the darkness stopped his heart.
Dropping the phone he ran for the cliff edge.
The others had found them! That was all Chase could think as he raced towards the sound. At the wood’s edge he stopped. The cliff beyond was littered with rocks. He snatched one up, drew back to throw it, then froze with his hand above his head.
Only one silhouette stood in the moonlight. Shyler. Still screaming, rifle forgotten. In the throes of a nightmare? She’d fallen asleep? Stumbling perilously close to the edge!
Rushing forward, he pulled her against him and slid his f
ree hand over her mouth. If the others were near enough to hear her screams –
Shyler grew frantic. She kicked and flailed.
He pressed his lips to the side of her face. ‘It’s okay, it’s me. There’s no one else here. You’re all right, you’re safe.’
Still she swung at him, straining to reach around and claw his face.
Chase took a chance. From what he now knew of her ordeal he could guess what her nightmare had been about.
‘Listen to me. They’re all gone. Fish Hook? Puppet? They’ve all run off. You drove them away.’
Her struggles stopped but her body was rigid within his arms.
‘You hear me, Shyler? They’re gone, every one. Snake. Scarecrow. All of them. Gone.’
When she still didn’t move, he slowly slid his hand from her mouth.
‘Jesse?’ she hissed, between ragged breaths.
‘He’s fine. See.’ He turned her slightly and pointed through the trees. ‘He’s asleep, just there. Safe and sound.’
Her tension eased down another notch. ‘Fish Hook. The others. They’re really gone?’
‘Yes, they’re really gone.’ And one day they’ll be gone for good, I promise. Closing his eyes, Chase breathed the leafy scent of her hair. He brushed his lips across her brow, pressed a light kiss to her temple.
Without warning she turned in his arms. ‘Chase?’
‘Shyler.’ He brushed a stray lock out of her face.
‘I . . . I’m not . . . I don’t think . . .’
She was trembling now. He wrapped his arms around her again. ‘Easy, it’s all right.’
‘You have to promise. If something happens to me, you’ll take care of Jesse.’
He held her closer. ‘Nothing’s going to happen to you.’ I won’t let it.
‘I don’t just mean if I should get hurt. I mean . . . If you see that I’m unable . . . If I’m not doing what’s best for him . . .’
‘When have you ever –’
‘Promise me anyway!’
He took her face in both his hands. ‘All right, I promise.’
Vanessa blundered as far as she dared through the murky shadows. The woman’s screams had given her a bearing. Frustratingly brief, but enough to guide her through the forest a good quarter mile closer to their quarry.
She stopped and listened. Nothing but the wind. If they heard no more screams they’d have to wait till the sun came up to move again. But that was fine. At least she knew now she’d made the right call. They were close. Very close.
She settled down against a tree. The crunch of dry leaves a short way off told her Tragg was doing the same. She smiled to herself. He would never admit she’d been right in climbing back up the slope, yet the fact he wasn’t questioning her decision to stop again said it all.
Leaning her head back she laid the Weatherby across her thighs. She would rest for now, but remain alert to the slightest sound. If the screams came again she’d be ready to run.
She smiled as she closed her eyes. The bitch had been smart, changing direction, but not smart enough. Clearly, she’d under-estimated her opponent. And tomorrow, at first light, Vanessa would show her just how wrong she’d been.
Chapter 77
Zack stretched his legs, feeling a familiar presence beside him. When a hand touched his cheek he opened his eyes to see Shyler’s sweet face gazing down at him.
‘Morning, Sunshine. How are you feeling?’
He nodded, then reached from beneath the blanket to take her hand. She’d been with him all night, allaying his fears and transforming a simple pile of leaves to a warm, secure bed. And now, though he knew they had to leave, he didn’t want the feeling to end. He let out a sigh and watched the silvery plume of his breath dissipate in the pre-dawn light.
Shyler smiled. ‘We should get going.’
‘Ready when you are,’ came an answering voice.
Zack looked around to see Chase sitting propped against the nearest tree, holding the rifle. Had he been there all night, watching over them? Shyler must have decided he could be trusted if she’d given him the gun.
Zack eyed the man with a curious feeling. It was weird, the three of them together like this. If it wasn’t for the constant sense of fear, they could almost be on a camping trip. A vacation or something. As though they were . . .
He swallowed a sudden tightening in his throat. A family. That’s what it was like, a family. He shoved the thought away and got up.
Shyler rose as well and started away from them. ‘I just want to take a quick look from the cliff before we leave.’
‘Here, take this.’ Chase handed over the rifle as she passed then pushed to his feet.
He walked a few paces in the opposite direction, then started searching around on the ground. ‘How’s the leg this morning?’
‘Yeah, okay.’ Watching the man’s movements, Zack pulled the blanket tighter around him. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Looking for my phone.’
Zack stood blinking. Had he heard the man right? ‘You’ve got a mobile?’
‘Couldn’t get a signal before last night. Then afterwards I dropped it and couldn’t find it again in the dark.’
‘Afterwards? You mean you used it! Who’d you call?’
‘Shyler’s ex.’
Zack felt his stomach relax a bit. ‘What did he say? Did she or didn’t she?’ The doc would surely know what he meant.
‘No. I’m convinced Shyler didn’t kill her son.’
‘Told ya!’ Smiling, Zack began scanning the ground with him. ‘So if you already talked to him why do you need to find your phone?’
‘To call the police.’
He froze. ‘You can’t.’
‘Zack, our only way out of this is to get some help.’
‘You don’t understand. They’ll send me back!’
Chase stepped towards him. ‘Zack, whatever happens I give you my word you’ll never end up in a place like the Learys’ ever again.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Because I’ll make sure of it.’
Zack stared up at him. Make sure how? Was he saying he would foster him himself? It wouldn’t be bad living with the doctor as long as Shyler was there too, but – No, that was crazy. What was he thinking? They’d never do that.
‘Bastard! You’re just like every other grown-up! You think it’s okay to lie to kids to get what you want!’
‘Zack, I swear to you –’
‘Everybody says that! Everyone promises! And no one’s ever kept them but her!’
Chase took his shoulders. ‘Listen to me –’
‘No, lemme go! I’m staying with Shyler!’ Zack twisted free and stumbled away. His heart was already clubbing his ribs but the next sound made it leap in his chest – a gunshot echoing along the cliff.
From the very direction Shyler had gone.
Blinding terror seared through his veins. ‘Mom!’ he screamed. Before Chase could grab him he was running for the cliff.
Chapter 78
Shyler dragged herself behind a boulder. The shot had come from the woods beyond. Her arm was screaming where she’d been hit. Worst of all, she’d dropped the rifle and couldn’t see it anywhere. How was she going to protect Jesse!
Bracing her good hand against the rock, she tried to push up. Pain swamped her senses. Darkness encroached at the sides of her vision and she slumped back down. Don’t pass out. Damn it, don’t faint!
She opened her eyes. The rising sun was spreading long shadows across the cliff top. By the burgeoning light she opened her jacket and had a look. The bullet appeared to have passed right through but a good chunk of flesh had been ripped from her arm. Even if she didn’t faint from blood loss, shock and pain would take their toll.
She choked back a sob. She had to try again. Now, while she could, while she still had the strength. She had to get up, had to reach him, had to –
Oh, God. Jesse, no!
Panic overrode her pain. He was running towards her ou
t of the woods. Breaking cover.
‘No! Get down!’
Another shot echoed along the cliff top. He dived for cover behind a rock not much bigger than his own little body. Twenty feet away from her.
He might just as well have been at the ends of the earth.
Vanessa stalked slowly towards the cliff. She had little to fear. Her first shot hadn’t just hit the bitch; it had sent her rifle flying over the edge. With their only weapon now beyond reach, the remaining two targets were completely defenceless.
Still, she had to be careful. The boy was unharmed and could still make a run for it. If he reached the woods he might get away. Tragg would have heard her shots and be running to join her, but she couldn’t count on him stopping the kid.
Besides, she wanted to finish this herself.
Slipping from the trees, she started out across the ledge. Rocks to her left gave limited cover. She raised the Weatherby, stepped around and smiled at the terrified boy crouched behind them. With the drop-off less than six feet away he had nowhere to run but over the edge.
So here it was, her moment of truth. When Tragg had told her – whether as punishment or because he’d sensed her weakness, her conflict – that the job of killing the boys would be hers, at first she’d despaired. But the closer she’d got in tracking their prey the more she’d seen what he was offering. This was her test, her initiation. The act that would ultimately earn her a place among Lazaro’s favoured.
Zack’s eyes widened as she levelled the barrel. In a useless gesture he threw up his hands. But the last thing she saw before squeezing the trigger was a dark shape darting across from the side.
Vanessa jumped back.
The body that sprawled across the granite wasn’t the boy’s. With an unexpected stab of regret she stared down at the doctor’s face. Blood was spreading from beneath his head, already forming a little pool in a hollow of rock.
‘You killed him!’ Zack shrieked.