Hunted

by Margaret Daley

  He pressed his key fob, unlocking his vehicle, and transferred the poodle to Megan, making sure he didn’t open the door too wide. Louise watched from where he’d left her earlier. “I have salve that I can put on her right front paw that’s red. I think she tried to go into the house before it completely cooled down. I found her under the bushes at the rear of your property,” he whispered, his back to her neighbor.

  She hugged Lady against her while checking on her poodle’s injury. “Thanks for finding her. I don’t know what I would have…” she cleared her throat “…done. The best thing I did was to install that doggie door.”

  “Be back in a sec. Kennel, Shep,” he said to his dog, whose head was resting on Megan’s shoulder while he watched Lady. When Luke arrived at the rear door, Shep hopped over the backseat and went into his kennel. “Good boy.” He offered him a treat then rummaged through his duffel bag for his well-stocked medical supplies he always took when he went to a search and rescue or on a camping trip.

  He sat behind the steering wheel and passed the ointment to Megan. “It doesn’t look too bad.”

  She applied the burn balm. “She’s a quick learner. That’s why I was surprised she didn’t do well in obedience class.”

  “Maybe you should try again. Age can bring wisdom.” Luke glimpsed toward where the neighbor had been and noticed Louise crossing Megan’s yard, heading for him.

  She laughed. “For who? Me or Lady?”

  He started the car and quickly pulled away from the curb. Good thing Megan was still down. For the time being, he was glad Louise and others thought Megan was the victim found in her house. “Of course, I meant Lady.”

  “Are you still going to see the police chief?”

  “I have something I need to tell you first.”

  * * *

  In the right-side mirror, Megan caught sight of Louise standing near the curb, watching Luke drive away from Megan’s house. “Did you talk with my neighbor?”

  “Yes.”

  “When did the fire start?” After settling in the passenger seat, she placed Lady in her lap and stroked her.

  “Around the time Louise went to bed.”

  “She usually retires early between eight and nine.” Her covered walkway and detached garage had minimal damage. Her car could be inside. She pressed her fingertips against her temple and massaged it as though that action would magically return her memory to what had happened to her when she ran her errands.

  “So right after dark. That makes sense. My theory is one or both of the men came to your house and torched it, but not before they left a body inside to burn.”

  She whipped her head around to look at Luke. A dead body in her house? The thought heightened her fear. “What body? Why would they do that?”

  “The police think it’s you. According to your neighbor, the body was badly burned, which makes it hard to identify. Maybe your abductors wanted it to appear as though you were in the house.”

  “Why do the police think it’s me?”

  “The woman was wearing your mother’s ring you wear all the time.”

  Megan stared at her right hand where the ring usually was. “So, I didn’t lose it in the river. The kidnappers took it.” What’s going on? What did I see? “If anyone knows what’s happening, it would be Louise. I love her, but she’s a busybody.” Her heartbeat accelerated, its pounding hammering against her skull.

  “Good thing we got away before she saw you in my car.”

  “Yeah. I don’t want her to get hurt. She’s been a good neighbor for years. I need to warn her.”

  “I think you need to get out of town. Contacting Louise could put her in danger, especially if she starts asking questions and the wrong person hears. My horse farm is only forty-five minutes away. We need to think carefully about our next move.”

  “We? Our?” She liked the sound of those words. She didn’t feel so alone, but he’d already put himself in danger by rescuing her. “What about the police chief? Aren’t you going to call him and meet with him?”

  “I’m having second thoughts until we can figure out what’s going on. Whoever is behind this won’t hesitate to kill. Chief Franklin is someone I’ve worked with on several rescues but not a close friend. He seems trustworthy, but if I’m wrong, the price is too high.”

  Was she being naïve to trust Luke Michaels? She knew of him, and what she’d heard and read about him had been positive, but the only one she could trust totally was the Lord. What do I do, God?

  “You’ll be safe at my farm. My sister stays in the main house. My housekeeper and farm manager as well as several hands live in other buildings there, and because of the expensive studs I have, my security is good. But even better, we didn’t know each other until this morning. I only told Louise my first name. No one will know you’re at my house. You can stay there under an assumed name.”

  “You sound like you’re familiar with security measures. About all I’ve ever done is lock my doors. I’ve lived in Sweetwater City all my life and know a lot of the people. The town has grown since I was a child, but it still feels like a small town to me.”

  “What do you want me to do? Call the police chief, take you to my farm, or something else? I’ll do what you want.”

  Her options were limited. She could go to a motel in Sweetwater City or somewhere like Lexington. She could stay with a friend or her cousin who lived in Louisville. Or go with Luke and try to figure out what was going on. By herself, she had no idea where to start. The only books she read were romances. No mysteries or suspense stories except when she was a child and devoured the Nancy Drew series.

  Megan slanted a look toward Luke as he drove. His strong profile put her at ease. “At least for tonight, I’ll stay at your farm and try to find out about the fire at my house. It might be on the news tonight.” Her stomach gurgled.

  “Hungry?” he asked as he left the city limits.

  “Yes. It seems that fighting for your life zaps your energy.”

  “There’s a country café between here and my place. We can stop there. They have sandwiches we can take with us. I don’t think you should go inside. Someone might remember seeing you when the story breaks about the fire.”

  She gestured at his clothes she was wearing. “And I’m sure I would draw attention if I went inside.”

  His smile dimpled his cheeks. “Good point. They have great chicken salad or roast beef sandwiches.”

  “I’ll take chicken salad. May I turn on the Sweetwater City radio station? At the top of the hour, they have news and often cover local events. Maybe I’ll get more information about what’s going on.”

  “Sure.”

  While Megan changed the channel, Luke increased his speed on the highway. When a current popular song played, the reception clear, she reclined back, trying to relax as much as possible. She slid her eyes closed except for a slit. She studied her rescuer, his attention on the road as he drove sixty-five miles per hour. His day-old beard highlighted his rugged features. His persona shouted his self-confidence, but while they had talked, there had been a glimpse of vulnerability in his gray eyes when he’d mentioned retiring from Wall Street. What was the story behind him leaving New York City and returning to his family farm?

  The mention of her name on the radio yanked her from her musings. “If anyone knows the whereabouts of Megan Witherspoon, please contact the Sweetwater City Police Department. She’s a person of interest in the house fire on Lakeshore Drive last night where one person died.”

  Chapter Four

  Luke glanced at Megan, her back stiff, her mouth hanging open. He switched off the car radio and pulled onto the shoulder of the road.

  Megan turned toward him, her face pale. “Didn’t Louise say the police are considering that the dead person is me? Do the police really think I killed whoever was in the house and set fire to my home? What’s going on?”

  “Since you own the house, you would be a person of interest. Until they can identify the body, they’re
required to search for you. I don’t think they’re saying you’re a killer. They may not even consider the dead person murdered, but a victim of the fire.”

  She dropped her head and kneaded her nape. “What happened yesterday? What have I gotten involved in? My life has always been routine and honestly dull. The most exciting thing that’s occurred this past year is being named the teacher of the year at the Sweetwater City Public Schools.”

  “I’d say that’s quite an accomplishment.” He took his SUV out of park and returned to the highway. “I’m not going to stop for sandwiches. It’s best we get to my place and see what else we can find out. I’ll call Chief Franklin and ask him if he needs Shep and me to search for you. Maybe I can get some information about what’s going on.”

  “Like where’s my car? In the detached garage or somewhere else in Sweetwater?”

  “That’s a good idea.”

  As he drove toward his farm, Megan settled back against the seat and closed her eyes. Her physical and emotional trauma would catch up with her soon. Adrenaline would only work for so long. Whatever was going on involved more people than the two thugs and Megan. Who was the dead person in her house? Had the body been there before Megan’s home was set on fire? How could he help her remember how she ended up on the bridge? The past few years, he’d worked with a lot of law enforcement officers, but piecing a case together wasn’t his area of expertise.

  He tried calling his younger sister, Liliana, but her phone went to voicemail. He wished she would keep her cell turned on all the time, especially during the workweek. Usually that meant she was riding her mare. He hadn’t wanted to surprise her with his guest.

  When he saw the gates to Riverdale Farm twenty-five minutes later, he relaxed his tight grip on the steering wheel and released a long breath. He reached toward the passenger side for the gate opener attached to the backside of the visor.

  Megan shot up and looked out the windshield, her hand on her chest over her heart. “You’re home?”

  “Yes. Welcome to Riverdale Farm.” He pressed the button and the black wrought-iron gates swung open.

  “I must have fallen asleep. I didn’t think I could.” Megan panned the fields as they drove by. “I’m glad we’re here. The first thing I want to do is wash my clothes. I appreciate the use of yours, but I can only imagine how ridiculous I look.”

  He assessed her with a sweep of his gaze. Swathed in yards of material, she looked vulnerable, yet with all that had happened in a short time, she’d managed to keep herself together. “Not ridiculous. Miraculous that you’re here.”

  “You were in the right place at the right time. God placed you in my path.”

  Then why didn’t God help him save his wife? “I’m not so sure He did that.” Luke pulled up to his white antebellum home with its four large columns in front.

  “I am. I have a purpose that He still needs me to do.”

  The confident expression on her face stunned him. She really believed that. There had been a time when he’d thought that.

  “Things happen for a reason. Sometimes we never will know why, but there’s a plan for you if you choose to follow it.”

  He harrumphed. “There was a time I would have agreed.” He opened his SUV door. “Let’s go inside. Since it’s near lunch, my sister should be around.”

  Megan climbed down with Lady in her arms.

  Luke let Shep out of his kennel. His German shepherd started for the pair.

  “Heel,” Luke commanded.

  His dog turned around and came back to Luke’s side and walked with him as he joined Megan and her dog.

  Lady yelped, trying to wiggle from Megan’s arms. She held her more firmly, and her poodle began growling instead of barking. “She thinks she’s protecting me. She can get fierce.”

  “Thankfully, Shep can be patient. When we get inside, we’ll let them get acquainted with each other.” Luke started for the verandah, keeping his dog on the opposite side from Megan.

  His sister swung the front door open. “I thought you were staying for two days.” Her gaze skipped to Megan then back to him.

  “My plans changed. Liliana, this is Megan Witherspoon.”

  Megan smiled. “Nice to meet you. Don’t pay attention to Lady. She’ll settle down. She’s a little distraught. My house burned down with her inside.”

  “It burned down! Oh, I’m so sorry. Where do you live?”

  “Sweetwater City.” Lady shifted between barking and growling. “Maybe she’s more upset than a little.” Megan’s cheeks reddened.

  Liliana chuckled. “I love poodles. I used to have one. I know how strong-minded they can be. C’mon inside where it’s cooler, and you can tell me how you two know each other.” She winked at him.

  Luke followed his sister and Megan into the large foyer. “Let’s see if we can introduce Lady and Shep first. Put her down on the floor but still have a hold on her. Shep, stay.”

  Megan squatted and set Lady on the marble floor. “What’s next?”

  “I’m going to bring Shep slowly closer,” he said over Lady’s barking.

  As the German shepherd neared the poodle, she stopped yelping and kept her attention on the large dog. Lady occasionally emitted a low growl.

  “Release your hold and let’s see what they do.” Luke knelt next to his pet. “Sit.”

  Shep did and focused on the small white dog in front of him. He lowered his head and sniffed the air around Lady. She inched closer and smelled Shep’s front paws. Shep licked the top of the poodle’s head.

  Luke tensed, and Megan reached for Lady. She slipped from her owner’s grasp and charged Shep, slobbered on his nearest foot, then darted back to Megan. The poodle began barking again, but the tone was different, as though she was playing a game with Shep. His dog plopped down on the floor and stretched out as Lady ran circles around him.

  Megan stood, chuckling. “The neighbors across the street have a black Lab, and Lady plays with her all the time. But then there’s another big dog in the park she actually chases away from her.”

  “My poodle was called Susie, and she was black. Shep came to live here a few years ago. Susie was fifteen, and he was especially gentle with her as her health began to decline.” Liliana looked around at the duffel bag and backpack that he’d brought inside. “Do you have any belongings, Megan?”

  “A wet pair of jeans and a shirt that’s probably dry by now.” She pointed to her feet. “And these damp tennis shoes.”

  “Obviously there’s a story behind why you’re wearing Luke’s clothes and yours are wet.”

  “I met Megan while she was drowning in the river. I saved her.”

  Liliana’s forehead furrowed. “I have a ton of questions, but first thing you should do is change into clothes that actually fit. I think,” Liliana ran her gaze down Megan’s length, “I have clothes that are your size. Why don’t you come upstairs and pick out something to wear? Then I’ll throw a load into the washing machine with your items. I have some sandals that should be your size. I’ll wash your tennis shoes too.”

  Megan smiled. “That sounds wonderful. If it wasn’t for my belt, I wouldn’t even be able to wear these sweatpants.”

  Liliana mounted the first stair. “Were you there when your house caught on fire?”

  “No, I wasn’t there when it happened,” Megan said with a touch of pain as she followed his sister up to the second floor.

  “You were at the river?”

  “Not exactly the river but the bridge over it.”

  Luke started to interrupt Liliana about discussing what happened to Megan then decided that she could determine how much she wanted his sister to know. Liliana knew how to keep a secret. He didn’t want anyone else at Riverdale to know who Megan was or why she was here—not that he thought any of his employees would turn her in. But if just one of them let something slip, that could lead to the people who tried to kill her finding out where she was. He was hoping in the next day or so that Megan would start remembering what
occurred yesterday. Maybe in a safe environment, her memory would return.

  * * *

  In the deserted, darkened corridor, Megan removed her sunglasses as she started toward her classroom. When she rounded the corner, she spotted a large man with dark hair leave the women’s restroom for teachers at the far end of the hall and exit the school building through a door that remained locked during the summer. When she came to ready her class for the coming school year, the north door was the only one kept unlocked during the daytime. She neared the bathroom to enter, partially curious why that man came out of it.

  Megan reached out to push the door open. Her hand shook as she touched it. She came to a halt, bringing her arm back to her side. Sweat popped out on her upper lip. She couldn’t move as though frozen to the floor. Her heartbeat echoed through her head.

  A yelp penetrated her mind. The pressure of tiny paws on her chest demanded her full attention, drawing her away from the looming metal restroom door.

  Her eyes flew open, and she stared at a burgundy canopy above, her mind groggy as if halfway between the world of sleep and wakefulness.

  Where am I?

  Another bark lanced through her skull, and she rolled her head to the side.

  Lady licked Megan’s face then nudged her.

  I’m at Luke’s place. The thought calmed her racing heartbeat. Safe.

  “Do you need to go outside?”

  Her poodle flew off the bed and stood by the closed door, prancing side to side—a sign she couldn’t wait much longer.

  Megan hurried, slipping a pair of Liliana’s sandals on as she covered the space between them. “Hold it.”

  Out in the corridor, she looked up and down the hall, confused for a few seconds which way to go. She couldn’t forget the fear that had held her immobile before the restroom door. Lady ran to the left, and Megan quickly followed, rounding a corner and spying the staircase. She was glad her dog remembered the way. Luke’s house was huge. As though Lady knew the home well, she charged down the steps and across the large foyer. She paced in front of the double doors that led outside.