Buried Memories

by Carol J. Post

  To make sure the sister who had it all would end up with nothing.

  Including her life.

  Nicki glanced around, heart pounding in her throat. They were at about the halfway point on the trail, with mangroves and water on one side, marshes and more mangroves on the other. And not another human being in sight.

  She drew in a stabilizing breath. If she could keep Jenny talking, maybe they’d be back to civilization before things got ugly.

  “The problems I’ve been having, it’s been you all along, hasn’t it?”

  Jenny snorted. “Finally figured it out? You’re not the brightest bulb in the pack, are you?”

  It had taken her that long to unravel the mystery because she’d focused her attention in the wrong direction. Peter was angry. But he wasn’t vindictive. And he wasn’t crazy.

  Jenny apparently was.

  In one smooth motion, Jenny pulled a folding knife from her pocket and extended the blade with a sharp flick of her wrist. Then she took a predatory stance, knees slightly bent, as if ready to pounce. “Now it’s my turn.”

  Nicki raised both hands and stumbled backward, a cold knot of fear in her stomach. She curled her toes against her sandals, every instinct shouting at her to run. But she didn’t stand a chance with Jenny in tennis shoes. And if she screamed, Jenny would kill her instantly.

  Jenny’s eyes narrowed. “Try to run and I’ll slice you up and leave you for the vultures.”

  Nicki swallowed hard. “Jenny, you don’t need to do this. Come back with me. You can move in with me, and we can be real sisters again. It’ll be like old times.”

  “Old times?” Jenny released a disdainful snort. “Old times was Mom protecting you because you were the baby, while her men slapped me around. Or worse.”

  Nicki’s heart fell. No wonder Jenny resented her so much. The anger began long before their mother’s murder. She’d blamed their lack of closeness on the age difference and normal sibling rivalry.

  Now she knew. They weren’t close because Jenny hated her.

  Her phone buzzed in her back pocket, and she started. “Someone sent me a text. Everyone’s watching me. If I don’t answer, they’ll know something’s wrong, and half of Cedar Key will come looking for me.”

  Jenny tightened her grip on the knife. “Read it to me.”

  She pulled her phone from her back pocket and swiped the screen. “It’s from Tyler. ‘Everything OK? Worried about U.’”

  Jenny nodded, lips pursed. “This is perfect. Tell him this: ‘Fine. Jenny left, but I’m hanging out. Will catch a ride home. Thanks for checking.’ Let me see it before you send it. Try anything, and I’ll kill you right here.”

  Nicki entered the words exactly as Jenny had dictated them, with one small exception.

  What she’d done was so minimal, so innocuous, Jenny would never catch it.

  She held up the phone. Jenny read the message and gave a sharp nod. As Nicki hit Send, a sliver of the tension slipped away, pushed aside by a desperate hope. Jenny had approved the message, just as she’d keyed it in.

  Jenny didn’t see the clue.

  Unfortunately, there was a distinct possibility Tyler wouldn’t, either.

  * * *

  Tyler stared at the phone in his hand, doubt circling through him. She’d said she was fine. So why the nagging feeling that something was wrong?

  He read the text again.

  Fine. Jenny left, but I’m hanging out. Will catch ride home. Tx for ckg. Bye.

  He tried to shake the tension from his shoulders. She was fine. Even thanked him for checking. He laid the phone on the coffee table and began to pace. She wasn’t with Jenny anymore. But with everything that had gone on in recent weeks, he hated to let her out of his sight.

  He moved to the front window and parted the blinds, willing a familiar car to pull into the drive—Allison’s Camaro or Meagan’s Prius. Or any other mode of transportation, as long as Nicki was in it. But the driveway was empty except for Nicki’s newly repaired Ram and his, Andy’s and Joan’s vehicles.

  “Are you all right? You’re like a caged tiger.”

  He started at the female voice behind him, then spun to see Joan watching him with raised brows.

  “Yeah.” Except for the ever-present tension coiled in his belly. He was too used to watching for danger, always on the alert, ever cognizant of the fact that every second could be his last. It had been almost two years since he’d seen combat, but sometimes it seemed like yesterday.

  The only way he was going to shake the uneasiness was to see Nicki for himself. He snatched up his keys. He’d probably find her downtown hanging out with her friends. Or strolling through the artist’s co-op, feeding her creative side. Perfectly safe activities in broad daylight.

  When he picked up his phone, he scanned her words once more. A solid block of ice hit his core.

  She’d ended the text with bye.

  “Nicki’s in trouble. I’m going to find her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Ignoring Joan’s question, he ran out the door, dialing 911 as he went. As he made the short trip into town, his heart pounded out an erratic rhythm, and he gripped the wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. The dispatcher probably thought he was crazy. He heard her hesitation when he explained how he knew Nicki was in trouble.

  But he had no doubt. That single word was a code, a way to let him know she was in danger without raising Jenny’s suspicions. Unfortunately, he had nothing to go on. He had no idea where they’d gone. Over an hour had passed since they’d left. They could be a good distance from Cedar Key by now.

  And he didn’t have Jenny’s tag number. He’d watched them leave and hadn’t even thought to look at it. If they were still in Cedar Key, the car would be easy to spot. It was a white two-door Sunbird that had seen better days. The driver’s side had long scrape marks running its entire length. A twelve-inch section of the front bumper was caved in, bearing a permanent imprint of a pole or tree trunk, and the hood was warped as if something had been dropped on it.

  Something heavy...like a body. His body.

  Jenny was the one who’d hit him. The one who’d broken into Nicki’s house and tried to get her fired from her job. The one who’d been threatening her and had tried to isolate her from her friends.

  And now Nicki was alone with her.

  He turned onto Whidden, then pulled into a parking space. He sat for several moments, staring at the Cedar Key water tower, trying to get control of the panic circling through him. He had to rein in his scattered thoughts. Focus.

  He pulled out his cell phone and went to his contacts. A half minute later, Hunter answered. Nicki had given Tyler both Hunter’s and Amber’s personal cell numbers.

  “You on duty?”

  “Not till this afternoon. What’s up?”

  “I’ve figured it out. Nicki’s sister is the one who’s been threatening her. Nicki’s with her now.”

  “Where?”

  “I don’t know. The two of them went off alone together. I sent Nicki a text. She said she was fine, then ended with bye. Nicki never says bye. She always says later.”

  “You’re right.” Hunter’s voice was thick with concern. “Something’s wrong.”

  “I know.” He filled Hunter in on everything he’d given the dispatcher. “I’m sure they’ve set up a road block on 24, so they’ll catch her if she tries to leave Cedar Key.”

  If she hadn’t already left. Enough time had passed, so it was a distinct possibility.

  He continued. “I’m going to drive around the island looking for the car. Beyond that, I don’t know what else to do.”

  “You can pray. And rest assured, I will be, too. God’s in control, and he can lead us right to her.”

  “Thanks.” He disconnected
the call and pulled back onto the road. He’d talk to people in town and see if anyone had seen them, starting at the artist’s co-op.

  And he’d leave the praying to Hunter.

  Maybe Hunter’s prayers would do some good. From everything Nicki had told him about the man, he had that kind of faith.

  Tyler eased to a stop in front of the artist’s co-op. Hunter had said God could lead them to Nicki. Actually, Tyler couldn’t argue the point. He’d always believed God could answer prayers.

  The problem was, when it had mattered more to him than anything in the world, God didn’t.

  TEN

  Nicki looked frantically around her, willing someone to come down the trail. Jenny had become more agitated with every word out of her mouth. She waved the knife as she spoke, several slashes coming much too close.

  Nicki took another step back. “Why are you doing this?”

  “Don’t go acting all innocent here. You brought this on yourself.”

  “How?”

  “You had to go and find me. You couldn’t leave me well enough alone. I was minding my own business, had completely written you off. I figured I’d never see you again. But you pushed your way back into my life and forced me to check you out. When I saw your perfect existence with your nice house and comfortable job and disgustingly sweet friends, I had to do something. You think you’re someone, don’t you?” She gave an irreverent snort. “It’s easy when you’ve had all the breaks.”

  Nicki shook her head. “I haven’t had all the breaks. I’ve had to work hard for everything. But I’ll share it with you. You’re the only family I’ve got.”

  “Share?” Jenny spat the word. “I don’t need to share. When you’re gone, everything will go to me anyway as the only surviving relative.” She grinned, but the gesture was grotesque instead of reassuring. “I think I’ll even see if I can get your boyfriend.”

  Jenny took a step forward, eyes blazing hatred. Nicki moved back further. Perspiration coated her body, and a watery weakness had settled in her legs. Nothing she’d said was working. She swept her gaze to one side, then the other, not taking her attention off Jenny for more than a second.

  Her heart pounded harder. A limb hung three feet to her right, barely connected to the tree. If she could break it loose and swing, maybe she could disable Jenny long enough to get away. It was a desperate move. But she was out of options. Lord, please let this work.

  Jenny’s eyes narrowed. “After all these years, it’s time for you to die and me to live.”

  She raised the knife and swung downward in an arc, aiming at Nicki’s chest. With a scream, Nicki stepped to the side and spun in a full circle, grasping the tree branch on her way around. It held on for a fraction of a second, then broke loose with a crack of splintering wood. A half second later, it connected with the side of Jenny’s head and shattered into several pieces.

  Nicki didn’t wait to see the result. She sprinted down the trail, terror pounding at her heels. The blow wouldn’t slow Jenny down for long. The branch had been too rotten.

  A searing pain shot through her back, and she stumbled and fell to her knees. Jenny had thrown the knife. The next moment, Jenny was standing over her.

  Understanding hit Nicki like a bolt of lightning.

  The dreams. They weren’t memories. They were warnings. She was going to be murdered the same way her mother had been. Please, no. She’d made her peace with God, but she was too young to die.

  Another pain shot through her as Jenny pulled the blade free. Before she had time to react, Jenny threw her onto her back, dropped to her knees and raised the knife again. As she plunged it downward, Nicki screamed and rolled away.

  “Nicki!”

  The voice belonged to Tyler. He’d come for her. And there were sirens, too, in the distance. Relief rushed through her. Help was coming. She was going to survive.

  But only if she could hang on until they got there. Lord, please help me.

  She rolled over and pushed herself to her knees. But before she could get to her feet, Jenny slammed into her, knocking her to the ground.

  She released another scream as weight pressed down on her lower back and fingers entwined in her hair. She was pinned.

  Jenny was straddling her. Just like the man in her dreams.

  No. She wasn’t going out like this. Especially with Tyler moments away. She screamed again, twisted to the side and swung. The back of her fist connected with Jenny’s jaw. Several expletives rolled from her sister’s mouth, and her eyes blazed with fire. The hold on Nicki’s hair tightened, and the knife came up again. Footsteps pounded against the ground, and a moment later, a body slammed into Jenny.

  Suddenly Nicki was free. She pushed herself to a seated position, her breaths coming in short pants. A few feet away, Tyler lay on top of Jenny, wrestling the knife from her hand. The sirens had stopped.

  More footsteps sounded and two uniformed officers came around the bend on the trail, Hunter right behind them. The officers cuffed Jenny and one of them tried to read her her rights. But Jenny wasn’t listening. A steady stream of hate-filled words flowed from her mouth. Nicki dipped her head. All of the anger was directed at her.

  Tyler dropped to his knees beside her and grasped her shoulders, his gaze sweeping her from head to toe. Then he wrapped her in his arms and rocked her back and forth. His cheek was against hers, his mouth so close she could feel his breath against her ear. “When I got your text, I was frantic. I’m so glad I found you when I did. God answered Hunter’s prayer.”

  Hunter’s prayer? She’d have to ask Tyler about it later.

  Tyler started to release her, then froze. “There’s blood. You’re hurt.”

  She shifted her position and winced. “She got me in the back.”

  Tyler pulled out his phone, but Hunter stopped him. “They’re already here. The fire truck with the paramedics pulled up just as I headed down the trail. An ambulance will arrive shortly.”

  As if on cue, Wade Tanner and another man jogged up next to her, carrying a gurney and a medical kit. After checking her wound, they loaded her on the stretcher and stood.

  She reached for Tyler’s hand. “How did everyone know where to find me?”

  “I know how you love the artist’s co-op. So I figured that’s where I’d start and see if you’d been there. You had, and on your way out the door, someone overheard you mention coming here.”

  She closed her eyes, emotion sweeping through her. God had answered someone’s prayer. Whether hers or Hunter’s, she’d take it. If she and Jenny had waited until they were outside to have that conversation, there was a good chance she’d be dead. Thankfulness swelled inside her. Her back was on fire. But she was alive.

  Commotion nearby drew her attention to her sister. The officers had her on her feet, trying to lead her up the trail, but she wasn’t having it. She kicked at one of them. He sidestepped and managed to avoid the blow.

  Jenny twisted to throw a malicious glance over one shoulder, her eyes locking with Nicki’s. “Someday you’ll get yours. He’s coming after you, you know.”

  Nicki pushed herself partially upright, unease chewing at the edges of her mind. “Who?”

  “Mom’s killer. He knows where you are. I told him.”

  “Wait.” She held out a hand, and the officers dragging Jenny up the trail stopped. “You know who killed her?”

  Jenny tossed her head and lifted her chin. Her eyes held an odd sense of pride, mixed with disdain. “I was there, but he didn’t see me.”

  “Who killed her?”

  “What do you mean who killed her?” Jenny looked at her for several long moments. Then her jaw dropped. “You’re serious. You don’t remember.”

  “Of course I don’t remember. I wasn’t there.” She’d said the words with as much conviction as she could m
uster, but doubt wove its way through her mind, shattering the reality she’d held on to for so long.

  She hadn’t been there, right? Otherwise she’d remember. There would be some sliver of recall, some disjointed image.

  Like in her dreams.

  Coldness settled in her core, and she closed her eyes. No, the nightmares were just that—dreams. Nothing more. They weren’t real.

  When she opened her eyes again, Jenny was smiling.

  “Oh, you were there.” The smile broadened.

  “What’s even better is that he knows it. And he knows how to find you.”

  * * *

  Nicki leaned over the railing of the observation deck and stared into water tinted a bright aquamarine. Shouts rose from the swimming area, visitors enjoying the relief the cool spring water provided from the steamy August day.

  As she leaned over farther, pain stretched across her back. But she wasn’t complaining. She had a lot to be thankful for. Jenny had intended to kill her. Instead, she’d barely nicked her lung. Over the past few days, the pain had retreated to a dull ache, and other than three days in the hospital, a hefty insurance deductible and some residual soreness, she was fine.

  Except for the nightmares.

  Tyler had shaken her awake from two, and last night he’d insisted on taking her someplace where she could relax and put the events of the past five weeks behind her. After an internet search, he’d settled on Fanning Springs State Park in northern Levy County. Right after church, they’d traded dress clothes for shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes and headed out with a picnic lunch. Andy and Joan were dog-sitting.

  It was over. She was safe. Jenny’s final words were nothing but a lie, a last-ditch attempt to steal her peace. It wasn’t going to work.

  She straightened and smiled up at Tyler. They’d made a pact to avoid discussing anything related to Jenny. It was a welcome break.

  “How is the work on the inn coming?”

  “We’re ready for appliances. Next week we’ll start rebuilding some decks.”

  “Sounds like you’re winding it down.”