Independence: #2 Angel

by Karen Nichols

  “Look! A little box with a red ribbon,” Lyla lifted it from the roses where it had been tucked and laid it on the open palm Angel held out. “Not a ring box,” she commented, frowning at the elbow from Carrie. “Just saying.”

  “Colin wouldn’t do something like that to me,” Angel said firmly, swallowing hard and tugging one end of the ribbon until it fell from the box. She lifted the lid and smiled. “Angel earrings.”

  “Boss, this guy is a definite keeper.”

  “Those things have to have cost a fortune,” Carrie nodded in approval. “Are we sure he’s good enough for her?”

  “He walked her brother out of the shop the other day,” Lyla said with a grin at her friend.

  “Yep. A keeper.”

  “Umm…yeah…that he is,” Angel agreed, running her fingers over the delicate petals of the collection of colorful roses. Red, yellow and white. How the man found roses at this time of year…and they were gorgeous. “We’ll share them with our customers and you guys. Set them back behind you, Lyla,” she tucked the small card into the pocket of her jeans and pulled her hand out with her phone.

  She found his number and typed out her message.

  “Gorgeous flowers, thank you. You’re spoiling me. Angel.”

  It wasn’t a surprise when her phone chimed a few seconds later. God, she loved technology!

  “I intend to do a lot more. Colin.”

  She tucked her phone back into her pocket, leaving it on as he’d asked. She’d extended the hours of the shop by ninety minutes because of the holiday rush and people didn’t fail to support the decision.

  And Colin hadn’t been upset by her decision. A warmth spread through her as she remembered the beaming smile he offered when it came to her shop and her career. He told her not to worry about dinner; he’d handle that for them. And she still asked herself how she managed to get so lucky.

  They were busy until the lights dimmed, her hands putting the finishing touches to a batch of pastries to be popped into the oven first thing in the morning. When she was satisfied everything was prepped for the next hectic morning, she tapped the light switch, set the alarm and headed to her car.

  ****

  It was late Wednesday afternoon before she began to relax and believe. Evenings with Colin were fun and romantic and…she thought about the right word for a long time as she baked that afternoon. Companionable. Friendly. They argued over the news, the newscasters and even the weather until both were laughing as they cleaned up after their meal.

  She’d prepared some sandwiches and pastries to take home tonight and had the large sack prepared to take to her car. It was still an hour before closing, but it was well cold enough already to keep things nice and chilled until she left for home. A tingle ran through her at that single word. Home. Home with Colin, she corrected with a little laugh at herself.

  “Angel?” Lyla called to her from the front. The tone of voice made her frown so she walked toward the archway, her gaze scanning the large open space while her hands dried absently on the apron. Her feet came to a swift and abrupt skid on the tiled flooring and she swallowed hard.

  She should have known it would be too good to be true.

  “Should I call the police?” Lyla whispered, her gaze on the pale features of her boss.

  “No. Not yet,” Angel kept the counter between them, watching the woman approach with a benign smile that made her stomach quake. “You’re not supposed to be here. I’m not changing my mind.”

  “Angelica, I’d like a moment to talk to you, please,” Elizabeth Morehouse looked casually around her and gestured to an empty corner. “There. Please.”

  Before Angel could respond, the older woman turned and went to the far corner and sat primly in one of the chairs. Waiting.

  Only her style of waiting frightened Angel. More than she ever wanted to admit. She always acted as if she were part of the background, but Angel knew just how much of the world around her father was ruled by Elizabeth.

  “I’m okay,” she said softly, looking pointedly at Carrie and Lyla. “This shouldn’t take long. We’re getting pretty empty, so start cleaning up for tomorrow.”

  Her hands were sweating when she gripped the apron and rubbed it between her palms. She was glad she hadn’t eaten because her stomach was doing roll-overs as she crossed a room she loved. At the moment, though, it felt like the longest walk she’d ever taken.

  “You’re risking jail time by being here, Elizabeth,” Angel cleared her throat and shored up her voice, forcing a strength into it that came from someplace far away. Because she wasn’t feeling it inside her at the moment.

  “Have a seat, Angelica. I want to talk to you,” she turned her head just enough to catch Angel’s eye. “I’m sure a little discussion about your grandparents and that new young man in your life is worth a few moments of your valuable time.”

  Angel felt her knees weaken. She heard the screaming deep inside her mind. This is what she should have expected. This is what she’d spent her whole life running from. Keeping those she cared about safe from their madness. Only now it was too late.

  She sunk into the chair before she fell over, her hands up and flat on the table in an effort to hide the shaking.

  “What have you done?”

  “Nothing yet, child. But you honestly don’t believe I’d sit back and allow you to ruin all I’ve worked so hard for, did you?” Elizabeth shook her head and tsked softly. “I really believed you much brighter than that, Angelica. Do I have your attention?”

  “Yes.” A single word, barely above a whisper.

  “I’ve been speaking with Earl Leonard and he’s surprisingly, still willing to go through with our original arrangement. His network will bring an amazing influx of followers to your father’s church. We’re planning to open a second location in Southern Texas in the spring. To make this happen, you will leave this evening with Earl. He has a lovely villa on the coast of Mexico. I’m sure once you accept your new life, it will be quite pleasant for you.”

  “I…I can’t. I love Colin,” she whispered the words that had only been heard inside her mind. She should have told him when she had the chance. She should have let the emotions and belief give him the words, as well as the feelings.

  “You’ll get over him. I have people at your grandparents, watching them. I have another at the courthouse where his office is,” Elizabeth watched her, eyes filled with a coldness that made the room feel frigid. “You will phone him right now and leave this nicely scripted message.” She reached into the pocket of her cashmere winter coat and brought a piece of folded paper from inside.

  Angel’s hand shook when she reached for the paper, opened it and read the writing.

  “Now, I want you to type this out, just as I have it here. Show it to me, then send it to your young champion,” Elizabeth tipped her head slightly. “No tricks. All it will take is one phone call, Angelica. Is that what you wish on your conscience?”

  “You’ll leave them alone?” Angel swallowed hard and angled her body to pull her phone from her pocket. “You swear you’ll leave them alone? All of them?”

  “Your grandparents and friends are of no consequence to me whatsoever, Angelica,” she informed Angel with a dismissing wave of one hand. “I enjoy being the power behind everything. I made your father what he is and I will not see you deny my sons that legacy.” She leaned forward slightly, her eyes cold and hard. “Don’t make the mistake for an instant of believing I won’t destroy them all if you cross me.”

  Angel stared for a long minute into her eyes before opening her phone and tapping out the message.

  “Colin, I am sorry for all the trouble I’ve brought to your door. I’ve spoken with my father and I believe he is correct in his assessment. I am returning to his home where I hope he can help me become a better person. I am sorry for hurting you as I love you and would never wish that upon anyone. I will pray for your recovery. Sincerely, Angelica.”

  She tapped and knew instantly that
there were several flags that would alert him that something was wrong. Her step-mother didn’t know Colin and she knew very little of their relationship. She finished, very aware of the tears running down her cheeks as she turned the phone toward Elizabeth.

  “Very good, Angelica. Now press the send button and hand me the phone. Then we’re going to collect your purse and jacket and leave. I don’t care what you tell your workers, just be sweet and nice and vague. Am I clear?”

  “Yes,” Angel nodded and held her breath as she sent the text. Elizabeth took the phone from her fingers and tucked it into her purse as she stood up. Well-manicured fingers pressed down her coat, the false smile on her lips making Angel’s stomach churn a little more.

  “Now it’s time to leave. You’re going on a nice leisurely cruise to relax and take your mind and body far from the problems you’ve caused here. I’ve arranged to have you tape a little apology and rebuttal before you depart, however. So we have to hurry.”

  Her stomach hurt. Her knees shook and she was starting to have a headache, not to mention the streaks of tears she hastily rubbed from her cheeks before she turned to face the rest of the room. And her staff closely watching her.

  “I’m going out. Lyla, please lock up and have a great evening.” Angel plastered a well-practiced smile on her face as she went through the kitchen to her office. Elizabeth was at her side all the way, standing in the doorway to the office and waiting patiently.

  “We’ll go out this back door. It will be much faster,” she told Angel, reaching out and wrapping her hand around Angel’s upper arm once her jacket was on. “Now, Angel. You’ve a very long journey ahead of you.”

  Lyla and Carrie exchanged looks, both reaching for the card they had hidden just beneath the corner of the register.

  “I’ll call,” Lyla said firmly. “You make sure we’re locked down,” she continued once they’d heard the back door slam.

  Colin’s head raised when the phone chimed three times without pausing. That meant three separate messages or calls. He lifted his cell and thumbed over the incoming. One from Angel. One from Angel’s Bites, her shop. And one from Abe Thatcher.

  He took the call from Abe.

  “Colin here.”

  “We got a problem,” Abe began gruffly, his naturally deep voice tunneled with the effects of being on a speaker phone in his car. “The good news, I’m tracking things.”

  “I don’t like good news, bad news games, Abe. Where’s Angel?” Colin’s body had jerked stiffly upright, the pen in his hand dropped over the papers he’d been reviewing before signing. “Hold on a minute.”

  He quickly placed the man on hold and picked up the call from the shop. “Colin Whetstone here.”

  “Mr. Whetstone! It’s Lyla from the shop. Something’s wrong. Really, really wrong. The lady came to see her. The one from the interview. Her step-mother, I think,” she paused long enough to breathe.

  “What happened? They’re not supposed to be anywhere near her,” Colin growled, lifting his office phone and tapping in the Lieutenant’s number.

  “She went with her. She made Angel sit with her. I saw her give Angel a note and then Angel was using her phone to text. Then they got up and left.”

  “I’m having the police come over and get the video from her security system. Can you wait for them, Lyla?”

  “Yes. Yes, sir. I’ll be here with Carrie. You’ll find her, won’t you?”

  “I’ll find her,” he answered firmly before switching back to Abe. “I’ve got the fucking bad news. Where is she?”

  “I said I had good news. She’s not only bugged, but I have one of my best operatives where I think they’re headed.

  “Just how did she get bugged?” Colin asked, keeping his voice calmer than he felt on the inside.

  “When you sent her roses, you sent her a pair of angel earrings. Hadn’t you noticed them? I meant to send you a note.”

  “Alright. Earrings. And where the hell is she, Abe? I hired you to keep an eye on her to avoid this happening.”

  “Never expected this. The step-mother? C’mon…she waltzed in and out with Angel. But I have them on my radar and I’m keeping an eye on them as we speak.”

  “They wouldn’t return to the church property,” Colin was up and out the door. His phone caught against his head as he shrugged into his coat and fished out the keys to the SUV.

  “No. A hotel near the marina in Tacoma.”

  “The Marina?”

  “I think they plan on taking her out of the country on a yacht.”

  “No security and no one to be alerted by an Amber Alert on the highways,” Colin shook his head. “I’m phoning the police. I’ll head to the marina.”

  “Colin, don’t do anything rash. We need to do this subtle and not alert them.”

  “I’m all about subtle,” he ground, furious with himself for underestimating them. He snapped the phone into the caddy on the dash and tapped the Lieutenant’s number. “Lieutenant Templeton, Colin Whetstone here. Elizabeth Morehouse has taken Angel. I have a text from her…she did not go willingly.”

  “Where?” Natalie demanded. He heard things being shoved around and then footsteps.

  “Right now, in a hotel near the marina. But my investigator believes they’re going to try getting her out of the country on a yacht with Earl Leonard.” He huffed out a long breath. “I received a text from her. A lie, but a text obviously written by someone who didn’t know us. I just sent a copy to you.”

  “Where are you? Don’t go doing anything heroic or stupid…or maybe they’re both the same thing,” Natalie mumbled, the sound of an engine starting rumbling through the phone line.

  “If I’m right, they’re taking her out of the country. I’m not going to let that happen, Lieutenant,” Colin ended the call and guided the car swiftly along the roads toward the coast and the popular marina.

  Abe Thatcher sat watching the entrance to the hotel, a waiting limo telling him they were still inside. As well as the conversation he was listening to and recording.

  “I won’t let that happen,” Crystal promised her father vehemently.

  “I know you’re my best guy, baby. Just be careful. Call me if anything happens.”

  “Immediately.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  No one paid much attention to a kid bopping along with earpods in place and a heavy winter coat on. Her head was bare and beneath the bright halogen lights, shone red with droplets of mist shimmering off the high riding, curling ponytail.

  Her lips moved as if she were singing along to the music that might have been playing in her ears. If she were listening to music.

  “I’ve found the yacht registered to one of his companies,” she spoke calmly, quietly. “I can see it being prepped from the coffee shop in the Marina.”

  “Anyone from the file visible?”

  “Leonard. He’s been pacing an inside cabin with his phone to his ear. I’m guessing updates on the progress. Where are you, dad?”

  “They stopped at a hotel. From the conversation, they’re making Angel read a prepared statement to absolve all parties in the restraining orders.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be released before they intend to set sail and definitely before the police find them,” she rechecked her equipment and relaxed. Casual, silent and invisible. An art form, she mused as she wandered toward the stack of items to be moved onto the boat.

  Angel knew she’d have nail marks in her palms. Somehow she’d managed to read the statement without collapsing in tears. Right now, anger was vying with being terribly frightened for a top slot in her emotional scale. If they took her away, she might never be free again.

  The one redeeming thing so far, was that Earl Leonard hadn’t made an appearance. Elizabeth had said she’d be taking a cruise. Angel walked to the large plate window of the suite they were in. People were packing up the cameras and receiving orders from her step-mother, their voices low and on the other side of the room.

  Not that s
he cared. She stared at the droplets of rain running down the window. Lights splintered and sparkled outside over the large expanse of private boats. But all she saw was Colin. All she felt were his arms around her. All she heard were his words. That was the only way she was going to manage.

  Hope, she thought with a ragged breath, her hands up and rubbing her cheeks, taking away the hints of her tears. Elizabeth was calling her and she’d been lost in her thoughts. So it wasn’t a surprise when a strong, thin and tight hand wrapped itself around her upper arm and shook her.

  “I am speaking to you, Angelica.”

  “I’m sorry. I thought you were busy.” She knew better than to fight either physically or verbally. She envisioned Colin in her mind and kept her gaze lowered, waiting. Compliant. Be polite and compliant, she repeated over and over in her mind.

  “We’re leaving. Get your jacket, Angelica.”

  “I don’t have my clothes,” she said as she went to where she’d laid her jacket and purse. She hadn’t seen Elizabeth throw her phone away. Maybe…just maybe…the hope that Colin would track her through it was the only thing keeping her from a mass of crying Jello. She had the first button on her jacket done up as she walked to the door where Elizabeth stood, impatiently tapping her foot on the floor.

  “No trouble, Angelica. No noise. No talking. Nothing. Walk with me the same way we came in. Quiet and dignified. Everything else has been handled,” Elizabeth said calmly, opening the door and gesturing. “To the parking lot and the waiting limo. The marina isn’t far.”

  “He won’t let you get away with this,” Angel heard her voice but didn’t believe she’d spoken the words out loud. Especially when Elizabeth gave that silvery tinkle of a laugh. As if anything Angel said mattered.

  “He’s quite sexy, Angelica, but he really should have stayed out of family business,” she said with a casual shrug. “He’s not a concern. I’m sure he’ll be able to find a replacement quite easily.”

  “I have a Christmas tree set up,” Angel kept talking. “We found amazing little angels and snowflakes for it last weekend. It’s beautiful. We spent half of last night planning a little dinner party. He likes me and wants me around him. He doesn’t hurt me.”