Silas had Dr. Buchanan summoned to the band shell during the festival. It was clear that this was an emergency by Silas’s desperation. The man and his sister approached hesitantly. Silas realized he looked a bit mad, with his disheveled hair and blood stains on his shirt, not to mention the bandages on his head and hands.
“Is Ben Ferguson with you?” he asked.
Mrs. Turner shook her head, question in her eyes. “No. He was supposed to meet us here. He wasn’t feeling well this morning. But we just walked back to the house to check on him and he wasn’t there. What’s wrong?”
“Did you see Ben’s wife, Katie?”
“No, why should we?” she answered. “She left him, you know. After all these years—”
“Are there any abandoned buildings, barns, anything like that around here?” He seemed to like using old buildings to house his victims. Don’t let Katie be a victim.
“What’s this about?” Buchanan asked, putting his arm protectively around his sister’s shoulders even though he looked the weaker of the two.
“I can’t explain it now. A woman’s life is in danger. Please tell me, are there any abandoned buildings around here?”
“Not that I know of,” he said.
Silas was already weaving through the crowd to the truck. The pounding in his head was so severe, he nearly passed out on the bench seat. His hands were throbbing with pain. The bottle of painkillers was lying beside his head. He blinked away the haze and took the bottle in is awkward fingers.
He has her.
The knowledge went bone deep. Silas struggled to sit up. He’d thought he could keep his empathy at bay now that it was gone. If he could keep it away by taking the painkillers, maybe it would go away forever. Even when Katie had stormed out of the hospital, he’d held onto the hope that he’d be normal. Maybe he wouldn’t spook her anymore. That was before he’d known she was going to do something stupid like track down Ben. It was his fault; he’d accept that much responsibility. He tossed the painkillers on the floorboard. They rattled inside the bottle.
And so he closed his eyes and tried to summon it back. For the first time since he’d given up on Celine being alive, he prayed.
Hey, God. It’s me. Silas. I know it’s been a while, a long while. I don’t expect you to give me all the answers, or even to tell me where Katie is, but that would sure help. All I’m asking is that You give it back to me. I know I haven’t been real happy about having it. Maybe I’m not using it the way You wanted. But You gave it to me for a reason, and I have to believe that reason is Katie. I know I’ve been real ungrateful. I want to make it right. Please, help me.
He started feeling it a few minutes later. It came slowly, as though out of a fog. Not fear, but hopelessness. She’d given up. He tried to focus harder. He was tired, so damned tired. Fatigue pulled him down. He reached deeper inside him.
The brief flash confused him. He saw an old room, a gun and a bed frame…on the ceiling? It was upside down. No, she was upside down.
He pounded on the steering wheel before pulling back with a hiss of pain. He focused again, trying to see more of the room. How was he ever going to find her?
He got a brief feeling of apprehension. Odd given Katie’s previous hopelessness. A knock on the window startled him.
Dr. Buchanan and his sister stood outside the truck. Silas rolled down the window.
“Took us a few minutes to track down where you’d gone to,” he said. “There are a couple of places out toward Flatlands. Just out of Macon. A couple of farms went under years ago. They’ve been out there so long, I don’t even think about them anymore. I used to take care of their livestock and I was sorry to see them go.”
“Where?”
Buchanan gave him directions as best as he could remember. Silas thanked the man and tore out of the parking lot. He’d probably passed those roads when he’d come into Macon. Why couldn’t he have felt her then?
Because he wasn’t ready to re-accept his gift. Katie wasn’t giving him much to go on, either. Hang in there, Katie. Please, do it for me. He tried not to think about what she’d gone through and why she was upside down as he searched for the landmarks the doctor had given him.
He had two choices. When he came upon the first road, he stopped and took it in. The dirt road was rutted and obviously hadn’t been used much in recent years. But it had been used recently. The weeds were flattened. He could feel his chest tighten as he stared at the faded street sign. He turned down the road and looked for the outer reaches of the old farm.
His chest got tighter when he spotted the old place set far from the road. Another road snaked through the waist-high weeds—someone had recently taken this road, too. He swerved onto an even more rutted road.
When he saw his Navigator, he slammed on the gas pedal. The truck barreled through the barbed-wire fence and across old cotton fields. His headache had increased tenfold with the truck banging over the ruts, but he didn’t slow down. Weeds whipped across the windshield. He pounded on the brakes and jumped out, only realizing then that he hadn’t even put the truck into park. It rolled forward and bumped into his Navigator.
As soon as he jumped onto the porch, he yelled, “Katie!”
The boards creaked and groaned beneath his weight, but he didn’t stay on them long enough for them to give way. His gaze swept the living and kitchen area. God, he couldn’t breathe. His whole body hurt at the prospect of finding her injured. Or dead.
“Katie!”
“Silas?”
He’d stepped into the back bedroom as she said his name. She was upside down, and her face was red from the blood going to her head. But she wasn’t bloody. She was alive, alive enough to make a sobbing noise at the sight of him.
“Is that really you?” she asked in a raspy voice as he rushed toward her. “Or am I hallucinating?”
“It’s me. Are you all right?”
He couldn’t help running his hands over her, making sure she was in one piece, not believing that she was there and alive.
“I’m all right now. How did you find me?”
“Later. Let’s get you down from there.”
“The key’s right there.”
His gaze went past the little key to the man lying in a pool of blood. Ben. He tore his eyes away and lifted Katie to relieve the blood pressure. His fingers tried to fit the key into the lock. He fumbled once, cursed, and then got it right. He was only dimly aware that his hands ached, that they’d started bleeding again through the bandage.
And then she was in his arms, and he didn’t care if his hands fell off. She wrapped her arms around him and started bawling. He carried her out of that god-awful room and down the precarious steps. His legs couldn’t hold him any farther. He sank to the ground with her in his arms.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked, touching her because he still couldn’t believe it. Her ankles were bleeding and bruised, but they were only superficial injuries. He touched the gold cross she was wearing. He’d never reject a gift from God again.
She nodded, holding on even tighter. “I’m dizzy.”
“Give your blood time to redistribute. You’ll be okay.”
“I k-killed him.”
“I know you did. I’m proud of you.” He wasn’t going to tell her how afraid he was that she wouldn’t be able to do that when the time came. When she rubbed her nose, the other end of the handcuff flopped around. He unlocked that one and threw it.
“He killed my mama.”
He didn’t know what to say to that. He’d suspected, but it was so ugly, even he couldn’t have faced that possibility head on. He just held her and whispered her name against her head. He’d never let her go again. That was a possibility he could face head on.
She finally cried herself out. He offered her his shirt to wipe her face on. “Silas, he said we all have evil inside us. It’s true, you know.”
“I know.” He brushed her hair back from her damp face.
“But it’s okay.�
�� She reached up to him.
He took her hand and pressed it against his mouth. “It’s okay,” he repeated.
Her eyes widened. “The crystal! It’s still in there.”
“I don’t need the crystal to chase away the shadows. I’ve got you now.”
“You had the crystal with you.” He heard the question in her voice, saw it in her eyes.
“Yeah, I had it with me. It doesn’t matter, because I’ve always had you in here.” He gestured to his heart, her hand still in his.
“Silas…” She drew out his name.
“What?”
“No, the question is, what now? After we call the police and try to explain all this, what then?”
He knew what she was asking, what she needed to hear. “I was thinking about writing mystery novels. What do you think?”
She blinked. “I think…that’s a good idea.”
“Maybe with a veterinarian as the protagonist.”
“Frank Martorana already writes a best-selling mystery series with a veterinarian sleuth.”
“Okay, how about a veterinarian’s assistant? You could help me do the research.”
“Okay,” she said, again drawing out the word.
“A sexy, but cute, assistant.” He squeezed her tighter against him.
Her mouth quirked in a near-smile. “And does this sexy-but-cute assistant have a love interest?”
This wasn’t easy, but she was going to push him to the wall anyway. He looked up at the blue sky, considering. “Definitely. Not just a love interest, but a husband who adores her. And she’s always giving him gifts and stuff.”
“I see.” She nodded, considering. “And does he accept them?”
“He works on it.”
“Hmm, I guess that’s acceptable. The big question is, does it have a happy ending?”
He couldn’t wait a second longer. He kissed her, God, how he’d been wanting to do that for so long. When he came up for air, he said, “Yes, I believe it does.”
EPILOGUE
One week later…
Katie hauled out the last of the boxes and loaded them into the Navigator. “That’s the last of the usable items. We can drop these off at Goodwill on our way out of town.”
Silas nodded toward the one lone box she was keeping. “Are you sure that’s all you want?”
“There was never much of me in that house. I just hope I can get the legalities untangled so I can sell the place to Rebecca.” Her childhood friend, now married with three children, still lived in Possum Holler. Katie wanted to give her a chance at a good, secure life. Silas had agreed to sell his land to the town if they promised to fix up Possum Holler and give it some respectability.
Once in a while she could still smell the smoke from the charred areas just a few miles north. That horrible night she’d spent with Ben at the farm near Macon had been a blessed night for Flatlands—the rains had come at last to drench the fires.
Goldie jumped into the backseat and settled onto the sheepskin bed. The Cartwrights had dropped by with their payment for Goldie’s care. When they’d seen how happy Goldie was with Katie, they’d offered the dog to her. The fact that Goldie was pregnant may have played into their generosity, but Katie accepted anyway. She’d already decided one of the pups would be called Bruce, in honor of The Boss.
The crime scene tape had just that morning been lifted by Sheriff Tate. He and Gary were giving the house and grounds a once over for anything they might have missed.
“That seems to be everything,” Tate said as he and Gary approached the Navigator. “He covered his tracks well.”
“Except for the grave Katie found,” Gary added.
Tate gave her a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. You gotta understand, Ben—or whoever he was—had us boondoggled but good. When Gary told us what he’d been doing…well, we all felt pretty bad about it.”
Katie could only nod. That particular wound was still a bit raw.
Tate nodded toward the packed vehicle. “We wouldn’t mind if you stayed around. This is your hometown, after all.”
She closed the rear door. “I appreciate that, but I’d just assume leave it all behind me. I’m sure you understand.”
Tate nodded. “Thanks for your cooperation, both of you. The copies of your notes, Silas, will help us put everything together. Help some of these girls’ families go on as best they can.” He smoothed his collar. “Well, I guess I’ll let you get on your way then. Gary, see you back at the station.”
When Tate was gone, Gary walked closer. He shook hands with Silas first. “Drive carefully, hear? You take good care of my sister.” Katie loved the way he said that word, with affection and warmth. Both shone in his eyes when he turned his gaze to her. “I talked to my former captain on the Atlanta police force. He’s seeing what he can do about getting me back again.”
“After you finish the anger management course?” she reminded.
“Absolutely. Hell, there isn’t much to be angry with anymore.” He chucked her gently on the chin. “I’ve got a lot to be happy about, though. A sister…” He turned to Silas. “And a brother-in-law to boot.”
Silas hadn’t gotten used to Gary being her brother yet, but she admired him for giving Gary a genuine smile.
“You be good,” Gary said, giving her a hug. “And good luck with your visit to the Emersons. Do they know you’re coming out?”
Katie nodded. “Just said I had a long-overdue thank you to deliver. I’ll explain about Ben’s manipulation when I get there.”
Gary kissed her on the cheek, started to shake Silas’s hand, then backed off when he remembered the bandages. He waved again before heading out.
“Nervous?” Silas asked when he got into the passenger side.
She slid behind the wheel and started the engine. “A little. I just hope they believe me. Ben played us against each other the same way he played the town against me. But I’ve got to set things right.”
She backed away from the house, but before she turned, she took it in one last time. They were going to find a little house in the suburbs with a small yard and lots of neighbors. This place had never been a home to her, she realized. Just a house, a beautiful birdcage. She chewed her bottom lip, and then whispered, “Goodbye, Boots. And little raccoon.”
They stopped by the cemetery on the way to the Emersons and said goodbye to The Boss. She was making peace with her past, at least most of it. It would be a long time before she could make peace with what Ben had done, if ever. Now it was time to look into a future that for once held exquisite promises: independence, pets, perhaps a baby or two…she looked over at Silas, kneeling by the grave. And the biggest promise of all was love and a lifetime of painting sunsets.
New York Times Book Review
Johnny Black’s latest true crime book, UNFORGIVABLE, is a masterpiece. It has all the ingredients that make readers salivate: lies, family secrets, betrayal of the ultimate kind, and, finally, a touch of love and light. Imagine that the sweet man who takes care of your animals so lovingly is a vicious serial killer. Imagine that the man who cries on your shoulder over his woes kills women for thrills and relives his victory by leaving one of their shoes by the side of the road. Imagine, now, that your own husband, the man who shares your bed, hunts women for sport. Only then could you begin to imagine the nightmare Katie Ferguson lived as her sane, secure life unraveled into a web of lies, deceit and murder.
From Black’s dedication to his wife, the woman who drew him away from the shadows, to the spellbinding ending, this book never lets up. When you’re done, after you catch your breath, that is, you’ll realize that the true crime world is losing a treasure. Black is taking his storytelling skills to mystery fiction. While he and his wife, the former Katie Ferguson, travel the country, they will together pen a new series that will, no doubt, be as thrilling as his true crime fiction.
And I wonder…when they see a shoe tossed carelessly onto the side of the road, will it send a shiver o
f remembrance down their spine? I know it will for me.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Epilogue
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Epilogue
Unforgivable (Romantic Suspense) Page 35