Killer Reads: A Collection of the Best in Inspirational Suspense

by Luana Ehrlich

  Her, too. She’d thought Theresa would see the value in quitting. Living with Billy all those years must have made her immune to good sense. “Whatever’s going on, it isn’t worth any of our lives. Let the authorities figure it out.”

  Billy stood. “Only problem with that, Reggie dear. I am the authority.”

  These people were impossible. Was she the only one who understood how dangerous these people were? She sat down in the chair and stared at them. “I know, Billy. It’s just....”

  Theresa leaned over and hugged her. “I know. It was terrifying for me, too, but these people can’t be allowed to get away with it. And they could be up to something very dangerous.”

  “But who says Billy and Dylan have to be the two to find them? That’s all I’m saying. Let someone else do it this time.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m tired and I want to go home.”

  “And I think that’s exactly what you should do and Theresa can go with you. We’ll be along in a few days, Reg.”

  “As if I would even consider letting you stay down here without me.” He started to say something but she held up a hand. “Forget it. I don’t want to hear another word about me going anywhere if you aren’t going, too. Remember until death do us part.”

  “But—”

  She stood. “I’m going for a walk.”

  Dylan jumped up.

  “Alone.”

  ****

  Reggie opened the motel room door. The three of them stopped talking and stared at her as if they were school children and she the principal. Good. Let them think she was upset. Maybe then they would listen to her.

  Of course, it was easy for her to go home. It hadn’t been her home that was burned down. She walked into the room and closed the door behind her. “He said he was sorry, said I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Something about the fact nobody was supposed to be there.”

  No one spoke for a few moments. Instead, they looked at her and each other as if deciding whether it was safe to talk in front of her. Dylan took the chance, first. “That’s interesting. We felt like we were being led on a wild goose chase all day long.”

  “They wanted me out of the house and out of their way.”

  “But why?”

  Billy Clyde took another sip of his coffee and looked at Reggie. “How long were you in that closet before he came in and poured the gasoline?”

  “I’m not exactly sure but it seemed like hours. I could hear them moving around and whispering. That’s why I didn’t try to get out sooner.”

  “Hours? That doesn’t make sense. What could they have been doing in there all that time?” Theresa looked as puzzled as Reggie felt.

  “And then there was the banging. It sounded like it was coming from the basement.”

  “I’m afraid I might know.” Billy’s dark chocolate complexion paled. “My computers.”

  Reggie stared, a funny lump in her throat. “Your computers?”

  “Sure they gave me a very simple assignment to erase a file. They wanted to see if I had access to the Secret Service’s servers. And obviously I did because I told them I’d deleted the file.”

  “I’m still not understanding, Billy.” And a part of her didn’t want to.

  “Once they knew I had access, they wanted that same access. So, they kept Monroe and me busy all day looking for Theresa so they’d have time with my computers.” Billy looked as if he wanted to kick something.

  “Well, they didn’t have your passwords.” Dylan’s tone was hopeful.

  “That’s why they needed several hours. To use a password code breaker. It can sometimes take hours to find the right code.”

  “But your computers would be hard to break into, right?”

  Billy sighed and shook his head. “Not as hard as you think. I spend more time and effort keeping them from being cyber-attacked. My actual computers aren’t that secure because I didn’t think anyone would be accessing them from inside my house except me.”

  Reggie’s pulse sped up. “So, what could they find out if they used your computer?”

  “A lot. But let’s stay focused on the Secret Service site. Since they obviously wanted to make sure I could access it.”

  Theresa spoke up. “What could they find out using that site?”

  “Oh, not much. Just the when, where, and how to get access to the president, his family, or any other important politician.”

  The lump in Reggie’s throat expanded to her stomach. This couldn’t be. “You mean the President of the United States?”

  His gaze met hers. “That’s the one.”

  CHAPTER 48

  No one spoke as the impact of Billy’s words hit full force.

  Theresa turned pale and Reggie was sure she’d done the same. Barely able to breathe, Reggie looked at Billy, then at Dylan. “You don’t really think that’s what this is all about, do you? You think somebody used your computers to find a way to...to...do something to the President.”

  Dylan shook his head as if not believing what he was hearing either. “I pray not, but it makes a lot more sense than all this craziness for some white collar crime file.”

  “What are we going to do?” Theresa asked.

  “We aren’t doing anything.” Billy’s voice was firm. “You and Reggie have been through enough. Dylan and I are trained in this sort of thing. We’ll handle it.”

  Theresa’s face flushed red and she bit her lip. “Oh, that’s right. I forgot. You two big strong men don’t need the woman folk around in times of trouble. We’re supposed to sit by the window and wait.”

  “Now, hon. I didn’t mean it like that. All I’m say—”

  Theresa gave a sweet smile. “I know what you’re saying and I know you’re only trying to protect me. And I love you for that, really I do. But—”

  Billy held up his hands in surrender. “Let’s not argue. We aren’t even sure if that’s what’s going on. And I’m sure not calling my boss with a crazy theory without some proof.”

  “What kind of proof?” Dylan asked as he gathered up the wrappers and cups from breakfast, if that’s what you could call the fast food stuff.

  Reggie smiled. He did the same thing when they went out to eat. He would clean up the tables for the servers.

  “We’re going to go out to the house and see what’s left of the computers. It might give us a clue of some sort. Then, I’m going to need to buy a laptop and see if anyone was messing around on my accounts yesterday.”

  Theresa jumped up off the bed. “I’m going, too.”

  “I knew you were, hon. I knew you were.” Billy turned toward her. “Anyone else going?”

  The moment of truth. She wanted to jump under the covers and pull them over her head. But some things were more important than her own personal safety. Reggie stood. “Count me in.”

  “If she’s going, I’m going.” Dylan’s arms went around her.

  She grinned at him. “Yea, as if you weren’t going no matter what I said.”

  He winked at her. “True, but it sounded a lot sweeter the way I said it.”

  “My husband, the romantic.”

  ****

  Billy turned into their drive. He looked over at Theresa. “You all right?”

  She shrugged. “I’m fine. It was a great house but home is where the heart is and you’re my home.”

  Reggie reached between the seats and patted her friend’s shoulder. “The fact we’re all relatively healthy after what we’ve gone through the past few days, I’d say God’s been watching out for us.”

  “Amen to that.” Theresa’s voice was quite but her eyes spoke volumes. “Thanks for reminding me.”

  “It’s just a house, babe. I’ll build you a bigger one.”

  Theresa reached over and put her hand on her husband’s arm. “It doesn’t matter. Reggie’s right, you are my home not some silly building.” Her voice was soft but filled with so much love it brought tears to Reggie’s eyes

  Reggie bit her lip and wondered if the same could be
said about Dylan and her. She’d been working so hard at being the perfect wife, she’d forgotten the reason why she was trying to be that. In her quest for perfection, Dylan’s needs had been pushed to the back of her mind.

  She’d been more worried about what others thought instead of loving her husband. But no more. That was all going to change.

  The bush-disguised gate opened as Billy hit a button on the remote. A few moments later, the cabin or what was left of the cabin came into view. It still stood, mostly intact. Black scorch marks decorated the front of it. The garage was gone from where her car had exploded.

  Reggie’s gazed at Theresa for a reaction.

  “Not as bad as I thought. The garage is gone, though.”

  “Along with my car.” Reggie looked over at Dylan. “Speaking of cars, where’s yours?”

  “In Ohio. I flew down.”

  “Oh, I guess you were in a hurry. How did you get here, then?”

  “I took a boat. In fact, it’s probably still moored out on the dock unless they found it. In which case, I’m going to have a hard time explaining to the rental company why it’s missing.”

  Billy stopped and put the van in park. Everyone sat staring at the house until Theresa stiffened her shoulders and said, “Let’s get this over with.”

  Billy led the way. “Be careful. Some of the embers could still be hot.”

  A slight drizzle dampened the yard and house.

  Smoke curled up in spots around the yard and the garage. The smoky smell almost gagged Reggie as she remembered her terror. She’d been sure she was going to die in that closet but God had kept her safe.

  The group made their way through the almost nonexistent garage and into the kitchen. The smell of smoke and gasoline was even stronger. Black flame marks crawling up the walls testified to the reality of the fire.

  They walked into the dining room, a blackened shell of a laptop still sat on the table but all the pictures she’d seen when she walked in the first time were ashes. Theresa touched her hand and Reggie followed. Both of their feet sloshed though the soggy carpet.

  Dylan picked up the burned laptop. “There were flames everywhere the last time I was in here. I didn’t think anything would survive. I can’t imagine getting any evidence from this.”

  “You’d be surprised what a forensic scientist could get off there, not that it matters. We don’t have the time it takes to find what we’re looking for that way. All we need to do is access my accounts.”

  Theresa’s nose wrinkled in distaste. “One thing’s for sure. My clothes are certainly ruined, just from the smell of the smoke. That means one thing, girlfriend. Shopping.”

  The two of them laughed. Reggie was so impressed with how Theresa was handling the whole situation. “What are you looking for?”

  A twinkle came into Theresa’s eyes. The first Reggie had seen since learning about the fire. “Come on. I’ll show you.”

  They walked into her bedroom and she went to her nightstand. Opening the bottom drawer Theresa’s hands shook. She breathed a sigh of relief as she pulled out a Bible,

  Her voice was soft with wonder. “Oh, thank you, God.” She pulled it out and opened it. She took out a piece of paper and unfolded it and then handed it to Reggie.

  “It’s your wedding license.”

  “Along with my children’s baptismal records, birth certificates. I prayed all night these things would be safe, but I gave it over to God around two this morning and finally fell asleep in peace, knowing that as much as I wanted these things to be safe, in the long run, it didn’t matter.”

  Reggie hugged her. “Still, I’m so glad He answered that prayer for you.”

  Theresa turned to walk out of the room.

  “Don’t you want to look for other things?”

  She shook her head. “No, you’re right when you said they’re just things.” She left without a glance backwards.

  Dylan and Billy were gone when they walked back into the dining room but were back within minutes. Dylan walked in first. “It looks like they took an ax to Billy Clyde’s computers in the basement.”

  “Do you have backups?” Reggie asked.

  “Oh, believe me I do. My backups have backups have backups so that’s not a problem. But this makes me believe my theory is probably right.”

  “They wanted you out of the house so they could access your computers and they had no idea I’d be here.” The man had been telling the truth. “I really was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  “It looks that way.” Dylan looked over at Billy. “Are you going to call Mr. Johnson now?”

  “Not quite yet. I need a laptop. All I have to do is log on through my accounts to see what they looked at yesterday. But I’d just as soon they not know what we’re doing and they might still be watching us. So, I’m thinking...”

  “We leave the van and take the boat.” Dylan finished his thought for him.

  “The boat?” Reggie swallowed hard.

  “Is there a problem, Reggie?” Dylan asked.

  “No, no. Of course not.”

  ****

  Reggie’s footsteps pounded on the wooden dock reminding her of the horses who clomped their way through Fredericksburg on a regular basis. Her mouth grew dry as she approached the boat.

  Billy and Theresa were already in. They rocked back and forth as the water sloshed around the boat’s frame. Dylan reached out a steady hand to help her in.

  She stood staring at his hand and then the river and then back at him. “I didn’t know we’d be taking a boat.”

  “Is that a problem?” He arched his eyebrows. “Are you afraid of boats?”

  “Well, not exactly.” She moved toward the boat but as Dylan grabbed her arm, she backed away instead of getting in.

  “Sweetheart, if you don’t want to get in that’s fine, we’ll figure something else out.” His voice patient as always.

  “No, I’m coming. Just hold my hand tight.” Ignoring her shaking knees, she grabbed both of her husband’s outstretched hands and stepped into the boat. After she plopped down beside him, he pried her fingers away from his hands.

  “You could have—”

  “I’m fine, really.” She blew out her nerves and looked over and smiled at Theresa and Billy who both had looks of amusement on their faces. Her hands clasped the edge of the bench seat.

  “If you say so.” He turned on the motor and moved away from the river’s edge. “I didn’t know you were afraid of water.”

  “I’m not. It’s the motion of the boat...” She closed her eyes. “Makes me sick. That’s all.”

  Billy Clyde tapped her knee. “It’s okay. We’re all afraid of something. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Which way, Billy Clyde? North to Cumberland or south to DC?”

  Billy closed his eyes. She knew him well enough to know he was praying for guidance. Dylan and Billy were both praying men and believed in the power of prayer. As a fairly new Christian, she struggled with it but was learning to trust in it more every day. When he opened his eyes, he said. “South.”

  They motored their way down the Potomac. Surrounded by trees. She opened her eyes but her head pounded and the trees swayed even though there was no wind. The ripples of the river water pulsated toward her. She knew the signs of an anxiety attack. She clenched her eyes tight once again. “How will you know where to stop?”

  Dylan shrugged. “I guess when we see the Washington Monument.”

  CHAPTER 49

  “OK, folks. Almost there.” Billy announced.

  Reggie opened her eyes in relief. About time. The boat trip had felt like it had taken forever. Queasy, but at least she hadn’t embarrassed herself by throwing up.

  A huge sign announced they were at National Harbor.

  “We’re on the outskirts of DC but close enough.” Billy looked at the motley crew. “Everyone know their assignments?”

  Yes, boss.” Theresa saluted.

  “You’re the one who wanted to come, babe.”
He rolled his eyes. “And besides everyone in this boat knows who the real boss is.”

  “Reggie and I will get the hotel room while you and Dylan go get a rental car and a laptop.” Theresa hugged Billy. “And we promise to be careful. Reggie, you are going to love this place. The stores are awesome.”

  “Take your time. You’re going to need some new clothes.” He handed a credit card.

  “What a husband.” She leaned on her tippy toes and kissed him.

  Dylan hopped out of the boat. Reggie stood up swaying as she did. He lifted her easily out of the boat and hugged her in the process. He whispered in her ear. “You did great, Reggie. I know that wasn’t easy for you.”

  She looked into his sweet blue eyes. “It wasn’t all that bad.”

  “Really, then why are you green?” He winked.

  She laughed. “Okay, maybe it was that bad.”

  They split up with the men going one way and Theresa and Reggie heading off for the hotels. Reggie’s legs were wobbly and her stomach felt the same but at least she was on dry ground.

  They walked up the pier and toward the shopping and hotel area. Local food vendors were crowded with the lunch time crowd. She sniffed. “Smells good.”

  “You want something to eat?”

  “I think I’ll wait until my stomach settles down a bit.”

  “Probably a good idea.”

  “Oh, look at that.” Reggie moved closer to get a better view.

  “It’s called The Awakening.”

  It was a sculpture showing a giant emerging from the sand. Only his head, one arm and a hand along with a foot and a bent knee were visible. For some reason it reminded her of Adam and the creation account.

  “Very cool. Don’t see anything like this in Fredericksburg.” Her arm made an expansive motion encompassing the sculpture and the marina.

  “Having some adjustment problems, are we?”

  Reggie shrugged. “Not really. I love Fredericksburg and the people are great, but I miss some of the things of a big city. Like museums and other cultural activities. And I don’t always feel like I fit in. I can’t seem to do anything right.”