Random Acts

by Alison Stone

  Parker grabbed his gun from the table and pulled out a wooden chair, straddling it. “They’ll think, ‘Oh, how tragic. He lost his wife. Then he lost Danielle.’” A chill ran up her spine.

  “I’m okay and Billy over there is okay. You haven’t done anything that can’t be fixed.”

  “Jenny’s dead. And so is dear old Granny. Did you forget about the little fire back home?” He leaned over to glare into her eyes. His stale breath whispered across her cheek.

  Of course she hadn’t forgotten. She had been grasping at straws. Anger bubbled up, pushing back the last tendrils of fear. Survival mode.

  God was on her side.

  She gently tugged on the ropes binding her hands, trying not to draw attention to her movements. If given a few extra minutes, she could free her hands. Her focus shifted to her legs. Would she be able to free both her hands and feet?

  She struggled to stay focused. “Why did you do this?” Her voice was remarkably calm.

  Parker pinned her with a smug look. “My job is to protect.”

  She bit back the reply that sprung to mind.

  “My job is to protect my son. He’s the most important thing to me. Poor kid has had one bad break after another.” Parker scratched his head with the barrel of the gun. “First, his no-good mother threatened to leave me.”

  Cold dread drenched Danielle.

  “I killed the…” He ran his hand across his mouth as if he had tasted something bitter. “I couldn’t let her take my kid away from me. After everything I did for that kid—to make sure he grew into a solid man—he made one bad decision after another. Dating one bimbo after the next.” He shook his head in disgust. “All women are nothing but trouble.”

  The rope loosened around her wrists. She wrapped her fingers around the slack bindings to secure them in place. She was too engrossed to take issue with the bimbo comment. Parker’s words didn’t make sense. Unless…

  “You didn’t beat up Jenny. Jimmy did,” A major piece of the puzzle snapped into place.

  Parker pushed off the chair and paced the small space. “Jimmy came to me because he’d beat Jenny unconscious. Dumb kid. Didn’t know what to do.” He pushed a hand through his hair. “He thought she had been out cheating on him when we were using her as a drug informant.”

  Parker shook his head. “Can’t really blame the kid for thinking that. You know that slut let Henry sleep in your grandmother’s basement sometimes. She told Jimmy it was because he had a tough home life.” Parker chuckled. “Who hasn’t? You can relate, right? I could have pinned this mess on him too.” He hitched a shoulder. “But Billy seemed like the bigger waste of life. Get rid of him and we all win.”

  Parker picked up his cell and tossed it back down. “Patrick’s going to send a search party for you soon.” He bent over Billy’s body. “So I’m going to kill you and Billy. Since you and your sister ruined Billy’s life, he snapped and went on a killing spree. Then, in his guilt, he killed himself. Perfect plan.” He kicked the man prone at his feet. “Right down to my abducting him from jail and making it look like he escaped.”

  “You think Jimmy’s going to let you get away with it? He loves Jenny.” A shudder raced through her body, knowing full well Jimmy’s love was warped. “He’ll hate you forever.”

  “Hate’s a strong word. We men have to stick together. Besides, it’s a little late to worry about Jenny. The way I figure it, Jimmy will believe like the rest of them that Billy is a drug-dealing-loser turned killer. He doesn’t know about anything. Naïve kid thinks Jenny really did get into a car accident. Thinks she got up after the beating he inflicted and took a drive.” He shook his head in disbelief and stood up. “Stupid kid…takes after his mother. Nearly blew everything when he broke into the house to steal the phone and failed. If anyone had seen those angry texts, it wouldn’t have taken long to put two and two together.”

  Parker grabbed Billy under the armpits again. He grunted as he dragged the lifeless body out onto the deck. Danielle drew in a deep breath and let it go, feeling time—her life—slipping away. The chief was about to kill Billy. Then her.

  Breathing heavily from the exertion, the chief returned to her side and jammed his hands under her armpits. She shuttered her expression, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear. But he was on a rant. “And I made darn sure Jenny stayed good and scared. Didn’t want her flapping her gums, telling everyone how he beat her up. I will not let anyone ruin my boy’s future.”

  Parker pulled Danielle out into the night air, her loosely bound feet dragging across the deck. His rough grip made her entire body ache. The wind whipped her hair, blinding her. Billy was lying near the end of the boat. One swift push and the dark waters of the lake would swallow him up. She drew in a deep breath and her body shuddered. Parker lifted her and planted her bound feet inches from Billy’s head.

  Parker lifted the gun to Danielle’s head.

  God helps those who help themselves.

  She sucked in a breath and jumped.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Patrick raced toward the marina. Debbie Farr had called the police to report Billy’s car and boat had been stolen. Sure enough, Billy’s car was the only vehicle parked in the well-lit parking lot. His boat was nowhere to be found. Patrick ran out to the dock and scanned the lake. In the distance, he saw a boat bobbing. He yanked his cell phone from the clip on his belt and dialed the station, then ran to the docked police boat.

  “Any word on the chief?” Patrick asked the dispatcher.

  “Not yet.”

  “What about Jimmy.”

  “Found him home in his bed. Claims he has no idea where his dad is.”

  Patrick didn’t have time to process all this. His main focus was to find Danielle. “I’m at the lake. I think I spotted Billy Farr’s boat. I’m going out.”

  “Wait for backup. I’ll have the Coast Guard out there in five minutes.”

  “I don’t have five minutes.”

  Patrick jammed his phone back into its holster. He unwound the rope, tossed it aboard and boarded the vessel.

  A shot pierced the night air. Icy dread surged through his veins. He jammed the key into the ignition and fired up the engine. Pushing the throttle forward, the sound of the motor and the slapping of the boat on the water’s surface filled his ears.

  The icy water was like a million needles assaulting Danielle’s flesh. She held her breath as her body sank deeper into the murky water. She wiggled her hands, and mercifully they came free. Glancing toward the surface, she saw the wavy light seeping from the boat. Like a mermaid, she swam under the water, away from the boat. When her lungs couldn’t stand it anymore, she burst through the surface and gulped in the frigid night air.

  Something pinged off the water next to her head. Palms up, she pushed herself back under the surface. She lifted her legs and worked on the ropes around her ankles. The ropes—thanks to Billy—were easy to undo. Her pulse roared in her ears, but she stayed submerged. She swam under the water and reemerged a short time later. As quietly as possible, she gulped the air.

  Help me, Lord. Help me.

  Danielle snapped her head around at the sound of a boat’s motor. It was coming right toward Billy’s boat. Her heart leapt. Someone would save her. God had answered her prayers.

  The sound of a second motor cut through the air. Parker was taking off in the boat with Billy still on board. The other boat was coming right toward her. She waved her hands and hollered. As if by the hand of God, the boat shifted course and came up near to where she treaded water. The motor died.

  The reflective letters, POLICE, glowed under the moonlight. Danielle’s heart soared. She kicked her legs and swam with even strokes until she reached the back of the boat. She looked up to find Patrick with an outstretched hand.

  Thank You, God.

  His warm hand clutched her wrist and yanked her out of the water in one fluid motion. He draped a scratchy blanket over her shoulders. “Thank God,” he said, rubbing h
er back vigorously to get her circulation going. “I thought I’d lost you. Here, sit down.”

  Danielle’s entire body shuddered as she sat. Patrick crouched down in front of her. She reached out and clutched his hands. “Gram? Jenny?” She struggled to form the words with her numb lips.

  “They’re safe.” He squeezed her hands. “You’re safe.”

  Relief swept over her. Thank You, God.

  Huddling in the blanket, she glanced across the empty lake. “Chief Parker…” her teeth chattered “…Jimmy’s dad. He’s behind all this.” She still couldn’t believe it.

  Patrick’s brows drew together. “Anyone else out there?”

  “Billy’s on the boat. He helped me escape. You have to help him.”

  Patrick flipped open his cell phone and called the station. After a brief conversation, he turned to Danielle. “The Coast Guard has Chief Parker. They picked him up a few miles out. They’re going to transport Billy to the hospital. He’s conscious and very angry.” He let out a long sigh. “It’s over.” He traced her tender hairline. “Let’s get you some medical attention now.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Humor me.”

  Patrick stood up and Danielle grabbed his hand. She pulled herself to her feet and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pressed a kiss to his lips. Warmth spread through her entire body as he encircled her waist with his strong arms. Overcome with emotion, she leaned her head on his chest. “I had faith you’d find me.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Danielle parked her rental car near the side door of the church’s community center and popped the trunk. Three weeks had passed since Patrick had saved her from the icy waters of Lake Erie and everyone had learned the chief of police had a dark and violent past. Just thinking about it made her shudder. Pulling her coat tight around her, she walked to the back of the car. A nervous excitement fluttered in her belly. Silver clouds hung low in the sky, making her wonder if they were forecasting snow. Hardly unusual this time of year in Mayport.

  She lifted the trunk lid, pushed her briefcase aside and grabbed the handles of the cardboard box filled with nonperishables. She had spent the last few weeks working fourteen-hour days trying to curry favor with her bosses. All for what?

  “Danielle? Is that you?”

  She spun around to find Bunny standing there, a knit cap on her head and a scarf around her neck. Winter was nearly upon them. “Good afternoon, Bunny.”

  Bunny flipped up the collar on her wool coat. “What a nice surprise. Is anyone expecting you?”

  By anyone, Danielle wondered if she meant her son? But Danielle suspected Patrick was at work right now.

  “It was a last-minute decision. I knew Ava had worked so hard for the church food drive, and I wanted to help.”

  A wide smile brightened Bunny’s face. “Oh, Ava’s inside. She’ll be ecstatic to see you.”

  Danielle nodded and rested the heavy box on the lip of the trunk. Her heart expanded at the thought of seeing Ava again. “I’ve missed her.” The words flew out of her mouth before she had a chance to call them back.

  “Well, I know she’s quite fond of you.” The older woman pressed a hand to her chest and glanced toward the door of the church’s community center. “The builders have made a lot of progress on your grandmother’s home.”

  “Yes, since the fire damage was so extensive, we decided to build a first-floor master bedroom and bath for Gram.”

  Bunny’s eyes lit up. “And great for resale.” The two women laughed. Bunny tipped her head. “I’m forever the realtor.”

  Momentary silence stretched between the two women before Bunny spoke again. “I’m sorry, Danielle—” Bunny twisted the gloves in her hand, “—it’s hard for me to admit when I’m wrong.” She reached out and took Danielle’s hand.

  Heat warmed Danielle’s cheeks.

  “I should have never judged you so harshly. I was trying to protect my son. My granddaughter.” Bunny squeezed Danielle’s hand, tears glistening in her eyes. “It wasn’t very Christianly I’m sorry.”

  Danielle leaned forward and brushed a kiss across the woman’s soft cheek. “I know you did it because you love your family. I understand.” She herself had been doing a lot of praying and reflecting these past few weeks. Prayer had given her the strength to come here today.

  Bunny’s hand fluttered to her face, surreptitiously wiping away a tear. “Look at me chatting away when you have this heavy box to bring in. Can I help you?”

  “I can get it, thank you.”

  Bunny opened her mouth to say something and then closed it again, as if thinking better of it. Danielle hiked the box up, balanced it on her hip and navigated through the doorway. She drew in a deep breath. The gym was a beehive of activity. Volunteers sorted and packed the food items.

  “Here, let me take that.”

  Danielle’s heart soared. She spun around to find Patrick standing there dressed in blue jeans and a gray T-shirt stretched across his broad chest. She lowered her eyes, finding herself blushing. He came closer, reaching for the box, his clean scent filling her nose. Their hands brushed in the exchange. “Thank you.” She felt like she was going to burst out of her skin. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”

  Patrick tipped his head. “Are you disappointed?”

  Danielle smiled. Goodness knows she’d missed his handsome face. His intense green eyes. His companionship.

  Before she had a chance to answer, she heard Ava yell across the gym. “Miss Danielle! Miss Danielle!” Patrick’s daughter ran over and wrapped her arms around Danielle’s waist and squeezed.

  Her heart melted with longing. Smoothing the child’s hair, she bent to press a kiss to the crown of Ava’s head. “Hi, sweetheart. What a wonderful food drive.”

  Ava’s eyes brightened. “We hope to feed over one hundred families. And you came!”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” With the toe of her shoe, Danielle tapped the box Patrick had set down on the floor.

  “I’ll sort it.” Ava bent over and grabbed the handle and started dragging it across the smooth gym floor toward the other boxes. She stopped suddenly and stood upright and planted her hands on her hips. “You’re not going anywhere, are you?”

  Danielle shook her head. “I’ll be right here.”

  Patrick closed the distance between them and whispered in a husky voice. “For how long?” His proximity sent a tingle racing through her body.

  “It depends.” Danielle worked her lower lip, suddenly afraid to reveal what she had come home to say.

  Reaching out, Patrick ran his warm thumb across her cheek, his minty breath whispering across her cheek. Her body quaked at his nearness. “I’m sure you talked to Jenny?”

  Danielle nodded. “Thank you for putting in a good word for her. I’m relieved the District Attorney dropped all charges. I suppose he has his hands full sorting out the charges against Parker and his son Jimmy.”

  “I hate to even think about what happened that night.” Patrick clutched her forearms. “Thank goodness Billy didn’t keep a lot of gas in his boat and the Coast Guard was able to pick up him and the chief…Parker—” he quickly corrected himself, “— a mile off shore. He must have realized he’d reached the end of the road to be so compliant. We caught a break.”

  “Lucky for Billy too, otherwise Parker might have thrown him off the boat for spite. As it was, Billy had suffered a pretty nasty head injury.” Danielle winced, remembering how Billy’s head had slammed on the deck.

  Patrick frowned. “Jimmy and his father were sent to Erie County Holding Center, away from Mayport. I heard they’re sharing a cell for now. Jimmy doesn’t have money for bail and the chief—” Patrick shook his head, “—Parker is also under investigation for the murder of Jimmy’s mom. I can’t imagine Jimmy’s childhood. No wonder he grew up to be an abuser like his father.” He let out a long breath. “It’s crazy how you think you know someone.”

  Danielle squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry. Th
is must be hard for you.”

  He met her gaze. “I thank God every day that you’re okay. That’s what matters.”

  “We have a lot to be grateful for.” Danielle noticed Ava unpacking the box of food and chatting with friends. “I never heard what happened to Henry.”

  “The DA struck a deal with him in exchange for information on his dealer. Turns out Billy provided the drugs to Henry. Billy’s in some trouble, but both Henry and Jenny are lucky they can put this behind them.”

  “Now Jenny can go back to school. I’m so relieved she got out of her abusive relationship with Jimmy. He really had her under his thumb.” Anger bubbled up just below the surface. “The only memories she has of the night of the accident are of Jimmy beating her up in a jealous rage. She remembers nothing beyond that.”

  “Maybe it’s better that way.”

  Danielle shook her head in disbelief. “And the entire time his father was secretly terrorizing Jenny to keep her quiet about what happened. To protect his son. No wonder she tried to push me away. She wanted me far away from here so I’d be safe.”

  “It’s over now.” Patrick squeezed her hand.

  Danielle cleared her throat, not knowing how to say what she had to say. Heat crept up her neck.

  Patrick gave her a wary smile, looking a little uneasy himself. “Enough of all that. How are you?”

  “Good. I—” Danielle started to say and Patrick cut her off.

  “I called some police departments around Atlanta and—”

  She held up her hand for fear she’d lose her nerve. An excited giggle sounded on her lips. “I quit my job in Atlanta.” The words tumbled out.

  His face broke into a huge smile. “Really?” His eyes widened and he took a step back.

  Danielle nodded. “Really. I want to set up practice here. Help people who really need it. I went back to Atlanta and was able to save Tina’s home. Now her little family won’t be living on the street.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “It gave me such a feeling of elation. There are a lot of people I can help here. Like Billy Farr’s girlfriend. She could use some help while he sorts out his legal mess.”