Sanctuary Lost WITSEC Town Series Book 1

by Lisa Phillips

  John squeezed the bridge of his nose. This was getting out of control. Spiking the coffee in his office? He didn’t have the equipment to test it; he couldn’t even get it sent off to whatever lab Grant was using until Monday. Which meant Andra would be on the same helicopter out of town, cuffed to the floor like she was a danger to the airmen transporting her.

  There was no way he was going to let that happen to her.

  John turned to Andra. “Tell me about Palmer.”

  Her gaze shifted to him.

  “You know something. I need to know if I can trust him.”

  “I don’t know that he’s a bad cop.” She shifted. “Where was he Saturday night?”

  John thought back to Battle Night. “Not in the Meeting House like he said he’d be. When he showed up at the scene, his buttons were off like he’d put his shirt on in a hurry.”

  “I’d guess he didn’t kill Betty because he was with a woman. And being as it was Battle Night, I’d guess it was the wife of someone involved in the game.”

  John sat back in his chair. “Does he do that often?”

  Andra shrugged. “How should I know? I barely come into town unless I need to. This is the most I’ve been off my mountain in years.”

  “Palmer has a history with women?” John caught the look she tried to hide. “Tell me.”

  She sighed. “He came up to my cabin once, acting all weird. Riled up. Maybe drunk, I don’t know. He did smell odd and he was slurring, talking about how it was time.”

  When she didn’t say anything more, John said, “And?”

  “That…situation.” She looked at the ceiling. “It was like history repeating itself. A man up-close about to do something horrible. It was dark and I was scared. I didn’t react well.”

  “Understandable.”

  “He threatened to tell Sheriff Chandler I’d attacked him. But since he was the one at my cabin in the middle of the night it wouldn’t have been easy to explain away.”

  “You think he has it in for you?”

  “I know he has it in for me.”

  John thought for a minute. “Your cabin?”

  “I don’t think he set the fire. It’s more his attitude. He’s way too gung-ho over me being taken away. I think I dinged his pride by not wanting him.”

  “That’s not okay, Andra. That’s not a reason for you to be convicted of murder. Palmer should know that.” He blew out a breath. “I’ll talk to him.”

  “No.” She shook her head, then winced and lay down.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Don’t say anything to Palmer, okay? It’s not worth stirring it all up again.”

  John shook his head. He was absolutely going to say something to Palmer. He couldn’t have a deputy who let his personal agenda cloud his judgment. That wasn’t going to work.

  The satellite phone rang.

  “Sheriff John Mason.”

  “Please hold for the President.”

  Chapter 21

  The line clicked and a voice John had heard, but only on TV, came on the line. “Sheriff?”

  “Yes, sir.” John sat up. Not that the President could see him but he couldn’t exactly slouch, even if he wasn’t face-to-face with the man. “Your wife and daughter are all settled in, sir. I’ve made sure they’re going to be taken care of.”

  “I’m sure you have, Sheriff. But that’s not why I’m calling.”

  “Excuse me, sir. What can I help you with?”

  President Sheraton chuckled. “Under the circumstances, you can probably just call me Thomas.” He paused for a beat. “I understand there’s a murder investigation going on there.”

  John had a brief flash of panic thinking Sheraton might say the name Sanctuary over the phone. Grant should’ve briefed him. “That’s right.”

  “And the suspect is in custody?”

  “I have an arrest warrant.” John glanced at Andra. She was lying down still, but her eyes were open and her attention was on his end of the phone conversation.

  “To be honest, sir, the warrant was provided because of information relating to the suspect’s past, which all occurred over a decade ago. Yes, it’s incriminating. The people of the town are convinced she did it. At this point I don’t have any good evidence to confirm the suspect is guilty.”

  Who knew if the President even wanted all this information. Didn’t he have better things to worry about? Although, if it was John’s wife and daughter then he would probably be taking a close interest in the town they’d been sent to.

  “So you buckled and arrested her?”

  “Her cabin, which sits in a remote area, was torched. It’s unlivable now. Honestly, I’m concerned for her safety. Another resident who may also have a connection to the case was attacked this afternoon. The suspect is now in my custody.”

  “I see.” The President paused. “And do you have any idea who might be behind it all?”

  “Whoever it is, I think they’re in contact with someone outside town. This phone, the only method of communication in and out right now, may have been compromised earlier tonight.”

  “I want this wrapped up, Sheriff.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I want the killer on Monday’s transport.”

  John blew out a silent breath. Grant had briefed the president on how Sanctuary worked. Likely in trying to convince him why sending his family there was the only safe option. “I promise you that your wife and daughter are safe. But if you’re worried, I can have someone permanently assigned to watch out for them.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do everything you’re able to, Sheriff. I’m worried, but I can’t say I’m not feeling pressure from this end also. The congressional committee wants this wrapped up. In fact, they assure me the woman you have in custody is the person responsible.”

  “Given the evidence and the way the case has progressed, I can only say the entire town appears to be prejudiced against this woman.”

  It would take a psychologist to figure out why they’d turned their ire against Andra. What made them think they were so much better than her?

  The president said, “Congressman Thane was adamant the woman is guilty. He assured me the case you have is solid.”

  The pompous windbag was stirring things up again? John gritted his teeth. “I’m not sure how he could know that, sir.”

  “I’m pretty sure the oaf is planning to run in the next election. What he really called about was to complain nothing was going his way. Like your town is his responsibility. And he inferred he intends to knock me off the top spot. Like people would be fool enough to vote for him. But I suppose stranger things have happened.”

  “I see.” Not that John did, but it was like the president wanted to vent to someone. What better way to do it than over probably the most secure phone in the country? Which begged the question of whether John’s phone was being traced. Maybe he could find out if whoever had accessed it had made a call and who they’d contacted.

  He liked the idea this was “his” town but still, “Congressman Thane wants the town shut down, Mr. President.”

  Behind him, Andra made a noise. John turned to her, but said, “I’m not sure what his problem is with Ms. Caleri, specifically—”

  “Andra Caleri?”

  She was looking at him, her eyes wide.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “That explains a few things.” The President sighed. “I hadn’t heard her name. But I’m familiar enough with her reputation and the decision made by a predecessor of mine. I should have realized she’d have been sent to…there.”

  John’s attention was still on Andra. He mouthed, What?

  She just stared.

  “I expect this to be wrapped up, Sheriff. For both our sakes, get the killer on Monday’s transport and you’d better be sure it’s the right person.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And if you could arrange for my wife to call me tomorrow, I would appreciate it.”

  “Of course.” Because clearly
part of John’s job was to play secretary between the President and the First Lady.

  They said goodbye and John was polite and thankful, even though he felt like he’d been reprimanded by the principal. As soon as he could, he ended the call.

  “What?”

  Andra shook herself from whatever had her in a daze. “Congressman Thane?”

  “He’s on the committee overseeing Sanctuary. You want to tell me what it is about this man has you all twisted up?”

  “It might be nothing.”

  “I’m guessing it’s not.”

  “I’ve heard the name before.” Andra touched her hair. A nervous gesture? “Drew talked about Doug Thane, a pseudo Godfather of his, in every sense of the word.”

  “Your husband knew Congressman Thane?”

  Andra flinched. “The husband whose Washington connections nearly resulted in my untimely death. Several times.”

  “And now he’s on Sanctuary’s congressional committee?” John frowned. “How does that happen? He must have been screened.”

  “They played it close. Drew may not have told anyone else about the connection. Thane probably kept quiet too, biding his time until he could get to me.” Tears filled her eyes. “Maybe he didn’t even know I was here until he got on the committee and I fell into his lap.”

  “That’s why he wants you detained and on the transport out of town.”

  “He wants to get me back for what I did to Drew.”

  John pointed at her. “Drew was a rogue CIA agent who tried to kill you and your unborn baby.”

  “And I’m a better person? I killed a lot of people, John. I have their blood on my hands like anyone who takes a life. I’m the worst kind of human being.”

  “Not anymore.”

  “It doesn’t just go away.”

  John knew that was only the fear talking. “What about mercy?”

  “Doesn’t mean I won’t end up dead or in jail for the rest of my life. It only extends to the spiritual things, like freedom from my sin and the eternal consequences.”

  “Well, what good does that do you right now?”

  Andra laughed. “A lot of good actually. It’s the knowledge of that freedom. And it’s not deferred, I feel it now. But I still have to face the consequences here if they come.”

  “I’m not going to let that happen.”

  “Why?” She shook her head. “Why do you even care what happens to me?”

  John studied her allowing his gaze to roam her features. “Because you’re important.”

  “I’m really not.”

  “You are to me.” He looked down at his lap for a second. “I’m not sure if I can even explain it, but since we met there’s been something about you.”

  She was quiet for a moment. Then she said, “I get it.”

  She felt it too?

  Andra lifted her chin. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

  John frowned. How could it not mean anything?

  “This can’t happen, John. I’m a killer and you’re a cop. That doesn’t work.”

  “You’re not a killer anymore.”

  “You’re telling me you won’t ever worry for Pat’s safety if I’m around him all the time? That it won’t cross your mind I might get mad and snap. Wake up from a nightmare and do something before I have a chance to catch myself? That’s what happened with Palmer and he ended up with a black eye. What kind of damage could I do to Pat?”

  John worked his mouth back and forth. It sounded an awful lot like PTSD to him. Didn’t people learn how to deal?

  “Don’t tell me we can make it work. I’m not willing to try because there’s no point.” She lay back down.

  “You really believe you’re a danger to Pat?”

  Andra scowled, apparently not liking the fact he would ask. “Let’s just drop it, okay? There’s no point in having this conversation because it’s not going anywhere. We’re not going anywhere.”

  John gave her a pointed stare. “You’re right. We’re not going anywhere.”

  Andra flinched. John didn’t want to cause her pain. She was going to think he agreed with her, which he most certainly did not. But she had to understand; neither of them was leaving Sanctuary until he figured this out. It was true, she had done terrible things in the past. But so had he.

  He’d also seen too many innocents destroyed by other people’s selfish actions.

  Andra might have been an assassin once, but that wasn’t the woman he’d come to know. Not because she’d been forced into it or because she hadn’t had a choice. He wasn’t going to explain it away and he didn’t think Andra would do that either. People made their own decisions, even if there were sometimes only bad options available. Despite how the town felt, when he looked at her that wasn’t what he saw. What he saw was a woman with a truck-load of regret trying to live a better life than the one she’d lived in Europe.

  John grabbed his phone and went upstairs to make his call, not looking forward to telling Grant the phone might have been breached. But Congressman Thane had just become a bigger issue, piled on top of the stack of issues John already had.

  **

  Andra winced as she listened to John’s half of the conversation. How had Thane managed to wheedle his way onto the congressional committee overseeing Sanctuary? When John had said the name it was like a knife to her gut. Everything Drew ever said about his godfather rushed back to hit her with the full force of the realization her hiding place had been exposed.

  Suddenly being transported out of town to a jail cell was so much more than she’d considered. If Thane knew her every movement once she left town, a guilty verdict wouldn’t mean anything. She would be dead before she ever set foot in the courtroom.

  “That’s not good enough!”

  Andra grimaced; glad Pat wasn’t here to overhear his father’s outburst.

  “I want to know how on earth this could happen!”

  Andra knew exactly how it could have. If someone killed a member of her family, she would hunt them for the rest of their lives and then after she was done, she would ask God for forgiveness. That was the one exception to her rule to live as a pacifist—if harm were to come to Helena. And, in a way, she could say the same now for Pat. Vowing not to kill anyone was one thing. In order to avoid even approaching the person she’d been, Andra had to steer clear of violence altogether.

  She had to consider what happened to Palmer. Four years later and he still hated her. Well, she didn’t think too highly of him either. She knew peace in her heart despite what was going on around her. She had joy, not the laughing at something funny kind, but the rejoicing that came from knowing how wide, how long, how high and how deep God’s love was.

  After all, if He could save someone like her, then who could possibly be exempt?

  She was still hungry, since John had forgotten to order the food. Was he going to come back down? Only silence could be heard from upstairs. Maybe he was sleeping, since it’d been almost midnight according to the screensaver on his computer and that was a while ago.

  Her feet tapped the rhythm of a song she’d heard on Nadia Marie’s iPod. Calm descended over her and Andra smiled to the dark room.

  For You, I sing…

  In a holding cell of all places. Even though she was guilty of many things, there was something poignant about singing praise in jail which struck her enough she laughed out loud and sang the next line.

  How else could she describe it? She’d only known God in a vicarious way as a child, understanding faith through the framework of the Catholic Church. But something had happened here, with a new start and wide open spaces.

  God’s country. She knew why they called it that now. This truly was the place He’d spoken to her, drawing her gently to Himself. Maybe she even knew how Adam had felt when God breathed life into him.

  Sometime later Andra awoke.

  She wasn’t alone, she knew that even before tape was slapped over her mouth. Several sets of hands grabbed her, lifting her up. She kicke
d and struggled, but all she could produce as she was carried outside was a muffled moan.

  **

  John snapped awake. It took him a moment, lying on his couch in the low light of dawn that hadn’t yet peaked over the mountains, but his brain eventually caught up. He took a quick shower, changed into his only clean uniform and then took the coffee pot from his kitchen downstairs. He had no intention of drinking from one that might have been drugged.

  The cell door was open. As was the front door.

  Andra was gone.

  John set the coffee pot down. He strode outside like she would be standing there, and then cursed his brain for thinking something that idiotic.

  Main Street was empty. John jogged one way and then the other, before circling around to the street behind the north side of Main. He should radio Palmer, get a search party organized. Just as soon as he—

  John approached the spot where Betty Collins’ body had been.

  “Andra!”

  She was propped up, her back to the wall while her head dipped forward. Blood dripped from her chin onto her lap. For long enough now that her jeans were stained. John dropped to his knees and lifted her chin. He sucked in a breath.

  Andra’s face was a mass of bruises. One eye was swollen shut and blood was coming from her nose and mouth. There was a cut on her cheek, like a ring had sliced through the skin.

  He was going to have to go get his car.

  “Andra.”

  She didn’t move. But she had a pulse.

  “Andra, honey.” He grimaced. “I’ll be right back. Sit tight, okay?”

  John found an alley and ran between buildings across Main to the back, where his Jeep was parked. It felt like five minutes but was likely not that long. Thankfully, it was early enough there wasn’t anyone on the road so John could get back to her in half the time. He’d give himself a speeding ticket later.

  John crouched again, hardly able to breathe. “Andra.”

  Her eyelids flickered.

  “I have to lift you. I have to get you to the medical center.” He slid one arm under her knees and the other behind her back. “Please don’t have internal bleeding.”