She ignored his talk of danger. “You’ll speak to Jessie’s parents.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes, but not right now Gilly. Not right now.”
“I have to see her. I mean it Travis. Convince them. If they say no, you’ll have to sneak me in.”
He drew her closer still and said, “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
* * * *
Sitting on her favorite bench feeding the birds, Ernestine looked up without surprise when she heard Hank’s woof of greeting.
“Morning you two.”
“You were expecting us?” Gillian laughed.
The old woman shrugged nonchalantly. “Let’s just say I figured you’d be needing to talk to me right about now.”
Gillian dropped to the empty spot beside Ernestine. “So you know what’s been going on?”
Ernestine frowned. “Of course.”
“Yet you’ve done nothing.” Gillian had a hard time keeping the irritation out of her voice.
The old lady didn’t seem to mind. “There’s nothing I can do. I’ve been Guardian long enough to know this isn’t my fight. If I were to get involved there’s no telling what havoc I’d bring.” She reached out and squeezed Gillian’s hand. Power flowed from her touch. “You know what’s happening around town don’t you? For the first time in my lifetime people are looking at each other with suspicion in their eyes. Magnus Stark has been courting Dee Dee Esterhouse since the second grade, but just yesterday she called the cops when she caught him lurking around her hydrangea bushes. The whole town’s walking on eggshells waiting for the next piece of bad news and they look to me for answers I can’t give them.”
“I never thought of it like that. How hard it must be for you. What a burden.” Gillian’s voice was filled with sincerity and apology.
“Yes, but as you know better than anyone, we pay the price for the gifts bestowed upon us. Your own life hasn’t been easy since you discovered your ability.”
That was an understatement. “But why give me this gift if I can’t control it? I’ve been no help at all.”
“That’s not what Sandy or Marcie would say. Everyone knows how you helped them. You’ve given a certain comfort to this whole town and you’re completely unaware of it.” The old lady’s eyes held a world of wisdom. “Folks around here are sensitive enough feel your good intentions. Your gift is evolving, getting stronger. It’s like two way communication now. As you get, you give. When you’re receiving impressions from people, you send out waves of reassurance in return. Your hope and good intentions are unmistakable. They’re all talking about the phenomenon.”
Gillian sent her a skeptical look. “You’re serious.”
Aunt Ernestine laughed. “Absolutely my child. You may turn to me for help right now but people in this town are looking to you and Travis. Somehow, they understand it’s not up to me. At least you’ve been given a powerful ally. I wasn’t so fortunate.” She looked tragic for a second and Gillian wondered what stories she could tell. But Ernestine wasn’t in the mood for storytelling. Her voice was firm. “Tough times are ahead. This is just the first trial. Since it was founded, New Crescent has been charged with protecting the world from unexplained evil. Nip it in the bud as it were. It’s a responsibility every Guardian has accepted. ”
“But you can’t help me?”
She patted the hand she held in her grasp. “That’s not my role this time. I can’t tell you what to do, but for what it’s worth I can listen and offer my perspective on things.”
Gillian would take what she could get and at last she unloaded. “Do you know who has been attacking the women in New Crescent? Are we on the right track? Is it the same person who hurt me? Am I to blame for all of this?”
Looking cross, Ernestine took Gillian’s shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “Don’t be ridiculous. The only person to blame for this is the rapist himself. You know better than to punish yourself for his sins. You didn’t bring him. He’s been here all the time.” She put a comforting arm around Gillian.
“During my time as Guardian we’ve known some difficulties. Up until now I’ve been able to keep us safe and strong, but since the day I accepted my duties as Guardian I’ve known this time would come. Of course I couldn’t have seen then what shape it would take, but I’ve felt it building for some time, seeds of evil sown years ago. I also knew it wouldn’t be my battle to fight. Trust your gift Gillian. Trust yourself.”
Sighing heavily Gillian knew that was all Ernestine was prepared to tell her so she led the conversation in a slightly different direction. “Travis thinks he may have found the man we’ve been looking for.”
“Roger Paitken. Yeah I heard. He’s been dormant long enough I guess it was time he got into trouble again. He’s a bad egg..”
“You don’t think he’s our guy?”
Aunt Ernestine tilted her snowy white head and raised her brows. “Do you?”
“I’m not sure. Something’s been nagging at me. Something I should have noticed and didn’t. I think whatever is locked up in my colander of a memory holds the key to this whole thing. I just can’t grab it out of my head.”
“It will come to you. You’re just not ready yet.”
* * * *
“There has to be a pattern, a reason why he selected these particular women.” Travis pushed a folder across the desk toward Deputy Brown. “What do these women have in common? Go over this file and come back to me with anything you come up with, no matter how trivial. We’re running out of time. After three victims, he qualifies as a serial offender. Right up my alley, damn it.” He rubbed his bloodshot eyes vigorously. “He’ll kill soon. I know it. I can feel it in my gut.”
“You think there’s a connection between the victims…something we haven’t found yet?”
Travis nodded and Brown said, “It would make sense if they all looked alike or had the same hair color but these women are different heights, weights, body types and ages. There’s a link, though, we’re just not seeing it, right?”
“Probably. People are connected in millions of ways, especially in a small town like this. He’s not going to make it easy for us. There’s a commonality and right now he’s the only one who knows what it is. Keep at it.” He ran a hand through his hair, “I’m sorry about the long hours, but we can’t rest until this guy is caught. Trust me, he won’t stop of his own accord. So far, the town has let us handle this case on our own because they trust me, but that’s not going to last long. We need a break, and soon.”
“Believe me, Sheriff, none of us here mind the overtime. I have a sister and she’s sticking close to home and so are her friends. The atmosphere in this town is tense. People are wearing protection charms and casting spells, like it’s the 1700’s or something. It’s nuts. I caught Joe Mason carrying around an unregistered handgun. Said he was following his girlfriend to make sure she was safe. Some totally innocent person is gonna get hurt.” He tapped a finger on the folder Travis had handed over “I’ll get right on this.”
Brown turned at the sound of Travis cracking open another roll of Tums. Over his shoulder he said, “You’re pushing yourself hardest of all. You should take a break.”
Travis scowled. “Don’t you have work to do?” Deputy Brown silently walked back to his own desk.
He’d spent every waking moment on the case hitting dead ends everywhere and it was taking its toll. Gillian, thank God, was patient and understanding even when he came to her bed long past three in the morning. He popped Tums and Tylenol like they were candy and had little time for small talk. A pounding headache was his constant companion and his neck and shoulders were so knotted with tension no manner of massage could loosen them.
He’d talked to Jessie Trout’s parents, as he’d promised. He told them Gillian had been through a similar ordeal not long ago and he thought she might be of some comfort to their daughter. Jessie was still in a coma and Mr. and Mrs. Trout hadn’t returned his last phone call.
He worried Gil
lian might not be strong enough to withstand the connection with Jessie. Not so long ago, she’d clawed her way out of her own hell and, by all accounts, it hadn’t been easy. They didn’t know exactly what had happened to Jessie. How could he ask Gillian to relive it?
Since Smythe was no longer a suspect, she’d insisted on contacting him and getting his opinion. They’d talked at length about the situation and whether or not he thought Gillian was strong enough to connect with Jessie without harming herself. Smythe had great faith in Gillian and her resilience. He’d offered to come to New Crescent and be with her when she finally got the go-ahead from the Trouts. Travis knew that should the situation warrant it, he’d gladly take the good doctor up on the offer. He wanted Gillian to have all the support possible. She was doing her mental exercises religiously and she’d told him she was feeling more focused and centered than ever before. She was determined to help catch this monster but Travis still feared she was at risk. He needed her to be safe at all costs. She meant more to him than he cared to admit.
The phone rang and the pounding in his head ratcheted up a notch. He grabbed the receiver before it could sound again. It was Jessie’s dad.
“My wife and I have been thinking about your offer to have Gillian Watson sit with Jessie and try to help her. Do you think she’d be able to come by the hospital tomorrow?”
“I’ll talk to her. I’m sure she’ll be willing to come whenever you want.” He took a breath and continued, “Listen, I think you’re doing the right thing. I know Gillian and I promise you, she’ll take good care of Jessie.”
“Well, they can’t do nothin’ for her out at the hospital, that’s for sure, so I don’t suppose your friend could do any harm. Folks seem to accept her.”
The poor man sounded completely defeated. Travis could imagine it would drive a man to insanity to feel so helpless, especially when his only child needed him so. The monster who’d put Jessie in the hospital was responsible for so much pain and had brought devastation to so many lives. He’d almost broken the town’s spirit and Travis didn’t know how they’d recover from it if they didn’t catch him soon. The bastard had to be stopped. Travis understood Gillian’s determination to do all she could to help. She’d fallen in love with the people who inhabited this town. This was her home now and she wanted to protect it just like he did.
The news of Mr. Trout’s call was something he’d rather give to Gillian in person so he drove to her place. He found her swimming laps in the pool, while Hank watched vigilantly. Travis waited until she became aware of his presence before speaking.
“Well, hello there stranger. This is a pleasant surprise.” Stopping at the edge of the pool, she folded her arms and rested her head on her hands. Her long legs drew his attention as they idly kicked in the water.
He told her he’d finally heard back from the Trouts and she immediately promised she’d be ready to see Jessie the next day. “I’ll call Dr. Smythe and see if he can spare the time as well.”
He looked at her, still hesitant.
“I’ll be just fine Travis, you can stop worrying. You’ll be there for me. If I can’t do it myself, you can pull me out of any jam I get into. We have to do this. Have you made any more progress on the investigation?”
He had to admit he hadn’t. “You might get our only lead when you see Jessie. As long as you’re safe, it’s worth a try.
His voice was gentle when he said, “I’ll probably be late again tonight, but I’ll be here.”
“I know.” Her smile was serene. And it touched him beyond measure to know just how much she’d come to trust him.
“I’ve been pretty focused on the self hypnosis and meditation lately, hoping it will help me figure out what’s with this nagging feeling.” She used her hands to raise her body out of the water and he wrapped a towel around her. When they moved to a chaise lounge, she said, “I still don’t have the answer and with your aunt’s help, I’ve decided to stop trying so hard. It’ll have to come on its own. The effort hasn’t been completely wasted. This morning I remembered something that happened to me during those lost days before my attack.”
“That’s amazing Gill. You’re making progress.” This was the first good news he’d heard in too long.
“It wasn’t anything significant. I remember talking to Marcus in the hallway, outside my apartment. I could see him very clearly in my head. Parts of our conversation came back to me; just inane, small talk, but it was a memory. Smythe warned me it might come back this way, useless bits at a time. But it’s a start.”
It was hard not to get caught up in her enthusiasm and Travis decided not to fight the inevitable. He smiled at her and said, “It’s definitely a start and great news, Gilly.” He took her hand and pulled her on top of him as he stretched out on the lounge chair. She felt like heaven.
Chapter 24
A little after noon the next day, Gillian and Hank walked down the hospital corridor between Dr. Smythe and Travis. She could see a man leaning against a wall at the end of the hallway. She assumed it was Jessie Trout’s father. He looked drained, as if every ounce of energy he’d once possessed had been sucked from him when his daughter was brought here. Somehow he mustered the energy to greet the trio who approached him.
When Travis introduced Gillian, she took his hand in hers and tentatively reached out to him with her mind. His pain was solid steel, surrounding him, blocking out everything else.
. “I don’t know what else to do. Bless your Aunt Ernestine, Sheriff; she’s been so good with the wife. Linda’s at home, finally. The doctor gave her some pills, she can’t take it no more, walks around like a bloody zombie. He’s taken both my daughter and my wife. I got nothin’ else.”
Travis spoke, his voice pitched low. “Why don’t you get something to eat? We’ll take care of her. I promise.”
Dr. Smythe spoke for the first time since entering the hospital. “Gillian, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You have to stay focused. You’ll be another one of the rapist’s victims if you don’t stay centered and protect yourself. You cannot sacrifice yourself for Jessie.”
Travis took hold of her shoulders. “He’s right, Gillian. Pull away if you start to get dragged in. I mean it.” She could feel his hands tense as he spoke. “If you don’t protect yourself, I’ll pull you out myself. I don’t exactly know how, but I’ll find a way and it might not be pleasant. Promise me you won’t take any unnecessary risks.” When she hesitated, he gave her a gentle shake and repeated the demand. “Promise me.”
“Okay, okay
Gillian had seen Jessie around town and had made some small talk with her at the supermarket but she’d never gotten to know the girl well at all. She looked so small in the regulation hospital bed. Dark, purple bruises stood out vividly against her pale face. Her nose was just a lump of blue skin. She’d been through hell.
. Gillian took a deep breath and started to talk, quietly, soothingly and then gingerly took hold of Jessie’s limp hand.
At first, she had difficulty finding the younger woman and hesitated to dig deeper, deciding instead to concentrate on Jessie’s feelings. She could tell that on some level, her unconscious was aware they were in her hospital room. She could hear them, could feel the smoothness of Gillian’s hand holding her own
Grounding herself with Travis and Hank’s connection, Gillian accepted Jessie’s thoughts and feelings of devastation and debilitating shame. She felt the suffering and offered what comfort she could. At last, Gillian began to pull away bringing Jessie’s consciousness with her, but it was too soon.
“Rest now sweet girl…rest. Everything is going to be ok. Daddy’s waiting for you, just outside the door. He loves you so much.” She leaned over and touched her lips to Jessie’s cool forehead. She turned to Travis and Smythe. “It’s time to go now.”
Mr. Trout was waiting for them in the hallway, a cup of untouched coffee in his hand.
Gillian spoke to him. “Go to her now, Mr. Trout. She’ll wake up in a few day
s. She’s coming back to you. It’ll just take a little time. Be patient, she knows you’re here.”
Travis, anticipating Gillian’s reaction, took hold of her before her knees buckled and carried her the short distance to the visitor’s lounge. The room was empty when he set her down on the couch. Dr. Smythe moved to the water cooler in the corner and filled a paper cone with cold water.
“You just went to hell and back. Don’t pretend you didn’t. I was there.” Travis said fiercely. “You were brilliant Gilly, brilliant.”
“I used you. As much as he tries, Hank can’t ground me the way you can. He gives me comfort, bless him, but you give me strength and purpose. Your link with me saved us both I think. She was so deep I didn’t know if I’d be able to reach her, but it was like you threw me a line so I could go further without worrying about finding my way back.
When Travis took her home, she slept for hours without stirring, unaware of him shifting beside her as he answered his phone.
It was a concerned Aunt Ernestine. As always, she knew everything that happened in New Crescent and wasted no time getting to the point. “How is Gillian?”
He swore softly under his breath, “She’s okay. I’m sure she’d insist on talking to you right now if she weren’t sleeping so soundly.”
“Yes, this kind of thing exhausts a person both emotionally and physically. It sure is taking you a long time to find this bastard.”
Irritated with her, he snapped, his voice low, “Oh yeah? And just where have you been with your sage advice? Why don’t you get one of your premonitions and tell me who the hell is doing this to our town?” He immediately felt guilty about his show of temper and ran a hand through his hair.
“You know it doesn’t work that way. I’m as much in the dark as you are and that’s unusual. I know you’re meant to solve this with Gillian. If I help, things could go very wrong. Imagine my frustration.”
Trouble [New Crescent 1] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 18