The Forgotten

by Linda S. Prather

  “You have more faith in me than I do on this one. This bastard has eluded me from the beginning.”

  “How much longer do you think the director will let us stay? I’m surprised he hasn’t fired all of us for not obeying his last order.”

  “He gave us until Friday. If we haven’t caught him by then, we’re to pack up and head home.”

  Teresa looked down at the farmhouse. “Maybe that’s what he’s waiting for.”

  Wilkes rose quickly and threw an arm around her shoulders. “Damn it, Nik, I wish you’d said that two days ago.” He started down the hill. “Are you coming?”

  “What are we doing?”

  “We’re leaving.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Loki cleaned the kitchen for the second time, rubbing viciously at imaginary dirt. Damn Wilkes, anyway. The least the bastard could have done was placed Grace and the baby somewhere safe. What hurt the most, though, was Karen and Teresa leaving without a word. She thought they cared.

  She wanted to get Jake alone and talk with him, but so far he’d avoided every opportunity to be alone with her. She’d caught the look between him and Wilkes before they’d left, and she was pretty sure something was up. If Wilkes had said something to him, why wouldn’t he tell her? And why was he spending so much time in the barn?

  The back door opened, and Jake wiped his feet before closing it behind him. “Looks like warmer weather has set in, and so has the rain.” Jake hung his raincoat on the rack near the door and slipped off his boots.

  Loki tossed the dishcloth on the counter, turned, and crossed her arms over her chest. “So how are things in the barn?”

  “Good. I cleaned out one stall and put down fresh hay. Figure I’ll clean the other one, and then Dadron and I can start looking at those wild horses I saw up on the ridge.”

  “Odd time to be cleaning stalls, Jake.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What do I mean? We have a killer out there, and we lost our FBI coverage, so why the hell are you cleaning stalls? What’s changed?”

  Jake shrugged but avoided eye contact. “Nothing has changed. Just because Wilkes and his group left doesn’t mean I’m letting down my guard. And who knows, maybe they’ll be back once they get their issues with the director worked out.”

  Loki rubbed her head, a slight throbbing starting behind her left eye. He must think I’m stupid. “You’re so full of bullshit, Savior. Why don’t you grab your things and go join Wilkes and his team? You’re all alike.”

  His voice was like a river of ice water washing over her. “I’m not joining Wilkes and his team, Loki.” He pulled on the boots he’d just taken off and reached for the raincoat. “You might ask yourself a question. You’re constantly asking me when I’m leaving, or if I want to leave. Maybe somewhere deep down inside, you want me to go.” He opened the door, and the rain slashed at him as he closed it behind him.

  “That was quick,” Wilkes called from the rafters as Jake entered the barn. “And you look like a man who wants to hit something. Everything okay in the house?”

  “Loki knows something’s up. She thinks I’m joining your team and leaving.” Jake opened the second stall and started to clean it. “I don’t like lying to her.”

  “Neither do I.” Wilkes climbed down from the rafters. “I couldn’t take the chance she’d let Teresa and Karen know I stayed behind. As soon as they’re on a plane home, then we can tell her.”

  Jake started to work on the stallion’s stall, his thoughts tormenting him. Maybe she does want me to go. She was stubborn, opinionated, and bossy. Her favorite answer to any question he raised about something she didn’t want to discuss was “I’m Choctaw.” As if that explained everything.

  “Dadron’s coming.” Wilkes slipped into the stallion’s stall. “Looks like he brought you breakfast.”

  Jake scooped up another pitchfork of hay and carried it to the wagon he’d set up in the middle of the barn. Why the hell did Loki have to send him breakfast? Couldn’t she be mad at him, like a normal woman, and let him starve?

  “Good morning, Jake. Brought you some breakfast.”

  “Set it down somewhere,” Jake grumbled. “I’m not hungry right now.”

  Dadron came to stand beside him, still carrying the plate. “If you’re not gonna eat it, you might as well let Wilkes have it.”

  “How the hell…” Jake leaned the pitchfork against the wagon.

  “I’m Choctaw.” Dadron grinned and nodded at the stallion’s stall. “Smelled his cologne before I ever got here.” He handed the plate and thermos to Jake. “Might want to tell him to wash that stuff off before Loki gets close to the barn. We’ll sneak him out some supper later.”

  “Dadron, I need you to promise me something.”

  “If I can, you know I will, Jake.”

  Jake turned to stare out the barn doors, into the distance. “As you said, Loki thinks with her heart. If something happens to me, promise me you won’t let her rush off into danger. Promise me you’ll keep her safe.”

  “I promise, Jake.”

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  Robert opened his eyes as a beam of sunlight crossed his face. Morning. He rolled onto his side and glanced at the ticking clock on the wall. It was after eight. He hoped Mother had slept. They had a lot to do today.

  He stood, stretched, and smiled. He liked his new mother. For the time being, she would have to remain locked up. As soon as she grew to love him the way she loved Anna Claire, he’d take her to Hawaii. They could travel all over the world together.

  His thoughts turned to the Indian, and a feverish excitement burned inside him. I’ll be able to see and talk to Roberta. After all these years, we’ll be together again. The excitement grew as he realized he no longer had to worry about going out at night. He could put his plans into action as soon as he had Mother and Anna Claire settled into their new home.

  Robert knocked on the bedroom door. “Rise and shine, Mother. We have a lot to do today.” A tune got stuck in his head, and he hummed it on the way to the kitchen. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

  ~ ~ ~

  Karen exited the cab and waited patiently as the driver retrieved their bags from the trunk. “Our flight is due to leave in twenty minutes. We missed the first one this morning, so I hope we get through security by then.”

  Teresa picked up her bag and plopped it on the sidewalk. “This is bullshit, Karen. I can’t believe Wilkes is making us walk away like this. When he said we were leaving, I thought he meant fake leaving.”

  “Is that why you waited until the last minute to pack so we missed the first plane?” Karen didn’t wait for her answer but fired another question. “You wanted us to miss the plane, didn’t you?”

  “Maybe,” Teresa grumbled as she lugged her bag toward the entrance. “I never got a chance to talk to Loki about Tommy.”

  “I did, and she says she can’t do it.” Karen stopped walking and set her bag on the sidewalk. “But I happen to know Grace could.”

  “I don’t know. It’s been so long now.” Teresa dropped her bag. “And why is Wilkes taking his personal jet, and yet we have to take a plane? So much for his equal partner speech.” She picked her bag up. “I don’t know whether to stomp my foot or shoot somebody. We’d better get a move on it, though, or we’ll miss the bloody plane again.”

  “What did you say about the equal partner thing?”

  Teresa shrugged. “You know, we’re all equal on the job. There are no bosses here. I wouldn’t ask anyone on my team to do anything I wouldn’t do.” Teresa paused. “Shit, Karen, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  Karen nodded. “He didn’t leave.”

  Teresa held up her hand and waved. “Taxi!”

  “So what are we going to do?” Karen asked. “We’ll need a plan to find him.”

  “I know exactly where he is. He and Savior had this planned all along. I swear to God, Karen, if Tatum doesn’t kill hi
m, I may shoot the bloody tosser myself. Right in the arse.”

  Karen couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face as she slid into the backseat next to Teresa. I wonder if Wilkes has ever seen her really mad? There was most likely some logical reason he didn’t want them around, but at the moment, Karen couldn’t think of one.

  ~ ~ ~

  “Grandma, where are we going?” Anna Claire struggled to sit up on the bed, her face twisted in pain. “And why for two days?”

  Mary sat on the bed. She was tired to the bone. The lack of sleep and constant mental exhaustion of dealing with Robert had worn her down. “I don’t know, child. I just don’t know.”

  Anna Claire slid across the bed. “I love you, Grandma.”

  Mary patted her hand and took a deep breath. They’d made it this far, so she reckoned she could go on a little longer. “You’ve been a real trooper, Anna Claire. I know your leg hurts, but you never complain.”

  “It’s not too bad, Grandma.”

  It should be. A renewed fear set in as Mary removed the temporary splint she’d made and examined Anna Claire’s leg. She’s gonna lose that leg if we don’t do something soon.

  The lock clicked, and Robert knocked on the door and opened it. “It’s time to go.”

  “Let me fix the splint.” Mary reattached the makeshift splint and stood. “We’re ready.”

  Robert picked up Anna Claire. “Can you grab the suitcase, Mother? I put your medicine bag in the car.”

  Mary picked up the suitcase and followed him. She stopped to lock the front door behind them. The movement struck her as funny, and she bit her lower lip to keep from laughing hysterically. Nobody out here wanted in, and poor old Harriett sure as heck wasn’t going anywhere.

  Robert opened the passenger door. “You can ride up front with me.”

  She slid into the seat and buckled her seat belt. “We’ll need to go by my office. I need to pick up some pain medication and some antibiotics for Anna Claire.”

  “Already been there.” Robert started the car and backed out of the driveway. “I’ve got everything we need.”

  Mary concentrated on the route they were taking, trying to memorize every detail. They’d driven about thirty minutes when he turned in to a tree-lined driveway winding its way back to a log cabin. The ever-present fear seized her stomach muscles again. “This is Mr. Bledsoe’s place.”

  Robert smiled. “He had to leave suddenly.”

  The fear climbed up her abdomen to her chest, and Mary struggled to breathe. George Bledsoe hadn’t left that cabin in over ten years. She’d been visiting him every three or four months to make sure he was doing okay. “Where did he go?”

  “I’ve got groceries in the trunk, Mother. I’ll take Anna Claire in and come back and help you.” He parked in front of the cabin and popped the trunk. “You didn’t eat much for breakfast. Once we’re settled in, we’ll fix a nice lunch.”

  Mary climbed out of the car and held onto it as she made her way to the trunk. She picked up a bag of frozen vegetables. I’ll be okay. I won’t open the freezer, that’s all. If I don’t open the freezer, I can pretend it never happened.

  CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

  “You’re not eating, Mother.” Robert pouted. “I made it for you and Anna Claire.”

  Mary’s gaze flicked past him to the instruments he’d laid on the countertop. Light glinted off the scalpel, and she shivered. “I think I’m coming down with something, Robert.”

  He hurried around the table and placed a hand on her forehead. “No fever, but you do seem to be shivering. Are you cold?”

  Mary nodded, not trusting herself to speak. It had taken all her willpower not to scream when he’d touched her. I can’t take much more of this, Lord. Her heart was pounding, and the room began to spin. Don’t let me die and leave Anna Claire alone with this madman.

  Robert was talking, and Mary sought out Anna Claire, whose eyes widened with fear. “Grandma, are you okay?”

  Mary closed her eyes. I need to relax for a minute. She willed her heart to stop beating so fast, taking slow, deep breaths. I might be old, and Lord knows I’m tired, but I’ll not leave my baby to suffer alone. Her heartbeat slowed, and she opened her eyes and smiled at Anna Claire. “I’m okay, honey. Don’t you fret none.” She looked at Robert. “I’d like to lie down for a while, and I think Anna Claire could use a nap too.”

  “Excellent idea, Mother. I have to go out and finalize the plans for tomorrow, but I fixed up the basement with a nice bed. You’ll be comfortable there.” He opened the door beside the counter, flipped on the light, and came back to the table. “The steps are a little steep, so be careful.” Robert picked up Anna Claire. “After you, Mother.”

  Mary clutched the handrail and counted the steps as she went down. Twelve. She’d never be able to carry Anna Claire up them, and with her busted knee, Anna Claire couldn’t make it on her own. Her gaze fell on the huge freezer in the corner of the room, and ice flowed through her veins. Don’t you dare look, Mary Coomer.

  Robert placed Anna Claire on the bed. “It’s a little musty smelling, but once you get used to it, it won’t be so bad.”

  Mary sat on the bed. “How long are you gonna be gone?”

  “Not too long, Mother.” He sat next to her on the bed and placed his arm around her, pulling her head against his shoulder. “I’m sorry I have to leave you like this. Before long we’ll be able to trust each other, and you can travel with me. I’ll have to set a trip wire on the door with a grenade. Please don’t open the door, Mother.”

  Mary had the sudden sensation of a thousand insects crawling over her, and the overwhelming desire to scratch the skin right off her body, until he rose and moved away. “All right, Robert.”

  He set his foot on the first step then turned. “I forgot to tell you, Mother, there wasn’t a rosebush behind Roberta’s headstone. What do you think happened to it?”

  Mary swallowed hard. Mary Ann Coomer, you’re going to burn in hell. “Maybe Harriett dug it up?”

  Robert smiled at her. “That’s what I thought.”

  Mary cringed as the door closed, and she listened to the scratching noises above. He must be setting the trip wire he talked about.

  “Grandma?”

  “Yes, Anna Claire.”

  “Lie down with me, Grandma. I’m scared.”

  Mary kicked off her shoes, lay down on the bed, and Anna Claire snuggled up to her. “I’m scared too, honey. How’s your knee feeling?”

  “It’s okay.”

  “Go to sleep, child.” Mary knew she was lying. The knee was busted, and unless they were able to get her to a hospital soon, she could wind up losing her leg.

  “What’s he going to do to us, Grandma?”

  Mary’s gaze drifted to the freezer. After Anna Claire went to sleep, she’d open it. She’d thought not knowing would make it easier, but it didn’t. Mary closed her eyes. “We’re all going to Hawaii, honey.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Robert studied the farm through the scope on his rifle. The black cars were gone. I knew if I waited long enough, the FBI would get tired of waiting. He’d counted seven people before, which meant there were still four to deal with, plus the girl.

  He continued his perusal of the farm. He needed to weaken the Indian. Which would hurt her more, the loss of a brother or the loss of a husband? He grinned as a lone figure came out of the house and headed for the barn.

  He brought the scope back to his eyes and zoomed in on the figure. Fate had chosen for him—the husband. He lined up the sight, his finger lingering on the trigger. A light flashed in his eyes, causing him to jerk as he pulled the trigger. The top of his ear burned, and he ducked. “What the fuck?”

  Robert touched his ear and glanced at the blood covering his fingers. Staying low, he backtracked to the car and slung the rifle in the backseat. A quick glance in the mirror assured him the wound was minor, and he started the car and drove away quickly. Mother would be able to fix his ear easily. He was luc
ky to have a doctor for a mother.

  His mind replayed the last few minutes, and he smiled. It must have been the Indian. His spirits lifted as he thought of the satisfaction she must have felt, knowing how close she’d come. He chuckled. A short-lived satisfaction—he’d seen the big man fall.

  ~ ~ ~

  The sound of rifle fire stirred fear in Loki’s heart, and she raced for the front door. Strong arms closed around her body and pinned her arms. “Let me go, Dadron. It’s Jake. I know it is.” She struggled against his hold. “Please, Dadron,” she begged.

  “You can’t help him, Loki. If you go out there, you’ll only wind up dead too.”

  “He isn’t dead. I would know if he were dead, and he isn’t.” Her voice cracked on the last word. “Please, Dadron, I’m begging you. Please, let me go to him.”

  Dadron lowered his head to hers, and Loki could feel the sadness emanating from him. “I promised Jake if this happened, I would keep you safe.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY

  Wilkes jumped from the rafter, rolled, and sprinted toward the barn doors, his rifle still clutched in his right hand. He searched the perimeter as he raced toward Jake. He was pretty damn sure he’d hit Tatum, but he was also sure it wasn’t a kill shot. He reached Jake’s body and rolled him over. “Jake?”

  “Don’t worry, Wilkes. I’m not dead yet. Did you get him?”

  “I hit him, but I don’t think I got him.” Wilkes glanced up to see Loki bearing down on them. “I have a feeling we’re both going to live to regret this.”

  Loki knelt beside Jake and examined the shoulder wound. “The bullet went straight through.” She stood. “Bring him into the house, and I’ll see what I can do, and we’ll call Dr. Coomer.”

  “Dadron, you want to give me a hand?” Wilkes handed his rifle to Loki as a taxi made its way to the front door. He recognized Teresa and Karen in the backseat. And here I thought things couldn’t get any worse.