by B. J Daniels
“Is Sarah Hamilton lying about her memory loss?”
Kate leaned closer. Nettie stared at the pendulum. It didn’t move.
“What does that mean?” Kate asked.
“Maybe yes and no. I’ll ask it a different question.” She cleared her voice. “Did Sarah really come back to be with her daughters?”
For a moment, nothing happened, then the pendulum began to move in a small circle before it stopped again. “Yes.”
“Is Sarah dangerous?” The pendulum began to circle again, only in larger circles. Nettie looked up at Kate, who was also wide-eyed.
“What are you going to ask it now?” Kate said in a whisper.
Just then the café phone rang. “It’s the supplier. He said you were waiting for his call?” Callie said from back by the kitchen.
Kate got up and left. Nettie had to relax her arm. She stared at the pendulum lying on the tabletop and then slowly picked it up again. What was the one question she wanted answered more than anything else?
“Is Frank going to retire as sheriff?” she asked, her voice coming out in a hoarse whisper.
The pendulum began to move slowly in a tight circle and then stopped again.
“Soon?” she asked as Kate started back toward her table.
As the pendulum circled again, Kate sat down. “Ask it if I am going to have a boy this time?” She grinned over at Nettie and put a finger to her lips. “I’m only a couple weeks late, so it is way too early to even hope.”
“Is Kate going to give birth to a boy or a girl?” Nettie asked.
The pendulum began to swing back and forth. It stopped, but then to both of their amazement, it began to swing again.
“Nettie?” Kate said, her voice breaking.
Nettie smiled over at her friend. “Twin boys, if this thing can be trusted.” She quickly put the pendulum back into the box, a little spooked by it. Frank was going to retire soon? She knew how much he loved his job, most of the time. She couldn’t imagine he would be happy if he didn’t have something more to do than run the ranch. Callie was right, she thought. Maybe she didn’t want to know the future.
* * *
MAX COULDN’T WAIT to meet Red. But he knew he probably wouldn’t even get a glimpse of her. Instead, he would be meeting Sarah Johnson Hamilton.
“You’re like a little kid on the way to the candy store,” Kat said, glancing over at him as she drove. She’d insisted on driving.
He suspected that she thought she’d have the upper hand if she drove. But then, she didn’t know him well, did she?
He’d agreed to let her drive. He could tell she was nervous. Maybe driving would make her feel as if she had more control of her life—and what was about to go down.
“I won’t apologize for being excited about meeting your mother,” he said now as he memorized the route to the cabin where Sarah Johnson Hamilton was hiding out.
“I think you’re going to be disappointed,” Kat said.
He shook his head. No matter what happened, he wouldn’t be disappointed. Just to get this close to a member of the Prophecy—not just a member but possibly the brains behind the antigovernment group—was more than he could hope for. While Kat might still have her doubts, he had none at all and hadn’t since he’d seen the first photo.
“Thanks for doing this,” he said, looking over at Kat.
“Yeah, my pleasure,” she said sarcastically as she slowed for a narrow turnoff back into the pines.
He caught sight of the cabin, the green metal roof gleaming in the sunlight. He would never have found this cabin on his own, he realized. Russell Murdock had done a great job of hiding her away. But had he done it to keep her away from the media—or away from Buckmaster Hamilton?
Kat pulled up in front of a small rustic-looking house. It was too modern to really be called a cabin. Cutting the engine, she looked over at him. She was pale, and he noticed that her hand trembled as she pulled the keys from the ignition and pocketed them.
He took her hand in his larger one. Her fingers were ice-cold. “You’re not betraying your mother.”
She met his gaze, her gray eyes glittering with unshed tears. “It isn’t my mother I’m worried about. It’s my father. If any of this is true...”
“Your father is why we have to know the truth,” Max said and gently squeezed her hand. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and looked up as Sarah Johnson Hamilton, aka Red, came out onto the porch.
“Showtime,” Max said, giving Kat’s hand one final squeeze.
* * *
KAT TRIED TO still her nerves as she climbed out of the SUV. She heard Max get out and glanced over at him. He’d left his camera bag in the back of the vehicle. She didn’t realize until that moment how much she’d worried that she couldn’t trust him.
“Kat, it is so good to see you,” her mother said in her small meek voice. “I was so excited when you called. And this must be your friend.”
“Max Malone. Max, my mother, Sarah.”
She watched as Max shook her mother’s hand. She saw the way he took her mother’s measure. Sarah looked fit for her age, and while small, she was strong, Kat remembered. Her mother had taken her hands, squeezing them.
They all commented on the nice fall day before stepping inside. Kat had never been in this particular cabin owned by the West family.
“This is nice,” she said, scanning the well-furnished cottage.
“It is nice,” her mother agreed. “But it gets lonely up here.”
“I’m sure it does,” Max said as he moved to the large window overlooking the valley. “You do have a beautiful view, though.”
“Please, sit down. I put on some coffee. I would have baked something as well, but—”
“That wasn’t necessary. We can’t stay long.” Kat laid her hand on the side of her shoulder bag, wondering how to broach the subject of the photo inside.
“Oh,” her mother said, sounding disappointed. “Well, at least sit down.”
“There’s something we need you to see,” Kat said, just wanting this over.
Sarah looked from her to Max and back again. “Something I need to see?”
“What Kat didn’t mention was that I’m a reporter, and I’m working on a story. We were hoping you might be of help.”
Kat shot him a surprised look. Hadn’t he insinuated that it might be better not to mention that to her mother?
Sarah’s eyes widened at the news. She looked to Kat as if waiting for an explanation. “I thought you said he was a friend of yours?”
Max laughed. “Kat and I are closer than she’d like to admit to her mother,” he said and gave Sarah a wink.
Kat flushed to her roots. How dare he—
“If you are looking for a scoop, there is nothing I have to say. I’m more concerned about how you might be using my daughter. So, how did you and my daughter meet?” her mother asked, still looking at Max.
“It’s a funny story, but probably not one we have time for today,” he said.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Well, if you have the time...” Max said, pulling out a chair, flipping it around to straddle it, clearly ignoring the eye daggers Kat was sending in his direction. “Kat and I are both interested in photography. We met at the gallery where she will have her showing soon.”
Sarah nodded. “My daughter is very talented.”
“Yes, she is,” he said smiling over at her before glancing around the cabin. “Nice place you have here.”
“It’s not mine,” her mother was saying. “Russell Murdock was kind enough to let me use his guesthouse, and then when the press—” She seemed to bite her tongue as she realized what she’d said.
“I know how people love us reporters,” Max said with a laugh. “They’
ve forced you to hide out up here. I’m sorry about that. Some reporters will do anything to get a story.”
“Boy, isn’t that the case,” Kat said sarcastically.
He didn’t look at her but kept smiling at her mother, who seemed to be falling for Max’s charm. “So this story you’re working on... You think I can help?” Sarah asked.
Kat felt Max’s gaze on her as she reached into her purse and pulled out the snapshot of the Prophecy.
* * *
THE NEWS OF Sarah’s engagement to Russell Murdock spread like a wildfire through the community. Angelina heard that the announcement had been made when she stopped at the gas station in Big Timber. Everyone assumed she already knew since it had apparently also come out in the local newspaper, along with a photo of the two of them.
When she got home, she could see that her husband had heard, as well. Buckmaster looked even more depressed. He tried to hide it, but Angelina witnessed his moods at moments when he didn’t think she was watching him.
“They make a nice couple,” she said, holding up the newspaper story and photograph.
“I already saw it,” her husband said. Clearly, he couldn’t bear to look at it again.
It was all Angelina could do not to start beating him with the newspaper, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop. The man was an idiot when it came to Sarah.
She feared there was only one way for him to get over his former wife. She had to prove that Sarah wasn’t the woman he thought she was. If only she could find out what Sarah’s deep dark secret was and expose her. But didn’t she already have proof?
“The private investigator I hired,” she said, making Buckmaster look up from his newspaper. “He was killed. Murdered.”
“You hired a private investigator?” He let out a curse. “You had him looking into Sarah’s past.”
They both knew that was exactly what she’d done. “The police want to talk to me.”
“You? Why...”
“Don’t you see? This proves that there’s something she doesn’t want anyone to find. My first PI quit because he said it was too dangerous. Now this one gets killed. Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t kill him.”
“Quit hiring investigators, for God’s sake,” Buckmaster snapped. “You’re driving yourself crazy. How do you even know what case the man was working on before he was killed? It might have nothing at all to do with this fool’s errand you’re on.”
“How can you keep denying that Sarah isn’t a threat to our marriage, our life, the presidency?”
“Sarah is marrying Russell,” he snapped. “She is no longer a threat to either of us.” He stood abruptly, tossing down the newspaper and stalking out of the room. “I have to get ready for the fund-raiser,” he said over his shoulder.
Angelina let him leave the room without further argument. Buckmaster wanted to believe the best when it came to Sarah, “the mother of my children,” as he always said in answer to her complaints about the woman. But even he had seen things in Sarah that had him doubting the woman he’d foolishly married so long ago.
“I’m not with her anymore,” he said, now sticking his head back into the room as if he’d been having a private argument with himself since leaving the room. “I’m with you. You’re the woman I love. The one I choose to spend my life with. I don’t care if Sarah is the devil. She’s Russell’s problem now.” With that, he turned to leave again.
Angelina thought it was a nice speech from the future president, but she wouldn’t be happy until Russell and Sarah tied the knot. If that happened, then Sarah Hamilton would be nothing more than a footnote in history, a very small one.
Even as she thought it, though, she knew she couldn’t count on that. Quietly, she debated hiring another private investigator. Maybe the third time would be the charm.
* * *
MAX STARED AT the woman as she took the photo Kat handed her, but didn’t look at it for a moment. Instead, she looked questioningly at her daughter, then to Max.
“What kind of story are you working on?” Sarah asked.
“It’s an investigative piece.”
“As long as I’m not a part of your story.” She slowly looked down at the photograph in her hand. “What is it you want me to look at?” she asked in her small, calm voice.
“Do you recognize any of these people?” Kat asked. He heard the fear in her voice. The statute of limitations never ran out on domestic terrorists like this group.
Max watched Sarah’s reaction to the photo. After a moment she looked up.
He prided himself on knowing when a subject was lying to him. He’d seldom been wrong. He felt a jolt that shook him to his core as he met Sarah Hamilton’s blue eyes.
“Mother?” Kat said, clearly unable to stand the suspense any longer.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t recognize any of these people.” Her mother frowned. “Should I know them?”
“No,” Kat said and quickly took the photo from her and put it back into her purse. “It was a long shot. Don’t worry about it. Well?” Kat said to him.
“What is it?” Sarah asked. “Have I done something wrong?”
“Not at all, Mrs. Hamilton—”
She cut Max off. “Please, call me Sarah. I can see that you and Kat are close. You’re obviously a good friend.”
Kat made a rude sound under her breath, but her mother didn’t seem to notice.
“I’m following up on a lead in a story, and I thought you might be able to help me,” he said. “But since you didn’t recognize anyone in the photo...”
“Who were those people?” Sarah asked.
“Not people you need to concern yourself with,” Kat said.
Sarah looked a little confused but recovered quickly as she rose to see them out. “I’m sorry you have to leave so soon. But I’m glad you came to see me anyway.” She smiled over at her daughter. “I have some news I want to share before you leave. Since you’ve been so busy with your upcoming exhibit, you probably haven’t heard.” After a beat, she said, “Russell Murdock and I are getting married.”
Kat tried to act surprised. “Married?”
Sarah nodded, still smiling. “Russell has been so wonderful. I don’t know what I would have done without him, and your father has gotten on with his life, so I realized it was time I did so, as well.”
“Best wishes,” Max said.
“Our engagement announcement should be out in the local paper. Plus, Russell told a few of the local women in Beartooth.” Sarah chuckled. “He said it would be faster at reaching everyone than the announcement in the newspaper. We’re going to buy the ring tomorrow, and then I’ll be coming out of seclusion. I can’t wait for that. This cabin is quite cozy, but I go a little stir-crazy alone up here. Not that Russell hasn’t been a dear. He comes up every day, brings me food and presents...” Her voice trailed off as she looked over at Kat. “I’m sorry for running on so.”
Kat seemed as if she was trying to come up with something to say. “I’m happy for you and Russell, if you’re sure that’s what you want.”
Her mother nodded. “I appreciate that. Now tell me what you’ve been up to, other than this exhibit you’re working so hard on.”
Max grinned, “Yes, tell your mother.”
She flashed him a warning look before turning to her mother. “Just getting ready for the exhibit. It should open around Christmas.”
“If she doesn’t get cold feet and postpone it again,” Max said and got another death-defying glare.
“Well,” her mother said. “Whatever you’ve been doing, it becomes you. The last time I saw you, you were skinny as a rail. You’ve gained weight, and there is a glow about you now. I’m so glad to see that.”
Max grinned. “I’ve been taking good care of her.”
“I can see
that and I thank you,” Sarah said. “Now, you be sure and let me know the date of your exhibit. I want to be there. That is, if it is all right with you. If you think it would be awkward for you with your father and I both there...”
Max saw Kat’s expression. She knew what a zoo it would become if both her father and mother showed up. Max wondered if there would be a catfight between Buckmaster Hamilton’s wives. That would be worth selling tickets to.
“I would love it if you could attend,” Kat said, her voice breaking, surprising them both. Kat tried so hard not to show that soft underside. “I’ll let you know the date. I’m sorry, but we really should go.”
“I’m just so glad the two of you drove up to see me,” Sarah said, walking them to Kat’s SUV. “Thank you,” she said to her daughter, reaching out to grasp her hand for a moment before she turned to Max. “It was nice to meet you. I do hope I see you again.”
“It was nice to meet you, as well,” he said. “Kat and I will be back. I promise. Oh, would you mind taking a picture of Kat and me? We’re both photographers, and yet we have few photos of ourselves. I’ll grab my camera out of the back.” Max reached in the vehicle and brought out his camera.
“Kat, I hope you understand about me marrying Russell. Your father has moved on. I need to do that, too, and I couldn’t have picked a kinder man than Russell.”
“I’m happy if you are,” she said and stepped to her mother to give her a quick hug.
“Stay just like that,” Max ordered as he lifted the camera. Snap. Snap. Snap. “I got a great shot of you both. There is definitely a resemblance,” he said checking the digital photos he’d taken. “Now, one of Kat and me, if you don’t mind.”
He handed the camera to her mother and then pulled Kat to him. He could see that she was trying hard not to hit him. “Smile,” he said and looked toward the camera, thinking about Red and the Prophecy and the photo that one of them had taken that day.