The Bend

by Terri Tiffany

  “Good morning. How did you sleep?”

  Kate remained rigid in her chair. Good girl. Trying her best to appeal to his sense of right and wrong. How quickly she’d discover that only what he wanted would appease him. He held up the bottle. Jiggled the water.

  Her tongue came out and licked her bottom lip. Someone was thirsty. They all came around sooner or later when they got like this. He set the bottle on the floor two feet from her. “Hungry, too? If you’re good today, I might be able to drum up a slice of pizza or a sub from the deli in town. I hear they make a mean Italian.”

  “You’re being cruel, Todd. That’s not how I remember you. What happened to the boy who helped when I fell on the playground?”

  That memory of them surged through his chest like fire. “I’m not being cruel. I’m doing what is best for you. For both of us.”

  “Kidnapping me? Tying me up like an animal?” Her eyes shone with unshed tears. Good. He would let her vent awhile longer. Get her anger out of her system. Sometimes they needed to do that. But especially Kate since she was the special one.

  He slipped the knife he’d attached to his belt from the holster and moved closer.

  Kate gasped.

  Just like he wanted. Maybe her training would be finished sooner than he expected. He wiped the blade across his thigh. “You aren’t an animal, Kate. On the contrary, you’re special to me. We have history. We have purpose together.”

  “What are you talking about? We were friends once. Is that our history? Friends don’t do this to each other, Todd. Do they? You must remember how you walked me home from school. How you sat with me in the cafeteria and I shared my rolls with you. Don’t you remember how you liked me?” Her voice escalated. Struck a nerve inside of him.

  Of course he remembered. Why would he spend all these years on anyone else if he didn’t remember? But she’d forgotten the most important aspect of their past.

  “Keep digging. Maybe you’ll remember the most crucial part of our history.”

  ###

  She was dealing with a crazy man. Kate kept her shoulders firm, determined to show Todd that she was strong. Not a woman who would give in to his threats. But she was so thirsty. Hungry. How dare he bring water and set it at her feet where she couldn’t reach it.

  She twisted her gaze to the knife he held in his hand. Surely he wouldn’t hurt her. She must keep talking—get him to remember the old Todd—not this monster before her.

  “Do you remember the day my mother and I stopped by your house when you didn’t show up to school for a week? I was worried about you. Me. Only me. My mother spoke with your mother as I stood next to her.” She would tell him what she knew about his sordid life.

  Her captor flinched.

  Kate pressed on. She needed to find that crack that would make him release her.

  “Your mother. I saw your mother that day. I never told you because there wasn’t a chance. She could hardly talk. She was drunk, Todd. I discovered your secret—why you wore clothing that needed washing. Why you never brought a lunch to school or had enough money to purchase one. She didn’t take care of you and you hid it from me.”

  His face caved in. He sucked in air and wheeled away from her toward the door where he had entered.

  “I cared about you! Me! And now I hope you’ll care about me the same way!” she shouted at him, her throat raspy from her earlier screams.

  Todd twisted around—his face a mask. “I do care about you. That’s the whole reason I must do what I will do tomorrow. You’ll see then. You’ll see how much I do care.” He swerved toward her, plucked up the bottle of water, and tore from the room.

  Kate trembled, felt her fears rising to the surface again. What did he mean about tomorrow? What sickening plan did he have for her that he must keep her tied like a wild animal? She strained again on the bolt in the wall and collapsed into her chair.

  ###

  Seth parked in the newspaper parking lot. Another storm ripped across the skies, hurling leaves across his feet. Did the sun ever shine in the Bend? He hunched down and ran the final steps to the door. Rhonda glanced up when he entered. “I thought you quit,” she said. Two bottles of nail polish were lined up on the most recent edition of the paper.

  “I did. Now I want to see Tim again.”

  She nodded toward the back area. “He was screaming in his phone the last I heard. See for yourself.”

  He brushed past the front desk. Tim was staring out the window when he tromped into his office. He didn’t turn to acknowledge Seth but spoke. “That didn’t take long.”

  “I don’t want my job back.”

  Tim’s gaze swung around to meet his. “Kate?”

  “You heard?” He dropped into the chair across from the desk. Like old times. Only nothing was the same. His boss belonged to a cult that owned the town. Tried to own him. “She’s been missing since yesterday. Do you know anything?”

  Tim chuckled. “So now you have me pegged as a kidnapper? Funny. And here I used to think you would one day be a star reporter. You’re on the wrong scent, Seth. I don’t know where she went or what she’s doing. For all we know, she’s disappeared on purpose to draw attention to herself or to Earl’s cause. She didn’t strike me at first as that kind of girl, but now that I think about it . . .” He removed his glasses and placed them in the empty space between them. “Let it go. Let her go. She’ll show up one day and we’ll wonder why we worried for one minute.”

  Tim’s tone crawled inside his gut. How did he work for this piece of dirt for over a year? He stood. “If it doesn’t hurt too much, call me if you hear anything. You’re wrong about Kate.”

  “Like I was about you?” His lips curled over his teeth.

  It was all Seth could do to restrain himself from punching those suckers down his throat. Instead, he stormed from the room, passed Rhonda to the outside. Rain pelted his bare head as he raced to his Jeep. He’d return to Kate’s to wait for the sheriff.

  The ten-year old Pontiac that passed as the Bend’s only official vehicle was parked out front of her house when he arrived. It looked like the sheriff had just gotten there. He hadn’t left his car yet. But then Oscar did as little as he could. Passed go and collected his two hundred bucks each week. The Bend couldn’t afford more than that, so Oscar tended bar at Billy’s Pub two nights a week along with the money his wife collected as a bank teller.

  Seth tapped on the car window. The rain had changed to a light drizzle but water still dripped from his nose. “Coming in?” He tilted his chin toward the house

  Oscar huffed, grabbing his clipboard. He lumbered after Seth through the back door where he’d broken the window. Oscar paused, looked down and then eyed him. “Going to have to report this.”

  Seth didn’t have time for dramatics. “I’ll pay for it.”

  He led the sheriff through the kitchen into the living room. “I found this.” He showed him the piece of cardboard he’d discovered on the floor. “What do you think?” Oscar got into character and scouted the room like Sherlock Holmes. “I also found mud that looked like it came from treads.”

  When the sheriff completed his round of the cottage, he stopped in the middle of the living room floor and scratched his scraggly beard. “She’s gone all right. No woman leaves her purse or phone.”

  Seth rolled his eyes. “What can we do? I’ve looked everywhere and she doesn’t know anyone in town. You know other women have gone missing . . .”

  “Now don’t go getting all up in arms about Earl. Those women choose their lifestyle. It’s for the best. We don’t force them to go.”

  He was wasting his time. He ought to be out knocking on doors—something. “Think I should call the staties?”

  “Now you’re overreacting. Let’s give it another couple of days. I’ll make an announcement at the rally tomorrow. Someone will have seen her. A pretty girl like her doesn’t just disappear.”

  Seth couldn’t help but think of Becky and how she looked after being pulled from
the river. After Oscar left, he returned to Kate’s computer. Fired it up. He clicked on pictures and scrolled through them. He gave her points for organization. Every photo had a location and date attached to it. The library’s awards ceremony, the hardware store’s annual event, the fireman’s parade. He clicked through a few more and came upon the ones she took that day of the theater.

  His heart slowed. Seth bent his head. Whispered a prayer. It felt unnatural on his lips but so did the image seared on his brain that Kate might suffer a similar fate.

  CHAPTER 88

  The Trainer changed into his work uniform. He could not let himself become distracted with Kate’s words. She was trying to disarm him—make him change his plans—plans he’d developed for twenty years. Tomorrow, tomorrow they would finalize!

  He checked the time. He would need to run to the hardware store to borrow the truck. Hopefully, Hank would be occupied with customers and never notice.

  The room next to his bedroom held more than his undelivered office supplies. He wound his way to the back table where several boxes were piled. The order for the church’s monthly supply of bulletins and paper were stacked in the middle. He’d swiped them from the truck when they came in for delivery. What was one more day? But the important box, the one containing his bomb, waited next to them.

  The sun finally came out as he steered his truck across the flats toward town. When he neared Hank’s Hardware he noticed his boss’s car was gone. That meant only Sylvia would be working the counter. The ditz had no clue to his real work schedule. All she did was blow him kisses enough to make him gag. If he had more time to spare, he would put an end to that.

  He parked in the back next to his delivery truck. Within minutes, he had transferred the load of boxes to the back of the truck. He clambered into the driver’s seat and drove the five miles to the church where the rally was planned for tomorrow. As he hoped, only one vehicle sat in the empty parking lot. Evelyn. The church’s ancient cleaning woman. The pastor and secretary never worked Tuesdays. He’d done his homework well. A swell of excitement surged through his chest. His fingers tingled as he rounded the truck to the back and loaded the boxes onto his cart.

  So easy. This plan was unfolding exactly as he envisioned it nights lying alone in bed thinking about Kate and how the two of them would be together for eternity. Death—the final chapter of their story.

  Evelyn looked up as he opened the side door. She put her mop aside. “Don’t slip. I just mopped and don’t want to pick you up.” She showed her nicotine-stained teeth.

  “Would never want to do that to you, darling.” The Trainer gave her a gentle pat on her arm which produced the expected giggle. Fat old broad. He hoped she showed up for the rally.

  “You men. Never could get my work done with a handsome character like you around. Go right on with those packages to the storage room where you always put them.” She shook her head with her annoying smile once more.

  The Trainer saluted and gave her what she wanted—another seductive stroke on her arm. Then he wheeled his special delivery into the room that was filled with two long folding tables. With as much care as he could muster, he stacked the boxes on the table but placed his special one beneath the table against the sanctuary wall.

  Evelyn’s whistling drew closer.

  The Trainer looked over his shoulder. He could finish Evelyn off now. One less person sooner. Her inane conversation was pushing him to the limit. He stuck his head out into the hallway. “Darling, do you have a minute? I’m having trouble in here.”

  His voice echoed down the empty hallway.

  “Evelyn?”

  He tipped his head. Listened.

  Nothing.

  The Trainer unfolded his fingers. Shrugged. One more day. What did it matter?

  CHAPTER 89

  Her stomach roared from hunger. Kate lifted her head from the cold floor of her prison. When would Todd return? Would he bring his knife with him? She fingered her jeans’ pocket. Yes, it was still there. Her pocketknife. She’d tried using it to cut through the chain but thought better of it after two strikes. Why dull the blade? She might need it on Todd.

  She rose to her knees, wincing at the pain that shot through her leg. He hadn’t patted her down either. He acted almost afraid to touch her. That realization gave her hope. Perhaps because of their long-ago friendship, he would discover he couldn’t hurt her.

  Very little light crept beneath the doorway any longer. When would he return?

  She licked her cracked lips again. She would ask for a drink. A sip. Anything. She would tell him that she would not be able to do what he asked unless he cared for her basic needs.

  Kate thought of Seth next. Was he worried about her? She didn’t show up to work yesterday or today. Would he look for her like they did Debbie and Shelly or would he say good riddance? She had grown to care about him though she hated to admit it. Seth could be a huge pain at times—always looking for the next big story. Acting tough when he was worried like her. She thought about their trek through the woods to the cabins. She’d been scared but didn’t want to show it. Seth made sure she succeeded.

  She wiped her eyes. If only she was climbing that mountain again. Not this. Trapped and tortured. Her jaw trembled as she considered her fate. Would he return soon? To kill her?

  As she struggled to rise to her wobbly legs, the door opened. The last rays of orange sunlight filtered in behind Todd. Her breath caught in her throat. She backed up to her chair. Todd crossed the threshold and shut the door. He flipped a switch and a more powerful overhead light bulb illuminated his handsome features. Yes, he was handsome. Not the homely boy she remembered.

  “Please may I have water? It’s been so long.”

  He pulled his hand from behind his back. A bottle of water. A bag she recognized from the diner as well. “If I give you this, will you behave?”

  She would jump through hoops for water. Exactly what he wanted. “Yes. Please. I’m so thirsty.”

  Satisfied with her promise, he tossed the water to her feet. Kate lunged for it like a dog for a bone. She opened the cap with fingers that had lost their life. Finally. She poured it into her mouth, swallowed, coughed, and gagged.

  “Slowly or you’ll throw it all up.”

  She followed his orders. Drank slower. Felt the refreshing liquid coat her parched throat. When the bottle was empty, she held it out for more. Like he wanted.

  Instead of answering her, he moved to the far wall and crouched. With slow deliberate movements, he pulled out a juicy burger and raised it to his mouth. Kate sunk into her chair. The beefy aroma reached her nostrils, torturing her. She would faint soon. Maybe that would be best. She could black out this horror.

  Todd chewed slowly. Took another huge bite. When he was nearly finished, he tossed the remaining piece to her. Kate once again lunged from her chair and scooped up the dirty piece of burger. She forced it between cracked lips, chewed, and mercifully swallowed. The tiny offering did nothing to satisfy her. She eyed the floor for crumbs. Seeing no more, she remained seated on the floor while Todd watched her.

  How long would this torture last? She must think of a way to escape. But her body was so weak now. So hungry. She didn't have the strength to move back to the chair.

  Todd laughed. “Sorry I don’t have more to share. But tomorrow you won’t care. Neither will I.”

  “What do you mean? What’s tomorrow?” At least she had one more day to find a way out. If only she could gain her strength. But that’s what he was counting on. That she would grow weaker and weaker and beg him to kill her. She fisted her hands. Never.

  Todd pushed up from his squat and stood. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a worn leather wallet. “I’ve carried this picture for twenty years. Do you remember when it was taken?”

  He tossed the photo to her. Kate watched it flutter to a dead stop. A black and whiteout-of-focus picture. Before picking it up, she glanced upward to her captive. “What are you doing? Please let me
go. In God’s name, stop this before it goes any farther.”

  A hard look filled his dark eyes. “Pick it up, Kate.”

  She picked up the creased photo. Blinked. Tried to clear her vision. “I remember this day. Mrs. Graham took it. At play practice.” She studied the way Todd looked as a twelve-year old boy, his shoulder touching hers as he smiled. This was the last photo her teacher took. The last photo taken of Kate when she was loved by her parents and a brother. She fought back burning tears. Licked salty ones that escaped.

  “You do remember. I see that now.” Todd’s voice came to her in a whisper. “You remember how close we were. More than good friends, my Kate. Much more.”

  She shook her head. He didn’t remember the sadness connected with this photo at all. He remembered a deeper level of friendship that never existed. She poured over the picture once more. Torturing herself. Then she gasped. Dropped the picture to the floor. No! It couldn’t be.

  The auras. She’d seen the auras.

  Around both of them.

  CHAPTER 90

  Seth threw his cell phone to the counter in his kitchen. Daisy gave a low rumble when he shifted her off his lap. The second night since Kate had left them. Where was she? Why didn’t she call?

  He strode to his fridge to take out one last piece of pizza. Thin circles of pepperoni clung to it as he folded it into his mouth.

  He’d called David again, and the sheriff and Doc, but no one had any idea about Kate’s whereabouts. It was as though she had disappeared into thin air. If no one came forward with news at the rally tomorrow, he would call the State Police. Forget what anyone thought. Something was wrong.

  He reached to turn off the lights when a light tap at his door stopped him. Seth grabbed a knife from the drawer. His breathing surged. No one but Kate knew where he lived. Kate and whoever clobbered him over his head. He inched closer to the door, his knife raised.

  Another tap.

  He heard a cough and then shoes shuffling on his porch. Whoever it was didn’t care that they were heard. He flipped on the outside light.