“Oh, Maria, I’m so sorry this has happened to you.” Jessie gently stroked her face, pulling a strand of dark raven hair that had slipped across her blood-crusted lips back behind her ear. She could hear the wail of the siren approaching until the ambulance turned into the resort. Then the night became eerily quiet.
“The man told me to say to you that your worst nightmare has arrived, and he wanted you to see what you deserved and will get.” Maria grimaced. “Go somewhere safe, he’s crazy. I could see it in his eyes.”
“I’ll be safe. You work at getting better for your family.” Jessie saw the paramedics getting the stretcher and bags out of the ambulance. She moved out of their way and let them get to work. She turned away when they put the IV in Maria’s good arm and felt sick when they put the splint on her bad one to keep it immobile. Jessie wiped the tears running down her face. Maria was in pain, and Jessie knew she would never forget the fear she’d seen in her eyes. Would the mirror show the same fear in her eyes?
“Your husband will meet you at the hospital, Mrs. Gonzales.” Matt bent down to tell her. Her patted her hand and said something Jessie couldn’t hear. He stood up and walked toward her with a grim look on his face.
“He’s watching. I can feel it. He wants to see if we’re scared.” Jessie started to pace.
“Are we?” He watched her walk back and forth but then stopped her by pulling her into his side.
“No, but I’m angry.” She frowned at him. “In fact, I’m going to tell him.” Her eyes followed the slight rustling as the wind blew through the palm trees and brush of the thickly landscaped area. He was somewhere close by, gloating. She could feel him. “I know you’re hiding out there watching. I’m counting on you being able to hear me. Anyone who beats an unarmed innocent woman is a coward, and that’s what you are. You’re coward, afraid to show your face. Well, I’m not scared, but you’d better be.” She looked at Matt. “I have no idea where he’s at, but I know he can hear me even if it is only in his head. Let’s get this guy.”
“Calm down, sweetheart, we’ll get him, but we’ve got to use our heads. I know you’re upset by what you saw.” He stopped, turned her toward him, and rubbed her shoulders. “We’re going to get him.”
“You sound confident.” She saw the certainty in his expression.
“I am. It’s only a matter of time.” He stood in front of her and lifted her chin. “You need to be careful. He’s crazy enough and calling him a coward might not be a good idea. Neither is giving him the invitation to come after you.”
“I know.” She looked up into the starry sky. “I wear my emotions on my sleeve, and I hate what he did to her. How do you remain so calm? I want to hit something.”
“I’m not calm, but I won’t let him know that.” He stood with his arms folded and his feet apart. “Maria put up a hell of a fight. The hospital will gather the evidence under her nails, on her skin and clothing. We’ll know his identity quick if he’s in the system.”
“So we wait.” Her voice was barely audible. She rested her head on his shoulder.
He frowned. “We wait.”
Jessie went back inside while Matt talked to the police. By some miracle, Katie and her grandmother had slept through it all. Grams sometimes wore earplugs and she’d been tired, so she must have stuck them in tonight. Jeremy had slept through it too, she guessed. She sat down in the chair to wait for Matt. Rubbing her temples, she closed her eyes.
She could see a small figure, her head hanging down, bound to a chair. Suddenly the woman lifted her head as if she sensed Jessie was observing her. A piece of tape covered her mouth. Jessie’s heart raced, it was Adriana. Jessie watched her look around the room as if seeing it for the first time. It was a mess. Dishes piled high in the sink and counters. Everywhere she looked, junk littered the floor. Thoughts were flooding Adriana’s mind so fast Jessie could hardly keep up.
Not sleepy. I need to get free before he gets back. Please help me. She started working at the knots. She got one hand free and patted her stomach. I hope you’re okay, little one. She kept working until she loosened the rope just enough to wiggle her other hand free. She winced when she yanked the tape off her mouth. The rope securing her feet was next. Her fingers wouldn’t work. The knot was too tight. She strained to hear any sounds that said he had returned. Please don’t let him back come yet. She kept working at it, cries of frustration punctuating her failure, but she didn’t give up. Suddenly with one more tug, she was free. She stood up and stretched her cramped body. How long had she sat there? How many days? Why couldn’t she remember? She was wet and smelly. No time to be embarrassed. She rummaged through stuff, tossing junk aside. I know it’s around here. She almost gave up and then she found it stuffed in a bag on the table. She held up the flashlight with a cry of victory. She grabbed some bottles of water and a box of crackers and shoved them into a plastic bag. She opened the door and peered into the darkness. Breathe. You can do this. She would rather take her chances against the desert than with him. Adriana found the road the car had come on and she followed it off to the side in case she saw the lights of his car and needed to hide. I need help. I wish someone could hear me.
“I can hear you. Keep sending me your thoughts and I will find you.” Jessie felt suspended—wanting to get up but was unable to. She watched Adriana race into the darkness. She ran with her until she no longer could see her. Jessie’s breathing returned to normal, and her eyes opened. She jumped up when the door shut, and she ran to Matt. “We have to find her Matt; we have to find her.” She dissolved into tears.
“What happened, Jess? You’re shaking.”
“I saw Adriana, and she’s free. She’s out there somewhere in the darkness, and we’ve got to find her before he does.”
He pulled her onto his lap while she told him what she had seen. “I called Frank earlier today, and he’s arriving tomorrow. Agent Henderson and Chief Balasco agreed to it. I have one of her shirts that Evan gave me, so we’ll start as soon as the dog is ready.”
****
Crouched behind the large landscape rocks and the lush shrubbery, he had watched it all unfold. He didn’t like her calling him a coward. He wasn’t, and he would prove it to her, soon. He could make her happy. All he needed was a little time. He stood up when the final police car left, and the cop went back inside. Sweat dripped down his neck. His hands were scratched and bleeding from pulling the leaves from thorny bushes. He got riled just thinking of that cop touching his Jessie. She belonged to him. He might scare her, but he would never hurt her. She was his queen. He had to do away with the cop, though. He was getting extra money for killing him. His eyes darted back and forth making sure no one saw him. He didn’t like the cop touching her. His body twitched, and his skin crawled. That feeling was coming over him. He could taste it. He had to get away, or he wouldn’t be able to stop himself. He started up his car and drove away. Mile after mile he drove through the darkness, the voices in his head getting louder till all he wanted to do was scream.
A wave of nausea engulfed him, his palms were sweaty and his face clammy. Jessie hadn’t meant to embarrass him. He would forgive her; once she understood how it was going to be. It was rising again, clutching at him, threatening to take over him. Wait, wait, calm yourself. It’s not time. He pulled off the highway onto a dirt road and stopped the car. “Shut up,” he yelled banging his head on the steering wheel. Finally quiet, his head aching and foggy, he slumped sideways on the seat. The quiet darkness settled around him.
He was in his world, and he was at rest.
Chapter 16
The sunlight streamed in through the small opening in the curtains and fell across Jessie’s face. Morning! Please not yet. She closed her eyes again and groaned. It was still shining when she peeked again. It was more of a poke than a shine, mocking her with its brightness. She rubbed her eyes and moved her head out of the direct line of the sun. The next line of defense was to pull the sheet over her face. It didn’t help, she was awake now, o
r partly awake might be a more accurate description. The clock showed eight-thirty. All the events of the night before came rushing back into her mind. She threw off the covers and sat on the edge of the bed, pushing the hair out of her face. No amount of rubbing seemed to clear the fog in her brain, though. “Maria,” she murmured, shaking her head, trying to erase the image of the woman lying there. Boy, would she would like to get her hands on the man who did it, and put him in a room alone with Matt, Balasco, and Maria’s husband.
She stood and shuffled to the restroom. It was a slow start, but maybe a shower would clear the cobwebs. The water worked its magic, and just so she wouldn’t be tempted to crawl back into bed, Jessie gave her hair a cold rinse. With a startled yelp, she was wide-awake.
Thirty-five minutes later, she emerged from the room to Katie’s high-pitched chatter.
“There you are lazy bones. The guys left a while ago. I was sure you were going to sleep the day away.”
“It was a long night.” Jessie scowled. “One you completely slept through, by the way.”
“I wore a pair of Sadie’s earplugs just in case you decided to take up late night singing again. I wanted to sleep.” Katie took a breath. “They worked wonders, let me tell you. I’m feeling great this morning.”
“How nice for you,” Jessie mumbled, pouring coffee into her mug.
“What happened last night, Jessie? Matt flew out of here this morning saying he had a call in regards to last night.” Sadie handed Jessie the cream.
“An injured woman was dropped out front of our room. I heard her crying for help. She had a message for me from the guy who’s been sending the notes.” Jessie retold the events of the night.
“Will she be all right?” Sadie looked at Jessie, concern written on her face.
“It was bad. She looked awful. Matt thought she might have a broken arm from the way it was hanging. The paramedics wanted her ribs x-rayed to check for fractures too. The guy kicked her several times.” Jessie shivered. She knew all too well what broken ribs felt like.
“Oh dear, the poor woman.” Sadie grabbed a tissue to wipe her eyes. “Can we do anything?”
“I’m going to check on her today. I thought I would take a bouquet of flowers to the hospital. Do you want to come along?” Jessie sipped her coffee.
“Of course, I do. How about you, Katie?” Sadie glanced at her.
“Naturally. I guess I’m going to have to get used to all these strange things that happen to you, aren’t I?” Katie gave Jessie an odd expression. “Just a thought, maybe I should start working the cases with you, but then again maybe not. I think you need someone somewhat normal in your life. I guess that’ll have to be me.”
“I’m not sure I would go as far as to call you normal.” Jessie winked at Sadie and grinned at Katie. “But, I’m glad you live close by, and I can slip over to the Inn whenever I need to laugh. Besides, I’ve always liked you just the way you are.”
Katie rolled her eyes. “I’m normal! Even you can’t spoil my good mood today. I like me the way I am, too.”
“I think both of you girls are perfect the way you are. As soon as we visit the hospital I think you two should do a little relaxing by the pool.” Sadie smiled at them. “Maybe it will do you both some good and help to remove the dark circles from under your eyes.” She patted Jessie’s hand.
****
They were in the hot tub when Matt and Jeremy got back to the resort. “Good afternoon, ladies.” Jeremy smiled and nodded at them as he sat down in one of the lounge chairs. “What have you two been up to?”
“We went to visit Maria at the hospital and to take her some flowers.” Katie smiled back.
Jeremy turned to Matt. “I’m telling you, Matt; I’m ready to scream at that guy. I don’t know how you put up with his hostile remarks.”
“Whatever you do, don’t give in to that urge or you’ll end up in jail.” Matt sat down in the chair across from Jeremy, pulling his shades down from his head and over his eyes.
“Give me some credit, I said I’m ready to, but I won’t do it.” Jeremy winked at Jessie. “Still I wouldn’t mind taking my best shot and punching him. He was pushing you every way that he could. It made me mad.”
“Are you talking about Agent Henderson?” Jessie grabbed her towel and wrapped it around herself as she stood. Climbing out of the hot tub, she walked to the chair where her swimwear sarong hung and slipped it on.
“That would be the one.” Jeremy grinned at her. “He’s got it in for Matt and is making life around the station miserable. That’s putting it nicely.”
“Don’t be nice on our account. We’re big girls.” Jessie smiled back at him. “I wasn’t impressed him with either. He was a little too full of himself.” She thought about it a minute. “He could be a nice guy, though. I’m a firm believer that there’s some good to be found in most everyone if you take the time to look.”
“Always the optimist, Jess,” Matt snapped. Jessie frowned at his snap, and he looked away from her.
“I gave you a second look, didn’t I? We didn’t size each other up well in the beginning, either.” She flung the beach towel over her arm.
“Touché.” His brow rose slightly. “How’s Maria this morning?”
“Maria’s in pain but doing a little better.” She slipped her feet into her sandals. “She was happy to see us. I feel sorry he dragged her into this mess.” She frowned at him again. “Is there a reason you’re touchy?”
“Henderson.” Jeremy chuckled.
Jessie walked over to Jeremy and tousled his hair. “How was your morning?” She smiled at him.
“His morning was all right,” Matt snapped again. “Get dressed. We’re meeting with Frank in twenty minutes.”
She glared at him. “What! I didn’t know we had plans, or that Frank was even here. You could have called.” She marched into the house, followed by Katie.
Jeremy stood up. “Do you mind if I stay here and do that research we were speaking about earlier? I want to check something out while it’s still fresh in my mind.” His forehead wrinkled. “I’ve been thinking of that last note that both of you are the targets. It may be for different reasons, but I would guess that revenge may be at the heart of it.”
“I don’t mind.” Matt sighed. “I need to keep you on my good side. I may be in a bit of trouble. She’ll be taking imaginary points off for my behavior.”
“Yes, I thought you were acting too male.” Jeremy chuckled. “She might be mad now, but she’ll remember how Agent Henderson is badgering you. I’ll remind her of it, and she’ll be her usual sweet self to you in no time.”
“Thanks for having my back, not that it’s going to help this time.” Matt stood and pulled his keys out of his pocket.
“We guys need to stick together.” Jeremy grinned. “Women are hard to figure out.”
“We’re not easy ourselves.” He sighed. “But it’s pretty straightforward in this case. She didn’t deserve how I treated her. I was a jerk. No, excuse for it. She took it about the same way I did with Henderson.” He frowned, ruefully. “Only she had no trouble letting me see just how she felt about it. I think I’m about to get an earful.” He winced as the door slammed and looked up to find her headed his way. Oh yeah, she looked like she was ready to do battle.
Jeremy patted him on the back. “Hang in there, buddy, the make-up is worth the war.”
“That depends on how long it lasts.” Matt watched Jeremy walk away and smiled.
Jeremy had stopped her before she got to Matt. “Jessie, when you get back I want to run a couple of things by you. Don’t forget.” He raked his hand through his hair.
“Sure, okay.” She managed a smile that didn’t erase the anger in her eyes. “Oh, and I put my article about Adriana on the table in your room. Read it and see what you think. Sadie edited it, but I’d still like you to double-check it.” She reached up and straightened the curls he had messed up.
He leaned close to her and spoke softly. “Take it
easy on him.” Jeremy winked at her. “Henderson put him through the ringer.”
She looked skeptical. “He’s a big boy.
She walked over and stood in front of Matt. “I’m ready, as you can plainly see, so let’s get going.”
“Look, Jess…”
She put up her hand to cut him off, turned on her heel, and walked toward the car. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“That mad, huh?” He ran to catch up with her and opened the car door. He walked around to the other side. “Jeez, am I going to get the silent treatment now?”
“What do you think?” She turned her face away and looked out the window.
“Damn, I don’t know what you expect of me.” He leaned sideways, trying to catch a glimpse of her expression. “I’m only a man. I’ve got some guy riding my case, and I’m staying in a small space with a woman who’s driving me nuts.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Okay, no thaw yet. “Nothing, it’s not your fault.” He straightened. “Forget that I said anything.” He started the car but didn’t back out of the parking space. “Look, Jess, I’m sorry. I’m a grouch. I don’t have a good excuse. I didn’t sleep last night. Henderson was being a nuisance this morning. Then to see you half-dressed, getting out of the hot tub, it was too much for this man, I’m at my limits. Since I’m being honest, I didn’t like the way you were looking at Jeremy either.” He glared at his hands on the steering wheel, forcing them to relax. “I took the path of least resistance and got angry.”
“I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment, an insult, or both. I’m sorry you didn’t like my swimming suit, but I was in the hot tub before you got back.” She kept her face to the window. “You didn’t call to say you were coming. You just invaded my space.”
“I never said that I didn’t like the suit. I liked it all right, and what was in it. But, let’s not go there.” He blew out an explosive breath. He wasn’t getting anywhere here. “Right now we both have to do whatever we can to keep our head in this. Honestly, I’m concerned. We have a guy who has real problems, and who is after you. He’s unpredictable. The more I find out about him, the worse it is. I have no clue as to what he’s capable of, or even what he could be thinking.”
The Game Changer Page 13