“So you offering your home isn’t out of the goodness of your heart?” I asked, walking by her. “Are there strings attached?”
Nancy remained silent, watching me walk down the hall to my room. I closed the door and decided not to unpack. I didn’t plan on being here long enough to need to. With exhaustion finally crashing down on me, I grabbed a book and slid under the covers, not making it even a chapter before my eyes closed. I drifted to sleep, ready to meet my nightmares once more.
Luke
I listened as the senator droned on and on about why his mistress needed a security detail. I wondered how the wife felt about that. My guess was that she or a friend did the threat sending, and it was probably completely harmless, just a good stress reliever.
These were my least favorite security tasks. From what I gathered, the senator’s mistress received some death threats, and not wanting to make the matter public, the senator was now doling out top dollar to keep her safe. That was where my firm, Fletcher Security, came in. This wasn’t what I had imagined when I built the company, but these were bread-and-butter cases. I had teams all over the world, protecting diplomats and other dignitaries, and my men were the best in the business. Their training and loyalty rivaled the most elite military forces in the world, but often on the domestic front, we were tapped in high-profile scandals before they became scandals.
I glanced across the lake and my thoughts drifted to Hannah. I hadn’t been able to get her out of my mind; the way her eyes still managed to sparkle even though her life was quite possibly filled with more dark than light. After finding out where Hannah was now living, I had gotten some more items together before I left town and had a courier drop them off. Included in that packet was a disposable cell phone. It was an odd gift. That much I would admit, but in my line of work it was a must. I hadn’t had much time before I left my house, but I was able to gather from Google maps that she was living in a house that was barely standing, run by a woman who I could say the same for. The owner of the home was Nancy Lowel, and she had a past that would make even the most seasoned PI do a double take. Between being mysteriously widowed four times, all with large insurance payouts, and several stints in prison, I had no idea how she’d managed to get into the field of helping people. I doubt she did. My hope was that Hannah would watch her back, even at her new residence. My other hope was that I didn’t completely scare her off.
“Will you be able to start immediately?” the senator asked. His hair was graying slightly at the temple, and with the twinkle in his eyes, I got the distinct feeling that he actually enjoyed this little game of cat and mouse. Gwyneth the mistress sat next to him as the dutiful partner; her red hair in a loose bun and a strand of pearls around her neck. A person could almost mistake her for his wife, but the senator’s wife was in Hawaii with the children and her mother.
How handy.
“Kenneth will be the man assigned to Gwyneth. I’ll bring him in.” I stood up and walked through the study into the foyer and motioned for Kenneth to follow me. He’d already been advised of the situation. The sooner I could get through the introductions and instructions, the sooner I could do what I really wanted, which was to drive out to the address I’d found on Hannah’s papers.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Fletcher. I heard you were the best,” Gwyneth gushed, and I wondered if she was looking for victim number two. Kenneth hid a smile, realizing his hands were going to be quite full with this new assignment.
“That’s what we do,” I replied, not amused.
The senator showed me out, and I climbed into the rental car. Popping the address into the GPS, I set course to see if I could glimpse a piece of Hannah’s prior life. I had never done anything like this, but I’d never run across anyone like Hannah either.
I had spent my time disconnecting from the world, yet something about Hannah made me want to reconnect, reengage with the possibilities of…
Of anything, really.
I drove along the tree-lined drive imagining how different things would be if my parents were still alive. I certainly wouldn’t be in the business of saving and destroying lives. My phone buzzed and the car answered it.
“Hey, Mr. Bigwig,” my sister laughed into the phone. “Where are you at now, and since when did you start handing out my phone number to random strangers? I thought that kind of went against your protection policy,” she teased. “I guess I should be grateful for the heads up you sent via text but still.”
My heart pounded.
“Did she call? Is she in trouble?”
“Whoa, buddy. Calm down. No. She didn’t call, but what the hell was that all about?”
“Sorry. I doubt she’ll call. I just…” Uttering the words aloud would surely make me crazy so I kept them to myself. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the wheel tightly. I had to get this foolishness under control.
I couldn’t save everyone.
I couldn’t save my parents.
“Did you meet someone?” she laughed. “Oh, my god. You did. The poor girl. You’re totally going to scare her away. You finally meet someone and you already have security stalking her. If she hasn’t gone running yet, she will soon. Mark my words. Did you meet her at the club or through business or…”
“It’s not like that. I met her at a Starbucks, and I just thought she could use a hand.”
“Tell me more. It sounds promising.”
The sad part of my sister’s statement was that it probably did sound promising. I tended to only interact with clients and employees.
My sister was five years younger than me, but emotionally she seemed older than her years by far. I had raised her from the time of our parents’ deaths, but in many ways, it was her maturity that made us come out okay. We always joked that she’d keep us mentally strong and protected, and I’d keep us physically strong and protected. I took my part very seriously, as did she.
“There’s nothing to tell, dear sister. Listen, I got done with my client early and I’m going to go take some photographs of—”
“In the snow?” my sister teased. “So who was the client today that got you pissed?”
She knew me well. I absolutely loathed the men and women in these high profile infidelity scandals. Not everyone was cut out to be married, to be monogamous, but don’t pull some poor soul along with you for that ride. If you can’t handle the responsibility, don’t get married.
That was what irked me. So many people tossing emotions and feelings aside as if they meant nothing, but they meant everything. That was why we were human. Life’s already full of too much unexpected pain and misery. Why make someone’s heart bleed with that kind of carelessness? That was why I wasn’t going to be going down that path. Love was a distraction.
“Hello?” my sister queried.
“Sorry. Some senator. The usual.” My sister was the only one I revealed client information to, but it was for a good cause, which was to keep her out of my personal life. If I could distract her enough with this other stuff, she rarely bugged me about finding that special someone. “His wife’s in Hawaii with the kids.”
“There are kids?” my sister moaned into the phone. “What a creep.”
“Agreed.” I turned off onto a country road where I’d be driving for the next hour. “Listen, if that girl calls, would you let me know?”
“I will. But do you plan on telling me who she is?” she asked.
“I honestly don’t know.”
“Okay. So I know I don’t need to repeat how crazy that sounds so I’m just going to wish you safe travels and a happy picture taking afternoon. My paint should be dry anyway. Still on for dinner when you get back in town?”
“Always,” I said, and she hung up the phone.
As I traveled along the narrow, two-lane road I wondered if I was only drawn to Hannah because I wanted to protect her?
Hannah
I woke up with a start. The images continued to plow through my mind as I tried to steady my breathing. Hearing Tracy’
s screams mixed with my own cries shook me to my core. No matter how many times the images and sounds replayed through my mind, it was always like I was there, witnessing my best friend’s death once again. My throat was dry and calling out for water as I calmed my breathing, promising myself that I was far away. I wiped away the dampness that had accumulated along my hairline as I shoved the quilt down. The sun was already appearing, and I quickly reached for my phone, praying I didn’t miss my allotted shower time. It was a little past seven o’clock so I was safe. I’d finally get my shower. I’d slept for over twelve hours and still felt as if I didn’t get a drop of sleep. Old habits die hard.
I stood up and walked toward the door, hearing a few voices drift down the hall. I opened my door and walked toward the kitchen.
Claire and Rikki were sitting at the kitchen table, both eating a piece of toast. The sight of food made my stomach rumble as I walked toward where the glasses were stored.
“Good morning, sleepyhead. You missed dinner last night. You must be starving,” Rikki said.
“I’m guessing that dinner is rationed as well?” I asked.
“That it is.” Claire frowned.
“I’m grateful she didn’t put a ration on water,” I muttered, before taking a sip.
“Don’t mention it too loud. She might like that idea,” Claire laughed.
I thought back to the Starbucks card and how that would provide me something beyond a couple pieces of bread before dinner. It seemed odd that everyone who was here, running from something, was willing to put up with these rules, essentially being treated as if they were twelve.
“How long have you been here, Claire?”
“Three weeks. I hope to be outta here in a week or so. I got a job last week and should be able to save enough for a deposit and first and last. I won’t be living in my own place, but I found a couple places where people are renting a room, which seems like a much better deal to me than staying here.”
I nodded. “And you?” I looked at Rikki.
“I’ve been here five weeks. But I still haven’t found a job.”
My heart sank at her admission.
I glanced at the kitchen clock, realizing it was getting close to my shower time. I certainly didn’t want to miss it.
“Gonna go hop in the shower,” I said, waving as I walked back to my room. I felt so out of place and out of my element. Was it just because I’d left the only place I’d known or was it because I was in a place I shouldn’t be?
I pulled a pair of jeans and a red, long sleeved v-neck out of my suitcase. Most of my clothes were for a colder climate, but I had enough for a while until I could get more warm-weather items.
Walking into the hall, I heard the water turn off in the bathroom and waited until the door opened and Sherry walked out.
“Your turn,” she hummed, a towel wrapped around her head. She was dressed in a robe and slippers and padded back down the hall toward her room.
“Thanks.” I closed the door and entered the steamy palace, placing my clothes on the counter. I glanced at the sheet, wondering how long I was allowed in here. It looked to be ten minutes per person. I turned on the shower, and the water was warm instantly so I quickly undressed and stepped under the hot water. Nancy was right. The amount of appreciation that I felt toward the stinging beads that hit my skin was incredible. Feeling the water slide down my skin as I let it sprinkle through my hair was exactly what I needed. It felt like I was washing away everything from my old home and life. I was readying myself for new beginnings.
I squirted the shower gel onto a washcloth and began scrubbing my body, feeling completely revived. As the water continued to pound on me, I washed my hair and my mind drifted to Luke and his startling green eyes and the kindness that sat behind them. I let out a deep breath, knowing full well I wouldn’t be seeing him again. But maybe that was what made me feel safe daydreaming about him. It wasn’t reality. I opened my eyes to look for the conditioner and there wasn’t any. So getting a brush through my long hair was going to be a bit of a painful process. I guess once I was on my own, I’d be ever so appreciative of the finer things in life, even if it was a ninety-nine cent bottle of the slippery stuff.
A knock at the door alerted me that my time was up. It went far quicker than I’d realized as I shut off the water and quickly dried off and put my clothes over my semi-damp body. I opened the door and apologized to the next person in line, Hilary. Holding my dirty clothes, I walked into my bedroom and threw them in the corner.
The first thing I wanted to do was find the nearest Starbucks where I could grab something to eat and start looking for a job on my netbook. I typed in the home address and saw that there was one not too far away. It looked like it was in the direction of the beach, so possibly out of this neighborhood. The tricky part was that I’d need to walk through this neighborhood to get to it. I grabbed my purse and emptied it out, leaving only my wallet inside so I could slip the small netbook into my purse. No one would be able to tell it was in there. I grabbed a brush and began working the snarls out of my hair, which took far longer than I’d imagined. But a moment of delight rushed through me when I remembered I’d grabbed a couple bottles of shampoo and conditioner from a few of the hotels on the way out here.
I looked out the window at my truck and wished it was running. I’d at least feel a little safer driving than walking, but I couldn’t worry about that now. I just needed to get out of this place. As I grabbed my purse, Rikki poked her head into my room.
“Got any plans for the day?” Rikki asked.
“Yeah, was going to start looking for work,” I said, forcing a smile. “I planned on walking to a Starbucks to plug in and hang out. I’m not used to this place yet, and I think the coffeehouse might make me feel a little less hopeless.”
“You weren’t really planning on walking, were you? I heard your truck was dead, but have you not looked around?”
I nodded. “I really was planning on walking. I don’t want to spend the day here if I don’t have to.”
“Don’t. Let me give you a ride to where you want to go. I’ll give you my number, and I can pick you up when you’re done. I was planning on looking at some places to rent so I’ll be out and about today.”
“Seriously? You wouldn’t mind?” I asked.
“Not at all. Let me grab my stuff and I’ll meet you out front.”
My eyes landed on the envelope from Luke and I laughed as I stuck it in my purse. Taking the gift card with me would probably be a good idea if I actually planned on eating or drinking anything at Starbucks. I needed to get with it.
I walked down the hall and through the entry before hearing my name called from behind. I turned around to see Nancy holding something up.
“This is for you,” she said, walking a thick envelope to me. My eyes fell to the handwriting on the outside and my insides immediately turned outward. It didn’t look like Luke’s. Had they found me already?
“Thanks,” I said, taking it from her and stuffing it inside my purse. I didn’t want to alarm anyone at the house and have a reason for Nancy to boot me out. I had no money and no other place to go.
“I don’t like this one bit. Not only are you showing complete disrespect for the other house mates, you’re putting everyone, including yourself, in danger.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this to happen. I’ll tell him to stop,” I replied, watching Rikki come into view.
“You’re sure it’s him?”
I nodded, knowing my words would betray me. But Nancy glared at me, waiting for something more. “I’ll have him stop.”
“Please do.” Nancy turned on her heels and walked away.
“Off to the Arden Street Starbucks,” Rikki announced, almost bumping into Nancy. “What was that all about?” Rikki eyed me.
“Long story.”
“Being here makes me feel like I have nothing but time, so please, indulge me.”
I laughed as I followed her outside toward her silver car
that looked a little dinged up on the passenger side. Okay. It wasn’t a little dinged it up. It had obviously been in a wreck. A bad wreck.
“It was like that when I got it. Promise,” she said, noticing my apprehension. “Now tell me how you got Nancy all roiled up by day two. I think that’s a record.”
“I always was an overachiever,” I laughed, climbing into the Chevy Spark. I began relaying everything that happened from the moment I’d rolled into the infamous parking lot at the coffee shop yesterday, all the way to landing at the house. Rikki nodded and laughed every so often as she drove us away from the ramshackle buildings that surrounded our house.
“Well, this Luke guy sounds very interesting. Are you sure you shouldn’t be worried about him though, with your… with everything?”
I knew what she was asking, and we’d all signed releases that we wouldn’t ask one another about our pasts, what led us to this house. Rikki was trying to ask without asking. I turned to her and smiled.
“He’s harmless. Just the right guy at the wrong place and time,” I assured her, trying to push away my fear about what really was in the envelope and who’d sent it.
She pulled into the parking lot of the coffee shop, and I glanced around the tidy strip mall in awe. I just didn’t quite understand how things could turn so good or bad by driving less then fifteen minutes in any one direction.
“Give me your cell and I’ll program my number in for you,” she said, as I handed it to her.
“Thanks for the lift and I’ll call you when I’m ready for a ride. But I think it will be several hours from now. Being here makes me feel far safer than being at the safe house.”
She laughed and nodded. “Tell me about it.” But then her eyes darkened. “You got a new cell after you left your home state, right?”
“I got it right before I left. We didn’t have cell phones so they wouldn’t think to look for one, if that’s what you mean. Only the elders and house ma…” I had said too much.
“There’s always a way to be tracked. I’d toss it and hope it’s not too late.” She eyed the garbage can.
Hidden Sins Page 4