Running On Fear

  “Sure. Be right back.”

  “Duncan, could you hold me?”

  “You bet.” Duncan wrapped his arms around her and tenderly held her in his arms.

  “When is it all going to be over? When? With each day, it only gets worse.”

  “I hope soon, sweetheart. I hope soon.”

  Harris opened the bottle of soda and slumped into the kitchen chair. He hated playing this game. He really liked Melanie and didn’t want to cause her any more conflict. How had he even managed to get involved in all this mess?

  Spencer came into the room. Pulling the chair out from under the table, he turned it around, straddled it, then leaned his arms around the back of it. “Care to start from the beginning?”

  Harris folded his hands on the table, then casually cast a lingering gaze at the tall man. Spencer was over six feet and had eyes and hair almost black as coal. They seemed to pierce straight to his soul. Spencer’s hands could probably crack his neck in the matter of seconds.

  “Not much to say. When I got there yesterday, Melanie and that other agent, the one I met at Dollywood were already there.”

  “She sure is some looker.”

  “You aren’t going to hurt her?” Harris asked shakily. “What I mean is, she’s a good friend. I like her.”

  Spencer rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Yeah, I bet most men would like her.”

  Concern flushed Harris’s face.

  “Don’t worry Harris, my man. I don’t plan to hurt her. There’s only one fish I want. And he’s a big one.”

  “But you have to go through Melanie to get him.”

  “Possibly. So where’s your sister?”

  “Out at the market. She should be back soon.” Harris drained the rest of his soda and turned his head. He didn’t wish to talk about his sister.

  “Well, I’m going out for awhile. You’d best stay put. Don’t want to lose any of that bond money if you try to sneak out before your trial.”

  “I thought my sister…”

  Spencer stood up and pushed the chair back under the table. “No, Harris. I put the bond money up. I had to use your sister’s identity to keep a low profile until this is over. And by the look of things, the fireworks are indeed about to start. I can hardly wait.” He clucked his tongue a couple of times, then slapped Harris on the arm. “You know, boy, you sure could stand to put some muscle on that body of yours. Just one little snap on your body could break a bone. You’re nothing but a little ole twig.” Spencer cracked out a laugh as he strolled from the kitchen.

  Harris didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until he heard the front door slam shut. He had to do something fast. If that man got his hands on Melanie, it would be over in a matter of seconds.

  “No, Melanie, I won’t let that to happen to you. You’ve been too kind to me. I allowed Riley to transport those drugs to your office, but this other thing … It stops now. Even if it means my death, I have to come up with a plan to save you and those children.”

  Andrea was in the kitchen preparing a lunch when the call came through.

  “Yes, she’s here, but she’s getting ready to celebrate her birthday lunch. Is it that important?” Andrea asked. “All right. Just a moment.”

  Andrea left the kitchen and walked into the living room where Melanie was sitting on the sofa nestled in Duncan’s arms.

  “I hate to break up this little cozy moment, but Agent James is on the phone for Melanie.”

  “You can tell Agent—”

  Melanie pressed her fingers to Duncan’s lips. “I’ll take the call, Andrea. Thank you.” She took the cordless. “Hello.”

  “Mrs. McGregor, sorry to bother you again on your birthday, but we wondered if after your celebration you could come down to the station? We want to keep this quiet.”

  “As long as my children and husband are with me.”

  “That’s not a problem. I can understand why you wouldn’t want to leave the children. We aren’t as bad as some people make us out to be. You know television has labeled some of us in the wrong category.”

  “Yes. We’ll be there after we eat. Shouldn’t be more than two hours to eat and clean up.”

  “Okay, we’ll see you then.”

  Melanie turned off the phone, then rested her head back into the nook of Duncan’s shoulder. “He wants me to come down after we eat. They’re trying to keep everything quiet from the media and all.”

  “So gracious of them.”

  “Duncan, you can’t really say much. Isn’t the Bureau doing the same thing?”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right, but their timing is off. The kids had planned a big surprise for you.”

  “This is surprise enough, Duncan. Being with my family and sharing a celebration.”

  Tiffany bounced out of the kitchen, wearing her white apron and hat. “Okay, Mom and Dad, get ready for a feast. Bring our birthday girl into the kitchen.”

  A smile danced on Duncan’s lips. “Would you look at our little girl?”

  Melanie saw the way he eyed Tiffany. It was like a father proud of his daughter. “Yes, honey, our little girl.”

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 17

  “Tiffany, Andrea, again I have to say that everything was super. It was the best birthday ever.”

  “Hey, what about me and Agent Hargrove?” Matt asked, “We set the table.”

  Melanie laughed. “Yes, and a beautiful table you set, too. Something tells me that Andrea and Dan might have something going for them in the kitchen department. One cooking, the other setting the table.”

  “Oh no. Now Mom is playing the matchmaker,” Tiffany said.

  “Well, we’d better head to that appointment,” Duncan interrupted.

  “I guess so. Is it okay to go in my jeans?”

  “Melanie, you could go in your…” Duncan stopped mid-sentence. “On second thoughts, keep your jeans on.”

  Hargrove cleared his throat. “Andrea, why don’t you ride in the car with me? We’ll follow to make sure everything goes smoothly. Afterwards, I thought we could take the kids out to Warner Park.”

  “Sounds like fun. Tiffany and Matt might enjoy a nature walk.”

  “Can I collect some leaves, Uncle Dan?”

  Melanie eyed Hargrove. “He’s already made you an uncle?”

  “Yeah, thought that would be better than Agent Hargrove or Agent Dan.”

  Duncan fished around for the car keys. “Guess that would make Andrea an aunt.”

  “Now who’s playing matchmaker?” Melanie arched a brow.

  Duncan circled his arm around Melanie’s waist. “Let’s get this over with. Then you and I have a date of our own. While the aunt and uncle are babysitting, I’m taking you somewhere special.”

  Melanie licked her lips. “Sounds interesting.”

  After fifteen minutes of being delayed in traffic, they were parked at the police station. Duncan hopped out, then ran around to let Melanie out.

  “See that, Hargrove. Such a gentleman, Duncan is,” Andrea said.

  “If you’d waited, I would have opened the door for you, too, my dear.”

  “Sorry, Hargrove, force of habit. Never had it done for me before.”

  Hargrove looped her hand in his arm. “Why don’t we start now?”

  Andrea cast him a beady look. She’d never really seen Hargrove as anything but an agent. But today standing inches from him, she noticed he was a strikingly handsome man. She eased her arm through his. “Yes, let’s do that.”

  Agent James met Duncan and Melanie as they entered the building.

  “Mrs. McGregor, if you’ll come with me. I thought you might feel more comfortable talking to a female. We just have a few more questions to follow up. Officer Dickinson will be here shortly. We know that sometimes a woman would prefer to speak to a woman.”

  “It doesn’t matter to me.”

  “It’s up to you. I’ll be right back.” James stepped away.

  Melanie paced the small area. It wa
sn’t too noisy, but she’d imagined it would be like the precincts on the television. She felt Duncan’s strong hands massaging her shoulders, and planting a kiss to his forehead.

  “I’m okay, Duncan, honest.”

  “Just want to make sure.”

  “Thanks for letting Andrea and Hargrove keep an eye on the children. When all this is over, I’ll explain everything to them.”

  Duncan kissed Melanie’s forehead, as his hands rubbed her arms. “We’ll tell our children together, sweetheart. I want to be there for you, always.”

  “Excuse me,” interrupted a woman’s voice.

  Duncan and Melanie turned around.

  “My name’s Phyllis Dickinson.” The woman extended her hand as Matt and Tiffany approached. “Officer James said you might wish to speak to a woman. There are just a few minor details we need to tie up.”

  Melanie easily shook the officer’s hand. “Then I can go home?”

  “Yes.” She noticed Melanie still held her hand. “I’m sorry, Mrs. McGregor. Is there a problem? Maybe my hair’s out of place?” She smiled.

  Melanie removed her hand. “Oh, sorry, but you looked vaguely familiar.”

  The woman eyed Melanie, and placed her finger to her chin. “Now that you mention it, so are you. Wait, it was slightly dark but I recognize your voice. Oh my, this is a small word after all. My daughter, Jessica, escaped me at Disneyworld. Luckily, she was standing by you. Boy, you saved me from a world of panic.”

  “Yes, that’s where it was. And how is Jessica?”

  “Wonderful. Still flapping her tongue about Mickey Mouse. I’ll be glad when she gets a little older and I can take her back so she can really enjoy some of the rides. I’m just glad there was an honest person to hold her until I could catch up with those swift little feet of hers.”

  “Children can be fast at that age.”

  “Well, if you’d rather wait for Officer James…”

  Melanie looked at Duncan. “Can you keep an eye on the children? I see they’ve left Andrea behind.”

  “We only wanted to show Dad something,” Matt said.

  “Nice looking children. A real pretty girl,” Officer Dickinson said, admiring Tiffany.

  “You sure you’ll be okay alone?”

  “Duncan, yes. We’re in a police station.”

  “I assure you, Agent McGregor. It won’t take but a couple of minutes. Ten tops.”

  “All right.” Duncan kissed Melanie on the cheek. “I’ll go see what Matt wants to show me, then I’ll be right back, waiting in this spot.”

  “My office is three doors down the hall, if you’d like to wait outside. In fact, just give it a tap when you come back, then come in.” She smiled.

  Duncan nodded, as he took hold of Matt’s and Tiffany’s hands, and started down the corridor. Tiffany turned and looked once more as Melanie walked away with the officer. What was it about that woman that didn’t quite ring true?

  “Wasn’t it neat, Dad? All those badges inside that case? That Agent really had a lot of medals.”

  “Yep, Matt. You sure do love medals and badges.”

  “I always have.”

  Andrea and Hargrove observed how quiet and reserved Tiffany had been since Melanie had gone with the Agent.

  Andrea rubbed a hand through Tiffany’s long hair. “You okay, honey? You still want to go to the park?”

  “Yes, just thinking.”

  “About what, sugar?” asked Duncan. “Perhaps finding a quiet place where there are no flashing badges? Maybe a place where you can meet some fine chefs here in Nashville?”

  She tilted her head up to his. “Dad, did you shake the lady officer’s hand?”

  “No, honey, why?”

  “I just thought it strange that she had a small Adam’s apple. My teacher once told me it was extremely rare to see that on a woman.”

  Duncan’s eyes widened.

  “Strange coincidence she being at Disneyworld the same time we were.”

  Duncan’s heart fell to his stomach. Disneyworld. Adam’s apple. Coincidence. No way. You’re losing your touch, Duncan. Especially when a teenager notices stuff before you do.

  He transferred Tiffany’s and Matt’s hands to Andrea, and took off down the hall. The children, Andrea and Hargrove were right behind him.

  Duncan didn’t even tap at the door the woman had indicated. He threw it open.

  “Can I help you?” The lady behind the desk had short blond hair.

  “I’m looking for Officer Dickinson.”

  “You’ve found her, but I’d prefer it if you knocked next time. Bursting in like that could have gotten you shot.”

  “Officer James! Get me James now!” Duncan yelled.

  Agent James rushed down the hallway. “McGregor, I’m here. What’s wrong? Oh, I see you’ve met Officer Dickinson.”

  Duncan slowly shook his head. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening. He’d let Melanie out of his sight for one second and she was gone. “No, my wife just went into a room with Officer Dickinson. She was wearing a badge on the waist band of her skirt. She had dark brown, shoulder-length hair with bangs.”

  “And glasses,” Tiffany said.

  “I’m sorry, but this is Officer Dickinson.”

  “Sorry!” Duncan grabbed hold of James’s shirt collar. “Then where the devil is the woman that went to question my wife?”

  Hargrove pulled him off. “Duncan, watch your temper. We can’t afford to have you locked up.”

  “The woman who took our mother had a small Adam’s apple,” Tiffany said. “I noticed it and should have said something. But sometimes you never know. I should have said something,” she repeated, almost sobbing.

  Duncan pulled her into his arms. “It isn’t your fault.” His icy stare blazed straight to James. “You’d better get this station to start a search now for my wife! You hear me? I’ll have every FBI agent I can contact down here if you don’t start looking for my wife. And don’t think I won’t!”

  “Phyllis, get the others and start searching. I believe our killer may have kidnapped Melanie Bishop.”

  “Melanie McGregor!” Duncan corrected.

  Andrea placed her hand on his arm, while still clinging to Matt. “Duncan, we’ll find her. Don’t worry. Let me take the children out of here.”

  Tears misted Duncan’s eyes. “How can we find her, if we don’t know where she is, or who really took her? This whole time the killer was a transvestite and right under our noses.”

  “She was slim and tall, Duncan,” Hargrove said.

  “And, your point?”

  “We were told Harris was released on bond by his sister. You think it could have been him?”

  “Think. You weren’t standing too far away when she introduced herself. Do you think that could have been Harris in woman’s attire? I was so worried about Melanie, I never once thought of Harris Galloway in women’s clothing.”

  Hargrove scratched his head. “I’d have thought Melanie would have noticed.”

  “But this person had on those big glasses, Dad. And enough makeup to look identical to a woman. If he’d been wearing a scarf around his neck, I’d never have noticed the Adam’s apple.”

  “Something I missed.”

  “Dad, you’ve had my mother’s killer, Aunt Melanie, and a ton of other stuff on your mind.” Tiffany sighed. “No one expected any trouble at a police station.”

  “Exactly. A fact that none of us considered. I, for one, only thought it was one of our agents. You’re one smart cookie, Tiffany.”

  “I only hope that no one hurts her. I couldn’t bear to lose Aunt Melanie, too. I just couldn’t.”

  Tears brightened Matt’s eyes. None of them could bear that thought.

  He parked the jeep at the back of the house, and hopped out. With one hand, he checked the ropes on Melanie’s hands. Good and tight. She wouldn’t get out of those.

  “Where am I?” Melanie asked sluggishly.

  “Home. But don’t worry. We
won’t be here that long. We’re going on a road trip. I’ve just got to get a few items, then we’re off, sugar. I’m going to make big money with you.”

  “Can you take this blindfold off?”

  “And chance you seeing me? Seeing where we are? No way, honey.”

  “Then could you loosen the ropes?”

  “Nope. Look, Melanie. You aren’t getting out of this. That little drug I gave you is harmless, just makes you really sleepy. Sorry, I have to tie the rope from your hands down to your ankles, but I have to make sure there is no way you can run away.” He gave a sinister laugh, pulling Melanie toward him and planting a kiss on her cheek. “So pretty, so very pretty. I can see the dollar signs now. Yes, you’ll bring in a bundle.”

  Melanie could smell something burning as the man stepped away. Where was she? Had someone lit a fire? And where was she going? She tried pulling at the ropes, but that only made them tighter. Brushing her head against the seat, she tried to lift the bandana off from around her eyes, but it was useless. Everything was too tight. “Duncan, where are you? Where?” she whispered.

  “I really appreciate this,” Duncan said, much later. “I didn’t know where else to take the children so they’d be safe. At least here I know they’ll be well protected.” Yeah, that’s what you said about Melanie. “Also the Bureau has agents lingering nearby. But if something were to happen, you load up that rifle, dad, and you start shooting. This is your property. These are Melanie’s children and mine. I don’t want any harm to come to them.”

  “Don’t you worry, son. No one is messing with our grandchildren. You just be careful searching for Melanie. Haven’t even met the girl and we already love her.”

  Duncan shook his head. “We’d planned to come here. I wanted you to meet Tiffany and Matt. Wanted Mom and Tiffany to bake in that kitchen.” Duncan leaned against the wall in the basement.

  “Son, it will still all happen. This time it won’t be like that episode with Jean and Johnny.”

  “Dad…”

  “No. I know all about that and how it happened. I know about Jean and Spencer, too. Things happen in a marriage. Sometimes they can be worked out, but then again … Look, all that’s water under the bridge. The present is what’s important now. You have a lovely wife and two beautiful children. Think positive, and don’t rush into things too hastily. Things will work out better that way.”