Can't Find My Way Home

by Carlene Thompson

  ‘My life’s been fine,’ Tessa said softly.

  Nathan frowned playfully at her. ‘Maybe your idea of fine, not my idea of fun.’ He smiled at Savannah. ‘She’ll be a different woman when she gets back to Genessa Point.’

  ‘I don’t know exactly where Casablanca is, but I’ll look it up. We’ll miss you at the library, Miss Cavanaugh,’ Savannah said graciously.

  Tessa looked startled. ‘Why, my dear, what a sweet thing to say.’

  ‘Well, I think I’ve recovered.’ Cassie stood up. ‘I don’t want to ruin the evening for everyone.’

  Brynn stood up. She hated the thought of spending the rest of the evening with Tessa, of all people, but she also didn’t want to be rude. Tessa would probably burst into tears and Savannah’s evening had already suffered enough drama. ‘Tessa, Nathan, why don’t you hang with us for a while?’

  ‘Hang with you?’ Tessa asked in confusion.

  ‘Oh, Tess, really,’ Nathan said in exasperation, then caught himself. ‘We’d be glad to hang with you guys if we won’t be a drag.’

  A man walked past selling balloons and Garrett bought eight, Savannah picking and distributing colors with ceremony that left Tessa looking baffled but made Nathan smile. She gave her father one metallic gold one and Brynn metallic silver. ‘You’re the sun and Brynn’s the moon,’ she said before handing Cassie another in metallic copper, explaining, ‘You’re a comet.’ She chose blue for Nathan, ‘because Dad told me you work with the ocean,’ and Tessa another ‘white as snow.’ For her and Henry, she picked out two in yellow, ‘for happiness.’

  ‘Where is your dog tonight, Savannah?’ Tessa asked, clenching the string on her white balloon as they began walking again.

  ‘Henry’s at home, watching Animal Planet on TV. I wish I could have brought him.’

  ‘You should keep what’s important to you as close as possible.’ Tessa had said this before at the wishing well, but tonight her voice had a distant, eerie tone. She stared vacantly ahead. ‘If it’s important enough, though, you can find a way.’

  Savannah’s gaze met Brynn’s for an instant, almost as if she was afraid that Tessa was going to fall into one of her ‘freaky’ spells. ‘All the noise might have gotten on Henry’s nerves,’ she said quickly. ‘And he couldn’t have ridden on anything or eaten most of the food they have here. He’s probably happier watching Animal Planet. Do you ever watch it?’

  ‘Me?’ Tessa looked as if Savannah had asked if she ever jumped off the roof. ‘No. Is it about all kinds of animals?’

  ‘Well, yeah. It’s real educational. Last week I learned—’

  ‘There’s Ray.’ Tessa was peering ahead and stiffened suddenly. ‘He’s holding a gun.’

  SIXTEEN

  ‘What?’ Cassie cried in alarm.

  ‘It’s a fake gun at a shooting game,’ Brynn answered calmly, spotting Ray holding his replica Winchester rifle and looking as intense as a real sniper although the gun shot either air or corks. She turned to Garrett and Nathan. ‘Ray’s shooting up the place. You two should step in and show him a thing or two.’

  ‘I’ll give it a try, but Garrett’s the marksman,’ Nathan said. ‘Garrett, get in there before Ray wins all the toys.’

  ‘Looks like Ray’s having a good time. Let him enjoy it for a while.’ He snapped a photo of Ray.

  Nathan ignored Garrett. ‘Hey, Ray, the sheriff’s here to give you some competition.’

  Ray looked around, obviously annoyed. People nearby looked in Garrett’s direction and most seemed to recognize the county sheriff. In a moment, they began moving back, making way for him.

  ‘You must have quite a reputation,’ Brynn murmured, feeling a wave of affection when she saw how many people smiled at Garrett. Nobody had given his father genuine smiles, she recalled. People treated William Dane with respect, but not an ounce of true friendliness, much less fondness.

  ‘Brynn, anyone home in there?’ Brynn looked up at Garrett. ‘I asked if you want to go first.’

  ‘She can’t shoot,’ Ray almost growled. ‘This isn’t a woman’s sport.’

  ‘This isn’t a sport, Ray, it’s a game,’ Garrett snapped, then looked again at Brynn.

  ‘Thank you, sir. I’d be glad to go first.’

  Brynn took the gun and pointed. She ended up with enough points to prevent humiliation and win a small toy.

  ‘You did good,’ Savannah told her as Ray pushed back to his spot and picked up the gun, placed his feet shoulder-width apart, bent his head down to the rifle, gripped it and held it firmly, pressed the butt of the gun against his right shoulder and yelled, ‘Start!’

  ‘Yes, sir,’ the game operator said, hiding a smirk. Nathan and Garrett exchanged looks. The trail of tin wildlife began their march toward certain death accompanied by music. Ray fired, fired, fired. Ray missed, missed, missed. Occasionally he hit something and whooped with glee. When he finished, his score was less than Brynn’s.

  Cassie looked at Brynn and rolled her eyes. Then she said, ‘Garrett, your turn.’

  ‘Oh, no,’ Garrett laughed. ‘I’m not going to compete with Ray.’

  ‘C’mon,’ Cassie urged. ‘We’d like to see someone who knows how to shoot.’

  Ray cast her a murderous glare, but her attention was focused on Garrett. ‘Garrett, for Savannah?’

  ‘For Savannah?’ She looked at her father expectantly and he pretended to think it over. ‘Well, OK.’

  Ray relinquished his spot. Garrett handed his gold balloon to Savannah and stepped forward, picking up the replica rifle. His stance looked entirely different than Ray’s. ‘OK,’ he said, and the death march began. Pop, pop, pop. Garrett missed only once. While everyone clapped, Garrett was informed his score had won him three toys. He asked Savannah what prizes she’d like. She picked a stuffed pink teddy bear, a stuffed elephant and a stuffed giraffe, then gave both Cassie and Tessa each a toy.

  ‘All right, Nathan, time to face the music.’ Cassie’s voice was loud yet somehow intimate. Nathan protested but Cassie insisted he do it for Tessa.

  ‘Well, I can’t say no to winning a prize for Tessa,’ Nathan laughed. He assumed the same stance as Garrett, and managed to hit half as many.

  ‘Don’t feel bad,’ Cassie said. ‘After all, Garrett shoots rifles for a living!’

  Nathan gave her a cocky look and didn’t lay down his harmless rifle. Instead, he told the man behind the counter he’d go again, moved the butt of the rifle to the pocket of his shoulder formed by his left arm. Brynn frowned. Then, close to her ear, she heard Garrett murmur, ‘I forgot – Nathan’s ambidextrous.’

  Nathan as well as the crowd whooped when he hit more targets than he had the first time. He turned to the clapping crowd and bowed. Then he collected four toys and distributed them among Tessa, Savannah, Brynn and Cassie.

  ‘I thought you’d grow out of that ambidextrous trick,’ Garrett teased. ‘Show off.’

  Nathan laughed. ‘They tried to break me of it in school. One teacher even paddled me for it because I wouldn’t use only my right hand, but I stuck to my guns, pardon the pun.’

  ‘It makes you very special,’ Tessa said formally. ‘Thank you for the hippo. It’s lovely.’

  ‘What’re you gonna name it?’ Savannah asked.

  Tessa studied the stuffed animal. ‘Thaddeus,’ she said, looking around as if she dared anyone to laugh. ‘It was our great-great-grandfather’s name, wasn’t it, Nathan?’

  ‘Hell, I don’t know, Tess. You’re the one who’s into geneaology. I just hope our great-great-grandfather Thaddeus didn’t look like the Thaddeus you’re holding! Smile, little sis. Garrett, take a picture of Tessa and Thaddeus!’

  Nathan was clearly having a good time even if his sister wasn’t. She barely smiled at the camera. Then she began walking slowly and the vertical creases between her eyebrows dug deep in the skin. To make matters worse, Ray was distancing himself from her with every step he took. He looked at each pretty young girl who walked by and said nothing to T
essa. Brynn thought no one would ever guess he was with their group.

  Garrett seemed to notice Ray’s rudeness and, as if to take control of an uncomfortable moment, he said excitedly, ‘I think I see a Ferris wheel!’ He cast a sideways glance at Cassie. ‘Wanna ride?’

  Brynn looked at the giant vertical ring of brilliant gold, red, green and blue lights revolving in the darkness as people riding in the passenger cars whooped and screamed and laughed, then jerked in surprise when Rhonda appeared. Her long hair was tousled, her lip gloss smeared, and her gray eyes wide and bloodshot. ‘The gang’s all here! Including the brat, of course,’ she ended, giving Savannah a threatening look as her hands clenched.

  Brynn could see Garrett struggling for patience. ‘Rhonda, I think you should go home,’ he said evenly. ‘You don’t look well.’

  ‘I don’t look well? I look fabulous! It’s your girlfriend Brynn who doesn’t look well. Probably been losing sleep because she knows no one in this town wants her here.’ Rhonda ran a finger under her nose, then glanced at Cassie. ‘And you look crappy in those skinny jeans! Your store is a piece of crap, too! I’m glad I don’t work there anymore!’

  Garrett took a step toward her. ‘OK, Rhonda. Enough.’

  Rhonda ignored him. ‘And there’s poor little Tessa Cavanaugh with the sad, pasty face! Tell me, what brings you out with all the normal people tonight?’

  Tessa’s lips parted. She looked like she’d been slapped. ‘I … I …’

  Rhonda’s attention had returned to Garrett. ‘C’mon, sweetie. Go on the Ferris wheel with me? Please? Hold me like you used to do.’ In a flash, she was right in front of him, rubbing against him, running her hands through his hair, trying to kiss him.

  ‘I’ll have you forcibly removed if you don’t stop,’ Garrett managed around kisses while he gently tried to push her away.

  ‘No you won’t. You still want me. You know you do. My love, mon amour …’

  Garrett looked like he was going to lose control and slap her when Nathan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her a couple of steps backward. ‘You’re gorgeous. You don’t want to ride the Ferris wheel with Garrett. You want to ride with me.’

  She struggled in his arms. ‘No! I want—’

  Nathan whirled her around to face him. ‘Garrett doesn’t deserve you. How dare he turn you down! He’s nothing. A little-town sheriff.’ He hugged Rhonda, whose resistance slowed. ‘I’m Nathan Cavanaugh. My father was the richest man in this town. I’m fairly well-off myself. Make my dreams come true. Ride with me, Rhonda.’

  Rhonda nearly sagged against Nathan as he pulled her toward the ground level of the Ferris wheel. Meanwhile, he tossed a glance over his shoulder at Garrett. Garrett nodded, already reaching for his cell phone.

  The Ferris wheel stopped, a laughing couple emerged quickly from their passenger car and Nathan pushed Rhonda onto the vacated seat, sitting down beside her and talking to her, smiling, touching her hair. Within moments, the Ferris wheel spun again, bright lights glowing in the dark night. Brynn looked at Nathan. He’d draped his arm around Rhonda’s shoulder. The higher they climbed, though, the more it seemed as if he were almost clutching her. His expression was serious; Rhonda’s flippant smile had vanished.

  Savannah hurried to Brynn, trying to take her hand even though Savannah was still holding her balloons and stuffed animals. ‘I’m scared of Rhonda. She hates me. And now she probably hates Dad. When she gets off the Ferris wheel—’

  ‘When she gets off the Ferris wheel, there will be people to take her away. Your dad’s taking care of that right now. Don’t be scared.’

  Cassie sidled up to Brynn on the opposite side of Savannah. ‘That bitch,’ she murmured in Brynn’s ear.

  ‘She’s on something,’ Brynn whispered back. ‘I don’t know what, but did you see her eyes?’

  ‘Not up close.’

  ‘Bloodshot with dilated pupils. She was rubbing her nose. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen someone else with those symptoms.’

  ‘Ray!’ Cassie blurted, then lowered her voice. ‘Ray when he was using cocaine!’

  Brynn nodded.

  ‘Should you tell Garrett?’

  ‘I’m sure he knows. He got a closer look at her than any of us. I think he’s calling the cops to come and get her for disturbing the peace.’

  Cassie raised her eyebrows. ‘She’s going to do something bad before this is all over if she’s not taken away from the carnival.’

  All of the group concentrated on the passenger car carrying Rhonda and Nathan, although they could barely see them. They reached the top of the sixty-three-foot wheel, then started downward. Only eight cars were ahead of them. Now what? Brynn wondered. When the ride is over, can Nathan and Garrett control her until help arrives?

  Suddenly, the wheel stopped. The passenger cars swung. The couple in the lowest seat sprung out, quickly followed by the two guys in the second seat. Those in the third were too high. Within seconds, people had begun to yell. Two operators of the wheel ran toward the electric motor. In a moment, they yelled something to the man opening and closing the doors of the passenger cars. After they finished, the man nearest the crowd yelled upward, ‘Nothing to worry about, folks. Just a little glitch in the motor. Hold on for five minutes. Enjoy the view.’

  A woman shrieked. Her husband put his hand over her mouth. Some teenagers began to sing ‘Rocky Mountain High.’ Here and there came a loud curse or a soaring yodel.

  ‘Is this really dangerous?’ Cassie asked Garrett.

  ‘I don’t think so. The men working on the motor don’t look overly concerned.’ He glanced at Cassie and grinned. ‘Don’t worry. Rhonda will be back soon.’

  ‘Oh, hooray.’

  They all kept their gazes fixed on the car halfway down the wheel. In spite of the multi-colored lights, Brynn saw Rhonda run a hand under her nose and then stare at it. She moved close to Garrett and muttered, ‘I think Rhonda’s nose is bleeding.’

  ‘Too much coke,’ he said abruptly.

  ‘You knew she did coke?’

  He shook his head. ‘If she did when we were seeing each other, she never used it around me. I wouldn’t have stood for it, especially because she was around Savannah, too.’

  Brynn looked up at the passenger car holding Rhonda and Nathan. She seemed to be moving around in the car, fighting to push open the door, flinging her hands and elbows at Nathan, who was trying to hold her still. ‘Is Rhonda having a panic attack?’ Brynn asked Garrett.

  ‘God, I hope that’s not what’s wrong.’ He frowned up at them. ‘Nathan’s in good shape, but if she’s wired on cocaine, she could be stronger than normal.’

  ‘I wish they’d get that motor fixed,’ Brynn said tensely.

  Rhonda leaned over the side of the car. Nathan pulled her back as she fought him, then began screaming, high and loud, dimming the noise made by the other passengers.

  Savannah’s grip tightened on Brynn’s hand and she quavered. ‘Daddy?’

  ‘It’s OK, honey,’ Garrett answered. ‘She’s just scared.’

  ‘I don’t think so, Daddy. There’s something else wrong with her.’

  Brynn scanned the crowd, wondering if Ray had pulled himself away from the games of skill and could see his ‘girlfriend.’ He might know if she was suffering a coke overdose, but Brynn didn’t spot him in the crowd.

  Without a word, Garrett strode toward the guys working on the motor. Brynn knew he was asking what was wrong, if they could fix it quickly or if there was any other way they could quickly get the woman down. They shook their heads and began working feverishly.

  Suddenly, Rhonda began to arch, her chest and neck rising, her head dipping backward, her beautiful hair hanging long over the back of the seat, her face contorting. Nathan seemed stunned for a moment, then wrapped his arms around her again, holding tight although she didn’t relax. She looked as if she were going to snap in two.

  ‘Help!’ Nathan yelled desperately. ‘Somebody
help us!’

  Brynn didn’t know Tessa now stood beside her. ‘She’s going to hurt Nathan,’ Tessa grated out. Brynn looked at Tessa’s face bleached white in spite of the colored lights, her eyes wide with fear. ‘Don’t let her hurt Nathan!’

  ‘They’re trying, Tessa,’ Brynn said, although she knew Tessa wasn’t listening.

  Rhonda’s body relaxed slightly but she grabbed at her throat. ‘She can’t breathe!’ Nathan shouted as she heaved, gulping for air that wouldn’t come. ‘Help us! She can’t breathe!’

  Rhonda’s mouth seemed to snap shut. Her body heaved, arched violently, and finally went limp. She crumpled against Nathan. In a minute, the Ferris wheel started. It made no stops until Nathan and Rhonda’s car reached the platform. Garrett reached it first. Brynn thrust Savannah’s hand toward Cassie and said, ‘Keep her here.’

  But Cassie couldn’t hold onto the panicked girl. She caught up to Brynn and screamed when she saw Nathan, sweating and pale, pushed to the side of the car with Rhonda lying against him like a broken doll, blood pouring out of her nose and mouth.

  Brynn looked away to see Tessa’s white balloon floating gracefully up to the starless black sky.

  SEVENTEEN

  ‘Rhonda snorted cocaine cut with strychnine,’ Garrett said tonelessly.

  Brynn sat straighter on Cassie’s couch. She hadn’t slept all night, but she felt alert. And shocked. ‘Strychnine! Are you sure?’

  ‘The medical examiner is. He hasn’t had time to determine exactly how much she had, but depending on the amount, the symptoms of poisoning usually show up in fifteen to forty-five minutes.’

  ‘Do you think it was an accident?’ Brynn asked hollowly, knowing the answer.

  ‘No. Someone wanted to kill Rhonda.’

  Brynn went quiet for a moment. ‘Who? Why?’

  ‘I don’t know much about Rhonda’s background. She was always dodgy if you asked questions about her past. I’ll talk to her aunt, but I don’t count on getting much information. Mrs Gaines is very protective of Rhonda.’

  Brynn hesitated, not wanting to bring up the subject but unable to avoid it. ‘Did Rhonda ever talk to you about her cousin Frankie’s murder?’