by Diane Capri
“Can I help you?”
“Why, Mr. Thomas, you shocked me. I was just getting ready to knock. I’m Millie Crawford, from the bookstore.” Millie knew she was rambling, but the black eyes had shocked her. She watched as he scanned the driveway, eyes narrowing as they fell on Clarence sitting in the car.
“Can I come in?”
“Perhaps another time, Mrs. Crawford. My wife isn’t feeling well. Perhaps you,” his eyes strayed to Clarence, “and your husband, could come back tomorrow.”
Millie shivered, chills running down her spine. She smiled, hoping her face didn’t reveal the terror she felt inside. It had been a long time since she’d played these games.
“Husband? Oh, no, he’s not my husband. I’m a widow. That’s Mr. Archibald from the flower shop. He’s such a dear. I hate driving, and he was kind enough to offer to drive me over.”
The black eyes narrowed again.
Sticking out the cake, Millie rambled on. “I’m so sorry about Mrs. Thomas. Why, if I’d known I’d have made some homemade soup. Is there anything I can do?”
“No.”
Millie smiled again. “Well then, perhaps you’re right. Tomorrow would be better.”
Millie shoved the plate into his hands and struggled to walk slowly to the car, feeling the dark eyes boring into her back. Every nerve in her body screamed run. Reverend Cooper had made her skin crawl, but Philip Thomas gave her the willies. Slamming the door she fastened her seatbelt. “Get us out of here, Clarence.”
Starting the car, Clarence glanced at her pale face. “Where to?”
“José Minguela’s. And step on it.”
#
“There’s an extra gun in the glove compartment.” Joshua glanced over at Gavin McAllister.
Hitting the latch to open the glove compartment, Gavin pulled out the .38 and checked it to make sure it was fully loaded.
“Have we got a plan, or are we just going to play it by ear?”
“Thought we’d park over on Crenshaw. We’ll hike in behind the mill. After that, well I guess we’re playing it by ear.”
Gavin nodded. He’d suspected as much. “Tell me about the mill.”
Joshua shrugged. “Imagine an old barn with windows and a tobacco stripping shed attached, add a big wheel, and you’ve pretty much got an image of the old mill. Haven’t been out there in years.”
“How about inside? Is it rooms, open?”
Joshua frowned, drawing on his childhood memory. “Pretty much open on the bottom floor. Might be a small room or two. Seems I remember some rooms on the second floor, but I’d say the floors are rotted through by now.”
Pulling to the side of the road, Joshua parked and turned to Gavin. “Before we go, I just want to say I’m really sorry about your brother.”
Gavin nodded, trying to swallow the lump stuck in his throat. “Yeah, me too.”
Joshua cleared his throat. “You know dreams as predictions sometimes take a twist or turn. They’re not always exact. And then, you know, sometimes things just have to be the way they are.”
“Rob said something like that. Something about he had to go. I think it was what he wanted.”
Joshua clasped him on the shoulder. They were in this together. “He also wanted to protect Nikki. Let’s go get her.”
“Let’s go.”
The trail to the old mill was overgrown and Gavin found himself fighting not only bugs, but briars that cut into his skin and clothing. He followed Joshua’s lead, and stopped when he held up his hand. From their spot amongst the trees they could see the back of the old Mill. Joshua’s recitation had been perfect. To Gavin it looked just like a dilapidated old barn that might fall in on their heads if they were stupid enough to venture inside.
Movement caught Gavin’s eye and he patted Joshua on the shoulder, pointing in the direction of the man just coming around the side of the mill.
“That’s Cooper,” Joshua whispered, crouching lower and signaling Gavin to do the same. They watched as he dumped something on the ground and proceeded to dig. Gavin glanced at Joshua, fear taking his breath, clutching at his heart. They couldn’t be too late. Not this time. Joshua shook his head and motioned for Gavin to follow him into the forest.
Joshua waited until he was sure they were out of hearing distance. He’d read the fear reflected in Gavin’s eyes. “Too large to be Nikki.”
“Who then?”
“Well, since that’s the good Reverend Cooper, I’d say maybe Mrs. Cooper.”
Gavin was horrified at the thought. “You think he killed his wife?”
Joshua shrugged. “Maybe she wasn’t his wife.”
“You know, you’re beginning to freak me out just a little,” Gavin stated. “My psychiatrist would have a field day analyzing you.”
Joshua grinned, placing a toothpick between his teeth. “That’s why they burned Joan of Arc. Just didn’t understand. Let’s go.”
Gavin followed Joshua through the trees in a different direction until they reached the front of the mill.
“I figure it’s gonna take him a couple of hours to dig that grave. Give me about ten minutes and then you head in. Find Nikki and get out of there. We’ll deal with Cooper after we get her away from here.”
Gavin nodded and glanced at his watch.
“Gavin?”
Gavin caught the keys Joshua tossed his way. “Just in case anything goes wrong. You hear shots, get Nikki, and get the hell out of here.”
Gavin nodded again. “No hero shit, okay?”
Grinning, Joshua stuck the toothpick between his teeth and disappeared quietly into the trees.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“How are you doing, buddy?” Daniels reaffixed the tourniquet.
“I’ve been a hell of a lot better.” Carl growled, fumbling for his cigarettes. “Shit,” he mumbled, pulling out the empty pack.
“Bill, give the man a smoke.”
“Yes, sir.” Bill pulled out a pack and handed it to Carl.
“Thanks.”
Daniels grinned as Carl shook out a cigarette and pocketed the remaining pack, huge charcoal eyes daring the young officer to complain. The old man was a fighter.
“You gonna tell me about my partner?” Carl struggled to raise his shaking hands to light the cigarette.
Daniels reached out and steadied his hands, waiting until the cigarette caught and Carl took a deep drag. He’d known the question was coming.
“He didn’t make it.”
Carl nodded, eyes misting over. “Thought so. Seen it in the sheriff’s eyes.”
Daniels knew there was nothing else he could say. Nothing he could do to ease the pain. Jackson was getting weaker from loss of blood, and they needed to move. Reaching out, he patted him on the shoulder. “Ready?”
Carl nodded.
“Okay, guys let’s move.” Daniels watched as the officers carefully lifted Carl, placing one arm over each of their shoulders. Satisfied the tourniquet was holding, he took the lead, his thoughts turning to the loss of his own partner ten years ago. Jackson would never quite be the same. Losing a partner was like losing a part of yourself. You never quite got over it.
#
Gavin waited the full ten minutes before pulling off his shoes and sprinting toward the front of the old mill. Stepping inside, he let his eyes adjust to the dim light change and studied the floor. The patterns in the dust told a gruesome story. He could see where the body had fallen and then dragged across the floor. Easing around the wall, he approached the small room in the far left corner. Small bare feet had stood there. A key hung on the wall just to the right of the door. Not too smart, Cooper. Taking the key, Gavin unlocked the door and pulled it open cautiously. Nikki sat hunched against the wall with her legs pulled up underneath her. Her face was pale, but a small smile creased it when she saw him. Placing one finger to his lips, Gavin smiled, motioning her to join him at the door. Nikki nodded, crept across the creaking floor slowly until she reached Gavin, and placed her small hand in
his. Gavin could feel the tremors in the small body and cursed Cooper silently. Squeezing her hand, he motioned for her to walk behind him as he maneuvered them toward the open door. Gavin peered out into the open space, eyes darting from corner to corner. Reaching down, he picked Nikki up, allowing her to wrap her arms around his neck and bury her head in his shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he sprinted back to the trees.
“Are you okay?”
Nikki nodded, reluctant to let go of his neck. Gavin held her tight for another minute, enjoying the feelings of tenderness that filled his body. He untangled her arms, set her down, and slowly checked her to make sure she was really okay.
“The pretty lady said you’d come,” Nikki whispered.
Gavin smiled at her, retying his shoes. “She always was a pretty smart lady. Her name’s Cory.” Gavin glanced at the mill. Still no sign of Cooper. Gavin took off his shirt and wrapped it around Nikki and over her head before picking her up again. “Keep your face down, honey, there’s a lot of briars in here.” Holding her tightly pressed against him, Gavin started in the direction Joshua had gone.
“What are you doing here?” Joshua whispered. “I told you to take her and get out of here.”
“We go together,” Gavin stated emphatically. “No heroes.”
Joshua glanced back to where Cooper was still digging. “I’ll stay and keep an eye on him. You can send reinforcements after you get Nikki out of here.”
Nikki struggled in Gavin’s arms and he set her down. She immediately went to Joshua, holding up her arms.
Joshua knelt down beside her. Her tiny face was grimy and smudged, the tracks of tears clearly visible. He hated Cooper. “You’re going with Gavin, sweetie. Mommy’s waiting for you.” Joshua’s voice cracked, emotion choking him.
Shaking her head, Nikki wound her arms around his neck, refusing to let go.
Joshua held her, glancing over her head. “You put her up to this?”
Gavin smiled at him and shrugged his shoulders. “Nope.”
“Let’s get out of here then.”
Gavin grinned again as Nikki winked at him over Joshua’s shoulder. Five years old and already she knew how to control men. She was going to be a real heartbreaker when she got older.
#
Millie gasped as Clarence pulled slowly into the driveway. She reached for Clarence’s hand and gripped it, seeking comfort.
“We going in?” Clarence asked.
Millie hesitated. With this many police cars around, some type of news media would only be a short distance behind them. The sound of Juanita wailing in Spanish made up her mind for her. She was needed here.
“Yep.”
Exiting the car, Millie clumped up the sidewalk, her keen eyes taking in the scene, digesting it, and not liking the conclusions she came up with.
“Sorry, ma’am, you can’t go in there.” Office Pete Anderson stood guard at the door, stopping the couple on the porch steps.
“Humph,” Millie snorted, eyes flashing. “That’s my friends in there, sonny. And unless you’re planning on arresting me, I’d suggest you step aside.”
Juanita set off in another burst of Spanish, and not waiting for an answer, Millie pushed by the young officer. “Come on, Clarence.”
Shrugging, Clarence grinned at the officer and followed Millie inside.
Doc Hawthorne glanced up from his patient as the door opened. “Thank God,” he muttered as Millie and Clarence closed the door behind them. Leaving Juanita wailing over José, he filled Millie in on what he knew.
“Is José okay?” Millie asked.
“Would be if I could get that damn woman to stop her blubbering long enough for me to finish stitching up his head,” Doc growled.
Millie nodded and crossed the room. “Juanita, you stop all that moaning and groaning right now. We got things to do.”
Juanita stopped her wailing but continued to wring her hands.
“You got coffee?”
Juanita nodded.
“Good. You come in the kitchen and help me. Got lots of people out there that could use some good coffee, and probably a good breakfast.” Nodding to Doc, Millie maneuvered Juanita toward the kitchen.
#
Sarah stopped at the edge of the yard to catch her breath, motioning Officer Anderson to join her.
“We need to set up roadblocks. Jackson said he took off in a car.” Sarah gasped out the words.
“I’ll get on it right away.”
“Wait. How are they?”
“Doc says they’ll be fine.”
“Where’s Joshua?”
“Him and the other guy took off right after we got here.”
Sarah frowned. “Did they say where they were going?”
“Nope, just took off.”
“Set up the roadblocks. I’ll see if I can raise Joshua on the radio.”
Anderson nodded. “Oh, there’s an old man and woman inside. Wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“They’re okay.” Sarah almost smiled. Nobody said no to Millie.
“Damn.” She cursed as she slammed the microphone in place. Tears of frustration filled her eyes. Where the hell were they?
Be strong, Sarah.
“What?” Sarah turned toward the sound, feeling the hair rise on the back of her neck. A sudden chill in the wind. Rob stood only a few feet away, his image shimmering.
Be strong.
Sarah shuddered as she watched the image dissipate. She must be losing her mind. Or was she? And did it really matter? Whatever she’d seen, heard, real or hallucination, was right. She had to be strong now for Nikki.
The front door opened and Millie came out, balancing a tray of mugs. “Lord be, child,” she exclaimed, shoving the tray at Officer Anderson. “Drink that.” Millie hurried over to Sarah.
Millie fought the urge to take Sarah in her arms. One look told her the young woman was hanging by a thread that might break at any moment. She opened her mouth to speak just as the radio squawked.
“Sarah, are you there?”
Jerking open the door, Sarah grabbed the mike. “Joshua, where the hell are you? And where’s Gavin?”
“We love you, too.” Joshua chuckled before turning serious. “Got somebody here you might want to talk to. Say hi to your mommy, honey.”
“Hi, Mommy.”
Sarah’s knees buckled and she sat down on the front seat, clutching the microphone. “Nikki.” Her voice quivered and broke, tears coursing down her face.
“Don’t cry, Mommy. I’m okay. Gavin came and got me, just like Cory said he would.”
Taking the mike, Joshua lowered his voice. “Listen, Sarah, get everybody you can out to the old mill on Elliott Pike. I’m sending Gavin back with Nikki. I’ll stay here and watch Cooper until backup arrives.” Joshua clicked off, his eyes meeting Gavin’s over Nikki’s head. “That’s the way it’s gonna be, partner.”
Gavin nodded. He knew somebody had to stay. “No heroes?”
Joshua grinned, popping a fresh toothpick between his teeth. “I ain’t the hero type.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Sarah dropped the mike, burying her face in her hands as sobs shook her body. Relief had finally broken the thread holding her together.
“There, there, honey. It’s gonna be all right now. We got our baby back.” Millie placed her arms around Sarah, patting her gently on the back. Her hand stilled at the sight of the five shirtless officers struggling to carry the make-shift stretcher. “Carl?” Her voice was barely a whisper, her heart racing at the sight of Carl’s haggard face. Disentangling herself from Sarah, she shook her. “Pull it together, Sarah. We got work to do.”
Sarah struggled, breathing deeply, pulling her sobs under control as her eyes followed Millie’s gaze.
Millie strode across the yard issuing orders to the officers.
“Hurry up and get him inside. You boys need to get out to the old mill and collar Cooper.”
Arthur Daniels stopped mid-stride, a startled look on his fac
e as he took in all five foot two inches of gray fury standing in front of him. He had a feeling he’d just met his match.
“Now you boys be careful,” Millie urged as she led them up the front stairs and opened the door. “Don’t hurt him.”
Doc looked up from washing his hands, taking in the gravity of the situation in one glance. “Put him over here.”
Millie stood vigilant as they transferred Carl to the cot. She rubbed Carl’s face tenderly. “It’s gonna be all right, Carl. Knew you’d get your damn self shot,” she grumbled affectionately.
“Millie, quit blubbering all over my patient and get out of the way,” Doc ordered. “Get these men some coffee.”
“Me, too,” Carl mumbled weakly. “And put some of that goddamn brandy in it.”
“No brandy.” Doc ordered, cutting away the cloth around Carl’s wound.
“Shit,” Carl mumbled just before passing out.
Arthur Daniels glanced from the doctor to Millie. An even match if he’d ever seen one. “Don’t have time for coffee, Doc. What was that you were saying about the old mill and Cooper, Ms. Crawford?”
Sarah spoke up from the doorway. “Joshua is there keeping an eye on him. We need to get everyone out there as soon as we can.”
“What about Nikki?” Daniels shrugged into his shirt.
“She’s safe. Gavin’s bringing her here. We can’t wait.”
Daniels nodded. “I’ll ride with you. Let’s get going.”
#
Joshua continued to watch Cooper from his spot among the trees. The grave was almost finished. Cooper’s attitude fascinated him. The man was humming and smiling as he dug. “You’d think the son-of-a-bitch was planting flowers instead of a body,” Joshua muttered to himself.
Finished, Jeremiah stood admiring his handiwork as he wiped the sweat from his face. He glanced at the bag, a small stirring of guilt. He shouldn’t have killed her. Shaking his head, he quelled the thoughts. Why should he feel guilty? He wasn’t crazy. Issie was waiting for him, and soon they’d be going home. She was just a whore he’d picked up off the streets. Probably would have been dead in a few months anyway. This was just a nightmare. The doctors had said he’d have nightmares. All he had to do was get home. Then everything was okay. Issie was alive. He’d told them she wasn’t dead.