Deadly Competition (Without a Trace)

by Roxanne Rustand

  Yet cooperating was taking her ever closer to her death.

  “We’re just about there,” he growled. With another harsh curse, he grabbed her arm and pushed her along even faster.

  Ahead, something splashed into the water. He gave a grunt of satisfaction.

  “Dean, you don’t have to do this. You know you’ll be caught—”

  His hand tightened on her arm and he swung her around, looming over her with his face just inches from hers. “Shut. Up.”

  “I won’t tell. You can leave, and I’ll—”

  “You’re right, you won’t ever tell. No risk of that. As for me, I never left Chicago. No one down here knows who I am. No one back home knows I’m here.” He bared his teeth in an evil smile. “And don’t worry about that boyfriend of yours ridin’ to the rescue anytime soon. He’s a little busy with a fire right now.”

  He pushed her forward and she slipped on slick, fetid mud. With the next step she was in shallow water. She swung her head wildly, trying to make out the surrounding terrain through the fog. She knew it was now or never. With her hands bound, once she was in deep water she could try to back float for a while, but the gators could smell blood and they’d be on her in no time. And if Dean knocked her out or shot her first…

  “I was going to take you back, you know, Katherine. Give you another chance. But someone like you don’t deserve it. A woman who cheats is no better’n dirt, and you’ve done that since the day we met.”

  Incredulous, she twisted around enough to look at him. “Cheat? You think I cheated on you? When could I possibly have done that? You made me account for every minute of every day.”

  He directed a hard blow at her stomach, laughing harshly when she doubled over in pain. “You were cunning enough to do it somehow.”

  The pain in her abdomen intensified, radiating and pulsing through her until she could barely breathe.

  He pulled a coil of wire from his pocket and fingered it lovingly. “And now you’re going to pay for it.”

  His expression turned savage as he crouched and drew back a fist, and in that instant she knew he planned to knock her out before throwing her into the bayou.

  Summoning her flagging strength, she dodged his fist and spun with her hands clasped, throwing all her weight into her elbow. It connected with his throat and he staggered backward, gasping and choking.

  Mandy didn’t look back.

  She ran, crashing through the brush. Slipping and sliding on the damp earth. Branches tore at her clothes and her face, but she barely felt the sting. “I’ve got to get away…I’ve got to get away—God, are you there? Help me!”

  She hit a solid, immovable object with so much force that it nearly knocked the wind out of her. She fell back, but large hands grabbed her upper arms….

  She screamed. Struggled.

  He’d found her, and she was going to die. And there wasn’t a thing she could do about it because she could feel her strength draining. She was disoriented…and weak.

  Then the world faded to black.

  TWENTY

  “Mandy,” an urgent voice whispered. “You’ve got to help me. Can you stand?”

  She fought her way up out of the swirling dark depths, feeling as if she were swimming desperately through quicksand threatening to drag her deeper and deeper.

  “Mandy.”

  She came to enough to stare up at Clint’s mud-streaked face and blinked to clear away that vivid dream. Then he kissed her forehead, and at the tender warmth of his lips and the faint, pine scent of his aftershave she realized he was no dream. Joy and relief filled her. He was here. Thank you, God.

  “We’ve got to go,” he said in a low voice, looping her arm around his shoulders and lifting her up in his arms as he stood. “You’ve lost a lot of blood, so we’ve got to get you to my truck and to the hospital. And we need to get moving because I can hear someone behind us. It’s your ex-boyfriend, isn’t it? I think he’s headed this way.”

  “Thank…you,” she whispered faintly.

  She couldn’t believe she was here; being held against the hard wall of Clint’s chest as he wound through the trees with branches clawing them at every turn. Soon he started walking faster and seemed to be on some sort of path.

  He glanced down at her, his face a dark silhouette against the glimmers of moonlight that filtered through the trees overhead. “Luckily, I know this area better than the other fellow does. Is he armed?”

  She managed a faint nod.

  “That’s not what I hoped to hear. We definitely need to get on the road before he finds his way out.”

  “I—I can walk. Really—please. Put me down.”

  He had to be exhausted, carrying her over this rough terrain, but he just smiled grimly. “I don’t think so. I thought I’d like a chance to dance with you at the banquet tonight, because I wanted to hold you in my arms for a little while. And here you are.”

  Her dress had torn, the sequins strewn through the swampy land leading to the bayou. She could only imagine how filthy and bedraggled she looked. “Quite a prize.”

  “Yes, you are. “He dropped a kiss on her forehead.

  “I…wish…” She felt sluggish, trying to find words that floated just beyond her reach. “I…”

  She fought the darkness but felt herself falling, falling into a bottomless abyss.

  Mandy awoke to her head pounding in concert with the beep and whir and clicking of some sort of medical equipment.

  She tried to lift her hand but it felt like lead, as if held to the bed by a force she was not strong enough to fight.

  “Mandy? You’re awake!”

  The familiar voice came from a million miles away, but it was low and masculine and it curled around her heart like a gentle hug.

  “Clint?” Her voice came out as a faint, hoarse rasp, but she sensed him hovering over her and forced her eyes to open.

  “We’re at the Loomis Hospital E.R. The pain medication they gave you really knocked you for a loop, and you’ve been out of it for hours. This is Sunday morning, in fact.” He brushed a feather-light kiss against her cheek. “Welcome back!”

  As she fought her way into consciousness, she became aware of tight bandaging around her ribs. Soft bandages encasing her lower ankles. Aches and bruises and a dull, throbbing pain at the back of her head.

  “What happened?”

  “Right now, you’re probably feeling pretty groggy.” He gently cradled her face in his hands. “Dean grabbed you at the back door of the country club pavilion last night, then he threw you into his pickup and took off. Shelby and Max called me, worried because they couldn’t find you anywhere at the country club, though your purse and the truck were still there.”

  “Dean…?”

  “He came after us last night, but then he got lost in the bayou. Some deputies picked him up and took him to the jail.” Clint winked at her. “I guess God was answering my prayers.”

  She sagged against her pillow. “He sure answered mine. I thought there was no way that anyone could rescue me in time, and then you showed up. It—it’s like he sent an angel to stand in my path.”

  “God works that way sometimes—through His other children. Miracles still happen, and we just have to open our eyes to see them.” Clint shook his head in amazement. “I could have missed seeing that brief glimmer of Dean’s taillights through the fog—I could have been looking at the other side of the road, or at the speedometer. I could have taken a different highway. I’ve been thanking God ever since that He led me to you.”

  A nurse bustled in, clipboard in hand, pulling a drape around the gurney along the way. “You’ll have to step out, Mr. Herald. After the doctor comes in, I’ll let you know when Mandy will be able to go home.”

  A moment later, a middle-aged woman walked in wearing scrubs, a white lab coat and a stethoscope draped around her neck.

  Clint nodded to her, and took Mandy’s hand. “I’ll leave you in good hands for a while, if that’s okay. I need to pick up Sarah
and spend some time with her, and then I’ll be back.”

  After the nurse took Mandy’s vitals and examined her dressings, she pulled a chair up to the side of the bed. “You’re one very lucky lady,” she said, resting a hand on Mandy’s forearm. “A cracked rib, some bruises and a few deep lacerations on your legs. Those nasty wire cuts on your ankles and wrists are showing signs of an infection starting. We had to give you two units of packed cells when you came in, because your hemoglobin was low.”

  Mandy eyed the IV bag hanging above her bed. “Can I leave?”

  “You’ve been getting fluids and IV antibiotics, but we’ll disconnect all of that in a few hours.”

  The nurse finished up and left, and Mandy tried to close her eyes. Sleep wouldn’t come. It was over.

  Finally. God, thank you for hearing my prayers, even though I’ve been angry and haven’t turned to you in a long time. Please, forgive me, and show me what you want next for my life.

  Peace settled over Mandy for the first time in a very long time.

  Unless a judge and jury let him go, Dean would be incarcerated on kidnapping charges for the rest of his life, and she would be free. Free!

  Clint returned in an hour, freshly showered and shaved. After discharge instructions by a nurse, he took her back to his house and carried her to the couch in the living room.

  “I know you feel uncomfortable about staying here alone with me and Sarah, but I didn’t think you could manage the stairs up to your apartment, and the nurse said you had to have bed rest for a while.”

  A foggy haze still clouded Mandy’s thoughts. “Did…did she say why?”

  “Your injuries and all the stress, I’m sure. You’ve been through a great deal.” He unfolded a quilt and tucked it over her. “Shelby will be coming by to take you to her place when she’s done with some things in town.”

  “I…we need to talk.” Mandy started to sit up, but the room started to spin and she sank back down.

  “Don’t worry—the CT scan didn’t show any head injuries. They did say that you’d be dealing with the effects of the pain meds they gave you for a few more hours”

  “Whoa.” She closed her eyes briefly. “I’m dizzy.”

  “Do you need help? Do you need to go back to the hospital?”

  “No. I…we need to talk.” She took a slow, steadying breath. “I suppose the whole town is buzzing by now. I’m so sorry. About everything.”

  “Dean’s actions are not your fault. If some petty, self-important person judges you, just remember that only God can judge—and He knows what’s in your heart.”

  She felt her eyes burn and she swallowed hard, unable to answer.

  “And by the way, the town is buzzing about something else.” His eyes twinkled. “Apparently those contest judges were really good at their jobs this year—the ceremony was held right after church, and I hear you won!”

  “Oh, no,” she moaned. “Surely they know everything by now—and they know I’m leaving.”

  He rested a gentle hand against her cheek. “Whether or not you have the shortest reign in the history of Loomis, you still deserve it—and more. I’m so proud of you.”

  Proud of her…yet she’d come to town to hide, and had brought such trouble with her. Another wave of dizziness hit her, coupled with deep regret.

  A look of concern spread across Clint’s face. “Can I open the windows for some fresh air? Do you need water…or crackers, or something? You haven’t eaten since yesterday.”

  A bubble of laughter escaped her lips at his awkward but valiant efforts to be helpful. “I—I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”

  She touched his arm, hoping she could convey even half of what was welling up in her heart. “I’m so sorry for not telling you the truth earlier. It was wrong, and when you were so kind to me it just got harder and harder to bring it up.”

  There was gentle sympathy in his eyes, and in his touch when he softly took her hand between both of his. But she knew he had enough on his plate with his missing sister, with Sarah, and everything else. No matter how noble and kind he was, he didn’t need someone in his life who would be the topic of gossip for years to come.

  So she would make this easy.

  No awkward explanations, no sad goodbyes for him to tactfully deflect.

  “I’m still leaving tomorrow morning, Clint, first thing.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I already have my ticket. Before everything happened at the banquet, Nonnie promised she’d pick me up by six.”

  His gaze flickered for a moment, but then he seemed to withdraw, and his jaw firmed with resolve. “So it’s final, then.”

  “It’s better for all concerned, don’t you think? Especially for me.” She forced the tremble from her voice and somehow managed to look him in the eye. “I really need a fresh start.”

  He wavered, still holding her hand. “I understand,” he said at last. “I hope you find all the happiness that you’re looking for. I’ll let you rest for now, okay?”

  He touched her cheek and gave her a long, last look, then walked out the door.

  When he left, he took a big piece of her heart.

  She dreamed of moonlit indigo bayou waters, egrets and the soft, sweet scent of magnolias. Then the dream fractured into gaping alligator jaws tearing at her flesh, while Dean stood laughing on the shore. He threw marshmallows at the gators, urging them on.

  She awoke with a start and sucked in a sharp breath. It wasn’t the gators that were tearing at her—it was a searing pain deep in her belly.

  “Oh…my.” She blinked, steeled herself again the next wave of pain. “Clint….” she called out, her voice barely a whisper. “Help me.”

  There was no answer. God, I’m calling on you again. Please, help me! Somehow, she drew in a deep-enough breath, despite the agonizing pain, to cry out Clint’s name. Then, thankfully, she passed out cold.

  Clint ran into the living room at the sound of Mandy’s cry, took one look at her pale face and limp form and rushed her back to the hospital. An MRI scan revealed deep trauma to her spleen that hadn’t been caught earlier.

  The surgeon opted to try the most conservative approach first, and the pain and internal bleeding receded after twenty-four hours of bed rest and IV medications.

  Clint stayed away, trying to give Mandy the space she said she wanted. Only each hour, each minute of the night seemed to crawl past at an interminable pace.

  It was the loneliest night of his life.

  Early the next morning, he could wait no longer. He headed to the hospital and entered her room, his face grim and eyes weary. “Is everything all right? Are you—”

  “So far, so good.” She looked down at the discharge papers in her hand and tried to still her trembling hands. “The doctor said she’s optimistic about my avoiding surgery if I just take it very easy for a while.”

  “That’s a relief. You scared me.”

  Clint stayed until the nurses finished their paperwork and said that Mandy was ready to be released.

  He helped her into his truck. “You’ve missed the Greyhound today, so I’ll take you over to Shelby’s, if that’s all right with you.”

  Her heart dropped like an anvil in her chest. Clint’s words sounded so final. Yet it was what she wanted, right? It was the best choice for everyone.

  She nodded wearily. Another ten minutes and he would be rid of her for good. He probably couldn’t wait. “I should at least tell you my real name, Clint, after all you’ve done for me. Hi, I’m Katherine Amanda Willis.” She offered her hand across the front seat of the truck and he gently shook it. “I went by Mandy as a kid, but my dad insisted on Katherine when I got to high school. After all of this, I think I’m sticking with Mandy.”

  The smile lines at the corners of Clint’s eyes deepened briefly. “Well, hello, Katherine Amanda Willis.”

  “I never meant to hurt anyone, or to bring danger here, Clint. I’m so sorry—sorrier than I can ever say.”

/>   “No need.”

  “Was Lenore arrested?”

  “Sounds like it.” Clint shook his head ruefully. “This whole weekend ended up being quite an affair, didn’t it?”

  The ache in her chest grew as she thought about leaving sweet little Sarah, and Clint—with his teasing smile and beautiful dark eyes. He was the most incredible man. By leaving she was throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime chance for happiness with both hands.

  But he deserved so much more.

  He deserved someone without baggage, and after all of their sorrow over Leah, Clint and Sarah deserved everything that was good in life. That certainly wasn’t a woman with a past like hers. She knew God had forgiven her, but surely Clint still deserved better. Right, God?

  Sheriff Reed was at Shelby’s house, clipboard in hand, when Clint and Mandy pulled up in the driveway. He stood at her open car door and asked surprisingly perceptive, pointed questions about Dean and the bayou incident.

  Reed finally put his pen back in his shirt pocket. “I’ve been in contact with the authorities in Illinois. The police department didn’t seem too surprised at what happened here with Dean. They’ve had an internal investigation running on him and just hadn’t yet amassed enough evidence to take him down. We now have a confession on several previous murders of women he was involved with over the years, so it’s unlikely that he’ll ever be free again.”

  Mandy shuddered in horror, thinking how close she’d been to becoming yet another statistic. “How long has he been in town?”

  “He’s evidently been here twice. During the interrogation, he admitted to stalking you in Loomis and to breaking into both your apartment and the pawnshop. He also wrote a threatening note and put it on your windshield.”

  Reed looked at Clint and canted his head. “Can we talk?”

  When they left, Mandy took a slow walk to Shelby’s house, where the door had been left unlocked for her. Inside, she drew a glass of water at the kitchen sink and sat down at the table, feeling as if she’d aged a hundred years in the last few days.