Practicing Parenthood

by Cara Lockwood

  He narrowed his eyes. “You still deserve to die. You fucked me over. You and that prick of a prosecutor. You aren’t gonna get away with it. Hurting me. Hurting white folks.”

  “What white folks?”

  “All the ones you put in jail.” Now, Madison wasn’t even following his logic, such as it was. He swallowed another bite of jerky. “I’m here to protect white people from people like you. I’m here to make you dance one more time.”

  She felt a shiver of fear dive down her back.

  On some level, Madison knew his white supremacy stuff was just a cover. At heart, Jimmy Reese was a sociopath, a violent, remorseless thug, who used neo-Nazism as a cover to do bad things to people. She remembered his indifference in the courtroom, not caring one whit that he’d killed a little girl, a white girl at that. He’d been there to kill a black man, but missed. Still, he didn’t show any remorse about the fact that he’d killed an innocent child.

  “You feel bad about Monica?” Madison asked. Keep him talking.

  “Who?”

  “The twelve-year-old you shot and killed. At the grocery store. The one you’re supposed to be serving time for.”

  Jimmy shrugged and looked away. “Just bad luck is all.”

  “No, she didn’t die because of bad luck, she died because you killed her. She was white. Her family was white. You killed the very person you said you were trying to protect. Who was her champion?”

  “The Lord works in mysterious ways.”

  “The Lord has nothing to do with what you’ve done, what you’re trying to do.”

  Jimmy frowned, knife in mid-air. “You better watch your mouth.”

  Jimmy Reese was pure evil. She needed to remember that. She fell silent, wondering what she could possibly do next. Her hands were falling asleep. She doubted he’d help her or show her mercy.

  Distantly, she heard a bark. A dog’s bark. Teddy!

  Jimmy froze. “What was that?” He got up and peered out the window. Somehow, Teddy had followed them, despite the golf cart ride.

  “I don’t hear anything,” Madison lied.

  Then came another bark, still distant but definitely a bark. At least it drew Jimmy’s attention away from her. “I hate dogs,” he said, and she noticed fear in his voice. Was he afraid of them? Maybe she could use that somehow.

  “You’re right, there’s a dog,” she said. “Sounds like a big one,” she fibbed.

  Jimmy frowned. Then he glared at her. “I’m gonna go take a look.”

  He sheathed his knife and then picked up his pistol. Madison felt panic. “No need to do that. Probably some resident’s dog.”

  He studied her. “I told you. I’m gonna go see.” He undid the chains on the door. She heard him clomp down the circular stone staircase. She squeezed her eyes shut. Please don’t let him hurt my dog.

  After he left, she reached down and undid the loose knot on her left leg, and then worked quickly to undo the second. In seconds, she was free and she stood and listened. She didn’t hear him. She studied the duct tape binding her hands. She remembered a woman in an abduction case some time ago. She’d been a former FBI agent, and she’d had some trick about freeing herself from duct tape. What was it?

  Then she remembered. Hold her hands over her head. Thrust them downward and away. She lifted her hands, and her towel fell off. She inwardly cursed but then focused again. Gotta get out of this tape. She thought about Jimmy, about what he’d do if he came back, and in a panic, raised her hands and threw them down, hard. To her amazement, the duct tape split in two.

  She was free. She couldn’t believe it!

  She grabbed the black T-shirt on the sleeping bag and threw it over her head. Madison had no shoes, but that didn’t matter. Couldn’t matter. There was only one way out of the lighthouse, and chances were good that Jimmy was on those very stairs. She looked around, searching for a weapon. There was nothing but the beef jerky, a sleeping bag, a backpack and her towel. She grabbed the towel and slid the door open, listening. Jimmy’s footsteps were nearly at the bottom now. She heard him shout, “Git, dog!”

  Then she heard a loud yip—Teddy!

  Slowly, quietly, she stepped on the staircase and said a little prayer.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  TWO HELICOPTERS FULL of backup police units arrived within the hour, and Mark gathered them at Collin’s house to form a plan. They were going to scour the island for signs of Madison. Time was of the essence, because the longer she was with Jimmy Reese, the worse it would get. Collin’s nerves tingled from the adrenaline, and he felt jittery and anxious, couldn’t stay still. He had to find Madison. He had to make this right. He hated feeling this much out of control. The image of Madison, fearful, her mouth and hands duct-taped, wearing nothing but a towel, made him want to strangle the life out of Jimmy Reese. The man didn’t deserve to live if he so much as touched a hair on her head.

  “I’ve got a map here of all the empty houses on the island,” Mark said. “I’ve scanned it and sent it to all of you, so we all have it. Yvana marked all the homes with renters and without.” Yvana stood in a corner of the room, looking sad and solemn. The news that Madison had gone missing had hit her almost as hard as it had Collin.

  “We think he’d likely go for an empty house or even some thick brush near the beach, some secluded area, like here.” Mark pointed to the north side. He glanced at his men, a dozen of them now. “You’ve got your partners and your sectors of the map to cover. I don’t think I need to remind you all that Reese is armed and dangerous. Be careful out there, but let’s bring Madison Reddy back home safe.”

  The officers dispersed, heading out of the home and jumping into waiting golf carts, speeding off to various corners of the island. Collin, eager to join them, followed Mark outside.

  “What can I do?” he asked Mark, who wore his badge for everyone to see, as well as a shoulder harness.

  “Listen, this is a police matter now. Leave it to us.” Mark and Steve got into an off-road golf cart with oversized wheels. “If you’re with us, you’re a liability, counselor. I know this is hard for you, but keep your phone charged and stay in touch. She—or Jimmy—might try to contact you.”

  Mark handed him a walkie-talkie. “We’re on channel five, okay?”

  “But I can help. I know this island. I can...” Collin couldn’t just sit and wait.

  “It’s safer if you don’t, counselor.” Mark looked at him with pity, clearly understanding his need to find Madison. Collin watched the officers speed away, feeling frustration rising within him.

  He glanced at Yvana. “Want me to make you some coffee?” she asked. “It’s gonna be a long night.”

  Collin nodded, and the two of them went back to his rental house. They were barely inside when he heard a telltale scratching coming from outside. He went over to the patio door and saw Teddy there, carrying something in his mouth. The puppy! He was all right!

  “Teddy!” he cried, feeling overcome with emotion. “What do you have there?” He pulled the small coral colored scrap of fabric from the dog’s mouth. He showed it to Yvana. “This is from one of our towels, at this house. I’d know that palm tree design. It’s the one Maddie was wearing in the photo! I know it.”

  Yvana’s eyes grew wide. “Why would he have it?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe he followed her, or maybe Jimmy took the dog when he took Madison?”

  Collin knelt and scratched the dog behind the ears. The puppy leaned into him. “I wish you could talk, boy. I wish you could tell us what happened.”

  The dog gazed up at him, brown eyes wide. He whined plaintively.

  “Maybe he can,” Yvana said. She bent down to examine the puppy’s large paws. “He’s got mud and sand here. But look...” She grabbed one paw and pointed to the small red pebbles caught between his toes. “That’s gravel from the airstrip. He’s been over
by the airfield.”

  “Anything abandoned out there?” Collin asked.

  “No. I don’t think so.” Yvana thought a minute. Collin remembered the photo Reese had sent him. Could be some clue in it, something Yvana might recognize. He pulled his phone from his pocket.

  “Have you ever seen this place?”

  Yvana gasped. “Oh, Lord.” She shook her head and clutched at his phone. “Poor Maddie.”

  “Look at the background, though. Anything there? Anything you recognize? Anything that could be near the airstrip?”

  Yvana studied the photo. Granted, Collin could see there was precious little to go on. An old wooden chair that Madison sat on, and the background was pretty much dark except for the corner of something behind her. A metal table? It was hard to make out.

  “Wait. That chair.” She frowned at it. “I know that chair.”

  She snapped her fingers. “The lighthouse!” she said. “That’s the chair up in the lighthouse. I know because the man who owns it made a big deal about trying to get it down. It’s some antique or other, and he was worried someone might take it if they knew it was valuable.”

  For the first time, Collin felt hope, and he wanted to hug Yvana. “You might just have saved Madison’s life.”

  He thought about jumping into a golf cart and heading over there himself, but then he realized he’d need help. Madison was right when she’d called him a control freak, but this time, he understood that he couldn’t do this alone. He grabbed the walkie-talkie. “Mark?” he said into the static. “I think I know where he took her.”

  * * *

  MADISON GOT TO the bottom of the concrete stairs, heart pounding. Jimmy could be anywhere, and he probably hadn’t moved far from the lighthouse. She glanced out the cracked door but couldn’t see much. Where was he? Could be on the other side of the metal door for all she knew, ready to pounce. He doesn’t know I’m here. She tried to calm herself, keep herself alert and ready. What’s my plan? What do I do? Madison had no idea. She glanced out again and could see a long stretch of rocky beach and then on the other side, overgrown brush. Do I run for the beach? For the seagrass? Do I sneak out or full-on sprint? Her knees wobbled. She felt paralyzed by indecision but knew she was running out of time. She opened the door slowly with the tips of her fingers, so she could have a wider view. No sign of Jimmy. But he could be anywhere, waiting, lurking, ready to grab her.

  She took a deep breath. I’ve got to try. For the baby. She listened carefully. All she heard were the waves rolling in from the ocean. Her feet felt like lead. Got to try. Once she was moving, though, she found herself running. She sprinted from the doorway, her breathing already ragged, heading for the seagrass and, she hoped, the fire station beyond. The seagrass hit her shins and thighs, slowing her down. Her bare feet sank into the sandy soil.

  “Stop, bitch!” she heard behind her—Jimmy, coming around the side of the lighthouse.

  Run, she told herself. Run and don’t stop running.

  She heard his big footsteps coming after her, crashing through the seagrass. He was close, so close. But she was going to make it, she told herself. She could see the roof of the fire station ahead. All she had to do was get there. She could hear golf carts on the path, too. She saw the flash of their headlights.

  “Help!” she shouted. “Here!”

  The words were barely out of her mouth when she felt something strong reach out and grab her, and then suddenly she was on the ground. Big hands on her. “I told you to stop, bitch,” Jimmy spat, coming to rest on top of her. Madison screamed as loudly as she could, hoping the nearby golf carts heard her.

  That was when Jimmy reared back and slapped her. The force of his blow stunned her, and the metallic taste of blood flooded her mouth. He yanked her roughly to her feet. She was doomed. He’d drag her back to the lighthouse. Finish what he’d started. She could feel the hate radiating from him, knew he planned to do horrible things to her. He pulled her up by the arm so hard she let out a squeal of pain.

  “Stop right there!” called a voice. She knew that voice. Collin?

  She turned to see a bright light shining on them. Jimmy whipped out his gun and pressed the barrel against her temple, the cold metal making her flinch. She froze, her heart hammering in her chest, afraid to move or even speak.

  “You’re surrounded, Jimmy.” This came from Mark, as another flashlight appeared on their left. “There’s nowhere to go.”

  Jimmy slowly moved her in front of him, making sure she stood between the flashlights and him. Madison knew that behind those lights were guns. She saw other lights approach as well, although she couldn’t see the faces beyond.

  “I never had any place to go but jail,” Jimmy said. “I’m still gonna get what I came for.”

  Madison felt his grip tighten on her arm. Hopelessness rose up in her. He doesn’t care if the police shoot him, she realized suddenly. He just wants revenge, and he doesn’t care if he dies getting it. She thought of the baby inside her. A flashlight wavered and Collin put it down. She saw his face in the moonlight.

  “Jimmy. It’s not her you want. It’s me.”

  “Collin!” Madison called, fear choking her voice. She didn’t want him to do what he was doing. He was putting himself in harm’s way, and giving Reese the opportunity to kill them both.

  Jimmy’s grip on her arm lessened slightly. “No, I want her dead.”

  “Sure, but she’s not the one who put you away. She’s not the one who convinced a jury to hate you. I did that, Jimmy. That’s all me.”

  Collin raised his hands to show he had nothing in them. Madison felt Jimmy’s attention focus with laser-like precision on the prosecutor. “Madison’s a good attorney, but I’m much, much better. But then, you’re just a dumb piece of shit, and you probably don’t know that.”

  Jimmy’s grip on her arm tightened again. He didn’t like being insulted. What was Collin doing?

  “You didn’t even see how you were played,” Collin skillfully boasted.

  Jimmy scoffed. “How?”

  “I wanted your case, wanted to make an example of you. And you did exactly what I wanted you to do, needed to. Not testifying, letting me twist the jurors’ thoughts about you.”

  “Maybe I’ll kill her, then you.” Jimmy pulled Madison closer to his chest. She tried not to whimper. Her fear took over, and she felt blinded by it, paralyzed.

  “You only get one shot, Jimmy. You only get to hit one of us before they hit you.” Collin gestured to the police officers nearby.

  “Lay down your weapon, Jimmy,” Mark called. “Lay it down now and nobody gets hurt.”

  What the hell was Collin doing? He was asking this maniac to shoot him. Madison didn’t know what she felt more—anger at his recklessness or touched that he was trying to save her by throwing himself in front of Jimmy’s loaded gun.

  Mark and Collin exchanged glances and that’s when it dawned on Madison that this was a plan. Have Collin distract Jimmy and Mark move in.

  She needed to get away from Jimmy—she knew that much. She needed to give the officers a clean shot.

  “You’re pathetic, Jimmy,” Collin went on. “You think you’re tough, but you’re just a dumb hick, nothing but a no-good piece of white trash. I could’ve put you away with my eyes closed. Hell, I slept through half that trial.”

  “You better watch your mouth!”

  “Or what? You scared piece of—”

  Jimmy moved then. He whisked the barrel away from her temple and pointed it outward. Now was her chance. She flung her head back with all her might and it connected with Jimmy’s nose. He let her go and Madison dropped to her knees. He pulled the trigger and a gunshot rang out. Madison saw Collin fall.

  “No!” she screamed as all the officers fired straight at Jimmy in a blur of gunfire lighting up the dark island night. Jimmy fell to the ground behind her with a
hard thump as the officers advanced, flashlights bobbing, guns drawn. Behind her, she heard Jimmy’s raspy bubbly breathing; he’d been hit several times in the chest. Madison didn’t care; she crawled away, then leaped to her feet, rushing to Collin’s side.

  He lay on the ground, groaning and holding one shoulder.

  “Help! He needs help!” Madison shouted, even as the officers handcuffed a dying Jimmy.

  “I’m fine,” Collin groaned as he sat up.

  “You’re shot!”

  “Grazed,” he said, looking at his bloodied shoulder. “I don’t think the bullet went in.”

  Madison flung her arms around his neck. “Ow...” he muttered. “But...ow, it still hurts, though.” She laughed a little and released him.

  “You scared me to death,” she said. “You were daring that maniac to shoot you.”

  “Better me than you.” Collin’s eyes grew serious in that moment, and she felt love well up in her. He caressed her cheek. “Now do you believe that I love you? I love you, Madison Reddy. I want you to be my wife.” Collin took a big breath. “But I also respect that may not be what you want.”

  Madison looked at him, surprised. “Since when does the control freak relinquish control? I thought it was just what you wanted that mattered.”

  “No.” Collin shook his head. “I want to marry you, and I want you to live in Miami with me. But like you said, that’s just what I want. I really do love you, Madison. I want you to be happy, so if you’d rather be unmarried in Fort Myers, that’s where I’ll stay, too.”

  Madison couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You’d give up your prosecutor’s job in Miami?”

  “I’d give up my life for you.” Collin smiled weakly. “I think I almost did.”

  “Are you sure? You’re not just doing this because you’re supposed to.”

  “I was willing to die for you, Madison. What other proof do you need?” His lips rose up in a wry smile. “I love you. I want to be with you and only you. And—” he cleared his throat “—you owe me.” He nodded at his shoulder.