Protection

by Linda Rettstatt

  Anthony stared at the phone before ending the call. Pro-life, my ass. He wondered if Mark knew Corinne’s past, the abortion she had right after high school. And what would happen if her “constituents” found out? There was a definite advantage to having all the inside dirt on Governor Corinne Baker Hastings.

  He glanced at his watch. He could stake out the house for a couple of hours and, if nothing materialized, he’d head to the casino for a little fun.

  On his first cruise past the cabin, he saw both a truck and a car in the driveway. The damned mountain road provided no place to pull over and park. He needed to keep the car out of sight anyway. A half-mile down the road, he came to a sign for a scenic overlook. He pulled in and started his walk back toward the cabin. He found a larger tree that could hide him and still allow for a clear view of the vehicles and the cabin. He recognized the Buick. Probably another wild goose chase, but he’d wait and watch for a bit.

  Twenty minutes later, the woman came out of the house carrying the baby carrier. She placed the baby and carrier in the car, then turned toward the man standing on the deck. He couldn’t tell what they were saying, but it was clear she wasn’t happy with him. She got into the car and slammed the door. The same chick he’d bumped into in town.

  The guy just stood on the deck, dragging a hand through his hair. Poor schmuck. He didn’t have a clue what to do. Anthony had to chuckle. Then the guy raced toward the car waving his hand, and the car stopped.

  It took Anthony a moment to realize his car was nearly half a mile away and he’d need it to follow her. He jogged to the overlook and was just ready to pull out when the Buick cruised by. The woman was sure taking her time, not driving like someone who’d been angry a minute ago. He followed her back into town. She turned off the main street and, two blocks later, pulled into a drive. The car slowly disappeared into a garage and the door closed. He parked on the street at the side of the house and watched. The blond emerged from the garage, carrying the baby and a couple of shopping bags up the stairs on the side of the apartment.

  This had to be Heather. Yeah, she’d changed her hair. But she’d been at that cabin where he’d traced the phone calls to and she has a baby about the right age. He’d just have to hang around for a few more days, watch her and see what he could find out. Satisfied that he’d found his prize and she wasn’t going anywhere, he pulled away from the curb and headed to the casino.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Shannon was furious as she pulled from the driveway and headed down Mountain Pine Road. With Bailey in her car seat in the back, she reminded herself to take it slow. What had she been thinking when she slept with Jake? Idiot. She of all people should have known better. And now he had the nerve to tell her he thought they needed to slow things down. Sure, now that he’d gotten what he wanted. She swiped at a tear that spilled down her cheek.

  She’d made a fool of herself running to him to check the temperature of their relationship. Relationship? Well, that was clearly a joke, and the joke was on her. Jake didn’t want a relationship. He’d said, “I let things happen too fast, and I’m sorry. You need more than I can give.”

  How did he know what she needed? Then when he suggested they keep some distance from one another for a while, she’d gone off on him. So much hit her at once—rejection, feeling used, and the fear of having no one in her corner. No one to even call if she needed help. He seemed stunned by her reaction. Well, what did he expect?

  Parking in the driveway, she first carried Bailey upstairs and settled her in the playpen she’d bought at the second-hand store. Then she ran down the stairs to unload the groceries. She couldn’t help but look over her shoulder, down the driveway and out to the street. Not another car in sight.

  Upstairs she put away the groceries and set about making rosemary chicken for dinner. She found herself staring at the phone periodically, sure it would ring. Certain Jake would call to apologize. When the meal was ready, she prepared plates for Abe and Helen.

  She gathered up Bailey and delivered the dinner.

  “You don’t have to cook for us,” Abe said.

  “I know, but it’s just as easy to cook for three as for one. Besides, I appreciate the use of the car.” She set the plates on the table. “Where’s Helen?”

  “She wanted to take a nap a while ago. I should get her up.”

  “I’ll get her. You can pour your drinks.” She shifted Bailey in her arms and went to the bedroom where Helen slept. She bent down and gently touched the old woman’s shoulder, calling her name. “Helen, it’s time for supper.”

  Helen blinked her eyes and then, upon spying Bailey, broke into a crooked smile.

  Shannon helped Helen to sit up and brought her wheelchair close the bed. She lay Bailey on the bed long enough to help Helen maneuver into her chair. After a bathroom stop, Helen was seated at the table where Abe had already cut up her chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.

  “Gooo,” Helen said—her version of good.

  “It’s rosemary chicken. I hope you like it. I’m going upstairs and feed Bailey. I’ll be back in a bit to clean up and help you get ready for bed.”

  “Thanks,” Abe said. “This is delicious.”

  Shannon grinned. “I’m glad you like it. I’ll be back soon.”

  Her phone was ringing as she reached the top of the stairs, but stopped as she opened the door. With no answering machine attached to the vintage phone, she had no idea who had called. Only two people she knew had the number, other than Abe—Dawn, who had babysat with Bailey, and Jake. Then there was Caleb, but she doubted she’d ever hear from him again. He’d done what he could for her.

  She fed Bailey and readied her for bed before warming her own dinner. Sitting alone at the dining table, she pushed chicken and rice around her plate. The sun was beginning to set and shadows of swaying tree branches danced across the windows. She wished she could call Brooke or call her mother. An almost unbearable weight sat in her chest. This was no way to live, always worrying, always looking back to see what or who might be behind you. Maybe she should just go home and face Mark and Corinne Hastings. Why was she on the run like a criminal? She hadn’t done anything wrong except get involved with Mark, a married man. That was wrong, she knew, but not something that should have sent her into exile. Mark had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with parenting the child they’d created. She accepted that and her role as a single mother. And all was well until Corinne Hastings showed up at her door.

  *

  Jake sat on the deck with his heels resting on the rail. He watched the sun set and the sky darken. He felt as if he’d skipped a major section of the directions on how to do a relationship with a woman—if there was a manual. He replayed his time with Shannon from the moment he was wakened by the blare of the car horn. Her vulnerability shook something loose in him. Inviting her and Bailey to stay with him just seemed the right thing to do. What unsettled him was how quickly he found himself drawn to both of them, seeing himself as a part of their lives, a family. When he responded to what he believed was his call to the priesthood, he was so sure, so certain. But the longing he felt at that time was nothing like what he felt with Shannon and Bailey.

  He had run headlong into an intimate relationship with her, heedless of his commitments and the fact that he could be pulled back into his former life at a moment’s notice. She had been hurt and angry when she left, and that was his fault. He felt sick, disgusted with himself. He couldn’t expect her to understand. He only hoped he’d have the chance to explain.

  Anger burned in his chest. What kind of sick joke had God played on him? Was this encounter a test, or was he being given an option, a second chance to be happy? He wasn’t sure he remembered how to pray for guidance. For the last two years, his reliance had been upon himself and, occasionally, upon Caleb. It was time to put his faith to the test.

  Jake went inside, locked the door behind him, and prepared to do battle.

  *

  “What do you think
he’s doing in there?” Sara asked.

  “How do I know?” Lou scanned the area around the house through his binoculars.

  “You sure he’s still in there?”

  Lou lowered the binoculars. “He’s in there. His truck is still sitting where he parked it. One way in and one way out.”

  “It’s almost noon. I’m getting hungry,” she whined.

  “Then hike back to the car and get something. I’m not leavin’ this spot and chance him slippin’ away.” Lou raised the binoculars with one hand and, with the other swatted at a fly that buzzed around his sweat-soaked shirt collar.

  “Fine. I’ll do just that. And I’m not walking back here. I’ll wait for you in the car.” Sara stomped down the winding road without looking back.

  “Take a flyin’ leap while you’re at it,” Lou muttered.

  By four o’clock, he’d had it. He was out of water, hadn’t eaten lunch, and the flies were making a picnic out of him. He needed dinner and a shower, then he could drive back out here and keep watch later. Clearly Avery wasn’t planning to go anywhere.

  When he reached the overlook, he saw the other car parked a few spaces away. Sara stood by the stone wall, chatting with another couple. He slowed his pace, trying to look casual. “Ready to go?”

  She waved him over. “In a minute. Come here, meet Tom and Deb. They’re from Canada.”

  He groaned inwardly, but forced a smile. “Hi, folks. Visiting the area, eh?”

  “Yeah. Beautiful spot. What’s the name of the town down there?” Tom asked, pointing to the village below.

  “Snoqualmie.”

  “That where you folks are staying?”

  Before he could respond, Sara piped up with, “Yes, there’s a small motel on the edge of town. Nothing fancy, but it’s comfortable. They probably have vacancies. You could follow us.”

  Deb smiled. “Oh, that would be great. Maybe you two could join us for dinner in a bit?”

  “We have plans. Sorry.” Lou grasped Sara’s arm and turned her toward the car. “But, thanks anyway.”

  He glanced in the rear view mirror and the Nissan behind them. “What the hell are you thinking?” he growled at Sara.

  “What? They pulled in to the overlook and started a conversation. Was I supposed to be rude and ignore them?”

  “Yes. That would have been a plan. We don’t know who they are or what they’re doin’ here. You can’t trust people who just show up like that. They could be Feds. I suppose you told them your name?”

  “Of course. I told them I’m Sue Nicholas. That’s the name I’ve been using.” She shook her head. “Feds. You know your problem, Lou? Your imagination runs away with you. The Feds have Avery tucked away nice and safe, so they think. I doubt they have babysitters watching him.” Sara straightened her blouse under the seatbelt and stared out the side window. “I don’t see why we can’t have dinner before we trek back up that mountain.”

  “Before I trek up the mountain. You’re not coming with me tonight. I’m gonna make a move and try to catch Avery while he’s asleep.”

  “You’re going into his house? Lou, that’s a bad idea. What if he has a gun?’

  “Father Peace-and-Love? Are you kidding?”

  “Then maybe I could have dinner with Tom and Deb?”

  “Fine, whatever. Just keep your mouth shut about who we are, where we live, and why we’re here.”

  “I know. I know. Jeez, you think I’m an idiot.”

  He slid a sideways glance, but didn’t speak. When he pulled into the motel parking lot, the Nissan stopped at the entry. Tom got out and waved before going into the lobby. Deb walked to their car. “Are you sure you can’t join us for dinner? We don’t really know the area very well.”

  “Depends on what you want. The diner in town closes at seven. There’s a bar that serves decent food a little ways out of town. Rusty’s. I have business to take care of, but Sue will go with you, if you don’t mind.”

  Deb smiled—a little too broadly he thought. “Great. Meet us here in about fifteen minutes?”

  Sara nodded.

  Lou drove around the back of the motel and parked in front of their room. “I’m gonna take a quick shower and I’ll grab a sandwich at the fast food place before I go back up to Avery’s.”

  “Let me use the bathroom first. I want to freshen up before dinner.” Sara grabbed her toiletries bag and closed the bathroom door.

  Lou took the opportunity to check his gun, make sure it was loaded. Though he planned to only need one shot. Without Avery’s testimony, the Feds would never be able to pin anything on Lou. Well, there was the matter of Father Alvin, but that problem was being taken care of from the inside. The only thing that would stand between Lou and a truly fresh start was primping in the bathroom.

  Sara came out of the bathroom. “Should I pack our stuff and be ready to go?”

  He stared at her hard. “You should be ready to go.” She’d been an asset to him when he had the business up and running. She was good at finding adoptive families for the kids he brought into the country. But the business was effectively shut down when Avery blew the whistle. Sara was more of a liability now, and lately she’d been talking about marriage and kids before it was too late. He hated to tell her, but it was way too late.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Damn, it was dark. Lou could barely see six feet in front of him. He’d found a pull-off a little closer to Avery’s cabin. His feet crunched across pine needles, the slick soles of his dress shoes sliding as he attempted to climb a small grade. He stood in the cover of trees and scoped out the area around the house. No lights, no movement. The truck still sat where it had earlier. He slapped at a mosquito that hummed around his ear. “I hate nature.”

  Using his cell phone for light, he made his way through the trees and to the edge of the clearing. Still no sound or movement. Confident he wouldn’t be seen or heard, he closed the phone and made his way across the lawn toward the house. He ascended the steps onto the deck at the side of the cabin and peered through the window, then moved to the door and tried the knob. Locked. Hell, why couldn’t one thing be easy?

  In the back of the cabin, he found a window that slid open. But getting his six foot two frame through it would be difficult. Now is when he needed Sara to slip inside and open the door. He was about to try the front windows when something cold and metallic pressed into his neck. He froze.

  “Don’t make a move, Crowley. Both hands up against the wall.”

  “What the hell?”

  “Do it.”

  Lou stretched his arms, palms flat against the cabin. A second man frisked him, removing the gun from its shoulder holster.

  “Louis Crowley, you are under arrest. I’m U.S. Marshal Caleb Wilson.” He was read his rights and escorted back around the cabin as two vehicles pulled into the drive, lights glaring.

  Sara sat in the back of one of the vehicles, her face stained with tears and running mascara. Tom and Deb sat in the front seat, now with U.S. Marshal IDs clipped to their collars.

  “I swear I didn’t tell them, Lou. I didn’t say a word.” Sara cried and choked.

  “Shut up. Just shut the hell up.”

  The marshal shoved him into the vehicle roughly, letting his head slam on the doorframe. “Oh, I’m sorry. Be careful there.”

  Caleb Wilson leaned in and spoke with Tom, “Get them to the airport. I’ll follow with our witness.”

  *

  Jake heard commotion in his driveway and saw the glare of headlights. He’d never gone to pick up the gun after applying for a permit, so he reached for his ever-faithful Louisville Slugger.

  He met Caleb Wilson at his back door. “Caleb? What’s going on?”

  Caleb pointed to the vehicles. “We got Crowley and his girlfriend. He was trying to get into your place, presumably to kill you.”

  Jake whooshed out a deep breath. “So it’s over.”

  “Not quite. You’ll need to testify. Pack some things.”

&nbs
p; “Now?”

  “Right now. We’re heading to the airport. We have a plane waiting to transport us to New York.”

  “I can’t just leave right now. Can’t I fly out there in a day or two? Surely they’re not ready for a trial tomorrow.”

  “No, but I can’t let you out of my sight until the trial is over. We have a place set up for you in New York. As far as we’re concerned, you’re still Jake Garber until it’s time for court.”

  “I need to make a phone call.”

  “The girlfriend?”

  “I have to at least let her know I’m leaving town. I won’t tell her anything more. You can stand right here and listen.”

  “Jake….”

  But Jake had already dialed. “Shannon, it’s Jake. I can’t explain, but I’m leaving town for a while. I don’t know how long. But I will be back. I promise. If you need anything, talk to Angie at Rusty’s. She’s a good friend and she’ll be a friend to you, too.” He paused. “I can’t say any more right now. I’ve got to go. I… I love you.”

  He stared at the phone, then looked at Caleb. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes.” He shoved clothing into a suitcase, then reached into the back of the closet for a dark garment bag. He laid the bag on the bed and unzipped it. Inside lay a pair of black pants, black clerical shirt, and jacket. He reached into the pocket of the jacket and removed the white tab that slid into the clerical collar. He wasn’t even sure this suit fit him any longer, in more ways than one. But he would be expected to appear in court as Father Steven Avery. He zipped the bag and retrieved his black shoes, tucking them into the suitcase.

  He carried the bags downstairs and met Caleb again in the kitchen. “Ready.”

  On the way to the airport, Caleb said, “We got word yesterday that Alvin Martin was murdered in prison.”

  Jake closed his eyes. Alvin deserved prison for his part in the child trafficking ring, but he didn’t deserve to die. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Crowley was tying up all the loose ends. You were the last one.”

  “Thanks for watching my back,” Jake said.