Protection

by Linda Rettstatt

  Having just come out of the shower, Heather wrapped a towel around her hair and hurried to the TV. What she saw made her jaw drop.

  “The FBI has been working to capture Crowley for the past two years. Following the death of Father Alvin Martin in a New York prison, Father Steve Avery remained the only witness to seal the fate of Crowley and his accomplice Sara Martin. Another odd twist to the story is that Sara Martin is the sister of Father Alvin Martin. She was an adoption worker for a private New York adoption agency.”

  The camera zoomed in close on Father Avery as he left the courthouse. Heather gasped. “That’s Jake.”

  Brooke turned to look at her. “That’s your hero?”

  Pointing at the TV, she repeated, “That’s Jake. That’s the man who rescued us when I crashed my car.” Then she glanced down at the sofa, remembering being in his arms. “Oh, my God. He’s a priest?”

  “You didn’t know that already?” Brooke asked.

  “If I’d known, I never would have….” Heat washed over her. “Where’s my mom?”

  “She took some of the banana bread she baked down to the Swinsons.”

  Heather stood and moved closer to the TV. “I can’t believe he…he and I…right here on that couch.”

  Brooke stared at her wide-eyed. “Are you telling me he slept with you? The priest?”

  “Slept with me? No. He didn’t stay long enough to sleep. That lying bastard!”

  “Shhh, they’ll hear you all the way downstairs.” Brooke stood and put a hand on Heather’s arm. “I’m so sorry.”

  Heather moved toward the sofa, then veered away and sat in the rocker. “I’m such an idiot. I thought he was a nice guy, you know? One of the good guys. And I had no intention of getting involved with him. It just kind of happened. What the hell is wrong with me? First Mark and now Jake.”

  Brooke motioned to the TV. “Looks like he’s got plenty of trouble of his own.”

  Heather whipped her head up. “The biker!”

  “Biker? What…?”

  “There was a guy on a motorcycle. I thought he was after me. I’ll bet he was after Jake the whole time. And that son-of-a-bitch didn’t even have the decency to tell me. I was scared to death. That’s why he stayed here in the first place, because I was terrified. And he just let me believe I was in danger.”

  “But you were in danger, just from someone else.”

  “He didn’t know that. He had everyone in this town fooled. I wonder if he really thinks he’ll be welcome here after this. Surely everyone in town knows the truth by now.” She snatched up the phone and pressed in one of the numbers on the list she kept on the table.

  “Angie, have you seen the news today?”

  “Today? No, did something else happen?”

  “Did you know Jake was here under witness protection?”

  “What?”

  “I just saw him on CNN. He’s in New York testifying on this big child trafficking case. The thing is, he’s not Jake. He’s a priest—Father Steve Avery.”

  Silence hissed through the phone. Then Angie said, “Can you hold for one second? I have another call.”

  “Just come over if you can or call me back.” She hung up.

  Brooke waited a moment before asking, “Did she already know?”

  “Didn’t sound like it. She had to take another call. She’ll either call back or come over here.” Overwhelming sadness hit her then and tears rolled down her face. “I feel so…so dirty. God, Brooke, I had sex with a priest.”

  From the door, her mother gasped. “What did you say?”

  *

  Half an hour later, following an embarrassing confession and explanation to her mother, Heather sat across from Angie at the dinette table. “He called you?”

  “Yep. Right after you did. He was the other call I got while we were talking. He told me everything.”

  “Everything?”

  “I guess now he can talk freely about what happened because the trial is over and the bad guys—and girl—are all in jail. You have to know he wouldn’t have deliberately deceived you. He was more concerned about what’s happening to you.”

  “When you talk with him again, tell him he needn’t be concerned. I have a good lawyer and I’ll be just fine.”

  Angie narrowed her eyes and stared at her. “You seem kind of angry with Jake. Is there something more to this?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “You sure about that? Because I got the same feeling when I was talking with Jake, that there was something more he wasn’t saying. Shannon, if there’s….”

  “Heather. You can call me Heather. I don’t need to hide behind a fake identity any longer. I have no secrets now.”

  Angie laughed. “We all have secrets.” Then she sobered. “Look, I want you to know I don’t believe what they’ve said about you. Neither does my mom or other folks in town who’ve met you. So you tell me what you need me to do to help.”

  Heather’s throat tightened with emotion and she swallowed hard. “You’ve done so much already. Maggie is a wonderful lawyer. I couldn’t believe she convinced the judge to let me out on bail.”

  “Oh, she can be very convincing. I just hope she can find the evidence she needs to clear you altogether.”

  Heather slumped back in her chair. “That might be asking a lot. Did you see the oh-so-tearful interview last night with Corinne Hastings? You’d think I kidnapped her baby. She’s making it sound like that’s exactly what I did. You have to know I’d never give up my child. I did not agree to turn the baby over to them.”

  “I saw it, and I believe you. What I didn’t see was her husband looking all that grieving. What’s up with him?”

  “Mark? He never wanted the baby in the first place. He likes the life he has as the Governor’s husband. She works sixteen hour days and he screws around and spends her money. A child would only interrupt his routine.”

  “That’s a shame that he never wanted to know Bailey. Should I call her that?”

  Heather shook her head. “No. Her name is Amanda.”

  Angie smiled. “That’s a beautiful name and it suits her. Where is she?”

  “She’s napping. My mother and Brooke went shopping. We were out of groceries and I just can’t bear to leave the apartment, except to go down to help with Helen.”

  Standing, Angie gave her a hug. “I’ve gotta run. But you have my cell number and the number at Rusty’s. You need anything at all, you just call.”

  “Thank you. Mostly for believing in me. I’m sorry I lied to you.”

  “Hey, you did what you had to do to protect yourself and the baby. I’d have done the same thing.” She opened the door to leave, then paused. “You have Jake’s number?”

  Oh, she had his number all right. She had no intention of calling him and no intention of arguing that point with Angie. “I have it.”

  “Okay. I’ll talk with you soon.”

  Heather watched until Angie reached the bottom of the steps. Then she went back to the bedroom to check on Amanda—sound asleep. She was still standing there, staring at her daughter, examining her features when she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. She headed down the hall, figuring her mother and Brooke could use some help with the groceries.

  When she rounded the corner, she stopped in her tracks. “What are you doing here?”

  “Now, Heather, is that any way to talk to the father of your child?” Mark Hastings filled the doorframe wearing a suit, a menacing look, and holding a gun. “Where is she?”

  “Sleeping.” Heather backed away, trying to get to the kitchen where she could at least arm herself with a butcher knife.

  “Don’t think about it. Just get the baby. I want to see my daughter.”

  “No. I told you, she’s sleeping.”

  He sauntered into the center of the living room, the gun trained on her. His face twisted with rage. “Get the damned baby. Now!”

  She stumbled as she backed down the hallway. “What are you going to do?”r />
  “What I should have done in the first place. Take care of this mess.”

  He nudged her into the bedroom and shoved her onto the bed. Then he turned and stared down into the crib. “They’re so cute when they’re sleeping.”

  “Mark, that’s your daughter. Surely you can’t think about hurting her.”

  “Shut up. Get over here and pick her up. We’re going for a drive.”

  Her entire body shook as she reached into the crib for Amanda. She bent to pick up the diaper bag.

  “Leave it. Just the baby. And don’t even think about calling for help. You wouldn’t want the old folks downstairs to get hurt.” He moved her toward the door. “Here’s what you’ll tell the old man if he comes outside. I’m your brother, just came by for a visit and we’re going for a drive so you can show me the area. Got that? And say it with a smile, like you’re happy to see me.” He gave her a push through the door and onto the landing at the top of the steps. “One wrong move and I’ll kill the brat first, then you.”

  The coldness in his voice left her no doubt he was serious. Dead serious. Predictably, as they reached the bottom of the steps, Abe stepped out onto his porch. “Nice day, isn’t it?”

  “Beautiful.” Heather fought to keep the tremor from her voice. “Look who stopped by—my brother. Quite a surprise, so we’re going out to see the area.”

  Abe stared hard at her, then at Mark. “I see. Well, nice day for a drive.”

  Mark already had a car seat in the back of his Mercedes and stood right behind her while she got Amanda fastened in, then waited for her to latch her seatbelt before he closed the door. He turned right out of the driveway and then headed north on Route 203.

  “Where are you taking us?” she asked.

  “Like I said, for a drive. It’s a beautiful day to see the mountains, don’t you think?”

  “You won’t get away with this, you know.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not. But if you think I’m going to let you testify in court, you’re crazy.”

  She turned to face him. “I don’t understand. I’m the one on trial here. Your wife has seen to that. I don’t get what it is you think you have to lose, other than being exposed as a cheat, which everyone pretty much knows already.”

  “And yet that reputation didn’t stop you.”

  “I must have been insane to get mixed up with you.” She breathed, then tried a different approach. “Mark, I haven’t asked a thing of you for Amanda. You’re not even listed on her birth certificate. All of this mess is Corinne’s doing, not mine.”

  “My wife is apparently obsessed with getting her hands on this baby. She and I agreed early on that we would never have children. We both have careers.”

  Heather couldn’t stop herself. “Yes, I know. She’s in politics and you’re a professional leech.”

  His arm shot out and the back of his hand connected with her mouth. Her head snapped sideways, hitting the window. “I warned you to shut the hell up.”

  She tasted blood and touched her lip. A slick smear appeared on her fingertips. Instead of wiping them on her jeans, she reached down and wiped the blood on the side of the leather seat. If she was going to die, she was certainly going to leave evidence.

  They were approaching the hairpin curve by Jake’s cabin. She wondered if Jake was home yet and would he possibly see them. Not likely. The cabin sat too far up from the road. At his current speed, Mark was likely to hit the same tree she had, unless she warned him. She weighed out which could be worse, slamming into that tree or continuing on with Mark. A glance at the baby sleeping in the back seat decided for her. “Be careful. There’s a hairpin turn coming up.”

  He barely eased off the gas and the tires squealed as he took the curve.

  Heather tried pleading. “You don’t have to kill Amanda. Just leave her somewhere—a gas station or someone’s doorstep. We could leave her at that cabin we just passed. Take me instead.”

  “You’re not the problem. That’s the problem,” he said, jerking a thumb toward the back seat.

  Anger over-rode any sensibility she had. “That is your daughter and her name is Amanda Grace. She’s only a baby and none of this is her fault. What I don’t understand is what you’re so afraid of. This fight is between me and Corinne.”

  He laughed. “And you’re dumb enough to think you can win?”

  “I think when the court has all the facts, they’ll see exactly what happened.”

  “And that’s why I can’t let you testify.”

  Exasperated, she exhaled. “What exactly do you think will come out in court that can possibly harm you?”

  “There’s a little matter of ninety-thousand dollars.”

  “What? I didn’t take….”

  “Relax. I know you didn’t. I told Corinne you needed fifty thousand to give over the kid. Corinne gave you ten grand. So, I told her I talked with you and you were insisting on a hundred thousand now.” He chuckled. “For a smart woman, she can be incredibly naïve. She actually gave me the cash to take care of the matter and get the baby. Anthony was supposed to snatch the kid and bring her to Corinne, but he fouled that up. The idiot.”

  “You’re going to kill me and the baby so you can keep ninety-thousand dollars?”

  “So I can look like the grief-stricken father and supportive husband and keep my career going.” He glanced at her. “I never said I was a good guy. I don’t really care what your opinion is of me. I have a good thing going with my marriage to the honorable and quite wealthy Governor Hastings. And I don’t plan on letting you or your brat destroy that for me. Once you’re out of the picture, the legal case goes away, Corinne punishes me for a while, then forgives me—as usual—and life goes on. For some of us.”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Doris and Brooke turned up the driveway. Doris approached the policeman talking with Abe.

  “I’m sure the guy isn’t her brother,” Abe said. “Look, Tim, something wasn’t right. She was nervous. This is her mother. She’ll tell you. The girl doesn’t have a brother and she was not going willingly with that guy.”

  “Abe, what’s going on?” Doris asked.

  “A man was here about thirty minutes ago. Heather and the baby went with him, but I don’t think she wanted to go. Tell Officer Murphy here if Heather has a brother.”

  “No, she doesn’t. She’s an only child.” She looked back to Abe. “Who was the man? Do you know him?”

  Abe shook his head. “Never saw him before. He was all dressed up in a suit. Tall, maybe six feet, light brown hair.”

  “Oh, my God,” Brooke said. “I think that’s Mark.”

  The officer turned toward her. “Mark?”

  “Mark Hastings. The husband of Governor Hastings of Missouri. Mark is the baby’s father.”

  The officer asked Abe, “What kind of car was the guy driving?”

  “A late model silver Mercedes.”

  “If we go upstairs, I can pull his photo up on the computer,” Brooke said, already heading for the steps.

  Once she had the Missouri Governor’s site open, she clicked on a photo of Mark Hastings and called Abe over.

  He studied the picture, then said, “That’s the man.”

  “Can you copy that photo and send it to my email,” Officer Murphy asked.

  “Can do.” She right clicked on the photo and asked for his email address. “It’s sent.”

  Doris slumped on the sofa. “Isn’t there someone you can call? We’ve got to start looking for her.”

  “Mrs. Carlson. Your daughter is out of jail on bail pending serious charges. Is there any chance she fled to avoid prosecution?”

  “Absolutely not. She wouldn’t do that and she certainly wouldn’t put Amanda in danger.” Tears filled her eyes. “If she’s with that man, it’s against her will.”

  “Can you tell me if she took her purse or cell phone?” he asked.

  Brooke did a quick search of the apartment. “Her purse is on the floor by the sofa. Her cell phone is
on the kitchen counter. And she never goes out with Amanda without taking a diaper bag. It’s still in the bedroom.”

  “Okay. Let me call this in to the Chief.” He stepped outside to make his call.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t stop them,” Abe said, sitting down beside Doris. “But Tim’s a good cop. He’ll get the ball rolling and they’ll be found. I’m sure of it.”

  “I hope you’re right. Thank you for picking up on the fact that Heather doesn’t have a brother.”

  “I remembered her telling us she wished she’d had a brother growing up. And then she stressed the word when she told me who the man was. Maybe if I’d put the pieces together faster, but this old brain of mine….”

  Doris patted his hand. “Don’t blame yourself. You did what you could.”

  Abe stood. “I have to get back to Helen. But please keep me posted on what’s happening. I’d hate for anything to happen to your daughter. She’s a good girl.”

  Officer Murphy came back inside. “The Chief’s making a few calls. I’ll let you know if we find anything. In the meantime, please contact me if you hear from your daughter.” He handed Doris a business card.

  “In other words, you’re all going to walk on eggshells with this because it involves Mark and Corinne Hastings,” Brooke said.

  The young officer flushed. “I know you’re upset, but we do have procedures to follow.”

  Abe turned to him. “I hope they’re not right about that, Tim. You can’t wait too long to start searching just because that guy’s married to a governor.”

  “I promise you I’ll do everything I can, Abe. You know the Chief—he wants all the facts first. And the girl is out on bail right now. It’s not uncommon for someone to think they can outrun the law.”

  “She’s not like that. And I can tell you, judging from the look on her face, she was not going willingly with that man. Please just find her before it’s too late.”

  “I’ll do everything I can.” He waited for Abe, then followed him down the steps.

  *

  Brooke glanced out the window to see the officer speak once more with Abe, then get into his cruiser and drive off. “I feel so helpless.”