Protection

by Linda Rettstatt

  Doris sat on the sofa, her arms wrapped around her middle. “Oh, sweet Jesus, please protect my girls.”

  Brooke returned to the computer and then punched in a phone number.

  “Who are you calling?” Doris asked.

  “The one person who can stop this. Governor Hastings.”

  A young woman answered the phone, “Hello, Governor Hastings’ office. May I help you?”

  “My name is Brooke Jamison. I need to speak with Governor Hastings immediately regarding an urgent matter.”

  “I’m sorry,” the woman said cordially, “but if you leave your name, phone number and the nature of your call, I’ll pass that on to the Governor’s assistant and someone will call you.”

  “Fine. I’m Brooke Jamison, a friend of Heather Carlson. Mark Hastings kidnapped Heather and her baby this afternoon from her apartment and is probably going to kill them.” She paused, taking a breath. “I’ll hold now while you get the governor on the line.”

  “I…uh… Yes, please hold.”

  Classical music intended to be soothing irritated Brooke as she waited. Finally, a man came on the line. “This is Eric Lindstrom, Governor Hastings’ personal assistant. How may I help you?”

  Brooke repeated to him what she had stated to the first receptionist.

  “Is this some kind of joke?”

  “It’s not a joke,” Brooke shouted into the phone. “I have to speak to…”

  “This is Corinne Hastings. Who is this?”

  Brooke once again identified herself, noting she was Heather’s friend. “Your husband has apparently come to finish the job your brother couldn’t do. He forced Heather to go with him, along with the baby, and I’m sure it’s not because he planned a little family picnic. You need to find him before he does them both harm.”

  “That’s ridiculous. My husband’s in St. Louis to speak on my behalf at a conference.”

  “No, he’s not. The police are already involved and have his photo and a description of his car. My next call with be to the news media.”

  “Give me your phone number,” the Governor demanded.

  Once Brooke recited the number, the line went dead. “Well, that should get someone looking for them.” She went to the sofa and sat, putting an arm around Doris. “They’re going to be okay. Heather’s smart and she’s protective of Amanda. She won’t let Mark or anyone hurt that baby.”

  “He had to have a gun. She would never have walked out of here willingly unless she feared for their lives.”

  Brooke suspected as much, but didn’t want to be the one to say it. “Don’t worry. The last thing the good Governor wants is to have this spread all over the news. If the police can’t find Mark Hastings, I’ve no doubt she will.”

  *

  Corinne Hastings paced her office. She stopped at her desk and buzzed for Eric, “Get in here.” When he opened the door, she asked, “What time is Mark’s speech in St. Louis?”

  “At seven-thirty, ma’am.”

  She glanced at the clock—six-fifteen. “What hotel?”

  “He’s staying at the Ritz Carlton, the same place as the conference.”

  “Get him on the phone now.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Eric left, then returned shortly. “I’m sorry. They said he never checked in.”

  She stopped pacing and stared out the window at the dusky sky. “Thank you. You can go.”

  Eric paused. “Is there anything I can do? That woman on the phone earlier said Mark had kidnapped someone?”

  Corinne shook her head. “No. That was a crank call. It’s fine.”

  The minute Eric closed the door behind him, Corinne picked up her cell phone and punched in Mark’s number. Her call went to voicemail. She had to be careful of the message or she could be implicated later. “Mark, you missed the conference and I’m worried about you. You need to stop what you’re doing and call me right away. I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding that we can work out.”

  With her brother hospitalized, Corinne had nothing to do but wait for Mark’s call. She couldn’t trust anyone else with this information. She buzzed Eric again. When he came into her office, she pointed to a chair. “Sit down, please.”

  He complied.

  “What exactly did that woman say to you earlier?”

  He repeated Brooke’s message.

  Corinne forced a laugh. “I swear some people will do anything to try to make trouble. Turns out she’s a little crazy and a pro-choice advocate. I spoke with Mark and everything is fine. You don’t have to worry any more about her. If she calls again, let me handle it.”

  “Are you sure you want to deal with her?

  “I said I’ll handle it.” Her voice was sharper than she intended. She softened her tone. “It’s late. You should go home.”

  “But the report….”

  “Tomorrow’s another day, Eric. Mark got delayed. Car trouble. So he’s heading back here and I’ll be joining him for dinner. I’ll call the conference people in the morning and explain.” She stood behind her desk. “Goodnight.”

  A moment later, Eric was at the door again. “I’m sorry. I was just leaving when the phone rang and I answered. It’s the Washington State Police on the line. They insist on speaking with you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Jake picked up a rental car at Tampa International. He headed for the causeway that would take him to Clearwater where his father lived. The temperatures were in the upper seventies and a nice breeze blew across the harbor. He opted for open windows rather than air conditioning. He’d first called his sister, then spoken with his father on the phone so the man wouldn’t keel over from shock when his deceased son showed up on his doorstep.

  He had told his dad he would stay only a few days, but now that he was here in the fresh air and sunshine, he might spend a week or two. He had a lot to sort out. The beach might just be the place to gain perspective. Angie had called twice, but he didn’t even retrieve the messages. He needed to step away from his life in Snoqualmie and he knew she’d understand.

  After a tearful reunion with his father and with his sister and her family, Jake settled on the deck of his father’s home, gazing out at the Gulf. The sun had dropped low over the water, a crescent of orange glowing on the horizon. Jake felt a hand on his shoulder.

  “You okay?” his sister asked.

  He turned and looked up at her. “I will be.”

  She sat on the chaise beside his chair and turned sideways to face him. “So we really have to call you Jake now?”

  He grinned. “You don’t have to. But it’s easier for me to keep that identity.”

  “No problem. Look, I know you’ve been through a lot, especially these past few months. I want you know I’m here for you if you need to talk. Or come and stay with us for a while. Charlie would love to spend time with you again.”

  Stephanie was his fraternal twin. He could see himself in her eyes and her smile. “Thank you. He’s a great kid, you know. I wish I could have told you all the truth back then. I hate that you thought I was dead, mourned me.”

  She smacked his arm playfully. “Yeah, well, just don’t expect me to do it again. I made a nice speech at your memorial mass. Nick probably taped it, but I don’t think you want to see it.”

  “Probably not. But thanks for the kind words.”

  She turned and sat back in the chair, staring out at the water. “What will you do now?”

  He shrugged. “I need to go back to Washington. I have a life there, work.”

  “Anything else?”

  He fixed his gaze on the water. “I don’t want to scandalize you.”

  She sat up. “Oh, my God, there is someone. I knew it.”

  “What do you mean you knew it? You thought I was dead.”

  “All through dinner, you were distracted.”

  He turned his head to face her. “It doesn’t bother you that I got involved with someone while I was still a priest?”

  “Heck, no. When you
say someone, you do mean a woman, right? And you were never meant to be a priest. Nick and I had a running bet on how long you’d last.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I just never saw you that way. I watched you with Charlie when he was little and always thought you should have kids of your own. You’re a good man. You have a big heart. But that whole celibacy thing? Seriously, that is a waste on you. You and the right woman will make beautiful kids.”

  He thought of Bailey, how beautiful she was, the feelings she elicited in him just by smiling at him.

  “What are you grinning about?” Stephanie’s eyes widened and she lowered her voice. “Don’t tell me you have a baby.”

  “No. Heavens, no. But you’re right. There is someone.”

  She sat up and turned toward him. “Tell me.”

  He told her about Shannon and Bailey, including the fact that Shannon was now free on bail pending a hearing and possible trial. “Although now her cover’s been blown. Her real name is Heather Carlson and the baby’s name is Amanda.”

  “Oh, bro, you sure don’t know how to pick ’em.”

  “I don’t think she’s guilty. I got to know her and saw her in action as a mother. She’s a good person. She just got mixed up with the wrong guy and got into a mess.”

  Stephanie gazed at him for a moment, then said, “You love her.”

  He nodded. “Yes, I do.” It was a hard admission because he wanted not to love her, not to care. His life had been crazy enough for more than two years. The last thing he needed right now was more chaos.

  “Then help me understand why it is that you’re here.”

  “I needed to see you and Dad, let you know I was alive and okay.”

  She patted his knee as she stood. “And now we know. Tell me one thing—does this woman deserve you?”

  “Probably not. She’s deserves better.”

  “Well, maybe you should let her decide that. I can’t wait to meet her.” She bent and kissed his cheek. “We’re taking the kids to the hotel before they get cranky. See you tomorrow.”

  “Goodnight. And Steph, the kids are great. My new niece is just gorgeous. She’s going to be a heart-stopper when she’s older.” Throughout the day, every time he looked at his one-year-old niece, Julie, he saw Bailey.

  “Thanks. And, yes, Nick’s already setting up his rules for dating. Mainly that she can start dating when she’s thirty-five.”

  Jake laughed. “Sounds like a plan.” He stood and gave her hug. “See you tomorrow.”

  He remained out on the deck long after the sun had dipped below the horizon. Lights from various water craft sparkled on the darkened waters of the Gulf. A part of him wanted to stay here until all the drama was over and he could resume his quiet life in the Northwest. Another part of him wanted to get on the next flight to Seattle so he could be there for Shannon or Heather, whichever name she was using now. He thought about her choice of paint for her bedroom—heather green. A hint? Maybe a way to subconsciously connect with her past.

  He stretched and yawned, then went back inside. His father sat in a recliner, remote in hand, sound asleep. Jake lifted the remote and set it on the table beside the chair. He walked down the hall to the den that doubled as his bedroom. A computer sat on the desk in the far corner. Jake turned it on and paced while it booted up. He first checked his email which never amounted to much. Then he went to the website for the Snoqualmie Valley newspaper. He found the story about Shannon or, rather, Heather being arrested and then released on bail. The photograph on the front page must have been taken at the police station. He could see the fear in her eyes and. as much as he wanted to believe her, the accusations were also believable.

  A glance at his cell phone revealed that Angie had tried twice more to reach him. He hit reply and waited.

  “About time. Jake, where the heck are you? Do you know what’s been going on up here?”

  “I’m in Florida reconnecting with my family. I guess you’ve seen the news and know all about me, huh?”

  “Yeah, yeah. Look, Mark Hastings has kidnapped Heather and the baby. We think he’s intent on disposing of both of them.”

  Jake felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. “You can’t be serious. Would he really think he’d get away with it?”

  “Apparently so. The man is a sociopath.”

  He thought about Heather and Amanda in the hands of a crazed killer and his stomach plummeted.

  “Jake?”

  “I’m here. I’ll be on the first flight I can get tomorrow. I’ll let you know once I’m on my way to Snoqualmie from Seattle. I’m sorry I ignored your calls. I won’t do that again.”

  “I got the guys from Rusty’s forming a search party. They’re going up into the mountains in the morning. That’s got to be where he took them if he intends to…well, to not be found.”

  Jake was already doing an online search for a flight. “Damn, I don’t have my truck at the airport. Can you send someone to meet me? I’ll email you the flight info.”

  “I’ll pick you up myself.”

  “Thanks, Angie. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He found a flight that would get him into Sea-Tac at eight a.m. and booked it. Then he went to the living room to waken his father. “Dad, an emergency’s come up. I have to fly back to Seattle first thing in the morning.”

  “What happened now?”

  Jake explained the situation with Heather. “I have to be there, Dad.”

  His father studied him for a moment. “This woman’s more than a friend, isn’t she?”

  A flush warmed his face. “She is. Or, at least, I hope she will be.” He grinned. “You know, in a way she reminds me a bit of Mom.”

  “Well, then, she must be special.”

  He glanced at his father. “You’re not upset with me? I mean, having been a priest and getting involved like this?”

  “All I ever wanted was for you to have a fulfilling life. You go to her. I’ll explain everything to your sister when she arrives for breakfast.”

  “She’ll swear this was my way of getting out of cooking.”

  “She knows already about the girl?”

  Jake nodded. “She does.”

  “Then she’ll understand. What time do you have to leave?”

  “Now. But I’ll call you once I get there.”

  His father stood and hugged him. “I only ever wanted for you to be happy. The way you talk about this girl, she makes you happy.”

  Jake nodded. The implications carried both anticipation and terror.

  *

  Amanda’s cry escalated from a whimper to a full-out, non-stop wail.

  “Will you shut her up?” Mark demanded.

  “I can’t. She’s hungry and she probably needs a clean diaper. You wouldn’t let me bring anything.”

  “Dammit.” He slammed a hand on the steering wheel. “Where’s the damned road I need?”

  Minutes later they came to small gas station with a convenience store. Mark pulled over. “Tell me what she needs.”

  “I can go in, just give me money.”

  “Yeah, right.” He got out of the car, took the keys and rounded to the back door on her side. Opening it, he reached inside. “Dammit. How the hell do you get her out of this seat?”

  “Where are you taking her?”

  “I’m going inside and she’ll be my insurance that you don’t try to run.” He stepped back. “Get her out of there.”

  Heather released the baby from the car seat and bounced her in her arms, cooing in a soothing voice. But Amanda was not about to be soothed.

  Mark snatched the baby from her arms and then ordered her back into the car. “What does she need?”

  “I doubt they have formula. Get milk and a baby bottle if they have them. Which I also doubt. Otherwise, get rice cereal and some jarred food—bananas, sweet potatoes, green beans. Any of those. Be sure to get a spoon. Why don’t you just let me come with you? I won’t say a word, I promise.”

  “S
tay in the car.” He slammed the door shut and juggled the baby in his arms.

  Mark returned a few minutes later and tossed a grocery bag to her. Then he thrust the baby into her arms. “She stinks. You need to change her.”

  Heather laid the baby in her lap and removed the dirty diaper, setting it on the floor. “I need wipes or something to clean her.”

  “Use another diaper, dammit. And hurry up. We don’t have all night.” He choked. “Jesus, that stinks.”

  Heather resisted a smile. She noticed the diaper that was soggy and full had leaked on his suit jacket. Good for you, baby, she thought. She used a diaper to clean Amanda as much as she could, then put a clean diaper on her. “Do you want to hold her while I throw the dirty diapers away, or would you like to do the honors?”

  “Give them to me.”

  She complied, making sure she handed the diaper over with a loose grip. As he climbed out of the car, the diaper dropped open and some of it’s contents splattered onto his leather seat.

  “Shit.”

  “Yep.” She had opened a jar of the bananas and was spooning them into Amanda’s mouth. She glanced sideways to see Mark trying to clean the seat without touching the excrement.

  He flung the diapers into a trashcan and hurried back to the car, starting the engine.

  “You can’t drive until I’ve fed her and she’s back in her car seat.”

  “You’re kidding, right? You do know I’m going to kill you both, so I think we can take that little risk.”

  Heather struggled not to gasp. She couldn’t let him see her fear now. “And if the police spot us, they’ll pull you over. You know, on second thought, just drive.”

  “She’s had enough. Put her in the car seat and let’s get going.”

  It was Heather’s one chance. If she could make a dash for the convenience store with Amanda before Mark got out of the car, maybe they’d have a chance. But as she opened her door, the lights of the business went out and the clerk came out a side door and got into a pickup truck. Screaming now would only result in an immediate death for herself, Amanda and the innocent clerk.

  She got out, fastened Amanda into the seat, then got back into the car. “It’s getting dark. Where are we going?”