by ML Gamble
“He’s running a fever, Dr. Chen. A pretty high one, by the way he was hallucinating earlier, but it’s come down some now. I gave him two doses of antibiotic and aspirin, and got some food into him, and I think he’s a little better. I didn’t try to mess with the wound and the needles. But he needs your help. We both do.”
“I’ll do whatever I can, Molly,” Dr. Chen replied. “We should go to him now, I think.” She glanced at the thin gold watch that hung slackly on her slender wrist. “You’re much later than I thought you would be. I nearly gave up.”
“I’m sorry. It’s been very difficult.”
“Of course it has, dear,” Dr. Chen replied. “Here, you take my valise. I’ve another bag under this sofa.”
Molly took the expensive bag as Dr. Chen pulled out a beautiful overnighter from below. She certainly came prepared, Molly found herself thinking enviously. The identification tag on the bag read California Psychiatric Associates, 1810 Summer Point Towers. Alicia Chen, M.D., Psychiatry.
The address was the same as Frederick Brooker’s building, Molly realized with a start. Wasn’t it right next door to Brooker’s office, as a matter of fact? Before she could think any more about this unsettling connection, Molly’s attention was snagged by Alicia’s move toward the door.
“Dr. Chen, I think it will be best if we go out separately. There’s a beige pickup truck parked in the lot outside, with a conservancy seal on the door. I’ll get it and meet you at the front. Then we’ll go out to the lodge.”
Alicia Chen blinked. “You’re staying at a lodge?”
“I know this sounds crazy, but yes. It was Alec’s idea that no one would look for us there since it’s owned by Frederick Brooker. Alec was here one summer when he took Brooker’s boat out for a test, I guess. But maybe you know all about that.”
“No, I didn’t know that. I mean, Alec told me he worked for Brooker when I saw him last winter, but Alec never mentioned visiting a lodge here. But his visit with me was very brief, as usual. The subject never came up.”
For reasons unknown to Molly, Alicia Chen looked disturbed at the news about where they were headed. “It’s very secluded, Doctor. And we’ve been careful not to draw any attention to ourselves.”
“But is this safe? Doesn’t Brooker have people who watch the property?”
“Not from the looks of it. But to tell you the truth, I’ll be a lot more at ease if we leave now and talk on the way. Alec’s out there alone.”
“Certainly,” Alicia replied. She made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go. I’ll come out in a couple of minutes. I need to check in with my answering service, and I’ll use this pay phone. Just be very, very careful, Molly. The police are looking everywhere for you and Alec.”
“They don’t really think we’re killers, do they? I mean, surely they must see the connection between all that’s happened and Frederick Brooker trying to weasel out of his trial.”
“There is much speculation but little official comment in the press from the police or the FBI. I did hear a television report earlier tonight that Brooker’s attorney has asked that all charges be dismissed because of major new evidence in the case.”
Molly stood with her hand on the door. “Really? What kind of evidence?”
“It seems they’ve turned up information that Alec was once arrested for attempted murder. In Australia. Brooker’s attorney hinted that Alec may have had a motive to kill Buntz himself and put the blame on Brooker.”
“That’s—that’s ridiculous,” Molly sputtered, forgetting for a few moments about rushing back to the lodge. “Alec’s no killer. This is just another ploy on Brooker’s part.”
Alicia Chen arched her eyebrows at Molly. “How long have you known Alec Steele, Molly? I was under the impression when Alec called that you’ve just met.”
“That’s right.” Molly bit her lip to keep from saying more. She had the uncomfortable feeling that Alicia Chen was sizing her up for some psychotherapy. “So what will the judge do? They won’t just take some half-baked story as the truth, without any proof that Alec is connected, will they? If Brooker is released...”
“I don’t know, Molly. All I can say is that it’s a very bad time to be on the run. I’m hoping you’ll help me convince Alec that he has to turn himself in, and you should, too. I don’t know how long he, or you, can avoid arrest.”
“But he can’t do that until he gets himself unbrainwashed, or whatever you call it. I thought he explained all that to you.”
“He did.” Alicia’s voice dropped down, as if she were talking to someone much younger—and much less capable—than herself. “But I could still treat him if he was in custody. Surely he must realize that. The more you two flee the police, the more it looks like you’re guilty.”
Molly felt her previous uplifted outlook wilt inside her. Of course Dr. Chen was right. What had they been thinking? Guilty people ran.
“You’re probably right. Mr. Brooker’s proving a rather formidable foe, even locked behind bars.”
Alicia Chen nodded her head. “I believe Frederick Brooker will do whatever he needs to do to get out of jail, Molly. But please, I’ve held you up long enough. Go get the pickup. I’ll see you in front.”
Uncomfortable with the manner in which Dr. Chen seemed to be arrogantly taking charge of everything, Molly nonetheless did as she was told. She slipped out of the rest room and headed for the terminal’s exit. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that two other people had joined the pilot and his companion at their table. The four stopped talking when Molly entered the main room.
Her footsteps made the tiniest of sounds against the waxed linoleum, but Molly heard the echo and her body tensed. Had someone recognized her? Had the truck been reported missing? Were the police waiting outside?
“Miss,” a male voice called out.
Molly stopped at the door, her sweating palms resting on the cool metal handle. Casually she turned.
“Yes?”
“We’re getting ready to close up the building, hon. Did you see anyone else in the ladies’?”
The man in the pilot’s cap was addressing her.
Molly swallowed. “Yes. There’s one woman inside. I think she’ll be right out, though.”
“Okay, well, thank you. We’re closing up early because the last shuttle from Redondo was canceled due to fog. Just wanted to be sure we weren’t locking anyone inside.”
“No, of course not,” Molly replied, then hurried out into the cool night air. Her mind roamed over the hilly terrain to Alec, asleep in the lodge. She was glad he had told her about that bar fight in Australia. He was going to be shocked to find out that Brooker’s people had found out about it.
Unfortunately, another shock was the last thing Alec Steele needed. But that couldn’t be helped. If they were going to trust one another, they had to tell the truth.
Molly opened the truck’s door and slid the valise onto the seat, elated at what she had seen Alicia tuck inside. A cellular and a laptop! She couldn’t wait to borrow them. With those two little electronic toys, she could accomplish more in a few hours than she had in two days as far as finding information on Frederick Brooker was concerned.
Jumping up on the seat, Molly reached down and carefully unwrapped the electrical tape from the mass of wires hanging beneath the steering column and touched the correct two together. With a gratifying roar, the truck started. Molly rewrapped the tape and pulled out of her space. Off to the right she noticed a dark sedan parked with a single passenger inside.
Was it the same one she had seen last night? The same one Alec’s attackers had locked him in for some reason? With her heart pounding, Molly debated what she should do. She rounded the side of the building and saw Alicia Chen walking toward the truck. Should I wave her off? Molly asked herself. If she drove away and the sedan followed her, she’d know it wasn’t safe to go back to Alec. If they didn’t follow, Alicia Chen might become the target.
Trusting her instincts, which told her it
probably wasn’t the same car, Molly slowed. Dr. Chen, with great agility, jumped up into the seat, overnighter and all, and slammed the door.
Molly sped off. Nervously she glanced into the rearview mirror, but no headlights lit up the glass.
“What’s wrong?” Dr. Chen asked.
“Nothing.” Molly turned and gave her a brief smile. “I just wanted to be sure we weren’t followed. I saw Alec’s and my pictures on the front page of the newspaper this morning, so I’m a little jittery about being recognized.”
“The way you look now is not the way you looked in that picture,” Alicia replied. “I wouldn’t worry. Especially if Alec isn’t with you. He’s the more distinctive-looking of the two of you.”
Feeling like the only girl without a date at the prom, Molly made a sound of agreement and watched the road ahead. There were few vehicles on this part of the island at night. The tour buses were tucked away in their garages and the maintenance workers, who were state employees, kept regular business hours.
“So, what do you think of Frederick Brooker, Dr. Chen? I never met him myself. What’s he like?”
“Why would you think I know Brooker?” The doctor’s voice was as cold as freezer burn.
“I just assumed. When I saw your ID tag on the valise, I realized I had seen your office the night I was at Summer Point Towers. Aren’t you in the suite next to his?”
Was that where she remembered the number from, Molly’s brain buzzed. Was it Brooker’s?
Alicia Chen coughed. “You’re very observant. Alec told me you work for the phone company. What do you do there?”
It was annoying not to be answered, even a little scary, but Molly kept her cool. “I’m a manager. I have a crew of eight installers.” She pushed the accelerator pedal a little harder. “So, have you ever met Brooker?”
“I’ll bet most of your crew are men. You have a very aggressive way of talking, as if you’re used to dealing with men,” Alicia replied. “Despite the American adage about catching more flies with honey, I find that they respond well to aggression. They respect it. Understand it. Sometimes compassion and implied directions are lost on their sex. Would you agree, Molly?”
“I’d agree that you’re making me nervous,” Molly found herself blurting out. “Why won’t you answer my question about Brooker?”
“Because I’m not a good liar,” the doctor replied.
Molly frowned, wondering what was wrong with Dr. Chen. Weren’t shrinks supposed to be experts at communication? Maybe she would have more luck if she shifted to a less threatening topic. “How was your shuttle ride over? I’ve never ridden in a helicopter. I’m sure that was fun.”
“It was loud. But one can see a great distance. It was very clear.”
A memory scratched at her brain and Molly began to feel really uneasy. Maybe Alicia Chen was writing herself a few prescriptions. “Where did you fly out of?”
“Redondo Beach. I told you I was coming from there last night, remember?”
Molly did remember. Her hands gripped the steering wheel. She also remembered the pilot at the airport saying that the last shuttle from Redondo Beach had been canceled! “What time was the flight?”
“Your questions are exhausting, Molly.”
“And so are your lack of answers, Dr. Chen,” Molly barked, wishing Alec were on the seat beside her. In the dark she wasn’t as confident about finding the road that led to Brooker’s lodge. The fog off the ocean was creeping slowly over the island and she feared if they wasted any time at all, they would be stranded.
After several moments, Molly slowed to look for a landmark, luckily saw the clump of oaks with the small maintenance shed she was searching for, and turned left onto the road leading to Brooker’s. “We’ll be there in a few minutes. It’s about three miles ahead.”
Molly heard Alicia shift her slight weight on the crackling leather seat of the truck and fumble with the overnighter. Molly sighed. She would wait and try to talk to the doctor when Alec was around.
The truck hit a dip in the road and shuddered, and Molly caught a reflection in the rearview mirror. Twin headlights, as if dropped from the sky, lit up only fifty yards or so behind the truck.
“Damn. I think we’re being followed,” Molly warned.
“Stay calm, Molly,” came the eerie reply.
“What? Jeez, Dr. Chen, there’s someone following us! Don’t tell me to be calm after what I’ve been through.” Molly glanced over at the doctor and sucked in her breath.
Alicia Chen had turned toward her. She was staring at Molly with a blank look on her face. But it wasn’t her look that made Molly nearly steer off the road.
It was the small, silver .22 pistol Alicia Chen was holding, pointed directly at her.
“I’m sorry, Molly,” Alicia said. “But I’m going to have to ask you to pull over. Now.”
“What is going on? My God, are you working with Brooker?”
“I don’t have time to explain, Molly. Except to say no, no, no, I would rather die than do anything to help Frederick Brooker.”
* * *
ALEC WAS READY TO TESTIFY.
“I saw the limo pull up in front of the dock where Frederick Brooker’s yacht was moored. I was on board, checking out the sail cover that had just been delivered. I had taken a taxi over, thinking Mr. Brooker was waiting for me there, and not at his office. I saw Paul Buntz approach the car.”
Alec suddenly couldn’t speak.
“And then what happened?” a voice prompted.
“Buntz walked up to the car, someone inside spoke and Buntz reached for the door. I heard a shot, and Buntz fell to the ground. Frederick Brooker got out of the car and dragged Paul Buntz’s body off the dock and dumped it in the river.”
“Did you see Mr. Brooker with the gun?” the voice asked.
Alec turned to the right to face the judge. A person, wearing a black mask and black robes, sat silently. Alec looked out toward the courtroom. A woman was sitting at a table. A lovely woman, with shining brown hair and brown eyes.
It was Molly.
“Do it, Alec. Get it over with,” Molly said.
“No-o-o-o-o-o-o!” Alec screamed, as a buzzing, pounding pain seared through his body.
The masked judge pounded a huge gavel, once, twice, ten times. The rhythm of the gavel sounded like shots. Blood began to drip off the judge’s bench, a river of blood that would drown them all...
* * *
ALEC SCREAMED and punched out at the air, managing to knock himself, entangled in the sleeping bag, off the side of the couch and onto the hard wooden floor with a crash.
For several seconds he lay there stunned, breathing hard. It was dark all around him, and cold. Orange-red embers burned in the belly of the stove a few feet from him, but he felt no warmth. Where was Molly?
“Molly,” he called out, throwing the sleeping bag off so he could stand up. He walked toward the kitchen. “Molly? Are you here?”
A piece of paper, taped to the blue satchel, caught his attention. Bracing his woozy body with his arms, Alec fumbled with the box of matches on the table and lit the small candle Molly had stuck in a water glass. The wick caught and flamed. He moved the paper closer.
It’s 9:30 p.m. I’ve gone to get Dr. Chen at the airport. Take more aspirin and two of the capsules in the bottle if you wake up before I get back.
Take care
M
Alec reached for the bottle, dumped four capsules into his hand, grabbed the last can of beer and popped the pills into his mouth. He flexed his shoulders and tentatively rolled his head from side to side. His neck still throbbed, but more as if he had a bee sting than a knife sticking in it. Molly had nursed him through, he realized. Holding the bottle up to toast her in absentia, he drank it down.
After he made a trip to the head to wash up as best he could without shaving, Alec rummaged around in the satchel and found cookies and a can of tuna. He opened the tuna as he ate a dozen of the vanilla snaps, then ate the tuna from th
e can. He followed that meal with one of the remaining oranges, which he peeled and ate in the dark, then returned to find his boots.
His watch read 10:55. He was angry that Molly had gone for Alicia without him, and fear burned in his chest that she had been apprehended by the cops—or worse, by that punk with the mustache—at the airport.
It was just like the headstrong chit, he thought, anger and admiration running a tag relay through his veins. Molly Jakes was a hell of a spunky woman. One in a million. Which was only one of the reasons he wasn’t going to let anything else happen to her.
Alec walked to the front windows of the lodge and peered toward the road, hoping to see the truck headlights approaching. But the fog had rolled in. Pearl gray and slate gray and gray gray wisps of heavy, wet air the consistency of cotton candy blocked the view all around.
“Well, how the hell are you going to find the road, Molly girl?” he asked aloud. It was going to be touch and go for her just to stay out of a ditch, much less find the lodge, Alec realized. He would have to get her some light.
Hurrying into the kitchen, he grabbed the two boxes of eight-inch candles he had seen on the table, as well as a box of matches. He might burn down the island, but if he stuck enough of them along the road, maybe Molly would have a better chance of finding her way.
Without bothering to grab a sweatshirt, Alec raced out into the soupy air.
Chapter Fourteen
Molly’s reaction to having about the twenty-fifth gun pointed at her in as many hours was to go off the deep end.
“Yeah, right,” she screamed at Alicia, then turned the truck sharply to the left while flooring the accelerator. The truck careered wildly, bucking over gopher holes and boulders, jostling the gun out of Alicia Chen’s hand and Alicia Chen’s head against the dashboard of the truck.
Molly considered slowing enough to try to retrieve the gun, but the guy in the sedan behind her was nearly in the flatbed, so she ignored the urge and prayed Alicia would stay in the unconscious heap on the floor.