by Meg Allison
“You okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m fine. Just a little shaky. Can you take me home now?”
“Of course, I will. Do you want me to call Adam or Liam first?”
She shook her head. “No, not yet. I’ll talk to them later. They worry too much as it is.”
“I’ll call them on the way.”
One arm around her waist, he led her to the sidewalk toward the garage he parked in earlier. Nathan ignored the whispers and stares of the crowd as they made their way down the street. But he couldn’t help notice the way she scanned the onlookers, eyes wide with a trace of fear. He realized she still believed someone had pushed her into the path of that car. She thought someone had tried to kill her.
As they moved further away, the incident seemed to lose its appeal and onlookers dispersed. A tendril of icy wind snaked around his throat, beneath the open collar of his shirt. He took a startled breath, his gaze seeking out the cause of the disturbance. She grasped his hand and squeezed. When he looked down, he could see the question in her gaze.
“You felt it too, didn’t you?” she asked. “You felt it.”
“I don’t know,” he lifted her hand and pressed her knuckles to his lips. She was cold despite the warm day. “You’re safe now. I promise.”
* * ‡ * *
He paced the small square of Samantha’s living room, certain the thin blue carpet would be in tatters before long. Nathan had called Adam to tell him about the accident and had immediately been put on the defensive.
Yes, she was okay. No, he didn’t see what had happened. No, he wouldn’t leave until he got there.
Woven through it all had been that subtle note of blame he had come to know so well in his lifetime. No, it wasn’t his fault, but he also hadn’t prevented it.
“No, mother, I don’t know why I drew Great Aunt Caroline in a coffin. I didn’t do it to make you cry. No, I didn’t want anyone to die.”
For years, he had feared his drawings caused the trail of death which seemed pave his childhood. Only much later in life did he realize it wasn’t true. His phone erupted into a tinny version of the Emperor’s March and Nathan tugged it from his pocket.
“Yes?” he asked without bothering to check the caller ID.
“Oh, um, hi, Nathan? This is Kathy from work? Mr. Miles was wondering when you were coming back in today.”
He frowned. “I thought I specifically told you that I wouldn’t be back today?”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she hesitated, “I guess I forgot to write that down. What do you want me to tell him? Will you be in tomorrow morning?”
“I’m not sure, you see, there’s been an accident—”
“Oh, my, God! Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine, but a friend of mine was injured. Please tell Mr. Miles that I’ll give him a call later this evening when I know more.”
“Sure thing, Nathan. If there’s anything I can do, please call.”
“Thanks, Kathy,” he paused as the crack of knuckles on wood reverberated through the apartment. “I have to go now. I’ll see you later.”
Nathan opened the door as Adam continued his assault. A fist frozen in mid-knock, cold steel gray eyes stared down at him. They narrowed and Nathan fought the urge to jump out of arm’s reach. If he ever hurt Samantha, he was sure the man before him would take it very personally.
“Where is my sister?” he ground out, jaw clenched.
“In her bedroom lying down.”
He pushed past Nathan without another word, but the anger in his eyes and rigid posture spoke volumes. He had better pray Samantha would convince the man that it wasn’t his fault.
* * ‡ * *
She stared at the ceiling and mentally traced the swirls in the plaster. She sighed and glanced around the room. The television droned on from the living room. Off and on, the phone would ring, but stopped quickly. Nathan insisted on staying with her until someone in her family could get there. She really wanted to be left alone.
A knock and voices raised caught her attention. She tilted her head so she could make it out better. Another voice was followed by a louder response. Samantha cringed. She recognized the newcomer—big brother to the rescue. Just what she needed.
The crisp thud of footsteps drew closer and then Adam rounded the corner, the edges of his suit coat fluttering in his wake. She almost smiled, but the thunderous look on his face killed the impulse.
“What the hell happened?” he demanded.
“I’m fine, thank you for asking,” she said evenly.
He ran a hand through his hair, took a deep breath and sighed. “Okay, I apologize. How are you feeling?”
“A little sore, but okay.”
“And now that I’ve been polite and caring, can you tell me what the hell happened?”
“I…” she hesitated. No one else seemed to believe her, why should he? “I was jaywalking and I…I guess I lost my balance. The car just bumped me but by the time I got my bearings, the ambulance had already arrived. I don’t know how they got through the traffic so fast.”
“Damn-it, Sam! You could have been killed. You should have gone to the hospital. You could have a concussion or be bleeding internally for all we know.”
She sagged back against the pillows, tears burning her eyes. “I’m fine. I would know if I wasn’t. It’s just a bump on the head and a few bruises. I wanted to come home. I hate hospitals.”
“I should throw you over my shoulder and carry you to the nearest one right now.”
“Like hell! I’m not going anywhere,” she told him. “I’ll stay with Nathan if you’re so worried about me being alone.”
“Over my dead body.”
She sat up straight, anger boiling in her veins. “Don’t tempt me, Adam Joshua Bays.”
They stared at each other across the room. She could feel his frustration like thick, heavy tar, dragging him under. Adam hated being out of control—absolutely hated it. She understood his frustration, but he didn’t understand hers. Then the thought struck her. He didn’t understand, because she hadn’t told him the truth. If anyone might believe her about the accident, it would be Adam. Ever since she was little, he’d had her back in the worst and best of situations. This time would not be any different.
He seemed to recognize something in her demeanor had changed.
“Sam?” He moved toward the bed as he studied her face. “What aren’t you telling me? I want the truth, all of it.”
“I didn’t lose my balance,” she admitted, and then glanced toward the hall. He followed her gaze, leaning closer as if he understood her fear of being overheard. “Someone pushed me, Adam. Someone pushed me from behind.”
His eyes widened. “Who?”
“I don’t know, that’s just it. No one saw anything. The guy driving the car swears I was alone and just fell into him. But I know what I felt. I felt hands on my back and a shove.”
“Did Nathan have anything to do with this?”
“No! He was on the other side of the street. He didn’t reach me until I was down. Besides, he would never hurt me.”
Adam frowned at her, his skepticism obvious.
“Adam, it wasn’t Nathan. He’s innocent, I’d bet my life on that.”
“That’s what worries me, Red.” He shook his head. “All right, I won’t make you go to the hospital and I won’t flay Quinn alive. But I’m staying with you tonight.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yes, I do.”
Her shoulders drooped with relief and she couldn’t hold back the tears that trickled down her face. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For believing in me.”
He lifted one shoulder and grunted a rather non-committal sound. “That’s what big brothers are for, or so they tell me.”
* * ‡ * *
Samantha paced her living room, arms wrapped around her middle. Adam snored away in the guest room down the hall, the noise adding an undercurrent of
unease to her jittery nerves. She couldn’t sleep. Her thoughts raced. Her muscles ached.
The memories of her accident kept replaying again and again. She could feel the small bouquet in her hands. She smelled the light, fresh daisies and carnations. She felt the crinkle of tissue paper and the long stems pressed beneath. The sun’s heat poured down on her head. And then firm hands on her back, shoving her forward. She felt herself falling…falling…and the panic that filled her as the world tumbled and the car rushed toward her.
It wasn’t an accident. Someone had deliberately tried to hurt her. But who? How? No one had seen anything. Goosebumps rose over her arms and she rubbed them vigorously. She had to get some rest. She had to stop thinking about it, somehow. But that was easier said than done.
The phone rang and she jumped, heart hammering in her ears. Then she let out a breath and grabbed the receiver mid-ring. Even if she couldn’t sleep, she didn’t want Adam to wake up, too. He looked so haggard lately. He really needed a bit of peace in his life.
“Hello?”
“Samantha?” Her tension melted at the sound of his voice. “I know it’s late, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, just bruised and sore. Adam decided to spend the night in my guest room, just in case.”
“I wanted to stay, but the man basically threw me out on my ass. He wouldn’t even let me say goodnight to you. I didn’t like the thought of you there alone, but I knew he’d take care of you.”
“Well, I probably won’t be left alone for a good long time. Big brother tends to be a little overprotective.”
Silence. “Are you sure everything is okay? No vomiting or blurry vision or…?”
She laughed. “Nathan, seriously, I’m good. Have you been looking up concussion symptoms by any chance?”
“Guilty,” he said with a chuckle. “Does it show?”
“Just a little. Adam did the same thing.”
“He’s your brother, and he’s worried. He blames me, I think.”
“No, he doesn’t and I’m fine, there’s no reason to be worried.”
“Yes, I think there is.” He stayed silent for a long moment. “You could have been killed, Sam. If that car had been going just a little faster—”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” she insisted. “It was barely moving.”
“Still—”
“Nathan, I’m fine. I’m achy and wound up, but my bruises will heal and we’ll forget all about this before you know it.”
“I’m not so sure about that. I don’t think I can ever forget how you looked sitting on that street, bleeding–” he sucked in a breath and let it out in a rush, as if trying to calm his own nerves. “It’s not a sight I ever want to witness again. Promise me, Samantha, promise you’ll be more careful.”
She wanted to yell at him and tell him it wasn’t her fault—that all the care in the world couldn’t have stopped whoever tried to hurt her. She wanted him to believe what she had felt just as Adam had. But Nathan was basically a stranger to her. He didn’t know about her world; about the oddities she lived with daily. Adam knew because he’d been there in the thick of it since the day he was born.
“I promise,” she told Nathan instead. “Now I think we both need to try and get some sleep.”
“When can I see you again?”
She bit her lip as butterflies swirled around her stomach. She wanted to see him, even if he didn’t believe her. She wanted so much more, and that’s what really scared her.
“I don’t know,” she hedged. “Soon, but give me a few days. I’m worn out and I should get my work done in the meantime. I have this huge benefit gala coming up and I just know something is going to go wrong between now and then. It always does.”
He cleared his throat. “Sure, I understand. I have some stuff I need to do, as well. I’ll give you a call, okay?”
“Yes, I’d like that,” she said, hoping he’d know how much she meant those words. “Goodnight, Nathan.”
“Goodnight.”
* * ‡ * *
Sharp, stabbing pains erupted in the balls of her feet with each step. Mabel limped along in her three-inch heels, the click-clack of her uneven gate echoing down the quiet street. She should have been home hours ago, but business had been slow. The johns were becoming more and more scarce as girls disappeared one by one and the rumors spread. They feared the murderer roaming Savannah’s streets more than they craved a woman.
She only wished she had the option of staying home. If she didn’t work, she didn’t eat. Never mind not being able to pay Charlie his share of her earnings. Starve and get the shit beat out of her or put her neck on the line? Hell of a choice.
As she neared the faded brick building where she lived, she glanced around. That heavy, warm sensation rested between her shoulder blades. She was being watched, but there wasn’t anyone in sight. She shook her head. Even after five years on the street, she still let her imagination run away with her.
She wrinkled her nose at the stench as she stepped over the drunk sprawled across the front stoop. Up one, two stone steps and she pushed her way inside the dark foyer. A lifetime ago, the building had a security door. Now she supposed the residents were lucky to have any kind of door at all.
Mable breathed a sigh as she let her eyes adjust to the gloomy entry. With one hand, she tugged off the stiff blond wig, pins and all, then rubbed her tingling scalp. God, she hated the thing. But the bastard seemed to be killing only redheads and unfortunately nature had cursed her with locks the color of blood wine.
“Waiting for someone?”
Mable shrieked and spun around, eyes wide. Then she relaxed. “Holy, hell! You scared the livin’ shit outta me. What are you doing hiding here in the shadows?”
“Looking for you.”
She frowned and took a step backward. “Why? If you want to party, I’m too tired. Maybe tomorrow if you can catch me alone.”
Mable began to pivot toward the stairs, but she felt something brush her throat like a spider web. She swept her hand over the spot, but the sensation remained.
“That’s weird…” Pressure began to build, wrapping around her neck. Invisible threads tightened until her airway began to shrink. She tried to swallow as panic filled her chest. “I—”
She reached for her neck with both hands, frantically clawing at her skin, desperate to remove the noose. But nothing stopped the sensation. Tighter and tighter… she couldn’t breathe. She reached a hand out to her companion, who stared as if watching a bug squirm beneath a magnifying glass.
Those eyes… she’d never seen eyes that blue…or that cold. Then her vision began to fade as her chest collapsed and her knees buckled. She heard laughter and then her head began to twist around. She tried to scream, the sound caught behind the hold on her throat and her empty, burning lungs. And then the bones began to snap...
* * ‡ * *
Chapter Six
Nathan stared at the blank pages before him and tried to focus on the job at hand. He had closed one account and now needed to move on and get the new ad campaign started. He couldn’t concentrate. Visions of Samantha filled his thoughts every waking moment. Dreams of dead redheads and chasing shadows filled his nights.
A tap at his office door got his attention. Kathy Rose, the receptionist, stood in the doorway, her thin features pulled and drawn into a mask of fear.
“Excuse me, Nathan? But there are two policemen here to see you.”
Nathan’s stomach rose to his throat. “Uh, sure, okay.”
Kathy stepped aside and Adam Bays and his partner walked into the high-walled cubicle around her. Nathan felt his shoulders drop in relief, and then immediate panic welled up and he surged to his feet.
“Is it Samantha? Is—”
“No,” Adam said as he raised his hands and smiled slightly. “Sam is fine. We need to talk to you about the last drawing you brought over.”
“Oh, right,” Nathan acknowledged. “But you could have
called. I would have come in.”
“I know, but we need you to come with us. There’s been another incident.”
“Am I under arrest?” Nathan asked, acutely aware of Kathy’s presence and others listening up and down the hall.
Adam shook his head. “No, but we need your help,” he said as he glanced around them and noted the number of Nathan’s co-workers gathering around them, “We’ve found another victim. I’d like you to see the scene fresh and firsthand. Maybe it will help you give us some more insight.”
It was only a matter of time before his involvement with a murder investigation became fodder for the office grapevine. He’d only hoped it could be avoided until the case was solved and the police had someone in custody. Now many would set the blame on him, it was only human nature. No matter what happened, his name would be forever linked to the deaths of random red-headed prostitutes in Savannah.
Adam waited patiently as his partner, whose name Nathan couldn’t recall for the life of him, quietly and firmly instructed their audience to move along. After he grabbed his briefcase and jacket, Nathan asked Kathy to let the boss know he’d likely be gone the rest of the day. She nodded mutely and watched with wide eyes as the three of them walked down the hall to the entrance.
“Nathan? What’s going on here?” They stopped just inside the double doors as Dave Miles hurried down the hall from his office. He stopped short when Adam Bays flashed his badge. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything is fine, Mr. Miles,” Nathan lied. “I’ve been helping Detective Bays with a case and he and his partner…” he fumbled as he looked to tall, burly detective.
“Detective Coleman,” the big, gruff man supplied.
“Yes, sorry—” Nathan apologized.
“Excuse me, Mr. Miles, is it?” Adam interrupted. “Mr. Quinn has been helping us on a case in which there’s been a new development. We need him to come with us for a while. I’m sorry to barge in on his workday like this, but it’s rather important.”