“I think you’re trying to trick me into leaving the basement, leaving you alone for a while.”
“Why do I need you to leave the basement?” I pulled my arms around in front of me, folding my hands neatly on my lap. “You tie terrible knots. I had it undone shortly after you stabbed my leg. Granted, getting you to leave the room, would speed up getting my legs untied, but I don’t necessarily need it. The knots work lose if you move against them. You should have taken a class in rope tying or you should have used duct tape. It’s impossible to get out of duct tape without a knife and losing lots of skin.”
He stared at me, mouth open. His gaze moved from my hands to my feet. He really was a crappy knot maker. The doorbell rang, making him jump. He looked at me, wiping the surprise off his face.
“Hmm, maybe it’s not mice, maybe it was someone walking up the front walk that I heard.” I frowned, milking the effect it had. “Usually, I’m better at pinpointing distance. Maybe the basement makes it sound weird. I can’t believe you didn’t hear it. Now, the moment of conflict. You have kidnapped someone and they are currently being held in your basement. Do you A) leave them unattended while you answer the door, B) try to tie them back up and then answer the door, hoping the guest doesn’t get suspicious about what took you so long or C) stay in the basement and hope they go away.”
“I’m not leaving.” The doorbell rang again.
“Then let’s hope it’s the FedEx man and not someone who knows you’re home.” I twirled my thumbs. “So, whatcha wanna do now?” I asked as it rang a third time.
“Fuck!”
“No, I’m not really up for that.” I frowned.
“Shut up.”
“Ok, I’m getting really tired of that. Would you please stop telling me to shut up.” There was the sound of breaking wood. The cavalry was finally here. Now, all I had to do was hope he didn’t kill me before they got to the basement.
Luck was finally on my side. My captor jumped up and started towards the stairs, taking them two at a time. He cursed under his breath. I reached down and untied my feet, then just sat there. Above me I could hear people yelling for the suspect to get down on the ground.
“Ms. Daniels?” Someone yelled from the top of the stairs.
“Down here.” I sat still, waiting for them to come down. The last thing I needed was to be shot by some jittery cop; that would ruin my day.
Three uniformed officers spilled from the stairs and stood still. They stared at me. I guess I was worth a stare or two. I was bloody and semi-untied.
“Well, get her loose.” Some one behind them spoke. He had a take charge sound to his voice. Either he was a lieutenant or he was a detective. I didn’t care which. One of the officers raced over and began removing the knots at my feet as the suited man appeared.
“Thanks, I think I need a doctor.”
“Wait here, I’ll get paramedics down here.”
“No, I’ll walk up to them, it’s not that bad.” I stood testing the leg, it had seen worse.
“Ms. Daniels, the suspect is still upstairs.” The detective took my arm gently.
“Oh good, I have something to tell him. I promise to be good.” I smiled my best professional smile and pushed past him. When I got to the top of the stairs, all eyes were suddenly on me. My captor was still on the ground, handcuffed and shackled. I stopped smiling. “Maggots.”
“What?” He frowned and struggled against the cuffs.
“If you had done some research about me, you would have found the news story that said I was attacked by a tiger trying to escape from maggots. There is nothing in the universe I hate as much as maggots.” My head felt funny, light. Maybe I was in worse shape than I thought. Lights began dancing behind my eyes. I heard someone yelling, but it was distant, my legs felt heavy, made of rubber. Then there was nothing.
Chapter Five
Zeke was snoring quietly in a chair when I opened my eyes. His head had dropped down, his chin nearly touching his chest. The room was mostly dark, the lights from outside filtered through the windows, giving it a strange glowing look. There was too much light pollution to show any stars and I had a moment of sadness. I was obviously not at home. The sky at my house was only somewhat polluted, you could see the bright stars.
I listened to Zeke snore. I knew where I was and why I was there. Funny what the brain remembers even when it doesn’t want to. The threat was obviously real now, the panic I’d been feeling earlier was quiet, leaving my mind available to think. My inane chatter had probably saved my life. He might not have been really sure about killing me, but the need to cover his tracks would have eventually won out over his desire not to kill. Knowing this calmed me even more. I would definitely have to take more caution next time. The clock on the wall said it was just after midnight, I hoped that meant it was Sunday. Football would be good at removing the stupidity I would feel about letting myself get kidnapped.
“You’re awake.” Zeke’s voice was soft. I jumped at the sound. I had been lost in thought and hadn’t realized he’d stopped snoring.
“So are you.”
“Nadine, I’m sorry. Why the hell didn’t you stay in the car?”
“Ok, if you’re going to lecture me, you might as well go back to sleep.” I was tired and sore, the last thing I needed was him yelling at me.
“I’m not going to lecture you. Do you have any idea what it was like to come out of the store and find the Hummer empty, idling. There was blood on the ground and you were just gone. Shit!” Zeke shook his head.
“I guess he hit me in the head. I didn’t hear or see him though. He was really quiet. What do they know about him?”
“His wife disappeared three years ago. He thought you were responsible.”
“Hence why he hit me over the head.” I looked at the clock again. “It is Sunday, right?”
“Yeah, it’s Sunday. They think you passed out from pain and exertion.”
“Good. Am I going to live?”
“Yes.”
“Then I need a nurse. I want out of here first thing in the morning.”
“I think it’d be best if you stayed here for a while longer. I think the doctors will agree.”
“Oh no, today is football day and I have every intention of watching it from my couch.”
“You can watch football here.”
“I can, but I don’t want to, besides, I’ve been injured, who the hell wants to stay in the hospital when they’re injured. No, I’d recover faster at home.” Zeke gave a slight chuckle and pushed the button on the side of the bed.
“How can I help you?”
“She’s awake.” Zeke responded to the happy voice. The voice made me want to vomit. Happiness was not something I thought I could handle.
A nurse bustled into the room. She was about 5’4” tall with graying brown hair pulled tightly into a ponytail. Smile lines creased her face as she flipped on the light.
“So she is.” She came in close to me. “How do you feel?”
“Not bad. Look, I want to get out of here as soon as possible.”
“I think the doctors are going to release you late today or Monday.”
“That doesn’t exactly work for me.” I smiled as she frowned at me. “See, the Chiefs play football in about twelve hours. That means in twelve hours, I want to be at home, sitting on my couch, eating junk food and screaming at my TV.” Her frown deepened. “You don’t have to do the paperwork right now, but about dawn would be good. Just bring in the waiver, let me sign it and I’ll be on my way, preferable before like 9:30.”
“Humph,” she took my blood pressure.
“If it’s not here by 9:30, I’m afraid I’ll remove the I.V. myself and leave, without signing the waiver.” My smile widened. Zeke was hanging his head, trying not to laugh. A man wearing street clothes walked past the door. His face was lined and care worn, his hand clutched a cup of coffee in a death grip. I looked back at Zeke as a thought entered my head. “On second thought, I don’t care who
you have to wake up, I want that waiver now.” I yanked the I.V. out of my arm, letting it fall to the floor.
The nurse let out a squeak as Zeke stood up. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. The nurse nearly ran from the room as Zeke grabbed my shoulders.
“Nadine, what are you doing?”
“You can’t protect me here, Zeke.” I whispered, glancing back at the door.
“Check your hand.”
I looked down and noticed a gold band on one of my fingers. I started to pull it off when Zeke grabbed my hand.
“They wouldn’t let anyone stay, so I told them you were my wife. We called your mom, but she can’t get back until late today or early tomorrow. We didn’t want you here alone.”
“That’s fine for tonight, but what happens at seven a.m. when they start letting in visitors? Anyone can just walk in here.”
“They can’t kidnap you from the hospital.”
“No, they can’t, but they sure as hell can walk in with a gun and a silencer, put a bullet in both our brains. Then they could just waltz back out the front door. How long do you think it would take someone to notice us? They’d think we were both asleep because the nurse is marking down in my chart what time I awoke.” I shook my head. “This is an insecure location Zeke, I have got to get out of here. What if that guy was just a warm up for the real thing?” I stole another glance at the door. “We can’t talk here, but I want an escort out of this place. How long before a couple more people can get here?”
“We have three staying at Alex’s, so maybe ten minutes. I’ll make the call.” He dug out his cell phone and talked into it quietly.
A doctor and the nurse returned. Both looked unhappy. I steeled myself to deal with them. Zeke walked into the hall.
“I think this is a bad idea Ms. Daniels.” The doctor said as Zeke returned. His cell phone had disappeared again. “Mr. Laroche, please try to convince your wife she should stay at least until morning.”
“You’re married,” Zeke pointed to the ring on the doctor’s finger, “when was the last time you were able to convince your wife to do something she really didn’t want to do?” It must have been a really long time or never, because the doctor sighed. “If she isn’t in any real danger of dying, I think its fine for her to leave. She has a phobia of hospitals and it’s not easy for her to stay.” Zeke handed me a bag with my clothes in it. I felt sorry for the doctor and the nurse. I knew I was a difficult patient.
“Look, just let me sign the waiver, I’ll call Monday and make a follow up appointment, but right now, I have to get out of here.” I tugged on my jeans, noting that they were clean. Who ever brought my clothes had done a good job grabbing jeans, a shirt and socks, but had forgotten underwear. I could forgo them long enough to get home and behind a locked door. I wasn’t panicky, but the hospital felt very insecure.
“There’s no way I can convince you to stay until morning?” The doctor started talking again.
“Nope.” I tore off the gown, yelping at the pain. Zeke rushed over and helped me into the shirt. I’d have to remember to move slower at home.
“Fine, I’ll go get the instructions for your care.” The doctor left the room. The nurse followed after making a few “humph” noises.
“Anthony, Thomas and Heather are on their way. Anthony said to give him fifteen minutes, but I don’t think he’ll need that long. The Hummer is in the parking lot. I’ll be driving it with Anthony and Thomas, Heather will follow us in her car. We will be waiting in the lobby until they arrive. Anthony and Thomas will meet us at the door, together we will walk to the Hummer, you in the middle of the group.”
“There’s something you aren’t telling me.”
He sighed, “you’ve helped a lot of people, Nadine. Anthony’s having trouble nailing down a short list of people who might hold you responsible. Like the guy today, you didn’t even help his wife and yet he thought you did. That makes the list longer.” I met his eyes as he talked to me. He really does have perfect ice blue eyes, think Meg Foster. “We are expecting several more attempts. The news gave a story tonight about how you’d only been back in the country a week and already someone had tried to kill you. They are running another series on the allegations. Except this time, you’re in the country.”
“What are we preparing for?”
“Everything.” Zeke turned, watching the parking lot as the medical staff came back into the room.
“Mr. Laroche, here are the instructions for your wife’s care. She’ll need to have the bandages changed every six hours if she’s bleeding or experiencing any drainage. If not, then twice a day should be enough. If the bleeding becomes excessive or if the drainage turns milky, yellow or green, she’ll need to come back. I’ve written her a prescription for the pain. Try not to put too much weight on your leg.” The nurse produced crutches. I stared at them. Crutches and I were not on very good terms. I’d sprained my ankle once and been put on crutches. The second day I used them, I fell off the porch and broke that leg. The break had needed pins to help it heal. I suppressed the urge to do a full body shudder. I signed the waiver as Zeke nodded that the others had arrived.
They insisted on wheeling me downstairs. The nurse seemed surprised to find others had met me at the door. Anthony gave her his best smile as we exited.
“We’ve got her from here.” The Hummer sat idling at the curb, behind Heather’s Explorer.
“Did you hotwire my car?” I asked him, getting out of the wheelchair.
“No, Zeke gave me the key to bring him here when the cops called us.” Anthony went and opened the door. I stood up on the crutches and took a step. It was only thirty steps, but it was going to be slow going. Thomas let out an exasperated sigh as I took a second step. I gave him the finger.
“Give me the crutches,” Thomas said, nearly yanking them from me. Anthony reached down, I skip stepped back from him. I wasn’t entirely sure what he was about to do, but I was pretty sure it would make me feel feeble.
“My wife,” Zeke hooked his thumb back at the door. Anthony turned, smiled and stepped away. “Relax Nadine.” I wanted to see what they were talking about, but didn’t have the balance to turn and look.
I let out a small yelp of surprise as Zeke picked me up and carried me the thirty feet to the Hummer. He put me in the backseat and slid in next to me. Anthony and Thomas took the front spots and we were off.
“What was that all about?” I asked as the tires droned on the road. The hospital had disappeared behind us.
“The nurse was watching,” Anthony didn’t take his eyes off the road. “She scowled when I went to pick you up.”
“Oh,” I said, as if that explained everything. It didn’t, I wanted to know why they hadn’t let me walk to the car. Sure I was slow, but I doubted there were snipers stationed on top of the hospital. Even I wasn’t that paranoid.
The Hummer slid into the garage. Anthony left the door open, Zeke stopped me from getting out of the car. None of us moved and the Hummer idled quietly. I turned and watched Heather walk into the garage. She hit the button, closing the door. As it slipped into place, Anthony got out of the car.
“Stay here, we’re going to sweep the house.” Thomas and Anthony joined Heather and entered my house. The dogs were instantly excited, barking their heads off. I realized I was going to have to face the dogs. That was going to be a nightmare on crutches.
“Uh, can you guys restrain the dogs or let them outside when I enter the house?” I asked Zeke.
Zeke said nothing, he simply nodded and watched the darkened door. The Hummer still idled quietly. I wondered if Zeke would have time to jump into the front seat and back through the door if something bad were to happen. However, I doubted someone was in there, not with the dogs. Sure they were friendly, but they were also intimidating. They were an excellent deterrent.
Anthony came back out of the house. Zeke leaned over the seats, turned the car off and opened his door. Anthony came over to my door, opening it, he helped me from the
car, folding me into his arms. He sat me down on the couch. Heather and Thomas were straining with the dogs, each on a leash. Slowly, they let them come over to me. Each dog took a turn sniffing me, before nuzzling into my good leg. I took a moment to pet each of them. They circled the living room, finding places to lay down, their eyes watched me, looking sad.
“Thomas and Heather are going to go for tonight. They’ll be back tomorrow after the football game. Since Sebastian and Alex are planning to be here, I don’t figure we’ll need them until then. Before they leave, do you want anything to eat?” Anthony looked at me.
“Yes.” I looked at them. “But Zeke insisted on stocking my kitchen with food and cookware, so we can fix it here.”
“You? Have food?” Anthony smiled. “There’s a first time for everything. All right, call us when you get to your homes. Stay alert.” They both nodded and left.
“What do you want to eat?” Zeke headed for my kitchen.
“Almost-burnt bacon and hash browns.” I told him.
I heard pans rattle. Anthony took a seat in one of my living room chairs. “How long are you supposed to go easy on your leg?”
“I don’t know, the doctor didn’t say. My guess is until I can do it without wanting to scream. I figure it’s kind of like every other injury I’ve ever received. You take the first twenty-four hours and go easy on it, then start to use it a little more every day until its back to normal.”
“Hey, Nadine, I couldn’t help but notice the big round scar on your leg when you were dressing. What’s that from?” Zeke yelled as the bacon began to sizzle on the stove. He turned to look at me through the bar.
“Tiger attack,” I sighed, it would have to be explained. Anthony gave a snort, he already knew the story.
“Uh, do I want to hear this?” Zeke asked.
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