Kaleidoscope Eyes

by Karen Ball

  “We can be there in a matter of hours.”

  Andy hung his head. “Fine, Jed. Whatever you say.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “That was just my cameraman, asking where we were going.” Jed pushed past Andy, heading for the door. Good thing he hadn’t checked any luggage. “I’ll hand you over to him so you can give him the directions.”

  “Oh, I know where we’re going,” Andy muttered as he brought up the rear. “Or where you’re going. And you won’t have to worry about getting cold there. Not even a little.”

  “All right then,” Annie said. “I look forward to meeting you, Mr. Curry”

  That stopped Jed. Cold. Andy ran smack into him from behind. “Hey!”

  Jolted off his suddenly cold feet, Jed shoved the phone at Andy. “Get the directions while I go pick up the car.”

  He didn’t wait for a response, just ran. And as he ran, he talked to God. Something he’d started doing after reading Ken’s Bible, after that last visit with his mother.

  And though he knew he didn’t deserve it, he begged for mercy. On God’s part.

  And on Annie’s.

  Annie closed her phone, then slid onto the leather seat of her Jeep.

  Kodi whined, afraid her mistress was leaving without her. Annie just patted the passenger seat, and with one powerful leap, Kodi jumped over her and into the seat.

  Well, almost over her.

  Once Kodi was settled beside her, Annie leaned her head against the headrest. “Let’s see them cancel the search with TV cameras running.”

  Kodi settled her chin on her paws. Annie smiled. Might as well enjoy the peace while she had it.

  Come this evening, some very important people were not going to be happy with her. It could very well be the end of her involvement with search and rescue.

  So be it.

  Just so it gave them time to bring Amberly home.

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  “This was the unkindest cut of all.”

  WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

  “My heart is in anguish ….

  Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove;

  then I would fly away and rest! …

  [For] it is not an enemy who taunts me—

  I could bear that ….

  Instead, it is you—my equal,

  my companion and close friend.”

  PSALM 55:4, 6, 12–13

  OCTOBER 21

  6:15 p.m.

  “Make yourself at home, Mr. Bristol.”

  Annie stood at the edge of the SAR members gathered around the campfire as the sun dipped below the horizon. She loved this time of day. Loved watching the dimming sky, the last gasp of daylight, the dramatic play of light and darkness.

  “‘It was the gloaming, when a man cannot make out if the nebulous figure he glimpses in the shadows is angel or demon, when the face of evening is stained by red clouds and wounded by lights.’”

  “Talking to yourself again, sis?”

  She leaned into the arm her brother slipped around her shoulders. “It’s a quote, clod. You know, literature.”

  “Hmm. No wonder I don’t recognize it.” He directed his gaze to the man standing in the middle of the SAR members—one Mr. Bristol, the promised representative from the politician’s office. “Looks like he’s in his element, huh?”

  “He’s red.”

  Dan pursed his lips. “Red, huh? Not a nice color, I take it?”

  She squinted, bringing the color into better focus. “Sometimes it’s okay. Pretty, even. Like a deep, red rose.”

  “I take it the good Mr. Bristol isn’t pretty.”

  Annie gave one curt shake of her head. “Hardly” Indeed, the red outlining Mr. Bristol was harsh, the color of warning and alarm. And try as she might, Annie couldn’t make herself like him.

  Not one bit.

  “Did you eat yet?”

  She shook her head again. The evening meal was ready, but few of the unit members had eaten. Annie figured Mr. Bristol’s announcement that the search was being called off had killed everyone else’s appetite as effectively as it had hers.

  She’d promised herself she’d keep her mouth shut during the man’s little speech. To extend him that much courtesy—but she couldn’t help herself. She stepped closer to the group. “Have you told the girl’s parents yet?”

  Ah well, so much for promises.

  The man looked at Annie. “No. But I will as soon as I’m finished here. Obviously we’ll need each of you to show them the proper compassion.”

  Another of the searchers snorted. “Not exactly compassionate to cut off the search for their child.”

  Murmurs of agreement rippled through those gathered, and Bristol shifted. “I know this doesn’t sit well with you folks.”

  The searchers were growing more vocal. “There’s an understatement.”

  “Bet it doesn’t sit well with the family either. Or the little girl, for that matter.”

  Annie couldn’t stop a perverse spark of satisfaction at the dull red traveling up Bristol’s neck. Now his skin matched his color. Sure, she knew none of this was his fault. He was just the bearer of bad news. But with what they’d been through the last week, he was lucky all he was getting was flak.

  Someone tugged at her arm, and she turned. A tall, lanky man stood there. “Annie Justice?”

  She nodded, peering at him in the dimming light. Did she know him?

  “I’m Andy Corwyn. The cameraman for Everyday Heroes.”

  Relief so powerful it almost buckled her knees hit her. “You made it.” She held her hand out. “Good to meet you, Mr. Corwyn.”

  He took her hand. “Andy, please.”

  She couldn’t help but smile. Andy. Marigold. Now there was a nice color—the same as her own. “Andy” She tipped her head, studying his features. “I … I’m sorry, do I know you?”

  He licked his lips. “No. You … uh, you don’t know me.”

  He seemed a nervous sort of man. Here’s hoping he at least held the camera steady “Is Mr. Curry here?”

  “Yeah, he is. Over by the car.” She followed the nod of his head, then started when Kodi gave a joyous yelp and sprinted toward the man.

  “Kodi!”

  But the dog didn’t break stride. Shaking her head, Annie trotted after her, and Andy followed suit.

  “Listen, Annie, there’s something you should know.”

  She looked up at him. He looked so familiar. “Are you sure we haven’t met before?”

  “Um, no. Well, not really … ”

  The stammering did it, shoved the pieces into place. Annie stopped. “Starbucks! You were behind me in line.”

  “Yeeah.” Andy drew the word out. “I was.”

  Annie glanced after Kodi to find her dancing around the man. Thankfully he didn’t seem upset.

  In fact, he looked liked like he was laughing.

  “Listen, Annie, about Jed—”

  She spun to face Andy, the stranger her dog was assaulting forgotten. “What?”

  “I just, there’s something you need to under—”

  “Jed. Did you say Jed?”

  Even the fading daylight couldn’t conceal the misery in the man’s features. He looked over her head and shrugged.

  “It’s okay, Andy. You tried.”

  At the deep voice, Annie turned. The man who’d been standing by the car had moved closer. Just close enough for her to see his features, the rich raspberry outline …

  She was running before conscious thought told her to do so. He opened his arms, lifting her off her feet as he welcomed her into a tight embrace.

  He stood there, so solid, so strong, his arms about her forming a warm cocoon of protection. Peace.

  “You didn’t call.” Her reproach was almost lost, spoken into the front of his flannel shirt.

  He rested his chin on the top of her head. “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “Where have you been? I really wanted to talk with you.”

  He was silent a moment, a
nd she pulled back slightly so she could look up into his face. Then pulled back a bit more when she saw how troubled he was.

  “Jed? What’s wrong?”

  He let her step back, but his touch slid down her arms as he captured her hands in his. “I need to tell you something.”

  She looked from him to Andy Corwyn. Who stood beside Jed. The cameraman for Everyday Heroes stood beside Jed. Knew Jed. By name.

  “Annie, my middle name is Jed. Short for Jediah.”

  Okay, fine. It wasn’t a bad name. Certainly not bad enough to make him sound like he was about to step in front of a firing squad.

  “My first name is Ernest. Ernest Jediah Curry”

  It took a second. Then it hit. Ernest Jediah. E J.

  Her hands slid from his.

  E J Curry The man who’d sent her all those gifts. And the tape of the show. The director for Everyday Heroes.

  Oh, Annie … foolish, foolish Annie …

  She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly numb. “This … ” She met his gaze. “This has all been about the show, hasn’t it? That’s why you came to town. Why you just ‘happened’ to meet me at the dog park.”

  He wanted to deny it. She could tell. And she wanted him to. Oh, how she wanted him to! Please, Jed, please. Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you came to town to see your family. That our meeting was an accident. A happy accident …

  But it wasn’t. Annie only had to look into Jed’s face to know the truth.

  She’d fallen in love with a liar.

  The lie was there, ready to come out.

  Yes, Annie, you’re right. I came to see family. I met you by chance.

  But Jed bit it back.

  He was done with lying. And so he let it all pour out. The whole ugly truth. And as he talked, he followed the emotions stealing across her features. Shock. Anger. And the one he’d feared most.

  Hurt.

  Stark pain glazed her eyes, settling into her sweet features. Jed cursed himself for being every kind of a fool. But worst of all, for being the kind of fool who would cause such pain to a woman like this.

  When he finished his confession, she stood before him, arms limp at her sides. For a heartbeat the pain in her eyes was more than he could bear. He started to reach for her, but she stepped back.

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  The cold, even words smacked him right between the eyes. Jed searched Annie’s eyes again, and heavy dread descended to the bottom of his gut. Any emotion, good or bad, was gone.

  Annie Justice was all business.

  “The search is what matters. You’re here to film it, right?”

  Jed nodded.

  “I assume you’re both going to follow us then?”

  Andy joined Jed in Nod Town.

  “Fine. Get your gear and come with me.” She spun on her heel, and Jed and Andy scrambled to follow

  As they trotted after her, Andy leaned close. “Well … I think that went okay.”

  “Are you nuts? She hates me!”

  “Yeah—” he shrugged—“but she still likes me. And she didn’t sic her dog on you.” He inclined his head. “There just may be hope for you after all.”

  Jed couldn’t quite believe that. At least, not where Annie was concerned. He wasn’t fool enough to think she was letting him film her for any reason other than to keep the search from being canceled. And he’d respect that. He didn’t want to hurt her any deeper, so he’d keep his distance. Stay behind the lens.

  He was more comfortable there anyway

  And when they were done, he’d have a great show. The crowning touch of which would be—please God, let it be so—when Annie and Kodi found the little girl.

  “What do you mean the camera crew is here?”

  An edge of panic tipped Mr. Bristol’s question. Annie didn’t let her satisfaction show as she answered him. “It’s a crew from that new hit reality show Everyday Heroes. You know that show?”

  Bristol swallowed. “Yes, of course. Everyone’s talking about it. It’s all over the TV and news … ”

  She forced a touch of brilliance into her smile. “Right! That’s the show. And they sent a crew here to film me and Kodi during the search for Amberly Heller.”

  “But … we’re calling off the search.”

  Annie arched a brow. “Oh? Well, okay. Let me just call them over so you can let them know that.”

  “No, wait!”

  “Jed. Andy. Over here. Mr. Bristol has something he wants to say.”

  To their credit, the two men were at her side within seconds. Andy’s camera was even filming as they approached, and Jed gave a running narration. “The searchers have been at it for days, working against time and elements to find little Amberly Heller, a helpless child lost in a vast wilderness.”

  Bristol opened his mouth to say something, but Jed held up his hand and gave a quick shake of his head. He and Andy drew closer.

  “What has the little girl faced already? Weather, certainly. Hunger, dehydration, without a doubt. Treacherous terrain? Count on it. But in these mountains, other hazards lurk. Bears, cougars, and who knows what else that could spell disaster—or death—for a five-year-old girl.”

  The camera was now about a foot from Bristol’s face. He stared into it, his expression quite similar to a turkey trying to swallow a cat. “What? Am I supposed to say something?”

  “I understand you have an announcement to make?”

  Annie smiled. Jed wasn’t giving the man an ounce of mercy.

  “No. Not on camera, I don’t.”

  “So you’re making a decision that affects this child’s future, but you’re not willing to say so?”

  “I … ” Bristol put his hand over the lens. “Can you … please, turn this off?”

  “Reality TV, man. We don’t cut out the ugly stuff.”

  This from Andy.

  “Please.” Bristol looked at Annie. “Let me make a call.”

  Hope sparked, and Annie put a hand on Andy’s arm. “Can you pause that thing?”

  “For you? You bet.” He hit a button and lowered the camera.

  Bristol scampered a few feet away, pulling out a cell phone and making a call. Annie couldn’t hear the man’s words, but his body language spoke volumes. Within minutes, he returned and stepped in front of the camera.

  “Okay, I’m ready.”

  Andy and Jed exchanged smug glances, then Andy lifted the camera and started filming again.

  It took all of Annie’s control not to whoop and scream as Bristol, his expression oh-so-serious, told the camera how grateful they were for Everyday Heroes and the impact it had on television. “And we are proud to have the show here in Oregon filming one of our own, Miss Annie Justice and her search dog, Kodi.”

  The man signaled to Annie. She shook her head—no way she was getting closer to this guy. Then Jed came to stand beside her, leaning his head just close enough to whisper. “It’s for Amberly, remember?”

  Squaring her shoulders, she led Kodi toward Mr. Bristol. Let him shake her hand and tell her how pleased he was that she and Kodi were on the job. Then, still shaking her hand, he turned back to the camera. “And Everyday Heroes will be right here, every step of the way, until we bring that precious child home.”

  He stood there, a plastic smile stamped on his features, his eyes shifting from Jed to Andy Back to Jed. Then to Andy.

  “Are we done?”

  He spoke around the smile, and Annie pulled her hand free, turning away so she wouldn’t laugh right in the poor man’s face. She caught Jed’s eye, saw the mirth there as well as he answered the man.

  “Yep. That’s good.” He shook Bristol’s hand. “You’re a natural with the camera, sir. Really. Great job.”

  Andy lowered the camera and stood beside Annie. “I’m sorry.”

  Her laughter died. She looked down at the ground, seeking a response that felt right.

  There was none.

  “Hey, Annie.”

  Her brother’s voice had neve
r been so welcome. Annie turned, watching him approach. He looked from her to Andy, and she introduced the two. “Andy; my brother the deputy, Dan. Dan, Andy. Cameraman for Everyday Heroes.”

  “Everyday Heroes, the TV show?”

  “That’s the one.” Andy studied Dan. “So, a deputy, huh?”

  “Are you doing a show with them, Annie?”

  She grimaced. “Yes. They’re following me on the search.”

  “Ah, so that explains the commercial I saw this morning. Man! I almost fell off my chair when I saw you and Kodi on TV. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Annie knew her brother was speaking English, so why didn’t the words make any sense? She caught a glimpse of Andy’s expression just before he turned toward Jed—and frowned. Why did Andy look so panicked?

  Jed sauntered toward them, and Dan raised a hand in greeting. Annie almost slapped her brother’s hand down, then realized he didn’t know.

  He still thought Jed was someone you could trust.

  “Hey, Dan.” Jed extended his hand. “Good to see you.”

  “You too. Wow, Everyday Heroes, huh? Great show.”

  Annie broke up the little lovefest. “What commercials?” She eyed Jed as she asked the question. He stiffened, then shot a quick look at Andy

  Something definitely was up.

  She moved to stand toe to toe with Jed. “What. Commercials.”

  He looked down at her, then sighed. “I had Andy shooting footage of you and Kodi when we were together.”

  Dan’s features turned thunderous. “Are you telling me you didn’t know about this?”

  Annie crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Not a thing.” She jumped when Dan stepped past her, toward Jed, an ugly gleam in his eyes. “Wait! Dan, hold on.” She grabbed his arm, felt how tense the muscles were.

  Jed’s hand eased over hers, removing it from Dan’s arm. “It’s okay, Annie. Your brother has a right to be angry. What I did was wrong. Morally, ethically, and probably legally. I was so determined to get Annie for the show that I made some bad decisions. I can only apologize and promise you I’ll do all I can to make it right.” He straightened his shoulders. “But if it will make you feel better, go ahead and take a punch. I deserve it.”

  Dan’s hand closed into a fist, and Annie held her breath. He wouldn’t! He was in uniform. If he hit Jed while on duty, he’d be in serious trouble.