The Condemned (Echoes from the Past Book 6)

by Shapiro, Irina

  Mary rested her forehead on her knees as tears of despair rolled down her cheeks. She had no one to talk to, no one to confide in and ask for advice. She trusted Nell, but even Nell, kind as she was, would condemn Mary for her actions. Nell feared the savages as much as anyone and never ventured past her dooryard on her own, terrified she’d be attacked. To admit to her that she’d willingly lain with an Indian would put an end to their friendship. Nell would keep her secret, Mary was sure, but she couldn’t risk telling her the truth. She couldn’t risk telling anyone.

  Having come to a decision, Mary got to her feet and began walking toward home. She’d keep the pregnancy a secret from Walker for as long as she could. If he discovered she was with child, he’d put pressure on her to leave immediately, but she couldn’t bring herself to deny her baby its inheritance or the salvation of Christ. She’d remain with John until the child was born, then if it was obviously Walker’s and she and the child were in danger, she’d take the baby and walk into the forest and away from civilization. If the child was white, she’d stay with John and have it baptized. That was the only logical plan she could think of, so she wiped her eyes and adjusted her cap. She had a child to think of now. Her own desires were no longer relevant.

  Chapter 53

  February 2015

  Frankfurt, Germany

  Quinn wound her scarf around her neck and zipped up her coat before exiting the terminal. A steady stream of humanity flowed past her as she looked around, trying to spot Rhys. The access road in front of the terminal was thronged with cars, mostly taxis, picking up and dropping off their fares, the scene reminiscent of every airport Quinn had ever flown into. A gentle snow fell, the snowflakes twirling gracefully before settling on the pavement. There was a stillness in the air, but it was much colder than it had been in London, and Quinn shivered, hoping Rhys would get there soon. She smiled widely when a yellow Honda Fit nosed into a space just vacated by a taxi.

  “Welcome to Germany,” Rhys said as Quinn wrapped her arms tightly around him. He winced, then instantly rearranged his features into a bright smile.

  “Are you all right?” Quinn asked.

  “Absolutely fine.”

  She knew Rhys wasn’t being truthful but didn’t press him. He was a private person and wouldn’t appreciate her prying. She smiled back and surrendered her case to Rhys, who stowed it in the boot before getting into the driver’s seat.

  “Can we go directly to the hospital?” Quinn asked, breathless with nervousness and excitement.

  “Sorry but visiting hours will be over by the time we get there, so you’ll have to wait till tomorrow morning,” Rhys said as he eased the car into the flow of traffic. He seemed surprisingly comfortable with driving on the right side of the road. “For tonight, you’re stuck with me.”

  “I could do with a drink,” Quinn confessed. “I’m so nervous. I keep wondering what Jo will make of me.”

  “Do you wonder what you’ll make of her?” Rhys asked.

  Quinn turned to look at him, surprised by the question. “What do you mean?”

  “You keep worrying about her reaction to you, but what about your reaction to her? Is there anything that might put you off?”

  “Why would you ask me that?” Quinn demanded, suddenly worried that Rhys wasn’t telling her something vital.

  “I’m just curious,” Rhys replied, his tone light.

  “Rhys, what are you not telling me?”

  Rhys didn’t answer immediately. He drove for a few minutes until he spotted a bar on the side of the road and pulled up in front. He got out of the car, opened Quinn’s door, and invited her to follow him inside.

  The bar was cozy and dimly lit, most of the tables unoccupied at this early hour. A few old-timers sat at the bar, enjoying their drinks and chatting with the barkeep. Quinn’s heart sank when Rhys motioned her toward an empty table in the corner and went up to the bar to place an order. He returned with an espresso for himself and a glass of wine for Quinn. She took a healthy gulp in anticipation of whatever it was Rhys was about to impart. He took a delicate sip of his coffee and set the cup down, watching Quinn with an air of amusement.

  “Whatever it is, tell me this instant or you will live to regret it,” Quinn threatened. She was thrumming with nervous energy and what Rhys was doing was absolute torture.

  “I didn’t want to tell you in the car,” Rhys replied. He was smiling, so whatever he had to tell her couldn’t be too awful. “Quinn, Jo knows all about you. She’s watched videos of your interviews and the first season of Echoes. She received your letter before she left for Kabul. She can’t wait to meet you.”

  “She knows?” Quinn whispered. “She’s looking forward to meeting me?” A wonderful, warm feeling spread outward from her chest, cocooning her in a delicious sense of well-being.

  Rhys nodded. “She’s fragile, Quinn. And lonely. There doesn’t seem to be anyone waiting for her back in England.”

  “How can that be?”

  Rhys shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe she’ll tell you.”

  “Have you told her about Logan and Jude, and Sylvia? What about Seth?”

  “No. I thought it would be better coming from you. How is Jude?” Rhys asked carefully.

  Quinn sighed and took a long sip of wine. “He’s still unconscious. I spoke to Logan just before I boarded. Sylvia hasn’t left his side.”

  “There’s no greater tragedy than losing a child,” Rhys said quietly.

  Quinn reached across the table and placed her hand over his. No words were needed. Rhys turned his hand over and took hold of hers, squeezing it gently. His gaze misted over with unshed tears and he looked away, staring at the snow falling outside the window.

  “Rhys—”

  “I’m fine. Tell me about Mary,” he invited. It was a distraction tactic, but Quinn was happy to play along. They both needed a moment to collect themselves and Mary was a safe subject, having been dead for nearly four hundred years. “Have you learned anything that might explain what happened to her? Have you brought the comb with you?”

  “Yes, I have,” Quinn replied sadly. “I think it won’t be long now until it all kicks off.”

  “How can you tell?”

  “Mary became pregnant, but didn’t know who the father of her baby was. She was torn between her love for Walker, a Native American of mixed blood, and her duty to John. If the baby she was carrying was the one we found in the coffin with her, then she only has a few more months to live.”

  “But how did she wind up in Cornwall?” Rhys asked as he took a sip of his coffee.

  “That seems to be the million-dollar question,” Quinn replied.

  “You sound like an American,” Rhys said with a chuckle. “I think your father is beginning to rub off on you.”

  “I find some of his turns of phrase very amusing, and he thinks some of the things I say are absolutely hilarious.”

  “Ah, the joys of having a multicultural family,” Rhys quipped as he took a last sip of his espresso. “Would you like another glass of wine?”

  “No, I’m all right.”

  “So, do you think John Forrester might have decided to return to England?”

  “John was doing very well for himself in Virginia. He had no reason to leave Jamestown,” Quinn said.

  “Unless he was forced to,” Rhys countered.

  “Unless he was forced to,” Quinn agreed.

  “Have you been able to locate any records to back up our narrative?”

  Quinn shook her head. “There’s tangible proof that Mary Wilby went out to Virginia in 1620 and married John Forrester. And, of course, Elizabeth and Ambrose Viccars are on the list of colonists who went out to Roanoke Island and vanished along with the rest of the settlers sometime between 1587 and 1590. That’s all I have so far. I’ve been a little preoccupied.”

  “I know. Sorry. Have you told Seth about Jo?”

  “I was going to call him last night but decided to wait until I saw Jo for myself and h
ad something more concrete to tell him. Knowing Seth, he’d be on the next plane to Germany, and I wanted to make sure his presence would be welcome. I think meeting one long-lost relative might be enough for Jo to handle for now.”

  “I think you made the right call. She needs time, Quinn.”

  “Why did she never respond to my letter? Did she tell you?” Quinn asked.

  “She was nervous, same as you. She thought it might be better to speak in person. She was going to get in touch when she returned from Afghanistan.”

  “I don’t think I’ll sleep a wink tonight,” Quinn said. “I’m too wound up.”

  “What you need is a hot bath, a good dinner, and another glass of wine. Or six. You’ll sleep like a baby. Rest in the knowledge that tomorrow you will finally meet your sister, and it will be a happy reunion,” Rhys said. “Now, let’s get you to the hotel. It’s starting to snow heavier and I don’t fancy driving on the Autobahn in this clown mobile.”

  “It is kind of ridiculous,” Quinn agreed.

  “It was the only one available on such short notice and in the size I requested.”

  By the time they got to the hotel, it was fully dark, and Quinn was ready for a meal despite her nervousness. After she ate, she took a long, hot bath, and got into bed. She was asleep within minutes despite her earlier misgivings, because morning couldn’t come soon enough.

  Chapter 54

  The next day dawned bright and cold. Quinn pulled on her warmest jumper and a pair of jeans, then made her way to the dining room to meet Rhys for breakfast. There was no reason to rush, since visiting hours at the hospital didn’t start till ten. Rhys was already seated, a steaming cup of coffee in front of him.

  “I hope you’re hungry. They do an excellent breakfast,” he said, watching her intently. “Sleep all right?”

  Quinn nodded. “I don’t think I can eat.”

  “You should. We have at least an hour to kill, and you’re going to feel pretty silly sitting there watching me as I demolish a gargantuan German breakfast.” He was teasing her, but Quinn appreciated his concern.

  “All right. I’ll have something light.”

  “I don’t think they know the meaning of the word,” Rhys replied, studying the menu with single-minded concentration.

  He chuckled when Quinn ordered a boiled egg and some toast. She understood why when her order arrived. The boiled egg sat in pride of place, surrounded by slices of cheese, salami, ham, cucumber, several olives, and a basket of bread with a dish of butter. There were also several tiny jars of jam and honey.

  “Bon appétit,” Rhys said as his own heaping plate was placed in front of him. “I love this country!”

  “I’m starting to like it as well,” Quinn replied, suddenly hungry. She rolled up a slice of salami and popped it into her mouth. “Mm, this is good,” she said.

  “Everything is homemade,” Rhys said. “They get all their food from local farmers.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I had a chat with the owner last night. It’s no fun drinking alone, so he joined me for a pint. It was a quiet night.”

  “Making friends wherever you go?” Quinn joked.

  “I know; it’s a curse,” Rhys said with a grin and tucked into his breakfast.

  Quinn burst into a fit of giggles when they finally left the hotel after finishing their meal. Rhys’s car was almost entirely buried in a snow drift. Only the top of the yellow roof was visible.

  “Stop laughing and start digging,” Rhys growled.

  Several shovels were stacked against the hotel’s side door for guests to use. Quinn grabbed a shovel and began to clear the snow. It felt good to be out in the fresh air, expending some of her nervous energy. By the time they finished, her cheeks were numb with cold and she felt better than she had in days.

  “I hope this marvel of modern engineering starts,” Rhys muttered as he slid into the driver’s seat.

  It did, and they set off for the hospital. It wasn’t a long drive, but it felt like an eternity to Quinn. “Should I bring something?” she asked, suddenly realizing it was rude to show up empty-handed.

  “Everything you need is on your mobile,” Rhys replied.

  “How so?”

  “She has plenty of treats, I saw to that,” Rhys clarified. “She’ll want to see photos.”

  “Do you really think so?”

  “Of course. Even if she never wants to set eyes on Sylvia and Seth, she’s sure to be curious what they look like. And, of course, there are her brothers, and your own family. Don’t you want to show off your babies?”

  “Of course. I don’t want to make her feel bad though,” Quinn said, remembering that Jo seemed to be all alone.

  “Quinn, you don’t need to apologize for your life. We all make choices, and if Jo is alone, that’s on her.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  “Of course, I’m right. I’m always right,” Rhys joked as he pulled into the car park at the hospital. “Now, put on a brave face and let’s go meet your sister.”

  Rhys and Quinn were intercepted by Dr. Stein when they got off the lift on the appropriate floor. “Good morning,” she said. Her lab coat was clean and crisp, as was her manner. “I’m very happy to meet you, Dr. Allenby. Jo was very excited when she told me her sister was on her way. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that Jo had brain surgery. She is doing very well and shows every hope of being able to return home in the near future, but right now, we need to keep her from getting overly worked up. She’s still recovering.”

  “I understand,” Quinn replied.

  “I realize this will be an emotional moment for you both—Mr. Morgan has explained the situation—but please try to refrain from upsetting her. I understand your brother is eh…unwell?”

  “Yes.”

  “If you can avoid telling her that, I’d be grateful. Only good news today.” Dr. Stein smiled widely, revealing perfect teeth. “You look like you’re going to jump out of your skin, so I won’t detain you any longer. Have me paged if you need me.”

  “Thank you, Doctor. And thank you for looking after my sister.”

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  “It’s the third door on the right,” Rhys said as soon as Dr. Stein walked away.

  Quinn bowed her head, closed her eyes, and took several calming breaths, but the time-tested technique didn’t work. She followed Rhys down the corridor toward Jo’s room, her heart exploding in her chest, her stomach in knots.

  “Are you all right?” Rhys asked.

  “I’m shaking. I feel like I’m going to faint.”

  “You are going to be just fine,” Rhys said in his most soothing tone. “Come, your sister is waiting.”

  Quinn approached the open door to the room, but paused just short of going in. Her legs felt as if they’d just turned to water. She couldn’t seem to get enough air into her lungs and felt like she might black out. I’ve survived being locked in a tomb overnight without any hope of rescue, she thought. Compared to that, this is a walk in the park.

  “Quinn, I’m going to go to the cafeteria and get you a cup of tea. By the time I return, I expect to see a tear-jerking display of sisterly love that will choke up even an old cynic like me. Got it?”

  “Got it.” She sucked in a deep breath and stepped into the room.

  Her heart nearly stopped when she saw Jo. Her sister was lying against the pristine white of the hospital pillow, her face crisscrossed by healing lacerations. Her hand lay on top of the blanket. It looked small and vulnerable, her nails cut short like those of a little girl. Jo had been looking out the window, but at the sound of footsteps she turned her head and their eyes met.

  Quinn sucked in a shuddering breath. She’d planned to go slow, to give Jo, and herself, a moment to absorb what was happening, but now that they were in the same room, all reserve melted away. She rushed toward the bed and wrapped Jo in her arms, holding her like she would never let go. Jo’s arms went around Quinn and she pulled her
even closer, pressing her cheek to Quinn’s. Quinn’s face was wet with tears, but she wasn’t sure if the tears were hers or Jo’s. They were both crying and trembling with the overwhelming poignancy of this moment.

  At long last, Quinn let go and sat on Jo’s bed. Even a chair seemed too great a distance to put between them. Jo clasped her hand, unwilling to break the contact.

  “Quinn,” Jo whispered. “Oh, Quinn. When that explosion went off, my only thought was that I would die without ever meeting you, and I was heartbroken.” Tears were sliding down her pale cheeks, but her eyes shone with wonder. “Tell me everything I’ve missed.”

  “I don’t know where to begin,” Quinn confessed through tears. “I’ve imagined this moment so many times, but now that I’m really here, I can’t seem to remember a single thing I meant to say.”

  “There’s time to remember,” Jo replied. “We’ve time. We have the rest of our lives.”

  That brought on fresh tears. “When you didn’t reply to my letter, I thought you didn’t want to know me.”

  “The promise of meeting you was the only thing that kept me going when I woke up in this hospital, scared and alone. Knowing I had a sister waiting for me made me feel less frightened. And then Rhys appeared, like some sort of guardian angel.”

  “He’ll adore that description,” Quinn said with a chuckle. “Rhys took a great risk to go to Afghanistan to look for you, and for that, he will always have my undying gratitude.”

  “He must really love you,” Jo said wistfully.

  “He does. And I love him in a way I never thought possible.”

  “Is he…?”

  “Oh, no,” Quinn replied, laughing and shaking her head. “It’s not what you think. Rhys is a friend—a very dear friend, and my boss. I have a family of my own, and then there are the others.”