“And then two years later we met,” she said softly.
“Yes.”
“And things got crazy.”
“That’s one way of putting it.”
“So, what happens now?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” he said, partly to stall for time and partly to make sure he understood what she was asking.
“When I come back home in a few days are you still going to be here or will you have gone without so much as a goodbye?”
“I promise you I will not leave without saying goodbye.”
Out of the corner of his eye he saw her hands ball into fists. Clearly she’d been hoping he would say that he wouldn’t leave at all. He couldn’t make that promise. Not now. Especially not since old enemies had found him and had already tried to hurt Cindy because of him.
Things with her had always been complicated. Now they were downright dangerous. Besides, there was more than just the two of them to worry about. He was also responsible for all the people at the synagogue. Who was to say old enemies wouldn’t go after them as well?
Some of the last words of the man who had been trying to kill Cindy for the past several days echoed through his mind. You never look to the left or the right.
He had said that in response to Jeremiah not recognizing him. What did it mean, though? He felt like the meaning should be clear and yet it wasn’t.
Still, just leaving like he had often thought of doing was no longer an option. Instead of trying to hunt him down again his enemies might just decide to flush him out by going after those he’d left behind. No, he was definitely staying until that threat was ended. And after that G-d alone knew what the future might hold.
“Do you need me to do anything while you’re gone?” he asked, changing the subject.
“There’s nothing I can think of,” she said, and he could hear the strain in her voice.
At this point he didn’t know which was causing her more distress, the conversation about the two of them or the fact that her brother could be dying. It was terrible timing all the way around, especially when coupled with the murder she had stumbled onto.
We just can’t catch a break, he thought to himself.
They drove the rest of the way in silence. At the airport Jeremiah got out of the car and stood in front of her, searching her eyes with his. “Call when you get there, please,” he said softly.
“I will,” she said, dropping her eyes.
Normally he would have hugged her, but he had a feeling if he did it would make this parting harder on both of them. “And call if you need anything.”
She nodded, still looking down.
“Okay,” he said, forcing himself to step to the side.
She walked into the building and when she had disappeared he got in the car and started the drive back. It didn’t feel right, though. He should be going with her. He knew what she had said about not wanting weirdness with her parents and that made sense, but she needed someone to be there for her during this time. Her parents had each other. Cindy needed someone who was going to be her support and comfort during this time.
But she didn’t want him playing that role. At least, not today. He wished for a moment that Geanie and Joseph weren’t off on their honeymoon. Either of them would have been glad to go with her. He would have trusted them both to take care of her, too.
They had all been through a lot together. Mark and Traci, too. Comrades in war. That’s how he thought of them. In his old life he’d had associates, very few of whom he would have thought of as friends. What he had here with these people was on the one hand very familiar and on the other very alien.
When you passed through the fire with people, it bonded you together forever in a strange way. Even if you went your separate ways later, there was still that connection. So all of them had that connection, but they had also become friends. They were people he not only trusted but also liked. He enjoyed spending time with them even if that time was often fraught with peril. More than that, they enjoyed spending time with him.
For the first time since he was a very young boy he felt like he belonged someplace, like he had roots. For people like him that was often no more than a distant dream, a beautiful sounding life that could never be lived in the real world.
Cindy, Joseph, Geanie, Mark and Traci were family to him. That was something he thought he could never again have, and it was something he wasn’t willing to give up. G-d help them all.
As she stepped foot on the plane Cindy’s terror resurfaced and grabbed her by the throat, squeezing until she felt as though she couldn’t breathe. She finally sank, gasping into her seat next to a window. Her hands were shaking as she shoved her purse under the seat in front of her.
Fixating on things with Jeremiah in the car had helped her keep her fear for her brother at bay. Now, though, it refused to be denied any longer. What crazy stunt had Kyle pulled this time? She’d warned him that he was going to get himself killed doing all the extreme adventure travel that he did. For so many years she had hated him for it, seeing it as being reckless and disrespectful, especially in light of what had happened to their sister when they were all kids.
Her parents had to be going out of their minds. Kyle was their favorite. Her mother in particular was constantly gushing over everything Kyle did and driving Cindy crazy while doing it. For years she’d felt like the child that didn’t exist, living only in the shadows of her famous brother and her dead sister. She had slowly grown to accept that as the norm and had given up on ever impressing her mother with anything she did.
Whatever happened, she knew that the next few days were going to be hellish for all of them. She wished that Jeremiah was in the seat next to her, holding her hand and giving her the courage to face the world. She was afraid, though, of what her parents might say or do if he was with her. They had yet to meet him. They certainly didn’t know that Cindy had feelings for him. Sometimes her mother could be so self-absorbed it was rude. Both of her parents could be overly blunt and even downright mean-spirited when stressed out.
She and Jeremiah simply weren’t in the best place to deal with whatever her parents might dish out. Two days ago she would probably have asked him to come. That was before she knew that he had seriously considered leaving to protect her. Now the whole world was upside down and she wasn’t sure where she stood even with him. She wasn’t sure their relationship could survive the amount of pressure that would be put on it if he was there with her. Maybe she was just being paranoid, but there were reasons her parents didn’t know any of her friends.
“Ma’am, are you alright?”
She looked up at a flight attendant. The woman was staring down at her with obvious concern.
“Not really,” Cindy managed to squeak out. It was then she noticed that her breathing had seemed to accelerate. Try as she might she was having trouble catching her breath. In a panic she realized that she must be hyperventilating. “My brother...in...hospital...going to...see...him,” she managed to get out.
The woman nodded sympathetically. She reached into the seat pocket and pulled out a bag. “Try breathing into this, it should help you get under control,” she said. “In the meantime, is there anything I can get you?”
Cindy took the bag and shook her head. She opened it up and began breathing into it as the flight attendant moved away to help someone with their bag. The trick actually seemed to be helping and she almost had her breathing back under control when a man in a gray suit stopped next to her aisle.
He had a briefcase in one hand and a trench coat slung over his arm. He stowed both in the overhead bin and then looked at her as he took his seat on the aisle. “You can’t be airsick already,” he said with a smile.
She shook her head and slowly lowered the bag. “I was hyperventilating,” she explained. She didn’t want the man worrying that she was seconds from being sick on him.
“I understand, but you know, it’s safer to travel in planes than cars,” he said.
&
nbsp; “It’s not that,” she said.
“Really? Because most people who look like you do before a plane takes off are afraid to fly.”
“My brother’s in the hospital. He might be dying. I just found out and I’m freaking out about that,” she said, figuring that should put an end to his questions.
“I’m sorry,” he said frowning. “That’s a terrible reason to have to go to Vegas. Or anywhere for that matter.”
She nodded.
“I will tell you, though. One of the best hospitals in the country, in my opinion, is in Vegas. St. Mary’s.”
“That’s the one he’s at.”
“Then he’s in excellent hands. You can trust me on that. I’m Martin, by the way.”
“Cindy,” she said. She took a closer look at him. He looked to be roughly her age. He had dark hair, blue eyes, and a nice smile. His suit was nice, but not memorable, and he was wearing a wedding ring.
He followed her gaze and smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m not hitting on you. I’ve been married five years to the most wonderful woman in the world, and only a complete idiot would screw that up.”
“I didn’t-” Cindy began, embarrassed.
He waved his hand. “I’m a salesman. I spend a lot of time flying, and I quickly found that I’d rather spend that time talking to my neighbors than pretending to read or sleep. I guess I’m just a people person.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I guess that’s why you’re a salesman.”
His grin broadened. “Yes, ma’am.”
Jeremiah was tired when he turned onto his street. He had spent the entire drive home worrying about Cindy. No matter how many times he tried to convince himself that she was going to be okay, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was going to happen to her in Vegas. Something worse even than the potential death of her brother.
He told himself he was being paranoid, but where Cindy was concerned he had learned there was no such thing. She had the most amazing knack for finding trouble. Or, rather, trouble found her. He tried to tell himself that she was going to be fine. She was going to be with family, so she wouldn’t be alone even though she might end up wishing that she was.
He was so preoccupied that it took him a moment to realize that there was a strange car parked outside his house. He slowed down before parking Cindy’s car in the driveway. He got out, and noticed that there was a man standing on his porch, face hidden in the shadows.
Jeremiah tensed, preparing for anything. The man he had killed the day before at the wedding had warned him that more would be coming after him. This could be one of them.
He took a step forward, body twisted to the side so he’d make a smaller target. “Show yourself,” he ordered.
The figure on the porch hesitated for a moment and then walked slowly down the stairs. When he stepped into the light from one of the street lamps Jeremiah could barely contain his surprise. It was Christopher, the man who had come to Cindy’s aid earlier. The one he’d almost torn apart.
5
“What are you doing here?” Jeremiah asked suspiciously.
“I’ve come on behalf of Henry White,” Christopher said, stepping carefully toward him with a concerned look on his face.
He was right to look concerned. Jeremiah still had an urge to snap his neck. He shoved his hands into his pockets instead. As much as he didn’t want to talk with the man he realized that it would probably be a conversation better carried on inside than outside for all the world to see and hear.
“Let’s talk inside,” Jeremiah said, striding forward.
Christopher backed out of his way, and then followed him into the house. Once inside he sat down at the kitchen table in the same chair Cindy had been occupying a few hours before.
Captain came bounding in from the other room, stopping to stare at Christopher. The dog didn’t like him either, and that fact gave Jeremiah a bit of satisfaction. Captain glanced at Jeremiah, and then turned and headed back to the bedroom.
Jeremiah leaned against the kitchen counter. “So, what does your boss want?”
“Your help, actually.”
“To do what?”
“To clear his name of this murder.”
Jeremiah tilted his head to the side. “I think maybe your boss has mistaken me for a police officer. That’s not my job.”
Christopher cleared his throat. “Yes, but for someone whose job it isn’t, you seem to help people all the time.”
“And just where are you getting your information?”
“From one of the police officers. He said that you and Cindy are constantly helping the detectives with their cases; that the two of you are the real heroes of the Pine Springs police force.”
Jeremiah barely restrained the urge to laugh as he pictured Mark’s face if he heard someone say that. “I would hardly think so. The force has fine detectives; the credit goes to them. Now, I’m busy, so if you’ll just-”
“Please,” Christopher said, getting to his feet. “I’ve been working with Henry for months. He was a friend before that. I know he couldn’t have done this.”
“Then I’m sure the police will clear him,” Jeremiah said.
“You don’t understand. Every hour that this goes unsolved, that suspicion is on him, costs votes. More than we can afford to lose. This state is sick and Henry White has the cure, but not if the people think he’s a killer. I’m confident that the police will eventually figure out who really did this, but we don’t have the time to waste. Anything that can be done, any fresh pair of eyes, will help tremendously. I need your help to keep a good man from having his reputation and his career ruined by someone else’s crime.”
“What if you’re wrong and your boss is involved?”
Christopher took a deep breath. “Then the sooner he’s brought to justice the better it will be for everyone else, including that girl’s family.”
Jeremiah had too many problems of his own to get involved, especially since the press was going to be crawling all over this mess until it was over. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t help.”
Christopher looked stricken. “I thought...Cindy said we would get to the bottom of this when I talked to her at the church.”
“Cindy has some family stuff to deal with. She can’t help you now either. Good luck to you,” Jeremiah said, moving toward the door.
For a moment Christopher just stood where he was, and Jeremiah began to think he was going to have to throw the other man out bodily. Finally, though, Christopher walked over. Jeremiah held open the door, and as soon as the other man was outside he closed and locked it.
I’m done with you, he thought to himself.
Cindy was relieved that the plane ride was over quickly. She was also grateful to Martin for keeping her distracted for the duration of the flight. As the plane taxied to the gate he pulled a business card out of his suit pocket and handed it to her.
“If you need anything, give me a call. I’ll be in town for a few days.”
“Thanks,” she said, pocketing the card. She wondered what it said about her and all her experiences the past couple of years that she was still slightly suspicious of his motives. She wished she wasn’t, but she couldn’t just dismiss out of hand the fact that killers had tried to get close to her in the past to find out what she knew.
That couldn’t be the case here, though. This guy couldn’t have been targeting her since she herself hadn’t known she was heading to Vegas until the phone call. They had driven straight to the airport, and she’d barely made the flight.
“I’m serious now. Vegas is a hard place to be by yourself especially when you’re worrying about family. If you need to talk or even just need a recommendation on a good hotel close to the hospital, let me know.”
She nodded. She hadn’t even thought that far in advance. She wondered where her parents were staying. She’d probably end up with them even though that thought made her shudder a bit. “I’ll keep it in mind,” she said to hi
m, forcing a smile.
He nodded, seemingly satisfied. Maybe he just was a nice guy. A minute later they were parked at the gate, and she stood and shuffled toward the front of the plane with everyone else. She walked beside Martin as they headed toward baggage claim and ground transportation. She shook her head as they passed rows of slot machines. First and last chance to win for passengers coming and going. When they reached the carousels that were spewing out people’s luggage, he gave her a wave before turning aside to collect his bags.
Cindy walked outside and followed the signs to the taxi stand. “St. Mary’s,” she told the driver.
A minute later they were away from the airport and edging into snarled traffic. Everywhere around her was the flash of neon, lighting up the night sky. Between the sea of taillights and the glaring signs she felt half-blind. Besides tons of cars on the streets, throngs of people were walking by. The city felt alive, pulsing with its own mechanized heartbeat. She couldn’t help but wonder for a moment what it was like to live there. All the hurry, all the hype, and everywhere the flashing lights.
After what seemed a lifetime the driver finally turned onto a street with less traffic. Two minutes later he was pulling up outside the main entrance of the hospital.
Cindy paid him with hands that shook, and she realized her pulse was again racing out of control. She checked her phone, but there were no new messages. She had feared that her father would have called and told her that it was too late, Kyle was already dead.
She took a deep breath, got out of the cab, and marched into the hospital. She went up to the reception desk. “I’m looking for Kyle Preston,” she said, her voice cracking. “I’m his sister.”
Walk Through the Valley Page 4