Amnesia (41 page)

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Jack waited impatiently for the doctors to finish examining his wife. Worry could not begin to describe the anxiety he felt for her
well-being
. For the hundredth time he cursed himself for his naïveté about how much danger they were all in. He slowed his pacing for a moment, seeing a nurse rush out of the ER bay, only to grab something and return. He resumed the nervous activity, wondering what could possibly be taking so much time. He decided he needed to take a real walk—this waiting was simply driving him mad.

He stepped out the doors into the hot sunshine, retrieved his cell phone, and dialed Bill’s number, needing to know where things stood. He was grateful Bill was there, someone he could trust and depend on to get things in order, things that Jack was unable to do with his wife laying near death in the hospital emergency room.

It was Bill that noticed Drake take Lissa’s hand and run out the door headed to their Saturn. He had obviously put together Marcuse’s phone call and them leaving, and he was determined to follow. They were already in the car and around the corner before he realized all the tires on the Volt had been punctured. He ran over to the minivan to take it instead, only to find it in the same condition. Of course the Pontiac was still on fire and was unusable. He recognized his quandary immediately. He had used his cell phone to get an unmarked car delivered to the house, mumbling curses under his breath the whole time.

When the ambulance arrived and was preparing to whisk Nancy away, Jack turned to Bill, his eyes questioning if he had everything under control, then to Carrie, trying to determine what course of action to take for the two of them.

“Go ahead and go,” Bill had answered. “A car will be here for me soon, and we can go after them.”

“No,” Jack disagreed, “I need you to get a search warrant. Call Judge Matthias and have him call me back for the details. Then I will need you to get it ready for us.” His voice darkened threateningly as he added, “What I need right now is to nail the creep who did all of this.”

“Then I will stay here and get this all cleaned up,” Carrie interrupted, trying to get Jack on his way. “I’ll have the house back together by the time you get home tonight.”

Gratefully, Jack took both of their hands, carefully as to not hurt his broken right arm, and looked deeply into their eyes. “You will never know how grateful I am for you. For all of you.” He stopped, his voice catching with emotion.

The moment was destroyed as the ambulance driver called out that it was time to go and that he had better get in the vehicle or stay behind. Jack squeezed both hands again, then spun on his heel and climbed into the back of the waiting ambulance.

Suddenly he turned back to Carrie, with a new look of concern on his face. “Kate…” he started, as if unsure where his thoughts would take him. “She’s at Planet Kid at a birthday party. She’ll need someone to…”

“I’ll call Shirley,” Carrie offered. “We can take care of her. Besides, I can use the extra help.”

Jack shook his head slightly, as if trying to clear his thoughts. There was so much these people were willing to do for him. He could never even begin to thank them. Saying nothing, he turned and sat down next to the stretcher as the paramedic closed and secured the doors, readying their departure. Moments later the emergency vehicle sped off, lights blazing and siren blaring, leaving the last two intended targets standing alone.

Bill and Carrie had taken the moment of privacy to simply hold each other, allowing their love to heal the wounds so recently delivered to their hearts. A moment later two cars drove up, one older brown Chevy, the one Bill would take, the other a police cruiser ready to take all the details and write a report.

Bill spoke with the officers for a moment, quickly telling them what had occurred and what he would need them to do, then sent them to Carrie to iron out the details. He jumped in the borrowed car and pulled out his cell phone to follow-up on Jack’s request.

That was over an hour ago, and still the doctors were working on Nancy. Jack put the recently dialed phone to his ear, and waited for Bill to answer.

“Lowell.”

“Did you get the search warrant?”

“Yeah. The judge was a little leery when you told him the details, but he signed it. I have it in my hand right now. I’m heading to the hospital to get you now. How’s Nancy?”

“Don’t know yet, the doctors are still working on her. Okay, come straight here. I have another phone call to make, and we should be ready—wait, here comes the doctor now. Just come get me.” He closed the phone to end the call and turned to face the prognosis.

“Are you Mr. McConnell?” the physician asked.

“I am,” Jack answered weakly. “How is she?”

“I’m Doctor Ramier, the attending physician. Well, Doctor Brandon was right, the glass sliced through the Superior Vena Cava, but I was able to reconnect it. She has lost a lot of blood, but with some rest, she should be fine.”

Jack felt weak in the knees with relief, and sank to the bench next to the building. He had been lucky and he knew it. He vowed that the next time he saw his wife he would smother her with affection so she would know how much he loved her. She would never have to guess how he felt. He loved her so much it hurt, and he would make sure she never questioned that.

“Are you okay, Mr. McConnell?” the all but forgotten doctor asked.

“Yes, yes I’m fine. Can I see her now?

“Of course. We’re moving her into a regular room, and I’ve called for an ophthalmological exam on her left eye, but that will all take time. Go on in and take all the time you need. I will warn you that it’s not pretty in there, and she is sedated and may not respond to you, but let’s go on in.”

Together Jack and the doctor went in to see a haggard looking Nancy. She had tubes and wires stuck everywhere and there was a nurse cleaning the blood off of her face and chest above the gown Nancy now wore. She looked up as they entered, saw the subtle nod from the doctor, and went back to work.

“We’ll take good care of her, Mr. McConnell,” the nurse commented. “She’s one of us. We take care of our own.”

Jack nodded mutely, approaching his beautiful wife of twenty-two years. He still saw her as the sprightly twenty-year-old nursing student that had captured his eye during a football game. Where had all the time gone? Did he tell her how he felt about her nearly enough? What would he ever do without her?

“Hi,” she interrupted his thoughts.

“Oh Nancy, I was so sure I was going to lose you!” He lamely faked a cough to cover the break in his voice.

“Nah, I’m too stubborn to go anywhere.” She too started to cough, sending agonizing spasms through her body. Jack looked nervously at the nurse, who simply shook her head that this was expected and that there was nothing they could do.

“I’ll get the guy that did this to you Nancy,” he promised, anger sweeping through him as he saw her pain.

“No, Jack,” she argued. “Get the man that is terrorizing our friends, trying to kill people, and who knows what else. Get him and put him behind bars.” She paused for a moment, the intensity of her words draining her of what strength she had before continuing. “But don’t go after revenge. You’re too good for that. You are too good a man….” She trailed off, falling back to sleep.

Jack picked up her hand closest to him and kissed it gently, ignoring the tubes running from it. “I will, baby, I will.”

Just then Bill cleared his throat, not wanting to disturb, but needing to make his presence known. Jack turned and looked up at him and nodded. Turning back to his wife he said, “I have to go do something right now, but I’ll be back. I love you Nancy. Oh how I love you!”

He placed her hand gently back on the bed, stood, took one more, long look at her face, and turned to leave. He brushed by Bill without stopping, heading out to the parking lot. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed. All he needed was the last piece of the puzzle, and he knew exactly where to find it.

Drake was steering the Saturn down State Street, headed toward Parkcenter Blvd. when he first noticed the large gray truck behind them. It was several cars back so didn’t think much of it past a fleeting interest in the oddity of the vehicle. It wasn’t until they passed a yellow light and the monstrous SUT pulled into the median and ran the red that he gave it any thought.

His first inclination was to pass the incident off as a careless and inconsiderate driver, but something, perhaps his justifiable paranoia, told him to keep closer tabs on the juggernaut. He watched his rearview mirror closely, noting the progress of the Hummer as it kept pace with them, slowly gaining ground through the crowded street.

Drake looked over at Lissa, smiled reassuringly in the silence, took her hand and squeezed it lovingly. She returned the smile and leaned her head back onto the headrest, reminded momentarily of her dream the previous week of driving with the man she loved. This time, however, she could clearly see his face, and it brought her feelings of warmth and peace. Entirely unlike the nightmare she’d faced that night. She wondered again how she could have gotten lucky enough to have been handed the precious gift of Drake’s love. Her thoughts came to a screeching halt when Drake swerved hard right, turning onto 27
th
Street.

Not certain of the H2 driver’s intentions, Drake decided to force the issue, to see if his paranoia was just that, an irrational fear that someone was chasing him, or if they really were in
harm’s
way. He hated disrupting the serenity on Lissa’s face, but knew he had to do something, if only to know where they stood. He didn’t have long to wonder.

The Hummer pulled onto the road behind them and gunned its powerful engine to quickly close the distance between the two cars, unconcerned with the other cars that had to slam on their brakes and swerve to avoid a collision, horns blaring. The obsessed driver raced forward, ignoring all traffic save the Saturn, throwing all semblance of anonymity to the wind.

Drake gunned his own engine in response to the threat. The smaller motor screamed as he passed Main Street, running the red light, and barely avoided an accident of his own. He glanced into his rearview mirror to find the reaction of his pursuer, only to see him follow right behind him, running a Dodge Colt right off the road in his wake.

Knowing now of their danger, Drake pulled the steering wheel hard left onto Idaho Street, slipping between an old Ford pickup and a large diesel semi hauling a double trailer. He thanked heaven silently that the traffic was heavier here. It would force the Hummer to hold back while he searched for an escape.

He risked a glance at Lissa to ensure she was alright. He disconcertedly noticed her ashen face, as pale as if she had seen a ghost. He almost asked her if she was okay, but held his tongue, chiding himself at the obvious answer. He shook his head imperceptibly, wanting nothing more than to provide this wonderful woman with safety and security, but seemingly unable to create either. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, glanced over his shoulder, and headed lane by lane over to the right, intent on getting off the road, hopefully losing their hunter.

Hitting 13
th
Street he swerved right again, avoiding the downtown area, praying that the H2 didn’t see him turn. Going down one block, he turned immediately left again onto Front Street, just at the bottom of the connector, again slipping between two angry drivers. He hazarded a look into the mirror and discovered to his dismay that the Hummer had seen his maneuvering. Drake gunned the engine again, swerving in and out of traffic, narrowly escaping collision many times, but somehow remaining unscathed.

The Hummer followed doggedly, but without the same luck. It clipped the front bumper of an old Chevy pickup spinning it across traffic. Behind it another car had to swerve hard to avoid broad-siding the pickup, barely getting out of the way in time, ending up off the road but out of danger. Now alerted to the danger, the following cars slowed considerably, thankful they weren’t involved.

Shaking his head angrily, Drake determined that this must end before someone got seriously hurt. But how? He couldn’t just pull over and plead for mercy from the Hummer driver, obviously Marcuse. They were quickly approaching Broadway, and beyond that the traffic was mostly clear. He swerved around a slow moving Lincoln Navigator and rushed for the clear road ahead. He got to Broadway just as the light turned green, and he pulled ahead into the clear, speeding toward the light at the Beacon intersection. He didn’t have to look in his mirror to know that the Hummer was still there and getting closer.

The two vehicles passed the Beacon intersection onto Parkcenter Boulevard within seconds of each other, the bigger engine of the Hummer quickly outpacing the Saturn. Just as Drake was about to pull into the right lane to get off of the road, the Hummer back-ended them, jolting both Drake and Lissa hard. Momentarily losing control, the Saturn pulled sharply left, inertia pulling the driver-side slightly off the ground, before slamming back to earth, bouncing the passengers hard. Luckily both were wearing their seatbelts and were still unhurt but terrified. Drake fought for control of the car and finally got it straight, headed the right direction. He fought for control of himself as well, panic welling up inside of him. He almost had it under control when the Hummer made its next move.

Still racing at break-neck speeds down Parkcenter, the Hummer stayed right beside the Saturn, then pulled hard to the left, swerving into the smaller car’s lane, coming within inches before Drake realized what was happening and swerved himself. The truck righted itself, allowing the car to do the same, before it repeated the action.

Drake glanced over at the hostile vehicle, hoping to put a face to their enemy, yet catching only the briefest of glimpses at the maniacal man. For a moment he thought he recognized him, but didn’t have time to search his memory before the Hummer swerved again, this time turning right in front of the car.

Drake snapped his focus back to the front, instinct pulling the wheel sharply to the left, too late to avoid the accident. The speed was too great to turn that sharply, and the lighter car skidded across the asphalt, careening into the Hummer, crunching the metal, and smashing the window, creating a massive web of cracks through the glass. Both cars slipped to the right with the force of the impact, until they came to a full stop as one.

Seeing a road directly before him, Drake stomped on the accelerator, the side of the car scraping against the Hummer, creating an ear-piercing whine of screeching metal-on-metal. Pulling forward with all the power the damaged car would allow, he traveled down the road, the Hummer right behind him.

He pulled left at the T-junction at the end of the road, the crushed wheel-well barely allowing the maneuver, ripping at the exposed tires. He turned left again at the next corner, this time puncturing the exposed right front tire from the jagged metal torn loose by the impact with the Hummer.

Ignoring the limping tire, Drake pulled into the opening at the right, his jaw dropping as he saw the burned shell of Lissa’s old apartment above them. He had no idea this was where they would end up; he was simply trying to get away from Marcuse. Instead he inadvertently went right where he wanted them.

He slammed the car into park and threw open his door, grabbing Lissa’s hand pulling her out the driver’s door, knowing the passenger door wouldn’t open. They had just started to run past the building before them when they heard the crash behind them. Turning at the sound they saw that the Hummer had rammed right into the Saturn, pushing it into a retaining wall, rendering the car a total wreck. They also noted that the Hummer still functioned perfectly, a tribute to its designers, as Marcuse reversed, then slammed the car a second, then third time, crushing the former car into a destroyed hulk of twisted metal.

Startled from their shock at the destruction by the opening of the driver’s door, the two started to run up the greenbelt laid throughout the complex. They knew Marcuse was right behind them, and pushed their bodies as far as they could, grateful that they were at least somewhat fit, despite having neglected good exercise routines. It was an area in which they quickly found Marcuse was not derelict.

Having no idea where they were going, just trying to escape the more seasoned runner, they ran beyond playground equipment standing vacant in the blistering heat, through well-manicured landscapes, and past several buildings, until they had to stop, their hearts and lungs threatening to burst from the strain. They ran up to a building and crouched down behind the shrubbery, fighting to get control of their aching bodies. They waited as the man following them came around the corner and ran past their hiding place, leaving them in peace. They held still a few seconds longer to make sure he had passed them, and then stood, intent on going the other direction.

“No—you need to go this way.”

They froze, hearts sinking at the sound of the voice. Slowly they turned, searching in vain for a weapon or means of escape. Finally they brought their faces around entirely, and stood mouths agape in bewilderment at who they saw

“Please, hurry!”

Numbly the couple followed Ernest Dall as he turned and slunk off toward the end of the building and disappeared around the corner, amazed at their good fortune, prayers of gratitude sent heavenward. They headed down the side of the building, hugging close to the wall, until they found an old shack hidden in the trees.

Dall called a halt to their movement, indicating that they should get low behind the shrubs again, and he stepped carefully out, watching intently for any sign of people, specifically Marcuse. Seeing no one, he proceeded to the door of the shed and disappeared inside.

Drake and Lissa sat motionless awaiting his return, wondering what he could possibly be doing. They were both drenched in sweat; only partially because of the heat and exercise. Fear still raced through their veins. Every sound and espied movement sent quivers of dread down their spines. The waiting was even more terrifying than the running.

Finally Dall reappeared dragging what appeared to be a small canoe and paddle. Silently he indicated that they should follow him, heading through the trees behind the shack. Ensuring there was no one else around them, Drake pulled Lissa up and ran up to Dall, taking hold of the small boat, easing the burden.

They headed west a ways until they broke through the trees, exiting onto a small footpath—part of the Boise greenbelt that bordered the Boise River. He took them down to the river, placed the boat in the water, holding it in place while the two boarded, then handed Drake the paddle.

“It’s an old boat, one my brothers used to use. Hasn’t been out in years, piled underneath all our old junk, but it should get you down the river. I’ll call Cap’n McConnell and tell him what’s goin’ on when I get back to my place. I’ll tell him I’m sendin’ you down the river, and to wait for you at Ann Morrison Park where the floaters get out.” He paused, looking up and down the river, seeing the hordes of people, and handed them his cell phone. “You may need this too.”

He paused again, as if trying to decide what to do next, then shook his head slightly, as if he were about to do something very necessary, but was extremely difficult. He sighed deeply, took off the jacket that he was never without, and handed it too Lissa. “Here, you may want to use this to stay hidden.”

Tears sprang to her eyes as she gazed at the small thin frame he had always kept covered. He looked so awkward standing there, so vulnerable and weak, yet he was willing to literally give her the coat off his back. She threw her arms around the tiny shoulders and hugged him fiercely, recognizing now the depth of his concern and sacrifice. She realized for the first time how he had always been there watching over her, making sure she was okay. Then when she needed a rescuer, there he was, thinking of her and her needs, taking no notice of his own. Never again would she take him for granted. She would never overlook this small man with such a big heart.

“Thank-you, Ernest,” she said, kissing him on the cheek, “I’ll never forget this. Never.”

He blushed at her comments, hearing her use his real name for the first time, feeling ten feet tall in the caress of her words. He looked around nervously, partly to see if Marcuse were there, partially from embarrassment from her actions. Or more accurately his response to them.

“You better go. Good luck.” He turned and stepped back through the trees, disappearing from view.

“He must be a good man,” Drake commented, sitting down at the rear of the canoe, indicating Lissa sit in front.

“I really never noticed before,” she replied, putting the cell phone into her pant pocket, and sitting where he pointed. “But I think you’re right. Somehow I’ll have to make this all up to him.”

“We’ll have to worry about that later. Now lie down and cover up. I’ll tell you when we’re clear.”

Doing as she was told, Lissa curled up using Drake’s right leg as a pillow, and pulled the coat over her, leaving a crack next to her head to allow for air. The day was sweltering hot and she wondered for a moment if heat stroke might be more of a threat to her than the man chasing them. Drake in turn pushed out into the current using the small fiberglass oar. Soon they were in the center of the water, floating calmly down the river.

The summer had been extremely hot and had driven people en masse to the water to cool off in the chilled liquid. Inner tubes, rubber rafts, canoes, indeed anything that could float was in the water, their owners hanging on to them, or even just sitting back on their life jackets. Amazingly the individual groups worked extremely well together, making it an enjoyable experience for all.