Love Inspired Suspense June 2014 Bundle 1 of 2: Undercover Marriage\Collateral Damage\Forgotten Past (47 page)

She hesitated for a moment then asked the question she'd wanted to ask all day. “What aren't you telling me?”

He didn't answer right away and his reluctance spoke volumes.

“Is it bad?”

“Faith—”

“Please, just tell me. Whatever it is, I want to know.”

“It's not bad,” he said at last. “It's just...confusing. We've gone over your medical records. There's no prescription listed anywhere. Will spoke to the doctor who treated you. He never authorized the Zyban.”

Faith tried to make out his expression in the dark. “I don't understand. Then how...”

JT shrugged. “We don't know.”

She continued to watch him. “There's something else, isn't there?”

He chose his words carefully. “Yes. Will spoke with the detective who's handling your case now. He said you used to work for Carl Jennings. Why didn't you mention that before?”

JT was voicing the same old reservations that the Austin detectives had when she'd first told them about the calls. They didn't matter. He did. She looked away. “Because I don't remember anything about working for Carl. Because I didn't
think
it was important. Because I didn't want you to look at me like you are right now.”

JT pulled the car over on the shoulder of the road and turned to her. “You're wrong, Faith. I'm not doubting you, and I don't think you had anything to do with your friends' deaths. I just don't want there to be any secrets between us. I need to know everything.”

She shook her head. “I remember every single detail of that horrific interview with the detectives. They asked me questions like why did I suppose the killers let me live? Did Carl and I fight over the missing money? They even went as far as to suggest perhaps the reason I couldn't remember anything about that night was because I might have been involved. They said that maybe I only pretended to be the Jennings' friend.” She released a shuddering breath. “JT, I thought they were going to arrest me for the murders.”

Deep in some secret place in her heart, she wondered if they'd been right all along. She didn't think she could live with the guilt if that were true.

JT clasped her hand, compassion shining in his eyes. “That must have been difficult. After everything you'd been through, witnessing the murder of two people you cared about and not being able to remember it or your own attack, to be accused of causing their deaths had to be devastating.”

She was close to tears. “It was horrible. They wouldn't tell me any of the details about my attack. They led me to believe they were trying to build a case against me. I was terrified. I couldn't eat. Couldn't sleep. When I first went to them to report the calls, I thought, surely they'd believe me now, but they didn't.” She shook her head in dismay.

“They pretty much accused me of making the calls up to appear innocent. After he broke into my apartment and left the photo, I told the police I had to leave. I figured if they were going to arrest me, they'd do it then, but nothing happened. A couple of days before I left Austin, someone from Carl's business called to tell me they'd found the missing money. It had all been a mistake. The police never bothered to let me know.”

“So the money was located?” JT was clearly surprised.

“Yes. Not too long after the murders, I believe. I was told it showed up in another bank account. The person who called me said he thinks it was all just a clerical error.”

JT ran a hand through his hair. “There have been so many false leads in this case. Just when we think we're getting somewhere, it blows up in our face.” He watched the rearview mirror as the headlights of traffic continued to pass by them. “Since you stopped taking the Zyban, have you remembered anything new? Even if it seems insignificant, it could mean something.”

She didn't know where to start. With the drugs finally out of her system, her head practically swam with confusing memories. At first, she just assumed her mind was playing tricks on her until the memories became clearer. More detailed. Even as crazy as they appeared, there was no way she could have come up with them on her own.

“Have there been more than just the ones about the roses and the locket?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because they don't make any sense,” she said, frustrated. “Since I stopped taking the Zyban, I'm remembering lots of things, but none of them can be true.”

“What do you mean?” When she didn't answer, he said, “Why don't you tell me what they are? Don't try to analyze them. Maybe we can sort them out together. What have you remembered besides the locket?”

She stared out the windshield as a light rain began to fall. “You remember I told you Carl was a real estate developer at the time of his death, but his family made a fortune in oil before he sold the business after his son was killed in an explosion on one of his rigs?” When JT nodded, she went on. “Well, the part about Carl's son dying that way was never mentioned in the news reports, because I checked right after I started remembering things.”

JT thought about that for a second. “The police might have mentioned it to you or you could have looked up the family's history online.”

“Maybe, but I don't think so. The police weren't very forthcoming about Carl and Rachel. And after what happened, I couldn't even bring myself to read the news reports.”

“Did the cousin mention it?”

She shook her head. “No, I'm sure he didn't. Like I mentioned before, Ben and I talked only a handful of times on the phone. Mostly we'd try to make sense out of what happened, but I don't remember us talking about Carl's past and I haven't spoken to him since I left Austin.”

JT shrugged. “It's something. I'm not sure what, but at least it appears your memory's returning. Perhaps it was something Rachel mentioned. Is there anything else?”

There was. Something far more disturbing. Fear crawled up her spine at the thought of it, and she clasped her hands together in her lap to keep them from shaking. “I think someone was harassing me even before the night of the murders. I don't remember much about it—I'm not even sure if it is real or just a figment of my imagination. Maybe I'm just so desperate for this to end my mind is making up things.” Her voice had grown tight.

A fragmented memory of those terrifying moments after she came home alone and walked into her bedroom...and he was there. She didn't have time to take more than a step away before he grabbed her. She'd tried to scream, but his hand clamped over her mouth. His hot breath fanned against her face. She'd clawed at him. He'd laughed at her attempts to escape. His hand tightened around her throat, squeezing the life from her. She grew faint. She'd been certain he was going to kill her and then he spoke. She remembered what he'd told her. “You belong to me.” He'd played that terrible song over and over again.

“Why do you think someone was harassing you?”

“Because I remember it.” Her heart pounded in her ears, her breathing grew shallow. She struggled to control the panic.

“Okay. Take a deep breath and try to relax.”

She did as he asked. After several cleansing breaths, her heart rate slowed.

“Good, now tell me exactly what you've remembered.”

She thought about it for a second. “I'm almost certain I was at the Jennings' ranch. For some reason I was the only one home.” She glanced over at him. He looked shocked. “I told you it didn't make sense.”

“You're right, it doesn't. Do you remember why you were there? Did you stay there often?”

She shook her head. “I don't know. Maybe it had something to do with the man who threatened me. I just remember I came home from...somewhere. I'm not sure what I'd been doing, but I was exhausted. I just wanted to crawl into bed and sleep forever but he was there waiting for me.”

“What happened next?”

She swallowed hard. “He kept me hostage for hours, ranting that I belonged to him. The song—‘I'll Be Seeing You'—it was his favorite song. He kept playing it over and over. He tried to strangle me, JT. I thought he was going to kill me. Then, as if flipping a switch, he kissed me good-night and left like nothing happened.” She'd waited until she was sure he was gone and then she'd left town and went... She couldn't remember where she'd gone. As hard as she tried, she couldn't remember anything more.

“Did you report the incident to the police?”

She closed her eyes. “I'm almost positive I did.”

“Do you recall anything about him?” JT pressed on. “What did he look like?”

“He wasn't very tall—definitely not as tall as you—and he wasn't muscular or stocky. I'd say he was kind of slim.”

“That fits with the description you gave Will in the beginning. The problem is, it doesn't resemble the man who attacked me.”

She stopped for a second, trying to get a good image of him in her head. “I remember he had blond hair, touching his collar and...” She touched her collar absently. His eyes had been the most disturbing. Filled with rage, they'd revealed the truth. He was mentally unstable.

“What is it?” JT asked.

“He had really dark eyes, almost black.”

“Do you have any idea who this person is?”

She had to know him, she just couldn't remember how. “I'm not sure, but we obviously had some type of relationship. Or at least he believed we did.”

JT took out his phone. “I need to show you something. It's a list of members of the board of trustees handling the Jennings estate. Carl left everything to a group of charities. Will checked the members out and none of them have records. I'm hoping perhaps one of those names might be familiar to you.”

She didn't hesitate. “Okay.”

He handed her the phone. “Take your time.”

She silently read each name on the list and then stopped. Her hand flew over her mouth. Number four. He was the one who had terrorized her.

“Do you recognize one of them?” JT prompted.

“Yes.” She pointed to the fourth name on the list. “Phillip Masters.”

“Is he the one who held you hostage? The one you reported to the police?”

“Yes.” Her voice was little more than a whisper. She remembered how petrified she'd been, certain he would kill her.

JT took the phone from her. “I'm just going to text Will and let him know what you remembered.” Faith watched as he typed a quick message, then set the phone down. He was smiling when he looked at her. “Let's hope we have something useful soon.” JT reached over and stroked her cheek gently. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

“This is almost over, Faith. You're almost free of him.” He leaned his head against hers and she was happy just being close to him. She wished that they could stay like this forever, just the two of them.

It felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She believed him. For the first time since the nightmare began, she could almost see the end in sight.

Letting go of her uncertainties seemed as natural as trusting in JT. For this moment alone, nothing else mattered but being close to him. The troubled world melted away and it was just the two of them. And she was merely one breath away from loving him.

JT pulled back onto the road and headed back toward Mark's house.

She shifted in her seat so she could see his face. “Thank you.”

He tossed her a quizzical look. “For what?”

“For believing me. For not letting me give up. For being so sweet to me.”

He grinned. “You're very welcome. But, for the record, you're the only person to call me
sweet
in quite some time, so thank
you
.”

ELEVEN

“I
have some good news.” Will's excitement was the first thing JT noticed when he answered the call.

He'd been watching the storm updates coming out of Hope Island on the TV. It slammed into the island as a category 2 a little past four in the morning. As expected, the storm took the island's power out right away. Although the reports were sketchy, the damage appeared to be widespread. The upside was the Weather Bureau had since downgraded Tyler to a category 1.

JT glanced at his watch. Just past seven in the morning. He muted the TV.

“I'm with the first responders and we're on the island now. They've opened the causeway to emergency personnel only. The electricity is out and probably will be for a few more days. The power company has crews on the island already.” JT wondered what the good news was.

“Anyway, as we arrived on the island, we drove past the houses on Harbor Road. With the exception of a couple of trees down and some debris scattered around the yard, most of them are intact. When you talk to Liz, let her know her place is still standing.”

JT had completely forgotten about the safety of their homes. “Absolutely. She'll be thrilled to hear she has someplace to go home to.”

Will chuckled. “I'm just happy to be able to report some good news. We're actually just passing along the beach near your place as we speak, and do you want to know the weird part? It's like every couple of houses are gone. Almost as if the hurricane took two houses and skipped one. I'm at your house now. Part of the roof is missing so I'm sure there's some water damage inside, but it appears minimal. God is good.”

JT closed his eyes and said a quick prayer of thanks. “Yes, He is. That's amazing.”

“It is. The last I heard, the storm's weakening, but I think Whaler's Point may still get hit with a glancing blow.”

“I just heard the same thing. We'll be fine, though. This house is a fortress. Hopefully, the same can be said for all the folks in Whaler's Point.” After hearing such good news, JT hated to bring up the case, but he couldn't shake the feeling time was of the essence. “Did you find out anything more on Masters?”

“That's one of the reasons I'm calling.” Will's tone grew flat. “I spoke with Detective Riley. Phillip Masters is sixty-five years old and he doesn't come close to fitting the description Faith gave you.”

JT felt like someone had kicked him hard in the gut. “Are you sure? I don't get it. I was positive he'd be the one.”

“Me, too. There is one curious thing about Masters. Guess what he does for a living?”

“What?” JT wasn't sure what to expect.

“He's a prominent heart surgeon in Austin.”

Masters was a doctor. That couldn't be a fluke. “You're kidding me. I wonder why it wasn't mentioned on the list.”

“Because it wasn't pertinent to what he'd be doing as a trustee, but get this. Dr. Masters was a lifelong friend of Carl Jennings and he has an airtight alibi for the night of the murders. He was performing open-heart surgery.”

“You can't be serious.”

“Sorry, buddy, but I am.”

“Still, it's an awfully big coincidence and I don't believe in coincidences.” It seemed like every time they had an ounce of hope, something came along and snatched it away.

“Yep. I don't think there's any way he's the person who's been stalking Faith, but I asked Detective Riley to talk to the doctor and do some more checking into his relationship with Carl.” Will hesitated. “I have a suggestion to run by you and I need you to hear me out because it might sound a little bit out there, but, frankly, I'm out of ideas.”

JT didn't like the sound of it already. He shook off his disappointment with difficulty. “What do you have in mind?”

“I have a psychiatrist friend who's worked with us on several cases. He specializes in treating victims of violent crimes. Specifically those who suffer from memory loss. I would like to have him speak with Faith and do a consult. I'm hoping he can give us some insight into what we're dealing with regarding her mental state. It won't be easy. She'll have to go back over some difficult details again and in light of what she's remembering now who knows what else it might dredge up.”

JT sighed heavily. “All right. When do you want to try this?”

“The sooner the better. In fact, I spoke to him earlier and he's giving a lecture a couple of hours away from you. I don't think we can afford to wait, JT. I'll get in touch with him again and have him stop by this morning.”

“Okay, but if she doesn't want to talk to him, I won't force her to. She has been through too much as it is. If Faith doesn't agree to it then there's nothing I can do.” JT wondered how he could ask her to go back there after all she'd suffered at this man's hands.

“Understood. Oh, I almost forgot. I mentioned what you told me about the missing money being found. Detective Riley checked on it. He confirmed the money turned up in a different bank account. It appears to have been a clerical error.” He paused. “I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but my friend, the Whaler's Point chief of police, is pulling his officers off the watch this morning. He's worried about high winds and storm surge. He needs all available personnel.”

“Great. This just keeps getting better,” JT muttered.

“I know and I'm sorry. By the way, I'm still waiting to speak to the cousin. He called late last night when we were in the middle of preparing for the storm. We've missed each other since. When I get in touch with him, I'll conference you in.”

* * *

Faith was at the kitchen table drinking her third cup of coffee when JT found her. She'd been watching the ocean grow increasingly turbulent off in the distance. It seemed to reflect the turmoil in her heart.

JT pointed toward the ocean. “The wind's picking up out there. The good news is Tyler has been downgraded to a category 1.”

“It's still coming this way, isn't it?”

“Probably. We'll be safe enough here.”

Their eyes met. So many unspoken emotions passed between them. She stood and went to pour more coffee, but he caught her hand and held it.

“How are you holding up?” The roughness in his voice made her heart beat faster.

“I'm okay.”

He stepped closer. “Faith...”

She closed her eyes against the storm of emotion in his. “It's just hard,” she admitted slowly.

He drew her into his arms and she leaned her head against his shoulder. “I know it is. I hate that you have to go through this, but it won't be long before this is all just a bad memory. And then...”

The unspoken words teased her with possibilities. Just for a moment, she let her imagination take her to a place she'd refused to go in the past. The future. “I can't wait.” She raised her head and looked into his eyes. “JT, I can't wait for this to be over.”

He cupped her face and kissed her gently. “Me, too,” he said, breathing against her lips. “You have no idea how I'm looking forward to you being free to...”

Before he could finish, the doorbell rang, interrupting them, and she wondered what he'd left unsaid.

He didn't move. He just kept watching her. The warmth in his expression as he searched her face made her feel special. Cared for. Needed. All the things she'd missed in her life.

When the doorbell sounded again he let her go. “I need to get that.”

“Why? Who is it?” she asked once she'd got a good look at him.

“A friend of Will's. I wasn't expecting him so soon. He's a doctor. Dr. Everett Blake.”

Her eyes never left JT's. “Why is he here?”

“He's a psychiatrist, Faith. He's worked on several cases in the past with the Hope Island P.D.”

He barely got the words out before she understood what he wanted. “I can't, JT.” She shook her head as she backed away, feeling betrayed.

“I'm sorry. I know this is hard, but he wants to help you. He's had some amazing results working with people who suffer from memory loss due to violent crimes.”

She was literally shaking with fear. Was she truly ready to uncover those memories? What if she learned the Austin police had been right about her involvement in the crime? But if that were true then why was someone stalking her?

“All you have to do is tell the doctor the things you've remembered. Let him help you untangle their meaning.”

“But what if—” She stopped and looked away.

“What are you afraid of?” When she didn't answer he said, “Just tell me. It doesn't matter what it is.”

“How can you say that?”

“Because it's how I feel,” he told her simply. “I care about you. I want you to know everything about your past—the good and the bad—so you can finally begin to heal.”

“And what if I'm to blame somehow?”

“You weren't part of their murders, Faith,” he assured her.

He didn't know that for sure...and if she had been embroiled in the murders, would he still feel the same way about her? “But what if I am? What if you find out I knew the person responsible for Carl and Rachel's deaths. Or worse. What if I'm mixed up somehow?”

His gaze never wavered. “I don't believe you're embroiled in this for one moment. Think about it. Why would someone be trying to silence you after all this time if you were the one responsible for their murders? You weren't involved, Faith. You're a good person.”

It scared her how important those words were to her. She went into his arms and he held her tight. For the longest time it was just the two of them standing alone as the world outside raged.

“Ready?” he asked at last.

No, she wasn't. But Faith knew she had to do this for him, so she nodded her head and whispered, “Yes.”

“I'll be right there with you. If there's anything you don't feel comfortable answering, then don't.” He touched her face gently and smiled.

* * *

Dr. Everett Blake was a diminutive man with thick glasses perched below bushy gray brows. He looked as if he'd just stepped out of a research lab somewhere.

When he walked into the kitchen and spotted Faith, he smiled kindly and extended his hand. Some of Faith's reservations melted away.

“I'm Dr. Blake. It's nice to meet you. Thank you for letting me stop by today. I've had a chance to review your medical records, and I've been briefed on what's been happening in your life since the night of the attack. I want to assure you, Faith, I'm only here to help you.”

She shook his hand. “Thank you.”

JT looked at her. “If you're ready, I think we should begin. The weather's getting worse and I don't want to keep the doctor too long.”

Faith nodded and followed him to the great room. She sat on the sofa and JT took the space next to her.

The doctor pulled up a chair next to Faith. “Try to relax.” Dr. Blake's soothing tone broke the nervous silence. “Don't think about your answers. Tell me exactly what you've remembered so far.”

“It started with the locket,” she said, forcing the words out.

“Tell me about that,” the doctor prompted.

“I remember getting it for my sixteenth birthday. My father gave it to me. It had a picture of my mother inside.” She smiled at the memory. “He was so pleased with himself. It was the best birthday ever.”

“What's your father's name?” The psychiatrist asked curiously.

She started to answer but changed her mind. “I don't remember.”

Dr. Blake didn't press the matter. “Tell me what else you've recalled.”

Faith swallowed back emotions. “I remembered Carl's son was killed on one of his oil rigs before the family left Midland. The news reports never mentioned it and I don't remember the police telling me about it. And I remember someone was stalking me before the murders.”

“I see.” The doctor stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Can you tell us about that?” JT sat quietly beside her while she answered the questions. She reached for his hand, finding courage in that simple touch. “He held me prisoner for hours, but it wasn't at my apartment, it was at the Jennings' ranch, I'm almost positive of that.”

“And have there been any other memories?”

“It's okay,” JT prompted when she hesitated.

She let out a shaky breath. “No, it isn't. When you asked me my father's name just now, I almost said Carl Jennings.”

JT glanced at the psychiatrist who appeared as shocked by this as he was.

“What do you think that means?” she asked when she spotted JT's worried expression.

He did his best to reassure her. “I'm not sure. Just relax for a bit. Everything's going to be fine.” JT untangled his hand from Faith's and got to his feet. “I'm just going to have a quick word alone with the doctor and then I'll be right back.”

* * *

JT waited until he'd closed the study door before seeking an explanation. “What exactly do you think it means, Doctor? Why is she remembering Rachel Jennings's past?”

The doctor stared out the window and took his time answering. “I can't give you a definitive answer, but I can tell you I have never seen a case like this. Without talking in depth with Faith, I can only guess at what might be happening.”

JT tried to keep from voicing his frustration. “Just give me your best guess. In case you haven't noticed, there's a hurricane bearing down on us. We need answers. Now.”

“All right,” the doctor sighed wearily. “I have two theories, neither of which is good. She could be shutting out all memories of her own past because of the brutality she suffered. She and Rachel Jennings were obviously close. She'd know the girl's past quite well. Her subconscious might be adopting Rachel's happier memories as her own, rather than dealing with what's happened to her.”