On Ice (24 page)

“
No!..Yes. In some ways.” She felt a strange rush of pleasure at the mere mention of Brett’s name. “But--but, that’s as far as it goes. He’s my employer and we’re friends.”

“
It’s all right for men and women to be friends, Rene. You’re both single and free to form a relationship.”

Her lower lip trembled and to her great discomfort, she burst into tears.

He raised his eyebrows and nodded. “Oh, I see,” he said slowly. He reached out to pat her shoulder. “Does he know?” This elicited a fresh spate of tears.

“
Oh, Father Paul, I’m so miserable!” She found herself being comforted by the young priest who smelled of bourbon. As he patted her back, she poured out the whole story, sniffling onto his shoulder. “We’ve been so happy here, but Mark could find us at any time. We’re in great danger.”

“
Remember that he’s just a man. He must have a good side or you wouldn’t have married him in the first place.”

“
After my mother died I was lonely. He was attentive. I felt safe with him.” A mirthless laugh escaped her lips. “Isn’t that funny? He’s hurt me emotionally and physically, but he got close to me by making me feel safe.”

“
I pray you’ll remain safe with us. We need you here and you need us as well.”

“
Thank you, Father,” Rene said. “I’ve been happier here in Sad Horse than I can remember.”

“
There’s no hope for reconciliation with your husband?”

“
If he finds me, he’ll try to kill me.” She smiled again. “That’s the first time I’ve said try.”

“
Try?” Father Paul asked.

“
All along I’ve thought, when he finds me he’ll kill me. This is the first time I’ve even entertained the possibility that he won’t succeed.”

“
You must let the sheriff know about your husband. He needs to be on the alert for this man.”

“
I can’t, Father,” she said. “I’m here under false pretenses.”

“
You’re not a teacher?” He paused, the cup halfway to his lips.

“
Yes, I am but I’m using an assumed name. I can’t bear too much scrutiny.”

“
You and the children must remain safe. Brett doesn’t know?”

“
No and I can’t tell him.” Rene gripped the arms of the chair. “I don’t want to bring him into the mess I’ve made of my life.”

“
You have to tell him eventually. The man has strong feelings for you.” Father Paul’s blue eyes searched hers.

“
I know.” She almost whispered the words.

“
How do you feel about him?”

“
It doesn’t matter, Father. I’m married. It’s not fair to lead him on when I’m not free. You’ve helped me to see that.” She pushed herself to her feet. “I’ll go now.”

“
Remember, every problem has a solution. God may not have revealed the solution yet, but there is a solution.”

Rene drew a deep breath and let it out. “I just hope there’s a happy ending, Father.”

Father Paul walked her to the truck and patted the hood as she backed out of his driveway. The gesture strangely comforted her. The skies had been dark and drizzly all day. Now the rain had gone and Rene rolled down the window to better appreciate the damp earthy aroma of the woods around her.

She was not the only one to find a haven in Sad Horse. Father Paul spoke openly about his alcohol problem. He urged her again to confide in the sheriff, assuring her of his trustworthiness. The truck bounced along in the deep ruts left by earlier vehicles. Drops of water spattered against her from the open window. She cranked it up as she replayed her encounter with the unworldly priest.

She doubted that Father Paul had come up against anyone like Mark. The simple straightforward cleric would believe Mark. People always believed Mark. If he told people he sought his mentally ill wife who kidnapped his children, everyone would believe him. If he said she was a junkie posing a danger to the kids, they’d give her up. Mark always won his battles.

Rene was jolted out of her thoughts when the truck began to slide to the left, lurching dangerously close to the ditch. Turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction, she overcompensated, causing it to veer to the right. Now, in a sickening slow-motion nightmare the truck skated on the muddy shoulder, then rolled over. Rene was suspended by the lapbelt momentarily before the truck righted itself and began a free-fall descent down the steep incline. Pine branches slapped the windshield as the truck gathered momentum. Rene stomped both feet on the brake without noticeably slowing the vehicle. She tried to steer, but the truck chose its own path, wrenching the steering wheel free from her grasp. Small saplings were mowed down as it cut a crazy path and came to rest against a large fir. The impact lifted Rene from the seat, but the lapbelt kept her from hitting the windshield. The steering wheel was another matter. Her forearms hit first, then one cheekbone and her ribs. The air was crushed from her as she hit the old-fashioned metal horn. Gasping in pain, she tried to fill her lungs. The horn continued to blare, seeming to get louder. Sinking back against the seat, she gently touched her cheek. It was tender, but not bleeding. If only she could catch her breath. Letting herself slide into a sort of half-sleep, Rene didn’t hear Father Paul’s approach until he knocked on the window shouting her name.

“
Rene! Rene!” He tried the door but it wouldn’t open. “Rene, are you all right? Wait here. I’ll get help.”

She slumped down on the seat as Father Paul climbed back up the embankment, leaving her alone in the gathering darkness.

~*~

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“
Hey babe, I brought you a mocha latte.” Tommy was breathing heavily from his sprint up three flights. “Are you getting settled in okay?”

“
I don’t have much in the way of worldly possessions.” Mark accepted the drink, much sweeter than he would have preferred. He sipped it gingerly. “Hot! You must have run up the stairs. Sit down, Tommy.”

Tommy plopped down on the bed. “What have you been doing up here? The place smells marvelous.”

“
Just a little cleaning.”

“
You need some objet de arte to warm the place up a bit.” Tommy patted a space beside him. “I’ll have to take you shopping. Come and sit down. Relax for a moment.”

“
I want to freshen up the place.” Mark held a can of sanitizing spray and a sponge.

“
We have a lady who cleans up after move outs.” Tommy’s voice held a petulant quality.

“
I’m kind of a clean freak. I used to have a woman who cleaned for me
...
but she left.”

“
Aren’t you the domestic one?” Tommy sipped his latte. “I find that a very attractive quality.”

Mark set the cleaning supplies on the small countertop and took the latte to the tiny laminated table. He pulled out a chair and sat facing Tommy. “About the expedited phone service. How does that work?”

“
All you have to do is let me know when you want it installed and I’ll tell my big brother, Wayne. He can hook you up off the books, so to speak. You need to give Wayne a little cash and you’re all set. Of course you can’t make any long distance calls, but it beats the pay phone.”

“
Sweet deal,” Mark said. “I’d like to meet your big brother.”

“
I warn you, he’s straight.” Tommy covered his mouth as he giggled. “But he’ll get
you hooked up for a price.”

“
Let him know I’d like to discuss his services.” Mark stood up. “I’ve got to go soon. There’s someone I have to catch up with.”

“
Don’t let me keep you. I’ll tell Wayne you need his special delivery.”

~*~

“
Terrence, it’s good to see you up and about.” Ted put his newspaper aside. “How are you feeling?”

“
Much better, sir.” Terrence lifted his meaty hand to the bandage stuck on the crown of his head, touching it gingerly. “Still a mite tender, though.”

“
Having headaches and dizziness, I hear?” Ted felt a twinge of guilt for his previous lack of generosity.

“
A bit, sir,” Terrence said. “But, I’ll be up to snuff in no time. Don’t you worry, Dr. Sanders.”

“
I’m glad you’re bouncing back, Terrence.” Ted reached, once more, for his newspaper.

“
I don’t know about bouncing, sir but I’m back.” Terrence started to turn away but instead said, “By the way, sir, where is Mrs. Sanders?”

“
I thought she was with you. The car isn’t in the garage?” Ted’s face registered concern. “If you’re here, where is my wife?”

“
I dunna know, Dr. Sanders. I had a bit of a headache. She gave me some tablets. I must have fallen asleep. Is she not in the house, then?”

“
No! She’s not in the house, you imbecile!” Ted leaped up from his recliner casting the newspaper aside. “She’s out there somewhere with a dangerous psychopath stalking her.” Ted grabbed the telephone, punching in the number for Maddy’s cell phone. It rang once, twice, and she answered it on the third ring. “Maddy, what are you doing?”

“
And, hello to you, my darling,” she said. “Since you asked, I’m driving on the Southwest Freeway.”

“
Why are you driving? Why isn’t Terrence with you?”

“
The poor dear had a headache. I gave him some of those pain pills that make you sleepy. There was no point in disturbing him. Besides, I haven’t been able to drive myself anywhere in months. It’s a joyous experience when you’ve been deprived.”

“
But, why are you driving around when Mark could be right behind you?” Ted’s face turned a rosy shade and the timbre of his voice heightened.

“
Dental appointment, dear. You know, have them cleaned twice a year and they’ll last a lifetime.”

“
I congratulate you on your excellent dental hygiene,” Ted bellowed, “however I question your mental clarity. I demand that you turn the car around and return to the safety of this house immediately!”

“
Darling, you sound just like my daddy when you brought me home late from a date.”

The sound of her laughter, which Ted usually found pleasing, irritated him beyond belief. He spoke, as though to one of limited intelligence. “Maddy, dear Maddy. Please listen to me. You must get off the freeway and return home. Or better yet, where are you? You can turn in at some busy place and I’ll come get you.”

“
You’ll do no such thing! I’m capable of driving myself home. I’m coming up on the Beltway. I’ll be home soon. Oh, no!” Her voice changed abruptly. Ted heard the sound of metal impacting metal as Maddy’s phone went dead.

~*~

“
Rene! Rene!”

Who is it? It’s Maddy. No.
She had been dreaming about Maddy. Maddy was hurt. Who called her name? She saw a bright light.

“
Rene! Can you hear me? It’s Lorelei. Wake up!” Dr. Lorelei King held her eyelid open, flashing a tiny penlight to check her pupil’s reaction.

Struggling to break through some kind of barrier, Rene heard the voice calling to her. With great effort she opened both eyes, emerging into a world of pain. Her head throbbed and her ribs ached with every shallow breath she took.

“
Rene, what happened?”

Another voice. She turned her head slightly. Brett hovered over her.

“
I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“
Sorry!” he exploded. “What do you have to be sorry for?”

“
The truck,” she wheezed, trying not to fill her lungs.

“
The truck! Do you honestly think I’m concerned about the truck? You could have been killed.”

“
Excuse me,” Dr. Lorelei interrupted. “I’m trying to examine Rene. If you’ll just step into the other room I’ll let you know when you can bully the patient. Out!”

Grumbling, Brett let Father Paul lead him from the room.

“
Where am I?” Rene gasped.

“
The rectory. Father Paul called and I hurried over. He called Brett. He pulled up the same time I did. Does this hurt?” Gently, she probed the tender rib area.

“
Yes. It hurts when I breathe.”

“
You’ve probably fractured some ribs. I sent for an ambulance to transfer you to the hospital. Unfortunately it’s in Barlow Gap about thirty miles away.”

“
Oh, no,” Rene gasped. “I can’t. My children.”

“
They’re at your cabin with Ben. We already checked.” Lorelei pumped up the blood pressure cuff signaling Rene to silence while she listened through the stethoscope.

“
It hurts here.” Rene pressed her fingers to her breastbone, touching the bear fetish.

“
Your sternum?” Lorelei examined the area under the pendant. “It’s bruised. I’ll have to wait for the x-ray results to tell you more.” She lifted her head as the sound of a siren split into the quiet. “That would be your ride.”

~*~

“
I think I’m getting special treatment.” Maddy adjusted the electric hospital bed so she could get a better view of her solemn family and bodyguard.