The Secret (14 page)

A sheriff’s SUV pulled up next to the deck. Two officers got out and I thought I recognized one of them from my accident a few weeks ago. I touched my head where the bandage had been.

Jake and Reed were shoulder to shoulder at the door as Jake opened it. “Officer Boyle? Can I help you?”

Rob moved to the door, joining Jake and Reed. “Hey.”

Officer Boyle removed his hat. “Hello, kids. It’s sure cold. Can we come in?”

Shrugging, Jake moved back. “Sure.”

The officers came in and Reed motioned for them to sit on the couches. “Take a load off.”

Stewart stepped forward, introducing himself and shaking their hands. “What can we help you with?”

Officer Boyle smiled at me. “How are you feeling, Ms. Hart?”

I smiled, but felt myself getting more and more nervous the longer they didn’t tell us directly what they wanted. “Good, thanks.”

Rob sat across from them. “Is everything okay?”

Officer Boyle ran his hand over his face. “Well, I don’t know if you’ve all been reading the newspaper or watching the news.”

I glanced at Jake and he shook his head.

“It seems about eight days ago there was a stolen car reported from the parking area by the Flatirons, which is crazy because hardly any tourists are up there this time of year—it being so cold.”

My mouth went dry and I tried to not start a fluttering spree with my eyelashes.

Officer Boyle looked at Jake, and then Rob. “The man whose car was stolen said there was a green Jeep and red Mustang in the parking lot when he’d first parked there.” He looked out the window. “Exactly like both of those.”

Stewart frowned. “What are you hinting at now, officer?”

Officer Boyle stood. “Well, a stolen car incident has just been upgraded to a homicide. It seems the car was found on the side of I-70 near Frisco with a dead woman inside of it.”

I moved next to Jake cautiously. I asked, “Who? Who was the woman?”

“Tamara Fuentes. Apparently she was a waitress at a truck stop close to here and was reported missing five days ago.” He looked around the room. “So, I’m asking you all. Why were you up at the Flatirons on March twentieth, and do you know anything about who might have stolen the car?”

“No.” Reed’s voice was hard and came out too fast.

My heart pounded in my chest.

“No—you weren’t there, or no—you don’t know anyone?”

Jake crossed his arms and glanced at Reed. “We were there—we were just messing around in one of the caves up there—having a bonfire, that type of thing. But, officer, we didn’t see anyone steal a car.”

The officer looked around. “Is that true?”

I felt myself nodding.

His cell phone rang and he slowly moved for the door—looking at his phone. “It appears we have to be leaving. But I’ll be back around to take statements of anything you remember from that night. And just remember, it’s a dangerous game to play if you’re hiding something from the law.” Putting his hat on, he tipped his head. “I wouldn’t be leaving town anytime soon.”

Jake closed the door behind them and turned with wary eyes to the rest of us.

Sam started clearing the table, but looked from Jake and then to me. “Yes, it seems the game has just begun.”

Episode 15: Consciousness

I’d never noticed the ceiling before. But now, with the moonlight streaming into my room, I felt the urge to reach up and scrape off the tiny 1970’s popcorn bumps.

It didn’t make sense—at least not that I could understand on a conscious level. I understood why Luth would steal a car—obviously he hadn’t wanted to leave a trail when he thought he would be murdering four people. I got that. But, what didn’t make sense was why he would kill an innocent waitress? 

Turning on my side, I saw the numbers two-thirty shouting at me in neon red. I sighed, knowing I would pay for my lack of sleep tomorrow. I was already feeling a little vulnerable with Stewart leaving, and now the police were watching us? 

As I maneuvered onto my left side, an image of Jake popped into my head. Not the face of today, or tonight at the dinner table when he’d silently asked me the unspoken question—
did
you kiss him? But his face the first day I’d met him, in Mr. Drake’s class. I thought of the way his eyes turned different shades of blue and grey depending on his mood. And the scar under his left eye.

Touching my lips, Sam’s face cut into my pleasant images. His heat. I mentally kicked myself for not realizing he’d been reading me—stealing my thoughts from me. I tried to remind myself that I hadn’t purposely kissed him. But I did feel guilty about the kiss. And, if I was totally honest with myself, I felt some attraction to him. Not that his tormenting personality helped him at all.

A soft rapping sounded at the window.

Grabbing the blankets to me, I leaned back into my pillow.

The rapping came again and I heard, “Lanie.”

I sat up, pulling the sheet in front of me like a shield. Looking around the room, I stopped when I saw a familiar face at the window.

Jake’s stare was intense as I got up from my bed and went over to him.

Pushing open the window, I hunched down to talk to him, feeling a little embarrassed that I was in my pajamas—and excited that he was here. “Hey.”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Yeah—me either. It’s freezing out there, go around to the kitchen door and I’ll let you in.”

Swallowing, he nodded. “I’m sorry it’s so late.”

I smiled even as I hated myself for feeling instant forgiveness. “It’s okay.”

When I opened the kitchen door, he stepped in, and I shut the door quietly behind him again. He was wearing his black leather jacket. He had on a hooded sweatshirt and jeans. His hair was more mussed up than usual, but he looked so good.

I felt that instant attraction between us and stepped back. “I’ll make some herbal tea.”

Jake reached out, his cold fingers touching mine.

I took a deep breath. “Or I’ll stand here.”

He didn’t move, just looked deeper into my eyes. “I used to be able to sense what others were feeling. It was mostly basic emotions—fear, hate, envy, desire.” He squeezed my hand. “Love…”

I didn’t speak.

“And then I used to be able to help that person. You see, everything we give off comes back to us—kind of like the way an antenna reads a frequency. And it really all breaks down to a positive or negative emotion. The negative is usually from a bad feedback loop. Once it’s cleared up, the feelings can be changed. I was able to help people get rid of their negative loop. It wouldn’t take away the bad feelings completely, but it allowed them to be able to think clearer.” He broke off and his face looked pained. “I guess I need someone to do that for me right now—I’m kind of in a bad cycle…and today, well…”

I squeezed his hand and spoke softly. “I’m sorry about today.”

Breaking off our touch, he ran his hand through his hair and turned away from me. “I just can’t quit thinking about you kissing him.”

I started to explain, my voice coming out quickly. “I didn’t kiss him, Jake. I saw your jacket—well, I thought it was your jacket—and I thought that I would make you talk to me, because you’ve been avoiding me, lately. And I put my arms around you—him…but I thought it was you.”

Jake reached out, pulling me to him.

I could smell his rain-like aftershave and feel the force of his emotions pushing down on me. I felt like crying—tears snuck into the corners of my eyes. I hadn’t wanted to hurt him—I couldn’t explain to him how crazy I was feeling at this moment. “I’m sorry, Jake.”

“Lanie...” he whispered. Slowly, he leaned forward, dipping his head to mine. His lips were soft and then grew more purposeful.

My whole body came to life. The very edges of my power awakened at the passion pouring into me. I held on to him, gripping tighter, and hoping that he could feel the passion I was trying to give back to him.

Pushing back and sucking in a breath, the side of his lips turned into a smile. “There.”

Unable to stop myself, I laughed quietly. “What?”

Tucking back an unruly lock of hair behind my ear, he sighed. “All I’ve been able to see today…was him.” He looked into my eyes. “Kissing you.”

I felt myself blush and shook my head. “Jake—it happened so fast—I didn’t want to…”

He touched his finger to my lips. “I know.”

My heart raced, but I didn’t say anything.

Pulling away from me, he reached for the door. “I know I’ve been distant lately, Lanie. I know that. I’m just…I’m just trying to figure some things out.” He turned, his eyes pleading. “Please don’t give up on me.”

The Facility’s parking lot was empty. I turned off the Jeep, thinking of all the people inside who were pretty much left there and forgotten. Frustration rose inside of me and I clenched my fists. “Wake up, Mom!”

Closing my eyes, I took in a breath and tried to clear my mind. Why wouldn’t she just gain consciousness?

Jerking open the Jeep door, I started into the building. Turning down the hallway that led to the more bed-ridden patients, the muted beeps from the monitors put me on edge and I walked faster.

Turning another corner, I saw Stewart’s solution to our security problem: Travis—one of the four security guards he’d hired to keep constant watch over Mom. I’d been reluctant to hire outside people, but I realized, nodding to Travis, that it did make me feel better to have someone there to protect her.

Pushing into my mother’s room, I rushed to her side. Picking up her hand, I leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. Better. I felt calmer when I was with her.

“Lanie.”

I gasped. “Oh—”

Sam’s face was concentrated and purposeful, but he was leaning casually against the window.

“Karen gave assigned shifts, remember?”

I relaxed. That’s right. Karen had set up a chart—making everyone take a shift to be with Mom.

He nodded at me.

With the light streaming in, I wondered how I had ever gotten Jake and him confused for one another. Even though they were about the same height, Sam was a lot lankier than Jake. And his hair fell longer, down into his eyes.

“I don’t have a last period—apparently I have too many electives—so I get out earlier.”

“Thanks.”

His eyes turned to my mom. “How many weeks has it been—exactly—since she last woke up?”

I didn’t know why I felt immediately defensive. “Almost four—but I’m sure she will again. Cameron, the nurse, said they’ve had patients be in comas for a couple of years and wake up, and be able to go home and live normal lives. And she’s always been able to wake up before—” I quit talking, blinking back my tears and looking at my mom’s frail figure lying on the bed.

Sam didn’t move. He didn’t try to calm me, or reassure me that she’d wake up, either.

I sat down in the chair next to the bed. “I’m here—you can go.”

Letting out his breath, Sam pulled away from the window. “Your gratitude wanes so quickly.”

I didn’t look at him. If I’d learned anything last night from dinner, it was that Sam loved getting people worked up.

Stepping next to me, he put his hand on my shoulder. “Lanie—I can help you.”

I held his gaze for a moment and then turned away. “Move your hand, Sam.”

He pulled it back. “I mean it, Lanie.”

I stood, walking to the other side of Mom’s bed. “Oh yeah? What can you help me with, Sam? All I want is for her to wake up.”

Sam put his hand lightly on Mom’s forehead. “I know she can’t wake up—but I can take you in there, Lanie. I can take you into her mind, her thoughts—her consciousness. She doesn’t need to wake up.”

“What?”

“I was mulling it over before you walked in. Sometimes when people are asleep, if I want to, I can see their dreams. I’m betting I can do the same with your mom.”

I tightened my grip on Mom. I doubted him, but I figured why not try? “Okay—let’s do it.”

I noticed the dimple in his cheek deepening. “On one condition.”

Exhaling, I frowned. I knew this had been too easy. “Hmm?”

“Lanie, I want to take you to Prom next Friday.”

My stomach went into knots. “What? Why?”

Walking to the door, Sam turned to face me. “Because I like you.” He pointed at me. “But, if you want me to do it, you can’t tell any of them why you’re going to Prom with me. It stays just between us—and I don’t go in until after you’ve kept your word. Let me know what you decide.”