Running On Fear Read online

  Duncan watched as tears streamed down Melanie’s cheeks.

  “She ran her hand under the coldest water she could find until the bleeding finally tapered off. Mother told her that she’d have a scar. She needed stitches. She refused, wrapped her hand, then looked in the pantry for another jar of barbecue sauce and started the supper.”

  Melanie ran a trace across the mark. “You know she had carpal tunnel in that same hand. You can’t even see that scar.” She placed the hand back under the sheet.

  Mac and Duncan stood waiting for Melanie to say something, but she was quiet for a few moments. Her chest heaved and her breathing grew raspy. She groped for Duncan’s hands then held onto them for dear life. Why were her knees shaking? She hadn’t allowed her gaze to even look at Melanie’s face yet, but as she steered her glance that way, she could almost hear the loud clicking of her knees. Mac had been kind enough to keep her sister’s face covered until she was ready.

  “Melanie?”

  “I’m okay, Duncan. It’s now or never. I’d rather it be now. Mac, I need to see her face.”

  “It’s been cleaned up, Melanie. We did the best we could, but sometimes our best never fixes the problem.” Mac said it almost apologetically, then he eased the cover back off the face and part of the shoulder.

  Melanie had prepared herself for a shock, but nothing like this. The face was distorted, the bruising and coloration beyond words. It was as if someone had taken a cement block and slammed it straight into her sister’s face. Allison’s beautiful face was gone.

  A loud trembling moan escaped her lips. Her hands released Duncan’s and flew to cover her mouth. Her knees weakened, but her feet stomped on the cold cement floor. She could almost feel the cold through her tennis shoes as she pumped her feet up and down. Duncan shared her pain. He drew her into his arms, blanketing himself around her.

  “Hush, honey, it’s all right. I’m here. Mac, cover her face please.” Duncan tried to calm Melanie. He pulled her away from the cold stiff body and tried to comfort her with soothing words, trying to ease her trembling. “I know how you feel, Melanie. I know the pain you’re experiencing.”

  She pulled from him as tears soaked her eyes. “Really, how could you…” But the words failed in her throat. She recalled what Andrea had told her earlier. Yes, he had suffered. He understood the pain. “Duncan.” That one word was full of intense emotion. “Please take me out of here.”

  “Duncan?” Mac stopped him. “The body?”

  “Not now, Mac!”

  “Wait. The body can go to Macon. I will bury her in the cemetery next to Mom and Dad. We will be there Monday morning to drop the children at school. Can you have it there by then?” Melanie asked through the tears.

  “Yes,” Mac answered, handing her some tissues.

  Melanie wiped her face and stood by the door still clinging to Duncan. “I shouldn’t have broken down. I’ve got to face the children. I can’t allow them to see me this way. Give me a moment to compose myself.” Her breathing stopped again. She had to get out of the room. “Take me out to the hallway.”

  Duncan held to her as they exited the room. He continued to massage the length of her back with his hand.

  Tiffany and Matthew noticed how Melanie clung to Duncan down the hall.

  “She’s pretty upset, Matthew. Mother must be in that room. It must have happened like mother explained to us in the note.”

  “We have to tell Aunt Melanie, Tif. We can’t keep that letter from her any longer. If mother did die…”

  “Was killed. She said she feared for her life.”

  “We must tell Uncle Duncan so he can catch the person.” Matthew considered crying.

  Tiffany saw it. “Sorry, Matthew. We have to grow up now. Mother told us she was in trouble. Detective McGregor didn’t tell us why we’re really here. But I know he was sent. It doesn’t just center around drugs. We have to be strong.”

  “We only have him and Aunt Melanie now, Tif. Mother said we’d have to live with Aunt Melanie when she left. Please can we tell her about the letter?”

  “Matthew, no.” This time Tiffany’s words were firmer. “Look how upset she is now. I hate this as much as you do, but we have to stick to our guns until the time is right.”

  “Should … should we sneak in and see if that is mother in that room?”

  “I can’t. I want to remember mother the way she was. It must be awful for Detective McGregor to keep it a secret from us.” She reached for Matthew’s hand. “I’m sure Aunt Melanie is doing everything to spare us. Remember the times she and mother would keep secrets from us?”

  “Well, we have a secret that, as detectives, we should inform him of.”

  “In time, Matthew. Please.”

  Matthew stood silent. “I wish I could cry for days,” he whispered a minute later.

  “I need to myself. But I’m trying to be brave now. There are other things we have to work on first. Then we can shed tears. We have to really work hard to keep anything from happening to Aunt Melanie and Uncle Duncan. I don’t want to go into some foster home.”

  “I’ll run away first,” Matthew stated. “I shouldn’t have scared Aunt Melanie this morning. I won’t do it again. I still wish I could see mother and say goodbye.”

  “No, Matt. I think it would be too hard for us to view the body. Let us remember mother in her beauty while she was still alive.”

  He nodded.

  “Here they come.”

  Melanie ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “Hi, kids. Did Andrea show you around?”

  “Sure did,” Matthew said, forcing a grin. “What’s wrong, Aunt Melanie?”

  “Oh, silly me. I had to go through a maze and would you believe that I ran into the wall a number of times? I got so mad at myself that I broke down and cried like a silly female. Guess I’m not as strong as you, Tiffany or Duncan.”

  “Yes, you are, Aunt Melanie. You just have to get out more. I bet you spend all day in your office,” Matthew said, hugging her. “I’m really sorry about this morning. I think that’s what’s bothering you.”

  “I do spend too much time in that office, don’t I? And about this morning, I suppose that did trigger a motherly nerve in me. I promised your mom…” The tears started to rise but she froze them in time. “Like I have always told your mom, I am responsible when you guys are in my care. Just like you watch out for me, I watch out for you.”

  Duncan was still clutching Melanie’s hand, but he eyed his watch. “I’ve got an idea to make everyone happy. Why don’t we go to Dollywood? By the time we get there, it will be lunchtime. We can eat, then enjoy the rides and some shows before it closes. I think we all need some fun today.”

  Matthew clapped his hands. “Yes. We can go on the Tennessee Tornado. Aunt Melanie has yet to get on it.”

  “And will never get on it.” Melanie forced a smile.

  “We’ll see about that, little lady.” Duncan grinned.

  “If we’re going on that, we’d better eat afterward,” Tiffany voiced. “I don’t want my food to come rising back up.”

  “Then let’s get moving. The park is probably swollen with people now,” Melanie said. “We’re already getting a late start.” She tried to sound happy, but her heart was too broken inside. No doubt she’d need a shrink when all this was over.

  Duncan looked about the room. “Let’s tell Andrea bye first.”

  The kids stepped ahead of them.

  Melanie pulled at Duncan’s sleeve.

  “What’s wrong, hon?”

  “I don’t want to leave the kids alone at school on Monday, but we need to make sure that Allison is buried. Can Andrea…”

  “I’ll clear it with her. She’ll be glad to do it. Give me a minute then we’ll head out.”

  After Duncan made sure the kids were buckled in, he helped Melanie into the car. He brushed a lose strand of hair off her forehead. He would never forget the shakiness she’d experienced when she saw Allison’s face. At least she hadn’t
had to view it when it was mangled and covered in blood.

  “Hope you don’t mind Dollywood?”

  “No. I think we’ll enjoy it. They have great food there.”

  “And the Tennessee Tornado.”

  “Seriously, Duncan, have you ever been on it?”

  “No, but there’s always a first for everything.”

  “Yes, Duncan there is.” Melanie gently patted his hand. “Thanks for clearing it with Andrea. I can’t leave the kids alone,” she whispered.

  He feathered a kiss to her cheek. “We can’t.”

  The man in the other car watched through his binoculars as they drove off.

  “Well now, where are you heading my dear Melanie? Guess I’ll just have to follow and see what you have planned for today. I wonder how you felt when you saw your sister in that condition. I don’t plan to be as malicious with you. First, I have nice little plans for you, and then, if you refuse to listen to me like Allison did, I will have to be a bit more forceful. Of course with you, I’ll make it last a little longer as you lie moaning in agony. No woman ever says such things about me and gets away with it. No woman.”

  Duncan looked at the pager. He pulled over at a gas station. “I need to fill up. It won’t take but a minute. Just give my credit card a swipe. We’re almost there.”

  “The kids and I will make a quick pit stop. Come on, guys,” Melanie said, getting out of the car.

  Duncan waited until they were out of earshot. “Ramon, what’s wrong?”

  “Can’t seem to locate Spencer. We’ve looked everywhere.”

  “I don’t like this. When did you speak to him last?”

  “Right after you left. He saw you driving out.”

  “You sure it was him?” Worry strained Duncan’s voice. He looked to see if Melanie and the children were coming out of the store.

  “It sure sounded like him. We’ll keep looking.”

  “Keep me posted. I’m taking them to Dollywood. Pager and phone are on. Believe me, they need this. If you could have seen her expression … I won’t get into that.”

  “Something told me it would be hard on her. Make sure those kids have a good time. I’ll keep you posted.”

  Duncan slammed the phone into his pocket and raced in to find them. They collided into each other as he opened the door.

  “We’re all done,” Tiffany said. “Ready to go?”

  Melanie exchanged a glance with Duncan. Something was amiss, but what? “Need to go?”

  “I better take my break, too. You guys should get inside the SUV and lock up.”

  Melanie didn’t mistake the direct cool tone. Something wasn’t right. “Guys you heard your dad. Now we’re on a mission. Not only watch your back, keep an eye open on the sides and everywhere. Even under the vehicle before you go to put your legs near that door. Remember?”

  Matthew did a quick head turn. “You got it, Mom.”

  Melanie thought her heart would drop that minute.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 5

  There was a fifteen-minute line wait to ride the Tennessee Tornado. Duncan had made a pit stop and got his family four caps to wear. He tenderly rested Melanie’s on her head, running the ponytail through the opening in the back. Tiffany’s choice was a red cap, Melanie’s blue, and Matthew’s black. The boy insisted that Duncan get one to match and he obliged.

  Tiffany and Matthew were positioned in front of the adults while they waited in line. Duncan moved forward and Melanie felt the touch of his gun. She snuggled in closer to him and pulled his head down toward her ear.

  “Will you lose that when we go on the up-and-turn rides? I mean shouldn’t you put it in your boot or something?”

  “And I thought you were bringing me close to those hot sweet sexy lips of yours,” he complained

  “Duncan, be serious.”

  “Oh I am, darlin’,” he drawled huskily, brushing his lips over hers to taste their sweetness again.

  Oh, his lips did taste wonderfully wicked. Melanie thought of what Andrea had told her about his wife and children, the little girl not even born yet. Why hadn’t she asked if they’d caught the ones who’d taken his family away? She’d have to remember to ask that on Monday when she saw Andrea again.

  “Melanie, is there something wrong?”

  Great, was she that transparent? “No, Duncan. Just thinking.” She remembered the pager going off when he’d stopped for gas. “Was that a bad call you got back at the gas station?”

  “Let’s have fun first. It’s nothing to concern you with now.”

  He was avoiding the issue—It was bad. Melanie could feel it in her bones.

  Duncan sealed his lips to hers again.

  “Okay, Duncan, fun first, but don’t brush me away next time.”

  “I’d never brush you away.”

  “Honeymooners?” A woman behind them asked.

  “Actually, yes. For the, what time, honey?” Duncan asked.

  “I’d have to check with the kids. This time we brought them with us.” Melanie patted Tiffany and Matthew’s backs.

  “Lovely children. The boy looks just like his dad. Of course, the girl does too,” the woman said.

  “Yeah, neither of them got my genes,” Melanie replied. “They both take after their dad.”

  “Perhaps when you and dad have another one,” Tiffany smiled.

  “Yes, honey, when we have another one,” Duncan remarked with a wide smile as he rubbed Melanie’s shoulders.

  “You’re a lucky man to have such a lovely family,” the woman added.

  Melanie linked her gaze with Duncan’s.

  “Yes, I certainly am. But I don’t know how my wife will feel after we get off the twister. She’s never been on it.”

  “But we’re putting her on it today, aren’t we, Dad?” It was Matthew asking.

  “You bet, son. Looks like we’re next. Tiffany and Matthew get in the seat in front of your mom and me. I might have to hold her hand. She might jump.”

  “Ha ha. I’ll be fine.” Melanie rubbed the palm of her hand over her stomach. She wasn’t fine, but it wasn’t because of the twister. She knew Duncan was hiding troubling news. And she still hadn’t put Allison’s picture out of her mind. When and if they stumbled upon Riley Brewton, she was going to show him how that felt. It was him, I know it was him, she thought.

  “Whew, that wasn’t so bad, was it, Melanie?” Duncan inquired as they headed toward another ride.

  “No I suppose not,” she said, relieved it was over.

  “It was cool, wasn’t it, Mom?” Matthew asked, clapping his hands together and jumping about.

  “Yeah, cool.”

  “Well, what’s next? Should we go over to the park where we can put a fire out, or perhaps get watered down. Maybe we should put the fire out, and then see you get wet in that shirt, Melanie.”

  “Duncan, is that all that’s on your mind?”

  “No. Food is. But I think we should go on a couple more rides before we eat. I mean we did eat a huge breakfast this morning. What do you say, Tiffany?”

  “I’m game. Why not Blazing Fury first, and then a wet down?”

  “You and Matthew lead the way.”

  Duncan interlaced his hand with Melanie’s. “You enjoying yourself, dear? Considering what you’ve been through this morning.”

  “I’m as good as I can be right now, Duncan. I want the children to have fun today.”

  “So far I think they are.”

  “Don’t let them out of our sight.”

  “No.”

  The man pulled the cap down over his forehead as he put the dark shaded glasses over his eyes. Why couldn’t they have chosen a place that wasn’t so crowded? There was no way he could make a move on them in this throng of people. For now he would bask in the sun and just view his little guinea pigs. No one had recognized him yet. If he kept his distance they’d never see him. And he was well aware of any agents that McGregor might have with him. This time he had
none.

  “Huh. I thoroughly hate those agents. Think they know so much more than anyone on this planet,” he spoke almost inaudibly, following behind them at a slow pace as if he were part of the crowd and with his own family.

  Duncan insisted after two more rides, they’d settle down to a good-size meal after watching some shows and going on another ride. They found a table at Grannie Ogle’s Ham’n’Beans. Here, they ordered a small bowl of food and drank plenty of water.

  Duncan swung into a chair. “We’re working up quite an appetite aren’t we kids?”

  They nodded.

  “We’re really having fun,” Matthew exclaimed. “Mom brought us here with Aunt…” He stopped himself and glanced around at the other tourists. “We’ve been here before, but Dad, this has been the best. I’ve never had a dad that brought me here before.”

  “Yeah, this has been the absolute best.” Tiffany added her own two cents’ worth.

  “Here you go,” the bubbly waitress said, placing the bowls on the table. “Enjoy. If you need anything, just call for Jo.”

  “Thank you,” Duncan said.

  “Dad, you didn’t answer my question this morning,” Tiffany said as she spooned a bite of the beans and ham into her mouth.

  “And that would be?”

  “About your family.”

  Duncan’s spoon froze in mid-air, stopping before it even touched his mouth. A minute later, he eyed her, obviously uncomfortable. Melanie knew the question had hit his heart. He wouldn’t be running off anywhere, now.

  “Honey, why don’t we just enjoy our meal? Duncan can tell us later about his previous life. We should enjoy what part of the day we have left. We’ll have to return in the morning so you guys can go to school. Don’t worry, Matthew.” Melanie smiled when she caught the look of disappointment on his face. “It’s only a half day and Andrea will be with you at school in the morning.”