Page 14

A fter all these years, Katherine hoped her nightmare in Boston could be put to rest. Now Ilene, a former CIA agent, might be able to take away her freedom. At this point, Katherine felt she didn’t have a choice anymore.

“Tyler told me this agoraphobia thing I have is usually brought on by trauma,” Katherine said, her tone serious. “Which I’ve had plenty of throughout my life.” Pausing, she saw she had Ilene, Tyler, and Doc’s full attention. “I’m sure you all saw the destruction, the insanity of that day on the news. I left Boston and never looked back. I believed things would calm down after I left, and wherever I wound up, I would move on with my life.”

“And here we are, still clueless as to why you’re not willing to call the police,” Ilene added.

“I’m sorry—it’s hard to think about what happened. I’ve never spoken about that day to anyone. There was so much devastation . . . people running for their lives . . . I saw a sneaker with a severed foot inside. It was awful.” Katherine shuddered and then took a deep breath before she continued. “Before the bombs, before all the confusion, I was in the crowd waiting for my . . . friend. There were so many people, a lot of pushing and shoving, and I bumped into this guy. Something about him frightened me. It was the way his eyes pierced through to my soul. It sounds crazy, and I know crazy, but this guy seemed evil.” She took another deep breath. “I stared at him briefly, then quickly walked away.”

“Katherine, how does this tie in with your own personal trauma?” Tyler asked her in what she now thought of as his doctor’s voice.

“I saw him. The guy, but I didn’t know who he was then. I was checking my email the day I moved in here, a few days after the bombings. I freaked out seeing his face splashed all over the news.”

She waited for their reaction. She waited for Ilene to cuff her and Tyler to leave in disgust. Doc to order her to find a new veterinarian. They said nothing.

Maybe they didn’t understand what she was referring to. “I saw the brother, the one who lived. He was one of the guys responsible for the bombings.”

Tyler spoke first. “Damn, K, that’s horrible.”

“You never reported this to the authorities?” Ilene asked.

Katherine shook her head. “No.”

The room was silent. All thoughts of the intruder were set aside for the moment.

“Katherine, you did what you did. I’m sure those two were spotted by hundreds of folks that day. You can’t shoulder all the blame. The brothers were on a mission, and no one knew it. You’re not responsible for their actions,” Ilene said, then directed her eyes to Tyler.

“Ilene’s right, Katherine. This tragedy probably caused your anxiety. Don’t blame yourself. There’s no way you could’ve stopped it.”

Finally , Katherine thought—someone who understood why she’d decided to lock herself away where no one would find her.

“I watched the news, saw when he was captured. But the lives they took and ruined . . .” Katherine shook her head. “Maybe had I . . . I don’t know, paid closer attention to the guy, I would’ve noticed the backpack he carried. An eight-year-old child was killed. I have nightmares about it, about what his family went through, and what all the people saw. I was a coward. Still am. I’ve been hiding away all of these years, fearing I . . . I’m not sure, maybe fearing the police would know what I did—rather what I didn’t do—and that they would arrest me.”

Doc spoke up. “This is why you don’t want the police here? Listen up, kiddo. You are not to blame for anything. You’ve lost some of the best years of your life because of their actions. Survivor’s guilt. There is nothing you could’ve done to prevent that tragedy.”

Katherine nodded. “I realized that a long time ago. Being able to control my life as I have keeps me safe. Physically safe. Calling the police scares me. Reminds me of that nightmare.”

“You’re a smart woman, K. Do you believe whoever was in your house tonight has anything to do with those bombings?” Doc stared at her, his blue eyes penetrating like two shards of ice. He was no longer the jovial old guy with a big smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

“No, I don’t,” Katherine finally said.

Picking up where Doc left off, Ilene took charge. “Then you will let us call the police? I know a few folks on the local force. They’re discreet. Just say the word, and I will make the call. I don’t believe your intruders are related to what happened in Boston, either. I still have a few sources in Boston, too. When the time is right, I’ll help you.”

“Go ahead, Ilene—call them. I just don’t want my identity revealed. Is there a way around that?” Katherine pleaded.

“Lie,” Ilene said.

“Everyone knows there’s a ‘crazy lady’ who lives in the house on the mountain. How do we get around that?” Katherine asked.

“How do you know that?” Tyler asked her.

Embarrassed, yet knowing she couldn’t keep it to herself, Katherine spoke the truth. “I read the community events website. They have a chat room.”

“The people who post on that website are folks who thrive on others’ miseries,” Tyler said. “Just gossip for lack of anything better to do.”

Katherine didn’t know if he included her in his assessment of “folks with nothing better to do.”

“I’m not including you in that, Katherine,” Tyler said, as if reading her mind. “I know you have other . . . projects that keep you occupied.”

“I do, and I’m not one of those that spend all their free time looking for gossip about people I don’t even know.” That was a lie. Katherine cyber-stalked the girls on her Friendlink page. She wouldn’t bring the topic up, as she didn’t know if Ilene knew who she really was. Katherine needed to get Doc alone for a minute so she could find out. “Doc, can I speak to you alone?” she asked.

“Sure, kid,” Doc said. “The kitchen?”

“Fine,” Katherine replied. Then to Tyler and Ilene she said, “Excuse us, please, for a minute.”

In the kitchen, Doc leaned against the kitchen island. “What’s so important that we have to be alone?”

“Does Ilene know what I do? The book stuff?”

“No, I gave you my word,” Doc told her.

“Should I tell her? Can she be trusted?” Katherine asked. She didn’t know Ilene. She only had Doc’s word where the former CIA agent was concerned.

“With your life, K. She’ll have your back. Trust me on this. She’s everything she appears to be and more. A little rough at times, but she was good at what she did.”

“All right, then I want her to know.”

Returning to the dining room, they found Tyler and Ilene speaking in low tones. Was there something either of them didn’t want her to hear? Katherine wondered.

“Ilene, I have to tell you something about myself that I think you should know,” Katherine began.

Ilene nodded, her sharp-angled hair swinging from side to side. “Okay, spill the beans. I’m all ears.”

“Do you know the author K.C. Winston?” Katherine swallowed, despising herself for making this sound as though she were someone special, worthy of all their promises.

“I’m not much of a reader. Who is that?” Ilene asked.

“Me. Katherine Celeste Winston.”

Ilene’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, I do know who you are! The kids with magic power books, yes?”

Katherine smiled. “Yes.”

“The Blowing Rock library has a book club for kids. I was there dropping off a friend of mine, the head librarian, Sarah Waterman. We’d had a night out and drank too much. She left her car at Peckers. Not that it’s anyone’s business.” She looked at Doc, who had a wry smile on his face. “The library has posters of all your books in their book club room.”

“You two old gals need to stay away from that watering hole,” Doc piped in. “I’d hate to see you or Sarah get pulled over and charged with a DUI.”

Unsure of anything at the moment, Katherine smiled. “Sounds fun, Doc. You never told me about Blowing Rock’s watering hole.” Not that she had any intention of going there for any reason. She glanced at Tyler, and he winked at her.

“You’ve always had a way about you, Franklin. Sticking your nose in places where it doesn’t belong,” Ilene chided. “Now, Katherine, tell me about this break-in. And I’d like the truth this time around.”

Katherine told her the evening’s sequence of events. Her earlier actions that day had no bearing on that night’s break-in, so she kept the GWUP group and their conversations to herself.

“What about that girl from your Friendlink page?” Tyler interrupted. “Earlier, before the break-in, you were concerned about her. I think Ilene could help you with that, too. Find out if she’s really in some kind of danger.”

Darn! She should’ve asked Tyler to keep her concern for Karrie private. For all she knew, Karrie could be anyone from anywhere. Gathering herself, Katherine spoke. “I don’t see how it could be connected, Tyler. The girl I was telling you about lives in Texas. I doubt she had time for all this; and, she’s only sixteen, maybe younger. From what she said, she doesn’t have a very good home life.”

“Okay, hold up, Katherine. Fill me in. If you want my help, you need to be as honest as possible. When you finish, I’ll call the police,” Ilene stated.

Resigned, Katherine explained the whole Friendlink page for her readers. She told Ilene about Karrie’s emails and the phone call. Most importantly, she explained to Ilene all about the notebook with her book outline and notes and the plush animal, Duckie, and how the dogs had recently brought it inside.

“Did you piss anyone off? Maybe someone you’re not even aware of?” Ilene asked.

Katherine took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I don’t know. Doc, Tyler, and his friend Carson are the only people I’ve allowed inside. And now you.”

“What about the delivery people? No way you can live as you do without help. Groceries? Post office, FedEx? Are you friendly with them? Do you allow them inside?” The questions flew from Ilene’s mouth as she drilled Katherine. “Has anyone tried to force themselves inside? Force themselves on you?”

“No, nothing like that. They’ve never been inside. They leave my groceries and mail on the deck by the French doors.”

“It’s time to call the police. Get the place checked for prints, fibers, or anything out of place. We don’t want the locals to take your computer yet. I’ll want to go through it first,” said Ilene. She removed a cell phone from a pocket in her skin-hugging dress. How she’d managed to keep it hidden until now was a mystery. “I’ll use that room off the kitchen.”

Katherine knew she wasn’t asking her permission. Ilene was sharp. She crossed her T s and dotted her I s.

Katherine stayed in the dining room, giving Ilene some privacy. Suddenly, it struck her like a lightning bolt—she hadn’t felt the slightest inkling of panic since dinner, other than her heart rate was up a bit. Unwilling to overthink why this was the case, she sat silently with Doc and Tyler at the table.

“Are you okay?” Tyler asked.

She nodded. “I am. Which is unusual, I’ll give you that. I’ve been alone for such a long time. Having people around seems to have a calming effect on me.” Had she wasted some of the best years of her life hiding for nothing?

“I guess I wasn’t enough,” Doc interjected, a grin on his face.

“Your mind isn’t focusing on your fear right now,” Tyler said. “It’s common enough. Your next challenge might be more difficult. Leaving your house.”

Katherine waited for the familiar body sensations of a panic attack but only felt her heartbeat increase a little more. The dry mouth, clammy hands, and dizziness stayed at bay. She wasn’t going to test herself anymore tonight. The person who’d walked right into her house could still be hiding outside. There were dozens of acres that she’d never explored; she’d be a sitting duck if her intruder was still out there.

Ilene returned to the dining room. “I spoke with Detective Davidson. I gave him the basic details. Ray said he’d be here in twenty minutes with a deputy from forensics. No sirens and no marked cars. He promised he’d be discreet,” Ilene said, her words succinct.

“Who’s the deputy?” Doc asked.

“It’s not who you’re thinking,” Ilene confirmed. “George Gonzalez, though I don’t know him.”

Katherine interrupted them. “Is there a problem with one deputy over another? If there is, call now and stop this investigation if you don’t trust him.”

“Tell her,” Ilene said to Doc.

“My ex-wife’s new husband works for the police department. He’s one of the state forensics guys. Comes from Asheville.”

Katherine realized she knew absolutely nothing about the personal lives of these three people. They were here to help her. That’s all she needed to know right now. “Should I hide my computer?” she asked Ilene.

“Good thinking. I want to look at it first. Franklin, would you take the laptop and put it in that rattletrap of a truck you drive? Under the seat. No one in their right mind would look for evidence in that old heap.”

Doc nodded, then stood up. “K, you mind giving me your computer? I’ll treat it as gently as I treat my patients.”

Tyler stood, as well. “Katherine, use this.” He handed her a handkerchief he’d removed from his pocket. “So that you don’t smudge the prints.”

Katherine hadn’t thought of that, but it made sense. Men still carried handkerchiefs? Who knew what else she’d missed during all of these years of self-imposed prison?

She carefully closed out the Friendlink page, then deleted the history. This was her personal property. Ilene didn’t need to see her searches. If she tried to find them, there’d be no surprises, but Katherine’s private life, which she’d worked so hard to keep that way, could fall apart again if someone was out to get her. The who and why were the big mystery. This had nothing to do with Boston. She felt that in her gut, which she always listened to.

Katherine removed a new flash drive from her desk drawer, saving as much as she could from the hard drive and cramming it in her pocket. She took the charging cord and the electronic mouse she used, located her computer bag in the drawer, and stuffed the slim device inside. “This is my life’s work, Doc, Ilene,” she said to them. “I want it back ASAP.” Katherine decided she could ask for something in return. “With nothing deleted— nothing. ” Despite her mental issues, she hoped Ilene understood that she meant what she said.

“Of course. I’ll take it to my house,” Ilene said. “I don’t have cat hairs flying all over the place.”

“Ilene, I’ve spent most of my life caring for animals, and I’m doing my best to take care of their needs. I’d bet my last nickel if my cats ever laid eyes on you, they’d cross that rainbow bridge so fast they’d leave a contrail,” said Doc.

“Now isn’t the time, Franklin. I’ve told you about my distaste for cats. For all animals with fur. I sneeze, my eyes turn red, and I can’t breathe. I do not like you enough to endure that. That’s why I won’t stay—” Ilene stopped, catching herself before she revealed the obvious.

“Stay where?” Tyler asked.

“Shut up, Tyler,” Ilene said, grinning.

Sophie and Sam were growling from their perch at the top of the landing. They came running downstairs to the French doors. “Hey, you two, calm down.” Katherine couldn’t help looking at Ilene. She knew dog hairs were all over her place, because she hadn’t vacuumed in days. But Ilene hadn’t sneezed once, and her eyes were perfectly clear. She had Doc wrapped around her little finger. Tightly.

Katherine heard footsteps, then a loud knock at the French doors, even though they were still open. She assumed Ilene had told the cops what door to use, since her house had several other entrances. How did Ilene know that? Probably because she’d come inside the same way. Katherine was getting more paranoid by the minute. Her heart rate began its staccato dance when Ilene let the two officers inside. One carried a large black container that reminded Katherine of a giant bait box.

“Detective Davidson, Deputy Gonzalez, thanks for coming on such short notice,” Ilene said. “Ms. Winnie”—she directed her gaze to Katherine—“and Dr. Newlon saw an intruder earlier. They have surveillance videos you might want to view at some point.”

Ms. Winnie. Ilene had kept her word. Doc trusted her, so Katherine would do her best to follow suit.

After quick introductions, Deputy Gonzalez took charge. “I’m going to clear the glass first. Don’t want anyone getting hurt. I’ll check for prints and fibers on the door and the desk. I’ll look for tire patterns and footprints or anything suspicious outside. Is there outdoor lighting?” he asked, his attention on Katherine. She eyed his black uniform, the vest he wore with all sorts of gadgets attached in easy-to-reach places. He epitomized law enforcement with his military haircut and muscular build.

Ilene spoke before Katherine could, her intense gaze fixated on the deputy. “Are you sure that’s a good idea, George? We don’t know if they’re out there. Hiding, waiting to do . . .” She lowered her tone. “Whatever the hell they came here to do.”

“All the better,” Detective Davidson interjected. “He’s my best forensics guy. Also keeps his mouth shut.”

Katherine watched them haggle. She wasn’t so sure of this but kept her thoughts to herself.

Deputy Gonzalez opened his large case and removed several bags, a vacuum, and a camera. “If I find suspicious tracks or footprints, I’ll need to make a cast of the prints. When I’m ready, I’ll have you step outside with me, and you can let me know if you see anything unusual or out of place.”

What? Surely he knew about my . . . problem , Katherine thought.

Her hands began to tremble, and her heart felt like it was about to explode. This is a mistake , she thought, as panic began its familiar attack, faster than she’d experienced in a very long time. Inhaling, she tried to calm herself with her breathing. She felt the usual clamminess in her armpits and the back of her neck. Her breathing became erratic very quickly. She was hyperventilating, and her vision started to blur. The deputy’s mouth was opening and closing, but she couldn’t understand him. The floor was about to smack her in the face when someone wrapped an arm around her, placing a paper bag over her mouth. Gasping for breath, she struggled to escape the hand holding the bag over her mouth.

* * *

“Frank, my car. Get my bag!” Tyler’s voice was loud and demanding. Doc tossed the laptop on the sofa.

Breathe. Breathe. Just. Breathe. The edges of the bag were wet with saliva, but Katherine knew what it was for.

“Come on, girl,” Ilene said, helping Tyler try to calm her down, holding her before she hit the floor. “I didn’t come over here to see you collapse in a heap. Focus your breathing,” she ordered.

Sam and Sophie ran in circles, both dogs whimpering.

Doc bolted back through the French doors, returning with a leather satchel in his hand. He held it against his chest as he opened it. “What am I looking for?”

“Ativan,” Tyler said. “Preloaded syringe in the blue plastic case.”

“Got it,” Doc said, producing the syringe.

“Upper arm, Frank. Quick,” Tyler ordered, as he continued to hold Katherine upright.

Katherine felt a slight pinch on the back of her arm and then, in an instant, a softness permeated through her entire body. She felt light and airy, as though she were floating on a cloud in a dreamlike state. The paper bag fell to the floor, but she didn’t care. Everyone was staring at her.

“Dogs,” she said, before collapsing into the chair the detective slid across the wood floor.

“K, your dogs are fine,” Doc said. “Can you hear me?”

She nodded. Her head felt light as a balloon yet springy like a bobblehead.

“Katherine, it’s Tyler. Doc and I are going to help you to your bedroom. You okay with that?” Tyler asked, even though he could see she was starting to feel the drug’s full effect.

“Hmmm,” she said, her eyes closed, a slight smile on her lips. “Stay.”

“Holy crap, Tyler, what did you give the girl?” Ilene asked. “Sodium pentothal? A roofie?”

“Not hardly,” Tyler told Ilene. “If you could take over here for a few minutes while we get her upstairs, we can talk after.”

“Yes, let’s do that,” Ilene said in her commandeering way. “Take those dogs with you,” she added.

Together, Tyler and Doc managed to get Katherine settled in her bed. Sam and Sophie followed and jumped on the bed, lying on either side of her, protecting Katherine.

As soon as they returned downstairs, Tyler said to Doc, “I’m not going to leave her here alone tonight. I’ll sleep on the sofa as soon as the officers finish up. I hope to high hell they’re able to figure out what’s going on. I hardly know the woman, but I do know there’s more to this story. As soon as we find out, I’ll do whatever it takes to help her.” Tyler stopped and placed a hand on the old man’s shoulder. “Were you able to hide her laptop?” he asked quietly. They stood together at the bottom of the staircase.

Doc shook his head. “No, I tossed it in the living room.”

Tyler didn’t reply.

“You’re good for her,” Doc said. “In a friendly way, right?”

“Maybe as a doctor. If you’re asking me if I want a relationship with her, I can’t give you an answer now. I just met her,” Tyler said. “Now let’s see if we can help those two officers before Ilene chases them away.”