Crime & Passion (41 page)

“Sure, baby, no problem. It’s
707-555-4578.”

“Fine. Get in your car and start driving up
the highway for Eureka. I’ll call you in ten minutes and give you
further instructions. If anyone follows you, I’m not going to be
happy.”

Donovan sucked in a deep breath. It wasn’t
good to let her get agitated. “Brice said you have a hostage, is
that true?”

“Just get here, Donnie. You need to leave
now. Tell them to stay away from you. If you aren’t here in thirty
minutes, things will get ugly. It's a twenty-five minute drive, so
you’d better talk fast and get on the road.”

“Do you have Madeline?” He couldn’t stop
himself from asking.

“God! Why does everything between us have to
involve that bitch?” She screamed, blasting Donovan’s eardrum.
“Maybe as a sign of your love to me, you should do the honors and
kill her.”

“She’s not important and she's not coming
between us, but that’s a good plan. Wait for me, baby, and we can
kill her together.” He could barely force the words past the tight
knot of fear blocking his throat. “It can unify our love, but if
you kill her first, it will ruin things for us.”

“You think I’m stupid, don’t you?”

I sure hope so.
“Of course not. I
thought it was a good idea. And once we get rid of her, we can do
like you said before and take care of all the wife beaters.”

She giggled once more, apparently placated.
“That was a good idea, wasn’t it?”

“Sure was. Look, I’m going to get in the car
right now and head your way. Call me soon and we can talk while I
drive. I can’t wait to see you again.”

“Just don’t forget to come alone. If anyone
follows you, I’ll put my original plan into action.” Her voice had
a hard edge to it. “I’ll kill her myself.”

“You can’t come with me,” Donovan said,
practically begging Brice to listen. “She said she’d kill Maddie
before I got to them if you do.”

“I’ll drive my car and come behind you, but
you can’t go into this totally alone. You need back up.” Brice’s
voice was maddeningly reasonable.

Donovan paced the small confines of the
office, trying to come up with a plan. “If I keep her on the phone
the entire time, she won’t be tempted to do anything to Maddie.
I’ll get her to tell me when I’m close and tap my breaks a bunch of
times so you know to back off.”

“Okay, I’ll go for that.” Brice stood and
grabbed his suit jacket off the back of the chair, slinging it on
and covering the gun at his hip. “After I figure you’ve had time to
distract her, I’ll come up behind you and be ready to assist.”

“Fine.” Donovan nodded. “Give me a little bit
of time alone with her. I’m not sure Maddie’s with her or if she’s
hidden her somewhere else. We can’t take any chances until Maddie’s
safe.”

It was a flimsy plan, and Donovan’s whole
world rested on it working. His guts twisted with fear, but now
wasn’t the time to let his emotions take over. This was his job,
what he’d done for the past twenty-one years. He caught the bad
guys and protected the innocent.

He motioned to the doorway. “Let’s go. Suzie
said it would take twenty-five minutes to reach her and only gave
me thirty to get there.”

As they exited the office, Eric stood from
his desk. “I can’t get a hold of anyone at Woofy Cuts,” he
said.

“We think she already has Madeline,” Brice
replied. “Go to Woofy Cuts and check things out. Make sure Lindsey
Butters is okay.”

“I’m on it, Chief,” Eric said.

Walking outside with the other men close
behind, Donovan jumped into his police cruiser and flipped on the
emergency lights. He pulled out of his spot and made his way to
Main Street, Brice right on his tail and Eric’s car behind his.

Panic arrested his heartbeat momentarily when
they passed Woofy Cuts. Madeline’s car was still in the parking
lot, right next to Lindsey’s. It would be one thing if Madeline
just hadn’t answered her cell phone. She might be washing a dog or
something. But there was no way someone wouldn’t answer the store
phone when Eric called.

His cell rang and Donovan pressed the button
on his Bluetooth device, glancing in his rearview mirror to see
Eric’s car turn off at the dog shop. All he could do was pray
Lindsey was knocked out or something, not dead.

“Hello?”

“It’s me!” She sounded too happy for a woman
with murderous intent.

“I just got on the road, Suzie.” He forced
his voice a bit higher than normal, hoping to sound excited instead
of scared though dread cramped his stomach. “I had trouble getting
rid of Chief Carter.”

“Don’t call him that. Daddy’s the chief.”

“Of course he is, baby. I didn’t mean
anything by that.” The slow-moving car in front of him finally
noticed his emergency lights and pulled to the side of the road.
Donovan sped around it. “Why don’t we talk about us? I’m excited to
get to you. What’s the plan when we get out of this hell hole?”

She giggled. “Well, I’ve been thinking about
that. We should go to an island. Somewhere we can drink margaritas
and make love in the sand. I’ve been planning this for a long time,
so I have money set aside for us. We’ll be so happy.”

Planning what? To go on a killing
spree?
Donovan decided he better not examine that statement too
closely. Maybe she had planned to leave the country with him after
paying his bail if she couldn’t buy his freedom, and that was why
she had money hidden somewhere for them to escape. He certainly
hoped she hadn’t been planning
this
.

Suzie prattled on about her plans for their
life together. Donovan only half listened to them. He followed her
instructions to turn right on a small road that wound far from any
town. Eventually, he turned off onto a dirt road, switching off his
emergency lights. The rough grade and huge dips attested to the
fact that wherever Suzie led him was not a place many traveled.

“There should be a driveway coming up on the
left soon,” Suzie said after asking Donovan to explain his
surroundings. “There’s a big stand of trees and it’s partially
hidden.”

“I’m glad I’m getting close. I can’t wait to
see you.”

Donovan tapped his breaks and waved at Brice
over his shoulder, warning him to back off. He slowed, searching
for the driveway.

“I see it,” he told Suzie, turning into the
narrow opening.

Behind him, Brice stopped his car and Donovan
continued alone. The densely wooded trail was barely wide enough
for his cruiser. Trees eagerly crowded the road, blocking out the
sunlight and any hope of changing his mind and turning around. The
driveway twisted and turned until he finally broke into a
clearing.

“I can’t wait to plant a big kiss on you,”
Suzie cooed.

“That’ll be nice.”

A dilapidated house dominated the area where
trees didn’t grow, and Donovan parked near a black sedan. The outer
walls of the structure leaned dangerously and their gray boards
held flaking chips of white paint. It looked like something out of
a horror movie. Donovan hoped the scene he would play in Suzie’s
personal screenplay didn’t end up as gory as most.

She hadn’t mentioned Madeline in the twenty
minutes they’d been on the phone, and Donovan was afraid to set her
off by asking. The only thing helping him hold onto his sanity was
being on the phone with her. He’d heard no sounds to indicate
Madeline was nearby or in pain, and it was unlikely Suzie killed
her in the short time period Donovan left the police station.

He walked to the house, the buzz of Suzie’s
incessant chatter filling his ears. Somewhere around here Madeline
waited for him, counting on him to save her life.

“Meet me at the front door,” he said, cutting
off her prattling.

A shadow passed near a window without any
glass and Suzie opened the door. She stuffed her phone into her
pants pocket. “You really came alone? I hoped you would, but I was
afraid you were tricking me.”

“Tricking you? Why would I do that, baby?”
Donovan stepped onto the uneven boards of the porch, afraid he
would fall through. “I told you, I’ve been thinking about you these
past couple months. I love you, Suzie.”

She lunged forward, jumping into Donovan’s
arms and wrapping her legs around his hips. “I’ve been waiting to
hear that for so long,” she said, in an eerie echo of the
conversation he’d had with Maddie the night before.

Suzie’s lips latched onto his and he forced
himself to return her kiss as he carried her into the house. He set
her on the rotten floorboards and took in the state of the sparsely
furnished room. What must have once been a couch occupied a corner
of the room, and a mouse scurried across the floor to the safety of
the rotting fabric and metal frame.

He shuddered, wondering if Maddie had mice
crawling all over her, possibly exposing her and the baby he hoped
she carried to disease.

Turning his attention to Suzie, Donovan
forced a smile on his face. “Well, I think it’s time we got down to
business. I want to get out of this place fast.”

“You’re afraid of a little mouse?”

“Terrified.” He nodded and put his arm around
her.

She leaned into him. “I’ll protect you.”

It’s you I need protecting from.
He
kissed her forehead, trying hard to keep the distaste he felt for
her off his face. “So, where’s Madeline? Let’s hurry and get this
over with and head to a hotel somewhere.”

Suzie slid her arm down his back. “About
Madeline...there’s something I need to tell you. I don’t actually
have her here. Something’s waiting at her house.”

***

The bell above the door chimed and Madeline
turned around in relief. “See, Brutus? I told you your mommy
wouldn’t...” She paused when she saw Eric standing in the
doorway.

“Madeline. I’m so glad you’re safe.” He
walked into the store and looked around. “Where’s Lindsey?”

“In the back with Brandon.” She narrowed her
eyes, watching him closely. Ever since that day on the beach, she
didn’t quite trust him. “Why wouldn’t I be safe?”

“No one answered the phone here and you
didn’t answer your cell. Didn’t you get Donovan’s message? Suzie
escaped from the hospital.”

“Is that some kind of sick joke?” Suzie on
the loose could only mean bad things for the people of this town,
particularly her.

He shook his head. “Donovan tried to call
you.”

“I must’ve left my phone in the back room
after washing Brutus,” she replied, patting her pants pocket.
“Where’s Donovan? Why didn’t he come here himself?”

“He thought Suzie had you and went charging
off to rescue you.”

“Oh my God.” Madeline put her hand against
her mouth, bile rising in her throat. “What if she hurts him? Why
aren’t you helping him?”

“He sent me here.”

Madeline snorted in disgust. Of course Eric
wouldn’t have Donovan’s back; he never had. “I have to go to him. I
have to help him.”

She made an abortive step toward the door and
Eric. Brutus let out a low growl as he paced forward with her.

“Hey, keep that dog away from me,” Eric said,
holding his hands out in front of him.

Madeline looked down at the leash in her
hand, only then realizing she held it.

“Dogs always hate me for some reason. And,
trust me, the feeling’s mutual.” Eric stepped sideways towards the
counter, putting more distance between him and the growling dog. “I
don’t know where Donovan’s headed exactly. Suzie’s giving him
instructions as he drives.”

“Damn it. What can I do to help him?”

“Brice is with him. He’s a trained cop,
Madeline. It’s you Suzie wants dead. Donovan will be fine.”

Leaning against the styling station, Madeline
closed her eyes and tried to think past the panic fluttering in her
chest. Donovan was a smart man, and Suzie thought she loved him.
Eric was right. He could take care of himself, and once he knew
Suzie didn’t have her, he’d come back home. He’d be safe.

Brutus leaned into her leg, letting out a low
whine and Madeline patted his head. He obviously felt her anxiety
and she didn’t want to cause the dog stress.

“It’s okay, sweetie.” The dog probably knew
it wasn’t.

“I think you should stay with me until
Donovan gets back,” Eric said, taking a step toward her.

Brutus stood up straight, his whine turning
to a loud growl. He barked once and Madeline saw the hair stand up
on the back of his neck, every muscle in his body tense.

“Brutus, sit!” she commanded.

The dog obeyed, but he didn’t relax at
all.

“Eric, I think you better just leave. If he
decides to come after you, I’m not going to be able to stop him.”
She looked at Brutus.

“I freakin’ hate dogs.” Eric edged around the
back of the counter, putting it between them. “I have to stay,
though. Donovan will be pissed if I leave you alone. Suzie made
some threats. What if she set up a trap?”

“You think she’d have time? How long has she
been out?”

“Not long,” he admitted. “But someone must
have helped her escape. Donovan put me in charge of your safety.
I’m supposed to check on Lindsey too. You’re sure she’s fine?”

The breath caught in Madeline’s throat as she
realized she hadn’t heard any sound from the back room for several
minutes. That was silly though. Lindsey was okay. Brandon was with
her.

“Lindsey?” she called. “What are you guys
doing back there?”

They were probably making out or something.
Surely they were safe. Brandon wouldn’t let anyone harm
Lindsey...would he?

“Come on, boy.” She stood up and tugged on
Brutus’ leash to get his attention. “I’ll go check on them.”

Eric shook his head sharply. “Are you crazy?
I’m the one with a gun. Keep that beast away from me and I’ll go
check.”

The man has a point.
He was trained
for these situations. What did she have? A sharp tongue and a
normally lovable dog?