Hidden in Shadow Pines (15 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Thursday, August 15, 2013, 11:23 p.m.
(day 10 in Shadow Pines—hiding in the robes closet)

Once again, I’d fallen asleep. Instead of on a hard kitchen floor, this time I was curled up in a corner of a closet. My body’s schedule was out of sorts, and my knee throbbed in the pitch black closet. The hall lights had been turned off, which hopefully meant the church was empty.

Still crouched in the corner, I listened for any sounds. Nothing—not even the chirp of a cricket. I reached inside my purse, searching for my pen light. Clicking it on, I found the bottle of water and my aspirin pill case. I took two aspirin to help with the knee pain.

Suddenly, the door swung open and the robes were pushed to one side. A bright light shone in my eyes. I put my hands over my face to block the light.

“Isabella?” A man’s whisper.

My eyes had a hard time adjusting after the bright light. I tried to focus, but all I could see were white dots. “Who’s there?” I shrieked.

“Hudson. What are you doing here? Do you know everyone in town is looking for you?” He sounded worried. Was he on my side or fooling me? And how in the world did he find me?

I rubbed my eyes. The bright light was gone. Now only a sliver of light from the moon shone through the hallway windows. “How did you know I was here?”

“I was leaving for the night and saw the light under the door. Scared me a little. We don’t have lights in the closets. Didn’t really know what to expect. But I sure wasn’t expecting to find you.”

He’d given me a believable story. Deciding he could easily hurt me if he wanted to, I’d trust him—for the moment. “How’s Ed?”

“Safe for now. Most of the extended council want to punish him severely. Even change the bylaws to keep him in quarantine until he dies. Others want to banish him from Shadow Pines.”

“Can’t you get him out?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

“No. They’ve got a guard on him.”

“This is such a mess.” I lowered my head, trying not to cry.

“He hasn’t told us how he got in,” Hudson said. “Look, we need to get you to a safe place.”

I raised my head and stretched out my arm. “Can you help me up? I hurt my knee this afternoon.”

“Can you walk?” Hudson seemed genuinely concerned as he grabbed my hand.

“Yes. Just not fast.”

“What happened to you?” He eyeballed me. “You look like you’ve been in a fight.”

“Long story.” I still didn’t fully trust him, and I wasn’t going to give away information.

Hudson pulled a set of keys from his pocket, took off a gold key, and handed it to me. I bent over, grabbing my purse and backpack from the closet floor.

Hudson tilted his head slightly and rubbed his chin. “Found a backpack I see.”

I threw the backpack over my shoulder. “Yeah, picked it up on my journey today.” That was all the information I was going to provide. Changing the subject, I lifted up the key in my right hand. “You want to tell me what the key is for?”

Hudson nodded and let out a dull grunt. “You’ll find a small brick building behind the mausoleum. It’s called ‘the old holding cell.’ We used to hold rule breakers in it before the church built the quarantine building. You’ll be safe there. Keep the door locked. And dark.” Hudson shook a pointed finger my direction. “Don’t give anyone a reason to suspect you’re in there.”

Hudson led the way down the hall. I stood close behind as he peeked out the door. Turning his head back toward me, he waved me to come closer. “Coast is clear. I’ll bring you some food in the morning. Three knocks, a pause, two knocks. That’s how you’ll know it’s me.”

“Thanks, Hudson,” I said as put the key in my front pocket, then walked out of the church.

I crossed the sidewalk into the woods, moving carefully toward the cemetery. I’d seen the mausoleum after Gloria and Thomas’s funerals and knew how to get there. When I arrived, I reached into my pocket for the gold key, inserted it in the lock, and opened the door. In the pale moonlight, I could see the shadow of a cot in the corner. I locked the door, leaving the key in the keyhole, then walked toward the bed in total darkness.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Friday, August 16, 2013, 9:16 a.m.
(day 11 in Shadow Pines—hiding in the holding cell)

I hadn’t moved since lying down almost nine hours before. I sat on the edge of the cot and stretched my legs.

I looked around the room. When I arrived, it had been so dark I felt lucky to have found the cot without tripping over anything. A toilet sat in the corner next to a small sink. A wood table and chair had their place in front of a small window next to the door. Some light filtered in through a burlap covering, and I was able to make out bars on the window. A short, two-shelved bookcase held several books, a tin can full of crayons, and several tablets of writing paper. I knew I’d never disobey any laws once I returned to Darden. I was going stir crazy in the small building, and I had only woken up ten minutes before.

Pushing off the cot to stand, I realized how much my left palm hurt from falling in the woods the previous day. For a moment, I forgot my knee pain.

That is, until I had to put weight on the knee. I limped to the door where I’d deposited the backpack and purse when I first arrived. Reaching in my purse, I pulled out my pill case and popped a couple more aspirin. Only two pills remained.

I lifted my purse to the wood table and retrieved the first-aid products. I unwrapped the gauze, inspecting the torn skin on my palm. The injury didn’t look nearly as bad as it felt. Taking my watch off so I could thoroughly clean the wound, I tore open an alcohol wipe packet and patted the spot on my palm. It stung slightly. I flipped the wipe over and cleaned my entire hand and wrist. I shook my hand to dry it, then rewrapped it with a clean roll of gauze.

Knock, knock, knock. Pause. Knock, knock.

At first the knocks startled me, until I realized they were Hudson’s coded knock. I unlocked the door and opened it.

Hudson swiftly entered, closing the door behind him. “I made you an egg sandwich for breakfast and a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. I also brought cheese and crackers plus a few candy bars and some water.” He handed me a plastic bag.

“Thanks, Hudson,” I said as I put the bag on the table. “Do you have any good news?”

“I have a plan how you and your grandfather can leave Shadow Pines.”

My eyes opened wide. It was the best news I’d heard in a week. “That’s great!”

Hudson fiddled with his ever-present toothpick. “Unfortunately, I also have some bad news. Lincoln was found this morning. Shot. And Paige’s body was next to him. She’d been stabbed several times.”

My joy turned to shock. Remembering the spin put on Thomas’s so-called accident, I wondered how they would twist these deaths. “What?” I shook my head. “What happened?”

“Don’t know for sure. Claudia found them in the park this morning while she was walking her dog.”

Only I knew that wasn’t where he was shot. Devlin had shot him at the cabin. For my sake, I had to act as though I were in disbelief. “That’s horrible.”

Hudson took a deep breath. “You didn’t do it, did you?”

“Oh my gosh, no!” I could feel the tension in my neck.

“Had to ask. The council thinks you’re involved somehow. Considering they have yet to find you.”

“And they won’t, right?” I felt concerned. Was Hudson about to turn me in?

“Look, if they find you here, they’ll realize I’ve been the one helping you. I’ll be put in quarantine the rest of my life. Trust me, I don’t want that to happen.” Hudson paused, then pointed to the table. “Why aren’t you wearing your watch?”

“I, um, took it off to clean my wound.”

One minute I had faith in Hudson, the next I felt skeptical. My emotions were on a rollercoaster ride, but I wasn’t enjoying the trip. Of course, Hudson was the source of all my problems. I’d been at home minding my own business when I was kidnapped and brought to Shadow Pines.

Hudson put his hand on my shoulder. “Be sure to put it back on. We might need to arrange something for a specific time. Well, I’ve got to go. Council’s meeting at ten. Not certain when I’ll return. Just stay here. Wait until I come back. Okay?”

I nodded, acknowledging his requests. “Sure.”

Hudson patted my shoulder. “Good. Now, enjoy your breakfast and lock the door behind me.” He was gone in a flash. Once again, I was alone in this small musty room.

Four people were now dead since I’d entered Shadow Pines—Gloria, Thomas, Paige, and Lincoln. The events of the last week were more than I could have ever imagined. I felt as if I were living in a novel I hadn’t written yet.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Friday, August 16, 2013, 3:36 p.m.
(day 11 in Shadow Pines—still in the holding cell)

I couldn’t believe I’d gotten my best sleep behind a mausoleum in the middle of a cemetery. The extra-long nap after breakfast had revived me. I was ready for whatever tonight might bring.

Not being able to tell which was worse, the throbbing in my left palm, where a bruise was beginning to form, or the pain in my left knee, I took the last two aspirin, hoping some of the discomfort would dissipate. My stomach growled, so I grabbed the peanut butter sandwich and devoured it in record time.

Deciding I didn’t dare go outside at this hour, I walked around the room instead. First in a circle, then a figure eight, and finally laps the length of the room. A few squats, lunges, and jumps. I wasn’t in top form, but would be able to manage a long walk if need be.

Feeling the need to stay occupied, I emptied the contents of my purse in the middle of the table. Necessary items went on the right side of the table and things I didn’t need to keep would go on the left side. Lipstick, hand lotion, breath freshener—throw away. Four hundred dollars, ID—keep. Kleenex, pad and pen—keep. The cosmetics bag—toss, save the tweezers and nail clippers. The typed pages about Shadow Pines—keep.

Next, I emptied the bag of food, lining the items in an orderly fashion on top of the bookcase—two little packages of cheese and crackers, three Snickers bars, two bottles of water.

I turned and noticed the backpack sitting on the floor. I realized I’d never looked inside even though I’d been carrying it around for two days.

Lifting the backpack onto the desk, I unzipped a small compartment flap. Inside, I found a map of Darden and a bundle of cash held securely by three rubbers bands. Unfolding the map, I saw that a bright orange X marked where I lived while another one marked the fairgrounds. A route out of town from my house was highlighted in blue. Had the kidnapper used this map the day I was taken?

I tore the map in half, then kept shredding it. Pieces of the map flew onto the floor. Letting the tension out helped, even though I now had a mess to clean up. I couldn’t leave the slightest clue I was ever here. Getting on my hands and knees, I picked up every piece of the shredded map and threw them in the empty food bag.

I counted the stack of money—twenty-five-thousand dollars. Who leaves twenty-five-thousand dollars in a backpack in an empty house?

I unlatched the front flap and pulled it back. Inside was a black ski mask. Holding it gave me chills. The person who’d kidnapped me had worn a black ski mask. Underneath the mask—a piece of rope and a gun with a spare magazine. The gun wasn’t mine. This was a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. Today, I wouldn’t be afraid to use it. I put the magazine in my back pocket, and the gun in my waistband behind my back. I now had a huge advantage.

Next, I pulled out a small black journal. I looked at the front cover, then the back cover. Nothing gave me any indication whom this belonged to. I flipped through the pages, stopping when I spotted my name.

July 25 – Arrived at Isabella’s house just as a pest control van pulled in the driveway. Checked out the van and swiped some coveralls. Waited until she left the house at ten. I went in the back door and checked out the floor plan. No obvious signs of the gold. Saw the calendar in kitchen. Next Tuesday, dentist. Thursday, haircut. Not much time. Following Monday, pie contest. That’s the day I’ll take her.

July 30 - Checked the second floor. No sign of the gold. Saw her at the corner. She didn’t even look at me.

August 1 - Nothing in the basement or first floor. She’s either very careful or the gold is gone. Nosey neighbor across the street came over to chat.

August 5 - Saw the nosey neighbor again. She started asking too many questions. I told her I’d come into her house. She could call the owner of the company. She agreed. When she reached for the phone, I pulled a rope out of my bag and strangled her.

I’d never killed anyone before. Deer, squirrels, sure. Never a human being. I knew I’d be able to kill the other one when the time came.

Grabbed the nosey neighbor’s purse and car keys then parked the car a few blocks away. The nosey neighbor had changed my plans.

Drove to the fairgrounds. I couldn’t sit in the van now that a dead woman was inside the house across the street. I watched her win an award and then walk to the park. I wanted her to go home.

Police cars, flashing lights. I’d have to wait until evening to grab her now. This wasn’t the plan. I hoped he wouldn’t be mad. But I knew I couldn’t go back without her.

She never heard me coming. I used the chloroform, then lifted her and carried her to the van.

On the drive, she woke briefly. At first I thought I hadn’t given her enough chloroform, but she went right back out again.

August 6 - She won’t be here long. Once we get the money, she’ll disappear as easily as she appeared. The town will think she escaped like her father. Only he and I will know the burial site.

August 7 – She’s so gullible. Thinks everyone is her friend. It’s my last entry for a while. I have to play it low while she’s here.

I was holding the diary of the person who’d taken me from my home and the person who’d murdered Tish.

A wave of emotions hit me. I was angry, sad, mad, bitter, disgusted. Writing about murderous people was one thing, but actually reading a killer’s personal actions made me feel filthy. I dropped the book on the table, and wiped my hands with invisible soap and water.

I continued pulling items from the backpack. A mini flashlight, gloves, duct tape, a folding shovel, and wire cutters completed the contents of the backpack.

I put the shovel to the side. The rest I stuffed in the backpack again, along with the items I’d discarded from my purse and the bag with the shredded map. I put the flashlight and wire cutters in my purse and swung it over my head.

Everything I needed was on me, especially the necklace with the skeleton key and garnet ring—my backup plan if things didn’t go according to Hudson’s plan.