“I’m saying that the girl could have been under the rule of her master to be still and take her punishment.”
“You know way too much about that sadistic shit.” Darek knew the two of them weren’t going to agree on anything, so he took a cue from his personal life and shut his mouth. He didn’t feed into Megan’s arguing, and he damned sure wasn’t going to feed into Lizzy’s. Something Tad said or did set her off, and he wasn’t taking the ass chewing for it.
“It’s called being informed.” She must have decided not to argue anymore as well, and the two headed back to the station where Max met them at the door.
“No luck on the security footage. It seems to be missing.”
Lizzy threw her hands up and leaned against the door jamb. “Shit! What luck.”
“Were you able to get anything?” Darek asked. Max gave Lizzy a sideward glance. “Don’t mind her; she’s been in a pissy mood.”
“Here, it’s all in the report,” Max said. “I’m going to snag an early lunch. You guys headed out to interview more escorts?”
“Yeah, after I grab a bite,” Darek said.
“I’ve got to call and make sure my reservations are in order,” Lizzy said. “I’m flying out for the weekend, so if you happen to get anything, don’t call me. I’ll get it when I get back.” She hurried away, heading to the chief’s office, leaving Darek to look over the report alone.
He looked down at the envelope, hoping like hell what he found inside wouldn’t be familiar. The last thing he needed was another visit to an old friend.
11
Darek
Saturdays were supposed to be fun, but ever since he’d started going to see his mother at the convalescence home, he hated them. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see his mother, but it was always so hard.
He took his time getting out of bed and showering, but he was surprised when he went to the kitchen and found that Megan had the coffee maker ready with his cup and his special blend. All he had to do was push the power button and wait for it to pour.
He almost fell for the generosity, too, but soon, he learned it wasn’t that she was trying to make things easier on him, but on herself.
“You sure you don’t want to go down there with me?” he asked.
“No, Darek. I can’t go there. Those old people stare, and they tug at my heartstrings. It’s too emotional. No thanks, but send my love.” Her emotional grid was void, and he’d had enough of it.
He huffed. “No worries. I’m sure she doesn’t miss you. She probably doesn’t even remember you exist.” He wished he could forget it at times himself. Especially when she was in one of her moods.
“Well, that’s not a nice thing to say. If that’s how it is, then don’t fucking ask me to go along with you. Besides, you knew I already made plans to go shopping.” She got up from the table and went to their bedroom where she slammed the door.
He took his coffee on the road and drove down to Pine Grove where his mother had a small room and one window, which she loved to sit and stare out of. Her view was a parking lot and a small strip of grass with one tree and a bird feeder.
He sat next to her in the most uncomfortable chair as she rocked in hers. The room was always kept dim, and what light they had was from the sunlight and a small lamp beside her bed.
She hadn’t even said more than hello, and he knew by the lost gaze in her eyes that she had no idea who he was.
He wished he could check out of life like she had, and he supposed in some ways, he did now and then. The shrink had called it repressed memories and wanted to work with him to retrieve them. But he knew the past in his head was best kept a secret.
He wondered if there were thoughts lingering in his mother’s head. What kind of dark secrets had she kept bottled up all these years? He knew they weren’t as awful as his and only wished he could remember things exactly as they happened that night.
All he knew was the twelve of them had gotten together, and he’d tried to save the girl. Bay had wanted them to have power. And for some reason, even though he knew what Bay was preaching wasn’t gospel, he’d wanted to be strong and fit in so badly that he’d—he did it, didn’t he? He’d had a hand in it somehow, but he couldn’t remember. He couldn’t put in that last piece of the puzzle. He remembered finding her there, face-down on the millstone. The two of them were alone. She was so small on the large stone. Her body was barely moving, twitching as her eyes went glassy and a single tear slid down her nose. She was still alive.
He’d grabbed her, scooping her up into his arms. The blood that seeped out of her wounds coated his arms, and it was so cold. The rise and fall of her chest were so labored, but he told himself to run. Run! Faster. He’d encouraged himself to keep his feet moving, although he’d wanted to stop and drop her. He had to put her somewhere she would be safe. Somewhere she’d be found. He wasn’t thinking clearly. If anyone had found her alive, his dreams would have been much different. But he wasn’t the villain, was he? He was the hero. Or at least, he’d tried to be.
Her body stilled, and once he slowed down enough to realize it, he looked down to see her arm dangling lifelessly. Her blood covered them both, and one tear remained on her cheek. Her eyes had set into a permanent stare. She was dead.
He stopped in a clearing just inside the woods in the back of the diner where he’d met Bay Collins. He’d leave her there, and someone would find her. Her family would have peace.
He walked back to the millhouse, and instead of going inside, he went down to the water to clean up. He washed the blood off his arms and clothes and then gathered up an old bucket that had one small hole and carried it back and forth to the millhouse to wash her blood from the stone. There was a nasty stain. He looked down and saw that it was no use. His clothes were stained too. He couldn’t go back to camp that way. He was wondering what to do when he heard a whistle. He looked up and saw Bay standing in the clearing with Carter and Logan. “What did you do with her?”
“Mr. Blake?” Carla, the nurse on staff, stuck her head in the door.
“Yes?” He stood up as the woman waved her hand dismissively.
“I was just making sure your visit was going well.”
“It’s not a good day, but it’s not the worst.” His mother had a few violent episodes when she’d gotten confused, and those had been horrifying.
“Good. Let’s be thankful for that much. Enjoy your time. I’ll be back in about an hour to get her ready for dinner.” She shut the door and continued down the hall, her footsteps falling heavily on the tile floor.