Highly Compromised Position (12 page)

“Oh, hell!” Tom exclaimed, turning to run for Rose's house without waiting to hear more.

Gavin was right behind him, but Tom didn't pay any attention to the sheriff. Tom's insides knotted and fear gripped him while he prayed Rose was all right. And then, amidst all the other noises of flames and men yelling and hissing water, Tom heard a scream.

 

Rose's captor spun her around and slapped her hard. Rose cried out as pain burst across her face from his blow.

Even in the dark she had recognized Malcolm Durmorr immediately when he had jumped her on the porch, overpowering her and binding her wrists before she could stop him. None of her screams were heard by the firefighters, and as Malcolm pulled her down the porch steps, she realized that he didn't care if she recognized him. That could only mean that he didn't plan for her to live.

As he hauled her along beside him, she screamed again. He yanked her off her feet, and she would have fallen except he held her up. He turned and slapped her hard with the back of his hand. Pain exploded in her head and spots danced before her eyes.

“Shut up, bitch! If you don't shut your mouth, I'll
beat you to a pulp. You're not getting away, and if anyone tries to rescue you, I'll kill him,” Malcolm warned. His whiskey breath was dreadful. “I thought you'd be up there with the others fighting the fire. I couldn't believe it when you stayed behind, but you made it a helluva lot easier for me.”

“Let me go, Malcolm!”

He tugged her roughly beside him. “Get going or I'll knock you unconscious and carry you.”

With her mind racing, Rose stumbled to keep up. She could feel her face and mouth swelling from blows he had given her. Her eye was getting puffy, but her injuries didn't keep her mind from racing over her dilemma.

She had to do something to get away because she was certain that once he left the farm with her, she would never get back alive. With her hands tied, she couldn't think of anything to do to stop him. He was stronger and had the use of both of his hands.

“Let me go!” she cried.

“Shut up! No one can hear you. Screaming won't bring anyone to your rescue. Now get going or I'll hit you again.”

“You know you can't get away with kidnapping me. And if you kill me, you'll get the death penalty.”

“They're not going to catch me. No one has any idea now who's been harming the Windcrofts—or that Jonathan Devlin was murdered.”

“You killed Jonathan Devlin!” she exclaimed, even though this wasn't new to her. But maybe she could get Malcolm to talk about his crimes.

“I killed Jonathan Devlin, but it will never matter that I've admitted my crime to you.”

“That means you plan to kill me, too,” she said, still trying to think of anything she could do to stop him.

“You know where Jessamine Golden's treasure of gold is hidden. You reveal your secret to me and you'll make things easier for yourself,” he said. “You share the location with me and once I have the treasure, I promise I'll let you go. When I get the gold, I'm leaving the country and I'll release you in a border town.”

He pulled her across open land, past mesquite, and Rose was certain with every step she was moving farther from safety and closer to her death at Malcolm's hand.

“You'll never set me free and you know it!” she snapped.

“Yes, I will. You tell me and I'll be so grateful to you, I'll be glad to let you live. And you will tell me, Rose, I can promise you that. You can make it easier on yourself by volunteering the information and not making me force the truth from you.”

“I don't know where Jessamine's treasure is,” Rose admitted, certain that he would never believe her because he wanted her to know the whereabouts of the gold. She had to escape because she could never give Malcolm what he wanted.

“Rose!”

She heard her name being called from the direction of the house and her heart leaped because she knew it was Tom.

She screamed again as loudly as she could.

Malcolm yanked her around and hit her again. She would have toppled to the ground, but he held her up. “Should've gagged you, you little bitch,” he snarled.

He stumbled, and she realized he was having a more difficult time getting over rough ground in the dark than she was. If only she could break free, she might get away from him. She thought he was slightly drunk and
she knew he was on unfamiliar territory, whereas she knew every bend and hill and grove on the farm.

Tom was behind her and if she had heard him, he had to have heard her scream. Her hopes skyrocketed that he was following them.

As they lurched along, she tried to jerk free, but Malcolm's grip tightened on her arm painfully. “You're not getting away, Rose. Now move!”

Her fear mushroomed when she saw shiny metal through the branches of a mesquite and realized that Malcolm had a car waiting. In minutes Malcolm would have her in his car on the highway and away from Tom and any hope of help.

When they reached the car, Malcolm yanked open the door on the driver's side and pushed her inside, sliding behind the wheel.

He slammed the door and started the engine, and with every passing second her fear and desperation grew. She couldn't let him take her away from the farm. Malcolm was their killer and he intended to kill her, too.

“Dammit to hell!” he snapped as they pulled away, bouncing over rough, open ground. Her heart jumped because headlights flashed behind them.

She twisted in the seat, looking behind her at a pickup following them. Then she felt the door handle with her fingers and she realized if she could grab the handle, she might have a chance to get away from Malcolm.

 

Gripping the steering wheel, Tom swore. Beside him, Gavin had drawn his gun.

“You can't fire at him because Rose is with him,” Tom said in a tight voice.

The black car skidded, spun and changed direction
to go around a thick grove of oaks. Tom's headlights shone for a few seconds on the driver of the car.

“That's Malcolm Durmorr,” Tom snapped.

“I'll be damned!” Gavin exclaimed. “So he is our murderer. You get closer and I'll try to shoot a tire. He's not going fast enough to roll the car.” Gavin pulled out his phone, and Tom listened to the sheriff call for help and roadblocks, giving someone instructions and warning them to be careful because Rose Windcroft was in the car with Malcolm Durmorr.

Tom's heart pounded. He wanted to get his hands on Malcolm, but at the moment he was terrified for Rose and their baby.

Mesquite scraped the pickup, and they bounced over the rough ground as Tom sped along.

Determined to get close and to think of some way he could help Rose, Tom decreased the distance between them. His headlights easily picked out the car, and he saw Rose sitting far over on the passenger side. Stronger than his rage was a cold grip of fear.

Why had he left her unprotected? He would never stop feeling guilty over that, yet at the time it had seemed safe to do so because he'd thought she would be with Jane.

The fire had been merely a distraction to give Malcolm access to Rose. If Malcolm had been watching the guesthouse, he would have known immediately that Rose had stayed behind by herself.

“We can't let him get away,” Tom said in a tight voice, more to himself than to Gavin. His knuckles were white on the wheel and his heart pounded. “I'm catching him, but I can't ram him because of Rose.”

“I'll have a backup in minutes, and we'll have the
roads covered. We'll get him,” Gavin replied grimly. “Malcolm doesn't seem bright enough to be the one behind the Windcroft disasters.”

“People can get very clever about stealing and coercion,” Tom answered, his thoughts only half on the conversation with Gavin. Tom wanted to get his hands on Malcolm once he had Rose safe.

“Gretchen Halifax is close to Malcolm. I wonder if she has any inkling of what Malcolm's been up to,” Gavin said.

Tom tried to weave and follow the black car as Malcolm drove erratically. He'd think about Gavin's words later.

Tom prayed that Rose was all right and that Malcolm wouldn't smash the car. At any point out here he could hit a rock and spin out of control. Tom hoped they didn't encounter any of the horses—both for the sake of Rose and the horses. The headlights of his pickup and Malcolm's car cut bright streaks in the darkness, but outside of the light was a blackness that hid trees, rocks and animals, any of which could be disaster for a speeding car.

Suddenly the car door swung open, and to Tom's horror, Rose tumbled out.

T
om's heart thudded and his breath caught. He sped closer, then slammed on his brakes. “Sorry, Gavin. We have to let Malcolm go while we get Rose.”

“I agree. They'll get him on the highway,” Gavin said. “Let's see about Rose.”

Without waiting for Gavin, Tom jumped out. Feeling desperate, he dashed to her. Sprawled on the ground, she lay still, and his heart pounded with fright for her.

Before he reached her, she stirred, and relief washed through him that she was conscious and able to move.

“Tom,” she cried, “Malcolm's escaping. He's the one—”

“To hell with him! Are you all right?” Hot anger washed over him when he saw her bruised face.

“I hurt all over,” she said through swollen lips.

Gavin came up as Tom picked Rose up. “Let's get her to a hospital,” Tom snapped. He held her close, never
wanting to let her go. Fighting the urge to shower kisses on her, he hurried to the pickup.

“I don't think I need to go to a hospital,” she mumbled. Tom held her tightly, fury a tight knot along with his fear.

“That damn bastard!” He wanted to pulverize Malcolm for touching Rose.

Gavin opened the door of the pickup, and as gently as possible Tom placed Rose in the passenger seat. Gavin slid into the back. “You can take Rose to the hospital, Tom. When we see a patrol car on the highway, I'll get out to check on Malcolm. With the roadblocks we should be able to pick him up quickly.”

“I'd like to see him,” Tom said, grinding out the words. The bruises on Rose's face heightened his fury with Malcolm, but he was terrified that she might miscarry because of the tumble out of Malcolm's car. “Do you have a doctor yet, Rose?” he asked her. “I'll call him and he can meet us at the hospital.”

“Dr. Reed. Nita found him for me.”

“It's Zack Reed,” Gavin said. “I know him. I'll call him if you want.”

Tom drove as fast as he dared, wanting to get Rose under a doctor's care. At the same time he kept a watchful eye for the black car.

Even though they could see far in the distance, Tom couldn't spot any taillights or any sign of a car.

They reached the highway and Gavin said to turn east. When they rounded a bend in the road, Tom saw the roadblock ahead. “He must have turned the other direction,” Gavin said. “Or else cut out across country on the other side of the highway. I'll get out here. Do you need an escort to the hospital to get you there quicker?”

“That would help,” Tom answered.

“You don't have to do that,” Rose mumbled.

“Don't try to talk,” Tom said. “I know it hurts you.”

“It's no big deal, Rose, and you can get there sooner,” Gavin replied. “Zack said he'll meet you at Royal Memorial.”

Lights flashed on three patrol cars, and red-and-white wooden horses were placed across the road, blocking the way. Tom slowed and Gavin climbed out, hurrying to talk to the officers. In minutes two patrolmen moved everything out of Tom's way and one came striding back to Tom's pickup.

“I'll lead the way, sir.”

“Thanks. We'll be right behind you.”

Even though there wasn't a car in sight on the highway, the patrolman's siren screamed. Tom was thankful for the straight highway that held no traffic.

“This isn't necessary,” Rose said.

“How do you feel?”

“Like I fell out of a moving car,” she said, trying to smile and then wincing. “My shoulder aches because of how I landed.”

“Did he push you out?” Tom asked in a deadly quiet tone.

“No. I got my hands on the door handle and threw myself out. I figured if he escaped with me, he'd kill me.”

“You're right. I'm impressed. That was brave and quick thinking. And good to get away from him as long as it didn't injure you or the baby.”

“I tried to roll into a ball and protect my stomach and face as much as possible. I honestly don't think I need to see a doctor. Tomorrow if I do, we could go then. And at the speed you're going, once again I think my life may be at risk.”

“We've got a police escort and this is getting us to the hospital faster than we could any other way. I'm being careful.” He clamped his jaw shut and concentrated on his driving, fear for Rose and the baby making him numb.

“Damn him for hitting you.” Tom ground out the words.

“It was Malcolm Durmorr all this time. He killed Jonathan Devlin. He told me.”

Tom whipped around to glance at her. “If he admitted that to you, he never intended for you to live.”

“No, I'm sure he didn't. He's after Jessamine Golden's treasure.”

“That damn treasure.”

“Because of his eavesdropping at the diner, Malcolm believed that I knew where the treasure was. I would never have been able to convince him otherwise.”

“The fire was just a diversion to get to you,” Tom said. “And it worked. I should never have left you alone.”

“Who would dream that's why he set the fire? Or that he would risk trying to get me when you and all the others were around. He was surprised I hadn't gone to fight the fire, so he'd intended to kidnap me right under everyone's noses.”

“His plan almost worked. That terrifies me. I'll always regret leaving you home unguarded. I should have stayed with you. The stable burned to the ground anyway.”

“Stop worrying about it. It's over and I'm here, not in Malcolm's clutches.”

“Did he say anything about Gretchen Halifax? I wonder if she has a hint of the double life Malcolm lives,” Tom said.

“He didn't mention Gretchen. She probably doesn't
have a clue about what he's up to. But if she does, I hope Gavin catches her. Malcolm has been cunning enough up until now to get away with murder, but his greed has finally tripped him up. Gavin will catch him.”

It seemed an eternity before they pulled in to the emergency drive beneath the Georgian-style portico of Royal Memorial Hospital. The officer had called ahead, and medics came rushing out with a gurney. In minutes Rose was being wheeled into the hospital.

Tom quickly thanked the officer for the escort and hurried to catch up with Rose. A tall, auburn-haired aide approached him. She smiled at him. “Mr. Devlin?”

When he nodded, she continued, “Sir, there's a waiting room. Miss Windcroft has already been taken to an examining room, and Dr. Reed is here to see her. Someone will come get you as soon as you can join her.”

“Thanks,” Tom replied tersely, moving to a beige and white waiting room but too on edge to sit down. He got out his cell phone to call Rose's family, knowing that once they realized that he and Gavin and Rose were missing, they would worry. Then he pocketed the phone, deciding to wait to call her family until he knew about Rose's condition.

Mulling over his feelings, he paced the floor, stopping to peer out at the deserted parking lot with circles of light from tall lampposts. Lights burned along the drive and beneath the portico, and momentarily all was quiet outside.

When she had gone flying out of the car, his insides had clenched and, until she had sat up, he hadn't been able to get his breath.

He had wanted to marry because of their baby and he felt there was a good chance that he and Rose even
tually would fall in love. But only a man in love could have had the reactions that he'd had tonight.

He had been in a total panic for her welfare. He couldn't bear to contemplate harm coming to her. He hadn't ever stopped to wonder about telling her goodbye when this was over and he knew he never wanted to say goodbye. He was in love with Rose.

“Mr. Devlin?” a deep voice inquired.

Tom turned to see a tall, brown-haired doctor approaching. “I'm Zack Reed. Rose is bruised and sore and I've given her something so she'll rest better tonight. She'll be fine, but we're keeping her overnight for observation, just to make certain.”

“And the baby?”

“Everything seems okay, but I'll look at her again in the morning. They're moving Rose to a room and you can ask at the desk for the room number.”

“Thanks for coming to the hospital at this hour.”

“Sure. Don't worry. They'll both be fine. She's doing well.”

“Thanks,” Tom repeated. As soon as the physician left him, Tom went to the desk and got Rose's room number. While he walked down the hall and took the elevator, he pulled out his cell phone and called Connor. In spite of the physician's reassurances, Tom was still worried.

Then Connor answered his cell phone. “Connor, it's Tom,” he said.

“Where are you?” Connor asked. “I saw you and Gavin running away. What's the deal? Where's Rose?”

“First of all,” Tom replied, “Rose is all right. Just as we suspected it was Malcolm Durmorr. He must've set the fire for a diversion.”

“The hell you say! So it really is Malcolm Durmorr. We were right in our suspicions about him. I'll be damned.”

“He got Rose, but she escaped.”

“Thank God!” Connor exclaimed.

“I didn't know Will hurt his leg. Are Will and Jane back yet?”

“Yes. Will's fine, but they're worried because they haven't been able to get in touch with Rose. I'm glad you called. How'd you catch Malcolm?”

“We didn't. Rose managed to open the car door and throw herself out—”

“Oh, hell! Dammit!”

“She's okay. Malcolm got away when Gavin and I stopped to see about Rose.”

“We've got to catch him. Where are you and Rose?”

“At the hospital in Royal, and I've talked to her doctor. They're going to keep her for observation, but the doctor said she'll be all right and the baby is fine.”

“Nita will want to come see her as soon as we can get away.”

“Y'all can wait until morning because they gave Rose something so she would sleep. What about the fire? Rose will want to know.”

“It's under control, thank God! We put it out before any other structures caught fire. The stable is just smoldering ruins that they're watching. Firefighters are still trying to douse small fires when they flare up. Everything's going to be all right here. What about Durmorr now?”

“Gavin had roadblocks and was after him, so they probably have caught him as we are talking.”

“I hope so. For all the trouble he's caused, I'd like to get my hands on him.”

“I think each one of us would,” Tom remarked drily. “I'm going in to see Rose. I'll have her call Nita.”

“Thanks, Tom,” Connor said, and they broke the connection. Tom paused and knocked lightly on a door.

“Come in,” Rose said, her voice drowsy.

He entered the room that was painted the same beige and white as the waiting room. Rose was lying in bed with a small light burning overhead. He ached to just go pull her into his arms and declare his love for her and hold her close all night long. He knew this wasn't the time or place, so he crossed the room in silence.

“I thought you'd be here. I'm not sure I can stay awake long. They gave me something so I can rest better.”

He pulled a chair close to the bed. “Don't talk, because I'll bet it hurts you.”

She barely nodded.

Her hair was a tangle and her face was swollen. She had a myriad of small cuts and bruises, but even hurt and disheveled she looked good to Tom.

“You don't have to stay with me,” she said.

“I'll do what I want,” he answered lightly, touching her hand.

“I need to call my family.”

“I did, but I'll call again so you can talk to them.” She nodded, and he wondered whether she would be awake by the time he finished making the call.

“Did you tell Nita and Daddy?”

“No, I talked to Connor.” In seconds Nita answered. “Here,” Tom said, handing Rose the phone. He listened while she talked slowly to Nita and then Will before she handed the phone back to Tom.

“She's about asleep,” Tom said.

“Thanks for calling us,” Will answered. “Nita will be in to see her tomorrow.”

“That will be good,” Tom said. Rose had closed her eyes and she was breathing deeply and evenly. “I'll stay with Rose. I'm not leaving.”

“Thanks, Tom. Thanks for saving her.”

“She saved herself, but it was good we were there to get her to the hospital. I hope to hell they have Durmorr by now.”

“We haven't heard anything,” Will replied. Tom thought that might be bad news, because Connor would be one of the first people Gavin would tell when Malcolm was caught.

Tom told Will goodbye, then stood to stretch his aching muscles. As he did, he saw himself in the mirror and grimaced. He was surprised they hadn't booted him out of the hospital, except they were probably accustomed to people in all sorts of disarray in emergencies. His black hair was tangled; he had smudges of smoke on his face and arms. His T-shirt was ripped and smudged with soot.

He raked his fingers through his hair and then gave it up. He sat beside Rose again.

He longed to hold her, but he was afraid he would hurt her. He moved closer and brushed her hair lightly away from her face with his fingers.

He wanted to marry her.

He stroked her fingers lightly. She responded to him like a woman in love.

“I love you,” he declared in the quiet room. He leaned forward to kiss her cheek. When he had seen her tumble from Durmorr's car, his heart had stopped beating. He had been more frightened than any other time in his
life. He was going to have to do some real convincing, though, to get her to believe him.

He took her hand gently, slowly closing his fingers around hers. “I love you, Rose,” he said again. Even though she couldn't hear him, he liked declaring his love to her. Quietly he sat in the semidarkness, holding her hand until his arm went to sleep. He released her and turned his chair so he could still hold her hand while stretching out his legs and he fell asleep.