Safe at Home (Warm Springs Trilogy Book 1) (12 page)

“Well, eat up. I don’t cook for just anybody.”

“I’m honored.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. He knew it would take time for her to get over whatever had happened, but he still wished he could take away the sadness. It was as though all the happiness and confidence she had achieved in the last few months had been wiped away in one stroke. She was back to being the same nervous girl she had been when he first met her.

The usual hardy appetite Sam possessed seemed to have disappeared. She simply picked at her breakfast while lost in thought, as she looked out over the garden.

“For you to fully understand what’s going on I need to tell you the whole story.”

At last, she broke the silence.

“My friend, Denise, has been murdered.” She said it in a rush, as if she was afraid the words wouldn’t come if she didn’t. “She was my best friend and my boss in Chicago. I used to live a very different life. I lived in a condo and I worked at a bank. I went out all the time with friends and chaired committees. You wouldn’t even recognize the girl I used to be.” She shook her head. “Honestly, I don’t think I would recognize her either. I won’t ever be that person again. I think sometimes things happen to people and they change the way the person sees themselves. I don’t mean to go all psychological on you, but it’s the way I feel.”

He nodded, but remained quiet.

“A couple years ago, I was running late, as usual, for a banquet. I was rushing around the apartment fastening on earrings while Tyler sat on the couch eyeballing his watch every two minutes. He was my boyfriend of almost three years. He was an aspiring senator, fresh out of law school, which explains why we were both so involved. I mean, if you’re going to run for office or be married to someone who is running for office, it’s never too early to start campaigning.”

Sam took a sip of her orange juice, then a deep breath, and continued.

“We were walking out the door when I realized I’d left the tickets at work. Luckily, the branch wasn’t far out of the way, but I knew Tyler was annoyed. He didn’t like to be late. He always said there was nothing fashionable about it. So anyway, we hailed a cab outside of the condo and headed to the bank.

When we pulled up in the parking lot, I noticed the lights were on, but I saw the lady’s car that cleans the bank, so thinking nothing of it, I dug out my keys and let myself in. I didn’t realize at the time that the door didn’t catch all the way. And, because I was in a hurry, I didn’t notice anything was amiss. Maybe if I had taken a moment to look up, I would’ve seen Janice holding her son at the teller counter. She had to have had a look of pure terror on her face. If I’d seen her, maybe I would’ve been able to
do
something. I’ll never know. I was all the way into my office and grabbing the tickets when I turned to find someone blocking my path. The guy was in his early twenties and he had a gun.”

Spencer tried to keep his expression neutral, even though adrenaline was beginning to pump in his veins. He couldn’t imagine someone pointing a gun at Sam.

“He stepped back from the door and told me to go stand with Janice and her son. I did as I was told, but my knees were shaking under my dress. There’s something about being robbed at night that makes it worse, even scarier. There’s no one around, no security guards, and no chance visit by a cop. Just you and a sense of complete helplessness. The regular safety precautions don’t apply.

“Janice’s son, Jason, looked up at me with teary, red eyes. His expression cut through me, like I should be able to help them, but I wasn’t prepared for that situation. I’m not sure you really can be, not when you’re taken by surprise. It broke my heart. To make matters worse, it was at that moment I noticed the gunman was not alone. Another guy, about the same age, stepped out from the security closet. His voice was gruff and irritated.”

Sam closed her eyes as she slipped back to relive the worst day of her life.

“Lucky for us you happened in, this bitch can’t even get into the money.”

“I’m sorry. I told you I just do the cleaning,” Janice pleaded, tears running down her cheeks.

“Shut it.” The man with the gruff voice barked. His eyes swept over my evening gown, and he sneered. “Don’t tell me you can’t get to any of the money, either. A rich bitch like you probably owns this joint.”

“No,” I whispered. “I can’t get to it, either.”

“Stop lying! Just stop fucking lying and open the vault.”

“I’m telling you, I can’t. There’s a timer on it. It won’t open until tomorrow morning. Even then, it takes two people with the appropriate security codes.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“He raised his gun then and pointed it at me. I felt all the color drain out of my face and then Tyler charged in and tried to tackle the guy, but the quiet guy whirled around and shot at him, catching him square in the chest. Tyler’s eyes looked kind of funny and he crumpled to the floor.

“There was confusion after that. Janice and I screamed. The guy who shot the gun startled the other guy, causing him to shoot randomly. The two gunmen panicked and then ran for the door. I ran to Tyler’s side and knelt down, but when I looked at him, I knew it was too late. I clung to him as if I might be able to hold him down and keep him with me out of pure will, but I knew better. He was still warm, but his eyes were blank. I didn’t hear Janice’s first screams, but then they pierced through my own grief and I saw her clutching her son to her chest.

“She was rocking and calling his name over and over. For as long as I live, I’ll never hear a sound more paralyzing than a mother holding her dying son. Jason’s body was limp and his mother’s shirt held the same dark stain as my dress.”

Sam stood up and began to pace. Spencer sat transfixed with his mouth in a tight line and his jaw hardened.

“The following hours were a blur. The sirens and lights from ambulances and police cars were everywhere like some sort of dance floor you can’t escape. Media vans began to poor into the parking lot having heard about the event from their sources. It was a circus. I answered the same questions a hundred times and then Denise was there. She held me and finally told the police I’d had enough. She took me home, where we cried for what felt like days.

“The following week passed in a haze. I don’t know what I would’ve done without her. She played interference for me at every turn. She was there when I called Tyler’s family, and at the funeral where I watched him get lowered into the cold earth. She even understood why I couldn’t return to the bank. I turned in my resignation and just sort of hibernated for a while. I had no direction, no motivation.”

Sam sat back down then and lowered her eyes.

“They found a ring in his pocket, Spencer. He was going to ask me to marry him that night after the banquet. His mother told me I could keep the ring, but it didn’t seem right to take it from her. It was her mother’s and now I wasn’t going to be part of her family. I was the girl who was responsible for her son’s death.”

“So, that’s why you decided to move here?” Spencer asked in a low voice.

“Not exactly.” Her shoulders tensed and she twisted her fingers together.

He could tell she was having an inner debate whether or not to disclose her thoughts. Spencer couldn’t imagine what more there could be, but he knew she was holding back.

“Sam, you know you can tell me anything. I’m not going anywhere.”

Sam looked up at him and smiled sadly. “I know. There’s something about you, Spencer Malloy.”

Chapter 15

“But, there’s more,” he prompted her.

“Yes, unfortunately.” Her hands began to shake.

Spencer resisted the urge to reach out and steady them in his own.

“For over a year, I was terrorized. If it had just been me, maybe I could’ve handled it, but it wasn’t. It was my family and my friends. Everyone I cared about was affected.” She paused to take a steadying breath. “It started with phone calls. First, it was just annoying. You know, letting it ring and then hanging up when I answered, but no one said anything. Then the phone calls took a turn. He would say things to me, horrible things about how I was a murderer or how I was a slut. It happened over and over. He always called in the middle of the night or right around dinner to say things such as, ‘Just think, your boyfriend stopped breathing right around this time.’

She stood and crossed to the railing. He saw her shoulders shake from an invisible shiver and then she continued.

“There were also slashed tires and broken windows on my car, as well as my friend’s. He was following me all the time. I brought destruction with me wherever I went. I left town for little while and stayed with my parents, but he knew where I was. One morning, I awoke to the sound of my mother’s screams. My parent’s dog was floating in their pool. The next day, there was some sort of animal blood smeared on the porch. It got to the point I had to leave them. They told me I could stay. They even insisted at one point, but I couldn’t keep doing that to them. Now they’ve moved and I’ve never visited them at their new house, just to be safe.”

“So you know who was doing these things to you and your family?”

“Yes, I know who it was.”

“The cops never arrested him?” Spencer shook his head in disbelief.

“No, they did.” She turned, put her back to the rail and folded her arms over her chest. “He served time for violating a restraining order and harassment, but that’s all the DA could prove.”

“Well, who was it? Was it one of the guys that robbed the bank?”

“No, it’s a guy named Eric. He’s the older brother of the little boy, you remember the one who was murdered in the bank that night, Jason? He blames me for his brother’s death and I understand why. I mean, maybe he’s right to blame me.”

“Oh, Sam, come on,” Spencer’s words held some heat.

“No, just think about it, Spencer. If I hadn’t been late or forgetful, maybe none of this would’ve happened. Tyler and Jason would both still be alive if it weren’t for me. Maybe this is karma and I’m getting exactly what I deserve.”

“Sam, just stop.” He hadn’t meant to shout, but he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t sit there and listen to her beat herself up. “Things happen. It’s tragic in a way that’s unbearable, but you didn’t pull the trigger. You weren’t the one robbing a bank.”

“But, still if I hadn’t…”

“No.” He pushed out of his chair with such force it rocked on its back legs. “You didn’t do anything wrong. People forget things. They run late. It happens to everyone at some time or another. You have to stop blaming yourself for this. It’s been long enough.” He stepped in front of her, so close their shoes were almost touching. “When are you going to let yourself off the hook?”

“Considering what’s happened to Denise, I don’t think this is ever going to end.” Tears filled her eyes and she put her back to him. “Look, I’m sorry I’ve burdened you with all of this. I didn’t mean to, but you happened to show up and here we are.”

“Yes, here we are.” Spencer removed his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “So, let me see if I have everything straight. Do you think this guy, Eric is it, is to blame for Denise’s death?”

“I think it’s possible. He’s out of jail now.”

“Why would he go after her? She wasn’t there the night of the robbery.”

“He doesn’t know where I am. She’s a tie to me. He’s still coming for me.”

Spencer’s insides twisted. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. “How do you know that?”

“Trust me on this. He told me a long time ago that I would never be happy again as long as he was alive. He said death was too easy for me, but if that’s what it takes for me to learn my lesson, then so be it.”

He moved behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry about Denise. I know she meant a lot to you, but maybe it was a random break-in.”

“Maybe it was.” Sam agreed, but he could tell she didn’t mean it. “Thanks for listening, but you don’t have to stay.” She massaged her temples. “I’m sure you have other things to do than sit around here.”

“I have all the time in the world, plus I owe you a back door.” Spencer decided it was time to break from this conversation for a while. He needed a chance to think on everything she had said.

Sam carried their plates into the house and cleaned up the kitchen while Spencer grabbed some tools from his truck and began to fix the back door. The atmosphere had changed between them. Her new life was contaminated now. Eric had found a way to interfere with her life without even knowing where she was.

The soapy water was hot, but Sam barely noticed. It felt good to have something to do, but her mind still wandered to Denise. She needed time and hoped the guilt wouldn’t consume her. First Tyler and Jason, and now Denise. Why was this happening?

She had been so close to putting the past behind her. She had a new job, a house and a few friends. Maybe she really didn’t deserve happiness.

Spencer knelt down at eye level with her locking mechanism and screwed a new gold plate into place. Her heart stirred as she watched him, but this time it didn’t have anything to do with his eyes or the way he filled out a pair of jeans. Today, he’d proven to be not only a friend, but also a caring man. The kind one should grab onto and share their innermost thoughts and dreams with. Of course, in her case, it wasn’t the time for sharing dreams so much as nightmares.

“I think that’ll about do it on the door. Are you okay?”

Sam blinked back the tears that were beginning to fill her eyes. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.” She pulled her wrinkled hands out of the dishwater and wiped them on a towel. “Thanks again for everything.”

“I’m glad I could be here for you, Sam. I know you probably need some time to yourself so if you feel okay to be alone, I’m going to head out, but I’ll be by to check on you tomorrow.”

“That’s not necessary. I’ll be fine here.” She held her arms out to the sides. “I feel safe here, in this house.”

“Oh, I know you’re fine, but it would make me feel better.”

She smiled, nodded and clicked the new lock into place behind him. Maybe one day it would be safe to dream again.

Spencer was true to his word. He stopped by the following day and every day after for the entire week. He had a new excuse to stop by every night. One evening, it was because he wanted to make sure there were no leaks where he had fixed the door since it had rained earlier in the day. Another night, it was because some of the ladies from church had too much food left over and they’d given it to him, and since there was so much, he figured he ought to share. They both knew what he was doing, but neither of them mentioned it. Spencer hated to admit he thought about her all the time and worried about her almost as often.