The Broken Road (20 page)

It didn't mention if anyone else had been taken into custody. I wonder which one of his friends was going down with him? I sent a quick text to Rachel; maybe she would know. Adrian was Shane’s closest friend and would know more than I would. She sent a response immediately.

“Adrian and Ben were questioned but not taken in. Adrian was just as surprised about this as we are. We’re thinking of you Megan. Please call us if we can do anything for you.”

Well, shoot. There wasn’t anything anyone could do. There was nothing I could do. My life had taken an unanticipated turn. I had nothing more to do than pick up the pieces. I had to live, but at the same time, I couldn’t bring myself to even fathom what tomorrow would bring. I had a hard time believing that Adrian was unaware. Shane told Adrian everything. If Adrian didn’t know, then Shane must have been in over his head.

I turned off the TV and whistled for Penny.  I took her for a long walk. It was a beautiful day. I tried to keep my thoughts to a minimum, but Shane kept creeping back to the forefront.  I recalled every conversation, every interaction we had with his friends. There were so many signs that I ignored, the hushed conversations, the late night hours working, and the missed phone calls. I felt so stupid. I turned a blind eye because I wanted to be with him. Just like with Alex, I ignored the obvious. How desperate of a woman am I, to be that oblivious? The answer was disturbing. 

We walked the entire length of the neighborhood. The sun felt good on my face. I hoped I got some color, as this whole pasty complexion look I had going on was too Goth for my tastes. I didn’t pay much attention to my surroundings and was a startled when I heard a truck roar past me. It took me a minute before I realized that it looked like the same SUV I saw back in February, right before someone broke into my house.

It’s entirely possible that there was a new person with the same SUV in the community, but it seemed out of place. Maybe they were lost? I wasn’t sure but I quickened my pace and kept Penny close. I hurried inside and locked the door. I looked at Penny and told her, “You will protect this place right?” She cocked her head to the side in the classic dog expression of “Huh?” Right. You’ll attack the intruder and lick him to death.

I spent the rest of the weekend and the following week hanging around the house. I cut the grass in the backyard and plucked out the weeds that were invading my front garden. I stayed away from the news shows and only took calls from Jen or my mom. I didn’t want to talk to anyone else or have to answer the inane question of “how are you coping.” I coped by working. Working in my house, catching up on all the work I missed from the office this past week, working on the garden. I stayed busy. Uncle Bob understood and didn’t object when I called in. The busier I was, the less I dwelled on the heartbreak that was crushing my chest.

I did end up getting a lot accomplished. Everything was cleaned, straightened, or thrown out. I re-organized my pantry. I went through my closet and took out everything I had no intention of wearing again. I went shopping for new curtains. Eventually, I ran out of things to do. I couldn't avoid the real world any longer. It was time to pull on my big girl undies and be an adult. 

After a week of hiding from my everyday life, I went back to my normal routine. The routine I had before Shane came into my life. I woke up at my normal time and blasted the music while I was in the shower. I dressed in a brown and white polka dotted wrap dress, a pair of kitten heels, and added some color with a topaz necklace. I looked normal on the outside, even though I felt sick as a dog on the inside.

I walked into the office as if nothing was wrong. I smiled at the paralegals and interns, and brought my computer up as the coffee was being made. I was pouring myself another cup when Uncle Bob coughed behind me.

“Megan, I wasn’t sure if you would be in today. How are you doing?” he asked gently. A lump formed in my throat and I swallowed before answering.

“Just fine, Uncle Bob ” I replied. The cheerfulness in my voice was faked and Uncle Bob knew.

“I’m meeting Shane today. Is there anything you’d like me to tell him?” Uncle Bob asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“Nope. I have nothing to say to that lying jerk. In fact, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell me anything about the trial. It's bad enough that it will be dominating the news. But honestly, I don’t care anymore,” I answered, lifting my head to show him the steely gaze in my eyes. I told myself that I didn’t care. I was done worrying about him. Regardless that my heart was dying for any shred of information I know Uncle Bob has. I know that I shouldn’t hang on to anything related to Shane. It would kill me to know anymore. I didn’t want to know if he was still thinking about me, if he was doing okay in jail. I had to go on. Like it never happened.

Uncle Bob accepted my resolute answer and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. “I understand. I hope I see you next week for the barbeque.” My aunt and uncle go all out for their annual barbeque. The law firm, family, and friends all get together at my uncle’s house on the Chesapeake Bay. There are games and moon bounces for the kids, swimming in the bay, and face painters.

I nodded. “We’ll be there. I’m sure Mom is already making trays of brownies and cookies.” He gave my hand a squeeze and headed out the door, his briefcase in hand.

The rest of the day wore on slowly. No one really talked to me and I was grateful. But at the same time, their glances of pity and whispers were really starting to grate on my nerves. It took a while before I got through my “in” box. I had barely made a dent in my workload. Uncle Bob came back from seeing Shane and it took all I had to not ask any questions. He understood though, and told me to go home. I was in no shape to be at work. I finally walked out of the office at six-thirty, knowing that I really should have gone home earlier. My eyes felt like they had a mind of their own and kept closing on me. I had a horrible headache and an upset stomach. I was able to keep the vomiting down to a minimum, but anytime I even glanced at a piece of food, my stomach churned.
I must be coming down with a bug.
I made my way to the car, not paying any attention to the beautiful afternoon. I just wanted to go home and sleep. I fumbled with my keys, when I felt a hard stab to my head and a low voice. “Do not scream. Turn around now, you stupid bitch.”

My heart raced and my hands started shaking. I slowly turned around. He was dressed in all black with a black mask over his face, showing nothing but menacing dark eyes. I have never seen him before but the threat in his voice was all I needed to comply. I didn’t want to show that I was afraid, but I couldn't stop quaking. I stared at the man who held a pistol to my head. “Here. Here’s my purse and my keys. Take them,” I stuttered. I winced when I heard the fear in my voice.

He took his free hand and gave me a hard shove against my car. My head hit the roof and I bit my lip to keep from crying out in pain. I didn’t want him to hear how terrified I was. He threw my purse and keys to the ground. I could hear my phone clatter and break.

“I don't want your fucking purse, bitch. I want Shane. Where the fuck is Shane?” he growled.

“Shane was arrested last week. I don't know where he is,” I said desperately. I held out my hands in surrender. Panic and adrenaline were rapidly coursing through my veins. I tried desperately to remember the self-defense techniques that my brother taught me, but I was helpless.

“Shane was arrested, but he was released on bail. Where the fuck is he?” the stranger demanded, pressing the gun to my temple. I didn’t even consider what he said, that Shane had been released. Apparently, I didn’t answer quickly enough; he wheeled back and sent the butt of the gun flying across my face. I fell to the side, pain screaming down my jaw.

“I don't know where he is!” I cried, holding my face. Tears stung my eyes as I tried to hold it together. He grabbed me up and shoved me against the car again. His hand closed around my throat as he held me there. I struggled against him, smacking at his hands and kicking his shins, desperate to get free. I was terrified at what might come next. I grappled against his bulky jacket. I scratched and clawed at his hands, frantically trying to free myself. My vision started getting cloudy and I was struggling to breathe. I could see black dots and I frantically tried to do anything I could.

“Wrong answer. We’ve been to your house. His shit is gone. I know he’s been there.” He threw me back down. I wheezed for air, trying to breathe, when the first kick came, right against my side. I screamed, I felt such heat and burning in my side. The second kick was harder. The sharp pain took away what little breath I had.

“I don’t... know ... where he is,” I struggled to say. “Please,” I begged helplessly. I grasped for anything I could throw: rocks, keys, anything. I could see the jagged edge of my phone and I scrambled toward it. The monster saw what I was doing and pulled me back.

“No. You won’t be calling anyone but Shane. Give him a message. We’re looking for him and this is the least of what we’re going to do.” He threatened, pulling back his fist. I braced for the impact and held up my hands in a weak shield. But I was unable to stop the crack of my cheek as he put his entire weight behind the punch. I could feel myself falling to the ground. I closed my eyes, waiting for more.

Chapter 19

More never came. I slowly opened my eyes, my vision blurred. My heart was racing and I tried to look around, to see where my attacker was. Thankfully, he was gone. I pushed myself up with trembling arms. It was so painful to breathe and I couldn’t see out of my right eye. My entire face felt like it was on fire. Searing pain. I made my way slowly back to the office. It was late, but I knew that Uncle Bob was still in the building. He was always the first one in and the last to leave. I got to the front door just as he was walking out. The horrified look that came across his face gave me inkling on how bad I really looked. “Uncle Bob..,” I said weakly. I didn’t want to cry. But I couldn’t help it. The pain was too much. Sobs broke through as he rushed over to me.

“Jesus Christ! What the hell happened? Get inside right now.” He helped me into the office, locking the door behind us. He sat me down in the reception area and rushed to get an icepack from the fridge. I cautiously held the pack to my face, wincing at the sting of the cold. I managed to get out the attacker’s message. The furious look on Uncle Bob’s face shocked me. His face turned purple and the veins in his head bulged and pulsated. He ran to the phone and dialed 911. I didn’t want to ride in an ambulance. I could have someone pick me up, but he ignored my protests. He stayed by my side, going through the horrific episode with me again, trying to pull together as many details as he could.

Ten minutes later there was a sharp rap at the door. Uncle Bob rushed over to let in the EMTs and police. Luckily, we were in another jurisdiction so my brother wasn’t there.
I’m sure he’ll find out sooner or later.
I answered the police questions as best as I could, describing the creep’s tattoo. I didn’t remember seeing any vehicle so I was no help there. As I was answering their questions and being lifted onto the stretcher, I heard my uncle’s furious tone. He was yelling at someone and, even though his office door was closed, I could clearly hear him.

“Dammit. You said she would be protected! That is the main reason why I agreed to this. You would protect her! Where was her protection detail? Why didn't anyone see anything? I demand answers! So help me God, if anything more happens to her, I’m pulling my support from this case. Do you hear me?”

Who the heck was he talking to? What was he talking about? What protection? I was so confused. My head was pounding, my body was crying in pain. I couldn’t move my arm anymore and it tortured me when the EMTs strapped me onto the gurney. I could hear Bob moving behind me, calling out, “I’ll be right behind you Meg! I’m going to call your mom.”

Good lord. Not my mom. First, Kyle getting shot, now I was banged up. She didn’t need this. Guilt and dread kept me occupied while I was in the ambulance. The medics worked over me, checking my vitals and examining the bruises on my face. They kept asking me inane questions: “What is your name?” “What day is it?” I understood that they had to follow protocol but I didn’t want to talk to them. I just wanted to close my eyes and forget this ever happened.

Once we arrived at the hospital, they wheeled me into the ER and I could hear my mother’s voice in the waiting room. “That’s her! That’s my daughter. Please let me go back there!”

I glanced wearily at the nurse who was checking my chart. “If you don’t let her back here, she’s going to tear this place apart,” I warned, only half joking. Mom is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to her kids. As the nurse retook my vitals, she smiled and said, “I understand. But I want the doctor to take a look at you. We’ll let her come over in a minute.”

An older doctor came around the curtain and asked me the same questions the EMTs did. His hands were freezing and shaking, but his eyes were as sharp as ever. He examined my face and side. His fingers were light to the touch, which was needed. The pain was excruciating. The nurse was hooking up me up to an IV. I took a quick peek and already saw my ribcage turning colors.

The doctor noticed my glance. “It looks like your ribs maybe fractured. We’re going to take an x-ray just to be sure. Your jaw line is severely bruised, and it looks like your cheekbone is bruised as well, but nothing looks broken. I’m going to send in an ophthalmologist to check your vision after the CT scan. I also want get some blood-work done so I can see if you’re anemic.”

After he gave the nurse the orders, he turned around and walked out. Apparently his bedside manners were in need of a booster shot. The nurse began asking me questions that I answered automatically. However, she stopped me in my tracks when she asked when my last period was. I really had to think. I know it was before Eric’s bonfire. Was there one after that? I answered her as truthfully as I could.

“Could you be pregnant?” she asked, her eyes taking in the lack of a diamond on my finger.