The Edge of Recall (45 page)

“He did.” Her voice cracked.

A siren penetrated the morning, the marshal coming at last.

“Did?” The agent straightened.

“Bair’s holding him on the mountain, where he intended to kill me.”

Agent Tyson sprang up. “Why didn’t you say so?”

“I didn’t know who to trust.”

Dr. Brenner gave her a grim appraisal. The siren died, and a minute later the marshal banged on the door. The officers of the law exchanged credentials, and Special Agent Tyson took jurisdiction. Marshal Filby didn’t object. Younger than her by three years, he’d held the office only a year since obtaining his criminal justice degree.

Tessa went to the closet for a coat. “I’ll show you where they are.”

Alone with Dr. Brenner, Smith glowered.

“You don’t look good, Smith. Is there something—”

“He doped me.”

“A barbiturate?”

“Whatever it was, it knocked me out.” Smith rubbed his face, still barely able to focus. “He meant it for Tessa, so he could take her out where her dad died and leave her to freeze or push her to her death, an apparent suicide.”

The doctor paled. “I thought I had provoked him into coming after me. The FBI staked out my property all night. When he didn’t make his move, we rushed here, or as near rushing as we could on these roads.”

“Too late.” Smith pressed his palms to his eyes.

“It must be a zero-elimination barbiturate and you’re in the half-life still.” Dr. Brenner checked his eyes, his pulse. Noticing Donny’s pillow and blanket, he said, “You slept here last night, to keep watch?”

Smith did not correct his misconception. “Not a very good watch.”

“A fast-acting drug such as thiopental would have given you no chance to react.”

Smith closed his eyes. When he opened them again, Tessa and Dr. Brenner were talking.

Dr. Brenner stood at the window looking out. “I knew them both. We trained and served together as volunteer firemen two years before you were born. After that Ryan said he had too much to lose, my practice was taking off, and Bly went his own way.”

Bair had come in and stood behind Tessa’s chair. Genie was stirring what might be oatmeal on the kitchen stove, so the power had come back on. There was no sign of Donny.

“Your dad and I stayed in touch. He bought his plane and I went to see it. That’s the picture you saw.”

“But what about Bly?” Tessa stood up and crossed to the window. “Couldn’t you tell he was evil?”

“Ryan never suspected. He thought the best of everyone.” He turned. “I had caught Bly in a lie several times, and it struck me that there had been little need for prevarication. He’d simply done it. That’s always a flag.”

“So what happened?”

“Bly showed up again and commissioned your dad to make some deliveries. Sensitive material he didn’t want trusted to the mail carriers.”

“And Dad did it?”

“He had no reason not to, Evan Bly being an old and charismatic friend. Agent Tyson’s information stunned him.”

“And he went to you.”

Dr. Brenner looked back out the window. “He asked if I thought it possible. I told him yes, and he should watch his back.” He gathered himself and faced her. “I’m sorry I didn’t do more.”

Tessa gulped back tears. “What more could you have done?”

“I’ve asked that so many times.”

She sniffed. “I’m sorry I called you a liar.”

He pulled a grim smile. “Understandable. It doesn’t help that Smith has a poor opinion.”

“He didn’t know.”

“No, I didn’t.” Smith pulled up to sit, clearing his head with a shake.

“In one sense you were right.” Dr. Brenner folded his arms. “I did grow overprotective and overly fond of Tessa. But I’d promised her mother.”

“Promised her what?” Tessa’s voice rasped.

“Not to give up until you were whole.”

Tears glistened in Tessa’s eyes. “That took both of you. And God.”

“That’s a powerful support system,” Dr. Brenner said. “I suggest you hold on to it.”

“Does that mean you’re not through with me?”

“I hope not.” He rested a hand on her shoulder. “But I have an issue to deal with that you won’t be happy about.”

Tessa looked into his face. “Your missing phone?”

“How did you …” He cocked his head. “He’s here, isn’t he?”

“Upstairs.”

“That little weasel. How did he get out?”

“I don’t know. He just called for pickup.”

“And you brought the person who stabbed Smith into your home?” He turned. “Smith?”

“She’s hard to resist.”

Tessa planted her hands on her hips. “He isn’t dangerous.”

Dr. Brenner frowned. “While I have concluded that he acted in self-defense, having only a limited grasp of his actions, I have not determined whether he would repeat them.”

“He saved my life.” She raised her chin. “He jumped a man with a gun to protect me; then Bair did the heavy work.”

“There’s a lot he doesn’t know, Tessa.”

“But have you known anyone who wants to learn things the way he does?”

“Yes, actually. A young lady who pored over everything she could find about labyrinths. Are you still going to build this last one?”

She nodded. “I signed a contract. And the architect in charge is big on integrity.”

Smith got to his feet, found them functional. He got the phone he’d left on the counter, brought it to Dr. Brenner. The look on the man’s face was priceless.

“I suppose we’ll address the concept of personal property next.”

Bair grinned. “Should I bring him down?”

“Definitely.”

Tessa turned. “Has he told you his story?”

“Some. I’ve gleaned more. His mother gave birth and rejected him. The midwife took him in but kept him hidden. I don’t know her name. He calls her Nursey. She left him a document naming him, though: Donny Griswold.”

“Birth certificate?”

“That’s my guess.”

Smith frowned. “Did he say why she left him in the cistern?”

“There was an incident, one at least, in which people broke into his room to torment him. I think she feared she’d be unable to prevent it happening again.”

“But why keep him hidden?” Tessa looked pained.

Smith spread his hands. “There’s a paucity of charity in this world.”

Dr. Brenner nodded. “Ignorance and fear.”

She sighed. “What now?”

“He hasn’t had any controls or expectations since she put him in the cistern. He developed his own code, but while the midwife seems to have instilled a fear of punishment, he has no clear boundaries.” Dr. Brenner looked up. “Well, Donny. What have you to say for yourself?”

Donny stopped partway down the staircase. “I only borrowed the phone. It had Tessa in it and I had to call her but no one let me call when I saw her and I had to.”

“And sneaking out of a locked facility? How did you manage that?”

Donny only grinned.

Genie said, “Would anyone like some oatmeal?”

“Yes.” Donny came down the rest of the way. “And Coke.”

CHAPTER

41

Just days after the storm, the snow had completely melted and it was warm as Indian summer. Standing between Smith and Genie at the cemetery, Tessa stared at the coffin that held her dad’s remains. He was truly gone, not waiting, lost in the labyrinth, anymore.

Her grief would heal with time—now that the monster had been arrested and charged. She would have to testify, but the case against him was solid for conviction. Twenty years too late, but in terms of eternity she shouldn’t worry that Evan Bly’s punishment would not last long enough. Her challenge was to forgive, so the rest of her life was not contaminated by his evil as her other years had been.

Smith circled her waist as the presiding minister concluded the prayers. Surprisingly dry-eyed, she looked up at him with all the gratefulness and love she felt. Donny, in dark glasses and hooded poncho, came over and hugged her. Since her embrace on the mountain, he’d taken every chance to make up for the dearth of human contact.

“You’re sad.”

“I’m okay, Donny.”

When Dr. Brenner approached, her throat tightened at the satisfaction she saw in his eyes. He’d given her time when the waiting must have been so frustrating. She took his hands. “Thank you for helping me all these years.”

He squeezed hers. “It wasn’t a favor, Tessa. I wanted justice, but more than that I wanted you to find peace. Ryan was my friend, your mother adamant in her hopes for your recovery, but you were the one who made it matter.”

She bit her lip. “I need to ask you something.”

“Ask.”

“The private scholarship that took me through Cornell.”

His jaw twitched.

“Was it you?”

“I’m not married and I’ve done very well in my practice, not to mention the numerous hours I’ve billed you.”

Now the tears came. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“It was my pleasure.”

“When I’m back in Maryland, can I keep a phone appointment once in a while to talk about Dad—or complain about Smith?”

He smiled. “Call after hours so I won’t have to charge.” He spread his arms and gave her a brief hug. Then he turned to Smith. “Look after her.”

“I intend to.” Smith extended his hand, and they shook.

Dr. Brenner turned. “Ready to go, Donny?”

“To your house, right? Not that other place—not Cedar Grove and the locked doors.”

“Cedar Grove for some of the time, and my house at night. For now.”

“And lots of books.”

“All the books you want.”

Tessa watched them walking to the silver BMW, Dr. Brenner and his new project. Her heart swelled. Bair cupped Genie’s elbow as they turned from the gravesite; then their hands slipped together as they started for the car. Tessa glanced at Smith, who gave her a knowing smile.

The minister came to her. “May Christ’s peace be yours.”

She nodded, throat tight. “It is.”

Patches of snow remained on the mountainside above Tessa’s house, but the sun shone warmly as Smith reached down to stroke Roscoe, sunning on the porch where neighbors had left flowers and candles and notes.

Tessa stopped and stared at the outpouring of support. “How did they know?”

“It’s a small community,” Genie said. “Word gets around.” She slipped an arm around Tessa’s shoulders. “I don’t think you realize how many friends you have.”

Smith could only imagine what it meant to her now.

Tessa stooped and picked up a hand-scribbled note tucked into a small potted ivy. Smith looked over her shoulder as she murmured, “ ‘Sorry about your dad. He was a good guy.’ ” It was signed Lyle Donner. She looked down at the roof and bare backyard of her downhill neighbor. “It would have taken quite an effort for him to bring this plant up.”

In the sunshine next to her cat, she read one card after another. Smith sat next to her, resting his forearms on his knees. After a while, Bair came out and handed him the cell phone. Smith read the number and frowned, then raised it to his ear. “Yes?”

“Um, Smith?”

“What is it, Danae?”

“I’ve been trying to reach you. Do you still not have your phone?”

“That’s right.”

“I wish you’d get it. It’s really awkward going through Bair.”

He moved his hand to Tessa’s knee. She had grown still, though she tried to look as if she wasn’t listening.

“What is it you needed?”

“I was hoping we could talk.”

He looked into the azure sky. “I don’t think so. I’m seeing someone else.”

“Really.” Her voice held distinct disappointment. “Because Ed and I, well, it’s over and—”

“I’m sorry. I know you had big hopes.” It surprised him that he did feel sorry for her.

“Is it serious, this new thing?”

“I hope to marry her.”

Tessa looked up. He slid his arm around her shoulders.

“That’s … awfully fast, isn’t it?” A hint of petulance colored her tone.

“I’ve known her for years.”

“While we were together? Did I meet her?”

“Just the other day. In the trailer.”

“The landscaper?”

“Landscape architect. We went to school together. She’s brilliant.”

“Smith, I … I should be happy for you. But I have to say I’m confused. The other day—”

“I should have told you then. It wasn’t fair to either of you.”