The Dangerous Gift (18 page)

“She’s gone, but there’s only one path, and that leads to the track. She’ll head that way. It’s moonlit, and anything else would mean injury or even death since she’s unarmed.”

“I don’t go that way,” Ryder said. His eyes lost their glazed look. “I use the compass and head west. It brings you close to the old barns.”

“You go that way. If you see anyone, get rid of them. I need time with Jennie on my own.” Darleen waited for Ryder’s protest, but he nodded and sprinted in the direction he’d indicated. “I’ll head for my truck and cut her off on the track, if she gets that far.” Darleen’s explanation was futile as Ryder disappeared into the darkness, his confident stride indicating his familiarity with the area.

***

Jared

The journey back to the track was quicker than before, and Jen moved as if pursued by hellhounds. They rounded the bend and saw the silver truck exactly where Darleen had left it.

“Is that Darleen’s truck?” Jen whispered, her gaze panic-stricken as she stopped and looked around. Jared nodded and urged her forward, past the truck and onto the track where he’d left his own vehicle.

“Darleen left the truck here and walked to wherever she was going. I followed her. There is a cluster of old buildings in that direction. I guess that’s where Ryder had you and where Darleen went.”

The track looked deserted, but Jared scanned up and down it to make certain before he walked onto it, pulling Jen behind him. “It’s not far now, Jen. We’ll contact Dan once we’re on the move and let him know where Darleen and Ryder are.”

“Yes, it’s strange they haven’t followed me. What is it, Jared?” Jen frowned.

“The truck. I’m sure I left it here, but it’s gone.” Jared pushed his fingers through his hair as the hairs on the back of his neck stiffened. “Someone’s moved it.”

Jennie gulped and moved closer to him. “Darleen and Ryder must have found it.”

Jared shielded her with his body and reached for the knife secreted in his jacket pocket. Its cool smoothness comforted him as he ran his fingers over it. He didn’t carry a gun, even though it was normal daywear for a rancher, but he always carried the knife his father had given him. This would be the first time he’d use it in anger. He walked on, searching the land at the side of the track for his truck.

***

Darleen

Darleen arrived at her truck without seeing anyone else and slipped inside. The shadowy outlines of two people were visible in the distance, Jennie and someone else. They were walking fast but kept looking round, as if they had lost something.

Darleen pulled out her night vision binoculars and focused on the dark shapes. The taller shape was male, and by the way his arm draped protectively round the smaller shape she assumed was Jennie, the other person must be Jared. Darleen smiled. They were looking for Jared’s truck. Ryder must have found it and taken it to the barns. She gunned the engine and careered in the direction of the track.

***

Jared

The roar of a diesel engine made them quicken their steps until they were running. Jared darted a glance over his shoulder. Headlights on full, a powerful four-by-four careered towards them at breakneck speed. With no time to think and barely time to react, Jared pushed Jen off the track as far as he could. At the last possible second, he followed her down. The heat and dust covered them as the truck sped by.

Their escape window had been impossibly small. Jared sprang up and pulled Jen up with him. “That was close.” Jen didn’t answer. Her body sagged in his arms. “Come on, we’ll head away from the track and hope they can’t find us. I’ll call the sheriff. He should be somewhere close by now.” He looked down as he waited for Jen’s response. Whatever she thought, they needed to move now.

As he walked farther away from the track, Jen remained limp at his side. Soon, he stopped and sank to the ground with her. He couldn’t see her face clearly in the dark, but when he put his head close to her mouth, her breaths were infrequent and weak and her eyes remained closed. She was unconscious. Desperate, he felt her head for bumps and cuts and found numerous swellings but no blood. He ran back to where he’d pushed her down. The ground was full of tough grass, but there weren’t any sharp rocks. He returned to Jen and picked her up.

He’d only walked a few steps when he heard the dull thud of a truck door. His eyes closed as a wave of despair overtook him. If only they weren’t so vulnerable. He turned back. Better to confront their pursuer head-on. At least Jen was out of it.

“So what are you going to do now, run us down in cold blood?”

Silence greeted Jared’s question. He couldn’t discern who was waiting for them. The moon was fading and it would be light in a few hours, but now the night was at its darkest.

***

Darleen

Darleen drove past her victims until she reached the old barns. Ryder waited there, pacing. When he saw her truck, he ran towards her, barely able to contain his excitement. “I found Jared’s truck! He won’t be able to take Jennie now; she’s mine!”

“Good work, Ryder. You need to stay here. I will come back when I’ve got the signatures.” Darleen got back into the truck and drove without lights down the track to where she’d left Jared and Jennie. It was time for the final act. She would give Jared a choice—a life with her or death with his beloved.

Darleen cut the engine and stepped out of the truck, still angry Jennie had evaded her. She’d recognized Jared’s physique in the beam of her headlights as he pushed Jennie out of danger. Her intention had been to scare, not kill…yet. But Jared didn’t know that.

Now he carried Jennie in his arms as if she were delicate china. Part of Darleen wanted her dead right now, but she needed Jennie’s signature before she allowed herself that rare pleasure. Jennie was weak; she’d probably fainted with shock. Darleen spat into the dust, disgusted.

Her mobile vibrated in her pocket. Ryder again. Darleen cursed his manic state but kept any annoyance out of her voice as she answered his call. “Ryder, is something the matter?”

“I want to come with you. You may need me, Darleen,” he whined.

Darleen closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

Chapter 17

Jared

Darleen walked across the rough grass, parallel to the track. Her mouth was moving, but Jared couldn’t hear what she said. He risked a quick look behind him in case Ryder was about to launch a surprise attack, but there was no one there.

“I’ll see you when I’m done here.” Darleen returned her cell phone to her pocket and looked at Jared. “I’m so glad Jennie followed my advice. Did she tell you I helped her get away from my brother?”

Darleen’s intent gaze made Jared wary. “You expect me to believe you weren’t part of Jen’s abduction? You lied about seeing Ryder with her and didn’t tell me where they were.” He shook his head, astounded Darleen thought he would fall for her lies again. “If Jennie wasn’t in my arms, I’d shake you. Make you admit you’re involved.”

“That’s harsh, Jared.” Darleen pouted. “Ryder would have hurt Jennie for sure but for me.” Her cloying, spicy perfume filled his nostrils.

Jared glanced at Jen’s still body. Worried Darleen would hurt her, he laid Jen gently onto the ground. The knife glinted in his jacket pocket as he straightened. His fingers clenched in readiness, though he was unsure if he could stab a woman under any circumstances, even Darleen.

Darleen breached the gap between them. She swayed serpent-like before pressing against him. Jared recoiled as their bodies touched, and Darleen’s furious gaze was the only warning he got before her knee made painful contact with his groin. Jared groaned as his eyes watered. The glint of steel in Darleen’s hand caught his gaze as she took what looked like a knife from her back pocket.

A swift, hard kick in the diaphragm forced Jared backwards whilst he was still reeling from her earlier blow. When he landed on his back, Darleen ground the heel of her boot into his ribs, and Jared gasped for breath. She sat astride him and pushed the tip of a sharp hunting knife into the soft skin below his Adam’s apple. There was a sharp sting followed by a trickle of wetness. The bitch had cut him.

“Move and I’ll give you a tracheotomy without the tube.”

Jared stilled and Darleen sneered. She pulled out a sheaf of official-looking papers and thrust them into his face. “Sign these before I wake up your plaything and get her to do the same. You can sit up, but do anything stupid and I’ll turn you into a pincushion. Don’t underestimate me, Jared. I’m more than capable.”

Darleen sprang up with a cat’s athleticism, and Jared hauled his body up. She watched him intently as she handed him the pen, which she pulled from her jeans. “Sign by the crosses.”

Jared scanned the document using the flashlight on his cell phone and shook his head. “No way, Darleen, I’m not giving you rights to drill the oil on Unicorn land. You knew about Ryder, what he did to my parents and Harry. Even if you don’t get arrested, living in this community will be impossible.”

“Sign it or I’ll start carving your little kitten up.” Darleen let the knife slice dangerously close to Jen’s face. “They’ll all believe me when they hear how Ryder abused me. ‘My brother threatened me. I feared for my life. He’s already killed three people, what else could I do?’” Darleen’s voice trembled as she rehearsed her victim speech.

Jared signed the papers, glaring at the woman he once had feelings for. Smug, Darleen checked his signature and stuffed the papers into her jeans pocket. “Before we wake Kitten, I have something to tell you.”

Jared’s gaze flickered over to Jen’s unconscious body. If he occupied Darleen, the chances of Dan and hopefully the federal authorities finding them in time improved. “Well, I’m all yours…”

“If only you were.” Regret flashed in Darleen’s gaze but was quickly replaced by excitement. “You’re the reason for all this unpleasantness. We’d be married and your parents and Harry could have toasted us at our wedding, but I wasn’t good enough for you, was I?” As Darleen ran the knife point down Jared’s torso, the buttons on his shirt flicked off, leaving his chest naked, exposed. His fists clenched, but he didn’t move. “Did your mother poison you against me while your daddy refused to drag the Unicorn into the twenty-first century? Or were you always waiting for your ‘kitten’ to return, once she’d sharpened her claws on the English dudes?”

Darleen let the knife swing over Jen’s head. Jared held his breath, poised to dive for the weapon if she let it go. She didn’t. Looking amused, Darleen laid the knife on Jared’s chest but kept her fingers wrapped tightly round it. “You really do love her. Pity. We could have been so good together. But never mind. I’ll sell these oil rights and leave this all behind. There’s sure to be another Jared waiting for me where I’m headed.”

Jared didn’t expect to come out of this alive. He regretted the time he would never spend with Jen. The children they would never have—unless she was already pregnant. They’d hardly practiced safe sex, his conscience reminded him. Even so, he would never see his child grow up. At least Jen would live and maybe find someone else to make her happy. The thought of her with someone else saddened Jared, but her safety was all that mattered.

Darleen watched him, her gaze intent, as if she could read his thoughts. “I’m disappointed, Jared. You don’t know, do you? Jennie worked it out when she became acquainted with the old cellar. It was me. I was the one who blew up the plane and ended Harry.”

“What?” Darleen’s revelation penetrated Jared’s musings. He’d been lost in his thoughts about Jen and the life they would never get to experience together.

Darleen frowned but continued, “I felt strange when the plane exploded. I saw my finger press the button, but it was like watching someone else. The sadness for the loss of life was mitigated by a powerful high as fire engulfed the plane and made it spin to earth, vibrant and bright like a falling star. It transfixed me. I almost forget to leave.”

Darleen’s fever-bright eyes and flushed face made her look inhuman. Jared breathed deeply and clamped his mouth shut to stop the vomit that surged into it from escaping. Confusion registered in Darleen’s gaze when Jared didn’t react, but she continued, “Getting into Harry’s hospital room was a rush, but no one questioned me, as I was dressed in scrubs. He was barely conscious and so confused. I toyed with leaving him alive. Ryder wasn’t even sure Harry recognized him at the ranch. But he knew who I was. The glimmer of recognition in Harry’s gaze sealed his fate. How would I explain being in his room in scrubs? Killing him was much simpler. I picked up the pillow from the trolley and pressed it into his face. He didn’t fight much, and then it was over.

“The rest of the plan went like clockwork. They discovered Harry’s death, but there were no clues as to who helped him into the next world. I saw you and Jennie leave, but you were oblivious, wrapped up in your pain. It was almost too easy.”

Darleen’s eyes glazed, and Jared swept the knife off his naked chest. He sprang up, knocked Darleen backwards, and pinned her down. She struggled, but the fight wasn’t there as she whispered, “We could have been happy and rich, Jared. You should have chosen me.”

She lay under him, limp and lifeless, but Jared wasn’t fooled. He felt in his pocket for his knife and held it to Darleen’s throat. He drew in a calming breath. Pain thundered through his head, followed by unbearable pressure, and then there was nothing.

***

Jennie

They thought she was out of it, but she wasn’t. She regained consciousness, but her head thumped and she couldn’t remember why. She was still not sure if she’d dreamed Darleen’s confession to the murders. A rapid movement at her side got her attention. Ryder hit Jared with a piece of wood before she could warn him. Now Jared’s unconscious body rested against her. The hilt of a silver knife glinted from the depths of Jared’s crumpled jacket, hidden when he’d dropped it. If only he’d fallen against Darleen, the knife would have cut her throat, but she’d rolled safely away.

“What have you done to Jennie? You promised she would be safe if I helped you with Jared.” Ryder knelt beside Jennie’s prone body. His sweet-scented sweat drifted into her nostrils as he stroked her hair. Jennie held her breath, afraid she would choke if his scent reached her airway. Ryder stood up then, and Jennie snatched a quick, deep breath.

Darleen shouted at her brother as she paced, her gaze straying constantly to Jared’s prone body. “We need her conscious, Ryder. I didn’t hit her. She was like that when I got here. You dragged her off a horse, didn’t you? She must have hit her head then. Wake her up or I will. The choice is yours.”

Jennie slid her fingers into Jared’s jacket. The steady thud of his heartbeat comforted her, and then her fingers closed round the knife. Jared always carried it and used it for many things, but to her knowledge never to stab another human being. She hoped she wouldn’t have to, either, but she couldn’t risk another close encounter with Ryder. Jennie moved restlessly. She needed to find a way to save Jared.

Someone was staring at her.

“Glad you’re back with us, Jennie. I need you to sign these papers.” Darleen sounded businesslike, as if none of the horror of what she’d done had registered with her.

“If I don’t, will I end up like Jared?” Jennie’s temper spiraled. Her prognosis in this situation wasn’t good. She would rather go out fighting than begging.

“Jared signed. He loves you. He didn’t want me rearranging your pretty face. Too bad, if you don’t sign, I’ll do it anyway.” Darleen pulled the hunting knife from her back pocket and pointed it at Jennie. “Ryder, you must go. Take Jared’s truck and wait for me where we said.”

Ryder looked reluctant to leave, and Jennie wished him gone. It would be one fewer person to fight off. “When Jennie’s signed the papers, I’ll bring her to you,” Darleen added before giving her brother a gentle shove, her expression just as gentle.

Ryder nodded and, with one last look of longing at Jennie, ran towards the track. Darleen turned her gaze, now totally devoid of compassion, on Jennie.

Jennie’s fingers clenched round the knife. This would be an equal fight. The world spun round her as she sat up, but she focused on the papers Darleen gave her. “You wanted to drill the oil on the Unicorn Ranch and Annie and Ralf stopped you. That’s what all the killing’s been about.” Jennie tore the unsigned legal document in half and ripped it again.

Darleen launched her body into Jennie, brandishing the knife. Jennie rolled out of her way, but the older woman anticipated her feint and landed on top of her. She pulled Jennie’s hair roughly back and held the knife to her throat. Jared’s knife felt warm in Jennie’s hand; she must use it now. She thrust her arm upwards and buried the point in Darleen’s armpit. The hunting knife fell from her attacker’s hand as blood pumped from the wound. Darleen emitted an animal-like scream and pulled the knife from her body. She realized her mistake too late as blood pumped ferociously from the gaping hole. She slumped forward. Jennie wriggled out from underneath her, shocked that she was the cause of all the blood. It was self-defense, so why did she feel like a killer?

Headlights appeared on the horizon, including the colored lights of the sheriff’s and several other official-looking cars. Jennie looked at Darleen’s body and shivered. If they’d arrived ten minutes earlier, Darleen would still be alive and she wouldn’t feel as though her world had fallen apart. She lay back, nauseated by the coppery smell of blood that covered her. Her headache escalated and echoed with the thud of the emergency personnel’s feet as they ran towards her.

Jared stirred at her side, his eyes unfocused. “Jen, are you all right? Is that Darleen?”

Jennie smiled, but it turned into a sob, and her lips trembled. “I stabbed her with your knife. She pulled it out, and there was so much blood. I think she’s dead.” Saying it out loud to someone else made it real. She’d killed another human being. The pain in her head intensified and her body shook as first Jared and then everything else disappeared.

***

Jared

Two uniformed paramedics separated Jared from Jen. They checked him over and put an I.V. into his arm before he could tell them Jen needed their help more. The ground rose up to meet him as he sat up, but as the fluid flowed into his system, he was less light-headed and nauseous.

The doctor intubated Jen and attached several fluid bags to the cannulae in her arms. The whirring of a helicopter’s rotor motors drowned out the noise of the emergency personnel. Within minutes, Jen and shortly afterwards Darleen were stretchered into the helicopter and flown away.

Dan stopped the paramedics before they took Jared to the waiting ambulance. “They’re taking you in for observation and a C.T. scan, Jared. It’s just a precautionary measure as you’re conscious and lucid.”

“What about Jen? She looked bad.”

A wary look crossed Dan’s craggy face before he answered. “She’s sedated because of the severe convulsions she experienced. They’ve airlifted her to the hospital for a C.T. scan and most likely surgery. I’m sorry. Darleen—” Dan stopped midsentence when he saw the furious expression on Jared’s face, and the paramedics warned him not to upset their patient.

“I don’t want to know about her. She’s the reason we’re here.” Jared blinked away his tears. No time for weakness. If he were a stronger man, Jen would be safe, not comatose in the helicopter, which was now a distant speck on the horizon.