Three Sides of the Tracks (24 page)

38

Telling Belinda

Bart looked at his cell phone to see who was calling. He almost dropped
it trying to hit the “answer” icon but quickly calmed himself to keep from
scaring the caller away.

“Danny, where are you?”

“In Florida, Mr. Phillips. Sorry to run off like I did, but I had to find
Caroline and couldn’t wait. Hope I’m not in trouble.”

“Well, you’re not in any trouble, but you sure caused a lot. Not
altogether your fault though.”

“I found Caroline.”

Bart almost dropped the phone again. “You did? Where? What part of Florida?”

“Canaveral Beach. We’re at the hospital. Caroline is okay, but the girl
who was with her has a bad cut on her leg, so I brought her here. But now . . .
we can’t leave.

“It’s hard to explain, but some guy who wasn’t with the kidnappers found
out where Caroline was too and shot them but then he tried to shoot me but I
shot him first and now the cops, I mean the police, are keeping us here asking
all these questions, and I called you hoping you might could talk to them and,
you know, help us get back home. I’m pretty tired and so is Caroline.”

“Whoa. Whoa. That’s quite a mouthful. One thing at a time. Was the guy
who shot Bernard’s nephew and the others a little on the tall side and
slender?”

“I don’t think he shot Slink. Looked like Slink
slinked
away, but
he shot the other two. I saw ‘em when I went inside to get my phone, but not
Slink.”

 “Okay, but was he—”

“Oh, yeah, sorry. Yes, sir, what you said is right. Tall and slim.”

“We think we know who he is, or, well, I have an idea why he was there.”

“You do? Why? How did he find us?”

Bart took a deep breath and let it out slow.

“Are you there, Mr. Phillips?”

“Yes. Yes, I’m still here, Danny. Look, there’s been an awful lot
happened since you left, and I don’t want to tell you about it over the phone.
How were you planning on returning and when?”

“As soon as the police let us. We’re gonna drive back.”

“Has Caroline called her family yet?”

“No, sir, she’s too mad. She thinks . . . I suppose, well, I’ll let her speak
for herself about what she thinks, if she wants to. But I don’t reckon she’ll
be calling home.”

“I believe I know what she thinks, and, just between me and you, it’s
very possible she’s right. But don’t repeat me on that.

“Okay, here’s what we’ll do. I’ll call the D.A. down there and try to straighten
things out. I’ll have to promise him or her you won’t be a flight risk because
I’m sure they have a lot of investigating to do. If that doesn’t work, I can
get the FBI to call because Caroline’s kidnapping is a federal case and
supersedes the case there. You should know in a couple hours if I got through.
If not, call me back.

“Now listen. I don’t know what your plans are, but it wouldn’t be wise
for you to take Caroline home, so we’ll need to meet somewhere when you get
back here and I’ll take her home. When you took off and no one knew where you
were and then some other things happened, the FBI originally thought . . . oh,
crap, I’ll tell you all that later. Just stop at a service station outside the
county and I’ll meet you there. Call me when you reach Macon, so I’ll know
you’re close.”

“What else happened, Mr. Phillips? Nothing happened to my mother, did it?
I left her a note, so how come the FBI—”

Bart heard the worry in Danny’s voice. “Forget those buttheads, Danny.
I’ll take of them, don’t worry. And your mother’s fine. Did you say you shot
the other guy?”

“Had to, Mr. Phillips. He shot at me and then Caroline jumped on him and
gave me a chance to get to a gun that . . . well, I had a little gun and got
lucky I guess. Anyways, he’s dead, although it sure made me feel bad
afterwards.”

“You have to do what you have to do sometimes and can tell me all about
it when you get home. Call me when you leave from down there. Oh, one more
thing. I’m headed to your mother’s now. I’ll tell her you’re okay.”

“How do you know I haven’t already called her?”

“I’m a D.A., smart guy.”

Bart disconnected and smiled. He liked the kid despite the fact he’d run
off in the middle of an investigation. But loyalty to a friend was a pretty
good reason to run off. Dang kid pulled it off too. Found both girls and took
out a contract killer in the process. Not bad for a day’s work. “Doubt if I
could do it,” he whispered.

He decided not to wait and called Belinda.

“This is Bart, Belinda. I just talked with Danny and he’s fine. He found
his friend too. She and the other girl are okay, although one of them—the other
girl—was slightly injured and is being treated at the local hospital. They’re
in Florida. I’m gonna pull a few strings so they can drive back in what I hope
are a few hours.”

“Oh, thank you, Bart, thank you. I was afraid to answer the phone. Afraid
it would be more bad news. Thank goodness he’s okay.”

“Yes, you can cross that off your worry list. Imagine that. Finding those
girls all by himself while half the country’s looking for them. Ha. What do you
mean by ‘more bad news?’ ”

“Reverend Holcomb is here. I know about Martin.”

Bart’s throat tightened and his stomach felt a stab of pain. “Belinda,
I’m at a loss to tell you how deeply saddened I am by this. I was on my way to
tell you about it myself.”

“That’s thoughtful of you, but I’d much rather you find out what happened
to Martin. I mean, I know Jessie Whitaker shot him but—”

“Don’t you worry. I’m going to find out
exactly
what happened and
make damn sure Jessie Whitaker pays for it if there’s any way possible. You sound
better than I expected. You must be heartbroken.”

“I’m just numb, Bart, and want to stay that way. It’s too much for me to
handle right now. I appreciate the reverend coming by, but half my worries are
over now that Danny’s safe. I’m going to drink some hot tea and go to bed. I’m
exhausted.”

“I’ll bet you are. I don’t expect Danny and his friend to get back here
before morning. He and Whitaker’s daughter are driving back together. Can you
believe it? I’m going to meet them outside the county to avoid any trouble and
take the girl home myself. I’ll check on you after that and fill you in on what
I find out. How’s that sound?”

“That’s fine. You’re a decent man, Bart, and have always been a good
friend.”

“I’m sorry, Belinda. I wish I could do more. Hey, something just occurred
to me. Professionally speaking, it might not be appropriate for me to be with Whitaker’s
daughter. Conflict of interest wise. Since Holcomb is right there, I’m gonna
ask him to take her home. He ought to love that. Give him a chance to get on
good terms with Jessie.”

“Danny doesn’t think much of Holcomb; I’ll warn you of that right now.”

“Oh, yeah, I’d forgotten about the church incident. Well, I’ll talk to
Danny about that when he calls me back. They don’t know about the shooting, and
I didn’t have the heart to tell him over the phone. Just that a lot had
happened since he left. Since he and the girl are so close, I think it best
they not be together when they hear the news. That’d be a lot of emotional
baggage to work through, don’t you think?”

“Danny really took to Martin. I think he’ll be devastated when he hears
the news. He loves that girl too though. Sort of like Martin and me in some
ways. I wonder if she cares as much about Danny.”

“I gather as much, yes. Let me speak to Holcomb. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

39

Leaving Florida

“He said he’d call the big shots here and see what he could do. Maybe in a
couple hours we can leave.”

Caroline lay curled up on an examining table in an emergency room
cubicle. Her eyes blinked open, and she forced a weary smile. “Thank goodness.
I’m too tired to keep answering the same questions. I wish we’d just dropped
Brandy off and left.”

“I think they’ve had about enough of me just up and leaving. I know I
have. Can’t get it out of my mind what other people are thinking or worrying.
He said a lot had happened back home but wouldn’t tell me what it was. He wants
to meet us outside of town, and he’ll take you home from there.”

Caroline jerked erect. “I’m not going back to that house. To that devil.
I’m not.”

Danny left the chair and sat next to her. “My mom wouldn’t mind you
staying with us, but your daddy would go nuts.”

“He’s already nuts. I could stay with Brandy, but she’ll be here for a
couple days. I don’t know anyone else well enough.”

“You don’t have to decide now. Maybe we can think of something on the way
home.”   

Caroline yawned then leaned against Danny and laid her head on his lap. “Let’s
don’t go home.”

40

Macon

Caroline and Danny drove in relative silence once they left Canaveral
Beach. Caroline slept with her head on Danny’s shoulder. She insisted on
driving after they stopped for gas and hamburgers outside Savannah. Danny told
her about Martin being his father before passing out on the backseat.

The radio in the Taurus didn’t ease Caroline’s worries as the miles flashed
by. Her only choice was to stay at home. At least until Brandy came home, which
wouldn’t be for a few days, and she didn’t know whether that would really work
out. She had a few thousand dollars in a checking account but Jessie would stop
that pretty quick if she moved out. Maybe her mother would help her think of
something. If she would stand up to Jessie, that is.

When the road sign read “Macon 50 miles,” Caroline took the next exit and
stopped at a Quick Trip service station to wake Danny and get coffee.

She opened the rear door and tickled his ear. He didn’t stir.

“Danny, wake up,” she cooed in his ear while rubbing his shoulder.

He stretched and rolled on his back. One eye opened and searched for her
face. “Hmmm, wished your face was the first thing I saw every time I wake up. But
closer.”

Caroline cuddled beside him and put a hand on his neck. “Is this close
enough?”

Danny grinned. “Almost.”

Caroline cupped his face in her hands and kissed him gently. “How’s that?
Better?”

“This must be Heaven.”

“Sorry to break it to you, baby, but we’d better come down from the
clouds. We’re about an hour from Macon. I thought you’d better wake up a little
before calling your friend.”

Danny sat up. “Good idea. Gosh, I feel like I’ve been run over by a
truck.”

Caroline kissed him again. “Better?”  

“Maybe a car?”

“
Very
romantic.” She grinned mischievously and took his hand.
“Come on. Let’s get you awake.” She pulled him from the car and into the
station. “Bathroom first, then coffee.”

“I’ve been thinking while you were asleep,” Caroline said after a sip of
coffee. “I can’t see any other option but to stay home, unless my mother will
help me.”

“You think she will?”

“If she can get her backbone up. You’ve seen how wild he is, but he
treats Mom like dirt. I don’t know how she takes it.”

“I do.”

Caroline gave him a quizzical look.

“Because of you.”

She nodded and sighed. “Keeping both of us prisoners. Just how he likes
it.”

Danny squeezed her hand. “Things have a way of working out. My mom says that
all the time, and most of the time she’s right.”

“Your mom always looks so dignified. I think she’s beautiful. I call it
‘quiet beauty.” I can’t resist staring at her when I see her at church.”

“I’ll take your word for that. Hard for a guy to say that about his
mother.”

“
Men
,” Caroline said with an exaggerated look of disdain.

“Why don’t you call your friend now? We’re not that far from Macon.”

Danny handed her the phone. “Dial it for me, please. It’s the last number
I called. Just hit redial.”

“Here, it’s ringing.”

“Mr. Phillips, this is Danny. We’re almost at Macon.”

“Hello Danny; thanks for calling. There’s been a slight change of plans.
I’m not going to be able to take your friend home because it might be construed
as a conflict of interest. You understand?”

“I guess so. You mean because of what we talked about before. That guy who
followed me?”

“Yes, exactly, but some other stuff too. Stuff you’ll find out about when
you get home. Too much to go into over the phone. I know he’s not your first
choice but Reverend Holcomb agreed to meet you and take Whitaker’s daughter
home. I wanted to keep your homecoming quiet, and he happened to be at your
mom’s house when I called.”

The line was quiet.

“Danny, you still there?”

“I think I’d better let you speak with Caroline about that, Mr.
Phillips.”

Danny handed the phone to Caroline and listened as Caroline first
resisted ever speaking to the preacher again after the church incident but
finally relented as the D.A.’s logic and insistence gradually wore her down.

“Holcomb will meet you in two hours at the Waffle House just before you
reach the county line. Will that be enough time?” Bart asked Danny after
Caroline had pretty much thrown the phone back to him.

“Should be. You told Mom I was coming?”

“I sure did. She was quite relieved, as you might guess.”

“Okay then, Mr. Phillips. Thanks for everything.”

“You’re welcome. Take care now.”

**   *

Reverend Holcomb stood outside the Waffle House. He recognized Caroline
as soon as she stepped from the car. He waved to get her attention but had the
good sense to wait where he was and not approach Danny.

“I don’t like this at all, but I’m going along with it because I don’t
see any other choice. I hope your mother isn’t too upset about you leaving.”
Caroline wrapped her arms around Danny and laid her cheek on his shoulder. “But
I’m sure glad you did.”

Danny caressed her back and stroked her hair. “Me too. Stay cool, okay.
Don’t let your dad get to you too much.”

“I passed that point a long time ago,” Caroline said and pushed away. “If
you’re not going to kiss me, I might as well leave.”

From long-practiced habit, Danny’s hand rose toward his lip.

“Oh, stop it.” Caroline clasped his hand and pulled it around her back
then kissed him long and hard. “Get over it, will ya?” she said and grinned
mischievously. “Bye. I’ll call you.”

Danny watched her get in the car with Holcomb and waited as they drove away.

Caroline turned and waved one final time before they left the parking
lot.

Reverend Holcomb’s first attempts at conversation were his condolences
for Caroline’s ordeal.

Caroline thanked him but didn’t offer any details, so Holcomb was left
with small talk the remainder of the trip home, which took half as long as the
trip from Macon to the Waffle House. As soon as they reached the end of the
driveway, Caroline opened the door and thanked the reverend as she backed out
of the car, not inviting him inside because she hoped to avoid her father if at
all possible, for as long as possible.

Holcomb’s face showed his disappointment, but he didn’t push it beyond
asking her to give her parents his regards.

Caroline’s hopes for avoiding Jessie were raised upon seeing Deadhead’s
car parked in front of Jessie’s. That meant he was likely to be in his room
talking with them and his door would be shut.

She opened the front door quietly and looked to her right. His door was
closed. Caroline rolled her eyes skyward in silent thanks and climbed the
stairs to her bedroom.

As she passed her mother’s bedroom door, she peeked inside and saw her
lying across the bed reading her Bible. Caroline walked inside with a finger to
her lips.

Tears welled in Marie’s eyes when she saw Caroline. “Oh, my dear, my dear
child,” she said as she leaped off the bed and threw her arms around Caroline,
squeezing her tight.

Caroline used her remaining energy to return her mother’s embrace with
equal enthusiasm, unwilling to hurt her feelings.

“I don’t want Daddy to know I’m home. Not until I’ve had a long bath and
rested anyway.”

Her mother pushed back to arm’s length and looked Caroline up and down.
“But you’re all right, dear? Unharmed?” she asked, the implied question
apparent.

Caroline smiled. “Yes, Mother, I’m unharmed. A little tired, but
basically I’m fine. I just want a hot bath and long nap.”

“Would you like lunch?”

“No. After I wake up, I’ll scrounge something, but right now I’m too
tired to eat. We ate a little something on the way.”

“We who, dear? How did you—”

“Can we go into it later, Mom? I’m very tired.”

“Yes, of course.”

“And please don’t tell Daddy I’m home. I need to talk to you about some
things, but not now.”

Marie nodded, worry and apprehension in her eyes.

Caroline noticed and almost assuaged her mother’s feelings but, instead,
turned and walked down the hall to her bedroom and closed the door, locking it
behind her. She turned on the water in her private bath, adding bath salts and
skin softener, then stripped and threw the clothes she’d worn for days in a
heap, thinking about burning them in a symbolic gesture later in the day.

When the bath was full, she laid her head against the rim and closed her
eyes.