They were both moving at once now, twisting, turning, pressing, fumbling with snaps and zippers, trying to forget, trying to remember. They were everywhere at once, but somehow it seemed to work. Travis forgot everything—forgot the world that was hunting him, and the memories that were haunting him.
The last layers of clothing peeled away, and Travis knew there was no turning back. They were committed now—oblivious to the consequences, oblivious to the risk, oblivious to the squealing of the cheap motel bedsprings. For a brief moment the world was rightside up once more.
53
11:05 P.M.
“AND WHERE DO YOU think you’re going, young lady?” Staci froze in her tracks. Aunt Marnie had spotted her before she made it halfway through the kitchen. Staci had tried to be as quiet as possible, but somehow Aunt Marnie had still managed to catch her. She was like a giant squid; her tentacles were everywhere.
Staci briefly considered possible answers. Slumber party? Late-night basketball game? Prom night? Forget it. She was carrying a stuffed backpack and a pillow. She obviously didn’t plan to be back anytime soon.
“I … told you Travis called me,” Staci began.
“Yes.” Marnie placed her hands on her hips. “So?”
“He says I shouldn’t stay here tonight.”
“Is that right? So you were planning to just take off without even telling me?”
“Well … if I told you, I didn’t think you’d let me go.”
“You were right about that. And just what was it your criminal friend has in mind for this illicit rendezvous?”
“It isn’t anything nasty. You don’t know what you’re talking—”
Marnie slapped her across the face. The sudden blow startled Staci, instantly provoking tears.
“Watch your lip, young lady. I deserve a little more respect than that. I didn’t have to take you in, you know.”
“I know,” Staci whispered.
“I’ve been suspicious of your precious Travis Byrne for a long time. Paying so much attention to a young girl. Buying her presents, taking her on trips. It isn’t natural.”
“Travis is the most decent guy on earth,” Staci insisted.
“That’s not what I read in the papers,” Marnie pronounced. She pointed to the front-page article on the kitchen table. “I always suspected he was a pervert, and now my suspicions have been confirmed.”
Staci surreptitiously eyed the kitchen door. Only about ten feet away. If she moved quickly, she might get out before Marnie could stop her. “That story in the paper was totally wrong. Travis told me.”
“Oh, he told you, did he? Well then, that settles it. Use some sense, girl! He’s not going to admit he’s a pervert. Especially when he’s trying to get you to … come to him.”
“You’re wrong. He doesn’t want me to come to him. He won’t let me come to him. He wants me to meet Dan and—”
“Dan?” Marnie interrupted. “Who is he? Some other old pervert?”
“He’s Travis’s boss. He’s a lawyer.”
“A lawyer who likes little girls?”
Staci threw down her hands in frustration. “I’ve never even met him before!”
“And Travis expects you to run off in the middle of the night and meet this sicko you’ve never met before? I don’t think so.”
“Then can we go to a hotel?” Staci pleaded. “Anywhere other than here.”
“My Lord, but you have a lot to learn. Angela just spoiled you, that’s all. She lived in a fantasy world.”
Staci’s face darkened. “Don’t say mean things about my mother.”
Marnie jerked Staci violently by the shoulders. “Don’t you tell me what I may and may not say. You live in a dreamworld, just like she did. You have no idea what things cost. As if I could afford to put you in some expensive hotel. You already cost me far more than I can afford.”
“What about the money Travis gives you?”
That remark slowed Marnie down, if only momentarily. “Money? What did he tell you?”
“He didn’t tell me anything. But his secretary, Gail, told me he sends you two hundred dollars a month to help take care of me. So where’s my two hundred dollars, Aunt Marnie?”
“You brat.” She slapped Staci again, even harder than before. “I’ll beat you till you beg for forgiveness.”
Staci made her break for it. She twisted away and raced toward the kitchen door. Unfortunately, the sliding bolt was engaged; by the time she unlocked it, Marnie had her by the throat.
Marnie whirled her around and brought the flat of her hand sharply against Staci’s face. That was the third slap on the same side; it stung. Staci tried to push her away, but she wasn’t strong enough.
Marnie raised her arm, this time with her fist clenched. The blow caught Staci just below her right eye and sent her head thudding back against the door.
No more. Staci grabbed Marnie’s arm and twisted it—she gave her what the kids at school called an Indian burn. Marnie screeched, obviously startled to see Staci fight back. Staci used the moment of surprise to good advantage. She raised her right sneaker and kicked Marnie in the shin. Marnie fell back against the kitchen counter. Without wasting a second, Staci flung the door open and raced outside.
She was free—she’d made it! She couldn’t help but smile, but she didn’t slow down. She wasn’t going to give Marnie a second chance. She kept running full out, without looking back.
The tall thin man appeared out of nowhere. Before Staci realized what was happening, he had clamped a hand over her mouth and wrapped his arm around her neck. Another man appeared out of the darkness and grabbed her by the waist. The cloth the first man held over her mouth smelled like Pine Sol. She felt herself growing dizzy and faint.
“Is she the one?” the second man asked.
The tall man nodded. Staci couldn’t see his face clearly, but there was something wrong with it, something … deformed. He grabbed her Disney bracelet and with a sudden jerk ripped it off her arm. “She’s the one.”
Staci tried to struggle, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. Her whole body seemed heavy and tired.
“Relax,” the second man said. “No one’s going to hurt you.”
“Right,” the tall man echoed. “Well, not for twenty-four hours, anyway.” He began to laugh.
It was the last sound Staci heard before she drifted into unconsciousness.
SATURDAY
April 20
54
6:30 A.M.
AS SOON AS HE saw the number on his LED screen, Agent Janicek jerked the phone out of the cradle.
“Moroconi? Is that you?”
The voice on the other end of the line whispered, “I don’t know. Is it safe?”
Janicek punched two buttons on his control console. “It’s safe. You’re on a secured line.”
“Mooney isn’t listenin’ in?”
“Mooney—” The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. “Mooney won’t be bothering me anymore.”
“What happened?”
“He had an unfortunate accident. Died in the line of duty.”
“Duty? Workin’ with you? What’d you do, send him into a cross fire for a can of beer?”
“As a matter of fact, he was killed by your former attorney Mr. Travis Byrne.”
“Byrne!” Moroconi sputtered into the phone. “You must be kiddin’. That wimp wouldn’t pull the wings off a butterfly. You set him up.”
“I don’t see any reason to discuss my business with you, Moroconi. Why did you call?”
“I got the word you were lookin’ for me.”