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Deadly Memories

Page 52

by Laura Scott

He did so, dropping the device into the center console. Doc tried not to think of how much money they’d wasted over the past few days.

It couldn’t be helped. Thankfully, he lived a simple life without debt. If he needed to dip into his savings, then fine. He’d gladly reimburse Rex for his part in this.

“Okay, we’re going to skate around Lexington to Winchester,” Rex said as he put the car in gear and backed out of the parking spot. “I think we’re better off taking the long way so that we’re approaching the river from the same direction Fiona probably had. If she was coming from her father’s farm,” Rex added.

“That seems the most logical to me.” Doc glanced back at Fiona. “Any objection?”

“Nope.” A wry smile tugged the corner of her mouth. “Coming here was my idea, remember?”

“True.” Doc found himself praying for this to work. That seeing something like the road leading to the river bend would spark her memory.

Thanks to Fiona’s influence, prayer came easier now. As many times as the bad guys had found them, they were still alive and basically unharmed. Aside from Fiona’s amnesia, infection, and blistered feet.

They fell silent as Rex took the winding roads around Lexington toward Winchester. Doc had looked at a few houses in Winchester as the prices were reasonable, especially compared to the city. But then he’d learned about the cabin and had decided the moment he saw the dilapidated place that he’d rather be in the woods than remotely close to other people.

As the hour grew late, so did the corresponding lack of traffic. By the time they reached Winchester, the roads were mostly deserted.

“What do you think?” Rex asked, glancing at Fiona in the rearview mirror. “You want me to pull off someplace here to rest or keep going?”

“Keep going,” Fiona said, although a wide yawn cut off the rest of the sentence. “Sorry, I don’t know why I’m so tired, but let’s go a little farther toward the river.”

Rex glanced at him, and Doc nodded in agreement. “Why not? At least we know that we weren’t followed.”

“Okay.” Rex turned right onto Boonsboro Road. The only light was the ambient light from the town of Winchester at their back and the nearly full moon glowing in the sky above.

With wooded acreage on either side of the road, Rex drove slower than the speed limit to avoid hitting any wildlife. Doc scanned the woods outside his passenger-side widow, leaving Rex to handle the other side.

“I must have come along this road during the daytime,” Fiona said, breaking the silence.

He turned in his seat to look at her. “You remember that?”

“No, but I showed up at your house around five o’clock in the evening, right?” Her brow furrowed with concentration. “Even if I was in the river for a couple of hours, it still would have been daylight when I jumped in. Or jumped off a boat,” she added.

“So you either drove down this road or someone forced you into a car and came this way,” Doc mused. “If we’re on the right track.”

“Yeah.” She sighed. “We could be wrong and I went into the river from some other place.”

Doc exchanged a glance with Rex because that was true. They really had no idea if this little venture toward the river bend and the state park would reveal anything useful.

“Can’t hurt,” Rex said, reading his mind. “If nothing else, we’ll find a safe place to sleep in the car.”

Fiona rummaged in the bag behind Rex’s seat. Doc was surprised when she pulled his old army sweatshirt out and pulled it on over her head. He’d honestly thought it had gotten lost in the constant moves from one place to the next.

Seeing his expression, she flushed. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m feeling a little chilled.”

“Of course not.” Then he frowned. “You’re not running a fever again, are you?”

“I don’t think so.” She put a hand to her forehead, then felt along the back of her neck. “I’m fine.”

He leaned back to place his hand on her head. Thankfully, she didn’t feel too warm. “Okay, but if that changes, you need to let me know right away.”

“I will.” She yawned again, then snuggled into the corner of the back seat and the door. “I don’t know how you and Rex do this without sleeping. I can barely keep my eyes open.”

“Get some rest. We’ll stay alert.” Considering Fiona was still recovering from her infection, sleep was the best thing for her right now.

“Thanks.” Her voice was a low whisper. Then she closed her eyes, her chin tucked down in his hooded sweatshirt.

She looked adorable, but he tore his gaze away and went back to watching his side of the road. Feeling Rex’s gaze on him, he glanced at his boss and shook his head, silently telling him not to say anything.