Dropping the Hammer Page 14

In that case, there was no reason to stop everything and read it now. He had more important things on his mind, like being with Rachel when she paid a visit to her recent and frightening past.

  It wasn’t how he’d have chosen to spend the day, but Rachel thought it was necessary and who was he to argue that she was wrong?

  The important thing was moving on. She deserved to feel safe and live her life to the fullest—which wouldn’t necessarily include him.

  * * *

  DR. KINCAID ARRIVED at work early to check on his patients, especially Roy Sales. Sales had become so aggressive yesterday after hearing that Rachel Maxwell wasn’t coming that the staff had to sedate him.

  Kincaid wanted plenty of time to prepare him for her visit today. The longer he worked with Roy, the more uncertain he became of his true mental and emotional condition. There were days he was convinced that Sales would never be fit to face a trial.

  Other days, he was certain that Roy Sales knew what he was doing and that he was running the show exactly as he planned.

  Hopefully, watching him interact with the victim he continuously talked about in sessions would give Kincaid some much-needed insight.

  Kincaid’s office phone rang just as he was leaving to head toward Sales’s floor.

  “Dr. Kincaid. I’m so glad you’re in early.”

  He could hear the alarm in the director’s voice. “What’s wrong?”

  “One of your patients was missing at the early morning medicine round. We’re checking every nook and cranny, but he hasn’t been located.”

  “Which patient?” Kincaid held his breath as he waited for the answer, though he was certain he already knew who it would be.

  “Roy Sales. It would be impossible for him to get past the guard for his floor even if he got past the first two checkpoints. We’ve never had a patient escape from this facility.”

  “Did the night nurse report any problems?”

  “No. According to the charts, his last bed check was at three fifteen. He was present and accounted for.”

  “I’m on my way.” He prayed they wouldn’t find that Sales had committed suicide—or worse.

  He didn’t even want to go there in his mind. He did know that if Roy Sales wasn’t found soon, Rachel Maxwell would have to be warned.

  * * *

  LUKE AND RACHEL were about an hour away from the facility where Sales was being held when Rachel got a phone call from Sydney.

  They’d talked on the phone yesterday, but those conversations had centered on Grace’s giving birth. It was an exciting time and Rachel had felt as if she was right in the middle of the beautiful miracle.

  “Hello, Sydney.”

  Sydney skipped the greeting. “Where are you?”

  “On my way to Houston.”

  “Is Luke with you?”

  “Yes, he’s driving. We’re in his truck.”

  “Good. Put the phone on Speaker. He needs to hear this, too.”

  She did. “What’s wrong?”

  “Are you still planning to stop and see Roy Sales?”

  “Yes, but we’re still at least an hour away.”

  “You have a change of plans. Don’t go anywhere near that place.”

  “What’s happened?” Luke asked, his voice tense.

  “Roy Sales is missing.”

  “Missing. Are you saying he’s escaped?” Luke asked.

  “All they’re saying at this point is that he’s unaccounted for. He could well be still inside the facility. It’s maximum security. No one has ever escaped from there before.”

  Rachel’s heart began to pound against the walls of her chest. Her chest constricted painfully. She couldn’t breathe. An all-too-familiar anxiety attack was setting in. Only this time with good reason.

  “I hate to have to tell you this,” Sydney said, “but you need to know. I don’t think it’s a good idea to go to your apartment.”

  “My apartment.” She barely had the breath to get two words from her mouth.

  “I think you should turn around and go back to Winding Creek.”

  “I can’t go back to Winding Creek and put everyone there in danger.”

  “I’ll take care of Rachel,” Luke said, answering for her as she tried to catch her breath. “I’ll be with her every second. Count on it.”

  “No. You don’t know what you’re up against,” Rachel said.

  “I’m a marine. I’ve been up against the worst that can come at you. And I’m armed with a license to carry.”

  “Be careful,” Sydney warned. “Like I said, it’s doubtful he’s truly escaped, but we can’t be sure of that. I’ll get you updated information as soon as I hear.”

  “I’m counting on that,” Luke said.

  “Take care of my sister.”

  “I’ll guard her with my life.”

  “I love you, Rachel,” Sydney said. Rachel was shaking so hard she couldn’t respond.

  Luke pulled the car into a crowded truck stop parking area. He killed the motor and reached across the seat and took her hand. “It’s okay, baby. I’ve got your back. I’ll be right here. You’re safe. I promise you, I’ll keep you safe.”

  Her breathing slowly returned to normal. It took moments longer for the shaking to stop and her pulse to approach normal.

  “He’s coming for me,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “Deep in my heart, I always knew this wasn’t over. It won’t be over until one of us is dead.”

  “If anyone ends up dead, it won’t be you.

  “Do you still want to go to your apartment?”

  “It’s where I live. Just drop me off there and you can go. It’s dangerous to be around me.”

  “Cut that crazy talk out now. I’m not going anywhere without you. We can get your things and then you’re going home with me. That’s settled.”

  “You should run like the wind to get as far away from me as you can.”

  “It’s too late for that, sweetheart. I’m in this for as long as you’ll have me.”

  He kissed away any further protests.

  But this time he couldn’t kiss the fear away.

  * * *

  LUKE STARED AT the endless line of unmoving cars in front of him. “Is I-10 always a parking lot?”

  “During high traffic times for the commuters, but not at this time of the day. There must be a wreck ahead.”

  “In every lane?”

  “They usually try to keep a lane or two open for rubberneckers.”

  Luke knew she was trying hard not to succumb to the memories and resurfacing fears. As strong-willed as she was, he hated to think what her captivity had been like for it to have such a powerful effect on her.

  “Traffic is a mess, but then, millions of people call the Houston metropolis home.”

  “I’ll never be one of them.”

  The stupidity of that remark was obvious the second the words cleared his mouth. This was her home and he had no right to knock it.

  “I’m sure Houston has a lot to offer. Professional football, baseball, basketball and the largest indoor rodeo in the country, or so I’ve heard.”

  “It also has theater, a great symphony and world-class museums. The sad part is I spent so much time working I seldom took advantage of any of it. Fitch, Fitch and Bauman was my life.”

  “Did the firm require it?”

  “When I first started, wrapping up billable hours was the measuring by which the newly hired were judged. But even after that, I had a humongous need to outwork everyone else. I demanded far too much of myself.”

  “That sounds like a sure path to burnout.”

  “I was probably headed for that. I was reminded yesterday of how isolated I’d become from friends and family and from the drama of day-to-day life. The truth is I can’t remember not being driven.”

/>   “Maybe you need someone around to remind you to smell the roses or kick the ball—something like that.”

  She smiled. “Or someone to soak me with the water hose every now and then?”

  “Or treat you to room service.”

  “That will work equally well. Thanks for helping me through the anxiety attack. Hearing that Sales has possibly escaped sucked me right back into the trauma. I’m still partially there.”

  “That’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign you’re normal.”

  The traffic began to inch forward. A half mile farther and they reached the cause of the delay. Two cop cars, one tow truck loaded with a severely damaged compact car and one pickup on the shoulder that had survived the incident with barely a dent.

  “The good news is we’re practically at my apartment,” Rachel said. “Take the next exit and then turn right at the light.”

  Rachel was silent the rest of the way except for giving directions. His mind went back to Sales. Luke had hoped to hear from Sydney by now that he’d been found and returned to his supposedly secure area.

  They made a couple more turns before Rachel had him pull into a large parking garage. She pushed her remote, and the doors opened.

  They took the elevator to her floor. One look inside the apartment and he was beyond impressed. “I feel like I’m taking a tour of the rich and famous. Did you inherit your fortune or do attorneys actually get paid this well?”

  “No inheritance, and it’s not as expensive as it looks. It’s also safe and extremely convenient. That means a lot when you work in the city.”

  The place was spotlessly clean, not a throw pillow, a cushion or a knickknack out of order. The room smelled of vanilla, likely from the scented candles in stunning containers placed about the room.

  “It’s hard to believe that the woman who lives here was actually scrubbing my kitchen three nights ago.”

  “Sydney always says I got the family neat-freak gene.” Rachel kicked off her shoes. “Make yourself at home. There’s wine in the bar just off the kitchen and whiskey and some vodka, I think. No beer. Sorry about that.”

  “Whiskey always works. What can I get you?”

  “Nothing yet.”

  Luke decided to check out the bedroom first. It didn’t look like a place to kick off cowboy boots, but it did have a king-size bed.

  Unless they got good news from Sydney, this would not be the night to try it out appropriately, but at least he could sleep beside her and hold her in his arms.

  For all the lavish amenities, he’d rather be back at Arrowhead Hills. But only if Rachel was there with him. He had no intention of letting her out of his sight until Roy Sales was found and locked away again.

  * * *

  RACHEL JUMPED WHEN her phone rang, and then dashed across the living room to retrieve it. Her heart sank when she saw the caller was Claire Covey.

  “Hayden’s here,” Claire said. “He’s home.” Her voice rang with joy. “I know you mentioned a possible meeting on Wednesday. We can meet you anytime today.”

  “I know what I said, but unfortunately this isn’t a good day for me.”

  “I’m begging you to meet with us if only for a few minutes. I can meet you anywhere in Houston and any time you say. I’ll just feel so much better about everything once you get to talk to Hayden one-on-one.”

  Claire was clearly overcome with optimism and the excitement of having her son out of jail. It was difficult to put her off.

  “He knows things the police aren’t saying.” Claire insisted.

  “What kind of things?”

  “That information will be better coming from him. He’s innocent. After you talk to him you’ll realize that. Please. He’s so scared. He needs to know someone besides his father and me are on his side.”

  “You do understand that this will only be an interview,” Rachel said. “I can’t make a commitment this soon for a variety of reasons.”

  “He didn’t kill Louann Black. What other reasons could possibly matter?”

  “I have to trust him to level with me. This isn’t a game. I can’t accept lies or omissions from him. And he may not feel comfortable working with me.”

  “He’ll tell the truth. He has nothing to hide.”

  It could be that Hayden Covey was as innocent as his mother claimed. Or he could be a brutal killer who deserved to pay for his crime.

  Rachel still couldn’t rule out the chance that the evil she had sensed in him might have been only a reflection of the way she felt about Roy Sales. “Okay, I’m in downtown Houston,” Rachel said, giving in to Claire’s pleas. “I can see him now if that works for you.”

  “We can be there in thirty minutes. Just give me an address.”

  Rachel gave her the directions.

  Take two on Hayden Covey. Innocent or a psycho.

  Hopefully Rachel would make the right call.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Rachel sat across from Hayden Covey in the small office connected to her dining area. Luke and Claire were on the balcony that overlooked the pool, ensuring Rachel and Hayden absolute privacy.

  Claire hadn’t wanted it that way. Rachel had insisted.

  Rachel didn’t feel the immediate evil vibes she had sensed on Friday. They would be starting fresh. “Tell me about yourself, Hayden.”

  “I thought this was supposed to be about the way the police are trying to railroad me just because they don’t like my dad.”

  “We’ll get to that later. First I’d just like to get to know you better.”

  “I’m a running back for University of Texas. I was mentioned for the Heisman this year. I didn’t get nominated, but some people think if I stay on the top of my game next year, I’ll be a shoo-in.”

  “Obviously football is very important to you.”

  “Yeah, well, I like it, and I’m good at it.”

  “What else are you good at?”

  “Most every type of sports. Dad says I’m a born athlete. I’m disciplined. Never miss a practice, hardly ever miss a game. I play hurt.”

  “What are your interests besides sports?”

  “Mostly just hanging out with the guys on the team.”

  “What do you do when you hang out?”

  “You know. Guy stuff.”

  “Do you date much?”

  “Some.”

  “Tell me about Louann Black.”

  He started to squirm. “It’s nothing like the police are saying, I can promise you that.”

  “What’s it like?”

  “We dated for a few months. We had some good times. It was never anything serious.”

  “Did Louann want it to be serious?”

  “No. She was a party girl. Drank too much. Always wanting me to buy drugs for her. It got old.”

  “But you didn’t break up with her?”

  “I was getting around to it. She heard about it and dumped me first. No big deal.”

  Not until Louann was murdered.

  “You must have been shocked to hear that she’d been killed.”

  “I was, but I was nowhere around her the night it happened. I hadn’t seen her for days. I’ve got people who’ll swear to that.”

  He had people, but he also had money, and people could be bought.

  Their interview lasted for two hours, in which time Hayden changed the story about his relationship with Louann at least three times. That was never a good sign, but sometimes defendants just said what they thought you wanted to hear, especially when they were scared.

  Hayden was clearly scared. Rachel wasn’t convinced he was innocent, but it was early in the process. She had a lot of research to do on him, Louann and the police report before she could make a studied decision.

  She had a good detective friend in Homicide who might shed a bit more lig
ht on the subject. As soon as Claire and Hayden left, she’d give Matt a call.

  Right now she just wanted to get the news that Roy Sales was back in his supposedly secure facility.

  * * *

  IT WAS TEN minutes before ten and Rachel had already showered and slipped into a pale blue satin nightshirt when Sydney finally called.

  Rachel answered on the first ring and pressed Speaker so Luke could hear what was said. “Tell me you’re calling with good news.”

  “I’d love to, but the facility administrator is still trying to sell the idea that Sales is hiding out somewhere inside the building. He’s convinced Sales couldn’t breach every safeguard they have in place.”

  “Only because he doesn’t know Roy Sales the way I do.”

  “I’m starting to have my doubts, as well. I wish they’d call in the FBI so I could be official instead of relying on back channels—legally, of course. Did you decide to spend the night in Houston?”

  “Yes. Luke and I are in my apartment. I haven’t made any decisions about what I’ll do tomorrow but we’re definitely staying here tonight.”

  “I don’t think you should be anyplace alone until Sales is located.”

  “I’m not going anywhere without her,” Luke promised.

  “So don’t worry about me,” Rachel said to assure her sister. “I’m protected by a genuine hero-status former member of the US Marines.”

  “That does ease my mind a bit. I’ll give you a call in the morning or before if I hear something. You do the same.”

  “I will. I just keep wondering if my not showing up to see Sales yesterday instigated any of this.”

  “Don’t go getting the idea that any of this is your fault.”

  “It was just a thought.” A very disturbing thought that she was having trouble shaking.

  Rachel was still pondering that possibility long after the call from Sydney was finished. She walked over and sat on the bed beside Luke. She couldn’t miss seeing the weapon on the table beside the bed.

  “You look worried.” He slipped an arm around her waist. “Are you afraid that I might not be a match for Roy Sales?”

  She thought about it before she answered, “The memories are so sickening that they pull me back into the fear without warning. But no. I’m never afraid when I’m with you.”