His To Protect Page 9

  His jaw thrust forward. “I understand, and I’ll help.”

  She felt a wave of relief and thought for a ridiculous moment that they might shake hands on their newfound understanding, but Jennifer walked into the room at that moment.

  “I’m ready,” she announced in her high-pitched voice. Her large gray eyes rounded as she looked up at Matt. “Will we get to go on the big rides?”

  Matt’s face blossomed into a grin as he knelt beside her. “We’ll go on whatever rides Tracy thinks are okay for you. But I don’t know about the roller coaster,” he said with a mock-serious look. “I’m scared of heights.”

  Jennifer squealed out her girlish laughter. “You are not. You’re a cop. Cops aren’t afraid of anything.”

  Chapter Six

  Elitch Gardens was a premier family theme park located along the South Platt River next to downtown Denver. The park, which had a hundred-year history, was in its third year in the new location. Matt drove Tracy and Jennifer along Speer Boulevard, cutting diagonally across Denver’s street grid, following Cherry Creek. They took the rise on the wide bridge over the old rail yards sprawling from Union Station, and turned at the stoplight in the middle of the bridge. The long, curving street led downward to Elitch’s main parking lot.

  The late-afternoon sun bore down from a bright blue sky in searing intensity. It would be a few hours yet before the sizzling ball of fire sank to the edge of the clearly outlined Rocky Mountains, which stretched across the western horizon. From the vantage point of the park, the vista was an impressive one.

  Jennifer squealed with excitement and happily held Matt’s hand after he presented their tickets at the ticket kiosk. Inside the covered pavilion that housed souvenir shops, as well as the restored carousel. Matt paused.

  “What do you want to do first?” he asked Tracy. “Do you want to say hello to anyone? Or shall we take Jennifer on some rides?”

  She felt herself stiffen slightly at the idea of confronting old acquaintances from the force and opted for the rides.

  “We’re here to do rides,” she said, smiling at Jennifer. “So let’s do rides.”

  “Great.” Jennifer tugged on Matt’s hand and pulled them both through the pavilion.

  Beside them, the carousel started to move slowly, the painted and gilded horses beginning their up-and-down motion, pulling hand-carved chariots as the graceful ride turned, accompanied by traditional organ music. Tracy felt a tug of something like nostalgia as the movement and color pulled her into the aura of amusement-park fantasy.

  “We’ll do that last,” announced Jennifer. “I want to go outside now.”

  Sharing a smile with Matt, Tracy followed along. Emerging onto Main Street, they walked along a short block of quaint Victorian-style shops and eateries and turned into Kiddieland. Ahead, the adult rides were framed against the blue of the mountains. The big Ferris wheel and the Tower of Doom rose mightily. The Mind Eraser was the ten-story, steel, looping roller coaster that plummeted along at over sixty miles per hour. Not for her, Tracy thought as she felt her stomach react to the memory of similar roller-coaster rides from her younger days.

  Jennifer stopped beside a children’s ride with small cars supported on octopus-like tentacles that lifted and lowered in a circle. “Can I do this one first?”

  “Sure,” agreed Tracy.

  The kiddie rides didn’t seem as if they would excite Jennifer too much to trigger her asthma, so Tracy didn’t plan to be too restrictive. And Jennifer herself basically had a level head about what she knew she could and could not do.

  They watched her gleefully take a seat in one of the cars, then waved as the ride started up.

  While Jennifer rode, Matt took his sunglasses out of his shirt pocket and put them on. The dark lenses and frames gave him a secretive look as he studied the main stream of foot traffic. Tracy could almost feel the wheels turning in his head. With Jennifer occupied, the other matters foremost in his mind pushed everything else aside.

  “Looking for someone?” Tracy asked. She stood at an angle to him, their shoulders almost touching, so she could wave to Jennifer.

  “Maybe.”

  Her hope that this afternoon could amount to a pleasant outing fled, and she realized that even here amid the excitement of rides, the squeals of passengers and the splashes coming from Shipwreck Falls, she couldn’t forget that life wasn’t rosy. She felt her shoulders tighten in resentment and tried not to let bitterness mar the day. She had to keep things on an even keel for Jennifer.

  As if he sensed some of what she felt, Matt halted his surveillance of passersby and forced his attention back on her. His hand at his side bumped hers, and then both their hands reached for each other’s. His fingers curled around hers, and she felt a spark leap up into her heart Then he switched hands and turned around to watch the ride slow as Jennifer descended.

  Tracy felt a sudden flood of embarrassment. What if mutual acquaintances passed by and saw her holding hands with Matt? She still wasn’t over the feeling that the Denver police force knew her as Scott’s widow. Logically, no one would condemn her for dating after a year. But this wasn’t a date. He had brought them here to keep them safe.

  Besides, she hadn’t exactly relayed to Jennifer any of her confused new feelings about the man beside her. She broke the handhold, knowing she just wasn’t ready to confuse Jennifer with any new relationships in their fragile home life right now.

  “That was fun,” said Jennifer as she got down and skipped toward them. “What’s next?”

  Her upturned face was so expectant that Tracy relaxed, determined to have fun. It was a holiday weekend. She shouldn’t have to worry about money or about sending Jennifer to her grandfather or about what was to be with Matt. Or even the strange calls from Carrie Lamb and her pursuer. It was the weekend of the most American of holidays, and she wanted desperately to enjoy it.

  They moved on to the next ride, and Tracy tried to just let life flow past and admire the setting bubbling over with people having fun. Elitch Gardens was famous for its flowers, and the brilliant beds were riotous with purple, yellow and pink pansies. The old park had featured extensive gardens, a dance floor and a theater. The new amusement park was much more in keeping with modem-day theme parks, but as a tribute to the nostalgia that the old Elitch Gardens evoked in Denver residents, small raised beds and tubs of brilliant flowers were everywhere.

  Something of a green thumb herself, Tracy decided she’d like to visit the greenhouse to see what varieties might be growing there. Jennifer was begging to ride in the Teacups, something she could do with Matt. They had stopped to look at the guess-your-weight concession.

  “Why don’t you two do the rest of these rides?” she suggested. “I’d like to wander over to the greenhouse and take a look, if you wouldn’t mind. We can meet at that refreshment stand in half an hour.”

  Matt judged the length of the line to the Big Wheel and gave a nod. “As long as Jennifer doesn’t mind. You’re sure you want to go alone?” he asked.

  She smiled at him. “It’s down the walk under the Twister by the fence. I’ll be fine.”

  She gave Jennifer’s shoulder a squeeze. “Have fun and don’t leave Matt, okay? I don’t want you to go anywhere alone in the park. Got that?”

  The little girl nodded soberly. Matt took Jennifer’s hand with a look that said he understood the importance that a child not be left without an adult in an amusement park or any public place. And she trusted Matt with her stepdaughter. If she would be safe with anyone, she should be safe with a cop. But it was more than that. Matt seemed to handle responsibility well. With an ironic inward smile, she realized that she’d just chalked up another point in his favor. Something she wasn’t really trying to do.

  She turned from the two of them and made her way through the crowd. She passed the Tower of Doom, the heart-arresting free-fall ride, then circled past more games and a hot-dog stand to the walkway beneath the stomach-churning Twister Two, the famous roller coaster. T
he long stretch of white latticework frame supported the looping roller coaster. Above her head, the cars thundered in a dip and passengers screamed. Tracy held her ears until the car made the curve to the far side of the ride. There were fewer people on the walk toward the greenhouse, and it was quieter once she got past the end of the roller coaster.

  To her right, a high chain-link fence marked the boundary of the park. On the other side of the fence, a solitary cyclist pedaled on the bike path beside the South Platt. The long white building, with a plastic roof to let in the sun, lay just ahead.

  Something made her glance back, and when she did, she saw a man break off from the throng coming off the roller coaster. But his movements held none of the excitement of the fun-loving crowd. He followed them toward the exit, but he didn’t walk very quickly.

  Paranoia made Tracy quicken her steps. She was probably imagining things, but she gave a silent thanks that Jennifer was safe with Matt. The sidewalk leading to the greenhouse was empty, and she wondered for a moment if guests were not allowed inside. She hesitated for a moment, instinct telling her that she ought to retrace her steps now, while she could still see other people on the walkway under the coaster.

  Don’t be silly, she told herself. It was still daylight. What could possibly happen?

  She reached the door to the greenhouse and put her hand on the doorknob. Then she breathed more comfortably when it pushed inward. She was further relieved to see two other people working on the plants some distance along the rows.

  The floral scents assailed her, and she breathed in, enjoying the smell. Her herb garden had few flowering plants due to the risk of pollen triggering one of Jennifer’s episodes. For that reason, Tracy indulged in breathing in the sweet air and allowing her eyes to drink in the vivid colors.

  She walked along the row, reading the stakes peeking out identifying unfamiliar varieties. Her green thumb twitched, and she realized that when and if things ever got resolved in her life, she would like to become more involved in gardening again.

  For a few moments, she wallowed in the fantasy. Enough money for Jennifer to attend Ability Plus, the private school of her dreams, where learning was self-paced—time enough for Tracy to volunteer at the botanical gardens. The aesthetic moment carried her all the way down the row of rosebushes and around the end.

  When she looked up again, she noticed that the workers had gone and she was alone. Looking at her watch, she realized she’d been dawdling and had only another ten minutes before she needed to start back to meet Matt and Jennifer.

  The sound of a footstep behind her shot a bolt of fear through her heart, and she turned. No one was there. The heat from the intense western sun coming through the plastic roof, along with the humid roomful of plants, suddenly felt cloying. She would feel better in the outside air.

  She made a beeline down the row, looking neither right nor left. When she passed a gap in the tables, she thought she saw a shadow of movement, but didn’t stop to find out what it was. Tall shrubs blocked her view now, and she felt a sudden urgency to reach the door. For now she had the queer feeling that someone else was watching her. The thought of the unhurried man under the roller coaster made her throat tighten in warning.

  She didn’t reach the door in time.

  He came out of nowhere as she tried to make it past the next gap in the plants. She only saw a blur of movement as he grabbed her from behind, clamping down on her waist and sticking a rag in her mouth when she tried to scream. She twisted and turned and kicked. But the choking rag and the chemical smell of something over her nose cost her her breath.

  She screamed in her mind, struggled to get away. Her will fought on even when her limbs weakened and dizziness forced its way into her head.

  Her last thought was of rosebushes, Matt and sweet little Jennifer.

  SHE WAS FIRST AWARE of the dizziness as she began to wake up. It was hard to tell what position her body was in. Then tight cords restricting her ants and hands made her aware she was tied to something. Was she sitting?

  “Where am I?” she mumbled through thick lips.

  The terror seized her again when she opened her eyes and everything was still dark. She began to struggle, until hands gripped her shoulder and a nasty, threatening voice ordered her to stay put.

  A blinding circle of light flicked on, aimed at her face. She squeezed her eyes shut then, turning her face to the side. Still, the light blinded her, and she could make out nothing.

  “Relax, Mrs. Meyer. We just want to talk.”

  This voice was different—grating, raspy and it came from opposite her. She realized, finally, that one man was standing behind her to try to keep her from tipping the chair over and that the other man held a large flashlight and was talking to her from about ten feet away. They were probably going to hurt her, at the very least, and tears sprang to her eyes.

  Panic seized her, and she almost blurted out that Matt and Jennifer would be looking for her. But she bit her lip. If she was late, they would become concerned. But that would be to her advantage—if she were still in the park, that is——because they would come looking for her.

  “Who are you?” she asked, squinting and ducking her head against the shining light.

  The man behind the flashlight gave a rasp. “No one you need to know. And you’re not going to get hurt if you heed my words.”

  She didn’t say anything, just tried to stifle her fear so that she could concentrate. She tried to remember things she’d learned in self-defense class. But there was little she could do with her arms tied to her torso and her feet bound to the legs of a chair.

  She tried to sound courageous but cooperative. “You don’t need to threaten me. Just tell me what it is you want, and if I know anything useful, I’ll tell you.”

  “That’s more like it.”

  She didn’t voice the fact that she would say anything whether she meant it or not just to keep them from doing something awful to her. And she tried not to think about Jennifer. She was with Matt. Then, with a sinking feeling, she realized that her captors must know that If they’d followed her in here, it must be because they’d seen her leave Matt and Jennifer in the main part of the park a little while ago.

  She kept her eyes downward and tried to see what was on the floor and to the sides in the pool of light. She gradually became aware of a damp, earthy smell.

  In the distance were muffled sounds she could make out, sometimes louder, then fading. She felt a spurt of hope when she recognized the screams from the roller coaster, but they were muffled. So she wasn’t far from the park, maybe somewhere still on its grounds.

  She must have been out cold, for she didn’t remember being carried anywhere. Her wrists hurt from the cords, and she tried to wiggle them into a more comfortable position.

  “What do you want with me?” She was still terrified, but she didn’t want her captors to know it.

  “Just a few questions, that’s all.”

  “Was it necessary to tie me up and put me out? I’m a reasonable human being. Couldn’t you have just asked me whatever it is you want to know?”

  The raspy voice coughed out a laugh. “We thought some privacy might be more convincing.”

  “Convincing of what?”

  Now the raspy voice took on a harsher tone. “Let’s just say you need to be persuaded not to mess with your late husband’s memory.”

  “Scott?” She blinked in surprise. “What’s that got to do with anything?”

  “Nothing. That’s why you need to tell your boyfriend to mind his own business.”

  “I really don’t know what you’re talking about. And he isn’t my boyfriend. He’s a friend of the family, that’s all.”

  “Then if you want him to remain healthy enough to take you and your little stepdaughter out to play, he’d better stick to his job.”

  Anger made her sputter out her reply. “Whatever he is doing, I’m sure he considers it his job.”

  “Not everyone would agree with that.”


  She clamped her teeth together. There were a lot of things she could say, but she was afraid her temper would make her give things away that she shouldn’t. Still, she didn’t quite understand why this dramatic, gangsterlike setting was necessary to tell her these things.

  After she took a breath, she said, “I don’t want any trouble. Since you know all about our lives, you must know that Jennifer is not well. I have my hands full taking care of her. Scott is dead. Nothing I can do will bring him back. Whatever his death was about, I don’t even want to know. All I want is to put the past behind me. The present is much too trying, believe me.”

  “Good girl,” wheezed the man with the flashlight.

  She squinted in his direction, trying without avail to see anything, a silhouette, height, a piece of clothing. But he stood in darkness.

  “Can I go now?” asked Tracy.

  “Not quite.”

  She waited.

  “Did your friend Carrie just decide to run away with that bank robber the day they met? Or was she giving it to him before that?”

  Tracy was shocked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Come now. You were there. When she slipped her legs around his motorcycle and snuggled up against his back, just how well did she know the rascal?”

  Tracy couldn’t believe her ears, but she could perceive a tightening in the man’s hoarse voice. Jealousy? She tried to think. Whatever was going on here was very bizarre. Did this man know Carrie? Her stomach flip-flopped. Since Carrie’s disappearance, she’d realized just how little she’d known her. But the coarse man’s accusations really shook her belief that Carrie Lamb was the kind, caring tutor she appeared to be.

  “I, um, really don’t know. I’d never seen the robber before yesterday.”

  “That’s not what I asked you.” The words thundered out angrily. Tracy blinked. The man was clearly obsessed with Carrie, and she was too surprised to be able to understand it.

  “How do you know her?” she blurted out. “What is Carrie to you, anyway?