J McKenna: Naughty girl

Reilly handed him his cell phone without a word and asked if he needed some privacy. Carl became aware that he was still shirtless, so he began putting it back on even as he shook his head.

As expected, his client was furious—until he heard Carl’s incredible story. He almost didn’t believe him until Carl told him to read the paper in the morning. He signed off, promising to have the completed materials to the printer first thing Monday. The client, much more subdued, said that would be fine. It turned out his hard and fast deadline could be moved a couple of days after all.

It was after midnight when Carl and DeeDee were allowed to leave. It was too late to go home, so they stayed at a hotel. Carl used Gloria’s money to buy a change of clothes for both of them at the hotel boutique. He offered to buy underwear for DeeDee, but she just shook her head and smiled for the first time since her rescue.

“DeeDee, I’m so glad to have you back safe and sound! I was really worried about you.”

She nodded, her face blank. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“What’s wrong? What happened to you in there?” Carl hated to ask, but he wanted to know.

“It was…overwhelming. I didn’t know what to think. And then, I stopped thinking at all. It was easier that way.”

Carl caught himself before he could press for more details. There would be time for that later, he decided. For now, he was just glad she was back.

“Are you hungry?”

The question seemed to surprise her. “Um, I don’t know. I guess.”

Perhaps Turk had decided everything for her, including when to eat. And for that matter what to eat. “Would you like me to get you something? We could order room service. Anything you want.” He showed her the menu.

She glanced at it then shook her head. “I’m not that hungry. Maybe I’ll just have some peanuts from the mini-bar.”

“Sure. Let me get some for you.” He jumped up, trying to show her that she didn’t have to obey anyone anymore. He was happy to fetch something for her. When he turned his back, he heard DeeDee gasp. He turned back, concerned, thinking she was having a flashback to her ordeal. Instead, she pointed to him.

“Your back.”

“Oh. That.” He turned and looked over his shoulder. A red line had seeped through his brand-new shirt. He cursed and eased it off, planning to soak it in the sink.

She gasped again when she saw the bandages over his back. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”

“Why? This isn’t your fault.”

“But it is. Master Turk or Gloria wouldn’t’ve hurt you if it wasn’t for me.”

“That’s nonsense. I’m just glad I was there to help. Think what your life would be like if Turk had come for you before I met you.”

She was silent, apparently thinking about that horror. Carl splashed water on the shirt, rubbing away the bloodstain. He felt guilty too. If he hadn’t explored her darker side, perhaps she would’ve been strong enough to resist Turk’s orders. Then again, knowing how big Turk was, he might’ve just kidnapped her, like he did to so many others.

It worried Carl that the police hadn’t yet tracked Turk down. By now, he’d probably holed up somewhere, under the protection of another slaver, or was on his way out of the country. Carl had told the police about Hank—with any luck, the bald club owner might know where Turk would hide. He hoped they would make the treacherous man sweat.

He returned to the room and went to DeeDee’s side. Carl told her he felt much better and he did, but he suspected it was more because she seemed to be coming out of her shell, becoming a bit more like the DeeDee he knew and loved.

DeeDee was exhausted by her ordeal. She said she wanted to take a shower and go to bed. When she came out of the shower, he went in and cleaned up in the sink, careful not to get his back wet. By the time he came out again, she was in bed, asleep.

Carl slipped in beside her and rested his hand gently on her hip. She had put on an oversized t-shirt he had bought for her and the material felt soft and warm to the touch. She snuggled a little closer and Carl smiled just before he fell asleep.

Carl’s car had been towed to the impound lot after a passing officer had spotted it in front of the hydrant near Turk’s house. Despite the kidnapping, the police didn’t offer to cover the cost of the ticket or the storage fees, so Carl paid it using the last of Gloria’s money and drove the car back to the hotel. DeeDee was waiting in the lobby, dressed in jeans and a blouse. She seemed anxious to get out of there.

Carl had called the police before he left, telling them where they’d be. Reilly thanked him and said they’d call when Turk was in custody. “It’s only a matter of time,” he assured Carl. “The guy can’t disappear.”

The drove south, stopping for lunch at a restaurant near Gilroy then took another break in San Luis Obispo, just to walk around and stretch their legs. Carl was in no hurry. He hoped the drive would bring DeeDee around, as she still seemed somewhat distant. Give her time , he told himself.

They pulled into Santa Barbara just before six, and headed for Carl’s house. He had offered to take her to her apartment instead, but she’d said no immediately. The idea of being alone in that place clearly frightened her.

“I’d feel safer at your place. Is that all right?”

All right! As if she even had to ask . “It’s perfect,” he said.

The house looked inviting to Carl, like an old friend. He parked in the driveway and helped her out. “I know you don’t have much in the way of clothes, but tomorrow, if you’re up to it, we can swing by your place and get some things.”

She nodded, her eyes thoughtful. She focused on Carl’s face. “Thank you,” she whispered, making Carl feel like a hero all over again.

“I wasn’t going to abandon you there. No way. I’m just glad I got there in time.”

She touched his cheek then followed him inside. They had no luggage. “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry again,” he told her. “Would you like me to fix you a sandwich?” He stretched his cramped muscles. When he glanced over at DeeDee, she was standing stock-still, her face drained of color.

“Well, well, what a nice surprise,” a growling voice said.

Carl whirled around, eyes wide, to see Turk standing in the doorway to the kitchen, a gun in one hand. His mouth dropped open. Beside him, he heard DeeDee drop to her knees on the carpet with a thud.

Turk was no longer that calm, cool character Carl had met that day in the library. Now his face was drawn, his scalp sweating and his anger palpable. Carl felt his knees go weak.

As Turk came into the living room, Crystal appeared. She wore shorts and a t-shirt that said, “Monterey Bay Aquarium.” Perhaps they had hid there in plain sight, just a couple of tourists.

“The police are looking everywhere for you, Turk,” Carl said, trying to keep his voice calm. “They’re coming by here as well—the cops called ahead to the Santa Barbara Police.” It was a lie, but he hoped it might cause Turk to flee.

No such luck.

“Don’t worry, we’ll be long gone by the time they find your body.” He grinned, then immediately glowered again. “You really fucked up my plans, you know that?”

“So what are you trying to prove here? You know this is a huge risk for you. If you kill us, you won’t get a hundred miles from here before they catch you. They’ll have your description out to every cop around.”

“True—I might get caught. But at least I’ll have had the satisfaction of killing you first.”

Carl felt dizzy and sick. That Turk was going to kill him, he was certain. There was nothing he could say to scare him off.