The Watchman Read Free Page A

saying I’d had a nervous breakdown, and he took us back home. I paid dearly for that little indiscretion.”
    “Why would your doctor lie? He could lose his medical license.”
    “Dr. Saunders is a personal friend of Harry’s. I’m sure my husband applied a great deal of pressure. Anyway, after that I decided to try something new. The last time, Cody and I packed my car after Harry left for work. We headed for California. I’d stashed money for six months so I wouldn’t leave a trail he could follow. Somehow, he knew we had left. Before we reached the state line, the police stopped me and brought us back. That’s when I knew I’d have to kill Harry to get away.”
    While we waited for our drinks, I scanned her face in the dim lighting. Where did she find the courage to keep going with such odds against her? She’d kept herself and her son alive through sheer strength and bravery.
    “I can only imagine how hopeless you must have felt.”
    She gave a short laugh. “Whoever you are, it’s difficult to imagine we could be worse off than we’ve been with Harry.”
    Her chest rose as she inhaled a deep breath. “You’re my last hope. I don’t know if you’re a guardian angel or a serial killer—a stranger who showed up at my door. Yet here I am taking my son on a trip to God-only-knows where.”
    “I mean you no harm, Rachel. Though a serial killer would probably say that as well.” I managed a half grin. “But killers rarely call the police, give them their license number, and home address before kidnapping victims. You and Cody were in trouble. I wanted to help. It’s as uncomplicated as that. Emma Hand is a fine woman. You’ll be safe there, and you can leave whenever you want.”
    She frowned and gave her head a slow shake. “I have an appalling record of making the wrong choices where men are concerned.” She lifted her chin. “But this time, I’m leaving Harry for good, and I don’t intend to become someone else’s victim.”
    “Point taken. You’re right to be wary of strangers.”
    Wind-driven snow speckled the windshield under the drive-through portico. “Do you have access to a bank account or other funds?”
    Her eyes widened.
    “You won’t need money at the ranch, but you will need an attorney, and Cody should see a doctor. You‘ll have to prove ongoing abuse.”
    Her posture eased. “We have medical insurance, but Harry can trace us if we use it. I also have credit cards, but he’ll cancel them before morning. He always cancels the cards when I leave.”
    “Half of everything he has belongs to you and Cody. But you’ll have to file for a divorce to get it.”
    Her jaw set in an oddly vulnerable way. “Like I would ever do that. Stand alone against Harry in Hebron. He would have Dr. Saunders as a witness. It would be my word against two highly respected professionals. Taking him to court would be the mother of lost causes.”
    “I’d be there for you, and I know a good attorney. The sooner you take legal action against your husband, the sooner you’ll be free of him.”
    The young woman at the window passed two cups out. I handed one to Rachel, took a sip from mine, and placed it in the console holder. “Do you guys have passports?”
    “Why?” she asked.
    “Just in case I need to move you into Canada.”
    She unsheathed the straw and punched it into her drink. “They’re in a safe at home along with a large amount of cash. Harry brags there is more than a $100,000 dollars inside.” She shook her head. “But I can’t get my part of the money, or the passports. I don’t have the combination.”
    Not surprising Harry denied her access. Money meant freedom, and abusers liked to keep their victims dependent.
    “Does he open the safe often?”
    She considered the question for a moment before she answered. “He opens it every Monday before he goes to work to pulls cash for the week. And probably other times I’m not aware of.”
    “Where’s the safe?”
    “In the