You Can't Hide by Theresa Sneed (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

lost memory—like so many before—suppressed by her then tormented mind.

While a captive, Elle’s abductor had received packages in the mail, and had had her store their contents, cartons of cigarettes. She remembered the odd logo on the packages—a blue ball with three white stars. Another shelf contained his illegal cigars—always hand delivered by a courier. Why had that memory come to her? Why now? It didn’t make any sense. Merrick Snyder was in prison.

She kissed Sam on the forehead and left the room. Something’s not right here. Stopping at the nurse’s station, she asked to use the phone, and was directed to the lobby where a phone rested on a small table. Calling Sheriff Higgin’s number, she waited anxiously.

“Hello, John,” she said, fighting the quiver in her voice. “I, um, were you able to get fingerprints from the window screen or the cigarette package?”

“No, whoever it was, was careful with that.”

Dejected, she was about to hang up, when another thought came to her. “What kind of cigarettes were they?”

He was silent, and then he cleared his throat. “Not from around here.”

She swallowed. “Where are they from?”

“Tennessee. The crumpled package has the state logo on its front.”

Her hand trembled. “State logo?”

“Yes, three stars in a blue ball.”

Elle dropped the phone and fell back against the wall. Merrick. The cigar band, the phone call, the cigarette package, all pointed to Merrick. Merrick who was on death row. Her heart thudded in her chest. But how could it be him? If he’d escaped, it’d be all over the news. Someone on the outside must be helping him, but why take sweet Sally? She broke into a sob and trembled violently.

Merrick was taunting her, with things only she would know. Why? To punish her? Make her go crazy? Suddenly, she got it. It was a trap, cruel and devious, like its perpetrator. She knew him well. Merrick Snyder wanted her to find Sally.

She stopped by the bathroom on the way to Sam’s room and splashed cool water on her face. Gripping the sink, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. You want to play this game, Merrick? “Huh.” A low growl escaped her throat. “I’ve learned from the master,” she breathed, out in a hoarse voice, “And I’m coming for you.”

She stepped into Sam’s room. He was leaning against the pillow and staring out the window. His face brightened when he saw her. She wrapped her arms around him, covering his face with soft kisses. She would wait for just the right moment to tell him the lie that was forming in her mind. “Um, I need to get away, just for a little bit.”

Studying her eyes, he frowned. “From me?” He ran his fingers down the side of her face. “You’ve been crying.”

She placed her trembling hand over his. “Yes.” She held back her feelings. “Yes, I have.”

He tried to sit up higher, but fell back, the sudden movement eliciting a groan from pain. “I know this is hard for you, to, uh, see me like this.”

You have no idea, she thought, stifling a sob. “Yes.”

“How long will you be gone?”

Her mind raced. “Um, a few days.”

“Oh.” He turned and stared back out the window. “Mom told me they sent Sally back to Nancy’s.”

She blinked. That had been the original intention right after Sam’s accident. Louise probably had mentioned it to him. She couldn’t confirm it though, for fear she’d burst into tears.

He turned back to her. “I understand. I’m asleep most of the time anyhow. I guess, my brain needs that right now.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’m alright—go take care of whatever it is you need to do, but hurry back as soon as possible. Okay?”

Her heart wrenched with her. Sam was in so much pain. She didn’t want to cause him more. She snuggled up against him, pressing her nose into the crick of his neck. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” She gave him one last kiss, and then left his room, a plan forming in her mind.

She would not sit idly by and wait for the authorities to find her daughter. They never found me, she thought bitterly.

Stepping into the lobby, she dialed Grammie Gwen’s number. “Hey, Grammie.”

“Hello, Sweetheart. Papa and I are just about to leave for Bangor.”

She wiped a quick tear from the corner of her eye. “That’s good. Sam needs you.” She cleared her throat. “Hey Grammie, um, please don’t get mad at me.” She didn’t expect the sudden sob that escaped her throat, and quickly squelched it. “Grammie, whatever happens, please don’t be angry.”

Over the phone, Gwen drew in a sharp breath. “What are you talking about?”

“I have to find Sally, and I think I know where she is.” She hung up the phone. It was enough that she revealed her intentions, now she would have to hurry to get away. Turning around, she whammed into Karen.

Her eyes wide with fear, Karen’s mouth fell open. “Did I just hear you correctly?” She grabbed Elle’s shoulders. “You’re not going after him.”

She pushed her away. “Oh yes, I am.”

“Elle. Let the police take care of it.”

“Oh, you mean like the way they took care of my abduction?” She glared at her friend. “I was the one who escaped. Everyone else forgot all about me.”

Tears welled up in Karen’s eyes. “I never forgot about you, no one ever forgot. We didn’t know—”

Elle slammed her fists on her hips. “Exactly. But I do know. I know Merrick’s behind it.” She tried to walk around her friend, but Karen blocked her path. “Get out of my way.”

“This is absurd. It’s crazy,” Karen said, stepping in front of Elle’s next attempt.

“Move aside.”

“No.” Karen stood her ground. “I won’t let you do this alone.” She placed her quivering hands on Elle’s shoulders. “I’m going with you.”

Eight

Evidence

First stop was at Sam’s parent’s house. They probably weren’t there. She pulled into their driveway and got out of the car. She imagined they’d left for Bangor by