Holiday Amnesia

“I’ve got us connecting rooms,” Toby said. “Amber will be here in just a few minutes. She’ll stay with you tonight and we’ll figure out what to do in the morning.”

“Okay.” Robin climbed out of the vehicle and winced when she shut the door. Her hands had been bandaged at the hospital, and they stung. When he opened the door to the room, she stepped inside. Two beds, a dresser that held a television, a refrigerator and a microwave. The scent of pine and new carpet hung in the air and Robin was grateful the place was clean. And nice. She went to the bed and sat.

Toby shut the door behind him and set the key on the nightstand. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Someone bombed the lab with me in it and tried to kill me last night,” she said. “And again, today at the hospital.”

He sat opposite her on the other bed. “You remember?”

“No. I just thought saying it out loud would help me process it. Or something.”

“Right.”

“It didn’t work. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

“For not remembering.” Tears spilled over her lashes before she could stop them.

He moved to sit beside her and pulled her against his chest and just let her cry. When her sobs quieted to sniffles, he handed her a tissue from the box on the nightstand.

She took it with her bandaged right hand and turned away to mop her face. “Sorry.”

“Stop apologizing. None of this is your fault.”

A knock on the door jerked him to his feet and she squelched a scream. He squeezed her shoulder. “It’s okay. That’s probably Amber. Bad guys don’t knock. Usually.”

She immediately mourned the loss of his arms but quickly focused on the woman now stepping through the open door. “Hi,” Amber said.

Robin offered the pretty dark-haired woman a wan smile. “Hi.”

“Having a rough day, I hear.” Her blue eyes flashed her sympathy.

“You could say that.”

Amber nodded to Toby. “I’ve got this. Go take care of whatever it is you need to do.”

“Thanks.” With one look back at Robin, he slipped out of the room.

Amber engaged the dead bolt, then took the chair near the window. She placed a gun on the table in front of her, and Robin drew in a deep breath. “I’m going to take a shower if that’s all right.”

“Can you manage with your hands?” Amber asked.

“Yes. The cuts aren’t too bad and Toby’s bringing more bandages just in case.”

“Okay. I don’t think he’ll be too long. I’ll knock on the door when he gets back with the clothes.”

“Thanks.”

Toby didn’t plan to be more than thirty minutes. Less, if possible. The store was right across the street from the motel. He parked and noted that while he didn’t see anyone following him, he wasn’t completely convinced he wasn’t being watched.

But how? And by whom? With the hair on the back of his neck spiking, he made his way into the store, grabbing a cart and glancing into the mirror that hung at the entrance.

No one behind him looked suspicious. Two teenagers who could use a haircut, a young couple with a toddler and an elderly couple who held hands.

Bypassing the rows of Christmas decorations and aisles of toys, he headed straight for the toiletries section where he pulled up the list Robin had made for him in his notes app.

And then the man next to him caught his attention. He’d pulled in two spaces down in the parking lot just as Toby had exited his own vehicle. Nothing about him suggested Toby should be alarmed, but just the fact that he was there was enough to make him keep his eyes peeled.

From the corner of his vision, Toby kept the man in his sights while he headed to the women’s clothing section and found three long-sleeved T-shirts. He added them to his cart with a subtle glance over his shoulder. No sign of the man. Next, jeans. He found Robin’s size and added two pairs.

Another glance around.

The guy was back. This time looking at the shirts on the rack behind him. Toby pulled his cell phone from his pocket and activated the camera as though he were going to take a selfie. He turned his back to the man and lifted the phone to an angle that had his shadow behind him.

Trying to be subtle but needing a good picture, he shifted so it wouldn’t look like he was doing exactly what he was doing. He waited until the guy turned slightly, snapped the picture, then held the phone to his ear. “Yeah,” he said to the device. “I can do that. Bye.” Tucking the phone back into his pocket, he shot another look down the aisle. The person was gone.

One by one, he added items to the cart until he had everything, still keeping an eye out for the guy.

In spite of the fact that Christmas was just around the corner, the store was only moderately busy and within another ten minutes, he was checked out.

And looking for his tail.

Not seeing him but wanting his hands free, Toby transferred everything to the overnight bag he’d purchased and pocketed the receipt. With the bag slung over his left shoulder and his right hovering near the weapon in his shoulder holster, he walked out of the store, tension running through every muscle in his back.

He wanted to know who that man was and if he was connected to Robin. And if he was, Toby was going to deal with him.

FOUR

Robin paced the small motel room while the news played clips of the lab burning in the background. She’d watched it intently, hoping to spark some sort of recognition, but the yawning black hole in her memory never closed. When the reporter continued to say the same thing she’d said five minutes ago, Robin had finally shut the sound off.

Toby hadn’t yet returned with her clothes, so she’d wrapped herself in the snuggly robe she’d been surprised to find hanging on the back of the bathroom door.

Amber looked up from the table in the corner. “You took a hard hit to the head. You should probably be resting.”

“I can’t rest. I need to think, but my thoughts are so jumbled.” Robin pressed a hand to her pounding head.

“You have a concussion. I’m sure that’s part of it.”

“So, after I heal from the concussion, will I remember what happened?”

“I don’t think anyone can tell you that. I suppose time will help. What did the doctor say?”

“That time will help.” She shot her new friend a rueful smile. Then frowned. “Unfortunately, I don’t think I have a lot of time.”

Lights flickered behind her eyes. She blinked, then lowered her lids as she sat on the edge of the bed. No, not lights. Flames. Smoke. Choking her. She gasped and opened her eyes.

Amber stood, brows drawn in concern. “Are you okay?”

Robin raked a hand through her drying hair. “Yes. I think I just... I don’t know. Remembered the fire. Maybe.”

“Anything else?”

“Choking on the smoke. Feeling like I couldn’t breathe.”

“I would think that’s normal. You were trapped, right?”

“I... Yes. I mean, I think so.” She frowned. “Was I?”

“That’s what Toby said. He said you broke the window out of one of the bathrooms and escaped that way.”

“Then I guess that’s true.” She pressed her palms against her eyes, then lowered them with a sigh. “So, what do you do when you’re not guarding people?”

Amber smiled. “I take care of my family. I have a nine-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter.”

“I’m taking you away from your family. I’m so sorry!” Remorse had a bitter taste.

“Hey, it’s okay, really,” Amber said, her voice low and soothing. “It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to help out and I’m glad to do it.”

“Still...”

“No, not ‘still.’ It’s fine, I promise.”

Robin sighed. “Well, thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Any big Christmas plans?” Amber asked.

Was the change of subject an attempt to get Robin’s mind off everything? Possibly. “No big plans.” At least she didn’t think so. If this Christmas followed true to the pattern of past ones, she would be curled up somewhere on a sofa watching It’s a Wonderful Life. “I suppose my plan is to stay alive to see Christmas.”

“An excellent plan.”

“What about you? Any favorite Christmas traditions?”

“Mmm,” Amber said. “Yes. My family loves Christmas. We usually gather at my parents’ house, eat too much, watch football, play some football if the weather cooperates, take a horse ride, play in the snow...” She shrugged. “Stuff like that.”

“Sounds idyllic,” Robin said softly. Sounded exactly what she’d always dreamed of Christmas being—but not one she’d ever experienced. Longing welled and she cleared her throat. “Toby said you were in law enforcement before. What branch?”

“I used to work for one of the government agencies.”

“So, you’d rather not say.”

Amber gave her a faint smile. “Not unless it will help you feel better.”

“You don’t have to tell me.” She figured it was probably the CIA or something like that. “Do you miss it?”

The woman shrugged and glanced out the window before turning back. “Sometimes. But I’d miss my family more if I were still working, so I help out some friends who are still active every now and then.”

“Like Toby?”

“Like Toby.”

Robin pressed a hand against her aching head. “I wonder where he is.”

Toby stashed the bag in the back seat and scanned the area one more time. The guy was gone, and Toby started to wonder if he’d been overreacting in the store.

When his phone rang, he yanked it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Yeah, Ben, what’s up?” He turned his attention to the parking lot, the cars leaving and arriving, the people loading their bags. The guy’s car was still in its spot.

“The fire at the lab’s been ruled arson.”

He walked to the back of the vehicle and noted the license plate. “That didn’t take long.”

“ATF guys found bomb materials. They’ve been shifting through everything with the dogs.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised.” In fact, he would have been surprised to hear otherwise.

“So, right now, we’re looking for someone who has the motive to blow it up,” Ben said. “What was going on in there that someone wanted to get rid of?”

“I’ve already passed on to you everything I know.” Which hadn’t been much. Ben already had the background on all of the employees, including as much personal information that Toby had been able to dig up.

“Hold on a second,” Ben said. “I’ve got a text coming through.”

While Ben checked his messages, Toby did a three-sixty, still on high alert. There was nothing there to alarm him and yet he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. He pushed the cart to join the others in the designated area.

“Toby?” Ben was back on the line.

“Yeah?” He headed back to his truck, his nerves itching.

“Alan Roberts and another man were found dead at the scene. They both had bullet holes in them.”

“Great. Just great. Who’s the other guy?”

“Not sure. They’re still trying to ID him. May have to use dental records.”

“Alan has a family,” Toby said softly. “And a little girl fighting leukemia.”

“Oh boy.” Ben sighed.

“Yeah.” Toby frowned and took another look around the parking lot. It was busy, with a steady stream of people. “Once we know the identity of the other guy, maybe we’ll know why they were killed.”

“I hope to have that information soon. How’s Robin?”

“Hanging in there, but she doesn’t remember anything that happened at the lab.”

“Nothing?”

“No. Seems like she’s lost the last six months of her life at the moment.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I wish.”

“Fabulous.” Ben paused. “We need her to remember.”

“I know, but right now, she’s so stressed and shaken, I don’t see that happening any time soon. And pushing her isn’t going to help. The doctor said to let her heal and feel safe, and the memories should start to return.”

“Toby...if someone tried to kill her because of something she saw, we may not have time to let her feel safe.”

“I’m working on that part.”

“Yeah. Okay. I guess we don’t have a choice. Stay low and keep your head down until I get back to you.” He paused. “In the meantime, you find her that safe quiet spot to heal. The faster the better.”

“Already thought of that.”

“I thought you might have. Where will you be?”

“Wrangler’s Corner. It’s small and close-knit. If any strangers show up, I’ll know it.”

Ben fell silent. “That might not be a bad idea. Plus, you have law enforcement friends and family there.”

“I do.” The law enforcement friends were in-laws, but he counted them as family.

“All right. But let me know immediately if she remembers anything. She’s not safe if she can’t tell us who did this—and why.”

“I know, Ben.”

“I know you do,” his friend said. “This thing’s got me rattled. I never saw this coming.”

“I didn’t either.” Toby kept his head on a swivel, goosebumps pebbling his arms, the air shifting. “When I get back to the hotel, I’m going to send you a picture of a guy. See if you can identify him, will you?”

“Sure.”

“Look, I’ve gotta go. I don’t like being out in the open like this. Talk to you later.”

“Be safe.”

“That’s the plan.” Toby hung up and placed his hand on the door handle.

A footfall sounded behind him. He started to turn when something hard pressed against the base of his skull.

Toby froze. The man had been watching. Waiting for him to get off the phone, then striking quickly.

“Where is she?” a low voice demanded.

“Who?”

“You know who. Robin Hardy. Where is she?”

“Who wants to know?”

The gun pressed harder. “I’m not playing, man!”

“I’m not either.” Toby bent his knees and dropped in one controlled movement. The gun slid away from his head. In a crouched position, he spun and kicked out, connecting with the man’s knee.

His attacker yelled but instead of pulling away, he surged forward and struck out, catching Toby on the cheek with a hard fist. Toby’s head snapped back and pain vibrated through him, but he kept his feet beneath him.

“What’s going on over there?”

The shout startled him and he stumbled back two steps, just in time to avoid the second punch headed for his face. He grabbed the swinging arm and shoved. The man went to his knees, rolled to his feet and bolted toward the back of the parking lot.

Pounding footsteps from the opposite direction grabbed Toby’s attention. A man in a uniform reached him. Another swept past him in pursuit of the fleeing attacker. “Are you okay?”

Toby touched a hand to his cheek. “Yeah, I think so.”

“What happened?”

“I got jumped. Let your partner know the guy is armed.”

The officer did so while backing away from Toby. “If you’re okay, I’m going to go give him backup.”

“Go.”

“I’ll be back to take your statement,” he called over his shoulder.

Toby didn’t plan to be around for that. He snagged his keys from the asphalt, climbed into his vehicle and headed for the motel. If whoever was after Robin had found him, it was very possible they would soon find Robin. Time to run.

Robin had dozed sitting upright on the bed, her head against the cushioned headboard. When the door opened, she jerked awake, setting off a pounding in her skull. Ignoring it, she swung her feet to the floor and tightened the sash on the shin-length robe.

Amber stood at the door and hit the deadbolt after Toby shut it behind him. “Did you get what you needed?” Amber asked.

“Yes, but we’re going to have to take off. Someone attacked me in the parking lot of the store.” He set an overnight bag on the bed.

Robin gasped. “Your cheek! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, but if they found me there, it’s possible they could track us here.”

“How?” Amber asked.

“I don’t know. I checked the truck for tracking devices, but I could have missed it.”

“Not you,” Amber said. “What about your phone?”

“It’s not traceable.”

“Everything is,” she said. “Even that one.”

He frowned. “That would take some pretty high-tech equipment.”

“And until we know who you’re dealing with, you need to assume they have access to that equipment. You need to ditch it. We’ll stop and get you another one on the way.”

His frown stayed put, but he nodded.

Robin watched the exchange with a curious detachment. They were obviously good friends.

“Are you a cop, too?” she asked Toby. “I mean, Amber told me she used to work for some government agency, but what about you?”

Toby stilled. “No. I’m not a cop. Although...” He paused. “I have a lot of friends with the FBI.”

“Why do I have a feeling it’s more than that?” she murmured.

Amber lifted a brow and shot Toby a look Robin couldn’t decipher.

Toby sighed. “Although I’m not with an official law enforcement agency, I’ve—we’ve—both had some training. And we’re going to keep you safe, all right?”

She nodded, but something flickered in her midsection. Not fear of Toby, but more of a wariness...an anger? But why? He’d saved her life and was continuing to do so. The feelings didn’t fit. Or was her subconscious trying to tell her something?

Toby motioned to the bag that held her clothes and other items she’d requested. “Hurry, we need to get going.”

Robin grabbed the bag and slipped into the bathroom. She found the clothes and pulled them on. They weren’t a perfect fit but close enough. Next, she downed one of the prescription pills for pain and used the brush to gently force her hair into some semblance of style. She settled for a loose ponytail that didn’t pull at her wound.

She was ready. She hoped. Taking a precious peaceful moment, she shut her eyes and drew in a deep breath. Then tried to force herself to remember the explosion.

Heat. Flames. Smoke. Terror.

The knock on the door jarred a gasp from her and she opened her eyes while her heart pounded fast and furious. From the knock or the blips of memory? “I’m coming.”

She opened the door to find Toby holding his car keys. “You okay?” he asked.

“Okay might be pushing it, but I’m ready to go.”

His eyes darkened with an emotion she couldn’t identify. And wasn’t sure she wanted to. She was already drawn to this man who’d saved her, but the twinge of...something...that she felt toward him every so often cautioned her to hold herself distant until she could figure it out. She slipped past him and into the room.

Amber stood guard at the window. “I’m going to follow you back to Wrangler’s Corner,” she said to Toby. “Wait, a car just pulled in the parking lot and slowed when it drove past yours.”

“I parked several doors down. They won’t know what room we’re in.”

She held out a hand. “Give me your keys and your phone.”

“Why? What are you thinking?”

“Change of plans. I’m going to drive a circuitous route and you guys are going to take my car and phone back to Wrangler’s Corner.”

“Amber—”

“If someone managed to plant a tracking device on your truck, we need to throw them off. I’ll leave it at a bus station, grab a ticket to Nashville, then rent a car and drive to Wrangler’s Corner.”

Toby nodded. “Tell us when he’s gone and we’ll go together.” He and Amber swapped keys and phones.

Robin stood, bag over her shoulder, ready to act when signaled to do so.

When he tugged on her hand, she followed him to a new blue Tahoe and climbed into the passenger seat. Toby scrambled behind the wheel and within seconds, they were turning right out of the parking lot. Robin could see Amber in her side mirror driving Toby’s black Ford F-150. The woman turned left.

Robin watched until she couldn’t see Amber any longer and never saw anyone who looked like they were following her—or them.

“You can rest now if you want. It’s only about thirty minutes to Wrangler’s Corner.”

Since her head was protesting in spite of the medication, Robin didn’t argue. She closed her eyes and prayed she was making the right decisions, trusting the right people. Because if she was wrong, she was as good as dead.

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