Page 8 of Christmas Ransom

“The blow to your head,” Dr. Hull said and patted her arm. “You just need rest so your brain can heal and your body as well.” He started to turn away but stopped. “An FBI agent is here, wanting to ask you questions about the robbery.” Of course. She knew the FBI investigated bank robberies and had since they became a federal crime in 1934 thanks to John Dillinger and his gang. “Don’t worry, I’ll send the agent away for now.”

For now? She looked to Davy. “I can’t help the FBI. I don’t know anything. I can’t remember any...” Her voice broke.

“Do what the doctor said. Get some rest. Your memory will come back. Or it won’t.” He must have seen her worried look. “Come on, I’ve landed on my head enough times that I know how this works. Worrying about it doesn’t help, trust me. Just close those beautiful blue eyes. I’ll be here if you need me.”

She didn’t want to close her eyes, but she could feel a strange kind of exhaustion trying to drag her under. “How...” She was going to ask how it was that he was here. But the thought whizzed past and was gone. “You’re sure no one else was hurt?”

“Everyone is fine. You apparently got the worst of it.”

“What if I can’t remember?” Her words sounded slurred and took all of her energy.

“The feds will find them probably before you wake up, so you have nothing to worry about.”

Nothing to worry about. Why didn’t she believe that? A memory played at the edge of her consciousness. Dark eyes peering out at her from Santa’s face. She shuddered as sleep dragged her under.

HIGHINTHEMOUNTAINS, Jud watched the van burn. There’d been several cans of gas in the back to use to start the blaze and make sure nothing was left but charred ashes. One can had been used inside the van. Another had been dumped on the three bodies. He’d been right. All of them had been carrying guns. All of them had been going for those guns when he stepped out of the van.

Was the plan to double-cross him? Or had they brought weapons because they didn’t trust him?

Not that it mattered now. But it showed how little they thought of him. So much for former childhood friends. He kept thinking about the things Buddy had said about him. Worse, what he’d said about Jesse. The man couldn’t have been more wrong. Jesse was the real deal. His stomach ached at the thought of how close he’d come to losing her. He’d known that he would do anything to keep that from happening. Look at what he’d already done. He and Buddy had known each other from the old neighborhood. It hurt that he’d been put in a position where he had to kill him. Sick at heart, his stomach roiling, his ribs making every move hurt, he pushed the thought away.

This hadn’t been part of the plan, he thought as he watched the flames consume the bodies and the van and motorcycle. But now it was over. Time to move on. Any moment the gas tank on the van would blow. He feared that the smoke from the flames could be seen from miles away. He had to get going. He’d already loaded the bags of money in the SUV.

After climbing behind the wheel, he started the vehicle and drove to where his pickup was waiting for him. As part of the adjusted plan, he left the SUV with the keys in the ignition. With luck, someone would steal it—just as they had done.

He checked the time. Jesse should be getting ready for her night shift. He’d hoped to be back to the house before she left for work. She would be worried since he hadn’t taken her call earlier. She would have heard about the bank robbery. By now, everyone in the county would know. He thought about calling her to let her know that he was fine. But he feared she would hear the truth in his voice. Better to head home, get cleaned up, calm down and then call her.

When she got off her shift, he would be waiting for her with the money. All of the money. They could make love in the middle of it if she wanted. There was enough to last them a very long time if they were careful.

Not that he’d taken the time to count it, but he knew it was a whole lot more than he’d been planning on since there was no splitting it. Now he didn’t want to part with any of it. Once he tied up the one loose end, they could get out of town before anyone was the wiser. They could start a new life together. Jesse would like that. Or maybe they would just leave right away and forget about Carla Richmond. With blood already on his hands, the idea more than appealed to him.

From now on, only happy thoughts. The money would make sure of that. No wonder rich people always looked so pleased with themselves. The first thing he was going to do was buy Jesse an engagement ring with a huge diamond on it.

He remembered Buddy’s voice from the day they got together to plan the robbery. “Don’t do anything foolish like flashing the money around when this is over. It would be just like you, Jud, to go buy a sports car that you’d never be able to afford on your income and get the feds onto us.”

Another reminder that Buddy thought he was smarter than him. But then again, Jud was still alive and rich and Buddy was toast. He turned on the radio to drown out his former friend’s voice in his head, anxious to get home.

He thought about Jesse’s face when she saw all the money. He planned to make her smile for the rest of her life—even if he had to knock over another bank to do it.

Carla Richmond broke into his thoughts like a recurring toothache. He turned up the radio, hoping to catch the news.

WHENCARLAOPENEDher eyes again, Davy was asleep in the chair beside her bed. She had time to study him. She’d fallen in love with him not because of how drop-dead gorgeous he was. He was a good-hearted cowboy. Unfortunately, the rodeo had stolen his heart long before she’d come along.

He stirred as if sensing she was awake. Smiling, he pushed himself up, then winced and grabbed the back of his neck to rub it.

“What time is it?” she asked, her throat dry.

“Nine thirty.” She looked past him to see darkness beyond the windows.

“You slept all this time in that chair?” she asked.

“I wasn’t about to leave you until I knew you were all right.”

“I’m fine. You should go home and get some sleep. You heard what Dr. Hull said.” She smiled despite her headache. “All I need is rest and I’ll be good as new.” At least she hoped so. She saw his expression. “I appreciate you being here though. Thank you. But I won’t have you sleeping in a chair anymore.”

“I suppose I could use a shower,” Davy said and took a whiff of himself. “That’s really what you’re telling me, huh?”

She shook her head, surprised that it didn’t hurt as much. “Before you go, have you heard anything? Have they caught the robbers?” She saw from his expression they hadn’t. “I’m still confused. Dr. Hull said no one was hurt? Just me?”

---