Page 19 of Ghosts From Christmas Past

Dylan hadn’t told his father about Charlie and waited.

“Charlie’s awake? I can’t believe it. But that’s good news.” His father stopped as if something occurred. “Does she know who did this to her? Does she know you two are still married?”

Dylan turned in his chair and stared out the windshield of his cruiser. Off in the distance, the mountains grounded him. “She doesn’t remember anything.” He told his father about Charlie waking up to a blank slate.

“Oh, poor Charlie.” Her father had loved Charlie from the moment he’d met her. “I’m not sure how to tell your mother this. She’ll want to be on the next flight to Bitter Creek.”

Dylan smiled despite his heavy heart. “Yeah, I know.”

“What can I do to help?” his father asked.

Dylan got up and went over to the window. “Pray that her memory returns soon. That we catch the killer before he comes after her again. That—”

He didn’t finish, but his father seemed to understand. “I will, son. You and Charlie are both in our prayers.”

An incoming call beeped, and Sam’s number appeared on the screen. Immediately his heart went ballistic. “I need to go, Dad, but I’ll call soon.”

Dylan clicked over to Sam. “Is everything okay?”

“No, it isn’t. Someone tried to get to Charlie.”

Dylan’s stomach plummeted. He ran for the door. “Did you catch him?” But he knew the answer already.

“I didn’t. He jumped the fence behind the facility. Must have had a car parked there.”

Dylan ran from the office with Stella calling after him. He hopped in the cruiser and put it in gear while still on the phone with Sam. “I’m on my way now. Call Chief Denning and get his crime scene people over there right away. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Dylan disconnected the call and phoned Jesse, who’d left him a little while ago at the accident scene. “Where are you?”

“Out on Highway 8. I was heading home when some of old Jackson Pounder’s cows got out onto the road. Some got themselves run over already.”

Dylan cringed. This was the last thing he needed to deal with right now. As much as he wanted Jesse by his side, he was best served doing exactly what he was doing.

“What’s going on?” Jesse asked curiously.

Dylan blew out a breath and explained.

“You think it’s the killer?” The shock in Jesse’s voice was clear.

“It could be.”

“You want me to go there instead?”

He did, but Jesse was best served where he was. “No, keep doing what you’re doing. I’ll let you know if we turn up anything useful.”

Dylan shoved the phone into his pocket, hit the lights and siren, and flew down the road. He couldn’t get to her fast enough. The SUV screeched to a stop in front of the facility. Dylan leapt from the vehicle and took the steps quickly.

Sam had been watching for him and came out to meet him.

“How’s Charlie?” He headed inside with his deputy trying to keep up.

“She’s fine. She’s with Dr. Montgomery in his office.”

That was a small comfort. “Did she recognize the man?”

Sam’s headshake wasn’t the answer he’d hoped for. “Charlie said his eyes looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t identify him and wasn’t even sure he was the one who attacked her.” Sam followed him to Charlie’s room.

Outside, Chief Denning’s crime scene unit combed the area for any evidence that would help to identify the man.

“This guy knows she’s here, and he has everything to lose. She’s not safe here any longer.” Dylan’s mind raced over the safest place to take Charlie. Only one came to mind. His ranch.

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