Page 150 of Strangers in Time

Molly, Charlie, and Oliver could only stare helplessly at the stricken man.

“So if the police wouldn’t look for those men, then I would, and did. For years I did. I used all the skills and contacts I had acquired while working for my country. I talked to people at the shelter that night. I followed up leads. I even found the room where they dragged her, and took fingerprints and had a friend check them against records of the enlisted. I ran down every clue I could. It took a long time, but I finally found them, one by one.”

“And then?” asked Molly in a tremulous voice.

Her father’s features hardened to flint. “I assumed the role of judge and jury. I recounted to them all the evidence I had gathered. I asked them how they pled. They sniveled and cowered and begged for their lives. But not a single one apologized, not even when I showed them pictures of your mum, of what she had become. Not a single damn one. They were only interested in saving their own miserable skins. They cared nothing for her. If any of them had admitted guilt, had shown the least bit of remorse—” he let out a long, tired breath “—I would have spared them. But they didn’t, and so I didn’t. I killed them, and I would do so again, without hesitation.”

Molly teared up with this admission. “Surely, there had to be another way, Father.”

“There was no other way, child. This was all I had left, to do justice for your mother.”

“How did you get past all the checkpoints?” Oliver asked.

“I was wearing a British uniform filled with medals. Medals Iearned, by the way, serving a country that abandoned me and her in the hour of our need.” He turned back to Molly. “I took the uniform off before I got here. I will put it back on after I sedate your mother, because she can’t stand the sight of a man in uniform, and can anyone blame her? That and forged papers go a long way,” added Wakefield.

“And now?” Molly exclaimed. “Where are you taking her?”

“I’ve made arrangements. A boat is waiting to take us someplace… safe. Where we can live in peace for the time we have left.”

“Mother is not well.”

“I know she’s dying. And my life is also over, but I refuse to swing at the end of a rope for killing men who should have been in prison, or worse.”

“And you?”

“I failed your mother before… I can’t leave her to die alone.” He glanced sharply at Oliver, and, seeming to think he represented all of the British government, shouted, “Oh, to hell with you!”

Wakefield put his hand on the car door. “Now, we need to go. I… I’m sorry about all of this, Molly. Truly, I am.”

Oliver stepped forward. “I’m afraid we can’t let you do this, Mr. Wakefield.”

Wakefield produced a small pistol from a pocket and pointed it at Oliver, who quickly stepped back. “I thinkyouhave no say in the matter.”

Oliver took another step back but Molly moved forward. “This will not set things right, Father. And please, don’t leave me alone. I… I need you. Please.” The tears spilled down her cheeks.

Herbert Wakefield slowly shook his head. “I’m sorry, Molly.” He added in a kindly tone, “You have your life to live, and I wish it everything you want it to be. You have always been quite exceptional. But my life… your mother’s life… is nearly done.”

At that moment they heard sirens blaring and powerful engines racing their way.

“Damn!” cried out Wakefield. He slid into the car and started the engine.

“Father, no!” screamed Molly. “Don’t go! Please!”

The sound of her daughter’s voice finally seemed to reach Eloise Wakefield. Right as her husband put the car in gear, she looked over at Molly, then saw her husband. She opened the door and toppled out of the car. Wakefield put the car in reverse and made a grab for her but missed.

“Eloise!” he screamed.

Charlie and Oliver raced over to Eloise Wakefield and pulled her safely away from the automobile.

Wakefield looked like he was going to get out of the car and attempt to pull her back in. Instead, he sped off. A moment later he had to steer the sedan to the right to avoid the police cars roaring into the drive, sirens blaring. The police cars turned around to follow him, and the three sedans disappeared into the darkness, the jarring sound of the sirens further fracturing all of their nerves.

Molly and the others jumped when they heard the gunshots. Then there came the sound of a horrific crash and, a few seconds after, an explosion. A column of flames leapt into the air, lighting the night.

A sobbing Molly wrapped her arms protectively around her dazed mother.

“You’re okay, Mum. You’re safe.”

GOODBYE, FORNOW

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