Her Mercy by Elizabeth Barone

Author:Elizabeth Barone [Barone, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Maietta Ink

15

Now

The next morning, my chase resumes.

I climb onto the Softail with stiff joints and an ache in my chest. I could turn around and go back to Connecticut. Or I could head to Claudine's and pick up Bree's trail from there. Except there won't be footprints or breadcrumbs guiding me.

I ride aimlessly, pushing myself farther down 13 and withdrawing into my thoughts. I should've known better. All I've wanted for the past twenty years is to go back to the white box house with my wife and daughter. I should've known that Bree might not want the same thing. The short time we had together there was so happy, so perfect. It never occurred to me that she might feel differently. I've clung to a delusion over the past two decades.

Whatever got me through, I guess.

I pull over at the next gas station and buy a disposable cell phone and a questionable sandwich. It takes me several minutes to get the damned phone package open, even with my pocket knife. It takes another twenty while I figure out how to load the card onto the phone. It takes one bite for me to realize the sandwich was a bad idea.

I dial Ravage's cell from memory.

"There he is," he answers. "How's the road?"

I peel the bread apart and drop both halves onto the plastic wrap. "She's off," I say softly.

"Kinda had a feeling that'd happen," he says with a sigh. "Any idea where?"

"I was hoping I could pick Shannon's brain." If she's even home. While I've been away, Shannon's been working around the clock to grow her non-profit for sexual violence survivors: Shannon's Haven.

"Yeah, hang on." He lowers the phone from his ear, holding it to his chest, fabric swishing against the mic.

I listen to the creaks as he moves through his and Shannon's house. I've never set foot inside. Maybe I never will.

"Shan," he says gently. "Mercer's on the phone."

There's more static and shifting, and then I hear her voice. "It's about fucking time."

"Soon it'll be in person," I promise, guilt wringing my heart.

"Hope so. I'll haunt your ass if I don't get to see you before I die."

"She's serious," Ravage reminds me.

"Dead serious," she says. She sounds good. I've missed so much of her life, of everything. It's heartening to know at least one thing hasn't changed. "Claudine?" she asks.

"I didn't make it in time." The story of my life. Time is slipping through my fingers and it's all I can do to hold onto it. "I was wondering if you had any idea where Bree might've gone."

"I wish." She sighs. "It's been so long since I've even spoken to her."

"Try not to hold it against her," I say.

"I just want her to be okay."

"I know." I bow my head, the untouched sandwich staring me in the face. "So no ideas?"

"I know her haunts around here, Merce. Not Virginia."

"It's warm," Ravage cuts in. "Check the beaches. Hampton has a few of 'em."

"I guess that's a start." I gather my trash, itching to get back onto the road.

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