Deep Read online

  “Yes. I mean, that's not the point. How is it that he's here?” Joe interrupted our whispering.

  “Debbie. There's two guys out there say they know you. You may want to see what they have to say. I'll be right here if you need me.” He went back to the grill.

  I looked at Beth. I was excited but nervous too. Beth nudged me. “Well, go on. If you don't I will. I'd swap Wade for him in a second, girl.” I think she meant it too.

  She brushed some flour from my nose and pushed me round the counter. I skidded to a stop and composed myself. The man rose out of the booth and looked at me, smiling. This uniform really was too short. Nice height for a man as I was five feet eight. He had the bluest eyes I'd ever seen. I think. His straight brown hair just skimmed his shoulders. I heard Beth clearing her throat behind the counter. I stepped forward to greet the mystery man as he spoke.

  “I've really missed those big green eyes, Ivy,” was all he said. He stepped forward, scooping me up into his arms, and started to kiss me.

  2

  The kiss was deep and intense. It felt familiar. With his hand pressing against the small of my back and the other running through my hair, he pressed himself against me. At some point it occurred to me that a strange man was passionately kissing me in the middle of the diner with everyone watching. He could be anybody! I panicked and pulled out of his embrace, stepping back, breathless. He looked confused.

  “What's wrong, Ivy?” The man went to step forward again. I held up my hand and stepped back further into Beth holding a tray of drinks. The glasses crashed to the floor bringing Joe to the counter.

  “What's going on out here? Debbie, you okay?” Still a little breathless, I turned to Joe.

  “It's my fault Joe, everything's fine.” He looked at the blue-eyed man then back at me.

  “Maybe you should both sit down and talk.” I waited for him to move first. He sat next to his FBI friend in dark glasses. I definitely thought a table between us was a good idea. Was it wrong that I wanted to kiss him back though?

  I slid into the booth nervously. The man in the shades looked very official.

  “Do you know me?” I asked. They looked at each other as if they thought I was joking. The man that kissed me reached for my hands on the table, I pulled them out of the way and onto my lap.

  “Seriously? Because that's not funny, Ivy.” Ivy, that's what he’d called me in my dream.

  “Is that who you think I am - Ivy? I'd like to see some ID or proof that's who I'm supposed to be.” Concern covered both men's faces. They leant in close and whispered too quietly for me to hear. The blue-eyed man spoke first.

  “You really don't remember me, sweetheart?” I shook my head slightly. He seemed worried.

  “Sorry, I don't. I woke up in the desert a few days ago and I don't know who I am. Have you come to take me home?” The guy with the shades pulled out some paperwork and showed it to me. A passport, work visas and an ID badge that said I was a health consultant. All of which had a photo of me.

  “If you only woke up in the desert a few days ago, where have you been for the past couple of weeks, and where's your necklace?” said the blue-eyed man with visibly increasing unease. He reached for the scarf covering my bruise. I grasped his hand to stop him. I was surprised at what I felt; apart from being a little embarrassed at my sudden panic, he felt fine. He didn't feel odd like when the others had touched me at all. I looked at his face, trying to remember something. He was looking intensely at my bruise.

  “Did someone here hurt you, Ivy?” His eyes, lifting to mine, I could barely move. This guy could stop a truck with that gaze.

  “When you two have finished. We have bigger things to worry about - like your necklace, Ivy. Where is it?” I let go of the man's wrist and leant back in my seat, out of reach. Looking at the shaded man, I offered, “I didn't have one when I woke up. Was it valuable?” The blue-eyed southerner had gone back to staring at my neck; he looked a little angry.

  I didn't hear Beth approach the booth, apparently she had been listening in.

  “Some guy attacked her at the fair last night, he was going on about how Debbie, I mean, Ivy here had lost him his job and wife. Wade's looking into it.” The two men looked at each other in agreement.

  “We'll sort that out later. For now it's in everyone's best interest that we get you back to the lake as soon as possible. When can you be ready?” I guessed it was all decided then. A lake - that sounded nice.

  I left the booth with Beth and said my goodbyes to the Myers. I thanked them for all they had done for me, told them I'd visit. I hugged Beth.

  “Thanks for everything, Beth. Tell Caleb that I don't think it was his fault I got hurt and that I prefer his hair messy.” She smiled as she let go, tearily.

  “I'll tell him,” she sniffed.

  I met the two men in the parking lot by a large black van. It was covered in red dust with no windows in the back. I wasn't completely sure about this but they seemed to have all the right paperwork. The sun was high in the sky over Arizona. I wondered how far we were going to go. I'd miss this view, but not the heat.

  They had just finished loading the van with bottled water as I approached.

  “So what do I call you two then?” I tried not to sound nervous about getting into a van with two strange men. The FBI-looking guy replied, “I'm Gary, this is Kane.” I was hoping it would trigger something. Nothing. Gary climbed into the front while Kane steered me towards the rear of the van. I climbed in, holding down what little I could of the waitress’ dress and sat down. Kane climbed in behind me and secured the doors. It was dark in the back with a bench running down either side. The only light coming in was from the windscreen. I sat towards the rear of the van near the exit whilst Kane sat on the other bench nearer to the front so he could speak to Gary.

  The van juddered into action and we set off. I had so many questions I didn't know where to start. Once we were on the highway I figured now was as good a time as any. The two men were deep in conversation. All I heard was, “Should we be worried she's not wearing that thing?” I butted in.

  “So how do I know you guys, do we work together?” They stopped talking and Kane turned to face me.

  “I'm not sure how to explain this all to you. Gary, I suppose you’re her body guard, I'm…” He thought for a moment then Gary butted in.

  “You two are knocking boots.” Seriously? With this guy? He was hot. Kane turned to Gary.

  “Really. You couldn't have phrased that a little differently? Eased her in more gently?” He turned back to me. I could feel myself going red. Well, I did ask.

  “Not that I don't want to believe you, but do you have any proof of that?” He leant forward with his elbows on his knees. Speaking in his soft, southern accent, he murmured, “Well, I can tell you where you like to be touched, how you like to be held and I can tell you exactly where you like me to put my mouth.”

  “Stop!” I held up my hand. “I was thinking more along the lines of a photo of us together or something.” Several images popped into my head of where I'd like him to put his mouth. I shook them aside when I noticed him watching my reaction. I stiffened in my seat a little bit, tugging at my dress, wishing it was longer. There was something about the way he looked at me.

  The conversation changed which I was thankful for. I asked them about where we were going, what it was like. I was told that we lived near a lake in a kind of close-knit community. That I'd moved there from England a few years back.

  I wanted to know how I could end up in the desert with no memory. They had no answer for me; instead, Kane asked a few questions.

  “Has anything strange happened to you in the last couple of days, Ivy, weird nightmares, plumbing problems? Anything like that?” He was either good at guessing or he knew something he wasn't telling me.

  “I've had a nightmare, yes.” I looked down at my hands, fiddling with my fingers.

  “That bad?” he asked, softly. I nodded.

  “The sink in m
y hotel room broke, although I don't see why that's relevant. Oh, and I thought I saw something in the mirror. I know you probably think I'm nuts but you wanted to know anything weird, right?”

  He brushed my knee with his fingers. I shuddered.

  “What did you see in the mirror, Ivy, was it a face?” How did he know and why didn't he react like I was insane? I nodded, moving my knee and tugging the hem on the dress again. I really should have changed first.

  “What happened to your hand, was it the same guy that attacked you?” I'd forgotten about the bandage.

  “No, it's just a burn.”

  “Salt?” he asked. I frowned.

  “Are you allergic to salt too?” I asked, as Gary scoffed in the front of the van.

  “You could say that.” Kane answered.

  “Him too?” I gestured towards the front seat.

  “Yes, him too.” Gary replied.

  “So, what you're saying is, I live in a community of slug people?” None of this made any sense and I knew they were hiding something from me. The two men were whispering again; I heard more this time.

  “None of this will matter once we get her in the lake.” In the lake? Were they planning on drowning me or baptising me? Both screamed a dodgy cult. This was a mistake. I began to panic - I needed to get out of here. I didn't stop to think. I grabbed for the back door handle. It swung outwards and I fell.

  There was the sound of rushing air. Then I hit the road, hard. I never thought I'd stop rolling. Every joint bounced on and off the road until I stopped. I didn't want to move. It was stupid to dive from the back of a moving van. I didn't have time to debate the lunacy of my decision. I heard the van's tyres start to screech as the vehicle jammed on its brakes. I pulled myself up from the ground and started to run.

  The area was built up either side of me with the passage through the middle. Rocks and mountain crevices ran down both sides of the road. Limping and breathing heavily, I could hear their voices calling out in desperation.

  “Ivy! We're not going to hurt you! Come back!” I didn't stop. I should have stayed at the diner - double checked everything with Wade. The documents could have been faked.

  Dress aside, I was grateful for the flat shoes to run in. The voices seemed to get further and further away. I slowed to a stop. I was finding it hard to breathe. Maybe the guy who had attacked me did more damage than I'd initially thought.

  It seemed as though I had been walking forever. I was thirsty and my feet were sore. The sun had started to go down.

  What was I supposed to do now? Being out here alone was daunting. Even some matches to light a fire would be good.

  “Ivy, don't run. Everything will be alright.” I turned, startled. How had he caught up with me?

  “Please don't hurt me, Kane. I won't tell anyone what you were planning.” As he tried to make sense of my plea I turned and ran. I didn't get very far. He lunged at me, wrestling me to the floor.

  “Quit fighting me, Ivy.” He sat on top of me, pinning my wrists to the dusty ground. I couldn't get out of his grip. He was very strong.

  “So what now - you and your friend going to take turns?” Surprised at my outburst, he let go of my wrists and sat back on his knees. He seemed horrified at my accusation. I tried to wriggle out from beneath him. He shook his head in disbelief, got off me and pulled me to my feet. He didn't say anything. He just held my wrist tightly, guiding me back the way he came.

  It was dark when we reached the van. Gary was leaning against the rear of the vehicle.

  “Told you you'd find her, with that special bond thing you've got going.” He stopped a few feet away from Gary. Running his hand through his hair, he seemed defeated somehow.

  “Not now, Gary, I'm not in the mood.” Gary pulled out a torch and a map.

  “Not far now to the airstrip. We'll be back in Iowa in no time.” Iowa was on the other side of the country. I needed to escape before they bundled me onto a plane. I tried to pull my hand free. Kane turned and tried to restrain me. He held me tight against him.

  “A little help, Gary.” Gary put his map down. It was now or never. I lifted my knee hard. Kane let go of me, falling to the ground. I turned and ran into the night. I heard a loud clicking noise coming from behind me.

  “Gary, no!” cried Kane. Pain shot through my body. My arms and legs went in all directions as I hit the floor, convulsing.

  As I came to, the pain caught up with me. I tried to open my eyes. The room I was in was too bright but air conditioned. I felt cold after the Arizona heat.

  “There's a blanket beside you, Ivy.” The now-familiar voice was soft and quiet. I tried to sit up but every muscle fought against me. I felt for the blanket as my eyes tried to adjust. Two dark figures came into focus all too quickly. I was on a plane! A private one at that.

  “Where am I? What did you do to me?” Kane was sitting with a bag of ice in his lap and Gary had a fat lip. Gary offered me some water.

  “You have to drink, Ivy. You were out in the desert quite a while.” Kane didn't speak. “If you don't drink you'll just get weaker. No one's trying to hurt you. Once we get back to the lake Grogan will explain everything. He will help you get your memory back.” I pushed myself up into a seated position and held out a shaky arm for the bottle. Gary opened the water and handed it to me. Cult or not, getting my memory back was all I wanted from these people.

  I drank all the water; I’d not realised I was so thirsty. My arm muscles were shaking under the weight of the plastic bottle. I almost thanked him.

  Nobody spoke until it was time to land. “Fasten your seatbelt” came over the speaker. The landing was smooth and we exited the plane swiftly.

  The temperature was a little warmer than the overly air-conditioned plane although a pair of jeans and a jumper wouldn’t have gone amiss. The private air strip was empty apart from us. We made our way across the concrete to another black van.

  I was guided when walking by Gary in front and Kane behind me. There were no more chances to run. Not that I thought I could, my leg muscles weren’t co-operative.

  The drive to the lake was tense. Nobody spoke. I guessed they were still angry at my escape attempts or my accusations. They didn’t even speak to each other. The two men sat up front together this time as the rear of the van was well and truly secured. I was wondering about Gary’s swollen lip; it looked so sore I could almost feel it myself.

  We had turned away from civilisation a while ago. In fact there was no more road to speak of. I suppose you would say we were on a dirt track complete with potholes. The trees along the side of the road began to thin out as we approached a small cabin. There were a few people around. They didn’t look like cult members, although they all seemed to have black hair. I’m sure it was just the tinted windows playing tricks on me.

  We pulled up outside a large lodge-type hotel. An older woman was waiting on the porch steps. Gary exited the van first to talk to the lady. She was trying to see around him into the van. Gary waved for us to come out.

  Kane walked around the van and opened the rear doors.

  “Try not to kick anyone, Ivy. These are good people.” He helped me down as I was still a little wobbly on my legs. He caught my arm as I stumbled, steadying me.

  “Thank you,” I offered politely.

  Taking in my surroundings, it seemed we were in a relaxed, lakeside holiday retreat. The lake felt very calming. It was a beautiful place, even though I didn’t actually come of my own free will.

  “Ivy, honey, you had us all worried. Again.” The woman reached out to me. I wasn’t sure what the protocol was here except no kicking. Too late to decide - she had me in a monumental bear hug.

  “Careful, Agatha, she kicks.” She looked at the way Kane was standing.

  “So I can see,” she grinned. He really wasn’t going to let me forget it.

  “Never you mind them, Ivy. I’m sure things will be alright once Grogan gets your memory back.” She turned to face Gary.

  “I’m
sure Ivy didn’t do that. Let me take a look.” The lady had her back to me whilst examining his lip.

  “He punches hard, Agatha.” Gary pointed towards Kane who was watching me. Slowly, he turned to the others.

  “Well, you didn’t have to taser her.” He lowered his voice as he leant towards them, but I could still hear. “Careful what you do here, she doesn’t know yet.” Didn’t know what? Unease was steadily creeping back in.

  “Well, I have business to take care of - reports and stuff.” Gary kept his hand in front of his mouth as he walked away. Agatha turned and smiled. Her green eyes sparkled in the sunshine. That was another weird thing. Besides Kane, they all seemed to have green eyes.

  The nice lady turned and walked back inside the hotel leaving us alone.

  “Is this where I’m staying?” I asked. Kane walked towards me.