Galen's Gemma - Dale Mayer Page 0,4

year she’d been here. With her sister’s move to Germany a few years ago with Joe’s job, she spent as much time as she could over here in order to see her only two family members. She had been staying at her sister’s house after Joe’s death, when she’d realized that somebody was trying to get into the place. She’d scared them away once, around midnight, but they had come back soon afterward to try again. That’s when she knew somebody was more than determined to get in. She called in the cops yet again. Gemma knew her sister and niece were in even bigger trouble.

And the more she investigated her sister’s life, the more she realized that Joe’s death was a murder and not a burglary.

After several hours the cops left. Then Gemma took the better part of the day to prepare for their trip. Instead of going back to her own house or even contacting the people who had rented it to her, Gemma had taken out a decent amount of cash from several ATMs, plus she still had leftover cash from her traveling funds. She’d asked to borrow a car from a friend who had several, and he’d given his permission, telling her to just let him know when she didn’t need it anymore.

“Obviously you need this for some problem,” he said, “so, if you need other help, let me know.”

She smiled at him. “I have to go on the run for a bit.”

With a nod, he said, “In that case, the envelope in the glove box will come in handy.”

After she got into the vehicle, she had found little wads of cash stashed throughout. But then her friend had lots of it and lived on the edge himself. She drove back to her sister’s place, actually happy to have night falling as she packed them up.

She’d parked down the road and made several quiet trips in the dark as she loaded up everything needed for them to leave. They had moved Becky into the back seat, still asleep and bundled up with blankets and pillows. Her sister didn’t go so easily, arguing and complaining about the whole concept. Casually Gemma had made sure Rebecca left her purse, wallet, and cell phone in the house, then had given her a burner phone and another purse once they got on the road, canceling her cards as they drove.

“When will we stop?” Rebecca asked.

“I have to get gas up ahead,” she said. She pulled into the gas station and turned to look behind her. Nothing but darkness. Dawn wouldn’t arrive anytime soon. She’d been driving for hours already. It didn’t feel like it was enough.

“I think we should call Zack,” Rebecca said, still sounding surly.

“Maybe we will,” she replied. “We’ll talk about it when we get there.”

“How much farther?”

“Another hour.”

“Do you think he would come?”

“Probably,” she said, “he’s always been soft on you.”

The awkward silence inspired her to turn and look at her sister. “And you’re still soft on him.” She spoke the words softly and shrugged.

Only Gemma knew that Becky could be Zack’s. Or Joe’s. Most likely Joe’s. Rebecca had never confirmed that though, so … that was their problem. The fact that Rebecca had walked away from Zack when she was pregnant, and that Zack had walked away at the same time, spoke volumes about their need to work out their communication issues. Maybe now they’d have a chance, but Gemma didn’t want anything to do with it. She liked her life. She traveled a lot for her own business, as a contractor in medical software, and that suited her well.

Hopping out at the gas station, she quickly filled up the vehicle, then walked inside and paid cash, using a hat to keep her face away from the cameras. She didn’t even take time to get coffee or anything.

Walking back out, she hopped into the vehicle to find Rebecca curled up in the corner, the burner phone beside her. She looked at it and then her sister. “You called him, didn’t you?”

Shamefaced, Rebecca nodded. “He can help, you know?”

“Maybe,” Gemma said, her tone harsh. “Or maybe he’ll just bring whoever’s after you right to us.”

“He’s not like that.”

“No, but he’s dangerous in his own line of work.”

The burner phone buzzed. Rebecca snatched it up, but Gemma reached across and grabbed it from her hands. “What the hell do you want?”

“Ah, Gemma,” Zack said.

But in his tone was obvious relief. She heard and noted it, but, at the