28 Days(40)

Saige dropped to the grass on her hands and knees as the pain echoed in her head and she wondered what the hell that memory had been about. Someone with long dark hair had taunted her with those words...was it Jocelyn?

She had no memory of ever talking to the woman. Saige had felt a shiver of fear slide down her spine at the taunt that had been delivered by a very angry woman.

“Saige?”

She heard the voice but it sounded like it came at her from faraway.

“You’ll never have him.”

Rapidly blinking, Saige tried to shake more of the memory free as hands grabbed her arms and helped her sit on the grass.

“Saige, look at me.”

Her eyes moved and met those of Detective Coulter Robinson.

“What happened?”

She raised a shaky hand to her forehead but, feeling weak, gave up and let her hand drop to her lap. She rested her forehead against her raised knees. “A sudden vision of a dark haired woman”—Saige swallowed, not wanting to admit who she thought it was and held Coulter’s gaze—“was before my eyes.” She sighed. “She said, ‘You’ll never have him’...I’m presuming that she meant Quinten? Could it have been Jocelyn? I didn’t see her properly, more like a fuzzy image.”

“That would make sense, I guess. But Quinten and Alex said they didn’t think she knew about you two until the day you left for school.” Coulter frowned.

“Even though we lived in the same town, I don’t ever remember talking to Jocelyn, and her appearance would change with the wind. I knew who she was. I think the whole town knew of her, but it would only make sense for her to say the words I heard. It wouldn’t make any sense otherwise.” Saige turned to her hands and knees and scrambled to her feet.

Coulter followed and stood in front of her. “I don’t like any of this, Saige. None. Something happened eight years ago and I’m now, more than ever, convinced an innocent man was sent to prison. That’s the first thing that needs correcting.” Coulter placed his hands on his hips and stared out across the ocean.

It would normally have a calming presence on her, but not anymore. Not while her mind was in turmoil.

“I’m scared, Coulter,” Saige whispered. “What if we can’t help Quinten in time?”

Coulter watched her carefully. “I’m taking you to the prison with me in two days.”

Saige gasped and turned to the detective. “It’s been approved?”

He nodded. “The warden will probably be present.”

Saige raised a brow as Coulter continued to explain, “Although it isn’t unheard of for a victim to visit her abductor in prison, it isn’t everyday that one wants to visit one on death row. I spoke to the warden and told him about your memory loss, so he’s as interested as I am in seeing how you react in Quinten’s presence.” Coulter offered a small smile. “He has a soft spot for Quinten.”

“I’m really going to see him?” Saige whispered the question as her body was wracked by a whirlwind of emotion—excitement, need, fear, apprehension, and worry. She was scared of going to the prison. She was terrified of what she might remember.

“Yes. You really are going to see him.” Coulter watched her. “The prison isn’t for the fainthearted, Saige, so just remember I’ll be with you every step of the way, okay?”

Saige nodded. “Alex won’t be happy.”

Coulter frowned. “Why?”

“He wants me to stay away from the prison...I can’t. I need to see him, and I won’t lie, I’m hoping the rest of my memory hits me when I’m in Quinten’s presence.”

“Try not to get your hopes up. The mind doesn’t always do what we want.”

“I know.” Saige started walking toward the house. “Can I get you a coffee or a cold drink?” she offered, and smiled when he fell into step beside her.

“I’ll pass this time. I want to head back into town and talk to some of the townsfolk.”

Saige smiled. “I hope you have a better time at it than Alex and I did.” She shrugged. “Agnes at the pharmacy knows everyone and everything, except what happened to those girls or me. She genuinely seemed disappointed that she didn’t know anything.”

“I’ll call in and say hello,” Coulter smiled.

“Mmm, using some of that hidden charm, Detective?” Saige’s eyes lit with amusement, more so when Coulter blushed.

“Maybe,” he agreed, and then changed the subject. “The sheriff is out of town and due back this evening, so I’ll visit the sheriff’s office tomorrow morning.”

“What about my father and Christina? You’re still going to talk to them, right?”

Coulter nodded. “I hoped to catch them while I was here, but Pattie informed me that neither are around.”

“My father has a meeting with a client, and I’ve no idea where Christina is.”

“What about Alex?”

“I haven’t seen him since he left to visit Quinten.” Saige couldn’t meet Coulter’s gaze any longer. It hurt that Alex had gone to see his brother but had refused to take her with him. It would have been pointless as she wouldn’t have been allowed in to see him, but, at least, she would have been closer to him. Alex had made it clear that he didn’t want her anywhere near that place, but thanks to Coulter she would be going.