From the Clutches of Evil Book 3 (Jillian Bradley Mysteries Series Book 3)

By Nancy Jill Thames

Christmas – the busiest time of the year! And on top of everything, Jillian is throwing an engagement party for two dear friends. But on a final errand before the party begins Jillian witnesses a horrific car crash and notices two witnesses leaving the scene of the accident. Or was it? She and Teddy pull a survivor from the wreckage, and together they attempt to solve the mystery of the amnesia victim, a 17-year-old boy she and Teddy take under their wing. After one of the witnesses is found brutally murdered, Jillian discovers an ominous connection between the boy and a string of heinous murders in a nearby remote farming community. And when Jillian stumbles across a mysterious compound, she is determined to unlock old family secrets to solve the mystery of the boy's identity even though taking the risk creates the ultimate test for her and Teddy's survival.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nancy Jill Thames
• Release date: Feb 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301611157

Nancy Jill Thames

Author The Jillian Bradley Mystery Series ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nancy Jill Thames was born to write mysteries. From her early days as the neighborhood story-teller to the Amazon Author Watch Bestseller List, she has always had a vivid imagination and loves to solve problems – perfect for plotting whodunits. In 2010, Nancy Jill published her first mystery "Murder in Half Moon Bay," introducing her well-loved protagonist Jillian Bradley and clue-sniffing Yorkie Teddy. After writing eleven books and a short story collection Nancy Jill travels between Texas, California, and Georgia finding new ways to spoil her grandchildren, playing classical favorites on her baby grand, or having afternoon tea with friends. She lives with her husband in Texas where she served as President of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) CenTex Chapter. To learn more about Nancy Jill visit these sites: Website: https://nancy-jill.blogspot.com/?m=0 E-Mail: [e-mail] Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mystriterdva/ FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/mystriterdva/ Cozy Mystery Magazine: https://cozymysterymagazine.blogspot.com/p/nancy.html?m=1

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

Proverbs 20:12 NIV

Madison looked about nervously toward the back of the house. She hoped and prayed no one would notice their departure. Satisfied they were still safe, she peered at her companion, so handsome with his neatly cropped auburn hair and soft brown eyes. So vulnerable.

Listen to me, she said. We’ve got to get out! If we don’t go right now we may never have another chance.

Her long blond hair whipped back and forth as she surveyed the house, then she turned her gaze on him.

All right, I’m coming. He crept forward. But why do we have to leave like this without telling anyone?

Madison’s heart began to beat faster as she motioned for him to be quiet.

He followed her. Together, they walked quickly to the end of the long garage and raised the wide door.

The car was still there. She bent down and checked the back tire. The dry leaf she had placed in front of the tire a week before lay undisturbed. The car had not been driven.

As she stood up, she thought about the terrible risk she was about to take, and a chill ran down her spine. She looked into his questioning eyes.

You have to trust me, she said.

Madison pulled the tarp off the small compact and got in the driver’s seat.

Come on! Get in the car.

The keys were still in the place where she’d found them. Someone had hung them out of sight. She had checked the car out with a flashlight the week before after she learned the circumstances.

No, don’t think about that now, she told herself. Just get him away from here.

Madison unlocked the passenger door from the inside, and the young man got in.

He fastened his seat belt.

Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Madison? It’s going to be dark soon.

Just hang on! She started the ignition and headed for the road that ran behind the property. The side road was her little secret. The road led back down the hill. Until two weeks ago, she’d never known the secondary road existed.

Madison glanced in her side mirror to check the house one last time.

Suddenly, two men ran out through the back door. Fear gripped her once again.

The older man yelled at them. Hey, stop! Where do you think you’re going?

The other shouted, Come back, you two!

Madison floored the accelerator and didn’t bother to look back. They flew down the winding narrow road. The young man turned around.

Madison, they’re following us. What’s wrong? You’re scaring me! What have you done? I’ve changed my mind. We can’t do this. You need to stop right now. I’ll tell them something so you won’t get in trouble. Just take me back.

No, I can’t. You don’t understand. You can’t go back there. She glanced in the rear view mirror.

The men had gained on the fleeing couple. Both cars sped up.

When the road ended at the back of the old feed barn, Madison knew exactly where she was. Main Street was only a block away. If she drove down the next alleyway, the shortcut would give her an advantage in the chase. She made a left on Main, which took her through the outskirts of the small town, and made a right turn onto Benito Canyon Road. A long winding stretch bordered the expanse on one side with oak forests and thick undergrowth. On the other, a deep narrow gorge held a creek bed.

The gorge was filled with a heavy undergrowth of wild grasses and trees which lined the banks of the trickling creek. Willows, buckeyes, and sycamores were home to wild turkeys and deer. Hawks made their homes in the branches. The creek provided water for them all. The deer usually waited until dusk when they felt safe before they emerged from their hidden shelters to feed, but on occasion, hunger made them venture out earlier in the afternoon.

A doe, followed by her fawn, spotted a particular strip of grass which lay across the road on the hill above the gorge. The doe stepped out on the road at the exact moment Madison glanced in her rear view mirror and checked the car in pursuit. The young man turned to look as well.

The men were gaining fast.

Before she could swerve to avoid impact, in a split second, Madison’s car hit the doe and killed it as the frightened fawn ran back into the undergrowth. She screamed as their car flew into the air and careened into the gorge. After it rolled over several times, they finally came to rest in front of a large boulder.

Madison slumped over the steering wheel as blood trickled from her face, her body grotesquely contorted. She searched with one open eye for her young man. He lay on the ground outside the car, still.

A sound from above caused her to cast a painful glance up to where their car had gone off the road.

The two pursuers got out and stared down at the crash.

Suddenly, the men turned and got back in their car and drove away. As blackness engulfed her, Madison had only one thought.

They would not be rescued.

CHAPTER TWO

My hair will just have to do, I suppose. I took a last glimpse in the entryway mirror and turned on the front porch light.

Come on, Teddy. Let’s get in the car.

The Yorkie walked toward me and stretched from a late afternoon nap. He looked at me as if to say, Where are we off to, Mistress?

We’re going over to LaBelle’s Nursery in Canyon Grove to discuss the rose workshop.

Verity had difficulty making up her mind about what the agenda should include due to the countless questions she received each year. This was the only time we had to meet, even though the appointment was right before the party. We were supposed to be there in twenty minutes.

Let’s get going!

I put his red rhinestone-studded collar and leash on the front seat of the beautiful, brand-new, white Jeep Cherokee. Teddy climbed in the back, lying down like the good dog he was.

I loved driving my new car. I had become a loyal Jeep fan after the old one had served me faithfully for ten years, but it was worn out, and ready to be replaced. The column I write had been picked up by two new journals and now had greater syndication, which translated into more readers and higher royalties. This, thankfully, had allowed me to replace my trusted old Jeep friend.

"This won’t take too long. I already have an idea of what to include. I could write a book on roses just from answering all the questions readers have sent me. We’ll still have time to get back and dress for the party."

I was so glad to have him for a listening companion. A person needs someone, or a pet to talk to, especially living alone as I did.

Driving over to Canyon Grove was a pleasure. The trip took me out of the busy traffic one so often encounters in the bay area. Passing through the bucolic countryside filled with centuries old trees, whose branches overhang the road, was never tiring. Being winter, the woods were bare in spots, with the deciduous species having shed their leaves. The canopied oaks, however, remained leafed out with small, grayish-green foliage clinging to sprawling branches.

After passing under the railway bridge, I traveled along the access road without encountering another car for several miles. Glancing occasionally at the ancient trees dotting the sun-drenched golden hills, I made the turn onto Benito Canyon Road, which led into the community of Canyon Grove.

Before I reached the turnoff to LaBelle’s, a small older model car sped forward with tires squealing, making a real scene, disrupting the town’s serenity. The driver ran a stop sign and turned right. Another vehicle following close behind ignored the stop as well as it pursued the speeding car. Teddy yipped when he heard the screech of their tires and jumped into the front seat and into my lap. He began barking furiously.

You think I should follow them, Teddy?

Why was I asking him? Maybe it helped justify getting involved. Teddy yipped twice in the affirmative, and I started following the second car as closely as I dared, trying not to be too obvious.

I didn’t see the cause of the accident, only the aftermath. The driver being chased lost control. I watched helplessly as the car flipped into the air, and then careened into the gorge. The car landed with horrible sounds of metal crashing against rocks and trees, rolling over several times before coming to a standstill. A man driving in pursuit pulled over to the ledge, and along with his passenger, got out and peered over at the wreckage.

Teddy growled and gave me a look that suggested I should get a license plate number, just in case. I slowed down, reached inside my purse, and searched for a pen and the small notebook I always carried.

I was a few lengths behind when the men took one look at me getting ready to pull over, got back in their car, and drove off. It was too late for me to write down anything, and people down in the ravine needed help. I phoned 911 and told the police what had happened. They pinpointed my exact location and said they would send a highway patrol officer to render aid right away, but I had to do something.

When I opened the door, Teddy jumped out, and headed down the steep incline.

Teddy, wait!

He ran ahead, as if he knew someone’s life depended on him. I kept close, aware that he sensed impending danger.

At one point he looked back and barked, making sure I followed him. Maneuvering down the rugged slope was much easier for him than for me. I took the path he chose, stepping between the shrubs and trees flattened by the car rolling over them.

Teddy kept barking to show me the way. I could barely see him through the dust filling the air. Then I saw the crumpled wreck.

I stopped cold.

The car had landed on its right side with the driver hanging precariously over the steering wheel, covered in blood. Was she even alive? A young man lay unconscious, cut and bleeding from the broken glass.

I prayed for God to save him, and the girl too, although she looked like she wasn’t going to pull through. Stooping beside the prostrate figure of the boy, I noticed he was still breathing.

Teddy barked, alerting me to the smell of gas coming from the car. I had to try to save them both. With all the strength I could muster, I pulled the young man away from the wreck and ordered Teddy to stay with him. Teddy obeyed.

I ran back, ready to climb up and open her door, when someone yelled.

We’re coming! Hold on lady! The highway patrol had finally arrived.

I think the gas tank is going to explode! Please hurry!

Three officers ran to the mangled wreck and managed to get the door open, and deftly extracted the limp form away from the steering wheel.

Everyone down, now! the officer in charge shouted.

I grabbed Teddy and placed my body over the boy to shield him. I closed my eyes and prayed again for God to protect us.

The explosion thundered with a horrific blast, sending burning pieces of metal and shards of glass raining down. The smoke was so heavy one could barely breathe. A round of coughs and sputters filled the quiet following the shock of the explosion.

When it was safe to move, I commanded Teddy to stay with his charge.

A crumpled heap lay next to a burning tree. The girl had literally been catapulted out of the officer’s arms by the fiery blast. He ran to her and gently rolled the girl over on her back, checking for a pulse. He indicated that there was a faint beat. I thanked God and moved beside her.

Sirens whirled through the air at the top of the ravine as more help arrived. Firefighters scurried down the steep hill and started spraying chemicals on the burning car and the brush that had caught fire. Paramedics carrying stretchers followed closely behind.

Teddy barked as the boy began to move. I continued to hold the girl in my arms.

The paramedics motioned for me to let them take over, so I gently rested the girl’s bleeding head on the ground, stood up and stepped back. They brought the gurney forward and then, after briefly examining her, carefully lifted her limp body and placed her on the carrier.

The young man sat up, re-gaining consciousness, but acted dazed and disoriented. Teddy was still standing guard. Such a good dog.

When I reached them, I told the boy help was on the way.

Where am I? The voice of a man came from the face of a child.

You and your girlfriend have been in an accident, I said. You’re lucky to be alive.

I helped him to his feet.

Girlfriend? I don’t know what you mean.

You were with a girl. She was driving the car when you crashed. You may be in shock, so let’s get you out of here.

The police and a few people who had stopped to help began to assist us back up to the road. A younger woman carried Teddy for me.

Thanks so much for stopping, I told her.

Who were those men who had left the scene of the accident? They had to be involved somehow, but there was no time to think about it right now. I had to take responsibility for this boy and make sure he found his way home.

After an arduously long climb, we reached the top. After the ambulance had taken the girl to the hospital, the police started to ask questions. The officer in charge took out an accident form and asked the boy his name.

I don’t know.

The officer proceeded. Can you tell us what happened?

The young man stood there, and stared at the ground.

I’m sorry, I can’t remember.

The officer glanced at me and then back at the boy. Young man, do you hurt anywhere? The paramedics examined you and found no broken bones. You’ve suffered a concussion and minor cuts on your arms. We can get you to the hospital if you want to confirm you’re okay.

Officer, why don’t we try and get in touch with the boy’s parents before he makes a decision like that? I wanted to help.

Okay, son, the officer said, what’s your parents’ number? I’ll call them right now so we can get you taken care of.

I can’t tell you, sir. He looked dazed. I don’t remember who they are.

I knew he must feel terribly lost, so I decided to take charge of the situation.

"Officer, if you’ve no objection, I’ll assume