ICE PRINCESS, page 19
"Well, then, she can just chow down with the rest of us." Always the peacemaker, Cruz’s smile wasn’t as easy.
Claudia blessed him for trying to cover the awkward moment. Sinclair ruined the attempt.
"Allison won’t be eating tonight. She’s on a diet. Getting a little thick in the belly." He seated the lid and turned around. "Where’s the meat?"
"There is no meat," Claudia managed to say despite her clenched teeth. "We’re eating vegetarian tonight."
"No meat? Little lady, a man’s got to have red meat. If you’d come over yesterday, you would have seen that."
Claudia curled her fingers over the doorknob to keep from making a fist. "Strange that you are the only one with that opinion. Everyone else seems to be enjoying the food. And you will not refer to me as little lady."
The false smile faded. "Taylor, what the hell kind of home are you running here? Haven’t you taught her respect for rank?"
Zach leaned against the counter. "Sir, with all due respect, while you are in my house, there is no rank. Now, you are free to enjoy the food, the company, and the game. If you don’t desire to do any of those things, you are free to leave."
Sinclair’s pulse throbbed at his temple. "If I go, so will your guests. Unlike your wife, who seems to enjoy sticking her nose in other people’s business, they know what side their bread is buttered on."
"That almost sounds like a threat, Colonel."
"Take it as you wish, Captain."
Zach pointed to the front door. "There’s the exit. If anyone chooses to leave, that’s their business. This whole football thing was your idea, not mine."
Claudia’s heart beat against her ribs while the two stood there, gazes fixed in an unspoken standoff. Minutes passed before Sinclair gave a single nod.
"Allison, run home and fix me two steak sandwiches. I think the game’s started."
Zach barred his way. "You don’t understand. You are no longer welcome in my house. Allison can stay however long she wishes, but I want you out of here…sir."
"Unlike your wife, Captain, mine knows her place."
"Unfortunately, I’m sure that’s true."
Sinclair’s eyes blazed with fury. He caught Allison’s upper arm and steered her to the door. Half dragging, half pushing, he took her home. The slamming of their door reverberated through the neighborhood like a gunshot. Seconds later there was a crash, then another.
"Get off your ass and fix me some fucking dinner!"
Tears welled up in Claudia’s eyes. She refused to let this happen. She looked at Zach, then at Cruz, and shook her head. "No…not if I can help it."
Whipping open the door, she sprinted for the Sinclairs.
"Claudia, no!"
It came from Zach, Kurt, and Cruz. Claudia disregarded the caution, sprinted across the street, and yanked open the Sinclairs’ door. Allison lay sprawled among the toppled over kitchen chairs, her husband hovering over her with evil intent. He whirled around at the intrusion while two of Allison’s friends zipped around Claudia to help Allison to her feet.
"What the hell is this?"
Claudia ignored him. "Bring her over to my house."
One of the women nodded. Sinclair shoved his hand into Claudia’s chest. Claudia drew back a fist and plowed it against his nose. He fell back, startled that someone, a woman, dared oppose him. She pulled back another, ready to let him have it again.
Zach caught her wrist and pulled it down. "Enough."
Sinclair used pressure to stem the blood dripping from his nose. "Lady, you’ve just made a big mistake and a very powerful enemy. I don’t know who the hell you think you are—"
"You’re one to talk. Who do you think you are, beating a helpless woman."
He snorted. "You’re crazy. Allison fell." He glared down at his wife. "Tell them."
She was visibly shaking, frightened beyond words. This was an escape for her. All she had to do was take it.
"I…fell. I slipped and fell."
"You see." Sinclair pulled her away from the other women. "Now get out."
Hesitantly, the woman did so, but Claudia held firm. There was still a chance Allison would…
Sinclair pushed her toward the living room, then faced down Claudia. "You try a stunt like that again, Mrs. Taylor, and I’ll personally see you’re kicked off this base and any other permanently."
She raised her chin, meeting his challenge. "That goes for you too, Colonel."
Zach draped his arm around her trembling shoulders and led her back to their house. She was conscious of Cruz walking alongside them, of Kurt behind her, of the other wives in a semi-circle whispering in her back yard. But all she could think about was the terror in Allison’s eyes.
The women surrounded her as they neared. Words of support ready.
"You tried. We all have."
"You can’t help someone who isn’t willing to be helped."
"Come on, ladies. Let’s get back to our class." Kurt herded them into position.
Claudia couldn’t force herself to move. She was too angry. Too shocked.
Kurt chucked her under the chin and edged closer. "Come on, girlfriend." He was Kiki again, for her ears only. "Remember this, never wrestle with a pig. You get all dirty and the pig likes it."
She gave a half-hearted smile, and he stepped back.
"Okay, ladies. First rule of defense. You’re women. You’ve got to fight like women, not like men. Kick, gouge, and pull hair. Claudia, you first. You look like you could use a target."
He hauled on his protective clothes and helmet. All padded to avoid injury, he looked more like a kid ready for a day in the snow. Without warning, he lunged for her.
Claudia dug in. Falling with him, she kicked out.
* * *
"That’s one hell of a woman you’ve got there, Zach. I don’t suppose she has a sister."
Zach forced himself to smile. Cruz was right. She was something—crazy came to mind. "Nope, no sister. Sorry."
"Then you’re one lucky man."
They watched her pummel Kurt with kicks and punches, yelling at his direction. "No! No! No! Go away!"
Cruz smiled and shook his head. "I’m actually beginning to think she could have taken Sinclair."
Zach sighed. "I’m learning to not put anything past her. Tell me, how often does he beat her?"
The smile disappeared. "Whenever the mood strikes him. Whenever she does something which displeases him, or when he’s in a bad mood, had a rough day at work, angry."
"Sounds like constantly."
"She’s always walking on egg shells. A nervous wreck trying to keep him happy."
"Is she in danger tonight?"
Cruz thought for a moment, then shook his head. "He’ll be extra careful if he thinks the neighbors are watching. He knows he’s on the sky-line right now and can’t afford adverse publicity, especially since he’s up for promotion."
"What about at the Marine Corps Ball? They’ll be at a hotel. Would he take a week’s worth of anger out on her then?"
Again, Cruz gave it careful consideration. "I doubt he’d find the Palm Springs police as easily fooled as the military police."
"That would depend on the people in the neighboring rooms reporting him. A lot of people just don’t want to be involved."
Cruz smiled. "Oh, I can think of one or two who wouldn’t hesitate. I have a plan."
Chapter 15
* * *
Claudia beat her feet on the pavement with a force she knew she’d feel later. She didn’t care. This was now and she was mad.
The jerk had actually had the nerve to issue a restraining order against her. The official hearing wasn’t for a week, but already the temporary order had instructed her to stay away from the Sinclairs.
Zach didn’t know. She was too angry to tell him for now. Her first instinct served her best—run it off. It was all about control, something she was an expert at.
She heard footsteps pounding behind her. Fear made her pick up the pace. She should have listened to Zach and Vic and stayed in the house. Anger had made her forgetful.
Even though she was still on base property, she was between the housing area and the business side of the installation. Open desert bordered the road on both sides. If someone wanted to, Claudia would be easily disposed of before the next car drove by. In her mind she rehearsed what she would do if the person following her attacked.
The runner closed the gap. Claudia darted across the street.
"For cryin’ out loud," Vic called out through pants for air. "Give me a break."
Claudia jerked to a stop and turned around. Vic stood behind her, drenched in sweat, doubled over in an effort to catch his breath.
Smiling, she trotted back to him. "Stand up. Walk. You’ll be okay in a few minutes."
Grudgingly, he fell in step with her. "What are you trying to do? Kill me?"
"You scared me. I was doing my best to protect myself."
"You’ve got no business being out by yourself." He doubled over once more, blowing hard, hands braced on knees.
Claudia tugged him upright. "Yes, I know. But if Sinclair or Hanson is coming after me, they can do so just as easily in the house when I’m alone. Besides, you’ve obviously been guarding me, so my safety is ensured."
"Why do I detect a note of sarcasm in your voice?"
Claudia smiled and pulled him in the opposite direction. "Come on. You need to get out of the sun. I can’t believe how out of shape you are."
"Forgive me. I’m not used to chasing marathon runners. You know, I used to think you were a nice woman. Now I’d swear you have a sadist streak." He pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Who was the guy at the door?"
Outrage rushed back in. "Sinclair issued a temporary restraining order on me. The hearing is next Monday."
"Bastard will try anything."
"He’s going to have to do better than that if he thinks a little piece of paper will scare me away from protecting Allison."
* * *
A summons before the royalty of base. At least that’s what it felt like. But if the Commanding General and Chief of Staff also intended intimidation, well, Zach wasn’t buying into it. He was right. The facts were there. Now all he had to do was convince these superior officers.
Colonel Scott was by his side, ready to defend whatever actions Zach, Vic, and Claudia had taken. He didn’t know what finally swayed the man, and frankly didn’t care. Sinclair was going down, and Zach was making sure Hanson went with him. Even if that meant fighting the good-ole-boy system all the way back to Headquarters, Marine Corps.
General Drummond folded his hands on the big oak desk before him, focusing all his attention on Zach. "As I’m sure you are aware, Captain Taylor, the Chief and I had a very long talk with Colonel Sinclair this morning."
His Virginia accent was as sweet and rolling as the Charlottesville hills. Zach didn’t allow that to lull him into a feeling of complacency. The hidden message was clear—explain yourself.
"Yes, sir. And I believe most of it centered around my wife."
The general gave a slow nod. "That it did."
"Sir, I’ll be blunt. Martin Sinclair is a wife beater."
General Drummond’s knuckles whitened, the only indication of his distress. "That is a very serious accusation, Captain."
"My wife and I suspected from the moment we moved in across the street. I believe Major Cruz Montoya can verify the abuse. I personally witnessed it myself on Friday evening."
"And yet you allowed it to go unchecked?"
Zach flushed with anger, but kept his gaze locked on that of the other man’s. "No, sir, I did not. The military police refused to act on my call. The desk sergeant indicated they had received calls in the past regarding the Sinclairs. Each time they looked into the matter, the Sinclairs dismissed the action as…sexual play. Colonel Sinclair apparently talked the Provost Marshal into keeping the report off the blotter."
The general eased into his leather chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin. Before he could comment, Zach’s boss jumped in.
"I’ve spoken to several of the people who were there last night, sir. All of them verify what the captain is saying."
Zach leaned forward. "The problem is Allison. She’s too frightened to go against her husband. The one time she did confide in someone, that person was killed."
"Our Gunnery Sergeant Sunline?"
The general’s voice was incredulous. Zach didn’t blame him. It was a hard story to hear.
"Yes, sir. We don’t know how, but we have a suspect."
"And that would be?"
"Sir, I’d rather not say until we have proof." When the general nodded, Zach continued. "We believe Sinclair was an accomplice and the instigator. And we also believe Allison may have witnessed the entire thing, and that’s why she’s so frightened now."
The general tapped his chin. "These are serious charges, Captain Taylor, but you seem to have sufficient witnesses to Sinclair’s actions. I don’t care what rank he is, I want him and his cohort arrested. I will not have wife beaters and murderers in my Marine Corps."
"I understand your feelings, sir, but with all due respect, we must have solid proof and evidence. We have a plan we’re working on for the Marine Corps Ball this Saturday." At least that’s what Cruz and Vic kept promising him, although he didn’t have a clue what the plan was.
General Drummond frowned. "I don’t like the idea of putting this woman in further jeopardy. Are you sure this will work?"
"Positive, sir."
"Very well. Trust, Captain, that I’ll be paying very close attention to all parties at the ball. Until then, Colonel Sinclair has issued a temporary restraining order against your wife. I trust Mrs. Taylor will adhere to it."
Zach’s skin bristled. He could imagine Claudia’s reaction and it wouldn’t be pleasant. "The only thing I can guarantee is that Claudia will not sit back and allow someone, anyone to be abused."
"And damn the consequences?" General Drummond resumed his initial position. "I’m surprised you have so little control over your wife, Captain Taylor."
Zach had to laugh. "Sir, my parents have been married a long time, and one thing I do know is that no man has control over his wife."
The general smiled. "True. I look forward to meeting this extraordinary wife of yours on Saturday. Until then, I shall pray the rest of the week is peaceful in the Sinclair house as well as the neighborhood."
His meaning was clear. "I’ll do my best, sir."
* * *
"Wake up, sleepy-head."
Claudia ignored Zach and tugged the blanket over her head. He peeled back a corner and when the scent of coffee wafted to her, she opened one eye.
"That’s better." He pulled her upright and shoved the cup in her hands. "I have a surprise for you. Grab your running shoes and be ready to leave in twenty minutes."
"Where are we going?" she managed to mumble. But Zach had already left the room.
Bleary-eyed, she swallowed the coffee and wiggled into shorts and a fleece sweatshirt. Every muscle in her body ached. Retribution for the punishing workout she gave it the day before. The temptation to crawl back into bed was great. Curiosity wouldn’t let her. Cursing herself for answering his challenge, she stumbled downstairs.
Zach was already outside, door opened on the Jeep like it was a coach ready to spirit her away. And like a diligent footman, he handed her inside then trotted around to slip behind the wheel. Before she quite knew what was happening, they were tearing off down the desert highway, the only vehicle abroad in the darkness.
Claudia hunched into her sweatshirt, trying to avoid the bite of the chill dawn air. Though scorching hot during the daytime, the nighttime temperatures dipped low. Zach had even mentioned seeing several inches of snow dusting the cacti the previous Christmas. She’d like to have seen that.
Slowing the vehicle, he made a quick turn off of the highway onto a narrow road and they drove deeper into the desert backcountry. Now they were on the desert lands bordering Joshua Tree National Park. A solitary area that looked devoid of all human habitation.
The just-emerging light of dawn created huge purple shadows upon the mammoth boulders piled throughout the desert. A faint electric glow shimmered along the eastern sky, darkening above to a deep, velvety blue. The last remnants of night were vanishing with the dawn. It was beautiful.
A glimpse of a small sign flashed by. She caught the word "oasis". Intrigued and now fully awake, Claudia sat up and craned her neck for some view of it.
"Where are we going?"
"Hiking."
"Why now?"
"Why not now?"
Zach glided into a parking slot and killed the engine.
The silence was complete.
Claudia strained to hear a sound, any sound in the wilderness around them. Not a bird or animal noise intruded, only the slight rustle of the wind around them as it moved the scattered brush to and fro.
The rocks rose around them like enormous blocks piled by a careless child. As the morning light grew brighter, she could make out the wooden marker indicating the beginning of the hiking trail.
She turned and caught Zach watching her as if he were trying to memorize each facet of her face. There was no mockery, no barriers of any kind. To think they had achieved this level of their relationship in so short a time.
But it wasn’t so short after all. It had taken them five years to get here. The wasted time made her want to cry.
She glanced away from the intensity of his gaze. The landscape was pink and golden with the sunrise. A bird fluttered to the trail marker. The world was waking up.
"It’s beautiful."
"Wait ’til you see the end of the trail."
"How far is it?"
"A mile and a half."
Claudia’s muscles groaned.
"Are you ready?"
She nodded and stepped out of the vehicle.
They stretched briefly, warming up in preparation for exercise. Zach pulled a bulging backpack from the rear of the Jeep and put it on. Then he handed her two insulated carriers each containing liter bottles of water. Claudia criss-crossed the straps over her shoulders as Zach did with the other two.
