The knife dropped to the bed beside her, forgotten. Both of his hands circled her left wrist, trying to get her to release his family jewels. But the more he pulled at her arm, the more she tightened her grasp.
His screams of anguish were earsplitting now, bouncing off the walls of the small hotel room.
Then something happened that left Inga momentarily confused. She heard a tremendous crashing sound, and then felt several small stinging sensations on her face and torso. The attacker collapsed on top of her, then rolled off the bed, wailing in agony, arms wrapped around his head.
At the foot of the bed was Tommy. Staggering, but on his feet. Holding the remains of the ceramic lamp he had just smashed over the attacker’s head. A mask of blood coated his face.
The attacker struggled to his feet, pulling up his pants, and the men squared off in the center of the room. Both were hunkered low, exhausted and in pain, like two bone-weary boxers in the final round.
Tommy threw a looping right hand and missed, and the masked man got him in a headlock. But Tommy drove an elbow into the man’s sternum, and Inga could hear the air whoosh out of his lungs.
Inga grabbed the knife and vaulted off the bed, preparing to drive the knife deep into the man’s back.
That’s when there was a loud pounding at the door.
“You okay in there? I called the cops!” It sounded like Mel, the elderly man from room 1.
Now the attacker moved quickly, shoving Tommy out of the way and yanking the door open. Inga saw Mel standing outside, eyes wide. The would-be rapist sprinted past him into the darkness.
Tommy quickly grabbed the blanket off the bed and wrapped Inga in it. She blubbered a thank-you over and over, and Tommy whispered quietly in her ear and tried to console her.
“It’s all right now…” Tommy said to Mel, who was standing in the doorway. “Thanks for your help.”
“You sure?” Mel asked, looking suspicious.
Inga nodded. “Thanks, Mel. I’ll be okay.”
Mel shook his head and said, “Came to Texas, thought we’d be getting away from all the crime.” Then he shuffled back to his room.
“Are you okay?” Tommy asked, surveying Inga at arm’s length.
She nodded. “Scared the pee out of me.”
“Any idea who it was?”
“None whatsoever. But the things he said…he knew who I was. It wasn’t random.”
Tommy cocked his head. “Sirens! I have to get out of here.”
“Tommy, you’re kidding me. It’s time to call this off. Let’s get your problems cleared up and get out of town.”
“After this? But then they’d win, Inga. That was obviously someone trying to dissuade us from protesting.”
“And he did a damn good job of it! I’m ready to go home, Tommy.”
The sirens were coming closer.
Tommy leaned in and gave Inga a kiss. “Don’t stay here, Inga. Go with the police. They’ll take care of you. I’ll be in touch when our work is done.”
“But, Tommy….”
He was already out the door.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Marlin was up and out of the house by five Saturday morning. It was deer season, after all, and he was determined to get back to his regular routine. He would patrol for several hours, then call Austin to see if Richard Fanick, the lab technician, had anything for him.
Marlin made a large loop around the county, stopping at hunting camps and deer leases along the way. He cruised north on Highway 281 to Round Mountain, west on 962, south through Sandy, and on down to Blanco. Then northeast through Henly and up to Pedernales Reservoir.
He wanted to check in with Bobby Garza to see if there had been any progress made with Jack Corey, but he decided to swing by his house first and make a call. Almost eight o’clock. Maybe Fanick would be in his office by now.
Back at home, Marlin poured himself a to-go mug of coffee and tried calling Fanick. He got routed into voice mail and left a message. It was the weekend-Fanick might not even go into his office today, despite Marlin’s pleadings for a quick turnaround. All he could do was hope.
He stepped outside and saw Inga Mueller’s yellow Volvo bouncing up the driveway. She pulled in behind his truck and killed the engine. Marlin waited on the porch for her, but she simply sat in her car, staring at the windshield. Marlin trotted down the steps and walked over to her window. Before he could even say anything, he knew something was wrong. Her face was clenched, fighting back tears.
“You all right?” Marlin asked.
A small shake of the head.
“What happened?” Marlin asked.
She turned and looked him in the eye. “I almost got raped last night.”
“Oh, Jesus. When? Where?”
Inga stepped out of the car and told Marlin the horror story from early that morning. A masked intruder, a knife at her throat, Tommy Peabody coming along and saving the day, then taking off just as quickly.
Marlin wanted to reach out and grip her arm, reassure her-but he didn’t know if she was ready for any male contact. “I’m so sorry. Did you report it?”
She nodded.
“Which deputy took the call?”
“I think her name was Cowan.”
Rachel Cowan was a young, fairly new addition to the department, but she was smart and hardworking. She had spent six years with the Austin Police Department, and had learned plenty in that time.
“I just got through with her about an hour ago. Drove around for awhile, trying to decide what to do next… then I came over here.”
“It’s probably best that you don’t stay in town anymore. Johnson City is so small, the guy could spot your Volvo in no time.” Marlin was going to suggest that she find a place to stay in Blanco, fifteen miles to the south.
“That’s kind of what I was leading up to, John. I had an idea-and please tell me straight-out if you think it’s a bad one-but I was wondering whether I might be able to stay with you for a few days?”
The request surprised Marlin, and it must have shown on his face. Inga waved her hand in the air as if she was erasing the idea off a chalkboard. “I’m sorry, that was a stupid thought. Forget I even asked.”
“No, it was just a little unexpected, is all.” Marlin tried to sound enthusiastic, but he wasn’t sure how he felt about it himself. “I’ve got plenty of space, an extra bed, it’s no trouble at all.”
“But I don’t want to put you out, or-”
“Hey, I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t mean it. Seriously.”
She gave him a weak smile. “I sure would feel a lot safer. And I can’t leave town until Tommy-”
“I understand. No problem.”
She leaned in and gave him a hug. For a few seconds, he felt awkward, wondering whether he should hug back. But she pulled away before he could decide. “I’ll grab my things out of the trunk.”
Marlin led her inside, gave her a quick tour, then found a spare key in a kitchen drawer. “This opens both doors, front and back.” He glanced around the kitchen. “Help yourself to anything in the pantry or the fridge. And you know where the bathroom is and everything…”
She smiled, and Marlin found it difficult to hold her gaze. She already appeared less distressed by the attack, more like her usual, confident self. “You’re helping me out so much, John. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s no trouble.”
