Devil's Spring

by Aaron Lazar

  She stepped out into the main unit, where the patient’s rooms circled the doctors’ and nurses’ stations. She spotted her son Ned leaning down close to Dr. Alma Rollins at a desk in the center of the room. There was something going on there, she was pretty sure. The spark she’d seen in Ned’s eyes had been returned by Alma, even in the midst of their latest crisis.

  Maybe her youngest would finally find someone to settle down with.

  Ned saw her and flagged her down.

  She met him with a huge, shaky hug and enjoyed the feeling of her son’s strong arms around her. “He woke up for a few seconds,” she said. “Then he went right back to sleep.”

  Dr. Rollins looked up, brushing a loose strand of fine blonde hair back from her face. “Rest is the best thing for him now, Mrs. Hawke.” She flashed a sweet smile and touched Tessie’s arm. “He’s going to be okay now.”

  Tessie frowned and felt as if she might suddenly cry. “That’s what you said last time.”

  Alma motioned for Tessie to follow her. “Can you give me a minute, Mrs. Hawke?”

  Ned nodded encouragement. “She’s got some news for us, Mom.”

  “Sure,” Tessie said, feeling more drained than ever now. As long as it wasn’t that financial guy from the hospital trying to make her promise to take care of a bill she had no hope of paying off in a hundred years, it would be okay.

  Alma led the way, walking with a long, fast stride. “My office is just downstairs.”

  They took the back stairway down one flight and emerged into a long hall of offices.

  “Right here,” Alma said. “Please, have a seat, Mrs. Hawke.”

  “And I told you to call me Tessie.”

  Alma smiled, tilted her head, and apologized. “Sorry, Tessie. It’s just a habit we have here in the hospital.”

  They settled in two chairs on the other side of Alma’s desk.

  “Can I get you folks some coffee?” Alma asked.

  Tessie nodded. “I’d kill for a cup, but I think right now I just want to know what this is all about.”

  Ned put a reassuring hand on hers. “It’s okay, Mom. Don’t worry.”

  “Worrying seems to be all I do these days, honey.” She gave a half smile to Alma.

  “Well, listen. I’ve been authorized by the hospital to let you know we’re going after the manufacturer of that stent that collapsed. There’s going to be a suit. And we hope they’ll make a decent settlement to you and your husband. This rarely happens, Tessie, and we want to make it right.”

  Disbelief flooded through Tessie. “You mean they’re going to give us money? Like a refund or something?”

  Alma tented her fingers and looked back and forth between Ned and Tessie. “It’s too soon to speak about exact amounts. But I know for sure your bills with the hospital will be cleared. And you’ll have something left over after that. It may be substantial.”

  “Substantial?” Tessie whispered.

  Alma smiled. “It’s the least we can do.”

  Tessie felt the tension wash out of her muscles. “Oh, thank God. Alma, you’re a life saver.”

  Alma gave her a knowing grin. “Well, you know there’s always the possibility that you might have decided to sue me, too. So if we can make this right before something like that happens, it’s all good.”

  Ned’s cell phone chirped from his pocket. “It’s Boone. He left here like a bat out of hell this morning. Didn’t explain squat, but promised to call me soon. I’d better take this.” He thumbed on the phone and headed out to the hall to talk. When he returned five minutes later, looking shaken, Tessie jumped to her feet.

  “What is it?”

  Ned waved her down. “Sit, Mom. Everything’s okay.”

  Alma looked worried, too. “What happened, Ned? You’re white as a sheet.”

  Ned took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Lollie Belvedere happened.”

  Alma’s brow furrowed and Tessie looked puzzled.

  “Yeah,” Ned said. “She’s the lady from Maine who adopted the children when they were kidnapped.”

  “Oh, right.” Tessie relaxed. “Her husband died, too, right?”

  “Yeah. Guess it made her go a little nuts. She tried to, um, take back the children this morning. But it’s all okay, they resolved it. Long story, Boone says. He’ll tell us all about it when we get home.”

  “My sweet babies are okay?” Tessie said, her voice quavering.

  “Yeah. Thank God.”

  Alma stood. “Tessie, I think you and Ned need to go home, get some sleep, and kiss those babies. Call me tonight and I’ll give you an update. And I swear,” she locked eyes with Tessie, “that I’ll keep a very close eye on Orville.”

  “If he wakes and needs me—” Tessie said.

  “I’ll call you immediately.”

  Ned took his mother’s arm and helped her stand. “You do seem a little wobbly, Mom.”

  She shushed him. “I’m fine. But let’s listen to the doctor, honey. And let’s go find out what happened to those poor babies.”

  Chapter 57

  When Boone had received the call from Anderson about Lollie Belvedere kidnapping his son and niece earlier, he’d refused to believe it.

  “Grace said what?” He’d let go of his father’s hand as they wheeled him into the cardiac surgical unit and bumped into a chair in the hallway.

  Anderson spoke rapidly. “I didn’t get many details. She tried to call Portia, but I guess her phone is dead. You’d best go get her and meet me here.”

  “Where the hell is Grace, then?”

  “She’s disappeared. She mentioned something crazy about Lollie locking her in the cellar and driving off toward the hills with the children.”

  “What the hell?”

  “I know. Told me to get here pronto, which I did, in seven minutes flat. Meanwhile, I arrive to an empty house. There’s no one here.”

  “Do you think Lollie took her?”

  “No. She’d already left when Grace called me.”

  “So how did she follow her, since you had the car? The tractor?”

  “Tractor’s still here. Maybe someone came here and she got them to drive her up to the mountain.”

  “Do you know how many trails there are up on those hills?” Boone said. “Wait a sec. I’ve gotta tell my brother I’m leaving.” He lowered the phone from his ear. “Ned? I’ve gotta go. Emergency at the farm.” He hadn’t wanted to tell Ned or Tessie the details, because she was already in a state of panic, and she sure as hell didn’t need this news to push her over the edge. With their luck, she’d have a heart attack, too.

  He started to run toward the elevators. “Anderson? I’m back.”

  “About those mountain trails…Grace told me hikers get lost up there all the time. Is that right?”

  “Yeah, there are thousands of trails. Many intersect and loop around. And hardly any are marked.”

  “Are you saying it would be hopeless to try to track them ourselves?”

  “Well, not hopeless. But I’d rather get in a chopper and get a view from the air.”

  “Grace asked me to get hold of Agent Walsh. I had to leave a message with someone in her office. Supposedly she’s tied up with a big case.”

  “Damn.” Boone rushed to the parking lot. “I’m hanging up. Gonna call the garden center on their main number. I’ll pick up Portia and meet you at the farm in twenty minutes.”

  “Right,” Anderson said. “And I’m calling Sheriff Dunne.”

  ∞∞∞

  When Portia and Boone arrived at Bittersweet Hollow, the place blazed with flashing blue and red lights. Anderson stood on the porch, speaking with Sheriff Dunne. A chopper appeared on the horizon, and in seconds, an ambulance and three black unmarked cars converged on the scene.

  Boone pointed to them. “FBI. Damn. How did they beat us?”

  “I’m just glad they’re here.” Portia unbuckled her seatbelt. Her voice broke when she spoke and the fear that bubbled inside her stomach nearl
y paralyzed her, shooting through her body in painful barbs.

  Boone pulled in next to the barn. They jumped out of the car and raced toward Agent Walsh, who emerged from the first unmarked car barking orders at her underlings.

  “Agent Walsh,” Portia said, trying to catch her breath. “Any news yet?”

  Katrina Walsh shaded her eyes toward the chopper that grew closer. “Not yet.”

  Anderson and Dunne joined them on the lawn, and as they started to explain, Anderson’s phone rang. “It’s Grace,” he said, quickly swiping at the screen to answer. “Grace. Where are you?” He waited a moment, nodded, and then glanced up at the mountain. “What? Who?” Listening carefully, he nodded. “Okay. Hold on while I tell Portia and Boone.” He lowered the phone, and then turned to them. “They’re coming down now. She’s got the kids. Said to watch for a white RV.”

  Portia grabbed the phone from him, pressing it to her ear. “Grace? Is Joey okay?” She turned away to talk low and fast to her sister.

  Katrina motioned her men closer. “Looks like the situation is resolved,” she said crisply. “But let’s wait it out to be sure.”

  Portia handed the phone back to Anderson, and then drew in a deep breath. “Oh my gosh. There it is.” She pointed to a white dot on the mountainside.

  Anderson spoke softly. “Grace said Rosita’s there, too.”

  Portia gripped Boone’s hand, but didn’t take her eyes off the dust cloud rising from the dirt track in the distance. “Rosita?”

  “Yes,” Anderson said. “She drove from Maine to help with Lollie. Got wind of what she was up to because of some maps Lollie hid under her bed.”

  Boone whistled. “This is insane.”

  Portia nodded. “Lollie’s insane.”

  Anderson shaded his eyes against the sun. “A man from the institution is with them, too. He cared for Lollie when she was in the institution.”

  “Is it his RV?” Boone said.

  Anderson shook his head. “No, it’s Lollie’s.”

  Portia swiped a stray tear from her cheek. “What? She was planning to go camping with our children?”

  Anderson barked a low laugh. “Grace said it’s a long story. She’ll fill us in.”

  Boone slid an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “I hope they lock her up for good this time.”

  Portia headed for the Jeep. “Come on. I can’t wait here. Let’s go meet them. I just want to hold my boy.”

  Boone and Anderson followed her and climbed into the Jeep. By the time they’d started up the road, a caravan of police and FBI vehicles had followed their idea, flashing their lights in a long line behind them.

  Chapter 58

  The RV trundled down a dirt trail in the direction of Bittersweet Hollow, carving through flickering rays of late afternoon sunlight that dappled the forest floor. Grace glanced back at Lollie, who slept in the back on one of the twin beds, loosely tied to the bed rails. She hadn’t put up a fight after they’d temporarily patched up the flesh wound in her side, and she’d learned from Portia that an ambulance awaited them, so chances were the crazy bitch would survive.

  Wedged between the children’s car seats, Grace held both little hands in hers. For a few minutes, Caroline had locked soulful eyes with her mother, as if she knew what had happened and was seeking comfort. It broke Grace’s heart, and she prayed that her sweet little baby would never remember this day. Joey had fallen asleep, thank God.

  Rocco had driven carefully, but even with the help of the maps and Grace’s sketchy memory, he’d made a few wrong turns. Backing the RV up on the narrow, twisting trails had been a nightmare, but he’d done it without complaint.

  Grace liked that. He was a real solid man. Quiet. Competent. Strong. She wondered, too, if Rosita had noticed. She sensed there might be something in the air between the two of them. She knew Rosita’s husband had died years ago, but she hadn’t thought to ask about Rocco’s home life. The way he handled Joey in his car seat, though, had made her think he was used to kids. Maybe lots of kids?

  How in hell had she turned into such a selfish woman? Had her marriage and child made her so self-centered that she didn’t even think to ask about another person’s life? Especially one who had been a major part in saving her daughter and nephew?

  She answered herself in seconds.

  No. She’d always been self-centered. In the worst of times, she’d been a rebellious, sarcastic teenager who’d only thought about herself or her next fix.

  But those days were gone. She was a new woman. And if she hadn’t quite arrived there yet, she vowed to do so.

  Leaning forward, she raised her voice above the hum of the vehicle. “Rocco?”

  “Yes, ma’am?” Rocco glanced into the rearview mirror with one eyebrow tilted up.

  “You haven’t said much about yourself. You married?”

  Rocco’s face fell. “I was.”

  Grace didn’t let it go. “What happened, if it’s okay to ask?”

  His shoulders dropped a fraction of an inch. Rosita turned sideways in her seat now, apparently very interested in his answer.

  “I lost her to a tornado. Eight years ago.”

  Rosita’s hand flew to her mouth, but she didn’t say anything.

  Grace persisted. “But how? We don’t have those in our parts.”

  “I know. Maybelle was visiting her sister in Kansas. They were driving to the movies. First time they’d both had a ‘day off’ from family in years. It came out of nowhere. Took their car right up into the air and dropped them a mile down the road. They both died instantly.”

  It was the most Rocco had said all day.

  “Oh, Rocco.” Rosita’s hand went up to his arm and rested there. “I’m so sorry.”

  The big man shrugged. “It was a long time ago. My kids and grandkids keep me busy now. I don’t have time to complain.”

  Rosita nodded sagely. “Bueno. It’s the best way.”

  Grace shifted her gaze to Rosita. “Aren’t you kind of in the same boat, Rosita?”

  The woman responded with a barely perceptible nod. “Si.”

  Rocco glanced sideways at her. “What happened to your man?”

  “Stroke,” she said softly. “Fifteen years ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear ‘bout that.”

  “Gracias.”

  Satisfied that she’d started a good conversation between her two saviors, she unbuckled her belt and peeked out the window. “Holy cow. Look at the reception we’re getting.” A curving procession of flashing lights and vehicles lined the access road far down on the base of the mountain.

  Rocco smiled. “Looks like a damn parade.”

  Grace sat back and buckled up, squeezing Caroline’s hand gently. “They should give you two a parade. You’re our heroes and I owe you the world.”

  Rosita turned to her. “You played a pretty good part in this rescue, too, Miss Grace.”

  Grace waved her words away. “No. I wouldn’t have had a chance in hell if you hadn’t shown up when you did.” She sighed. “So, once again, thank you. I’ll be in your debt forever.”

  “Forever is a long time, lady.” Rocco turned around to wink at her, and then faced forward again.

  Grace sat up straighter. “I meant what I said. Truly, if there’s ever anything I can do...”

  Rocco grinned at her in the mirror. “How ‘bout a ride on one of those fancy dancy horses of yours? Always wanted to be a cowboy. Never got to try it out.”

  Grace snorted a laugh. “Wow, you come cheap, Rocco. If that’s all you want, you’ve got a deal. And I know just the horse for you.”

  Rocco’s smile widened. “Well, then. Let’s get you home. I wanna meet that critter.”

  Chapter 59

  Daisy sighed when the truck finally rumbled into Bittersweet Hollow. It had been a long, exhausting trip to New York City, even though she’d received good news. The cancer was still in remission, and she’d aced all of her tests. Dr. Kareem had given her a six-month pass this time, and s
he’d been delighted to know she didn’t have to worry about the dirty city until after Christmas. She really was a country girl at heart.

  She exchanged a tired glance with Dirk, who sat for a minute behind the wheel. “We made it, darlin’.”

  “We did, indeed.” She reached for her purse and gathered the bag of bagels she’d bought that morning for her family before they’d taken the taxi to Kennedy airport. They might be a little stale, but she wanted to bring home something special from her favorite bakery. She had to admit, there were a few things about the city that she loved. Including hot pastrami sandwiches and big dill pickles.

  Dirk pointed to the riding ring. “Hey. Who’s that big man sitting on Spartacus?”

  She squinted in the late morning sunshine. “By golly, I don’t know. Looks like there’s a lady on Pipsqueak, too.”

  They got out of the truck and wandered over to the riding ring, where both old horses walked obediently in a big circle with their heads lowered in the way only a gentle horse does when he knows he’s carrying an inexperienced rider.

  Grace met them at the gate. “Mom! Dad! You’re back.” She ran to them, hugging and kissing them vigorously. “I missed you both so much. How’d the tests go?”

  “Passed with flying colors, sweetie.” Daisy hugged her back and grinned. “Well, that’s about the nicest welcome home you’ve ever given me. It’s good to be back.”

  Dirk nodded to the two horses. “What’s going on here, little girl? Pony rides?”

  Grace trilled a laugh. “Sort of, Dad. I’m paying off a big debt.”

  Her father frowned, worried she was serious.

  Daisy knew it had set alarm bells ringing in his mind, because Grace had earned some pretty serious debt in her young life with her scandalous history. She put a warning hand on Dirk’s arm before he could say something rash. “What’s this all about, sweetie?”

  Grace spilled the story with eyes shining. In spite of the absolute horror they’d been through, it was clear she worshipped the big black man and the tiny Mexican lady.

  Dirk straightened and nodded toward the pair. “I want to shake their hands, Gracie.”

  “You will, Dad. I’ve invited them to stay tonight. They’re driving back to Maine tomorrow morning.”