Clearing the Course

by Diane Weiner

  Emily cringed as she listened to the shovel scraping against the edge of the stone like nails on a chalk board. “Have you got it? It looks like it’s moving.”

  “Almost.” He loosened the ground around the edges and used the shovel as a lever. Putting all his weight on the handle, he heard a pop. The grave separated from the ground.

  “You did it!” She bent down and helped pull off the stone, which wasn’t as thick as it had appeared.

  Working together, they cleared the area under the stone. Henry shoveled. He hoped his Fitbit was getting all this. Sweat dripped from his forehead.

  “It’s getting dark. Need the light?” She held it over the area.

  “I think I hit something.” He shoveled faster.

  “I hope it isn’t a coffin.”

  “It’s too shallow to have buried a coffin.” Fighting growing fatigue and the ache in his arms, he worked as quickly as possible. “I’ve got it.”

  He lifted out a small, metal box with a padlock. “Where’s that key?”

  Emily handed him the key from her pocket which he jiggled into the lock. When she heard a click, she screamed. “It’s open!”

  Henry grabbed the flashlight. “I think we’ve just found ourselves some buried treasure.”

  Emily lifted stacks of money out of the box. “Let’s get this home.”

  It was difficult to sleep. In the morning, Megan called.

  “Dental records confirm the skeleton is Charlie Rivers. Even has an intact gold crown on one of the molars.”

  Henry said, “So my grandfather was a murderer. Nothing like a bit of a smear on the old family history. Oh, and we found the money. It was buried in the cemetery. What should we do with it? Does Rivers have living relatives?”

  “No living relatives popped up in our search. Finders keepers. Put it to good use.” He stuck the phone in his pocket.

  “She says we can keep the money. Put it to good use.”

  “I can’t wait to pick up Maddy and tell her we’ve solved the puzzle. She can help us decide how to use the money.”

  When they arrived at the hospital, they passed Chauncey being wheeled out the front door alongside his wife, who was holding a plant and a balloon bouquet.

  “Chauncey, they finally sprung you,” said Henry.

  “I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed, eat my wife’s home cookin’, and catch up on Netflix. I’ve got a few weeks before I have to come back to work.”

  “We’ve missed you.”

  “You know, I’ve been getting back pieces of my memory. I’m positive it was a white van that hit me. It had a New York plate on the front. Never got to see the back.”

  “That’s great. I hope you told the police.”

  “I sure did.”

  His wife said, “I’m not stopping till they find that idiot who hit my Chauncey.”

  “I’m sure they will,” said Emily.

  “Enough with the bad. Here’s some good news. Guess what? We just found out we’re having a baby.”

  “Congratulations,” said Emily. She gave them both a hug.

  “A baby. What a highlight after that setback.”

  “It ain’t but the size of a pea and already it’s our whole life. All I want to do is protect him.”

  “Or her,” said his wife. Sometimes I wake up at night and worry that with all this stress, I’m going to lose her. When I heard that heartbeat, can’t tell you how that felt. If anything happens I’ll go crazy.”

  Henry said, “Once you’ve heard the heartbeat, chances are it will turn out just fine. And once you’re past the first trimester, it’d take some bad injury or a genetic glitch to stop it from being born.”

  “Best of luck to you both,” said Emily. “We’ve got a shelf full of parenting books if you need to borrow them.”

  They continued into the hospital to Maddy’s room, where Robby was waiting with her. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in loose jeans and the no fracking t-shirt Robby wore the first time Emily saw him.

  “Ready to blow this pop stand?” asked Henry.

  “Huh?”

  Emily shook her head at her husband. “He means, are you ready to go home? Chester missed you. He sleeps on your bed all day long.”

  “Can Robby come over?”

  “Why don’t we get you settled in and he can come by later for dinner.”

  In the car, they told Maddy about the money and finding Charlie Rivers.

  “That’s unbelievable. Wow. What are you going to do with the money?”

  Henry said, “We’ll think of something. After the evil way it was acquired, I want to do some good with it.”

  “One mystery solved, one to go,” said Emily.

  Chapter 33

  Maddy kissed Chester, then opened her laptop.

  “Emily, Henry, look. It’s from that girl, Feo. She says thank you to whoever sent help her way. Knowing someone cared made all the difference. And she signed it Briana. Not Feo.”

  “I’m proud of you for reaching out to her. It would have been so easy to ignore the message and who knows what she would have done.”

  Henry said, “We never know what our little ripples affect. As a doctor, I remind myself of that often. I’m proud of you, too.”

  Shortly after arriving home, Megan called.

  “We ran tests on Mercer’s car and there’s no evidence at all he ran over Chauncey or caused Dan’s death.”

  “Did you search his house for traces of brake fluid?” said Henry.

  “He cooperated. Had nothing to hide. There weren’t any tools lying around that he could have used to sabotage your brakes. His garage was virtually empty. Also, Chauncey says the van had New York plates, which Mercer’s SUV doesn’t.”

  Emily tugged at him. “Ask her about the oar.”

  “Did you find blood on the oar at his house?”

  “No, and the size didn’t match up with Damari’s bruise. He’s not our man.”

  “If it’s not Mercer, who is it? We’ve crossed everyone off the suspect list.” He heard a knock. “Someone’s at the door. Keep me posted.”

  Emily answered the door. “Hi, Rebecca. Did you find something?”

  “Sure did. I did some digging. I searched and searched and guess what I found?”

  Henry wished she’d lose the drama and just get to the point already.

  “I found a death certificate for Lisa Peterkin and another for an Alexandra Peterkin. They both died on the same day last October.”

  Emily’s jaw dropped to the floor. Now it all made sense. She thought about what Chauncey’s wife’s words echoed in her head. I’d do anything to protect my baby. I’d go crazy if something happened to it.

  “Henry, you said you saw Lisa Peterkin after the fall she took last summer. Was there any kind of injury?”

  “Just a minor concussion. Dan checked her over and the baby was fine.”

  “Who else tended to her?”

  “Chauncey practically lived in the ER last summer since we were short-handed. Chances are he did.”

  “Damari worked there too, right?” said Emily.

  “Yeah. As a matter of fact, she’d just started around that time.”

  “What if his wife and baby died and Dallas blamed the four of you?”

  “But she didn’t die. They were both fine when they went back home at the end of the summer.” The light bulb went on. Was there a complication later? After they went back home? “I’m going to run over to the hospital and see what I can piece together.”

  “I’m coming too. Maddy, will you be all right by yourself?”

  “Yeah. Robby will be here soon.”

  On the way to the hospital, Henry called Chauncey.

  “Hate to bother you so soon after coming home, but do you remember treating a Lisa Peterkin? She was pregnant, fell, had a concussion? Yes, last summer. That’s right. Do you remember if Damari was working reception then? Okay. Thanks. Get some rest.”

  Emily said, “Did he remember?”
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  “Yes, he was one of her nurses. And he’s sure Damari was there because she worked the day shift all summer, even weekends.”

  “I just thought of something. Dallas was in and out of Coralee’s all summer doing repairs. He would have had access to Robby’s room. I’ll bet he framed Robby.”

  “You’re probably right. I want to check my records and see if I missed something when I treated his wife.” He pulled into the hospital parking lot and put on his ID badge. “Let’s go.”

  He and Emily headed to his office. Waiting for the computer to boot up, Emily drummed her fingers on his desk.

  “Here we go.” Henry pulled up the records. “She left here with a clean bill of health. I’m going to call her doctor.”

  He looked up the number and made the call. “This is Dr. Fox from Vermont. I need to speak to him regarding a patient. Tell him it’s urgent.” He exhaled audibly. “Yes, I’ll hold.” Now it was his turn to drum his fingers on the desk.

  “What’s taking so long?” said Emily.

  “She’s getting him. At least he’s in the office.” He put the phone on speaker. “She’s transferring me.”

  “This is Dr. Wallace. How can I help you?”

  “I’m Dr. Henry Fox from Vermont. It’s about a patient. Lisa Peterkin. Mrs. Peterkin was visiting and in the middle trimester of pregnancy when she had a fall here last summer. Minor concussion. Our ob-gyn looked her over as well. His notes say the baby had a strong heartbeat. The ultra sound in her file looks normal. I understand she and the baby passed away last October and was hoping you could provide information as to what occurred.”

  “Give me a minute to access her file.”

  Henry drummed his fingers on the desk. Doesn’t she have a computer? What’s taking so long?

  Dr. Wallace came back on the line. “Mrs. Peterkin died of an aneurysm. The fetus died along with her.”

  “Was the aneurysm related to the head injury?”

  “It’s unlikely but not unheard of. I remember her now. Her husband blamed anyone and everyone for negligence. Tried to go after me for it.”

  “He attacked you?”

  “No, of course not. He hired himself a lawyer who did his homework and told him he didn’t have a case.”

  “Thank you for your help. Much appreciated.” He turned to Emily. “There you have it.”

  “Dallas blames you and Dr. Fischer for missing the aneurysm.”

  “And Damari, probably for not getting her into treatment quickly enough. They triage the patients, but remember Damari had just started working and it took her a while to develop efficiency.”

  “And Chauncey was her nurse. Dallas thought he should have picked up on it, right?”

  “I’ll call Megan.” He had the phone in his hand, when Emily’s rang.

  “Henry, I think this number is Dallas.”

  “How’d he have your number?”

  “I gave it to him when he was working on the kitchen.” She pressed the button. “Hello. Yes.” She started shaking. “Okay, we’ll be there. No police. You better not hurt her. She just got out of the hospital.”

  Henry said, “Tell me!”

  “He’s got Maddy. We’re supposed to meet him at the corn maze. He wants to talk to you.”

  “I’m calling the police.”

  “No! He said he’d kill her if we brought the cops.”

  Henry turned off the computer and grabbed Emily’s hand. By the time they got back to the car, the sun had gone down. Henry flew over the roads, barely breathing until they were parked at the maze.

  “No one’s here. The sign says they close at 5:00.”

  “Look over behind the ticket booth. It’s Dallas’s van.”

  Emily shouted his name. “Dallas, we’re here. Alone, no cops. You said you wanted to talk to Henry. He’s right here.”

  The only sound was the chirping of crickets. “I’m here. I didn’t kill your wife or your baby. Even your lawyer told you that. Come on, you coward. Come out where I can see you, man to man.”

  A voice came over a megaphone. “How does it feel to have your daughter in jeopardy? To know her life may end at any moment?”

  Emily cried. “Dallas, no. She’s an innocent young girl. She didn’t do anything to you.”

  “And my baby wasn’t innocent? She didn’t even get to take her first breath thanks to your husband.” The voice had drifted away from the stand and she and Henry followed it.

  “Dr. Fox. You’re supposed to heal people not kill them.”

  “I treated your wife for a concussion. I didn’t kill her.”

  “You didn’t save her. She had an aneurysm. Never heard of it? That’s what they call it when a blood vessel swells up and bursts.”

  Henry and Emily followed the voice and were now well into the corn maze. “Aneurysms are rarely associated with brain injuries. Less than one percent are related to a traumatic injury.”

  “Stop with your messed up doctor talk. You should have noticed it. So should that Dr. Fischer, the baby doctor. He missed it and killed Alexandra.”

  “There was no way to know.”

  “And that fat, black nurse. Lisa kept telling him her head hurt and all he did was bring her aspirin. Aspirin? He fluffed her off. Said everyone with a concussion gets a headache. I know he didn’t call you to tell you.”

  Emily’s face was wet with tears. “Please, let us take our daughter home.”

  “She’s going to die just like my daughter did.”

  “But she had nothing to do with your wife or daughter’s death. Neither did Damari Cooper. Why did you kill Damari?”

  “That incompetent twit. We sat there at least an hour before she figured out the paperwork and got the insurance stuff together. Had she been quicker, Lisa would have lived.”

  Emily heard rustling at a quicker cadence than before. The voice seemed further away.

  “I’m going to make good old Dr. Fox watch his wife and daughter die just like I watched mine. Only, he’ll get to join his family. Consider it a present, not being left alive to deal with the pain.”

  The rustling increased. Dallas emerged from the corn, blocking their path. He held a shot gun. “Turn around. Keep walking.”

  Emily’s mind worked into a frenzy. “If you take us in, the police can arrest Henry for what he did to your daughter. Trust me, jail would be worse than death. He’ll pay the price for what he did to you.”

  “Oh, no. I’ve got a plan. Move.” He poked her in the back with the shot gun. “Keep walking.”

  “Help me. Help.”

  “That’s Maddy’s voice. Where is she?” He smacked the gun against her cast, shooting pain up through her arm and into her neck. She grabbed her arm and said, “Maddy, we’re here.”

  “Help me, please. He’s crazy. He’s going to kill me.”

  Her voice seemed closer. “We’re here, Maddy.”

  “No one’s going to hurt you, I swear on my life,” said Henry.

  They turned a corner and came to a clearing in the maze, with four paths shooting out in each direction. In the center, sat Maddy. Her hands and feet were tied with twine.

  Emily ran to her. Henry followed.

  “Get up,” said Dallas. “Move away. The girl goes first.” He aimed the shotgun and his finger wrapped over the trigger. Emily felt her heart beating like a jack hammer in her chest. This couldn’t be the end. Not here in the middle of a corn maze. Not today.

  Henry rushed into him, but Dallas was quick. He knocked him over the head with the gun, leaving him in an unconscious heap in the corn.

  “Henry!” screamed Emily. Maddy just plain screamed.

  Dallas kicked Henry. “Wake up. I want you to see this.”

  Henry moaned. His head felt like it had split into two throbbing knots. He fought to open his eyes. Dallas picked up the gun and aimed it at Maddy’s head. “One, two…”

  Emily cried, “No, please, no. Take me instead. Don’t kill my daughter.”

  “Three.”

&nb
sp; Emily braced herself for the gun shot. She felt broken and helpless. She was supposed to protect Maddy. Fiona trusted her. She looked at Henry, who was still groggy and unable to get up.

  “Take this you fool.” From out of the corn, Robby stormed at him with a metal pipe and whacked him across the knees. Then he pulled Maddy to her feet and untied her. “Come on, let’s get out of here before he can get up. Come on, Henry.” He pulled Henry up and they ran down the closest path.

  “You broke my kneecaps. You’ll pay too!” He hugged his knees.

  “Which way?” said Emily. They’d come to another crossroads.

  “Follow me,” said Robby.

  Then they froze. A shot. Another shot.”

  “He’s behind us; come on.” Robby held onto Maddy. Henry struggled to keep up. He was seeing stars and imagined he had a concussion himself. The corn rustled. It was now dark as midnight and they felt their way along the path, barely lit by the sliver of moon above. Another shot pierced the darkness.

  “I’m closing in on you. It’s over Dr. Fox. You might as well surrender.”

  “This way,” said Robby. They wound through the maze and came to a solid wall of corn.

  “Now what?” said Emily. “There’s no way out.” If they ran back the way they came, surely they’d confront Dallas.

  “I’m almost there.” Dallas’s voice was very near. Maddy was crying. Emily put her arm around her, heart breaking over her inability to protect her. Then, another shot. This time followed by a beam of light coming toward them.

  “Megan! Ron Wooster!”

  “We got him,” said Megan. “Are you all okay?”

  Henry was stumbling and grabbed Emily’s arm for balance. “How did you find us?”

  Megan pointed at Robby. “He’s your hero. He called us.”

  “When I got to your house, I was just in time to see Dallas push Maddy into his van and speed away. I jumped back in my car and followed him. I called the police again when I knew the location.”

  Chapter 34

  After giving a report to the police, they drove home, dropping an exhausted Robby off at the Inn. When they got back home, Maddy grabbed the mail on their way in.

  Henry grabbed a bag of ice for his head and Emily took a warm shower. It was late, but she needed to be with her family. Henry and Maddy were eating cookies on the sofa when she made her way down the loft steps.