Crime & Passion

by Chantel Rhondeau

  Donovan tried to make sense of it all. He couldn’t figure out why Suzie would kill Frank Johnson in the first place. Unless she actually looked at his file before she said she had and killed Frank as a favor to him. She’d seemed excited at the prospect of killing other wife beaters that day in his apartment.

  He quickly explained that conversation to Jeremy. “Plus, she’s the one who urged me to get rid of the rope. Maybe she actually planted it while I took a shower, knowing I’d never look for it because I’m innocent. She made a threat against Maddie that day too. I just never connected the dots to Maria.” He blinked away sudden moisture from his eyes as Jeremy wiped tears from his. “With Brandon being there, I was sure he was the guilty party.”

  Jeremy had jotted notes on his legal pad as Donovan talked. He scribbled something else down. “Why get you arrested though, if she wants to be with you?”

  Donovan shrugged. “Maybe she planned all along to offer to pay my bail if I agreed to marry her.”

  “That could be. She’s taken a big enough break from reality that theory is plausible.” Jeremy tapped the tip of his pen rapidly against the notepad. “The problem is, how do I go about getting this investigated? Her dad is likely to block our efforts.”

  “And where’s that last length of rope? Why didn’t she use it on Maddie?” He tried not to think about the fact that Madeline might die as he said this, just like he kept trying to forget Maria was dead.

  “Maybe it’s been planted somewhere else the cops haven’t thought to look yet.”

  “That would make sense, but none of this speculation will do us any good tonight.” Donovan rubbed his tired eyes. “Why don’t we work on this in a few days when things settle down?”

  Jeremy nodded. “Chief Stone might try to block my efforts, but I’ll see if Brice Carter is willing to look at the investigation from this angle.”

  Donovan wanted to feel hopeful about that. They at least had a direction to head that didn’t lead right back to him. However, the thing that mattered now was whether Madeline pulled through the next few hours. “I wonder if Maddie’s improved at all. Could you call down there and check?”

  Jeremy shook his head. “I talked to her folks earlier. They’re on their way from Utah. The doctor said he couldn’t tell me any further information, but her dad said he’d call when he knew anything more and keep me updated. I explained a little bit of the situation to him, and told him you and Madeline are dating. I said you’d come to the hospital as soon as possible.”

  Donovan gulped back his surprise. “Do her parents know I’m currently incarcerated?”

  Jeremy chuckled. “No reason to tell them all your secrets before the first meeting.”

  “Very good point, my friend.” And if Maddie didn’t make it, it wouldn’t matter what her parents thought.

  He ground his teeth in frustration. He couldn’t let himself think thoughts like that. Madeline was a strong woman, a fighter. If anyone could pull through an attack like that, it was her.

  He looked back at Jeremy. “If you hear from them tonight, do you think you could talk Eric into coming back here and giving me the news? I know they won’t let you in after six, but they can’t really stop an officer.”

  Jeremy nodded and stood up. He circled the table and clapped a reassuring hand against Donovan’s shoulder. “I’ll send either him or Brice. I know they’ll want to help.”

  Donovan stood, doing a little slapping of his own against Jeremy’s back. “Thank you...for everything.”

  “Hey, that’s what I’m here for. We have to stick together.” Jeremy led the way from the room. “In the morning I’ll get you out of here, and we’ll go see Madeline together.”

  Donovan tried to smile, but another spasm of panic laced through him. That plan hinged on whether or not she lived through the night.

  ***

  Donovan breathed deeply Wednesday morning, counting slowly to sixty for what seemed the millionth time. He glanced at the clock on the wall through the cell bars. It was already a quarter past nine, and he had yet to hear any news. He had no clue if Maddie even lived.

  If she died, he didn’t know what he would do. How could one extract vengeance against an insane woman?

  Tears leaked from the corners of his eyes and Donovan brushed them away. Surely, if she had died, Jeremy would have already been by to tell him. Then again, maybe he didn’t know how to break the news, so stayed away.

  “Ahhhhh! This sucks,” he screamed as loud as he could.

  The man next to him slid sideways on the bench, putting more distance between them.

  Donovan closed his eyes, not feeling any better for having yelled.

  One...two...three...four...

  ***

  “You’ve been sprung, Andrews. Wake up.”

  Donovan made the effort to open his eyes and look at the guard. He hadn’t really been asleep, but he had no desire to move. It was well past noon. Madeline had to be dead. If she lived, Jeremy would have notified him sooner.

  This was the reason he hadn’t wanted to open his heart up to love again. Everyone he loved died. It started with his parents, then Madison, and then Maria. Anytime he let himself care, it seemed life intervened to smack him down and snatch away his potential happiness.

  For so many years he hadn’t allowed himself to get serious or feel anything close to love, afraid what would happen. His feelings for Maddie came on so strong and fast, he was helpless to stop them. Donovan didn’t want to deal with yet another loss. Sometimes he felt like people died because he loved them.

  “Move your ass, Andrews. I don’t have all day.”

  Donovan lurched to his feet, lethargy making even shuffling across the floor an effort. Jeremy needed him. Even if loneliness suffocated Donovan every time he tried to breathe, he’d work through this and do what he needed to.

  He approached the gate and the guard handed him his street clothes. “You can go put these on. Your lawyer is waiting for you out front.”

  Donovan made his way to the bathroom. He stripped the horrible orange jumpsuit off and climbed into his clothes, not bothering to put the laces back in his shoes.

  He paused at the sink to splash some water across his face. His bloodshot eyes stared back at him from the mirror and heavy hair growth covered his face. He looked like shit. Not surprising really, since that was exactly how he felt.

  He exited the bathroom and followed the guard to the door that led to the front area, the door to freedom. He didn’t even care.

  Jeremy leapt from his chair as soon as Donovan walked through the door. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner,” he said. “I had to cover for my partner at a court hearing this morning, and then I took care of the bail bondsman. Are you okay?”

  Donovan shrugged. “I’ve had better days. I wish you had sent someone else over to tell me.”

  “I tried to find someone, but everyone’s been busy.” Jeremy walked toward the front door. “I’ll take you home to clean up before we head out. I’ve obtained permission for you to go to Eureka, so you won’t have any problems about the terms of your release.”

  “Her parents are still there then?”

  Jeremy opened the door and they stepped outside. A brisk breeze blew in Donovan’s face, bringing the scent of salt and fish. It should have felt rejuvenating, but he couldn’t drum up any excitement.

  “Why would Madeline’s parents leave her?” Jeremy asked.

  “No. I didn’t think they’d leave her. I figured they’d ship her body back to Utah.”

  “Her body...” Jeremy’s eyes widened. “I am so sorry. Madeline’s okay. Well, stable anyway. She’s not dead.”

  “She’s not?” Donovan let out a shaky breath, gripping Jeremy’s arm as relief made him weak in the knees. “I was so afraid the reason no one came to tell me was because they didn’t know how to break the news.”

  “Sorry, son. I figured you knew if she passed, I’d contact you straight away. There’s been little change, so I took
care of what I had to so we could get to her faster.”

  Jeremy pressed the button on his key fob to unlock the doors of his car, and Donovan climbed into the passenger seat. He buckled his seat belt and sagged in the chair.

  Maddie’s alive. Thank you, God.

  He glanced over at Jeremy when the other man climbed into the driver’s seat. “You said there’s little change. What, exactly, is going on with her?”

  Jeremy pulled the car onto the street, heading toward Donovan’s apartment. “She made it through the night and her dad said she’s a bit more stable. She’s still in the ICU though, and she’s in a coma.”

  “A coma? I thought she was stabbed and strangled. Why won’t she wake up?”

  “I’m not a doctor. I don’t know. Maybe she hit her head in the struggle or something.”

  Donovan drummed his fingers against his thigh, trying to contain the anger he felt. Suzie brutalized Maddie, and it was his fault. Donovan always knew Suzie was a woman he wouldn’t fall in love with, but dated her anyway. If only he’d understood about her mental illness and stayed away.

  “Am I going to be able to see Maddie today, if she’s still in intensive care?” he finally asked.

  “Her dad said if her vital signs remain stable, they’re moving her to a regular room in a few hours.” Jeremy turned into the parking lot at Donovan’s building. “He said we’re welcome to come up, and I told him we’d be there soon.”

  That was something positive, at least. He didn’t want to have to fight her family to see her, but it looked like he wouldn’t have to.

  Jeremy pulled into Donovan’s parking space and turned off the engine. “This might be the last thing you want to think about right now, but I’ve finished the arrangements for Maria’s funeral.”

  “Of course that matters. What do you need from me?”

  “The girls have really taken care of everything,” Jeremy said. “But it’s this Friday at two. I’d hoped you would be willing to leave Madeline long enough to come, sit with the family, and be a pallbearer. There’s going to be a dinner afterward, but if you need to get back to Madeline at that time, I’ll understand.”

  Donovan shook his head. “I’m yours for the whole day. Whether Madeline is awake or still in the coma,” and he wouldn’t consider the other possibility right now, that she might die, “I’ll be with you through everything.”

  “Thanks.”

  Donovan prayed Maria’s funeral was the last one he attended for a very long time.

  Chapter Twenty

  Donovan rolled over in bed. A quick look at the hotel room clock revealed he’d slept only two hours, but it was pointless to try longer. He was too worried.

  In the three weeks since Madeline’s attack, she hadn’t woken up. Donovan spent last night talking to her, begging her to come back to him, the same way he had most nights. Nothing made a difference.

  The phone on the nightstand rang, and Donovan fumbled to pick it up. “Hello?”

  “It’s Keith.”

  Donovan’s heart gave a jolt. He’d become well acquainted with Maddie’s father and knew he wouldn’t call unless it was important. “Is Maddie okay? She was breathing funny last night. The nurse said not to worry, but I can’t help—”

  “She’s awake, Donovan.”

  “Awake?” Donovan took a deep breath. Those marvelous words sunk in slowly, leaving a warm happiness throughout him. “I was starting to lose hope.”

  “Me too,” Keith admitted. “I’m so relieved. She pulled the feeding tube out, which caused quite the commotion, but she seems okay. They took her for tests. I thought you’d want to be here when she gets back.”

  A wide smile split across Donovan’s face. “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”

  “Don’t be quite so happy.” Keith chuckled. “She can’t remember what happened to her yet, but she certainly remembers fighting with you at the jail.”

  “I’ll make that up to her. She’ll forgive me eventually.”

  “That girl holds a grudge, always has. She might make you beg.”

  He would happily beg if that’s what it took. “Does your wife know?”

  “I called Karen first,” Keith replied. “There’s just one more thing.”

  His somber tone spurred a tendril of fear through Donovan’s spine. “Is something wrong?”

  “Not really wrong.” Keith sighed heavily. “She hasn’t seen her face.”

  Donovan pictured the angry red marks on Maddie’s cheeks. The left side wasn’t that bad. In a few more weeks, it would hardly be noticeable.

  The right side was another matter. The scar welted, leaving a large patch of ruined skin. No amount of makeup would hide it. The doctor told them plastic surgery might be able to reduce it somewhat, though Keith worried Madeline would panic when she saw it.

  “Has she asked anything about it?”

  “Not yet,” Keith replied. “She doesn’t remember the attack and hasn’t been near a mirror. I covered the ones in her room, and the nurse promised not to let her look at one yet.”

  It was good Keith didn’t tell Maddie about the attack. The doctor drilled it in all their heads that she might wake with amnesia, but it would likely be temporary. “You know you’re going to have to let her look.” Donovan’s breath hitched in his throat as he thought of what Suzie nearly did to her. The piece of glass could’ve blinded her. “If Maddie touches her face, she’s going to know something’s wrong.”

  “I wanted to wait until you and Karen got here. I think she’ll take it better if she’s surrounded by people who love her.”

  It felt good to be included in that group. Madeline’s parents interrogated him for several days over their relationship and Donovan’s true intentions. He figured they would hate him when they learned about his past with women, but he told them the absolute truth, not wanting them to hear it from someone else later. He also told them what he had come to realize—he was in love with their daughter.

  For some reason, her parents trusted him. Keith said as long as Donovan’s intentions were honorable, they would give him a chance. Just like that, the loving arms of Madeline’s family folded around him. Now, if she didn’t forgive him, he’d lose more than just her.

  Donovan ran a hand over his face, beating back that worry. Madeline wanted to give up all her money to get him out of jail. She wouldn’t have done that unless she really cared about him. Would she?

  Then again, that was before he threw her weight problem in her face—a weight problem she didn’t even have.

  “I’ll see you soon,” he told Keith.

  He could only apologize and hope she forgave him.

  ***

  Stacy, the nurse, wheeled Madeline’s gurney out of the CT room. She skillfully made her way through the people populating the hallway. With the head of the gurney propped up, Madeline watched the other patients as the nurse pushed her along the blue line marking their path.

  “Oh, Mommy,” a little girl said as they passed. She tugged on her mother’s shirt and pointed at Madeline. “Look.”

  It wasn’t the first time someone pointed at her in the hallway. She had received many long stares while waiting to go into the various testing rooms.

  Madeline tilted her head backward so she could see the nurse. “Is something wrong with me? Everyone’s staring.”

  Stacy slowed the gurney, pity filling her eyes. “You don’t remember anything yet about why you’re here?”

  Madeline shrugged. “I fought with Donovan. I remember slapping him.” She still wished she knew whether he meant those words. Dad said Donovan was in the hotel across the street and anxious to see her. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t care. Would he?

  Stacy slowly resumed walking, and Madeline looked back at the people wandering around. A few of them smiled, but as they got closer to her, their smiles faded to looks of dismay. She wished she knew what they saw. Dad wouldn’t tell her how she ended up in the hospital, but it must have been something major.r />
  “I’ve been in a coma for three weeks?” she asked, looking at the nurse again. “Can you tell me about it?”

  “Something happened to you the day after you saw your boyfriend.”

  Madeline raised an eyebrow. “My boyfriend?”

  “Mr. Andrews.” Stacy smiled, obviously charmed by him in the time Madeline had been out of the picture. “Anyway, you were injured and brought here.”

  As if I couldn’t figure that out for myself. “Got anything more helpful?”

  “I can tell you about the coma. You went into cardiac arrest in the ambulance, which caused your brain to swell from lack of oxygen.” She shook her head, keeping her eyes firmly on the hallway in front of them. “Your brain function was always good on the EEGs. You just sort of shut down until the swelling went away. Don’t worry, though. You probably won’t have any lasting ill effects.”

  “What caused me to go into cardiac arrest? Was I in a car accident?”

  Stacy took a few more steps without saying anything. She moved past Madeline to open a door. “Here we are, back in your room.” She shrugged. “Maybe those are questions you better save for your doctor, hmmm?”

  Madeline looked into the room. Her dad and Donovan stood in a cluster around her mom, who sat in the room’s only available chair.

  The nurse rolled the gurney next to the bed and helped Madeline scoot over. She picked up the combination call button/TV remote from the table, handing it to Madeline. “Call if you need anything. The doctor will be in later with your test results.”

  As soon as Stacy left, her mom jumped up from the chair and rushed to the side of the bed. She smoothed Madeline’s hair back and kissed her forehead. “You scared me to death, young lady. I told you it was too dangerous here!”

  Madeline tried to stifle her automatic sigh. “I’m okay, Mom. Although I’d feel better if someone told me what happened.”

  Karen rubbed her cheek. “Don’t you worry, sweetheart. The doctor said it’s normal to have memory problems, but it will probably come back to you.”