Shattered Treasure

by Cindy Patterson

“It was a she?”

  Before he knew what was happening, Logan’s lips expanded into a smile.

  Matt punched the door. “I knew it.”

  “Hey. Easy on the cruiser.”

  “Where?”

  “She was leaning against a book-case and looked as if she would faint. So, I did the only thing I could. I stopped her from falling. Literally.” Logan glanced at Matt. “Before you say anything else, I don’t know her name.”

  “How did you of all people let her go without getting a name?”

  “I didn’t pull her over, I was just helping her. I’ll probably never see her again.”

  “Of course, you’ll see her again.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because you don’t miss anything. If she’s ever in the same vicinity of you, you’ll find her.”

  Logan wouldn’t breathe a word to Matt, but he would definitely be searching.

  “Man, I can’t believe you didn’t get her name.”

  Matt was almost as excited as he was. But not quite. He could still picture her lips flattened into a thin line. He had been watching her when she tilted forward then back. She had taken full blame as if she’d done something wrong. It was in her unnecessary apologies. It was in the shame written all over her face.

  Their very first call of the morning took them across town to assist with a simple traffic stop that had escalated into a vehicle search with several occupants. At their arrival, Logan approached one of the passengers ready to assist in detaining.

  He counted fifteen more calls, ranging from domestic violence to public intoxication before he parked the cruiser at the station as their shift ended at four o’clock.

  “I just don’t get it.”

  “What’s that?”

  “All the drugs and alcohol.” Logan stared ahead, not bothering to snuff out his irritation. “Three DUIs by noon is ridiculous. I honestly thought there’d be less during daylight hours.”

  “At least we prevented three potential accidents.”

  His heart gave a stiff kick. He’d seen enough accidents that weren’t prevented and too many involving a mind-altering substance.

  “I’ll see you later, man.” Matt punched his arm. “Good luck finding she.”

  “Who?”

  “She! That girl you’ve been trying to forget all day.”

  Logan couldn’t help but laugh. It was true. “We still cooking out at your place tomorrow night?”

  “Yes, sir. Shelley sent me a text earlier. She’s already been to the grocery store.”

  “Okay, great. I’ll bring the usual.”

  “Maybe you’ll find she, so you can bring her.” Matt’s smug look of satisfaction deepened.

  “You need to stop. See you at practice.”

  Addison stood outside at the end of the day and leaned against the elementary school building; her gaze lifted toward the sky. Clouds shuffled about, obscuring the sun.

  Taylor called to her from across the lawn. “My car’s over there.”

  Addison met her in the parking lot. “Thanks for taking me home. Can you share some of that good mood of yours?”

  Taylor’s gaze softened. “Today’s Casey’s birthday.”

  Eyes averted, Addison squirmed, fighting the emotion bubbling in her chest.

  “I’ve been thinking about her all morning.”

  Addison placed a hand on Taylor’s arm. “You’re such a good friend.”

  “I haven’t done anything.”

  “And that’s why you’re so special. Where’re you guys going tonight?”

  Taylor tilted her head and frowned. “I don’t know yet. I wish you were coming.”

  “Me too. I’m surprised Philip invited me. He even picked me up this morning and brought me a dozen red roses.” It didn’t matter that, before she got a good look, he gave them to Aunt Brenda. Still, maybe he was finally coming around. Maybe things could go back to the way they were before.

  A tense smile played on Taylor’s lips. “That was nice of him. You could come with us and meet him later?”

  Addison didn’t miss the slight thread of sarcasm. They’d had their share of arguments over Philip. “I wish I could. Maybe next time.”

  “I need you there. I’m so nervous. What if Michael doesn’t show up?”

  The idea of feeling nervous about a date with Philip was foreign. It had been years since she’d felt that way.

  “Don’t worry. I think he really likes you.” Addison laced her arm through Taylor’s.

  “I don’t know.”

  “He does. I see the way Michael looks at you.” The same way she longed for someone to look at her. The same way that guy had looked at her this morning making her pulse skip all over the place. Even now.

  Taylor’s lips twisted into a one-sided smile. “How do you know how he looks at me?”

  “You’re my best friend. I have to know these things. It’s my job.”

  Taylor’s words jumbled into a pile of thoughts of Michael as they walked across the parking lot. Addison didn’t understand why they acted so silly. It was only a date. She’d never acted that way over Philip. Well, maybe she had at first. But that seemed so long ago. And it never lasted, at least not that she could remember.

  “I ran into someone this morning.” Addison’s spirit lifted despite the fact she knew nothing about the stranger.

  “With Philip’s truck?”

  “No.” A shudder traveled through her middle. What’s wrong with me? “We bumped into each other. It was more like I fell into him, or he kept me from falling.” She couldn’t remember exactly what had happened.

  “You mean like a guy?”

  It was definitely a guy. And she couldn’t stop thinking about the way he had looked at her.

  “Who was it?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never seen him before.”

  “What did he look like?”

  The perfect kind of gorgeous. “I don’t know. He was tall.”

  “That’s it? Come on. You have to give me something.”

  “Okay, okay. He had the darkest brown eyes I’ve ever seen.”

  Taylor’s eyes brightened. “We have to find him.”

  “What? No.” She shouldn’t be encouraging this. Or thinking about this. About him. But she couldn’t stop. It was something positive. Something better.

  “Are you crazy? This is the first guy you’ve mentioned since you’ve been dating that ... jerk.” Before Addison could find her tongue, Taylor resumed. “What? My opinions are based only on what you’ve told me and what I’ve seen with my own eyes. He treats you like you’re his property, not like he should, or you deserve.”

  Taylor was right. Addison couldn’t remember the last time she’d had anything good to say. Until today.

  She should’ve left Philip a long time ago. After the first time she caught him with someone else. After the first time he rough-handled her. But she felt trapped. They had been friends for twelve years, dated for six. He was the only boyfriend she’d ever had. The only one who had been there for her when things were so horrible at home. He promised to never hurt her again, and it had been months since he’d lost his temper.

  “Where were you exactly when you fell into this mysterious guy?”

  “Taylor, stop. Philip ...”

  “Philip, Philip, Philip ... He will not ruin this for me.”

  “I was in the campus library, but it doesn’t matter. I’m giving Philip one more chance.”

  Incredulous, Taylor exhaled hard.

  “I promise. This is the last time.”

  “Okay. But in the meantime, we will find this tall, dark brown-eyed man. Even if we have to camp out at the library.”

  Warmth kindled at the thought of seeing the guy again. Addison scolded herself. How could she even consider such ridiculous thoughts? She didn’t even know him. Besides, Philip showed up this morning with flowers, drove her to class, and invited her to the party. Still, she couldn’t shake the image she had so blatantly a
bsorbed this morning. Those dark brown eyes that seemed almost fixated on her. The same look she had longed to see in Philip’s eyes for years. Maybe a drink would give her that same feeling toward Philip she’d been fighting all day.

  “Why aren’t you riding home with Philip?”

  “He has practice. I’m meeting him later.”

  Addison arrived at the fraternity house two hours later than planned. And the nudging rejection that frequented her thoughts lately crept in again. Philip hadn’t even bothered to check on her.

  People crowded the entryway leading into the house. Unease chiseled at the tender places of her aching heart.

  What am I doing here?

  She needed this, their relationship needed this, she kept reminding herself. She pushed through the front door and wiggled past the flood of tangled bodies, searching for Philip.

  It would do no good to ask if anyone had seen him. The college students surrounding her, most of them rude and obnoxiously drunk, barely noticed her presence. Addison looked through the mass of students, but there were too many to see past the group.

  The stench of alcohol, sweating bodies, and the smoky haze that hung in the air produced a coughing spell. If she wasn’t careful it could easily convert into a bout of gagging.

  Addison pressed through a group laughing near the refreshment table and then she finally spotted a familiar face.

  The girl from her public speaking class last year squeezed into the tight space and faced her. “You’re the last person I ever expected to see here.” She rolled her eyes in a disapproving sort of way. “I’m Amber, by the way.”

  “I’m Addison.” She cast a quick glance behind her, resuming her search. “I’m meeting my boyfriend.”

  Amber made a spitting sound. “You’re dating one of these guys?”

  What did she mean by that? Addison staggered backward, bumping into a sweaty body behind her.

  “Hello there, baby. What’s your name?” Turning, Addison pretended not to hear the guy speaking to her.

  “See what I mean? I pictured you with someone ... different ... more reserved ... anyone other than these clowns.”

  Philip wasn’t like these guys. He was different. Wasn’t he? Instead of dwelling on the girl’s questions, Addison asked her own, “What’re you doing here?”

  “My roommate wanted to come for a few minutes. I’m making sure she stays out of trouble.”

  Desperate to escape Amber’s intimidating gaze and ease her scratchy throat with something cool and wet, Addison grabbed a cup and filled it with red liquid from the punch bowl.

  Taking a long sip, Addison felt immediate relief and glanced at the balcony above her.

  She’d been here only five minutes, including the time it took to get inside. And already she wanted to give up and leave. She should’ve never come.

  “You drink?”

  “No.” She never imagined the girl she barely knew would be so judgmental. It was irritating. Especially since she still hadn’t found Philip. “He must’ve already left.”

  Gulping another mouthful, she searched upstairs again.

  “If you’re not used to drinking, you should—”

  Addison took another sip relishing the soothing sensation as the liquid traveled down her throat. Then Philip walked from a room upstairs, tucking in his shirt.

  “The punch is spiked.”

  Amber’s warning fell on partially deaf ears as a blonde followed Philip from a room and pressed against him. Bile rose in the back of Addison’s throat mixing with the liquid contents she’d just forced into her body.

  Addison gaped at the two of them, standing together, too close. Philip twisted and faced the girl, then tugged at the tail of her shirt before pressing his mouth against hers.

  The room spun as white dots flashed before Addison’s eyes. She thrust the cup onto the table and the remaining liquid splashed onto her hand. Not looking back, Addison pushed her way toward the front door.

  “Where’re you going?” Amber’s voice carried over the clatter of music, slurred speech, her racing pulse.

  Addison hurried through the front door, blood rushing to her head, the cool air jolting as she reached the front lawn.

  Running toward her car, resounding questions detonated through her head. How could he? Why hadn’t she broken up with him already? Taylor was right.

  Tears blurring her vision, she slammed the car into drive and sped away. She drove unaware of her surroundings, alert only to the tormenting voices in her head. Harsh wails lunged from her throat, the sound deafening to even her. She could end this all right now. To never see Philip again, to never have to face the questioning, judgmental glances of her peers. Their accusations that somehow, someway, she should’ve been able to stop Casey from losing her life to a drunk driver. The driver she should’ve stopped her sister from leaving with.

  All the loose ends of her life spiraled into a dusty haze. The images played through her mind out of order, and she tried to categorize them. Casey chasing her through the snow. Young summer love promising the world. Dark brown eyes threatening to swallow her whole on a face she would never forget.

  The wooziness grew worse and fear gripped her. She was losing control. Addison pressed the brake, but it was too late. Grabbing the steering wheel with both hands, she wavered as darkness seized her.

  Addison opened her eyes, her head pounding. The seat belt pinned her against the seat as the stench of the airbag’s powder filled the car, burning her lungs.

  Trees surrounded her car, and a murky fog filled the night air. Sirens blared and lights flashed from every direction as rescue vehicles pulled to a stop in front of her car. Her stomach lurched.

  How long had she been sitting here?

  Smoke drifted from a white car wrapped around a light post. “Oh no!” she screamed.

  A fireman yanked on her door until it opened. “Are you all right?”

  Addison touched her face, feeling a wet warmth oozing around her ear. She pulled her hand away, the sight of blood, the smells, the sounds nauseating her. Staring ahead, she was unable to force an audible answer.

  “Can you hear me, miss?” He yelled across the field. “Davis, I need help over here.” The fireman wiggled her seatbelt until it unsnapped, and the leather band slipped into place, the sound oddly loud. “Does anything feel broken?”

  “I don’t know.” She closed her eyes a moment, hoping to clear the blurred haze. Blinking, she braced herself for the next bout of dizziness. “I don’t feel good.”

  Another fireman and two EMTs appeared, one carrying a white board. “She’s conscious?”

  “Yes,” he told the others before returning his attention to her. “Just relax, honey, we’re going to lift you onto the gurney.”

  The first man strapped something against her neck and pulled the seat back. In one fluid motion, they lifted her from the car. She stared into the inky night sky trying to remember how this happened.

  Two officers arrived and searched her car while the EMTs pushed her toward the ambulance’s blinking, bright lights. They were searching for evidence, she assumed, but there was none. She’d only taken a couple of sips. Her pulse raced. The spiked punch. Had that been enough to impair her? Something had happened—something terrible. She’d blacked out.

  The right side of her car was crammed inward, her windshield busted. And the other car; it was nearly unrecognizable.

  An uncomfortable twist squeezed her belly. This was her fault.

  The EMT stared down at her. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Dizzy and nauseated.” Her voice sounded husky, like she hadn’t spoken in days.

  Her tears fell unwillingly as she glanced again toward the wreckage splayed out in front of her. The only sound she could muster was a broken hiccup.

  Addison searched the area for a sign of the other driver. Long, blonde hair spilled over another stretcher’s rim. A woman crying hysterically stood over the girl.

  The girl hadn’t moved. Addison c
losed her eyes against the flashing lights, the broken girl, and the woman crying as stark pain seared through her head.

  2

  Logan parked at his apartment just before midnight and leaned against the leather seat, exhausted.

  A yawn escaped as he stared up at the balcony leading to his front door. His cell phone beeped. Feeling around the floorboard, Logan retrieved it. Three missed calls. All from his mother. He must’ve dropped it earlier and, with the radio blaring, hadn’t heard it ringing.

  At the sound of her frantic voice, heaviness settled in his stomach.

  She spilled only a few minor details. Logan listened as she told him where to come when he arrived at the hospital.

  “What happened?” He wanted more information … some reassurance, but she didn’t budge.

  “I’ll tell you everything when you get here. Please drive carefully.”

  Before Logan could take a deep breath, a text from his best friend materialized. Call me immediately.

  Dazed, he grabbed his car keys and restarted the engine. The speakers erupted with screeching notes from a Led Zeppelin song and, with a quick twist, he silenced the volume, then called his best friend. “Matt?”

  “There was an accident. Ami—”

  “How bad is it?”

  “You should get to the hospital.”

  “I’m already on the way. What happened?”

  “I wasn’t there. Captain asked me to call you but didn’t have any details.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Logan stepped into the emergency room and headed straight for the receptionist. The stench of the waiting room, the sight of patients and their companions slumped in chairs, nauseated him. He reached the receptionist’s desk and pressed his hands against the counter. “Ami Tant?”

  The woman studied the computer screen, never making eye contact. “I’ll call someone out here to meet you. Have a seat. It’ll be a few minutes.”

  Logan paced in front of the glass doors leading down a long hallway. People crowded the area, lost in their own thoughts, perhaps lost in prayer. He had prayed from the moment he spoke to his mom, but his jumbled words fell flat, didn’t seem strong enough. His gaze veered from the glass doors as he closed his eyes, but just as they opened, his mother walked through. He rushed toward her, and his pulse raced as fresh tears leaked from her eyes and she collapsed into his arms.