by Amy Shannon
“For what? Getting shot?”
“No, making you go to the diner. I heard what happened from the police. They talked with me at the hospital before I could leave. I was just gonna get my stuff and make sure you were all right.”
“Brennan, uh, Ralph, you’re not fired, unless you wanna be.”
“I like working here.”
“How’s the arm?” Aggie asked.
“Sore, and they gave me painkillers and antibiotics. I haveta wear this sling for a week or so, and physical therapy. The bullet went through it but it was through my muscle or somethin’. Hurts like heck,” he sighed.
“Get some rest, and don’t come back ‘til you’re better,” Jake said.
“I can work, just can’t type too fast.”
“We’re all taking the week off,” Jake nodded. “Get your things and go home and rest. Aggie and I will check on you later.”
“Thank you, sir.” Ralph said. “I did hear that Ranger Sullivan was in surgery. I didn’t get to ask about the other detectives.”
“We’re going to the hospital now,” Jake explained. “Take care of yourself. We’ll bring you some supper and make sure you’re all right. You live alone, right?”
“Yes, I doubt Lorraine will wanna date me now. I’m a coward. I ran out of there. I shoulda stayed.”
“You weren’t a coward. You saved your life. The other hostages are fine. Sully and I were the only ones hit,” he looked at the blood on his arm and the hole in his jacket.
“You didn’t tell me you were shot,” Aggie said. “I didn’t know that was your blood.”
“It’s just a scratch,” Jake grunted. “Ralph, we’ll check on you later.”
“Yes, sir,” Ralph picked up his bag on his desk and headed out of the agency.
Jake looked at Aggie. “It’s just a scratch. I do need a new jacket, I guess,” he picked up his Stetson on the desk, and put it on his head. “We should go.”
“And when we’re there, I’m gonna examine that arm.”
“If you insist,” he sighed heavily, picking up his go-bag, and stuffing his cell phone in his bag. He flung it over his shoulder.
As they were leaving the agency, Jake noticed Joe Abrams slowly approaching them. “Hold on a sec,” he walked over to Joe. “Ranger Abrams?”
The man snickered lightly. “Haven’t been called that in years.”
“I’m sorry. I shoulda called you that before. Are you all right? I know you were in the diner.”
“I’m fine. I was just wonderin’ somethin’. That guy, that Robinson, I’ve seen him ‘round town. He live ‘round here?”
“Uh huh, Parks Lane. Why?”
“He killed my brother, didn’t he?”
“Uh huh, part of his demented plan. I’m sorry. I reckon he was tryin’ to get my attention or somethin’. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner, but I’m sorry ‘bout your brother. I didn’t know him, but I’m aware of your reputation, and his.”
“He was a good man,” Joe sighed. “Mr. Dalton, you’re a good man, too. You saved us, even though that guy was nuts. I just wanted to thank you.”
“I hope it’s over.”
“It may not be?” Joe asked.
“Oh, we know what he did but there may be more people he did it with, or who helped him.”
“I knew Dr. Jones,” he said.
“You knew him?”
“He used to work at the clinic. You know, the one that all the cops were at today.”
“Tell me about the clinic.”
“It was like urgent care or emergency clinic, and offered free services for those that couldn’t afford it. They had regular docs and psych docs. Dr. Edmund Jones was the psych doc, and he had a wife, Dr. Louise Parker. There were a few nurses that also worked there, as well as a social worker. My brother and I moved here after he was injured, and I took a deputy job so I could support us. We lived together ‘til he died. He didn’t deserve to die and be buried all cut up. It’s just not right.” Joe sighed heavily, almost choking on the tears he refused to let fall. “Thanks for getting his killer.”
“You’re welcome,” Jake nodded. “I wish ..,” he stopped when he realized there was nothing else he could say to ease what Joe was feeling.
Joe nodded to Jake, “Mr. Dalton,” and then to Aggie, tipping his baseball cap, “Ma’am.” Then he turned around and slowly walked down the street.
Jake walked over to Aggie. “I’ve got an old friend to talk with.” They walked toward his truck in the driveway.
31
Jake followed Aggie into the main lobby of General Memorial Hospital, removing his Stetson and carrying it in his hand. Aggie took his hand, as they walked over to the receptionist. “Hi, Elena, can you tell me where they have Edward Sullivan?”
“He was the ranger that was shot today, right?” the blonde woman looked up, as she typed on her keyboard. “He’s in recovering right now. Dr. Laskey is his surgeon.”
“All right, thanks,” she said. “Oh, any word on the detectives?”
“Both are in stable condition, and they’re in the same room, room 410,” she said. “I hear a lot sitting here. Police have been in and outta here all day. Dr. Constantine, are you all right?”
“Uh huh, working hard,” she smiled. “Been very busy at the morgue,” she looked at Jake. “Let’s go find Dr. Laskey.” They headed down the corridor to the elevators.
Jake and Aggie walked off the elevator on the fourth floor. “I think recovery is this way, but let’s find Dr. Laskey,” she looked at the signs that indicated the direction of the recovery room, doctors’ offices, and operating rooms. “This way,” they walked down the corridor toward a sign labelled Dr. Ryan Laskey. She knocked on the closed door.
“Yes?” a deep voice came from inside the office.
“It’s Dr. Constantine. Do you have a minute for me?”
The door opened and the older man, still wearing dark blue scrubs, smiled lightly. “Dr. Constantine, do I know you?”
“Uh, I’m not sure. I’m the county M.E. This is Jake Dalton,” she stopped.
“Oh, yes, Mr. Dalton, I’ve heard about you. Good things. From the cops that are all over the hospital. What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering on Edward Sullivan’s condition. I heard he was in recovery.”
“He’s not a patient of yours, so what’s with the questions?”
“He’s my friend,” Jake explained. “I was wondering when he’d be up to talking to me.”
“You’re his friend? Oh, right, he was muttering about being sorry to Dalton. I guess that’s you.”
“Uh huh,” Jake nodded. “Is he gonna be all right?”
“Yes, he was lucky. The bullet in the back nicked his lung and splintered a rib, but that was it. He’ll be in recovery for another hour and then he's being moved to a regular room, on the third floor. Room 304. You’re welcome to see him then.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Jake shook his hand.
“Glad I could help,” he said, walking back into his office.
Aggie led Jake to the elevators. “Let’s get some coffee and check in on the detectives before you see Sully.”
“Cafeteria?”
“Sure,” she said, as she pressed the button for the elevator.
“You OK, Doc? You seem kinda quiet. Oh, I get it.”
“What’s that? What do you get?”
“That you miss being a doctor at a hospital,” he kissed her cheek as they walked on the elevator.
“You think that’s it?” she raised her eyebrow, as they turned and faced the closing doors.
“It’s not?”
“Oh, it is, but I didn’t realize I was so transparent.”
“You’re not. I’ve just gotten to know you. Doc, I’ve memorized every look on your face, and when I’m working for you, I’m thinking about you.”
“Flirt,” she lay her head against his arm.
Jake knocked on the open door of 304, and then walked in the single-bed roo
m. He walked around the green and orange curtain that hung from its rails. “Sully?”
Sully lay in bed, his eyes closed, and tubes and wires connected to his body. He opened his eyes. “Dalton, you’re here,” he gulped.
“How ya feelin’?”
“Back hurts like I got hit with a damned bull horn,” he muttered. “I’m sorry about gettin’ you in the middle of this.”
Jake pulled up a chair and sat down, placing his hat in his lap. “You just rest.”
“I guess I’m not myself, huh?”
“I’m just glad that you’re gonna be OK. I always knew you were a tough old man, but this just proved it.”
“I heard what he was sayin’, is it true?”
“Not sure about the stuff about Elaine, but stalking me, and Aggie, yeah,” he said. “You’re not working with this psycho, are you?”
“No, never.” Sully pressed the button and raised his head. “He was right. I am a friggin’ drunk. I’ll stop. I promise. Dalton, uh, Jake, I don’t wanna lose your friendship.”
“If you wanna stop drinkin’, you can get help. You can’t do it on your own. I didn’t know it was bad.”
“That’s why I was put on cold cases,” he sighed. “I wasn’t drinkin’ on the job, but I guess I was hungover a lot.”
“Did you have contact with Robinson?”
“Some anonymous phone calls about the girls in Austin being related to new killings in Clarksville. I opened the old cases and put everything together to bring to you. He didn’t mention you. I swear. He just mentioned about the cases being related. That’s it. I swear on Rudolph’s life.”
“Your dog?”
“Yep, please, Dalton. I’d never lie ‘bout that.”
“I believe you. Don’t worry about Robinson, he’s under arrest. The sheriff and feds can fight over what happens next.”
“What ‘bout you?”
“What about me?”
“What do you do next?”
“I just work my future cases. They’re still looking into seeing if there’s another accomplice.”
“I’m tired, but, Jake, I am sorry.”
“Get better. I promise,” he sighed, standing up. “Oh, one more thing. Robinson said you had a connection with the very first victim. If I remember correctly, her name was Maude. Maude Larson.”
“I don’t know her, personally, but my wife did. She was a friend of Katie’s for years. Katie was long dead by the time the first victim showed up. How’d Robinson know that?”
“Probably research or whatever. One thing I can give that psycho credit for, he did his homework, on all of us, just to get under our skin. Now, I’m done with it. I’m diggin’ him out and washin’ my hands of this mess.”
“Good. So, what ‘bout you and me?”
“We’re still friends, and you should really think about staying longer.”
“Staying longer? I thought you wanted me gone.”
“I don’t want you gone,” he sighed. “I kinda liked having you ‘round, helping me. If you don’t wanna stay, it’s OK. I’m sure you wanna get back to Austin.”
“What the hell would I do here?”
“I’m sure we could think of somethin’,” he smiled. “Sully, get better. I’ll come by tomorrow,” he extended his hand, and Sully shook it. Jake left the room.
32
Jake and Aggie carried two canvas tote grocery bags into Jake’s home. He took off his Stetson and placed it on the shelf. “He looks good, right?” Jake asked, walking down the hall to the kitchen.
Aggie followed him, setting the bags on the kitchen table. “Yes, Ralph looks good. He just needs some rest, just like you.”
“I don’t know if I could sleep,” he sighed.
“Well, what you should do,” she smiled. “Is go take a shower and change. I’ll get supper started. Go on,” she raised herself up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Supper will be ready by the time you get out.”
“All right, Doc, if you’re sure,” he sighed.
“I don’t say what I don’t mean. There’s nothing else you can do tonight except let me cook supper, and you take a shower.”
“If the sheriff calls ...”
“Go take a shower. They’ll all be busy all night. You did your job. You caught my stalker and you caught a serial killer. Let them deal with the evidence, processing, and convictions.”
Jake nodded and then took off his jacket. “Damn, gotta get this hole fixed.”
“You’re lucky it was just a scratch,” she touched his left arm, where the sleeve was cut, exposing his bandage. “Don’t get that wet.”
“I won’t,” he walked down the hall, hung up his jacket, and then took off his cowboy boots. He headed back down toward the kitchen, watched Aggie for a few minutes while she prepared supper, and then he went into his bedroom, carefully stripping his clothes. He tossed them into the hamper and walked into the bathroom.
After supper, the couple walked into the living room, and sat on the sofa. Jake took Aggie’s hand. “I hope this is over.”
“What?”
“Not us, but this case,” he sighed.
“It is. It is for us,” she looked into his eyes. “I’m glad it’s over. I can finally breathe. I can live my life, and, Jake,” she reached up and touched his cheek. “What happens next?”
“Next?” Jake leaned into her breath.
“Next,” she whispered, leaning into his mouth, kissing him softly.
“Uh, us, together,” he stumbled on his words. “Doc, you make me nervous.”
“I do?”
“Uh huh, I can’t stop thinking about you, and when you’re with me, you make me nervous. I don’t wanna screw this up,” he sighed.
“You couldn’t possibly screw it up,” she said. “I like you, cowboy, and I like being with you. I couldn’t wait ‘til we weren’t being watched or talking about dismembered girls,” she lay back in his arms, laying her head on his shoulder. “I wanna be here with you.”
Jake pulled her close as he sat back against the sofa. “I like you, too, Doc. A lot,” he whispered. “Probably more than I even know.” His voice trailed off.
She looked up at him, as he fell asleep. She pulled the blanket off the back of the sofa, and covered them both up. She curled her legs up underneath her and enjoyed the warmth and safety of Jake’s arms.
The next morning, Jake woke up on the sofa, covered by his blanket. He sat up quickly, and eyed the clock. Eight AM. Goddammit! I’m late. He stood up, folding the blanket, and headed down the hall to the kitchen. “Doc?”
“I got your normal breakfast order at the bakery,” she pointed to the plate that had cinnamon donuts and the everything bagels piled on it. “I made coffee,” she handed him a mug.
“I seem to be missin’ somethin’ here.”
“You fell asleep on the sofa. I didn’t wanna wake you. Do you remember last night?”
“We had supper, and we were in the living room, oh,” he sighed. “Doc, I’m sorry.”
“For what?” She sipped her coffee, and sat down at the kitchen table.
“Fallin’ asleep before telling you somethin’,” he pulled out a chair and sat down.
“What did you wanna tell me?”
“How much I care about you,” he sighed. “It wasn’t always easy for me to say what’s on my mind. Sometimes I stay in my head too much. I care about you, and I do like you. More than like you. I’m enamored by you, and that’s one of those big words I don’t usually say. I like to think I’m a pretty simple guy, but I don’t think that’s true.”
“I like you, too, Jake. I liked spending the night with you, and soon, I’d like to spend it with you, in your bed.”
“My, uh, bed?”
“Unless you wanna be in my bed,” she smiled.
He reached over and touched her face. “How do you feel about an early morning nap?” He set his mug on the table, and took hers from her hand, setting it also on the table.
“A nap?”
“I’d like to show you my room, but give you the complete tour,” he took her hands as they stood up.
“I’d like that,” she followed him into his bedroom.
He kicked the door closed with his foot, and gazed down at her. “I haven’t been with anyone since way before my divorce.”
“That’s all right, it’s been longer for me,” she whispered, pulling his head close to hers, kissing him softly.
He led her to the bed, both of them stripping themselves of their clothes. She sat down on the bed and Jake sat next to her. “Doc, when I said I more than liked you, I meant it,” he put his arm around her, pulling her close to his body.
“I feel it, too,” she whispered, leading him to lay on the bed.
He rolled gently on top of her, covering them both with the blanket. He looked down into her eyes. “Doc, I love you.”
33
Jake and Aggie sat down at the table, and Jake took her hand. “Uh, you OK? You’ve been quiet, since, uh ...”
Her cheeks reddened, “it was wonderful,” she smiled. “I never felt like that before. Ever. I guess I was slightly worried about after.”
“Well, I’d like to sit here, and look at you while we eat breakfast,” he reached over and touched her cheek.
“I’d like that,” she touched his hand that lay on her cheek.
“Do you haveta work today? You made me take the week off, so I’m kinda free.”
“I may be called in, I don’t know what they got from the scene, but I also had some help, thanks to your connections.”
“I wonder what they found at his house,” Jake sipped his coffee. “I don’t wanna think about it, but I’m curious. I know the case for me is closed but for law enforcement, it’s just the beginning.”
“You wanna call Nels?”
“Maybe in a little while. I’m sure they’re busy,” he sipped his coffee. “This isn’t how I expected this to end.”
“Me either, but I’m glad he’s been caught. I guess I haveta live my life differently now.”
“What do you mean?” he took a cinnamon donut and broke it into pieces, popping one of the pieces in his mouth.