Bone Deep

by Debra Webb

  What had she expected? She had come here prepared for this very reaction. After all, she’d moved away years ago and had hardly visited. Deep down, she understood the shunning had nothing to do with her leaving or her staying gone, it was about the investigation she’d chosen to conduct. The people here didn’t want their town or its officials scrutinized. It would serve only one purpose in their eyes, to tarnish the prestigious image of Paradise.

  A tear slipped past her steel-like restraint and she quickly swiped it away. She didn’t care what these people thought. She wanted to know what had happened to her nephew and her sister. She would not rest until she had some answers. An innocent child was dead, so was his father, and her sister was trapped in a prison of her own making in the eyes of the powers that be. Jill would know the reason why before she was through, regardless of what any of these people thought.

  The next hand to touch hers was cold and tense.

  Jill’s gaze zeroed in on the nearest face in the long line. Connie. Her friend. Her confidant. A girl she’d loved at times more than her own sister.

  Connie smiled as tightly as the blur of faces that came before her and would have moved on if Jill had not held her back, clutching her hand with all her might. “Thank you for coming, Connie. You’re a good friend.”

  Eyes wide and brimming with her own tears, Connie rushed down the steps without even acknowledging Jill’s mother. Jill had been lying to herself. She did care what a few of these people thought, and Connie was one of them.

  At least now she knew where she stood.

  She had no friends left in Paradise.

  When it was finally over, the trip to the hospital started out in grave, empty silence. Claire surveyed the changes in the town like a child confused and frustrated by the remodeling of her room.

  “I didn’t realize how much things had changed.”

  Jill forced a smile. “Paradise is even lovelier than ever.”

  Oddly, her mother didn’t respond. The silence resumed.

  Claire didn’t speak again until they were in Kate’s hospital room. “Jesus in Heaven, how can this be my sweet Kate?” She drew a sharp breath, then let it out slowly as she shook her head in painful resignation.

  Jill realized then that her mother hadn’t expected it to be quite so bad. Kate lay there, the head of the bed elevated slightly, staring off into space. She didn’t acknowledge the presence of company or the sound of their voices. She just lay there, unaware that her son had been pronounced dead, that her husband was currently being dissected like a lab rat. And that most of the community had shown up for a memorial service to honor their passing.

  Tears burned the backs of her lids and Jill promised herself she would not cry again. It was enough. She was too tired to expend the necessary energy.

  Claire eased down on the side of the bed next to Kate and stroked her cheek. She hummed softly, a tune Jill recognized. Her mother had hummed or sang that sweet song to them whenever they were sick or hurt. She’d hold Jill or Kate, whichever needed her, and rock them gently in her arms, humming that unforgettable melody.

  Hush little baby... now don’t say a word...

  This time Jill didn’t bother fighting the tears. She didn’t have the strength.

  The door cracked open and one of the nurses stuck her head inside. “There’s someone here who’d like to speak with you, Ms. Ellington.”

  Jill knew the nurse was addressing her because she looked directly at her, but she couldn’t fathom who needed to speak with her. Everyone in town went out of their way to avoid her. Another stab of pain went through her at the thought of Connie’s slight.

  “I’ll be back, Mother,” she said, but Claire didn’t look up or stop her soft crooning.

  Jill knew it wouldn’t be Phillips waiting for her, he would have come into the room.

  Before heading back to the desk the nurse offered, “I’ll just put this stop under the door so it won’t lock on you.” She pulled a small rubber stop from her pocket and tucked it under the door to Kate’s room, leaving it open a few inches.

  “Thank you.” When the nurse was on her way, Jill turned to the man waiting in the corridor.

  Senator Wade, looking elegant in his expensive suit, smiled sympathetically. He’d spoken to Jill at the service, but there had been so many people his words had been brief, rushed. She hadn’t expected to see him here.

  She manufactured the expected smile. “Are you here to see Kate?”

  He glanced through the window, the same one where Jill had watched her sister that first day back in Paradise as the chief had relayed the unbelievable chain of events that had landed Kate here.

  “No, no,” Senator Wade said quickly. “I don’t want to intrude. I just wanted to tell you again how sorry I am that all this has happened.” He shook his head. “I can’t imagine the devastation that you and your mother are suffering right now. If the Judge were here, he’d be proud of you both for holding up so well under these tragic circumstances.”

  Jill forced herself to be cordial considering the chief was doing little to solve the circumstances and the senator apparently hadn’t noticed. “Thank you. I appreciate your saying so. We’re doing the best we can.”

  His posture changed and he sighed. He’d done his good deed for his grieving constituents. “Remember, Jill, if there is anything I can do, all you have to do is say the word.”

  A renewed jolt of fury made her reckless. “There is something,” she said, assuming the picture of innocence. She had to have the answer to this. Maybe it wasn’t the time or place but the question weighed heavily on her mind.

  “Anything,” he emphasized with a nod of that regal head.

  “Why is the Benford Chemical incident a secret in Paradise?”

  The flare of surprise in his expression was so subtle she almost missed it, his recovery was nothing short of masterful. “Why do you say it’s a secret?”

  Ah, good one. Answer a question with a question. The hallmark strategic maneuver of a thoroughbred politician.

  “Because I’d never heard of it and no one I knew growing up ever spoke of it. It just seems odd that no one talks about it or the fact that for years Benford seeped chemicals that posed the risk of sterility in humans.”

  “I don’t know why you’ve never heard of that ugly time in Paradise’s history, but I can tell you that the EPA spent a great deal of money cleaning up the mess. I suppose,” he offered with seemingly genuine intentions, “that most folks consider something as painful as that is better left in the past. Too close to the bone to speak of in public.”

  It was close to the bone all right. Jill fumed but she held her tongue until he finished.

  “The town council voted to leave the old building standing as a reminder of how very fragile life is and how fiercely we must protect it.”

  As with most answers given by politicians, she needed clarification. “So you’re saying that nothing came of it since the EPA cleaned up the mess.”

  “That’s correct,” he said emphatically. “Why, you must have noticed that Paradise’s population has never dwindled.”

  Yes, she had noticed that, but that didn’t answer her question. “Except for two years prior to the plant’s closing and another two years afterwards. There wasn’t a single birth in Paradise during those years. I checked.”

  He folded one arm over his chest and braced his elbow there, then tapped his lips with his forefinger as he pretended to consider her words. “I can’t answer that one for you. But I would imagine that during any town’s history there will be a dry spell from time to time. As a matter of fact, I remember a number of us, your father and mother included, had put off starting families until we were more settled career wise.” He laughed at his own faux pas. “In fact, it appears that I’ve put it off indefinitely.”

  The senator being in his late sixties, the same age as her father if he were still alive, she would have to agree with that particular conclusion. Strange, she decided, he showed not even
the slightest uneasiness at her pursuit of the subject.

  His smile beamed full force. “Of course I have dedicated myself to the state of Tennessee. I really haven’t had time for family commitments.”

  Though she would never admit it to him, Jill saw herself taking that same route. Phillips’ image flickered briefly, as if offering an alternative. She pushed the idea, as unexpectedly tempting as it was, away. Then again, what if she was infertile like her sister? She couldn’t think about that either. She had to focus. Maybe she and the senator had more in common than she’d realized. At least he was cordial to her and seemed sincerely concerned.

  “I should be on my way.” He squared his shoulders and gave her a nod. “You let me know if I can help in any way. I don’t mind being asked questions about anything that concerns you, Jill. Your father was my dearest friend and I won’t have you worrying about a thing.”

  She thanked him and watched as he strode away. Maybe she and Paul should lay all their cards on the table for the senator, get his take. And his help. Maybe he wasn’t even aware the chief was performing negligently where the murder investigation was concerned.

  Claire eased the door open and stepped into the corridor. “She’s sleeping, Jill. We might as well go on home.” Her mother looked exhausted and more defeated than she’d ever seen her.

  Jill looked longingly through the glass and said a quick silent prayer for Kate. The newest level of Kate’s nightmare had just begun. As if she’d telegraphed those thoughts, Kate suddenly turned her head and stared at Jill.

  Jill’s heart all but stopped as she watched her sister’s lips move. Whether it was Claire who reached for the door first or Jill, they both raced to Kate’s bedside.

  Kate turned to stare at them. “I took him some place safe.”

  Jill searched her sister’s battered face. “What’re you telling me, Kate? Did you take Cody some place safe?”

  “Just stop, Jillian,” Claire protested. “You have to stop this.”

  Kate’s expression grew slack and the light in her eyes dimmed. She was gone again. Back to that place inside her that no one could touch.

  Jill glared at her mother. “Are you satisfied?”

  They didn’t speak again as they exited the hospital. Jill was too furious. Claire was…God only knew what she was thinking or how she felt.

  Outside the air was thick with humidity. The interior of the car was an oven. With the air conditioning set to max, Jill’s thoughts turned to Paul as she pulled out onto the street. She couldn’t wait to get to him and tell him what Kate had said. Surely this confirmed what she had thought all along. Kate would never hurt her son. There had to be a third party—the person or persons who had done these awful things. The question Phillips had asked her before the service nudged at her again. She’d never considered why she and her sister were both right-handed. It wasn’t usually that way with identical twins. She’d read that somewhere. Maybe her parents had discouraged Kate’s use of her left hand, Jill had always been a rightie.

  She started to ask her mother, but her mother spoke first.

  “You can’t make anything of what she said, Jillian. Kate is very ill. She doesn’t even know what she’s saying.” Claire fidgeted with her purse.

  Fury lashed like a razor inside her and Jill bit her tongue to prevent saying too much. How could her mother be so blind? Not blind, no. She was hiding something.

  It was all connected. Everything. MedTech. Benford Chemical. Every-damned-thing. And somehow Claire knew how or why it connected. But how did Jill make her open up? The sooner they were home, behind closed doors, the better. One way or another she was going to get her mother to talk.

  “Don’t go so fast, Jill,” Claire pleaded. “You’re frightening me.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Mother. I’m driving the speed limit.”

  They were almost home. The Washington Street intersection was next. The light turned yellow then red. Jill braked. Nothing happened. Her heart stumbled.

  She stomped hard on the pedal.

  Like mush, it sank all the way to the floor, useless.

  Fear constricted her throat.

  Cars moved through the cross street and…she…could…not…stop.

  “Hold on!” She crammed her foot down on the emergency brake and swerved away from the traffic.

  Claire screamed.

  The force and sound of impact obliterated all else.

  Then the world went dark.

  Chapter 11

  Paul stood in the corridor outside the trauma room where the paramedics had taken Jill. Her mother was two doors down. Terror throbbed in his veins. A nurse or doctor or someone had tried to herd him back into the ER waiting area, but he’d refused to go.

  The cop covering the so-called accident had taken one look at the rage in Paul’s eyes and backed off. The paramedics had assured him that both Jill and her mother were okay, no serious injuries. But he wouldn’t be satisfied until he saw her with his own eyes. Until he touched her... held her in his arms.

  He closed his eyes and fought to keep it together.

  He couldn’t lose her.

  That realization startled him.

  A wayward neuron that misfired. A mental receptor that either absorbed too much or too little of a necessary chemical, triggering a primal response that he couldn’t deny. Panic hit him in the gut like a sledgehammer.

  He hadn’t wanted to come here. To take this case. But he’d done it to get Lawton off his back. What had he accomplished? Nothing. He was supposed to help but he hadn’t made a difference fast enough. Hadn’t kept Jill from harm. He didn’t care what the police called it... Paul knew deep in his gut that foul play was somehow involved. The evil smoldering here had touched her... almost stealing her life. Just one more reminder of the balance of power. They were in control. Paul and Jill were fighting an uphill battle where the ultimate stakes and the rules of engagement were unclear. At this point they couldn’t even name the bad guys.

  But the evil was close…Jill was standing on the edge of a deep, dark abyss. One he knew well. Too well.

  It wasn’t until he’d gotten the call about the accident that he’d realized just how deeply she’d gotten to him. He wanted Jill on a level he’d denied himself for so long he’d forgotten it was even there. He thought of the feel of her skin beneath his lips when he’d kissed her earlier today. Why hadn’t he driven them to the service? He swallowed hard, tasting the regret that served no purpose except to remind him that he was a fool too many times over.

  “Dr. Phillips?”

  His head came up at the sound of the nurse’s voice.

  “Yes.”

  She stood outside the door of Jill’s room. “You can go in now. The doctor would like to speak with you.”

  Renewed fear collided with the knot of anxiety in his gut. “Thank you.” He took a breath and opened the door. Jill was sitting on the exam table, smiling feebly, falsely. A fighter, he thought, she didn’t give up so easily.

  Uncertainty crushed in on his chest when he took in the whole picture. She had an angry red lump on her forehead above her left eye. Her neck and arms were covered in dried blood. Lots of it. His heart dropped to the floor.

  “Her mother had a laceration on her forehead near the hairline. That’s where the blood came from,” the doctor explained quickly.

  Paul nodded, relieved beyond words.

  His gaze locked with Jill’s watery blue eyes. “You okay?”

  Jill laughed a dry, aching sound, blinked several times and demanded, “Are you nuts, Phillips? I totaled my car and almost killed us both. Of course, I’m not okay.”

  He managed a smile. “I saw the car. Hell of a job you did on it.”

  She released a shaky breath. “I guess we were pretty lucky.” Her voice was a little thin, but steady.

  Damn lucky. “So what’s the prognosis, Doc?” He turned to the ER physician who’d waited quietly during their exchange. A spot or two of blood stained the right cuff of his l
ab coat. Mrs. Ellington’s, Paul assumed. That image nudged him. The feeling was a familiar one that usually warned of things to come. Bad things. It soured in his gut.

  “Shaken, but fine,” the doctor said, drawing Paul from the trance he’d suddenly drifted into. “The head injury is only a contusion. She’ll have a lot of bruising, especially where the seat belt held her in place. But, otherwise, she’s in remarkably good shape.”

  “And Mrs. Ellington?” Paul knew head injuries bled more than most, but the amount still concerned him. Images of Jill holding her mother in her arms until help arrived flashed in his brain. Made his chest tighten.

  “Shaken as well. Ten stitches near the hairline on the right side of her forehead. No broken bones, which was a concern since she’s a bit older. As soon as I’ve written the discharge orders, they’ll both be ready to go.”

  When the doctor left the room, Paul moved closer to the patient. “You scared the hell out of me.”

  She swiped at her tears and blew out a ragged breath. “Scared myself.”

  “What happened?” He wanted to touch her. No, he wanted to put his arms around her and hold her. But first, he had to know what took place in that car. If his instincts were on target, the enemy had just issued a major warning.

  “I was in a hurry.” She shrugged, then winced. “I wanted to get back to you and tell you what happened at the hospital. But I wasn’t speeding. The light changed at the Washington Street intersection…I couldn’t stop.” Her shoulders sagged and she closed her eyes wearily.

  He’d known it. Dammit! His tension shot to a higher station. “What do you mean, you couldn’t stop?”

  “The pedal went all the way to the floor. Nothing. No brakes.”

  “But you did brake, I saw the skid marks.”

  “The emergency brake.” Fear glittered in her eyes as she obviously relived those terrifying moments. “It didn’t slow us much, but it lessened the impact when we hit that brick wall.”

  The car had careened between two vehicles in the cross street, barely clipping one, and then slammed broadside into the brick retaining wall that bordered a residential lawn. The passenger side had been the one to hit the wall. Every time Paul pictured the scene he realized how much worse it could have been.