by Denise Daisy
She scolded her wandering thoughts and forced her mind back to her daughter. What if Felicitas was somewhere hurt? The information coming out about David was sketchy; there was no mention of Felicitas whereabouts. What if something dreadful had happened to her too? What if she was a victim in this whole ordeal? What if she were lying dead in a field somewhere? After all Detective Russell had reason to believe she was involved in the shooting along with her mother and another man. Had she become so distant from her daughter that she was oblivious to whom Felicitas had befriended recently? What kind of people carry guns and shoot innocent kids?
A trace of resentment toward her husband began to steal into her thoughts. She watched him from the back seat, monopolizing the conversation with the Detective. He was discussing the latest football game and didn’t seem the least concerned about his missing daughter. She could only imagine how he would put on a somber expression once they reached the hospital and were in the company of David’s mother and anyone else who happened to be present. She secretly called it his photo op face.
Sharon glanced over at Ian who was sharing the back seat with her. He had insisted on coming and to her surprise Melvin had agreed wholeheartedly. Ian had also showed them a text he had received from David less than an hour before he was shot. The message was haunting suggesting Felicitas was in the company of the man who might have impregnated her and she could understand Ian’s need to face him. Her heart went out to him; she figured the whole situation must be terribly painful for him.
Ian turned to face her and gave her a sympathetic smile. She almost felt guilty for the times she wished her daughter would date someone other than a struggling musician. She had hoped Felicitas would fall in love with a man who could take care of her in the way she was accustomed but Felicitas never cared about those things. She had always been a believer in Ian’s talent and was sure his band would make it big one day. Now, as Sharon rode out to uncertainty she wished more than anything Felicitas had feelings for Ian and not some devious stranger none of them knew.
Her head throbbed at the thought of seeing her mother again after this time. Eleven years had passed since the night an argument erupted and Melvin insisted they leave and never return. She had forced herself to forget that night, taking captive any memory of it that tried to surface and forcing it out of her head. But today, nothing could hold back the force that was excavating it from the place it was buried.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
After seven hours of surgery the doctor emerged from the operating room with the grim news that David was stable but nowhere near out of danger. He needed better care than the small country hospital could offer; however, the doctor did not recommend moving him at this time since he was in such critical condition. They were keeping him in a medically induced coma so his body could regenerate for optimum healing.
After delivering the news the doctor allowed Meredith to go back and see her son. At the same time the Sherriff came back into the room, pulled Rosie aside and spoke to her in hushed whispers. Rosie fished a quarter from her pocket and placed a call on the pay phone. She spoke quietly then hung the receiver back on the hook. She announced to Esther that she was leaving and if she still wanted to see Felicitas then she should come with her. To Esther’s delight Reed stood and told Rosie that he was responsible for Esther and if she were going anywhere then he would be taking her. Rosie didn’t argue; she climbed in the car with the Sheriff and led the way to her home.
Felicitas woke from her nap when Rosie called the house announcing that David made it out of surgery and that she was bringing Esther and Reed to the house. Felicitas was relieved with both pieces of news so when Esther walked through the front door she broke down and cried.
Sheriff Edwards took a seat on the stone hearth and placed his hat beside him. There was urgency in his voice when he spoke.
“Honey, we gotta talk. I know you’re upset but you’re gonna have to pull yourself together for a minute. We got us a situation on our hands.”
Rosie handed Felicitas a box of tissues which she and Esther both shared.
Felicitas dabbed at her eyes and nodded for Sheriff Edwards to continue.
“I’ve got a detective on his way up here with your parents. I suspect they’ll be arriving anytime now. He tells me you’re a runaway and an accomplice in the shooting.”
Felicitas hatred for Detective Russell was increasing by the minute. For some reason she felt he had been against her from the beginning never listening to her story, conspiring with her dad in sending her to county.
“That’s crazy I was here; asleep, grandma and Grant can vouch for me.”
That may be true if they weren’t suspects too. They’re pointing the finger at the whole lot of ya.”
Felicitas heart fell. If county wasn’t bad enough now she was facing jail.
“How am I a suspect?”
“Seems your friend sent a few texts early this morning before he was shot. Said he had spent the past few hours with you and in one of the text said he was afraid of Grant and thought he might be following him.”
Felicitas head began to swim. It didn’t make any sense. David wasn’t frightened when he left last night. If anything he was greatly amused at what he called their farfetched story and was laughing as Grant escorted him to his truck. Her suspicion rose. She went to sleep and never heard Grant come back into the house. But then again, there was the fact that David had called the house. Why would he call the home of the person who shot him? Unless….he didn’t really call. She never heard the phone ring; she was only told it had. Rosie and Grant found the burning truck so easily; could they have already known where it was?
She looked at her grandmother whose eyes were fixed on her. She swallowed hard feeling as if Rosie was reading every thought running through her head. Then her words confirmed it.
“I told you, you were going to have to trust me.”
Felicitas placed he fingers on her temples and closed her eyes.
“I don’t know who to trust or what to think or believe right now. Everything’s out of control and just crazy.”
Sheriff Edwards leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“Off the record let me say something here. I’ve known your grandmother for years; you couldn’t find a better woman. She’s got a heart of gold. She’s got some bizarre stories I can guarantee you that but I know for a fact she ain’t crazy. If I had to define her in some way I’d say she’s pretty special, she knows secret stuff and I have been eye witness to some unexplainable things. In fact all of us living here have had some unusual encounters and we just keep those kinds of things to ourselves. Now I’ve also heard you have a pretty farfetched story yourself and you’d like it if your family and everyone believed you. Well you got Grant and your grandma here who do so I don’t think you should doubt their integrity if you don’t want them doubting yours. Now here’s how I see it. The Detective and your parents are gonna be here any second, pounding on this door. I can do my best to stall for you but you gotta be sure of what you want to do. As I hear it you’re a part of something big. If you really believe the story then you have a responsibility to carry out. The question is do you really believe?”
Felicitas kept her eyes closed and let his words penetrate. He was a country fellow, a typical backwoods sheriff yet he showed more compassion and faith in her story than her own parents or even Detective Russell.
She felt Esther place her hand on her back; a show of support. Then she pictured David’s lifeless body lying in the grass near his burning truck and for a moment caught a fading glimpse of Raine in her mind. If only he were real, and tangible, right here right now.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the slamming of car doors. Esther patted her on the back and spoke quietly but Felicitas could hear the urgency in her voice.
“They’re here hon. We gotta do something.”
Felicitas opened her eyes in time to see Sheriff Edwards put on his hat and give Grant a nod. Grant picked up his shot
gun and headed to the door. Felicitas heart raced wildly pounding against her chest. She jumped to her feet terrified at what might transpire.
Grant opened the front door and aimed his gun. The sight of him stopped the uninvited guest instantly. Detective Russell slipped his hand into his coat so Grant fired a shot into the air that sent everyone ducking. Sharon let out a frightened scream and retreated back to the car. Grant didn’t waste a minute and he didn’t back down. He cocked the gun again and aimed.
“Toss me your gun now!”
Detective Russell threw his gun near the porch steps with a warning.
“You just got yourself in a ton of trouble mister. Do you realize you pulled a gun on an officer of the law?”
“The way I see it, you’re the one in a ton of trouble. You didn’t identify yourself and you’re trespassing on private property.”
“I was attempting to show you my ID when you fired a shot. Now put your gun down before you get yourself in more trouble than you already are.”
“I aint puttin’ the gun down cause I don’t trust you one iota.”
Detective Russell kept his hands in the air but attempted to pull rank on Grant.
“I am Detective Russell of the Murfreesboro Police Department and I have it on good authority that you are harboring an underage young woman here by the name of Felicitas Rebold. Now you can put your gun down and give her up or I can call for back up and have the whole lot of you hauled down to the county jail. It’s your choice.”
Sheriff Edwards listen to the verbal exchange with the others from inside the living room and decided it was time to make an appearance on the front porch. He pushed open the screen door and stepped outside resting his hand on his holster. Detective Russell took a step backwards clearly stunned that an officer of the law was on the property and had stood aside allowing Grant to open fire.
Sheriff Edwards tipped his hat.
“As long as were making introductions I reckon I better introduce myself too. I’m Sheriff Kevin Edwards and I’m pretty much the law in this town. Maybe you didn’t notice but you crossed the county line a long ways back. This isn’t your jurisdiction so I’m gonna give you fair warning, we do things a little different round here.”
Detective Russell narrowed his eyes not intending to be disallowed by a small town peace officer pulling rank.
“So what your saying is you don’t abide by the law but make up your own rules. Is that it?”
Sheriff Edwards pulled a small round tin from his shirt pocket and casually placed a wad of tobacco in his mouth pressing it under his lip.
“Naw, we just don’t have a habit of arresting people or carrying them off until they’ve been proven guilty. I’ve already questioned the girl and as far as I’m concerned she’s innocent. And as far as being a runaway, I’m not sure a teen willingly staying with a family member is considered a run away.”
“So my daughter is here.” Melvin interrupted the exchange between the two officers. He cupped his hands around his mouth and began shouting toward the house.
“Felicitas! If you can hear me I expect you to obey your daddy and come out immediately!”
There was no movement from inside the house. Realizing his demands fell flat he motioned for Sharon to try.
Sharon inched away from the car carefully keeping an eye on Grant and the gun pointing in their direction.
“Felicitas dear please come outside just so we can see that you’re okay. Don’t be afraid hon. Your father said we can hire you the best attorney and can get you out of whatever you’ve gotten yourself into.”
Still, there was no movement from the inside of the house.
Melvin made another attempt. “I’m sorry honey. I won’t send you to County if you just come back home. We can work through all of this together as a family. Detective Russell is willing to help you.”
Felicitas was listening to the exchange of words from inside the house. Every plea for her to give herself up tore at her heart but it was the next voice she heard that caused her the most turmoil.
“Taz sweetie, I’m worried about you.”
She looked at Esther.
“Oh my God it’s Ian.”
His voice continued to float through the screen door.
“Taz I love you. I want to help you. We can make it through all of this. I want to protect my girl but I can’t help you unless you let me. Please babe, let me in to see you, I just want to talk. I’m scared for you. I don’t trust these people… Taz please?”
Felicitas glanced out through the lace curtains on the window. Ian had his hands in the air and was slowly inching his way to the front porch. Grant cocked the hammer of his gun.
“I didn’t hear anyone invite you in boy, so I suggest you just cool your jets.”
Melvin had enough and began making his way to the porch.
“The man’s only got one gun he can’t shoot all of us at once. I’m getting my daughter!”
Melvin’s charge towards the house pulled Grants attention away just long enough for Ian to make a dive for Detective Russell’s gun still lying at the foot of the steps. Ian aimed it toward the house and fired. The deafening blast sent Grant diving behind the porch railing.
The bullet from Ian’s gun shattered the window. Rosie fell against the wall in agony as the bullet tunneled through her shoulder.
Reed lunged forward knocking the girls to the ground; yelling for them to stay low.
Felicitas crawled over to Rosie. “Grandma!”
Rosie held onto her shoulder; blood oozed through her fingers. She gritted her teeth in pain.
“I’m okay. Don’t you worry about me. Just get yourself out of here now! You need to run!”
Felicitas shook her head. “No! I can’t leave you…none of this is right, it’s all gone crazy!
“Put the gun down now!” Sheriff Edwards ordered aiming his pistol straight at Ian’s head. Ian took one look at the Sheriff and dropped his weapon in the grass.
“Back away from the gun boy and keep your hands where I can see ‘em.”
Ian obeyed holding his hands high.
“Now I think we all need to calm down before someone gets hurt.”
“Someone is hurt!” Esther yelled from inside, “Rosie’s been shot.”
Grant charged into the house; falling to his knees beside her.
“I’m alright.” She grimaced. “I don’t think it hit anything vital, it just hurts like hell.”
Grant examined her wound, “Looks like it went clean through. Come on I’m taking you to the hospital.”
Rosie protested. “Don’t worry about me; just get yourself and Felicitas out of here now. That Detective isn’t fooling around. He’ll be back and he won’t be alone.”
“No!” Felicitas exploded. “I’m not running. This has gone way too far. I never meant for anyone to get hurt and now two people have been shot because of me. It’s enough. I’m done.”
She rose to her feet. “I’m gonna talk to them.”
Rosie grabbed Felicitas arm and tried to stop her.
“Felicitas dear, you can’t! It’s too dangerous.”
“And this isn’t?”
Grant pushed the hair out of his eyes in frustration.
“Yes, yes it is, but it’s because they’ll stop at nothing to get your baby. You can’t waiver on this sweetheart; you’re either with us or your dead.”
Esther’s eyes were wider than ever.
“What’s he talking about Taz?”
For the first time ever Felicitas ignored Esther. She looked out through the broken window. Sheriff Edwards seemed to have gained back control and was suggesting they all calm down enough to talk. She could see her mother standing alone beside the car looking pale and frightened. She looked at her dad. With all the bullets flying around he should be near her mother, protecting her but he wasn’t. He was standing with Detective Russell, hands on his hips looking perturbed that he wasn’t in control of the situation.
Ian still had his hands in
the air. Just seeing him made her heart ache. The mere fact that he was here spoke volumes. She would like the chance to spend some time with him. Just to sit and talk and explain that she had not cheated on him and then tell him about her dreams and the heirloom story book. How could he blame her for something totally out of her control? She still loved him; maybe they could raise the child together. She headed for the door suddenly feeling the need to explain things to him.
“I need to talk to Ian.”
Esther jumped to her feet following her outside. Rosie pushed Grant toward the door encouraging him to accompany her.
The squeaking of the screen door drew everyone’s attention to Felicitas as she stepped out onto the porch and stood near Sheriff Edwards.
“Felicitas…”Melvin began but she put her hand up stopping him.
“I don’t want to talk to you daddy. Please just be quiet.”
Melvin pointed his finger toward her, “I don’t care what you want at this point…”
“Shut the hell up Melvin!” Sharon yelled louder than Felicitas knew she was capable.
Melvin’s mouth fell open in astonishment and for the first time in her life Felicitas saw her dad at a loss for words. Her mother however had plenty to throw his way.
“It’s time for you to listen. This has gone too far. My mother is lying in her house with a gunshot wound and you don’t even care. Just like you didn’t care eleven years ago when she burned her hand. You made me leave her hurting and in unbearable pain and you’re not going to make me do it again. Our daughter is pregnant…pregnant Melvin she needs us now and I’ll be damned if you’re gonna push her away from me like you did my mother.”