Blood Loss_A Magnolia Novel

by Ashley Fontainne

  “More people in the world who wished you were dead.”

  Taken aback, LiAnn queried, “Every cop has a slew of people who wished they were dead! It’s part of the job.”

  “True, but some people have the means to accomplish it without getting caught.”

  LiAnn thought about all the cases she’d worked, mentally mapping out a list of potential suspects. Several had threatened her over the years as their sentences were handed down, and the most recent one came from the lips of Georgia Kincaid when her husband was found guilty. Not only did she swear vengeance against LiAnn but Karina as well. “Are you referring to the Jubilee case?”

  Andrew said nothing.

  “Crigger, spill. Right now. Is that why you retired and followed me here? Why Cal up and moved too? Because you both were worried about Georgia’s threat?”

  Andrew reached out for LiAnn’s hand. With reluctance, she took it. “I moved here because I love you and didn’t want to spend the rest of my life without you in it. I lost you once and wouldn’t let it happen again.”

  Taking a deep breath, LiAnn held his gaze. “That answer didn’t completely address my question. There’s more, Andrew. What is it? Please, don’t lie to me.”

  “I put in my retirement papers and bought the farm next to your parents’ property before we found out. I swear.”

  “Found out?”

  “That Vern Doster contracted a hit on Melissa.”

  LiAnn’s mouth dropped open.

  “He was really working for Rupert Kincaid—a plant sent in to monitor the case. The marriage was a sham.”

  Wits finally back, LiAnn asked, “We? As in you and Cal?”

  Andrew nodded. “It was blind luck Vern contacted one of Cal’s snitches. The guy suspected something wasn’t right, so he called Cal and asked him to record the meeting. Cal flipped when he recognized Vern and watched him pay for his wife’s death.”

  Tears welled up in LiAnn’s eyes. “Oh God! Why didn’t you get her into protective custody quicker? Did Vern tamper with her vehicle, causing the crash that killed her?”

  Andrew chewed on the inside portion of his cheek. He’d held the secret long enough, and the truth would come out in two months anyway. “Melissa isn’t dead. Her death was faked.”

  The rush of emotions bottled up from the past thirty-six hours burst from LiAnn’s eyes. Between sobs, she asked, “She’s alive? Where is she? WITSEC?”

  “She’s here, in Arkansas. Stashed away in a cabin in Mt. Ida. Vern has ties to the U.S. Marshall’s office, so Cal and I decided to take care of her ourselves. He orchestrated the car accident, and she rode with me here to Arkansas. Melissa’s been hiding out ever since, preparing herself for the trial and probably dreaming about how to make Vern pay for destroying her life.”

  Mind spinning at the news, LiAnn forced the tears away. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “I believe those were Melissa’s exact words after watching the video.”

  “God, poor woman! I can’t even begin to imagine the emotional impact of seeing such a thing. Now I know where you’ve been sneaking off to each week and being so cryptic about it. Guess my worries about you seeing another woman were correct, just not for the right reasons.”

  “I planned on doing this in a setting with a bit more romance, yet somehow, now seems to be the right time.”

  Reaching inside his pocket, Andrew removed a small, black box. He stood and came over to the other side of the table where he kneeled. LiAnn feared her pounding heart was about to explode.

  “LiAnn Tuck, I asked once, and like a fool, you gave me the wrong answer. I’m asking again, praying you realize how much I love you and want more than anything to call you my wife. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes, but only if you promise this isn’t a ploy to make me forget about Camden.”

  Andrew silenced the words by planting a long, passionate kiss on LiAnn’s trembling lips. Once finished, he whispered while sliding the ring on her finger, “You said yes so I’m holding you to that.”

  “Holy cow, Junior! Looks like you’re gettin’ a new son-in-law!”

  LiAnn and Andrew smiled at Wiley. He was flanked by Seth, Junior, and Ruth.

  “Andrew, I’ve gotta have a talk with you about proper romantic settin’s,” Junior teased as he patted him on the back. “A hospital cafeteria ain’t on the list.”

  “Location don’t matter when it comes to love,” Ruth added while giving LiAnn a hug.

  “Well, this has been a great day! Betty’s awake and talkin’, and now a weddin’ in the works! You two should have it at The Magnolia! I’ll even officiate!” Wiley gushed.

  “Only licensed clergy can perform a ceremony,” Seth added.

  “I know that, and I am licensed. Have been for years. I ain’t a fool, you old goat.”

  For the next several minutes, LiAnn basked in the happy attention, forgetting all about the worries from before as everyone gathered around to look at the ring and offer their congratulations. Wiley and Ruth were already planning the location and food. LiAnn drank in the exuberance of the moment, knowing it was only a brief reprieve.

  Chapter 12

  Hot Springs, Arkansas – Friday Evening, March 10, 2017

  Karina hit send on the last email of the day and stretched. Glancing at her watch, she was surprised it was fifteen to eight. She still had a lot of things to accomplish before Bo arrived. His last text said it would be around nine. Nervous energy thrummed through her limbs, eager yet wary to see him. She’d put off seeing him as far as she dared without making him worry, continuing to use the concocted story about a stomach virus and fears she could pass it along to him, and in turn, to Brice. He wasn’t doing well, especially after having his right leg amputated, and the doctors wanted to give his body time to recover from the surgery before removing the left. Bo hadn’t taken the news well, and even though Karina offered to come visit, he insisted he needed a break from the hospital and wanted to spend the night.

  Though the bruising wasn’t as vivid as before, she made a mental note to keep the lights off in her room when things turned amorous so Bo couldn’t see her back.

  “You’re gonna get sick again if you don’t slow down. Your ma seems a tad overwhelmed by all the weddin’ plans and needs her maid of honor to be healthy.”

  Smiling at Seth’s friendly face in the doorway, Karina shut the computer down and stood. He rarely went anywhere without Wiley glued to his side, and he’d never come alone to her office. Karina noted his thin frame, worried about the amount of weight he’d lost during the last week. “I think I’m immune to that particular bug now.”

  “You must be because you’ve got your glow back, but that don’t mean it will stay if you overdo it.”

  “I don’t intend on letting my mother down because you’re right; planning a wedding isn’t in her bag of tricks. Then again, it’s not in mine either. We aren’t exactly the frilly, foo-foo girly types.”

  “No doubt. I certainly wouldn’t lump you two into that category. Listen, my grand-niece is a whiz at plannin’ great parties. I’d be happy to contact her if you’d like some help.”

  Shutting off the light, Karina stepped out into the hall. “Oh, I think Wiley and Gram would get offended if we called in for backup. It’s going to be a small affair anyway, and I think they’ve got it under control, but thank you for the offer.”

  “Speakin’ of Ruth, do you have a minute to spare? I didn’t stop by just to ask about the weddin’.”

  “Sure, but just a minute. Bo’s on his way here.”

  “Oh, that’s good. I’m sure he needs some pamperin’ after what happened. How’s his brother?”

  “Touch and go, as to be expected. So, what’s on your mind?”

  After glancing up and down the hallway, Seth lowered his voice. “I’m a bit concerned about Ruth. Ever since Betty came home from the hospital three days ago, she seems, I don’t know, different? Distracted? Not herself?”

  Karina nodded.
“Yes, I noticed that too, but it’s just because she’s worried. Her best friend almost died, so it’s to be expected. She’s been through a lot ever since the house was destroyed.”

  “Yeah, I get that, but I think there’s more to it than friendly concern or leftover stress from losin’ her home.”

  There was, but Karina certainly wasn’t going to agree. “Why do you say that?”

  “Because she won’t let any of the staff near Betty’s room! She insists on bringin’ all the meals and doin’ all the cleanin’! Why, she even yelled at poor Cecil when he brought up a bouquet of flowers and then at me when I asked to come inside and visit. It ain’t like Ms. Ruth to act like that, especially with Cecil. She looked angry and almost scared at the same time. It was weird. And me? Well, I think everyone here knows how I feel about Betty, includin’ Ms. Ruth, so why is she keepin’ me away?”

  Making sure to keep her voice even and tone normal, Karina smiled. “Some people deal with worry different than others. I’m sure once Betty’s fully recovered, Gram’s fear will lessen.”

  “I hope so.”

  “It will. Give her a few more days, you know, to make sure Betty’s completely out of the woods and on the mend?”

  Seth nodded, doing his best to make his smile look genuine.

  “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to take Ranger out for a quick walk before Bo arrives.”

  “Thanks for makin’ an old man feel better. You and your ma—y’all are so special.”

  Seth turned, ambling down the hallway before choking up, so Karina headed upstairs, hoping the interaction eased the man’s mind about Gram because it certainly didn’t ease her own. Ever since she’d miscarried, the announcement of the upcoming wedding, worrying about Bo and Brice and the stress from work, she had little time to contemplate on the mystery in Camden. The subject hadn’t been broached again with her mother, nor had she told a soul about the painful visit from Cal. As usual, Karina kept her feelings and pain bottled up inside her, masked by a fake smile and head buried in work. At night, she let out the internal angst on canvas with broad, angry strokes and dark, brooding colors. But Seth’s comments made the unease and fear from before burst into the forefront of her mind.

  Though she hated the idea on some levels, she couldn’t shake the desire to talk to Gram. Alone.

  Opening the door to her room, she chuckled. Ranger sat in the middle of the rug, leash in mouth and tail wagging. “Hey, big guy! Is that a hint?”

  Ranger’s tail thumped faster, and he let out a low whine. Karina secured the leash and led him out to the backyard.

  Karina sat on a small bench and stared up into the ebony sky, admiring the sparkling stars, wishing they held an answer as to whether she should tell Bo about what happened. Torn between the urge to share the loss with him and knowing he didn’t need any more added stress, she didn’t know which decision was the best.

  “The last time I saw you so deep in thought was, I believe, the first day you spent alone with Bo.”

  Startled by Gram’s voice behind her, Karina jumped and turned around. “Gram! You scared me.”

  Ruth chuckled as she sat. “Didn’t mean to, honey. Guess this old body still has some stealth in it.”

  “And my senses seem to be on the fritz lately!”

  For several minutes, neither one spoke. Karina sensed Gram had something on her mind and was eager to ask yet decided to wait and let her begin when ready.

  Ruth cleared her throat. “I’m sorry I’ve been so gruff. Nearly losin’ my friend really got to me. She’s been a part of my life for over fifty years. We’re friends, yet there’s more to our relationship than friendship. I’ve always felt protective—motherly if you will—over her. When we first met, she was a wisp of a thing, barely talked to anyone and as timid as a baby bird. The urge to scoop her up and nurture the wounded little creature overtook me, and that’s exactly what I did.”

  “What a rare treasure…for both of you.”

  Ruth nodded. “It was and still is. You and your ma get that tough, stubborn streak from me. I just hide mine better. But Betty, she’s never been tough. Or strong. She was beautiful and caught the attention of lots of men, yet she shunned all their advances. I never could understand why because she’s such a lovin’, sweet soul. When you and your ma were little, Betty doted on you both. She would have made a wonderful mother. As the years passed and our friendship grew stronger, I realized how broken she was on the inside. She wasn’t just shy and timid, she was downright terrified.”

  Ruth paused while extracting a hanky from her pocket to wipe her eyes. Karina couldn’t hold in the question. “Terrified about what, Gram?”

  “Livin’. Lovin’. Dyin’. When not with me, she was perfectly happy cocoonin’ herself inside the walls of her home. She never went out unless with me or to come to our house. I knew she’d be upset when we decided to move back here, but I figured, wrongly mind you, she’d be forced to step out of her comfort zone and connect with others.”

  “You know why she’s so damaged, don’t you?” Karina whispered.

  Nodding, Ruth answered, “Yes, but I didn’t find out until she moved here. She stayed with us for a few weeks until a room became available here at The Magnolia. One night, after a few too many glasses of wine, she let out her secrets, and I’ve been guardin’ them ever since. Never told a soul, not even Junior.”

  Ruth’s fragile hand reached out for Karina’s. The intensity of the grip made a lump of tears form in Karina’s throat. “She told you she’s Carolyn Singleton, didn’t she?”

  Staring at her lap, Ruth nodded. “I knew you lied to me that day and would snoop. I knew it. Saw the gleam behind your eyes. I’m surprised you haven’t said anythin’ to me about it yet.”

  “I did, and Mom and I decided to keep it to ourselves. We didn’t want to upset you.”

  “I appreciate that, darlin’, but it don’t matter. I already know.”

  “What else did she tell you?”

  Voice barely above a whisper as the tears flowed, Ruth said, “She told me why she left Camden and assumed the name of a former boarder. God, it’s an awful story.”

  Forcing her voice to remain even, Karina asked, “Is she the one who—?”

  “Heavens no! She ain’t even capable of killin’ a spider, and she’s terrified of them!”

  Karina chewed on the words for a minute. “She was living there, right? As a boarder too?”

  “Yes.”

  The jumbled pieces fell into place. “She was there that night and knows who killed Maud Crawford! That’s why she ran?”

  “Yes. She never would, and still won’t, tell me his name. But after her heart attack, she’s beyond scared. It wasn’t my idea to keep everyone away from her when she came home. I’m just honorin’ her wishes. I think maybe losin’ consciousness and then the surgery has done somethin’ to her memories. At least, that’s what I’m hopin’ is the case.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Looking up from her lap, Ruth’s gaze locked with Karina’s. “Because she told me earlier she’s seen him, and that we’re all in danger.”

  “She whispered that same thing to me the day the paramedics came.”

  Ruth began to sob. “I…I don’t want…I fear…it might be…he lived here back then….It will destroy Junior.”

  Karina wrapped her arms around Gram’s frail shoulders, pulling her close. A knot formed in her gut as the words replayed over and over in her mind. The conclusion made her want to throw up. “You think she means Cecil?”

  Ruth’s answer was more tears.

  In the darkness, Karina held her grandmother without saying another word, wishing she could ease the pain inside both their hearts. Unsure how long they remained on the bench wound together as they offered each other comfort, Ruth’s tears finally dried up. Karina felt her pull away.

  “Huh, guess I’m not as tough as I like to think I am.”

  “Stop it, Gram. Just stop it. I always knew you were amazing, b
ut you’re way more than that.”

  “I didn’t come out here just to fall apart or bare my own troubles. Betty insisted I come get you.”

  “Me? Why?”

  Ruth stood, smoothing imaginary wrinkles from her shirt. “Because she’s ready to say his name but will only tell you. I assume that’s because she can’t bear to look me in the eye while sayin’ it’s Cecil.”

  Karina didn’t need to whistle for Ranger. The big dog stood next to her, his animal instincts sensing something was wrong with his master. “Come on, Gram. If you’ll take Ranger to my room, I’ll go talk to Betty. Surely we’re wrong about Cecil. And if we aren’t, it’ll be our little secret. Promise.”

  “I knew I could trust you, sugar. You’re mom’s another story. Not that I can’t trust her, but she’s cut from cop cloth. Keepin’ this kind of thing secret would eat away at her. You are too, yet you also have a few patches of rebel.”

  Smiling, Karina grabbed Ranger’s leash, and they all headed inside, their footsteps slow and heavy as the weight of the situation bore down on their shoulders.

  Karina waited at the top of the stairs until Gram and Ranger were safely inside her room before tapping softly on Betty’s door. Blood pounded in her ears as her heart rate spiked. She didn’t want to do this—didn’t want to go inside and hear words that would tear her family apart.

  Hearing nothing, Karina turned the knob and peeked inside. Betty’s thin frame was swallowed up under piles of blankets, and she was lightly snoring. The tension in Karina’s shoulders eased. For now, at least, she could pretend nothing was amiss.

  “Hey, doll. How’s she doin’?”

  Bo’s voice was low, yet Karina jumped. Putting her fingers to her lips, she shut the door, motioning for Bo to follow. Once at her own door, she whispered, “Yes, she’s resting comfortably.”

  “My, but you’re jumpy. That ain’t like you. You missed this, didn’t you?” Bo answered, following the statement with a warm embrace.

  “I did,” Karina murmured into his chest. “Gram’s inside with Ranger. She needed some cuddle time with him. Let me get her situated and then we’ll have the room all to ourselves.”