Cast the Cards

by Shyla Colt

  “Where are you?”

  “An old abandoned warehouse. The killers are dead. Right now I’m the only thing keeping her grounded, but I can’t hold her to the in-between indefinitely.”

  “I hear you, keep talking.” He jogged back inside the room.

  “I need a trace on this number! Agent West managed to subdue the kidnappers, and she’s hurt badly. Hang in there, West.” He feigned acknowledgment as the people in the room burst into activity seemingly at once. “Just rest, conserve your energy, and stay on the line.” His voice cracked. What are we going to find when we get there? He questioned his decision to leave once more. When he’d emerged from the woods by himself he’d contacted the station and waded back in, ignoring their request that he wait for back-up. On the scene within minutes they’d discovered a trail of blood and disturbed debris that told them she’d been taken. Immediately he’d known her best chance of survival was locating her, so he’d come back to the station to work with the techs and try to contact Clark.

  “We got it!”

  The rattle of information registered but his head dreamed up images of Vannah lying in a pool of her own blood. A streak of red running from the corner of her mouth. Her brown eyes, glazed and unseeing in death.

  “Sergeant!”

  “Yeah?” Snapped back into the present, he turned to face Officer Rodriguez.

  “You here with us?”

  He met her gaze and nodded. “Yeah, I’m good. Let’s get out of here.” Turning from the computer, he jogged for his squad car.

  The twenty-minute drive was done in ten with the wail of sirens and the flash of blue and red clearing their path. When they pulled up into the empty lot the only vehicle was a white van with dark-tinted windows.

  How many others have they taken in this thing who never saw the light of day again? Slamming the car into park, he stepped out.

  He fell back, allowing Rodriguez to point as they approached the building. His emotions were running high, and he refused to compromise his people. Guns drawn, they entered the dilapidated stone building. Gutted on the inside, planks boarded the window, blocking the light, but large spotlights were set up to illuminate. As they traveled farther inside he spotted a hospital gurney. A silver tray lined with what appeared to be surgery grade equipment rested on a blue towel.

  “Jesus Christ.” His stomach churned in agreement to the comment. They point rounded the corner.

  “I see blood spatter and two men down.”

  His muscles tensed as he waited for the signal.

  “We’re clear.”

  Two of his officers knelt beside the men, checking for a pulse. He rushed to Savannah who lay sprawled on her back, blood pooling beneath her. Not again, please.

  Placing his fingers on her neck, he breathed a sigh of relief. Faint and much too fast, the rhythm scared him, but it was there. The crackle of radio reached him through his emotional haze. An officer gave the okay for the medics to come in.

  Bending down, he whispered in her ear. “Don’t you leave me Savannah Marie! I just got you back. You said no more running, remember?”

  Feet pounded over concrete.

  “Sir, we’ll need to look at her now.”

  Unable to speak he scooted back, giving the medics access. The rip of her shirt rent the air. The others moved back to allow her privacy as the medics worked.

  “Carr? What’s going on?” an officer asked.

  He shook his head. “I’m going to get some air.” Rushing out of the dank building, he let out a roar. Is it my destiny to always be too late or make the wrong choice? It was Clark all over again. He didn’t go that night and look where it landed him. Now he took a left instead of a right, got separated, and she clung to her life by a thread.

  “This isn’t your fault.” The sound of his brother’s voice to his left didn’t surprise him. “If you’d been with her you’d probably be dead.”

  “If you’re trying to make me feel better, you’re failing miserably.”

  “What I’m trying to do is end your pity party for one. She’s in there fighting for her life. She’s going to need you to keep her grounded to the Earth and later for recovery.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You know something, don’t you?”

  “Just give her a reason to stay. You understand me?”

  “How?” Clark disappeared and he found himself talking to empty air. “Okay, I’m starting to hate that.”

  The medics emerged with Vannah hooked up to an I.V., her body limp and unresponsive. Tilting the gurney, they loaded her into the back. Being separated is not an option. He turned to the officers lined up outside, dug his keys out of his pocket.

  “I’m going with her. Can someone take care of my car?”

  “Of course.” Carlson extended his hand and Carey tossed the keys.

  “Thanks. I’ll keep everyone posted and call her family.”

  “You coming, sir?” the blonde medic asked.

  “Yeah.” He climbed into the back and slid out of the way as they attached Vannah to more machines. The erratic beat of her heart filled the cab.

  “We’re good, let’s get her out of here.” the burly paramedic with dark hair cropped close to his head said.

  They pulled off and the paramedic began to give her shots, rattling off medical jargon to his partner in the back.

  Beep Beep.

  The flat line ripped his heart out of his chest and kicked him in the nuts at the same time. He gasped.

  “She’s flat-lining.” His blond partner grabbed the paddles. Carey’s vision narrowed to Vannah’s face, contorted in pain as her body ceased. Bile formed and he gagged, dry heaving.

  This is the woman I want to marry, form children, and grow old with. The fact sucker-punched him. He gripped his heart and forced a deep breath out from his aching chest. As the ambulance rocketed toward the nearest hospital he found himself sucked in the midst of a come-to-Jesus meeting. When life and death were on the line lies had no place.

  “How is she?” The thunderous boom of Mr. West’s voice pulled his head up and he rose to greet him, hand extended.

  “She’s stable. They’re doing a transfusion and repairing the damage done from the shotgun blast.”

  “Who did this?”

  “Off the record, the same men who accosted her and my brother.” He swallowed. “She made sure they won’t be harming anyone else.”

  Mr. West nodded and pulled his wife closer to his side.

  “We’re going to talk to the nurse. See if we can find out more information.”

  “I’m going to get a cup of coffee and stretch my legs.”

  Mr. West clapped a massive hand on his shoulder. A look passed between them. An understanding was formed. They both loved the woman in that operating room.

  “We’ll meet back up before too long.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As he walked down the hall he couldn’t help but feel lost and afraid. Being with Vannah had become second nature. Her place was at his side. Right now they should be celebrating with champagne and figuring out how they were going to make things work with their jobs. Another concern bombarded him.

  What happened to Clark now? Is this the justice and closure he’s been waiting for? Does he get to say goodbye, or will I never see him again? With the weight of the world threatening to crush him beneath its boot heel, he stumbled into the church chapel, entered the last pew, and hit his knees.

  Head pressed against the pew, he closed his eyes.

  “I know I haven’t talked to you much lately, but I need you in my corner. You about killed me when you took away Clark. I was furious. I rebelled, drank, did whatever I could to take away the pain. But in the end I came back. I grew stronger and even concede, maybe I was put on this Earth to help others and being laid so low was what equipped me to do that. But this… giving me Clark back only to take him along with Vannah… that’s end game. There will be no recovery or healing. I don’t think I could ever forgive you. Now that’s just
me. We both know Vannah deserves better than to die at the hands of the bastards that stole her life once already.”

  “That’s an interesting approach to prayer.” Clark’s dry tone curled the corner of his lips upward.

  “It appears to have worked. You’re here.”

  “True.” Clark sat beside him.

  “How long do you have?” Please don’t tell me this is our last conversation.

  “I’m not sure. Working on a new angle.”

  “Seriously? You might be able to stay?” His eyes widened.

  “If I continue to help the two of you discover criminals.”

  “You agreed, right!”

  “Of course I did.”

  He pulled his brother to him. “Jesus, that’s great news! Vannah will….” His high did a dive bomb.

  “She’s going to be fine, Carey.”

  “How can you say that?” Jerking away, he scowled.

  “I have it on good authority.” Clark nodded.

  For the first time, he exhaled.

  “You know what we have to do when the time is right, don’t you?” Clark asked.

  “Ask her to marry us?”

  Clark nodded. “We’re not going to be happy with anything less.”

  “No.” Carey shook his head. “Let’s get her well first. The rest will keep.”

  ***

  Noise. A steady beep accompanied by a whoosh. Breathe in, breathe out. She became aware of her chest and her heavy limbs. She flexed her toes. Tensing the muscles and releasing, she worked her way up her body. The pain she waited to crash down never occurred. Fighting with her eyelids for dominance, she managed to peel them back. Her lips smacked together and her eyes adjusted to the dimly-lit room. Beside her monitors kept track of her vitals.

  Hospital. A glance down at her arm revealed the I.V.

  “Are you awake?” a familiar voice whispered.

  “Yes.” Pain formed in her throat. She cringed.

  A more familiar head leaned in to her sight line.

  “Clark! You’re here.”

  “Careful, it’s been a week or so since you were lucid enough to talk. Here.” He held a straw to her lips and she drank, grateful for the relief.

  “I wouldn’t drink too much too fast. After you collapsed I called Carey and he got the others over to you. It was touch-and-go for a bit, but you made your choice and it was honored.” His fingers were cool against her brow. She basked it in for a moment, resting her head against the pillows. “And you?”

  “I get to stay as long as I help catch criminals.”

  Her eyes popped open. “Wait, you can stay?”

  “They’re taking an aggressive stand on the evil quota.”

  Tears ran down her cheek as she smiled. I get to keep them both. “Wait, what about the sites?”

  “Mass graves in all, twenty-two bodies to match the major arcane of the tarot.”

  “But why?”

  “Because they were more than a few screws loose.”

  She snickered and groaned. “A little more detail.”

  “Not sure. With their I.D. they uncovered their place.” He wolf-whistled. “Chockfull of all things strange. Tarot cards, Runes, Crystal balls. These guys were the mayors of crazy town. I’m not sure how it all meshes together to mean something, but that’s your department.”

  Her mind itched to delve deep into the findings.

  “Yeah, you’re fine I can see you’re all ready thinking about work.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Mmhmm. You should hit the call button. Let them know you’re awake. A lot of people have been waiting to talk to you.”

  “Of course.”

  She pressed the call button and watched as he disappeared.

  “Ms. West, someone will be with you immediately.”

  A part of her believed she was going to die on that dirty concrete floor in a river of red. Knowing she’d taken down the Tarot Card Killers would have been enough to let her move in if it hadn’t been for Carey. He was unfinished business she couldn’t leave behind.

  Epilogue

  “You ready?” Carey asked.

  “God, yes.” She stood from the wheelchair and made her way carefully to his waiting car. While the wounds were healing nicely, one wrong movement and the pain would take her breath away. He offered his arm, helping her ease into the seat.

  “Thank you.” Being in this situation had taught her humility and to ask for help. Delaying her recovery by injuring herself would be pointless and stupid. Besides, it was adorable the way Carey fell all over himself trying to make sure she was comfortable.

  With the death of the two they’d labeled the Tarot Card Killers something amazing happened—a shift in priorities. The driving force that compelled her to push to the brink of exhaustions had been yanked away. The demons that carved out chunks of her soul had been faced head-on and dealt with. Nothing like a near- death experience and regular sex with my ghostly first love and his twin brother to set a woman right.

  Entering the car on the driver side, Carey started up the engine and pulled away from the parking lot.

  “Is your mom still pissed you’re staying with me?” He asked.

  “No, she mellowed out. I think Dad must’ve had a conversation with her.”

  “I can’t blame her. This whole thing scared the shit out of her.”

  “Me too.” She reached over the console and linked their fingers, resting her head against the back of the seat.

  “Where’s Clark?”

  “He’s waiting for us at the apartment.”

  “You guys have something cooked up. I can tell. As long as it involves cake and just the three of us, I’m game.”

  He laughed. “Trust me, last thing we want to do right now is share you.”

  She turned on the radio on low and relaxed, happy to feel the sun on her face and the wind in her hair. Freedom never tasted so sweet. Dozing, she woke when the car came to a stop.

  “Home sweet home.”

  Funny how it had become just that, a safe haven from the madness that lay outside that door. In the arms of her men she was safe, well-cared for, and understood. It was a constant ray of sunshine that cut through the darkness of her past and recent events.

  Opening her door, he smiled. “Ready?”

  “Mmhmm.” Taking his hand, she allowed him to support her weight as she stood. “I’ve never been so happy you live on the first floor.”

  He laughed. “You’ll be good as new before you know it.”

  “Hmph. I doubt you’ll be saying that when you’re ready to wring my neck.”

  “Luckily there’s two of me. So we both get to take a turn.”

  “That’s why we were put together. I’m more than any one man could handle.”

  He snorted. “That’s one way to look at it.”

  When they reached the door to the apartment it swung open.

  “Clark!” She wanted to throw herself into his arms but settled for the gentle hug.

  “I missed you too, sweetheart. Welcome home.” He moved back and she gasped at the scene. Rose petals littered the floor. The lights were off. Candles covered all the major surfaces, giving off a beautiful amber-colored glow.

  “You guys!”

  A silver bucket of sparkling cider rested on the cocktail table. No alcohol allowed with her narcotics for pain management.

  “Come and sit down.” Clark took one of her hands and Carey took the other. Together they guided her over to the couch where they all sat, sandwiching her in the middle, right where she liked to be.

  “Everything that happened made us think long and hard about what we want,” Carey whispered.

  Her throat began to close. Is this a Dear Jane Speech? Pulse skyrocketing, she swallowed, breathing heavy.

  “Do you need pain medication?” Clark’s eyes were wide and full of concern.

  “No, just give it to me straight. You want out? “

  “What! No.” Carey shook his head from side to side vigorou
sly.

  “No?” She breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Jesus, Vannah,” Carey held her hand between his own. “We want the exact opposite.” He glanced over at his brother.

  “Savannah, will you marry us?” Their voice blended together in perfect harmony, sweet and sincere. Tears formed in her eyes. The three of them together again, forever sounded just about right to her.

  “Yes.”

  “I know you can only marry Carey really, but we’d consider it a three-way m—”

  “Clark. Shut up and kiss me.”

  “Yes ma’am.” He leaned in and kissed her. Carey’s laughter filled her ear. Finally after all the heartache they’d found their way back to happiness, and to each other.

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