I pulled out my phone and called for help.
“9-1-1, what is your emergency?”
“I’m in Jefferson Barracks Cemetery, there’s a man here who’s been hurt, and he needs an ambulance.”
“Okay, sir. What’s his injury?”
“He hit his head.”
“I have help on the way.”
“Hurry, please hurry.”
CHAPTER 18
I should have known Mandy would be the detective responding to the cemetery. Buddy was already gone in the ambulance, still unconscious, and I was leaning against his car. Bear lay by my feet.
Detective Amanda Myers was pissed. “Jack, what is going on here?”
I did my best to make it look like your average afternoon stroll. “What do you mean?”
She wasn’t buying it. “Dang it, Jack! The EMTs said Buddy was shot with a Taser gun, and he’s got a concussion, not to mention a skull fracture.”
I looked off in the distance, listening to the sound of the ambulance rushing toward the hospital. “Did they say if he’d be okay?”
She shook her head. “No, they didn’t say he’d be okay, because they don’t know. He needs a hospital. Now, tell me what happened.”
Evidence techs were swabbing blood from the tombstone. A uniform officer had gathered one of Buddy’s shoes, which had been thrown off when he was tased, and his leather belt. The belt had been removed by the EMTs. I motioned for Mandy to walk away so we wouldn’t be heard.
She huffed, but followed anyway. “Out with it, Jack.”
I kept my voice low. “Buddy and I were here to meet somebody who needed help from our ministry.”
“You had to meet them in a cemetery?”
“Yeah, long story. Anyway, when we tried to talk to this guy, he turned violent. I fired the Taser gun, and it hit Buddy. The guy disappeared, and that’s when I called 9-1-1.”
There’s no way I was telling her I’d fired my nine-millimeter. I reached into my pocket, feeling the bullet casing I’d retrieved before the cops showed up.
“Where are the guns?”
“In the car. The one I fired was your police-issued Taser.”
“Jack, I don’t understand this ministry you’re involved in. You need to tell me more about it. I can’t keep cleaning up messes for you without knowing what I’m part of.”
Of course, I recognized the tough spot I was putting her in. “I’m sorry, Mandy. It’s just something I can’t go into right now.”
She looked over at the uniformed officers, then back at me. “Okay, for now let me get this taken care of, but we’re not done discussing this.”
“Thanks. Can I go to the hospital?”
“Yes. I’ll see you there.”
*******
When I arrived at the hospital, Sarah was already in the waiting room, her eyes red. I came over to her, sat down, and put my arm around her. “How is he?”
“He’s in surgery. Fluid started to build up on his brain and they’re trying to relieve the pressure.”
I looked into her eyes. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m tired, Jack. Buddy’s been doing this a long time, and I’m worn out.”
“I’m sure it’s been tough.”
She sat forward, looking at the Bible in her hands. “I’ve honored the Lord’s call on his life, our lives, all these years. I just want a chance for us to be us.”
“He’ll pull through, Sarah. He’s tough, and I bet this is it for him. He’s fought the fight, and his time is here to retire.”
She looked back at me. “I hope you’re right, Jack.”
Brother Edwards arrived, rushing over to Sarah, and embracing her. “The whole church is praying, Sarah.”
She did her best to smile. “Thank you, Gary.”
When he let her go, he looked at me. “What happened?”
It occurred to me Sarah hadn’t asked me that question. I guess it didn’t matter to her, she only cared about her Buddy, and him coming back to her. I gestured for Gary to follow me.
When we got out into the hallway, I told him of the events at the cemetery, and that Harbinger was still on the run.
He shook his head, dropping onto a bench by the water fountain, and putting his face in his hands. “When is this going to end?”
I answered him with my heart. “Soon, Gary. I promise.”
*******
A couple hours later, Mandy arrived at the hospital. I was sitting with Sarah in the waiting room. Brother Edwards had gone after our fourth round of coffee.
Mandy came up to Sarah and hugged her. “I’m so sorry, Sarah.”
“Thank you Detective, but it was unavoidable.”
“How is he?”
“He’s out of surgery, but they had to leave a portion of his skull removed.”
Mandy looked at me, as if I knew the medical reasons for such an occurrence. I shrugged.
Sarah saw Mandy’s confusion. “His brain has swollen from the blow he took. In order to give his brain room to swell, and try to prevent serious damage, they leave a portion of the skull off.”
“So, he’s in a coma?”
“Yes.”
There was no hiding the pain on Mandy’s face, and it was likely she blamed herself. After all, she had given me the Taser guns. Brother Gary returned with the coffees, and I asked him to watch over Sarah while Mandy and I took a walk.
“No problem.” He sat down, taking my place next to Sarah, while I guided Mandy toward the hall.
We walked without speaking for a long while, eventually leaving the hospital, and coming out into a courtyard. The green space was surrounded on all sides by the hospital, but was open to the sky, and trees grew until they topped out above the third floor.
Doctors and nurses took their breaks, some reading, while others ate. Small groups of people sat on the concrete benches, talking in hushed tones and holding each other.
Mandy and I went to one of the corner gazebos to sit. She was unusually quiet, and I found it unsettling. When Mandy had something on her mind, it usually didn’t stay there long. She looked up at me, her eyes moist, and her top lip began to quiver.
“Mandy, it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know what I was going to do with those Tasers.”
She shook her head, pulling her eyes away from mine. “It’s not that.”
“What then? You’re worried about Buddy? We all are.”
Again, a shake of the head. I reached out, touching her chin, and lifting her face to look at me. “Mandy, talk to me.”
Tears ran down both cheeks. “I can’t take it anymore.”
My heart pounded because I’d never seen Mandy this way. “Take what?”
“Your ministry. Every time I turn around, either you, Buddy, or both of you, is hurt. Brother Timmons was murdered, and he’s part of the same ministry. I don’t understand and I’m worried about you.”
My heart leapt into my throat as I began to see Mandy in a new light.
She’s afraid she’s gonna lose me!
“Mandy, it’s okay. I’m fine.”
She wiped ferociously at her face. “You don’t get it, Jack. I’m here for you, I’ve always been here for you, and you’re shutting me out.”
“Mandy, I know that. We’ve always had each other’s backs.”
She sat up a little straighter, a resolve crossing her face, as she took both my hands in hers. “Do you remember when I moved from Kansas City to St. Louis?”
“Of course.”
“Do you know why?”
“The job at St. Louis PD?”
“No, Jack. I moved here to be closer to you.”
I was stunned. I couldn’t think of anything to say. She still held my hands, squeezing tighter now.
“Jack, why have you never asked me out on a date?”
“Um,” I stammered. “I was afraid of what you’d say. I was afraid it would ruin our friendship.”
“Well, Jack, here’s how I would have answered.” She leaned in and softly
pressed her lips to mine. She held them there for a long moment, and when she pulled back, I had tears in my eyes.
“I’ve dreamt of that,” I said, wiping a clumsy paw across my own face. “I’ve always loved you, Mandy.”
“Well, now you see why your ministry scares me. I love you, too, and I’m afraid of losing you to something I don’t understand.”
We needed to go back up and check on Buddy, but I didn’t want this moment to end. “Uh, just to make sure I didn’t dream it, can I get one more of those kisses?”
She laughed, took my face in her hands, and kissed me passionately. I was in heaven, but I had a friend and mentor who needed me. Further discussion would have to wait.
“Let’s go. We need to check on Buddy.”
She stood. “We’re not done discussing this.”
“Certainly not,” I said, and then laughed. “I guess Mom will say I told you so.”
“Really? She suspected?”
“Oh, yea. She told me to ask you out a long time ago.”
Mandy nudged me. “See, you should listen to your mother.”
I looked into her eyes. “Believe me, I wish I had.”
*******
When we arrived back at the Waiting Room, Sarah was wearing a smile. The doctor was standing next to her, his head going up and down. He turned and walked away as we came up.
Sarah stood and hugged me. “We have good news.”
I pulled back and looked at her. “What?”
“They’ve detected electrical impulses in Buddy’s brain. It’s still swollen, but the doctor said that’s a very good sign, and hopes the swelling will begin to subside over night.”
I hugged her again. “That’s great, Sarah.”
“He’s not out of the woods by a long shot, but it’s a step in the right direction.”
Brother Edwards was talking on the phone, and when he hung up, he came over to us. “Journey’s congregation is rejoicing and continuing to pray.”
I looked at Mandy, then Sarah. “I need to talk to Gary. Okay if I leave Mandy with you?”
“Of course.”
I stepped into the hall with Gary. “I’m going after Harbinger.”
“You can’t, not yet.”
“I don’t mean now, but I’m going after him in October.”
“The next date of his visitation to the family plot?”
“Yes, but I need to do something first. That’s why I asked you out here.”
“Okay, what’s up?”
I looked over his shoulder, watching Mandy comfort Sarah, then back at Gary. “Buddy once told me he informed Sarah of his ministry before he married her.”
“That would be standard practice, but only after a Chaser is certain the woman will be his partner, both in marriage and ministry.”
“What happens if it doesn’t work out? What if she and I don’t make it like Buddy and Sarah, what then?”
Brother Gary looked over his shoulder, then back at me. “Detective Myers?”
I nodded.
“Well, Jack, here’s the deal. If she can’t accept your ministry after being exposed to it, and the events surrounding it, she would be taken the same as a person contacted by a Runner.”
I slumped against the wall.
If I tell her about Chasing, and she accepts it, but can’t deal with it later, she’ll die. If I don’t tell her, I risk losing her anyway.
“Is just telling her enough to put her in danger?”
“No, not by itself. But if she believes in the ministry, and moves forward with it, there will be no turning back.”
I shook his hand. “Thank you, Brother.”
“Any time.”
We walked back to where Sarah and Mandy sat. “I’ve got a dog at home who no doubt is hungry. I need to go, Sarah.”
She got up and hugged me again. “I understand.”
“Call me if anything changes?”
“You’re the first.”
“Good. Mandy, can you walk out with me.”
“Of course.”
*******
I still had Buddy’s keys, and when we arrived down at the Impala, I turned Mandy to face me. “There’s a lot I have to tell you, BUT…you have to be sure you’re ready. Once I share this with you, there’s nothing I can do to protect you, from both the knowledge of what I do and what it means.”
“Jack Carter, if you think it’s important enough to risk your life for, then I want to know what it is.”
“Okay, then get in your car and follow me. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Lead away!” she said, laughing. “I’ll follow.”
I hope she says that after I’ve told her everything.
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Thank you again to everyone who has written and encouraged me to continue this series. It is a labor of love.
I will be starting the third book in this series immediately after this one is published, and I look forward, with you, to seeing what happens.
Blessings to each of you who has taken time to read these books, and I hope they brought you some enjoyment.
If you would like to comment, my email is [email protected] or you can visit my web page at http://jcdalglish.webs.com.
Also, keep up to date on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/DetectiveJasonStrong
God Bless, John
I John 1:9
CREDITS
Cover by Beverly Dalglish
Graphic Consulting by Kristian Dalglish
JOURNEY (THE CHASER CHRONICLES Book 2) Page 8