The Scholarship

by Jaime Maddox

  “No.”

  “How do you know he plays on the RailRiders?”

  “Duh! He told me. And he had a real uniform.”

  “What happened after you met him?”

  “He told me Ella was in the park and she fell into the gorge and hurt her leg. He said I had to help her right away. He said it was safe for me to go with him, since he plays for the RailRiders.”

  “So you went to the gorge?”

  “Yes. I ran as fast as I could.”

  “Do you remember anything else, Cass? Can you tell me what he looked like?”

  “He looked like a baseball player,” she said, and although she omitted the “duh” this time, it was implied.

  Knowing Cass, Ella thought she understood what she was trying to say. “Cass, I don’t think he understands. Do you mean he was tall?”

  “Yes. Very tall.”

  “And did he have big muscles?”

  Cass nodded.

  “Okay, what else? Did he have a beard?”

  “Yes, and cool sunglasses.”

  Ella pulled up a picture of sporty sunglasses on her phone. “This kind?” she asked.

  “Yep. That kind.”

  “What color was his beard?” the officer asked.

  “Black, but with a little white, too.”

  After a few more questions, he patted Cass on the arm. “You’re the best witness I’ve had all day, Cass.

  “I’ll be back when the parents get here,” he said as he left.

  “I’ll call right now,” Ella said, as she reached into her purse for her phone. She didn’t even have time to dial before Sharon and Chris came running through the door.

  “Hi, Mommy. Hi, Daddy,” she said. “I got to ride in the ambulance.”

  As they rushed to her side, Reese ran through the door, too. Wearing a T-shirt, golf shorts, and slides, Ella thought she’d never seen her look so sexy. For a moment, she forgot where she was, and why she was there, and the fact that Reese had broken their date.

  Although concern masked her beautiful features, she smiled for her sister. “Nice hat, Cass.”

  “I fell in the gorge,” she said.

  Sharon’s hand flew to her mouth as she tried to hold back her emotions. Ella could imagine what she was thinking—how hard they worked with Cass to teach her right from wrong, and stranger danger, and to stay away from the gorge—and yet here she was, on a stretcher in the ER, lucky to be alive.

  Ella was amazed by Sharon’s calm demeanor. “Honey, you know the gorge is dangerous. Why did you go there by yourself?”

  This is where it gets tricky, Ella thought. She had to tell the Ryans what had happened; someone had purposefully tried to harm Cass, and they might just try again. Yet she didn’t want to say anything in front of Cass and frighten her. Even though she remembered the baseball player taking her into the park, she had no idea he’d pushed her over the railing and into the raging waters below. As far as Ella was concerned, it should stay that way, but the ultimate decision was the Ryans’.

  “X-ray,” a woman said as she poked her head through the door. Then, “Oh, hi, Dr. Ryan. Is this Cassidy Ryan related to you?”

  Reese smiled for the first time since she’d come into the room. “She sure is. This is my sister, so take good care of her.”

  “I sure will. Cass, sweetie, can you walk to the wheelchair? We’re going to the X-ray department to take a picture of your lungs.”

  The nurses had changed her out of the wet clothing, and now she wore only the standard hospital gown, but she had no difficulty walking in her hospital socks and plopped down into the chair. “This is my first time in a wheelchair,” she said excitedly. “Don’t go too fast.”

  When they’d left, Ella scanned all three of their faces. “You guys should sit. I have to tell you something.”

  “What is it?” Sharon asked, even as Reese pushed the chair under her mother and then nudged her into it.

  “This is what I know. I was down in the gorge, reading a book, when some pebbles fell. I looked up to see what was happening, and I saw Cass, standing on the railing at the scenic-overlook part of the path. She was looking down into the gorge. A man was behind her, and he pushed her over the railing. It wasn’t an accident. He deliberately took both hands and shoved her. She doesn’t remember it—I think it just didn’t register that he pushed her. I ran down into the gorge and saw some Scouts downstream and was able to get their attention. They went in and pulled her out of the water.”

  Reese’s head dropped a few degrees, but her eyes remained level as she stared at Reese. “You’re telling me someone tried to murder Cass?”

  “I think so.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “Why would anyone want to hurt her?” Sharon asked.

  Chris shook his head. “There’s all kinds of nut-jobs in the world, Sharon. Nothing surprises me. He probably saw her and thought he could pick on her because she’s an easy target.”

  “It wasn’t that, Chris,” Ella said. She told them how the man had lured Cass from the yard and into the gorge by telling her she’d fallen, and how he’d gained her trust by telling her he played for the RailRiders.

  “So this guy deliberately targeted her. He knew who she was, wore the uniform—knew who you are—” he said, looking at Ella. “That’s a lot of personal information about Cass.”

  “It doesn’t make any sense,” Sharon said. “Cass can be a handful at times, but she’s harmless. Why would anyone want to hurt her?”

  “That’s a really good question.”

  Reese looked up to see a Scranton police officer and another man, one she recognized. He was the man who’d shown up at this very ER a few days earlier and escorted her to the DA’s office.

  After introducing himself to the group, he spoke. “I have a theory.” He paused for dramatic effect, for they were already looking at him.

  “As you know, the DA’s office has reopened the Stephanie Gates murder investigation. A few days ago, the DA himself spoke with Dr. Ryan about the case.” He studied their faces, as if to see if any of them was shocked by the news. They weren’t, and he continued. “It might surprise you to learn that Dr. Ryan is a person of interest in the Gates case.”

  “What?” her father said, standing to face the investigator. “That’s ridiculous!”

  “Is it? Did you know that your daughter and Stephanie Gates were lovers?”

  Reese looked around and now saw the shock he’d been aiming for. At once, all three of them looked at her. She did her best to keep her face a blank mask. Remembering Gina Leone’s advice, she said nothing.

  “You’re not going to deny it, Dr. Ryan? You and Stephanie were lovers, weren’t you? And you had a fight that night, and you killed her. Then you went home, and you asked your sister to cover for you. For twenty years, she’s been protecting you, and now, just when this investigation is getting interesting, someone tries to murder her. Imagine that? The one person who could prove you were lying about that night…”

  “Get out of here, right now!” Chris shouted. “And don’t come back unless you have some proof, or a warrant, or something more than meritless theories.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll be back,” he said.

  The Scranton cop remained. “Sorry about that. I have nothing to do with that other matter, but I am looking into the attempt on your daughter’s life.”

  “How did he know about Cass?” Reese asked. She’d been notified only twenty minutes earlier. The DA must really be keeping a close eye on her if they’d already sent their investigator to the hospital.

  “I have no idea,” the officer said.

  “I need to ask you all some questions,” he said, and then he did. He asked the Ryans about the neighborhood, whether they’d seen anyone suspicious hanging around, if Cass had mentioned anyone befriending her at work or in the park. No one could think of anything out of the ordinary. As far as their day went, Chris had been playing golf when the incident happened, and Sharon had be
en shampooing her rugs. She’d never even known Cass was missing.

  “How about you, Dr. Ryan? Have you noticed anything different lately, anyone hanging out around your parents’ house or following you in the park?”

  Reese shook her head. This was so bizarre. People loved Cass. No one would ever want to hurt her.

  “And where were you when this happened?” he asked.

  “I was home.”

  “What were you doing?” he asked, and Reese tried not to let the questions alarm her. It was all routine, she assured herself. He was just doing his job. She took a fortifying breath before answering.

  “I worked last night, so I slept till about two. When I got up I ate a sandwich, worked out for about an hour, and then got a shower. I’d just finished dressing when Ella called me.”

  “Any company? Anyone to verify your whereabouts?”

  “Uh, no,” Reese said, suddenly wondering if she should call her lawyer.

  Then he turned his attention to Ella and asked her many of the same questions, and the relief Reese felt nearly caused her knees to buckle.

  “Have you told anyone else what you saw? Anyone except the family and the police?”

  Ella shook her head.

  “Good. Don’t. I don’t want to start a panic. We’re going to look at the security tapes from the park and around the hospital and see if we can find this baseball player.” He passed out his calling cards, in case they thought of anything else to share, and turned and left the room.

  Before they could talk, Cass returned, sporting a sticker of a skeleton on her shirt. She pointed at it. “I got my X-ray,” she said.

  “And I’m going to go look at it. First, I want to check you.”

  Ella watched absentmindedly as Reese examined Cass. The detective said Reese and Steph had been lovers. The thought had never occurred to Ella, but it certainly made sense. She’d first began experimenting with girls at that age, so why not them, too? And somehow, someone had figured that out, and now Reese was a suspect in the murder. That, too, made sense, although the idea of Reese killing Steph was as ridiculous as the idea of Reese trying to kill her sister. Reese was wonderful and kind and adored Cass. She was protective of her. Even if she had killed Steph, which Ella certainly did not believe, she would never do anything to harm her sister. Ella believed, when it came right down to it, Reese would die rather than let anything happen to Cass.

  Even if it made no sense, this new development possibly explained something else: Reese’s sudden decision to end their relationship. The man had mentioned that the DA had questioned Reese and considered her a suspect in Steph’s murder. It was that same night, after she met with the DA, that she’d called things off. The timing made sense. Who can concentrate on wooing a girl when you’re worried about going to jail for the rest of your life?

  Poor Reese! Ella could only imagine what she was feeling right now. Watching Reese tickle her sister’s stomach, and seeing Cass giggle and squirm in response, she saw the vulnerability Reese so carefully hid from everyone. It was really only exposed at times like this, when she was not just with Cass but responsible for her. Now, she was the doctor examining Cass, and the weight of that responsibility seemed to pull Reese’s shoulders down.

  “I’m going to check the X-ray,” Reese said.

  “I’m number ninety-nine,” Cass said.

  “Huh?” Reese asked.

  “Her oxygen,” Ella said, nodding toward the screen.

  Reese rewarded her with a smile. “Ninety-nine is good.”

  Ella watched as Reese left and made up her mind that she was not going to allow Reese to shoulder this burden alone. Reese was hurting, Ella knew it, and although she’d tried to push her away, now that Ella knew why, she refused to allow it. And Reese could resist all she wanted. The effort would be futile, because Ella knew the key to Reese’s heart was sitting right there on the stretcher, playing with her fireman’s hat. And since Cass had won Ella’s heart, too, she knew it would all work out, with time.

  “Perfect X-ray,” Reese said as she came back into the room, followed by Dr. Light.

  “Normally, I’d like to keep her for a while to observe her, but I think she really did dodge a bullet here.”

  Cass shook her head. “It wasn’t a bullet. I fell in the gorge.”

  They all laughed.

  “It’s a good thing I can swim,” Cass said proudly.

  Ella saw them all smile, and she remembered Reese telling her Cass’s love of swimming was one of the reasons she’d bought the house with the pool.

  “I’ll stay at my parents’ tonight. I have a fingertip O2 sat monitor, so I can keep an eye on her.”

  “I have to be better by tomorrow,” Cass said. “It’s my birthday party.”

  “I think you’re already better,” Reese said.

  “I’ll do the discharge instructions.”

  Sharon walked over and hugged Ella. “I can’t thank you enough, Ella. You saved her.”

  Ella echoed the Scout leader’s words. “I was in the right place at the right time.”

  “Mommy, can we get pizza tonight? It’s Friday.”

  “Well, I’m not in the mood to cook, so pizza sounds good to me.”

  “And I want Ella and Reese to come, too.”

  “Of course.” Sharon looked at Ella. “If you’re not busy, would you like to join us for dinner?”

  Ella looked at Reese before answering, holding her breath, wishing for Reese to reconsider her harsh decision to end things between them. Reese seemed to debate for a second, before nodding almost imperceptibly, filling Ella with hope.

  “I would. But only if you can give me a ride home. I came in the ambulance with Cass, so I’m stranded. And right about now, it’s looking like a long walk back to Nay Aug.”

  “I’ll give you a ride,” Reese said.

  They waited until Cass’s paperwork arrived, and even though she was quite capable of walking, she insisted on a ride to the door in the wheelchair. Reese pushed her and even did a wheelie in front of the nurses’ station. At the front door, the group split, and Ella followed Reese a few feet to her car in the doctors’ lot.

  “Tiffany told me it was your idea to bring Cass here,” she said. Turning in her seat, she offered Ella a hesitant smile. “That was good thinking.”

  “I thought you would feel more comfortable here, but once we got here, I realized it was a good move for Cass, too. She felt right at home.”

  “She’s been here with me several times,” Reese said as she pulled onto the street.

  They were quiet for a few minutes, and Ella contemplated what to say next. The conversation with the investigator from the DA’s office was like the elephant between them in the car, and she decided the sooner they discussed it, the better.

  “We should talk about it, Reese.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I suspect you canceled our date tomorrow because of the investigation. Because it’s on your mind and it’s difficult for you to relax and think about anything else.”

  “Yes, yes, and yes.”

  “I do not believe for one second that you had anything to do with Steph’s murder. And if it’s too much for you to date me right now, because you’re nervous or depressed, or whatever—I understand. But I care about you, and I’m not going to let you push me away while you deal with this all by yourself.”

  “You can’t help, Ella.”

  “How do you know? Maybe it would be helpful just to have someone to talk to. Or someone to be with who you don’t have to explain it to. Maybe what you need is great sex to take your mind off your troubles.”

  They were at a stop sign and Reese turned to her, laughing. “Was that a pickup line?”

  “Maybe.”

  “It’s the best one I’ve ever heard.”

  Ella winked, and Reese grabbed her hand. After squeezing it, Reese didn’t let go.

  Leaning back into her seat, Ella was quiet, happy the tension between them was broken. When Reese p
ulled into her parents’ driveway, Ella turned to her. “My sneakers are wet, and I need a shower. Will you call me when the pizza arrives?”

  “Certainly.”

  “Can I bring anything?”

  “I don’t suppose you have time to bake a cake, do you?”

  “I’ll bring the vodka. I think we both could use a drink.”

  “See you in a bit.”

  Chapter 23: Overnight Shift

  In the kitchen, Ella washed her hands, then pulled out her baking supplies. Ten minutes later, a cake was in the oven. It was from a box, but she found that to be acceptable in a pinch.

  With the timer set, she took off her grimy sneakers and set them on the porch to dry, then headed upstairs for a shower. After dressing in comfortable jeans and a lightweight sweater, she dried her hair and made it downstairs with three minutes left on the oven timer. She was mixing the icing when the cake finished, and she moved it to the counter to cool.

  After washing her hands again, she picked up her phone and dialed the Ryans. Cass answered.

  “Do I smell pizza?” she asked.

  “It’s not here yet.”

  “Can you come over and help me carry the cake? I’ll let you put the frosting on it.”

  “I have to ask Mom,” she said, and Ella suspected Cass wouldn’t be leaving the house without her mother’s permission for a very long time.

  A minute later she heard a knock on the door, and Ella handed Cass a box containing the ingredients for decorating. She followed her out the door with the cake on a glass plate.

  Reese laughed when she saw the cake.

  “I aim to please,” Ella said, and Reese closed her eyes as a blush spread across her face. When she opened them again, Ella was still staring at her. “I’m not flirting with you, Reese. I just want you to know I’m here. And I’m interested. And I’m not going to let this nonsense scare me away.”

  Reese nodded in understanding, and the doorbell saved them from further discussion. “You answer it, Reese,” Cass said, and Ella worried again that Cass would suffer the repercussions of her ordeal for a long time.

  It was after seven o’clock when they finished the pizza, and by then the cake was cool, so Cass frosted it and decorated it with thirty different toppings, which blended together amazingly well.