by Jill S. Behe
“I’d argue with you, but that would be pointless. I’ll do as you ask.”
She was fading even as she spoke. Thank you, my dear. For everything.
The EMT’s were loading Carin into the ambulance. Cade was walking beside the stretcher, holding her hand.
Liz faded as Decker walked towards Teal. “I’m riding in the ambulance. Can you get Cade to the hospital?” He put the truck keys into her hand, and leaned in for a kiss. “Thank you, Teal. And I promise, there will be more to say later.”
“You trust me with this? I’ve never driven anything this big.”
“I have every confidence. Nothing to it, actually. I trust you with more than that, and we’ll talk about it all.”
A grim nod. “I’ll stop and let Bella out, before we head in.”
“See there?” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I almost forgot about her. I love you, so much.”
He was going to make her cry again. “Go. Go, before they leave without you.”
He touched her cheek, and then jogged to the back of the EMT’s vehicle and climbed in.
Cade stood, looking dazed as the flashing lights disappeared.
Teal stepped up next to him, in the glow of the headlights. “Cade?”
He blinked back from the trance, and turned.
She clasped his hand. “I need to let Bella out. Then we’ll head to the hospital. Okay?”
A nod. “Yeah. Thanks.”
Levi walked up to them. “I have to wait for the rest of my team to get here. You two going to be all right?”
“Do you want us to wait with you?’
“Nah, go on. They should be here in the next few minutes.”
She held up the keys. “He’s trusting me to get his monster of a truck out of here in one piece. If I scratch it up, he’ll never speak to me, again.”
Levi chuckled. “I doubt he’s going to dither over a few scratches that, maybe, you put there, when most of them are from his wild trek in here. You’ll be fine. Tell him I’ll see him as soon as we’re done here.”
“I’ll pass along your message. Thanks, Levi. Come on, Cade. Let’s take care of the girl.”
“Right behind you.”
An hour and a half later, they were all gathered in the ER waiting room, sipping really bad vending machine coffee. Someone came through the double doors with a clipboard. “Family of Carin Brogan?”
They all stood.
“Wow.” The young man cleared his throat. “She’s being taken up to surgery. Can’t give you a specific estimate of time, but it could be a while. There’s a waiting room on the surgical floor, level five, if you’d care to use it.”
Decker stepped forward. “What kind of surgery?”
“There’s a brain bleed they’re concerned about. There’s no fracture to the skull, but from what they can see on the MRI, it looks like she banged her head, maybe from falling backwards. They are also looking at possible internal bleeding in the spleen, kidney areas.”
“What else is wrong with her?”
“Uh.” He glanced at his notes. “Her hands are pretty torn up, knuckles and palms. She took a hell of a beating, in my opinion—not that it counts for much—but she fought back. Several cracked ribs, could attribute to the bleeding issue. Her jaw and nose are broken, and she has a fractured eye socket. Lots of cuts and bruises, all over. Split lip may be the least of her injuries.” He shook his head. “She’s not giving up, though. You’ve got a fighter there, Mr. Brogan.”
Decker ran a hand over his head and around his neck. “Praise Jesus.”
“Uh. Amen to that. Can’t hurt to do some praying. Every little bit helps, and so on. Not to rain on the optimism, but she is in critical condition. The next twenty-four hours could go either way.”
Decker nodded. “Thanks for taking time to let us know what’s going on.”
The man pasted on a smile. “That’s what I’m here for.”
Teal slipped her arm through Decker’s. “You said there’s a waiting room on five?”
“Yes. That elevator to the left will take you right up.”
“Thank you so much.” Teal urged Decker towards the doors, and pushed the up button.
Cade, Levi, Bethany, and Sierra followed, crowding into the cramped space. The doors closed, and the small cell moved upward.
Chapter 48
Monday….
Halloween
* * *
Teal took her position as head librarian seriously, and dressed the part, immaculately. However, upon occasion, as with certain holidays, Clarice allowed them to participate in the celebration by the wearing of costumes—at their discretion.
This too, Teal took seriously.
She’d transformed herself into a Gypsy woman. Her makeup, usually subtle enough patrons weren’t sure she was wearing any, was heavy and dark today. The eyes were even more dramatic with rich purple eyeshadow, and a triple layer of black mascara. Bright red lipstick accentuated her full lips. A variety of long faux gold chains looped around her neck, decoration for the loose white peasant blouse. Several bangle bracelets clanged charmingly from both wrists, and a ring—or two—glittered on each finger.
A red sash around her waist covered the waistband of her swirling black, calf-length skirt. Black heeled granny boots completed her ensemble. She’d even dyed her hair black—a temporary rinse—and had it held back with a red bandana.
She contemplated her next move from her post at the circulation desk. The trap needed to be set today. But when, where, how? There were a couple of ideas floating around in the grey matter, but….
The phone signaled a call from the director.
“Yes, Clarice?”
“Are you clear for a few minutes?”
“Yes, there aren’t any patrons here, yet.”
“Good. Come on back.”
Ten minutes later, Teal was back at the desk, stunned, and doing a jig in her head, now armed with the perfect scenario. Smiling inside, she dialed the extension for the children’s section.
Teal had seen Jacqueline earlier looking as much like a cat as was humanly possible. The woman was in a black bodysuit, cat features: white cheeks, black nose, black freckles, red lipstick, and whiskers painted on her face, long black acrylic nails decorating her fingertips, her (real) black hair was spiked, and there were fake cat ears covering her own.
Teal was surprised the woman was wearing flats instead of spike heels, until she remembered the event taking place upstairs today, then it made sense.
Jacqueline very much enjoyed being the children’s librarian, and went all out to make every event memorable for all the boy and girls who attended.
“Yes?” The tone was…impatient.
“I need to see you for a moment.”
“I’m busy setting up.”
“I’ll be quick.”
“Can’t you just tell me? That’d be even quicker, and I could get the rest of the chairs set up …boss.”
Teal frowned. Was that a ring of false respect in the other woman’s voice? A small shrug. Maybe not. “Clarice just told me she won’t be in until very late on Wednesday morning.”
“And, so? She’s done that before. Why is this different?”
“It’s my day to go get flowers. No one will be here to let you, or the others, in at 8:30.”
“Oh, goody. I get to sleep in.”
Teal’s frown deepened. That definitely sounded like sarcasm.
There was an impatient sigh. “Sorry. I still don’t see the problem.”
“No problem. Just letting you know there won’t be anyone here to let you all in.”
Jacqueline chuckled. “Tell your boyfriend to drive a little faster.”
Hmm. She had noticed.
“Well, I would, if he was going to be driving.” Teal wrinkled her nose. “Remember that girl who fell off the ledge at the Cornice Lookout?”
“Fell?” There was a pause, and Teal thought she heard a laugh. “Oh, yes. I do remember that. Why?”
>
“Well, she’s being released from the hospital on Wednesday morning.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
Teal, furtively, glanced over her shoulder. “I guess it’s okay to tell you.”
“Tell me what?” The woman sounded bored.
“Chief Kincaid and Decker will be escorting her out of the hospital Wednesday morning. A police presence, in case there are any…disruptions.”
“The Boulder police department had a guard on her door this whole time.” Teal could hear the sneer in Jacqueline’s voice. “Why not use their own cops?”
Teal’s eyes narrowed, but her voice remained calm, and reasonable. “The chief and Decker were the ones to rescue that poor girl, they felt they should be there for her release.”
“Aw. Isn’t that sweet.” The woman let out a huff. “Whatever. Is that it?”
“I think so.” Teal gritted her teeth, mentally, so wanting to slice through Jacqueline’s condescending tone. “Yes, that’s it.”
“Great. Thanks for the heads up.”
Teal smiled, in case her co-worker was watching from above. “You’re very welcome.”
“Mmm. Yes. Do you think you might send one or two of the part-timers up here to help me finish setting up?”
“Of course.”
“How very gracious. Thank you. Bye now.”
Teal could hear Jacqueline chuckling as she hung up.
Teal’s insides were quivering like jelly. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so tense, so mad she could…spit nails. But—
Had she pulled off the ruse? Were thoughts of dark deeds already beginning to spin in the other woman’s head? Half of her wished it true, the other half was mortified at the delight she felt at the prospect. Leaning on the desk, she pondered the consequences of the conversation.
Had she set a death trap in motion? The ultimate goal was only to capture and imprison. Wasn’t it? But did having Decker in sniper mode, change the dynamic?
He had such a warm gentle soul. It was hard for her to imagine him as a stone cold killer. Didn’t mean he couldn’t be cold and calculating. In order for him to do what he did…had done for a living, he would have to be. She was glad she’d never seen that side of him and hoped she’d never have to.
A headache was beginning to thrum behind her eyes. She needed to be busy, to keep her mind occupied. Teal straightened, and rolled her shoulders as a patron with an armload of books approached the desk.
Excellent.
Time to get back to work.
Chapter 49
Decker called, later that evening, and gave her an update on Carin. She was in ICU, but holding her own. The doctors were cautiously optimistic that she would recover.
“She’s never far from my thoughts, Decker.”
“I appreciate any and all. If she would just wake up. I know it’s too soon. She just had surgery last night, but still….”
“The doctors say she’s fighting. She has to come out of it on her own.” She was reminded of Liz’s final request, too. He needed to know.
“You’re right. I’m being impatient. I hate waiting. She looks so fragile, so unlike my tenacious always-in-control daughter.”
“Did they let you in to see her today?”
“For five minutes. Which in itself is ridiculous.”
“She has to rest, Decker.”
“Agreed. But they’re always saying how it’s good to talk to them, or sing to them, or read to them. How much talking, singing, or reading can a person do in five minutes?”
“Hmm. Not much, to be sure. It’ll get better, Decker.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
“Actually, there are a couple of things I need to tell you.”
“Good things?”
“Yes, and no.” And she related the events of the morning. “It was like fate intervened and gave me the answer to my dilemma before I had a chance to really worry about it. I hope the hook’s been set well and she can’t wiggle free.”
“Sounds like you did a great job. Jacqueline’s now aware of all the key points in order to walk into the trap. Keep your fingers crossed. Remember, Levi and I will be heading out to Boulder around 6:30 tomorrow night. You and I can keep in touch by text.”
“That’s it!”
“What?”
“Something she said. Jacqueline was being her snarky self, and said since the Boulder police were guarding that girl’s door, why couldn’t they be the escorts. How did she know Brooke was being guarded by the Boulder P.D.?”
“Good question. Maybe she stopped in for a final visit, and the sight of that guard was enough to deter another try.”
“That’s comforting. She doesn’t look crazy, but she really is.”
“I agree. Speaking of—”
“What?”
“I heard there was a gorgeous Gypsy girl on the desk today. Did you hire someone new?”
Teal felt her face go warm. “How did you hear—?”
He laughed. “I have spies everywhere, sweetheart. I’m disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to see you all dolled up.”
“Oh, don’t worry. Clarice made a point to take a picture of everyone who was in costume. She’s going to publish them in the monthly newsletter.”
“Excellent. Will it be in color?”
“Unfortunately.”
He was going to track down that woman and ask her for a print for his own collection. “Can’t wait to see it.”
“Please. I had a few people tell me I should keep my hair dyed black. They’re crazy.”
“Babe, I love the color of your hair, and as I haven’t seen it any other color, I’m a bit prejudiced. But, I’d have liked to see you raven-haired.”
“Aw.” Pouring on the sarcasm. “You’re so sweet.”
“You said there were a couple of things. What’s the other…thing?”
“Oh. Well, it’s not such good news, but necessary.”
“Don’t prolong the agony, sweetheart. Just tell me.”
“Um, okay. While you and Cade were helping with Carin last night, Liz appeared to me.”
“Liz? You don’t get ‘visits,’ do you?”
“This was a first, and disturbing as it was, also sad.”
“Tell me.”
“She was upset. She couldn’t reach Carin. And she could tell that you and Cade weren’t getting through to her, either. Most of her concern was that they weren’t going to let her stay to find out what happened to Carin.”
“Ah. I see. Her mission had been for us to find out who her killer was. Once that happened, her part in it was finished. Right?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, Decker. She asked me to tell you. I felt she should, but, she didn’t think she had enough time left, and you were both so focused on Carin, she didn’t feel it would be right to distract you.”
Decker sighed. “It would have been good to say good-bye, this time.”
“I wish it could have been different, but at least you’ll know why you aren’t seeing or hearing her.”
“Don’t worry about it, Teal. I appreciate you relaying her message.”
“I feel so sad.”
“I understand, but she’s gone. Has been gone. And I’m fine. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay. Sleep well, Decker.”
“I will. Good night.”
“Good night, Decker.”
Chapter 50
Tuesday evening….
* * *
While Decker and Levi were escorting Brooke and her boyfriend from the hospital, Teal was prepping for the showdown with Jacqueline the next morning.
She thought back on the finalizing of the ‘blueprints’ of the operation at a special briefing Levi had called that afternoon.
Once they’d hammered out all the details, Levi had updated the rest of his team.
He’d assigned a couple men to stakeout Jacqueline’s house. A few would actually be inside the nursery warehouse overnight, just in case she showed up
. One man would be on the outside, to alert them to Jacqueline’s arrival.
Cade, anxious for it to be over with, had a question. “Why not just have them arrest her as soon as she comes out?”
“Because they wouldn’t have any way to know why she was leaving her house. She could be going to the grocery store. We’d have no legal grounds to even detain her.”
“Ah.”
“Besides, we need her to make a specific attack on Teal, or my men (if they happen to expose themselves). Then we’d have probable cause for an arrest. And I doubt she’ll show up more than a few minutes before the place opens. I would think she’d be smart enough to know she needs to be well rested if she’s going to pull off taking out her primary enemy.”
Tonight, Teal paced. Too nervous and scared to eat, or sleep, she practiced strapping on the protective vest Decker had handed her as they left the briefing.
She was anxious about the whole plan—her nerves felt like little needles under her skin—and the possible outcome. Even after she realized there wasn’t anything she could do to influence, or change what happened in the next twenty-four hours, she couldn’t relax.
Still. What happened would happen. And she’d have to live with it, good or bad.
Decker, meanwhile, had Teal on his mind, and was brooding in the passenger seat of Levi’s SUV as they returned to Crescent Falls.
He pulled out his phone and sent her a text: Brooke and boyfriend safe and sound. Parents showed up, too. All are together. On our way back. Love you. Take extra special care of my lady tomorrow.
Teal replied: So glad to hear it was a success. Thanks for letting me know. I will. You keep my man safe, too. Love you back.
Once she’d received his text, she settled, though not completely, but was able to relax enough to sleep.
Levi glanced over. “You know she’s going to be protected as well as she can be. She’s a strong, feisty woman—once you get to the other side of the little librarian act. It’s a great mask, let me tell you.”
“If anything happens to her, Levi, I’ll go mad.”