He turned to her. “You wanted to talk to me?”
Stella nodded. She held a tissue over her eyes.
Preston walked up to the counter. “Are you okay?”
Stella’s voice croaked. “Did you shoot someone, about two years ago?”
Preston hesitated. “I … I don’t think so. My mind is hazy about that night. I remember hearing some gunshots. I think I might have shot at someone. Why?”
“Were you in town, nearby?”
“I believe I was. I remember I was in bad shape that night.”
“You needed drugs.”
“Yeah, I did, and I didn’t trust the dealer.”
“Which is why you had a gun.”
Preston nodded.
“Did you talk to the police?”
Preston shook his head. “No. Not that I remember.”
“Did you read about the shooting later? Or did your father tell you anything about it?”
“He asked me a lot of questions. Then he put me in rehab.”
Stella sighed and stood up. “Okay.”
Preston walked out of the clinic, frowning. Sometimes I get the feeling that my father was there with me.
Chapter 41
“Gee whiz, my eyes really are bloodshot.” Aaron stared into a mirror later that morning. “It’s got to be lack of sleep.”
He walked down the hallway to see a patient, passing by a room with an open door. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a woman sitting on the edge of the examination table with long, white hair falling over her shoulders.
I guess I’ll see her after this next patient.
Stella stopped Aaron in the hall. “You’ll hardly recognize this guy. It’s Sid Taggett, just recovered from his thallium poisoning.”
Aaron opened the door and his jaw dropped. “Sid, is it really you?”
“It’s really me, Doc. I wanted you to see the new Sid.”
“You look great.”
“I feel so much better. I’ve got my old body back, most of it anyway.”
“Are you having any problems?”
Sid glanced down at his legs. “Just this burning pain in my legs, but the medicine makes it better.”
“Good.”
“I’m eating real food again.”
“You’re gaining weight.”
Sid shook his head. “I can’t believe I almost died. Wanda had me fooled real good.”
“She had everyone fooled.”
“It’s strange. There are holes in my memory over the last six months. It’s like part of my life was erased.”
“You don’t need to remember most of it.”
“I remember you came to see me. Thanks.”
A warm flush coursed through Aaron’s body. “It’s what I’m here for.”
“I hope I never see her again for the rest of my life,” Sid said.
“She’ll be in the state hospital for a while.”
“I hope until she dies. No one deserves her.”
“She might improve with medication.”
“It doesn’t matter. I could never trust her anymore.”
“Even if she was back to the old Wanda, like when you first met her?”
Sid shook his head. “It was her eyes. They turned pure evil. It gives me chills thinking about those eyes.” He looked down. “Besides, she wouldn’t trust me either. I wasn’t the most faithful husband in the world.”
Sid cocked his head. “Can you believe she even tried to voodoo curse me?”
Aaron chuckled. “I don’t think she was seriously into the voodoo religion. I’m sure that was just one of her delusions.”
“She went off her rocker, all right.”
“What about Race?” Aaron said.
Sid snorted. “I heard about him. The police questioned me. He always was a wild one, but I had no idea he was that sick in the head.”
“He’s disappeared. No one has seen him.”
“I’m sure he’s somewhere in the Big Thicket. He told me before that he likes it in there. He’s got special places where he can hide out, and no one can find him.”
“No one’s found him yet.”
Sid hopped off the table. “Well, good luck with that. I’m moving to Nevada. I have a brother there.”
“Are you selling your house?”
“I’m gonna try to. With what’s happened, I can’t stay around here.”
Aaron nodded. “I don’t blame you.”
“Why don’t you come to visit me after I settle in? Las Vegas has the National Finals Rodeo every year. We could go. It would be great fun.”
Aaron shook Sid’s hand. “Count me in.”
He watched Sid walk out and then turned into the adjoining patient room. He stopped and scanned the room. No one was there; the woman with the white hair was gone. I guess she couldn’t wait.
Aaron approached Stella in the registration area. “What happened to the lady in Room Two? Did she leave?”
Stella studied the computer screen. “I don’t see any female patients scheduled for this time.” She turned to Aaron and shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe she got an emergency call and had to go.”
Later that afternoon, Stella signaled to Aaron. “A nurse from the hospital is on the phone. She has a question.”
He walked to the phone. “Hello.”
“Dr. Rovsing, this … this is Rachel. I was at your clinic yesterday.”
Aaron nodded. Rachel, with the dimples and bright green eyes.
“Well, hello again. How is your hand?” he said.
“It’s fine. No problems.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“I’m … I’m sorry to bother you, but I thought I’d ask if you’re coming to the hospital social tonight.”
“I’d forgotten about that, and you’re not bothering me at all. I’ll be there.” Aaron grinned and sat down. “Can I look for you?”
“Please do. I’ll save you a seat.”
Aaron stood outside with Stella as she locked up the clinic. She hesitated at the door and looked up at Aaron.
“Are you okay?” Aaron said.
“I have to talk to Brad Benningham, Preston’s father. Can you come with me to his house? I need your help.”
“Sure. What’s this about?”
“I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I think Preston might be the one who shot my son two years ago.”
Aaron stepped back. “Preston? Oh, no.”
“I want to find out for myself, but I may lose it. I need you there.”
Aaron followed Stella’s car to Brad’s mansion.
Stella’s finger twitched as she rang the front doorbell. In less than a minute, Myra swung the door open.
“Hi. An unexpected surprise,” Myra said.
“Is Brad here?” Stella said.
“He’ll be home in a few minutes. He’s probably on his way home now.”
“Can we come in?”
“Sure.” Myra stepped back and directed Stella and Aaron to the living room chairs and couches.
“Is this about our conversation a few days ago, after church?” Myra said.
Stella crossed her arms. “If you don’t mind.”
Myra straightened as the doorbell chimed again.
“That’s probably Keller Greevy,” Stella said. “I talked to him about this and asked him to come.”
“Wow, this is getting serious,” Myra said with a giggle. She led Keller to the living room and then sat down near Stella. Keller remained standing with arms crossed. His ear and neck wounds were covered with small Band-Aids.
Interesting, Aaron thought. Brad told me he’s kept Preston out of jail because of an “understanding” he has with the law, and on our fishing trip, Dale McCorkindale told me that Keller can be bribed. And now, these guys will stand face to face.
Myra looked up at Keller. “Stella seems concerned that my son, Preston, shot his gun in town two years ago. Is that why you’re here?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
/> “I’m pretty sure I heard that Preston did shoot his gun. I think he was trying to get drugs and something went wrong. Brad took him to rehab the next day.”
“Did the police investigate?” Stella said.
Keller nodded. “There was an investigation.”
“I don’t think anyone was actually hurt,” Myra said. “We’d have heard about that, right? If someone had been hurt?”
Aaron heard noises from the back of the house.
“Brad’s home. I’ll tell him you’re here.” Myra stood and walked out of the living room.
Aaron heard indistinct conversation, and then Brad’s voice was louder.
Brad’s boots clomped into the living room. “What the hell is going on here?”
Stella stood and glared at him. “About two years ago, Preston shot his gun in town one night. He wanted drugs.”
“So what? There were several gunshots that night. Nothing happened. I sent him to rehab the next day.”
“Two years ago, my son was shot and killed, in town, at night.” Her lips quivered.
“Oh, my,” Myra said, her hands over her temples.
Brad stood facing Stella. He put his hands on his hips. “Are you suggesting that Preston shot your son?”
Stella looked down. Her eyelids were wet. “I don’t know what I’m suggesting. I just want to know why my son died.”
“It was on the news. Keller here looked into it. They couldn’t trace any reason for your son’s death. It was a shootout. The reporters said it was a drug deal gone bad.”
“I’d like to see if the bullet that killed my son—”
“Hold on a minute. You can’t drag all that up now.”
Stella stomped her foot. “I can, and I will.”
Brad glared at Keller. “This has got to stop here.” He pointed toward the floor.
Keller met his stare for a few seconds, and then shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He turned to Stella. “I’ll reopen the case.”
Way to go, Keller, Aaron thought.
Brad clenched his fists and snorted at Keller, who didn’t flinch or blink.
Brad’s shoulders drooped, and he plopped down on a couch. He motioned to Stella. “Please sit down.”
Brad leaned back on the couch. His head was bowed, and his hands were clasped across his waist. Stella sat down in her chair.
No one spoke for several minutes. Brad shook his head several times.
Stella broke the silence. “I want to know how my son died. I want justice for him.”
Brad sighed and looked up. “Justice. Everyone wants justice. For so long, I’ve wanted a just life for my only son. We’re almost there now, almost. It’s the closest we’ve been in a long time to a decent future for him.”
Brad stood and paced around the room. “Preston doesn’t even remember that night. He’s been living in hell these last few years.” He stopped and took a deep breath. “Then Rocky died in his arms. It’s like he’s got a new life now.”
He turned to Stella. “I don’t think he could take it. He’d go right back in the gutter, back to that addiction hell.” Myra frowned and walked over to Brad.
Everyone looked up as Preston jogged into the living room. He held his cell phone up in front of him. “Mom, Dad, I got the call. They hired me.”
He ran up between Brad and Myra and draped his arms over their shoulders. “I got the job.” A grin spread across his flushed face.
“Outstanding,” Brad said, pumping his fist. “This is great news.”
Myra put her hand to her mouth and squealed.
Preston glanced around at Aaron, Stella, and Keller. “I’m sorry. Did I interrupt something?”
Stella stared at the family embrace. Brad smiled at his son and held his fist in the air. Myra still had her hand over her mouth, and her eyes were teary.
Stella sighed. “We were just hashing out old stories.”
Preston cocked his head. “Is this about that time when I might’ve shot my—”
Stella stood up. “Yes, it is. That shot might’ve hurt someone. It’s possible you shot my son.”
Preston dropped to his knees, his hands over his ears. “Oh, God. I’ve always had a feeling something bad happened that night.” He moaned and began to sob. Myra put her hands on his shoulders.
This isn’t going well, Aaron thought. He watched as Brad strolled over to Keller and lowered his voice. “Let’s you and I talk in private about this. I think we can come to an understanding. Come with me.” Brad turned around.
Keller didn’t move. “No. No more of that. I’m reopening the case.”
Brad stiffened and leaned back to Keller. “I can make it worth—”
“I said I’m reopening the case.”
Brad’s face tightened. “Damn.”
All eyes turned to Preston, who stood straight and faced Brad and Keller. “I’m okay, I’m okay.” Preston wiped his eyes. “I want to know what happened.”
Aaron’s jaw dropped. Good for you, Preston.
Preston nodded. “Don’t worry about me. I can take it now, wherever it leads.”
Stella turned to Aaron. “Let’s go.”
She stopped outside at her car.
“Maybe Keller can find out the truth now,” Aaron said.
“I think I know the truth, but …” She sighed.
“But what?” Aaron said.
“Punishing Preston won’t bring my son back.”
“No, but you might feel better knowing for sure.”
Her eyes were moist. “I wonder if I can ever forgive. To escape this … pain, this misery.” She looked at Aaron. “Can forgiveness help me do that?”
Aaron took a deep breath of the muggy air. “I don’t know.”
During Aaron’s drive to a local country club that evening, the car radio blared a series of country songs. He sang along with the lyrics to several of them.
He parked in front of the club, stepped out of his Volvo, and looked over the cars in the parking lot. These hospital socials must be popular.
Aaron walked through the front entrance and was directed to a ballroom filled with small square tables covered with white tablecloths. At one end of the room, long tables displayed buffet food in silver chafing dishes identified by labels. People were milling about engaged in shifting two or three-person conversations. Many cradled wine or beer or cocktails.
Aaron scanned the room and spotted Rachel sitting in a chair at one of the small tables. She waved at him and he strolled toward her table.
As she came into sharper view, he caught his breath. She wore a silky black dress, which hugged her lean figure like a gift wrap.
Aaron’s heart pounded faster as he pulled a chair out and sat down. He couldn’t suppress a broad grin. “Hello again.”
“It’s great to see you,” she said.
Now I know why cowboys sing about angel eyes, he thought.
Rachel stood. “Let me show you the buffet. The food is usually good.”
They brought back plates heaped with steaming vegetables, chicken, and fish.
Aaron and Rachel chatted for the next hour. They mostly discussed hospital issues, and she pointed out various doctors, nurses, and administrators in the room. After dinner, the hospital CEO gave a short presentation on future plans for improvement.
“Who’s that tall guy in the expensive suit standing in the corner?” Aaron said.
She glanced over at a man who was fond of smoothing his hair. “That’s Dr. Sterling, the head of orthopedics.”
“He’s been alone in that same spot for a while.”
“He’s a respected surgeon here, but I don’t think he’s very popular. I know he’s turned off more than one female in this room. I hear he thinks all women are attracted to him.”
Aaron chuckled. “Some doctors get inflated egos.”
At one point, Aaron looked around at the other tables. “People are leaving.” He turned to Rachel. “Is it already time to go?”
Rachel smiled. “How tim
e flies.”
Aaron took a deep breath and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “I hope you don’t mind, but you don’t have to call me at my office—”
Rachel nodded. “Yes. Let’s exchange numbers.”
After the social, Aaron pulled into his garage and sat in the car for several minutes letting his thoughts flow.
He slapped the dashboard with his palm, jumped out, and hopped up and down, pumping his arms.
Go for it, dude. He pulled out his phone and searched his contact list.
“Hello?” a woman’s voice said.
“Rachel, it’s me, Aaron.”
“Well, hi. Is everything okay?”
“Everything is terrific. I wanted to tell you it was great seeing you tonight.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Do you want to go on a dinner date Saturday?” He held his breath.
“Yes, I’d love to.”
Aaron exhaled. “Wonderful. I’ll pick you up about six o’clock? Is that all right?”
“Six o’clock is fine.” Her voice softened. “I need to let you know something.”
“Sure.” Oh, no. Here we go, Aaron thought.
“I like animals. I have lots of animals in my house.”
“Lots of animals?”
“I help rehabilitate injured and abused animals.”
Aaron smiled. “I think that’s awesome.”
Chapter 42
Aaron switched on a light in his kitchen and stopped in midstride. Curtains fluttered near the back door, and he heard a noise from another room.
Someone is in here.
He held his breath as he peered around a corner of the wall toward his bedroom. He saw a flash and lurched back as a gunshot rang out.
His heart racing, Aaron sprinted to the garage, punched the garage door control button, and rolled out under the rising door.
On his hands and knees, Aaron saw a man running across his front yard with a bag under one arm and waving at an approaching van. In his waving hand was a gun. As the van screeched to a stop, the man jumped in through the rear door.
Flashing lights and a siren erupted at the end of Aaron’s street, and a police car sped toward the van. Aaron trotted to the street as the van burned rubber down the road ahead of the police car. He watched the two vehicles squeal into sharp turns at the nearby intersecting road.
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