The Deep End

by Debra Purdy Kong

  Lou crossed his arms. “Do you know how sketchy that sounds?”

  “Yep, which is why I’m calling the police.”

  “That’s all you’ve got planned, right?”

  Casey glanced at him. “I’ll do whatever the cops want me to do.”

  She phoned the officer who’d left his number with her this afternoon, and explained the situation. Five minutes later, he called her back and confirmed her suspicion. The police hadn’t been dispatched to Fraserview and there’d been no report of a disturbance. Cruz hadn’t been located either.

  “I’ll send patrol cars to Fraserview right now,” the officer said. “If Cruz is there, we’ll find him.”

  “Won’t he spot the cars a mile away?”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it, Miss Holland.”

  But she did worry. “Cruz probably knows what I drive. If he doesn’t see my vehicle pulling up he’ll be suspicious. Maybe I should go.”

  “We can’t risk that. The guy could shoot a bullet through your head before you even turn off the engine.”

  “If I don’t go, Justin Sparrow could take the bullet, and god knows who else. Cruz could be inside Fraserview with a gun pointed at Rawan’s head.”

  “What if Miss Faysal works for him?”

  Casey’s stomach churned. “All the more reason to get Justin out of there now.”

  “We’ll handle this, Miss Holland. Just stay away from Fraserview.”

  “Look, shouldn’t my car be seen from a distance at least? There’s a strip mall I could park at across the street from the place.” She spotted the worry on Lou’s face and heard the officer swear under his breath. “Please, I’ve been involved with police operations before, which Constable Denver Davies can vouch for.”

  The officer let out a long sigh. “I’ll have an unmarked vehicle go to your address. The officer will follow you. Stop two blocks before Fraserview. If we feel it’s necessary, the officer will drive your vehicle onto Fraserview’s premises, but you’ll stay behind, understand?”

  “Got it.”

  “Wait for the officer before you leave your home.”

  Casey rolled her eyes. “Wouldn’t it save resources if I just met up with the police?”

  “Are you a hundred percent sure Cristano Cruz or his men will wait until you reach Fraserview to strike?”

  She paused. “I guess not.”

  “Cruz won’t hesitate to shoot you while you’re behind the wheel.”

  Casey gave him her address. “I’m parked off the lane in back.” After providing the make of her vehicle and her plate number, she said, “How soon will a car be here?”

  “In about five minutes.”

  “Fine.” Casey shoved her phone in her pocket, then fetched her coat.

  “What’s happening?” Lou asked.

  “I’m driving to Fraserview without actually going on the property.”

  He stared at her. “Why?”

  “Because Justin’s in danger. I think Cruz is holding the place hostage. The police believe he expects me to show up and will be watching for my car. They’re going to drive it onto the property.”

  “I thought you told me that Cruz helped you with Mac. He knows your face.”

  “Yep, but it’s dark and if they use a female officer, it could work.”

  Lou crossed his arms. “I don’t like this.”

  “Neither do I.”

  “I should go with you,” he said. “Since you’re not driving onto the property, I don’t need security clearance.”

  “But you do need police permission, and they won’t want to be responsible for another civilian, trust me.”

  “Screw that.”

  Casey was afraid this would happen. “If Cruz happens to catch up with me before I get to Fraserview and sees two people in the car, we could both be in danger. I couldn’t live with that, and Summer shouldn’t have to.”

  “What I couldn’t live with is losing you.”

  “You won’t.”

  His gray eyes sparked with anger. “Do I get a guarantee?”

  How was she supposed to answer that? Casey picked up her purse. “I’ll keep you posted.”

  Scowling, Lou turned back to the TV. Casey doubted he was paying attention to the game. It was going to take a lot of heat to defrost this atmosphere.

  Heading downstairs, her heart beat faster. She checked her watch. The police would be here any minute. She peeked through the back door window and saw what looked like a thick frost—probably hiding a layer of ice—covering her windshield. Damn. Might as well start scraping.

  Casey activated the house alarm and stepped outside. Grimacing in the frosty air, she took the slippery wooden steps slowly, then crossed the lawn. As she inserted her key in the car door lock, a gloved hand clamped over her mouth.

  Her arms flailed and her purse dropped to the ground. Huge, shadowy figures surrounded her. Oh, god! What was happening? Casey was pulled backward, lost her footing, and started to fall. Somebody caught her and yanked her upright. The hand was on her face again. She couldn’t call out. Couldn’t move. Large, firm hands gripped both of her arms. She inhaled the smell of leather.

  “Make any noise,” Cristano Cruz said, appearing in front of her, “and you’re dead.”

  The hand left her face, but the men on either side of her kept their grips on her arms. Casey prayed the cops got here fast. Eyeing Cruz, she took a deep breath and felt the chilly air cool her flushed face. Beneath layers of clothing, sweat trickled down her body.

  “You know me, yes?” Cruz asked.

  “Yes.” She’d know Cruz’s accent anywhere. “Does Rawan Faysal work with you?”

  “Who?”

  “The administration clerk at Fraserview. The one who called me.”

  “Ah, yes. The young lady who has secrets to keep.” Cruz moved closer. “You’ve been interfering in my business.”

  Her thoughts swirled. “Not on purpose. I just want to find out who nearly killed a close friend of mine inside Fraserview.”

  “Which friend is that?”

  “The volunteer, Kendal Winters.”

  He stared. “What does she have to do with Roxanne?”

  “Nothing. But Roxanne is a lead to Mia, and she’s the one I’m after.”

  Cruz’s dark eyes didn’t blink. “What for?”

  “She had motive and opportunity.” Casey’s arms hurt. “Would you mind telling your guys to loosen their grip? I have no intention of running away.”

  “Mia has hurt no one at Fraserview,” he said. “My niece likes you very much, which is why I’m being nice. But I warn you, stay out of my—”

  The arrival of an unmarked police cruiser cut the conversation short.

  THIRTY-ONE

  “KENDAL OPENED HER EYES AND spoke to me,” Deanne Winters said as she held her daughter’s hand. “She knew who I was, but doesn’t remember what happened.”

  Casey stood next to Deanne and observed the sleeping Kendal. At first glance, she seemed almost part machine as tubes and needles linked her body to beeping equipment. Her complexion didn’t have much more color than the bandage around her head. Her frailness and vulnerability was upsetting. She wished Kendal would open her eyes, sit up, and free herself of this sterile nightmare. She also wished that Kendal’s prognosis wasn’t so vague. But head injuries like this were complicated, unpredictable, terrifying. It had taken nearly every bit of courage Casey had to come here today.

  Casey replied, “That’s a good sign.”

  “It is.” Deanne kept her gaze on her daughter.

  Casey couldn’t imagine how alone Deanne felt. She’d been a widow for as long as Casey had known her, and Kendal was her only child. “Was Kendal able to remember going to the pool room?”

  “No, and I didn’t want to overwhelm her with questions.”

  Casey looked around the dimly lit private room, wondering if Deanne had acquired privacy through luck or good insurance. Kendal was still vulnerable here, even though the room was close
to the nurses’ station.

  “Deanne, I don’t want to alarm you, but based on what I’ve learned over the past twenty-four hours, I’m pretty sure that Kendal’s fall was no accident,” Casey said. “I think she needs police protection.”

  Deanne’s stark, exhausted face became wary. “What’s going on?”

  Casey described the tumultuous staff relationships at Fraserview and Mia’s connection to Cristano Cruz. “Cruz came to my home and threatened me last night, but the police arrested him before he got away. It looks like his drug ring’s about to be demolished.”

  “Oh, Casey.” Deanne gave her arm a light squeeze. “Do you think he tried to kill my baby?”

  “Quite possibly. But as I said, there are a lot of people with secrets and serious anger issues in Fraserview. Until the police have found enough evidence to charge Mia or Cruz or someone else with murder and the attempted murder of Kendal, I don’t want to take any chances.”

  Deanne rubbed her forehead. “When Kendal and I had lunch on Valentine’s, she said two staff members died under suspicious circumstances. Then later that night, this happened.”

  “I’m just glad the police are re-investigating both deaths.”

  “When I called you about Kendal that night, you said she sent you a text and wanted to tell you something,” Deanne said. “Any idea what it was?”

  “No, but it looks like Kendal learned too much about one of the staff that night.” Casey paused.

  Deanne looked around the room, as if searching for danger in every corner. She ran her hands through her short straight hair, which was a couple of shades darker than Kendal’s. “I need to talk to hospital staff. I’ll get security to keep watch, and tell them I don’t want anyone from Fraserview near her.” She hurried to the door. “Stay here, okay?”

  “Absolutely.” Casey sank into the chair and took a deep, calming breath until the smell of antiseptic and other unpleasant things made her queasy. She spotted Kendal’s fingers twitching.

  “Kendal?” Casey jumped up. “It’s me, Casey.”

  Kendal’s eyelids flickered open.

  “Hi.” Casey smiled with relief. “It’s so good to see you. How are you feeling?” Kendal stared but didn’t respond. “Are you in pain? Should I get a nurse?” The lack of acknowledgment made Casey uneasy. “You must be tired.” Still no response. Deanne was probably right about not pushing her, but if Kendal knew something incriminating about Fraserview staff, then this whole thing could soon be resolved. “Kendal, do you remember the night you fell into the empty swimming pool? Do you remember texting me? You said you had info about Amir, Rawan, and others. I think that what you wanted to tell me was important.”

  Kendal’s expression remained blank. “W-who are you?”

  Casey inhaled sharply. Was she joking or just groggy? “I’m Casey, your best friend since high school. You and I have been volunteering at Fraserview Youth Custody Center. You were at Fraserview the night of your accident.” Judging by the lack of change in Kendal’s face, she had no clue what Casey was talking about. “Do you remember where you work?”

  Kendal blinked at her a couple of times. “No.”

  “Do you know what you do for a living?”

  A small frown emerged. “No.”

  This was bad. Casey didn’t know what to say.

  “I’m tired,” Kendal murmured. She closed her eyes and turned her head away.

  Feeling useless, Casey retreated to the chair. Maybe coming here had been a mistake. Kendal wasn’t ready for visitors. Her memory couldn’t be permanently gone, could it? It was just the trauma. Once she had healed a little more, the memories would come back. Casey sat still, willing Kendal to turn to her, to remember something . . . anything.

  Deanne reappeared. Casey fought the urge to run out the door and not come back until her friend was well again.

  “Security says it sounds like a police matter and that I should call them,” Deanne said. “They’ll send someone here now and step up patrols when they can. But if they’re called to an emergency, Kendal will be left alone.” She shook her head. “That’s not good enough. What should I do?”

  “Hire private security,” Casey suggested. “I can recommend a couple of companies.”

  “Okay. Meanwhile, I’ll stay here all night if I have to.”

  Casey stood. “Kendal woke up and we spoke for a minute, but she . . . Well, she doesn’t remember me, or even what she does for a living.”

  Concern clouded Deanne’s face as she looked at her daughter. “She remembers me.” Deanne moved around the bed and peered at Kendal’s face. She leaned over the bed rail and stroked Kendal’s long hair. “Honey, it’s Mom.” She touched Kendal’s shoulder and said, “You remember, Casey, don’t you? You two have been friends a long time.”

  Casey held her breath.

  “No.” Kendal’s voice was weak.

  “You used to hang out every day. You babysat together, trained in security work at the same time. Went on many camping trips.”

  As the silence grew longer, the fading hope on Deanne’s face was painfully clear. She patted Kendal’s shoulder, then returned to Casey.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie,” she whispered. “I was told this could happen, but I never thought she’d forget people she’s known for so long. Maybe it’s because she’s associating you with Fraserview.”

  “I understand.” Casey squeezed her hand. “I know her memory will come back.”

  “Of course it will. Kendal’s been strong-willed from the day she was born.” The tears in Deanne’s eyes betrayed her upbeat tone.

  Time to leave. An elephant had trounced into the room and no one wanted to acknowledge the unthinkable: that Kendal’s memory might never be restored. Even if it was, would she be the person she was before the fall? How much brain damage had she sustained? Hard as she tried, Casey couldn’t hold back her own tears.

  Deanne embraced her with a comfort and warmth that made her sob harder. “Trust me,” Deanne murmured. “She’ll be fine. The healing’s begun. There’ll be no stopping her now.”

  “I know.” Casey couldn’t escape the knowledge, though, that if she’d never mentioned Fraserview her friend wouldn’t be here now.

  Deanne moved to the door and poked her head out. “No sign of security. They said they’d send someone over right away. Can you stay here a minute while I go light a fire under their butts?”

  “Sure.” Wiping her eyes, Casey slumped into the chair. Kendal hadn’t moved since she’d turned away. Was she sleeping again, or did she not want to deal with the stranger in her room? “I don’t know where to go from here, Kendal,” she mumbled, more to herself than her friend. “Guess I have to wait for the cops to figure things out.”

  Casey fiddled with the sparkling diamond ring on her hand. “I got engaged.” She stood. “Lou proposed on Valentine’s.”

  Kendal didn’t move.

  “Congratulations,” Deanne said, stepping back into the room. She gave Casey a hug. “Kendal will be thrilled.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I bumped into the security guy and he’ll be here shortly. You should head home. I’ll keep you posted about developments.”

  Although she wanted to go, it didn’t feel right. “Make sure they understand that she shouldn’t be left alone.”

  “Definitely. I called my brother, and he and my sister-in-law will spend the evening with her.”

  “Good.”

  Casey took a last look at Kendal before stepping into a corridor that was busy with nurses and visitors. The dinner cart had also shown up and the smell of chicken and potatoes filled the air. She prayed that Kendal would soon be well enough to complain about the food, to reminisce about the past and look forward to the future. Yet, her friend probably faced enormous hurdles. Recovery would take weeks, if not months, or longer.

  Stepping into the elevator, Casey’s thoughts turned to Phyllis and Mia. Which one of them had lied about Jamal’s involvement in Kendal’s fall? If Kendal had co
me across evidence implicating someone in Mac or Winson’s deaths, she might have tried to learn more. Confrontation was part of her job; Kendal relished it. So, what the hell had she discovered that night?

  THIRTY-TWO

  AS AMY PRESSED THE INTERCOM buzzer, Casey scanned Fraserview’s parking lot. She’d called Amy at dinnertime to ask about Justin. Amy had confirmed that he was still inside, and since she planned to visit tonight, Casey had asked to meet her outside Fraserview. Now that Cruz had been arrested and Mia was officially on “personal” leave, Justin was much safer, as was she.

  Mia and Cruz were probably involved with both deaths and Kendal’s fall. Yet, Casey needed confirmation, and that required a talk with Mercedes. Since the girl had been in the corridor when Mia entered the pool room that horrible night, it was time to learn exactly what she had seen.

  Gaining clearance had been easier than anticipated, especially when Casey clarified that her purpose was to accompany Amy while she visited Justin. The fact that Rawan and Amir weren’t on duty this evening definitely helped.

  Amy identified herself, and the buzzer sounded. Casey’s shoulders tensed as she followed Amy inside this foreboding and overly warm cesspool. After she signed in and picked up a visitor’s badge, she told Amy that she’d meet up with her in the visitors’ room shortly.

  “I hope the lawyer’s correct about this being Justin’s last night here,” Amy muttered.

  Casey hoped so too. It was a relief to learn that several partygoers had—now that Brady was dead—admitted to seeing the kid plant drugs on Justin. One by one, the charges against Justin had dissolved. Apparently, the only reason left for keeping him here was added punishment for his escape. But given that Mia’s actions had made the escape possible, the authorities could hardly justify keeping him locked up.

  Before she went to see Kendal, Casey had managed to reach Justin by phone and pass along Tanya’s message. His lukewarm response hadn’t surprised her. Casey knew that Amy and the lawyer must have told Justin that his beloved had kept vital info from him. “I’m glad she’s okay,” he’d said, and that was it. The kid had to be furious, though.