After the door closed, I moved close to him, examining the doctor’s work. I counted five stitches. “What on earth are you so eager to get back to?”
“Nothing,” he said a little too defensively, hopping off the table. “But after my last stay, I can’t stand being in the hospital. The sooner I get out of here, the better.”
I studied him for a second. He was keeping something from me. “It sounds like you still have a bit of time to kill.” I glanced at the clock. “It’s after two o’clock, and you have to be starving. How about I go to the cafeteria and get you something to eat?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. Just let me take care of you. You take care of me all the time.”
He grinned. “Okay.”
I went to the cafeteria to pick up a couple of sandwiches and chips, and by the time I got back, the doctor was back in the room talking to Mason.
“You have a mild concussion, but I don’t think it’s something to be overly concerned about. Just have someone keep an eye on you to make sure you’re alert and that you’re not slurring your speech or that your eyes are unevenly dilated.”
“I can do that,” I said. “I’ll be with him.”
The doctor nodded. “Sounds good. I’ll go get your discharge paperwork started.”
I handed Mason a sandwich after the doctor left, and my head got fuzzy.
Suddenly I was in a dark hotel room. The door burst open, and the sound of gunshots filled the room. Pain and pressure exploded in my chest.
I gasped as Mason’s face came back into focus. “Someone’s going to shoot you.”
Mason’s eyes widened. “What?”
My head ached, and I felt like I was going to be sick. “I just had a vision. Someone’s going to shoot you.” My legs began to shake, and he grabbed my hand and set me down on the gurney.
“Okay, sweetheart,” he said. “Start from the beginning.”
I told him everything I’d seen, my voice breaking. When I finished, he didn’t look all that surprised.
“Mason, why is someone trying to kill you?”
The door opened before he had the chance to answer. I expected it to be one of the hospital staff, but Joe stood in the opening instead, wearing his sheriff’s uniform. He nodded to me, then turned his attention to Mason, his eyes hardening. “How are you doing?”
“Rose had a vision.”
Joe’s eyebrows lifted. “Why do I think it wasn’t about what you’re having for dinner?”
“Mason was shot,” I said.
“Tell me.”
I told him everything, my head still hurting. “There’s something else,” I said. “Remember the vision I had at the Burger Shack? The one that made me feel bad afterward? That’s how I feel now.”
“What do you think it means?” Mason asked.
I took a deep breath. “I think that vision had something to do with someone trying to kill Mason too.”
“Remind me of what you saw in that earlier one,” Joe said.
“Eric was sitting in the front seat of a car next to a guy. The guy asked, ‘Are you ready?’”
“That’s it?” Joe asked.
“Do you remember anything about the car?” Mason asked.
My shoulders tensed. “I don’t know.”
He took my hand. “Yes, you do. Close your eyes and think about it.”
“It was two days ago, Mason. I might not remember anything.”
“You won’t know unless you try,” Joe said.
He was right. “Okay.” I closed my eyes and concentrated, and was gratified when the image I’d seen started to fill my vision. “It was an old car. It had a big dashboard and a long front hood. Kind of like Miss Mildred’s Cadillac.”
“What color was it?” Mason asked.
“Light blue.”
Mason glanced up at Joe. “The car that swerved in front of me before I crashed fits that description.”
Joe grimaced. “Well, I guess that makes sense. Your accident wasn’t so accidental.”
My breath caught. “What does that mean?”
“The brake lines were almost entirely cut through. It’s like the person designed it so that Mason would drive for a while before they went out. It wouldn’t take much use to get them to give way completely.”
“Like braking to avoid an accident?” Mason asked, his voice hard.
Joe’s mouth pursed. “Yeah.”
Skeeter was right. Someone was trying to kill Mason. The blood rushed from my head, and I sat in the chair next to the bed.
“What do you remember about the car in front of you?” Joe asked.
“Like I said, it was an older car. Pale blue, maybe a Buick. It braked hard as soon as it was in front of me. I passed out, but I wasn’t alone when I came to.” He paused. “Did you find my phone?”
Joe shook his head and crossed his arms. “At the scene you said there was a guy in the passenger seat next to you, but you couldn’t remember much about him. Has anything else come to you?”
Mason sighed, looking exhausted. “Yeah, I was pretty out of it. It’s still a little fuzzy, but parts are coming back. He was fumbling around on the floorboard, but he took off when a woman approached the driver’s side door. He had shaggy dark brown hair and was wearing an army jacket.” Mason closed his eyes. “I don’t remember much about his face besides that he was clean-shaven.”
“Anything else?”
Mason glanced up at Joe, hesitating. “I got a pretty good knock to the head, so I can’t be sure I saw this part correctly. It came to me while I was having my CT scan.”
“Why don’t you tell me what you remember, and let me deduce if it was something you hallucinated?”
Mason shot a look to me, then back to Joe. “I’m fairly certain he had a gun.”
“Do you think he intended to use it?”
“Yes.”
Joe exhaled and ran his hand through his hair. “So Plan A was to run you off the road in the hope the crash would kill you, making your death look like an accident. Which was incredibly stupid,” Joe grunted. “You’re the ADA. They were overlooking the fact that we’d do a thorough investigation. Unlike the Henryetta Police and Rose’s—” Joe stopped as he realized what he was saying.
“Unlike how the Henryetta Police handled Dora’s accident,” I finished, feeling light-headed. My birth mother had died as the result of a car accident. The Henryetta police hadn’t put much effort into an investigation, despite speculation her brakes had been cut.
Joe nodded, not looking happy about it.
“What was Plan B?” I asked. “You said Plan A was to have him die in an accident.”
Joe hesitated, uncrossing his arms. “The gun. He was going to shoot him.”
“So that’s why he was in the car with Mason?” I asked, trying not to freak out. We were discussing Mason’s attempted murder as though we were talking about the chance of rain at a church picnic. “So what was he looking for on the floorboards?”
“Mason’s phone.”
“Why would he want Mason’s phone?”
Neither man answered.
“They didn’t finish the job. So they’re going to try again, which is what I just saw in my vision,” I said.
“Rose,” Mason said, determination in his eyes. “I could use a cup of coffee. Could you get me one?”
“No.” I shook my head, glaring up at him. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Rose . . .”
“Does this have to do with the break-in at the farm last night?”
Joe hesitated before answering, “Possibly.”
“What were they looking for? Who’s doing this?”
“Rose,” Joe said, apologetically. “It’s official business. It would be easier for all of us if you took a short walk.”
“No. It’s official business that could get Mason killed. I have a right to know.”
“I’m sorry.” His eyes softened. “Not this time, you don’t.”
I stood, so furious I could spit. I turned to Joe. “Did your father do this?”
His eyes widened. “What?”
“Did your father try to have Mason killed?”
His face lost all expression.
“Mason was gathering information on your father to stop him from hurting me. Did J.R. find out and try to stop him?”
Joe’s body stiffened. “My father isn’t this sloppy. If he wanted Mason dead, he’d be dead already.”
I put my hands on my hips, anger singing through my blood. “That’s reassuring.”
Fury lit up Joe’s eyes. “This is official Fenton County business, Ms. Gardner, and despite your delusions of being a super sleuth, you are not on the Fenton County payroll.” He pointed to the door and yelled, “Now go.”
“That’s enough, Simmons,” Mason barked.
I stepped closer to Joe, clenching my fists at my side. “I’m not giving up, Joe.”
Joe stood his ground. “No, you never do.”
I stomped out the door and into the hallway, pacing outside the door and straining to hear what they were talking about. It didn’t take a minute before they started arguing.
“. . . knew this was a possibility!” Joe shouted.
Mason said something I didn’t understand, followed by Joe’s low voice.
“What about Rose?” Mason’s voice boomed. “How can you be so short-sighted?”
Their voices were too low to understand. What were they talking about?
Soon after there was more shouting, this time from Joe. “I’m the chief deputy sheriff! Let me do my damned job!”
I tried to hear more, but their voices lowered again. My cell phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out, surprised to see it was Skeeter. “I told you to text me.” I moved farther down the hall, keeping my eye on Mason’s door.
“This is too important to leave to a text. Meet me in the hospital chapel.”
I shook my head, glancing around. “What? How do you know I’m at the hospital?”
“I know someone tried to kill Deveraux and that he’s at the hospital. It makes sense that you’d be here.”
“How did you know someone tried to kill him?”
“I make it my business to know everything in this county.”
“Or maybe you know because you were the one to do it. You admitted that he’s trying to bring you down. It makes sense that you would try to get rid of him,” I said hatefully.
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that,” he growled. “And I’m going to presume you want to find out who did. If I’m right, meet me in the chapel in fifteen minutes.” Then he hung up.
I stuffed my phone back in my pocket and tried to catch my breath. Did Skeeter really know who had tried to kill Mason? Could I trust him?
In the end, what choice did I have? If I even had the slightest chance of helping Mason, I’d do it.
Mason’s door opened a few minutes later. Joe’s face appeared, and he didn’t look happy. I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or a bad one.
I walked into the room and glanced back and forth between the two men. Mason looked furious, and Joe wasn’t much happier.
“What’s goin’ on?” I asked.
Both men were quiet before Joe cleared his throat. “The pocket knife found in the office at your farm was covered in Skeeter Malcolm’s fingerprints. But Malcolm’s alibi checks out, and frankly, I can’t believe he’d be that sloppy. I’m not ruling him out, but it’s a bit too tidy.”
I was surprised by how relieved I felt.
“I’m sending someone to pick up Eric Davidson at the Burger Shack for questioning, but your vision leads me to believe he’s taking orders from someone else. Until we figure out who that is, we can only presume he will try again. Which is why I think it’s best if Mason stays in the hospital for another day or so.”
Mason released a grunt.
“They’re going to try again, Joe!” I fought to control my panic.
“I know. You’re sure you saw a motel room and not a hospital room, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then all the more reason to keep him here.” Joe shifted his weight. “We’ll say he’s being kept for observation after his accident. He can work in his hospital room—a controlled environment that most sane people wouldn’t try to breach. And if some insane person tries it, we’ll have an officer on guard.”
“Are you sure that’s enough?”
“Yes,” Joe said, sounding official. “And I think it would be best if you didn’t stay at the farm tonight. In case the person responsible for this doesn’t realize Mason’s not there.”
I spun around to look at Joe. “You really don’t have any idea who’s behind this?”
“I’ve got a couple of hunches, and I’ve put several of my best deputies on the case. We will find out who’s responsible and bring him or her to justice.”
“Rose,” Mason said. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
I nodded, my nerves still jittery from my phone call with Skeeter and seeing Mason sitting on the gurney. Suddenly, this was all too real. My anger was burning off, leaving fear in its wake.
Mason turned to Joe. “Since I’m stuck here, can you get a deputy to pick up some work for me? I can call my secretary and have her gather some files.” He rubbed his temple. “My laptop was in the bag in the car.”
“Your car was towed to the sheriff’s lot. But a deputy pulled your bag out and took it to the station. I’ll have him bring it to you.”
“Thanks.”
Joe shifted his weight. “I’m going to go out into the hall and start making arrangements. In the meantime, Mason, stay in this room until we can get another one set up for you.”
Mason gave him a grim smile. “I’ll be here.”
After Joe left the room, I rushed over to Mason, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’m so scared.”
He leaned back and stared into my eyes. “I’ll be fine. The sheriff’s department isn’t the Henryetta Police Department. I’ll be protected, and they’ll find out who’s responsible.”
“Okay.”
“Joe’s right. You can’t stay at the farm. Muffy’s still with Mom. Why don’t you stay with her tonight? I’ll call and tell her what’s going on. Joe’s said he’ll make sure the Henryetta police do some drive-bys.”
“You and I both know that never does any good.”
“I know.” He looked worried.
I needed to reassure him, not confirm how inept the HPD was. “We’ll be fine. We have Muffy the watch dog, and I’ll call Joe if I see anything suspicious.”
That didn’t make him look any less worried.
“Do you want anything from home?” I asked. “I need to pick up some things for myself. I can get you some clothes and toiletries while I’m there.”
He gave me a warm smile. “Thanks. That would be great.”
I buried my face into his neck, pressing my chest to his. What if something happened to him?
“I’m going to be fine, Rose.”
“Maybe I should stay here with you tonight.”
“No. You’ll be safer at Mom’s than with me. If this person tries something, it’s liable to be in the middle of the night. Joe’s going to make a press statement that I’ve been in an accident and am being held for observation. The suspect will know where to find me, and with any luck at all, they’ll catch him or her.”
I leaned back, my eyes narrowing. “You mean you’re bait.”
“It’s a good plan, Rose.”
Maybe so, but I didn’t like it.
“If you’re going home to pick some things up, do it now, okay? I don’t want you there after dark. In fact, maybe Joe should send a deputy with you.”
I wanted to argue with him, but I didn’t want to cause him any more stress. “I’ll ask Joe what he thinks.”
Relief covered his face. “Thank you.”
I cupped a hand around his cheek and stared into his eyes. “I love you, Mason. Please be c
areful.”
He smiled and wrapped an arm around my back, pulling me closer. “I’m not going anywhere.” Then he kissed me.
When I stepped away breathless a minute later, I flashed him a grin. “What is the hospital’s policy on conjugal visits?”
He laughed. “Maybe we’ll discuss it later.”
I walked into the hallway, surprised to see Joe finishing a phone call. I checked the clock on the wall. I still had five minutes before I was supposed to meet Skeeter.
Joe was about to make another call, but he glanced up and turned his attention to me. “Where are you staying tonight?”
“Maeve’s,” I said as I stopped in front of him.
He nodded. “That’s good. I’ll have a deputy watching the house. I think you two will be fine, but I’d rather make sure you’re safe.”
I blinked in surprise. “A deputy? What about the Henryetta police?”
His face hardened. “I’m overstepping their jurisdiction on this since it’s the Fenton County ADA. They could put up a fight, but I suspect they’ll be too lazy to do so.”
“I’m going out to the farm to get a few things. Mason thinks a deputy should go with me.”
“That’s probably a good idea. I’ll have one meet you out there and make sure the house is clear before you go in.”
“Okay, but I need to go run an errand first.”
“How about an hour then?”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll have someone meet you there at four o’clock. Okay?”
“Thanks.”
I started down the hallway. “Rose,” he called after me. “Stay out of trouble.”
If he only knew who I was about to meet.
Chapter Twenty-One
The chapel was empty when I pushed the door open, and I worried that I was late. But I sat in the second row and looked up at the stained glass window behind the tiny pulpit, figuring a moment of prayer was probably a good idea about now.
I was partway through concocting my list of promises of what I’d do to keep Mason safe when the door opened behind me, and the thud of footsteps filled the space.
Skeeter slid into the pew behind me over a few feet away. He leaned forward, draping his forearms over the back of the pew. “Good to see you could make it,” he said quietly.
Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans Page 21