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Perfectly Broken

Page 13

by Jullian Scott


  “I don’t know how you survived that house,” Jack said after he finished telling her about finding Jenny in the basement. He was sitting next to her on the edge of the bed while they waited for the nurses to complete her discharge papers.

  “I’m glad you were able to save one of them,” she replied grimly.

  A soft knock at the door made them both turn.

  “I’m sorry. Are you Cassie?” Jenny asked.

  Jack had almost forgotten that she was being treated in the same hospital. “Jenny. Come in, please.”

  She entered the room with Steve just a step behind. Her body was dwarfed by the hospital gown that had been tied tight around her waist. Cuts and bruises dotted her skin, but she looked stronger than when Jack had last seen her.

  “This is Jenny Mavis and her husband Steve.” Jack stood and shook Steve’s hand. He gestured for Jenny to take a seat. “This is Cassie Miller.”

  “I didn’t mean to intrude, but I just had to see you,” Jenny explained, sitting in Jack’s vacated spot on the bed. “I wanted to thank both of you.”

  “That’s not necessary,” Cassie said.

  “I was only doing my job,” Jack said. “We’re just glad you’re okay.”

  Jenny sat quietly for a few seconds, choosing her next words. “I found your message in the cell. Most nights, it was the only thing that sustained me. I told myself that if I somehow got out alive, I had to find the person that wrote that message and thank them for giving me hope.”

  “You’re welcome,” Cassie said with tears in her eyes.

  The nurse came then and it was time for Cassie to go home. She wasn’t healthy enough to make the drive to Dayton, so Jack took her to his place. After tucking a blanket around her, he settled behind her on the couch. With her head nestled on his chest, he finally started to relax.

  “Mallory’s daughter was named Hope?” Cassie asked suddenly.

  “Yeah, why?” He had hoped they would have a small amount of time to just be together and not rehash the last couple of days.

  “No reason.”

  They were both quiet for a long while, neither of them sleeping. Jack was finding it impossible to shut down his brain enough to get tired. There was one question in particular that still bugged him.

  “Cass?” he said quietly.

  “Yes?”

  “I was in Jenny’s cell and there was nothing in there but a pile of blankets. What message did she find?” Jack almost felt guilty asking her. If she had wanted him to know, she would have already volunteered the information.

  “The night before I escaped, I left a message on my blanket.” Her voice got even quieter. “I wrote it in blood figuring that Nolan wouldn’t notice. I guess I was right.”

  Jack could picture her squatting on the floor, using her own blood to write a message to the next victim. “What did you say?”

  “Be strong. Don’t lose hope.” She let out a tiny laugh. “And then I signed my name.”

  “Hope?” Jack repeated, marveling at the coincidence.

  Cassie sat up and turned to face him. “What’s going to happen to that little girl, Jack? Who is going to take care of her?”

  “She’ll go into foster care,” Jack said, brushing a strand of hair from Cassie’s face. “There are no relatives to take her in.”

  “She’s just a little girl.” Cassie sighed. “There are no winners in this story, are there?”

  “What do you mean?” Jack hated the pain that still filled her eyes.

  Cassie put her hand over his heart. “Jenny was still tortured for days. Mallory lived a life of hell. I still have the nightmares. Hope lost her mother. I thought that once Nolan was dead, I would feel better.”

  “You forgot about one person that did win– me.” He put his hand over hers. “I won because I still have you.”

  She looked into his eyes and the pain in hers vanished. “You are stuck with me, Stone.”

  As she leaned in to kiss him, he cupped her chin and said, “Forever.”

  EPILOGUE

  Cassie – One Year Later

  As the yellow and orange leaves swirled through the air, Cassie hurried across the park. She was already ten minutes late and Jack had texted her five times. Every step she took made a crunching noise as her boots crushed fallen leaves. She spotted the gazebo in the middle of the park and the small crowd gathered in front of it.

  “Excuse me,” she said as she pushed her way through. Jack spotted her and waved.

  “You’re late,” he scolded weakly as he grinned and put an arm around her.

  Cassie raised up on her toes to kiss him. “I know, I’m sorry. One of the kids stopped me after class and kept asking questions.”

  “You couldn’t just tell him your husband was waiting for you?” Jack kept his arm around her shoulders. “Wait, let me guess. This is the guy that has a big crush on you?”

  “What can I say, I’m irresistible.” She smiled and fluttered her eyelashes at him.

  “Can’t argue with that. Now hush. They’re about to begin.”

  Cassie rested her head on his shoulder and felt all the stress from the day slip away. When she was with Jack, nothing else mattered.

  One week after her hospital stay, Jack put in his notice at work. He didn’t want to be away from Cassie and the constant murder investigations had started to wear him down. They were married in a church in Dayton during a snowstorm in December. It had been intimate with just a dozen people in attendance, just the way they both wanted it. In the spring, Jack had run for County Sheriff and won by a large margin. They were both settling in nicely to married life in a small town.

  “Here she comes,” Jack whispered excitedly as a group of kids dressed as pumpkins climbed the stairs to the gazebo.

  It was the first day of Dayton’s Fall Festival and the local children had prepared a song and dance. They all looked adorable in their orange outfits.

  “Her shoe is untied,” Cassie said with a frown. “What if she trips?”

  “She’ll be fine. She’s an all-star,” Jack said with pride.

  The song only lasted three minutes, but Cassie was on edge the entire time. She couldn’t take her eyes off the untied shoe. While Jack snapped a dozen pictures with his phone, she held her breath and willed the girl not to trip. Then it was over and the parents all clapped and cheered. Jack moved closer to the gazebo and Cassie watched as the smallest girl ran toward him and launched herself into his arms.

  Jack raved and glowed over the performance, spinning with the girl and playfully tugging her pigtail. Cassie’s heart grew five sizes watching them. In the wild puzzle that was her life, those two would always be the only pieces that made sense.

  “Mom!” The little girl spotted her and held out her arms.

  Cassie was still getting used to that name. The girl had only started using it a couple of weeks earlier, spontaneously over breakfast. As Cassie plucked the girl from Jack’s arms, she said “You were wonderful, Hope. The best pumpkin in the patch.”

  It had been easier than they had anticipated to adopt Hope. In the eyes of the state, she was a huge liability in foster care. With her background, many people would be reluctant to bring her into their home. She would need years of therapy and there was no guarantee that she would grow up normal. But Cassie was determined to give the girl a home and Jack had agreed instantly when she suggested it. Hope had been living with them for six months and the adoption would be official before Christmas.

  “I forgot some of the words,” Hope admitted shyly. “Could you tell?”

  “Not at all. Besides, we would still love you even if you forgot all the words.” Cassie kissed her pink cheek and passed her back to Jack. At six, she was getting a little too big to be held, but neither of them were going to tell her that. It was a miracle that she trusted them to touch her at all given what she had been through.

  “Can we get ice cream, Dad?” Hope asked with a smile.

  She was a smart girl. From the beginning, Hope ha
d wrapped Jack around her little finger and there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. That adoration had only grown when she had started calling him Dad.

  “Okay, but you are buying.” He bounced her in his arms.

  “I don’t have any money!” Hope’s laugh was more beautiful than all the musical masterpieces in the world.

  As Jack and Hope bantered back and forth about who would pay for the ice cream, Jack took Cassie’s hand. Noticing that she was spacing out, he asked, “What’s wrong, darling?”

  “Nothing is wrong.” She had never meant that phrase more in her life. “Everything is perfect.”

  Cassie knew that things wouldn’t always be like this. Hope still woke up screaming most nights and Cassie still battled her own nightmares. Jack struggled with being too overprotective with both his girls and he worried about them more than was healthy. There would be difficult questions to answer when Hope got older. Nothing was guaranteed. They were all broken, but somehow, they fit together– perfectly.

  About the Author:

  Jullian Scott is the author of the Olivia Thompson mystery series. Her debut novel, Ring Around the Rosie, is available now. When not writing about harrowing murders and frightening killers, Jullian spends her time drinking all the coffee in Chicago. You can find out more about Jullian and her novels on her website.

  Connect with Jullian Online:

  www.jullianscottbooks.weebly.com

  Get a free copy of the prequel novella Came Tumbling After by signing up for Jullian’s newsletter.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from

  Ring Around the Rosie

  CHAPTER ONE

  A crack of thunder hurried Olivia’s journey across the empty parking lot. She glanced up at the sky, but it was too dark to tell if the storm clouds had arrived. When she was just a few yards away from her car, she stopped dead in her tracks. The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. Her eyes darted around but as far as she could tell, she was alone. Suddenly, huge drops of water pounded Olivia and the pavement.

  She jogged the last few steps and dove into her car. Only a few seconds in the rain, but her hair and clothes were damp. “Just great,” she muttered to herself as she turned the key. She flipped on the radio as she pulled out of the lot.

  “It’s 9:00 on October 2nd and you’re listening to Y104, Chicago’s number one station for news you can use. It’s looking like a wet one out there tonight, so don’t forget your umbrella.”

  “Very helpful,” Olivia said as she turned onto Broadway and headed north.

  Olivia wasn’t a big driver, and living in Chicago meant she didn’t have to use her car very often. But on Tuesday nights, she taught a night class at Randolph University and she usually didn’t get done until after 9:00. Olivia wasn’t big on public transportation after dark. Besides, it was October 2nd _ not a day to tempt the shadows that lurked in the dark.

  Y104’s top requested song almost drowned out the ringing of Olivia’s cell. She reached into her bag and checked to see who was calling. “Later, Nater,” she told the phone as she tossed it back into her bag.

  The rain had turned traffic into a nightmare. Chicago drivers could easily navigate through a foot of snow, but a few raindrops created chaos on the roads. It took her almost thirty minutes to travel four miles. After circling her block three times, she finally found a parking spot and then had to run half a block to reach her apartment.

  Olivia lived on the first floor of a courtyard building built in the 1960s. She had lived there two years and still didn’t know any of her neighbors, but she preferred it that way.

  Dinner consisted of leftover Chinese food directly out of the container and a bottle of wine. Olivia was halfway through her third glass when her phone rang again.

  “Hey, stud.” Olivia muted the television so Nate wouldn’t hear what she was watching. No need making him worry about her even more than he already did.

  “Where the hell have you been Olivia?” Nate’s normally deep voice dropped an octave as he scolded her.

  “It’s Tuesday night, Nate.” Olivia refilled her wine glass. “You know I teach a night class on Tuesdays.”

  “I called you after nine. And I know you aren’t dedicated enough to your students to stick around after class.” Nate sighed into the phone. “It’s October 2nd, Liv. I was worried about you.”

  Olivia’s sigh matched Nate’s. “I know. And I appreciate the concern. You’re a good friend, Nathaniel Tucker.”

  “Damn straight.” Olivia heard the clang of ice dropping into a glass. Nate was pouring his nightly scotch, no doubt. “How you holding up? You need me to come over?”

  “Not necessary. I’m fine.” Olivia usually loved having Nate around, but tonight she wanted to wallow in her misery alone. She pulled an old, knit blanket around her shoulders. “How was your day, dear?”

  “Just fantastic.” Nate’s frown was practically audible. “Spent the day catching up on paperwork, and then when I stopped by to pick up my dry cleaning, I had the pleasure of running right into Candace.”

  “Yikes.” Olivia grimaced. Nate and Candace had been divorced just over a year, and the parting had not been peaceful. “Any battle wounds?”

  “Nothing physical.” A television clicked on and Olivia could hear Nate settling onto his leather couch. “She says hi, by the way.”

  “I’m sure.” Olivia smirked at the thought.

  She had been friends with Nate for 12 years. Always friends and nothing more. But when Nate had started dating Candace five years ago, his new girlfriend had been jealous of their relationship. She had gone so far as to give Nate an ultimatum- stop seeing Olivia or the relationship was over. Nate had sent her packing and it only took a week for Candace to come crawling back, begging for forgiveness. Eventually, Candace had come to accept that Olivia wasn’t going anywhere, but she certainly hadn’t been happy about it.

  Olivia finished off her wine with a big gulp and realized that she was nice and buzzed. “Is Candy still blaming me for ending your marriage?”

  “Who knows? She’s a psycho.” Nate cleared his throat, and Olivia knew he was uncomfortable. Candace had made it clear when she filed for divorce that she wasn’t interested in being the other woman, not-so-subtly implying that Olivia was the woman Nate really loved. It wasn’t true, at least not the way Candace meant, but it still bothered Nate.

  “True enough. And I would know- I have a degree in psychos.” Olivia smiled when Nate laughed. She loved the sound of his laugh.

  “Yeah, you would know, Dr. Thompson. Studied any good psychopaths lately?”

  “Besides your ex, no. I’ve been busy molding young minds.” She lowered her voice as she confessed, “I went through her file again today.”

  Nate was quiet for a long time. “You really shouldn’t do that to yourself, Liv.”

  “I know.” Olivia did know, but she couldn’t stop herself. “She was murdered fifteen years ago today, Nate. And they still haven’t found the killer.”

  Nate’s end of the phone went quiet as he switched off the television. “You shouldn’t be alone tonight. Let me come over, Olivia.”

  Olivia struggled to laugh off his suggestion. “How many times do I have to turn down your booty calls before you take the hint that I’m not interested?”

  “Can’t you be serious for even a second?” Nate sounded annoyed.

  “Not usually.” Olivia looked up as a quiet figure entered the room. “Nate, I appreciate the offer. I really do. But I just got good and sauced off a bottle of red wine, and now I’m going to bed. Your trip over here would be a waste.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Positive. Finish your scotch and the baseball game. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Olivia scooted over on the couch to make room for her guest.

  “Alright. Good night, Olivia.” Nate’s voice was faint as he switched the game back on. “Love you.”

  “Love you, too, Nater.”

  Olivia smiled softly as she hung up the phon
e. She always felt better after talking to her best friend, even if he was an insufferable ass sometimes.

  “Barf. You two are disgusting.”

  Olivia looked up quickly at her sister. “Don’t start, Rosie.”

  “You two need to just get it on already. The sexual tension is suffocating.” Rosie coughed dramatically. “What did old Nate want anyway?”

  “He was just checking on me. Wanted to make sure I was okay.” Olivia didn’t bother saying why he was worried about her in the first place. Of all people, Rosie knew the reason better than anyone.

  “And are you? Okay, I mean?” Rosie narrowed her perfect blue eyes at Olivia.

  “Most definitely not.” Olivia was sure of that. “It’s been fifteen years, Rosie.”

  Rosie sighed loudly and fell back against the couch cushions. “You are such a drama queen. It’s just another day.”

  “How can you say that?” Olivia looked at her sister, with her perfect blond hair and pouty red lips. It always hurt Olivia to look at Rosie too closely. To see her looking so perfect and know that it was all a lie was the worst form of torture. “It’s the anniversary of your murder, Rosie. It’s not just another day.”

  “Murder anniversary? Really?” Rosie sat up quickly. “I’m dead, Liv. When are you going to accept that? You said it yourself- it’s been fifteen years. It’s time to move on.”

  Olivia didn’t bother pointing out that it would be impossible to move on as long as Rosie kept visiting. Frankly, as odd as it was to talk to her dead sister, she couldn’t imagine life without Rosie in it.

  “I really should lock myself up.” She laughed dryly and shook her head. “You’ve been dead fifteen years, and yet I’m sitting here talking to you, like you are real.”

  “I am real, sis.” Rosie’s blue eyes clouded over with sadness. “I’m still me. And I’m still here.”

  Olivia whispered the same question she had asked Rosie a hundred times over the years. “Why? Why are you still here?”

 

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