by Debra Lee
“Teddy what’s wrong?”
Mary remembered seeing that same look of madness in Carol’s eyes when she had come out from behind her bedroom curtain after hearing Betty’s voice on the answering machine. Unlike then she was charging toward Mary.
“Carol what are you—” Mary’s words were cut off as she struggled to keep Jena from being yanked from her arms.
“Stop this, Teddy,” Betty screamed.
Jena began crying. Her wails caused Mary to make the quick decision to let go before Carol’s tugging injured the baby.
“Please don’t hurt her, Carol,” Mary pleaded as she followed Carol out of the room toward the front door.
Carol whirled around. Her eyes ablaze with madness when she glared at the two fearful women in front of her.
“I will, Mary. I’ll hurt her real bad if you try to stop me.”
Mary’s eyes left Carol’s long enough to see her hand close over Jena’s mouth and nose to silence her. “I won’t. I’ll do whatever you say. Please don’t hurt her, Carol.”
“Then stay here,” Carol ordered before shifting back around and swinging open the door to make her swift exit.
She had barely gotten a few steps outside when, “Hold on there, Sanders,” Kelly’s voice shot through the darkness.
Carol couldn’t see where the voice came from. Nor did she take time to look for it. Her only thought was to run. Get to her car so she could drive away. Get some place safe so she could think. Figure out what to do.
So she ran. Her short legs moving so fast she didn’t feel the slippery ground beneath her until the split second she felt nothing at all.
From the doorway Mary saw Carol’s feet go out from underneath her. As she began falling Mary’s chilling scream ripped through the night.
By now Reilly was trying to keep his balance as he slid around Carol’s car to where she was crashing. Kelly was sliding around on the other side.
The second Carol’s back slammed against the frozen ground Mary kicked off her smooth soled shoes and ran stocking footed toward the terrifying cries from her baby.
She dropped to her hunches and saw Jena had landed between Carol’s chest and throat, almost pinned beneath her chin.
No matter how much Carol’s brain ordered her body to cooperate and get up so she could run away, she was unable to move anything except her eyes and mouth.
Mary sensed as much but her first concern was with Jena. She reached underneath her and quickly drew her up into her arms and held her against her heart.
By this time Reilly and Kelly hovered close.
In spite of Betty’s hysterical carrying on that her Teddy be helped, Mary was able to tune out the noise long enough to steady on Carol’s evil glare and hear her whisper, “Indian giver.”
Reilly and Kelly exchanged words as to whether or not they should attempt to move Carol. They risk causing her more injury by moving her, but leaving her on the sidewalk created other health risk. In the end they carried blankets from inside the house and piled them on top of her with the hope of keeping her from going into shock until medical help arrived.
Once Carol was loaded into the ambulance Reilly helped Mary up into the SUV. A sudden rise in the temperature had melted away the ice as they set out behind the emergency vehicle, siren screaming as it sped in the direction of the hospital.
Mary wanted Jena checked out by a doctor. She knew Carol’s body had cushioned the baby’s landing and saved her from injury. The paramedic who examined her had assured her of that. But she’d feel better hearing it from the emergency room doctor.
Chapter Thirty Eight
Kelly had stayed behind with Betty. Friends would soon be dropping by to offer condolences for the loss of Jim. Now they would be told there had been more tragedy for the woman to bear.
Kelly thought Betty was coping in a way best suited to her. She had promised herself to put a feast on the table this Thanksgiving day. Precisely what she went about doing while he filled her in on how Carol had stolen Mary’s baby and how she’d paid young women to abort their unborn babies.
When he finished he expected the woman to be ready to disown Carol Sanders. He figured wrong.
Betty told him she would not desert her Teddy again. “When Mary and Reilly return from the hospital with Teddy I plan to invite her to stay with me until she is well again.”
Kelly couldn’t help wondering if Carol Sanders would ever be well, at least mentally. Although he was no doctor Kelly doubted Reilly and Mary would return with Carol.
This time he was right. Carol Sanders was not with them when the SUV pulled in outside.
Kelly wasn’t quite sure why, but he had this urge to slide his arm around Betty when he saw her watch from the door as Mary and Reilly headed toward the house, stopping once for Jena to be transferred from Mary’s arms to Reilly’s.
Once everyone settled in the living room Mary attempted to break the news to Betty.
Reilly sensed her difficulty getting out the words and came to her aide. “Carol won’t be comin’ home for a while. The doctor can explain better but it looks like Carol’s paralyzed.”
“The impact of the fall,” Mary said. “It was extremely traumatic. And then Jena’s weight was just enough to—”
Mary was too choked up to go on so Reilly helped her out again. “The damage to Carol’s spine is permanent. She’ll never walk again.” He looked down at Jena in his arms. “She’ll be as helpless as a baby for the rest of her life.”
Betty sniffled and sat erect when she said, “Then she’s going to need someone to care for her.”
“A nursing home was suggested,” Mary mentioned when Carol could be facing years bedridden in a prison hospital if the authorities decided to disagree with Mary’s decision not to bring charges against her for taking Jena. In Mary’s heart she believed a higher authority had already rendered justice.
“Well I won’t have her stuck in no nursing home. I’ll take care of Teddy right here.”
No one attempted to discourage the woman. Betty seemed determined. Kelly knew she was.
So much had happened in these last hours. But by noon a Thanksgiving feast was laid out on the kitchen table. After the meal and several prayers of thanks by all, Betty handed Jena to Mary after a hug and kiss then watched her and Reilly head for the SUV. Kelly followed them out.
Reilly turned to face him. “You sure about stayin’?”
Kelly nodded a yes. “Betty’s gonna need help settin’ up a bed and stuff for when the hospital releases Sanders. Once that’s done, I’ll rent a car and head home. Then I’d like to spend some time lookin’ into your brother’s murder, Mary.”
Mary’s eyes widened. “That’d be great, Kelly. Maybe if the three of us work together we can finally solve the case.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Reilly said. “But what do you want me to tell Daniels when we get back without you now?”
“That I’m takin’ a long overdue vacation. But I’ll be home in time for the wedding.”
Mary was about to duck inside the vehicle when Kelly’s words stopped her. “Who’s getting married?”
Kelly’s mouth twisted into a sly grin. “Jackson can fill you in on the long drive home.”
Mary gazed into Reilly’s blue eyes and knew without hearing him name names. It was their wedding Kelly Rogers had referred to and Mary couldn’t wait to begin making plans for the big day.
The End
Debra Lee’s Bio
If Debra’s in a murderous mood, she might write a murder mystery or a chilling thriller. When there’s romance in the air, Debra’s been known to pen a love story.
On a personal note, Debra was once a stay-at-home mom, real estate agent and owner of a pizza delivery business. Now she writes full-time. Debra’s the mother of two grown sons and grandmother to one grandson. She shares her home in Pennsylvania with her husband and five felines.
Debra’s a member of Pennwriters, Sisters in Crime, Guppies and Epic. She loves to hear from re
aders and invites all to visit her Web site. http://www.debralee.net