by Cass Sellars
“Wow. That is one hell of a comeback.” A warm flush of emotion flooded over Darcy, and she gripped the neck of Taylor’s neatly tucked shirt. “You must have cleaned up in the bar.”
Taylor smiled broadly. “I did,” she responded knowingly.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere,” Darcy whispered, feeling oddly at home in Taylor’s embrace.
* * *
Mack found Jenny curled beside her, pressed awkwardly against the bed railing, when the nurse came through the curtain to check on her. Mack touched her fingers to her lips before the woman in Mickey Mouse scrubs looked down at Jenny.
“Isn’t the patient supposed to be the one sleeping?” she whispered.
“I was—I just woke up,” Mack replied. “This is my wife, Jenny. She says she’s not leaving until I do.”
“Sounds like you’re pretty lucky.” She smiled at Mack. “The doc should be by to spring you in a few minutes. Sorry we never got you to a room. Do you need anything right now?”
“I’m good. Killer headache, but I’m okay.”
“He should send you home with something to help with that. I’m Cathy, by the way. I’ll be here till five if you need anything before you go.” She turned, her rubber soles making a horrific squeak as the curtain closed behind her.
A few minutes later, Major Cash poked his head through the opening and asked if it was all right to come in. Mack roused Jenny, who remained by her side.
“Sorry to disturb you.” Cash stopped and took in the two women.
“Couldn’t imagine two people looking comfortable on the glorified stretcher, could you?” Mack joked.
“Indeed. I’m sorry to intrude.”
“You’re not, please come in.” Mack was happy for the distraction and at least a tenuous connection to her old life where she carried a badge and people still called her Sergeant.
“How’re you feeling? You look like hell.”
Mack laughed and felt the tired muscles in her back revolt. “Thank you, you’re too kind.” Mack fingered the bandage at her temple gingerly until Jenny guided her fingers away from the injury.
Major Cash’s expression became serious. “You remember anything, Foster?”
“No, sir, Sydney started talking about someone trying to overtake us but I was looking down at my phone when it happened. What did they find at the scene?”
“A very twisted hunk of metal and some white paint transfer on the left rear quarter panel. We might want to think about you staying away from your house until this blows through…just in case.”
Suddenly intensely alert, Jenny slid off the bed. “Are you saying this was intentional?” She held on to the railing with one hand and Mack with the other.
“I’m saying I want to be sure.” He looked apprehensive.
“What about Sydney, Major?” Mack asked.
“Right now, I only have a civilian crash in a personal vehicle outside my jurisdiction. The warrants are dropping as we speak for the things we discussed, Foster. Noles was extremely impressed with your evidence. He expects the phone records by this afternoon. It doesn’t look good for Chief Williams.” Cash whispered the last words.
Mack shuddered at the phrase, disgusted. “That’s a really hard name to hear.”
“You should try saying it to his face.” He delivered the words with disdain as he walked to the curtain and looked back at her. “Lie low and get better.” She nodded as he disappeared behind the cotton drape.
“Jen, I need to go check on Syd when they let me out of here.”
Jenny nodded. “I’ll go find the doctor. Maybe they could speed things along.”
After what felt like a hundred signatures, Mack had changed into her clothes again, choosing to zip her jacket over her bare skin and throwing away her bloodstained shirt. Mack walked slowly with Jenny who gripped her left arm tightly. Her balance was still a bit tenuous due in no small part to the medications and a day in the lumpy bed.
* * *
Parker felt something tickle her nose and shook out of an uncomfortable sleep bent over Syd’s bed. She raised her hand to rub her face when she felt warm fingers graze across her skin.
“Hey, Park.” The barely audible words found their way through Parker’s disorienting fog of exhaustion and worry.
She stared for a moment before she spoke. “You’re okay. Syd, you’re going to be okay. I love you. I have to get the doctor.” She started to stand quickly from her chair.
Syd smiled at the cascade of words. “Wait. Can you just stay with me for a minute?” Sydney brushed her thumb over the rivers of tears now cascading over Parker’s pale skin.
Parker dared not sit on the mattress in case she shifted Syd too much. Her normally physically daunting girlfriend looked more fragile and broken when Parker watched her try to talk. But her heart clutched at the blissful realization that they were going to come through this together.
“Can I kiss you?” Parker laughed and cried simultaneously as she bent toward Sydney’s unscarred lips.
“You better.” Syd winked at her and cradled her hand against Parker’s face.
“I love you so much.” Parker breathed in the relief she could finally allow her mind to experience.
“Love you, baby,” Syd whispered. Parker thought those were the best words she had ever heard.
The door creaked open as Jenny whispered, “Can we come in?”
Parker motioned for them to come in and reluctantly took the opportunity to let the doctor know Syd was awake.
Jenny walked Mack near the bed and Syd croaked, “You look like a raccoon, Foster.”
“Not exactly ready for prime time yourself there, Hyatt.”
Syd smiled but made sure not to laugh. She hadn’t tried it yet but considering the fact that breathing hurt, she didn’t imagine that laughing was recommended. “Jenny,” Syd whispered, “would you find out if I can have any ice chips? My mouth is a desert.”
“Of course, sweetie.” She left, seeming to realize that she had just been maneuvered out of a conversation.
“Okay, why did you want her out of here?” Mack asked.
Syd heard the door click closed before she answered, with effort, “Number sixty-one Mack, CTI0061. I saw the plate before the accident. It was a CTI truck.”
Mack processed the implication of the information and lifted her good hand in resignation. “Even if it’s a three million dollar score, are you really going to kill a cop, then attempt two more murders right behind it? You need to tell Cash everything you remember.”
Jenny returned carrying a small Styrofoam cup filled with chips of ice. She stopped to read the text Mack was sending her commander. “They’re going to fix this, sweetheart. You trust the major, right?”
“I trusted a lot of people. Not so sure I’m the best judge of character right now.” Mack backed slowly into the side chair, suddenly a bit unstable. “But, yeah, I do, I have no choice.”
“Syd and Darcy will back you up.” Jenny stood behind Mack.
“I just hope that’s enough.” Mack sounded resigned and tapped her tight fist against her chin.
“It’ll be okay. I believe that and so should you,” Syd insisted in the strongest voice she could manage.
“Thanks.” Mack read her return text and passed the phone to Sydney.
Within ten minutes, Major Cash pushed through the door and looked solemnly at Sydney and then to Mack. “Can the three of us talk?”
Jenny said, “Why don’t I find Parker, and we go grab a shower and some clothes? I’m dying to get some fresh air.”
“I would love some clean clothes, sweetheart. Thanks.” Mack nodded and Jenny left the room again.
“You were right, Mack, cellular GPS records put Williams at the scene before the 9-1-1 call was made and at least near the phone it came from when dispatch got it.” He shook his head and handed her a sheet with Provost’s name at the top. At 10:24 p.m. she had received a call from a Silver Lake phone number. After one minute she made anoth
er call…to Williams.
“We need the Downings’ numbers.” Syd didn’t wait to be invited into the conversation.
“Your friend Taylor already helped us with that. Their mobile phone numbers are published in a company directory.” He pointed to another entry. “Provost spoke with Lawrence Downing ninety-eight times in two months, not including right before she called Williams. We should be able to track Junior’s phone to the nearest tower if he was there.”
“Oh, he was there,” Syd grumbled.
“Major, Syd saw the plate. The truck that hit us belonged to CTI.”
Cash shook his head. “This is either the dumbest group of criminals or one significant idiot that everyone is having to cover for. The sad part is that at least two of the people in this shit are—were—cops.”
He turned back to Mack. “The bureau is going to work fast, Foster, which means you should be someplace safe in the meantime. I walked from my car to this door in less than four minutes and no one even approached me. I’m not saying they’ll be that bold, but you should be careful.”
Mack agreed. “Major, Syd prepared most of the evidence in the file I handed over to you.” Mack nodded to Syd who knew that everything would come out soon enough.
“You do nice work, Ms. Hyatt.” The major shook her left hand. He was evidently not surprised by the revelation.
“Syd, please. I’m talking to you while lying in a bed wearing the equivalent of a pale green handkerchief—I think you can call me by my first name.”
Major Cash laughed. “What can you tell me about the vehicle that hit you?”
She glanced her left hand gingerly over her hair and swallowed slowly, “Large white Ford box truck, license plate CTI0061. Couldn’t see the driver, my car sits too low, you know, by the time it got close enough. It pushed us off the side and then rammed us on the left rear bumper. That’s how we ended up going off the road and, I have to assume, flipped over.”
“When did you first see it?” He took notes by hand into a tiny pad from his pocket, then tapped some information into his phone.
“I don’t know, I just looked in the mirror and all I saw was white.” She closed her eyes and fought against the memory of the second she realized they were going off the road, being pushed off the road.
After a few minutes Syd looked up at Cash. “Did you see my car? Do you have a picture of the wreck?”
He looked uncomfortable and hesitated. “It’s totaled, Syd.”
“I figured that. I just kind of want to say good-bye.” She attempted a smile as he drew his phone out of his jacket pocket and slid his thumb over the screen.
Syd let out her breath in an audible whoosh as the mass of black twisted metal came into view. “My insurance company is not going to be happy with me.” She looked at the mangled mess she couldn’t imagine two people escaping from.
“If this goes like I think it will, you’ll be filing with another company.” His smile was genuine.
“Major? Did they find my gun in the car?” Syd asked. “It’s kind of my favorite.”
“The traffic unit logged all the property while I was there. They found it and two phones along with two sets of keys and your duffel, Mack. I’ll get it all back to you as soon as I can.” He turned to Mack, who was draped uncomfortably in the blue vinyl chair. “You know, your black eyes would look a hell of a lot worse if you were pasty and pale like the rest of us.”
Mack smiled for the first time since the conversation began. It faded again as she asked, “Major, will I get my shield back?”
“Damn right, you will. Trying to sanction you in the face of the damage control the department is facing would be political suicide. I will hand you your badge myself although the freaking mayor should do it first.” He looked disgusted. The facts were all there but the reality still seemed hard for him to take.
“I won’t hold my breath for that.” Mack laughed weakly.
“Good idea.” He walked toward the door after sitting with them for over an hour. He read a new message on his phone. “I have a feeling we might all want to watch the news tomorrow. They just towed a CTI truck to the state lab.”
“That was fast.” Syd smirked at Mack.
“They already had the warrant to match the trucks to the video, but your ID made it a bit more pressing.” Major Cash stalked back to the hallway.
Syd pushed up awkwardly, wincing at the stabbing pain in her side. She looked hard at Mack as she said, “Come stay with us for a few days, okay?”
“That’s fine with me, but what are we going to tell the girls? I really don’t want to make Jenny any more nervous than I have to.”
“That we deserve a slumber party and some time to regroup.” Syd looked over the monitors and wondered if she could convince someone to spring her, too.
* * *
Jenny returned, followed by Taylor and Darcy. The energy in the room felt lighter for the first time.
Jenny crossed to Mack and kissed her gratefully like they had been separated for weeks. “Syd, Parker’s finding out when a doc will be back in for rounds. She’ll be here in a few minutes. Meanwhile, Richard says Allen is spoiling Olivia rotten. He’s working at the drafting table with the baby sling strapped to his chest. He doubts she has been alone since I left.” Jenny shook her head as Mack laughed and Sydney tried not to. She pictured the fussy architect finding his inner motherly instincts.
Jen looked over at Sydney. “We borrowed some of your clothes, Syd. We don’t need Mack looking like a flasher.” Jenny jerked down the zipper of Mack’s only covering. Mack grabbed her hand before it went any lower and grinned as she pried the plastic bag from her fingers.
“I agree, definitely not a good idea,” Syd said. “So, we were thinking, we should all stay together for a few days.” Sydney’s tone grew dark and serious. “I’m going to sign myself out of here as soon as I can and you guys need to stay with us. We are, at least, in a secure building. Taylor, you need a few days off for sure—got any?”
“Fifteen of them to be exact. I can call in.” Taylor obviously liked the thought of spending a few more days with Darcy, not to mention avoiding a face-to-face with Bryce Downing.
“Parker is going to kick your ass,” Jenny said dramatically.
“She’s right, you know,” Mack said. “Parker isn’t going to let you sign out of here AMA.” She looked expectantly at the door.
“She will if it means keeping Jenny safe and the baby sequestered a little longer.” Sydney had already devised a plan.
“Better argument is if it means keeping you safe,” Darcy interjected. “I’ve never seen anyone look so scared in my life, Syd. That woman about took the doctor out when he told her to go home instead of staying with you.”
Syd smiled and swung her legs tentatively over the side of the bed. She could imagine the look on Parker’s face. “She is scary tough when she wants to be.”
Jenny concurred, looking sternly at Syd. “She’s ferocious when it comes to you. I hope you know that.”
“I do. Believe me, I do.” Sydney felt the words flush over her skin.
As if on cue, Parker pushed through the door and walked inside. She folded her arms over her chest and looked angry. “What are you doing, Sydney?” Syd opened her mouth to respond before Parker cut her off. “You just had fucking surgery, Syd. What are you thinking?”
Darcy stepped back and turned to find shelter with Taylor.
Syd heard Parker curse very rarely, only in the heat of passion and when she was beyond furious. The latter was fairly terrifying.
“I know you’re mad, baby.” She secretly hoped the term of endearment might soften her fury for a moment. “But I need you to listen for a minute, okay? Please hear me out. Everyone needs to stay with us until this all shakes out. We just don’t know where all the players are or even who they all are, for that matter. It certainly isn’t safe for Taylor to go back to work, and Mack’s address is practically public knowledge as long as Williams is at the helm.” Syd hoped
she wouldn’t have to mention concern for her own safety.
“We need to talk to the doctor, Syd, you aren’t superwoman.” Parker’s worry for Sydney was palpable.
“Okay, then let’s talk to the doctor.” Parker shook her head when Syd readily acquiesced. As if on cue, a slight thirtysomething man in a white coat walked in with a weary look and a resigned constitution.
Five hours and reams of paper later, Parker helped a very weak Sydney, in loose cotton shorts and an oversized T-shirt, sit in a wheelchair. They headed for the exit where Jenny waited in her SUV.
“Don’t let anyone see me like this, please.” Syd smiled at a worried Parker and tried to ignore the throb of pain skidding over her right side. “I’m okay. Really. Let’s just go home.” Mack moved slowly to the passenger seat and Syd slid awkwardly into the back with Parker next to her.
The convoy of the three vehicles drove slowly down Meridian Street. Jen turned the SUV into Syd’s vacant space, while Syd tried not to think of the scrap metal that was once her beloved Porsche. Darcy and Jen flanked Mack for the trek up the walk, and Taylor jogged around to the back seat to help Parker get Sydney to her feet.
“You should have stayed put, Hyatt,” Parker grumbled and glided open the heavy front door, waiting for the group to file in. She slid the door closed and latched it, stopping to glance over their home where she usually felt safe. She longed for the day something made her feel that way again. No one had told her directly, but she could read Syd and even Mack well. Jenny hadn’t needed to confirm that the accident might not have been accidental.
Syd leaned tentatively against a bar stool and offered the kitchen to whoever wished it.
“I’m going to lie down with Mack for a bit, if that’s okay?” Jenny announced.
Parker nodded, straightening. “Do you need help getting the bed down?”
“Nah, I have the one-armed bandit.” She thumbed over her shoulder at Mack who stuck out her tongue. Parker knew that Jenny wouldn’t let her near the Murphy bed.