Backwater

by Carolina Mac

  He looked for Sue, the lead tech from the lab and found her in Royce’s home office. “Hey, Sue, find anything fantastic?”

  She looked away from the screen on Royce’s laptop and smiled at him. “Hey, Bristol, thought Farrell might be here.”

  “He’s in Laredo on a case. Did you know Blacky got gunned down yesterday?”

  “No.” Sue’s hand went to her heart. “Don’t tell me that. Is he okay?”

  “Don’t know yet.”

  “Shit, I’m sorry, Travis. Farrell will be… wrecked. He is so close with his brother.”

  Travis waited until Sue composed herself a little. “What did I find? Oh, yeah, haven’t had much time, but there will be tons of usable emails you guys can use for more arrests and searches—I’m sure of it just from the first few I’ve read. I’ll make a list of everybody he had questionable conversations with and get a copy to y’all.”

  “That’s great. I’ll tell Jesse.”

  “Is he here?”

  “He’s got the media outside.”

  “Jeeze, I don’t envy him. Every reporter in the state is out there.”

  “Pretty much,” said Travis. “I saw a guy from CNN too.”

  Laredo.

  FARRELL picked up a Starbuck’s coffee on the way to the hospital and he was sipping on it when Special Agent Gene Wyman came through the door of the waiting area with the Governor.

  “Here you are, Farrell. I thought I’d never find you,” said Cat.

  “Anybody see you come in?” asked Farrell.

  “Nope, I don’t think so. Gene drove the SUV and I wore jeans and a plain top, so nobody would look at me. I’m blending.”

  Farrell pointed to a chair close to him. “Last thing we need is media fuckers driving us nuts.”

  “You okay, Farrell?” asked Cat. “You look… pale… and…”

  “Stressed? Is that what’s you’re asking me?” Farrell was on his feet and pacing. “I’m almost losing my mind, that’s what. I let him get shot,” hollered Farrell. “This is all my fault.”

  “I’m sure it isn’t,” said Cat. “You’re always watching out for him.”

  A woman in a blue suit with long dark hair and bright red lips strutted through the door on a pair of high heels with a camera man behind her. “Governor Campbell, could I have a moment of your time?”

  Gene was on his feet blocking the woman. “Outside. Get out of this room. Governor Campbell is not available.”

  The woman backed up and never stopped complaining about her rights. Once they were gone, Gene left the room and returned moments later. “We’re moving. The hospital has a private waiting room we can use at the end of the hall.”

  “Okay,” said Cat. “Coming, Farrell?”

  Farrell studied the screen on his cell. “I’ll find y’all and be along as soon as Mary gets here. She’s in the parking lot.”

  AT NOON, after Annie made several phone calls, everybody came together at Rudy’s. Farrell arrived first with Mary, introduced Tyler Quantrall and sat next to Annie. He flagged a server and ordered a pitcher of Shiners.

  Lily came minutes later with a pale and fragile looking Misty. Misty’s pace was slow, and she appeared to be struggling with every step she took. Annie jumped to her feet and zoomed across the restaurant to help her. She slipped an arm around Misty’s waist to support her.

  “Let’s get you sitting down, sweetheart,” said Annie. “I bet you could use a drink.”

  “I could use a glass of wine,” she drawled. “I’m a little out of it.”

  “Who else wants wine?” asked Annie as the server approached the table with Farrell’s beer.

  “I do,” said Catherine as she approached the long table. This is Gene Wyman, my security chief. She introduced him around the table, then sat down next to Misty. “How are you, dear. You’ve had a lot to deal with. Are you okay?”

  “Negativity began to overwhelm me in the night, but I invoked a banishing spell and it’s beginning to work. My head is a little clearer now.”

  Catherine’s eyes widened but she spoke with unusual kindness in her voice. “Perhaps you could give me a reading later. I’ve never had one.”

  “I have my cards in my purse,” said Misty. “I’d be happy to do it at the hospital.”

  After several rounds of drinks and a delicious lunch of barbeque, the men at the table ordered pecan pie.

  Annie passed on dessert, ordered coffee and excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. Misty got to her feet and supported herself hanging on to the back of her chair. “Wait for me, Annie.” Annie helped Misty walk to the back of the restaurant. “You seem to be having a hard time walking. Do you need Declan back for a while?”

  “Perhaps I might.” Misty locked the bathroom door once they were inside and spoke to Annie in a whisper. “There is a cloud of danger surrounding Miss Catherine, but I don’t know what it is.”

  “Royce is dead,” said Annie. “What else would it be?”

  “I can’t see it clearly,” Misty drawled. “I’ll spend time with her this afternoon. The cards may tell me.”

  “I’ll talk to Gene and keep watch on her.”

  “Thank you, Annie.”

  “We should get to the hospital in case Blaine wakes up and asks for us.”

  Misty shook her head. “He won’t wake yet. We have time.”

  Giddings.

  HAPPY to be home for dinner with his family, Jesse chatted to his brothers about their day while he buttered a biscuit, ate half and put the other half on Charity’s tray.

  “Ta, Daddy.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

  “Before I left the clinic, Doctor Phinn responded to the message I’d left for him earlier in the day. He’s the head surgeon in the Acute Care facility in Laredo,” said Brian, “and a well-qualified man. He said Blaine was hit upper back, left shoulder, no organ involvement and that’s a blessing. Extensive bone and muscle damage. Healing time will be long and troublesome for someone as active and impatient as our young crime fighter.”

  Jesse released the breath he was holding. “All in all, that could be considered good news?”

  Brian nodded. “Compared to the organs the bullet could have destroyed—very good news.”

  “I was so worried. The crew is going nuts and I’m sure the Chief is worried out of his mind.”

  “If you want me to, I can keep in touch and get updates for you,” said Brian. “Phinn seems like an accommodating person.”

  “Thanks, Brian,” said Jesse. “I’d appreciate it if you would do just that. Everybody at headquarters will ask me every day and I’d like to have something comprehensive to tell them.”

  After dinner, Jesse stepped onto the porch, the heat of the June day lingering into the evening. The cicadas in the pecan trees lining the laneway sang the heat song. It was a beautiful night in Texas. He sank down into one of the wicker chairs he loved and called Annie.

  Laredo.

  ANNIE checked the screen before answering, glanced across the table at Tyler and said, “It’s Jesse.”

  Tyler nodded and continued drinking his coffee.

  “Evening, cowboy, are you holding it all together?”

  “Yeah, we’ve got lots of work to do on the Royce case, but that’s not why I called.”

  “Okay,” Annie tried not to sound too wary.

  “Brian offered to call doctor to doctor to Blacky’s surgeon and get the goods.”

  “Fantastic,” said Annie, “and did he?”

  Jesse told her exactly what Brian had said. “It’s serious with a long recovery time, but it could have been much worse.”

  Annie took a couple of calming breaths. “Thanks for that, Jesse. We’ve been to the hospital numerous times but haven’t been able to see him yet. Misty said he won’t wake up until midnight.”

  “I’d listen to her,” said Jesse. “Don’t know where she gets her information, but she’s usually correct.”

  “Yes, she is,” said Annie, “and on
another subject, I heard you say on the news this morning that you were engaged. Congratulations.”

  “I just said that to get the woman off my case,” said Jesse, “although it may be true in the future.”

  “Good luck with that.”

  “Thanks, Ace, I could use a bit of luck… and I hope someday you can forgive me for how things turned out for us. I can tell by your voice you haven’t done it yet.”

  Annie stared at her cell and pressed end.

  BLAINE opened his eyes and wondered where he was. His brain was foggy.

  “Go back to sleep, Ranger Blackmore.” A nurse was near his bed doing something.

  I’m in the hospital.

  The drugs rushing through his veins made him feel warm and comfortable. He wanted to sleep for a long time. A very long time. He relaxed and closed his eyes.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Friday, June 26th.

  Laredo.

  WHEN visiting hours began for the day, Misty was allowed the first five minute visit with Blaine. She sat beside his bed stroking the hand that lay on the blanket and saying words so low no one could hear her.

  He opened his dark eyes and stared up at her then closed them and went back to sleep.

  GOVERNOR CAMPBELL stepped out of the SUV after Special Agent Wyman had deemed it safe and opened the back door for her. Special Agent Roderick drove the vehicle to the parking lot to wait.

  “This is better than expected,” Catherine said to Gene Wyman, “I thought the media might have got wind of my visit to Laredo.”

  Gene ushered her through the double glass doors into the lobby and it was a whole new ballgame. The vultures were huddled up in the lobby taking advantage of free hotel air-conditioning while they waited to pounce on the Governor.

  Reporters, camera crews and sound people stampeded towards Catherine as she came through the door and in their efforts to be first to talk to her, they nearly knocked her down.

  FARRELL, along with Annie, Tyler and Mary entered the hospital lobby behind the Governor, and sizing up the situation, Farrell took action. He jumped in front of Catherine hollering, “Hey, y’all, get the hell out of this hospital. You got no business here.” He held out his arms and physically pushed reporters and camera men out of the way, so Gene could get Catherine to the bank of elevators.

  “Anyone of y’all who touches an elevator button or tries to get anywhere near my brother will be arrested. Got it?”

  “How bad is Ranger Blackmore hurt?” hollered a female reporter.

  Adrenaline was pumping through his veins and Farrell was ready to smash somebody in the teeth—anybody.

  Mary recognized the signs and pushed in front of him. “Let me handle it,” she whispered to Farrell. She held up a hand and took a step towards the hungry throng. “I’m Mary Polito, press liaison for the Blackmore Agency and if y’all want to provide me with your email addresses, I’ll be sending out updates on Ranger Blackmore’s condition and the Royce investigation as they happen. This is what I do in Austin and I don’t mind adding y’all to my list.”

  Mary stayed in the lobby for the next half hour and took down information.

  ANNIE was first to see Blaine after the doctor examined him on the morning rounds. She took Farrell’s hand and they went into the unit together. Two people weren’t allowed at the same time, but Annie had schmoozed Doctor Phinn and he’d made an exception. Phinn was a good-looking young Irish doctor who reminded her a lot of Declan.

  Blaine’s eyes were closed when they first arrived at his bedside, but Annie spoke his name and he opened them. “Mom, I’m okay.”

  Annie’s eyes overflowed with tears as she bent down to hug him.

  “I need Farrell,” Blaine said in a whisper.

  “He’s right behind me,” said Annie.

  Farrell stepped closer and took Blaine’s hand. “Don’t wait around here, bro. I’m okay. Go get Whitey and Dave.”

  “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

  Blaine nodded. “I can’t do it, so you have to.” He pulled Farrell closer. “They’ll go back home.”

  “Think so? Are they that stupid?”

  “Yep.” Blaine closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

  MISTY AND LILY sat in the private waiting room putting in time while they waited for a turn to visit Blaine. Misty had her cards spread out on the coffee table and was doing a reading for Catherine. It was the Governor’s turn to visit Blaine next, but she had an hour to wait. Special Agent Wyman sat in the corner reading the paper keeping a sharp eye on Catherine and also on the door.

  Misty drawled on telling Catherine what each of the cards meant, then she stopped talking and wham. Misty slid off her chair and hit her head on the coffee table on her way to the floor.

  Annie ran to her and with Lily’s help they laid her on the sofa. “I’ll get water.” Annie took off running and Gene Wyman was on his feet.

  “Should I get a doctor?” he asked.

  “A nurse, at least,” said Catherine. “She hit her head hard.”

  Gene returned moments later with a nurse who examined Misty. “She’s not coming around. I’m going to send her down to the Emergency room. One of you should go with her.”

  “I’ll go,” said Lily.

  An orderly flew into the room with a stretcher, transferred Misty from the sofa and they were off to the ER. Lily picked up her purse and ran along behind.

  FARRELL returned with a tray of decent coffee from the cafeteria and saw the Tarot cards scattered all over. “Where’s Misty?”

  “She fainted,” said Mary. “They took her to the ER.”

  “She’s been pale and shaky since yesterday,” said Catherine.

  “Oh, Jesus, I’m going down there to check on her,” said Farrell, “then I have to go do something.”

  Mary followed him to the elevator, a coffee in her hand, her purse over her shoulder and her laptop under her arm. “What do you have to do, sweetheart?”

  “Catch some guys. Blacky wants me to get on it.”

  “You’ll need help.”

  “I have to go to the hotel, get organized and get going. Do you want to come with me?”

  “I think I should. You’ve been through a huge shock and you’re not yourself.”

  IN THE E.R. waiting area, Farrell and Mary sat down next to Lily. “Anything yet?”

  “No, but she didn’t have to wait her turn.” Lily indicated the dozen people sitting around the room waiting. “Misty was unconscious and that moved her to the head of the line.”

  “I’ll remember that,” said Farrell. His cell signaled a text and it was Annie.

  “Text me when you know about Misty.”

  “I will, Mom.”

  A bearded doctor who looked about eighteen stepped into the waiting room and called out, “Who is here with Miss LeJeune?”

  “I am.” Lily hopped up and ran over to where the doc was standing. “Is Misty all right?”

  “She appears to be a brain injury patient. I need to know who her neurologist is as soon as possible.”

  “He’s in Austin,” said Lily. “His name is Doctor Sydney Kaplan.”

  “Thank you. I’ll call him and get back to y’all.”

  Lily reported back to Farrell. “I better tell Annie,” he said and texted.

  “The doc down here is calling Doc Kaplan.”

  “Oh, no. I better come down.”

  “Please take over, Mom. I have to leave.”

  CATHERINE finally got to see Blaine. She sat beside his bed and held his hand while he slept, his black hair spread out across the pillow. He looked like an angel.

  Five minutes flew by quickly and her time was almost up when he opened his eyes and looked at her. He blinked, tried to refocus and she could tell he was a little out of it.

  “Cat. I’m okay. You shouldn’t be here.”

  “This is exactly where I should be.” Tears trickled down her cheeks as he squeezed her hand.

  “Tell Gene…” He closed his eyes an
d the nurse came to chase her out.

  “Sorry, Governor Campbell, we have to let him rest.”

  “I know. I’m going.”

  What should I tell Gene?

  Doctor Phinn stood at the ICU nurses’ station and Catherine approached him as she exited the unit. “Doctor Phinn, could I speak to you for a moment?”

  “Of course, Governor Campbell, let’s use my office.” He ushered her down the corridor and into a ten by twelve room with nothing in it but a desk and a couple of chairs. “Please, have a seat. I didn’t realize you were here until a couple of nurses made me aware.”

  “Blaine… Ranger Blackmore, is… my right hand and like a son to me. I’m devasted that this happened.”

  “But he’s head of the Violent Crime Unit,” said Phinn, “and every day he faces dangerous situations. Odds are he won’t be a winner every time.”

  “True, but that doesn’t make the reality any easier to bear,” said Catherine. “Would you tell me exactly what he’s facing as far as recovery goes?”

  “I can only give information on a patient’s condition to family members, and I have spoken to Mrs. Powell and Ranger Blackmore’s GP, but I can tell you that his recovery will not be swift. After healing, he may have months of physio to recover range of motion in his left arm.”

  “But overall, he’s out of danger?” asked Catherine. “I can’t go back to Austin knowing he’s at risk.”

  “Ranger Blackmore is still listed as ‘critical’, but his vital signs are stabilizing nicely, and I may take him off that list sometime today.”

  “That’s encouraging.”

  “With a wound this severe,” said Phinn, “there is always the risk of infection. We can’t let our guard down.”

  Catherine inhaled a couple of calming breaths. “No of course not.”

  Freer.

  ON THE WAY back to Austin, Farrell stopped into the county sheriff’s office. A small brick building on route 59 outside of Freer. “I need to pick up their reports on the search for Whitey and Big Dave,” he said to Mary. “Want to come in with me?”