Finding Justice

by Ciana Stone

  He let go of her to grab his crotch with one hand, doubling over. Able to breathe now, she tried to dash past him but failed. He grabbed her by the hair and slammed her down on the floor. "You fucking bitch!"

  Malcom stomped at her as she rolled and scrambled on hands and knees trying to avoid the blows. She prayed Briggs had gotten out of the building and was safe. She would not last much longer. Her strength was almost gone.

  He landed another kick that lifted her up and sent her sailing. She landed hard, dazed, and unable to move for a moment. Jolene looked up and saw Malcom pointing his gun at her. It was over. He'd won.

  A thousand things ran through her mind. Things she wished she had done and some she wished she had not. People she'd loved and people she'd lost, people she wished she could have the chance to tell how much they meant to her. Justice. Did he know how much she cared?

  "You're gonna pay, bitch." She saw him cock the hammer on the old-fashioned revolver and fought the urge to close her eyes. She couldn't give him that satisfaction.

  Her gaze met his and held. "Fuck you."

  In the next instant JD burst into the room. Malcom cut a look at JD then looked back at her, his finger squeezing the trigger.

  Jolene looked at JD. She saw the horror and the fear in his eyes.

  "You move one muscle and she dies." Malcom warned and then spoke to her. "Get up."

  Jolene got to her feet and Malcom grabbed her, wrapping one arm around her neck and holding her in front of him.

  "You're gonna be putting that sidearm down mister and getting the fuck out of my way."

  JD looked at Jolene and she spoke. "Do it."

  JD took out his sidearm and placed it on the floor.

  "Kick it away."

  He did as instructed, his eyes glued on Malcom, who shoved Jolene forward. That was her chance and the only one she would get. She went limp, falling forward, and the weight pulled him. Just as he leaned forward, she planted her feet, and slammed her body backward.

  Her head connected with his nose and he screamed. His hold on her loosened and she dove for JD's gun on the floor. JD reached it before she did. He grabbed the gun with one hand and her with the other, pulling her up against his side.

  Blood gushed from Malcom's nose and he staggered, waving his gun around. "Get out!" Briggs shouted from the door.

  Malcom started firing in the direction of the voice. JD shoved Jolene to the floor, falling on top of her to shield her. She felt him moving and saw his hand. The sound of the gunshot was deafening. She didn't even hear Malcom fall, but she saw him when he hit the floor.

  Briggs, Bronson, and Jayce ran into the room. They gathered Malcom's weapon and called the police. Briggs threw himself down beside JD and Jolene as JD got off her. Jolene rolled over and Briggs grabbed her, hauling her up into his arms.

  She hugged him tightly, not caring about the tears that flowed down her face. "You were willing to die for me." He released her to look into her eyes. "You were willing to die for me."

  "I love you big guy."

  She thought she heard him say he loved her too. However, she wasn't sure. She felt herself slipping away and wondered if she was dying. Then all thought ceased.

  JD saw her eyes roll back and grabbed her. "We've got to get her to a hospital."

  "Police and ambulance on the way." Bronson said.

  "Can't wait. Briggs, come with me."

  "No, I need to stay and tell the police what happened."

  "Are you sure you're okay to do that son?"

  "Yes sir. Take care of her."

  "I will and when you're done you come to the hospital."

  "Which one?"

  JD looked at Bronson. "Mercy is about five blocks west of here. We'll bring him. Go."

  JD nodded, lifted Jolene in his arms, and stood. Jayce guided him out of the building with his flashlight and helped JD get her in his truck. "We're right behind you, bro."

  "Take care of Briggs."

  "Always."

  JD started the truck and pulled out, cutting a look down at Jolene. She was breathing, but it was weak. God please don't let her die. She'd saved his son, been willing to sacrifice herself to save Briggs. It took a special person to do that, one that cared, really cared.

  Jolene moaned and shifted. He looked over at her again, puzzled. She was no longer leaning against the door. Now she was bent to that side, but sitting up straighter. And she was mumbling.

  "What are you doing here...Am I dying... I need more time. Have to tell Justice that… okay, okay."

  Tell Justice? Tell him what? And who was she talking to? He reached over and touched her on the leg. "Jo, honey? Can you hear me?"

  There was no response. JD was scared. From the looks of her, it was evident that she'd taken a good beating. Did she have internal damage? She couldn't die. She had to be okay. He had to get the chance to tell her he loved her and wanted her to be part of his and his boys' lives.

  This was one time he wished something Eloise told him could be true. That everyone had a guardian angel. He prayed that Jolene had a guardian angel watching over her.

  *****

  Jolene felt consciousness pulling her up from the darkness. It seemed to float in and out. Every time she reached for it, the darkness swelled and claimed her again. She had no clue how long that continued, only that finally she could open her eyes.

  The first thing she saw was JD slumped in a chair beside her bed, asleep. She smiled at the sight, and then noticed Joe, the old man she'd met at the rodeo, standing beside Justice.

  "What're you doing here?" she whispered.

  "Just watching over a friend." He smiled and walked over to sit on the edge of her bed and hold her hand.

  "You were with me in the truck. Holding me."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Why?"

  "Because you needed comfort."

  "How did you… I mean, why were you even there?"

  "Because you needed me."

  Jolene looked into his eyes and the most peculiar thing happened. Wings appeared behind him. Beautiful white wings. "So, you're an angel?"

  He shrugged. "Just call myself Joe."

  "And how did you come to be here for me, Joe? I thought you were just visiting friends in Cotton Creek?"

  "I was. Still am. Visiting you."

  "Are you real or am I dreaming this?"

  "You tell me."

  Just then, the door to her room opened. Annie stood framed in the doorway with a look of shock on her face. She looked from Jolene to Joe and then back at Jolene.

  Jolene put her finger to her lips and then pointed to Justice. Annie nodded and came quietly into the room. She took a seat on the opposite side of the bed to Joe. "So, you can see him? Joe I mean."

  Jolene found that to be a very unusual question. Was she dreaming all this? "Yes."

  Annie looked at Joe and smiled. "Is she going to be okay?"

  "Righter than rain in no time."

  Annie smiled. "Thank you for looking over her."

  "What are friends for?"

  Annie gave Jolene's hand a squeeze. "We were all pretty scared. What you went through… I can't even think about it. Briggs told everyone how you risked your own life to save him."

  "He's okay?"

  "Yes, he's fine. Worried sick about you. He has barely left this room since you were admitted. JD sent him home about an hour ago. Him and Dawson."

  "How long have I been here?"

  "Four days."

  "Four days? That can't be right."

  "It can and is. There was internal bleeding, and it looked like you would have to have surgery." Annie looked at Joe. "And then the bleeding miraculously stopped."

  Jolene looked at Joe as well. "You saved me."

  "Just gave a little comfort to a friend."

  "No, don't make light of this. Please. You saved me. But why? If you are – well if you are what you seem to be then why me when there are so many others—"

  "You sell yourself short, Jo."
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  "No, I don't. I am grateful – more grateful than I can say, but I'm no one special."

  "Oh but you are. Think about what's happened since you came here. You found the man you've been pining for all these years. And because you found Justice, he's starting to heal from self-inflicted wounds that have been eating the man alive. Because of you, he can let go of guilt he didn't need to carry.

  "And because of you, his family now has the truth. I mean about his Pa – and himself, I reckon. And that wouldn't have happened without you. So you've done your share of healin' too."

  "No."

  "Yes." Annie argued. "It's true."

  "That was just coincidence. My job took me to the Nash family which led me here."

  "Did it now?" Joe asked with a smile.

  She gave him a long hard look. "Are you saying—?"

  "Jo!" JD's voice drew her attention. He bounded up from his chair and to her bedside, sitting in the spot where a second ago, Joe had sat. "Thank god, you're awake. Are you in pain? Should I get the doctor?"

  "No. I'm fine."

  "I'll get the doctor."

  "I'm fine, JD. Really."

  "No, I'm getting the doctor. Annie, stay with her?"

  "I'm not going anywhere."

  JD kissed Jolene softly and hurried from the room. As soon as he left, Jolene looked at Annie. "So that's the Joe you told me about? The one who saved your son when the bar was destroyed?"

  "That's the one."

  "And he's… God, it feels completely unreal to be asking this but he's an angel?"

  "According to Cia and Kade, the FBI agents I told you about."

  Jolene shook her head and pushed herself into a sitting position. "Oh my god."

  Annie reached for her immediately. "Does it hurt? Do you need a nurse? Want me—"

  "No. No, that’s just it. It doesn't hurt at all."

  A second later JD returned. Behind him was a woman wearing a white doctor's coat. She walked over to the bed, checked the monitors, and then spoke to Jolene. "Good to see you awake. I'm Dr. Marshall. How are you feeling?"

  "Great."

  "And on a scale of one to ten, how would you describe any pain you are experiencing?"

  "Zero."

  The doctor smiled. "I can believe that from your vitals. You're a lucky woman, Ms. Windwalker."

  "I won't disagree with that." She looked at JD as she spoke.

  "Okay, we're going to be back in a few minutes to get you. I want to get a new set of x-rays and run a couple of tests now that you're awake."

  "Is that really necessary?"

  "Afraid so. It will be about fifteen minutes."

  "Okay, thank you."

  Annie stood. "I'm going to give you two some time. Jo, call and let me know how the tests go?"

  "I will. Thank you, Annie."

  "You bet. See you soon. You too, JD."

  He nodded. "Thanks and give my best to Riley."

  "I will. See you both soon."

  When the door closed behind her, JD took a seat beside Jolene. "There's a lot I want to say but don't quite know where to start."

  "You don't have to say anything except that Briggs is okay and Malcom is behind bars."

  "Yes on both counts. The boys have been camping out here since you were brought in. I sent them home just a while ago."

  "They're so sweet."

  "They care about you. A lot. Briggs told everyone what you did, Jo. You risked your life for him."

  "I had to."

  "Why?"

  "Because I love him." That part was simple to say. The next part required a bit more courage. "And because… I love you."

  JD looked at her for a long time, his gaze connecting with her's. She saw the worry, the uncertainty, and the care in his eyes and reached for his hand. "You don't have to say anything. I don't expect—"

  "I love you."

  The emotion in his voice brought tears to her eyes. "I never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth."

  He smiled. "Wasn't quite sure about it myself. Felt it, but saying it… that's a whole other bag of feed."

  Jolene laughed. "And now that you've said it are you ready to run like a jackrabbit?"

  "Nope."

  "You sure?"

  "I am. While you were unconscious, the boys and me talked a lot. And you were right about them. They're way smarter than I gave them credit for. They knew all about their mama and her – her goings on. They just kept it to themselves to try to protect me."

  "The Weathers men seem to be kind of famous for that."

  "Yeah, maybe we should've learned to be more open."

  "You all acted out of love. Don't fault yourself or them for that."

  "I don't. But the point is, we cleared up a lot and they helped me see things clearer. Hell, they as much as told me I was in love with you and was a real dumbass if I didn't hold onto you."

  "Ah, so those bribes I offered paid off?"

  He chuckled at the tease. "Yeah, really well. They're crazy about you. Almost as much as I am. And they want you to stay. Permanently, I mean."

  "And you?"

  "Me too."

  Jolene wanted that more than anything, but things were moving too fast. JD had gone from blaming her for his wife's death to loving her, all in six weeks. She still had almost five months here in Cotton Creek to finish her assignments. Five months for them to figure out if what they felt was the kind of love something permanent could be built upon.

  She wasn't, however, ready to tell him that. So she kidded it away. "Well, I might be persuaded."

  "Yeah? And what kind of persuasion would it take?"

  "Hmmm." She tapped her index finger against her chin in mock thought. "If you take my breath away."

  "Take your – right now?"

  "No, not today."

  "Then when?"

  "I'll tell you."

  He was silent for a bit then nodded. "Okay, I'll be waiting."

  Jolene smiled, hoping for all the world that when the time came, he would be.

  Chapter Sixteen

  "I'll go see where he wants to set up," Jolene told her crew when they pulled up at the Pursell ranch. This was her second interview with the Pursell family. The first one was with Herbert Pursell and his wife, Mary. Jolene understood now why the people of Cotton Creek weren't exactly crazy about Herbert.

  To put it nicely, he was very full of himself. In fact, sometimes he referred to himself in the third person, and took great pride in all the times he'd bested someone in life, professionally or personally. His wife was very sweet, seemed possessed of a kind heart, and was the complete opposite of her husband.

  They epitomized the cliché 'opposites attract', but Jolene secretly wondered how Mary put up with her husband. Fortunately, Jolene's primary focus was on Wesley Pursell and she was starting a series of four sessions with him today. She was looking forward to it. Wes was easy to talk with, interesting and had a great sense of humor.

  She rang the doorbell and the housekeeper, Corrine, a woman in her late fifties opened the door. "Hi, Corrine. We're here to do the interview with Wes."

  "Yes, of course. He instructed me to have you set up on the back patio."

  "Oh, okay, we'll pull to the back and get set up. Any idea how long before he'll be here?"

  Corrine stepped out of the door and pulled it closed behind her. "Actually, he is here, but he is having a –discussion with someone in the study."

  "Oh, okay." Jolene got the impression that the discussion was not a happy one but didn't question. "Well, we'll go ahead and start getting set up. Thanks, Corrine."

  "Certainly."

  Jolene went out to the rig to help the guys. They got everything set up on the patio, tested the light, the sound and sat around waiting. Nearly an hour had passed when the door leading into the house opened and Wes stormed out, shouting over his shoulder.

  "I am not trying to cheat anyone!"

  A slender woman with hair the color of sunset followed, shouting bac
k at him. "Then why are you keeping the report a secret?"

  "It's not a secret it's –" Wes suddenly realized they were not alone. "Jolene. I – I – sorry, I forgot about our session."

  The woman following him stopped and crossed her arms over her chest. Wes looked around at everyone, at her and then blew out his breath and addressed Jolene. "This is Jolene Windwalker from County Western Real Life. She's here to do a story on the family. Jolene, this is Pressley Greer, former District Director for the Railroad Commission and now general pain in the ass."

  "And first cousin." Presley added and extended her hand. "I'm a fan, Ms. Windwalker."

  "Well thanks, and it's nice to meet you." She introduced her crew and then asked. "So, you're Wes' cousin?"

  "Yeah. His dad and mine are -- were brothers. Dad's gone now."

  "Do you live here in Cotton Creek?"

  "I was in Dallas, but I'm looking for a place here. Right now I'm stay here with family."

  "So are you coming to the grand opening at the bar tonight?"

  "What grand opening?"

  "What used to be Billy's Bar and Barbecue. Now it's Honky Tonk Angels and tonight is the grand opening. You should come. You're coming aren't you Wes?"

  "Planned on it."

  "Well bring Pressley."

  Wes gave his cousin a look and she smiled and batted her eyes. "I promise to behave."

  "That'll be the day."

  Pressley flipped him off and smiled at Jolene. "So it's gonna be a big thing tonight?"

  "Yes, I think it definitely is. Music and dancing and the coldest beer in southwest Texas."

  "Well hell, color me there sistah."

  Pressley offered a fist bump and Jolene took her up on it with a laugh. "I think I'm gonna like you Pressley."

  "Ditto. Okay, I'll leave you to it. And see you tonight."

  After Pressley went back inside Jolene looked at Wes. "So, what's behind all the shouting?"

  "Just family stuff."

  "Uh huh."

  "Not ready for prime time stuff then."

  "Message received. Okay, you ready to do this?"

  "Born ready."

  "Well get him wired up boys and let's get to it. I have a big date to get ready for."

  Wes cut his eyes at her. "The opening of the bar."

  "Not just an opening. A beginning."