Deceiver

  “Jen! Get the crash cart,” I shout as I race to the bed and climb up to start compressions.

  “Nurse!” Hatchet yells at me. “Nurse! Stop it!”

  Dr. Carter grabs my arms. “Candy. No,” he says gently.

  “You know very well that he’s a DNR,” Nurse Hatchet snaps.

  Dr. Carter gives her a stern, warning glare, and her mouth clacks shut. I am so grateful that he’s here, sure that I would otherwise punch her lights out.

  I reach around and turn off all the alarms. Then, we stand around his bed quietly, solemnly staring, just waiting for Mr. Donovan to officially pass.

  “Did anyone hear back from his son?” I ask Jen.

  She shakes her head no.

  “If I recall, you were supposed to be contacting the son,” Nurse Hatchet interjects.

  “I did call him. He said he would come as soon as he could. I just didn’t know if he’d shown up while I was in the store room counting aspirins.” You ugly, old hag.

  Suddenly, the monitor shows a flat line. Dr. Carter steps to the bed with his stethoscope and places it on Mr. Donovan’s chest. He shakes his head as he listens. Next, he shines his penlight into each of Mr. Donovan’s eyes. He shakes his head again. Lastly, he places his fingers on Mr. Donovan’s wrist.

  “Time of death, eleven-fifty-eight,” he tells Jen. Then, he turns to look at me. “I’m sorry, Candy. I know you were close.”

  I see Nurse Hatchet’s eyes get wide, and she begins to boil. She knows better than to say anything in front of Dr. Carter, though.

  “Nurse Hatchet!” Dr. Carter barks. “Come with me, please.”

  The three of them make their way to the door. Jen pauses, holding the door. “I’ll let his son know.”

  “Thank you,” I say as I linger beside Mr. Donovan’s bed. After a minute, I retreat to his bathroom with a small plastic tub and run it full of warm soapy water, which I place next to him on the tray.

  “So, you decided to go home today, after all, eh, Mr. Donovan?” I dunk the cloth in the tub of water a few times and then wring it out. “Don’t you worry about Rufus. He’s with my friend, Dan, and I think he’s really happy. Well…” I laugh. “Actually, I think they’re both really happy. I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to tell you about Dan. I think you would have liked him.”

  I drag the cloth around his neck and behind his ears, and then I dunk it and wring it out again.

  “Oh, and tell Juliet that I know what happened,” I whisper as I drag the cloth down his frail arm and through his crooked fingers. “Tell her that he won’t get away with it. I promise you that.”

  As I start to wash his face, Eleanor, my favorite LPN, comes in.

  “Candy,” she says softly. “Let me do that.”

  “I can do it,” I say stubbornly.

  She steps beside me and places her hand on mine. “I know you can but it’s my job. Let me do it.” She smiles sweetly.

  I nod slowly and turn the cloth over to her as I look at Mr. Donovan one last time.

  “I’m going to lunch,” I say as I stare blankly.

  Then, I leave.

  Chapter Fifteen

  At six-fifteen, I close my car door and sink into the seat behind the steering wheel. It feels like I’ve been beaten with a big bag of dicks, and not the regular kind, the Dan-sized kind.

  I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Then, I start the car. I’m sad and exhausted and surprised to find that I’m really missing Dan. He’d said that he would call me today but he didn’t. Maybe I’m making more of this than it really is? Maybe he’s just looking for a fuck-buddy and I’m totally kidding myself?

  I sigh while pulling out of the hospital parking lot, heading to the freeway, my final destination Billie’s house. I would almost skip the meeting altogether, except I dropped a bomb on them last night and then skipped out early. I really need to talk to Josh. My phone rings, and I click Siri to answer.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, gorgeous.”

  Suddenly, my sad, exhausted lips erupt into a buoyant smile. “Well, hey yourself.”

  I prop my elbow on the door and twirl my hair around my finger like I’m sixteen again.

  “What are you doing?” he asks in a sexy voice that sounds more like “what color panties are you wearing?”

  “Well, I’m driving to practice. What are you doing?”

  “I’m actually out on a ride-along with one of the city beat cops. There was a murder downtown this afternoon, and I’ve been tied up with that all day.”

  Well, that explains why he hasn’t called. “I’m sorry. You sound tired.”

  “Honestly, honey. I’m exhausted. How about you?”

  He called me honey. “About the same as you, I think. It’s been a long day. We lost Mr. Donovan this afternoon.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I know how much you liked him.”

  I don’t know why, but suddenly, the tears arrive. I’ve not shed one all day. It’s like they were waiting for him. I sniff and wipe my nose with the back of my hand.

  “Sorry. I’m just tired,” I explain.

  He’s quiet for a moment. “Are you okay? Do you want me to come over?”

  “No. I’m fine. Really. I don’t know why I started crying. I never do that. You go home tonight and get some rest.”

  “And, people don’t think nurses get attached.”

  “I know. Right?” I laugh. “When will we have confirmation that the other body is Juliet?”

  “It’s hard to say, for sure. A lot depends on how busy they are and how many critical cases get shoved up the pole in front of ours. Maybe Monday. Or, could even be over the weekend, if we’re lucky.”

  “Okay. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like I need to do this for him. I need to get closure for him.”

  Dan sighs. “You said he had a son. Right?”

  “Yeah. I wouldn’t count on him for anything, though. He didn’t even bother to come see his father when I called.”

  “Well, let’s get the confirmation back, and then I’ll call him myself,” he promises. “After all, it’s not like I wasn’t the one who let that asshole go free.”

  “You didn’t let him go free. Our flawed system let him go free.”

  “I damn well knew better, though. Still, I promise you this. I will be watching every fucking step he takes from here on out.”

  I listen to him breathe for a moment. Just knowing he’s on the line makes me feel better, safer for some reason.

  “So, listen. I don’t want to scare you to death or anything, but…” He pauses.

  Oh, shit. My muscles tense. Sentences that start with that are never good.

  “…I think I kind of miss you.”

  He misses me!

  “You do?” I reply stupidly, as if he just told me he had a bad case of gas or something.

  “Maybe. Would that scare you off?”

  I shake my head like he can see me.

  “Not even close.” I grin like an idiot.

  “Then, yeah. I definitely do. I have to see you tomorrow, for sure. It’s Friday night, and I would really like another shot at finding that ‘spot’ again.”

  Geez. I almost regret telling him about that. I can see now that it will be his new mission in life. “You would, huh?”

  “Yes. I really would,” he replies in his wicked, sexy way that make my panties wet.

  “Well, I suppose I could let you get in a little practice tomorrow. I get off at six again.”

  He laughs. “Then, I’ll be there to pick you up at seven.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” I’m so glad he can’t see me right now, grinning like a goofy sap.

  “Okay. I think this guy is ready to roll again. You behave tonight with the girls.”

  “I will. I’m saving up all my naughty for tomorrow night.” I giggle.

  “Ooh…” He chuckles. “You’re going to talk dirty to me and then hang up on me? Officer Lopez is going to think I have a hard-on for him.”

  �
��You tell Officer Lopez he better back off,” I tease. “That’s mine.”

  As soon as the words pass my lips, I bite my tongue. My eyes bulge out of my head, my heart stops beating, and time stands still across the universe. Oh, fuck! I have no idea why I said that out loud.

  There’s silence for a brief second or two, but it feels more like hours.

  “Yours, huh?”

  I cringe, unable to get a read on his tone. Or, maybe I’m just so freaked out and panicky that I can’t think straight.

  “Well, I mean…I just meant…” I stutter, feeling my face heat up as it turns scarlet.

  “Well, that works both ways, you know.”

  What’d he say?

  “Huh?”

  “If you get to stake a claim, so do I. I mean, it’s only fair.” I can hear him smiling into the phone. “If this is yours, then that means you are mine. Right?”

  I melt into the seat, a big, fat lump of gooey jiz. “Baby, if you want it, you can certainly have it.”

  Fuck it. I’m in.

  “Oh, I want it, alright, and I’m going to have it tomorrow night at seven.”

  I laugh. “Okay. I’ll see you then, I guess.”

  “Sweet dreams, baby.”

  “Goodnight.”

  I click off Siri and stare at the lines on the highway until they’re one, long blurry white line. Then, I roll down my window, stick out my head, and let the wind whip through my hair as I shout and whoop at the top of my lungs.

  ***

  “What the hell happened to your hair?” Sami asks as I step inside Billie’s apartment.

  “What? Why?” Immediately, I begin raking my fingers through it.

  “Well, it looks like you just flew here, like without the airplane. Or, sitting out on the wing or something.”

  “Oh. I rode with the window down,” I mumble as I head into the living room to greet the other ladies.

  As usual, I’m the last one here. After I dutifully make my rounds, greeting and hugging all the ladies, I step into the ridiculously large kitchen and pour myself a glass of wine. Then, leaning against the counter, I take in all the splendor and grandeur of Billie’s condo, remembering what Dan said about Adam.

  What did he mean when he called Adam a thug? I just can’t see it. Granted, I have often wondered where all his money came from, but I can’t see Adam hurting anyone. He’s just not the sort.

  “Ready to get started?” Billie walks in and refills her glass.

  “Yeah. I was just getting a drink and taking a quick breather. It’s been one helluva day.”

  “Tell me about it.” Billie rolls her eyes as she takes a sip from her freshly refilled glass. “Wait ’til you hear what I found out.”

  Oh, no. I’m not sure I can take any more bad news today.

  “Oh, goody,” I sigh, kicking my butt away from the counter and dragging myself back into the living room.

  I sit down in one of the armchairs and get comfortable, watching as Sami and Billie take their places in the front of the room. Somehow, they have become our unofficial chair-people. Better them than me, is all I can say!

  Sami waves her arms to get everyone’s attention. “Okay. We’re all here now. So, let’s go ahead and get started. I think Billie has some news for us.”

  Billie ambles over to stand next to Sami.

  “Yeah. I do have some news,” she says, not sounding very happy about it. “I ran into Albus Gray this morning, and he kept hinting around that he knew something about Derek’s death.”

  Gasps and whispers break out amongst the ladies.

  “Who’s Albus Gray? And, what exactly did he say?” Lora asks excitedly.

  “Albus is the drug-dealing asshole that Derek was working with before he died. Remember? I told you guys that I saw him and Derek meeting a couple of times around town.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Lora nods.

  “Anyway, he said he was glad to see that we made good use of the gun he gave me.”

  “He gave you a gun?” Gabby looks shocked.

  Billie nods as if she’s ashamed. “Yeah, sort of. I actually bought the gun I used that night from him, but I didn’t tell him why I was buying it. So, I have no idea how he could know anything.”

  The ladies nod and whisper to each other.

  Holy shit. I stand up. “I think I can fill in some of the blanks.”

  All eyes turn to me and, as usual, I begin to fidget, crossing my arms finally and plucking at some make-believe lint on my sleeve.

  “I talked to Dan about ‘the Hines case,’ as he calls it, and he did tell me that Billie was a suspect.” I pause while everyone has a short freak-out break.

  “What did he say?” Billie asks, suddenly looking even more worried.

  “Well, he can’t actually figure it all out, which is a good thing. We managed to dazzle him with bullshit, I suppose. So, he can’t make all the pieces fit together. He doesn’t have any real proof that you were involved, but he does know there were multiple attackers.” I pause for a moment, remembering what Dan said about the shooters. “Billie, what caliber was the gun you got from Albus?”

  “It was a forty-five,” she replies.

  “Okay. That makes sense. They found a forty-five caliber slug inside the dumpster, which is where I shot. What caliber was yours?” I turn and point at Jade.

  “A twenty-two. Why?”

  I shake my head, totally confused. “This doesn’t make any sense.”

  “What? Why?” Billie asks impatiently.

  “Because the bullet they pulled out of Derek’s leg was a thirty-eight. None of us had a thirty-eight that night.”

  “What the fuck?” Sami shouts, her face turning all ashen and pasty. “That means—”

  “Someone else was there with us,” Billie finishes her sentence. “And, Dan thinks I killed him?”

  “No, I don’t really think so,” I assure her. “He thinks someone picked up the weight and bashed Derek in the head with it. He agrees that you couldn’t have done that.”

  “Thank God.” Billie fans herself. “But, he still thinks I’m involved?”

  “Maybe? I don’t know anymore. I told him how close we are, and I that I knew you wouldn’t be capable of doing something like that. I’m pretty sure he believed me.”

  She smiles at me. “Thank you, Candy.”

  “Well, let’s hope.” I cross my fingers in the air.

  “So, who else was there?”

  All eyes turn to Lucy as she stands with her hands on her hips.

  Shrugs and looks of confusion pass through the room like a slow wave.

  “It sounds to me like Albus was there.” I turn to look at Billie. “Billie, you just said he told you that he knew you used the gun. How else could he know? He has to be the other shooter.”

  “Well, he can’t turn us in without pointing the finger at himself,” Jade argues.

  “Maybe, but this is not good news. The last thing we want is Albus Gray holding something like this over our heads.” Billie looks exhausted.

  “Should we not go forward with the other thing, then?” Lora looks at me. “You know, Mr. Stratford.”

  Sami steps forward. “Why wouldn’t we?”

  “Yeah. Would you want that freak running around free with your daughter walking home from school every day or playing on the playground?” Jade is pissed and rightfully worried about her young daughter.

  “I say the sooner, the better!” Lucy smacks her little fist against the palm of her hand. “Hang that bastard!”

  The ladies erupt in conversation amongst themselves, some nodding vehemently, others making off-with-his-head signs. They all seem to agree.

  “We need to be very careful,” I warn.

  All the ladies stop and look at me.

  “We always are. What do you mean?” Gabby looks at me warily.

  “I mean Dan is watching him closely. He feels responsible for Mr. Stratford getting out, and he wants to make damn sure that Stratford doesn’t do it to anyone else.�
��

  “So then, the question is how do we kill him right under Dan’s nose?” Billie chews on her lip.

  “Well, it has to look like an accident.” Lucy nods emphatically.

  “Like a weight falling on his head? I don’t think we can get away with that again.” Sami scoffs.

  “Lucy’s right.” Gabby steps in to defend Lucy. “There are a thousand ways for someone to get killed accidentally. We just need to figure out the best one.”

  “I have his medical records,” I muse aloud. “Or, I can get to them, rather. I need to look and see what conditions he has, and what medications he’s on.”

  “If he has any at all,” Lora offers.

  “Well, it’s worth a try. How soon can you look?”

  I peer at Billie as I think. “I can see what we have on file at the hospital when I go to work tomorrow, but I can’t request any new records without drawing suspicion. It would be a simple paper trail if anyone tried to trace it later. I know Dan has a copy of all his records, too. I’m just wondering if that might not be the better bet.”

  “Can you get to them?” Jade’s eyes grow wide.

  “I don’t know. He has some on his phone. I don’t know if they’re the ones we need, though, and his phone is almost always with him.”

  “I bet you can figure out a way to get him separated from his phone.” Lucy laughs, and giggles break out in the room.

  I think about our shower this morning, and my face heats up. “Let me see what I can do. One way or another, I’ll figure something out.”

  “I think that’s about the best we’re going to do tonight. We know it either has to look like an accident or natural cause. Candy is going to get her hands on Mr. Stratford’s medical records so we can figure out if that’s the best angle. We’ll be thinking of tragic ways to die in a farm accident, in the meantime. Who knows?” She shrugs. “Some Belladonna may even find its way into his tea glass somehow.”

  Hm… Not bad. Maybe Billie is more capable of murder than I thought!