Pulse Points

by Mary Lynn Baxter

  “I’ll have to hand it to Gallain,” Kasey said. “He did a great job of exacting the truth from Don—starting with his addiction to coke and ending with him killing Shirley.”

  “All for love and money.” Ginger shook her head in disbelief. “Who would’ve thought it?”

  “I don’t know so much about the love,” Kasey replied, “but the money was the motivator on Don’s part. That list I came across was exactly the amount Shirley had given him to feed his habit. As for her, her obsession might have been love or sex.”

  Ginger made a face. “Apparently he made her happy in bed, and she made him happy by doling out the money to keep him in drugs.”

  “A match made in heaven,” Kasey quipped with no amusement.

  “Until she found out the truth, then she dumped him.”

  “Leaving a scorned drug addict running amok.”

  Kasey released a sigh. “I should’ve picked up on that.”

  “Not necessarily. Apparently, he was a pro at covering his tracks. But you were responsible for nailing him. The fact that you were open with staff about your plans to undergo hypnosis turned the case. You should be proud of that.”

  Kasey shuddered visibly. “I’m just glad he’s behind bars and that I didn’t have to put myself at the mercy of a shrink.”

  Tanner will never know. No one will ever know. My secret is safe forever.

  “What I’m damn glad about is that Tanner decided to come over. Otherwise—”

  Kasey took a deep breath. “I don’t even want to think of the otherwise. He saved my life. And Brock’s.”

  “You know what they say about that,” Ginger said with a twinkle in her eyes.

  Kasey gave her a stern look.

  Ginger chuckled, then her face sobered. “I just hate that Brock had to witness it.”

  “I still can’t think about that part of it. If Don had hurt him—” Kasey broke off with another shudder.

  “Well, he didn’t, thanks to Tanner who turned out to be a hero.” Ginger smoothed a wrinkle out of her linen skirt. “I noticed this morning he’s back up in the polls. I have no doubt now that he’ll boot Butler’s butt right out of office.”

  “I agree. We’ve certainly been working hard to make that happen.”

  “Speaking of working.” Ginger rose, then took two more gulps of coffee. “I should’ve been at the office twenty minutes ago.” She set her cup down and peered closely at Kasey. “You need to fill me in on what’s happening with you and Tanner.”

  Anxiety filled Kasey. “Nothing’s happening. He’s busy and so am I.”

  “Poppycock. I know when I’m getting the run-around, but that’s okay.” Ginger grinned. “I’ll get it out of you sooner or later. I’m not worried.”

  “How about you and Matt?” Kasey asked, switching the subject. “Your final divorce hearing should be coming up soon.”

  “It is, praise the Lord.”

  “I still want to go with you, okay?”

  “I’ll take you up on that. Now I really have to go.”

  Following a quick hug, Ginger was gone. Kasey sat back down, feeling like a whirlwind had blown through. Yet she always felt better after having been in Ginger’s company. She had a knack for looking at life through uncomplicated eyes.

  Sighing, Kasey got up and refilled her cup, then sat back down. Like Ginger, she should be at her desk working, but she still hadn’t gotten her sea legs back, so to speak.

  The trauma of that awful night continued to play havoc with her peace of mind. She knew it would take time to heal her body and her soul. If only she could stop replaying those events in her head, she could move on.

  She couldn’t get past the feel of Don’s hands around her neck, squeezing the breath out of her. Every time she swallowed, she was reminded of the nightmare.

  Like Ginger had said, thank God for Tanner. If he hadn’t had second thoughts about dinner and working with Brock, they both would be dead. And if he hadn’t been there for her since it happened, she wouldn’t be as far along as she was.

  Following the sirens and the cops’ arrival, Tanner had taken her to the hospital. Once the E.R. doctor had checked her over, he had released her. Tanner had insisted she and Brock spend the night at his place.

  She hadn’t argued. The following morning, once Brock judged for himself that she was indeed all right, he had returned to Waco, which was fine with her. She wanted him as far away from that mess as possible.

  Tanner was a different matter. He had refused to leave her alone, knowing how the ordeal had affected her.

  “It’s not your fault, Kasey,” he had told her the following day after Brock’s departure. “Don’t think for a minute you did anything wrong.”

  “I know you’re right, but I should’ve picked up on something in Don’s behavior that should have alerted me.”

  “Often times people who are walking time bombs appear the most normal.”

  “He came to work some days looking like hell, but I thought that was because of his sister’s plight and him having to take care of her. He played us all for suckers.”

  “He could’ve blown a fuse at any time. Your decision to undergo hypnosis was the catalyst that lit it. He feared you’d remember something after all, and he’d be screwed. He couldn’t take a chance on that.”

  “So he took matters into his own hands.” She gritted her teeth. “If it hadn’t been for your timely intervention—”

  “I just couldn’t stay away from you.”

  “I’m glad,” she whispered. “Have I ever thanked you?”

  “Yes, several times.”

  “You could’ve been hurt yourself.”

  Tanner’s eyes turned cold. “That bastard’s lucky I didn’t rip his head off. I was tempted to bypass the justice system altogether and save the taxpayers a lot of money.”

  “Then you would have gone to jail.”

  “Sometimes I think it would’ve been worth it. Hearing your cry was bad enough, but when I saw his hands on you, I went insane. He’s lucky there was enough of him left to haul off to jail.”

  Kasey swiped at the tears that pooled in her eyes.

  “Hey,” he said in a gentle tone, placing his hand over hers. “It’s over. He can never hurt you again. He’ll be behind bars for the rest of his life.”

  “And Gallain will get his promotion,” she said with a wobbly smile. “And you will get the senate seat.”

  “Screw the senate seat,” he countered in a gruff tone. “I’d gladly have given that up if it would’ve spared you that ordeal.”

  Her heart melted under those tender words and the look radiating from his eyes. Then she looked away, unwilling to acknowledge verbally the incredible tension that had hovered over them since he’d crashed into her apartment. He felt it, too, she knew. Yet he hadn’t so much as made a passionate move toward her. Instead, he had held her throughout the subsequent nights while she cried in his arms, consoling her with soothing words and strong arms.

  However, she knew the day of reckoning was near. Tanner was simply biding his time before pushing her for a commitment. She loved him so much and she knew he loved her. But how could they build a life together that was based on a lie?

  “Kasey—” His voice had dropped to a husky pitch.

  She got off the sofa and crossed her arms over her breasts. He stood also, and for a long moment they devoured each other with their eyes.

  “We should go,” she said in an uneven voice. “We need to finalize your new TV ads.”

  “That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

  “Sure you do, only you’re not saying it. But that’s okay. If more time is what you need, I’m willing to give it. Meanwhile, just know that I love you and want you in my life forever.”

  Each time she thought back on that conversation, it upset her. Today was no exception. The need to feel his lips and hands on her body was a constant, aching need. Don’t, she told herself.
She had to stop beating up on herself for something that could never be. He could never know about Brock, and she could never marry him without telling him the truth.

  “Kasey,” Monica said, thankfully interrupting her thoughts, “you have an urgent call on line one.”

  Wordlessly, Kasey reached for her phone. Seconds later, she cried, “I’m on my way.” The receiver fell out of her hand as she lurched out of her chair.

  Brock. Injured on the football field. Another nightmare. Oh, please, God, not my son. Don’t take him from me.

  In all the years he’d played football, she had prayed this day would never come. Now that it had, she was ill-equipped to handle it, especially in her fragile emotional state. But Brock needed her, and she wouldn’t let him down.

  Rubber-legged, she grabbed her purse and dashed out the door. “Monica, I’m going to Waco. Brock’s been injured and is in the E.R.”

  Tanner gave her a fierce look.

  “No doubt about it, you’ve gone from villain to saint. You’re a freaking hero.”

  “Can it, Irene. I don’t want to hear that shit.”

  Her chin jutted. “Why not? As of this morning, you’re back in the driver’s seat. If the election were held today, you’d win by a landslide.”

  “But at whose expense?”

  Her face turned beet red. “It’s not your fault Hornsby attacked Kasey, for God’s sake. You saved her life.”

  “That’s not the point.”

  “That’s exactly the point. You saved her life and your political career.”

  “You’re exaggerating, Irene. I would never have been charged in Shirley’s death.”

  “Well, we’ll never know that for a fact, will we?”

  “Cut the sarcasm,” he said in a clipped tone.

  “Do you want to win this election, Tanner?”

  “What kind of question is that?”

  “A valid one, I can assure you. Even Jack’s noticed how distracted you’ve been since Hornsby’s arrest.”

  “I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

  “Kasey Ellis, right?” she muttered loud enough for him to hear.

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “It damn sure is,” she hissed, “especially since I’m working my ass off on your campaign. Right now, you’re your own worst enemy. I suggest you get your head on straight before it gets chopped off.”

  Following those words, she marched to the door where she slammed it so hard behind her that he winced.

  The cords in his neck strained to the breaking point before he finally calmed down enough to think rationally. Irene was right. He was about to blow everything wide-open. His obsession with Kasey was to blame. The thought of how close she’d come to dying had shaken him to the core. It had made him aware of what was really important in life—loving someone more than life itself.

  He hadn’t found that, of course, with his deceased wife. He had loved her, but he hadn’t been in love with her.

  Hence, he’d conjured up in his mind some grand illusion about the type of woman he’d fall head over heels in love with—young, gorgeous, and sophisticated who enjoyed the limelight—the perfect woman and mate for him.

  First though, he’d known he would have to prove himself worthy of such a woman since his upbringing had left him feeling unequal and inadequate.

  Then Kasey had come back into his life with her sweet personality and unsophisticated ways, knocking him for a loop. And she didn’t give a damn whether he had a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.

  Still, he hadn’t been able to convince her that he was real, that he truly loved her and wanted to marry her. He knew she loved him, too.

  Being held at arm’s length was ripping him to pieces. What should he do? Force her hand? Was that an option? Hell, yes. He’d been patient long enough.

  Fifteen minutes later, Tanner strode into the agency and asked to see Kasey.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Hart,” Monica said, “she’s on her way to Waco. Brock’s been injured.”

  With a terse, thanks, Tanner shot out the door, punching the numbers on his cell. “Frank, I need a favor.”

  After having reached the hospital in record time, Kasey raced through the E.R. doors only to pull up short and gasp. A grim-faced Tanner stood just inside the entrance. “How—”

  “I went to the agency,” Tanner interrupted. “Then a friend of mine flew me here.”

  Suddenly feeling faint, she reached out a hand. He grasped it and circling her waist pulled her against him. “Let’s go see if we can find out something.”

  Grateful for his support and take charge manner, Kasey didn’t argue but rather matched his gait to the E.R. reception.

  “I’m Brock Ellis’s mother.”

  “Ah, the doctor’s been asking for you. I’ll let him know you’ve arrived.”

  “How is my son?” Kasey asked around the tightness in her throat. If she let herself she could fall apart.

  “You’ll have to wait for the doctor,” the woman said in a kind voice.

  “Mrs. Ellis?”

  Kasey and Tanner looked around and faced a middle-aged man with a crop of thick white hair. “I’m Philip Spivey, Brock’s trainer. I rode with Brock in the ambulance.”

  Hands were shaken, then Kasey said with a tremor, “Thank you so much for taking care of him.”

  “No thanks is necessary. I just pray he’s going to be all right.”

  “What…what happened?” Kasey stammered. “Was he hit in the head?”

  “Yes,” Spivey admitted.

  “Was…is he unconscious?”

  “Ah, here’s Dr. Keith now,” the receptionist said.

  Dispensing with the introductions, Kasey asked, “How’s Brock?”

  “The lick on his head has the potential to be quite serious,” the doctor said. “But we won’t know to what extent until I get the test results. I’m waiting on them now.”

  “Oh, God,” Kasey cried in a broken voice.

  Tanner pressed her closer to his side and whispered, “Shh, he’s in good hands.”

  “May I see him?”

  Dr. Keith’s eyes perused them all. “Only immediate family is allowed.”

  “I’ll be in the cafeteria,” the trainer said. “I’ll check with you later.”

  Kasey nodded, then disengaged herself from Tanner and followed the doctor. He showed her to the cubicle. “I’m on my way to see if the MRI and X-rays are back.”

  It was when Kasey paused to compose herself that she realized she wasn’t alone. She swung around and faced Tanner who was right on her heels. His features were grim, giving the bones underneath new prominence. Her heart faltered. “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked in a weak, shaky voice.

  “I’m going to see our son.”

  Forty-Two

  Shock froze Kasey. Then her mind reeled against that unexpected and staggering blow. She felt weak and dizzy. This couldn’t be happening.

  He knows the truth.

  But how? And how long had he known?

  Though she was rabid to launch an attack, to voice her outrage and pound him with those questions, the well-being of her son took precedence over everything else. After she’d seen her child and assured herself that he was still breathing, she would deal with Tanner and this added nightmare.

  “Kasey?”

  Ignoring him, she whipped around and made her way inside the tiny room to Brock’s bedside. “Oh, no,” she whimpered when she saw him lying so still, so pale.

  “Brock, honey, it’s Mom,” Kasey said around her tears. “Can you hear me?”

  No response.

  “I’m here, son.” A sob ripped through her. “I’m not leaving you.”

  “Kasey, don’t.”

  Tanner draped a hand across her shoulder. She went rigid, then whipped around and hissed, “Don’t touch me.”

  His face blanched as though she’d slapped him. Then his lips tightened and he shrugged. “If that’s the way you want it.” />
  “That’s definitely the way I want it,” she responded in a low, terse tone so as not to disturb Brock. Even though he was unconscious, it was possible he could hear what was being said.

  Although Tanner stepped back, he didn’t leave the room, she noticed. He leaned against the wall and stared at Brock, his eyes hooded and his features set.

  Kasey eased down in the chair next to the bed and took her son’s warm, but lifeless hand in hers, placing the palm against her wet cheek. “You’re going to be fine,” she whispered, trying to convince herself that was true.

  She would will him to get well. She couldn’t lose him to a stupid football injury. Feeling like she was drowning, Kasey lifted her head and fought for enough air to breathe.

  “Mrs. Ellis.”

  At the sound of the doctor’s voice, Kasey rose and faced him, her eyes wide and her heart lodged in her throat.

  “Good news,” Dr. Keith told her. “His only injuries seem to be a severe concussion and a couple of cracked ribs.”

  “Thank God,” Kasey said in a quivering voice. “I was so afraid, Doctor.”

  “I understand.” His tone was kind. “However, he’s not out of the woods just yet. Before we transfer him to intensive care—” He broke off as if reading her mind. “ICU doesn’t mean he’s critical. He just needs to be monitored more closely than on a floor.”

  Kasey wilted with relief. “That’s good. I want him to have the best of care.”

  “First though, he’s going back to X-ray. I wasn’t happy with the clarity of one of the pictures, and I want it repeated.”

  “May I go with him?” Kasey asked, noticing that Tanner had moved closer to her and the doctor but had refrained from saying anything.

  “That’s not necessary. I’ll direct you to ICU waiting, then I’ll call when he gets into his room.”

  Kasey held out her hand and clasped the doctor’s firm one. “Thank you so much.”

  “That’s my job, Mrs. Ellis, but you’re welcome. If you and Mr.—” He paused again, his gaze on Tanner.

  Kasey introduced them, though it galled her. Tanner had no business being there, her mind screamed.