Mind Games

by Polly Iyer

  “You know they can’t.”

  He pushed her in front of him. “Then we’ll both die, I’m afraid.”

  When they turned toward the door, Lucier stood with his gun pointing at Macon. He’d been as silent as the night, but she knew he’d be there. Maybe Macon did too.

  “The door wasn’t locked,” Lucier said. “Let her go, Macon.”

  “So the knight in shining armor saves the damsel in distress once more.” Macon wrapped his arm around Diana’s neck. “You’re good, Lieutenant. I never thought you’d find us.”

  No, no. “Get out of here, Ernie. He’s going to shoot.”

  But Lucier was a cop, and a cop doesn’t turn and run because a psychic tells him to.

  “Right you are, Diana,” Macon said. Without a word of warning he fired at Lucier, hitting him in the chest. The shot sounded like a cannon exploding. Like her life exploding. Lucier went down with a groan.

  “Ernie,” she screamed. That’s exactly how she’d seen it happen, and that’s where her vision ended. She had no idea what would happen next. She tried to run to him, but Macon held her firmly in his grip.

  It’s all instinct now, Diana.

  Lucier was trying to get up, and Macon took aim at him again. His arm tightened Diana in a choke hold, and she gasped for breath. Then she saw Lucier panting on the floor. She summoned all her strength and unleashed a well-placed backward kick at Macon’s knee. The contact threw him off balance just enough to loosen his hold, allowing her to wrestle free. Without thinking, she dove for Lucier’s gun and twisted around.

  Macon struggled to regain his equilibrium. When he did, he aimed the gun shakily at her.

  “You sick―” She took her shot at the same time Beecher and the others barged through the door.

  The bullet slammed into Macon’s shoulder and put him down, but he didn’t stay down. He lost hold of his gun and stretched for it, wincing as he did, then forced himself to a sitting position. Blood oozed from his shoulder. He laughed. “Well, if that don’t beat all. You are a piece of work, Diana.”

  “I got him, Ernie,” Beecher yelled.

  Lucier grunted. “He’s mine.”

  Macon raised his weapon and glanced at Diana, then pointed the gun at Lucier with his finger on the trigger. Lucier snatched his gun from her hand, but just before he unloaded three rounds, Macon fired into the ceiling. He went down and stayed down. Lucier went down too.

  Beecher moved quickly for a big man and kicked away Macon’s gun; Cash knelt and checked for a pulse. He shook his head.

  “Ernie’s hurt,” Diana cried. “Get an ambulance. Hurry.”

  “I’m all right,” Lucier muttered. He rose slowly. “But Jesus, that hurt.” He shrugged out of his jacket and opened his shirt. A bullet hole punctured the Kevlar vest. “Hurt like hell.”

  “You’d have hurt a lot more if he’d aimed for your head,” Beecher said. “Then I would have said, ‘Told you so.’”

  Diana went limp with the release of tension. She crawled over to Lucier and threw her arms around him. “Oh God, Ernie. I knew he was going to shoot, but I didn’t know what would happen after.”

  “When I heard that scream, I thought…I don’t want to say what I thought. It’s over. Harley Macon will never hurt you or anyone else again.”

  “He aimed at the ceiling on purpose. He wanted you to shoot him.”

  Lucier looked at Macon’s still body. “You heard him. He wasn’t going back to prison.” He pushed a spiral of hair from her eye. “You look gray. Are you all right?”

  “I shot someone, but I’ll be fine. As soon as I have a double scotch, straight up.” Then she fainted.

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  A Vision to Die for

  Lucier sat holding Diana’s hand in the hospital room. When he saw Captain Jack Craven peek through the door, he knew what was coming, and rightly so.

  “How is she, Ernie?”

  “Sleeping off the sedative they gave her. She’s been to hell and back, but she’s tough. She’ll be okay.”

  They moved away from the bed and spoke in hushed tones. “When Ms. Racine is feeling better, get her statement, then you take some time off. Time you should have taken eight years ago.”

  “Not necessary, Captain, really.”

  “This isn’t a suggestion, Lieutenant. It’s an order. You’re a good cop, Ernie, but you were too close to this case, and I’m not sure that didn’t affect your judgment. Make you take chances you wouldn’t ordinarily take. If I’d have been paying closer attention, I would have taken you off this one.”

  “Is this a suspension, Jack?”

  “Not unless I put myself on one. There’s too much going on in this city to micromanage every problem, but I dropped the ball here. I relied on my people to do their jobs.”

  “That’s what I was doing.”

  “Maybe everything would have gone down the same way with someone else in charge, I don’t know. Who’d have thought to chain Ms. Racine to her sick bed so she couldn’t go off to meet Macon? If she’d told you about the meeting, we could have caught him in the park, and three people would still be alive.” Craven thought a moment. “But he wouldn’t have given up without a fight, and others might have been killed in the process.”

  “I take full responsibility for that, Captain. I ordered her not to go, but she went anyway. I should have chained her to the bed myself.”

  “I thought of putting her and that father of hers in jail for obstruction of justice, just to cool their heels for a night or two, but I’m afraid what the two of them might have done inside.”

  In spite of the dressing down, Lucier smiled at the thought of Galen in jail with the prison brotherhood.

  “Macon wasn’t predictable,” Craven said. “They never are when they’re obsessed. But in spite of my bitching, you and your men did some excellent police work. If you hadn’t taken him down when you did, he would have killed Ms. Racine and who knows how many others on his route out of the country.” Craven headed for the door and turned. “There are still some matters I haven’t figured out, and no one’s talking. So do yourself a favor, Lieutenant, and take the time off. There’ll be plenty waiting for you when you get back.”

  “I appreciate the consideration, Captain.”

  “I wonder what happened in there to make him turn on the Mayburn woman. Write your report, then I don’t want to see you for three weeks.” Craven winked. “That should give you and Ms. Racine enough time to get to know one another without Macon looming in the picture. Oh, and welcome back to the land of beating hearts, Lieutenant. She’s quite a gal, and right now I think you need each other.”

  “Yes, she is. Thanks, Jack. You may be right. She needs someone other than her parents this time.”

  “By the way, they’re waiting outside.”

  Lucier rolled his eyes. “Oh, no. I don’t know if I can deal with them right now.”

  “They’re quite a pair, especially the old man. Are they for real?”

  “’Fraid so. Can you get the doctor to keep them out until she wakes up?”

  “Doc Cleghorn’s a golfing buddy. I’m sure he’ll do me the favor. He’ll expect me to miss a few shots on the course in return, but that’s okay. He hasn’t come close to beating me. A few holes won’t matter.”

  “Thanks. I think Galen Racine is the last thing she needs right now.”

  “When you finish your paperwork, get lost.”

  Lucier heard him telling the volatile couple outside that they’d have to wait for the doctor’s okay to see their daughter. Footsteps faded down the corridor along with Galen Racine’s yammer.

  Lucier gazed at Diana, afraid to touch her, afraid for once of pushing away the ever-present stray lock of hair from her face. She opened one eye. “Did I hear the distinctive voice of my father?”

  “Yup. After the ordeal his baby’s been through, you honestly didn’t expect him to stay away, did you?”

  “No, I guess not. How’s Jake Griffin? He’s not―”r />
  “He’ll be fine. Got a nasty gash on his head. If I know Jake, he’ll turn his abduction into a Pulitzer Prize winning account.”

  Diana exhaled a long breath. “I’m glad. I’d hate to think Macon killed him because of me. Another body added to the list.”

  Lucier wondered how many bodies he added to the list by his lost objectivity. He didn’t want to think of that now.

  “Macon killed those people. You had nothing to do with it.”

  “But your captain was right. I should have told you about the meeting in the park. But I was so afraid he wouldn’t let my mother go, I’d have promised anything. I lost all common sense. Three people died, and I’m responsible.”

  “You heard the captain. Macon could have killed more people on his escape route out of the country or even people at the park if we’d moved on him. Innocent people, possibly children.”

  “Guess we’ll never know,” she said.

  “There’s enough blame to go around in this case. It went back more than thirty years. Nothing you or I could have prevented.”

  “Macon didn’t have a chance,” she said, with a note of sadness. “He could have been so much more. He had brains, looks, a certain charm, and the gift. A gift like mine, which for him was more of a curse. But he’d been compromised and twisted by the events of his childhood so that his life could go only one way. And he knew it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He saw his end in a vision.”

  Lucier listened as she filled him in on what Macon had told her about his mother and the man who’d replaced him in her affections. About murder and the sexual perversion that defined his young life.

  “Freud would have a field day with him. I’m not smart enough to figure it out.”

  “Don’t tell me you feel sorry for him.”

  A wistful expression marked her face, and she tightened her tiny fingers over his hand. “Not sorry but sad. The last few weeks have changed me forever. I’m retiring, Ernie. I’m finished as an entertainer. I can’t do it anymore.”

  “You’re upset. Give yourself time before making any rash decisions. I have a few weeks off. How would you like to go somewhere quiet to get your strength back? Just the two of us.”

  Diana’s eyes brightened. “I’d love that. But retiring isn’t a rash decision. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. No, I’m through. Maybe I’ll concentrate on performing for children. Something to make people happy, give them joy, you know? Nothing but light entertainment. No pay. For fun only.”

  “If that’s what you want to do, then that’s what you should do.”

  “And only in New Orleans and surroundings. No more than a couple of hours away.” She focused on him. “From you.”

  His stomach did a flip. He brought her hand to his lips.

  “How does that sound? Good? Pushy?”

  “It sounds―”

  Galen Racine’s bellow filtered into the room from the outside corridor. Lucier dropped his head. “It sounds great, Diana, but it’d sound a lot better if there were no background noise. Should I let them in?”

  “I’m not sure I’m up to Galen and Blanche right now.”

  But it didn’t matter what anyone wanted. Galen burst through the door with Blanche tagging behind. “Okay, okay, I’ve waited long enough.” He shot to Diana’s bedside like an on-track bullet “How’s my little girl?” Then to Lucier. “Lieutenant. Nice to see you again.”

  “Mr. Racine.”

  Blanche rushed to Lucier’s side of the bed, pushing away his hand to grab Diana’s. “Darling, I’m so glad you’re okay and that dreadful creature is dead. How awful it must have been for you, my baby.”

  “I’m fine, Mother. Just tired from the shot they gave me.” Diana let go of Blanche’s hand and reached for Lucier’s again. “I don’t think I’m up to a lot of commotion right now. I have to give a statement to the Lieutenant, and when I get out of here I’m going to stay in New Orleans and relax for a while.”

  “Not possible, dear,” Galen said. “We’ve come to take you home. I’ve rescheduled your appearances to give you some time off. You can relax there where we can take care of you.”

  “I guess you didn’t understand. I’m staying here with Ernie. He has some time off and I think he’ll make a great nurse until I’m better.”

  “That’s right, Mr. Racine. My pleasure.”

  Galen stood to his full five feet four inches, his back ramrod straight. “Well, it won’t be mine. Diana, you’ll get yourself ready when they say you can go, and you’ll come with us.”

  Diana struggled to sit up. “Galen, Blanche, we need to talk.”

  Feeling superfluous, Lucier headed for the door.

  “Don’t leave, Ernie. This concerns you.”

  He turned around and held his breath. She turned toward her parents.

  “I know how important my life has been for you both, and I’m grateful. But it’s time I lived for myself and you two lived yours. I’m a grown woman. I can’t live with my parents forever.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I’m tired. I need to be with someone I love, start a family, go to PTA, have a dog. All the things normal people do. Please understand.”

  “But you’re special, baby,” Galen said. “You’re not like everyone else. You have a gift. What will happen to that? You can’t ignore it. Performing is in your blood. You’ll be bored, itching to get back on stage, and by then, no one will remember you.”

  “I hope they don’t. I’ve had enough of the limelight. I don’t want to hurt either of you, but you need to back off. This is my decision, and it’s final.”

  “I suppose he talked you into this,” Galen said, flipping his head toward Lucier.

  Lucier hated that Diana was forced to deal with this now, but he couldn’t get involved. This was between her and her parents.

  “He didn’t talk me into anything. In fact, he asked me to wait before I decided. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I’ve made my decision, and you’ll have to respect it.” She looked from one to the other. “If you love me, that is.”

  The last comment did it, leaving Galen and Blanche at an unusual loss for words. “Of course we love you,” Blanche said. “We don’t have to talk about this now. If you need to stay here in New Orleans for a while, that’s what you’ll do. We respect that, don’t we, Galen?”

  Sputtering and scuffing, Galen agreed. “Hmmph, of course, but you wait ’n see. You’ll be calling us within a month to arrange shows. How much you wanna bet? You’ll see.”

  Diana started to speak, but Blanche cut her off. “Galen, dear, I’m exhausted. Let’s stay the night and head back in the morning. I think Diana will be well taken care of.” She turned to her daughter. “You’re right, dear. You need a life of your own. It’s not normal for a woman your age to live with her mother and father. Not right.” She turned to Galen. “Besides, I have a few ideas. Some places I’ve always wanted to go. Places we’ve never been to, and we’re getting too old to not to go while we can. There are some other things we never seem to have the time for either, come to think. We have some serious talking, honeybunch.”

  Lucier watched Blanche Racine work. He’d underestimated the woman, and a glance at Diana confirmed that she had too. Galen controlled things, but in her unassuming way, Blanche controlled Galen. He reacted to the wink from his wife, blushing, as if reminded about things he hadn’t thought of in a long time.

  “Well, I s’ppose. Just for a while,” he said.

  Diana propped herself up in bed. “Good. Then it’s settled.”

  Galen glanced at his daughter. “You know, maybe we should get on the road now. We can get a good head start. What do you say, Blanche? Ready?”

  Blanche bent down and whispered in Diana’s ear. Lucier couldn’t hear what she said and wasn’t sure he wanted to.

  Diana smiled and squeezed Blanche’s hand. “Thanks, Mother.”

  “You know, that’s the third time you’ve called me Mother, and all within a
few weeks. I like it. Like it a lot.” She took Lucier’s hand. “You take care of her or I’ll send him down to deal with you.” Smiling, she left the room for her husband to say his good-byes.

  “I’ll be calling to check up on you.”

  “That’s fine. I hope you do. I love you, Daddy. You know that, don’t you?”

  “Sure do, honey.” He leaned over and kissed his daughter. “I love you more than life itself.” Straightening, he offered his hand to Lucier. “I guess we’ll be seeing each other again. Saving her life makes her yours, you know. For now, anyways.” Then the old man turned and left the room.

  Lucier took his seat beside the bed and wiped a tear from Diana’s cheek. “I didn’t think he’d give in so easily.”

  “Neither did I. It’s a first. He kind of broke my heart, but it had to be done.”

  “What did your mother whisper in your ear?”

  “She wished me good luck and said to go for it. Then she said I shouldn’t worry about my father. She’d keep him busy.”

  “Surprising woman, I’d say.”

  “Did you mean what you said? About the two of us going away?”

  “Yup. I know a beautiful place off the coast of Texas, in the Gulf. South Padre Island. It’s perfect. Secluded, quiet. No one to bother us.” Without saying a word, he removed the simple gold band from his left ring finger and slipped it into his pocket.

  She lifted his hand to her lips. “Taking off that ring doesn’t mean you should ever forget your past life. You must keep it in your heart always, but it’s time for you to move on too. Time to start living again.”

  “It won’t be easy for us, you know.”

  “It’s a different time than when your parents were together. Besides, I never liked easy.”

  He leaned over and kissed her. She started to shake like she had when she held Buffy Tyler’s shirt. The shaking became more pronounced. “What? What is it? Should I call the nurse?”

  She moaned.