Double Jeopardy

by Bobby Hutchinson

  Sera reached for tissues for her, but Jack had already found some and handed them over.

  They all heard the front door open and close. “Girls, are you coming to Aunt Teresa’s?” Maria’s heels clicked down the hallway. “She’ll be disappointed if you don’t—”

  She paused in the kitchen doorway. “Hello, Jack, I thought that was your car outside. It’s good to see you again. You can come along and have dinner with us. Teresa always has enough to feed a thousand extra. Sera, I know your flight leaves at four, but Teresa’s made cream horns just for you. Visit for a little while and then Papa will drive you to the airport. Gemma, what on earth are you doing still in your nightgown?”

  The strained atmosphere finally penetrated, and she fell silent just as Aldo squeezed past her, giving her an affectionate pat on the rump.

  ‘‘Hello, Jack, good to see you. What’s everybody doin’ here in the kitchen?”

  “There’re some things you should know, Aldo.” Jack motioned to the poetry. “I wrote these, not Doc Halsey.”

  Aldo was astounded. “ You wrote poems?”

  Jack’s face flushed, but he met Aldo’s eyes and nodded. “And Gemma was mistaken when she thought Halsey came on to her, weren’t you, Em?”

  Once again, still with great reluctance, Gemma nodded.

  “He didn’t do anything except treat her as his patient. She figures he deserves an apology, so she’s writing one.”

  Aldo sank onto a chair, and Maria moved over to put a reassuring hand on Gemma’s shoulder. She looked at Jack and gave a slow nod of approval.

  For a man of few words, Sera thought with admiration, Jack Kilgallin did fine once he got going.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Sera could tell that her father wasn’t as ready as Maria to accept everything Jack was saying. Aldo bent over the table until his face was on a level with Gemma’s.

  “You sure, cara, that the doc didn’t do anything to you?”

  Gemma didn’t look up, but she shook her head.

  Aldo, too, shook his head and then swore as he realized the implications of her answer. “How come you said he wrote these, Gemma Cardano?” he asked, picking up the poems and shaking them.

  Jack intervened. “The poetry was an honest mistake, Aldo. I should’ve let her know right from the beginning it was from me.”

  “Yes, you should have.” Maria went over, emptied the grounds from the coffeemaker and refilled it. “But I said all along it wasn’t right to jump to conclusions. Now we have to deal with the consequences.” She reached for telephone. “I’ll phone Teresa and let her know we’ll be late.” She dialed and spoke rapidly to her sister-in-law. When she was finished she gave the receiver to her husband.

  “Okay, Aldo, now you get hold of Dr. Halsey,” she ordered. “The sooner this is cleared up, the better.”

  Aldo was obviously reluctant to admit how wrong he’d been, but he finally shrugged and nodded.

  “I have Ben’s pager number. That’ll probably be the best way to contact him.” Sera fished her wallet out of her bag and handed over the number. “I’m going up to pack my things. I think I’ll just take a cab out to the airport.” She didn’t want to be around when her father spoke to Ben. Knowing he was on the other end of the telephone would be too hard to bear. And if he asked again to speak to her, having to refuse would be agonizing.

  Maria began to protest the cab idea, but Sera was firm. “There isn’t really time for me to come to Aunt Teresa’s, Mama. Besides, I want to call Maisie. I told her I’d be in town this weekend, and we haven’t had a chance to visit. I’m gonna see if maybe she’ll drive out and meet me for a coffee at the airport.” Sera didn’t add that she needed a strong shoulder to cry on.

  “I can drive you out,” Jack offered. “I’ll be leaving as soon as we talk to the doctor.”

  Sera saw the stricken expression on Gemma’s face and knew she had to do something for her sister.

  “Thanks, Jack. You don’t mind if Gemma comes along to see me off?” she improvised. Again she was counting on Jack’s good manners. She hoped he was too polite to refuse Gemma a ride, especially in front of her mother and father.

  Jack shot her a furious, accusing look, but after a moment he reluctantly nodded. “Okay, and I’ll bring her home.”

  “You finished that letter, Em?” Without waiting for an answer, Sera grabbed her sister’s hand and dragged her to her feet. “C’mon upstairs and get some clothes on.”

  If traffic was heavy, driving back from the airport would take over an hour, and Gemma and Jack would be alone in his car. Whether Gemma was able to talk or not, Sera was banking on her sister weaseling past Jack’s anger to somehow find a way to let him know she loved him.

  Sera was determined to spell out to Gemma what she had to do, just in case it hadn’t occurred to her. After all, they were twins. Sera truly wanted Gemma to have a chance at happiness.

  At least one of them should come out of this fiasco with the man she loved.

  Ben watched Grendel race across the sand toward the seagulls and scatter them into the sky. He’d driven to this deserted stretch of beach to try to come to terms with his life, but it wasn’t working.

  Maybe he’d feel better when he knew Sera’s flight had taken off. For some obscure reason he’d called the airport to find out what time the flights to San Diego left this afternoon. There were two, one at four and one at eleven. He was fairly certain she’d take the earlier flight, so it wouldn’t be long now before she was gone.

  Scuffing the sand beneath his bare feet, he headed after Grendel, mentally listing the things that had gone so wrong in the past week. His dream of receiving a sessional appointment as head of St. Joe’s new burn unit was dashed. Oh, he had no doubt that even if formal charges were brought against him, he’d eventually establish his innocence, but the notoriety surrounding any suggestion of sexual misconduct would be enough to prejudice the board against his appointment. Strangely enough, though, that wasn’t what was causing him the most anguish. It was losing Sera that made him feel his life was pointless.

  He picked up a stone and threw it out into the water, and Grendel yelped with joy and went plunging into the surf after it. Ben shook his head. Damn dog didn’t know the difference between a stone and a rubber ball. Well, he was like his master in that area. Ben had taken long enough to recognize love when it had finally appeared.

  He’d changed drastically since he’d met Sera, Ben mused, letting the waves wash over his feet and ankles. He could see now what was important, and it wasn’t his career as he’d always believed. He’d been certain that it came first in his life, but he knew now that conviction was just one of the defenses he’d erected to keep himself safe from loving.

  He stopped suddenly as a new thought struck him. If his career wasn’t the center of his life, what did it matter where he worked? Once he’d passed his state board examinations in California, he could probably get a job in a clinic in L.A. or even San Diego; his qualifications were excellent. That idea lifted his spirits, but they plummeted again immediately.

  What good would it do him to be in California if Sera really meant what she said, that she didn’t want to see or hear from him again? She’d sounded adamant enough when he’d called her last evening. So why didn’t he believe her? Was it simply his male ego that had him convinced she cared in spite of what she said?

  He’d never told her he loved her, he remembered with disgust. He’d never said he wanted to get married, either. A large wave came rolling in and crested at his feet, soaking him. He barely felt it.

  The thought of marriage hadn’t entered his head until this exact moment, and it scared the living hell out of him. But it also felt exactly right. He did want to marry Sera. He wanted to have babies with her, like Hannah, like Stanley. Well, maybe not exactly like Stanley. He wanted to grow old with her at his side, but it wasn’t going to happen unless he did something fast.

  He glanced at his watch. There was a way to settle this, once and
for all. He’d have to break the speed limit. “Grendel. Grendel, come on. Hurry it up.”

  She’d have left for the airport already. He had to catch her before she boarded her flight. He lifted the wet, salty dog in his arms and hurriedly strapped him into the back of the truck.

  He’d deliberately left his pager on the seat, and he glanced at it as he started the engine. Habit made him check it. He’d missed four calls, all from the same number, and his heart leaped when he recognized it; someone had been phoning him from the Cardanos’ house.

  It could only have been Sera. He dialed her cell number as he steered out of the parking lot, and then he disconnected before it had a chance to ring. He was through communicating with her by phone. Whatever she had to say would be said in person this time, so he could watch her eyes and know the truth.

  Using every shortcut and keeping a careful eye on the rearview mirror for cops, he sped toward the airport.

  Weary and drained of emotion, Sera stood in the long line waiting to go through Customs. Maisie had offered to wait with her, but Sera had insisted her friend leave after their quick coffee in the cafeteria; Maisie had a date, and from the way she sounded and looked when she talked about James he was obviously someone special.

  “He owns a restaurant. Can you imagine anything more dangerous for my weight than to be with a guy who loves to cook?” But she was glowing, and she couldn’t seem to stop smiling. She managed to bring James’s name into their conversation a dozen times in imaginative ways that finally even coaxed a smile from Sera.

  Maisie had also insisted there was a job on the set of the new movies soon to be shot, if Sera wanted it. “Pasquale’s okay for the short-term, but he’s pretty unpredictable,” Maisie said. “You can have a job one day, and the next he’ll have a fight with the director and the entire crew will be out on their ear.”

  Pasquale was difficult to work with, as Sera had learned. From a career standpoint, to come back to Vancouver made the best sense. But from a sanity standpoint, being in the same city with Ben was simply too much of a temptation. She’d planned to spill out the whole mixed up story to Maisie, but in the end she hadn’t.

  “I knew you had a major thing for the doc,” Maisie said. “Why not come back and give him another chance.”

  “Because it wouldn’t work.” Sera hadn’t had the energy to go into the complicated saga of what had happened between her and Ben, and she was relieved that Maisie didn’t pursue it.

  “Just be really sure before you blow up all your bridges,” was the only advice Maisie offered.

  And she was sure, Sera told herself, wearily pushing her suitcase along with her foot as the long line inched forward. It was just too bad her head and her heart weren’t in sync.

  She was three people from the head of the line when she heard her name being called. She recognized Ben’s voice instantly and whirled around.

  He was shouldering his way through the crowd, oblivious to the resentful looks and nasty protests of those around him. He was wearing decrepit olive-green cutoffs and a sleeveless blue T-shirt covered with dog hair. Behind him, he dragged a reluctant Grendel on a leash that kept getting wound around people’s baggage and legs, and from the way both he and Grendel were panting when they finally reached her, they’d obviously been running hard.

  Ben’s glasses were filthy, Sera noted; that he could see out of them at all was a wonder.

  “Sera.” He was sweating and there were dark perspiration marks under each arm and across his chest. “Sera, I have to ask you something.”

  The people behind her grumbled as Grendel scrambled over their suitcases. When he got close enough, she bent over and rubbed his ears. The dog smelled high and felt wet. He put both paws up on Sera.

  “Grendel, get off her.” Ben shoved the dog down and took her hand between both of his. “Listen, I’ve had an idea. I could move to San Diego and get a job,” he puffed. “Or L.A., they always need good plastic surgeons in L.A. What d’ya think, Sera?” He drew in a deep breath and added as an afterthought, “We could get married. Whenever you’re ready. You’d probably want to wait a week or two for that, but that’s fine with me.”

  Married? Married? How had he gone from no commitment to marriage with nothing in between? And what was he doing here, at this very last minute?

  “Did my mother talk to you?” Of course Maria had guessed how Sera felt about Ben. Dear God, what had Mama told him?

  “Your mother?” Ben frowned and shook his head. “Nope, I haven’t spoken to any of your family. My lawyer told me not to.”

  “Your lawyer?”

  “Yeah, she figured your dad might be a little confrontational. She said not to speak to anybody.”

  “Papa didn’t call you?”

  “No. Listen, Sera, this is about you and me. We can discuss your family after, okay?”

  Aldo hadn’t managed to reach him. Ben didn’t know that the complaints against him would be withdrawn. He needed to know those things.

  “You’re next, lady. You’re holding up the line.” The elderly U.S. Customs official behind the desk had a booming voice and he was scowling at her, and Sera automatically reached for her suitcase.

  Ben snatched it from her and Grendel tried to block her way, but Sera moved forward anyway.

  “There’s another flight to San Diego tonight at eleven,” Ben babbled, following her with Grendel and her suitcase in tow. “Let’s go over to the ticket counter and I’ll book you on that one. We absolutely need time to talk this out.”

  “Could I see your passport and ticket, please?” The official held out his hand and Sera passed over the documents. Things were happening too quickly. She couldn’t figure out what was best to do. Grendel was now lying across her shoes, making it nearly impossible to move.

  “Please, Sera.” Ben sounded desperate. “Cut me some slack here, okay? I talked to Vera. I finally realized I was the one who needed to get on with my life.”

  “So he’s been two-timing you, huh? You’re better off without him.” By now the Customs man was interested. “C’mon through, miss,” he bellowed. “Let this guy stew in his own juice.”

  Ben glared at him. “I happen to love this woman,” he stated. “I’m trying to explain myself here, and you’re not helping.”

  “Is he on the level, or has he really messed you up?” When Sera didn’t answer the man turned on Ben. “We have rules in this country, y’know. Two strikes and you’re out, son.”

  Sera ignored him, but her face burned, because now everyone nearby was listening. The official might as well have had a megaphone.

  “What if there’re no seats on the next flight, Ben? I have to be back at work in the morning.”

  “There’re always seats in executive class. I’ll make sure you get on the plane.”

  Should she trust him? Sera thought of Maisie and blowing up bridges, and she stuck her hand out for her documents. “Sorry, sir. I’ve changed my mind. I’ll take the later flight.”

  “I only hope that’s a wise decision,” the Customs man said, and then he relented and grinned at her. “He seems not a bad fellow. We all make mistakes.” He winked at Ben and roared, “Better make it good, son.”

  Ben did his best. Within fifteen minutes, he’d managed to get Sera a seat on the eleven o’clock flight. He put her suitcase in a locker, handed over her tickets and key and then led her and Grendel out of the cavernous departures lounge and into the late-afternoon sunlight. He found an empty bench by a bus stop and they sat down.

  “I want to explain everything,” Ben began, but she interrupted him.

  While he was busy with tickets and baggage, Sera had had time to think. "Ben, I have to tell you what’s been going on today, why my father was calling you.”

  Grendel sat on his haunches beside her, his head and one dirty paw in the lap of her cream silk-nub slacks. She stroked him as she related the whole story, being careful to include every sordid detail. She rested her hand on the dog’s warm head, wishing that l
ove was as simple for her as it was for Grendel. “That’s why Papa’s been calling you,” she concluded. “He wants to apologize both to you and to the guy at the hospital. Gemma’s also written you a letter of apology. It’s all over, Ben. So you see, there’s no problem with your career. You’ll still get that job you want so much.”

  She held her breath, trying to shield her heart, trying not to hope or believe. He’d retract everything now that his job was secure again. Things would go back to what they had always been for him.

  He was holding her hand, and she waited, expecting him to give it an apologetic squeeze and then release it, release her. She waited, steeling herself against the hurt.

  Grendel whined and Ben said in a quiet voice, “Do you think you could love me, Sera?”

  Nervousness turned to irritation. Why did he have to ask that? She’d been avoiding his gaze, looking down at Grendel, but now she looked full at Ben, knowing that it didn’t matter what she said, because the truth was written in her eyes, on her face, and she was weary of trying to hide it. Even so, she needed courage to voice it.

  “I already do.” She gulped. “Love you.”

  He expelled a long sigh, and his voice was less than steady. “I’m glad. I’m so glad. Because I love you, too, Sera Cardano. And I intend to spend the rest of my life with you, and I don’t give a damn where we spend it. Vancouver’s okay. California’s nice.” The smile that lit up his face was luminous, filled with joy, triumphant, and it seemed to spread over and through her until there was not the slightest space left in her heart for doubt.

  Neither was there space for Grendel as Ben wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him, ignoring the dog’s yelp of protest.

  Sera carefully removed Ben’s filthy glasses and clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She’d tell him later on that she didn’t want him to move to California. She’d tell him she’d much rather work with Maisie right here in Vancouver. They could live in his loft, at least until they had babies. Oh, she wanted his babies.