Jack pointed to Maria. “Take this lady first, she’s critical.”
As the Guardsmen bundled Maria onto the stretcher, Lauren turned to Jack.
“I’m going to stay behind and wait for the team,” she said.
“Figured you would. Keep me up to date, please.”
“Of course.”
The Guardsmen returned, and Tessa forced Danny onto the stretcher. They carried him out of the bungalow and back through the asylum, with Jack, Tessa, Terry, and Doug following behind.
Chapter 70
Danny swung his legs over the side of the Fairbanks hospital emergency room bed, and tapped his feet on the tile floor. For the hundredth time, he glanced at the clock across the room from his bed. He wondered if he’d ever get out of this hospital.
“Knock, knock,” Amanda said as she entered the room.
“Well look who it is,” Danny said. “I understand I have you to thank for saving my life.”
“If you mean I let your co-workers know about your psychotic mission, yes.”
“See, I wasn’t totally nuts. I let you know what I was doing.”
“You were still totally nuts. In fact I think that may be the understatement of the year.”
Danny smiled. “The way Tessa’s acting, I don’t know if she’ll ever let me out of her sight again.”
“I don’t know if I will either.” Amanda shook her head. “I’m not even going to ask you what you were thinking.”
“Good. Tessa’s asked that enough for ten people.”
Amanda chuckled. “I have a feeling she won’t be the only one asking,” she said. “Anyway, I’m your ride home.”
“Thank God. It’s about time.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone as impatient as you are.”
“Impatient? I’ve been here for hours. And there’s nothing wrong with me anyway.”
“Oh, right. Nothing but mild hypothermia, dehydration, a bruised esophagus, shock…”
“I’m fine now,” Danny said. He started to get up from his bed. “So let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Not so fast. The nurse is still processing your discharge.”
Danny slumped back down onto the bed. “Oh, Christ.”
“I talked to Tessa,” Amanda said. “It sounds like Maria’s going to be okay.”
Danny breathed a sigh of relief. “Well thank God for that.”
“She was totally dehydrated and had severe hypothermia so there was concern about organ damage, but the doctors said they got her in time. Or I should say you got her in time.”
“We all did. No one would have known to come for either of us if it wasn’t for you.”
“What happened to that teenager from Seattle?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“I heard she was dead, but they haven’t found her body.”
“They won’t. Aleksei took her with him.”
“What?”
Danny stared straight at Amanda, imploring her to understand without making him say too much. “He made her like him. A vampire.”
Amanda’s face drained of all color. “Oh my God. How do you know?”
“Because he introduced me to her.”
“Oh my God,” Amanda repeated, clutching the cross around her neck. “That poor girl.”
“Trust me. That poor girl is long gone.”
“What about her family? What will you tell them?”
“What can I tell them? What can I tell anyone? All I can say is Aleksei told me he killed her and I saw her dead body. Honestly, that’s not even a lie. And even if they’re never going to find a body, I hope that will give the family some peace of mind eventually. I can’t leave them to just wonder where she is or what happened to her for the rest of their lives.”
Before Amanda could respond, Captain Jack Meyer entered the room behind her.
“Fitzpatrick,” he said, “you’re even crazier than I thought.”
Danny couldn’t help but chuckle. “Guilty as charged.”
“I’d love to chew your ass out but how can I when you not only found Maria Treibel, you solved God knows how many cold cases as well? Maybe I’ll force you to go on leave more often.”
“Have the search teams found any bodies?”
Meyer shook his head. “Nah. There’s not much point in even searching now, to be honest. Everything is too frozen. We’ll have to wait until spring to really search in earnest. But, both you and Maria say Nechayev talked about killing a bunch of other women. Obviously you were right about Anna Alexander, too.”
Danny nodded. “Aleksei admitted that one to me.”
“Yeah. He is one crazy son of a bitch, that one. Tessa’s got an APB out, but we haven’t turned up a thing yet. It’s like this bastard just disappeared into thin air. Or into the snow, at least. It doesn’t make a damn bit of sense. Especially if he had that poor kid’s body with him. There aren’t any tire tracks leaving the house, his truck is still in the garage… If he left there on foot maybe we’ll find him in the spring, too. Nobody could have gotten far in that weather on foot.”
Danny and Amanda caught each other’s gaze, but remained silent. Danny knew Aleksei was going to be an Alaskan mystery that would never be solved. Years from now, children would tell ghost stories around campfires about the murderer who disappeared into the Arctic snow.
“There’s one thing I really don’t get,” Jack said.
“What’s that?”
“Why the hell did he let you live? I get the feeling he assumed Maria was dead already anyway, or at least close enough to it that she wouldn’t be found in time. But why take the chance with you?”
“I think in his own perverse way, he liked me,” Danny said.
“Odd way of showing it.”
“I said it was perverse. And honestly Captain, I think it was just arrogance on his part. The whole thing was a game to him, and he was toying with me. And he was so sure of his ability to escape our grasp that he didn’t see it as a risk.”
Jack shook his head. “Like I said, crazy son of a bitch.”
“You mentioned Maria,” Danny said. “She’s well enough to talk?”
“Barely. She’s weak as a kitten, but she could answer a few questions.”
“I’d like to see her before I leave.”
“I’m sure you can. She’s up in the ICU but I’ve no doubt they’ll let you in as soon as they know who you are.”
The room suddenly became crowded, as a nurse entered carrying Danny’s chart and a packet of papers. She set the packet on the bed beside Danny.
“You’re clear to go, Detective,” she said. “These are your discharge instructions. I just need to go over them with you and then you’re all set.”
Danny barely listened as the nurse read over the obligatory instructions and quickly leapt to his feet as soon as she finished.
“Do you mind waiting while I go see Maria?” he asked Amanda.
“Not at all.”
“Thanks. I’ll meet you in the lobby then.”
Danny reached out to shake Jack’s hand. “Captain. Thanks for coming by. And for finding me up in that hellhole.”
“You’ve got Tessa to thank for that,” Jack said. “And this lady too, from what I understand.”
“That’s right,” Danny said, smiling at Amanda.
“Lauren Cooper’s gonna be calling you. She wants to get a statement from you about Katie.”
“Did she and the team find anything else up there?”
“Not that I’ve heard. But the FBI’s getting involved now since this goes across state lines. I imagine they’ll have people up in Coldfoot for quite a while.” Jack grinned. “Lucky sons of bitches.”
Danny chuckled. “I’m sure the agents fought over who got that assignment.”
Jack patted Danny on the shoulder. “Take care of yourself, Fitzpatrick. And I don’t want to see you back at work before the end of the week. This time, I hope you’ll listen.”
“I will, tr
ust me. All I want to do is go home and sleep.”
Chapter 71
Danny followed the signs leading from the ER to the hospital elevators, and made his way up to the intensive care unit on the sixth floor. He introduced himself to the floor nurses and was immediately led to Maria’s room. He wasn’t surprised to see Nate Clancy waiting outside in the hallway.
“Mr. Clancy,” Danny said. “Good to see you.”
Nate rose quickly from his chair. “Detective! You’re the one it’s good to see. Thank you for finding Maria.”
“My pleasure. I’m just glad we got her in time.”
“I can’t believe it was that damn Snow Creek place. I told you I hated it there.”
Danny smiled. “Looks like you have good instincts.”
“The nurse is in with Maria now,” Nate said. “Her parents are on their way here, should be here any minute I think. They had some trouble getting a flight right away but they should be here soon. We’re going to have a New Year’s party here in the hospital.”
Nate was babbling like a man overcome with both shock and emotion. As the nurse exited Maria’s room and gave them the all clear, Danny held Nate back as he started to go back inside.
“Do you mind if I talk to Maria for a minute alone?” he asked. “I just want to clear a few things up for our investigation. I won’t tire her out, I promise.”
“No problem, no problem at all,” Nate said. “I think I’m going to run over to the cafeteria and get some coffee.”
“Sounds like a good idea.”
Danny walked into the room and stood at Maria’s bedside, ignoring the beeps of the various machines attached to her body. Maria’s body was gaunt under the blankets, but her cheeks now had the faintest hint of color.
“Ms. Treibel,” he said. “You look a hell of a lot better than the last time I saw you.”
“I’m sorry, I…”
“I’m Danny Fitzpatrick,” Danny said, holding up his hand to stop her. “I’m the cop who came to Snow Creek.”
“You saved my life.”
“Me and several others. Actually, they all saved my life, too.”
Maria swallowed, a gesture that was obviously painful. Danny took in the bruises around her neck and on her face, and felt a rush of rage.
“I heard he got away,” Maria said.
“He did. I’m sorry.”
Danny sat down gently on the side of Maria’s bed.
“Maria,” he said. “I know Aleksei told you about the other women, the ones he killed.”
Maria nodded, a look of fear crossing her face.
“Did he also tell you what he is? Did he show you anything odd about himself?”
Maria thought back to the fangs Aleksei had bared at her and his ability to whoosh across the room at speeds far beyond human capabilities. She shuddered involuntarily, causing Danny to pull her blankets closer around her frail body. Tears sprung from the corners of her eyes.
“I don’t know anything,” Maria whispered. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
Danny looked down at her, certain she was lying, but also certain it didn’t matter. There was only so much evil any person could face. If Maria needed to forget the truth about Aleksei, Danny wasn’t going to be the one to stand in her way.
He patted her arm and stood up from the bed. “Just checking to make sure we have everything covered,” he said.
Danny walked to the doorway and turned back to see Maria’s eyes were already closed, and her body moved in rhythm with sounds of the oxygen machine next to her bed.
“You take care, Maria.”
Danny saw Nate Clancy walking down the hall on his way back from the cafeteria and quickly turned the other way to avoid him. He didn’t want to do any more talking. He headed back towards the elevators and pushed the down arrow. Grateful to see an empty car when the elevator doors opened, he got inside and hit the button for the lobby. As the car descended, it dawned on him that Nate had mentioned a New Year’s party. So was it New Year’s Day? It must be. Danny knew exactly how he was going to celebrate the beginning of 2013. He couldn’t wait to get home and go to sleep.
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Danny walked up the sidewalk to his apartment on Slater Street, having just returned from his long-planned jog in Griffin Park. Tessa’s Siberian Husky Maya had accompanied him to the park and the two had spent the afternoon enjoying the first taste of spring. Danny had spent the night at Tessa’s the night before to look after Maya while Tessa and Amanda worked on Danny’s apartment. Now, Maya pulled ahead of him, anxious to get inside and find her mother. Danny was equally anxious, as he wanted to see what Maya’s mother and Amanda had done to his living room.
The two women had insisted on renovating his apartment from top to bottom and, having no interest in doing the work himself, Danny had given them carte blanche to do what they thought was best. His only requirement had been that he didn’t end up living in a “girlie” apartment. He didn’t want to see a shred of pink. Tessa had raised an eyebrow at this, wondering when she had ever given him the impression she was a fan of pink.
Amanda and Tessa had started their work yesterday afternoon and now Danny was returning home to see his new living room, the first room they were tackling. He took off Maya’s leash and let her run inside ahead of him as he checked his mailbox. Danny grabbed a stack of mail and followed the dog inside.
He found Tessa and Amanda standing in the middle of the room, with Maya wiggling excitedly and running in circles around their legs.
“What do you think?” Amanda asked, her hands outstretched.
Danny’s first thought was that he had entered the wrong apartment. Gone were the white walls with their chipped paint and scuff marks. Gone was the tattered brown sofa and nicked coffee table. Instead, the room was awash with gray, white, and black. A black and white rug lined the floor, and a gray sofa matched the freshly painted wall it was up against. A flat-screen TV hung on the wall across from the sofa, and two white armchairs were arranged on its side. A black coffee table decorated with white candles and a stack of books sat between them. A black glass-front cabinet lined the opposite wall next to the windows, which were now framed with long white curtains.
“It’s amazing,” Danny said.
“Masculine enough for you?” Tessa asked.
Danny chuckled and decided to test what he considered the most important part of the room, the sofa. He sat down on the gray cushions and immediately gave the couch a thumbs-up.
“It’s comfortable, that’s what I care about. And, there’s no pink.”
Maya jumped onto the sofa beside Danny and began to lick his face. He leaned back into the cushions as the dog climbed into his lap.
“Maya get down from there,” Tessa said. “You’re not a lap dog. And we don’t need you tearing up the new couch.”
“It’s fine,” Danny said, scratching the dog’s ears. “I don’t mind.”
The dog nuzzled Danny’s face and began to lick his hair.
“Alright, alright, that’s enough,” he said. “I don’t need you washing my hair.”
He pushed Maya off the couch and tried in vain to smooth his unruly hair back into place.
Amanda sat down next to him. “So you do like the room?”
“Yeah, it looks great. Love it.”
“It was fun to do.”
“For you two. For me it would have been hell.”
“Well, as soon as we get your credit card again we’ll start on the bedroom,” Tessa said.
Danny chuckled. “Let me pay for this first, okay?” He patted the couch, gesturing for Maya to come back over to him. “You know, I was thinking while Maya and I were walking, maybe I’ll get a dog.”
“Really?” Tessa asked.
“Yeah. I’ve always liked dogs. Caroline and I were going to get a dog before..” Danny paused and cleared his throat. “Before she died,” he said, forcing himself to say the words.
“I think
it’s a great idea,” Amanda said. “You should go to the animal shelter. Get a rescue dog.”
“I think I’d like to get a mutt.”
“That would suit you,” Tessa said.
Danny grinned. “I think so too.” He got up from the couch and walked across the room to the TV. “Can I buy you ladies dinner after all this work you did for me?”
“That’s okay,” Amanda said. “I actually have to get going. I’m covering for my boss tonight.”
“And I need to go too. I have a date,” Tessa said.
“A date?” Danny asked. “I thought you’d sworn off men.”
“Maybe I changed my mind. And besides, it’s just dinner. And I’ll take a rain check on your offer.”
“Fair enough.”
Danny walked Tessa and Amanda to his front door. “Thanks again, ladies. I’ll let you know when I can afford your services again.”
“Don’t wait too long. That bedroom of yours is depressing as hell,” Tessa said.
Danny chuckled and closed the door behind him, giving Maya one last pet before he did. He walked back to the sofa and sunk down on it, marveling in how much the room had changed in just 24 hours. He couldn’t deny it actually felt like a home now. It was a room Caroline would have approved of.
Danny glanced at the coffee table, remembering the stack of mail he had tossed onto it when he and Maya had first returned home. He picked up the stack and leafed through it, finding the usual assortment of catalogs, bills, and credit card offers.
At the bottom of the stack, a post card caught his attention. And sent a chill down his spine.
It was a photo of a snow covered square in St. Petersburg, Russia. Danny flipped it over, noticing the postmark was several weeks old. A message was written in blue ink, with a clear and precise hand. There was no salutation.
“I was so glad to read in the Daily News Miner that you had escaped from your predicament at Snow Creek. Did you ever think more about the ending of the movie I mentioned to you?”
Polar (Book 1): Polar Night Page 25