“Gabe built this community.” She gave an odd half chuckle. “What, eighteen years ago was it? Some crazy dream he had. A place to retire his parents and us. Happiness.” She laughed once more but when her eyes came back again to take in Hannah, the ire showed again. “But I was anything but.”
Losing her. Sympathize. Empathize.
“You had to get even. He wronged you.”
Wormwood’s eyes turned to slits. “Gabe tried to help me. After we met, he sent me to see people. Signed me up for classes. Stress relief. Yoga. Even martial arts. He was always into healing. Holistic or pharmaceutical. He wasn’t opposed to either.”
She’s losing it. Offer a solution. Hannah thought about this for a brief second. There was no real solution. The woman was going down, but Susan’s life was at stake and she needed to make a decision. The escalation in Wormwood’s anger indicated to the sleuth she was on the edge. She opted to offer the one thing she could not provide. A distraction via a lie.
“What about your brother? You could still get him and make it out. I’m sure you made an exit plan. Use it. I won’t stop you.”
Wormwood held Hannah in her gaze for a second before her eyes drifted to the door.
Considering it.
The woman’s hand eased back a little as Hannah relaxed slightly. However, Wormwood’s eyes widened as the curtain behind the sleuth jerked back.
“Don’t move,” a shaky voice called out.
Everything went into slow motion for Hannah. Without turning, she could see what played out behind her. One of the elder security guards came from the intercom call. Her mind’s eye imagined his shaky hands grasping an unloaded pistol. Her eyes never left Wormwood. Instead, she lunged across Susan’s body and grabbed the hand holding the syringe, causing Wormwood to drop it. It plunged into the pillow beside the doctor’s unconscious form.
“Not today.”
To Hannah’s surprise, her target did not jerk back. Instead, she threw the palm of her hand upwards, catching Hannah’s jawline. It was enough to send the sleuth backwards. She stumbled over the still unconscious form of Calvin, which in turn sent her reeling into the guard. Both fell to the floor. She rolled over in time to see Wormwood make it over both of them and out the door.
Unexpected, Hannah thought as she rose. She grabbed her jaw and shook her head, recalling the woman’s words just before about her husband signing her up for martial arts. She bolted out the door following.
Reaching the hallway, Hannah caught a glimpse of her prey as the woman rounded the corner. It was in the opposite direction of the elevators.
Hymn stood in the waiting room doorway, waving his cane, indicating the direction. “Stairwell.”
“Call Borden,” Hannah yelled as she ran past.
By the time she reached the stairwell, the door had almost closed. Hannah yanked it open and followed. Glancing down between the stairs, she could see Wormwood, who was a full half flight ahead. Though the woman was fast, Hannah began making gains. Still, she calculated it would not be enough. As she reached the last half landing, she took hold of the rail and hurtled down, landing next to the woman. The sleuth shocked her prey just enough to grab hold of one arm. With her free hand, she threw a knuckle punch to Wormwood’s side. The force pushed her back to the wall, but when Hannah attempted to throw a second punch to the woman’s face, her opponent blocked it with her forearm.
Crap.
Hannah did not have time to finish her thought before Wormwood pushed her backwards. The suddenness of a formable opponent unbalanced the sleuth. She did not have time to react to a punch to her eye. Blood shot from the sudden opening of a cut and splattered down her face. It gave Wormwood enough time to exit.
Again, Hannah shook her head and wiped the blood away. She grabbed the door and followed. The exit led into the main lobby and as she exited, she saw Gran rise down the way as she recognized Wormwood. Fear seized the sleuth. Don’t, Gran, she thought, hoping the elder Starvling would just let the woman pass. However, to her surprise, Gran tossed a magazine under the woman’s foot as she ran passed. It sent Wormwood in a spin, from which she could not recover. Her head slammed into the glass exit door, which shattered. Wormwood rose and turned to face Hannah. Gran stood to the side between the two. All stopped. Wormwood wiped the blood from her brow. The cut was like Hannah’s. She shot Gran a look and grinned.
“Nice,” she offered, before turning to exit.
Once more, Hannah started after.
“You’re hurt, dear,” Gran noted as she passed.
“I’m fine. Get Borden.”
When Hannah pushed on the door, it gave way and shattered from the previous impact. When she stepped out into the air, she saw Papa Jay pushing himself up from the ground. Though she wanted to pursue Wormwood, she moved toward him. He waved her off.
“Dogs are after her. Follow the barking.”
Hannah glanced at the hospital lawn. She saw Wormwood running, chased by two tiny canines whose leashes flapped behind them. She ran as hard as she could push herself. For a woman in her sixties, Hannah noted she was more than fit. She was fast, but Hazelnut and Gigantor kept pace, each barking and attempting to nip at the woman. When Wormwood slowed to kick at Gigantor, Hazelnut dipped between her legs. The dog’s leash wrapped around the woman’s shoe, causing her to fall forward. It was all the delay Hannah needed. She reached the woman, grabbed her shoulder, and flipped her over. She drew back her fist.
“Was it worth it?”
Wormwood lay silent before she spit in Hannah’s face. With one punch, Hannah slammed Wormwood in the chin with all the force she could muster. She neutralized the threat. Hannah plopped to the ground to catch her breath as Hazelnut freed herself and came to Hannah for licks and love. Gigantor took to tugging on Wormwood’s sleeve as he growled. After all this, Hannah laughed. “Good puppies,” she said half aloud.
An hour and a half later, Hannah sat on an examination table as Holmes stitched her brow. Her eye was black and swollen.
“Are you sure she’s okay?”
“Your friend is fine. A little sedated still but she will come around. She should be fine for you to visit after we’re done. I spoke with her fiancé. He asked me to let you know that he will be here in a short while.”
“Was she able to tell you much?”
“Some, but I believe the question you are asking is why they took her here.”
Hannah affirmed.
“It is just speculation, but I would offer they meant to use her as a distraction, but upon arriving, they found her presence more a hindrance. Unnecessary if you will. No one would notice someone asleep in the emergency room… There. Completed.”
“Will it leave a bad scar?”
“I am quite adept at suturing. This should heal fine.” He leaned back and admired his work. “There, you will need to have the stitches removed in ten days or so. I take it you have a family physician?”
Hannah glanced at the work in the mirror Holmes provided. “I believe I do now,” she said with a smile. “If you are willing?”
“It would be my honor. Ten days. I will write you a prescription for some pain medication.”
Hannah shook her head. “No, thank you. I have an aversion.”
The physician nodded. “Good for you, my dear, good for you. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe Jack would like a moment.”
Holmes exited. A few moments later, Borden came in.
“Well, that was fun. She’ll be spending the night here under supervision and cuffed to the bed. Concussion. Broken jaw. Stitches. Not to mention she’s straight up nuts.” He smiled, looking at Hannah. “You are a force to reckon with.”
Hymn laughed. “You don’t know the half of it. Did you find out about the Reverend?”
“I just spoke with a nurse. He’s been admitted, and he is stable, but all this has taken a toll. Dr. York is fine. Both of them. Although they are still transferring her at some point to implant the device her husband mentioned.”
&
nbsp; “You got the box from waiting, right?” Hannah inquired with some urgency.
“I took care of it,” Hymn said.
“Its bagged and tagged as evidence,” Borden added. “Oh, and the guard you landed on. He’s okay, but he’s not volunteering anymore. How are you though?”
“Bruised ribs.” She pointed to the cut. “Five stitches. This.” She indicated the darkened eye. “She was tough for a woman her age.”
“And what does age have to do with anything,” Gran said, pushing herself into the room along with Papa Jay, Magdalen, and Buster. “Old don’t mean useless.”
“I can see. Nice move with the magazine.”
“Just something I picked up for when your Papa Jay tries to slip out on me.”
Papa Jay crossed his arms. “Woman, I ain’t never slipped out on you.” He smirked and addressed all the men. “Too dangerous. Best just to put up with it.” He looked to Buster. “Remember that, young man.”
Both Buster and Magdalen blushed as they agreed.
“Oh, hush, you old Grumpus. The only danger you’re in is from yourself.”
Everyone laughed as Gran pulled her husband in for a smooch.
Borden offered his hand. All shook.
“Well, nice work, all.” He focused on the newlyweds. “There’ll be paperwork, as you well know, but I can handle most of it. I’ll call you if I need more information. So, you off for that honeymoon now?”
Hymn and Hannah looked at each other. Hymn was about to answer when Hannah interjected.
“I need a vacation before I’m ready for my honeymoon.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea,” Gran said. “A lot of time relaxing… in bed. Before you go on your honeymoon which is all about---”
“Gran.”
The elder Starvling gave a ‘what’ gesture.
Hannah and Papa Jay rolled their eyes.
Epilogue
Eight weeks later.
“Tell me again why we just didn’t take the plane?”
“I’m a man who likes to see things through. We started on our honeymoon in Baby. We’ll get there in Baby.”
“Baby, Baby, Baby,” Hannah quoted from one of her favorite movies. She turned back and retrieved the last item from a bag marked Hoolie’s. “Nice of Will to pack us a lunch… and snacks.” She unwrapped a large piece of pecan pie and bit in. “Man. I love his pie.”
“I don’t suppose there’s a piece left for me?”
“If you tell me where we are going, I’ll give you a bite.”
She grinned as Hymn looked over to her. He shook his head.
“Oh, you.” She glanced out at the fading afternoon light. “Hmm, headed to the ocean. A cruise. Where to?”
Hymn rolled his eyes.
“You’re no fun.” She broke off a bite and leaned over to pop it in his mouth. “How you holding up?”
“I’m good. I mean, it’s hard. I’ll miss him, but he’s in a better place. I know that’s not your thing, but I do.”
“I never said I didn’t. I just think of it differently is all.” She broke off another bite of pie and drew it into her mouth. “I’m sorry it all happened the way it did, but I’m glad he went knowing Calvin and Susan were innocent.”
Hymn agreed. “It made him happy. That’s good enough. He’s with Ophelia now, and Rhoades.”
“It’s odd, you know. The same day. Like they knew the other was letting go.”
“They were close. Close as brothers. I guess that’s why the Reverend wanted him next to him.”
“That was a nice gesture. He was a good man who left a legacy in another good man.”
Hannah took hold of her husband’s hand and squeezed. He tapped his cheek, and she obliged him with a kiss. “Thank you.”
“Plenty more where that came from.”
“No, thank you for helping him.”
Hannah smiled. It gave her great pleasure knowing her husband appreciated her. “You’re more than welcome, Sweet Face.” She offered him the last bite, but he declined. “Didn’t Magdalen call before we left?”
“She did. Sorry, I was so busy packing that I forgot. She loves the new job. Busy but she’s glad she’s out of Chicago. Susan’s doing fine. A long recovery period but she can go back to work on a partial basis in a few weeks. Having Magdalen there to ease the load helps.” A strained look came over Hymn’s face. “She got some bad news. She won’t be able to have kids. Too much strain, but Calvin’s open to adoption, so…”
“Always an option.”
“Yeah. It’s kind of strange, given Janus and Wormwood and all.”
Hannah straightened up at the mention of the names. “Yeah, amazing how people react to life. Look at Buster. Abandoned and adopted in an unconventional setting, but he turns out fine. Janus turned into a killing machine.”
Hymn shrugged. “Well, yeah. I guess, but Buster’s parents are good people, and he was too young to remember his birth parents. Janus and Wormwood remembered. Perhaps too much. We don’t know what kind of families took them in. The other brothers didn’t fare too well for sure.”
Hannah agreed. “Oh, speaking of Buster. He got cast in a pilot that will shoot in Atlanta. If it is picked up, he’s moving back. Did Ed tell you yet?”
“Magdalen did. She was rather excited that he would be within two hours of Happiness.”
“And how are you dealing with that?”
“She’s dated worse.”
Hannah reached out and popped Hymn on the arm. “Hey now, Buster’s a catch and you know it.”
Hymn laughed. “Yeah, I know. He’s all right. I’m just protective of those I love.”
“I like the sound of that.” Hannah took in a deep breath. The salty brine hit her nose, and she smiled. “I hope we have a room with a porthole.”
“The view’s fine, I promise. A lot better than Wormwood’s going to be seeing.”
Hannah noticed the bitterness that remained in Hymn’s voice at the mention of the woman. A lot to process, she noted.
“You know they’ll push the insanity thing, right?” She studied Hymn’s face for a reaction. “She might get it.”
“I know, and I know that Jonathan would want me to forgive her. I’m trying. I am. It’s just hard.” Hymn twisted his lips a bit. “You know though, I find it strange that he ended up in the same town as her almost sixty years later, and to want revenge for all those years on. To let it fester.” He gave an unconvincing laugh. “I guess it did drive her insane. In the end, she didn’t get it. That, in and of itself, is enough to drive you nuts.”
“Well, as they say, revenge is a dish best served cold in a bitter sauce. It doesn’t get more bitter than that.”
Hymn turned the Mustang into a long-term parking lot next to the ocean. After retrieving a ticket, both he and Hannah exited the car. Her eyes widened as she gazed out toward the setting sun. There, at a distance, was the clear outline of a ship with three large sails. In the waning daylight, the aura of the sun’s rays illuminated it. It displayed an unnatural glow, like the Flying Dutchman headed to shore, she recalled. The Dahlia. “How?”
“A wedding gift from Vera and Asa, and Louie of course. I called them after we couldn’t make it the first time and he said he had no plans to use it for a while, so it would be waiting for us when we were ready, for as long as we want and wherever we want to go.”
Hannah moved around to hug her husband and give him a kiss.
“Shall we?”
A few minutes later, the two were on a small transport headed to the Dahlia. They pulled up alongside and mounted the ladder. Reaching the deck, Captain Thomas “Tom” Big by greeted them.
“Welcome back aboard, Ms. Miles and Mr. Miles. So good to see you again, and congratulations.” He offered his hand. Hannah was about to shake it when a scream emerged, and a voice cried out. “Oh, my God! He’s dead.”
The Captain turned and headed inside, followed by Hannah.
Hymn looked up to the sky. “Seriously?”
Afte
rword
http://amazon.com/author/keepatterbee
Also by Kee Patterbee
Dear Reader,
Our latest adventure has reached its end. The mystery of the mysterious deaths has concluded. The guilty have been exposed. What comes next?
Another mystery of course. Hannah’s next undertaking is just a few pages away. Come, join her.
A most unusual affair is about to take place, unlike her previous undertakings.
Hannah and Hymn are the proud new owners of the Price Building. Plans include restoration of a home in the upper floor, a restaurant on the lower floor, and a bar in the basement. What isn’t planned is the body found inside the day they take ownership. Who is the young woman, how did she get in, how did she die, and why was she killed? Now, Hannah and Hymn are neck deep in old issues, sororities, the building’s dark past, and more shockingly, ghosts from the past.
As her dream of being a restauranteur crumbles before her eyes, Hannah has to figure out if this could is a straight up murder or is there darker, more other worldly forces at work.
Can she solve the mystery of the unfortunate souls who met their demise in her building and fulfill another life dream?
Hannah believes she can.
With the help of her new husband, her best friend, and her feisty grandparents, she’ll make a go at it.
If you enjoyed the first books in the series, you’ll revere The Eyes of Abigale. More mystery, greater danger, higher stakes and surprising twists. And perhaps a chill or two.
Continue your journey with Hannah now in...
The Eyes of Abigale
The Priest Who Ate A Poison Petit Fore Page 23