Death and Deceit

by Carol Marlene Smith

  The nurse looked leery but replied, “No. I’m afraid he hasn’t.”

  The elevator door slid open and Dr. Farley stepped into the corridor. He walked with his head bent forward, as if he had to force each step. He looked preoccupied when the nurse caught his attention. “Chief Davis is with Mr. Alvarez, Doctor. He said he wanted to stay...until the end.”

  “That’s good, Jean. Everyone needs someone.” He glanced briefly at the group by the nurse but moved on to the policeman’s room without speaking to any of them.

  The nurse turned to leave, but Jessie caught up with her. “Nurse, it sounds bad. Is there any chance at all for him?”

  Nurse Jean must have caught the glimpse of sadness in Jessie’s face, for she softened her stance and touched Jessie’s shoulder. “There’s always a chance.” She smiled. “But I would be extremely surprised if this one makes it. We suspect a blood clot. If so, he could go quickly, or linger. It’s unpredictable.”

  “Thank you,” Jessie whispered. She felt her legs buckle and sat in the nearest chair. Ricardo was dying, now Chief Davis would be determined to nail her for murder. If she could walk on her jelly legs, she’d sprint from this hospital and flee as far away as those legs could take her. Then she remembered Davis’s words. Don’t leave town, Miss. She was a captive already. She just didn’t have the leg irons on yet.

  ****

  Dr. Farley gave Davis a grave look. He adjusted the stethoscope around his neck for something to do. Davis had watched his every move. When he’d shone the small light into his patient’s eyes, Davis had peered closely, as if he were helping in some way by being there. “He’s slipping into a coma, but he seems reluctant.”

  “How’s that, Doc? You mean he can control it?”

  “He’s trying. He doesn’t want to go. He’s a real fighter.”

  “He was a tough kid, Doc.”

  “I know,” Dr. Farley replied. “I fixed him up a few times when he was a teenager. That family all had it rough. You know as well as I do what went on in that shack out there. This young man was a victim, just like his mother and sister.”

  “I’d like to stay with him, Doc, if it’s all right with you.”

  Farley arched his brows thoughtfully. The chief was actually asking something for a change instead of demanding. What had happened to the steel-nosed cop who thought he had all the rights and all the answers?

  A humble Alton Davis hung his head and kept a vigil beside the bedside of his dead lover’s son. Dr. Farley slipped out the door and closed it quietly behind him. Davis pulled a hanky from his pocket and dabbed at his eyes. “Damn, boy,” he said. “You’re too young to die. And that missy who shot you is waiting for you to help her out. Now I know you got yourself into a lot of trouble when you were a young fella, but hell, I thought you’d straightened out. So, if you really did kidnap that girl, and I don’t wanna believe you did, but I’m beginning to have my doubts, then you need to tell me. I was proud of yah when you decided to be a cop. I wish your dear mother had had the strength to stay on earth a little longer. The day she died I wanted to comfort you. I wanted to tell you what she meant to me, and how I was feeling the pain you were. But you wouldn’t let anyone near you, and I thought it best to keep my thoughts to myself.” Davis sniffed and blew his nose. “Damn, boy. You were like a son to me. I never had a son. I never even wanted to marry anyone except your mother. I waited for her, you know. But even after he left, she kept saying he’d be back. She wouldn’t even have me then. I know she cared about me once, but that was before he came along. She loved him through it all.”

  “She should have loved you.”

  Davis cocked his head around, as if he was listening real hard, but couldn’t believe he’d heard something...someone speak. He was on his feet now, agitated and animated. “Ricardo? Hell, you did speak didn’t you? Speak, boy. Do it again.”

  ****

  Jessie turned to her brother. “I think you’re right, Alan. We might as well go home. There’s no sense sitting around here.”

  She could barely get the words out, and Kent’s heart hurt like a bad tooth ache. She was so vulnerable now. Her future hung on Alvarez’s recovery, or at least on his dying words. Maybe if Alan got her a really good lawyer, she would be all right. Maybe. But all the maybes in the world might not be enough to keep Jessie with him.

  Jessie spotted the doctor first. But he went straight behind the desk and started talking with the nurse there. She rose, hoping she could catch him before he left the floor. He seemed like such a busy man, and he looked so tired she hated to bother him, but she wanted to know about Ricardo. She hoped, if he was agreeable, she might go in the room and see for herself. Maybe if she spoke to Ricardo, he might hear her, and she could tell him she was sorry for shooting him. At least she would have said the words. It would help her feel better if she just —

  Davis shoved through the doorway and called out. “Doc, come quick, he’s awake.”

  Jessie’s heart soared, but it caught in her throat and she couldn’t breathe properly. She felt the thump of her heart and watched as the doctor hurried into Ricardo’s room with Davis hot on his heels.

  Ringing her hands now, Jessie wished she were in the room. He would talk to her, she knew he would. “I need to go in there,” she said.

  Kent was at her side. “They won’t let you, Jessie. Come here.” She turned and folded into his arms, and he could feel her tremble. This was the moment of truth. Ricardo’s words or lack of them might now decide the fate of Jessie’s life.

  He felt himself tremble too, but drew on all his karate knowledge to shake off the feeling. When he held her, he wanted her to feel his strength, his love, and to know that no matter what happened in the next few, crucial minutes, he would always be there for her...forever.

  Alan got up and stood beside Jessie. “I hate to break up your little intimate moment here,” he said, “but I thought you wanted to go home, Jessie?”

  Jessie pulled away from Kent’s arms. “Yes, I know,” she said to Alan. “But Ricardo’s awake they said. We can’t leave now.”

  “Look, Jessie...” Kent hesitated as if he wondered if he would say the right thing. “I think Alan’s right. We’ve been here long enough. This waiting is wearing on all of us. What say we go back to the house, clean up and get something to eat. As soon as we get there, we’ll check with the hospital. If anything’s changed, we’ll turn right around and come back.”

  “But, it might be —”

  “Jessie, Kent’s right,” Alan agreed. “I need a break from this place.”

  “Then you go.” Jessie walked over by Liz and sat down. She folded her arms stubbornly.

  The door flew open again, and Davis raced towards Jessie. “He said your name.” Jessie and Davis disappeared into Ricardo’s room. Kent and Alan took seats again by Liz.

  Jessie was overwhelmed by the display of paraphernalia around Ricardo, as she drew closer to the bedside. The doctor stood to her left, and Davis stood beside her at Ricardo’s head. The doctor motioned to him, and Davis pushed past her and sat down. Jessie slid up closer still and spoke softly. “Ricardo. It’s Jessie.”

  His eyes fluttered then opened to gaze into hers. He made a pitiful effort to move his hand, and Jessie caught the motion. She clasped it in her own and squeezed his clammy fingers. “Ricardo, I’m sorry. I never meant it to happen. I don’t know why I took the gun. All I really wanted was to get away from you. If I’d left the gun and run...I know you wouldn’t have shot me, but what you tried to do to me. You invaded...you tried to....” She stopped and looked over at the doctor. He was checking Ricardo’s blood pressure and pretending not to listen. But Jessie found it embarrassing and finished up quickly. “I’m sorry I shot you...really sorry.”

  She had said what she came for, so she stopped talking and watched his eyes. He still stared at her, as if he wanted to speak but didn’t have the strength or will.

  “Blood pressure’s dropping,” Dr. Farley mumbled.

&nbs
p; Davis rose then and came round to the doctor’s side of the bed. “What’s happening, Doc?”

  “All this exertion is making him weaker. He needs to rest.”

  “I...was just leaving,” Jessie said. “I’ve said what I came to say.”

  “But, he called for you,” Davis said.

  Farley monitored Ricardo’s pulse but spoke to Davis. “Let her go, Alton, he’s too weak to talk. And her presence is driving his pulse crazy.”

  Jessie rushed from the room and into Kent’s arms. “I told him,” she said, breathlessly between sobs. “I said I was sorry, and he just stared at me.” She buried her head into Kent’s chest and heaved hysterically.

  Liz shook her head and wished they’d all get out of there. The hospital waiting was getting on her nerves. She wished Alan and Kent would convince Jessie to go home, but they just stood by helplessly, watching her cry her heart out. Liz felt she had to do something.

  “Why don’t we take Jessie home now? She just said she told him she was sorry. She did what she came for. Let’s go.”

  Kent patted Jessie’s back and gave Liz an accusing glare. “Was he still conscious, Jessie, when you left him? Didn’t he say anything to you?”

  She pulled away from him and ran a finger across her nose and sniffed. “I think he wanted to, but he looked so weak. The doctor practically asked me to leave, but Davis acted like he wanted me to stay.”

  Kent thought of Davis’s accusations earlier and wondered if he wasn’t now maybe having second thoughts about the whole thing. Why had he even come out for Jessie? Unless he thought Alvarez might tell her something he wouldn’t tell anyone else.

  “If he could speak, he would,” Jessie said, looking determined. “I know he wants to do what’s right. The only thing he ever lied to me about was sending the e mail threats, and I haven’t figured out yet why he wouldn’t admit to that.”

  “Because he didn’t do it,” Liz blurted.

  Jessie gaped at Liz. “He didn’t? Then who —”

  “I did.”

  “Liz,” Kent spoke up. “This is hardly the time or place.”

  “Then when, Kent...where? When do I clear my conscience, hey? I’m tired of carrying around a dirty secret. And Alvarez in there is bad enough off. He doesn’t need to be blamed for something he didn’t do. I did it, Jessie. I sent those e mails, but it wasn’t to hurt you — ever. You know, I always came to your rescue —”

  “Liz, stop it,” Kent yelled.

  The desk nurse raised her head from her papers and scowled at the loud noises. “This is a hospital,” she said, “quiet down.”

  Jessie didn’t know where to turn. What Liz had said didn’t make sense to her. And Kent didn’t seem surprised at all. But Alan looked horrified. Jessie ran to his arms. “Take me home, Alan...now.” She and Alan turned towards the elevator; his arm lay across her shoulder protectively.

  Davis and Dr. Farley emerged quietly from Ricardo’s room.

  “Jessie,” Kent called. “Stop...wait!”

  Jessie turned around and caught sight of Dr. Farley and Davis. She stopped and turned. Alan waited while she backtracked. She walked up to Dr. Farley. His expression told her what she didn’t want to hear, but she had to ask. “Is he…?”

  The doctor nodded. “He fought a good fight.” He turned to consult with the nurse.

  Jessie turned to Davis and saw his tears. Ricardo had meant the world to him. Her eyes clouded too. “I’m...sorry,” she said to him.

  Davis cleared his throat in a way one does when he is embarrassed or can’t speak because of emotions. He chewed on an invisible toothpick. “Well, you’re off the hook, missy.”

  Jessie gaped at him. “What?”

  “He said two words.” Davis held up his index and big finger, and shook them in the air. “Innocent...Jessica.” That was all, but it’s enough for me. It’s time to close the case. Ricardo needs a decent funeral.” He cleared his throat again and raced towards the elevator.

  Alan had heard it all. He came to Jessie. “You’re cleared, Jess. What a relief. Thank God.”

  Jessie knew she was supposed to feel relief too, but the tightness in her heart wouldn’t let go. Something terrible was still going on. Something Kent and Liz knew — something they had kept from her. She felt deceived by both of them.

  “Alan, let’s go home now.” She didn’t look at Liz or Kent.

  Alan placed his protective arm across her shoulder once again, and Liz and Kent watched the red-haired couple enter the elevator.

  As soon as the door closed, Kent was on her. “You little fool. What was that all about? Confessing now? You didn’t think things were bad enough?”

  “It slipped out,” Liz yelled. “Besides, she had to know sooner or later. I couldn’t let him take the rap for something I did.”

  Kent shook his head as the second elevator opened. They stepped inside and he punched the mezzanine button. “Did your conscience hurt that much? He’s dead. He never could have told her anything different. She never would have known. Now you not only messed things up for yourself, but what about me? Damn. Now she hates me. She knows I knew. She probably thinks I was in on it with you.”

  “Stop it. I’ll tell her everything. I’ll save your precious skin.”

  “Don’t do me any favours.”

  At the car they sat huddled in the front seat. The rain had returned, this time it was almost hail beating on the windshield. “Well, where do we go from here, Liz?” Kent asked. “Dare we go to the house? Or back to Harbourside?”

  ****

  Jessie huddled on the sofa, her arms wound around herself. She shivered. Alan stood in the doorway looking at her. “Do you want me to light a fire?” he asked her.

  Jessie’s teeth were actually chattering. “I’d like that, but you have to leave, don’t you?”

  He walked up beside her and bent down on one knee. He touched her arm. “I can’t leave you alone. What was all that stuff about e mail anyway? And why are you so freaked out over it?”

  Jessie looked over at her brother’s face. They’d never been this close in years. How ironic that when she was down to the lowest she’d ever been that it should be Alan who’d stand by her. All this trouble had started years ago — growing from a seed into a full-blown mess. And it all began with Alan. It was only fitting that he be there at the end of it.

  “Light a fire,” she said. “I’ll explain everything.”

  ****

  Kent decided it wasn’t a good idea to go back to the Albright house, at least not right away. It was past supper time, and he took Liz into the restaurant where they’d eaten on Saturday.

  “Eat something, Liz; you’re going to need strength later, when you explain this mess to Jessie.”

  “I can’t,” she whined. “And I can’t face her again.”

  “Ha! You were pretty brave at the hospital, volunteering information, when you didn’t need to…shouldn’t have, damn it.”

  Liz jumped to her feet. “Look, if you’re going to yell at me, I’m leaving.”

  “Sit down.”

  “No.” She took off to the ladies’ room.

  Kent calmed himself. She was right. Yelling at her would get them nowhere. He was just mad because he’d been found out. He’d kept a secret from Jessie, and he knew it had been wrong. But she was going through so much, and he really believed it was up to Liz to tell her anyway. He’d go to the house and tell her that. If she couldn’t forgive him that small mistake, then they would never make it through a lifetime together anyway. Wasn’t life all about forgiving and moving on? He’d forgiven her for doubting him. He forgave Liz for accusing him. Damn it, someone needed to forgive him. It was over...or was it?

  ****

  “Liz did that to you?” Alan’s voice rang flat.

  “I can’t believe it either,” Jessie agreed. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Maybe she needs to explain herself. And you think Kent was involved?”

  “I know it. The way he t
ried to get her to shut up...you heard him.” Jessie rose and stood in front of the fire. She was warm now and calm. “You don’t have to stay with me, Alan. I know you have a case tomorrow, and it’s getting late.”

  “But what are you going to do?”

  She turned and faced him, her hands placed on her hips. “I’m staying here tonight. I’m staying until the funeral.”

  “You’re going?”

  “Yes. I’m sure Sandra will go with me. I need closure. And, he deserves some people there.”

  “After what he did to you?”

  “I can forgive him. He didn’t mean to hurt me. He was misguided.”

  “So, you can forgive him but not Liz, or how about Kent? You don’t even know what he did, and you’re angry with him.”

  “That’s true,” she said. “Look, you’d better go, Alan. I’m fine, really. I’ll shut the place up before I leave, and I’ll call you when I get back to Harbourside.”

  Alan walked over and put his arm around Jessie. “Okay, I’ll leave. But I hope you work things out with Kent. He’s a nice guy. I like him. And both he and Liz put themselves through plenty to chase after you.”

  “Are you taking up for them?”

  “You decide whatever you must, when you hear their explanation. But, don’t be too quick to hold a grudge. Remember what it did to you and me all those years? I promised myself I’d never be that stupid again.”

  “Can you forgive Liz?”

  “Maybe. Probably. I need to hear the story. But I can’t hang around. You decide. If you can forgive her, I can too. Open your heart, Jess. Consider all the circumstances before you lay judgement. That’s what Mom would want.”

  Jessie smiled. “That’s what she would say. You sound just like her.” She gave Alan a hug and he left.

  Jessie stirred the dying embers. It had been almost an hour since Alan left. She thought about eating but wasn’t that hungry. She remembered she hadn’t eaten since breakfast, except for a cookie, when Kent had made the coffee. Where were Kent and Liz? Had they gone back to Harbourside? After all this time, they must have. At least they could have shown up and explained things to her.