"That was a scary time for parents."
"I know."
"What were you going to say about the mother?"
"I read in the Edmonton Journal that she'd stayed in the same cabin I'd rented. The mother…Sadie something. I left so fast I had no time to clean up. She would have seen the needles." He looked away. "Newspapers said she admitted she'd gone there to kill herself, but said something stopped her. I wonder…"
Leo let out a snort. "Okay, buddy, you're starting to sound a little whacko. Either we get some food into you, or we go shopping for one of those special jackets that tie up in the back."
"I wonder if maybe she saw them too. The ghost kids."
Leo started the car. "Montana's? I could go for some barbecue ribs and fries. And while we wait, you're gonna tell me all about these ghosts, including Jane's. I wanna know everything."
Chapter Thirty
Hinton, AB – Saturday, June 15, 2013 – 1:20 PM
By afternoon, Rebecca was feeling a bit better. The medication they'd given her made her somewhat groggy, but she was so happy to see Ella and Colton that even drugs couldn't keep the cheerfulness from her voice.
"I hope you're being really good for the doctor and nurses."
The kids sat in chairs, their oversized hospital housecoats wrapped around them to keep them warm. Dr. Monroe had allowed them to sit in her room and watch television with her for the afternoon.
The door opened, and the police officer poked his head inside. "There's going to be a shift change in a half hour, Mrs. Kingston. I thought you should know."
"Thank you."
Having a guard on her door made her feel safe, but it didn't keep her from worrying about the truck driver. Would he make another attempt? Why?
Whenever she closed her eyes, she'd see flashes of memory and her muscles would clench. She recalled the bitter coldness of the water…and her absolute certainty that she was going to die there in the dark, alone.
"And then Marcus swam into the car," Colton was telling Ella for the one hundredth time, "and gave us scuba masks. But you were asleep, so you didn't see anything."
"And he rescued us," Ella said with a firm nod.
"Mom says he used to be, like, a doctor or something."
"A paramedic," Rebecca corrected.
"Yeah, one of those guys." Colton frowned. "You think he was ever in one of those STARS helicopters?"
"You'll have to ask him next time he visits."
The thought of Marcus Taylor coming to visit gave her butterflies. Nice ones. There was no denying they had a connection because of all that had happened.
But it's more than that.
She wanted to know more about him. Last time she'd seen him, there had been a glimmer of vulnerability in his rugged but handsome face. While they'd talked, she watched as a wave of emotions swept over him—grief, guilt, relief, joy…and anger. When she'd admitted more about their financial state and Wesley's gambling, she saw anger brimming in his eyes.
She was relieved, however, to hear that her husband was off the police's radar as a suspect. He'd never do something so hideous. Marcus had said they were looking into some other leads, that maybe Wesley's gambling was to blame. But she couldn't deal with that thought right now. All she wanted to do was hold her children…and breathe.
"Mommy needs a gentle hug," she said.
Colton and Ella were eager to obey. As they wrapped their arms around her, mindful of all the tubes and wires, she gathered them close and listened to their hearts beating in their chests.
Life. It was something worth fighting for. And damned if she was going to let anyone hurt her children ever again. Not Wesley. Not anyone.
She had called Kelly as soon as she was feeling up to talking. She'd tried to dissuade her sister out of immediately heading to Hinton.
"I'm okay," she'd promised Kelly. "The doctors are looking after me, and I have a police guard on my door. The kids too."
They'd talked about the "accident."
"I should've taken the kids," Kelly said.
"None of us knew what was going to happen, Sis. I mean, would you ever in your wildest dreams have thought some truck driver would run me off the road?"
"No. But who would want to kill you?"
Rebecca couldn't tell her about Wesley's gambling. Or that the police suspected someone wanted to send Wesley a message—through Rebecca's imminent death. She didn't want to scare her sister.
"They'll catch him," she'd said to Kelly.
Her sister had been more than determined to look after her once Rebecca was released from the hospital in a day or two. Kelly had already arranged to stay with her for a few days, but the thought made Rebecca very nervous. If someone still wanted her dead, then her house wasn't going to be safe for any of them.
She could ask Wesley to move back in. The thought made her cringe. She knew what would happen if she did that. Wesley would take advantage of the situation, of her weakness, and the next thing she'd know he'd be moved in permanently. And if there was one thing she was absolutely sure about it was that she was done with him. The divorce couldn't happen soon enough.
She thought of his gambling addiction. He may not have tried to kill me and the kids directly, but his actions could be responsible.
She glanced at the clock by the door. Wesley would be here soon.
"Mommy, I'm tired," Ella said.
"How about you and Colton go have a nap in your room? I think I need one too."
"I'm not tired," Colton grumbled.
"Watch TV then. But don't have the volume up too loud. Let your sister sleep."
When they were gone, she picked up the hospital phone and the business card next to it. "Marcus?" she said when he picked up. "I know you're probably busy, but…"
"What do you need?"
His voice had become an instant comfort. "To talk to you."
"Want me to come to the hospital?"
"If it's not too inconvenient."
"I'll be right over."
When Marcus entered her hospital room, the first thing Rebecca noticed was that he'd shaved. He'd also put on aftershave, something earthy—sandalwood and musk.
"You shaved," she said, biting her lip at the absurdity of her comment.
He rubbed his smooth chin. "Yeah, Leo advised me to clean up a bit. Said I looked like I'd been on a three-day bender."
"But you haven't." It was a statement, not a question. "Leo sounds like a good friend."
He dragged the chair to the side of the bed. "The best."
"How long have you known him?"
"Seems like forever." He laughed. "I met Leo on the job, back when I was a paramedic."
"Did he work with you?"
"No. At that time, he was in no condition to work for anyone." He paused as if summoning up the right words. "I was called out to a situation about fifteen years ago. Unconscious male passed out in a bar."
"Ah, and that was Leo."
He nodded. "I can't go into all the details—confidentiality and all—but I will say he was in rough shape. Even came close to dying that night."
"But he didn't, and now you're friends."
"We have a lot in common, Leo and I. Both of us have much to atone for."
She glanced out the window, thinking about Marcus's drug addiction. It had affected his career and marriage. Just like Wesley's gambling addiction. She knew the toll that had taken on her and the kids.
So why was she even considering bringing Marcus Taylor into her life?
Because you like him. Because he's not Wesley.
"Did Leo know Jane?" she asked.
"Yeah. We used to have weekend dinners with him and his wife—before they were married."
"So, technically, you saved him too."
He blushed. "I was part of a team who responded to the call."
"But you visited him afterward."
Marcus shrugged. "I went to check on him at the hospital. We got to talking, and before I knew it, we were friends."
She smiled. "Sometimes that's how fast it happens."
There was a long pause.
"How have you been, Marcus?"
"I think I should be the one asking you that question. You look better."
"I look like crap."
He leaned over her, examining her face. When he touched the small scar on her chin, she flinched. She'd been self-conscious about the scar for so long—not because of what it looked like but what it represented.
"Childhood accident?" he asked.
"Not exactly."
"Your husband?"
She nodded, and he opened his mouth as if to say something, but then shut it quickly.
"He hasn't…hit me in a long time."
The muscle in Marcus's jaw twitched. "He shouldn't have hit you at all."
"I know."
"Did you report him?"
She shook her head. "I couldn't. The kids…"
"He needs to know it's not right to hit a woman. Or anyone for that matter."
"You're right. I know that. But I had to give him a second chance. For Ella and Colton's sake."
He sighed. "I guess I understand second chances better than anyone."
"After the last time Wesley hurt me, I let him know I wanted a divorce. I went to Carter, my lawyer, and told him everything. And we had hospital records to back up my story. When we met with Wesley, Carter told him I wouldn't press charges if he'd agree to an amicable divorce. And he had to agree that I'd have sole custody of the kids."
"That must not have gone over too well."
"He didn't like it. But he didn't argue."
"Possibly we're all looking at this from the wrong point of view. Maybe it's not about the money. Maybe it's about the kids."
"He'd never get custody of them, even if I died. Carter took care of that too. Kelly and Steve are named as guardians, and Wesley would have the same arrangement as he does now. He agreed to everything."
"Otherwise you'd charge him for the abuse."
"Yes. And there's no way he'd give up his freedom to fight me in court. That's why I don't think he hired that guy to kill me."
"It's not the sole possible explanation. The police do have other suspects. But no one else has as strong a motive."
"The money, you mean."
"Who else would benefit from it besides Wesley?"
"No one." She let out a soft groan. "I keep going over everything in my head. Nothing makes sense. I do not understand why someone would do this. What would they gain if they'd killed me?"
"Police think maybe it was supposed to be a message. For your husband."
"Ex-husband-to-be. And what message would that send exactly?"
Marcus shrugged. "Maybe that they could hurt him anytime, anywhere. Perhaps they meant to scare you. Scare him."
"But the guy ran me off the road and into a river."
"It could be that things went a bit too far."
"But you still think this guy might come after me again."
"Perhaps. We can't rule that out." He leaned forward. "Better to be safe than sorry, don't you think?"
"What about when I go home? They may let me out tomorrow or the day after."
"I'm sure they'll have a police guard on your house."
"The kids are going to stay with my sister. I haven't told them yet."
"Why won't you stay there too?"
She shook her head. "I can't take the chance that whoever did this won't follow me there. I won't put Kelly and her family in harm's way."
"So you're going to stay in your house alone?"
"Kelly said she'll stay with me. I don't want her to. It's too dangerous. And I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her." She took a deep breath. "I wanted to know…if you would, uh…maybe consider…staying with me. For a few days, until they catch this guy. I could even pay you. Like a bodyguard."
His eyes widened in surprise. "I'm thinking that's not such a good idea."
"Why not?"
"I'm not really the bodyguard type. I'm no hero."
She cocked her head to one side and stared at him. "Really? You saved us already once."
"That's different."
"How? You came after us when there was no one else who could. If it hadn't been for you, we'd all be dead. You're the perfect choice for one main reason."
"What's that?"
"I trust you, Marcus." She saw doubt in his eyes. "With my life."
"You shouldn't. I have a bad habit of letting people—"
"Just say yes," she cut in. "Please. I need to know I won't be alone when I'm released from the hospital. And I need to tell Kelly I have someone else I can trust who'll be with me." She sighed. "I know it's a lot to ask. I really do. But I have a feeling they're going to catch this guy—soon. So maybe it'll be a few days. Maybe a week." She reached out and touched his hand. "Since you're not working right now, you can't tell me you've got better things to do."
And she couldn't tell him she was worried he'd relapse. Because of her. If he used again because of the stress of being suspended, she'd never forgive herself.
"You forget I have a dog," came his mumbled reply. "Arizona."
"I love dogs. Bring her along."
"She's not small."
Rebecca smiled. "I have a big house, big backyard."
They stared at each other.
Finally Marcus nodded. "If that's what you want."
"Yes."
"Okay then."
Grinning, she nudged her head in the direction of the locker. "My purse is in there. Can you get it for me?"
When he brought her purse to her, she rummaged around until she found her keys, a pen and a notebook. "I'll write down my address for you. This key is for the front door. There should be a light on outside. It's on a timer, so it should be on by the time you get there."
"You want me to go today?"
She made a face. "Yeah. If that's okay with you. I really need some clothes for me and the kids. I forgot to ask Kelly. Everything we have here is either ripped or bloody."
Marcus's face reddened. "And you want me to do it?"
"Yes. Whatever you can find in the kids' rooms will do. And jeans and a shirt for me. They're in my bedroom closet in a drawer. Um...bra and underwear," she was blushing now, "in the drawer above it. And jackets from the front hallway."
"You sure you don't want to ask your sister?"
She shook her head.
When she didn't offer an explanation, he nodded and said, "Ah, you're afraid to have her go into your house, in case someone's waiting there."
Now she felt like crap. What gave her the right to ask him to put himself in danger for her—yet again? "I shouldn't be asking you to do this. I'm sorry. You've already done so much for us."
He smiled. "Consider it taken care of, Rebecca. I'm sure Detective Zur already has a car on your house. And officer will check your house before you return. But you're right. You can't be too careful."
He gave her a nod, then headed for the door.
"Marcus?"
He looked over his shoulder. "Yeah?"
"Thank you. For everything."
"Don't thank me yet. I might eat you out of house and home. I'm starving!"
Chapter Thirty-One
Hinton, AB – Saturday, June 15, 2013 – 1:42 PM
Rebecca's laughter followed Marcus down the hall.
He entered an empty elevator and shook his head in bewilderment. "What the hell did I agree to?"
Uh, you're going to sleep in the same house as a beautiful woman, whom you are strongly attracted to, and try to pretend you're there only to protect her.
Marcus banged the heel of his hand against his forehead. "You idiot. And now you're going to rummage around in her underwear?" What the hell?
The elevator stopped on the second floor, but no one got on. When the doors closed, his thoughts drifted back to Rebecca. She deserved someone better than Wesley Kingston in her life. And that someone wasn't Marcus.
"She's still
officially married," he reminded himself. And drop-dead gorgeous.
His offer to stay with her was strictly professional courtesy. She had no one else. It was a business arrangement. That's all it was. Even if he didn't accept a penny from her, which he wouldn't. Like doing an old friend a favor.
Except she's not really an old friend. More like a new one.
The elevator took him down to the main level, and he made a beeline for the emergency wing. The ER was bustling with action, but he veered toward the outside exit, weaving through the crowd of broken legs, coughs and a very pregnant woman with a brood of six kids around her.
In the parking lot, he found his car, climbed inside and glanced at the address Rebecca had written down. Edmonton…right. Damn it!
It would take about three hours to get there, maybe twenty minutes to grab the clothes and another three hours to get back to the hospital. Being away from her for so long didn't sit well with him.
He picked up his cell phone and called John. "I'm heading to Rebecca's house to pick up some clothes for her and the kids. You got a car watching the place?"
"Yeah. I'll let them know."
"Thanks, John. Any news on the truck or driver?"
"Actually, there is. We finally caught a break. There's a computer store across from the Esso station. They have cameras in the windows, and one of them is on 24/7, filming the street. We're going through the tape now."
"I hope you catch this guy."
"Me too. Listen, Marcus, what are your plans for the next few days? I heard you got suspended."
"I'm going to stay at Rebecca's for a bit. Until you nab this guy."
"Really?" Zur's voice was more than a little stunned.
"She didn't want to ask her sister. Doesn't want to put her in any danger. And the ex is out of the question, since you still think he's connected." Marcus paused. "You do still think that, don't you?"
"Nothing else makes much sense. It couldn't be a random hit and run. He was waiting for her, followed her, made sure she'd end up in the McLeod River."
"Anything pan out at the casinos?"
"Nothing so far. We're still asking questions. All we need is the right answer."
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