by Erin Wade
“No, she isn’t,” Dawn said, choking back a sob. “She isn’t responding to treatment.”
Flint glanced sideways at his sister. “Sis, why was Niki driving your car after midnight?”
Dawn had flashes of the last night they’d spent together. She smiled as she recalled their activities “I . . . we, uh—”
“Are the two of you together? I mean like partners or significant others?”
“Yes,” Dawn admitted for the first time. “We’re a couple.”
Flint wrapped his arms around his sister. “Is there anything I can do to help? I can sit with her when you’re on duty or—”
“There’s a guard here 24-7.” Dawn sniffled as she leaned against her brother.
“We’ll be okay, Flint. I appreciate you acting as my messenger and taking care of all the legal things I have going on.”
“I’m happy to help.” He hugged her one more time. “I’ve got to run by the store for Mom. Do you need anything?”
“No. Just be careful. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.”
As Flint was leaving, Father Garza entered the room. He had visited every day since Niki had been placed on the ventilator. Dawn enjoyed his company and their many discussions regarding the existence of God. Father Garza was a comfort to her, and he always prayed over Niki.
At this point we welcome any help we can get, Dawn thought as Garza prayed.
After Father Garza left, Dawn nestled into the recliner and began to read again.
##
Jacey arrived at the hospital two hours before her shift to relieve Dawn. “How’s she doing?”
“She may be turning around,” Dawn answered, turning off her Kindle. “Her vitals are better and she is respond well to the physical therapy.”
“That’s good news. I thought I’d sit with her while you go home and get some clean clothes. I know you need to pick up some long-sleeved shirts. The weather has turned cooler. I didn’t know what to bring you, and you need to get some fresh air.”
Dawn smiled at her oldest friend. “You are always so thoughtful. I feel safe leaving her in your care, and I’ll leave the guard outside her door. I won’t be long. There’s a book by Sarah Markel on the bedside stand. It’s really good. I’d appreciate it if you’d read to her.”
“I’d be happy to.” Jacey smiled.
##
Dawn inhaled deeply as she waited for the valet to bring her car. She couldn’t wait to drive the new vehicle. Couldn’t wait to take Niki home in it. She thought about notifying Bobby Joe that she was leaving the hospital but felt safe running home and back.
She tipped the valet and slid into the driver’s seat. The car had everything: Wi-Fi, bird’s-eye-view cameras, air-conditioned and heated seats, and more. Everything Dawn could imagine was built into the car.
When she reached home, she didn’t bother pulling into the garage. She entered through the front door and hurried to their bedroom. Memories overwhelmed her as she entered the room. Niki prancing around in her Henley. Niki leaning above her, long red hair falling around them as she lowered her lips to Dawn’s. Niki was everywhere. Even her subtle fragrance filled Dawn’s nostrils.
No time to dawdle, Dawn, she told herself as she went to the closet and began pulling out warmer clothes. She put her dirty clothes in the bathroom hamper and packed enough clothes for another week at the hospital.
She looked around to make certain she had gotten everything she needed. Then she locked up and headed back to the car.
Her mind was on Niki as she walked to the car, pushing the fob button to open the rear door. She stumbled and pitched forward when a wheel on her suitcase caught on a sprinkler head at the edge of the driveway. A shot rang out, and a bullet whizzed past her face.
Dawn immediately flattened herself against the ground and scrambled underneath the car. She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed 911.
“Operator, I’m at 721 Royal Court. Someone is shooting at me. This is Dr. Dawn Fairchild.”
“Stay on the phone, Dr. Fairchild.”
Dawn listened as the dispatcher directed a nearby police car to her location. “Are you still with me, Dr. Fairchild?”
“Yes,” Dawn whispered. She wasn’t sure where the shot came from or if the shooter was still close by.
Within minutes a patrol car arrived at the scene with their lights flashing and siren blaring. Two policemen got out of the car. “Dr. Fairchild?” one of them called out.
“I’m under the car,” Dawn said as she wiggled out from under the vehicle.
“Don’t stand up yet, ma’am. Let us form a shield for you. Do you know the direction the shot came from?”
“The bullet lodged in the column on the left,” Dawn answered, rising to her feet.
“You should get back inside the house, Dr. Fairchild.”
When Dawn informed them that she needed to get to the hospital, the officers insisted on escorting her.
As she pulled into valet parking, the patrol car pulled alongside her. “Dispatch gave us the rundown on your case,” the officer said. “We’ve been instructed to stay with you until Detective Jones arrives.”
Seconds later, Bobby Joe pulled his car behind Dawn’s and got out. “I’ll take it from here, fellows.” He thanked the patrolmen and opened Dawn’s door.
“We’re going to have to find a better way to meet,” he joked as he followed Dawn into the hospital. “You’re becoming a full-time job.”
A shiver ran through Dawn’s body. “I don’t know what’s going on.”
“It’s pretty obvious someone wants you dead,” Bobby Joe said as they stepped into the garage elevator. He pushed the button and waited until the door closed.
“Did anything else happen today? How did anyone know you were at home? Did anyone follow you from the hospital?”
Dawn dragged her hand across her eyes as if wiping away cobwebs. “Just let me get my bearings,” she croaked.
“Niki’s family visited her today. They made me very uneasy. Her mother hasn’t seen her in years but came today with her two brothers.”
Bobby Joe thumbed through his little notebook. “The same two brothers that accosted you at the college?”
“Yes.”
Bobby’s eyes scanned the page. “You sent one of them to the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“You must be a hell of a lot tougher than you look, Dr. Fairchild.”
Dawn shrugged. “People tend to underestimate me.”
They left the elevator and walked toward Niki’s room. Bobby Joe nodded to the policeman standing guard in the hallway. “I’ll be here for a while. You can take a thirty-minute break.”
The guard thanked him and hurried for the elevator.
“Did anyone follow you from the hospital?”
“I didn’t see anyone, and only Jayce knew I was going home. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”
Dawn introduced Jayce and Bobby Joe. “She’s my housemate and watched Niki while I ran home for clean clothes.”
“I’m glad to meet you,” Jayce said, shaking hands with the detective. “I’ve got to run. Duty calls.”
Bobby Joe followed her into the hallway and watched Jayce get onto the elevator. “She’s the only one who knew you’d be at your home?” he said returning to Dawn.
“We’ve been friends since grade school,” Dawn explained. “I’d trust Jayce with my life.”
“While I’m here I’ll let you know where I am in my investigation.” Bobby Joe kept his voice down so Niki wouldn’t hear him.
“I’ve interrogated Warden Davis. Lucky, whose name is Lucinda Juarez, by the way, has managed to escape from prison.” Dawn opened her mouth to speak, but Bobby held up his hands. “Don’t ask me how.
“Every agency in Texas is looking for her. Edward Merrick’s attorney is bringing him in to talk to me tomorrow. I’ll catch up with the Sears brothers and your ex-boyfriend tomorrow.”
“Basically, what you’re t
elling me is that you have no idea who is trying to kill us.”
“Yeah, that about sums it up.” Bobby Joe cringed. “Forensics has the bullet that lodged in your column and are running it for a ballistics match. Maybe we can find one that matches it and connect it to a shooter in our database.”
Bobby Joe stood when the guard returned. “I’ll let you get some rest, Doc. You’ve had a rough day.”
##
After Bobby Joe left, Dawn pulled her chair closer to Niki’s bed. “God, I miss you, baby. I’d give anything to hear your voice.”
She reached for her Kindle and noticed someone had slipped an envelope inside the cover. She pulled it out. A hospital invoice. She ripped the end from the envelope and pulled out the thick bill. She flipped to the last page and gasped when she saw the cost of the past two weeks. I’ll transfer enough out of savings to cover the bill and take a check to finance tomorrow, she thought.
She had no idea how long Niki would remain in her present state. I need to accept more surgeries, she thought. At this rate, we’ll deplete my savings within a month.
She hated the thought of spending less time with Niki, but she knew they would need the income. She reached out and gently caressed Niki’s cheek, tracing the scar with her fingertips. “I love you so much, little one.”
Chapter 54
The next morning Bobby Joe walked through the hospital corridors to the office with Dr. Wynn’s name stenciled on the door. He knocked, entering when invited to do so.
“Dr. Richard Wynn,” Bobby Joe said without breaking stride, “you are under arrest for the murder of Mary Davis.” He read Richard his rights as he fastened the cuffs around the man’s wrists.
“Oh, for Christ’s sake, get these things off me,” Richard wailed. “Dawn did this, didn’t she?”
“No one but me.” Bobby Joe was clearly enjoying himself as he pulled the man to his feet. “I have video and testimony. It’s a sorry man who lets a woman like Dawn Fairchild do his time in prison.”
“So, the time has been served for the crime,” Wynn whined. “There’s no reason to arrest me.”
Bobby Joe snorted. “It doesn’t work that way. Where were you between seven and nine last night?”
“At home with my wife. Where else would I be?”
“Anyone else see you around that time?”
“No, we were . . . um, you know. My wife requires a lot of attention.”
“I’ll verify that,” Bobby Joe growled as he pushed Richard out the door.
“What’s last night got to do with this?” Richard held up his handcuffed arms.
“That’s what I plan to find out.”
##
News of Dr. Wynn’s arrest flew around the hospital like a bullet on a still day. Everyone was talking about it. Dawn tried to ignore the gossip and concentrate on the task at hand. She had to take Richard’s surgery load, but she didn’t mind. They needed the money.
She performed four surgeries before noon and was drinking a cup of coffee in her office when Val walked in.
I’ve missed you, Dawn thought as she silently surveyed the curvy brunette. She was glad to see her. She wanted to run to Val and hug her. In spite of all they had been through, she still respected Val’s abilities as a prison administrator.
“I know I’m not supposed to talk to you,” Val said. “But I miss you and I wanted to talk to you. Like we used to do.”
Dawn poured Val a cup of coffee then returned to her chair across the desk from the warden.
“Aren’t you going to say something?” Val blurted. “Hello, Val, or get the hell out of my office, Val, or—”
“It’s so good to see you, Val,” Dawn muttered. “I’ve missed you.”
“I heard about Niki,” Val said still thinking Niki had died. “I’m so sorry, Dawn. I wish I could help—make things easier for you.”
“It’s hard,” Dawn said, faking a thin smile. “I’m managing.”
Val changed the subject. “Bobby Joe said he arrested Richard Wynn this morning.”
“Yes.” Dawn’s voice caught in her throat. “He was charged with the crime I served time for.”
“Dawn, I want to make it up to you,” Val said. “I’ll do the television talk shows with you. I’ll appear in public and admit I was mistaken. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right.
“I’ve already signed off on the monetary settlement. Six million. You’ll get the check in a few weeks. I should have agreed to do it to begin with. I was so wrong.
“I want us to be friends. I want to talk to you over coffee. I . . . I just miss you.
“I have so much to tell you, to share with you. I want you to know some of it before the news media blows everything out of proportion.
“Maybe we could have dinner tonight,” Val concluded.
Dawn wanted to tell her about Niki lying in a coma. That she only wanted to be at Niki’s side. But she didn’t. She agreed to dinner.
“Why don’t we meet at that little Italian place with the privacy booths,” Dawn suggested. “I can get away for a couple of hours. I’m carrying Richard’s load too until we can hire another surgeon.”
“That’s fine. Or I could cook, and you could come to my place,” Val suggested.
“The Italian place would be closest,” Dawn said as her name spilled over the PA system. “I have surgeries to do this afternoon. Is six o’clock okay?”
Val nodded and stood. “Tell Libby to send over whatever you need me to sign. I’ll have it done by tomorrow.”
Dawn smiled. “See you tonight.”
##
Val was pleased with her meeting with Dawn. She congratulated herself for reaching out to the blonde. She looks even better than I remembered, she thought. With Niki out of the way, maybe we can move toward a more meaningful relationship. If she can ever forgive me for sending her to prison.
She took her time showering and dressing. She wanted to look just right for Dawn.
##
Dawn finished her last surgery for the day. She had an hour to shower and read to Niki before meeting Val. She wondered if she’d ever get off the endless treadmill.
Six million will certainly help, she thought as she dressed. I won’t have to worry about Niki’s hospital bills and can spend more time with her. A sob caught in her throat. Her heart hurt every time she thought about Niki. She’ll pull through. I know she will. She’s a fighter, a scrappy little angel. I can’t even think about life without her.
Dawn finished dressing and then read to Niki for thirty minutes. “I won’t be gone long, baby,” she murmured. She kissed Niki on the forehead and tiptoed out.
##
Val and Dawn talked as if they’d never had a river of distrust between them. Val explained in detail about the VitaMaxPro scandal that was rocking the Texas government.
“Dog food?” Dawn chuckled in disbelief. “They were feeding the prisoners the same ingredients used to beef up dog food? I’m so glad you put your foot down and stopped it.”
“Oh, me too,” Val huffed. “But that was all because you told me how awful the cafeteria food was. If you hadn’t made me pay attention, I would have been caught up in the scandal. As it is, I’m being considered for Craft’s replacement.”
“You’d be the director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice!” Dawn suppressed a squeal. “Oh, Val, you really could make a difference in that position. I’m so proud of you.”
Val sat up a little straighter and basked in Dawn’s approval. “It just keeps getting better,” she said, smirking. “I now have two transgender women in my prison. Wait until you hear their stories. The state is in turmoil over how to handle them.”
Val emptied the bottle of wine and opened the booth door to signal the waiter for another one. Then she settled in to tell Dawn about Passion Flower and Daisy Darling.
Dawn laughed until her sides hurt as Val did her impersonations of the two inmates. “I swear, I’m in a quandary about what to do to keep them safe, and they wo
n’t tone it down one bit.
“Passion is about to be paroled and has already signed off on the settlement which will make her a millionaire. I just hope she manages to stay out of prison.
“Daisy isn’t filing a suit. It’s the three women she was housed with that are filing. I have no idea how long that will last.”
They finished the second bottle of wine and were giggling like school girls when the waiter knocked on the door of their booth. “Ladies, I need to settle your check,” he said with a smile as he opened the door. “We close in ten minutes.”
Dawn fought the nausea that welled inside her. She’d been gone for four hours. For four hours she’d forgotten about Niki. What kind of mate am I?
She reached inside her purse for her credit card to pay her half of the bill, but Val beat her to it.
“My treat,” she insisted. “This is the best time I’ve had since you left.”
“I . . . I really must go,” Dawn said as she got to her feet. “Thank you so much for a delightful dinner. I truly enjoyed it.”
“Can we do it again soon?” Val asked.
“I’ll be in touch,” Dawn promised as she walked out the door.
##
Dawn ran to her car. God, how could I forget Niki? How could I leave her alone for four hours? She couldn’t conjure a hair coat big enough to take away her guilt.
When she reached Niki’s room half an hour later, the guard was dozing in the chair outside the door. She slipped inside without waking him, feeling less safe than usual.
Niki’s vitals had improved, and she was breathing better, the gasping breaths replaced by slow, steady ones. “Thank you, God.” Dawn prayed as she knelt beside Niki’s bed. “Thank you.”
Chapter 55
True to her word, Sylvia Sears and her sons showed up again the next day. “How’s she doing today?” Sylvia asked charging into Niki’s room.
“Better.” Dawn beamed. “She’s doing better.”
“Better?” Sylvia barked. “Yesterday I thought she was knocking on death’s door.”
Dawn frowned. “Yesterday she was. But I think she has turned a corner. I think she’s going to make it.”