Through Her Touch (Mind's Eye Book 5)

by Deborah Camp

  “Takes more than that to scare me, ma’am. Did you see anything interesting?”

  The look of surprise and horror on Billy Rocknell’s face blasted into her mind and she shuddered. “Yes. I saw someone I know murdered.”

  Chapter 15

  Quintara chattered away in the front seat beside Levi. Trudy half-way listened to her, but her thoughts were primarily on why they were driving from Tulsa to Fayetteville. Sheriff Billy Rocknell had survived his fall down the mountainside and was in a medically induced coma in a Fayetteville, Arkansas medical center. He had numerous broken bones, but he was miraculously alive.

  “It’s mainly because of you that Billy is still hanging on,” Quintara said, twisting around to look at Trudy in the back seat of the rented SUV.

  “I believe the emergency crew and the medical team at the hospital had a lot more to do with it,” Trudy said.

  “Yes, but he was located quickly. He could have died out there from shock and exposure. Because of you, he was located within an hour of his fall.” She frowned. “Do you think it was a spurned lover who tried to kill him?”

  “I don’t know, Quintara.” Trudy rubbed her temples. “But I’m sure I’m going to be asked that and a million other questions by the police when we get to the hospital. They’ve already called and texted that they’re waiting for me there.” She leaned forward and rested one hand on Levi’s shoulder. “How much farther?”

  “We’re entering Fayetteville city limits now.” He arrested her gaze for a few moments in the rearview mirror. Worry pleated the skin between his eyes. “Maybe we should just stay in Fayetteville. I can call that cottage I booked in Eureka Springs and cancel the reservation.”

  “No. The cottage sounds lovely and Quintara is looking forward to spending some time with Rhema and Alan.”

  “I hope Billy is still alive when we get there,” Quintara fretted.

  “He will be,” Levi said with cool confidence. “Joshua Longfeather phoned me this morning to see if we were going to the hospital. He said that his bones told him that Billy would survive. Joshua and his bones are rarely, if ever, wrong.”

  “That’s true,” Quintara agreed. “And Perchance and Sunshine both said they feel strongly that Billy will come out of this and be in physical therapy in a month.”

  “That would be nice,” Trudy said. “Hopefully, when they bring him out of the coma, he’ll be able to tell us who did this to him.”

  “I wonder if both of the Galaxy Sisters have an alibi for where they were yesterday afternoon,” Levi drawled, then wiggled his eyebrows dramatically.

  Quintara punched his shoulder, playfully. “You don’t think either one of those girls did this heinous thing.”

  “I don’t?” He didn’t hide his skepticism. “Quintara, love, everyone is a suspect. Even Trudy.”

  “You and Trudy were in Atlanta at the time!”

  “Right! I was with Dixie the security guard in the back seat of a car. Just like this!”

  Levi chuckled. “So you say.” He lifted one hand off the steering wheel. “Look, it’s an open investigation. Everyone will be questioned. Count on it.” He braked and steered the car into a huge parking lot. “Buck up, buttercups. We’re here.”

  Billy Rocknell’s hospital room had a policeman stationed outside it and another officer inside near his bed. No one except approved medical staff, law enforcement, and family members were allowed to go inside. Everyone else, which included Trudy, Levi, Quintara, Perchance, Sunshine, Alan and Rhema, and an assortment of Billy’s acquaintances and relatives, were escorted to visiting areas. The three guards who had taken a separate car to accompany Trudy and Levi wandered in the hallway. One by one, acquaintances and relatives of Billy were siphoned off by the police, who took them to private rooms where they were questioned.

  Levi’s questioning lasted all of two minutes as did Rhema and Alan’s. Quintara was in and out in five minutes flat. Sunshine and Perchance’s inquisition lasted half an hour or more and both were visibly upset when they rejoined the others.

  Trudy was interrogated for nearly an hour by Lt. Gloria Moore and Lt. Lance Winfield. Instead of a “good cop and bad cop” routine, they opted for a “curious cop and cynical cop” technique. She’d answered their questions and then answered all the same questions again, and then once more for good measure before they’d thanked her for her time, confirmed where she and Levi would be lodging in Eureka Springs for the next day or two, and asked her to keep them apprised of when she was returning to Georgia.

  Being among the others in the visitors’ room fascinated Trudy. The sisters were always entertaining with Sunshine’s animated conversation and the way Perchance finished her sister’s sentences or clarified points for her. However, there was a strain between them that was obvious. Sunshine seemed more subdued, although still friendly and bubbly. She glanced furtively at Perchance now and again as if gauging her reactions. As for Perchance, she was ticked off when she returned from being questioned by the state police. She wouldn’t talk about it, but she pouted a little and ignored Sunshine for a while before defrosting and acting more like her normal, outspoken self.

  Rhema and Quintara, seemingly as close as real sisters, took turns telling stories about Sheriff Rockabilly and how he was beloved by residents and tourists, alike. To hear them tell it, Billy had been passed around by widows and divorcees in the area like a bottle of good brandy. Trudy noticed that Percy and Sunny didn’t laugh at those tales, but did exchange quick, guilty looks with each other. There was an interesting novella there, Trudy thought, making a mental note to delve into it later.

  Reports of Billy’s injuries and condition drifted in from his relatives – Aunt Betty and Uncle Teter Barnes and Granny Rocknell. His right leg was broken in several places, along with most of his ribs, his right hip, and right shoulder. Luckily, his spine was intact and the left side of his body was bruised and scraped, but not shattered like the right side, which had obviously taken his fall. He had a concussion and some bleeding and swelling in his brain. They’d induced his coma to give his brain a chance to heal. Doctors said he would probably remain in the coma for a week. They also said that he was fortunate to have been found so quickly. Another couple of hours with the massive injuries he’d incurred and he probably would have died on the side of that mountain.

  All eyes had turned to Trudy at that point and she’d felt herself blush to the roots of her red hair. She was certain that her freckles were standing out like polka dots on her nose and cheeks.

  “She’s remarkable, isn’t she?” Levi had said, his gaze and raspy voice sliding over her like a caress.

  “I had a dream about Billy dying,” Sunshine said, her lower lip trembling and her big, blue eyes misting. “I did! Three nights ago, I dreamed that he was flying without wings. And I shouted to him that he was bound to fall and hurt himself. Sure enough, he lost altitude and crashed into the side of a mountain. I screamed and that’s what woke me up.” She batted her lashes, wetting them with her tears. “It was terrible. I told Percy about it, didn’t I?”

  Perchance nodded. “She did.” She shrugged. “I told her to tell Billy, so he’d be extra careful.”

  “Did you?” Rhema asked.

  “Yes!” Sunshine sniffed and grabbed a tissue from the dispenser on the table. “He laughed it off.”

  “Mrs. Wolfe?” Lt. Moore stepped into the room and motioned for Trudy. “Do you mind, please?”

  With a sigh, Trudy trudged with her to the private room, wishing the interrogation would end. After Trudy had returned from her second round of questioning, she sat beside Levi in the supremely uncomfortable, thinly upholstered chairs in the visitors’ lounge. Two televisions in opposite corners of the room were tuned to CNN and visions of bombings, forest fires, and reporters standing in front of Washington D.C. monuments paraded across the screens. Levi took her hand in his and laced fingers with hers.

  “Are they being respectful or assholes toward you?”

  “A co
mbination.” She placed her other hand on top of their joined ones, sensing his readiness to defend her. “It’s okay, though, Levi. It’s nothing I can’t handle. Actually, I get the sense that they’ve narrowed the suspects down to one or two.”

  “I agree. In fact, I think they’ve zeroed in on someone.”

  “Who?”

  He pursed his lips and shrugged, then abruptly changed the subject. “Tired?”

  “A little,” she admitted. “Mainly, I’m starving. That Hershey bar, bag of Cheetos, and Diet Dr Pepper didn’t stop my stomach from growling.”

  “Yes, well, that was your power lunch.” He turned his wrist so that she could see the face of his Rolex. “It’s dinner time now.”

  “Shall we hit the vending machines again or try out the cafeteria?”

  “Neither. We should leave here and find a good restaurant.”

  “Can we leave?”

  “Why not? They didn’t arrest you, did they?” He grinned, letting her know he was joking.

  “Not yet. I think they bought my alibi.”

  “Then, unless they’ve decided that Quintara is a serial killer, we’re free to go. I say we stay here in Fayetteville. Quintara can ride with Alan and Rhema back to Eureka Springs. There’s no reason for us to go there. We’ll be back here to see Billy before we head for home tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Probably.” He frowned. “What’s the point of staying? We’ve been questioned and Billy won’t be talking for at least a week if they’re keeping him in a coma.”

  “Sabra is here,” Perchance said, out of the blue.

  Rhema glanced around. “No, dear. She’s in St. Louis or maybe even out of the country.”

  “No,” Perchance persisted. “She’s here.”

  “Did you see her?” Rhema looked toward the doorway.

  “No. But, she’s here.”

  The click of heels sounded and Sabra entered the room, glanced around, and held out her arms to her father.

  “Sabra!” Alan stood and embraced her.

  Trudy looked from Sabra to Perchance and gave her a thumbs-up sign. Perchance smiled, obviously pleased with herself.

  “Sabra! What in the world!” Rhema kissed Sabra’s cheek. “What are you doing here?”

  “I got Dad’s phone message about Billy. It’s terrible! I’m so worried about you two. You need to leave Eureka Springs until this – this monster is caught and jailed!”

  “Oh, honey.” Alan hugged her tighter. “You shouldn’t have come. There’s nothing you can do here. It’s your time off from teaching. I thought you were going to go on a cruise or something like that this summer.”

  “I had to be sure that you’re okay.” She hugged him back, closing her eyes tightly. “Is Sheriff Billy still hanging on?”

  “Yes. He’s in a coma.”

  “He’s pretty bad off?”

  “He is, but the doctors are optimistic. They think he’ll pull through.”

  “Really?”

  “He has a lot of pain ahead of him, though,” Rhema said. “Poor Billy. He’ll be undergoing physical therapy for months on end.”

  Sabra glanced around the room. “Hello, everyone.” She knitted her brows. “Where’s Chason? I thought he’d be here by now.”

  “Oh, he’s not coming,” Sunshine piped up. “He has engagements, but mainly his agent and publicist told him to stay away from Eureka Springs.”

  Sabra’s gaze swept to Levi and Trudy. “Your agent and publicist didn’t give you the same orders?”

  Levi lips spread into a lopsided grin. “I tell my agent and publicist what to do, not the other way around. We knew that the police would want to question Trudy, so we made it easier for them.”

  “But mainly I wanted to be sure that Billy was being taken care of,” Trudy interjected, giving Levi’s hand a squeeze. “I’m so grateful he’s alive.” The hair on her nape quivered and then Ethel materialized. She stood next to Rhema, but her attention and beaming smile was all for Trudy. “Oh, no,” Trudy whispered.

  “What is it?” Levi asked, ever sensitive to her moods. He followed her line of sight with his own gaze. “Ethel?” he whispered close to her ear. “You have that ‘Oh, shit. Ethel’s here’ look on your face.”

  “Yes, she’s here,” Trudy murmured, not wanting anyone but him to hear her. Ethel waved and Trudy tightened her grip on Levi’s hand to keep from responding to the apparition.

  “What is she doing?” Levi whispered.

  “Her Ethel thing. Smiling and waving.”

  “Communicate with her through your mind, Tru.”

  “Oh, right.” She aimed her thoughts at the apparition. What do you want, Ethel?

  I’m proud of you, Trudy. You figured out that it’s a woman. Women can be just as deceitful and dangerous as men.

  You know who is doing this, so why not just tell me?

  Evil has nothing to do with karma. Evil comes from dark emotions like envy, lust, and revenge. Once you understand which emotion rules a person, you understand the person.

  With another wave and dimpled smile, she was gone. Trudy blinked and ran her free hand across her eyes to be sure that Ethel had left the building. She sighed and shook her head at Levi’s questioning expression.

  “She’s gone. Spouted her usual disjointed advice and left.” She paused, thinking over what Ethel had said about karma. That was definitely a recurring theme with the Eureka Springs murderer.

  “The media can’t call this the ‘psychic murders’ anymore,” Sunshine said, stretching her arms above her head and letting go of a big yawn. “Billy isn’t clairvoyant.”

  “Who said those deaths had anything to do with what happened to Billy?” Rhema challenged.

  “The police,” Levi answered her, getting everyone’s attention. “It’s the same M.O.”

  Rhema stood as if she were suddenly unable to sit still for a moment longer. “Huh. Well, I assumed it was someone Billy had arrested or was investigating.”

  “Right.” Levi nodded. “Someone he was investigating for murder.”

  “Oh.” Rhema’s face paled under her makeup. She turned to Alan. “I suppose that could be the case. What do you think, hon?”

  He shrugged. “Hard to say.”

  “I think it’s far too soon to make any assertions.” Sabra rested a comforting hand on Rhema’s shoulder. “Billy is quite a player. Could be a jilted lover had it out for him.” She smiled, but it fell away when she saw Joshua Longfeather leaning in the doorway, his booted feet and arms crossed. “Well, well. I didn’t think you ever ventured outside of Carroll County, Joshua.”

  “I do when it’s important.” His voice was deep, almost mesmerizing.

  The others greeted Joshua and he smiled and nodded to them.

  Sabra gave a quick, discarding shrug. “I wanted to see Billy, but the police officer outside his room said you have to be on a special visitor list.”

  “That’s right,” Rhema said. “They’re allowing a few family members to check in on him.”

  “None of you, either?” Sabra glanced around the room. “Why not, I wonder.”

  Levi let go of Trudy’s hand and stood up. “Because someone tried to kill him and that someone could be one of us.” He propped his hands on his waist and stretched from side to side.

  Sabra gave a short, unamused laugh. “Surely not! That’s preposterous. We all like Billy.”

  “We’re going to find a great restaurant with a fine wine list and drop some cash there. Who wants to join us?” Levi waited a beat. “My . . . I mean, our treat.”

  Trudy smiled, touched by his quick correction.

  “I’ll go!” Sunshine popped up from her chair.

  “Me, too!” Perchance held up her hand.

  “I suppose we can’t do much more here,” Quintara said. “We’ve all been questioned, right? Rhema, Alan, Sabra, please join us. You, too, Joshua. It’s been ages since you and I have sat down for a long talk.”

  “Sorry, I can’t.”
Joshua straightened. Like Levi, he topped six feet by a couple of inches. “The state police want to speak to me and then I have to get back to my place. I have livestock to feed.” He shook Levi’s hand and kissed the back of Quintara’s. “Another time, perhaps?”

  “Of course.” Quintara fluttered her lashes at him. “Anytime, Joshua.”

  He nodded at everyone else. “Thank you for the kind invitation, but I’ll see you all back home.”

  “I would love to talk to you about reading bones,” Trudy said, and he turned back to her. His dark brown eyes seemed to hold deep, tantalizing secrets. “Maybe we could meet one evening before we head back to Atlanta.”

  “I would be honored.” His smile lit up his lean, tan face. “Would you like to come to my place for supper? I can fry up some catfish and crappie that will melt in your mouth.”

  “We’re in,” Levi answered for her. “Your fish suppers are legendary. Will you have hushpuppies, too?”

  “You can’t eat fish without them, my friend.” Joshua shook Levi’s hand again, then gave a wave and strode from the waiting room.

  “He’s legendary, if you ask me,” Sunshine said in a breathy voice, her blue eyes shining as she clasped her hands under her chin and bobbed up and down on her toes. “There’s something about Joshua Longfeather that’s so romantic.”

  Perchance scoffed. “You don’t fool me, sister dear. You’ve heard the same rumors about him that I’ve heard and they have nothing to do with romance.”

  “Oh?” Trudy glanced from sister to sister, intrigued.

  “He has the same reputation as Levi here,” Perchance noted, grinning mischievously at Levi. “He’s supposed to be a raging bull in bed.”

  Levi ducked his head and chuckled. Trudy felt hot color bathe her face.

  Perchance elbowed Quintara. “You’ve heard that about him, too, right?”

  Quintara made a pretense of turning a key and locking her lips as mischief played across her face. “What I know personally about him stays in the vault.”