This offered Nate the smallest amount of comfort as he was forced to sit beside Jack on the stage, a blank look fixed on his face, not daring to look anywhere in Grace's direction. There was a growing sense of volatility to the night's events, especially when the microphone was handed over to his stepfather.
He held his breath waiting for what Charles Sinclair would say first, how he would declare his plans to take over the running of the town, so when his stepfather announced that it was his pleasure to name this year's Homecoming King and Queen, he was completely thrown.
He was busy trying to figure out Sinclair's game plan when he was pulled from his seat, Jack had a bemused look on his face as he whispered an explanation. "Apparently there was a write in vote, who knew Nathan Henderson was so popular?"
"Let's go Pretty Boy," Michael McKenzie shooed Nate forward to where his stepfather was standing, a cheap crown in his hands.
"Congratulations son." It took a lot of effort not to react to the words of the older men, and he couldn't help but wonder if they were trying to goad him.
"I know there is a group of ladies anxious for me to open this envelope, but I'm afraid that they will have to wait just a little longer."
Most of the girls, knowing that they weren't going to win tried not to appear bored, Grace was taking surreptitious looks at him, but it was Maddie that made him worry. Her eyes kept jumping from the envelope in his stepfather's hand, to a box being held casually by Principal Carter.
Really he should have been paying attention to what exactly his stepfather was saying and how it was being received by those watching. So far there had been no sounds of protests, so he guessed it was all going according to the script that had been careful crafted by his stepfather.
Until suddenly it wasn't, and once again the actions of Charles Sinclair threatened those he loved the most in the world.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Whenever anyone ever asked him; and there were a lot of people curious about that night, Nate was never really able to describe most of the events that occurred once he set foot on the stage at the Silver Glade Homecoming Pep Rally.
He had few first hand memories and those he did have were mostly blurred. Needless to say his stepfather's plans had come to a screeching halt, and in the immediate aftermath Nate had other things to worry about.
The first hint that something was wrong was the murmur of some of the henchmen, of a girl's voice trying to speak over his stepfather. The brave; or should that be foolish soul, had a shrill voice, that was getting higher with every passing second.
"Maddison, while I appreciate your school spirit, you will need to wait just a little longer to hear which of you lovely ladies has won the title."
He winced at the girl's reaction to these words. Honestly his stepfather should have known better than to be so patronizing. She hissed something at Sinclair, a threat of some kind, but it had the desired effect.
"Very well Maddison, if you insist." He didn't like how triumphant she appeared at getting her own way; surely she knew that his stepfather would make her pay for this small act of rebellion.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems I have been somewhat cruel to the ladies of our Homecoming Court, they are all anxious to find out who has won the honor of having the first dance tomorrow with my handsome son. Let's have a drum roll shall we?" A henchman played the required sound effect and Nate watched the envelope being opened.
"The Homecoming Queen for Silver Glade is Grace Andrews."
There was a polite smattering of applause, frowns appearing on most of the students' faces at this strange turn of events.
"Grace dear, you need to accept your tiara. No need to be shy." He could hear the impatience in his stepfather's voice, but it was like she was frozen in place, until she wasn't.
"Are you freaking kidding me right now?" Not surprisingly Maddie was unimpressed with what had just happened, grabbing hold of Grace's arm, pulling her forward to the middle of the stage. There was a glint of metal, and then a flash of light.
"Maddison what have you done?" His stepfather's voice rang out.
"The crown is mine, and no little upstart is going to steal it." It was then that Nate saw the blood falling from the weapon in Maddie's hand, the growing stain on Grace's dress before she crumpled to the ground.
It took the people in the stands a few minutes to understand that the puddle of blood on the stage was real, and not part of the evening's pep rally. Those standing closest to Grace; not including his stepfather and Maddie McKenzie, seemed frozen in place, not quite able to process this rather strange turn of events.
Nate was moving, pushing away the hands that tried to hold him in place, not even hearing their cries of pain when he had to resort to other methods to get rid of them.
His sole focus was on the girl bleeding out in front of the town's population. He had his sweater off and pressed to her side, where the worst of the bleeding seemed to be, his eyes roaming over her for any other sign of injury.
"We need a doctor here. NOW." His last word was shouted, it bounced around the field, into the stands, carrying with it all his fear and rage.
"Take this." He didn't look up, just accepted the material that was handed to him, trying to remember any of his first aid training.
"Nate?" Grace's voice was soft, almost too quiet to be heard amid all the commotion happening around them. "I knew you would find me." She attempted a smile, but it was more like a grimace. "I'm so cold."
"Stay with me okay, stay right here." Her eyes fluttered closed, only to open again.
"Tell Jack, Mimi," He could tell how difficult it was for her to speak.
"You need to save your energy Belle. Can you do that for me?"
"Anything. You." He saw her form the words but she lacked the ability to do anymore.
"Nate, medics are here, you need to let them work." He barely recognized Dylan's voice.
"Stay with her, anything happens and I will hunt you down." He didn't bother to hang round to see if the other boy took his threat seriously, he had work to do.
It was probably just as well that Grace couldn't see him just then, as all the restraints he had placed on himself fell away. He was vaguely aware of muted conversations, of the sudden presence of strangers, but all he saw was his stepfather. His living breathing standing talking stepfather, and that was something that Nate couldn't allow to continue. A switch had been thrown and with it came the freedom to do what he had waited so long for.
"What are you doing? Nathan, stop right now." Whatever power had once been in Charles Sinclair's voice was missing, it no longer filled him with dread or fear.
"This. Is. All. Your. Fault." With each word Nate lashed out at the man who had destroyed his childhood, destroyed his family and had stolen the life of someone who had everything to live for.
"You. Are. A. Monster." He felt the skin on his knuckles split after one vicious strike and then he was being dragged away. He struggled to get away, he needed to finish this once and for all. Grace would be avenged.
"Enough Nate. It's enough." He was confused, surely Jack of all people would understand what he was doing. Unless he wanted his chance to punish Sinclair. He would allow that. He was feeling a little bit tired, truth be told.
"Sit down Nate." Mimi's voice, strong and reassuring spoke to him and he instinctively obeyed her instructions. A water bottle was put in his hands and he drank, feeling thirsty and suddenly tired.
"Drugs?" He asked, not able to hide his feelings of betrayal.
"Really child? Did you knock your head?" Mimi's reply was instant. "Are you back with us yet?" The question made no sense to him, he hadn't gone anywhere, or had he?
"Have another drink." There was no ignoring Mimi; nor the blood on his hands that came into view as he slowly began to emerge from the fog.
He staggered from his seat, his stomach emptying over the side of the stage, and possibly the feet of a few of his stepfather's he
nchmen. There was a gentle touch on his back, and he was handed some tissues and a fresh water bottle.
"Let's just sit here a spell, and visit shall we?" Had Mimi lost her mind, or was that him.
"I'm ninety eight per cent certain that we will all be okay. Eventually." Guess he'd asked his questioned aloud.
"I need to wash up." It was an understatement, he didn't want the reminder of Grace's injuries, he was actively trying not to think about her just then, for fear that he might lose control again.
"She's safe, Jack and Dr March are with her in the ambulance." He remembered that doctor's name, how she had pestered Grace about her accident, had believed her guardian had been responsible for the injuries. His body went rigid again.
"Settle Nate." Mimi knew where his train of thought was. " As soon as we get finished here, we'll be with her." He just about found the energy to raise a questioning eyebrow.
"When exactly did you check out of the night? Never mind it's too soon for jokes." He reached out with his less bloody hand, hearing the tremor in Mimi's voice.
"You should have gone with Grace," he whispered.
"And leave you here to your one man act of vengeance?" She scoffed at the mere suggestion. "Like that was ever going to happen. No child, you're stuck with me."
"Can you tell me please, what happened." Mimi seemed at a loss of how to explain everything, so while he waited, Nate became more aware of his surroundings.
Was he really seeing the group of people with their matching navy jackets and distinctive lettering announcing their identity. Then there was the fact that a group of his stepfather's henchmen were sat, looking dejected, their hands restrained behind their backs.
"How long was I out of it?" Before Mimi could reply, he saw a number of medics loading his stepfather onto a gurney, hanging various IVs and then Charles Sinclair was rolled over the field with an escort from the F.B.I. Nate hoped that the gurney hit as many bumps and imperfections on it's journey to the ambulance.
"It seems that your stepfather, for all his planning and scheming failed to consider what might happen if he denied Maddie McKenzie a tiara. Or Maddie Fields if you want to be specific."
"Her mother is Ms Fields?" Nate asked, wondering how he could have missed that tidbit of information.
"I'm suddenly thankful that Sinclair was vain enough to have so many cameras set up for this evening, that way you can just watch the video for yourself. Trust me, when I say that his affairs are beyond tangled. Luckily for us that's no longer our job to sort out."
"Mr Henderson?" A new voice, from a man standing off to the side. "We'd like to ask you some questions please?" He looked wary about speaking.
"I'm afraid that Nate needs to see a doctor first before he talks to anyone," Mimi chided the man for not having his priorities right
"Of course Ms Riley. However given the circumstances we need to travel with you both, chain of evidence, I'm sure you understand."
"And we can see Grace right?" The F.B.I agent began to say something but stopped after a look from Mimi, who turned to him.
"Jack will meet us there and take us straight to Grace. No matter what." This last statement was addressed to the young agent, who looked like he wanted to throw up, either that or be anywhere else other than talking to Mimi.
Nate dragged himself to his feet, feeling a little unsteady, and he registered some pain in his body at the movement. There were glares from some of the goon squad nearby.
"Enjoy your freedom while you can Pretty Boy." This and similar unwise threats were made, and also recorded by the listening federal agents. He made no effort to stop them, if they wanted to incriminate themselves, then who was he to deny them that chance.
As if wanting to prove that he was indeed the world's worst law enforcement officer, Joey Camden decided to run his mouth.
"There is nowhere you can hide little Gracie where we won't find her. That is, if she survives the night. Who knew Maddie had it in her? Then again she has always enjoyed hunting." Then there was a vile description of what he planned to do when he was rewarded with the company of Grace.
"You do know that you have been arrested don't you? That everything you say or do can be used against you in court? " Camden actually rolled his eyes at the female F.B.I. Agent who was watching over that particular group of henchmen.
"Hate to break it to you, little darling, but that only works on television, not here in the real world." This was said without the slightest bit of irony, Joey Camden really was that big of an idiot.
Nate, who had more important places to be walked away, thinking that the streets of Silver Glade were safer now that Officer Camden was permanently off the beat.
Like so much of that night, the drive to the hospital was over before it had begun; a nurse took them directly to the family room where Jack was pacing the floor. Grace was in surgery, and there was nothing they could do but wait.
A suggestion was made for Nate's injuries to be examined, and when he refused point blank to leave, Dr March got the necessary supplies, tending to the cuts and grazes, finding some pain medication, all without saying a word. What could she say that he wanted to hear.
He was grateful for her care, and he whispered his thanks, before looking away in case she tried to engage him in some meaningless conversation full of platitudes that everything would be okay.
The F.B.I. Agent hovered in the room, but he too had the sense to stay away from Nate, at least until a junior doctor brought an update; surgery had gone well, and Grace was currently in a critical but stable condition in the recovery room.
Due to her recent concussion, and the unknown drugs that she had been given, she would require a longer observation period, but hopefully within the next few hours they would be able to visit with her.
He collapsed back onto the nearest chair. He knew that she wasn't out of the woods just yet, but the news was positive and he needed to focus on that rather than the alternatives.
"Nate?" Jack was standing in front of him, a haunted look on his face. "They told us, the doctors and the paramedics, that if it wasn't for you, we would have lost her. So thank you."
It was too much, tears that he hadn't known he wanted to cry fell down his face. His whole body spasmed and shook violently, his vision blanked and when he became aware again, he was sat on the floor, Mimi and Jack either side of him.
They were the only ones in the room, the random agent and Dr March were gone, leaving them to their privacy. Sadly this moment couldn't last forever.
The door was slammed open, two members of the Silver Glade Police Department stormed into the room.
"Margaret Patrice Riley, you are under arrest for attempted murder."
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
For the third day in a row Grace opened her eyes to the pale yellow walls of a hospital room. She was greeted by the steady beeping of machines, the purpose of which she couldn't remember, but to her untrained ears there seemed to be slightly fewer of them than on any of the previous times she'd been awake.
Taking care not to make any sudden movements her gaze swept over the room. A new flower arrangement sat on a table close to the small window, the blind still down so that any light was minimal.
She frowned at the dart of pain she felt when she lifted her hand to move a stray lock of hair away from her face, noting that she still had a cannula, through which her pain medication was being administered.
One of the nurses had told her to call if she was still in any pain, but Grace was so fed up of the drugs running through her system she knew she wouldn't want more. She definitely blamed whatever cocktail her captor had given her for her slow responses that ultimately led to the cluster fuck at the Pep Rally.
The smallest of grins pulled at her lips, there was only one person who used that colorful phrase, though he had been making an effort to mind his language around her. This time, when the pain struck, it was more of an ache, more mental than physical, as she remembere
d how long it had been since they'd been allowed to spend time alone together.
Just like she did with anything that reminded her of that night, Grace pushed back the memories, desperately trying to forget, to erase what she knew would always linger, would never fully leave her. So maybe this denial malarkey wasn't all it was meant to be but for now she would give it another chance to work.
She reached for the button that administered her pain medication, noting that it was still connected, a fresh manicure and coat of nail polish catching her attention, an effective distraction from her plan to escape into the bliss of a morphine induced dream.
"Okay focus Grace," she whispered to herself. "How did I sleep through a full manicure?" The color was definitely better than the garish red tone that had been selected by him, then applied by Ms Fields.
"Nope, not going there." With a sigh of frustration at how everything seemed to be interconnected and that she might as well just accept that, her eyes fluttered closed and she allowed her mind to drift...
"Look boys, Luke has himself a handful of Gracie. Do you think that that he'll share?" An instant chill ran through her body, she had been so relieved to have confirmation that Jack and Nate were close, that for a minute she'd forgotten how precarious her current situation was.
"Don't worry Gracie, if you apologize I won't hold your bad attitude against you." There was a threat in his words, the football captain's intentions were clear.
"You can't touch her, not until later, you know that." Luke reminded the new arrivals.
"Don't worry Santos, the boss knows that you've been a good boy, and we know that you have first dibs later, but there is plenty of her to go round."
"Yeah look at what she's been hiding," another voice leered, but she couldn't see his face to identify him.
"I'm going to enjoy getting to know little Gracie here." It was only by some miracle that she fought back the nausea.
"It's show time boys. Time for the delectable Ms Andrews to make her début."
Chasing Shadows Page 28