“Roman called me and said to tell you he is at home, waiting for you.”
“They are probably worried sick and cannot wait to find out what I was doing at the dock.”
“I wish you all the best, Allie.”
“Thank you. Maybe we can get together again soon.” “That would be nice.” Then he headed in the opposite direction.
Five minutes later, I stood in front of Jules’ room, no noise inside. Was he sleeping? My legs finally stopped shaking. I turned the doorknob, the door opened. The room was dark; no light came inside. I closed it quietly behind me. Only a small bedside lamp illuminated the room. I walked towards his bed. Jules had is eyes closed, breathing lightly. I sat next to him. A nurse entered the room and gave me a smile. I did not want to wake him up so I left.
When I walked outside, I saw Woods. We both looked at each other. I had so many questions.
“Have you spoken to him?” he asked.
“No, he is sleeping.”
We went to the cafeteria. We sat down and ordered two cups of tea.
“How are you, Allie?”
“I am fine. How is your leg?”
“I should be resting it.”
“Why don’t you?”
“I'm a stubborn old fool.”
I put my arms around his shoulders.
“No, you aren’t. You are caring and loving, I know.” “It's my fault that Kevin is in this condition. I should not have asked Smith to do the job. I knew he had marriage problems and get out of the job as quickly as possible. We found records, proofing that he was the one leaking information to the killer. That’s why he was always one step ahead of us.” “Don’t do this to you,” I said. “It’s all over, now.”
“You are too nice. That’s not how I see it.”
Then I asked him what happened after I fainted.
“Kevin managed to throw himself through the window, although his hands were tied together. He survived the explosion. He is lucky to be alive.”
“What happened to the killer?” I asked, holding my breath. “At first it seemed he’d disappeared into nowhere but then the divers got him. He will be in jail for the rest of his life.” I closed my eyes. They got him. Jules was free, finally. “Does that mean we can go back to Australia?” I asked. “Free as a bird,” Woods answered. “As soon as he gets out he can do whatever he wants. I do not want him around me for one minute longer. It will be the first time since I have known him I am glad not to see him any more. He must be sick of me by now, too.”
I knew Woods was joking.
We both laughed. This was the happiest moment in his life. A nurse approached me.
“He’s just woken up and asked for you,” she said. “Woods smiled. “This is your moment. However, come into my office when you can. There are a few formalities I have to go through with you.”
“I’ll do anything you want,” I said happily and hugged him. For the first time I noticed the burden on his shoulders was gone.
vv
This time Jules was awake. The nurse opened the blind a little and some light shone inside the room. Jules was sitting up in bed against a couple of thick cushions.
He had green and purple bruises under his eyes, his chest swaddled in bandages. An IV bag was hanging from a pole. I tried not to cry and buried my head next to his.
“Don't look worried sweetheart. It looks worst than it is.” “Are you in pain?”
“No, the doctors gave me plenty of pain-killers.”
“I love you, Jules. I don’t know what I would have done if he had killed you.”
“If you hadn’t told Woods where I was I would be dead. Only the thought of you gave me the strength to jump through the window.”
He managed to take my hand and kissed the palm of it. I saw so much love in his eyes that it nearly overwhelmed me. I had to suppress the tears. I did not want to cry and make him upset; he was so happy.
“Woods said they caught the killer. You are free to go wherever you want,” I said.
“There is only one place I want to go - home with you to Australia.”
“I want the same.”
“I don’t know how long they will keep me at the hospital.” “It doesn’t matter. I am not going anywhere until you get out of here.”
After a moment Jules asked, “Is he dead?”
“No, but he’ll be in prison for the rest of his life.”
I thought about the man I was once married to and a cold shiver ran down my spine. I would have never thought that Chris could do something like that.
“What is it, Allie?”
“I am thinking about the killer.”
Should I tell him? Would it make Jules upset, if I told him that the killer was my ex-husband?”
“Don’t think about him any more.”
I decided to go ahead with it. I did not want to hide any more things from him. He would find out about it later on, so why not from me?
“You know, I was married once before,” I started. “I know what you want to say. Woods already filled me in.” “He has?”
“Don’t let it worry you any more. All that matters is us.” He pulled me towards him and kissed me. I could feel that it hurt him. He moaned a little.
“Do you realize what you have done to me?” Jules asked. “What have I done to you?”
“You have stolen my heart from the first day we met and if it weren’t for you I would be dead.”
I saw tears in his eyes. The nurse entered the room and gave me a sign to leave. Jules needed plenty of rest.
I saw the look on his face and promised I would be back. I had to tell him I was pregnant.
Not sure if I should go to the police station first or to Roman’s apartment. I decided Woods could wait; family came first. Monika and Roman had a right to find out what happened. I took a deep breath and headed towards home.
vv
“Good morning,” I said to Roman and Monika, who were having breakfast when I walked through the door. As soon as Monika saw me, she flew to me and hugged me as if she had not seen me in years.
“Allie! I am so glad you are home. Why did you not call us? We could have picked you up! How are you? Come and sit down.”
She pulled out a chair.
“Sorry guys, for all the trouble and the lies,” I started. “I think you have a lot of explaining to do,” Roman said. “Have you had breakfast yet?”
“I had a piece of toast with jam.”
“Shouldn’t you eat a bit more than that in your condition?” He looked at me.
Did he know I was pregnant? I could see he was trying hard not to let his emotions take over. For the first time I saw how much he must have worried about me.
“We know that you are pregnant, Allie,” he said.
“How did you find out?”
“Monika found the calendar on your bed when she was looking for your cell phone. Why didn’t you tell us?” I looked guilty.
“I wanted to, but then I thought it would have taken attention away from your wedding and I didn’t want to let that happen. Can you forgive me?”
I told them everything. They did not interrupt me.
“Come here” Roman, said all of a sudden. He pulled me in his arms and hugged me. So did Monika. They both cried. “I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to you. You are my only family.”
I tried to calm him down.
“I am here now. You will have a fantastic wedding as planed.” “Allie, we can postpone the wedding.”
“Under no circumstances, believe me I am fine. I can’t wait until you meet Jules.”
“What about the killer? Roman asked. “Did they get him?” When I told them that Chris was the serial killer I had never seen my brother so shocked.
For the first time, I felt I did not have to explain myself, and felt understood.
“What are you doing when Jules comes out hospital?” Monika asked.
“After your wedding we’ll take the next flig
ht back home.” “I was hoping you’d stay a little while longer,” Roman said. “Why don’t you come with us to Australia? That could be your honeymoon.”
Monika was excited about the idea and smiled all over her face.
“I like the idea but we have to save some more money first. I spent it all on the wedding. What do you think, Roman?” “No objections from my side,” he grinned.
“That’s a deal. Now I need to have a shower before I go back to the police station. Woods wants to see me.”
“Have you had any time for yourself since you’ve been here?” Roman asked.
“No, not really, but I couldn’t be happier than I am at the moment.”
“So there’s not much point asking you if you’ll be back for dinner?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Don’t rush her,” Monika said. “All that matters is that Allie is happy.”
How happy I was!
vv
It was over, I told myself. Jules was free, free to go back with me to Australia once he was better. The killer had no more power over him.
The sky was as blue as the colour of the ocean. I was halfway to the police station when I changed my mind and went in the opposite direction. I decided to go back to the hospital to tell him I was pregnant.
I called Woods, telling him I would be there soon.
When I arrived at the hospital, I was out of breath. Walking long distances was getting harder and harder for me. “I entered Jules’ room and sat next to him.
“Did you have a sleep?”
He nodded, reaching for my hand. “I feel better every time I see you. Don’t you have to be with your brother, planning a wedding?”
“That can wait. You are more important right now.” “We’ll go back to Australia and continue where we left off, right, Allie?” he asked.
“Of course,” I said. “Did you think I would let you go? You are stuck with me for the rest of my life.”
I could see he was in pain.
Dr. Tangi entered the room and gave me a sign to meet him outside.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to Jules.
“How are you?” he asked me.
“I feel fantastic.”
“I suppose you are you his closest relative?”
“I am his girlfriend,” I said.
“It’s a miracle how he got out of the shipwreck,” he said. “He is a fighter,” I said proudly.
“That’s for sure.”
“Tell me the truth. How bad are his burns?” I expected to hear the worst.
“The killer shot him in the leg as well.” Jules had not mentioned a word of it. I was stunned.
“How long will he have to stay here?” I asked.
“That’s hard to say.”
I was looking into his eyes, resisting the urge to cry. “Two weeks, more?”
“I can’t say how long. That depends on his recovery. Now excuse me, please.”
“What did the doctor say?” Jules asked me as soon as I entered the room. “Did he tell you that I can’t walk again for the rest of my life?”
”Jules, do not be silly, you did not tell me, they shot you in the leg!”
Jules did not say anything. Should I tell him now I was pregnant? Maybe that would cheer him up - or maybe not. “There is something important I have to tell you,” I began. My heart was racing. How would he take it? Was it the right moment?
“Yes, Allie what is it?”
“I am pregnant.”
He looked at me.
“Is that true?”
“We will have a son.”
Jules reached out to me and pulled me towards him. “How long do you have to go?”
“I saw the doctor yesterday, six months.”
He was starting to breathe a little harder, excitement written all over his face.
“A son,” he said. “You couldn’t have made me happier.” It was almost three in the afternoon when I left the hospital. I grabbed a subway on the way to the police station and called Monika. I knew she had taken a few days off to continue with her wedding preparations. I wondered if I ever would be of help to her.
“I told Jules I am pregnant,” I said as soon as she answered the phone.
“What was his reaction?”
“He was excited. I am on my way to the police station now and when I get back I will help you with the flowers.” “Roman took already care of it. We have decided on the reception as well. Your brother is actually more capable of organizing things than I thought.”
We both laughed.
“I really don’t want to let you down,” I said, feeling guilty. “Don’t worry. Jules and the baby must come first.” When I arrived at the police station, I went straight to Woods’ office. He closed the door behind him. I almost did not recognize him. He was wearing denim jeans with a longsleeved black shirt.
“You look like you are retiring,” I joked.
His desk was empty, there where boxes everywhere. He smiled. “You are not wrong there. It is my last day today. I am just cleaning up my desk.”
“So what do you need me for then?” I looked puzzled. “Here is a statement for you to sign and I wanted to say good bye to you. I am going to the Bahamas for a couple of weeks. The Say has taken the best years out of my life. I don’t want to lose one more day.”
The sadness in his voice touched my heart. From the first day I had met him he reminded me of my father. He would have been the same age.
I took his hand and said, “You deserve it.”
“I am so sorry that the killer is your ex-husband, Allie.” “I am still stunned that it was him,” I said.
“He doesn’t deserve to life,” Woods continued, “with all that he did. My daughter could still be alive, as well as all the others.”
“I still don’t understand why I didn’t recognize his voice in the elevator.”
“Don’t blame yourself. He had extreme facial reconstruction. He was a master of disguise and could have been anybody.” “There were so many signs I should have recognized like the cigar smell, the voice on the phone.”
I felt disgusted. We did not say anything for a while. “Are you going back to the States first?” I asked.
“No, there is nobody waiting for me. My plane to the Bahamas is leaving tomorrow.”
I tried to say something but my voice caught in my throat. He took my hand and I let myself go and cried quietly into his black shirt.
“Oh, I nearly forgot! Congratulations, its great news about the baby!”
“Thank you.”
“The whole world is open for you both now, enjoy.” He was such a nice man.
“If I asked you for dinner tonight would you come?” He looked like an old man who had finally made peace with himself and said, “I would like that.”
Chapter 50
vv
On the way, back to the apartment I stopped at the shopping centre and decided to do some retail therapy. I deserved it. I bought a red silk dress in the spur of a moment. When I saw Jules next time I wanted to look like a woman again. I bought a pair of shiny black shoes as well. Spontaneously I had spent more money in one hour than in months but I did not care. The dress was loose under the bust, exactly what I wanted. Roman was cooking in the kitchen when I entered the apartment. It smelt like curry and mushrooms.
“I didn’t expect you back so early, he said surprised when he saw me.
“I am surprised myself,” I said.
“It’s a pleasure to see you on time,” he grinned. “Honestly, I thought you wouldn’t be back before midnight. How is Jules?”
“I know I haven’t been very reliable lately. Dr. Tangi couldn’t say when Jules is ready to leave the hospital.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Dr. Tangi said that, too.”
“Sit down. I will make you a cup of tea. You look like you need one.”
“Where is Monika?” I asked.
“She’s gone down the street to buy i
ce cream, biscuits, and marzipan for you.”
“Why? I don’t want to get fat.”
“Too late for that, now,” he giggled.
“By the way, I invited Woods for dinner tonight. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Is that the FBI Agent?”
“Yes, he is very nice, retired now. That was his last case.” “I am looking forward to meeting him. What time is he coming?”
“I forgot to ask.”
Half an hour later Monika came, and not long after Woods arrived. He brought a bottle of wine and a bunch of yellow and white tulips for Monika.
When dinner was ready, we all sat at the kitchen table. Roman and Woods got along straight away. He asked Woods how long he had been working for the FBI. He told us everything from the day when Jules had witnessed the murder. What he said stunned us all.
“I am so glad I came at the right moment,” I said to him, shaking my head at the memory. “Who knows what would have happened.”
“He would have killed him,” Woods said. “No doubt about that.”
“The thing I can’t understand,” Roman said. “Allie was married to that guy and didn’t recognize him.”
Ice-cold shivers were running down my spine when I thought about the time when I was alone with him in the elevator. How easy it would have been for him to kill me.
“He had completely changed,” I said to Roman. “All that plastic surgery he had. Nothing about him was like him any more. He was a total fake. Look at Michael Jackson. Once he was black.”
Nobody said a word for a while. Eventually, Monika got up and went to the refrigerator to get out the ice cream. “He is locked up now for the rest of his life. I would like to take the bastard back to the States but they will not let me. There he would get the electric chair,” Woods said. He emptied his glass of wine when he saw Monika coming with the ice cream bowls.
“Dinner was delicious,” he said and smiled at her. “Thank you.”
“Actually, I cooked it,” Roman grinned. “My future wife likes to take the credit but I won’t let her.”
Monika felt embarrassed. “I wish I could cook like you.” “I am sure you have a lot of other good qualities,” Woods said.
To Catch A Butterfly You Need A Net Page 18