by L. T. Ryan
He was dead before his body hit the ground.
Harris knew she had to make a decision. She could either launch herself after the flash drive, which had bounced off the bench and skittered across the walkway, or she could vault over the bench and use it as a shield against whoever had fired at them.
The few people left along the walkway screamed and ran away. All except for one man. The shadow cast by his hoodie hid his face, but the streetlights glinted off the pistol in his hand. He raised it and pointed it at her.
Harris made her choice. She launched forward into a somersault, grabbing the flash drive just as she began her roll. When she came up, she had already cleared half the distance between her and shooter. She could either throw herself to the side or run straight at him, taking him by surprise. All it took was the passing idea that this might’ve been the person who killed David. As soon as the thought entered her mind, it locked in, and she made her choice.
The shooter adjusted his aim, but Harris was already on the move. A bullet whizzed by her ear, close enough to make her flinch. But she didn’t stop moving. She dropped and rolled to the side, forcing the man to recenter himself to get off another shot.
As Harris came up, she was close enough to take two more steps to reach out and wrap her hands around his neck. She could see the whites of his eyes now, the green of his irises. She could hear his ragged breaths mingling with her own.
His arm adjusted. He had her in his sights.
She was close now. Close enough to take him down.
Who had the faster reaction time? If she ducked to the side, would he compensate quick enough?
The last thing Harris heard was the crack of a gunshot.
And the last thing she felt was the heat of a white-hot bullet piercing her flesh.
37
The last twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind of activity. New Orleans’ finest had arrived on scene shortly after the hospital’s security team collected Heather. They’d taken her downtown in handcuffs. A hush settled over the hospital as they escorted her through the doors, and even those who didn’t know why they’d arrested her sensed something momentous had happened.
Two officers stayed behind to get Jason and Cassie’s side of the story. It was clear they hadn’t expected them to have conducted a thorough investigation. There was still plenty of evidence to collect, but at least the authorities knew where to start. They had information about the second apartment and knew about Heather’s sister. It wouldn’t be hard to put together a timeline, even with Heather’s multiple personas.
Heather knew they had caught her red-handed. They had seen her coming out of the room seconds before the man with the amputated limbs had died. They’d given her a warning a month prior for improper conduct, though Cassie didn’t know the specifics. Tulane had fired Charli over similar circumstances, so it seemed like Heather’s UMC persona, Brooke, had already been one step away from a similar fate.
The hospital staff had reacted in one of two ways. They either blamed themselves, or they blamed the hospital. The ones who blamed themselves cried in the hallways or the breakroom as they learned the truth of what had happened across the city in the last year. Cassie heard dozens of names whispered from one medical staff member to the next. There would be no way to tell for sure if this patient or that had been one of Heather’s victims, but the police had promised to investigate every death that fit the profile.
The ones who blamed the hospital were not as easy to console. Talk began to circulate about medical malpractice and how the hospital had swept it under the rug. Settling out of court. Doctors not being written up when they should have been. Mistakes not being reported. People not being held responsible. Those who had been flying under the radar got defensive. Those who had turned the other way confessed their sins. It wouldn’t be easy to sort through all the stories to find the truth, but it would happen in time.
By that evening, the UMC’s CEO had released a statement condemning Heather’s actions and promising to investigate all allegations of misconduct. Other hospitals echoed his sentiments, though they felt empty. Those who knew the people in power had done their best to cover up the misconduct refused to sympathize with the position they were in now.
Word spread quickly and the story was on every major news channel, locally and nationally. They didn’t name names, but it was only a matter of time. The public outcry was enormous, and as friends and family learned what had truly happened to their loved ones, the despair would only grow. Cassie couldn’t imagine what they were going through, not even Jason and his family.
Kiki channeled her anger into action. She became the unofficial point person, working to keep families organized and informed as they showed up at the hospital, demanding answers. The police set up barriers on the surrounding streets to keep everyone at bay. It took half the department to ensure ambulances could get in and out without delay.
It was dark by the time Cassie, Jason, and Kiki left for the night. Cassie had a late-morning flight the next day, and even though Jason wasn’t leaving until the day after, he wanted to spend as much time with his family as possible. Kiki had already agreed to return the next morning, and there was talk about demanding a meeting with the hospital’s CEO and his board members. The families of the victims wanted answers, and they would make enough noise to get them.
The night air hit Cassie as soon as the sliding glass doors opened, brushing her hair off the back of her neck and providing cool relief for the first time in hours. Police barricades lined the sidewalk on one side of the entrance. The officers had instructed all protestors to stay out of the road and allow a single thruway for foot traffic.
Kiki led them in the opposite direction and around the corner to where they had parked in the general lot behind the hospital. There were at least twice as many vehicles now, and Cassie was sure half of them belonged to those protesting out front.
As they crossed the street, a man emerged from between a pair of vehicles, shifting a pair of eyeglasses to the top of his head and hoisting a briefcase higher on his shoulder. He looked about Kiki’s age, a little younger than Cassie, with bronze skin, shining white teeth, and perfectly gelled hair.
He stopped when he saw Kiki and a smile spread across his face. “Ms. Broussard, what a pleasant surprise.”
Kiki faced him, flanked by Cassie and Jason. “Pleasant is not the word I would use today.”
“You’re right.” He molded his smile into something a bit more appropriate for the situation. “I apologize.” He held out a hand to Jason and then Cassie. “My name is Jonah Washburn.”
“He’s a member of UMC’s legal defense.” Kiki didn’t hide the derision in her voice. “We’ve run into each other before.”
“Kiki is one of the best.” Jonah’s jealousy was well-concealed, but Cassie still picked up on it. “You always know you’re in for a fight when she’s sitting at the table opposite yours.”
“At least you know what’s about to happen.” Kiki didn’t look nervous. “Your boss is about to have several very bad days.”
Jonah’s face grew serious, but Cassie saw a spark behind his eyes. He enjoyed a challenge, and he especially liked it when Kiki played the challenger. “UMC will fully cooperate with all the families who suffered a loss at the hands of Heather Stephens. We’ll do anything we can to make this right.”
“Anything?” Kiki took a step forward. Next to her, Jason’s hand twitched, as though he thought he might need to hold her back but changed his mind. “Do you mean that?”
“Of course.” His smile widened. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because UMC has a lot to answer for. So do the other hospitals that allowed Heather Stephens to roam free in their halls.”
“Hang on.” Jonah looked confused. “Allowed her to roam free?”
Kiki took another step forward. Jonah took a step back. Jason’s hand didn’t twitch this time. “We have dozens of hospital staff coming forward about their experiences being told to keep the
ir mouths shut.”
“The hospital itself is not liable for individual people’s mistakes. Nor is the CEO.”
“I disagree.” A grin spread across Kiki’s face, but it was a predator’s smile. “I’ve heard enough to draw some conclusions. A hospital’s success rate is important to its CEO, isn’t it? To the board? Wouldn’t you say that’s motive?”
“This has nothing to do with the Heather Stephens case.”
“This is the Heather Stephens case.” Kiki gestured to the hospital over her shoulder. “The only reason Heather Stephens exists is because UMC allowed her to. The only reason she could do everything she did was because UMC allowed her to. Because they care more about their numbers than their people.”
“These are big accusations.” Jonah wasn’t smiling anymore. “You’d have to have some pretty big balls to not only go up against UMC but Tulane and Curahealth, too.”
“I don’t need balls to do that.” Kiki turned her back on him. “Consider this warning a professional courtesy. I look forward to seeing you in court.”
Cassie had the pleasure of seeing Jonah Washburn’s face go slack before he pulled out his phone and rushed toward the hospital. Something told her he wouldn’t sleep much that night.
38
When they arrived at Granny Mabel’s house, Cassie tugged on Jason’s hand to make him hang back while Kiki walked through the door ahead of them. She looked down at her shoes and noticed a new scuff. “I think I should go. I don’t want to interrupt. You need time with your family.”
“They want to see you.” He smiled and stepped closer. Lifted her chin with a finger. “And I want you to be here. We couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Hey, lovebirds.” Kiki smiled back at them. “You coming?”
Cassie nodded and watched as a smile blossomed across Jason’s face. He stepped back, and she realized she’d been holding her breath. She blew out her lungful of air. She could already smell Granny Mabel’s cookies, and her mouth watered in anticipation.
A group of people had crowded the kitchen before the newcomers arrived. Granny Mabel stood at the counter, placing a batch of cookies on a plate, fresh from the oven. Mama T stood at her side, mixing another batch with a wooden spoon. Auntie Kay sat at the table with what Cassie recognized as her customary cup of tea. Janelle sat next to her, phone face down on the table and fresh tears cascading down her cheeks.
The room hushed when Cassie entered, and everyone turned to her. The heat of the oven wasn’t the only thing that made her cheeks flush, and she had an urge to inspect that new scuff on her shoe again.
Janelle was the first to make a move. She stood and walked up to Cassie, wrapping her in a hug so tight that it squeezed all the air out of her lungs. But Cassie never wanted to escape it. Everything the young woman wanted to say was in there, and Cassie was so grateful, it brought tears to her eyes. When Janelle finally let go, there was a clarity behind the sadness. As difficult as all of this had been, at least she had answers about her sister.
“You did this family a service we can never repay.” Granny Mabel’s voice was watery, and she saw Mama T and Auntie Kay wipe tears from their eyes. Cassie got the impression it was a rare occurrence to see the Broussard family matriarch cry. “We are forever in your debt.”
Cassie wiped her own tears away, but new ones took their place. “Please, you don’t have to thank me.”
Granny Mabel wiped her hands on a towel and walked up to Cassie. She laid a palm on both of her cheeks. They were still warm from the cookies. “We will never be able to express how much this means to us. You are a gift from God, Cassie Quinn. I hope you know how special you are. To all of us. You have given us peace. Our hearts will mend in time now that we know the truth.”
“Suing the pants off all those corporate jackasses will help too.” Kiki raised a cookie as a toast.
Auntie Kay clicked her tongue. She said, “Kailani, language.” Mama T held up her own cookie and said, “Here, here.” The room laughed.
“That means more to me than you could ever imagine.” Cassie had spent years struggling to make peace with her abilities. She had helped countless people, but they didn’t know what she had done to give them that peace of mind. The Broussards understood what she had endured. “Y’all have made me feel more accepted in the last couple days than I’ve felt in my entire life. You’ve done as much for me, trust me.”
“Accept nothing less,” Kiki shouted.
Cassie’s heart swelled with love for this family. She didn’t know what the future had in store for her, but she was sure she wanted it to include Jason and Granny Mabel and Kiki and all the rest of them. If she could spend an evening crying and laughing and eating cookies and never once feel self-conscious for what she could see or do, she figured this was something she’d fight to hang onto.
Hours later, after all the cookies disappeared and eyes were drooping, Jason drove Cassie back to her hotel. He held her hand as he walked her to her room. When they reached the door, neither one of them rushed to say goodbye.
Jason broke the silence first. “I think this is the most time we’ve ever spent with each other.”
“We can’t admit that to Magdalena.” Cassie smiled up at him. “She’ll never let us forget it.”
He chuckled. It was a low rumble that shifted something in Cassie’s stomach. “I wish this had been under different circumstances, but I don’t regret spending a single minute with you, Cassie.”
“I feel the same way.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Jason smiled. “Don’t make any sudden movements.”
Cassie froze. “Why?”
“Because I’m going to kiss you now.”
Cassie’s brain had just enough time to register the words before Jason stepped closer and pressed his lips against hers. She felt every point of his body that touched hers, from his lips to his fingers curled around her waist. The happiness that filled her heart threatened to explode right out of her chest.
When they broke apart, they were breathless. Cassie smiled up at him. “I’d say that went better than the first time.”
He looked as dazed as she felt. “Much better.”
“When we get back to Savannah, maybe we could do it again?”
“The kissing or the whirlwind adventures?”
“Well, you’re bound to get one if you want the other.”
“I’m okay with that.”
Jason took her face in his hands and kissed her again. Something uncoiled in her stomach. He pulled her closer, and everything inside her screamed to invite him in. But something told her there would be plenty of time for that later.
When they broke apart for a second time, Jason took a step back and shoved his hands deep inside his jacket pockets. “If I don’t leave now, I never will.”
“I know.” It made her heart flutter to hear him say that. “Text me?”
“Of course.” He leaned in and kissed her once on the lips, then placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “And text me when you land tomorrow.”
“I will.” She was dizzy with excitement as she watched him walk down the hall. He looked back once when he reached the corner, smiled, and then disappeared. Cassie wasn’t even sad. The prospect of seeing him again once they were home was enough to keep her spirits high.
Once inside her room, Cassie began the arduous task of throwing all her clothes back into her suitcase. She was grateful she had packed some extra outfits in case of emergency, but for now, all she wanted to do was get a full night’s rest. It wasn’t until she’d attempted to stuff the paperwork from the museum into a side pocket in her suitcase that she realized something was already there. Once she pulled the envelope out, she remembered slipping David’s letter inside in case she could gather the courage to open it.
This entire trip had been a distraction from what had happened in Savannah. What had happened to David. She’d used it as an excuse to leave her problems behind, only to realize it had delayed the inevitable. Seeing
Jason confront the death of his cousin and his family grateful for any scrap of truth had been enough to make her realize she needed to know what happened to David. Otherwise, his death would forever be an unanswered question bouncing around inside her brain. And if that had been David in the graveyard, encased in shadow, she owed it to him to figure out whether he was in a better place or if something sinister took over to his soul.
Celeste Delacroix’s words made their way back to her. This trip will be good for you, Cassie Quinn. And as difficult and heart-wrenching as it had been, Cassie couldn’t argue with that.
With another second’s hesitation, she slipped a finger under the flap of the envelope and flipped it open. A single piece of white paper, folded in thirds, rested inside. Lisa had said David wrote it about a month ago. It still smelled faintly of his aftershave. Her eyes welled as she breathed it in. A flood of memories came back at once, but she pushed them aside. There would be time to explore each of those in turn. Preferably alongside Harris or Lisa or even her sister. And an enormous glass of wine.
Cassie unfolded the letter as though it were a delicate flower blossoming for the first time. If she had expected a lengthy letter from David, reality would have disappointed her. She blinked away her tears to bring the page into focus.
Cassie,
I’ve spent a lifetime trying to do the right thing, only to trip and fall at the finish line. Tell Harris none of this was her fault. I knew what I was getting into. She won’t believe it, but I want her to hear it from you, anyway.
After everything we’ve been through, you would think I’d have taken some comfort in knowing there’s a life beyond this one. Only, I’m not sure I’ll be heading upstairs. I’ve made my peace with that. I hope you’ll be able to, as well.