Ben told him about the ongoing problems for which she was still being treated, and that they had been divorced for several years. He added that there was no going back. The doctor nodded his head in understanding then said that given her previous situation, the lapse could be more complicated and less temporary. Asking about her next of kin he emphasized they should be notified and advised to be present. The doctor extended his hand to Ben, offering to be of help in any way he could. He thanked the nurse then excused himself, citing his need to finish rounds.
Ben’s thoughts ran rampant, and he shook his head in frustration. He cared deeply about her recovery, and after all, besides the fact that she had been his wife, she had saved his life. But where did his responsibility end? He wasn’t prepared to live a charade for her sake. No one knew how long her break with reality would last. Ben’s focus was now on Ana and where their developing relationship might go. Valerie was his past. He decided to put his rumination aside long enough to inform his parents of what they were facing. Valerie’s parents needed to be on the next plane for Spain. When Ben peeked into her room he was glad she was asleep. He returned to Olivia’s cubicle in the ER, where his parents continued their vigil at her bedside. His Dad was on the phone and his sister was sitting up, her color having returned to normal, her eyes alert to the surroundings. All three turned to look at him as he entered.
“Well, we have more of the unexpected to deal with.”
Olivia was quick to question him. “Is it Valerie? She’s still okay, right?”
“Physically, yes—for now. Psychologically, no.”
Paris joined the conversation. “What in heaven do you mean, psychologically?”
Hugh glanced from one to the other as if waiting for the other shoe to drop, but before Ben could continue, Hugh’s phone rang. When he heard the voice on the other end he put his hand up to hush the others. He listened carefully then thanked the caller and rang off.
“That was my colleague at Interpol about the DNA results on the man killed at the airport. They put a rush on it, but they aren’t in yet.” He turned to Paris and said, “But there is news. You may need to sit down for this one, my darling.”
Paris leaned against the small chest of drawers and said, “I don’t know why I would care who it is one way or the other. I’m just glad the person is dead, and I don’t feel guilty for it.” She stiffened and crossed her arms.
“You may not care, but you will be shocked. It was Lyle Brett, that little prig in the office across from yours.”
She slumped into the closest chair and shook her head in disbelief. “Surely not…”
“The identification will be confirmed by DNA and dental records, but it will take a few days.” He quickly added, “The car’s VIN number was still readable. It was a rental and easy to trace. From that point it was a short step to identify who rented it. He wasn’t smart enough to use an alias.”
“If the person who crashed it was actually the one who rented it,” Ben said.
“I have no doubt about that. As soon as his cohorts were arrested in the hangar, one of them gave up Brett’s name —just minutes before the crash.”
Once Paris had recovered her composure the words began to flow easily. “Seems I wasn’t just imagining he was jealous of me… and there’s no doubt he came across as a narcissist. But this?” Paris stopped talking, but the wheels were still turning. Everyone just waited for her to continue. “It would take a sociopath—a megalomaniac—to believe in the success of such an elaborate plan—ill conceived as it turned out.”
“Considering he had an assortment of conspirators and their individual ‘schemes’ to coordinate in two different countries, he actually came quite close to succeeding. That terrifies me. The girls would have been collateral damage,” Hugh said, beginning to pace back and forth in the small enclosure.
Paris looked into the faces of her loved ones, and her voice quavered as she spoke. “I feel so guilty for making you all a part of this, for creating so much risk in your lives. If Valerie should die, I won’t be able to live with myself.” She broke into tears and Hugh moved to embrace her.
Each in turn made their case about her lack of responsibility for all that had happened. She expressed regret at ever having shared a word about her family or any of the details of their day-to-day lives. She was sure he gleaned the information through eavesdropping on her visits with coworkers. Their families were most often the topic of conversation. When considering all the coincidences that meant nothing at the time, she understood the covert reason for his unexpected leave of absence. He was putting the last details of the plan into action.
“He would have had a very difficult time trying to dispose of the gold, even if they had gotten away Scot-free,” Hugh said.
Ben added, “I have a suspicion he would have had it melted down—shaped into bars. What a waste of valuable artifacts. Or it’s possible he already had some foreign buyer ready to take it off his hands.”
“He may have hoped to accomplish one of those plans, but it hardly matters now. We’ll never know what his next step would have been.” Hugh said. “The ‘loot’ is safe in the hands of the museum. I understand the Spanish have several special guards en route to personally keep an eye on the exhibit.”
“Who could blame them,” Olivia said. “I wonder how he managed to collect such an assortment of misfits to do his bidding.”
Hugh had one more piece of information. It had been confirmed that the young man killed by the bull was not ‘Clive Warren,’ but a man named Gareth Logan, employee at a computer company in London. He turned to Olivia and said, “I mentioned to Interpol what you told me about his brother in prison. Their inquiry showed that he does indeed have a younger brother in prison.”
Ben said, “Well, that’s another piece of the puzzle, but do we know how it fits?”
Hugh replied, “I think that as the investigation progresses they’ll find some link between one of Brett’s goons and some prisoner in the same facility. He was probably manipulated with a threat to his brother’s life. The young man is all right at present and will be separated from the general population until the investigation is completed. The Interpol team stopped one of the men apprehended in the storage hangar before he could complete a call to execute any more of Brett’s plans.”
“There’s still the matter of who sent that email hinting at where they were.”
“We may never find out,” Hugh said, clearly frustrated. “Whoever sent it was good. The agency is still trying to trace it.”
Paris, who had been quietly pacing the room, joined the conversation. “It had to be someone who cared about one of them—or both.”
Hugh nodded his head in agreement and said, “My best guess is Gareth Logan, aka Clive Warren.”
Ben looked down, and in a subdued voice he said, “This became a case of ‘let no good deed go unpunished.’”
His father was quick to respond, his tone emphatic. “Ben, your actions were justified. He made a choice. But of course such an outcome is regrettable.” Paris was quick to add that Ben’s justifiable actions were also foolhardy.
It was a lot to take in, and the group turned quiet, each one lost in thought. Ben broke the silence by returning to the subject of Valerie. He repeated his previous statement that they had something unexpected to deal with. Ben explained Valerie’s reaction to him, her seeming refuge in the past, and the upset about her wedding ring, something she hadn’t worn for a very long time. He then told them what the doctor had said. Everyone agreed the Amesworths should be informed and arrangements made to get them to Spain right away. Hugh offered to pull some strings to get them on a plane within hours and asked Paris to call them. She left the ER and dialed Valerie’s parents. She wondered how best to tell them what had happened, and that they needed to come immediately.
Ben called Ana to tell her what was going on and to explain he was headed back to Valerie’s room to keep up the charade until an evaluation was made of her psychological con
dition. Since it would be touch and go for another twenty-four hours post-surgery, he was concerned that any additional shock could be damaging. Ana tried her best to be sympathetic, but there was a nagging doubt about Valerie’s influence on Ben, and whether she could pull him into the past with her. She decided to go to the hospital and see first-hand what would transpire.
* * *
The cab pulled up and stopped at the hospital entrance. The driver turned around and informed Ana of the fare. Anxious and distracted by her situation she paid him too much, the amount of the tip putting a wide smile on his face. She got out, thanked him, and hurriedly followed the walkway to the hospital entrance. She approached the main reception desk and asked for Olivia McKinnon, hoping the woman on duty spoke English. She was directed to the ER, where Olivia still remained, and while en route a variety of scenarios passed through her mind. Would they be glad to see her, or would they feel she was an intruder? Would Ben chastise her for not waiting at the hotel? Would he be keeping vigil at Valerie’s bedside and not even notice she was there? Where had her self-confidence gone? Was this the price one paid for caring… for falling in love? Was she in love? She couldn’t deny that something profound was changing her, hour by hour, day by day. It was Ben. Her heart had become vulnerable.
Her earlier presence in the ER meant nothing to the nurse on duty. It took some fancy verbal footwork to gain entrance to the area where Olivia was being cared for. Ana walked slowly and quietly to the fourth cubicle on the right. She heard familiar voices and stopped for a moment to regain her composure before carefully pulling aside the curtain. Hugh and Paris turned in tandem as she stuck her head through the curtains and asked if it would be all right to come in. Paris came forward with open arms and embraced her. Hugh then took her hand in both of his and squeezed gently, saying he was glad to see her. Olivia was quiet for the moment but smiled at Ana.
When the greetings were over, Olivia said, “Ana… to say thank you just isn’t enough, but it’s all I’ve got for now. You’re a big part of the reason Valerie and I are alive.”
“Oh no,” Ana replied. “It was Ben who risked his life. I came along when the worst was over. But I’m sure glad I ignored his order to stay put and followed him to the house anyway.”
“How did you know where to go?” Hugh asked.
“Just lucky. I found a business card on his nightstand with a Spanish address scribbled on it. I didn’t know if that was where he’d gone, but why else would he have it? That was the only clue.”
In a vain attempt at humor, Olivia said, “Perhaps a second career as a detective?”
A collective smile was all they could muster before her parents expressed their appreciation to Ana and shared the new information just received about those involved. She tactfully tried to change the subject— to find out where Ben was and how Valerie was doing. Paris said that of course she needed to know what was going on with Valerie and suggested they go out into the hallway. She then explained about Valerie’s lapse in awareness and the refuge she seemed to be taking in the past. Ana’s expression made it clear that she was concerned, not only for Valerie, but for the situation’s effect on Ben both now and in the weeks to come.
Paris knew immediately what was bothering Ana. She took Ana’s hand, looked her straight in the eye and said, “My dear, you do know that Ben is just doing what the doctor has advised… keeping her calm until she’s a bit stronger and can be evaluated by a neurologist or psychiatrist.” Ana nodded, and Paris added, “Regardless of what’s going on right now, that relationship has been over in every respect for a long time now. Most of their impulsive marriage was a very unhappy time for Ben, but he put forth great effort before admitting it was over and that he no longer loved her.”
Ana looked down and said, “With what Valerie went through I was feeling quite guilty for thinking about myself.”
“Nonsense! That’s just being human. Be patient. Her parents will soon be on their way here to take charge of her care. I’m quite sure that as soon as she’s strong enough they will have her airlifted either to London, or if she’s up to it, the States.” Paris paused for a moment then corrected her statement. “Maybe it will be better to have her in London where she can be seen by the psychiatrist she knows.” She led Ana by the hand back into the cubicle then turned to Hugh and said, “What was her name? Valerie’s psychiatrist?”
“Dr. Locksley… Kate, I think. If Valerie doesn’t snap out of this, Locksley would be their best bet.”
Paris agreed and pointed out that her parents could have an extended stay in London ahead of them. She was sure they would prefer to take Valerie ‘home’ and realized there was no point in further discussion of the matter. Paris sat down on the bed near Olivia and took her hand. Hugh gestured that Ana should take the chair then he settled on the edge of the nightstand and put his arm around Paris. She felt better for having spoken with Paris, who urged her to tell Hugh more of the details of her experience.
Just as she was preparing to bring up the subject, the curtains were pushed aside and Ben came through. The first thing he saw was Ana, who jumped out of the chair like a startled rabbit. He seemed slightly irritated, yet glad to see her in spite of it. Over a week ago he had realized that she was a woman to whom orders would mean nothing— if she had her own agenda. Better that he weigh his words in the future. Perhaps she would be more amenable to the word ‘request.’ And yet that rebellious quality had helped save two lives.
“Ben, I couldn’t sit in that room any longer, again, waiting for the phone to ring,” she said, her tone mildly defiant.
“I get it, Ana, but one of these days you could find yourself in a dangerous situation by not paying attention to someone concerned for your safety.”
Ben’s words made her feel like an errant child, but one who could, when warranted, defend her actions. “Well, this was not one of those cases. I shall, however, take heed of your counsel in the future.”
Her formal choice of language caused everyone to chuckle softly, which diffused the moment of tension between the two. Ben sighed and shook his head in mock frustration. Hugh then pointed out that Ana was a journalist, and waiting around wasn’t in their handbook. Ana felt that the comment was his way of chastening Ben for being cross. Yet she knew that his short fuse had to be the result of this latest complication. They both thought the worst was over, but now there was Valerie.
She longed for that time, not long passed, when in spite of the escalation of violence it was just the two of them—each protecting the other in different ways. Once again she remembered the flowers, the scent of leather as he drew her close—but most of all, the kisses. If she closed her eyes, she could almost feel them again. And the fact was, she liked what he had just said to her. It showed that he cared. But those brief moments of indulgence in the countryside had been their only real physical connection. From that point on, their energies were completely focused on Olivia and Valerie. Throughout, Ana’s main function seemed to have been to nurse Ben’s series of injuries. He didn’t need her for that anymore, and she wondered if he would still need her in other ways. It would never sort itself out unless they could be alone together again—put distance between themselves and all that had happened. Her reverie was short-lived. She was called back by hearing her name.
Paris had decided that Ben and Ana should leave the hospital for a while to have a meal and some conversation. She pointed out that Olivia was fine and that specialists would no doubt be examining Valerie and conducting whatever diagnostic procedures were required. She had appointed herself as orchestrator of the interaction between her son and his ex-wife, and was determined that he not be drawn back in due to his sympathetic nature. She remembered clearly Valerie’s penchant for manipulation. It wouldn’t be a surprise to Paris if the woman were feigning the memory loss. Not that she lacked pity for what had been endured by both women, but she remained suspicious that Valerie might try to turn it to her advantage.
Olivia and her parents collect
ively shooed Ben and Ana out of the room with firm instructions to stay away until morning. Ben would be allowed to check in once by phone. He knew better than to argue, so he took Ana’s hand and led her out of the cubicle then out of the hospital. Once on the sidewalk they looked at each other with mutual expressions of self-consciousness. Both said sorry at the same time, dispelling any previous conflict. However, the somber air between them remained, the day’s stark truths weighing heavily on both. They walked slowly to a nearby café that advertised tortilla española on the sidewalk menu board. The aching in Ben’s body had subdued his appetite and he had declined the custard offered by a nurse. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had any food. When asked if she had eaten, Ana had to admit it had been over twenty-four hours. Something simple and hearty, like potatoes and egg, seemed just the ticket. Fortified by the food and strong coffee they hailed a taxi and returned to the hotel.
* * *
Ben looked exhausted, his face showing the emotional strain of seeing Valerie. Even for Ana it had been almost too much to take in—the facts concerning the robbery along with Valerie’s lapse from reality. Ana was struck by the fact that whenever they had found themselves alone—whether in a hotel or house, under a tree or in a field—there had been a developing crisis in the works. First there was the attack, the night together in her hotel dealing with his injury, and then the next attack followed by their fleeing to the Cotswolds. There were an occasional few moments alone in the house, but there was Edith, the housekeeper, who was wont to pop in unexpectedly. They had never been more isolated than in the field, the place where they had finally given in to the lust. She wondered if their passionate moment had been tainted due to what was going on around them— at least for Ben. The uncertainty caused her to question whether the moment would ever come, or if that was their one chance, if everything had peaked among the flowers and was now on a downhill slide. Not for her—of that she was sure. But now, again, the moment was wrong.
Good Deed Bad Deed : A Novel Mystery Page 32