Bullet in the Night (27 page)

I worked my way through these emotions as I strolled down the hall, wishing I were in my back yard or any safe, familiar place.

Did everyone feel as if they ought to tiptoe when they entered intensive care? I did. A male nurse glided past me on noiseless rubber soles, a reminder for me to quiet my walk on high heels.

Despite Tucker’s tentative good news, it took courage to stick my head into Lenora’s cubicle. Could she sustain breath, or would death take her from us?

The intrusive, tubal ventilator invasion remained in the room although the connection had been removed. Lenora lay on her back, eyes closed, looking surprisingly composed within her frame of metal bars. Clumps of hair matted close to her face, which was the color of putty.

Tucker dozed in a chair at Lenora’s right side but awoke when I entered. He greeted me with a frown. No wonder, I’d disturbed his nap.

I slipped over to Lenora’s left side and gently covered her hand with mine as my words tumbled out. “Hi, my dear friend. You had us scared.”

Lenora’s eyes fluttered open. “Jennifer?” Her words, soft as light rain, were delivered with a weak smile.

I patted her hand and exhaled in relief. “You recognized me. You’ve made my day.”
Thank You, Jesus
.

She lifted a finger in response.

“This is no way to take a vacation,” I said gently.

Tucker gestured me aside. “Don’t strain her. She’s still disoriented. The doctor expects her memory of recent events to come back gradually, if at all. She has no recollection thus far and must stay very quiet,” he warned. “I’ll leave you alone a few minutes.” He sauntered out.

I returned to Lenora’s side. For the first time, I glanced at the hospital décor. The walls were a pretty shade of robin’s egg blue. Everything seemed more cheerful now.

I pulled a chair close, longing to ask if she had any idea who shot her or why. Those answers would wait until she was stronger and could think clearly.

“You’re looking amazingly well for having been through such an ordeal.” I squeezed her hand.

“Thanks for all you’ve done. I owe you big time. Tucker told me you’ve been a saint.” She pressed my hand ever so slightly.

“Nothing you wouldn’t have done for me. Just get better now, okay?”

She sighed. “Jennifer, I can’t remember anything about the night of the shooting. It’s so frustrating.” She started to cough.

So much for not bringing the subject up. “It’ll come back in time.” I stroked Lenora’s arm.

A nurse, middle-aged and hefty, charged in, and leaned across Lenora’s bed to check the IV. She input data into the computer using the bed tray as a desk and then addressed me. “You may have a brief visit but don’t tire her. She’s very weak.”

When the nurse left, Lenora motioned me closer. “Tucker thinks Kirk did this, but he couldn’t have. I’m sure.”

I smiled wryly. “After meeting him, I agree it seems unlikely.” I wanted to ask about her relationship with Tucker but couldn’t risk something potentially upsetting.

“How I wish I knew who was responsible.” She spoke so faintly I put my ear next to her lips. A shadow of distress crossed her already pale face. She twisted her head on the pillow. “Everything’s so hazy. Do you suppose it could have been a hunter, a chance thing? Why would anyone want to shoot me?”

I recalled my visit with Thomas Hartford.
Some people have reasons.
“You’re getting better; that’s the important thing now. When will your doctor let you go home?”

“They won’t give me a date yet. How’s Kirk dealing with all this? I’m concerned for him. I never for a moment believe he’d hurt me.”

“Kirk’s been through the wringer but hanging in there. He’ll be thrilled to hear you’re getting better. He asks about you whenever I see him.” I smoothed back the strand of black hair that had fallen across Lenora’s forehead.

“He’s very sweet.”

Tucker returned and settled in his chair. He opened his newspaper and began reading.

Suddenly Lenora shuddered. “I had a strange dream. It was so real. I remember it vividly like a vision. I want to tell you about it.”

“Yes?” I leaned in.

“People talk about near death experiences, seeing a powerful light, smelling beautiful flowers. Do you believe in them, Jennifer?”

“I’ve read such stories. And I believe some are true.”

Her voice trailed off. “Well, my experience wasn’t pleasant but seemed quite real. Jesus took me to hell, not to stay, but to see what was going on.”

Tucker interrupted, “Lenora, please don’t talk if this distresses you.”

“No, I want to tell Jennifer. The sight broke my heart. Fortunately, Jesus never left my side. I remember a gray mist, an odor of burning flesh, and thousands of people trying to dodge flames. As I watched, worms ate through an incredibly beautiful woman’s flesh, leaving a blackened skeleton. And it happened over and over; time was frozen. The woman cried piteously, ‘Help me.’ It was horrid.”

Tucker closed his newspaper. “Lenora, are you sure you want to continue with this?”

She nodded. “I begged Jesus to get the people out. He looked at them lovingly and said in the saddest voice I ever heard, ‘I gave them every chance, but they refused me.’ A handsome young man engulfed in flames stood next to this woman. He said, ‘I thought my intellect and prosperity made me superior. How foolish.’” Lenora shivered. “Jennifer, I must confess, I’ve felt that way at times.” Her voice grew softer.

Tucker fidgeted in his chair. “Lenora, let’s talk about this when you’re stronger.”

Her eyes flitted in his direction. “You simply don’t like to hear about anything supernatural, Tucker.”

I sat speechless and entranced. Had she really seen hell? The mind played strange tricks. But Scripture said that people do see visions. John, the beloved apostle of Jesus, wrote about his in the book of Revelation. I inclined toward believing Lenora.

“I intend to tell everyone I meet about the reality of hell.” Lenora continued. “I pray I’ll recover my strength and be able to influence even more lives.”

Tucker stood. “You’ve already done your share.”

“Nonsense. There’s more to do.”

“And you will help,” I patted Lenora’s arm, “but right now you need to sleep.”

Lenora murmured. “I am tired.” She leaned back and closed her eyes. I arranged her pillows, swept a few strands of hair back from her forehead, and pulled up the cotton bed cover.

“You’re such a dear friend, Jennifer. Thanks for coming,”

“I’ll be back soon now that you can have visitors.” Her breathing was already deepening as I reached the door.

For a moment I felt infused with joy. Lenora was still in physical and emotional distress, but the healing miracle had happened. She was breathing independently. I’d witnessed her restoration for myself.

Then the dark thought returned, the one that haunted my waking hours.

Until we found out who shot Lenora, she’d never be truly safe again.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

I released stress two ways, by vacuuming or exercising. I chose exercise when I returned from Lenora’s — a walk though, rather than a run since I was still in recovery from my fall.

I peeked into the family room. The kids were engrossed in the football movie,
Facing the Giants
. “Hi guys, anybody want to go for a walk with me?”

Blanks stares glanced my way, then back to the screen. I pulled Collin aside a minute. “Dad’s at a meeting. I’ll be right back. You’re in charge of your sisters, son.”

I changed into my tan nylon jogging suit. With an athletic bandage supporting my ankle, I could handle a short walk. A glance in the mirror showed the thin scar still on my forehead.

At the end of the driveway, I pulled on neon orange wristbands and let the peacefulness of the woods filter through me. An eyebrow of a moon accented the spectrum of stars above. Steady, serene wind kept the oak leaves in a perpetual waltz.

The sense of being alone with God was delicious.

I walked for about a mile. When I reached the main blacktop road, a car illuminated by the streetlight approached. The driver rolled down the window and called my name.

A wave of surprise overcame me. Chris? What’s she doing here?

She parked on the shoulder of the road.

I trudged over. “Hey girl, I’m just heading out for a walk.”

“I know. I stopped by the house and the kids told me. I’ll leave my car here and join you, if I may?”

“Sure if you don’t mind my setting the pace. I’m taking it easy on my ankle.”

“Wise girl. I came to say goodbye. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

We fell into a comfortable stride. “I’ve been so busy. I’d hoped to have you over for dinner before you left, but it’s been crazy.”

“Hey, you have a lot going on. Thanks for the thought anyway.”

We’d gone another half-mile when Chris slowed. “I wanted to have a private conversation with you before taking off. This is hard.” She hesitated. “I have a confession to make. Is this a good place to stop for a minute?”

“It’s a dark stretch here, up ahead the road makes a sharp turn north. There’ll be a bench and more light.”

We reached the iron bench and sat. I turned to her with undisguised curiosity. “What’s up?”

“Something I must tell you...” She paused, apparently hunting for words. “It’s important you know…” A car pealed around the corner and halted a few feet from us. Chris was stopped mid-sentence.

I recognized Nick’s vehicle. He hopped out, my second surprise of the night. “I thought you had a meeting.”

“I got a text message about your friend here and came back.” Nick stared steadily at Chris as he spoke. She looked as if she might bolt any second.

Nick directed his next words to me. “Inspector Jarston called with Sarah Nichols’ physical description. Tall, angular build, short dark hair. According to the prison summary, she’s intelligent, capable of carefully executed, well-thought out con jobs and may be armed.” He faced Chris. “I checked with the company you’re supposed to work for. They never heard of you. You lied. Why?”

Chris turned away and became antsy. “You have no idea what I’m trying to do.”

“I know you’re a former convict with parole violations, and you’ve given false information to my wife.”

“I did my time, and I’m only trying to help.” Chris clenched her teeth.

Nick put his arm around me. “Chris knew Lenora.”

My eyes danced back and forth between Nick and Chris.

“I met her a year ago.”

A police car screeched up. A young officer sprang out of the driver’s door and a gray-haired female police officer with kindly blue eyes from the passenger’s side. She frisked Chris and took a small revolver from Chris’s waistband, then rattled off her Miranda rights. “We’ll check your permit for this gun and talk at the station.”

The hair bristled on the back of my head. “Chris…Sarah.” My voice broke. “Were you involved in Lenora’s shooting? But why…?” I couldn’t finish.

She looked me in the eye. “Of course not. I’ve done nothing wrong.” Chris squirmed, trying to shake herself free as the officer handcuffed her.

Chris, that is, Sarah, directed a desperate glance my way. “Jennifer, please believe me. I wasn’t anywhere near Lake Geneva when Lenora was shot. She was my benefactor. I wanted to help. Don’t let them take me to jail. Do something.”

I stood with my jaw hanging, staring at Chris. This was TV crime show material, not my life.

“What about the night Jennifer fell?” Nick yelled accusingly. “You showed up because you were stalking her? When she fell, you drove back pretending an offer to help. Right?”

“No!” Chris’s voice held an edge of panic. “Jennifer, the night of your accident I was driving by to find out where you lived to keep an eye on you and protect you. I knew you were friends with Lenora and feared you were the next target. I also followed you the day you met with Russell.”

So I had seen her that day. How could I believe in her innocence? Hadn’t she deceived me with lies?
Was this how you felt, Jesus, when your friends betrayed you?

Her eyes pleaded. “Somebody was following you the night you fell, Jennifer. How could I protect you and Lenora without a gun? I’m not supposed to have a weapon. It’s the only thing I did wrong. I’d never hurt you; I only intended to help.”

I heard my voice as if coming from a cavern. “The shot in the woods?”

“Wasn’t me.” She groaned and twisted her body toward me. “Lenora helped me get my life together. Guarding you, investigating her shooting, snooping around on my own to find her shooter was the least I could do.”

The police officer tugged on Sarah’s handcuffs. “Let’s go. We’ll check her story, Ms. Trevor.”

Mesmerized by the scene, I was speechless.
Lord, can I believe her?
Should I?
“Chris…Sarah, I’ll see what I can do.”

Her frantic final glance was one of the most pitiless sights I’d seen.

When the police car pulled away, I fell into Nick’s arms. “How did you know where I was?”

“Collin said you went for a walk and that Chris came by. Chris, that is, Sarah may have been watching our house and waited for when you went outside. She seems to excel at that.” Nick spoke in soft and soothing tones. “We have our sniper.”

I climbed into our car, numb all over. “I’m not so sure. Something doesn’t fit.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Who shot Lenora? If not Chris or Kirk, who? I sat in my office writing the three words over and over on my yellow legal pad. The gold ball hanging in the sky outside my window reminded me of the amazing God who alone could bring good from this huge mess in Chris and Kirk’s lives.

I’d blocked out two hours in my office to prepare for a workshop later in the day, but Lenora’s situation disrupted my concentration.

Lenora would be home soon. I wanted her to have twenty-four hour police protection, but that wasn’t going to happen because her husband and the police believed the case was sewn up against Kirk, although to their credit the police were combing through Sarah’s recent activities.

Raucous drilling from a jackhammer destroying the cracked sidewalk outside my building made it even harder to concentrate. I went to the window and closed it to deaden the noise and block the dust drifting in.