The Harvest Club (27 page)

Jessie had been awake for a while. Her eyes kept returning to the face of her sleeping protector who looked very uncomfortable. The changing shift of nurses had awakened her earlier, and Matt didn’t stir as an aide got her up to sit on the side of the bed for a few minutes. The pain nearly took her breath away.

“It’ll be like that for a few days, honey.” The woman gave her a sympathetic smile. “Unlike a broken leg or arm we can’t put your ribs in a cast. They heal naturally on their own, but as you have found out, it can be very painful. They no longer wrap them because it tends to restrict your lung expansion, and the result can be pneumonia. We’ll be listening to your lungs today and making you take deep breaths. You’re going to hate us before the day is over. Breakfast will be here in a minute, and then we’ll be in to take you for a little walk.”

“Thank you.” She ran her fingers through her tangled hair.

“You just call us if you need anything. Don’t let your pain get out of control. Would you like to have a shower this morning?”

“Yes, that would be nice.”

The nurse helped her swing her feet back on the bed and left the room. Her breakfast tray was brought in shortly afterward. She was happy to be alone with her thoughts. She had made a decision in the night, and when Matt woke up, she wanted to talk with him.

Jessie looked over at him and found that he was looking at her with a puzzled expression.

“What?”

“How is that you can go through a miserable night like you’ve just had, nurses poking you, waking you, and making you sit up when it had to have hurt like hell and still be such a pretty sight?”

“Were you awake all this time?” She glared at him.

“Sure, who can sleep in a hospital? I didn’t want to disturb you, so I kept my eyes closed. I thought you looked like you might pass out when they made you sit up, though. I peeked then. How are you doing?”

“To tell you the truth, I’m mad. I didn’t do anything to any of these people. I’m new to this town. I’m not going to be anyone’s sitting duck anymore. If I’m going down, it’ll only be after I put up one big fight and take a few with me.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “How do you like that, Mr. Parker?”

“The girl is sassy, too. Let’s get you on your feet first. I think we can keep you safe and take a few out.”

“Here.” She pushed her tray toward him. “You can help me eat this. I’m not that hungry. What I would really like is Java Joe’s coffee and one of their great scones.”

Matt exited the room when the doctor came in to examine her. He listened to her heart and made her take several deep breaths. She wanted to punch him by the time he was through.

“The nurses will get you up to walk this morning. I think you need to keep that boot on a little longer. On top of everything else, I don’t want you falling.” He smiled at her.

“When can I go home?” she asked him.

“The first question I’m usually asked. I want to keep you one more night. You’ll still be hurting at home for several days and will need some help and something to manage pain. Broken ribs are no fun.” He patted her hand. “Laughing, sneezing and coughing can hurt like crazy.”

Katie came in next, carrying her overnight case with all her necessities. She brushed Jessie’s hair and wanted to help her into her nightgown; but when she moved her arm, Jessie turned gray, and Katie called the nurse for help.

“It’s okay, honey. Every little movement is going to hurt her for a while,” she told Katie. “You didn’t hurt her.” She nodded at Jessie. “I have your pain meds for you, and we’ll wait an hour or so and then get you up for your shower and walk. You can put on your clean clothes then.”

When the nurses came in later, they helped her shower and get dressed. Every movement hurt. Next, it was down the hall and back with Katie talking incessantly and the nurse encouraging her every few minutes. What she wanted to do was yell at all of them but she wouldn’t, it wasn’t their fault. It was a tough twenty minutes. It took everything she had to walk down the hall and back. Katie took one look at Jessie’s white face and kissed her on the cheek, saying she’d be back later.

Settled in her bed Jessie tried not to move at all. “How long will it hurt like this?” she asked the nurse.

“I’m not going to lie to you, it takes a little while, but the severity will diminish over the next few days. I see your muscles are quivering again, I’ll get you a little something for that.”

“Thank you.”

“You did real well for your first time up. I hate to tell you this, but we have to get you up this afternoon for another walk. At least this time it will be another pair of nurses, so we aren’t the only ones causing you pain. You’ll be doing this on your own at home so we have to get you ready.” The nurse looked around the room. “My, oh my, would you look at all your pretty flowers; why don’t I bring you the cards to read.”

“That would be nice.” Jessie smiled at her.

“Conserve your strength and rest, you’ll need it later on.” She closed the door when she left the room. She came back a few minutes later to give Jessie new pills to take.

Thirty minutes later Matt walked into her room as she stared off into space with the unopened cards in her lap, feeling completely done in.

“Do you want some help opening all of your cards?” Matt startled her. “I’m sorry,” he said when she jumped.

“Sure, why don’t you pull the chair over here?”

“I brought you something you might like.” He handed her a decaf coffee with cream the way she liked it, and a bag with a lemon blueberry scone in it. “Molly said to tell you hello, and she’s ready to go to battle for you. Did you have a rough morning?”

“Let’s put it this way. I’ve had better mornings.” She thanked him for the coffee and scone. “I don’t like how these pain pills make me feel, but I can’t take the pain either.” She felt defeated. “I don’t want to even reach for the cup.”

“How about I hand it to you when you want it?”

“No, I need to work through this, but boy oh boy, I don’t want to.”

“At least let me move the tray closer.” He shifted the tray.

“Thank you, it’s a little easier to reach now.

“I don’t want to upset you, but I called your parents and explained the situation. They have a right to know.” He raised his hands defensively. “They won’t be coming because I asked them not to. I told them you are under police protection, and you didn’t need to be worrying about their safety. You do need to call them and your grandma Sadie. I had a nice talk with her also.”

“You’re right. I’m not thinking straight right now, of course they should know. I’m going to need some help. I basically can’t do anything. I may be fooling myself. Maybe I should just pack it in and move home.”

“Only you can decide that, and I wouldn’t blame you if you did. But you are one of the strongest women I’ve ever known, who is sweet to boot. What is it that Gary calls you? Sunshine, which seems about right to me.”

For a while they opened the cards together. He opened the envelope and handed the card to her to read. The church sent flowers again and told her they would all take turns helping her. Grandma Sadie, the police officers, her parents, and Dylan had all sent her beautiful bouquets and cards with beautiful sentiments. The last card simply said in bold letters “Strike Three You’re Out!”

Jessie handed Matt the card to read. He was angry. His gut was twisted in a knot. He knew Buddy wasn’t back in town. They had been watching, but someone was using his MO. Jessie didn’t react at all; Matt was a little concerned by her apathy. While Jessie slept, the nurse explained it was the medicine they had given her after her hard morning. She promised that Jessie would be a little more alert at lunchtime.

Jessie’s process of healing began surrounded by Katie and many new friends, daily conversations with her parents and Sadie, all of whom wrapped her in love and well wishes. People were there to support her and help her until she was back on her feet.

As for the case, it was the time they needed to get all their ducks in a row and be ready for the next stage. Jessie and Jeremy used her down time to get more information on members of the Harvest Club. There were thirty people involved in their area who could be identified as active participants in the club. They were able to distinguish the buyers from the brokers through their deposits into their account. Jessie was positive Gordon was the head man or a leader in the group, but there was still someone whom they couldn’t identify who might be the actual killer.

She was finally certified to carry a gun and wrote an amazing article about those who participated in the buying and selling of organs on the black market. Max was happy to run the story, and it became one of the most responded to articles in the history of his paper. Neil told her it was one of the best pieces she had ever written. He took the time to offer her a job, back where she had been safe.

It all came down to today. This was the day. It had been put off several weeks, but she was going with Matt to Mayor Cummings’ office. They were about to plant the seeds that they knew about the Harvest Club. At the same time, Dylan was bringing in Brad and Ed in for questioning.

One could only hope they would want to cop a plea by becoming witnesses for the state. But the hold Gordon had on them made it difficult to believe it could happen.

Matt and Jessie walked into the mayor’s office five minutes before their appointment.

“I was surprised to see your name on my schedule today, Matt.” He looked up, confident and smooth as ever. “It’s good to see you.”

“Jason, this is Jessie Reynolds, a good friend.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Jessie. I remember meeting you at Rick’s funeral.” He motioned to the chairs. “Please have a seat, both of you. Can I have my secretary bring you anything?”

“No, we’re good.” Matt answered for them both. “Something has come to Jessie’s attention, and I thought she should make you aware.”

“As you know I wrote a piece for the local newspaper about black market dealings with organs from India and Africa.” She waited for his nod. “In my research I have found a group operating in this area known as the Harvest Club. I haven’t been able to identify all of its members to date, but I have found out the names of a few of them.”

“As a matter of fact, one of my officers is bringing in two for questioning right now,” Matt added. “This is a major ongoing investigation with county and FBI participation.”

Jessie took up the story. “My sources tell me there are somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty active members, so we are trying to identify them as we speak. Matt thought it was important that as mayor you be made aware of what’s going on in the investigation.”

Both Jessie and Matt watched Jason to see his reaction. He remained calm, his expression one of expected concern. “I appreciate you briefing me. What would you like my office to do? Is there any way I can help?”

“Not at this time, but I’m sure in the future we’ll be calling on you. We appreciate your support in this matter.” Matt stood up to leave. “We know you’re a busy man, so we don’t want to take up any more of your time.” Jessie stood up, too, and they both walked out together closing the office door.

“I imagine about now our honorable mayor is on the phone, alerting club members.” Matt sounded confident.

“Do you think? It didn’t seem like he reacted at all.” She pushed the strap of her purse that had slipped down her arm back to her shoulder.

“Jason was a picture of composure except for his fisted hands and the look of steel in his eyes. He’s calling them all right. Now all we have to do is be on guard and sit tight.”

Matt opened the car door for her, got in on the driver’s side, and started the engine. He paused to check his messages as Jessie listened to a message from Jeremy.

“
Hi sweet thing, do you remember asking how to get around that firewall? I figured it out, and I’ve sent the directions in the email. Have fun and keep yourself from harm. If you need me to do anything, get back with me. Talk to you later.”

“What was that all about?” Matt asked.

“I asked Jeremy to help me get around a firewall. I have a theory, and I was checking it out, but I couldn’t get in. He figured it out and sent me the instructions.”

“What are you thinking?”

“The Club has a lot of lawyers and politicians. I figure they’ve built in a lot of protection. Once they’re in, the only way out is death. I have a feeling there is a dirty cop in there somewhere, and that’s what they’re scared of. There may be one undercover, but I think there is one who’s benefited by keeping quiet. You know what I mean.”

“I do. I’ve been checking out some things, too. I’ve been waiting for someone to get back to me. I’m impressed with your hunch here.”

“I can’t believe that bitch survived being shot. She had a vest on, but still the bullet should have penetrated and caused a fatal wound. Why did she have a vest on? Did someone leak information? Someone had to be looking out for her.” Gordon slammed his fist down on the table top in front of him.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I told you not to do anything. You let your desire for revenge push you to do something stupid. Stupidity is what catches most criminals. I’m trying to figure out what to do next, now that you botched it.”

“You had better hurry. They’re closing in on the club. The article she wrote has created a stir, and the two of them were in Jason’s office as big as you please this morning, telling him they knew about the club and some of its members. They mentioned they had taken two in for questioning. I haven’t been able to find out who they are yet, but I will.”

“If you remember I told you to keep your temper in check. I also told you to let Gina move away, but no, you wanted her dead. Instead of her being lost somewhere you left her body at the church to be found. You’re just plain stupid if you ask me. I believe Gina was your first mistake, and Jessie was your second. Neither of them knew anything about the Harvest Club. Without Gina’s death, no one would have been the wiser.”

“You just do what you need to do and forgo the lecture.”