Authors: Elaine Meece
“And if he dies, do you want to be informed?”
“No, let the county bury him.”
"If he dies, I'll bury him.” She hung up the phone and stood frozen from his icy words. How could someone be so coldhearted toward his own brother? She was the only one Caleb had in his corner. And she wouldn’t let him down. Although the diary was a good start, it wasn’t enough to clear Caleb. There had to be another way. Something that had been overlooked before, and she planned to find it.
Chapter Seventeen
Julie needed to see the police records from the boating accident and Caleb’s hospital records from eleven years ago, but she wasn't sure who would have them. She also needed to contact the attorney who’d represented him. But how?
She dialed Adam’s number again.
”What do you want this time, Ms. Ross?”
“Please, don’t hang up.”
“I thought I made it clear how I feel about my younger brother.”
“At least now you’re admitting he’s your brother.”
“Slip of the tongue.” He coughed slightly. “What do you want?”
“I need to know two things—the name of the attorney who defended Caleb and the hospital where he was taken.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re right. Even with the evidence I have, it will be almost impossible to prove Caleb’s innocence. Surely there is something that was overlooked. Something combined with what I already have will be enough evidence for a judge to grant Caleb a new trial.”
“I was in my last year of college when it happened. I’m not sure who represented him. You’ll have to see if Caleb remembers.”
“I can’t. He’s unconscious.”
“Why are you doing this?” he asked, his voice solemn.
“Because I’m very much in love with Caleb and my two children love him as well.”
“Then you’re an idiot.”
He disconnected. Julie exhaled a sigh of anguish and returned inside. People waited at the heavy double doors to be allowed back in the ICU. Anxious to see Caleb, she joined the line. Her mood had been somber all morning and speaking to Adam had only heightened her depression.
Inside the cubicle, she held Caleb’s hand and stared at his face. His brow twitched. “Caleb, where are you? Are you dreaming about us? Or perhaps it’s justice you’re dreaming about.”
“Both,” he whispered, with a slight grimace on his face.
“Caleb, you’re awake!”
He opened his eyes for a moment before closing them with a tight grimace. “I hurt like hell.”
“I’ll see if they can give you something for the pain.”
He gave the slightest nod.
Julie walked out to the nurses’ station and made the request. The nurse promised she’d check his chart and see what he could have. When Julie entered the small glass cubicle, Caleb’s eyes were open.
“Jules, what happened?”
“Frank shot you just as Dad and I got there.”
“I remember having the crap beat out of me.”
“You look pretty bad. Sort of like a raccoon.”
“Two black eyes?” he asked. She nodded. He tried to move his arm but couldn't for the I.V. tube. “How serious is it?”
Julie shrugged unsure of what to tell him. “You’re in the ICU. The bullet missed your heart and lungs but nicked an artery. They operated. The doctor said you were fortunate.”
“I need to get out as soon as possible. You don’t leave prison with health insurance. I don’t have the money for this.”
“We’ll find the money. Don’t worry about that.”
“Why am I not handcuffed?”
“Dad and I called the State Highway Patrol. Frank and his friends have been suspended until an investigation is conducted by the Missouri Bureau of Investigation.”
“That’s good news. Jules, I didn’t have sex with Casey Phillips. I swear it. It was all a setup to make me confront her.”
“I know.” She leaned and kissed his forehead. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”
“Don’t be. I understand how you must’ve felt.”
The nurse entered and proceeded to inject a syringe into his I. V. “Demerol. That should dull your pain.”
Caleb closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again. He gazed at Julie with a serious expression. “Jules, I want you to go home. I’ve caused enough damage. If I’m not sent back to prison, I plan to leave Faith when I'm released. I’ll sell my grandparents’ place to cover my medical bills.”
“That’s nonsense. If you’re not sent back to prison, we’re going to pay a monthly note to this hospital and work very hard at clearing your name.”
“Jules, you have your own problems. You still don’t have a clue who’s been after you to sell out. Whoever hired that man, won’t stop.”
“Then we’ll solve our problems together. Caleb, do you remember the name of the attorney who defended you?”
“Samuel Malone. He has a practice in Springfield. Devin’s father recommended him at the time.”
“Do you remember what hospital you were in?”
“Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. They’ve moved since I was there.”
Would they still have his records?
People paraded from the ICU, making Julie aware that her time was up. “I’ll be back later. By the way, I told them I was family. It was the only way they’d release any information on you to me. See you later, brother dear.”
“Good.” He closed his eyes as the pain medicine took effect and drifted to sleep.
Julie returned to the waiting room.
Her father stood. “How is he?”
“He’s awake. He gave me the information I needed.” She yawned and stretched. “I’m going to see him again at the one O’clock visitation and tell him I’m going home. There are things I need to take care of before I can return.”
Leaving Caleb behind in ICU wasn’t easy, but Julie wanted to see her children.
♦♦♦
Wednesday morning, Julie experienced the same nausea she had the day before but dismissed it. She had too much happening to be sick.
Julie placed Connie's diary in a safety deposit box at her bank, then stopped by Boats and Floats. She discussed the situation with her employees and explained she’d be in St. Louis more often until Caleb was released.
Her faithful employees didn’t appear shocked over her involvement with the ex-con.
Before leaving, she checked her emails. She clicked on the next entry without thinking and stared at Frank's background check. She smiled and dialed her parents’ number.
“Hello.”
“Dad, it’s me. I have the information on Frank. Get this. He was fired from the police department in Abbott, Mississippi for taking bribes and raping a woman.”
“God almighty.”
“There’s more. He even served time in prison for it. When he was released, Ned Taylor hired him to work for the Faith Police Department.”
“Ned didn't do a background check on him.”
“Obviously not," Julie speculated. "He probably hired him as a favor to Frank's sister since they're friends.”
“Ned could end up losing his job over this as well. What do you plan to do now?”
Julie thought for a moment. “Fax it to Ned and the state. More than likely, Frank has more convictions in other places.”
“This should help prove he set Caleb up.”
After faxing copies of the report to the authorities, she picked up Scott and Ally from George’s house, then dropped by her house to pick up more clothes.
“Mom, can we play on the tire swing?” Scott asked, peeking out the kitchen window at the backyard.
“Pleeeease,” begged Ally, blinking her big bluish-gray eyes.
“I guess so. Don’t go anywhere else.”
“We won’t,” they said together.
After her children scampered out the backdoor, Julie walked to their bedrooms and pulled clothes from drawers. She tossed Scott and Ally’s stuff in a basket, then walked to her room. She stretched upon her tiptoes to reach a pair of shoes at the top of her closet.
"Glad you're home."
The familiar voice caused her to flinch.
“Hell, woman. You’re edgy,” Frank said.
She turned and faced him. Her heartbeat raced, and she struggled for words. “What do you want?”
“Seeing how you’ve just packed, I thought we’d go on a trip.”
“A trip? You're crazy. I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Well, I sure in hell can’t stay here. Who else besides Ned did you inform about my past?”
Julie’s heart skipped a beat.
Oh crap.
“Don’t look so surprised. I was talking to Ned when it was handed to him. I denied it all, but now he’ll start his own investigation.”
“The state police know also.” She swallowed her fear and tried to appear in control. “I especially found the part about you serving time in prison interesting after the way you singled Caleb out for being an ex-con.”
“Heard you've been sitting by lover boy’s bedside. The boss wants him dead. So it will happen.”
“The boss?” The fact Frank worked for someone else floored her, but she couldn’t show her surprise. "And who might that be?”
He grinned. “Can't say. But you’re on his top ten list of people he'd like to see dead. Now that I’ve screwed up, I’m not sure how much longer he plans to keep me alive. Since Caleb’s as good as dead, I thought it’d be a good time for us to leave Dodge.”
Keep him talking.
“And why would this man want me dead?”
“You’re in the way.” Frank stepped closer. “Don’t you know, I’ve been the only thing stopping him from hurting you and the kids? I assured him you’d marry me and sell out. Then McGregor stepped into the picture. Now he wants you both eliminated.”
Christ! Could things get any worse? Stop. Think clearly.
Her head swam with lightheadedness, and her stomach churned.
Stay calm.
She had to focus on the situation at hand. No way in hell would she walk out that door with Frank.
Where is my phone?
Then she remembered it was in her van.
“You’re insane if you think I’m going with you.”
“And you’re blind. Can’t you see we were meant to be together? There’s no one I want in my life but you. Just the two of us, we don’t need anyone else. We’re soul mates, Julie.”
Like hell.
“What about my kids?”
“They’ll have to come with us.” Frank’s eyes looked wild and dangerous like a rabid dog’s.
Humor him. Play along for now.
“Where are we going?”
“A buddy in Starke, Florida said he’d take us in until things blow over. He has a big place.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Julie said, trying to keep her voice even despite the fact she wanted to scream, wanted to pick something up and clunk Frank over the head.
“Sounds like a plan,” he mocked, then laughed. “You think I’m so stupid that I can’t see you’re playing me?”
“No, Frank. I just meant it’s good you have a specific place in mind rather than us being on the run.” She hesitated. “I’ll call the kids inside and tell them we’re going on a vacation.”
She hoped to get Ally and Scott inside. Then if she could find away to lock the three of them in the bathroom. Maybe Scott could squeeze out the bathroom window and make it to the van and call for help.
“They’re already in my truck.”
Oh, God.
Panic spread through her. There'd be no way of
escaping from Frank. She had no choice but to go with him.
He flashed his nasty grin. “They hopped right in like obedient dogs when I threatened to slit your throat if they didn’t."
She tried not to show the fear that had her insides knotted. "If you let the kids go, I'll go willingly.”
"No. And if you try anything, I’ll disappear with them. Ally would already be dead if I hadn’t killed Lance Hopkins. After he snatched her, the boss expected you to sell, but when you didn’t, he ordered Hopkins to take her out in the woods and dispose of her. I did him in before he had the chance. The way I see it, you owe me.”
“I appreciate you keeping Ally safe.”
“Thought you would. You can show me just how much when we stop for the night. Let’s go. Your kids are getting hot.”
“Did you leave the engine running?”
“Nah, they’re locked in back.”
My poor babies.
Julie could only imagine how hot they were in the truck’s bed beneath the camper top. “Why don’t we drop them off at my parents so we can have a real honeymoon?”
He slapped her hard across the face, making her ears ring. “I'm not a moron. My friend said he’d keep an eye on them. He’s real fond of children, especially little boys.”
Julie fought tears. Once she got in his car, there’d be no way to escape. She had to come up with a plan. She regretted leaving her phone in her front seat.
Damn.
Caleb was right. She needed a gun.
“We haven’t eaten,” she said, trying to stall. “Maybe I could make some sandwiches to take with us.”
“We’ll pick something up. If you’re behaving, I might let the kids eat. That is if they’re being good in back.”
“Surely you don’t expect Ally and Scott to ride all the way to Florida in the back. They’ll burn up under that camper top. Maybe we should take my van.”
“My truck will do. So long as I have them locked up, you’ll cooperate.” He reached down and lifted the basket of clothes. “You have any money?”
She started to say no, but then remembered the old tin cigar box where she kept her extra cash, and under the money she kept a letter opener—one that'd never make it through any airport security checkpoint. “I have some cash put back for emergencies.”
“Be quick about it. Get it.”
Julie climbed upon a chair and reached the metal box. She stepped down, turned to Frank, and opened the lid. “I have at least a thousand in here.”
He grinned. “That a girl.”
A moment of relief swept through her when he didn't try to take it from her. No doubt he would've discovered the letter opener. Julie closed the box and clutched it to her chest, then followed Frank through the house. Outside, he lifted the glass door to the camper and shoved the clothes inside.
Scott and Ally whined and begged Frank to let them out. When he closed the back, they pressed their red, sweaty faces to the glass. Their agony made Julie miserable.