by Ciana Stone
He nodded. “I need to see Mama. Will you be okay?”
She didn’t know that she would but wouldn’t admit it. “Yes. I have to call and check on Cici, to see how Kal is.”
“Wait, Kal was shot, too?”
“Yes.” She didn’t think now was a good time to tell him that even though Kal hadn’t left the house armed, a gun was found near his body.
“Let me know after you find out?”
“I will.”
She watched him go inside then pulled out her phone. The call went to voice mail. “Cici, it’s Naomie. Call me.”
Just as she ended the call, her phone rang. “Cici? Is Kal okay?”
“He’s in surgery.”
“Do you want me to come to wait with you?”
“Can you?”
“Send the helicopter for me. I just need to change clothes.”
“Okay, I’m calling the pilot now.”
“Then I’ll see you soon.”
Naomie went inside to the family room, where Russell and his family were gathered. She tapped on the door frame, and everyone looked in her direction. “I talked to Cici. Kal is in surgery. She’s sending the helicopter back, so I’m going to clean up and go be with her if that’s okay. I don’t think she should be alone.”
“Are you sure you’re up to that?” Mace asked. “I’ll go with you if you want.”
“No, you should be with your family. I can do this.”
“Thank you,” DeLyn said. “For everything.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more. Goodnight.”
She turned and headed through the house. The driveway was finally empty, and the quiet seemed very loud. Naomie started to close the door behind her, and it was jerked out of her hand. Russell pulled her into his arms and held her for a long moment.
“Will you be okay?” She asked.
“In time. How about you?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think any of us will be what we were before tonight, to be honest. But I’ll try. And I have to get to Cici. She’s all alone, and she’s hurting as bad as the rest of your family.”
“You’re not responsible for taking care of everyone, Naomie.”
“No, just the people I love. Take care of DeLyn. I’ll call you when there’s news about Kal.”
“Thank you.”
She nodded. “Talk soon.”
With that, she turned and hurried down the drive and across the road to where her small cottage was located. Her heart broke for the Walker family. Today was supposed to be a celebration, a beginning of sorts, the family meeting and with luck, accepting the man Cici was in love with.
It turned out to be quite the opposite. One person dead and another in surgery with his life hanging in the balance. How the hell did it all go so wrong and who was behind all this misfortune?
Whoever it was, she hoped they were found and locked up for a very long time.
Chapter Twenty-Five – April 28th, 2019
“You’re wrong,” Cici insisted.
“I’m afraid not, Ms. Walker,” the Detective argued.
“Yes, you are. Because this was a shooting incident and based on the report from authorities at the scene, his hands were tested, and there was no residue, nothing to indicate that Mr. Burton had even held the weapon in question.”
“And yet, his prints are on the weapon, and ballistics prove that the weapon in question was the one used to kill Mr. Walker. Additionally, it was a bullet from Mr. Walker’s weapon that wounded Mr. Burton, lending additional–”
“That’s hardly conclusive,” she insisted and shook off Naomie’s hand on her arm. “He could have been shooting at someone else. There’s no evidence they were the only two people in that area, and the scene was so trampled that it’s impossible to prove. Not only that, but there are more than just Kal’s prints on that weapon.”
“Yes, ma’am. That’s correct. And we have a sworn statement from Dr. Taylor and an employee of Heritage, Phil Hammond, stating that he picked up the weapon when he found it on the ground approximately two feet from where Mr. Burton lay and then put it down when directed to do so by Dr. Taylor.”
The Detective looked at Naomie. “Is that correct, Dr. Taylor?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, you can’t arrest him while he’s in this condition,” Cici insisted. “He’s only been out of recovery for a few hours and hasn’t even regained full consciousness.”
“I am aware, ma’am, however, we will wait until Mr. Burton is fully cognizant, and then we will place him under arrest for the murder of Robert Walker. He will be under guard here until the doctors deem him healthy enough to be released, upon which he will have a bail hearing.”
“Fine. Do what you must. I’m representing Mr. Burton until he can secure the services of an experienced criminal litigator, therefore I’ll expect to be present during any questioning.”
“Of course, ma’am.” The Detective stood and added. “My condolences on the loss of your grandfather. He was one of law enforcements staunchest supporters and benefactors and will be remembered with respect.”
“Thank you, Detective Jones.”
Once the room was empty aside from herself and Naomie, Cici sagged in her chair. “They’re wrong, Naomie. Kal didn’t shoot Gramps. I’d bet my life on it. He didn’t even have a gun. You saw them. Gramps was armed, but Kal wasn’t.”
“Yes, we’ve been over this a dozen times, and I gave a statement to that effect. I wish I knew what did happen last night. I wish I could turn back the clock and undo it. I know it doesn’t affect me as strongly as it does your family, but I did care deeply for your grandfather.”
“I know you did.” Cici reached out to take Naomie’s hand. “How did we get here, Naomie? It’s such a nightmare.”
“I don’t –”
Naomie’s answer was interrupted by Russell entering the room. “I ran into Detective Jones, and he said you’re representing Kalvin.” His words were spoken not as a question but in the tone of an accusation, which spiked ire immediately.
“I guess that makes you happy, doesn’t it Dad?”
“You might want to change that tone of voice, girl.”
“Or what?” She stood to face him. “No one has a clue what happened out there last night. All we know is the aftermath. We lost Gramps, and Kal nearly died. And so what that his prints are on the gun? He could have picked it up from the ground. There’s no evidence he fired it, and there’s no reason he would have. Not to mention that it’s not his gun, nor is it yours. So, how in the hell do you think he came into possession of it when he didn’t have one with him when he and Gramps left the house?”
“It’s not my job to prove his guilt or innocence, Cici, and while I’d like to believe that he didn’t kill your grandfather, the evidence is pointing in his direction. So, I’m of a mind to stay out of the way, cooperate with the authorities, and if it turns out Kalvin’s guilty, then I’ll advocate for a very long and unpleasant incarceration.”
“You’re such an ass, Dad. How can you turn your back on Kal this way?”
“I’m not. I’m simply not getting involved one way or the other and neither should you.”
“Well, fuck that. I am involved. See, I know he’s innocent, and I won’t turn my back on him no matter what you say.”
“That’s a mistake, Cici. A huge one. You need to step back. If he’s innocent, he’ll be exonerated, but until then you need to distance yourself from him, otherwise the blowback–”
“Stop!” She couldn’t listen to another word. “How can you do this to me, Dad? I love Kal, and I need you to stand with me and support him.”
“I am standing with you and trying to protect you from making a huge mistake.”
Never in her life had she been so hurt or disappointed. She couldn’t believe that her father would turn his back on her this way. It was clear that she couldn’t expect any support from her family. She was on her own, so fine, she was strong enough to go it alone. She didn’t
need him or any of them.
“No, you’re asking me to choose you over him, and I can’t do that. I love him, and I won’t walk away, so if you can’t support me then screw you.”
“Cici–”
She swatted his hand away when he reached for her and stormed out of the room, fighting to hold back tears. Once in the hallway, she leaned back against the wall to collect herself. It took a couple of minutes, but when she was composed, she hurried to the elevator and headed for Kal’s room.
They watched her leave then Russell turned to look at Naomie. “Her stubbornness is going to be her undoing one day.”
“She gets it honest.”
“I can do without wisecracks.”
She knew he was under a great deal of stress, so back-pedaled. “I apologize, but I do think you need to go easy on her right now. She’s hurting too. Not only did she lose her grandfather, but the man she loves was shot and is being charged with murder.”
“My point, precisely. He’s charged with murder. Or are you standing with her on this?”
Under normal circumstances, Naomie would have taken offense at his accusatory tone, but these were far from ordinary circumstances, so she let it slide and kept her tone neutral. “No. I’m standing firmly on my own, thank you, and this isn’t a matter of taking sides. Look, I know you’re hurting, but so is she. She loved Robert. We all did. And she wants the guilty person to pay just as much as you. She just doesn’t believe Kal is that person.
“And at the risk of you biting my head off, neither do I. I can’t give you a definitive reason, but I have a strong feeling there’s more to this than we’re seeing. It seems to me that someone has gone to a lot of effort so far, to make it look like Kal is trying to hurt Heritage and your family, yet the evidence always contradicts that. So, maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to condemn? Do you get what I’m saying?”
“What I’m hearing is you trying to find a way to excuse him.”
That tore it. Her temper flared before she could stop it. “Screw you, Russell.”
His expression was as shocked as she felt, and she immediately regretted the outburst. She grabbed his hand in both of hers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that, but I’m not going to lie to you just to make you feel better or have you win some contest with Cici. I know you love her and the two of you being at odds, especially now, is painful.”
“She’s wrong, Naomie. And if you side with her, so are you.”
“Maybe so. Time will tell, but if you’re going to turn your back on your own daughter and on me as well, then– well damn, Russell, why would you do that to people you love? Or maybe I’ve just been blind all along, and you don’t care as much as I thought you did.”
Unwilling to argue more, and fearing she would cry, she dropped his hand and started for the door. He caught her and pulled her back to face him. “I’m sorry. I–”
She saw tears glistening in his eyes, and it broke her in two. She threw her arms around him and held tight. “I’m here. Let it go.”
His tears sparked her own, and they stood in the small doctor’s conference room and cried together.
*****
Cici jumped up as Kal’s eyelids fluttered. “Kal?” She took his hand. “It’s Cici. I’m here. I’m here, Kal.”
“Cici?” He fully opened his eyes. “What happened. We– Cici, your grandfather!”
Even a novice to medical equipment like herself could see the way his heart rate increased. “Calm down, please, Kal. You have to calm down. You were shot. Do you remember?”
She saw the way his brows drew together and then his eyes widened. “Yes. We heard something. Robert said to split up, so I went down to one end of the fence. Just as I climbed through the fence, there was a shot. I saw a man with a gun, and just as I ran toward him, he fired again.”
Kal paused and his brows knitted together again. “I turned and saw Robert. He had a hand on his chest and was holding his gun. He raised it, and I yelled that it was me and then…then I felt something slam into me and–and that’s it.
“How is he, Cici? Was he shot?”
Cici squeezed his hand. “He’s dead, Kal.”
“Dead?” He tried to push himself up and groaned. That also set off an alarm, and within seconds a nurse was rushing in.
Cici got out of the way while the nurse checked Kal, the equipment and then raised the head of his bed for him. “Stay in bed,” she warned before she left.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Cici returned to stand beside the bed. “He was shot twice which coincides with what you heard. He also fired and shot you rather than the man with the gun. What happened after that’s a mystery, but according to forensics, your prints are on the gun, so I’m guessing the assailant put the gun in your hand long enough to get your prints on it and then put it on the ground beside you.”
“But why?”
“Same reason as the evidence in the other troubles we’ve had pointing to you. Someone wants us to believe that you’re behind all of it and now that you killed my grandfather.”
“But I didn’t. I swear on all that’s holy, I didn’t. Why would I do that? It’s crazy.”
“I know, and there was no residue on your hands, which minimizes the presence of your prints. I believe you Kal. I know you wouldn’t do this, but you’re going to be charged as soon as you’re strong enough to leave.
“Chances are, you’ll spend a night in the county lockup and then we’ll go before a judge to plead our case for you being released on bail. I’ve already gone on record as your attorney and will remain so until you can secure a good criminal defense attorney. I’ve already put calls out to the top three in the state.”
Kal reached for her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”
“You’re not going to lose me. I’ll be with you every step of the way until you’re exonerated.”
“And your family?”
“I love you,” she said. “And now you’re my family.”
“That means they believe I killed Robert.”
“It doesn’t matter what they believe. We’ll prove them wrong.”
“Are you sure, Cici? I don’t want to be the cause of a break between you and your family.”
“I told you. You’re my family now.”
What he said next was a complete surprise. “Then marry me.”
“Marry you?”
“Yes. I love you, and you said you love me, so marry me.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “There’s nothing I want more.”
“Can you get a judge to perform the ceremony?”
“What?” Cici was confused. “When do you want to get married?”
“Today.”
“Today? Here? In the hospital?”
“Yes, find a judge and let’s do it. I love you Cici.”
“And I love you, but I have to be honest. That’s not the wedding I’ve always dreamed of. I want the whole nine yards, Kal. White dress, a big venue with lots of guests, lavish reception – you know, a full-blown affair.”
“And we can have that. Later. After I’m cleared.”
“I –” Cici didn’t quite know what to say. That wasn’t what she wanted at all and didn’t see the need to rush.
She was saved from saying more by the door opening. Edward Altwell, and Kal’s secretary Melinda entered. “Edward, hi,” Cici went over, and he kissed her cheek.
“How’s our boy?” Edward asked.
“Doing well and expected to make a full recovery.”
“Good, good. There are a couple of things that require his attention. Do you think we could have an hour with him?”
“Oh, absolutely.” She hurried back to Kal and kissed him. “I’m going to go make some more calls and see what I can do about speeding up your representation. And I need to check on my grandmother. I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“I love you.”
She averted her eyes to kee
p from looking directly at Edward. He’d surely want to know what had transpired to have her and Kal professing love to one another, but she wasn’t ready to face even the curious look that was bound to be on his face.
As luck would have it, she nearly collided with Naomie as she left the room. “Where’s Dad?” she looked around.
“He went home to be with DeLyn and start making arrangements for Robert.”
“He hates me.”
“No, he doesn’t, and you know that. He’s just upset. Give him some time.”
“Could we maybe go for a walk? I need to get out of here for an hour, and I really need to talk to you.”
“Absolutely.”
They took the elevator to the ground level and then chose a side door that exited into a lovely shaded garden. Walkways wound through the foliage and benches were placed in the shelter of trees here and there. They found one and took a seat.
Cici took a moment to collect her thoughts, and in that time, Naomie asked. “How’re you doing, honey?”
She supposed she could have answered in any number of ways, but instead, blurted out the thing uppermost on her mind. “Kal asked me to marry him.”
Naomie looked like someone who didn’t know what to say so Cici continued. “He just asked. I said yes.”
A smile replaced the look of confusion and Naomie hugged her. “Then congratulations. Have you already set a date?”
“He wants to do it today.”
Now Naomie’s expression looked like Cici expected. Suspicious. “Today?”
“Yes.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
“I told him I wanted a big fancy wedding – the whole nine yards.”
“And?”
“He said we could do that after he’s cleared but wants me to find a judge to marry us today.”
“Okay, I’m not going to beat around the bush here. How does that make you feel?”
“I don’t know. Strange. Unsettled. Why?”
“Well, it makes me feel the same so let me ask you. How certain are you of Kal’s innocence in Robert’s death?”
Cici felt anger flash hot and intense. “That’s a shitty thing to ask.”
“Is it? I’m going to ask you to set aside your emotions for a minute and think like an attorney. Why would a man in his position want to rush into marriage when there’s no reason it can’t be delayed?”
