“No, I’m not here to visit… I mean…” She pulled in a deep breath and instantly regretted it as the smell overwhelmed her.
“Are you okay, ma’am?”
“I’m… Yes, I’m fine. I’m here because a good friend of mine was brought here tonight. She’s dead.”
The nurse’s face turned sympathetic. “I’m sorry to hear that. Unless you are her next-of-kin we aren’t able to release any information to you.”
Evie held out the papers, determined to stay strong. “She doesn’t have any next-of-kin. I’m her power of attorney. Do I—am I supposed to identify her body?”
“I don’t know if her body has been identified yet or not. Usually, it isn’t required if there are people available who know the person and can verify who they are. Let me look her up in the database for you.”
Evie shifted from foot to foot as she waited. Finally, the nurse nodded at the computer screen and turned kind eyes towards her. “No. You don’t have to identify the body. A friend arrived with her, and there is a Sheriff Verduzco listed in the system as having confirmed her identity as well.”
Evie nodded reflexively. “I-uh-I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now. I know I have to arrange a funeral and follow through with the plans she made for the type of service she would like. I just—I’ve never done this before. I don’t even know where to begin.”
The nurse gave her another sympathetic look. “Right now there isn’t much you can do. A coroner’s report is required, given that there is suspicion this may not have been a suicide and was actually murder.”
Evie felt the floor tilt slightly. “S-suicide?”
“No one told you how she died?”
“No. I didn’t wait for them to explain. I just drove here… Please, I need you to tell me.”
The nurse hesitated, and Evie wanted to shake her so hard the look of pity would leave her face. She didn’t need pity. She needed facts. Suicide changed everything she knew. “According to her file, her arms were slit as if she had tried to commit suicide. But a sworn statement has been made that she was still talking when she was found and claimed she didn’t do it. That and the unusual bruising on her head make it suspicious.”
“Her arms were…” The room tilted further. In her mind’s eye she saw Judge O’Connor lying in a pool of her blood, her life slowly leaving her. But she would never kill herself! She tried to gasp in air but it seemed harder and harder.
“Evie.”
She pivoted slowly at the sound of his voice, rough with exhaustion and emotion. She saw the pained look on Santo’s handsome face and reality crashed down on her hard. “She’s dead. She’s really dead.” She wanted to slap him. She wanted to turn away from him. She wanted to hurt him for implying she could have saved the judge if she’d only been in her usual space that night. She also wanted to run into his arms and hold him until the pain eased.
“Yes.”
She saw him take a giant step towards her and felt him catch her just as the floor did its final tilt and she fell into blackness.
* * *
She heard voices in the distance, gradually moving closer and closer to her. Her heart ached, and she felt ill to her stomach. Something bad had happened, but she couldn’t remember what. She forced her eyes open and Santo’s tired and worried face filled her vision.
“There she is,” a woman’s voice said from somewhere nearby.
“Hey,” Santo said. He watched her closely but didn’t make any move to touch her. The tension in his face as he watched her reminded her of the accusing tone he’d had on the phone with her earlier. “I knew you would come here before you went home. I didn’t want you to be alone when you heard everything.”
Everything rushed back to her, slamming into her chest like a sledgehammer. “I-I’m fine. I don’t need anything from you. Please, just leave me alone so I can make arrangements..”
“There’s nothing you can do right now, honey, other than taking care of yourself.” A nurse appeared at her side and handed her a cup of water. Evie suddenly realized she lay halfway propped up in a hospital bed.
“How did I... What happened?”
“You fainted. Good thing your boyfriend moves fast and caught you.” The nurse’s gentle smile faded. “I’m sorry for your loss. From what your boyfriend has been telling me, you were very close to the woman who passed. Sounds like both of you were. Part of the grieving process is denial and confusion. Everything you’re feeling is normal. It will get better. I know you don’t believe me, but over time, you’ll start remembering all of the good things and less of what happened today.”
The nurse was right—she didn’t believe her. She didn’t think the ache and pain in her heart would ever go away. She drank the water quickly and handed the cup back to the nurse. “Thank you. I’m sorry I caused such a scene. When…” She paused and tried to collect her thoughts. “How long will the coroner take?”
“Sheriff Verduzco is tight with the coroner, and they are making Francis’s autopsy a priority. They should make a conclusion within the next day or two, and then you’ll be able to have the funeral you think she would want.” Santo reached for her hand but she pulled back and he frowned. “I heard you say you’re her power of attorney. Did she give you instructions for everything she wanted?”
Evie nodded without looking at him and focused on the nurse instead. “Will I need to come back once the autopsy is finished?”
“Where is she going to be buried?” the nurse asked.
“She fell in love with Hebbronville and told me she wanted to be buried there if anything ever happened to her. She said her soul already belonged to the town, so she might as well stay there for eternity.” She tried to smile, but her lips felt numb.
“Just get with the funeral home in Hebbronville and they’ll be able to walk you through everything that needs to be done.” The nurse tilted her head slightly and gave her a half-smile. “You’ve got some color in your cheeks again. I’d say you’re doing much better. You’re free to leave whenever you’d like. There’s nothing more you can do here.”
Santo had been sitting on the side of the bed and stood, hovering nearby as if expecting to help her to her feet, but unsure if she would accept his assistance. She didn’t want anything from him. She stood slowly, anticipating the room would start tilting or spinning again, but nothing happened. She sighed with relief. “Thank you,” she said to the nurse.
The woman who had dark hair sprinkled with gray gave her a gentle hug. “You’re going to be okay. I’m glad you have such a good man at your side to get you through this.”
Evie ignored the comment and grabbed her purse from a nearby tray and headed out into the halls, following the exit signs. She wanted to get as far from Santo as possible. She didn’t want to talk to him about Judge O’Connor. If he thought she could be involved in what had happened, she never wanted to see him again for the rest of her life.
“Evie, we need to talk. You can’t keep avoiding me.” Santo’s voice seemed loud as they exited the hospital.
She pretended she hadn’t heard him and continued toward her car. He jogged several steps until he stood in front of her and blocked her path. “I’m not going to play games here, Evie. We need to talk, and you can’t just block me out. I need to know exactly where you’ve been tonight.”
Evie’s mouth dropped open but she clicked it shut quickly. “How dare you,” she growled, clenching her hands into fists, her keys digging sharply into her palms. “Do you think you have any right to treat me as if I could be involved in her death?”
“You don’t think it is incredibly convenient that you got an assignment to Corpus the day before she died? You don’t think it odd that there is no way to lock in where you’ve been for the past several hours? She trusted you, Evie. Probably more than she should have. And now she’s dead. It had to be someone very close to her to know exactly how to reach her.”
Evie hadn’t realized she’d been about to slap him until he caught her wrist
in mid-air, her palm just inches from cracking across his jaw. “Do you think your indignation over my questions makes you look more innocent? Your failure to tell me anything only makes you look guiltier.”
“I can’t believe I ever thought you were a kind, good man. I thought you were different, and I certainly got that right. It seems you like to play at being a detective. I suggest you leave that up to the people who know what they’re doing.”
“Like you? You’re obsessed with crime, Evie. You study it for school and fun. What better way to take it to the next level than experience the crime first-hand?”
She twisted her wrist free from his grip and sneered at him. “You’re sick. Do you realize that? I would never do such a thing. How do you come up with these thoughts? Is it because you fantasize about it yourself? Maybe I should be asking you all of these questions. Where were you tonight? Is that why you call yourself the Saint of Death?”
Santo glowered at her. “Answer my questions. Do you have proof you’ve been in Corpus this whole time? Or did you make a trip back to Hebbronville? You certainly got here fast after I called you.”
“I’m done with you. I don’t have to answer any of your questions, and I don’t need to be harassed by you. I need to process what has happened to a woman I greatly admired. I can’t believe how wrong I was about you. Just leave me alone.”
She attempted to step around him but he stepped with her. “You know something, don’t you? You have an idea who did this to her. Who, Evie? What do you know?”
“Do you really think I would tell you anything after you practically accused me of killing her? You are delusional! Get out of my way, Santo. I won’t ask you again.”
“I forgot. You carry your trusted Taser everywhere. Is that how you intend to get away from a difficult situation, Evie? Is violence your answer to everything?”
“Damn you, Santo!” She clenched her hands again and one of her keys cut the flesh between her fingers, but she didn’t even notice. “She was my mentor. I wanted to follow in her footsteps and become a judge. What motive would I have to kill her? What motive would I have to—to…” She swallowed hard, fighting the tears burning her throat and eyes. “You know nothing about me. You know nothing about anything that is going on. Go back to your ranch and be a cowboy. You’re in over your head here.”
His whole body tensed. “What are you talking about? Shit, Evie, I know it hurts. I hurt, too. Francis was like my big sister, always protecting me. And I failed her the one time she needed me to protect her. Yes, it’s my fault she’s dead. I didn’t act quickly enough. I should have seen the signs and been able to stop this. But if there are things you know, if there are things that can help us find her killer, you need to let me know.”
“This isn’t the wild west anymore, Santo. I hate to tell you, but you don’t get to mount your horse and chase after the bad guy and have a shootout.”
He took a step closer to her. “But you know who the bad guy is, don’t you? You have the answers to all of this, don’t you?”
Tears of anger and grief filled her eyes and she fought to see him clearly. “I don’t know. I don’t know! I made a mistake—a stupid, terrible mistake years ago, and I think it led her down the wrong path. So, if you want to talk about responsibility for killing her, fine. As far as I can tell, I’m guilty, and I deserve to rot in hell for what I’ve done. Does that make you happy, Santo? Is that what you wanted to hear?”
Santo seemed momentarily stunned by her words before regathering himself to launch into the next series of questions. “You need to help, Evie. We have to stop whoever did this to her.”
“Easy. Just stay with me for a while. He’s coming for me next.” She almost found the look of shock on his face comical. Almost. But the gravity of the situation sat heavily on her shoulders and exhaustion tugged at her. “Will you please step aside now? I just want to go home.”
“After a statement like that you think I’m going to be okay with you going home? You just admitted someone is targeting you for murder. How the hell can I let you be alone now?”
“Does it really matter to you? A few minutes ago you were ready to take me straight to the authorities because you think I k—” Her voice broke and she struggled to swallow. “You think I killed Judge O’Connor. Why does my life even matter to you? Has everything with you up until now been one big act? You should get into movies. You’d win awards. Because you certainly fooled me.”
Santo raked both hands through his hair, leaving it in a disarray. “Look, my approach has been harsh. I know that. I didn’t…” He shook his head, lifting his eyes to the sky. Slowly he lowered them until his gaze connected with hers. “Francis told me multiple times you were her last line of defense to protect her if anyone ever came through that shouldn’t be there. When you were missing earlier tonight, I was terrified. I thought whoever had killed Francis had taken you.”
“From your reaction earlier, I can tell you’re disappointed he didn’t.”
“Son of a… Will you just listen to me, Evie? This is my shitty way of telling you I’m sorry. I was angry. I needed someone to blame for what happened to Francis, and I lashed out at you. It was wrong, and I’m sorry. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I want you to be safe. And the only way that will happen is if you come home with me.”
“Are you out of your mind? You’ve been a complete ass to me and you expect me to go home with you? No. Get out of my way. I’m tired and I want to go home.”
“I’m not going to let you go through this alone, Evie. I want to help you. I don’t want you facing any danger alone, and I want to help you with the arrangements you need to make for Francis. You shouldn’t be alone right now, whether there’s danger or not.”
Her eyes burned with tears and she blinked quickly, trying to prevent them from spilling over. “I have so many questions I want to ask you. I don’t even know how you found her. I don’t know anything about what happened tonight.”
“When the time is right, I’ll tell you everything. Right now we’re both exhausted and emotionally drained.” He began to reach for her but let his hand fall to his side when she took a step out of his reach. “I’d like you to stay with me while we get everything sorted out and make all the arrangements. I don’t like the idea of you alone during all of this, regardless of the danger. You don’t have to go back to Corpus, do you?”
Evie shook her head. “Not right away. As soon as the funeral is over, though, they expect me to return.”
Santo frowned. “How long are they going to keep you out there?”
“I don’t know. I’m afraid I may not have a job in Hebbronville any longer, so I may have to take the permanent position in Corpus.”
“Whoever steps into the role as county judge will desperately need your help. I don’t see anyone being able to handle the office without you.”
Evie wrapped her arms around herself, trying to comfort herself for all that she’d been through in the past few hours. “I don’t know what to expect right now. If they are investigating her death, I’m sure part of the courthouse will be closed off while they gather clues.”
“There are a lot of things in motion, but we can talk about all of it tomorrow morning after you’ve had some rest. Will you stay with me? Will you come out to the ranch, at least for a couple of days?”
Evie thought of Anya and Elena, and knowing they would be near her to help her through the grieving process, and she needed them desperately. “Yes. I’ll go, but only because I need Anya and Elena right now. I don’t want anything to do with you. I’m parked over there. I’ll just follow you out to the ranch.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I deserve that. Though I hope you’ll let me make it up to you. As far as your car…” Santo shook his head. “You really scared me when you fainted. I don’t want to take any chances. Buzz stayed behind also, and he can drive your car back and you can ride with me in my truck. Is that okay?”
The way he asked her for permission
instead of ordering her what to do gave her an extra level of comfort. “Yes. That will be fine. Though he’s going to be like a little sardine squished into my car.”
He turned and walked alongside her to his truck, and Evie appreciated the distance he gave her. Buzz sat in the passenger seat, grabbing a few minutes of rest. He became alert before they reached the truck and jumped out, leaving the door open for Evie. “How are you holding up?” he asked softly.
“A little overwhelmed. But I’ll be okay. Everything is going to be okay.”
“Don’t try to ignore your feelings, Evie. I’ve lost people I deeply cared for and tried to put on a brave face while the pain ate away on the inside. If it hadn’t been for Santo, I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through it. There’s nothing wrong with crying. There’s nothing wrong with screaming at the sky about how unfair all of this is. Don’t let it tear you apart.”
“Thank you, Buzz,” she whispered, unable to talk past the tears clogging her throat. She stepped away from Santo for a moment and embraced Buzz, then turned to the truck, climbing in on her own, not waiting for Santo to attempt to help her up.
Buzz’s eyes lifted to Santo. “So am I driving her car back to the ranch?”
“Yes. She agreed to stay with us for a couple of days.” Santo looked up at her and she nodded. Her brain kicked into gear slowly and she let go of the keys she’d been clutching in her hands, wincing at the burn from the spot where she’d cut herself. She handed the keys over to Buzz.
“Thank you for doing this,” she murmured. “Drive safe.”
“I will. See y’all at the ranch soon.”
The entire drive, Evie stared out at the dark sky. Even the stars didn’t want to shine on the bleak night, as if they, too, grieved. She couldn’t wait to be with Elena and Anya, though she knew it probably wouldn’t be until morning when she felt their warm, comforting embraces. She wished she could turn to Santo and tell him everything she knew and ask him to help her solve the puzzle, but after his behavior, she didn’t know who she could trust.
Protected in His Arms: Elite Texas SEALs Page 12
