“Are you hurt?” one man said, rushing over to them.
“We don’t think so,” Shane said, letting go of Haley as they began to check her out.
“Is anyone else on the bus?” another guy asked.
“Yes. The driver. He’s deceased, but please pull his body free before it burns,” Shane said as the guy began assessing her for injuries. “I’m fine!” she yelled. “Please get him out!”
Two of the rescue workers rushed over, pulling Fizzy’s limp, crushed body away from the bus. A minute later, the entire wreck was engulfed in flames.
Both women had IV lines pumping warm saline into their veins, along with limited pain meds, and were wrapped in warming blankets before being loaded onto backboards for precaution, then rushed over to the helicopter that had landed nearby. Once they were secure, the rescuers put Fizzy’s body into a bag and brought him inside before lifting off.
***
It was dark and quiet. The only sound was a slight beeping noise. Shane squinted, trying to see her surroundings. She immediately froze, feeling as if she were trapped in the bus all over again. “Haley,” she croaked through a dry mouth. Her body felt like she’d been beaten with a wooden baseball bat.
“She’s okay. They have her down the hall in a more secure room,” a male voice stated.
What? Shane pried her eyes open a little further. “Dennis?” she squeaked, seeing him sitting beside her.
“Do you know where you are?” he asked.
“We got out…the bus…fire,” she mumbled. Finally, it started coming back to her. “Haley!” she said, trying to sit up. “Ugh,” she grimaced.
“Just relax. You’re fine. The bus was in a bad accident. You and Haley are both okay. You both have concussions and a lot of bumps and bruises.”
“I feel like I was hit in the head with a two by four,” she sighed.
“I bet,” he sympathized. “The doctor said you’ll both be able to get out of here today. Rich has arranged for the entire entourage to stay in a nearby motel.”
Shane felt around the arm of the hospital bed, searching for the button to lift her head up. Lying nearly flat wasn’t working for her. As the bed began to raise, she lulled her head to the side, finally seeing a streak of light peeking through the closed blinds. “Why is it so dark in here?”
“The light will make your head hurt worse. Trust me.”
She nodded. “What about Fizzy. The driver?”
“He was DOA.”
“I know that. Has he been sent home to his family?”
“I don’t know the specifics. Rich is handling everything. I only came because of you. Look, Shane. I understand if you’re done. He can hire someone else. You can come to Memphis with me and get back on regular private investigator cases.”
She stared at the slit in the blinds, then rolled her head to look at the beeping monitor next to the bed. “I can’t leave her. Not now,” she sighed, shaking her head.
“Are you sure? You’re lucky to be alive, Shane.”
“I know. But, that’s my answer.”
“Alright,” he said, dropping his shoulders.
“What caused the accident?”
“A deer ran out on the opposite side of the road. The guy swerved to miss it and clipped the bus. Your driver tried to avoid hitting him head on, which ultimately saved the guy’s life, but he hit a patch of black ice and skidded out of control. You went over the side of a very steep embankment and dropped nearly a hundred feet down into a dry river bed. It’s a miracle the bus didn’t explode.”
“Holy shit,” she mumbled.
“I think it shook Haley up pretty good,” he said.
“She was trapped. I don’t even know how I got to her and got her out, honestly.”
“Adrenaline is the most powerful drug money can’t buy.”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “Haley and Fizzy were pretty close. I think he’d worked for her for quite some time. He was a stand-up guy.” She shook her head. “Does he have any family? A wife or kids?”
“No idea.”
“I want to go check on her,” Shane said, willing herself to sit up and swing her legs over the side.
“You’re plugged up to this machine.”
“I don’t care. It’s on wheels. I’ll drag it behind me.” It hurt to stretch and move, but it also made Shane feel a little better once she was less stiff. She grabbed a hold of the IV pole with her left hand, and held her hospital gown closed with her right. “Can you grab the door? I’m a bit preoccupied.”
“Wouldn’t want you to let go and flash the nurses’ station,” he laughed, grabbing the handle.
***
“I’ve arranged for Fizzy’s body to be sent back to Nashville later today on a private plane. His family has already been in touch with a funeral home. I let them know we would cover all of the costs,” Rich said.
Haley sighed and shook her head as more tears slid down her cheeks. “I’m going to pay out his death benefit to them as well. The insurance company can cut me a check when they finish their investigation. I’m not leaving his mother and wife with nothing while they hem and haw over the crash details.”
“Okay.”
“Also, make sure you get the information for the funeral,” she said through tears. “The entire crew and band will be there.”
“As will I,” Shane said from the doorway.
Haley turned to see her making her way into the room. “Hi,” she said softly.
“I’m going to go make some calls. I’ll check back in with you in a little while,” he said to Haley, then turned to Shane and mouthed ‘Thank you.’
Shane nodded and stepped closer to the bed. Haley had the back raised as high as it would go, obviously trying to get comfortable. She had a bruise on the left side of her forehead.
“Do you think maybe we could have that talk now?” Shane asked, sitting down in the nearby chair.
“I’m pretty sure my life flashed before my eyes. At least, what I remember of it anyway. Some things are still a little faded.”
“Yeah, same for me.”
“I do know you got me out. So, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Shane said. “I—”
“If you say you were just doing your job, I’m going to strangle you with that IV line sticking out of your damn arm!”
Shane shook her head and grinned. “Life flashes before her eyes and nothing changes,” she muttered.
“I just don’t want to hear any macho bullshit.”
“Have I ever said any macho bullshit to you?”
“You use your job as an excuse a lot, so yeah.”
“Touché.” Shane nodded. “I was going to say I’m glad you’re okay. We could’ve both been so much worse.”
“I know. I still don’t understand how you even found me,” Haley whispered, hanging her head as a tear rolled down her cheek.
Shane reached out, grabbing Haley’s warm hand in hers.
“Good news,” Rich said, coming into the room.
Shane quickly let go of Haley’s hand.
“You’re both being discharged. We can head over to the motel as soon as you get dressed. Oh, and Shane, Dennis left you a package in your room. He said he’d be in touch.”
“Okay,” she said oddly as she stood up with ease and pushed the IV cart out of the way. “I can’t wait to get this damn thing out of my arm.”
“You look like you’re moving a lot better,” Haley said.
“Yeah, well, I have to get back to work. You know, macho bullshit and all,” she teased before walking out of the room.
“What was that all about?” Rich questioned.
“Nothing. I tried to fire her, but she won’t leave.”
“That’s because I hired her. You have no authority. I made that pretty clear the first day in case you decided to fire her then. I’m surprised you waited this long to give it a try,” he laughed.
“Rich,�
�� she sighed.
“Yes?”
“Piss off.”
He laughed. “Let’s get you out of here. We’re in the middle of nowhere, literally. The band is all worked up and chomping at the bit to see you. I made everyone stay at the motel.”
***
Shane walked back into her room to find a black duffle bag on the bed with a note lying on top of it.
Shane,
You’re the hardest working person I have ever met. I knew the minute I heard about the accident and found out you were not only alive, but pretty much uninjured, you’d be right back to work as soon as your feet touched the ground. Call it old man intuition. Anyway, I had to come for myself to make sure you truly were okay. Now that I know you are, I can leave you with this. I raided your place and packed you some clothes along with your Deputy U.S. Marshal identification because that was all that I could find, and a new phone. The notebook computer has the latest information on your stalker loaded on it. I figured you’d need that too, because yours was probably fried. Hopefully, this is enough to get you going. Oh, and I added a credit card I found as well, in case there are other things you need. Just send me the bill when all is said and done. I’m glad you’re okay, my friend. I’ll be in touch.
PS. I took the car for a drive. You know, since it hasn’t moved in a couple of weeks.
“Wow,” she mumbled, unzipping the bag. There were a couple pairs of jeans, a couple t-shirts, a pair of black tactical boots, a couple of long-sleeved shirts, a pair of socks, and a black, zip up hoodie. “Really? You went through my entire bedroom and this is what you come up with? At least you threw in a pair of underwear,” she grumbled, shaking her head. “And we both know you didn’t drive my car,” she laughed.
Chapter 20
“The same room, Rich? Really? It was difficult enough sharing a bus. Now, we have to share a bed?” Haley growled.
“They only have three rooms available, and it’s two to a room. You two are the only females, and you’re not sharing a bed. You’re sharing a room.”
Haley snatched the key out of his hand and headed off in the direction of room 215.
“For the record, I’m with her on this one,” Shane added, following behind Haley.
“We’re only here for the night,” he called to their backs. He’d already sent the road crew back to Nashville as soon as he found out Haley was okay, and had gotten word they’d be arriving the next morning. He’d put the band up in the motel, and booked an extra room for himself, which was how they’d ended up with the remaining open rooms. Once he’d found out Haley was being released, he’d booked the first available private plane out of Topeka, the closest airport. However, they had to wait until the next day.
***
The small motel room had two full-size beds with a nightstand in between them, and a rickety desk and chair against the wall in the corner. A sink and counter top were along the wall outside of the closet-sized room where the worn tub and toilet were located.
“This ought to be fun,” Haley muttered, stepping inside and walking over to the bed nearest to the door, where a couple of bags were sitting.
Shane followed her in and tossed her duffle bag onto the other bed.
“What the hell?” Haley grumbled, emptying the contents of the bags. A pair of dark green sweatpants fell out of the first bag onto the bed, along with a baggy white t-shirt with a cat on the front of it. The second bag had a package of ladies brief underwear and a brown jacket that looked like it was from the seventies.
Shane turned her head to hide her laughter. It honestly wasn’t funny. They were in a horrible situation that took the life of a good person, as well as all of their personal belongings. Still, she couldn’t wait to see Haley in her new outfit. As it was, she was dressed in the sweatpants, matching sweatshirt, and brown snow boots with fuzzy lining that Rich had rushed out to get so she could leave the hospital.
“You can sleep outside in the cold if you’d like,” Haley sneered, shoving the items back into the bags.
“Come on. Rich has great taste,” Shane replied, trying desperately to keep a straight face as she turned on the TV. “Oh, look. We’re on the news.”
“What?” Haley spun around, gasping when she saw the charred remains of what used to be her tour bus, lying on its side in the dried river bed.
Country star Haley Nielsen narrowly survived a horrible accident last night on Highway 75 when her tour bus swerved to avoid a head on collision and crashed through a guardrail, landing down in what used to be the Tomahawk River. She was reported with minor injuries and has been released from Memorial Hospital. Her driver, Ralph Fizzuto, 55, out of Nashville, Tennessee, died at the scene. Another passenger, former Deputy U.S. Marshal Shane Crowley, survived with minor injuries and has also been released. Reports say Ms. Nielsen was headed towards Omaha, Nebraska, where she was set to play tonight on the next stop of her Rebellious Tour. The tour has been postponed until further notice.
“That didn’t take long,” Haley sighed, wiping a tear from her cheek. Seeing the remains of the bus brought the horror of the night into the light of day.
Shane pressed the button on the remote to turn it back off. Then, she walked over to her duffle bag and unzipped it. “I don’t know what size you wear, but these might fit,” she said, tossing one of the fresh pairs of jeans onto the other bed.
“How do you have clothes and stuff?”
“My boss, who’s also a very good friend, flew here as soon as he got word of the accident. He stopped at my apartment first, bringing a few things he thought I might need. I have an extra t-shirt, too,” she added, tossing it over to her. “Unless, you want to be a cat lady.”
“Very funny,” Haley said sarcastically.
“There’s nothing I can do about the granny panties, however. He only packed me one pair of underwear. Apparently, men don’t change them daily or something.”
Haley rolled her eyes and chuckled slightly.
***
Later that night, Shane was sound asleep, albeit moving around restlessly. Haley sat in the desk chair, watching her through the moonlight cascading in between the shabby curtains. She had her knees curled to her chest and the motel complimentary small notepad and pen in her hands.
She didn’t have to think hard to remember the lyrics of the song she’d been working on. She began humming the tune and writing as they slowly played in her head. By the time she’d finished, she’d completed the final verse, which she’d been working on just before the accident. She tore the paper off and stuffed it into one of her fuzzy snow boots so she wouldn’t lose it.
Shane made a few noises, almost like she was talking in her sleep. Then, she flopped around, either trying to get comfortable, or fighting with the blanket and sheets. Haley wasn’t sure. She moved between their beds. Hesitating at the side of hers, she turned back towards Shane. “What is it that makes me want you so bad, and want to run from you at the same time?” she whispered. “You make me crazy,” she sighed, shaking her head and getting into her own bed.
***
Shane focused on the open notebook computer in her lap, instead of the beautiful woman sitting across from her. Haley was slightly disheveled and certainly out of her element, but she looked sexier than ever wearing Shane’s oversized clothes with her hair falling wildly around in loose spiral waves. She was curled up in a pair of seats, and nearly asleep as she stared out the window at the clouds they were flying over.
Bringing her focus back to the computer, Shane read over all the notes she’d sent to Dennis, along with the new updates he’d added. At first, she’d thought the magazine angle was a long reach, but Dennis had a note about the latest letter that Haley had received at the CMT Awards. Both words on the paper had come from the same magazine: Beloved From Above, a monthly Christian publishing with thousands of subscribers. She had no idea how he’d found this out, but it was something, when all they’d had previously was nothing. None of the other
letters had solid words from a single page. They all had individual letters cut from multiple pages and glued together on the paper to form words. He’d obviously taken his time on each one. The newest letter had two full words cut from the same magazine, indicating that he’d most likely been rushed. I bet he saw the commercial the day before, or perhaps even the day of, showing Haley performing at the show. Until that point, she wasn’t listed at all. “The post mark is fake,” she said loudly, startling everyone on board.
Haley nearly jumped out of the seats she was slumbering in, and Rich squeezed the cup of water he was holding, causing it to go everywhere.
“I’m sorry,” Shane said, reaching for the cell phone Dennis had left her with. She fumbled from screen to screen, looking for the contacts, finally finding the only one listed, Dennis’s number. She quickly pushed the call button.
As soon as Dennis answered, Shane said, “He’s local.”
“Huh? Shane? Is that you? You sound like you’re in a rabbit hole or something.”
“I’m thirty-thousand feet up. Listen, I was looking at my notes. I saw what you added about the magazine. Are you able to get a hold of their subscriber list?”
“Yeah, but there are thousands of households in Tennessee. I’ll be honest with you, very few of them are men.”
“Shrink the net to the Nashville area, maybe thirty miles outside. He’s local, Dennis. The postmark on the envelope was fake. He hand-delivered that letter. He had to because he didn’t have time for it to go through the mail. He found out she’d be there in less than twenty-four hours,” Shane said, trying to pull up a map on the computer, but the WiFi wouldn’t connect. “Damn it,” she huffed. Looking up, she saw all eyes on her as if she were a circus act about to perform.
Rebel Sweetheart Page 9
