Blinding pain exploded but Jason grabbed for the knife. Brent got to it first and Jason caught his wrist, smacking it hard against the headstone. The blade flew, landing just out of reach. Jason straddled his son, reaching for the knife.
“I hate you! I HATE YOU!” Brent bucked beneath him, bringing a knee up hard, catching Jason between the legs. He screamed as pain erupted, shooting like fire through his entire body.
And Brent was on him again, his hands fisted in Jason’s hair as he slammed his head into the ground. Jason’s teeth clacked together. He bucked his son off. Both clambered toward the knife, pain searing and ripping and tearing Jason with every movement.
Brent got to it first, and in a flash, he was above Jason, the knife raised high over his head as he shrieked his madness and rage. Jason saw the blade’s edge glint in the moonlight and knew this was the moment his visions had predicted.
“I HATE YOU!” Brent arched back, preparing to bring the knife down just as a deafening BANG! rang out, ripping the air.
The men froze and for a moment, time seemed to stop as both of them turned toward the sound.
In the misty haze, a figure stood beside a tree, gun raised in both hands.
Hallie!
Her eyes were narrowed, her mouth a hard, grim line.
“Po- police,” Jason said through the breathtaking pain that crawled through him.
She stepped closer and Jason saw that her lip was bloody - Brent’s handiwork. “I’ve already called them.” Her voice was like steel, her eyes nailed to Brent. “Put the knife down,” she told him, stepping closer, animal fear in her eyes.
Brent slowly rose to his feet.
“I said, put it down.”
Jason pulled himself up, wincing. Groin throbbing like an abscessed tooth, he steadied himself against the headstone.
“I mean it,” said Hallie. “I don’t have a thing to lose. I will kill you.”
“Hallie … wait,” said Jason, pain blooming like a razor-winged rose with each syllable. “Hallie … don’t shoot.”
Brent glanced at Jason as if for help, then back to Hallie; he looked trapped - a rabbit caught between a busy highway and a hungry wolf.
That’s when the sounds of sirens began, distant at first, but growing closer.
For a moment, Brent looked like he might run.
“You’ll never make it,” said Hallie. “Not unless you can outrun a bullet.”
The sirens grew louder, closer.
Slowly, Brent’s fingers uncurled themselves and the knife dropped to the ground. He hung his head and his shoulders began heaving with great racking sobs.
20
Sleep
Brent was taken into custody. He hadn’t said a word when the police put the handcuffs on. He’d simply stared at the ground, unwilling - or unable - to meet anyone’s eyes. As the car drove away, taking him to the police station, he cast a single longing glance at Jason. Jason had stared back, startled by the utter absence of recognition when he gazed into his son’s face; it was like looking at a stranger, and only when the cruiser was out of sight did Jason allow himself to cry.
Then, wrapped in blankets, he and Hallie had given statements. As the rain eased, Jason recalled the events in a kind of daze, fighting tears and feeling as if the whole thing were happening to someone else. This couldn’t be real. It just couldn’t be, and he wondered if he’d ever be able to come to terms with it.
Paramedics tended to Hallie’s wounds and insisted she go to the hospital. Jason, with an ice pack on his groin, assured them that he was fine, and said he’d take her. A deputy was sent to Dottie’s to make sure Amber was okay.
Sheriff Redding walked around with a blank look on his face, clearly baffled. He met Jason’s eyes only once, and in that brief glance, Jason saw compassion rather than judgment, kindness, and something that looked like an apology. Jason nodded - apology accepted - though he probably owed the sheriff one of his own for suspecting he was Savannah’s killer.
For half an hour, the cemetery was a madhouse, then, as quickly as they’d come, everyone was gone. Everyone but Jason and Hallie - and now, the grounds were utterly, almost preternaturally, silent.
In a wordless haze, Hallie and Jason made their way toward the cemetery’s exit, both of them - Jason knew - different people than they’d been that morning.
“How’s your pain?” When Hallie’s voice cut the silence at last, it was a welcome, comforting sound.
“Well … I’m walking, so … better, I guess.” But with each step, he inwardly winced at the daggers of pain in his groin; it was as if his balls had a migraine.
It was several moments before Hallie spoke again. “Jason?”
“Huh?”
“I’m really sorry about this. I don’t even know what else to say.”
“I don’t know what to say either, Hallie.” And it was true. There were so many questions - What will happen to Brent? How will I tell Amber? What does this mean for our future? For Brent’s future? And what about Scott and Liam Sturgess? - but there were no answers.
Jason let out a shuddering sigh. Just take it one day at a time. No, one moment at a time. That was the best he could do, and right now, he’d take Hallie to the emergency room, go home, and figure out what he would tell Amber in the morning. After that, he hadn’t a clue.
They walked past the rows of jutting headstones and Jason stopped when he caught sight of something in a tree. “Look.” He pointed up at a white owl. It looked down at them, its yellow eyes curious. “It’s the last peaceful thing Savannah saw before she died.”
“It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen a white one before.”
The owl called to them. ‘Who?’ it asked, and at last, Jason knew the answer - and it was more terrifying, more soul-shattering, than he ever could have imagined. My own son - that’s who ...
“My God.” Hallie gasped, grabbing his hand. “Look.”
Jason saw it at the same moment Hallie did: an impossible figure staring at them from beneath the tree. At first he was frightened and, in his mind, he was grabbing Hallie and running back to the car - but his feet never moved.
Savannah Sturgess, lit by a radiant glow as if, despite the darkness of night, she existed now beneath a sun all her own. She looked nothing like his preconceived notions of ghosts - her body had full substance - she was as real as Hallie and himself. And all her wounds were gone. Her pretty face was soft under the frosty moon, her skin untouched by the cruelties of this world.
“You … really see her?” Jason asked. It didn’t seem real. The whole thing felt like a figment of someone else’s imagination.
“Yes.” Hallie’s hand was a vise around Jason’s. “My God. Yes. I see her.”
Savannah tilted her head gently and gave them a soft smile. “Thank you.” Her lips never moved and the voice seemed to emanate from somewhere far away - as if spoken down a long quiet hallway. Or a canyon.
Jason stared, wanting to say something - but there were no words. He thought of the necklace in his pocket, wondering if he should somehow return it to her - but she smiled then turned and began walking away, unaffected by the wind and rain.
It’s mine now. He knew it without knowing how.
“Thank you.”
He heard the words once more, as soft as the rustle of leaves on a whispering wind.
Barely breathing, hand in hand, Hallie and Jason watched her until she was gone, until she faded away into the night - on her way, Jason hoped, to a much kinder world than this one.
21
Aftermath
The days passed quietly, with neither night terrors nor unearthly visits to remind Jason of the unbelievable events that had consumed his life in Shadow Springs. Brent had been incarcerated and would be tried as an adult. Jason hadn’t seen him since that night at the cemetery - he knew he should visit, and he would - but for now, he just couldn’t bring himself to do so.
He hadn’t told Amber what Brent had done. Not yet. There was plenty of time for
that, and perhaps when she was a little older, she’d be able to understand. Jason hoped he would understand one day, too, but for now, his focus was on his daughter.
Amber was a sharp kid and he suspected she knew Brent was responsible for the death of Savannah Sturgess, but she hadn’t come right out and said so, and Jason hadn’t offered any more information except that Brent was going somewhere to hopefully get the help he needed. She’d cried a lot - especially at night, but already, Jason noticed that her days were filling back up with laughter and playing - and he suspected that had something to do with Hallie.
Now, Jason and Dottie sat on a blanket in the side yard between their homes, watching as Amber and Hallie played a game of hide-and-seek. The two of them had bonded strongly in the past weeks and Jason was grateful for Hallie’s presence. Now, it was Hallie rather than Savannah that Amber wanted to be like when she grew up. Jason was much more comfortable with this choice - and it broke his heart that they had to leave Hallie behind.
Dottie gazed over at the SOLD sign perched at the front of the lawn, and sighed. She was not happy about their upcoming departure. “I wish you’d reconsider, dear.”
Jason shrugged. “I don’t have much choice.”
“But you belong in this town.”
“I’m glad someone thinks so, Dottie.”
“Oh, stop. You know as well as I do that soon enough the whole thing will be forgotten.”
“Small towns have long memories, Dottie.” It was the truth, and it wasn’t fair that Amber should spend her life as the little sister of a cold-blooded killer. The moving van would arrive within a couple of days to move them to the new house in Stoker’s Grove - it was a done deal and Jason only hoped it was the right choice. He thought it was.
Dottie nodded and sighed, watching as Hallie discovered Amber behind a tree and began tickling her. “The thing that really breaks my heart is that.” She pointed as the two fell to the ground, locked in a tickle war.
“I know. I doubt I’ll ever meet another one like her. But the truth is, it’s just too soon.”
“Nonsense,” said Dottie. “It’s never too soon to start loving someone.”
And maybe she was right - Jason didn’t know the rules of love after the death of a spouse. He only knew that the idea of trying to replace Julia didn’t feel right.
As if reading his thoughts, Dottie said, “You can never replace your wife, and you’re not supposed to - but don’t walk away from something wonderful because you still feel married. I did that once. A man I met about five months after I lost Howard. I still regret it. I wouldn’t be alone now ...”
Perhaps he was being too cynical, but he suspected Dottie was fibbing for his benefit.
“Look who’s here.” Dottie pointed.
Coop, cap-covered head down and hands in his pockets, rounded the house and started toward them.
“I’ll be right back.” Jason got to his feet.
“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.” Coop’s lip twitched.
Jason was uneasy, too. He and Coop hadn’t seen each other since the confrontation in front of the courthouse and he wasn’t sure where he stood with the guy. Deciding to put his best foot forward, Jason said, “Would you like to join us? Dottie made an apple pie.”
“No,” said Coop. “I can’t stay. I just heard that you were leaving and … well, I wanted to apologize about …” His words trailed off.
“No, I should apologize, Coop. I should have told you what was going on and I don’t blame you for being upset with me.”
Coop nodded. “No hard feelings then?”
“Absolutely none.”
Coop looked over at Hallie and Amber. “It looks like those two are getting along.”
“They really are.”
“A shame you’re leaving so soon.”
Jason said nothing.
“How’s your daughter coping?”
“Better than I could have hoped.”
“Good.” Coop looked around. “Are you sure you want to leave? I mean, it looks like things are going pretty good for you and all.”
“I have to, Coop. I can’t raise Amber here. Not after …”
Coop nodded, his face glittering with a light sweat. “Will you … keep in touch?”
“Absolutely. I have your number and you have mine.”
“Stoker’s Grove, huh?”
Jason nodded. “Word travels fast.”
“You know how it is.”
Unfortunately, he did. “Yeah, I got a nice place there. Plenty of room for my massage studio, but a lot newer than this house.”
Coop’s eye twitched. “Maybe I can buy you a beer before you go. You know, for old time’s sake.”
“I’d like that. How about tomorrow?”
Coop nodded. “Perfect.”
“Same place?”
“Yep. Say, four-thirty?”
“I’ll be there.” Jason grinned.
Coop held his hand out.
Jason took it in both his own. “I’m glad I met you, Jim Cooper.”
“See you then.” Coop, obviously uncomfortable with sentimental moments, turned and headed back to his truck.
Maybe I’ll force a big bear hug on him before I leave town. Jason chuckled. When he returned to where Dottie sat on the blanket, Hallie and Amber were there too, dishing up apple pie.
“How big a piece do you want?” Dottie asked.
“Huge.” Hallie made room and Jason sat between her and Amber, feeling that this was exactly where he belonged - right between these two wonderful girls. He looked at Hallie and grinned. She’s part of the reason I’m coping so well.
She smiled back, but he detected the sadness in it. He’d talked to her about the move at length and she understood his reasons, admitting that she’d do the same in his position, but that didn’t make it any easier. They’d promised to keep in touch and even planned some visits, but Jason knew that over time, they’d slowly lose track of each other. Daily texts and phone calls would dwindle to a few times a week, then maybe a few times a month, and eventually … nothing. It was just the way it worked, and Jason had no illusions about that. Soon enough, Hallie would meet someone new and she’d forget Jason - and that was for the best. While he had avoided getting involved with her, his heart had other plans and as far as it was concerned, it was already too late. He knew Hallie felt the same way - she’d told him more than once - and he felt guilty for it, as if he’d led her on. And maybe I did …
He and Hallie had talked a lot about Brent since the night at the cemetery. As well as her company in general, Jason would miss their long therapeutic talks. He wasn’t sure anyone knew how to be the father of a convicted murderer, but somehow, Hallie made it seem easier. He might have gone off the deep end, or simply imploded under the stress, if not for Hallie’s very sturdy shoulder.
“You haven’t touched your pie, handsome.” Hallie grinned. “Don’t make me spoon-feed it to you.”
Amber giggled. “I think you’re handsome, too, Daddy!”
“Keep it up, you two, and my head will be so swollen I won’t be able to fit it through the door.”
Amber paled, her fork poised at her lips, her face wrought with worry. “Why is your head going to get swollen, Daddy?”
Hallie laughed. “It’s just an expression, sweetheart. It means that he’ll get too full of himself and think he’s perfect.”
“Oh.” Amber was visibly relieved.
Jason winked at Hallie.
Hallie blew on a forkful of pie. Amber, who’d rearranged her fingers to hold her fork the same way, watched her and did likewise. Hallie put it in her mouth, closed her eyes, and said, “Mmm.” Amber did the same.
Jason watched his daughter mimic Hallie, wondering how he was ever going to bring himself to separate them.
Hallie smiled at Amber. It was clear she was falling in love with the girl, as well.
“Daddy? Can Hallie and me keep playing hide-and-seek after we eat?”
“As long
as she feels up to it, sweetie.”
Hallie smiled at Amber. “I’d love to.”
Amber grinned. “You’re way more fun than Stevie Rose.”
“Maybe we can talk your dad into playing, too,” said Hallie.
“Yeah!” said Amber. “Please, Daddy!”
“We’ll see.”
“And Dottie!” added Amber.
Dottie laughed. “I know all the best places to hide around here.”
Jason looked at each of them in turn, wishing things had turned out differently. Under other circumstances, he could see himself remaining in Shadow Springs forever.
No, leaving was not going to be easy.
22
Departure
Two days later, the moving van arrived, and the car was packed to the hilt. Jason stood in the driveway, his hands clasped in Hallie’s.
“I’m going to miss you so much.” Tears welled in her eyes.
He kept his own at bay. “I’ll miss you, too.” His voice cracked and he pulled her in for another hug. It was the fourth one since he’d told her it was time to go.
In the backseat of the Legacy where there was room to play with Reginald Breedlove and Ruby, Amber watched them, her eyes red with tears of her own. The goodbye between her and Hallie had been heartbreaking for everyone.
Hallie waved at her again and Amber waved back. “You take care of that little girl,” she said. “She’s special.”
“I know.” And he did know.
Hallie raised on tiptoe and gave Jason a soft kiss on the cheek. “I promise I’ll stay in touch. Now, go, before this gets any harder than it already is.”
Jason nodded and slowly withdrew his hands from hers. He didn’t want to let go. Heart aching, he made his way to the car. That walk was harder than he’d thought it was going to be - he felt somehow tethered to Hallie, and it was as if every step he took away from her increased the tension. By the time he got to the door, the pain was absolute. “Bye.”
Her face crumpled. “Goodbye, Jason.”
Sleep Savannah Sleep Page 28
