No. It’s going to end with you in an eight-by-ten cell with straightjacket on.
“I’m warning you,” Michelle hissed, as tears rolled from her eyes.
That’s where you belong, anyway. You know it. Your parents knew it as well.
“Andrews!”
“I said shut up,” Michelle screamed, pulled the trigger, and finally quieted the voice forever.
Chapter 39
“It’s over,” Josie whispered, and was surprised to feel the trickle of tears as she stared unblinkingly at the mess inside the Jaguar. When an arm weakly encircled her waist, she slumped into his familiar warmth and comfort.
“Are you all right?” William asked.
She nodded, not sure if it was the truth. She turned toward him and was shocked by his weakened condition. “Help! Somebody help!”
He collapsed, but help arrived.
Before long, ambulances and more police officers pulled Josie and William in two separate directions.
As Detective Delaney, Simmons, and Hernandez conversed, the lake, the house, and even the garage area were taped off as crime scenes.
“I’ll need to bring you in for questioning,” Detective Delaney said, drawing her to the side. “We have a lot of questions to ask you.”
“Where are you taking William?” Josie asked instead.
“They’re taking him to the hospital to look at his shoulder. We…”
“I want to go with him,” she declared, pulling away from the cop.
“Ms. Ferrell, I understand your concern, but…”
“I’m not answering any questions until I know William is all right. Period.”
Det. Delaney held Josie’s gaze for a lengthy spell before her demeanor softened, and she nodded in understanding. “Then let’s get you to him.”
They reached the ambulance just as they were closing the door, but she wasn’t allowed inside until Delaney flashed her badge and gave the okay.
“I’ll meet you at the hospital,” Delaney said.
Josie nodded, and the doors were closed. However, during the race to the hospital, she found herself worried over William’s blue pallor.
“Is he going to be all right?”
“We’re doing to all we can,” the paramedic said. “He’s lost a lot of blood.”
She clutched William’s hand, afraid more than ever that she was going to lose him. It would make sense, considering the hand life kept dealing them. She leaned over him and stared lovingly into his eyes.
“You’re doing great.” Her smile trembled. “They’re going to patch you up, and you’re going to be as good as new.”
Amazingly, he returned her smile and squeezed her hand.
“You know, once you’re all better, we have a lot of lost time to make up.” She placed his hand across her heart. “I made you a promise, and now I want you to make one to me. Promise me that you’ll pull through this.”
He smiled again; his eyes were nearly close shut. Could he understand her?
“Promise me, William,” she urged, and batted back her tears.
His lips trembled but soon formed the words ‘I promise’ before he at last passed out.
#
True to her word. Ming met Josie in the ER’s waiting room. It had turned out that one of the bullets Michelle had fired into the trunk was still lodged in William’s shoulder.
The possibility of losing William forever unleashed a dam of tears and twisted the knife of regret deeper into her heart.
His death would be all her fault and her undoing.
William had only wanted to help her and even a chance to rekindle their love. And she...what? Couldn’t get over the fact that he had been married once?
She mopped her tears with an already drenched Kleenex and gave her story to an attentive Delaney while they waited for news.
She told her everything. How she and William knew each other from Paris and how he saved her. She couldn’t control her body’s slight tremor as she talked, but the episode was mild compared to previous ones.
“I also have a confession to make,” Josie said. “I killed Michelle’s boyfriend.” She started to cry. “I don’t know why, but I shot him in his chest.”
“You shot him?” Ming asked.
“Y-yes.”
“What else did you do?” she asked, gently.
“That’s it. I just shot him. I don’t even know where I got the gun.”
“I do,” Ming said. “It was Michelle’s gun. Knowing her, she probably gave it to you. In your drugged state, she probably wanted you to think you had killed him so that your guilt could be used to get you to kill yourself.” She reached for Josie’s scarred hands.
Josie tried to pull back.
The only problem is…is that you didn’t kill Daniel Thornton.”
Josie’s lifted her wet face and stared at her in confusion.
According to Daniel’s autopsy report, he was already dead when you shot him.”
“Already dead?” Josie repeated. “But then that means…”
“That you’re not a murderer.”
Josie continued to stare. “I didn’t kill him.”
“No.”
Josie grabbed the cop in a fierce embrace and sobbed in relief. It seemed as if she held on forever, and when she pulled away, Josie smiled in embarrassment.
“Ms. Ferrell, after everything that you’ve been through have you thought about enrolling into a rehab center to complete your detox efforts?”
Josie laughed through her film of tears. “No more institutions. I can handle a few shakes on my own.”
Delaney nodded, and her voice softened as she spoke again. “By the way, Ms. Ferrell. I didn’t get the opportunity to thank you for saving my life. Thank you.”
“I did what I had to,” Josie said simply.
Delaney winked and squeezed her hand again. “That’s all for now, but we’ll contact you if we have any more questions. I’m glad you were able to survive this whole ordeal.”
“Yeah. I just pray William will, too.”
“I’m sure he will.”
Josie gave them a gracious smile. “Thank you.” Her eyes landed on Ming. “For everything.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Ming and Tyrese stood and left Josie alone.
Tyrese shook his head as they walked out of the hospital’s exit. “Now that I met both women, Michelle couldn’t hold a candle to the real Josephine.”
Ming nodded. “Yeah, it’s a pity how differently they turned out. Well, partner, I’m heading home.”
“Catching some Zs?”
“That and I have a houseplant that needs to be watered.” She smiled.
“Come again?”
“I’m going home, take the phone off the hook, and make love to my husband.”
Tyrese laughed. “Conan is going to be a happy man.”
“Damn right, he is.”
#
William dreamed of Paris. He dreamed of dancing in the moonlight, kissing in the rain, and making love by candlelight. For the first, the images weren’t of the past, but what he hoped for the future.
At long last, he exited the dream and returned the present. However, he had a devil of a time opening his heavy eyelids. Light stabbed his eyes. Tensing, he slammed them shut again.
“William?”
He struggled to open them again. “Josie?” His heart warmed as her image came into focus. “Is that you?”
“Of course, it’s me, silly. I won’t dare leave your side. We made promises to each other, remember?”
His laugh was stiff and painful. “How could I forget?”
“What about you?”
“I’m happy you kept your promise.” Josie smiled and kissed him gently. She surrendered to all the emotions his lips drew from her. When the kiss ended, Josie slowly drifted down from the clouds.
“You finally have your life back.”
She nodded, but her eyes lowered.
“W-what is it?” He licked hi
s dry lips.
Josie immediately turned and poured him a cup of iced water. “It’s nothing.”
William greedily gulped down the water, and then waited until she set the cup back onto the table before he continued. “You’re not thinking about all that stuff your sister said to you are you?”
“What? The part where she said I wasted my life away and that no one missed me while I was gone?”
William frowned. “Yeah, that stuff.”
Josie shrugged. “You have to admit it had a ring of truth to it. It’s like I just gave up, and I didn’t even see it. There are lots of other things I could do. I can teach or write music, I don’t necessarily have to sing.”
“Then why don’t you?”
The question threw her off, and after a second a smile ballooned across her face. “We shouldn’t be discussing my career. We need to concentrate on getting you better.”
“I’m already feeling a lot better,” he said, and squeezed her hand. “Did you mean what you said about making up for lost time?”
“Ah, you did hear me.”
“You were saying all the things I wanted to hear.” He chuckled, but then grew serious. “So did you mean it?”
Josie stole another kiss before she answered, “I meant every word.”
Epilogue
Four years later...
In a grand chateau outside the city of Paris,
Josephine Hayes placed her first Grammy inside her custom-made trophy case and stepped back into her husband arms to admire it. It wasn’t the only award she’d received for songwriting, but it was the first Grammy.
“I’m so proud of you,” William said, snuggling close and kissing the shell of her ear. “You know if we’re quiet, we can continue this little celebration in the bedroom.”
“Ah, are you afraid you’ll wake the kids?” She turned in his embrace and slid her arms around his neck.
“Me?” He feigned incredulity. “I had to practically peel you off the ceiling last night.”
Josie giggled as she accepted his puckered lips in a delicious kiss. In the next second, he swept her into his arms and carried her out of her studio and up three flights of stairs. Long before they reached the boudoir, Josie was making more than enough noise to wake Catherine and little Charlie.
With one kick, the door swung open, and William carried his beautiful wife across the threshold. Rose petals and soft candlelight set the scene.
Josie gasped. “What’s this?”
“Let’s just say that I called some friends to help our little celebration along.”
“When did you call them?”
“Before we boarded the plane in Los Angeles. Do you like the surprise?”
“I love it.” She giggled. “My hopeless romantic.” She peppered his face with kisses. “And what about the children?”
“Out of our hair until tomorrow afternoon when we pick up Larry, Sheila and Christopher from the airport.”
“Once again, you’ve thought of everything, Dr. Hayes.”
“I certainly try, Nurse Hayes.”
Gently, he placed her on the bed and nibbled on all Josie’s favorite spots. They took their time, playing and peeling each other out of their clothes. When their bodies finally joined together, the magic that had always existed between them returned.
William knew that he would never tire of making love to this exquisite woman. He loved everything about her: the way she felt, smelled, tasted, and above all, he loved the way she loved him.
In the years after their reunion, she had rediscovered her talent and drive. She also committed herself to live her life and never take any of her blessings for granted. She had Michelle to thank for that lesson.
Night had dissolved into early morning before the husband and wife took a break to just cuddle. “If we don’t get some sleep soon, we’re going to be a wreck by the time Larry and Sheila arrive with their own little bundle of joy.”
William chuckled. “I can’t believe that knucklehead has finally made me an uncle. I was beginning to think he didn’t have it in him.”
Josie smiled and shook her head. “I can’t wait to see the baby. Sheila said he looks a lot like you.”
“Lucky kid.”
“That’s what you said about our babies.”
“I meant it then, too. Of course, Catherine is starting to look more like you every day.” He hugged her close. “Which means the next one…”
“The next one? How many do you think we’re having?”
“At least six.”
She bolted out of his arms and turned to him incredulously. “Six?”
“Fine, fine.” He shrugged. “I’m a man of compromise. How about five?”
Her lips widened into a smile as she slid back into his arms. “That’s much better.” She kissed him. “You know our twentieth-year anniversary is just around the corner?”
William smiled. “Twenty years since we met. It took us a long time to make it to the altar; but I can honestly say I’ve been in love with you since that fateful night. I’m looking forward to loving you all the days of my life.”
His words brought tears to Josie’s eyes. She still couldn’t believe God thought enough of her to reward her with such a man.
“I love you so much,” she whispered.
The morbid truth was they had her sister to thank for reuniting them; then again, maybe everything happened just as fate had planned it. Josie tried not to think of Michelle, but she couldn’t help it at times.
As usual, she was the first out of bed so she could have the bathroom to herself. She greeted her reflection in the mirror with a smile, and then opened the medicine cabinet. She reached for her hidden lithium pills in the back.
When she popped the top, a voice startled her from behind.
“How long were you planning to keep this secret from me?”
Stunned, Josie gaze found his in the mirror. “How long have you known?”
An easy smile curved William’s lips as he stepped into the bathroom and slid his arms around his waist. “Baby, I make it a point to play close attention to you.”
Her heart hammered in her chest. “I was scared to tell you.”
He turned her around to face him. “Just because you suffer with bipolar doesn’t mean that you’re going to turn into Michelle. Plenty of people with this disease get by just fine without turning into a mass murderers.”
A smile fluttered to her lips. “You still love me even though”
“Josie, Josie,” he whispered and brushed a light kiss over her mouth. “Don’t you know by now that there’s nothing in this world that could stop me from ever loving you?”
Tears splashed down Josie’s face as she locked her arms around his neck and kissed with every ounce of her soul. She nearly melted at the feel of his hands making those wonderful circles at the small of her back.
“Hey, come back to bed,” William said huskily.
“Don’t tell me you’re ready for another round.”
“Okay, I won’t tell you, I’ll just show you.”
“Deal.” She returned the bottle to the cabinet, winked at her reflection. “You’re not a lost cause, after all.” She smiled, and then returned to bed with the love her life.
Deadly Double Page 24
