Vulnerable (Morgans of Nashville)

by Mary Burton

  “You’re a bitch.”

  She laughed, knowing she was a burr under his skin. “Get out of my room, or I’m calling security.”

  He studied her a moment and then, as always, considered the bigger picture. He did not need to be escorted out of the hospital room. His image was still his pride and joy, his fragile mantle of success. “This isn’t over.”

  “I hope not. I’d like to see you again.”

  * * *

  Georgia waved to the nurses as she approached Amber’s room where she spotted a plump older woman hovering by the door. Her dress was plain and simple and her brown shoes sensible. She held a vase filled with sunflowers.

  The woman raised her hand to knock on Amber’s partially opened door, hesitated, and then turned to leave.

  “Can I help you?” Georgia asked.

  The woman glanced at her. “No, I’m fine.”

  “Are you here to see Amber Ryder?”

  The woman’s eyes sparked with knowing and Georgia recognized the woman from her photos in her cold case files. She was Emma Reed, Bethany’s mother. “I wanted to see her. Talk to her. But now I think this might not be a good time.”

  “You’re Mrs. Reed, aren’t you? Bethany’s mother.”

  Dark eyes watered. “Yes. How did you know?”

  “I’m Georgia Morgan. I work in the Forensic Department with the Nashville Police Department.” I found your daughter. “I’m working her case.”

  She reached out and took Georgia’s hand, choking back tears. “You’re the one who found her, aren’t you?”

  “Yes.” She always treaded carefully with the victim’s family.

  Mrs. Reed’s fingers tightened on the vase. “Thank you for helping to bring my daughter home. Knowing is terrible, but not knowing is unbearable. At least I know she’s with her father now and at peace.”

  She flipped through an invisible rolodex of nice words, wishing she had better people skills like Jake. Damn, how did he make people feel like he cared? “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Mrs. Reed shook her head. “I clung to hope for a long, long time. And then, after my husband died, I just stopped. It’s been years since I expected good news.”

  Georgia rummaged for more words that would ease this moment but realized saying nothing was better. “You should go in and see Amber. She’d like to see you. She said you were kind to her.”

  Dull eyes brightened. “She said that? I always liked her. She was a true friend to Bethany. Not everyone saw Bethany the same way. She was an awkward girl who liked books and microscopes better than makeup and boys. But Amber showed her respect and compassion.”

  Before entering, Mrs. Reed hesitated. “I heard she was mugged.”

  “Yes. A dozen stitches to her head, but she’ll be fine. No lasting damage from the fall.”

  “Do you think it was random? There were plenty of people that didn’t like her.”

  “I don’t know. It all happened so fast. She didn’t get a good look at the guy.”

  Her grip tightened on Georgia’s arm. “Sweetheart, you’re going in, too? It’s been so long for Amber and me, it might be best if we had someone else in the room to smooth the waters.”

  “Sure, I’ll come inside.”

  “Thank you.” She released her grip and the breath she was holding. “I almost lost my nerve and left without seeing her.”

  As they turned to the door, a man pushed out of Amber’s room. Tall with salt-and-pepper hair, his anger was etched deeply into his face.

  “Dalton,” Mrs. Reed said.

  Hearing his name, the man stopped. “Emma. What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see Amber.”

  He glanced toward the bright yellow flowers, blooming brightly as small sunbursts. “Those are for her?”

  “They are.” She straightened her shoulders as if she mentally dug in her heels. Puzzled, she searched for the cause of Dalton’s anger.

  “You always defended her,” he said. “I never understood what you saw in her.”

  Mrs. Reed gently shook her head. “She was a young girl caught in a bad situation. None of what happened was her fault.”

  He shoved his hand in his pocket and rattled his change. “You always were an optimist, weren’t you, Emma?”

  “Not really, Dalton.” Her tone had turned imperious, as if she wanted to remind him he’d not come from their world. “I see more than most realize.”

  Eyes narrowing, he leaned toward her a fraction as if wanting to remind her of his rise to his current status. “Well, at least you have your answers now. At least you know where to find Bethany.”

  “And you have yours.”

  “Not even close.”

  “Dalton, we need to talk about the arrangements for our children. I thought maybe we could honor them in a memorial service together.”

  He glanced back toward Amber’s door. “I’m not so sure.”

  “I know how hard this is, Dalton. I know. Think about what I’m offering, and we’ll talk later.”

  He drew in a deep breath and released it. “I can’t discuss this now.”

  Georgia watched the man stalk off, her attention immediately turning to Emma. “He really doesn’t like Amber.”

  “He never did. He never said anything in front of me, of course, but I caught the way he used to look at her.” Distaste wrinkled her face.

  “Was it sexual?” Georgia asked.

  “Yes. His attention struck me as lurid and creepy. It was no secret that Dalton played around and liked to look at the young pretty girls. His wife was a lovely woman but not beautiful like Amber.”

  “You said he was drawn to her at first. Did something change?”

  “Yes. I don’t know the specifics, but it did as quickly as you’d shut off a light. Perhaps it had to do with his wife dying after her fall. Whatever happened between Dalton and Amber, it wasn’t good. At that last football game a week before they all . . . left us . . . I saw Dalton glaring at Amber. He looked at her as if she revolted him.”

  “Why would she revolt him?”

  “I’ve no idea. I asked Bethany once, but she seemed surprised by the question.” Mention of her daughter’s name doused her annoyance with sadness. “Bethany was an idealist. It never would have occurred to her that someone like Dalton would want to sleep with a friend of hers.”

  Older men had affairs with high school girls. Dalton wouldn’t have been the first. And a girl like Amber, desperate for acceptance, might have mistaken lust for understanding and love. “Let’s go check on Amber.”

  Mrs. Reed nodded, producing a smile that didn’t quite touch her eyes. “Sure. But you go first. I just need one more quick second to collect myself.”

  “You’re coming in, right?”

  She smiled. “Of course, dear.”

  “Don’t run off.”

  “I won’t.”

  Georgia pushed into the room and found Amber in her bed, sitting straight up, her fists balled so tightly her knuckles were white. “Everything all right?”

  Amber’s gaze locked on Georgia as she seemed to take a mental hold of herself, releasing her anger with a breath. She unfurled her fingers and straightened her hospital gown. “I’m fine.”

  “I saw Dalton Marlowe outside,” Georgia said. “He looked upset. What happened?”

  Amber leaned back against the pillows, her pale skin a close match to the pillow’s shade. “It’s the same old thing. He’s blaming me for Mike’s problems.”

  “What kind of problems?” Georgia asked.

  As she sighed, it seemed the fire dimmed with her breath. “He always thought I was bad for Mike.”

  “How so? Did you two date?”

  “Sorta. Mike and I messed around a little, but he wanted more than I was willing to give. I stayed friends with Mike, but Mr. Marlowe continued to assume I was a gold digger.”

  “I thought the money passed to Mike’s dad,” Georgia said.

  “Sure, that was true at first, but the assets
pass to Mike on his twenty-third birthday.”

  “That had to sting,” Georgia said.

  Amber’s expression remained neutral. “They didn’t have a happy marriage. She was a controlling woman who got her own way no matter the cost. Her dying was almost a relief to Mike and Dalton.”

  “Did anything happen the day she fell down the stairs?”

  “Like what?”

  “A fight, maybe between Mrs. Marlowe and her husband or son?”

  “Those three were always fighting. Either one could have given her a shove in a moment of anger.” She shook her head. “That sounds awful. Mr. Marlowe is cold but he doesn’t have the stomach for murder.”

  There was a soft knock at the door and Mrs. Reed appeared. “Amber.”

  Amber studied Mrs. Reed and then her eyes filled with tears. She sat forward and stretched out her hand. “Mrs. Reed, I’m so sorry.”

  Mrs. Reed came to her, set the flowers on the nightstand, and hugged the young girl. Both women wept as they clung to each other.

  “I’m so glad you’re back in town,” Mrs. Reed said as she pulled back and wiped tears from her cheeks. “Makes sense Bethany would be found as soon as you returned. She loved being with you so much.”

  Amber dabbed red-rimmed eyes with trembling fingertips. “I’m so sorry. She’s really gone now.”

  “Honey, I know this has been hard for you.” She leaned forward and gently wiped Amber’s tears. “And now you’re all grown up. That’s so hard to believe.”

  Amber’s eyes again filled with tears. “Bethany was my best friend. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about her.”

  Mrs. Reed stood very still for a moment and then hugged Amber close. “Honey, that’s so sweet. You don’t know what that means to me.”

  Georgia stepped back, realizing that it was best if she left. “I’m going to leave the two of you alone.”

  Amber shook her head. “You don’t have to leave.”

  “No, that’s okay. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t alone, and I see now you’re going to be fine. Do you have a ride home from the hospital?”

  “Not yet,” Amber said. “I think my car is still parked at that convenience store.”

  “If you give me the keys,” Georgia said, “I can move it back to your mom’s.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Amber said.

  Mrs. Reed held up a hand. “I can take care of the car. It’s the least I can do.”

  Amber squeezed Mrs. Reed’s hand.

  “Where are you going after you leave here?” Mrs. Reed asked.

  “Home to Mom, I guess. She should be by anytime now to see me.”

  Mrs. Reed shook her head. “Is your mother up to helping you? With a head injury, you can’t be too careful.”

  Amber shook her head. “I don’t need much from her. Just a week or so until I can get back to Texas.”

  Mrs. Reed frowned. “That’s a very long drive, honey. Is it even safe for you to do that? How about you come home with me? It’ll give us a chance to spend some time together.”

  “You would do that?” Amber’s voice broke under the weight of emotion.

  “Of course I would. I mean, that is, if your mother doesn’t mind.”

  Amber shook her head, her pressed lips suggesting unvoiced disappointment. “She won’t mind.”

  Mrs. Reed took Amber’s hand in hers. “Then it’s settled, you can stay with me. It’s been a long time since I’ve had another person in the house.”

  Georgia cleared her throat. In her job, she witnessed the darker side of life. Rarely did she see kindness. “It’s settled. You now have a place to go.”

  Amber squeezed Mrs. Reed’s hand. “For the first time in a couple of days, I feel as if a weight has been lifted. And yet I feel guilty. You have so much heartache right now.”

  Mrs. Reed kissed Amber on the cheek. “You’re the best medicine. You represent life, and I can’t think of anything better than having you stay with me.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Saturday, October 7, 10:00 P.M.

  Saturday night at Rudy’s was always crowded and tonight was no exception. People stood two deep at the bar and each of the round tables and booths were full. KC moved behind the bar filling drink orders, directing waitresses and cooks, joking with the customers with an ease that suggested he’d been doing this all his life.

  Georgia wore tight jeans, an ivory lace blouse that skimmed her hips, and black high-heeled shoes that added three inches to her height. As she stood offstage, she listened to the young singer, Natalie, croon five back-to-back fast-paced melodies that kept the crowd, made up mostly of cops tonight clapping their hands and ordering drinks.

  The main door opened carrying with it a cool breeze and she looked over to see Rick and Jenna. Her brother had changed into a V-neck sweater and jeans. Combed back dark hair could have made him look intimidating if not for the easy smile. His good humor was directly linked to the lovely dark-haired bride standing at his side. She caught Rick and Jenna’s attention and both waved.

  She liked having family in the audience. It always relaxed her and reminded her that no matter how nervous she might be before she stepped onstage, they had her back.

  The clink of glass had her turning to Carrie, who carried a tray completely filled with empty beer bottles. As the singer’s set concluded, Carrie approached Georgia.

  “Hal told me he came to see you. He was pissed more than usual but I got him to calm down. I can take care of myself and the baby.”

  She scanned the young waitress for more bruises. She spotted a dark purple ring around her right wrist. He’d grabbed her and wrenched her arm. “He’s still hurting you. Why stay?”

  Carrie shook her head, dismissing Georgia’s logic. “He’s having a rough go of it. He lost his job and he’s worried about taking care of me and the baby. He doesn’t like it that I have to work.”

  “Where’s the baby, Carrie?”

  “She’s with my neighbor. She’s okay.”

  “My offer still stands for a place to stay, Carrie. You don’t have to live this way. Think about the baby.”

  A stick-thin man with a handlebar mustache held up an empty glass to get Carrie’s attention. She grinned broadly at him. “Be right there, sugar.” The spotlight overhead caught the bruise across her cheekbone, covered almost completely with makeup.

  Georgia shoved back a mouthful of anger.

  Carrie turned back to Georgia. “I got to get back to work, but thank you.”

  “You can thank me by moving out.”

  “I can’t leave Hal now.”

  Georgia drew in a breath, realizing her message was not being received. Again, she worried how violent Hal would have to be for Carrie to take a stand. She watched the waitress hold her tray high as she angled her slim body through the crowd.

  “And now, we got a special treat tonight.” The voice came from the stage and she turned to see Freddie grinning at the crowd. “Little Miss Georgia Morgan is here tonight.”

  The crowd began to clap, forcing her to push aside worry. She smiled as she stepped up onstage and nestled close to the microphone. “How ya’ll doing tonight?”

  The audience hollered and her grin broadened. The front door opened and she glanced over to find Jake Bishop entering. He wore a dark suit and a white shirt. He wasn’t wearing a tie but she suspected he had removed it and tucked it in his pocket. With three active murder investigations on his desk, she knew this break for both Jake and Rick would be short-lived.

  Jake glanced in her direction, nodded, and moved to the bar to speak to KC. The two exchanged words and KC laughed, reaching for an iced bar glass and filling it with soda. Jake accepted it and raised it to his lips.

  “Georgia,” a woman shouted from the crowd. “Sing ‘Breathe’!”

  Her attention grabbed, she shifted her focus to the audience. “If that’s what you want, I’ll sing it. I’m here to make ya’ll happy.”

  The crowd clapped with exci
tement as she turned to Freddie. “That work for you, sugar?”

  “It sure does.”

  And so he began the song, gently strumming the guitar strings and setting the tempo. She moistened her lips and leaned close to the microphone, closing her eyes as she began to sing.

  The tempo built and the crowd grew silent. When she reached the first chorus, the crowd cheered and she felt their energy rush through her as she hit a high note and then dropped her voice to a near whisper. And so it went, her riding the tune up and down, imagining bright vivid colors, and feeling the longing of wanting a man that squeezed her heart until her eyes moistened with tears. For a dozen beats of her heart, the walls dropped and she was exposed. Naked.

  When she finished, the bar exploded with applause, everyone jumping to their feet. She smiled, tipping her head back. The next few songs were fast and upbeat and she rolled through them while enjoying the emotional roller coaster.

  By the time she finished her set, she acknowledged Freddie, thanked everyone, and then headed to the bar where KC handed her a diet soda. She drank, willing her heart to slow and her nerves to settle.

  “That was hot, Morgan,” Jake said as he nestled in the spot beside her at the bar.

  Her heartbeat kicked up a notch. She raised her glass to her lips. “Thanks, detective.”

  “So whom were you thinking about when you were singing that song?”

  “Ah, it was you, baby,” she said with a grin. “It’s always you.”

  He tossed back his head and laughed. “Looks like I won the bet with KC.”

  “What bet was that?”

  “I said you were singing to me. Singing is your way of telling the world how hot you are for me?”

  She shook her head, grinning. “It’s all about the J, right?”

  “Hey, I can’t help it. I know you want me. I’m just waiting for you to realize it, but you’ll come around.”

  “You keep telling yourself that, cowboy. Keep telling yourself.” She drained the last of her soda. “Aren’t you working tonight?”

  “I’m taking a few hours. I need the break to clear my head.”

  “I hear Amber’s on the mend.”

  “She’s been avoiding me. Says her headache won’t go away.” He set the nearly full stein down. “But she underestimates me if she thinks I’m giving up.”