by Nancy Mehl
She could hear the concern in his voice, and it made her feel safer. “The . . . the prison called. The deputy warden, Clark.” She took a deep breath. “It’s my dad. Someone knifed him in his bunk. They don’t think he’s going to make it.”
“Where is he?”
“At a hospital near the prison. We need to go right away.”
“Okay,” Noah said. She could tell he was concerned about her ability to go anywhere right now, but he shouldn’t have worried.
Kaely pushed herself off the couch. “Give me just a minute to wash my face, change clothes, and get my weapon. I won’t take long.”
“Kaely,” Noah said, “what you’re wearing is fine, and you don’t need to be armed. You’re going to the hospital as a daughter. Not as an FBI agent. Just get your ID, your phone, and whatever else you really need.”
She hesitated for a moment before saying, “You’re right. Sorry.” She looked down at her sweats. “Let me at least put on a pair of jeans. And get my purse.”
“Okay. I’ll get my jacket, and then we’ll go to the car together.”
She started to walk away but then stopped and turned back to look at him. “Thanks, Noah. I know I’ve said this before, but I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He didn’t respond, but the words echoed in his heart. No matter what happened from here on out, he would never leave her side.
Thirty-Three
When they got to the hospital, the woman at the front desk sent them to ICU, where they stopped at the nurses’ station. A kind woman in scrubs led them to a small room with a few chairs, a table with a lamp, and a magazine holder on the wall. Two watercolors in pastels were also on the walls, which were painted a soft yellow. The entire room was designed to look peaceful. Kaely had seen her share of rooms like this—where families were sent to hear bad news.
“If you’ll wait here, I’ll find the doctor,” the nurse said. The expression in her brown eyes was soft and sympathetic. Even though the patient was a monster. “He can tell you more about your father’s condition.”
Kaely thanked her. Noah sat down beside her and took her hand. She wanted to assure him she was okay, but the truth was she was far from okay. She felt embarrassed to react this way about a despicable serial killer, but when Clark had told her what happened, Ed Oliphant somehow became her dad again.
A memory she’d pushed back into the dark recesses of her mind suddenly came alive and took over. Jason was staying the weekend at a friend’s house, so her dad had suggested a father-daughter weekend. He took her fishing. She remembered how proud he’d seemed to be when she pulled in a big catfish, and that night he fried the fish on their camp stove. Along with the fish, they’d eaten her mom’s homemade potato salad and baked beans and her delicious orange cake. Kaely could never figure out why food tasted better outside. It didn’t make sense, but at the time she decided it was the best meal she’d ever had.
They’d camped by the lake under the stars. He’d told her ghost stories that weren’t too scary, and they’d made her laugh.
She’d talked about school. Everything she liked. Everything she didn’t. And all the things that scared her. And he’d listened. Really listened.
Then before they went to sleep, they talked about songs they liked. Her dad didn’t know much about the music she listened to, and she knew even less about the songs he grew up with. She fell asleep listening to her father singing “In the Dark of Night,” an old song from the thirties he’d taught her. She could still hear his voice. In the dark of night, I’ll be there. I love you so, and I’ll never let you go. In the dark of night, I’ll be there.
How could she have forgotten that camping trip? She kept trying to remind herself who he was—The Raggedy Man. A person she didn’t know. Even with all her training, in her heart she still couldn’t understand how the father she trusted—she loved—could have been a vicious fiend who killed people for pleasure. She just couldn’t make sense of it.
Just then a man with a stethoscope around his neck came into the room. He pulled the door closed and sat down across from them.
“I’m Dr. Brightman,” he said. He fixed his gaze on Kaely. “Your father is in critical condition. He was stabbed several times as he slept. He’s in surgery now, and the surgeons are doing the best they can. But the damage is severe.”
When he paused for a moment, Kaely knew the words coming next.
“I’m afraid the prognosis isn’t good. With the seriousness of his wounds and the amount of blood he lost, frankly, I’m surprised he’s still with us.” He clasped his hands together. “I think you have to prepare yourself for the worst.”
Kaely listened to him, but it was as if she were somewhere far away. Not in the room with anyone else. In the dark of night, I’ll be there. I love you so, and I’ll never let you go. In the dark of night, I’ll be there.
She realized Dr. Brightman was waiting for a response.
“Thank you, doctor. I understand. May I see him when he’s out of surgery?”
He nodded. “He’ll be asleep for a while after we bring him back here. But if—”
When he hesitated Kaely realized he didn’t want to use the word if. He didn’t want to add more pain to an already distressing situation.
“When he wakes up, we’ll get you immediately,” the doctor finished.
Kaely thanked him again, and he got up and left the room. Why had she asked if she could see her father? What could she say to him?
“Let’s pray for him,” Noah said when the door closed. “And for you.”
Kaely blinked at him several times, not sure she’d heard him correctly. “Pray for him? What do you mean?”
Noah gave her a wry smile. “Prayer is a way of talking to God. I thought you knew about it.”
“Very funny. Why are you praying—again?”
He looked away from her for a moment, then turned back and gazed into her eyes. “Let’s just say that God and I have an understanding now. I promised to stop being angry with Him for something He had nothing to do with. And He promised to forgive me and help me figure out this crazy life.”
Kaely frowned at him. “You don’t have a crazy life.”
“Yeah, I do. You see, I’m hopelessly in love with a crazy woman, and I can’t help it. That’s why I need God.”
Kaely reached up and touched Noah’s face. “This crazy woman is totally in love with you too. She has been for a long time. I’m sorry I never said anything. I was afraid.”
Noah laughed softly as he blinked away tears. “You were afraid? I was terrified.”
“If you think I’m going to get in a contest with you to see who was the most frightened, forget it.” Her voice trembled, but she didn’t care. “I think this is the moment when you’re supposed to kiss me.”
“There you go, telling me what to do again.”
“You’re right. Now do what I say.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Noah put his fingers under Kaely’s chin. Then he leaned in and put his lips on hers, softly at first but then with more emotion. Kaely cried at the yearning and the beauty of the moment. She had waited so long to feel his kiss. It was beyond anything she had imagined.
When they parted, he noticed her tears. He wiped them away with his finger. “I love you, Kaely. And I won’t walk away. Ever. I promise.”
“Even if I do some boneheaded thing and put myself in danger again?” She was a little breathless.
“Even then. But don’t do it, okay?”
She smiled at him. “I’ll try. I promise.”
“I guess that’s the best I’ll get.”
She nodded. “It is. But now when I think about putting my life on the line, I’ll remember I have two of us to think about.”
He took her hands. “Thank you.” Noah closed his eyes and lowered his head. Then he prayed aloud for her father before praying for her. As he spoke to God, Kaely felt a peace wash over her. When Noah finished, she opened her eyes.
She felt
better. More focused. She suddenly remembered Jason.
“Oh, Noah. I have to call my brother.” She pulled out her phone. He was probably asleep. His flight was booked around noon, and he planned to be at the hotel by three at the latest. Would their father still be alive by the time he got here? She quickly tapped his number from her contacts list. He answered almost immediately, and she explained what happened.
“I’ll see if I can get an earlier flight, maybe yet tonight,” he said. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“I forgot to ask before. Is Audrey coming with you?” Kaely really liked Jason’s wife. She was such a positive person. A strong Christian.
There was a brief silence before Jason said, “Well, I was going to wait to tell you when I saw you, but maybe I should explain why she can’t come.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, sis. But Audrey’s been throwing up a lot. I’m sure she won’t want to get on a plane. They make her ill anyway.”
“Throwing up? Is she sick?”
“No, Kaely. Think about it.”
Kaely suddenly realized what her brother was trying to tell her. “Oh, Jason. You’re having a baby?”
Jason chuckled. “Actually, Audrey’s having the baby. I’m just around to hold her head while she pukes and make her peanut butter and pickle sandwiches in the middle of the night.”
“Did you say peanut butter and pickles?”
“Yeah. It’s a thing, I guess. They’re really not that bad.”
Kaely laughed, although it felt a little out of place in the current situation.
“I’m sorry, sis. Should I come to the hospital when my flight gets in?”
“No. Take a cab and check in at your hotel, then call me. I’ll give you an update. If Dad’s still here, I’ll come and get you.”
“Okay. I’ll be praying for you and Dad. And if you get the chance to talk to him? Tell him I love him, okay?”
Kaely promised to do it, but the vow stuck in her throat.
“I’d better go,” Jason said. “I’ll call you and let you know how soon I can be there.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I can go get him if you need me to,” Noah said when she’d hung up.
“Thanks, but I want to do it. I think . . . I think we need some time together.”
“I understand.”
She leaned back in her chair. She hoped Jason would make it here before their father died. If he was conscious, maybe someone should tell him he’s loved. Kaely just wasn’t sure she could do it.
“Kaely, did you try to profile our UNSUB?” Noah asked.
Kaely’s first reaction was to draw back from his question. But it was time to trust. It might be hard for her, but she believed God had brought her and Noah together. Even though it might be difficult to tell another human being the complete truth, she had to try. She took a deep breath and said, “I was about to. Then the phone rang.”
“I want you to wait until we can figure out what’s gone wrong with your process. We’ll do it together. Please. Use the old-fashioned way of profiling. At least for now.”
She chuckled. “I don’t think the behavioral analysts at Quantico would appreciate you saying their methods are old-fashioned.”
“You know what I mean.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I do.” She sought his eyes. “When I sat down to profile our UNSUB, things got weird, Noah. Even before I really got into it.” She wrapped her arms around herself, recalling the darkness that had tried to form across from her. “You win. I won’t try it again until things go back to normal.”
“Thank you.”
Although neither one of them said it, Kaely was aware that something evil had tried to invade her profiling procedure in Darkwater, and now it was. At some point, she would have to confront whatever—or whoever—it was.
Thirty-Four
When Kaely woke up, she was surprised. She’d put her head on Noah’s shoulder, certain she couldn’t sleep. But now she struggled to sit up straight, and her neck was stiff.
“Glad you nodded off,” he said.
“Didn’t intend to. Any news?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. Jason called while you were asleep. I didn’t want to wake you, so I answered your phone.”
Kaely had left it on the side table next to her chair so she’d hear it if it rang. “Wow. I must have really conked out.” She picked up her phone and put it in her purse. “What did he say?”
“Somehow he was able to get a flight out.” Noah looked at the clock on the wall. “He’s in the air right now. Should be landing here in about thirty minutes. Said he’d rent a car at the airport and drive to the hotel. When he gets there, he’ll call you.” He frowned at her. “Are you sure he shouldn’t come straight to the hospital?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t think my father would be alive by the time he got here. But you might be right. I’ll check on Dad and make a decision.”
“Okay. By the way, did you know you sing in your sleep?”
“No. That’s interesting. How was I?”
“Actually, you’re pretty good.” He had a twinkle in his eye. “You might have a career as a singer if you ever leave the FBI.”
“Shut up,” she said, sure she was blushing. “What in the world was I singing?”
“As odd as it sounds, I think it’s a song by an old group from the thirties. ‘In the Dark of Night.’” He grinned. “I wouldn’t have guessed you’d know a song that old. You’re definitely an enigma wrapped in a riddle.”
“Ha-ha. But you knew it too.” She’d been certain that was the song he’d mention. It kept playing in her head on some kind of weird loop. “My dad sang that song to me a long time ago. For some reason I can’t get it out of my head.”
He slowly moved his arm from around her. “Sorry. I think I lost feeling in this arm about an hour ago.”
“Oh, Noah. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
He smiled. “Don’t be silly. It was the best two hours of my life.”
“You’re a very sweet man. Do you know that?”
“I’ve been told.”
She was so glad he was here. His strength made her feel stronger.
He shifted in his chair and appeared to study her. “Seems to me you’re experiencing a lot of emotions about your father. Want to talk about it?”
She nodded. “It’s so weird. I’ve been angry for so long. I’ve tried to look at him clinically, through my training, but down deep is rage . . . and confusion. For some reason, now all I think about is some stupid camping trip we took when I was twelve.” She looked up at him. “I feel ashamed for caring, Noah. He’s hurt so many people.”
Noah lifted her chin with his fingers. “But he’s still your dad, Kaely. I don’t think you can just forget something like that, no matter how much you want to.”
“Seems you’re right. But it’s confusing.”
“I know.” He kissed her lightly. “We’ll figure it out together.”
Before Kaely could respond, the door to the room opened, and Dr. Brightman stepped inside. Kaely steeled herself for bad news.
“Your father made it through surgery. The surgeons did their best, but his organs are beginning to fail. His injuries and the loss of blood he experienced before he was found just caused too much stress on his body. I don’t think he’ll be with us much longer. I thought he’d sleep for a while, but he’s awake.” He nodded toward Kaely. “He’s asking for you.”
Kaely felt numb. Why did her father want to talk to her? What could she say to him? How should she act? And could she deliver Jason’s message? That he loved him?
“Can I go with her?” Noah asked.
Dr. Brightman shook his head. “I’m sorry. It’s family only in ICU.”
Kaely grabbed Noah’s hand. “I’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”
“All right. I’ll be here when you get back.”
She leaned over and kissed him. “I know.”
>
Kaely got up, grabbed her purse, and followed the doctor. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as they walked past the nurses’ station outside the ICU, and then the doctor opened a metal door and ushered her into where there were several separate rooms off a hallway. Kaely could immediately tell where her dad was. Two armed officers stood outside his door. The doctor stopped to tell them who Kaely was, and they nodded. She noticed the curiosity in their expressions. The daughter of the infamous Raggedy Man. She ignored them and followed the doctor into the room.
She gasped when she saw her father. He was so pale. His hands and feet were bound, and he had an IV. Some kind of tubing lay on his chest.
“We removed his breathing tube temporarily,” the doctor said. “He tried to pull it out himself. He insists on talking to you. But we need to put it back as soon as possible. His lungs were compromised by his injuries.”
“Okay,” Kaely said. Her father was staring at her. She dropped her purse onto a chair and then walked toward the bed, still not knowing what to say or what to do. She wasn’t an FBI agent trying to trick him now. She was a daughter standing next to what could be his deathbed. She’d hated him for so long. Could she be the daughter he needed during his last moments? She didn’t know.
His eyes were fastened on hers, and Kaely could see a hint of desperation in them.
“Hi, Dad,” she said in a low voice. “Jason will be here soon. I just found out Audrey’s pregnant. You’re going to be a grandfather.”
A tear rolled down her father’s face, and for some reason it stoked her anger. How many parents would never hear those words because of Ed Oliphant?
He opened his mouth and tried to speak, but only raspy sounds that made no sense came out.
“The breathing tube made his throat raw,” Dr. Brightman said. He lifted a cup from a tray near the bed. It had a small pink plastic spoon inside. Ice chips. The doctor spooned a small amount into her father’s mouth. He had a hard time swallowing them, but he nodded his thanks to the doctor.
Then he turned his attention back to Kaely. “Not . . . not who he says . . .” He croaked the words. “Said he would kill . . . You need . . . need . . .”
