Savage Heart

by M. G Scott

  Ironically, a bit of sadness passed through her. Because of her ambitions, it had been two years since she felt the intimate bond of a man wrapped around her.

  She shuffled her shoes against the stair landing, hoping that might give them enough warning. Problem was, she was wearing her cushy running shoes. She grabbed the banister and swung herself around to within sight of the ground floor. As morning rays bounced casually off the glazed black and white floor, she surveyed the lobby. It was deserted—the sensuous sounds of just a few minutes ago gone.

  She became cautious once more.

  She tiptoed down the last few steps, moving her eyes from side to side, weary of what she might find. Something stirred to her left. She turned, just in time, to catch the blow of a hard object behind her ear. It spun her into a dizzy and she tumbled hard onto the tile. Blackness crept in from all sides, confusing her to what was real or illusion. Were there footsteps? The door seemed to open. Did it shut? She slid into unconsciousness.

  The sun warmed her irises, prodding her to open her eyes. She mentally checked her body. Everything appeared to be okay, save for the throbbing pain behind her ear. A scraping sound caught her good ear. She propped herself up on her knees and turned toward the sound—the back of the staircase near the basement door. She looked around for something to fight off whomever it was. The best she could find was a discarded hanger. It didn’t seem all that menacing, but maybe she could poke the intruder’s eyes out.

  As if stalking the intruder, she made her way toward the basement stairs. A shoe worked its way from behind the wooden risers and then another one. She bent over and grabbed one. It was a white and blue running shoe—a woman’s—and it seemed oddly familiar. Sabrina dropped the hangar and fumbled her way into the dark corner. To her left was a discarded pullover. Slowly, Sabrina’s eyes focused on a stiff female body. Silver tape was wrapped around her mouth. Her underwear was down around her knees. Her sports bra was still on but had been pushed up on the left side, exposing a breast. The shock of realizing who it was sent her crashing into a state of hysteria.

  Tonya.

  The familiar eyes of Sabrina’s younger, twenty-seven year-old sister stared back. The most horrifying five minutes of Tonya’s entire life were written on her face, and those minutes spilled onto Sabrina like hot ash.

  It was a look Sabrina would never forget.

  She had never been a mother but the urge to comfort her sister overtook her. She lifted the limp body off the cracked marble, nestled her into her lap, and started rocking her as if cradling a baby. A throbbing pain intensified near her ear but she ignored it—her battered, and motionless sister, was her only concern.

  “It’s going to be okay,” Sabrina whispered to her.

  There was no answer.

  She caressed her sister’s hair and just sat there—silently—hoping her sister would eventually come out of the brutal shock she was in.

  Chapter 49

  The stranger grunted as he pulled Sabrina back over the railing. As a small crowd formed, she embarrassingly murmured, “Nothing going on here.” She stumbled forward as the blood drained from her head. “A bit dizzy,” she whispered. He reached out and held her steady. She looked at him. He was a big, dark-skinned man dressed in black from his fedora down to his leather shoes. It was a warm day and yet there wasn’t a spot of perspiration anywhere on his face. Not at all what she expected.

  “Are you feeling any better?” he asked as he settled his bulky, muscular arms on the railing.

  She wiped her face. “Yeah,” she replied feebly.

  He gazed toward the horizon. “I saw you as I was walking to pier’s end and wondered what you were up to.” His voice was warm and smooth, with a hint of American hospitality. “But then you jumped on the railing and I thought, She’s really gonna do it. So I sprinted down and caught you just as you swung yourself over.”

  “It isn’t what you think,” was all she could muster.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Watching the crowd disperse, she sighed. “I’m fine.”

  He looked at her as if she was lying.

  “Really,” she said quickly, hoping he wouldn’t ask any more questions. “I’m just having a really bad day. And my emotions got the best of me. I’ll be okay.”

  The man flashed a smile. “We all have those.” Tipping his hat, he added, “I need to get going.”

  She reached out and touched him. “Thank you.”

  He turned and nodded, then drifted away, off the pier.

  Sabrina eyed a nearby bench and collapsed onto the weathered wood. A sigh pushed out of her body, like a balloon letting out air. What now?

  She had come to Neskowin to escape the nightmare of her sister’s death. But—somehow—she ended up with more memories just as disturbing. The story of my life, she thought.

  She thought about Brieman. She liked him. A lot. But now he was fighting for his life and it was all because of her stubbornness for trying to find the truth. Had she just gone to the police when her suspicions started checking out—or at the very least, persuaded Blogg to take up the story, things could’ve turned out differently … for everybody. She sunk her head into her hands, and started sobbing, quietly at first and then uncontrollably. The self-pity soaked into her like a sponge, and she let it.

  Finally the tears dried. She was mentally exhausted. With a swipe of a hand, she wiped the last few drops away and opened her eyes, half-expecting to be embarrassed by another crowd surrounding her. But there was nobody. The pier was quiet, the nearest couple more than a hundred feet away.

  Maybe Brieman was right. Maybe her sister was the reason she kept putting her life in danger. After all, her sister’s killer has never been found. But if she could somehow figure this out, at least others would have closure. Maybe that’s just what she needed.

  It can’t end this way. She’s a fighter. She’s always been a fighter. It’s the reason she took up kickboxing after her sister’s death. And it had saved her life. She would find the reason behind these killings. It would be her mission.

  She stood and peered toward the water. She ran through what still needed to be accomplished: She needed to talk to Blair—find out what she knew about Gregory’s ex-girlfriend. Then she needed to find Gina. Once she knew the connection between Blair, Gina, and Sanchez’s journal, she would have the smoking gun. She was sure of it.

  But BioHumanity would be a problem. They were obviously fixated on making sure nobody knew their secrets and wouldn’t hesitate to kill her if they knew she was still alive, especially in Acapulco. She needed a plan to derail them. Running through five in her head, she settled on one that made the most sense: She would walk through the front door of the Heart Center as if she was visiting a patient. From there, she would melt into the background—become an insider. And that would lead her to the truth.

  She needed to freshen up—look like a visitor—otherwise she’d never be believable. She found a restroom at the front of the pier. Locking the door behind her, she rubbed the dirt and tears from her face, then pushed her growing hair into a wave. She placed her hands on the sink and viewed the face staring back at her—the lines beneath the eyes, the wooden look. The innocent girl from childhood was nowhere to be found—replaced by an untrusting adult who refused to give into the evil of life.

  The next few hours will define the rest of my life, she thought.

  Chapter 50

  As the high Acapulco sun beat on Sabrina’s strained face, she left the pier and crossed Avenida Costera Miguel Alemán 123. To her right a polished mahogany sign read in both Spanish and English: You are entering the campus of the Acapulco Heart Center. Looking up and down the street, she was amazed by the vibe of the complex: Stone, glass, and stainless-steel towered above her like contemporary palaces. Complementing the buildings were the same cobblestone walks she had seen earlier—lined with rows of violets, roses, and zinnias. About the only thing missing were crowds to enjoy it.

  Straight ah
ead was the tallest of the buildings. Large letters above the entrance, in raised stainless steel, read Acapulco Heart Center. She looked around to see if anybody was watching her. Deciding she was relatively anonymous, she walked up the path toward the main lobby, her heart thumping from the plan she was about to execute. She pushed through the revolving door into a tall, airy atrium—not dissimilar to BioHumanity’s own headquarters. “Can I help you?” a girl, barely in her twenties, asked in accent-drenched English.

  “Yes,” Sabrina replied confidently. “Who am I speaking with?”

  “Salena Torres,” she responded politely, pointing to a small placard just to her left.

  “A beautiful name.”

  The woman flashed a quick smile. “American, I take it?”

  “Yes, I’m visiting from Oregon.”

  The smile stayed. “Well, you’re not alone. If we didn’t have the Americans coming, we wouldn’t be in business.”

  “It seems you’re offering a wonderful service for those that have the resources.”

  “It’s an exciting gift we’re able to give here,” the girl responded, falling into standard jargon she surely had been taught.

  “Without a doubt.”

  “Who are you visiting?”

  “Blair Archer.”

  The girl tapped and swiped a tablet sitting in front of her. “Oh,” she finally said.

  “Oh?” Sabrina repeated.

  “Are you family?” Salena asked, her smile giving way to concern.

  “Yes,” Sabrina lied. She knew this questioning was a possibility when she walked in but she already had a story planned. “I’m her half-sister. We share mothers.” A pause. “Why do you ask?”

  “Because she’s quite sick and we want to make sure she’s resting as comfortably as she can, without any distractions.”

  A nod. “I know. The Heart Center is our last hope.”

  “And who shall I note is here to see her?”

  “Katrina Meyer.” She wasn’t about to use her real name just in case they ran a check.

  “Thank you.” The girl tapped her name into the tablet and then gestured toward the elevators on the far side of the atrium. “She’s on the sixth floor—in the intensive care unit … in room 608. Visitor hours are until seven tonight.”

  Sabrina slipped a look at her watch. It was just before two. “Thank you.” She started toward the elevator, then paused. She needed to confirm one thing Gregory had mentioned. “Ms. Torres?”

  “Sí?”

  “Can you tell me if another patient is here?”

  “Of course.”

  “Except she’s not really a patient. She’s a donor. Her name’s Gina Hyde.”

  Again, Salena tapped on her tablet. “I’m sorry. I’m not finding anyone by that name.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Sí.”

  “Hmm. Okay,” Sabrina replied, frowning. She needed to link Gina to the journal but obviously it wasn’t going to be as easy as having a quick conversation with her. Then again, maybe Blair could help.

  When the elevator pinged the sixth floor, she followed the signs to Blair’s room. A dark-stained maple door, inset with smoked glass for privacy, marked room 608. Sabrina paused in front of the closed door and wondered whether she should walk right in.

  “Can I help you?” a woman asked from behind, her accent lighter than the others.

  Sabrina froze. Keeping the same story, she replied, “I’m looking for Blair Archer’s room … I’m her half-sister, Katrina.” She turned to face a petite nurse dressed in maroon-colored scrubs.

  “Oh. Yes, of course. The receptionist let us know. She’s right behind you, in 608. Are you new to the Center? I don’t remember seeing you here before.”

  “First time. But I know her brother, Gregory, has been here for her.”

  “Yes … Gregory. I’ve gotten to know him well. … Cares dearly about his sister.”

  “He does,” she replied, voice quivering. Talking about Gregory, and knowing his death would probably devastate Blair, didn’t sit well.

  “Well, it’s a good thing you’re here now. Without the operation she doesn’t have much time left.”

  A nod. “Gregory said as much. That’s why I rushed down here.” Sabrina pointed to the door. “Do you mind if I go in?”

  “Of course. But she may be sleeping. We’ve got her on a potent beta blocker to keep her heart rate down.”

  Sabrina gently pushed open the door and walked into the darkened room. The shades were drawn but sunlight still seemed to slip through. Blair’s eyes were closed but her hands were moving, almost restlessly. Must be awake, Sabrina thought.

  “Blair?” Sabrina said softly.

  For a moment Blair didn’t respond but then her body stirred and her eyes opened. She eyed Sabrina strangely, and then asked, almost in a whisper, “Do I know you?”

  “I’m a friend of Gina … and your brother.”

  “Oh? What’s your name?”

  “Sabrina.”

  She shook her head slowly. “I don’t remember them mentioning you before.”

  Deciding she needed to change the subject, she put a hand on Blair’s forearm. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll explain later.”

  Blair looked at her and then turned away. “Yes, of course. I’m just not sure I’m going to have that much time.”

  “You have to stay positive.”

  “Have you talked to my brother then? I left a message earlier today but he didn’t call me back.”

  “He’s fine,” Sabrina lied, her voice wavering a bit. “I just talked to him a few hours ago, before I flew down here.”

  “Everything’s okay, right?” Blair asked, a bit of concern showing in her voice.

  “Absolutely,” Sabrina replied more confidently.

  “That makes me happy,” Blair whispered in response. “I don’t know what I’d do without him. So how can I help you?”

  Sabrina’s heart melted as Blair’s words sank in. Stay strong, she thought. “It’s about Gina. Gregory mentioned she visited you back home.”

  “That’s right. That’s when I told her I wanted to have the operation here.”

  Sabrina took a breath and jumped into her made up story. “That’s when I learned she wanted to come too. I tried reaching her for days but she never got back to me. I mean … she didn’t tell me she was coming … not that she has to but I thought she would’ve at least left a note.”

  Blair seemed surprised. “And you flew all the way down here? You must be really close.”

  “Childhood friends … but now we only get to talk every few months. Do you have any sense why she came?”

  Blair stared at her for a few seconds, as if trying to figure out how much to share. She sighed. “It’s a long story. And I’m not sure I have the energy for it.”

  “I understand.” But Sabrina needed to push forward. “Do you know what she was thinking?”

  “She was pregnant and wanted to donate her unborn for the benefit of others.”

  “Why here?”

  “Because of me.”

  Sabrina’s brow creased. “How could she help you?”

  “Because the heart—the heart they’re going to give me—is made up of incubated cells from the placenta. And the only way they can get the number they need is by using a lot of them. Abortions are the quickest way to do it.”

  This seemed to confirm what Gregory had told her. “So the stems cells are from the placenta … and since they do the abortion here they own the production of the cells.”

  A slight nod.

  But then where’s the record of Gina? “Are you sure she came?”

  “She told me so … in a note.” Blair paused, as if trying to get the energy to speak. “And not only that, she was going to be rooming with a friend.”

  “Really? Who’s that?”

  “Helen Mesona. She’s someone Gina met at the clinic near her house. That’s how she found out the Donor Center could help me.”

  �
�The Donor Center?”

  “That’s where all the volunteers go when they arrive. I hear they take care good of them over there.”

  “It’s in a different building?”

  She nodded briefly. “The sister building. You take the skyway.”

  Behind them, a nurse walked into the room. “It’s nap time.”

  Sabrina leaned over Blair. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I know you’ll get better.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Blair whispered back.

  The nurse looked at Sabrina. “You’ll need to let her rest for a few hours.”

  “Yes. Of course.” Sabrina waited until the nurse turned her attention to Blair. “But I need a little bit of help.” She reached inside her bag and grabbed hold of the revolver.

  The nurse turned. “How can I help you?”

  Sabrina slid the gun out and pointed it at her. “I need your lab coat and ID.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “No. I’m not,” Sabrina replied coolly.

  The nurse eyed the room’s intercom.

  “Don’t get any ideas. I’m serious. Sabrina pointed the gun at her head. The odd thing was there was no way Sabrina could have done something like this yesterday. But today was different. She just didn’t give a shit anymore.

  The nurse swallowed hard and then slipped off her coat, the security badges dangling from the pocket, and handed it to Sabrina.

  “Good. You made the right decision.”

  “You’re never going to get out of here. You’ll be arrested,” the nurse hissed at her.

  “We’ll see about that.” Sabrina nodded toward the bathroom. “You need to go in there.”

  The woman eyed the barrel of the gun. Deciding it was her only option, she walked into the bathroom. Sabrina pulled the door shut and then lodged the room’s only chair underneath the handle. Tapping on the door with the butt of the gun, Sabrina said, “I wouldn’t bother yelling. I’m going to wait ten minutes. If you start screaming, I’m going to open the door and put a bullet in you. Understand?”