by Carol Cox
Kate raised her eyebrows. “What do you mean ‘a look’?”
Paul’s cheeks reddened. “It was a lot like the one my third-grade teacher used to give us boys when she thought we were getting out of line.” He gave a rueful laugh. “Until I saw it again on Millie’s face, I’d forgotten how that look of cold steel could turn me into a quivering blob of jelly.”
Kate couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her confident husband reduced to a spineless mass by the gimlet eye of a middle-aged woman.
“I never thought of you as a troublemaker,” she teased. “Imagine finding that out after all these years. Is there anything else I should know about you?”
Paul slid his arm around Kate’s shoulders and pulled her close. “My life’s an open book, Katie girl. Except for that year of riotous living in the third grade.”
Kate burst into laughter. “Okay, now we’ve established your spotless background...I just wish we could figure out what could possibly be going on with Millie.”
“Me too.” Paul’s lips curved as he added, “But we both know Someone who already has that information.”
“You’re right,” Kate smiled. “Let’s pray for her now.” They joined hands and bowed their heads while Paul lifted their concerns about Millie to the Lord. Kate added a prayer of her own for wisdom before Paul closed with a confident “amen.”
Paul squeezed her hands, then glanced at his watch and rose to his feet. “It’s time for me to get back to the office. I didn’t mean to burden you with this when you have so many concerns about Casey and her situation, but thanks for listening. At least I know I’m not imagining things.”
“You don’t have any worries on that score.” Kate got up and walked him to the front door. “Something is definitely—”
She drew in a sharp breath and froze in midstride.
Paul caught at her arm. “What is it, hon? Are you okay?”
Kate nodded as scenes from the day before streamed through her mind. “I’m fine. I was just thinking how Millie hurried to click off whatever she had on the computer at the church office when I walked in. It was a lot like the way you described her shoving those papers into the cabinet.”
“Okay...,” Paul said, obviously not following her train of thought.
“Think about it,” Kate continued. “Millie tends to be gruff, and she never hesitates to speak her mind. But those actions were furtive as well as curt. It was obvious she didn’t want either one of us to know what she was doing...or to question her about it.”
Paul nodded thoughtfully.
Kate pressed her fingertips against her temples and tried to corral the thoughts that were whirling through her mind. “Her supervisor in Pine Ridge said she’s been calling in sick. You don’t suppose...”
“What?” Paul urged.
“Do you think she really is ill and has just been keeping up a stoic front about it?”
Her words came faster as pieces of the puzzle started falling into place. “There could be any number of reasons for her shoving those papers into the cabinet, but how’s this for a scenario? What if Millie really has been having some sort of trouble with her heart, and the shock of that fall did something to make matters worse? Maybe she’s been doing some research on her illness on the office computer. Maybe her anger is just covering up fear and worry.”
Paul’s eyes widened. “That would make a lot of sense. If Millie was worried about something, she isn’t the type to sit down and talk it over with someone.” A hint of sorrow crept into his voice. “I’ll watch out for opportunities to let her know she has my concern and support without saying so directly.”
“That’s probably the best plan. And, of course...”
“We’ll keep on praying,” they both said in unison.
AFTER PAUL LEFT, Kate turned her attention back to the kitchen. She prayed while she washed and dried the dishes, asking God to watch over Casey and Millie. She had just stacked the last of the plates in the cupboard when the phone rang.
Kate reached across the counter and pulled the receiver from its cradle. A quick glance at the caller ID showed it was from the Pine Ridge Hospital. She picked it up and pressed the receiver against her ear.
“Mrs. Hanlon? This is Dr. McLaughlin. I have some good news. Casey is awake at last.”
Chapter Fifteen
She’s fully conscious?” Kate gripped the receiver so tightly that her hand ached. “Is she able to have visitors?”
Dr. McLaughlin chuckled. “That’s why I’m calling. There’s one visitor in particular who I think she’d be very happy to see. Would you be interested in coming up here anytime soon?”
“I’ll be on my way in five minutes,” Kate promised.
After running a brush through her hair, Kate was ready to leave. She made a quick phone call to let Paul know what was going on, then she hurried out to the garage and backed her Honda out of the driveway.
Casey was awake! Kate could hardly contain her excitement. Not only did it indicate that the girl was on the road to recovery, but it also might finally answer the questions that had been plaguing Kate the past few days. Not to mention reuniting Casey with her family.
She hummed as she turned from Sweetwater Street onto Pine Ridge Road and broke into a praise chorus while the car sped north along the highway. She sang one hymn after another until she pulled into a parking space in front of the squat brick hospital.
She went in through the emergency room entrance and spotted Dr. McLaughlin standing beside the wide double doors.
“Things are a little slow in the ER at the moment, so I was watching for you,” he said with a broad smile. “Come on, I’ll walk you to her room. We’ve moved her out of ICU, so she’s in a regular room now. That’s more good news.” He set off with long strides, and Kate had to quicken her steps to keep up with him.
“You’re sure Casey is up to talking?” she asked. “I have some questions for her, and they may be rather difficult.”
“I had a conversation with her after I heard she’d come around. She’s responsive and coherent. Thankfully, there don’t appear to be any long-term effects. She may not enjoy being pressed for answers, but in my professional opinion, it won’t do her any harm.” He turned left at the first corridor, then paused and tilted his head when the intercom squawked.
“Dr. McLaughlin, please report to the ER, stat. Dr. McLaughlin to the ER.”
The doctor gave Kate an apologetic look. “It seems things are about to get busy. I’m afraid I have to run.”
“No problem,” Kate assured him. “Just tell me which room she’s in, and I’ll be fine.”
He rattled off the room number over his shoulder as he trotted back down the corridor. In another instant, he had rounded the corner, and Kate was left on her own.
Kate checked the sign on a nearby wall and set off at a rapid pace. She and Paul had made plenty of hospital visits during their time in Copper Mill, so this wasn’t unfamiliar territory for her.
She found the room without any difficulty and stepped into the open doorway. She gave a quick gasp of pleasure when she saw Casey propped upright in the bed. Kate paused for a moment, taking in the scene.
The curtain was drawn back, and sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the golden highlights in the blonde hair flowing over Casey’s shoulders. Her hair looked as if it had been freshly brushed, and Kate wondered whether Casey had done it herself or if it had been the work of a compassionate nurse.
Casey hadn’t seen Kate yet. The girl stared out the window, and Kate took advantage of the moment to observe her without being noticed. Most of the tubes were gone, she noted with relief. Only one IV remained connected to Casey’s left arm. The swelling in her face had gone down somewhat, and the bruises were beginning to fade. There was still plenty of discoloration, but Kate could see a hint of the delicate features revealed in the yearbook photo.
Without Kate making any movement or sound, Casey suddenly seemed to become aware of another presence i
n the room. She turned quickly, and her eyes flared wide when she saw Kate standing there. She winced as if the abrupt move had caused her pain.
Filled with concern, Kate stepped inside the room and moved toward the bedside. “I’m sorry to startle you, Casey. You can relax, though—there’s no need to be afraid.”
Casey shrank back against the pillow as Kate approached. Recognizing the beginnings of panic, Kate stopped when she was several feet away from the bed.
She would have to tread carefully, she realized. After all the research she’d done over the past couple of days, she felt like she knew a little about Casey Barnes, but Casey didn’t know her at all.
“Don’t be afraid,” she repeated in a soothing tone. “I’m here to help you...and to be a friend.”
Casey didn’t reply, but the panic began to fade from her eyes. The girl’s complexion was still wan—or maybe she was just naturally fair. She would have to see her under more normal circumstances to know for sure.
Kate took one step nearer and extended her hand. Watching Casey closely, she said, “I’m Kate Hanlon.”
The girl’s lips parted, and she stared at Kate with what looked like an expression of hope. She pulled her right arm out from under the sheet and reached out, brushing Kate’s fingertips with hers.
“You’re Mrs. Hanlon?” A note of wonder filled Casey’s voice. When Kate nodded, Casey shook her head. Immediately she winced and withdrew her hand to hold it against her temple. “I’d think I was dreaming if it wasn’t for this pain in my head.”
She closed her eyes a moment before she let her hand drop back onto the bed, then she looked back at Kate. “I can’t believe it’s really you. How did you find me?”
“I didn’t,” Kate told her. “You found me.” She had to chuckle when she saw Casey’s bewildered expression. “Dr. McLaughlin, who treated you in the emergency room, called me after you were brought in here. You were unconscious most of the time, but apparently you roused enough at one point to give the doctor my name.”
“I did?” Casey’s expression changed from confusion to one of horror. She clutched the edge of the sheet in both hands. “What else did I say?”
Kate’s heart went out to the distraught girl. “You didn’t say anything else as far as I know. From what I’ve heard, the only thing anyone heard you speak was my name.”
Casey’s shoulders relaxed a fraction, but Kate noticed that her knuckles were white as she gripped the sheet.
“Dr. McLaughlin called me,” she went on. “Since you gave him my name, he assumed that we must be acquainted, and he asked me to come see you so I could tell him who you were. It was a surprise to all of us when it turned out I’d never seen you before.
“You do know the doctor’s daughter, by the way,” Kate added. “Melanie McLaughlin? I believe she’s a friend of yours at Haywood.”
“That’s right.” Casey started to nod, then appeared to think better of it. “But how could you know that?”
“That’s probably as confusing to you as it was for me to find out that a total stranger knew my name,” Kate said gently. “Do you feel like telling me what happened and why you asked for me? I’d like to know more about that.”
Casey stared at her for a long moment, then said in a weak voice, “Sure. Why don’t you sit down?” She pointed toward a padded vinyl chair that sat against one wall. Kate scooted the chair over next to the bed.
While Kate maneuvered the chair into place, she had the feeling that Casey was measuring her. She wondered what the girl saw and how she measured up to whatever expectations Casey might have had.
Kate settled herself into the chair and leaned forward slightly, but not so far that she would intrude on Casey’s personal space. There was something more going on in the young woman’s mind than met the eye. If Kate hoped to find out what it was, she would have to do everything she could to let Casey know she was there to help without frightening her. Maybe a word of spiritual encouragement would be the place to start.
“You know, I can see God’s hand at work in all this,” she said.
Casey’s forehead puckered. “What do you mean?”
“Well, like the way you know Melanie McLaughlin. And the fact that her father is the ER doctor here. Melanie’s the one who came in and identified you after she heard about the mysterious girl who’d been brought in and wondered if there was any connection with her friend who was missing from the college.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Casey said in a doubtful tone.
“And before that, you were able to tell Dr. McLaughlin my name. God knew you would need someone to be there for you and pray for you, and I believe that’s part of the reason why he allowed me to be drawn into the whole thing.”
Casey’s eyes darted to one side. “I guess. You’re a minister’s wife. Melanie told me that.”
“Melanie mentioned me? Is that how you knew my name in the first place?”
“Yeah, that’s right. A bunch of us were sitting around in the dorm one day. Some of the girls were talking about famous people they knew, and Melanie said there was a woman named Kate Hanlon in Copper Mill who had a reputation for solving mysteries.”
Now it was Kate’s turn to feel baffled. So Casey had only known of her through casual chitchat.
Why didn’t Melanie tell me about this? she wondered. Then she remembered the way Melanie had characterized Casey, as a quiet listener rather than a participant in group conversations. When Melanie had talked about the mystery-solving minister’s wife who lived near her hometown, she wouldn’t have realized that Casey had tucked away that piece of information.
“That explains how you heard about me,” Kate said, bringing her thoughts back to the subject at hand. “But I’m still wondering why you were in Copper Mill in the first place and why you told Dr. McLaughlin to notify me when you were injured. Why not a member of your family?”
Casey shook her head. “There’s no point in calling my family. It wouldn’t do any good.”
“Oh, honey!” Kate protested. “You need them at a time like this. I know I’d be beside myself if one of my daughters got hurt and I wasn’t there to help.”
Tears welled up in the girl’s eyes, and her lower lip quivered. Dashing the tears away with the back of her hand, she jutted her chin and shook her head again with an air of finality.
Afraid she might cause a setback if she pressed too hard, Kate decided to let the matter drop for the time being.
“Okay, then let’s go back to why you gave the doctor my name. I’m still in the dark about that.”
Casey’s eyes roamed all over the room, from the door to the IV stand to the window—anywhere but to Kate. Finally she pressed her lips together, and her face took on a set look, as if she had reached a difficult decision.
“Melanie said you were good at figuring out mysteries and solving problems...and crimes,” she said in a small voice. “Do you think you might be able to help me?”
Kate studied the girl, taking note of the tense lines at the corners of her mouth. She thought back to her conversation with Melanie. Casey had been convinced that someone was following her, and Melanie thought her friend seemed afraid of something or someone.
Maybe someone really did hurt her, Kate thought grimly. It appeared that her earlier suspicions were about to be confirmed; Casey’s injuries hadn’t been from a car accident.
A wave of compassion swept over her. “I’ll be glad to do whatever I can.”
Chapter Sixteen
Casey remained quiet for so long that Kate wondered if something was wrong. Finally she said, “Melanie said you aren’t a professional detective. I mean you don’t do it for money or anything, right?”
Kate nodded agreement, wondering where Casey was headed.
A tiny smile curved the girl’s lips, as if she was satisfied by Kate’s response. “Good. I thought you sounded like someone who could help other people.”
“But help you with what, Casey?” Frustration edged Kate’s voice despite her r
epeated attempts to keep it from showing.
In her heart, she felt sure that Casey’s request for help was connected in some way with her injuries. Just thinking about what the girl had gone through brought out all of Kate’s maternal instincts. If someone had done this to her deliberately, that person needed to be stopped—immediately.
But for Kate to know how to help, Casey would have to trust her enough to let her know the whole of what was going on.
“You need to talk to me, Casey,” Kate urged. “God seems to have given me a gift for figuring out mysteries, and it appears he wants me to help you. But if I’m going to help, I can’t get started until I know what I’m dealing with.”
Casey let out a tiny snort. “I don’t think God cares about me one way or another, so I’m counting on you. Okay, I’ll tell you what you need to know.”
Kate bit her tongue to keep from protesting. Better to wait until she had the whole picture before she launched into a lecture on trusting God.
Casey moistened her lips with her tongue. Kate spotted a plastic cup half filled with water on the bedside table. She rose to bring it within Casey’s reach and held the bent straw so the girl could take a sip. When Casey was finished, Kate returned the cup to the bedside table, then resumed her seat and waited.
“There’s a...situation,” Casey began.
Kate stifled a sigh. It was beginning to feel like she was fighting an uphill battle. “All right,” she said in a neutral tone. “Would you like to tell me about it?”
Casey licked her lips again. “This is so weird,” she said. “I wanted to talk to you, but now that you’re here, I don’t know where to start.”
Hearing the quaver in her voice, Kate’s frustration melted away. “Maybe I can help. How about if I tell you what I’ve already learned, and then you can fill in the blanks. Does that sound like a plan?”
A flash of shock flickered across Casey’s face. “What do you mean, what you’ve already learned?”
