Full Circle

by Mariella Starr

  "Yes and yes," Josie said honestly. "It was a clean break to the arm, so I'll only be in a cast for five or six weeks. I've been waiting for them to let you in so you can be the first to sign the cast."

  "Cool," Alex exclaimed. "Have you got a pen?"

  "Actually, we don't," Jack said, pulling a bill out of his pocket. "Why don't you go down to the gift shop and see if they have any pens or magic markers, and sneak in some candy bars and something for her to read."

  "Anything I want to get her?" Alex asked.

  "Anything you think she would like," Jack agreed.

  "Awesome," the boy said, taking the money. "Spider-Man comic books are her favorites!"

  "The Fantastic Four are my favorites," Josie called after him weakly, but her eyes were happy. "Spider-Man is yours, but they'd be okay too!"

  Buck came in as soon as Alex was out the door. "I had to see you, Baby Girl. I'm an old man, Josie; you've got to quit scaring me like this. Are you doing okay?"

  "I'm okay, Buck, no I take that back," Josie said, taking the man's hand in her bandaged one. "I've been using up my nine lives like a she-cat, and you've stuck it out with me. You're my father, and I think I'm going to keep you around as long as I can. I might even start calling you Dad, but don't get insulted if I keep calling you Buck. The name suits you."

  Tears filled Buck's eyes, and he struggled not to let them fall. "Right, Dad or Buck, I don't give a damn what you call me as long as you let me hang around. Don't scare me like that again, Baby Girl." Buck stepped back and looked uncomfortable with having shown his emotions. "Ugh, I'll go see that the kid doesn't get into any trouble. He's a handful."

  "You're full of sweetness and light this morning," Jack teased. "Are you going to be this compliant when we get you home?"

  "No," Josie said with a grin, "but, I'm the one that is hurt, so you have to be nice to me."

  "I intend to take care of you," Jack corrected. "I also intend to make you follow the doctor's orders. I'm thinking of posting a big chart on the wall and keeping a running tally on your misbehavior and bad attitude. Once you're back to one hundred percent, I'll fire up your backside for all your misdeeds.

  "Bully," Josie teased.

  "Hellion," Jack teased back with a smile as he leaned over and gave her a kiss. "You haven't gotten a heck of a lot of rest for the last couple of days even though they have kept you locked up here."

  "All the depositions were necessary," Josie said, leaning back against her pillow. "I'm still having a hard time understanding it. Someone I've known since second grade turns out to be a serial killer. His younger brother turns out to be his accomplice in at least two of the murders and is his sexual partner. How sick is that?

  "Agent Coulter can't let me see their taped confessions since I'm a victim, but he told me what he could. Jimmy Richards is the serial killer of six women. He blames me because he lost a bet, with a bunch of stupid, hormonally driven boys that he would be my first. He was teased and shamed, and it twisted something up inside him. He was sixteen years old when he killed the first girl. She was only fifteen years old—a baby, the next one was only sixteen. Agent Coulter said that before the interrogation ended, Jimmy lost it and they had to restrain him. Jimmy blames me. He also blames you. He said he would not have had to kill all those women if you had left us alone that night. He built up some strange fantasy that I was supposed to be his. Agent Coulter said there would be many, many sessions before they would be through with him. Matt is not admitting to anything." Josie shuttered, and there were tears in her eyes, but she didn't cry.

  "Agent Coulter said it will take a while for the medical experts to work up a complete psychological case file on each of them. Jimmy's lawyer is already hinting at an insanity plea. Whatever snapped in his brain, my coming home seems to have periodically triggered his need to get even. I've gone over the last year a million times in my head, and he never gave a hint. He was polite, supportive and fun to be around. I babysat his kids so he and Mary Ann could go out on dates and have some time away from the kids. From everything I saw, he was a great husband and a wonderful father.

  "He lived a normal, everyday life, but he had a hidden part of him that was a psychotic killer. He used those other poor women as substitutes." Josie's voice broke and this time she did cry. "He killed six women, but he didn't want to hurt me. In his crazy, mixed-up mind, he said he was protecting me. None of it makes any sense."

  "Sweetheart, what he did is not your fault," Jack said firmly. "You are not to blame for his insane ideas and actions."

  "I know that, but six women are dead because of his obsession," Josie admitted. "I can't sleep, Jack. Not unless you're with me. It comes back, and it's horrible. Not only what happened now, but also what happened before. I think I'm going to need some time with a psychologist."

  "That's totally understandable," he promised. "I intend to be by you and with you through whatever you need to get your balance back. I've been there, Josie, not exactly the same circumstances, but I understand. You're going to need a lot of help, a lot of rest, understanding and love. It's my job to see that you get all of it."

  Jack helped her out of the bed, led her over to a chair and pulled her into his lap. "We need to talk about some other things. They're going to spring you from the hospital tomorrow."

  "I know. I can't wait."

  "Yeah, I got that impression," Jack said with a grin. "Josie, it's not going to be easy. Your left arm is in a cast, and your right hand has a lot of stitches and bandages that must be re-dressed several times a day. It's probably going to take the cuts on your hand longer to heal than the broken arm. You're probably going to need some physical therapy later. Right now you can't feed yourself, dress yourself, or even go to the bathroom by yourself."

  "I'll figure it out. I am not going into that care facility the doctor suggested. I won't."

  "You made that clear," said Jack, his voice going stern. "But you are going to need care. I've already talked to Dr. Mellon, and he said either he or his physician's assistant will be over several times a day to change the dressings and watch for infections."

  "Jack, I don't need that," Josie complained.

  "Yes, you do," he interrupted. "It's not going to do you any good to argue about it. If you won't accept the other options of care that puts it squarely on me." He held up his hand when she opened her mouth to protest.

  "I'm going to be your primary caretaker. I will take care of you in every manner and detail. I will bathe you, dress you, feed you, and help take care of all your needs including anything you might consider embarrassing. It's either me or Buck, and I don't think you want your father helping you go to the bathroom or dressing you. The only thing I ask is, don't fight me because if you do you'll lose, and you won't like the consequences."

  "Consequences," Josie parroted softly.

  "Consequences," Jack repeated sternly.

  Josie gave that warning a few moments of consideration. "What about rewards?" she asked, giving a wiggle on his lap and rubbing up against him.

  "What about them?"

  "Do I get rewards for going along with of all your high-handed commands?" She wiggled again. "What do I get out of this deal?"

  Jack grinned and captured her mouth. "I'll make it worth your while. You have my promise on that."

  "Good," Josie whispered laying her head on his shoulder. "Because I know you always keep your promises."

  "Are you ready for this?" Agent Coulter asked as Josie sat down in the wheelchair and prepared for an orderly to wheel her out of the hospital.

  "No, I don't know why we can't go out the back door," Josie complained. "Everyone else went out the back door with the flowers, cards, stuffed animals, and other stuff."

  "This is your day, Ms. Raintree," Detective Rich Webber said. "The public wants to see that you're okay."

  Josie gave the Detective a sour look. "Only because you people played it up that way to the press."

  Agent Bill Coulter smiled. "It's your moment,
Sheriff Raintree, enjoy it. There are a lot of people out there concerned with your welfare."

  Flashbulbs, video cameras, cell phones and every other possible kind of camera went off when the orderly wheeled Josie outside to the front of the hospital. The FBI along with the Oklahoma State Police orchestrated a press conference in front of the hospital complete with speeches and presentations of flowers to Josie. She smiled and waved, and could not wait to leave in the limousine provided by the FBI.

  The limousine took her three miles until it pulled into an underground parking lot where Jack, Buck and Alex waited for her. Buck transferred more flowers, balloons and cards that had been given to her by the crowd into his SUV. Everyone gently helped Josie into Georgina's sedan that Jack had borrowed as it would be a smoother ride than his jeep or her truck.

  They watched the limousine drive off.

  "Cool," was Alex's response as he got into Buck's SUV.

  "Ready to go home?" Jack asked.

  "More than ready," Josie declared. "I didn't want that hullabaloo."

  "That was for the people who don't know you. The ones who know you will be showing up at your house," Jack warned.

  Josie realized how true his words were when she saw how many people in her hometown really did care. It seemed that everyone knew she was coming home. The town sidewalks were lined with people she knew, and they were waving and smiling at her.

  Once they arrived on her street, the road was lined with cars, and her lawn was filled with more people. Her entire front porch was covered with flowers, notes and balloons.

  She gave a few words of thanks to the crowd and Jack asked Clay and the deputies to disperse the people. Josie needed rest and quiet.

  The crowd left, but the visitations didn't stop. Nearly every visitor brought food, which Jack, Alex and Buck thought was terrific. After several days, the dilemma became where to put it all. With a refrigerator and freezer both full, excess desserts were stored in the refrigerator over the garage in Jack's office. When that became full, it was time to share. Josie called the deputies, and they sent food out to the elderly and poorer people in town, delivering casseroles, soups and complete meals. She let Jack and Alex decide on what they could give away and noticed that it was rare for a cake or pie to leave the house.

  Alex made a huge sign and posted it in the front yard.

  Josie is recovering-needs rest.

  Visiting hours: 10-12 a.m. & 3-5 p.m.

  No food, please.

  Josie thought it was a bit rude, but Jack and Buck agreed with it. She needed time to rest, and she was not getting it because of the constant interruptions. Flower arrangements, cards and even letters began to arrive from total strangers and law enforcement organizations. People sent money to her directly and sometimes to the town or to the sheriff's office in her name. The donations very quickly accumulated into the thousands. Agent Coulter said it was normal. People responded by opening their wallets. He suggested they start a fund or scholarship on behalf of the victims. Flower arrangements arrived from the families of two of the victims. She personally called them and cried with them over the loss of their daughters.

  Agent Bill Coulter warned both Josie and Jack to be aware and on guard. A sad and strange part of being newsworthy and garnering media attention was it also brought out the kooks. Some individuals would take the side of Jimmy Richards and his brother, Matt and view them as the wronged party. Josie only received a few such letters and a couple of phone calls, which they turned over to the FBI for follow-up.

  Josie did not mind the visitors, and she knew the food was a way of showing friendship. When the no-food sign went up, her friends showed up with bouquets of homegrown flowers, books, magazines, puzzle books and boxes of candies. Her deputies showed up with donuts, sure that she was missing her morning sugar fix.

  She had only spent twenty-nine hours in captivity, but the terror of the situation had taken a heavy toll. She did not rest or even nap well unless Jack was beside her wrapping his arms around her and making her feel safe. She felt guilty over that, because he was bearing the weight for her fragility. His protective instincts had fully surfaced, and she knew they were going to clash head-on at some point. For now, it felt nice to be pampered, sheltered and wrapped in a cloak of love she felt from her family and close friends. Even the concern from people she barely knew was comforting.

  Alex refused to return to camp, and no one could convince him otherwise. He hovered and jumped to fulfill her slightest request. Jack was firm about her schedule of resting and eating. Alex appointed himself her protector from Jack, visitors, and anyone else who dared to question or upset her.

  Buck was around a lot. He was still busy working around town helping rebuild some fences and sheds that had blown down during the storms. He recognized the inevitable on-coming clash between Jack and Alex and neatly interceded. Most days he took Alex with him for a portion of the time. The work, the show of compassion for others—it was good for the boy.

  Jack put Alex in charge of food dispersal and Buck was his driver to deliver the goods. After spending some time with some elderly couples, Alex seemed less self-absorbed and showed true concern for the people they were helping. He came back daily relaying long messages to Josie from people he met. Sometimes he even suggested how they could continue to help some of the people in town.

  There were daily phone calls from Agent Coulter and Detective Webber as they unofficially kept her up-to-date with the findings of the case. Josie set up appointments for herself with a psychologist through the Sheriff's Association, and dragged Buck, Jack and Alex into the sessions for family counseling. It was a mandated requirement for her, since she was still technically on the force and this time she was going to take full advantage of their help. The last time when she had been on medical leave from the CIA, she had thought the sessions a sign of weakness. This time she was honest with herself and wanted to take the offered help. She needed professional help to get past the horrors she had experienced both this time and the last. She had people in her life now that depended on her. It was important to be mentally healthy for them.

  One very special day, Agent Bill Coulter, Detective Webber and Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matthew Gilbertson came to Josie's house.

  Josie, Jack and a few others knew what was happening, but they didn't tell Alex anything in advance. In preparation for the day though, Jack took the boy out and bought him a suit. For his efforts, he had to listen to several hours of complaints. When the date arrived, Jack ordered Alex to put on his new suit, telling him some important people were coming to see Josie, and he needed to look his best.

  A small assembly consisting of Clay Tucker, Georgina, Josie, Jack, Buck, Riley, Jeanine and Mrs. Foster gathered in Josie's living room.

  With the arrival of the important men, the Lieutenant Governor presented Alex Carter with the Oklahoma Medal of Valor for his help in solving the case of serial killers Albert James Richards and Matthew Steven Richards. Following that presentation, FBI Agent Bill Coulter presented the boy with an FBI scholarship for $25,000 dollars and Detective Webber presented a Kiowa County scholarship for $15,000.

  The stunned twelve-year old Alex walked around dazed, while everyone offered him congratulations, and a photographer took photographs of him along with the important men. Before leaving, the Lieutenant Governor shook the boy's hand and personally thanked him. Once the dignitary left with his photographer, the rest of the assembly enjoyed a small party of cake, cookies and soda.

  Agent Coulter explained to Alex that the FBI and Kiowa County were proud of him. His agency and Kiowa County had shown him their high regard by presenting him with the scholarships, but his actual involvement in solving the crime had to remain a secret. He was a minor and for his safety, they did not want his name associated with the case or the trial in any manner. He could never tell anyone of his involvement in solving the case.

  After the party had begun to wind down, Alex dashed upstairs and was out of his new suit in a flas
h. He returned downstairs in his normal shorts and tee shirt for more sweets.

  "Oh," Josie complained. "I wanted to take some more pictures of you. You look so handsome in your new suit. I'm so proud of you!"

  "All I did was find a book," Alex admitted.

  "You figured out the connection of the initials on the book before the experts did," Jack corrected. "Finding that journal was the key to finding Josie."

  "It was also the key to stopping a serial killer," Agent Coulter added.

  "All because of the game we play, in plain sight," Josie mused, pulling Alex to her and giving him a hug. "I didn't pay any attention to the initials. I only had the book in my hands for about ten seconds. I thought the journal belonged to Jack's mother Alice Rawlings. I glanced at it, but Jack and Buck were hollering for help with supper on the grill, so I had to run. I slid it on top of the secretary because all the library shelves were sticky, and I forgot about it. You're my hero, Alex."

  "Yuck!" Alex complained cheerfully. "Josie, do I get to keep the money if I don't go to college?"

  Josie had hesitated for a second before she replied. "I think you phrased that wrong. I think what you meant to ask was, 'Which college or university do you think is my best choice to use my scholarships?'"

  Alex rolled his eyes. "Does that mean I have to go to college?"

  "You shouldn't think in terms of not going," Josie agreed. "It's not something you have to worry about anytime soon though. You have five or six more years before making that decision."

  "Double yuck!" Alex groaned and faked gagging.

  Everyone laughed, but Alex was happy with the response. Six more years meant Josie thought he was going to be around that long.

  Mrs. Foster pulled Josie, Jack and Alex aside for a few seconds before she left and added her advice. She told Alex not to talk about the scholarships because with his mother refusing to sign off her legal rights, adding $40,000 into the mix could be a dangerous incentive for her to keep battling to keep custody of her son.