by Jude Pittman
"I'm afraid there isn't much doubt." Kelly related the conversation he'd overheard between Angelina and the boy in the stable.
"Which one of the boys was she talking to?"
"I couldn't tell. He was hidden from my line of sight. Angelina was facing the door of my hiding place and I didn't dare move or she'd have spotted me. I had to wait until she left, and by the time I got over to where they’d been talking the boy had disappeared."
"That's too bad. Still it had to be either Paul or Toby."
"Not necessarily. One of the others might have stopped by because of the murder."
Gillian leaned into Kelly and kissed him hard. "Thank you for waiting to talk to me before approaching Angelina. I know it must have gone against your instincts and I appreciate that."
Kelly smiled and snuggled her closer to his chest. "It's your place, you've got the right to decide."
"In that case. I've decided it's time we had some dinner. You'll stay tonight won't you?"
"Sure. As long as you need me. I’m still on holidays so my time's my own. I'll just run by the Hideaway after dinner and see how Darlene's getting along with Jake. "
"Great. I'll go over to Angelina's and have a chat with her while you're gone. She'll probably be more at ease if I see her alone."
"Sounds like a plan. Want me to drop you off?"
"No you go ahead. There's no telling how long this is going to take. I'll just meet you back here later."
After a quick and tasty meal of fajitas and Caesar salad Gillian left for Angelina’s and Kelly got into Old Blue and headed for Indian Creek.
* * *
In his previous life Kelly had been part of an elite unit charged with putting the lid on drug activity and forcing local biker gangs into retirement. After a particularly successful raid on an outlaw gang’s clubhouse, things had gone to hell.
Someone had leaked Kelly’s home address to the bikers. They staked out his apartment and on the night of Jim Forbes’ party retirement from the force, they’d thrown a barrage of Molotov cocktails through the bedroom window. Kelly and Lynda had both planned to attend, but Lynda was truck with one of her migraines that evening and she had insisted Kelly attend the party without her. She’d already taken her pain medicine and by the time Kelly left she’d been sound asleep.
Later, when he got the call to come home, the apartment building had burned to the ground. The fire chief told Kelly that the explosion had killed Lynda instantly. She’d never awoken and felt no pain. It was small consolation.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Kelly resigned from the force, cut off all contact with his fellow officers and took the dead end security job out at Indian Creek.
After five years, he’d recently decided to make a start on his own social life. He joined a dance club at the Stagecoach in Fort Worth and there he’d met Gillian, a tall blonde with a deep suntan and clear blue eyes. She’d moved over and offered him a spot at the table where she and several of her friends were celebrating someone’s birthday. After that Gillian became his favorite dance partner. Eventually he invited her out to the Hideaway, and following one of Cam’s famous barbecues, he’d broached the subject of her spending the night. She’d accepted and their relationship had moved to the next level.
For some reason the trip to the Hideaway tonight had stirred up a flood of memories. Maybe it was the peaceful sensation that came over him as he sat at the bar, waiting for Darlene to finish up with the Coors man who’d arrived to stock the coolers. Over in the corner a couple of old timers argued over the points in a never-ending cribbage game, and Johnny Cash walked the line on the jukebox. There was a sameness, but there was a difference.
The murder at Gillian’s stables had brought back a lot of those feelings he’d buried following Lynda’s death. He hated to admit it, but he was afraid. For the first time in years, he found himself reluctant to stay out at Indian Creek. Gillian needed him—right now for sure—and maybe for longer.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Kelly focused on the interior of the Hideaway. This place was Cam’s pride and joy. Stepping inside was like taking a trip down memory lane. The décor—a tribute to the owner's passion for country music and country living—was a potpourri of tools and implements from the turn of the century. In a glass case behind the bar Cam proudly displayed his collection of antique beer wagons—his pièce-de-résistance a cherished replica of the Budweiser Clydesdales rigged out in full harness. Even the ceiling bore witness to Cam's passion. Glossy black and white photos of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Faron Young and a whole slew of long-dead country favorites smiled down on the patrons.
* * *
Darlene had just finished with the Coors man and headed down the bar towards Kelly when Jake burst through the front door.
"Hey boy. How's it going?" Kelly crouched into dog hug position and gave himself over to the pleasure of a full-out canine welcome. "Looks like Darlene's been feeding you plenty." He ran his hands along the dog's fleshy ribs and finished off the greeting with a man to dog head rub.
Darlene had several questions about Bubba's fishing camp, the wedding, and all the other details of his recent holiday. Finally she touched on the subject of the death at Gillian's stables. He said good-bye and headed home. The phone was ringing when he walked in the door. He picked up the phone to find Gillian on the other end.
"Hi Gilly. What's up?"
"Oh my God, Kelly. I'm at the hospital."
"What happened? Are you okay?"
"Yes. It's not me. It's Angelina. When I got to her place the lights were on and the television blaring. But I knocked and knocked on the door and no one answered. I figured maybe she was avoiding me so I called her phone.
“When she still didn’t answer I got worried. That’s when I remembered that Sara, Angelina's next door neighbor, had a key. I ran and got Sara and we banged on the door some more. Finally Sara used her key and we found Angelina lying on the floor of her bedroom. She'd been hit over the head, just like Larry. I called 911 and the paramedics showed up in minutes. She's still alive, but barely. I've got to hang up now. The doctor is here."
Kelly had headed for his vehicle while still talking. "I'm on my way." Kelly quickly reassured her. "I'll call Gus and let him know what's happened."
"Hurry," Gillian sobbed into the receiver.
"I will. Just hang in there." Kelly hung up and headed for his truck intending to push it to its limit to make it to Gillian’s side as fast as possible.
Chapter Three
It took twenty minutes to get to Harris Methodist from Indian Creek with Kelly pushing it all the way. Inside the ER he scanned the room for blondes until his eyes focused on a slim figure huddled into an oversized plastic chair.
"You okay?" He bent over Gillian's chair and lifted her chin to look into her eyes.
"I'm so glad you're here." She lifted her eyes and a teardrop trickled down her cheek.
"Has anyone told you her condition?"
"Yes." Gillian's voice came out as a small squeak. "She's in a coma. The doctor wouldn't give me any details because I'm not family. Angelina's mom and sister just got here. They're meeting with the doctors now." Gillian's voice broke and her shoulders trembled under Kelly's arm.
"You need some coffee." Kelly crouched in front of her chair. "Why don't we take a walk down to the cafeteria? Can you handle a bowl of soup?"
"I couldn't eat, but coffee would be good."
They walked together down the steps and into the gleaming chrome and white cafeteria. Getting some coffee, they took their cups to a quiet corner table. A lush topiary garden screened their table and secluded them from other diners. Kelly waited while Gillian sipped her drink and settled before asking about the events of the morning.
After a short time she set her cup down.
"Angelina lives in one of those cottage apartments on the outskirts of Haltom City. I went straight to her place from the stable."
"Any idea how long it was from the time you left the s
table until you called the paramedics?"
"It couldn't have been more than an hour. I drove straight there. Traffic was light. When Angelina didn't answer my knocking, I ran over to Sara's. It didn't take five minutes from the time Sara answered her door until we opened Angelina's."
"Was there any sign something was wrong when you opened the door?"
"No. We walked through the living room back to the bedroom. The door was closed so we knocked a few times. When Angelina didn't answer I opened the door. She was sprawled out on the bed. I thought she was dead at first, but I yelled at Sara to call the paramedics, and then I took her pulse. It was faint, but it was there. Sara went to the door to wait for the medics and I stayed with Angelina."
"Did it look like Angelina had put up a fight?"
"Not at all. Whoever did this must have caught her sleeping. The room hadn't been disturbed and there were no signs of a struggle."
"What about Sara, did you ask if she'd heard anything out of the ordinary before you arrived?"
"Yes. The walls aren't that thick in the complex and Sara is positive she'd have heard if there'd been a struggle. She and Angelina both live alone, so they've a pact to look out for each other. If Sara had heard anything that sounded like an attack on Angelina she'd have investigated. "
Thirty minutes dragged like thirty hours as they waited for news. When Kelly’s phone buzzed he stepped outside to answer. It was Gus.
“Any news?”
“No. She’s still in a coma. The doctor’s with the mother and sister now. There’s something I need to say though. I’m afraid I might have screwed up.”
“How’s that?”
“I overheard Angelina and one of the boys in the barn earlier this evening. They were talking about someone named Sam who apparently knows something about Larry’s death.”
“God damn it Kelly. You know better than to sit on something like that.”
“I know it Gus. I’ve been kicking my own ass ever since Gillian’s call. It’s a bit different though, not being official. I wanted to show Gilly some respect, let her talk to the girl. Besides I figured she’d get more out of Angelina than I would. That’s why Gillian went over there tonight. To find out what she knew.”
“Well it’s too late to cry now. What about this Sam? Does Gillian know him?”
“No. She knows who he is, but she doesn’t know anything about him.”
“How about the boy Angelina was talking to?”
“I don’t know. It could be any one of the five that work there. The voices were whispered and he didn’t ring any bells. You’re going to want to talk to all of them. I know them all, casually, and I tried to pin down the voice but nothing stuck.”
“Okay. We’ll save that for later. I’m on my way over there now. I’ll put a man on the girl’s door. Nobody in or out except family and Gillian.”
“Thanks. It’ll help if you let the doctor know that I’m assisting. Right now he’s not speaking to anyone except family.”
“I’ll talk to him. See you in ten.”
Back inside Kelly found Gillian with an older woman who had to be Angelina’s mother, and the sister, a girl of about fourteen.
“Kelly, this is Mrs. Morales and Juanita,” Gillian performed introductions.
“I’m so sorry about Angelina.” Kelly covered the older woman’s hand with his own. “Did the doctor have any idea how long she might be unconscious?”
“He doesn’t know,” she sobbed. “He says there might be brain damage. They can’t tell yet. Why would anyone hurt my Angelina? She’s a good girl. She’s never in trouble. All she does is work and study. Ms. Gillian will tell you. Angelina is never in trouble.”
“Please, Mrs. Morales, we know she hasn’t done anything wrong. What we’re afraid of is that Angelina saw or heard something, something to do with the young boy who was murdered last night.”
“But she didn’t know anything about that. I called her this morning. She said she didn’t know anything. She promised me she didn’t know why the boy was killed. My Angelina is a good girl.”
“You must be Juanita.” Kelly turned to the young girl who stood behind her mother.
Brown eyes widened and she ducked her head shyly.
“Did you ever hear your sister mention the name Sam?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Have you ever seen your sister with any of the boys from the stable?”
The girl darted a look at her mother and then looked at Gillian.
“It’s okay Juanita.” Gillian reached out and took the girl’s hand. "We only want to find out who might have hurt Angelina. Anything you tell us that will help catch whoever did this will be helping to protect your sister.”
“She sometimes went walking with the boy who was killed.”
“No!” Mrs. Morales wailed.
Juanita cowered at the shout from her mother, but she stiffened her shoulders and nodded her head yes.
“She did Mama. She knew you didn’t like him, so she met him in secret. She made me promise not to tell you when she slipped out to meet him. Angelina said they were just friends, but I followed her one night and I saw her kiss him.”
“Thank you Juanita,” Gillian jumped in before the woman could scold her daughter. “You’ve been very helpful to your sister and we really appreciate your honesty. I know your mom understands that you were only protecting Angelina.”
Gillian placed her arm around the older woman’s shoulder. After a moment of composure Mrs. Morales reached out and embraced her daughter.
The sound of heavy footsteps outside the small visitor’s room announced the arrival of Gus and two uniformed officers. Kelly left the women and joined Gus in the hallway. “Any news?” Gus asked.
“Angelina is in a deep coma and according to the doctor they have no idea when or if she will regain consciousness."
“That bad. I’ll go have a talk with the doctor. This is Deputy Raymond,” Gus indicated the tallest of the officers standing to his right, “and Deputy Williams,” he motioned towards the shorter of the two. “They’ll be on the door in alternating four hour shifts.”
“Glad to meet you Deputy Raymond, Deputy Williams,” Kelly shook hands with the men and fell into step with Gus who led the men to the nurse’s station. He introduced them to the charge nurse and inquired about the doctor’s whereabouts.
“It’s Dr. Winchester,” the nurse told Gus. "He’s probably doing his charts. It’s four doors down on the left. You can catch him there."
They found Dr. Winchester bent over a pile of charts. Gus made introductions and explained that the two officers would remain on duty outside Angelina’s door for the foreseeable future.
The doctor confirmed the girl’s diagnosis and promised to contact Gus if there was any change. Gus also cleared Kelly and Gillian for access to Angelina’s room.
“I’m going to tackle those kids first thing in the morning,” Gus said, as he and Kelly headed for the elevators.
“Great. I need to take Gillian home now. Hopefully she’ll get a few hours’ sleep. I’ll stay out there tonight, and if it’s okay I’ll join you in the morning.”
“Good. You know most of those kids. That should help establish a rapport, and hopefully you’ll spot anything hinky.”
Kelly and Gus parted at the elevator and Kelly returned to the visitor’s lounge.
“Gus and I have spoken with the doctor,” he told Gillian. “Things are just as Mrs. Morales described them. I think, and the doctor agrees, that everyone should go home now and get some sleep.”
“But shouldn’t I stay with Angelina?” Mrs. Morales was obviously looking to Kelly for guidance.
“The nurses will take good care of Angelina. It’s you and Juanita we need to worry about now. The doctor explained that this is going to be a long haul. It won’t help Angelina if you get yourself sick.”
“Kelly’s right,” Gillian said to the older woman. “Did you drive or do you need us to drop you off?”
“We came in a taxi. I’m going to call my husband to come and get us after he gets off work. He’ll want to sit with Angelina for a while, and then, as you say, we’ll all go home and get some rest.”
“Excellent.” Kelly patted the older woman’s arm and then turned to Gillian. “Are you ready to go home now? I think we could all use some rest.”
“Yes. I’m ready. Mrs. Morales, you’ll call me if you need anything won’t you?"
“Of course. Thank you so much.”
Kelly and Gillian headed for the Jeep in the parking lot. They hadn’t gone a mile before Gillian dropped off to sleep with her head resting on Kelly’s shoulder.
At the ranch, Kelly opened the door on Gillian’s side of the Jeep and picked her up in his arms.
“You don’t have to carry me. I can walk,” she mumbled an objection.
“Shhh! Humor me, okay? You’ve had enough for one day. Close your eyes and I’ll have you undressed and tucked in before you have a chance to blink.”
* * *
The next morning Gus arrived while Kelly was on the porch having coffee.
“I’ve got your cup right here,” Kelly said as Gus mounted the steps. “Gillian’s out at the stables. I said I’d let her know when you arrived. She’ll send the stable hands in, one at a time, whenever you’re ready. You can fix a couple of biscuits while I tell her you’re here.”
“I can handle that.” Gus pulled up a chair, poured a cup from the steaming carafe and reached into the basket for a couple of Gillian’s buttermilk biscuits.
At the barn, Kelly found Gillian and two of the workers forking hay from the loft down into the mangers.
“Gus is here and ready whenever you are,” he called up.
Gillian poked her head over the railing. “Can you give us another ten? We’ve just about filled the mangers. Mike and I will start grooming and Kevin can go talk to Gus.”
