by Blue,Marina
“No. No hospital.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. No. Maybe.” Melody shook her head. “I wasn’t hurt. Just shaken up. And right now, I just want to go home.”
“I can do that. Gunner!”
Gunner was already on the pier, standing a few feet away. “Yeah?”
“Can you shut down the Snake? I got to-”
“Of course. Go.”
Knox scooped up Melody in his arms, and carried her to his bike.
As they went, Gunner said to himself, “I just hope you drink plenty of fluids.”
#
After Knox unlocked his motorcycle from the massive anchor, he drove Melody back to the Coeur de Mer. It was a fast trip, but as every second passed Melody began to feel better. With her arms and legs wrapped around Knox, and the steady call of the wind in her ears, she felt safe. At peace. Like she was already home.
So when they pulled up to the Coeur de Mer, she was almost completely herself again.
Hopping off she said, “Thanks so much. I appreciate the ride.”
“Stop thanking me for things I want to do,” Knox said. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?”
“I am. It was a scuffle, but I came out on top.”
Knox’s eyes were shiny when he said, “You really are some kind of woman, Melody Song.”
She just stood there, staring into him as he did her. The moment came to a standstill. Time, time itself paused as they drank one another in. And inside of their chests was a stirring. It was deep, and primal. Like their very essences, souls, were reaching out through the space between them, begging to be joined. Above them, millions of stars blinked as they gazed down, and if those stars could think, they’d be forgiven for believing that the earth had paused on its axis, if only for a moment.
And when the spell that had them bound finally broke, Melody said, “Whoa. That was-”
“Yeah it was,” Knox said.
“Listen, um… I’m still too excited to sleep. You want to come in?”
“There’s nothing I’d rather do.” He turned off the engine, and dismounted his cycle. The two walked hand-in-hand up the path, and onto the porch. The classic Craving Cove air was the same as always. Salty, yet sweet, a perfect blend to entice the senses.
But then Melody stopped. Something was wrong.
She didn’t know what, but she could feel it.
She looked at the door. It was slightly ajar.
“What the hell?” She stepped into the house, and her blood went cold. The room had been ransacked. The lamp was lying on the carpet. The coffee table had been overturned, and papers were strewn everywhere. Even Pearl’s pink chair was knocked over. And the painting over the fireplace, The Foundering Grouse, was torn. Next to it, on the wall, was a smear of blood.
“Hello?” Melody said.
No answer.
“Pearl, are you here?” Knox called out.
Still, nothing.
Knox ran across the living room and looked into the kitchen. “She’s not here.”
Melody bolted up the stairs.
Behind her Knox cried, “Melody, stop! You don’t know who’s up there!”
But she ignored his protests and charged into the first room she came to. Inside there was nothing amiss. So she checked the second one. And nothing was there, either.
Melody ran into the next room. It was hers. And instantly yelled, “No!”
Because lying on the floor, in the middle of the room, was Pearl.
And she wasn’t moving.
Chapter 24
“Pearl, oh my God, are you alright?” Melody dropped to her knees, and cradled the old woman’s head. “Pearl, speak to me.”
Her hair was mussed. But there was no blood. No bruises. No sign of violence to her body. But she didn’t speak.
Melody looked for a pulse. It was there. But it was incredibly weak.
“It’s ok, it’s going to be ok.” And then Melody began to sing softly. It was meant to comfort. Both her and Pearl. So she kept going as she looked for a phone. Hers was downstairs, in her purse. But there should be one in the room. But where? Melody continued to look frantically. She had to get it. To call the police. The paramedics. But she didn’t want to leave Pearl alone. If only-
“Melody!” Knox burst through the door. “Are you alright?”
“It’s Pearl, she’s hurt. I need my-”
Faster than she could see, Knox pulled his phone out. “Hello? I need an ambulance to twelve Hearts Way Road. A woman’s been hurt.”
#
Melody sat in the waiting room. Nervously, she bit her nails. Each one had been worked down to the skin.
“Don’t chew your nails,” Knox said. “It’s not good.”
“Be quiet! Pearl’s in surgery, and you think I care about my nails?”
Knox looked at the ground. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to-”
“And besides, who are you to tell me what to do? You’re not my husband. Or my father. So keep your opinions to yourself!”
“Ok. I will.”
“Why are you even here? It’s not like we… not like you…” Melody stuttered. Then burst into tears.
Knox moved to grab her. And she let him. Wrapped up in his massive arms she wept. She couldn’t lose Pearl. She just couldn’t. They may have grown apart over the past decade, but Pearl was always there. A rock. A safe harbor. She was Melody's home. The one that she could always count on when the chips were down.
How could she die now? There was still so much to do. So much to say. So much to apologize for. No! She couldn’t die. She wouldn’t. Melody knew it. Pearl wasn’t young, but she was strong. And determined.
So Melody wiped a tear away, and composed herself.
Knox eased his grip. And she pulled away. “I’m sorry. Thank you. I needed that.”
“Of course,” Knox said.
“She’s going to be ok.”
“I know,” Knox said. “She’s a strong woman. Everyone in the cove thinks so.”
Melody warmed some. “That’s right. She is. Strongest woman I know.”
Knox put a hand on her shoulder. “Second strongest for me.”
Melody wanted to kiss that sailor right there. But a doctor was walking towards them. She was in a white coat, and had a stethoscope around her neck. That, and a serious look on her face. “Mrs. Kemp?” she said.
“Actually, it’s Ms. Song. Pearl Kemp is my aunt. But whatever… Is she ok? Can I see her?”
“Whenever you like,” the doctor said. “But I’ve got some bad news. I’m afraid that…” The doctor had a look of sadness and compassion on her face. “I’m afraid your aunt had a mild stroke.”
“What? No,” Melody said. “She was attacked. Her house was broken into.”
“Well, we found no bruises or lacerations. But there was a blockage in her brain which caused her condition.”
Melody covered her mouth. “Oh my God…”
“Yes. The blockage wasn’t fatal, however in order to stabilize her, we needed to induce a coma-like state.”
“So when will she wake up?” Melody asked.
The doctor took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, but I really couldn’t say.”
“Doc,” Knox said, “just be straight with us. What’re the odds of Pearl waking up in the next few days?”
“I’m sorry,” the doctor said, “but if I had to come up with a number I’d say she has less than a five percent chance of ever waking up again. I’m so sorry.”
“What?” It was like a cold wave washed over Melody. She couldn’t feel a thing. Or even hear. The doctor was talking. Saying something, but Melody couldn’t make out a single word. She just stared at the woman’s mouth as it opened and shut. Finally, the doctor had a rueful smile. Then she turned, and walked away.
Melody stood wordlessly. Unable to wrap her head around what she’d just been told. In fact, she didn’t even realize that Knox was holding her up. She looked at him. He had a strange look on his
face. “Maybe we should get you home?”
“Yeah. No!” Melody was filled with anger. “We’re going to speak with the police!”
“Are you sure? There’s no rush to do anything right now, you can always-”
“Always what? Pearl's been attacked by God knows who for God knows what. I want to know who did it, and why!”
“Ok. That makes sense. But let’s head home first, we can call them from there.”
She spun to him like a jungle cat. “Why?”
“Because we rushed out there in a hurry. Pearl’s door’s still unlocked, and there might be evidence.”
“Right. Good idea. Let’s go.” Melody summoned her strength, and marched for the door. But ten feet from it she paused.
Knox said, “Why are you stopping?”
Melody looked up at him. Tears were in her eyes. “I have to say goodbye first.” She turned, and walked down the long hall. The smell of lemon cleaner was everywhere. A bit of pine, too. Melody found the room, and entered. There was a TV on the left, a chair on the right, and in the center was a bed with Pearl beneath the covers. Next to her was a beeping heart monitor.
Melody walked over to Pearl. She pulled the covers up higher, and tucked them in tight, the same way Pearl used to do for her when she was little. Then Melody leaned over and kissed her forehead.
And she couldn’t help but notice, that the smell of jasmine and bergamot was gone.
Chapter 25
Knox’s bike roared as the two headed back to Pearl's house. Melody said over the motor, “Ok, so the plan is, you stay outside and I’ll go in and call the cops.”
“Yeah,” Knox said over the roaring wind, “and be careful you don’t touch anything. Who knows what kind of evidence was left behind?”
“Got it. How long do you think it’ll take for the cops to show up?”
“Um…” Knox slowed the bike down. “They’re already here.”
Melody looked ahead at the Coeur de Mer. Two police cars were already out front. Knox pulled behind one of them, and barely had it stopped before Melody was off and running across the lawn.
The deputy was on the porch. “Hi Melody.”
“Hey,” she said. “What’s going on?”
“Sheriff’s inside, looking around. The dispatcher alerted us to your call, but when we got here you’d already left for the hospital with Pearl.” He turned and cried, “Sheriff!”
A few seconds later, Sheriff Pinter came out. “Evening, Melody. Crazy night, huh? I’m so sorry to hear about Pearl.”
Melody walked to him. “Are you going to let me in, or is the crime scene still under investigation?”
“Crime scene?” the sheriff said. “What do you mean? The hospital said it was a stroke.”
“It was,” Melody said, “but someone broke in.”
The sheriff had a strange look on his face. “Are you certain?”
“I’m positive. Didn’t you see the mess?” Melody stormed past Jerry and walked into the living room. Then she froze.
Pearl’s chair was sitting upright. The coffee table was back where it was supposed to be, with all of Pearl's papers stacked neatly. Only the painting remained torn. Though the blood smear next to it had been thoroughly washed off.
“Doesn’t look like a struggle to me.” The sheriff looked around the room, his hands on his hips. “Looks like how Pearl always kept it. Neat and tidy.” He put his arm around Melody’s shoulders. “And I’m so sorry to hear about her.”
Melody looked around. “I’m telling you, this room was ripped apart.”
The sheriff looked down at her. “Ok. So you’re saying this was a robbery? What did they take?”
“It wasn’t a robbery. It was… I don’t know… A break-in.”
“Someone broke in here, gave Pearl a stroke, and then left with nothing?” Jerry said.
Melody shook her head. “I know, it sounds weird, but ask Knox, he can-”
“No. It sounds like you had a really terrible shock tonight. Why don’t you sleep on it, and come by the office in the morning. Fill out another report. In the meantime, get some rest, and I’ll go get those posters of your attacker printed up.”
The sheriff walked outside.
Melody followed him. Knox was there, chatting with the deputy. The young officer said, “Sheriff. Knox here says that this was a break-in and-”
“I know. Melody told me.” Jerry glanced at her. “They’ll come by in the morning to fill out the report. Come on, we got work to do. Melody, get that rest.”
The sheriff and his man walked back to their cars, and drove off, leaving Melody and Knox on the porch. When they were out of sight Melody said, “I don’t think he believes me.”
“I’ll back you up,” Knox said. “I saw the same thing you did.”
She hugged the big man tightly. “Thanks. You’re a life saver.”
“Me? Nah. Just your average knight in shining armor. You want to take the sheriff’s advice, and get some rest?”
“I will. I just want some air for a minute.”
“Ok, don’t be long.” Knox laid a gentle kiss upon her head, and walked back inside.
Melody stood on the porch, and looked at the ocean. Strange, how something could be so beautiful in the light of day, and yet so terrifying at night. The air, too, was different now. Colder. Harsher.
She turned around, and walked towards the door, but before she could go inside a black sedan started up down the block. It clicked on its lights, and crept forward at a slow pace. As it passed by, the driver stared at Melody.
And immediately her heart dropped.
It was Sparrow. The bruise over his eye was still there. His cheek was all stitched up.
And he was waving.
Chapter 26
“That bastard!” Melody paced in the living room. “I can’t believe this. Did you see him?
“No, I was upstairs,” Knox said. “But if I had I would’ve killed him.”
Melody stopped. She took a deep breath. “Ok. So this is why the cove’s been so dead… And why those complaints online are legit. This kid’s been committing all kinds of crime. But why’s he focusing on me now?”
“No idea.” Knox got up, rounded the coffee table, and went to the closet. “But you should use this in case he comes back.” He opened the door, reached through the hanging coats, and pulled out a shotgun.
“Holy hell,” Melody said. “If Pearl had that, then why didn’t she use it?”
“Who knows? Maybe she didn’t have it nearby, or she was going for it when she was attacked. Or maybe whoever came in here jumped her from behind.” Knox pulled back the slide and looked into the chamber. “There’s a shell loaded and everything. Here.” He held it out.
Melody stepped back with her hands up. “Oh no. I don’t want to touch that thing.”
“Fine, but I’m putting it near the door in case you need it.” Knox leaned the gun against the corner. Then he went to sit in the large, pink chair next to the couch.
“No!” Melody cried.
Knox froze. “What?”
Tears welled up in Melody's eye. “That’s where Pearl sat. Sits. Oh God…” She covered her face. “I can’t believe what’s happening.”
“She’ll be fine. That woman’s a fighter.”
Melody looked up. “She is, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, and a good friend to the people of this town.” Knox paused. “What happened to the picture?”
“What picture?”
Knox walked over to the painting of The Foundering Grouse. Its bright green flag was still waving defiantly. But the painting, “It’s torn.” He pointed at it.
She shook her head. “Probably happened when Sparrow ransacked the place.”
Knox looked down at her. “Do you want me to fix it? There’s a guy in town that does this sort of thing.”
“No, not really.”
“Are you sure? This is sort of a valuable painting. It was done by one of the Grouse’s surviving crew members. I
think Pearl would like it to be ship shape when she gets back.”
“Yeah. I guess you’re right. And she is definitely coming back, so I’d hate for her to have a reminder of what happened.”
Knox nodded. “I’ll bring it in tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” Melody looked up. “Now what?”
“This.” Knox grabbed Melody's arms. He pulled her in with a firm grip, but used it gently. And he kissed her. On the mouth, hot and soft.
Melody's mind protested. But her body submitted. She practically melted in his hands like a candle in the sun, flowing into his body like it was a mold. Then he scooped her up, and walked towards the stairs.
Melody threw her arms around his neck. And said, “I don’t think I can now.”
“Can what?” Knox said.
“I don’t think I can sleep with you right now.”
“Melody Song, you got to stop thinking with your head, and maybe give some of the work to your big heart. Because you are going to sleep with me. But that’s all we’re going to do.”
Melody relaxed in Knox’s arms. “That sounds great.”
Knox carried her up the stairs, and into her bedroom. Then he laid her down gently on the bed. Melody kicked off her shoes, and rolled away, resting on her side.
Knox climbed into bed with her, pulled the covers over both of them, and then turned off the lights. His powerful arm rose up, crashed over Melody like a wave, and pulled her in close until she was spooned in tight. The night was quiet.
And Melody fell asleep to the steady rhythm of Knox’s beating heart.
Chapter 27
Melody woke up late the next morning. And her bed was warm, but empty. Knox was gone. So she got up, stretched, and dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Then she walked downstairs. The smell of coffee was already thick in the air. And when she got to the kitchen, Melody saw that Knox had made a pot for her. She grabbed a mug, and poured a cupful. Then she noticed that next to the pot was a note.
