by Ben Follows
He held Julia in his arms and looked around. A wave crashed over them, plunging them back into the icy depths. He looked around and finally saw a light from the cottage on Root Island. He began swimming in that direction, dragging Julia’s lifeless form with him.
“Come on,” he said as he swam. “Stay with me, Julia. You’ve got this. You can survive this. We need to be together. I love you.”
Julia didn’t move. A strike of lightning split the sky, showing him the island. He looked up and saw Amelia running across the outcropping above the house, gun in her hand and her arms pumping.
Norman swam until his arms were going to explode. Finally, he felt the edge of the island. He pulled himself onto the rock and took a deep breath.
He dragged Julia up after him, placing her gently onto the ground. She wasn’t moving.
Norman took three deep breaths, giving his body just a moment to rest as the cold rain came down. Then he turned to Julia and ripped the duct tape from her mouth. It had left an imprint around her mouth. He laid her out on her back, leaving the rope in place. It wouldn’t matter if she was dead.
He got on top of her and performed CPR, pumping her chest until her he heard her ribs cracking and performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
“Come on,” he begged. “Come on, Julia. Don’t you dare fucking die on me. I love you.”
He paused for a moment, unable to distinguish the rain from his own tears. Her blonde hair was arrayed around her head like a halo.
“Fuck,” muttered Norman. He took a deep breath and repeated the process.
Suddenly, Julia lurched forward, spewing a seemingly impossible amount of water out of her mouth and vomiting.
“What the fuck?” she said, looking up at Norman’s smiling face. “Norman? Where are we?”
Norman was overcome by emotion. His entire body was cold, but a sudden surge of warmth made him feel like he could accomplish anything. “Let me get your hands and legs,” he said. Using the utility knife on his keychain, he cut the ropes from her wrists and ankles. She stretched out her arms and legs with a sigh of relief.
“I’m sorry,” whispered Julia, her voice weak. “I was trying to find you. I didn’t realize who he was.”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Norman. “I’m going to find a way out of here.”
A laugh came through the rain. “You’re not going to do anything of the kind.”
Norman turned toward the voice. Less than a dozen feet away, at the edge of the trees, was Thomas. He was limping and covered in water. He was shivering, and his teeth chattered when he spoke.
“You’re going to die here,” said Thomas. “You ruined everything.” He took a deep breath and then screamed at the top of his lungs, “Everything!”
Norman reached for the gun inside his jacket before remembering both his gun and his jacket were somewhere in the lake.
“What’s going on?” said Julia, her voice weak.
“Come on, Julia,” said Norman. “Stay with me. Stay awake.”
“No!” Thomas screamed, taking a few awkward steps toward them. “Pay attention to me! You ruined everything! The least you can do is pay attention to me!”
Julia looked up at him and laughed. She turned to Norman. “I think he’s throwing a tantrum.”
Thomas raised the gun and walked toward them. “Think of all the good I could have done with that money. All you had to do was ignore a few deaths. Is that such a terrible price?”
Norman looked up at the gun, all his fear gone. “Yes,” he said, standing and staring at Thomas, “it is.”
“Thomas,” said a new voice. “Put down the gun.”
They all turned toward Amelia as she stepped out of the woods. Her gun was pointed directly at Thomas.
Thomas laughed. “You really think you scare me with that gun? You’re nothing.”
There was a flash of lightning, illuminating Amelia’s expression of pure anger and determination. Just as the lightning disappeared, she pulled the trigger. Thomas jerked backward. He spun, staggering and clutching his bleeding shoulder.
“You dumb bitch,” screamed Thomas. “I’ll exterminate your entire family if it gets me what I want!”
Amelia took three steps toward him, cocked the gun, and fired again.
Thomas’s gun went flying as he grabbed his bleeding hand.
“You shot off my thumb,” said Thomas, falling against a tree. “You shot off my fucking thumb! Where is it?”
Thomas slumped against the tree, looking frantically for his missing thumb. Amelia stepped up to him.
“You’re nothing,” said Thomas, looking up at her. “You’ll always be nothing.”
Amelia showed no emotion as she took three more shots, all directly into Thomas’s chest. Thomas slowly looked down at his chest and sighed. He looked up at Amelia, then his eyes went vacant and his head flopped onto his chest.
“Wow,” said Norman as Amelia turned toward him. “That was something.”
Amelia looked at him and took a deep breath. “Let’s get out of here.”
Norman looked down at Julia. “She needs medical attention.”
“Our boat is waiting.”
Norman smiled. “You saved us. Thank you.”
Amelia nodded, still looking down at Thomas’s dead body. “He had it coming.”
Norman stood and hoisted Julia onto his shoulder. She was barely conscious.
They walked across the rocks and mud to where they had landed their boat.
“Come on,” said Amelia, leading the way, “we need to get out of here.”
The boat was floating where they had tied it. Just as he was about to say something, Norman collapsed.
“Shit,” he cursed.
Amelia turned back. Norman tried to stand but was unable to. Julia lay on the ground beside him.
“What the hell happened?” said Amelia.
“I don’t know,” said Norman. “I’m too weak. You need to drive the boat.”
Amelia stared at him, wide-eyed. “I can’t.”
“You can do anything,” said Norman, feeling the last of his strength beginning to leave him. “I believe in you.”
Amelia looked at him, and for just a moment, she smiled. She took the keys Norman held out to her. “Can you get to the boat?”
Norman took a moment to take an account of his body. “I need help. I think I have hypothermia.”
Amelia went behind him and put her arms under his armpits.
“No,” said Norman, his voice getting weak. “Julia first.”
Amelia looked at him for a moment then nodded.
She walked over to Julia and grabbed her under the arms. Amelia dragged her to the boat, pausing at the edge of the water. The boat was bouncing up and down on the waves. It took her a few tries before she was able to get Julia over the edge of the boat and into the back.
Then she came back for Norman. He was able to stand and put his arm around her shoulder. Amelia grunted a few times as they made it to the boat.
Norman fell into the boat and managed to sit up on the side.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” he said as Amelia undid the ropes tied to the trees.
She stood on the edge of the water, the boat keys in her hand. She had already undone the ropes that tied the boat to the shore. Her face was a mask of abject terror as she looked out at the boat rocking in the storm.
“Come on!” Norman yelled.
Amelia stared at the boat again then took a deep breath. She sprinted through the rain and jumped in.
“Okay,” she said when she landed. “How do I do this?”
Norman pulled his arms tight around him, trying to conserve any heat. “Key’s in the ignition. Make sure the engine is clear. Gas is the lever to your right. Be gentle with it. You’ll get the hang of it. Don’t slow down when you hit waves. That’s the worst thing you can do, even if it’s counterintuitive. Go through the waves like a knife through butter.”
Amelia nodded. She sat in the fron
t of the boat and put the key in the ignition.
“Come on,” said Norman. “I believe in you. You can do it.”
Amelia took a deep breath and slowly pushed the throttle. The boat lurched out into the lake.
Slowly, she pushed the boat forward, inching through the water. They hit the first big wave and the boat bounced along with it.
“Through the wave,” said Norman, feeling his consciousness slipping away. “Through the waves.”
Norman leaned his head against the seat in the back. He looked up into the rain and reached toward Julia as Amelia hit the throttle and the boat rocketed across the water.
Then he slipped into the darkness.
Chapter 48
Norman blinked awake, his eyes heavy.
“Where am I?” he muttered.
“You’re in a hospital room,” said a familiar voice a few feet away. “Welcome back, Norman.”
Norman blinked a few more times until Vince came into focus.
“We were worried about you,” he said, smiling. “We almost lost you.”
“What happened?” said Norman. His voice was weak and cracked.
“Amelia crashed into the dock at the marina,” said Vince, smirking. “The boat is totaled. One of the employees came running out and called 911. You’re going to be okay.”
“Julia?”
“She’s going to be okay, too. She’s sleeping right now, but she’ll be completely recovered soon. You’re going to be very happy with what comes next, Norman.”
Norman frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Detective Franklin and I have been working overtime for your benefit. The events that happened on Root Island needed an explanation. Thomas Ruutu’s father was furious, but he couldn’t explain the security tapes of Julia being held hostage or the staff who started coming forward almost as soon as the news of Thomas’s death started spreading. Thomas was blackmailing all of them in some way, and it seemed they all had the same kind of story as Harold. The drug is still out on the streets, but the supply is drying up and the price is spiking. Soon enough it will be gone.”
“Amelia?” said Norman.
Vince nodded. “She’s here. She’ll come see you once she’s ready. Her mother has been staying by her bedside and doting on her like she’s a baby again. Amelia is letting her do it. I think being a mother is exactly what Mary needs right now. I’m impressed by that girl. A lot of people would have given up and said goodbye to happiness. She was walking through hell, but she kept walking and came out the other side.” Vince paused for a moment and said, “There’s something else.”
“What?” said Norman, raising an eyebrow.
“The media has been clamoring for your story. We held them off, but they want to talk to you. They want to hear your side of the story. Look at this.”
Vince reached over and picked up a copy of the Toronto Sun. The front page had a formal picture of Norman over the headline:
Disgraced former NHLer Norman Green becomes hero!
Norman Green saved countless lives by
stopping a drug cartel
and saving the woman he loves. Story on A5
Norman looked up at Vince, who smiled.
“You know how the media works,” said Vince. “They might have hated you yesterday, but today you’re a hero. They want your story.”
“They want to talk to me?” said Norman.
“Yeah,” said Vince. “Franklin and I have kept them outside. I know you hate journalists. If you want me to tell them to leave, I will.”
“No,” said Norman, thinking of Robin. “I want the world to know my side of the story. All of it. Every gritty detail.”
Vince nodded. “I’ll let them know when you’re feeling better.”
Norman propped himself up on the pillows. “I want to do it now.”
Vince smiled and walked into the hallway. A few minutes later, the door burst open. Journalists and photographers poured into the room.
Cameras flashed and journalists shouted questions. Norman smiled, remembering the days when, after a game, his change room stall would be crowded with journalists and photographers.
“Wait,” he said, holding up his hands for silence. “I’m going to tell my story, then you can ask all the questions you want. Is that fair?”
The journalists quieted.
Norman smiled and began. “It all started on the day I met Robin Sweetwater.”
Epilogue
Norman sipped a cup of green tea and looked over the farm. The sun was high in the sky over an immense field with a dozen dogs sprinting around it. The nine dogs they’d had previously, as well as three new dogs, had been loving Norman and Julia’s new house,
a three-story Victorian an hour north of Toronto. It cost significantly less than the condo. Most importantly, it had more than enough room for all the dogs, as well as a family if he and Julia decided to go that route.
Julia walked onto the porch and sat in a chair beside Norman. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
Norman looked at her. She had recovered completely from her ordeal after spending nearly a month in the hospital recovering from blunt force trauma and hypothermia. Her blonde hair had been cut short due to the surgeries and now hung just above her shoulders. Norman liked the way it curled there.
“What are you thinking?” said Julia with a smirk when she saw him looking.
“I have something I need to ask you,” said Norman. He put down his tea and stood. He walked to Julia and knelt on one knee.
“Oh my God,” said Julia, putting a hand over her mouth.
Norman reached into his pocket and took out a small box. He opened it and revealed the ring. It wasn’t as nice as the one he’d given her before, but it was beautiful nonetheless.
“Will you marry me?”
Julia gasped. “For real this time?”
“For now and always,” said Norman.
“Yes, I will.” Julia pulled him into a hug and kissed him passionately, like nothing else in the world mattered. “I love you.”
Norman met her eyes. “I love you too.”
Julia looked over his shoulder and smiled. “Look.”
Norman turned. All the dogs had stopped running around and were watching them, their tails wagging.
“I guess the dogs approve,” said Julia.
Norman laughed and pulled her into a kiss once again. The dogs started howling and barking in happiness, as though they understood what was happening.
Julia looked over Norman’s shoulder and frowned. “Someone’s here.”
Norman turned. A beat-up old car was pulling into the driveway. He didn’t recognize it. Ever since the media circus had made Norman a favorite of the papers and had driven his private investigation business to levels he never could have imagined, he had made it a point to keep his private address out of public records.
“One second,” said Norman. He took the ring from the box and slid it onto Julia’s finger. Then he put his own on.
Julia smiled at him then gestured to the driveway. Norman turned and walked to the front of the house. The car parked and a young woman Norman didn’t recognize climbed out of the car. She was wearing all black and had short, black, frayed hair.
She looked around nervously before walking up to Norman. He leaned against the wall beside the door.
“Hello,” he said.
“Are you Norman Green?” said the girl.
“Who wants to know?” said Norman.
The girl took a deep breath. “My name is Darcy O’Hallahan. I’m a friend of Amelia’s. I want to hire you.”
Norman looked at the girl for a moment and then stepped aside. “Come in,” he said. “Sit in the living room.”
Norman led Darcy into the living room and gestured to the couch. Darcy took a seat and leaned back. “Nice couch,” she said.
“Thanks,” said Norman.
Norman went into the kitchen and told Julia who was there.
“Sorry,” he said.
“I know you didn’t want business here.”
Julia held up a hand. “If she’s a friend of Amelia’s, then you need to help her. Amelia knows not to tell people where we live unless it’s important.”
Norman nodded. Amelia had visited their house a few when she needed to get away from her mother or from school. Understandably, Mary had become very overprotective of her remaining child. Sometimes, however, it got on Amelia’s nerves.
Julia put a hand on his arm. “Go talk to this girl. I’ll bring some tea and biscuits.”
“Thanks,” said Norman, pulling her close. “I love you so much.”
“And I you,” said Julia with a smile. They kissed, then Julia pushed back.
“Go talk to her.”
Norman walked back into the living room and took a seat. “How’s Amelia doing?”
“She’s doing well,” said Darcy. “She’s back at school and getting top marks. She also just joined the debate team.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Yeah,” said Darcy. “I think she joined the debate team as a distraction. Harold and Gary Thorne’s trials are in full swing, and it’s putting a lot of stress on her.”
Norman nodded. He was scheduled to testify in both cases over the next week. “And what about you? Why are you here?”
Darcy looked out the window and took a deep breath. “A few years ago, my mother hit and killed a young boy while she was driving drunk. She fled the scene of the crime. I was the one who found the blood covering the grill of her car. I called 911 and got her arrested. She was sentenced to fifteen years for manslaughter.”
“What’s the issue?”
Darcy looked up at him. “That’s how I’ve always thought it happened, but in the last week I’ve learned some things that might indicate it wasn’t that simple. It might have been someone else who killed that kid. My mother’s claims to innocence, which I always ignored, might have some validity.”
Julia brought a tray of tea and biscuits into the living room and set them down on the table between Darcy and Darcy.
Once Julia was out of the room, Darcy grabbed a cookie and chewed on it.
