As she scooted over next to him, he fished a flask out of his jacket and tipped it to his lips.
She stood. “I won’t stay if you drink.”
“Sorry, I just really need it.” He put it away.
“No you don’t.” She reclaimed her seat. Matted cotton protruded from a rip that ran the entire length of the armrest and a spring lodged in her back. “So, you’ve been drinking and you drove your mother’s car. Do you realize how dangerous that is?”
He snickered. “Trust me, I’m well aware of the dangers, but I had to get out of there.”
“What’s going on with you?”
“I should have owned up to this a long time ago. There’s not much time. The cops will get here soon.”
“Why?” Her mind raced. What had Wade done?
“What should have been our wedding day was the beginning of the end.”
She remembered the date with a shudder.
“I took a little trip to Jacksonville.”
The nearest liquor store. “Oh Wade.”
“It gets worse. Much worse. After I left the liquor store, I went to a bar in Little Rock. I guess I’d parked illegally or something because when I got ready to leave, my car was gone.” The more he talked, the faster the long-pent-up words tumbled out. “I walked probably a mile, but I was tired, so I stopped at a hotel. I found a car with the keys in it.”
“You stole a car?” She tucked one leg under the other and turned to face him.
“I was just planning to borrow it. I would have brought it back the next day, I swear.”
“Couldn’t you have gotten a cab?”
“I wish I had.” He covered his face with both hands. His shoulders quaked.
Hesitantly, she touched his back and he pulled her into his arms. His sobs shook them both.
“What happened?”
“I hit another car in El Paso.”
“You what?” A glimpse of Sara Sterling’s image in the newspaper flitted through Adrea’s mind. It couldn’t be. “Did you stop? Did you call the police?”
“No.”
She pulled away from him and jumped up. “You hit another car and you just kept going!”
“I hoped it was a nightmare. That I’d only hit a Dumpster or something.” Wade stood and paced away from her.
“But it wasn’t. It was a car. With an innocent family inside.”
He whirled toward her, guilt etched into his features. “I was scared. I didn’t want to go to jail, so I abandoned the car and hitchhiked home. Next morning, I got mine out of the impound lot and headed to my aunt’s in Missouri. Shell followed me and we got a place. Been drinking pretty much ever since. Every time I think about it, I see that woman with the car crumpled around her.”
“Sara Sterling.” Adrea began pacing now. Tears fell as realization set in. He was drinking because of me. It’s my fault she’s dead.
He noticed her reaction. “Did you know her?”
“No. But, I’ve done her flowers for years.” White roses at the cemetery. Because of me.
“It’s been eating me alive.” Wade buried his face in his hands again. “Then who showed up at my door a few months ago and dragged me off to rehab? Like some nightmare. Then to top it off, he and that deacon hauled me to church this morning and there was that kid. Welcomed me, shook my hand, like a miniature little preacher or something. And all I could think was, ‘I killed your mama.’ ”
“You have to turn yourself in.”
He didn’t answer, just paced some more. The scuffed wooden floor creaked with each step.
“Wade? You plan to call the police, don’t you?”
“Sure.” He didn’t sound convincing. “But somebody at the church probably already called. I made a full confession.”
She walked over beside him and touched his forearm. “I’ll go with you to the station.”
“No, you go home. I’ll wait here for them. I killed that woman on my own. I need to do this on my own.”
His words made her more confident that he would do the right thing. “Does Shell know?”
He winced. “We were patching things up. I wanted to start fresh, so I told her. She split and killed my kid without even consulting me.” Tears dripped from his chin.
A knife sliced through her heart for the innocent baby. No words came.
“Did you hear me?”
“I’m sorry. Truly, I am. Does your mom know about the baby?”
“I was hoping to tell her after Shell married me. Now, it’s too late.” His chin trembled. “I told Mom about the accident at the church. Take care of her for me. She’ll need you to get her through this.”
“I will.” Despite the gravity of his confession and all the pain he’d caused, she felt sorry for him. She hugged him, but he pulled away.
“You better go.”
“Let’s pray.”
“Me and Jesus got it all worked out.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Go,” he said. “You don’t need to be mixed up in this any more than you already are.”
“I’m sorry, Wade.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “None of this is your fault. It was all me. I started drinking because of our breakup, but I gave you good reason to call off the wedding.”
Adrea gave him one more quick hug. “I’m proud of you for coming clean.”
With a tender kiss on her cheek, he ushered her out.
In a haze, she descended the stairs.
Wade killed Sara Sterling. Because of me. Now after two years, he confessed. I can’t let him do this alone.
She turned to go back up the steps. Boom! The blast almost sent her reeling. She fell backward but managed to grab the railing and right herself. A knot formed in her stomach.
Two at a time, she ran up the rest of the stairs. Curious, other tenants came out of their rooms. Adrea bypassed them. The door was slightly ajar. With absolute dread coursing through her entire body, she pushed it open. Wade lay on the couch.
The scene didn’t really register in her dazed consciousness. There was something horribly wrong with his head. Hands trembling, she dialed 911.
Wade was dead.
But he wasn’t. When the police arrived, they barely detected Wade’s pulse. Soon paramedics pushed through the crowd. Adrea couldn’t watch. Forcing her way through the spectators huddled just outside the open apartment door, she made her way to the steps and sat.
“Oh Lord, please help.” Unable to utter a sensible prayer, she rocked back and forth.
More curious bystanders made their way up to the second level, stepping around her.
She stood and turned sideways.
Finally, the paramedics carried Wade out on a gurney.
Her gut wrenched. He was still, his skin a sickening shade of gray, his head swathed in bandages.
“I’m his friend. Is he alive?”
“Barely.”
“Are you taking him to the local hospital?”
“We’re MedFlighting him to Little Rock.”
Helen. With clumsy fingers, she dialed Mark’s cell phone.
“Where are you?” Mark asked.
“He shot himself.”
“Who?”
“Wade shot himself. He’s alive, but barely. They’re taking him to Little Rock.”
“Meet me at Helen’s and I’ll take y’all there.”
“How is Grayson?”
“A mess.”
Adrea hung up and dashed down the stairs to her car.
“Adrea!”
She turned to see Birney Wilson, dressed in his Searcy police uniform, heading in her direction. Since she usually only saw him at Mountain Grove, it jarred her to see him in his professional role.
“You okay?”
“Not really.” She leaned on the railing.
“Someone said you were with him?”
“Not when he…did it. Just before.”
“You know you’ll have to come to the station.”
“Why?�
��
“You were the last person to see him…before.” He scribbled something on a small notebook.
“Am I a suspect?” A hard knot formed in the pit of her stomach. “He shot himself.”
“We haven’t ruled on that yet.”
“But I wasn’t there. I was leaving.”
“Yes, several witnesses said they saw you leaving before the shot. Don’t worry, Adrea. It’s standard procedure with this kind of case to question everyone in the area.”
“Helen needs me.”
“It won’t take long.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “Ride with me. You’re too shaky to drive.”
She nodded and followed him to a squad car. On the way, she called Mark again.
A tattooed suspect shuffled past in shackles. Adrea stared at the floor.
A man’s legs stopped in front of her.
“Adrea?”
She launched into her brother’s arms. “Oh Mark, it was so horrible.”
“I know, sweetheart.” He stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry you were there.”
“I can’t believe he killed Sara.” Her chin trembled. “How is Helen?”
“She’s on her way to the hospital. Jack, Tom, and their wives are with her.”
“What about Grayson?”
“I took him home. Grace is there.”
“How is he?”
“Still a mess.” Mark raked his fingers through his hair. “They both are.”
“What about Dayne?”
“His grandfather came and picked him up. Stop worrying about everyone else. Tell me why you’re here.”
“She was a witness.” Birney motioned them to his office. Closing the door, he gestured toward two metal chairs facing him. He handed her a cup of coffee and took a seat behind his charcoal metal desk.
Too strong and black. She didn’t care. Maybe it would calm the butterflies flopping in her stomach. She took a big gulp and scalded her tongue.
“Do you mind if I record our conversation?” Birney set a recorder on the desk.
“Of course not.”
Birney clicked a button. “So tell me, why were you with Wade?”
“He showed up at church. Drunk. After the service, Wade went to the altar. He left upset and his mother asked me to follow him.”
Mark leaned forward. “Has there been anything new in the case of Sara Sterling? Any new leads?”
Adrea set the coffee cup down with a clatter and looked out the window at Birney’s view, a brick wall.
“I’m not at liberty to discuss that information.” Birney steepled his fingers.
“Wade claimed he was the hit-and-run driver.” Mark put his arm around Adrea. “He confessed at the church. There were several witnesses, including Grayson Sterling.”
“I see.” Birney digested the news for a moment.
“He confessed to me, too.” Adrea gulped a deep breath. “Right before…”
Mark took her hand. “Can her name be kept out of the papers?”
“You have my word.” Birney ran his palm along the back of his neck. “Now, let’s get into exactly what Wade confessed to.”
Mark found a space in the hospital parking lot and killed the engine. “I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
Adrea stared out the window. Several iron benches surrounded a fountain in front of the entrance. “Did Wade tell everyone at church why he was drinking that night?”
“He never needed a reason, did he?”
“It should have been our wedding day.”
“So now you plan on blaming yourself?”
“It’s my fault.” Her words ended on a sob.
Mark pulled her into his arms. “No, Adrea. You can’t think that way. Think about why you broke up with him. It wasn’t on a whim. And you didn’t put the bottle in his hands or make him steal that car.”
“No, but I might as well have. Sara Sterling is dead. Because of me.”
He gave her a gentle shake. “Don’t ever say that again. Don’t even think it. Sara Sterling is dead because Wade Fenwick is a loser who blames his problems on everyone else and drowns them in alcohol instead of facing up to his own failures. If you had married him, and thank God you didn’t, he probably would have drank to get through the ceremony. You are not responsible for Wade’s drinking or Sara’s death. Do you hear me?”
She nodded.
On the fourth floor, two deacons and their wives waited with Helen, but no Grayson.
Adrea steeled herself and stepped into the ICU waiting room. A family huddled together, communicating with sniffles and hugs.
“Oh Adrea, how good of you to come.” Even under extreme duress, Helen had manners. “I just can’t believe it.”
“Me, neither.” Adrea sat beside the older woman.
“He’s still in surgery. I should have known.” Helen wrung her hands. “Wade went to my sister June’s on February 15th. Couldn’t get out of here fast enough. I remember being so upset about Sara, but I never imagined the two were connected. I thought he just wanted to make a new start.”
“I’m so sorry.” Adrea put her arm around Helen’s trembling shoulders.
“I’ll never be able to face Pastor Grayson again. Or Sylvie Kroft. I’ll have to find a new church. Maybe, I’ll move away. To June’s.”
“No, Helen. He wouldn’t want you to do that. No one at Palisade would. Everyone loves you and right now, you need your church family. Don’t even think about Sylvie. This is your home.”
Helen straightened her posture. “Mark, I want you to take Adrea home and go check on Pastor Grayson.”
Mark shook his head. “We’re not leaving you alone.”
“I’m not alone and June’s on her way. She’s barely over the Missouri line, so it won’t be but a few hours before she arrives.”
“We’ll stay until she gets here.” Adrea patted her hand.
Adrea wasn’t the least bit tired, despite the roller-coaster day. “Drop me here and check on Grayson.”
Mark parked in front of their apartment. “That was my plan. You sure you’ll be okay?”
With the balcony windows open, her garden beckoned. “I’m fine. Is that Rachel’s car?”
“I called her while you were with Helen.”
“Does she know what’s happened?”
“I filled her in.” He kissed her cheek. “I didn’t want you to be alone.”
She checked her watch. “We missed church?” She couldn’t remember the last time.
“Tom Deavers got a fill-in to handle it.”
Once inside, Rachel greeted her with a hug.
Adrea went out to sit in the garden and her sister took the cue. Not in the mood to talk. For the first time, the abundant flowers didn’t soothe her soul. She cupped a cool yellow rose with jittery fingers, wondering how Grayson was doing.
She went back inside to pace the small living room.
Rachel sat in the kitchen, her elbows propped on the table. “Why don’t you take a shower and go to bed.”
“I won’t be able to sleep, but a shower might relax me.”
It didn’t work. As the evening wore on, her shoulders ached with tension. In the middle of blow-drying her hair, the doorbell sounded.
When she stepped into the living room, Grayson stood there, shoulders slumped, his face the picture of anguish.
“Sit down.” She gestured to the sofa. Realizing what she wore, a blush heated her cheeks. Though the leopard-spot pajama shirt and pants were perfectly decent, not exactly the appropriate attire for greeting one’s pastor. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll make coffee.” Rachel filled the pot.
“Just give me a minute.” Adrea hurried to the bedroom to put on her jeans and T-shirt but caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Scrubbed free of makeup, her face was pale and splotchy. Her half-dried hair stuck out at odd angles. She brushed it into place and headed back to the living room. The best she could do. Besides, he’d barely looked at her.
“I’ll be in yo
ur room.” Rachel hurried down the hall.
Grayson waited until they were alone. “Sorry to bother you. I’m kind of thrown for a loop and not even sure why I came here. I guess I wanted to talk to somebody somewhat removed from the situation.”
Removed. I caused the whole thing. “Mark just went to check on you.”
“Maybe he can help Grace. I’m not much good to anyone right now.”
“I’m sure everyone understands.”
The coffeemaker gurgled and spewed as the rich aroma filled the kitchen.
“For over two years, I’ve dreamt of finding Sara’s killer. Dreamt of smashing the guy’s face in and breaking his legs with my bare hands. Not very pastoral thoughts.”
“You’re only human.”
“I never imagined it might be someone I know.”
Me neither. “I’m sure that makes it even harder.” Her voice cracked.
“Today, I dragged him to church, with no idea who he was. I guess all these run-ins with me spurred his confession.”
“Makes sense.” That and meeting Dayne.
He covered his face with both hands. His shoulders shook.
Adrea didn’t know what to do. She moved to the chair beside him and tentatively touched his arm.
Covering her hand with one of his, he made an effort to pull himself together. She handed him a tissue and he mopped his face.
Grabbing two mugs from the counter, she poured coffee in each, then set the creamer and sugar on the table. “How do you take yours?”
“Just black tonight.” Steam swirled from his cup as he tipped it to his lips. “Since Sara died, I’ve had—the doctor calls them panic attacks. Like in the park that day. Shortness of breath, tightness in my chest, headaches. The first time, I thought it was my heart. Anything sets them off. A passing ambulance, not knowing where Dayne is or Grace. Even my parents.”
“That’s understandable. Considering what you’ve been through.” So scarred by the loss of his wife, the sight of their child running toward the street brought on near hyperventilation. And it’s my fault.
He took another sip of coffee. “I know it’s irrational, but with the driver off the streets, for the first time, I feel we’re safe. Isn’t that crazy? I mean, just because one drunk driver tries to blow himself away, it doesn’t mean there aren’t a million others out there.”
ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION Page 9
