miserable? Then take that gun and blow your own brains out.
Reality check—you're the one who made our lives miserable—
you and only you!"
17 Scapegoat
The night in the dingy hotel room dragged. Mia had stopped talking and stared blankly at Ray and Parker. There was no sound but the hum of the furnace and Parker's occasional groan of pain. The room was frigid. Son lay limply in his father's arms. Ray racked his brain as he battled a severe migraine trying to figure the best way to get Parker out without getting killed himself. Ray really wanted to keep Mia talking. The way she glared at him made him certain he was to be her next victim. He tried to find some positive note. At least the cold will slow Parker's blood loss.
Ray said, "Mia, how did you know Parker was at the theater? I've had my house guarded since Thanksgiving when you scared him to death."
"I started watching the little girlfriend. I followed them that night. I figured you'd safeguard your family, and I also figured he'd show up there sooner or later to see the cute little girl. I actually thought it would be later because I thought you'd keep him under lock and key for a while."
Mia seemed to drift off again before she asked, "Ray, who's your look-alike? I saw y'all at the police station."
"My twin brother. His name is Raiford also, but we call him Raif. We found out about each other fourteen years ago."
"Is he heartless?"
"No, Raif is the kindest, most caring and generous person I've ever met. I'm a better man with him around."
"Then, he's safe. Don't worry about him."
"Thank you." Ray cringed inside, but he felt it best to make the woman feel she was in charge. Worse, he felt sick because she was in charge, and he hated feeling helpless. He had to keep her talking. "Mia, please, tell me how on Earth you convinced Parker to leave the theater with you," he requested.
"First, I threatened to hurt the girlfriend."
"Her name is Sheena," growled Parker, barely above a whisper. He was weak. He had lost a good bit of blood. Ray glanced at his wound. It seemed to have stopped bleeding thanks to the ice in the air and the wrap he had made from the pillow case.
"I had no intention of doing anything to the little girl—to Sheena." Mia offered Parker a condescending smile. "Then, I told Parker I had the redhead. Boy! Was he ever eager to save her! I hadn't really planned to hurt her, but she obviously holds a lot of influence over Parker. She's got to go."
"If you go near Larkin, I will kill you," threatened Ray.
"Oh, Ray, a dead man can't hurt me." She waved the gun in a circular motion. "Now, be quiet. I have to think about how to do this."
"Please, don't hurt Larkin," whimpered Parker.
"Do you love her, Ray?" asked Mia.
"Very much."
"How heartless is she?"
"She's an angel. She would find a way to love even you."
"Then, I'll think about her. Maybe I'll let her live."
Ray whispered to Parker, "You came with her to protect Larkin?"
Parker only nodded. He scooted closer to the father he had just found. Ray held him as tightly as he could.
♥♥♥ Until mid-morning not another word was spoken. Parker had drifted into a fitful slumber. When his mother spoke, he started awake. Mia said, "Parker, you know, all this is your fault. Everything I did, I did for you, but you don't appreciate it. I think I've got it figured out." She tapped the butt of the gun in her palm. "You did it all. Yes, that blowhard judge sent you to juvey when he should've been arresting your foster father as a sexual predator. You had to get revenge; maybe you thought you were protecting other boys. That fat social worker picked out the family. Surely she knew. Maybe they paid her for pretty little boys. She had to pay. You couldn't let her send another victim there." She nodded encouragement to herself. "Yes, I've got it. That pervert and the wife who didn't stop him—even Ray understands why you had to kill them. What kind of mother was that—not protecting innocent children?"
Mia was on a roll as she spun her story. "Robert totally rejected you. He was an awful person. As a public official he could've protected so many children. You did America a great big favor. Can you imagine if he had become president? And Ray—well, he couldn't deal with your sordid past. He doesn't forgive easily. He was gonna arrest you because he's heartless. But you couldn't have that. However, the guilt overwhelmed you. After all, Ray is your father. You turned the gun on yourself." She made a rolling motion with the gun in the air. "I will simply disappear."
Ray said, "Mia, nobody will believe that. First, Parker was still in juvey when Salus and Vaughn were killed. I've proudly introduced him as my son. My detectives and the FBI are looking for you." He soothed Parker's hair from his face. The boy was cool and clammy, even in the frosty air. Ray worried he had lost too much blood. He had to convince Mia to give up.
"Parker's a good kid, Mia. You must've done something right. Don't you think he's suffered enough? You said you were trying to get rid of the people who hurt him. Don't make him a scapegoat. He deserves better. So, do you. The best thing you can do is turn yourself in to me. Let me help you. You're sick, Mia. You need to go somewhere to get real help, not drugs. I have the authority to get you that help." Parker groaned. Ray rubbed his back in comfort.
"Mia, I'm not taking Parker from you. He can visit you any time he likes. He'll be safe with me and well cared for. I won't let anybody else hurt him, and I won't let anybody else hurt you. It's time to let me help, Mia, like you should've done a long time ago."
Mia held the gun straight in her hands and pointed it at Ray. "Ray, you hate me. Don't pretend you want to help me."
"I'm not pretending, Mia. I've grown up. I have the capacity to forgive now. Give me the gun."
"Parker, what should I do?" Mia asked like a child.
With a small spark of hope Parker said weakly, "Give Ray the gun, Mom. He's not heartless like those other people. He's got a good heart."
Mia cocked her head to the side. "He gave it to you, didn't he? You have your father's heart, don't you?"
"Yes, Mom, I have my father's heart and my Heavenly Father's heart."
"Do you love me, Parker?"
"Yes, Mom, I love you." His voice was choked with suppressed tears.
"What about Ray? Do you love Ray?"
"Yes, Mom, he's my father."
Mia's face turned dark. She hooded her eyes and ground her teeth. "He's dead. You should've said, 'No.'"
Mia raised the gun.
Simultaneously, Parker yelled, "You are not gonna kill my father!" With the last bit of energy he could muster, he pushed off Ray's chest and lunged for his mother. Ray grabbed for him but he slipped his father's grasp.
The gun discharged. Parker fell to the floor.
Chris's voice hollered, "Mia Godchaux! Police! Open the door!"
Baker kicked the door in.
Mia shrieked, "Parker!"
Ray bellowed, "No!"
♥♥♥ A dozen police officers and FBI agents entered the hotel room. Chris commanded, "Drop the gun, bitch, or I will blow your brains all over the wall."
Mia did not move, but repeated over and over, "Parker. Parker."
Baker took the Glock from her and unceremoniously slapped her into cuffs.
Ray fell to his knees beside Parker who turned big blue eyes to matching ones as he held both hands over his abdomen. He murmured, "Ray?"
"Don't talk," said Ray as he lifted Parker into his arms and pushed through the throng, oblivious to anything or anybody else around him. He raced to the nearest squad car and put Parker in the back seat.
Larkin broke through the restraining police line and called, "Ray!"
Barely looking at her, Ray commanded, "Get in!"
Larkin got into the back seat with Parker as Ray hit the siren and lights and stomped the accelerator.
Ray glanced over his shoulder and choked, "Be an angel, Larkin. Please, be an angel."
Larkin took off the rust-colored ca
rdigan sweater she wore over a peach blouse and pressed it into Parker's abdomen as she prayed aloud, "Please, God, don't take him. He's suffered enough. Please."
18 Unconditional Love
Ray barged into the emergency room demanding immediate care for his son. The attending physician took one look at Parker and rushed him to surgery.
An hour after Ray and Larkin brought Parker into the hospital, Raif and Chris arrived with clean clothes since they knew both Ray and Larkin were coated in blood.
Audrey and Walter got there just a few minutes later. They brought food and drink because they knew Ray and Larkin would not leave the waiting area until Parker came out of surgery. On their heels, Terry and Sheena Johnson arrived. Raif had thought to call Parker's girlfriend. Three hours later, Ray's parents and the other children came in. Parker was still in surgery.
An hour later, Dr. Stephenson, the same doctor that had attended Larkin years before, came into the waiting area. He began immediately. "Okay, I don't have time to mince words with you. The kid is gonna die unless we can find him a kidney right away. His left kidney looks as if it hasn't functioned for a long time. It appears to have been bruised beyond healing at some point. The bullet tore through his right kidney. His best chance for a match is either a sibling or a parent. Start talking."
As if in a trance, Ray stammered, "The kids are just kids and only half-siblings. His mother's a drug addict, and I can't." He looked up with hollow eyes. "I only have one."
Raif spoke up in a strangled voice. "I can. If Ray's a match, I'm a match. We're identical twins."
Chris grasped Raif's arm. He patted her hand. "There's no alternative. Test me," he said turning to the doctor.
"Get to the lab. Parker's on dialysis for now. Even with a transplant, there's no guarantee. He's in bad shape."
"Wait!" said Larkin. "Test all of us."
"You can't," said Ray. "You're pregnant."
"He's right," said Dr. Stephenson. "And the grandparents are too old and the kids too young, except as an absolute last resort. Detective Gautier, you're a possibility, but slim since you're not a blood relative."
"What about us?" asked Terry.
"How old are you?" the doctor asked Sheena.
"Seventeen, but my dad can give me permission."
"True, and all of you can give blood except for the young kids and Dr. Reynolds since she's pregnant. Even if your kidney doesn't work, the blood can help anybody. We've already gone through four units on Parker, and he might need more. He lost so much a vampire would've bypassed him."
Everybody except Larkin and the children went to either give blood and/or be tested as a kidney donor for Parker. Within the hour they were all back except Raif.
Dr. Stephenson came in. "Mr. Gautier is a very good match. We're prepping him for surgery. He's very healthy and should be just fine. Ray, he'd like to speak to you for a minute. Make it quick, please."
♥♥♥ A nurse escorted Ray into the room where Raif was being prepped for surgery. Ray clasped his brother's hand with tears in his eyes. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I can never repay you."
"There's nothing to thank me for. Just in case though, take care of my family."
"Don't even think negatively."
"I'm not. Listen. For Parker, do whatever you can do to help Mia. Get her sent to a mental facility. She's nuts, Ray, and you know it. She's the boy's mother, and he loves her."
"All right, Raif, I'll talk to the prosecutor."
"Okay. I'll be fine. So will Parker. Stay positive and pray. I love you, Ray."
"And I love you more than I can ever tell you."
♥♥♥ Ray returned to wait with his family. Two and a half hours later, Dr. Stephenson came out again. He looked exhausted. "Okay," he said. "Mr. Gautier is in recovery. He's doing nicely. He'll be fine."
It seemed a collective breath was released. Chris stood. "Can I be with my husband?"
"Of course." The doctor nodded.
"And Parker?" Ray asked, dreading the answer.
"Parker's in isolation. He's on a ventilator. I'm seriously concerned for him. He's weak. He lost a lot of blood. I'm praying Mr. Gautier didn't sacrifice a kidney for nothing. For the time being, I'm only allowing his parents to see him and that masked and gowned. Chief Reynolds, that's you."
Ray jumped to his feet and held his hand out to Larkin. She started to rise but hesitated, unsure if she was included as a parent.
Dr. Stephenson nodded. "I suppose Dr. Reynolds as his stepmother is his parent, but for now, that's it. Once we know his body accepts the kidney some of the rest of you can visit for short periods. I'm gonna be honest: If Parker recovers, it will be a miracle. Ray, would you like to go in now?"
"Yes, of course," answered Ray anxiously. He followed the doctor with trepidation. Larkin dogged their steps.
♥♥♥ Parker Reynolds could hear everything going on around him, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not make his eyes open. He felt as if he were choking. There was something in his throat, but he could not cough. He tried to command his hands to move, but they would not respond. No matter what he tried to get his body to do, it would not obey.
Bad, terrifying memories and dreams flooded his mind. It's so cold here. There are sharks everywhere. Hold on tight to the life preserver. It looks like Fritz. NO! The sharks! They're eating Fritz. NO! I can't breathe. I'm drowning.
Th…thump. Th…thump. Th…thump. What's that noise? Where's it coming from? Whose voice is that? Ray. Ray's here. Parker desperately tried to open his eyes. Why won't my eyes cooperate? Ray? Where did you go?
Silence. Strange sounding beeps. Cold. So cold, and still choking.
I'm cowering in a corner. Mr. Byrd is beating me with a belt. God! The buckle! Escape to my room. Mrs. Byrd left for the grocery store. That poor woman—she has a black eye. Mr. Byrd gets so angry. Don't leave me alone with my foster father.
There's that sound again. What is that?
Parker heard his father's voice again. Still his eyes would not open. He felt as if they were glued tight. A feeling of panic overtook him when Ray left the room.
Beep. Beep. Beep. The monitors signaled his heart rate.
A shiver shook Parker's body. Mrs. Byrd is gone again. Mr. Byrd's slamming me over the dining table. He's pulling down my sleep pants. Mr. Byrd presses against me. He's hard. Hell, no! If I can only reach the flower vase in the center of the table…The vase crashes against Mr. Byrd's head. My hand is bleeding.
The heart monitor showed an increased heart rate. A female voice forced Ray from the room.
The sound of large fluttering wings. Th…thump. Th…thump. Th…thump. Those are wings flapping. Big wings. Where's it coming from?
Silence. Strange sounding beeps. Cold. So cold, and still choking. I am freezing.
All those boys around me. Will I ever get to eat again? They always take my food. Damn it! Even that nasty bologna sandwich would be good. I'm so hungry.
Ah, there's that sound again. I feel safe with those wings.
What is that? Whose voice is that? Ray's back. Parker desperately tried to open his eyes. Why won't my eyes cooperate? Ray? Where did you go?
Strange sounding beeps. Cold. So cold. Choking.
The beeping changed to a long, shrill sound. Voices barked in agitation and authority. Parker saw a light and he became warm. Somewhere in the brilliance he glimpsed white and heard the large fluttering wings more distinctly. His body jolted. A burn ran through him. I feel like a fish flopping on a creek bank. The voices calmed.
Silence. Beeps. Cold. I want the light and the warmth.
Oh, God! Foot after foot. Fist after fist. Curl into a ball. Hands over head. Protect myself. Oh, my back hurts so much. Aren't the damned guards going to do anything? Someone, please, help me!
The sound of large fluttering wings. Oh, it must be angels.
Wait! Ray. Ray's here. Parker desperately tried to open his eyes.
Why is it so cold? Mia. Mom. Why can't I get away from
her? How did she find me? Sheena. Ah, that's nice. No! Leave her alone! Sheena, run! Get away! Whew!
Mia. Lord! She came back again. Larkin. Oh, sweet Larkin. No! Leave her alone! Larkin, run! She's safe. Whew! How do I keep Sheena and Larkin safe? What can I do against my mother?
Whose voice is that? Ray. Ray's here. He’ll help me
Mia. Not again! She has a gun. No, no, no, no, no! Not Ray! Leave him alone. Ray, run! Get away. Ray! Run! NO! You will not kill my daddy! The gun explodes. Oh, it hurts.
Darkness, loneliness. I don't like it here. Please, somebody, help me!
The sound of large fluttering wings. Th…thump. Th…thump. Th…thump. Where's it coming from?
What is that? Whose voice is that? Ray. Ray's here. I can hardly hear his voice over the wings. Angels? Demons? Parker desperately tried to open his eyes. Why won't my eyes cooperate? Ray? Where did you go?
People rushed in and out. Shouts of, "Get him out of here!"
Ray! Don't leave me!
"Clear!" Parker's body jolted.
Floating. Th…thump. Th…thump. Th…thump. The sound of large fluttering wings. Where's it coming from? What is that—a dream, surely a dream. A dragon? A shimmering light. Oh, the light is warm. I want to be warm.
"Clear!" Parker's body jerked again. He felt he was falling.
The wings are going away. Wait! I think you're keeping me safe. Okay. Someday, I'll see you again. I'll fight. I'll stay and fight.
It's so cold here .
Silence.
Wait. There are other voices. Larkin. Her voice is so sweet,
so kind. Is she actually singing me a lullaby? Has anyone ever sung to me? She's leaving. Larkin, wait. Don't leave. Come on, eyes! Open!
It's so cold here . I want the light. The light is warm. Silence.
Meemaw! Papaw! Oh, I want a Papaw hug. Meemaw, wait.
You're so strong. Help me. Papaw, wait. Don't leave. Come on, eyes! Open!
Interminable quiet and freezing.
Grandma Audrey! Grandpa Walter! Oh, I have your eyes, Grandma Audrey. You understand real suffering. Don't leave.
Christopher! Courtney! I have a real brother and sister. How nice. Christopher, wait. Courtney, wait. Don't leave. Parker thought he felt his eyes twitch, yet they would not open.
Heartless (The Raiford Chronicles) Page 15
