by January Bain
He took the hat from my hands, frowning. “Where did you find this?”
“In Skull Cave, near the junction. The two men are a bit farther down the tunnel.” I had a clear vision of the pair lying on the cave floor, barely conscious.
“Can you show me?”
I swallowed hard. Last thing in the world I wanted to do was to go back inside. “Okay.” My tone sounded hollow even to me.
He gave me a searching look, the question obvious.
“Not too fond of confined spaces,” I said.
“Yet you went in there once already today?” His brows knitted together, tighter. He looked good. He wore his Stetson at a jaunty angle, his uniform impeccable except for the residue of dust and pollen around the bottom of the legs from walking through fields. His brown eyes shone clear and bright with that sexy-intelligence thing he had going on. I’d never have known that he had the ability to betray a confidence just from looking.
“I was following a suspect. Didn’t pan out,” I said in a clipped tone. It wouldn’t be fair to mention Felicity until I knew for certain why she was there. And losing a stutter wasn’t a crime. With a mother who overshadowed her like Mimi did, it made sense that she would find life stressful. But I would keep an eye out, just in case, because it was an odd thing to have done, met a guy in a cave when two men were missing. Maybe she was a drug addict? And the guy was her connection? But then why hadn’t I picked up on that before?
“You okay?” he asked.
Tulip gave a snort. I silenced her with one sharp look. Not the time.
“I’m fine. Let’s go. But you need to be aware I heard the howl of wolves inside the cave.” I turned abruptly and began to lead the way back down the road. I was getting my wish, to be directly involved in solving the case. But the stunt Jennifer Morgan had pulled rankled, a sharp burr digging into my sensitive skin. And thinking about Ace’s involvement—well, I just couldn’t go there.
The small group followed us. At the mouth of Skull Cave, I hesitated.
“Okay, before we head in. Susie…” Ace pointed at Susie Diamond, the owner of the Clip Joint. The very woman I had been wanting to make a tanning appointment with for days. I shrugged. Why bother? Not like I was trying to impress the Mountie anymore. The thought hurt more than expected. “You head back to camp and round up more volunteers and a paramedic or two. Tell them to bring stretchers and blankets. And to hurry.”
Susie nodded, her golden and pink curls bouncing around her shoulders, the front held back by a sparkly barrette. Susie was a big woman, plump and in charge. Everyone loved Susie. She knew how to make a woman look her best, at any age, any event. At least I had managed to nab a coveted hair appointment for Saturday morning before the wedding. Not sitting in a tractor bucket without some style. Good hair, according to Susie, was certain to take center stage, give a woman the edge. I needed all I could get. Maybe pile it high like Marie Antoinette. Or not. French Revolution ring any bells, Charm?
Then I gathered my resources and walked under the rock overhang above Skull Cave. I felt Ace watching me from time to time, but I blithely ignored the looks. The sooner I showed him the spot, the sooner we could part ways. Tulip kept close to my side, her presence a great help in keeping me focused.
At the junction where the cave took two separate paths and the light fixtures ended, Ace pulled his flashlight from his black leather belt and turned it on. I walked a short distance ahead of him. “I found the ballcap right here.” I pointed to the ground.
The foray into the cave this time had gone better than expected. It seemed I’d lost my acute phobia at some point today, which didn’t mean I was giving up blessing the constable with the stink-eye. Or three.
“Okay, let’s move it,” Ace instructed.
We hurried down the tunnel that narrowed with every meter of ground covered, single-file, the flashlight heralding the way. We went by the spot where I had watched Felicity and the stranger have a conversation.
“It shouldn’t be far now,” I said. Please, please, let them be okay. If it was ricin, there wasn’t any guarantee that, even with the best medical care, their lives could be saved.
The team walked in silence, each person no doubt focused on what we would find.
“There!” I half-shouted when a prone body came into view, lit eerily by the searchlight. I began to run, pushing past Ace to get to the man’s side. I leaned down, cradling the man’s head on my lap. He moaned.
“He’s alive!”
Ace handed the flashlight off to another searcher and crouched beside me.
“Will, can you hear me?” he asked.
The man moaned again, his eyelids fluttering.
“Who did this to you?” he asked.
No answer. The man remained prone, continuing to moan softly. A couple of the men scurried by us, moving down the tunnel in search of the other victim.
“Over here,” one of the men shouted from a short distance away.
Ace got to his feet. “Stay with him,” he said. He hurried off to check out the other man.
“You’re going to be okay, Will.” I whispered my mantra over and over, praying it would be so. Could I help him?
Poison was a different commodity, I soon discovered, laying a hand on his chest. The toxin had spread everywhere, affecting all his organs. It would take a miracle to save the man. But I had to try. I went in, challenging the enemy, blasting at every damaged cell with laser focus. Bright lights flashed inside my brain, sparks flying like someone welding in a workshop, visible behind my closed eyelids.
Amid the chaos ensuing around me, I kept my focus keen. I wouldn’t let go, sensing this man’s life could be saved if I gave enough of myself. Chewing at my lips, sweat dripping in my eyes, I swallowed my fear of losing myself entirely. I had to keep the faith that I would recover. I kept at it until my head swam with dizziness, my limbs cramped and my stomach roiled with nausea. Certain I had done all I could, I stumbled to my feet. I had to help the other man.
No one stopped me as I lurched the short remaining distance to the other prone body. I slumped to the ground and laid my hands on the victim. The paramedic moved out of my way. I didn’t take the time to ask why. Ace stayed nearby, remaining silent, while I made my journey inside.
This man was even sicker, his organs pulsating with lethal poison seeking to liquidate its host. Without a thought, I began the process all over again, sending all the healing my body could muster into the man’s system. I was young, my health strong—surely it wouldn’t kill me?
Again the tugging and pulling on my spirit, but harder to bear this time. Pain sliced through me. My mind spun in a drunken way, faster and faster. Armed with ammunition that I sensed could fail at any time, I kept the faith. Kept pushing at the enemy, trying to decimate the poison, the roaring in my ears deafening. I had to save him. No one else could. Please, please, let me save him. I pushed harder. Took the pain.
Then the power ended. The laser focus vanished. My body crumpled forward, reduced to rubble.
Hands pulled at me. “You have to stop, Charm. You’re hurting yourself.”
Too late.
I distantly recognized the voice. Then my mind went black, and I felt myself falling, falling, falling…
Chapter Twenty-One
I had blanked out. I came to and found myself being carried in a pair of strong arms, cradled against a broad chest. I huddled against the warmth, breathing in a fragrance that filled me with a wondrous sense of security. Weak as a kitten was an expression I now understood. Too well. But I was still here, alive, and I knew the men were, too.
I would have reached up and touched Ace’s grim face if I could have found the strength. He sensed I was awake, though, and looked down at me. His gaze collided with mine, his dark and worried.
“Where are we?” I croaked, stirring a bit to see if my limbs were still attached. My whole body ached, as though I had gone skydiving and forgot to pull the ripcord before hitting the ground. Head first.
&n
bsp; “Just about out of the cave. Now be quiet, you need to rest. You scared the bejesus out of me, darlin’.” He pulled me tighter to him, and the primordial drumbeat in his chest pulsated against the side of my head. Thumpa. Thumpa. Thumpa. Reassuring and wonderful. A terrific sense of being home overcame me. Of being where I belonged. It was a shame we were almost out of the cave—I’d missed most of this glorious journey, with being unconscious.
Even when we made the mouth of the cave, he didn’t put me down, but continued carrying me as if I was as light as air. An ambulance was already present, and the two men were loaded in, both speaking and talking to their attendants and looking immeasurably better, from the brief glimpses I managed.
Ace strode across the ground toward the camp, his energy seeming boundless. I could have suggested he put me down. I was better, drawing surprising power from just being in his arms. But why rush? Each second that ticked by made me stronger, the pain receding and vanishing by the time we made the parking lot.
Realizing I was playing possum at this point, I spoke up. “I’m quite capable of walking now, Sheriff.”
“I’m taking you home. Captain Duffy can handle things for a while.” He tucked me inside his SUV and prepared to buckle me in, but I just shook my head and did it myself. Cocooned in the vehicle, I sat buoyed by a sense of contentment I didn’t think I’d ever quite experienced before. Maybe when I’d made something yummy to eat and everyone was happy? Nah, that didn’t even come a distant second.
People with avid expressions of interest on their faces swam by the window like a child’s kaleidoscope. I would have some explaining to do. Later. I sat up. Ace had some to do right then.
I slanted my eyes at him and cleared my throat, an image of Jennifer Morgan rising in the mists of my mind like a vengeful spirit. If anyone needed a full raspberry salute, it was her.
He gave me a quick assessing look while turning the wheel of the police cruiser onto the road that led back to town. He’d taken off his Stetson and the late-afternoon sun glinted in the side window, bouncing off his thick dark locks. Keep your mind on business.
“What is it? You okay?” To his credit, his tone was filled with concern.
“I’m fine. But I have a problem with you—a big one.” I crossed my arms, letting out a puff of air in exasperation.
“Before you say anything, I want to apologize.”
So, taking the wind out of one’s sails was a real thing. Who knew?
“O—kay.”
It was Ace’s turn to clear his throat. “I heard what Jennifer did today. What she said. I’m sorry that happened to you. It was wrong of her to draw that kind of attention to something I told her in strictest confidence.”
“Why did you tell her?” My jaw clenched. “There’s no earthly reason. I’m not here to amuse her.”
“I’m sorry, it wasn’t like that. It slipped out when I was trying to make her feel better. Give her something to take her mind off her troubles.” Ace ran an aggravated hand through his hair, disheveling the shiny locks in a ridiculously charming way.
“You shouldn’t have told her. Three people can keep a secret—if two of them are dead.”
“Ah, wise words from Benjamin Franklin. I should have listened. So, I’m now on your hit list?” He gave me a rueful smile.
“Maybe.” I pushed my lips out, contemplating the state of things.
“It won’t happen again. You have my solemn promise.”
“Okay. I accept your apology. But I’m placing you on probation, Constable, just so you know.”
“Acknowledged and accepted.” He nodded, his expression shifting. “What’s going on with you? What I saw in the cave—I can’t explain. One minute I thought the men were dying, and the next, you did something and they revived? What’s that about?”
I let out a deep breath. “I seem to have come into another gift. Healing the very ill.”
He shook his head, his expression confused. “How’s that even possible?”
“I don’t have a clue.” I chewed on my fingernail, not certain if I could explain how I did it. It sounded crazy to me, and I had been there.
“That’s some gift, darlin’. When did this start happening?”
I looked out of the window. We’d made Main Street and the Tea & Tarot was close by. “Just recently.”
“I don’t like what it does to you.” He shook his head, his plush mouth pressed into a grim line. “You passed out in the cave. It scared me half to death. I don’t think you should be doing something that takes such a huge toll on you.”
“What? You want me to stop doing what I’m supposed to? Stop making people better? Because that’s not going to happen, Ace, not now, not ever!” My anger and worry spilled over. He’d pulled up in front of the café and I jumped out, ignoring him calling my name.
After slamming the vehicle’s door, I stomped off, beyond annoyed at the turn of events. Sure. I got the worry. Heck, honestly, I was worried too. So much was up in the air. But when called, a person had to answer, even if there was a cost, right? No ducking and diving responsibility. Not on our family crest or motto. I did a double-take, suddenly reminded of a cold reality. My parents had abandoned their three children as though we were trash. The hurtful thought just made me angrier.
I sighed. I still didn’t know who had administered the final death blow to the hapless accountant. Hopefully the two men we’d saved today could supply facts that would help end this case.
Curiosity replaced my anger. Stepping inside the Tea & Tarot, I found a small group of people assembled.
“What’s going on?” I asked, furrowing my brow.
“Charm! There you are!” Auntie T.J. scurried up to me, her expression animated.
“What’s going on?” I asked. Was there a meeting I’d forgotten about? It did explain, however, why Ace had had to park so far down the street.
Auntie T.J. leaned in and whispered, “They’re here to see you, baby doll.”
“Me? What on earth for?”
“Everyone needs a little something fixed or found. The talk’s getting out about your helping the men in the cave today.” My auntie fussed with my hair, pushing strands behind my ears. “You look like you could use a bit of a fix-up.” She gave a big sniff, her nose twitching. “And maybe a shower.”
“Look! There she is!” a loud voice called over the small crowd and heads turned my way. What the fudge?
“Charm! Me first!”
“No! I’m first!”
I did the only thing I could think of.
I ran.
Down the street I sprinted. All the way to Snowy Lake Hospital three blocks off Main Street at the far end of town. I turned into the curved driveway and raced down the sidewalk toward the front electronic doors. Inside the air was cooler, calmer, and I stopped to gather myself, feeling embarrassed and guilty for having abandoned everyone.
Hmm. While I was there, I might as well check on the two men. I stepped up to the front desk and gave Stacey Evans, the receptionist for the last dozen years, a big smile.
“Hey, Stacey. How are things?”
She frowned at me, her perfect brown bun pulling so tightly on her face that she’d given herself a facelift. She’d better be careful—that could lead to noticeable hair loss. “Why are you out of breath, Charm? And all sweaty? Do you need to see a doctor?” The look turned to horror. “You weren’t exposed to that poison—ricin—were you?”
“No. I’m fine. Just running. I wanted to see how those two men are doing? You know, the two just brought in that were found in Skull Cave?” Out of the corners of my eyes, I caught some movement. I instantly recognized the guy. Chace Wilde. What was he doing here? Now was my chance to right the omission of not finding him sooner to get a reading.
“Let’s see.” She turned to her computer screen and punched in some info. “Yes, they’re still here. Room 107.”
“Thanks.”
I turned and bumped into Chace hovering behind me.
“Y
ou’re Charm McCall, right?” he asked. He smoothed a hand over his short brown hair.
“Yeah.” I held out my hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m sorry about your friend, Howard. I wish I could have helped him.”
He took it reluctantly. What? Another germaphobe? Or did I look that sweaty?
“Thanks. I heard about what you did today. For those guys in the cave.” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he spoke. Nervous. Why? Maybe because I’d done something a bit off the map today? I had an instant visual of all the people waiting at the café. Oh boy. Don’t think about it. Maybe the problem will go away. Yeah, and maybe pigs will dress in tuxedoes.
“I did what I could,” I said, shrugging.
“I guess your gift doesn’t work after the fact.” His voice drifted off. “You know, after they’re dead.” His face got wistful. “I wish you could bring him back.”
“Who? Howard? He’s been dead for a couple of days.” I shuddered at the dreadful idea.
“Ever heard of the Monkey’s Paw or Stephen King’s Pet Sematary, Chace?” Yikes.
Chace looked so downcast that I leaned forward and hugged him. He was so sad, so filled with a sudden rush of hopelessness at my words.
“I’m sorry. I wish there was something I could do, but, I’m afraid it’s much too late now.” I pulled away with a shudder I couldn’t hide. The guy was like a black hole, sucking in all my energy.
“I’m sorry too,” he muttered then wandered off.
I felt his pain. He was really broken up at his friend’s death. Why had he been so angry at Howard that day in the café? I’d probably never know, but I understood that Chace needed closure. And I was fairly certain he hadn’t killed his friend.
I hurried down the hallway to room 107, pushed open the door and slipped inside. Shoot. Ace was standing near the bed, talking to the men. Everyone looked up as I entered.
Ace appeared frustrated, as if he wasn’t getting answers. Good. I pasted on a smile and ventured closer.
“Hi there,” I said, adding, “I’m the woman who found you.”
“You’re Charm McCall, right?”
