Cast the Cards (19 page)

“Of
course.”  Carlson extended his hand and Carey tossed the keys.

“Thanks.
I’ll keep everyone posted and call her family.” 

“You
coming, sir?” the blonde medic asked.

“Yeah.”
He climbed into the back and slid out of the way as they attached Vannah to
more machines. The erratic beat of her heart filled the cab.

“We’re
good, let’s get her out of here.” the burly paramedic with dark hair cropped
close to his head said.

They
pulled off and the paramedic began to give her shots, rattling off medical jargon
to his partner in the back.

Beep
Beep.

The
flat line ripped his heart out of his chest and kicked him in the nuts at the
same time. He gasped.

“She’s
flat-lining.”  His blond partner grabbed the paddles. Carey’s vision narrowed
to Vannah’s face, contorted in pain as her body ceased. Bile formed and he
gagged, dry heaving.

This
is the woman I want to marry, form children, and grow old with
.
The fact sucker-punched him. He gripped his heart and forced a deep breath out
from his aching chest. As the ambulance rocketed toward the nearest hospital he
found himself sucked in the midst of a come-to-Jesus meeting. When life and
death were on the line lies had no place.

“How
is she?” The thunderous boom of Mr. West’s voice pulled his head up and he rose
to greet him, hand extended.

“She’s
stable. They’re doing a transfusion and repairing the damage done from the
shotgun blast.”

“Who
did this?”

“Off
the record, the same men who accosted her and my brother.” He swallowed. “She
made sure they won’t be harming anyone else.”

Mr.
West nodded and pulled his wife closer to his side.

“We’re
going to talk to the nurse. See if we can find out more information.”

“I’m
going to get a cup of coffee and stretch my legs.”

Mr.
West clapped a massive hand on his shoulder. A look passed between them. An
understanding was formed. They both loved the woman in that operating room.

“We’ll
meet back up before too long.”

“Yes,
sir.”

As
he walked down the hall he couldn’t help but feel lost and afraid. Being with
Vannah had become second nature. Her place was at his side. Right now they
should be celebrating with champagne and figuring out how they were going to
make things work with their jobs. Another concern bombarded him.

What
happened to Clark now? Is this the justice and closure he’s been waiting for?
Does he get to say goodbye, or will I never see him again?
With the weight of the world threatening to crush him beneath its boot heel, he
stumbled into the church chapel, entered the last pew, and hit his knees.

Head
pressed against the pew, he closed his eyes.

“I
know I haven’t talked to you much lately, but I need you in my corner. You
about killed me when you took away Clark.  I was furious. I rebelled, drank,
did whatever I could to take away the pain. But in the end I came back. I grew stronger
and even concede, maybe I was put on this Earth to help others and being laid
so low was what equipped me to do that. But this… giving me Clark back only to
take him along with Vannah… that’s end game.  There will be no recovery or
healing. I don’t think I could ever forgive you. Now that’s just me. We both
know Vannah deserves better than to die at the hands of the bastards that stole
her life once already.” 

“That’s
an interesting approach to prayer.” Clark’s dry tone curled the corner of his
lips upward.

“It
appears to have worked. You’re here.” 

“True.”
Clark sat beside him.

“How
long do you have?”  
Please don’t tell me this is our last conversation.

“I’m
not sure. Working on a new angle.”

“Seriously?
You might be able to stay?”  His eyes widened.

“If
I continue to help the two of you discover criminals.”

“You
agreed, right!”

“Of
course I did.” 

He
pulled his brother to him. “Jesus, that’s great news! Vannah will….” His high
did a dive bomb.

“She’s
going to be fine, Carey.”

“How
can you say that?” Jerking away, he scowled.

“I
have it on good authority.” Clark nodded.

For
the first time, he exhaled.

“You
know what we have to do when the time is right, don’t you?” Clark asked.

“Ask
her to marry us?”

Clark
nodded. “We’re not going to be happy with anything less.”

“No.”
Carey shook his head. “Let’s get her well first. The rest will keep.”

***

Noise.
A steady beep accompanied by a whoosh. Breathe in, breathe out. She became
aware of her chest and her heavy limbs. She flexed her toes. Tensing the
muscles and releasing, she worked her way up her body. The pain she waited to
crash down never occurred. Fighting with her eyelids for dominance, she managed
to peel them back. Her lips smacked together and her eyes adjusted to the dimly-lit
room. Beside her monitors kept track of her vitals.

Hospital.
A
glance down at her arm revealed the I.V.

“Are
you awake?” a familiar voice whispered.

“Yes.”
Pain formed in her throat. She cringed.

A
more familiar head leaned in to her sight line.

“Clark!
You’re here.”

“Careful,
it’s been a week or so since you were lucid enough to talk. Here.” He held a
straw to her lips and she drank, grateful for the relief.

“I
wouldn’t drink too much too fast. After you collapsed I called Carey and he got
the others over to you. It was touch-and-go for a bit, but you made your choice
and it was honored.”  His fingers were cool against her brow. She basked it in
for a moment, resting her head against the pillows. “And you?”

“I
get to stay as long as I help catch criminals.”

Her
eyes popped open. “Wait, you can stay?”

“They’re
taking an aggressive stand on the evil quota.”

Tears
ran down her cheek as she smiled.
 I get to keep them both.
“Wait, what
about the sites?”

“Mass
graves in all, twenty-two bodies to match the major arcane of the tarot.”

“But
why?”

“Because
they were more than a few screws loose.”

She
snickered and groaned. “A little more detail.”

“Not
sure. With their I.D. they uncovered their place.” He wolf-whistled. 
“Chockfull of all things strange. Tarot cards, Runes, Crystal balls. These guys
were the mayors of crazy town. I’m not sure how it all meshes together to mean something,
but that’s your department.”

Her
mind itched to delve deep into the findings.

“Yeah,
you’re fine I can see you’re all ready thinking about work.”

“Sorry.”

“Mmhmm.
You should hit the call button. Let them know you’re awake. A lot of people have
been waiting to talk to you.”

“Of
course.”

She
pressed the call button and watched as he disappeared.

“Ms.
West, someone will be with you immediately.”

 A
part of her believed she was going to die on that dirty concrete floor in a
river of red. Knowing she’d taken down the Tarot Card Killers would have been
enough to let her move in if it hadn’t been for Carey. He was unfinished
business she couldn’t leave behind.

Epilogue

“You
ready?” Carey asked.

“God,
yes.”  She stood from the wheelchair and made her way carefully to his waiting
car. While the wounds were healing nicely, one wrong movement and the pain
would take her breath away. He offered his arm, helping her ease into the seat.

“Thank
you.”  Being in this situation had taught her humility and to ask for help.
Delaying her recovery by injuring herself would be pointless and stupid.
Besides, it was adorable the way Carey fell all over himself trying to make
sure she was comfortable.

With
the death of the two they’d labeled the Tarot Card Killers something amazing
happened—a shift in priorities.  The driving force that compelled her to push
to the brink of exhaustions had been yanked away. The demons that carved out
chunks of her soul had been faced head-on and dealt with.
Nothing like a near-
death experience and regular sex with my ghostly first love and his twin
brother to set a woman right.
 

Entering
the car on the driver side, Carey started up the engine and pulled away from
the parking lot.

“Is
your mom still pissed you’re staying with me?” He asked.

“No,
she mellowed out. I think Dad must’ve had a conversation with her.”

“I
can’t blame her. This whole thing scared the shit out of her.”

“Me
too.” She reached over the console and linked their fingers, resting her head
against the back of the seat.

“Where’s
Clark?”

“He’s
waiting for us at the apartment.”

“You
guys have something cooked up. I can tell. As long as it involves cake and just
the three of us, I’m game.”

He
laughed. “Trust me, last thing we want to do right now is share you.”

She
turned on the radio on low and relaxed, happy to feel the sun on her face and
the wind in her hair. 
Freedom never tasted so sweet.
Dozing, she woke
when the car came to a stop.

“Home
sweet home.”

Funny
how it had become just that, a safe haven from the madness that lay outside
that door. In the arms of her men she was safe, well-cared for, and
understood.  It was a constant ray of sunshine that cut through the darkness of
her past and recent events.

Opening
her door, he smiled. “Ready?”

“Mmhmm.”
Taking his hand, she allowed him to support her weight as she stood. “I’ve
never been so happy you live on the first floor.”

He
laughed. “You’ll be good as new before you know it.”

“Hmph.
I doubt you’ll be saying that when you’re ready to wring my neck.”

“Luckily
there’s two of me. So we both get to take a turn.”

“That’s
why we were put together. I’m more than any one man could handle.”

He
snorted. “That’s one way to look at it.”

When
they reached the door to the apartment it swung open.

“Clark!”
She wanted to throw herself into his arms but settled for the gentle hug.

“I
missed you too, sweetheart. Welcome home.”  He moved back and she gasped at the
scene.  Rose petals littered the floor. The lights were off. Candles covered
all the major surfaces, giving off a beautiful amber-colored glow.

“You
guys!”

A
silver bucket of sparkling cider rested on the cocktail table. No alcohol
allowed with her narcotics for pain management.

“Come
and sit down.” Clark took one of her hands and Carey took the other. Together
they guided her over to the couch where they all sat, sandwiching her in the
middle, right where she liked to be.

“Everything
that happened made us think long and hard about what we want,” Carey whispered.

Her
throat began to close.
Is this a Dear Jane Speech?
  Pulse skyrocketing,
she swallowed, breathing heavy.

“Do
you need pain medication?” Clark’s eyes were wide and full of concern.

“No,
just give it to me straight. You want out? “

“What!
No.” Carey shook his head from side to side vigorously.

“No?”
She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Jesus,
Vannah,” Carey held her hand between his own. “We want the exact opposite.” He
glanced over at his brother.

“Savannah,
will you marry us?” Their voice blended together in perfect harmony, sweet and
sincere. Tears formed in her eyes.
The three of them together again, forever
sounded just about right to her. 

“Yes.”

“I
know you can only marry Carey really, but we’d consider it a three-way m—”

“Clark.
Shut up and kiss me.”

“Yes
ma’am.” He leaned in and kissed her. Carey’s laughter filled her ear. Finally
after all the heartache they’d found their way back to happiness, and to each
other.

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