Chasing Sunsets (20 page)

“Yeah. Maybe the park wasn’t such a great idea.”

They didn’t talk much on the way back to the parking lot, but Lexy couldn’t let go of the feeling that she wanted to trust Mary Catherine. The older girl seemed really interested in her answers. In her as a person. The reality made her feel a lot of things. Hope, maybe. Happiness—if this was what happiness felt like. But something else, too.

Fear.

Lexy had learned a long time ago that the worst thing on the streets wasn’t the thugs or the bullets or the way a brother threw a girl on a bed and had his way with her. It wasn’t a break-in or a drug bust or getting arrested.

The worst thing was caring.

JAG AND ASPYN
hovered over the house where Lexy lived. They watched the two girls pull up in Mary Catherine’s car and walk inside.

“Thank You, God.” Jag was exhausted. He and Aspyn had more strategizing ahead. No mission had ever been more taxing. Despite that, Jag was overcome with relief. “The things that man on the path planned to do to Mary Catherine and Lexy . . .”

Aspyn closed her eyes. “Unspeakable. You stepped in at just the right time. Pulling him out of the bushes onto the path was the right thing to do. Instead of running, he was forced into the light.”

The bearded man had been waiting in the bushes, ready to attack Mary Catherine and Lexy. Jag had appeared from the shadows and ordered the guy to step onto the path.

When the man pushed further back into the brush, Jag grabbed his arm and pulled him out. In one swift move, Jag had the guy pinned to the ground, his arm bent behind his back. That’s when Jag had seen the gun in the man’s sock. He grabbed it and the guy’s cell phone and called 911. Two officers were already at the park. Just before they turned the bend on the trail and drew their guns, Jag dropped the gun, stepped into the brush, and disappeared.

Jag was grateful for the control he’d learned the last time. He had no desire to kill the man in the bushes. Protecting Mary Catherine and Lexy was all that mattered. Orlon had been right. The mission was very dangerous. Evil lurked around every corner and this much was certain.

The stakes had never been higher.

19

M
ARCUS MET TYLER AT
the hospital that afternoon to give blood. Whether Jalen could use it or not didn’t matter. Someone could. They were in the lobby waiting their turn when Charlie Kent came in.

“Brought in another two gunshot victims today. They’ll both live but they’re in bad shape.” The officer looked weary. “I haven’t seen this much violence in years.”

He took the seat opposite Marcus and Tyler. “We made an arrest an hour ago near Dodger Stadium. Story could’ve wound up very differently.”

Marcus couldn’t imagine being a police officer in Los Angeles. “What happened?”

“An officer from another precinct was walking the trail. He found a man in the bushes and recognized him from the wanted list. Called for backup and a couple of our guys made the arrest.” Officer Kent shook his head. “The guy’s on our
most-wanted list, multiple homicides, rape, attacks on kids. Escaped prison in Northern California a year ago.”

A sense of satisfaction came over Marcus. “Glad you caught him.”

“What was he doing in the bushes?” Tyler also seemed gripped by the story.

“That’s the scary part. A couple of girls were walking the trail. A few minutes more and they would’ve walked right past the guy. We think he was planning an attack. Waiting for the young women to walk by.”

The pieces came together, and Marcus felt like he was falling, like he couldn’t feel his feet beneath him. “What . . . what park did you say it was?”

“Elysian Park. Near Dodger Stadium.” Officer Kent stood. “You two here to see the little boy?”

“Yeah.” Marcus stood and shook the officer’s hand. Were the girls at the park Mary Catherine and Lexy? He tried to focus. “We’re giving blood, too. It’s something we can do.”

The officer shook Tyler’s hand next. “That’s how we all feel. Trying to make a difference best we can.” He tipped his hat. “See you tomorrow night for training.”

“Looking forward to it.” Marcus slowly sat back in his seat. His heart pounded so loud he thought it would break through his chest.

Tyler stared at him. “You okay?”

“Elysian Park.” Marcus couldn’t slow his heartbeat. “That’s where Mary Catherine took Lexy.”

Tyler let the pieces connect for a moment. “You think maybe the two girls were . . .”

“It’s possible.” He put his face in his hands for a few sec
onds and then looked up. “I should’ve gone with them. Forget that girl-bonding thing. The city isn’t safe.”

“Text Mary Catherine and ask her.”

Marcus didn’t want to wait that long. He pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped Mary Catherine’s number. She answered after two rings.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?” His words sounded too loud, too intense. He forced himself to calm down. Wherever she was, at least she was okay.

“Leaving Lexy’s house.” Mary Catherine was clearly taken aback by his tone. “What’s wrong?”

Marcus put his head in his free hand and exhaled.
Slow down
,
he told himself. “Did you take her to Elysian Park? Like you said?”

“I did. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. She’s tough.” Hesitancy still rang in Mary Catherine’s words. “You sound upset. What happened?”

“Did you see police there?”

“Actually, yes.” Mary Catherine paused. “Two officers arrested a man on the path just ahead of us. Kind of creepy.”

Marcus stood and paced the length of the waiting room and back. “He was a very dangerous guy. I just talked to Officer Kent and he said . . . the man might’ve been lying in wait.”

“For us?” It was the first time Mary Catherine sounded fearful.

“Possibly.” Marcus couldn’t believe it. Mary Catherine and Lexy had been in danger and if something had happened . . . He couldn’t finish the thought. “God was with you. Looking out for you.”

“The officers didn’t tell us.” Mary Catherine’s voice held a fear Marcus hadn’t heard from her before. “If Lexy had been hurt, I never could’ve forgiven myself. We had no idea.”

“It’s behind you now. Just . . . please, Mary Catherine, be careful. You should’ve let me come with you.” He sat down and leaned back hard. It felt so good to hear her voice, to know she was okay. His tone lightened some. “Remember that next time.”

“You’re right.” A warmth filled her voice. “Sorry. I was kind of quick to turn you down.”

“We’re in this together, this volunteer thing.” He leaned his elbows on his knees. “Let me help, okay?”

“Okay.” For the first time since she answered the phone he could hear her smile across the phone line. “Where are you?”

“At the hospital.” He wasn’t a fan of needles, but this was important. “Tyler and I are giving blood.”

“Nice.” Again her tone was softer. “How’s Jalen?”

“About the same.” Marcus felt the heaviness of the child’s situation. “We’re going to see him and Shamika next.”

“I’ll be there in a few hours.” She sounded like herself again. The fear from earlier gone. “I’ll probably miss you.”

“See, there you go again. Trying to avoid me.” He chuckled. “Just kidding.” He paused. “Be safe, Mary Catherine. Please.”

“I will.”

The call ended as Marcus and Tyler were called back. They took cots next to each other and in no time they were hooked up and watching bags fill with their blood.

“I hate needles.” Marcus looked away from the one in his arm. “I have to believe this is for kids like Jalen.”

“Really, though?” Tyler moved his arm and winced. “It’ll probably help the two gang guys just brought in.”

Marcus hadn’t thought about that. The possibility didn’t sit well with him. Give blood for guys caught up in gang violence for what? So they could get back out on the streets and shoot each other again? He gritted his teeth and tried not to think about it.

“You and Sami doing anything this weekend?” He put one arm behind his head so he could see Tyler better. “Besides the prison tour, obviously.”

Tyler laughed in a way that was more concerned than humorous. “That’ll probably leave us pretty worn out.”

“True.” Between donating blood and the prison tour, Tyler was right.

“Hey, I almost forgot.” Tyler faced him. “Tomorrow morning Sami and Mary Catherine are going to the beach. Supposed to be another warm day like last week.”

“Sounds fun.” He uttered a brief laugh. “Mary Catherine didn’t tell me about it.”

“Well, Sami did. She asked us both to come.”

“Really?” Marcus smiled. “Did she check with Mary Catherine?”

“Come on, Dillinger.” Tyler laughed. “You don’t really think MC’s trying to avoid you. I mean, she agreed to work with you on the prison program, right?”

“She didn’t really have a choice.” Marcus gave Tyler a wary look. “Remember? A police officer asked her to talk to me about it.”

“Well . . . don’t forget she could be a little leery, what with Shelly Wayne and all.”

Marcus sighed. “Yeah. About Shelly.” He looked out the window and thought about the situation. “I need to talk to Coach.”

“Why?” Tyler made a face. “He won’t be upset if things don’t work out with you and Shelly.”

“She’s his niece.” Marcus felt trapped. “I never should’ve agreed to call her.”

Tyler waited, a knowing look on his face. “Whatever you do, you need to figure it out. The other night was awful.”

They finished giving blood and Marcus gulped down the orange juice and crackers. He stayed close to the wall until he felt less light-headed. Tyler took it all in stride. “You live with your arm hanging halfway to your knee for a few months and giving blood’ll feel like a day at Disneyland.”

The two friends laughed as they left the unit. But as they reached the elevator and rode it up to the intensive care unit, they grew quiet. “I keep praying.” Tyler drew a tired breath as they walked down the hall toward the nurses’ station. “I just wish God would wake the boy up.”

Tyler had agreed to wait while Marcus visited the boy. Marcus felt the familiar ache in his heart as he reached the child’s room. The door was partly open and Shamika was inside, sitting close to her son, holding his hand and talking softly. She looked up as Marcus stood at the doorway.

“Please. Come in.” Shamika stood and hugged him. “Thank you for coming.”

“How is he?” Marcus walked up to the bed and put his
hand over the boy’s much smaller one. He looked up at the machines, whirring and buzzing and clicking like before.

“He’s still in a coma.” Shamika’s face looked tearstained. “I’m begging God he might wake up today.” She paused and her voice fell. “Doctor says it needs to be soon. For Jalen’s brain to work right.”

The weight of the situation pressed in on Marcus’s shoulders and sucked the air from the room. Jalen had been so trusting, so willing to help that night.

“Is there anything I can do? Do you need help?”

“Ask people to pray. Please.” Her eyes grew watery. “I want God to know I’m not giving up.”

Marcus nodded. “I can do that. I’ll tell everyone.” He needed to do more of that. Of course he and his friends had been praying. But who else had he asked? More than half a million people followed him on Twitter and he hadn’t said a word. He pursed his lips. “I promise you, Shamika. I’ll get people to pray for your boy.”