Riddle (29 page)

Chapter 51

              Reaching the bridge just as the sun rose over the top of the trees Kort could see what appeared to be a bundle of rags at the base of the broken bridge on the other side of the river. Carefully mounting the remains of the steps that led to the crossing he tentatively stepped onto the bridge. Even that slight pressure caused the structure to sway and creak ominously. Tony reached the far side of the bridge and called across to Kort. “Don’t try it. It won’t hold your weight!”

              “What’s that at the foot of the bridge, right under the steps?” Kort called back.

              Slipping in the mud Tony made his way down to the bundle of rags and suddenly he shouted, “It’s a body.” Struggling to keep his footing he managed to turn the body over. Kort had already begun to try to step onto the bridge when, stunned, Tony called out, “It’s Norma! I think she’s dead!”

              Kort stepped back. “Look around. Do you see Grace?”

              Pulling himself up by holding on to bushes and downed tree limbs Tony began to call Grace’s name, his eyes searching the surrounding area. Kort heard the searchers behind him as they grew closer, dogs barking and tearing through the underbrush. Suddenly Kort noticed what looked like footprints in the mud on the riverbank beneath the bridge and he made his way down for a closer look.

              As Tony scrambled around on the muddy riverbank he felt something grab his ankle. Looking down he saw Norma staring up at him, her mouth moving silently. Just beyond her grasp something silvery and shining lay in the leaves. Glancing quickly across the river Tony saw Kort squatting to examine something. Bending quickly, Tony’s fingers closed around the knife and with one last look around he plunged it into Norma’s chest. The woman’s eyes widened in her mud covered face, the whites bright, the pupils dilated and still. Hearing footsteps drawing closer he waited until they were within sight then pulled the knife out of Norma’s chest.

              “Stop! Don’t touch anything!” the trooper called.

              Tony turned toward him, a look of confusion on his face. “I thought…”

              “Just let go of it,” the trooper pulled a plastic pouch from his pocket, allowing Tony to drop the knife inside. “We’ve got this now.”

              Tony moved slowly away as they began to seal off the area around the body. He had no regrets. He had done what needed to be done.

              The two dog handlers pulled back on the leads as Detective Bishop pushed past them.

Kort looked up at him. “Tony found Norma’s body on the other bank. There are footprints here but I’m not sure if they are Norma’s or Grace’s.”

              By this time the group of searchers who had been following Tony had reached Norma’s body. Bishop began shouting orders to get the area sealed off on both sides of the river. Kort began trying to follow the footprints, desperate to see in what direction they went.

“Kort!” Bishop shouted. “Let us track this.”

              Kort shot the detective an angry look and kept moving forward on the riverbank. The footprints suddenly led up the hill into the trees and Kort followed them looking for broken branches and trampled undergrowth. Cutting him off, Lieutenant Bishop grabbed him by the shoulders. “Let us do our job Kort. You’re destroying tracks and causing more of a mess.”

              Exhausted and drained, Kort’s temper flared. “You aren’t doing anything. She’s out here somewhere and all you are concerned with is protecting your crime scenes.”

              The detective’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “We have a dead body on the other side of this river. I don’t know if Grace killed Norma or if someone else did. For all we know there’s some maniac out here.”

              Kort shoved against his chest. “Come on. You know damned well there isn’t some nut out here. The only crazed killer out here was Norma and she’s dead. Somehow Grace managed to kill her. Now she’s out here in the woods and I don’t know if she’s wounded. She could have been injured in a fight with that freak and she could be bleeding to death while you preserve your crime scene.” Kort’s voice broke and his hands dropped to his sides.

              Lieutenant Bishop released his hold on the young man. “Do you have all that out of your system now? I’m not oblivious to your pain Kort. I want to find Grace. But I want to follow the steps the law requires. If Grace did kill Norma I want to make sure she isn’t prosecuted.”

              Exasperated Kort ran his hand through his hair. “Are you serious? We know that Norma killed Desiree and Butch, she probably killed David and Doug, and attempted to kill Grace. You and I know Grace killed her while defending herself.”

              “It doesn’t matter what we know or suspect. It’s what can be proved in court. Let me do my job Kort. You’re exhausted. Go on up to the command center. We have another one set up at this end. Grab some coffee and something to eat. I’ll keep you in the loop. Please.”

              Kort took several deep breaths before nodding. “Maybe you’re right. But you swear you’ll let me know as soon as you find anything.”

              Bishop slapped him lightly on the back, “Come on. I’ll walk up with you and set you up with a walkie-talkie.” They made their way slowly up to the command post where several of the search parties were gathered, drinking coffee and eating breakfast biscuits that had been provided by Jack. The man looked as though he had ages. He stood at the side of his truck, handing out food. Kort noted his face was a pale gray color.

              “Grab some coffee and a biscuit and I’ll get you a walkie-talkie. And for goodness sake sit down.” Bishop headed toward several state cars that were parked at odd angles near the treeline.

              Agnes appeared beside him with a container of steaming coffee and a biscuit. “Kort, I’ve been looking for you.”

              “Mother, how did you get here?” Then realizing the silliness of his question he shook his head,

              As he accepted the food from her she led him to her car. “Sit down for a minute. Have they found anything?”

              He sat heavily in the passenger seat, his legs sticking out of the open car door. Sipping the coffee slowly he debated telling her about Norma. Looking around he spoke softly as he told her about finding Norma’s body. “It looks as though Grace killed her.”

              Leaning against the car and staring at Kort she asked in a whisper, “Are they sure Grace did it?”

              Kort shook his head. “No. Who else could it be? You know about Butch right?”

              “Yes. They aren’t giving details but they’re saying Norma killed him and escaped. How is that possible?”

              Kort handed the biscuit to his mother. “I can’t eat this.” He looked up at her. “How is it that we didn’t see how insane she is? How could we have missed it?”

              It was Lieutenant Bishop who responded as he returned with a walkie-talkie. “She never did anything obvious. And let’s face it, we had Desiree’s killer locked up. Until you returned she went along doing the things all people do. She graduated from high school, went to college, got a job, she led a respectable life.”

              It was then that Kort remembered the letter from Tony’s father. “Maybe not. I’ve been holding on to something. I didn’t think it was important. Or maybe I did think it was important but I wanted to figure it out myself.”

              “You want to tell me what you’re talking about?” Bishop asked irritably.

              As Kort filled him in on the contents of the letter that the principal had left, pieces began to fall into place. “It must have been Norma that was blackmailing him. And I’ll bet it was Norma who pinned the note to his jacket to deflect any suspicion that might be directed at her.”

              “Or maybe she hoped it would make them reconsider your conviction,” Agnes speculated.

              “I’m going to want that letter Kort. Is that going to be a problem?”Bishop managed to control his annoyance.

              Agnes had taken several steps away from the car and was staring down the road. Before Kort could respond to Bishop, Agnes interrupted. “Kort?” her voice was a question barely audible. Then she called him more loudly. “Kort!”

              He looked at her, hearing something in the tone of her voice that demanded his attention. Her hand was out stretched toward him and he stepped closer to take it in his. She continued to stare down the road. His head turned slowly following her gaze. In the distance, through the dim grey morning light, wisps of fog clinging to the surface of the road, someone was stumbling slightly and moving slowly. Kort squinted and took a step forward, head thrust forward as tried to see who it was.

              “Dear God!” Agnes breathed as Kort began running toward the figure. Detective Bishop was close on his heels calling back over his shoulder, “Get those EMT’s moving!”

              As Kort reached her, Grace collapsed into his arms. Her face was covered in mud and blood, pieces of grass and debris clinging to her. Bits of brush and bark tangled in her hair and her clothes were damp and freezing cold. He swept her into his arms and she simply rested her head against his chest. Her teeth were chattering and her body shook with every shallow breath she took. Kort turned and began hurrying toward the ambulance repeating “You’re okay,” like a mantra to God.

              The EMT’s were already moving toward him with a stretcher and blankets. As he tried to lay her down she suddenly clutched at him, her eyes opened in terror, “No!”

              “It’s okay. I’m here.” He held her hand tightly as he ran alongside the stretcher, the paramedics moving her to the ambulance. Detective Bishop was close on their heels shouting into his walkie-talkie that she had been found alive. A cheer went up in the surrounding woods and a flock of birds took flight, startled by the sudden roar.

              Her eyes were open as she was lifted into the ambulance and when they tried to prevent Kort from getting in also she protested weakly. “Please. Please.”

              Agnes and Detective Bishop stood by the open bay door. “Let him go. I’ll meet you at the hospital.” With that the doors were closed and the ambulance headed for the hospital, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

              The media had pressed forward struggling to get close up shots and information on her condition but Bishop waved them off hurrying to his car. As he prepared to drive off he called out to Agnes, “Follow me.”

              In a matter of seconds she was in her car tight on his tail as they headed to the hospital.

Chapter 52

              Siren blaring and lights flashing the ambulance sped toward the hospital. The paramedic slapped a blood pressure cuff on Grace’s arm and began checking her vital signs. “Do you have any pain?” He started an IV and Grace winced as the needle penetrated her skin.

              “I have pain everywhere,” she mumbled.

              “Do you know where you are?”

              Her eyes closed for a moment then she looked directly at the young man. “I’m in an ambulance hopefully on my way to a hospital. It’s 2014, the President of the United States is Barack Obama, and my name is Grace Ellen Donahue.”

              The paramedic smiled at her. “Okay Grace Ellen Donahue, my name is Rick and I’m just going to check you out, okay?”

              Kort leaned forward toward her. “Are you okay?”

              Grace tried to sit up but Rick pressed her gently back. “Sit tight until I finish okay?” Looking back at Kort he shook his head to indicate he preferred him to remain quiet. He quickly began checking her wounds, most of which were superficial. As he began cleaning the few that appeared to need immediate attention he hummed.

              When Grace recognized “Midnight Special” by Creedence Clearwater Revival she began to hum along. Rick caught her eye and winked. “That’s my girl.”

              “I love Creedence,” she grinned and continued to hum.

              The cars on the road pulled out of the way as the ambulance sped by with Lieutenant Bishop and Agnes following close behind. Streaming behind in a long trail of bright lights were television vans and press cars.

              Grace heard the driver radio ahead with their estimated time of arrival and shortly after Rick radioed information on her condition to the hospital staff. When they pulled into the emergency unloading area, the ambulance doors were thrown open and she was lifted out on a stretcher. Turning her head she reached back for Kort. “Don’t leave me!”

              He reached for her and at first it seemed he wouldn’t be allowed to go with her, but Rick pushed past one of the nurses pulling Kort with him. She shot both of them a look of annoyance but stepped to the side.

              “I’m right here,” Kort squeezed her hand as he trotted next to the stretcher.

              “You’re going to need to give me some room young man,” one of the doctor’s said sternly. “Let us take care of her.”

              Kort opened his mouth to respond but Rick grabbed his arm and shook his head. At the same time Grace said, “It’s okay. I’m okay.” She squeezed his hand then and said softly, “I love you. It’s okay.”

              As they turned a corner to wheel her into triage she released his hand and gave a small smile. Kort dropped back and watched as the door swung shut behind them. He looked helplessly at Rick who nodded at him. “She’s okay. Her injuries appear to all be superficial. Her eyes are clear and other than having a low temperature from being in icy cold clothes she looks pretty good. Come on and let me buy you a coffee or something.”

              Kort looked from him to the closed door. As they moved toward the waiting area Lieutenant Bishop came rushing in followed by several other uniformed men and women.

              “How is she?” he asked. And as Rick explained her condition once again, Kort leaned against the wall wiping his hand across his face. Bishop laid his hand on Kort’s shoulder. “It’s going to be all right, man. We’re going to get everything cleared up.” He smiled encouragingly. “And Grace is going to be fine.”

              Kort studied his eyes. “You thought she was dead, didn’t you?”

              The detective considered lying but instead he nodded. “To be honest I was sure she was. In fact I was worried you’d find her.” He shook his head then. “That was something I didn’t want to see.”

              “Neither did I.” Kort’s voice cracked.

              Rick’s microphone crackled and he gave Kort a wave and shrug as he headed out to the ambulance. Calling back over his shoulder he said, “I have to roll. You take care now.”

              Lieutenant Bishop looked at the closed door to triage. “Well how about we go sit in the waiting room. I could go for a cup of coffee.” Giving a short laugh he added, “Although right now I feel as though my blood is comprised of ninety percent caffeine.”

              The two men headed to the waiting room. They could see news trucks parked outside the emergency area and they looked at one another both wearing expressions of annoyance. “Do they ever let up?” Kort asked.

              “Never.” Bishop went to the coffee carafe that was available for visitors, and holding it up, he raised his eyebrows at Kort. Shaking his head, Kort found a corner of the waiting area away from the few other people waiting to be seen or for word on their loved ones.

              They found a corner of the waiting area away from the few people waiting to be seen or for loved ones. There was something strangely disturbing about the waiting area it was unnaturally quiet. Kort’s eyes moved over the other people. A woman with two young boys sat near the windows and lights from the parking lot cast an eerie glow on their faces. In another row of chairs an older man sat with his head leaned back against the wall, his eyes closed and his mouth open as he snored softly.

              Bishop sat down next to Kort, styrofoam container of coffee in one hand, cell phone at his ear in the other. Some things really didn’t change. When he finished the call he was frowning. “Norma was stabbed in the chest. She was also beaten up with a lot of injuries to her face. The medical examiner is having her removed from the scene.”

              Noting the expression on the detective’s face Kort could tell something didn’t sit right with him. “What’s wrong?”

              Bishop shook his head. “Something just doesn’t feel right.” Then he shrugged. “We’ll see.”

              Before he could elaborate a young doctor came into the waiting room and spotted Kort and Bishop. He signaled to them and Kort was instantly on his feet. “You can come on back now and see Ms. Donahue. We’ve done X-rays and a CT scan. We’re also running blood tests and I have her on an IV drip to get her rehydrated. She doesn’t have any broken bones amazingly since she’s been beaten up pretty badly. I want to keep her overnight for observation. If everything looks good she can probably go home tomorrow.”

              Kort and the detective followed the doctor back through the swinging doors to a small examining room. When they entered Grace was standing in front of a sink and mirror and trying to clean some of the dirt off her face. She clung to the edge of the sink obviously trying to steady herself. The IV tube stretched out behind her to the hanging bag of rehydration solution. “Hey! I told you to sit tight.” The doctor chuckled.

              Ignoring the doctor and his comment Grace turned to go to Kort and practically fell into his arms. Kort grabbed her tightly, holding her up as the doctor caught the stand that held the IV bag as it threatened to fall. Under the bright fluorescent lights her skin looked pale except for dark purple circles under her eyes. Wearing only a thin hospital gown she shivered. Kort held her tightly, his hands stroking her back and arms to warm her skin. Grace felt as though all the energy had drained from her body once again and her body sagged against Kort’s. She inhaled deeply pulling the musky scent of him deep into her.

              Kort and the doctor guided Grace back to the bed.

              “We’re going to move you upstairs to a room Grace,” the doctor spoke softly. “You must take it easy. No getting out of bed until I okay it. Is that clear?”

              “Crystal. But I told you I want to go home,” she protested weakly.

              Kort brushed her hair back from her face as she lay back on the stretcher. “I’ll stay with you. I’ll stay all night.” He looked back at the doctor anticipating an argument but was met with a brief nod of agreement. Looking at her lying helplessly on the bed he took note of the many scrapes, scratches, and bruises all over her arms and legs.

              “I’ll go set up transport,” the doctor told them, leaving the room.

              Lieutenant Bishop cleared his throat hating to interrupt. “Grace I’m going to need to ask you some questions. Are you up for it?”

              Grace nodded as Kort shot him an annoyed look. Bishop shrugged and sat down on a small stool that had been shoved into a corner of the room. Pulling out his tablet he began to ask her what had happened. “Just tell me in your own words okay?”

              Grace tried to sit up but the room seemed to tilt and she gave up and lay back down. She related how Norma had gone to the apartment and lured her out. Bishop occasionally interrupted with a question but mostly allowed her to tell the story. As Kort listened he felt his anger growing once again. It crossed his mind that Norma was lucky she was dead because he would have been sorely tempted to give her a good beating.

              “So where did the knife come from?” Bishop asked.

              For a moment Grace was confused since she had not mentioned the knife. “Oh Norma had it when she dragged me down to the river. She dropped it onto my body when I was able to push away from her into the deeper water.” She frowned. “Did you find it?”

              Kort had been watching Grace, standing beside the bed and rubbing her arm gently. His eyes flew to the detective’s face.

              Not missing a beat Bishop responded. “Well yes. That is probably what killed Norma. You got her in the chest and it appears at first report that you got her right in the heart.”

              “No.” Grace shook her head slowly. “I lost the knife in the leaves. I just used a rock to stop her.”

              He leaned forward and looked closely at her eyes. “Are you sure Grace? Could you have picked it up and maybe forgotten?”

              “Hang on a minute,” Kort cut in. “If she says she didn’t stab her, then she didn’t do it.”

              Bishop shot him a look. “Kort I really need you to let me ask the questions so we can clear this up.”

              Kort turned to Grace. “You don’t have to answer anything. You should talk to a lawyer.” He looked back at Bishop. “Isn’t that right? She doesn’t have to answer anything.”

              Bishop shrugged. “She certainly doesn’t have to say anything. But she is not under arrest. In fact right now I am only to trying to ascertain exactly what happened.”

              “Stop talking as though I’m not here,” Grace said tensely. “I know I did not stab Norma. I did have a knife but it was Norma’s and I lost it when we were struggling. If she was stabbed I can only think she might have fallen on it.”

              “Could be,” Bishop agreed. “Let’s wait and see what the ME comes up with. Whatever the case, Norma attacked you. She killed a trooper. She tried to kill you.” His voice got very soft and both Kort and Grace leaned closer in order to hear him clearly. “I’m not trying to trap you or implicate you in anything Grace. As far I am concerned on a personal level that woman got what she deserved. But there will be questions and I want a clean investigation. So maybe she did fall on the knife.” A strange smile touched his lips. “At least that’s what I’m going to assume unless something comes up to contradict that theory.”

              Kort straightened up. “Where the hell were you eight years ago?”

              “I had just started with the SDCI. Yours was the first case I was assigned to. It never sat right with me. I couldn’t let it go. And I’m going to be straight. I still feel like I’m missing something. But after we search Norma’s house maybe we’ll find something to implicate her in Desiree’s death. Because I am one hundred percent sure she killed that girl. Looking at Grace here and considering Butch’s size I have no doubt she could over power a young girl like Desiree who probably wasn’t expecting it.”

              Just then two orderlies entered the room. “We’re ready to get you upstairs to a room ma’am.”

              Bishop pushed the stool out of the way and he and Kort stepped to the side as they released the brakes on the bed and prepared to roll her into the hall. “This is ridiculous,” she grumbled. “I can walk.”

              “Grace I’m going to clear out and let you get some rest. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Then he extended his hand to Kort. “Thanks for your help. We’ll get this cleared up. We’ll get all of it cleared up.”

              With that the detective left. Kort grabbed a blanket from the bed and tucked it around Grace’s body then followed as the orderly wheeled her to the elevator. When they reached the floor where Grace would stay they were greeted by a nurse who asked Kort to stay in the waiting room while Grace was cleaned up and settled into her bed.

              As he watched Grace being wheeled down the hall he felt uncomfortable. This was the hospital where Norma had worked. Some of these employees could have been friends with her. He wondered if Grace would be treated well here or would they resent her because of Norma’s death.

              He didn’t have to worry. The nurse who cleaned Grace’s body, gently washing away the mud that clung to her skin and even washing her hair and brushing it out, was no fan of Norma’s. At first she made small talk but as she helped Grace into a clean gown she said softly, “I’m so sorry for what happened to you. Norma worked on this floor and to be perfectly honest she was not very popular. We all thought she was a little off. I don’t think anyone would have expected her to kill anyone. But she did have a temper. We all knew that.”