Riddle (30 page)

              A short time later the nurse told Kort he could go in now. “The doctor wants her to get some rest. She has an IV but it’s just because she is dehydrated.” She turned to walk away then stopped and looked back at Kort. “I owe you an apology. You probably don’t remember me. I was friends with Desiree’s parents. I said a lot of ugly things about you when you were arrested.”

              Stunned Kort just stared at her for a moment before responding. “It’s in the past.”

              She nodded and headed back to the nurse’s station as he made his way to Grace’s room. When he entered her head was resting back on the pillow, her eyes closed. He stood in the doorway watching her. The bruises stood out against her fair skin. Her hair was clean and shining, spread on the pillow like a copper frame around her face. As if sensing his presence her eyes fluttered open. A small smile touched her lips. “Hey there.”

              He walked slowly across the room and took her hand in his avoiding the one that had the IV leading into it. “I have to tell you something.”

              Grace struggled to a sitting position, wincing at the ache in her muscles. “What’s wrong?”

              “When I thought I’d lost you, when I confronted Norma, I wanted to kill her. I actually wanted to choke the life out of her. That scares me. It scares me that I could even think something like that.”

              “Kort…” Grace squeezed his hand.

              “Please. Let me finish.” He sat on the side of the bed. “I also realized something else. I have to find a way to go to Carcross. And I want you to go with me. In fact I want you to go with me wherever I go. I understand you might not be ready for a long term relationship after what happened with David. But I’d like the chance to show you things can be different. I love you. I think I fell in love with you when you sat down at that counter in the diner with your nose in the air, trying to be confident.”

              Grace’s eyes began to fill with tears and she blinked hard to hold them back. Sitting up she threw her arms around him and holding him tightly whispered, “I love you. It’s crazy but I think I’ve been looking for you the whole time I’ve been driving around.” She moved back slightly and looked into his eyes. “I am honored that you want me to go with you to find your mother.”

              Kort took her face into his hands and brought his mouth softly down on hers.

              A light knock on the door jamb drew their attention. “You shouldn’t be sitting on the bed,” the nurse chided with a grin. “She needs to get her rest. We’re going to be bringing her something to eat in a few minutes. You want me to get you a tray too?”

              Kort stood up awkwardly. “I can grab something in the cafeteria.”

              “It will be our secret. You stay here. Oh and your mother is down the hall. Is it okay if she comes in?”

              Kort looked back at Grace who nodded her approval. In a moment Agnes entered the room and hurried to give both Kort and Grace a hug. “They wouldn’t let me in. I’ve been so worried.”

              “I’m sorry you were so concerned. I’m fine really,” Grace offered a small smile.

              Agnes frowned as her eyes flitted over Grace’s body noting the many scratches and bruises. “Not really. I cannot believe how crazy that girl was.” She looked from Grace to Kort. “She’s dead you know.”

              “We know. The police are investigating.”

              “Investigating what?” Agnes eyes widened as she grasped his meaning. “You mean they are thinking of charging Grace with something? We’re not going through this again. We need a lawyer now.”

              “It’s okay Mother. Lieutenant Bishop will handle it.” Kort tried to reassure her.

              Shaking her head Agnes continued. “I don’t trust any of them. Where was this Bishop when they set you up for Desiree’s murder? Wasn’t he one of the investigators then?”

              Kort went on to explain how Bishop had actually believed he was innocent but was not in a position to push for further investigation. “Still, he continued to look at the case on his own.”

              Agnes turned to say something to Grace and she and Kort found that Grace had dozed off while they had been speaking. Exchanging glances they moved to the door, stepping into the hall. “She’s exhausted. I’m going to stay here tonight,” Kort said.

              Nodding Agnes asked if she should bring him a change of clothes. Finally they agreed she would come the following morning with clothes for both of them. Kort handed her Grace’s apartment key. “Mother, it means a lot to me that you have been so supportive.”

              Her eyes filling with tears she said softly, “I’ll never forgive myself for not standing up for you before.” She was surprised when Kort gave her a small hug. Slightly embarrassed she told him she’d see him in the morning and hurried down the hall to the elevator.

              Slipping quietly back into the room Kort sat down in the recliner and closed his eyes. Listening to Grace’s soft breathing he drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 53

              Night had fallen when Grace’s eyes fluttered open. For a moment she was disoriented, not remembering where she was. Looking to the side she saw Kort sitting in the recliner looking at a magazine. Sensing her movement he looked up and smiled. “You’re awake.” Setting the magazine aside he went to her bedside. “How are you feeling?”

              Grace stretched her hand up to his face and grinned. “Hungry and thirsty. And you need a shave.”

              Catching her hand in his he kissed her palm. “They brought us dinner trays a while ago. I’ll let the nurse know you’re awake and ready to eat.”

              She held his hand before he could move. “Wait. Kiss me.”

              Slightly surprised he bent over her and kissed her softly. But she slid her arm around his neck and ran her tongue over his lips. The touch of her tongue immediately aroused him and he responded, returning her kiss with passion. Moving back slightly he murmured, “I guess you feel better.”

              “I’ll feel better when we get out of here. Have I told how much I love you?”

              His eyes held hers. It was the first time she had said those words with such fervor. “Not until this moment.”

              “Maybe I was afraid to say it before. I’ll make up for it though. I’ll tell you every day for as long as you want me.”

              “Then I guess you’ll be saying it for the rest of our lives.” He kissed her lightly. “And I’ll be telling you the same thing.”

              The door opened behind him and he stood quickly. The doctor who had admitted Grace to the hospital came into the room. Chuckling he said, “Okay you two, save it for when you get home.”

              As Kort stepped away from the bed the doctor took his place. “So how is my most famous patient doing?”

              “I don’t know how famous I am.”

              “Really?” The doctor turned on the television. Grace gasped when she recognized the outside of the hospital, the parking lot filled with television vans. A reporter stood in front of one of the vans and spoke into the camera. A split screen showed a newscaster in a news room asking questions. High school yearbook photos of Norma and Desiree flashed on the screen. Then one of Kort was shown. Finally a reporter was shown speaking to Lieutenant Bishop.

              “We’re finishing up our investigation. As far as I can tell from the evidence we have, Grace Donahue was defending herself against Norma Perkins and during the struggle Perkins fell on a knife she had been carrying. Perkins is also responsible for the killing of one of our deputies while she was being transported to the jail.”

              Several reporters began speaking at once and Bishop held up his hand to stop them. “I have no further comment at this time.” With that he walked away and the screen was once again split between the on scene reporter and the news anchor in the studio.

              Turning down the volume the doctor smiled at Grace. “Definitely my most famous patient.” Addressing Kort he asked if he would mind stepping out into the hall while he examined Grace.  “Okay lady let’s see how that brain looks.” After a quick check of Grace’s vital signs he pronounced her “doing well” and told her he would see her in the morning. At the door he looked back. “Get some rest. No more frisky behavior tonight.” Then he winked and left, telling Kort he could go back in as he passed him in the hall.

              Kort went back into the room carrying a tray while a new nurse came in carrying another. “Let’s get some nourishment into you,” the nurse smiled. “I’m Maggie and I’ll be your nurse overnight so if you need anything just press the button. How is your pain?”

              “I’m fine. Mostly I’m sore and ravenous.”

              “Well this should help you with that. I’ll be back later to get the trays.” With that she left and Grace and Kort set to eating.

              Turning the television volume back up, they watched the news as they ate. The story was on every local channel and had even reached some of the national news shows. Someone had gotten a photo of Grace as she fell into Kort’s arms. She grimaced when she saw it. “I look like a vagrant.”

              Kort chuckled. “I could lie and say you always look beautiful but you did look rough. You scared me. I couldn’t see where you were hurt.” They had finished eating and he moved the table away from the bed. Grace leaned back on the pillows. Sliding slightly to one side she patted the bed.

              “Come lay beside me.”

              Kort opened his mouth to protest then looked at the closed door before squeezing on to the bed beside her. In less than ten minutes she had drifted off to sleep, her head on his chest and the television news chattering in the background. A short time later he slipped out of the bed and moving the recliner closer to her bed he stretched out and fell asleep too.

Chapter 54

              The days following Grace’s release from the hospital were a flurry of activity. The press camped out in front of her apartment until Cindy ordered them off the property and got police protection for the complex. Instead, they parked at the end of the road. Soon they were ordered away from there as well. Some moved to Agnes’s house hoping to catch a glimpse of Kort coming or going. Others camped out at the police station shoving microphones into everyone’s face as they came or went. The truly crafty got as close to Norma’s house as they could. Video of policemen carrying boxes out to waiting evidence vans flooded the airwaves.

              Lieutenant Bishop spent hours going through the house. He was there the afternoon one of the investigators found several Rubbermaid totes in the attic. It turned out to be the mother lode of evidence. Norma had kept journals dating back to her middle school days. Bishop sat on the attic floor turning the pages of one after another. Finally he came upon the one he’d hoped to find. Norma had been stalking Kort since their freshman year. Long involved passages stating her love, her plans for the future with him, and poetry filled page after page. Then came the day she had confronted Desiree at the river. Detailed descriptions of how she had watched Kort and Desiree argue, how she had faced her after Kort left, how they had fought, and finally how she had beaten Desiree. Bishop read through it twice. Something was missing but he still couldn’t put his finger on what that was.

              Later that night as he lay in bed, the darkness pressing down on him like a smothering hand it struck him. Sitting straight up in bed he switched on the lamp and pulled the original report onto the bed. Desiree’s hair had been chopped. But Norma had made no mention of that. He wondered if she might have simply forgotten to write it down. She had been so detailed about everything else. He ran his hands through his hair and swore under his breath.

              Norma’s laptop was at headquarters where their computer expert was going through it. By tomorrow he should have an idea if there was anything on there that would reveal more. Giving up on the possibility of falling asleep he went to the kitchen, poured himself a tumbler of McCallan’s and carried it to the living room. Flipping on the television he sat down in his battered recliner and turned on an old movie. With any luck it would bore him to sleep. The sun was creeping through the slats of his window blinds when his eyes finally closed.

Chapter 55

              The final pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place with the information gleaned from Norma’s laptop. However nothing could relieve the question of Desiree’s cut hair. True, Norma had carried a knife when she attacked Grace. But she had not cut her hair. Bishop’s fist slammed down on the desk. “Something is missing,” he hissed in frustration.

              Striding out of headquarters he got into his car and drove to the Timbers. He glared at the press cars parked near the road. “Vultures,” he muttered.

              The officer on duty recognized him and waved him through. He took the steps to Grace’s apartment two at a time. As he tapped on her door he hoped Kort wasn’t there. Luck was with him. Grace opened the door and looked surprised to see him.

              “Lieutenant Bishop. Is everything okay?”

              “Yeah, I just wanted to go over things one more time. Do you have a few minutes?”

              Opening the door wider she gestured for him to enter. “I was just making some coffee. Would you like a cup?”

              “Actually I would. The stuff they have at the station is pretty bad.” He followed her to the kitchen and watched as she took cups from the cabinet and poured them each a cup. He couldn’t help but notice the dark blue and green of the bruises that still colored her arms. She caught him staring and blushed. “I’m sorry. She really beat the crap out of you.”

              Setting cream and sugar on the counter she nodded without speaking.

              “I take mine black,” he blew on the coffee to cool it as she added a splash of creamer to hers.

              “So where do you want me to start?” Grace asked as she sat at the counter. She felt as though she had talked about that day hundreds of times, going over every detail repeatedly.

              Bishop leaned against the opposite counter and sipped his coffee thoughtfully. “Let me tell you what’s bothering me. Maybe you can help me figure it out.” He told her what he read in Norma’s journal. “No mention was made of cutting Desiree’s hair. But her hair had big chunks cut out of it. Norma kept very specific notes. Would she have neglected to mention something like cutting Desiree’s hair?”

              Cocking her head to one side Grace considered the question. “If I had to take a guess I’d say she wouldn’t leave that out. She was crazy though. She may even have done it in the heat of the moment and forgotten. She did have a knife when she attacked me.”

              “I considered that.” Grimacing and shaking his head he muttered, “It just doesn’t feel right.”

              “Where are you going with this? What are you trying to say?”

              Bishop took a deep breath and looked directly into Grace’s eyes. “I wonder if someone else cut her hair.”

              Startled Grace knocked her cup over spilling coffee across the countertop. Bishop grabbed a wash cloth from the sink and began wiping it up. Grace grabbed his wrist. “You aren’t saying you think Kort did that, are you?”

              Patting her hand gently he said softly, “No, not at all. Relax.” Sighing he continued, “I’m probably making something out of nothing. She did have the knife when she took you.” Then changing the subject he asked if she had returned to work yet.

              Taking the washcloth to the sink she twisted the liquid out. “Not yet, no. I’m going back Monday.” Looking down at her arms she added, “I’ll probably have to wear long sleeves for a while.”

              “Kort is working now though, right? It’s none of my business but he’s staying with you?”

              “I don’t want to be alone. I know she’s dead. I know she can’t hurt me anymore. But I’m having trouble sleeping. I’ve had nightmares.”

              “No explanation needed Grace. If you don’t mind my saying, maybe you should talk to someone, a professional. That was a very intense experience.”

              “Maybe I should, I don’t know. I keep hoping everyone will forget about it and I will forget about it.”

              The front door opened and Kort came into the apartment. He looked uneasily from the detective to Grace and back again. “Hi. Is everything okay?”

              Bishop set his cup in the sink and started toward the door. “Everything is fine. I just wanted to go over a few things with Grace.” He extended his hand to Kort and they shook. “No problems Kort. Just tying up loose ends.” Looking back at Grace he thanked her for the coffee and left, closing the door softly behind him.

              Kort looked at Grace quizzically. “What was that about?”

              “I’m not really sure. He’s hung up on the fact that Desiree’s hair was cut. Apparently Norma didn’t mention that in her journal.’

              Kort shrugged. “She was crazy. She may have forgotten.” He pulled Grace into his arms and kissed her deeply. Holding her tightly he murmured, “I just wish they would all leave you alone. You’ve been through enough. Desiree is dead. Norma is dead. Let it be.”

              Sighing Grace looked up into his deep brown eyes. “By the way, you’re home early.”

              He smiled and kissed her softly. “Frank broke early. How about I take you out to dinner?”

              “How about you do.” Glancing at her bruises she added, “I just need to pull on a sweater.”

              Catching her looking at her arm he said softly, “They’ll fade. We’ll put all this behind us.”

              Grace smiled slightly and went to change clothes. Watching her walk away Kort found himself feeling grateful Norma was dead or he might have killed her himself.