Saints and Sinners: (A Geeks and Things Cozy Mystery Novella #5) (Geeks and Things Cozy Mysteries) (6 page)

CHAPTER TWELVE

Fifteen minutes later, Chris had headed off in search of Jimmy. Kalina remained in hospital. The pain had returned and was coming in closer bouts. Her doctor had been nonplussed about the sudden change. At least she was allowed to walk around. In fact, her doctor had insisted that moving around would help things progress. So after sending a text to Chris, she wandered the halls until she found Jimmy sitting in a curtained off area in the very back of the Emergency Department with a couple of gauze bandages on his arm.

“How are you doing?” he asked when he spotted Kalina.

“OK. Apparently it wasn’t as much of a false alarm as we thought. The doctor said walking is supposed to help labor progress.” She pointed to his arm. “How about you? What happened?”

“It looks worse than it is. He got a hold of my keys. I shouldn’t have kept a pocket knife on there.” Jimmy looked at Chris but didn’t meet his gaze. “He jabbed me a couple times as I was trying to calm him down. Started yelling about how I wasn’t going to hurt Patrick. I think he’s nuts.”

“We’ll let the professionals decide that,” Chris said and clapped Jimmy on the shoulder. “You should take the rest of the day off. We’ll talk about this when the case is wrapped up.”

Kalina saw the hint of fear on Jimmy’s face when Chris turned away and flagged down a nurse.

“Everything will be fine,” she whispered and gave the hand of his injured arm a light squeeze that quickly turned into a vice grip as a contraction came on.

“Uh, boss, something’s happening.”

In a flash, Chris was at her side, rubbing her back as she breathed through the pain. It passed and she relinquished her grip on Jimmy’s hand. He massaged the angry, red marks she’d left on his palm.

“Sorry about that,” she said.

“Let’s get you back to the maternity ward,” Chris said and nudged her forward.

“Is it really not as bad as it looks?” she asked as they walked side by side through the pristine hospital halls.

“Yeah, it’s minor.”

“Has there been anything new on Logan? Has anyone talked to him?”

“The last I heard they were evaluating him. But you don’t need to worry about that right now. I promise, Paige will get justice. Right now you need to focus on bringing our baby girl into this world, OK?”

“OK.”

“Don’t be too hard on Jimmy when you talk to him. He’s a good officer and he just made a mistake.”

“I’m not mad at him. He already knows what he should have done differently and I don’t have any doubt that he will learn from the mistake. Just between you and me, I was planning on giving him his detective’s shield in a few months.”

“That’s fast.”

“He does good work. And I think the promotion will help propel his career forward. Sometimes you need someone to take a chance on you to show you just what you’re capable of. And he kind of reminds me of myself when I was an officer. He’s got that same drive.”

“I’m glad.” They arrived back at her room to find Jillian and AJ sitting by the window. “You guys didn’t have to come.”

“Mom insisted you not be alone. And I figured you could use your big sister here,” Jillian answered and rushed over to give Kalina a tight embrace.

Her sister’s mood had obviously improved since their squabble over the newspaper article. AJ stayed put and quiet, gazed focused on his phone, as Jillian let go and gave Chris a hug too.

“You doing all right, kiddo?” Kalina asked.

“Huh? I was just reading this article about the woman who was killed,” he said and offered his phone.

A pang of dread tightened Kalina’s chest as she looked at the screen but it disappeared immediately. It was the same article that had gotten her worked up before. Unfortunately, there were no edits or retractions noted. Whoever was handling the PR for the police hadn’t succeeded in getting the article removed. Her nephew kept glancing between the medical equipment and her stomach.

“Why don’t you go see if there’s a cafeteria or something and get your mom and Chris some coffee or something?” Kalina suggested.

Relief washed over his face and he darted out of the room. Jillian sat on the edge of the bed and motioned for Kalina to get under the covers.

“How far apart are your contractions?”

“About ten minutes. They’re more irritating than anything.”

“If you’re anything like me, they’ll speed up before you know it. I thought it was never going to end with AJ.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.”

Chris’s phone beeped with a new text message. “The attendant in the psych ward needs to talk to me about the case.”

“Go. I’ll be here when you get back.”

“Call me if anything … big happens,” he said.

She nodded and he took off at a sprint. Jillian busied herself with plumping Kalina’s pillows and making sure the bed was at a comfortable angle.

“I was a little worried about you earlier. You just took off,” Jillian said.

“I’m sorry. I needed the air.”

“Where did you go?”

“It’s going to sound crazy but I ended up at the Fischer house. Logan … Patrick … whatever he’s going by was staying there. I didn’t mean to go there but I guess my subconscious had other ideas.”

“They found him though?”

“They did. He got violent when Jimmy tried to question him.”

“I wonder what happened to him that made him snap like that.”

“I don’t know. Maybe he’d blocked out all the trauma and then seeing her again after all these years triggered those memories. I’m sure Chris will figure out what happened when he talks to the doctor.”

“I still can’t believe they both survived that boat accident. I’d really like to know how that happened.”

“If the doctors can get him to talk I’m sure we’ll find out.” Kalina grit her teeth as another contraction hit her.

“Do you want me to call a nurse to see about getting an epidural?”

“Not yet. They said they’d do it the next time they checked me.”

On cue, a nurse stuck her head through the door. “How’re we doing in here?”

“I think I’d like that epidural now,” Kalina answered.

“Let me grab the doctor and we’ll take a peek.”

By the time the doctor had checked her and the anesthesiologist had administered the drugs, her contractions were only four minutes apart. Chris was nowhere to be seen despite several texts from Kalina and Jillian. AJ hung back just outside the doorway, watching.

“You can come in, honey,” Jillian said.

“No, that’s OK. I’d just be in the way.”

Kalina was aware of another contraction passing through her as she studied her nephew’s face. “Kiddo, I need you to do me a huge favor and go find your uncle for me. The baby is going to be here soon and if he’s not with me to witness it, we’re going to have another homicide on our hands.”

AJ’s face brightened. “You got it!”

“Thanks,” Jillian whispered as her son took off.

“Like I said before, teenage boys and birth don’t usually mix.”

Ten minutes later, AJ marched into the room with a triumphant grin on his face. “Got him!”

“Sorry! I’m here.” Chris rushed to her side and grabbed her left hand.

“We texted you. What’s going on?”

“I thought we were making progress with Logan but he’s shut down again. I didn’t hear my phone go off. It was on silent.”

Kalina gave him an annoyed sidelong glare as another contraction—this much closer together—faintly rippled through her belly. He’d been the one to tell them to call if anything big had changed. She bit her lower lip to keep from snapping at him. It wouldn’t do anything but frustrate him.

Her doctor reappeared with a new nurse, both in scrubs and face masks. “I’m just going to check to see how far you’ve progressed. It might be time to start pushing.”

“OK.”

Kalina blew out a slow breath as the doctor examined her. Chris’s grip was steady and present, making some of her irritation dissipate. He was here for the important part.

“Everything looks ready, so I’m going to need you to start pushing when you feel the urge, Kalina.”

She had no idea how she was supposed to know but apparently the rest of her body was in tune with what was happening because a few minutes later her knees were raised and her chin was pressed to her chest.

“Nine. Ten. And relax,” her doctor instructed.

Kalina lay back against the pillow, beads of sweat moistening her upper lip. “How much longer?”

“You’re doing great.” Chris brushed a strand of sweaty hair out of her face.

“Push again.”

Kalina bore down and this time she could feel something change and move. She was so focused on the push she didn’t register the sounds of encouragement around her.

“One more big push like that and I think we’re going to have our baby,” her doctor prompted.

She pushed one last time. The haze of the experience fell away as a wail filled the room.

“Our baby girl cried,” Chris said.

Kalina turned to look at him and saw tears streaming down his cheeks. Her husband clearly didn’t care that he was sobbing. He made no attempt to wipe them away. Instead, he released his grip on her hand and accepted the tiny, squirming baby wrapped in a hospital blanket. He settled their little girl on Kalina’s chest.

“Welcome to the world, little lady,” Chris whispered and stroked the baby’s cheek.

“What are you going to call her?” Kalina jumped a little at the sound of her sister’s voice.

“Nina Elise.”

“That’s a beautiful name.”

Chris’s attention diverted from the baby for a split second as his phone buzzed. “I’ll get it later,” he said.

“Take it. You’re still working the case.”

“He’s not going anywhere.”

“Chris, please just answer it.”

He bent and kissed Nina’s head before stepping out into the hallway. With his back to her, Kalina couldn’t see his face. But his shoulders tensed and his back went rigid. Whatever was being communicated wasn’t making him happy. The nurse took Nina from Kalina’s arms.

“Where are you taking her?” Kalina’s tone came out more desperate than she’d intended.

“To the nursery. Your husband is welcome to come with me.”

“He’s busy. AJ and I will go and keep an eye on her,” Jillian offered.

The panic that had begun to tighten Kalina’s chest subsided. At least someone would be watching over her daughter. Chris ended his call just as the nurse, Jillian and AJ walked by.

“What’s wrong?” Kalina asked when she saw his face.

“Bethany Fairfax is here demanding to see her son.”

“What are you going to do?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled. “I don’t know.”

“Maybe you should talk to her.”

“I don’t know what good it will do. I mean I’m fairly certain she didn’t have anything to do with Paige’s death.”

“But she kept Patrick from his parents. Even if he wanted to stay that’s got to be illegal.”

“It will be a hard charge to prove. And the Fischers are dead now. They aren’t going to agree to file anything.”

“But you have to do something.”

He held up his hands. “I get it, Kal. Calm down. I’ll talk to her and see what happens. You rest.”

“I don’t want to rest. I want to know what happened.”

“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll talk to Bethany and let you know what happens if you promise to stay here and rest for a while. You just had a baby.”

“Fine.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Kalina fell into a light doze as soon as Chris left. She only awoke when she felt a hand on her arm. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she saw Jimmy standing over her.

“What is it?” Her tongue felt thick.

“Ms. Fairfax wants to speak with you.”

Kalian dragged herself into a sitting position as Bethany Fairfax entered the room looking solemn. Her eyes were rimmed red from crying.

“Congratulations,” Bethany said.

“Thanks. What did you want to talk to me about?”

Bethany pulled a chair over to the edge of the bed and sat down. Her shoulders sagged and her mouth turned down at the edges. “I’ve spoken with Captain Harper. I realize now what I did was wrong and I’m going to take responsibility for it. I just wanted a child of my own so badly and when Patrick turned up on my doorstep, I took it as a sign. I loved him like my own but I see now he was broken.”

“You knew how Paige treated him then?”

“He’d wake up from nightmares about her.”

“Why didn’t his parents do anything about it? I know Lois Hendrix kept the secret but surely they had to realize something was off.”

“After they became parents they realized neither of them were very good at it. So they just got a nanny and said that was that. They played the grieving parents well enough but I don’t doubt for a moment they were relieved when they were gone.”

“I still don’t understand why you needed to tell me all of this.”

“Logan needs to admit to what he’s done but he won’t talk to the police and I made a decision a long time to ago not to force him to be Patrick anymore. But he liked you. Maybe you could reach him.”

Kalina looked to Jimmy. “The captain’s already approved it. He’ll be there with you.”

“I’ll try.”

Ten minutes later—after a quick wash in the bathroom and some fresh clothes—Kalina sat in another hospital room staring at Logan Fairfax handcuffed to a bedrail. He was still in the clothes he’d been wearing when Jimmy arrested him. He wouldn’t meet her gaze and his face was set in a stony mask. So unlike the little boy she remembered.

“Logan, my name is Kalina. I knew you when you were younger. Do you remember me?”

“I’ve got no idea who you are, lady.”

“No, I guess you wouldn’t. But Patrick would, isn’t that right?”

His face twitched, as if he wanted to acknowledge who she was but a part of him wouldn’t let him. She supposed that was the truth; that he’d developed another personality to protect himself from his sister’s abuse, even the memories.

“Patrick, I know you can hear me and I know you were a good kid. You just had a lot of bad things happen to you.”

He turned and his face had relaxed. The ghost of a smile was on his lips and his eyes shone with unshed tears. “I remember you now. You read to me that summer.” His voice had gone up several octaves. The little boy really had never grown up.

“Yes. I did.” She reached out to take his hand gently in her own. “Do you mind if I just talk to you for a little while?”

“OK.”

“I know it’s scary to talk about but can you tell me what happened on the boat? A lot of people were really worried about you.”

He chewed his lower lip. The inner war began again but, based on his expression, Patrick was still in the driver seat. “Paige wanted to go out on the boat. I told her it was a bad idea without Mom and Dad or Lois. But she didn’t care. She wanted to go and she made me come too. She pinched me really hard”—he touched his upper arm—“until I said I’d go.”

“I’m sorry she hurt you. Do you remember what happened once you were on the boat?”

“We took it out into the water but the current was too strong and it pushed us away from the beach. We got all turned around and then she started laughing. She thought it was a game. She dared me to jump off the side of the boat. I told her I wouldn’t and then she pushed me. The next thing I know I’m on a beach.”

“And that’s when your Aunt Bethany found you?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you so much for telling me that.” Kalina released her grip, anticipating a change in his demeanor when she asked her next question. “Do you remember meeting Paige again recently?”

Logan, the stony-faced protector, returned. “I knew it was her the moment I met her.”

“Did you reach out to her on the dating site?”

“No, she found me. I let her think she was winning me over. Like we had a connection. Hell, I even let her kiss me on the first date. Had to drink a lot to get that image out of my head.”

“What made you decide to kill her?” She caught Chris out of the corner of her eye, watching the progress. Bethany had been right. She was able to get him to open up.

“She laughed and grabbed my arm. Stupid bitch. I knew then she hadn’t changed. She could put on nice clothes and call herself Verona but she would always still be Paige. I couldn’t let her hurt him again. And so I convinced her to go on a trip to the beach. I didn’t tell her where until we got there. She thought it was a joke until I showed her our graves. Right next to our parents. I made her admit she knew who I was right before I killed her.”

“They died last year.”

Logan grinned. “They never saw it coming. I had to work up to that one though, find the right way of doing it so they wouldn’t know who it was. After all, they never really saw him growing up.”

Chris stepped into the room and motioned for Kalina to leave. “You did great. Thank you.”

She expected Logan to protest as she left when Chris began reading him his rights but he looked resigned to his fate. Much like Bethany had. They’d been carrying the weight of the family’s tragedies for too long and now it was being lifted. Kalina wound her way through the hospital to the nursery and found Jillian and AJ standing watch over Nina’s bassinet through the window.

Jillian looked over and smiled. “What happened?”

“We solved the case. Paige lured Patrick out on the boat that day and pushed him overboard. He spent the last year planning his revenge on his parents and sister.”

“That’s messed up,” AJ said.

“It is, but at least now we know the truth. And now Chris and I can focus on being parents.” She waved to her daughter through the glass. “But I think we’ve solved our last case.”