Leann Sweeney - Shoot from the Lip

Kate and Emma wrapped their arms around me. We swayed with joy, my face wet with tears. Then DeShay joined us. He buried his face in my hair, and his strong hand on my back felt wonderful. I put an arm around his waist, and then suddenly the room grew quiet again and we released one another.

The chief of police had arrived. He said, “Don’t let me stop the celebration. We’ve had wonderful news about our fellow officer, Sergeant Jeffrey Kline. I want to personally thank all of you for being here for your brother, for giving your blood, for offering your free time, for comforting Jeff’s partner and his good friends. Carry on.” He looked at me then.

I never thought I’d hear a damn speech in a hospital. The chief walked over and picked up my hands. “Abby Rose, correct?”

I nodded, wondering how he knew.

“I understand you and Sergeant Kline are very close,” he went on. “This has been a horrendous day for you and for the rest of your family-the women this criminal took hostage. On behalf of the city, I want to thank you for your assistance in bringing this man to justice. Do not entertain any fear that charges will be filed against you.”

Charges? I couldn’t believe this. I take down a bad guy and he’s talking about charges? And somehow this all felt rehearsed, insincere.

“There is one more favor I ask on behalf of Houston. It is my understanding that a television program has been following this case, that they even lost one of their investigators-a man who was guarding the home where the hostage situation took place.”

I hadn’t even asked what happened to Kravitz’s man, had totally forgotten about him. I swallowed hard. “Oh, no. He’s dead?”

“Apparently when Mr. Foster brought your sister to the house, he… he eliminated him before this investigator could call for help.”

I looked at Kate. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Her lips were trembling, her face streaked with tears. “I-I couldn’t think about that. Couldn’t have you thinking about that. Not until we knew if Jeff would be okay.”

“But… but you watched him kill someone, Kate.” I looked at the chief. “That’s what you’re saying, right?”

He nodded. “Paul Kravitz is currently in the media room we’ve set up. He called nine-one-one and-”

“No, the other reporter, Mary Parsons, did that,” I said. “That bastard Kravitz disappeared.”

“Seems you’re unaware we had two emergency calls about the incident. Kravitz called from his man’s car, stayed with him, hoping he could be revived. Help was on the way as soon as Sergeant Kline went down, but you acted swiftly, probably avoided a prolonged and dangerous hostage situation. We all admire your courage, not to mention your marksmanship, Ms. Rose.”

But he was about as genuine as a furniture salesman. Why? What was going on?

Kate sniffed, and I found her hand, grasping Emma’s with my other.

“That said,” the chief continued, “we would like you to cooperate with the television crew. Their program will bring positive publicity to Houston. As I understand it, the parent production company has already agreed to assist one very special family. Their arrival in town set the wheels in motion that helped Sergeant Peters and Sergeant White close several cases with your assistance. Please cooperate with Paul Kravitz, if you would.”

Ah, now I understood. The TV connection again. I wanted to tell him I wouldn’t be talking to anyone, that I would be sitting by Jeff’s side until he was well enough to walk out the hospital door. Then another thought pushed everything else away. I turned to Kate. “Oh, my gosh. Doris. We have to phone Loreen and tell her Jeff will be gone for a while. When I called her, she promised not to tell Doris anything until… well, you know.”

Kate rested a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll take care of all that.”

How could she be so calm? But I knew this would hit her hard soon enough. And I would be there for her.

The chief extended his hand. “Thank you, Ms. Rose. We are in your debt.”

We shook hands, and then he was gone.

As the chief mentioned, the media was camped out at the hospital in their own conference room. They’d already been on high alert because Hollywood had come to town, and now everything had exploded into front-page news-hostages, another murder, a wounded officer fighting for his life and the suspect himself injured. Yeah, stuff like that drew plenty of reporters.

To avoid them, Kate and I had to sneak up the stairs to visit Aunt Caroline after we were told she’d been admitted for observation.

She sat propped in her hospital bed with probably half the pillows on this ward. Her hair was a mess, and the dark circles under her eyes coupled with her pale skin reminded me of a panda. I could tell she was in pain despite the lack of facial expressions due to her latest round of Botox injections. The discomfort showed in her eyes.

Kate told me Foster had tied Aunt Caroline to a dining room chair, and the chair had fallen over when she struggled-and I could certainly picture her struggling. She’d been through the wringer forward and backward today.

Aunt Caroline’s first words to us were, “What took you two so long? No one’s told me anything, and it’s given me a giant headache.”

I don’t think I’d ever been so happy to hear her being her usual cranky self. Kate and I explained where we’d been and that Jeff would be okay. I kept a careful eye on my watch during this conversation, anxious for the time when I could get into ICU to see him.

When we were finished explaining, Aunt Caroline said, “Kate, I hope you understand why I had this man investigated. I didn’t like him from the minute I set eyes on him and my instincts were correct.”

“Um, can we save the gloating for later? You’ve both been through hell today.” I glanced at Kate, but she seemed to have cut off any emotion. Her face was impassive.

Aunt Caroline said, “It’s not gloating; it’s… it’s…”

She’s at a loss for words? Don’t tell me she might be having a small epiphany?

“Abby’s right, and I’m sorry, Kate,” she went on. “You were very brave and very calm, and I drew strength from you today.”

Kate said, “Thank you. And I’m sorry I put you in harm’s way.”

Aunt Caroline reached out a hand, and Kate took it. “I love my girls very much. Love them enough to get involved in their lives. Now. As for that very excellent young man, Terry, you have foolishly abandoned. I think-”

“Not now,” I said firmly. Jeez, I felt like my aunt’s conscience.

I glanced again at my watch. I hated to leave Kate here to take a verbal beating, but I wanted to see Jeff.

Kate noticed I was fidgety and said, “Go. Then come back and let us know how Jeff is.”

I kissed Aunt Caroline on the cheek, and this seemed to ease her out of her snit. Her meddling had proven useful for once, and I should be grateful. Or maybe I simply loved her despite her flaws. After all, I had a few of those myself.

As I left, I heard Kate say, “Have they given you anything for your headache?” I knew my sister would keep herself occupied playing nurse, and that Aunt Caroline would milk Kate for every ounce of sympathy she could get.

Minutes later I arrived at the double doors to ICU. The unit lay beyond a door marked,

DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION. PRESS BUZZER FOR ASSISTANCE.

I followed instructions, and a female voice came over a small speaker above the door, asking if she could help me.

“Has Jeff Kline arrived from the recovery room yet?”

“The police officer?”

“Yes.”

“And your name?”

I told her, and she said, “He’s been asking for you. Please wait there.”