Chloe Babineaux Private Investigator

  Chapter Eighteen

  I awoke hearing people talking. I slowly opened my eyes and looked around without moving my head. My head was only on my shoulders by my strength of will only. It was throbbing, and I was nauseated. Where was I? Hospital? Was I in the hospital? Why? Oh God! I was dying. Everything was blurry, and I couldn’t focus, but for all these people to be here, I must have been on death’s door.

  “She’s awake,” someone said from my left side. It might have been Nona; I wasn’t fully conscious.

  Everyone started talking at once, so I didn’t answer anyone’s question. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.

  I licked my dry lips and asked hoarsely, “Am I dying?”

  “Of course not, Chloe. How could you ask that?” I swiveled my eyes toward my mother on my right side, and she was looking at me like I was indeed the talking dead.

  I narrowed my eyes looking at the people standing around and caught Rick’s eye. I thought he looked at me with concern in his eyes, but I couldn’t tell for sure. I didn’t know which set of eyes to look at.

  “Why are there thirty people in here?” I asked in a low voice. I couldn’t raise my voice very loud otherwise my head would explode.

  Cody laughed and said, “There aren’t thirty people only about…I don’t know, twelve?”

  I closed one eye and then the other and slightly nodded. Okay, when I closed one eye there was only half the amount of people in the room. My parents, Cody, Morgan, Rick, Lt. Anders, Rosy, Dick Weed, Camilla, Tammy, Cheri, Felicia, and Nona, were standing around staring at me. Wow, there were a lot of people in here.

  “Are you seeing double, honey?” Morgan asked using her nurse voice, stern but kind.

   “No, Morgan, I enjoy winking at you,” I kept my eyes closed and answered monotone. “You’re hot baby, yum-yum.”

  “I think I’m jealous,” Tammy laughed.

  “Which you should be,” Morgan answered seriously.

  They all laughed. I opened my eyes wide and said, “Oh, no, I’m gonna be sick.”

  A small plastic bowl type thingy was placed in my hands, and I threw up.

  “Oh nice, Chloe,” Dick Weed whined.

  “Shut up, Reed,” Rick said in a low, harsh voice.

  I glared at Weed and asked, “Why are you here, Dick Weed?”

  “Chloe!” My mother, always the polite one said. I don’t think she really wants to know the real me.

  I ignored her and kept my unsteady glare on Dick Weed until he answered me. Everyone else was fighting not to smile. I don’t know why they were fighting it; I would have laughed if laughter wouldn’t have made me throw up again. And my head roll across the room.

  “Rosy and I are assigned to your case,” he eventually said.

  “Case?” I asked, “What case?” My voice had gotten stronger after I threw up, so there was no straining at what I was saying. But there were a lot of surprised faces.

   “You don’t remember getting shot, honey?” My mother asked.

  “Shot! Ow, ohh, that explains sooo much,” I said letting go of the hands beside me and holding my head in my hands. I pushed the button on the bed rail to raise my head so I could see around the room easier. I should not have talked so loud the drummers in my head think they have to keep up with my verbal output.

  I took a deep breath and said, “Let me think. Painting. I went to…whatshisrname’s house. Don’t look at me funny; it’s written down. I always forget names.” Everyone in the room’s eyes widened when I couldn’t remember…uh…whatshisrname’s, name.

  Cheri laughed and said, “She’s right, she followed a woman around all week and called whatshername every day.”

  “Okay, where was I?” I couldn’t remember. There were lots of nods in my direction, but I couldn’t remember what I was talking about. This couldn’t be good.

  “You were at someone’s house searching for a painting,” Rosy said helpfully.

  “Ooh yeah,” I got it now. Sort of, “I stopped in front of…whatshisrname’s house and noticed…” I narrowed my eyes thinking. It was hard; it was like looking through a fog. It was eerie knowing I did something but not remembering exactly what I did. There were several things in my life I wish I could forget I did but this wasn’t one of them. Think. Think. What was I doing? The harder I tried to remember, the dizzier I was becoming.

  “Did you notice a car or truck?” Rosy asked. He and Dick Weed were taking notes. They were the only ones, so I guess they really were on the case.

  “Yes, yes, an electrician’s truck, a van, and another truck a…I don’t remember what kind. Light color I think…yeah, it sort of looked familiar. But there are so many trucks around here I don’t pay that much attention. It’s not like I write down every license plate I come across,” I said defending myself.

  “It’s okay, Chloe, you’re doing fine. Go on, what else did you see?” Cody said in a calming voice.

  I swallowed and closed my eyes so I could concentrate. “Where was I?” I asked. Not good, closing my eyes made my head spin more.

  “Light truck,” Dick answered.

  “Yeah, light truck.” I paused trying to remember being shot. “I noticed someone…a man coming out of the house, so I got out of my truck and called to him.” I looked at Dick Weed, straightened my mouth and said, “No, his name isn’t gonna miraculously come to me.” I smiled a smile with no humor and said, “I bet you wish I couldn’t remember your name, huh Dick Weed?” He glanced at my friends and narrowed his eyes. That’s what he gets for making fun of me barfing.

  There were lots of grins around the room. I shook my head slightly, and said, “Ow, okay, what happened next? I got out the truck, called his name and…oh my God! There was a rifle sticking out the truck!”

  “A rifle? A rifle was sticking out of the light colored truck?” Lt. Anders asked.

  “Yes. It was aiming at the man. I didn’t realize it was a rifle at first. I mean, why would someone have a rifle sticking out of a truck in a subdivision? I was looking at it sort of wondering what it was when I heard shots. I yelled for him to get down.” I was looking at Dick but not seeing him; I was seeing the man being shot. My heart started racing, and I was shouting. “I yelled for him to get down over and over…at least I think I did. I thought I did. Maybe I didn’t? I need to run! I need to hide! He’s not shooting at me. He’s shooting at him! Why is he shooting at him? Why is he shooting at me?” I paused and looked around the room. Everyone was quiet and wide-eyed. Did this really happen? I was breathing hard and started crying and put the palm of my hands over my eyes.

  “It’s okay, Chloe,” Rosy said. “Take your time.”

  I shook my head slowly. I couldn’t get enough air to my lungs. I felt my hair being rubbed trying to relax me. I took a few deep breaths and continued, “It wasn’t making sense. The man was just standing there. Why didn’t he get down? Why?” I started to cry harder, so I lowered my head. My mother and father were holding my hand and rubbing my arm. Nona and Felicia were doing the same thing to my other arm while I held my hand over my face. I slowly raised my head; Rick looked like he wanted to fly across the bed. Cody and Morgan were shaking their heads, arms around each other, concern and misery written on their face.

  Someone was talking. I turned my head and noticed it was Camilla. “Sometimes, honey, people freeze in situations like that.”

  I continued talking to her. I could see it all. I was replaying it in my mind, “I ran toward him yelling at him to get down. Oh God…he jerked. He was shot. I jumped and was trying to knock him down. Did I? Did I tackle a dead man?” I shook my head slowly and asked again softly, “Did I tackle a dead man?” I had stopped crying but was now bawling again.

  “No, Chloe,” Morgan said softly, “You did not tackle a dead man. He’s in ICU. He should be okay. He was shot in the abdomen, so it’ll take time, but he’ll make it. You saved his life,” she smiled warmly.

  “Oh, thank God. Thank you, God,” I said closing my eyes.

&
nbsp; The cops talked among themselves for several minutes.

  I looked at Morgan and asked, “Was I shot in the head?”

  “You were grazed on your temple and have a concussion. Another bullet just missed your abdomen.” She smiled and held up my sweater in a clear plastic evidence bag, and I noticed a hole in my sweater. A very bloody sweater.

  “Oh, man,” I whined, “I liked that sweater.” Was that my blood? No, it couldn’t have been, I was grazed in my head, temple actually and the bullet missed my torso. Oh, I hope that wasn’t my blood.

  My eyes were wide. I didn’t ask the question, but Felicia answered as if I did, “Yes, that’s your blood, sweetie. Head wounds tend to bleed a lot. But it’s also mixed with Jason’s.”

  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then threw up again.

  Dr. Evensworth came in and asked, “Is there anybody left in Alexandria?” She looked at Morgan and smiled with her eyes wide.

  “Everybody out, Chloe needs her rest. Let’s go. Out.” Morgan is a very good nurse.

  Most of the crowd left. My parents, Cody and Morgan, stayed to talk to Dr. Evensworth. I could have done without the looks of doom and gloom, but I managed to get through it without actually telling anyone off.

  “So, everything looks good. You should be able to go home in twenty-four hours,” Dr. Evensworth said with a smile. She was an older woman with a sweet bedside manner. I hated to put her on the spot, but I really wanted to go home.

  “Back up,” I said narrowing my eyes. “When you say twenty-four hours, is that twenty-four hours from the time I arrived? Or twenty-four hours from when I woke up? Or is it twenty-four hours from now?” I shrugged my shoulders, nodded and asked, “We really need to narrow this down.”

  She smiled and said, “Let’s make it over night and then we’ll take it from there. It all depends on how well you’re doing.” She looked at my family and said, “She’s doing quite well. She’s not vomiting as much as she could be, so that’s a good thing.”

  My family’s eyes widened, but only Cody said, “Lord yes.”

  “How’s your head?” Dr. Evensworth asked.

  “Better,” I said, smiling. “It only feels like a teenage rock band in my head instead of heavy metal.”

  She laughed and said, “It’ll get better. Try to rest.” She put her hand on my arm and said, “You’re very lucky. This could have been much worse. A headache we can deal with.”

  “I’m staying with her tonight,” my mother announced after the doctor left. She didn’t ask if I needed anyone to stay, she just took it upon herself to stay. That was okay, but she could have asked.

  “I don’t need anyone to stay. I can get up by self,” I said glowering at her.

  “No, that’s a good idea,” Morgan agreed with my mother.

  “Thanks, Morgan,” I said glaring, “but I don’t need her to hold my hand when I have to go to the bathroom. As I said, I could get up and walk without help.”

  My father and Cody agreed with Morgan. No surprise there. Whatever Morgan said was like gospel with those two. Sometimes I had to remind my parents that I was their daughter. Even though Morgan was usually right and I was stubborn. Shocking, wasn’t it? Don’t get me wrong; I knew my parents loved me. Cody was an irresponsible jerk before he met Morgan. He was still fun; he was just a responsible jerk now.

  I threw my hands in the air and said, “Fine, fine, stay. I don’t care. You’re the one sleeping on that sorry excuse of a sleeper sofa.” I placed both hands on my chest and added, “Whereas I am gonna sleep right here in this hard, uncomfortable bed. I can see the TV much better than you, and I’m not gonna let you have the remote.” My father laughed, my mother shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, and Cody and Morgan smiled and shook their head.

  I rolled my eyes and said, “I can act like a spoiled child if I want to. I might have brain damage. I’ve been shot in the head and received a concussion. Remember?”

  “That’s my girl. Show them who’s boss.” Daddy smiled and kissed me on my forehead. “I’m gonna take your mama home to pick up her car. I love you.” I like to tell myself Cody was my mother’s favorite and I was my father’s.

  Morgan kissed my forehead and said, “You scared the crap out of us again. Stop doing that.” She smiled and added with tears in her eyes, “I love you.”

  “I know. I love you too.” I smiled.

  The door opened while Cody was bringing my hand up to his lips. Rick walked over with no hesitation and asked. “Hey, I saw the doctor leave. Everything alright?”

  Cody looked up and said, “Yeah, she’s fine. She’s going home in the morning if they don’t throw her out before that.”

  “Is that a possibility?” I asked eagerly. “If I’m a pain in the butt, can I go home early?”

  “No,” everyone said in unison.

  Rick laughed and said, “Maybe you should hold your .22 on them.”

  “No,” Morgan answered, “she shouldn’t. Hospital employees frown on being held at gun point.”

  I shrugged my shoulders as if to say, ‘It was worth a try.’

  “Cody,” Rick said, “I’m heading to Gardener. I’m gonna see if they know anything about a light-colored truck.”

  “Why don’t you call?” Cody asked.

  “I could,” Rick said nodding his head, “But if I go in person, they’ll talk to me and not tell me to call back tomorrow.”

  Cody laughed and said, “True enough. Want me to go with you?”

  “Nah,” he answered shaking his head, “You go home with your family. I got this.” He winked at me and said, “Feel better. And be good.”

  Be good. Did he tell me to be good? When am I not good? I’m always good...sort of.

  I said bye to everyone and grabbed the remote. I finally had time to myself. I had nothing to do. But I had time alone. Joy, now I could think about today. I told them everything that happened. Didn’t I? Yes, I was confident I did. Okay, I’d keep telling myself that and maybe soon I’d stop shaking.

  The door opened, and it was Rick. I was surprised to see him. I thought he was on his way to Gardener to tear somebody a new one.

  “What are you doing here? I thought you left?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I was. While I was getting a drink from the water fountain, I noticed Cody leave, so I came back. How are you really?” he asked holding my hand.

  I smiled and said, “I’m fine, really. My mother is spending the night.” I grimaced and then added. “It’s gonna be a long night.”

  He laughed and said, “I could spend the night. Sleep on the couch. You know, I’m good at doing that.”

  “No, you’re not. You’d probably make me move over so you could sleep in the bed too,” I said grinning.

  “That sounds interesting,” he said with his sexy crooked grin. “It’s a smaller bed.”

  “That’s not a good idea,” I said shaking my head. Ow. That’s also not a good idea.

  He was grinning and about to say something when the door opened. Cody walked in with a dumbfounded look on his face. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to see Chloe. Make sure she’s not gonna give her nurse a lap dance so she can go home early,” he said, grinning. He’s good; I’ll give him that. Didn’t even flinch when Cody walked in. I did big time. And it really hurt my head, so I grabbed it with both hands to keep it from exploding.

  “Uh-huh.” Cody glared, his eyes going from Rick to me. “Are you two…?”

  I cut him off with a stern look. “Checking each other for ticks?”

  “If you’re asking if I’ve ever kissed your sister from the top of her head down to her toes.” His eyes locked onto mine unblinking. “Kissing her like a woman should be kissed. Getting lost in those beautiful brown eyes. Feeling her body against…”

  Cody cleared his throat and said, “Yeah…uh.”

  Rick kept his eyes on mine and still smiling, “Chloe says we can’t date, let alone sleep together.”

  I closed
my mouth, swallowed and said, “I think we just did.”

  “Hell, I think I just slept with him,” Cody said. His look went from dumbfounded to embarrassed. Then he grinned and said, “I think I have to go find Morgan.” He walked to the door turned back, looked from Rick to me, opened his mouth to say something, glared and then shook his head and walked out.

  I didn’t exactly know what that meant. I was sure he wasn’t going to say, ‘Go ahead, date, sleep together, it’s all good. Hey, and if ya’ll break up? I’m sure it won’t affect our partnership not one little bit’. I didn’t know what to think. I had a concussion. I’d blame it on that. I didn’t know what I was doing. I may have had brain damage. I knew Cody was relieved I was okay. Maybe he’d tear into Rick later. I knew he’d tear into me later. I really needed to avoid Cody.

  Rick gave me a tender kiss, and said, “I’ll call you later. I’ll let you know what they tell me in Gardener.” Did he just kiss me?

  I grinned and said, “Good excuse, especially since my mother will be here.” He walked to the door, and I said when he turned around, “I can always blame it on my concussion. I have brain damage. I won’t remember this.”

  He laughed and said, “You may have brain damage, but it has nothing to do with a concussion.”

  “Hey!” I yelled as he ducked out the door. Ow. I really, really had to stop doing that.