Deal Breaker

Chapter 47

The memorial service.

Myron slipped in late and ducked behind a pillar. He was in desperate need of a shower, a shave, a nap. And he looked it.

He spotted Jessica in the front pew. She sat on one side of her mother, Edward on the other. All three were crying.

The priest delivered the standard death spiel like an actor who knew his lines too well. Nothing new or original was said. There was no coffin, no well-dressed corpse in peaceful repose. The priest seemed bothered by this, by the absence of his customary prop. He kept motioning down on cue, only to draw back when he realized that there was nothing in front of him.

Myron stayed out of sight. The church was crowded. Paul Duncan sat in the second row, directly behind Carol. Every once in a while Paul would put his hand on her shoulder, but he’d never leave it there long. Appearances. Christian was next to him, head lowered in prayer. Otto Burke and Larry Hanson were a few rows back. Good PR move. The press would undoubtedly be made aware of Otto Burke’s heartfelt concern for his players’ personal plights. Again, appearances.

Win was near the back. To his right sat Sally Li. Her face looked drawn, as if she could use a cigarette. Myron had spoken to her late last night. She had done the test. It had come out as he’d suspected.

Dean Gordon and his wife Madelaine were off to the left. Dean Gordon looked grim. Madelaine Gordon looked good in black. Myron recognized a few other faces in the crowd, but he couldn’t put a name or place to any of them. It didn’t matter.

The priest made a few last comments about the hereafter, God’s will, and reuniting with the beloved in Heaven. Jessica’s sob racked her whole body. No one put an arm around her. No one comforted her. She looked small and frail. Myron felt a lump rise in this throat.

Here we go.

When the ceremony ended, Myron did not hesitate. He walked purposively down the aisle. Jessica ran toward him without hesitation. They hugged, both closing their eyes. The mourners turned away and began to head for the exit. Win kept close to Otto Burke, Larry Hanson, and Dean Gordon.

Jessica finally released her grip. “Where were you?” she asked.

Myron swallowed. He nodded to Paul Duncan, shook hands with Edward and Christian, lightly kissed Carol on the cheek.

“I don’t know how to say this,” Myron said.

“What’s the matter?”

He looked her straight in the eye. “I found Kathy. She’s alive.”

The group went silent.

Jessica opened her mouth, closed it.

“I’m meeting her tonight,” Myron said.

Jessica finally found her voice. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s a long story. But she’s alive. I’ll bring her home to you tonight.”

Jessica looked at Carol. Carol looked back. Everyone looked at everyone else.

“I’ll go with you,” Jessica said.

“You can’t.”

“Like hell I can’t.”

“I promised her,” Myron said. “Just me. Alone. She’s scared.”

“Of what?”

“Of the person who tried to kill her.”

“Who?”

Myron shook his head. “She wouldn’t tell me. Not on the phone.” He took hold of Jessica’s hand. It was cold and stiff. Like marble. “I’ll bring her right to the house. I promise. We’ll all talk then. But we can’t risk scaring her off.”

Jessica shook her head. She looked lost. “Where are you meeting her?”

“It’s in the woods.”

“What woods?” Jessica pulled back a little. “You’re not making any sense.”

“I can’t tell you, Jess. I promised her. Kathy said it’s the spot where she was left for dead. She wants to show me where it happened.”

More silence.

Paul Duncan said, “Dear God.”

Carol practically fainted into his arms.

“Where has she been?” Jessica asked.

“I only know bits and pieces from my investigation. She spent most of the time recovering from her injuries. She also spent some time in the Caribbean. An island called Curaçao. I picked up her trail from an entry that night in St. Mary Hospital’s registry. On the night she vanished, a patient was found unconscious in the middle of a road. She gave her name as Katherine Pierce.”

Carol gasped. “Pierce? That’s my maiden name.”

Myron nodded. “I don’t know all the details yet. She was hit over the head. The blow cracked her skull. The assailant thought she was dead. But she wasn’t. He buried her in the woods. She woke up and managed to dig herself out. It’s a miracle she survived.”

Jessica’s eyes filled with tears. “She’s alive?”

“Yes.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

Jessica hugged her mother then. Edward joined in. Christian and Paul watched dumbfounded. Myron turned toward the door. Win was standing there. His nod was almost imperceptible.