Death by Honeymoon

Chapter 18

Ann was laying in the hospital bed with her eyes closed when Cindy walked into the room. She’d developed a low grade fever and her recovery was slower than expected. The nurse told her that Frank had flown home for the night and would be back for the weekend. Ann opened her eyes, pleased to see Cindy, but then shut them again. She still looked exhausted.

Cindy put the fruit and cookies she’d brought on a table near the bed, sat down next to her sister and took her hand.

“Slow going?” asked Cindy.

“I’m getting there,” Ann managed to reply.

“The doctors say you’re doing well,” Cindy said, trying to be encouraging. “Once the fever goes, you’ll be ready for physical therapy. They might even discharge you in a few days.”

Ann nodded.

“These things take time,” Cindy said.

“Everything takes time,” Ann whispered. “Time is good.”

Cindy wondered how Ann could say that, laying here in pain.

“I’m so sorry, Ann,” Cindy said again.

Ann shook her head, as she always did when Cindy said that. She meant there was nothing to be sorry about.

“The report about the brakes came back from the police,” Cindy said quietly, to fill up the empty time. “They were definitely tampered with.”

Ann shook her head, back and forth again, trying to same something.

“What is it?” Cindy asked.

Ann lifted herself, came closer. “You were right all along,” she said.

Cindy didn’t know what she meant. Then she suddenly got it. “Right about Clint?”

Ann fell back down on the pillow and nodded.

Cindy’s heart swelled to hear that, to hear that.

Finally, she believed her, didn’t think she was crazy. She felt encourage to go on.

“Ann,” Cindy began, “I found a lot of troubling information. About Clint’s company. I have a report he wrote…I know it sound crazy, but I think he was getting ready to implicate them. And I think they got rid of him.”

Ann nodded.

“And I think that whoever got rid of him wants me dead, too.”

“Do you any proof?” Ann asked.

“Just one report he wrote. But it’s pretty damning.”

Ann nodded, eyes drifting in and out.

“What should I do?” Cindy asked. “Go to the police.”

Ann shook her head.

“The FBI,” Ann said.

Cindy’s eyes opened wide.

“It’s an international crime,” Ann continued. “You need the FBI. Go. Don’t wait.”

Ann’s words gave Cindy a chill. They also gave her courage, determination to go on. She squeezed her hand as her eyes drifted closed and she knew, once again, that Ann was right.