I told him what we had learned about Katie’s becoming pregnant by Hal, about her plan to pass the baby off as Chip’s and how, when that plan fizzled, she had tried to get rid of the child with disastrous results. “When they salvage Sea Song, I think you’ll find that the gun that shot Frank Chase was the same one used to shoot Katie.”
“Well, I’ll be damned!” He shot me a wink. “Thanks to you, it looks like two cases got solved today. Maybe three. The orderly we arrested is David Wilson’s brother. We’ve impounded David’s van. I suspect we’ll find traces of his encounter with your car on his bumper. If so, he’ll be charged with attempted murder and reckless endangerment, in addition to any drug-related charges we can pin on him.”
“Good!” Privately, I hoped Dennis would lock them up and throw away the key.
Dennis checked his watch. “It’s midnight, sports fans. You gals will be wanting to get some sleep.”
I had to ask him. “How about Hal?”
“If he’s still in the boat, the divers should have found him by now.”
“Do you think he’s still alive then?”
Dennis gently lifted Connie’s head off his lap and slipped one of the sofa pillows under it. She was fast asleep. He crossed to where I sat curled in the armchair and perched on the ottoman at my feet. “There’s a chance, but slim. Sometimes there are air pockets.” Clenching my fists until my fingernails left crescent-shaped impressions on my palms, I relived my panic in the car as the water from Baxter’s pond closed in on me. “There’s also a small chance he swam to shore,” Dennis continued, “but I think that’s one in a million.”
“I can’t excuse the drugs, but Hal wasn’t a killer. Not really. He just got caught up in the crossfire between Liz and Frank.”
“But he certainly seemed determined to get rid of you and Connie. I can never forgive him for that.”
Neither could I.
Dennis startled me by taking my hand. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve located Paul. I talked to him from the hospital. He’s leaving the Cape now and should be down here by morning.”
I was amazed. “But how did you find him?”
“Simple, really. Just called the local police, gave them Paul’s license number, and they cruised around North Truro until they found his car parked somewhere along Beach Drive. You should join him up there, Hannah. Great house, I hear.”
He patted my knee, then stood to go. “You girls going to be all right now?”
“Of course. And thanks, Dennis. Thanks for everything.” I stood and gave him a hug, trying to ignore the pain that shot across my chest as I did so. “I’ll make sure Connie gets to bed.”
“Thanks. I’ve got some loose ends to tie up. University Hospital says Chase should be stable enough to interview by morning.”
I walked him to the back door and held it open as he stepped through it onto the stoop. “Will you do me a favor?”
“Sure. What is it?”
I closed the screen door and studied Dennis’s face in the porch light. Huge moths wheeled out of the blackness and made kamikaze runs against the screen. “If Dr. Chase is well enough to talk, will you ask him something for me?” And I told Dennis what I wanted to know.
20
I knew paul had arrived when he crawled into bed next to me, his face still cool from the early-morning air. He nestled against my back, fully clothed, and wrapped his long arms around my waist, pulling me close, until our bodies fitted together like spoons. I felt his warm breath on my neck, the bristles on his chin against my cheek, and then the softness of his lips.
“Ummmm. That’s nice.” I rolled over to face him. “Ouch!”
Paul recoiled. “Did I hurt you?”
“I don’t think there’s a single part of my body that doesn’t hurt.”
He kissed my ear. “There?” The tip of my nose. “There?”
Our silly game. I felt a surge of warmth and affection for Paul, glimpsed the ghosts of the carefree young couple who used to be so mischievously loving in this room. His lips found my mouth. Oh, it had been so long! I melted into him, my arms clasping his waist. His hand slid under my pajama top and caressed my breast so tenderly that I shuddered with delight. Suddenly my brain kicked in, unbidden and unwelcome. I envisioned Paul touching Jennifer this way, kissing her hair, playing our game. Gasping, I worked my hand up between our bodies and pushed him away.
“What’s wrong?” In the dim light his face wore a worried frown.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me! But every time you touch me, I think you’re just being nice to me because you think I’m going to die. And I don’t want your pity! I can’t stand it.” I buried my face in my pillow.
“Pity you? Hannah, I love you.” His voice was soft against my ear. “I can’t tell you how panicked I was when Dennis told me I’d nearly lost you. Again. I love you more than I can say.”
I turned my head to look at him, his eyes, dark as chocolate, only inches from my own. “I love you, too, Paul. I do! But I keep picturing you with that-that child.” The word just tumbled out of my mouth. I couldn’t believe I’d said it.
“Hannah! How many times do I have to tell you it’s not true?”
“I’m sorry. I just can’t seem to help it. Why can’t things be the way they were? I want you back. I want Emily back. I want my breast back. Oh, God, maybe I need to see a therapist.” I sat on the edge of the bed, my back to him, feeling ugly and vulnerable without my prosthetic bra and my wig.
Paul ran a finger down the nape of my neck, brushed my shoulder with his lips. “You’ve got me, Hannah. You’ve always got me. And if you want to see a therapist, I understand. We can go together if you want. I’ll wait for you, Hannah. I’ll do whatever it takes, but I won’t lose you.” I felt his weight shift on the bed and heard the creak of the bedsprings as he stood up.
“Katie’s death has made me realize how important Emily is to me, Paul. I don’t want to end up like poor Mrs. Dunbar. She’ll never be able to hug her daughters again, tell them that she loves them. Never rock her grandchildren to sleep.”
Paul walked over to the window and drew open up the curtains. Sunlight cascaded into the room. “Emily’s not as far away as you think, Hannah.” He bent and kissed the top of my head. “Take your time.” Seconds later the door closed softly behind him.
I remained where I was, with the sun falling full on my body. I stretched in its warmth and felt as if the healing had already begun.
I took a shower and pulled on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. After yesterday’s adventures my wig looked like road kill, so I settled a hat on my patchy head, dabbed on some makeup, and padded downstairs.
In the kitchen the clock said nine, and Paul was pouring a cup of coffee for his sister. I had just sat down to join them when there was a knock on the door and Dennis walked in, looking as if he hadn’t had much sleep. He extended his hand to Paul, who took it in both of his and pumped it up and down enthusiastically. “Glad you made it. You made good time.”
“Lucky I didn’t get caught speeding on the Jersey Pike. Found a truck cruising along at seventy-five and dogged his tail. I tell you, though, when that trooper knocked on our door in North Truro, I nearly had a heart attack.”
“Sorry, old man. Couldn’t think of any other way to locate you.”
“Glad you did.” He looked at me with such affection that it nearly broke my heart.
I broke the spell. “Coffee?”
“Can’t refuse.” Dennis pulled out a chair and sat down. After he poured milk into his cup and stirred in half a teaspoon of sugar, he took a careful sip. “Chase is going to be okay. He’s confessed to everything, implicating the others. Didn’t want a lawyer, although I insisted one be called. Says he’ll plead guilty to all charges.”