Cast the Cards

“How is she?” The thunderous boom of Mr. West’s voice pulled his head up and he rose to greet him, hand extended.

“She’s stable. They’re doing a transfusion and repairing the damage done from the shotgun blast.”

“Who did this?”

“Off the record, the same men who accosted her and my brother.” He swallowed. “She made sure they won’t be harming anyone else.”

Mr. West nodded and pulled his wife closer to his side.

“We’re going to talk to the nurse. See if we can find out more information.”

“I’m going to get a cup of coffee and stretch my legs.”

Mr. West clapped a massive hand on his shoulder. A look passed between them. An understanding was formed. They both loved the woman in that operating room.

“We’ll meet back up before too long.”

“Yes, sir.”

As he walked down the hall he couldn’t help but feel lost and afraid. Being with Vannah had become second nature. Her place was at his side. Right now they should be celebrating with champagne and figuring out how they were going to make things work with their jobs. Another concern bombarded him.

What happened to Clark now? Is this the justice and closure he’s been waiting for? Does he get to say goodbye, or will I never see him again? With the weight of the world threatening to crush him beneath its boot heel, he stumbled into the church chapel, entered the last pew, and hit his knees.

Head pressed against the pew, he closed his eyes.

“I know I haven’t talked to you much lately, but I need you in my corner. You about killed me when you took away Clark. I was furious. I rebelled, drank, did whatever I could to take away the pain. But in the end I came back. I grew stronger and even concede, maybe I was put on this Earth to help others and being laid so low was what equipped me to do that. But this… giving me Clark back only to take him along with Vannah… that’s end game. There will be no recovery or healing. I don’t think I could ever forgive you. Now that’s just

me. We both know Vannah deserves better than to die at the hands of the bastards that stole her life once already.”

“That’s an interesting approach to prayer.” Clark’s dry tone curled the corner of his lips upward.

“It appears to have worked. You’re here.”

“True.” Clark sat beside him.

“How long do you have?” Please don’t tell me this is our last conversation.

“I’m not sure. Working on a new angle.”

“Seriously? You might be able to stay?” His eyes widened.

“If I continue to help the two of you discover criminals.”

“You agreed, right!”

“Of course I did.”

He pulled his brother to him. “Jesus, that’s great news! Vannah will….” His high did a dive bomb.

“She’s going to be fine, Carey.”

“How can you say that?” Jerking away, he scowled.

“I have it on good authority.” Clark nodded.

For the first time, he exhaled.

“You know what we have to do when the time is right, don’t you?” Clark asked.