Lie Down in Green Pastures (12 page)

Mark eyed Gerald and then looked at Paul.

"Why don't we step outside for a few minutes?" Paul suggested to the writer. "You can tell me about this book you're writing and maybe I can answer some of your questions about the case."

"That would be excellent." Gerald beamed as he accompanied Paul outside.

Mark sat down on the edge of the hospital bed and looked at her. "Tell me what happened," he said.

She told him every detail she could remember up to the ambulance arriving to take them to the hospital. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"I'm sorry you got hurt, especially when it didn't get us any new information."

She shook her head. "But it did. The killer went after Larson, which means it is all related."

"That's true. Good work," he told her.

"You don't happen to know when they're going to let me out of here, do you?"

"I'm guessing they'll let you go today. You dislocated your shoulder but appeared to have no other injuries."

"That's good."

She was feeling drowsy again.

When she awoke again her visitors were all gone and a doctor was standing at the foot of her bed reading her chart.

"Can I go home?" she asked.

"I don't see why not," he said. "Everything looks good. You've got someone who can pick you up and stay with you tonight?"

She nodded.

"Good. Make your call while I get the paperwork in order."

He left the room and she turned and stared at the phone, debating whom to call. She finally called the church office and got hold of Geanie. When she heard what was going on the other woman agreed to pick her up at noon.

Around eleven Cindy was finally feeling clearheaded. She got dressed and a nurse helped her put her arm in a sling to keep her shoulder still. Then Cindy managed to make her way to Larson's room. He was awake when she walked in and gave her a watery smile.

"How are you?" she asked.

"Looks like we both got winged," he said, eyeing her sling.

"Dislocated shoulder. Hardly matches up to being shot," she said.

"Maybe I should think twice next time before lunging at the guy with the gun."

"I don't think that would have stopped him from shooting," she said.

"Me either."

She stared at him for a moment in surprise.

He looked at her and grimaced. "What you said in the coffee shop made a lot of sense. Still, I didn't want to believe it.Then that guy jumped us and I knew it was true."

"How?"

"The timing for one thing. And for another, he demanded you hand over your purse and you weren't carrying one."

"You're right. I hadn't even thought about that," Cindy said."I left it in the trunk of my car and I just had my keys and some cash for the coffee in my pocket."

"Exactly."

"But he could have assumed."

"I don't think so. I think a thief would have been hyper observant of the thing he was trying to steal or its absence. No, I think it was a ruse. I think he was there to kill us."

"Us?" Cindy asked, sinking down into a chair.

"Us. If the killer wasn't aware that you were on to him before, he certainly is now."

Larson was right and she felt the same fear constricting her throat that she'd felt the last time a killer was aware of her presence. Just like then, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and it was bound to get her noticed.

And killed, if I'm not careful.

"Have the police been in to see you yet this morning?" she asked, changing the subject slightly.

"They left about twenty minutes ago. I told them the same thing. I think it upset them even more than it's upset you."

She flushed. "They've had to spend a lot of time worrying about my safety."

She knew it was their job, but they had had to do excessive worrying in her case. What did you get someone for something like that? Sending a fruit basket with a note thanking them for saving her life repeatedly seemed a little silly. But sitting there she realized that she should do something for Paul and Mark, job or not. They had more than earned it.

"Is there anything that I can do for you?" she asked.

"Yeah, catch this guy. You're good at catching killers. Least, that's the word on the street."

She looked at him bemused. "Oh, really."

"Really."

"I'll put it at the top of my to do list."

"Fantastic. Also, if you could let the folks at the synagogue know what happened I'd appreciate it. I left a rather cryptic message there this morning when I was making calls to let them know I wouldn't be able to be a camp counselor this weekend."

She felt sorry for him and the kids. "You're going to ruin your iron man reputation," she teased.

"Tell me about it. The doc said 'no', though. So did my son."

"Oh my gosh, I completely forgot. Is he okay?"

"Yeah. His grandmother was babysitting last night. After I had coffee with you I had a couple of late meetings to get to.One of the officers swung by the house last night and let her know what happened."

"That's a relief."

"For you maybe. I already get lectured on how I take too many needless risks. Somehow camping seems to pale in comparison to this. Who knows, maybe she'll stop complaining when we go on camping trips. After all, out in the forest you just have to worry about animals, not assassins."

"True. Good luck with that," Cindy said.

"Thanks. At any rate she should be happy for a while. The police said they were going to put a protective detail at my house once I go home."

"I'm surprised they don't have one here."

"I heard them discussing it as they left."

"I'm sorry I dragged you into all this."

He shook his head. "You didn't do anything, Cindy. Way I see it, you saved my life. Thank you."

"You're welcome," she said, feeling embarrassed and not knowing what else to say. "Well, I've got to get back to my room."

"They sending you home?"

"Yeah."

"Lucky. See if you can smuggle me in some cheesecake."

"I'll see what I can do."

Cindy made it back to her room and only had to wait a few more minutes for Geanie to appear. "Ready to get out of here?" she asked, popping into the room with a wheelchair.

"More than. Did you clear it with the nurse?" Cindy asked as she sat down in the chair.

"Maybe I did, and maybe I didn't," Geanie said mischievously as she wheeled her out of the room.

Cindy twisted around so she could stare at her. "You're in a good mood."

"Yup."

Geanie waved at the nurse at the nurses' station who responded by waving a packet of papers in the air. Geanie grabbed them and handed them to Cindy. Topmost was a prescription for pain medication.

"Thanks," Cindy said.

Geanie wheeled her out to her waiting car and once they pulled away from the hospital Cindy gave the other woman her full attention. Geanie's cheeks were glowing and her eyes were sparkling. A perpetual grin was turning up the corners of her mouth.

"Joseph said it, didn't he?"

"Yes!" Geanie burst out as if she had been about to explode with the news. "He said it last night when he dropped me off at home and kissed me good night."

"And then you said it back?"

"Of course."

"Congratulations," Cindy said, leaning her head back against the headrest and closing her eyes. "The two of you are in love."

"I'm thinking we're not the only ones," Geanie said coyly.

"What?"

"Those came for you this morning," Geanie said, gesturing to the backseat.

Cindy turned around and stared. There on the floor was a vase with a dozen red roses.

8

W
HO ARE THEY FROM?" CINDY ASKED.

"There's a card, but I didn't open it. I'm guessing if someone sent you red roses you have a pretty good idea who it is," Geanie said.

"Not a clue," Cindy admitted. "I suppose it's possible someone heard I was in the hospital?"

"I doubt it. We hadn't heard a word until you called in a couple hours ago. That kind of news usually travels fast."

Cindy turned back forward. The motion of the car and the medication in her system were not making for a good combination.She would find out soon enough who the mystery sender was.

"Who'd you leave in charge of the office?"

"No one. I put a sign on it that said we'd be open again at one."

"You're going to have a fun afternoon. You know how people get when the office isn't open when they expect."

"I know, but what was I going to do, leave Wildman in charge of the phones?"

Cindy giggled despite herself at the image. "It would be entertaining at least. And no one could complain that the office was closed."

"Yeah, but somehow I think the other complaints would more than make up for it."

"Good decision."

"Could we swing by Joe's coffee shop so I can get my purse out of my trunk?" Cindy asked after a minute.

"Absolutely."

A few minutes later they pulled up and Cindy stared at her car. "You think I can drive?" she asked.

"I think I forbid it. The nurse told me, and I'm sure the doctor told you, that they wanted you to keep the arm still for a couple of days until you start therapy."

"Fine."

Cindy handed Geanie her keys and the other woman retrieved her purse. Then they continued on their way. Once they reached Cindy's house Geanie insisted on helping her inside.

"There's nothing wrong with my legs," Cindy complained.

"Yeah, well as the designated transporter from the hospital it's on me if you get hurt before you're safe and sound in your own house. If you fall on your head inside your house it's on you, not me."

"You're so kind," Cindy said sarcastically.

"I know; it's one of my many strengths."

As soon as Cindy was seated at the kitchen table Geanie went back out to the car for the flowers and set them on the table in front of her. She plucked the card from amidst them and thrust it toward Cindy.

"Open it!"

"Help, I can only use one hand."

"Oh, sorry!"

Geanie slid the card out of the envelope and then handed it to Cindy. She sat down and stared at her expectantly.

She's in love and now she wants everyone else to be,
Cindy realized.

Cindy looked at the writing on the card.

We've got our first request for a showing! Meet me at the house Tuesday night at 6 and bring the flowers. Gary.

Cindy couldn't help but feel disappointed. "It's from my real estate agent."

"Oh. That's . . . different."

"He's going to show the house tonight and he wants me to bring these. I remember him talking about 'staging' the house for showings. I'm guessing these are part of the plan."

"Some plan. Tell him next time to bring the flowers himself and not to get a girl excited."

Cindy nodded. "I guess it's possible he has an ulterior motive. I mean maybe he could be flirting with me."

"Is it so hard to imagine?" Geanie asked. "You're a wonderful woman. Any man would be crazy not to see that."

"Thanks. Now would you mind sending that out in a memo?"

Geanie pretended to stagger back in shock. "Wait, are you open to dating? Actually open? Because, you know, I'm not a bad matchmaker if I do say so myself."

Cindy could just imagine what sorts of guys Geanie would try to match her up with. She wasn't sure she was quite desperate enough to risk it. "Hold that thought, Yente."

She almost laughed at Geanie's deflated expression.

"Thanks for getting me here. I officially release you from your transporter duties," she said instead.

Geanie glanced at her watch. "I've got another fifteen minutes to get you comfortable before your sitter arrives."

"My sitter? What on earth are you talking about?"

"Well, Joseph and I discussed it and you really do get into quite a lot of trouble when left to your own devices. So, he's coming over here when I leave to watch you and get you anything you need while you rest."

"I don't need a sitter."

"Do you want me to call that nice police detective and get his opinion on the topic?"

"No!"

"Then I suggest you behave," Geanie said with a smirk."Now, can I help you get into some pajamas?"

"I think I can manage."

"You ever had your arm immobilized before?"

"No."

"Then you can't. Let's go."

Fifteen minutes later Cindy was in her pajamas and on the couch with a blanket and pillow. The doorbell rang and Geanie flew to open the door. She gave Joseph a huge kiss, which he laughingly returned. Then he came in and observed Cindy.

"I brought provisions," he said, holding up a grocery bag in one hand and several DVDs in the other.

"At least we won't starve or need to resort to watching reruns of game shows," Cindy joked.

"Joseph thinks of everything," Geanie said, blushing as she said his name. "Okay, I've got to run, but I'll be back later tonight. Call if you need anything. Either of you."

"We will," Cindy and Joseph chorused together.

Joseph closed and locked the door after Geanie when she left and turned to Cindy with a grin. "Isn't she amazing?"

"She is. I'm just glad that you're paying attention."

"Trust me. I am," he said, sobering quickly.

Cindy was taken aback by the transformation. Joseph carried the groceries into the kitchen. "Can I get you something to eat or drink or some crackers to settle your stomach?"

"No, thank you."

"When is it time for your next dose of Tylenol?"

"Not for another three hours."

He brought her a glass of ice water.

"I said I wasn't thirsty," she protested.

"That's what you said, but trust me, I know how dehydrated a person can get without even realizing it when they're under stress."

He was right. She'd only had a couple of sips of water early that morning. She took the glass and began to drink it slowly, resting between sips.

Joseph settled into a chair and looked her over. "How are you?"

"I'm okay, really. Everyone's making a fuss for nothing."