The Right Call (33 page)

There was a knock, and he saw Kurt standing in the doorway.

“Hey there,” Ethan said. “Come in. Join the party.”

Kurt came over and shook his hand, holding it a little longer than he normally would. “Great to see you, man. You gave us quite a scare.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t say anything. The creep that threatened to hurt Vanessa and Carter wasn’t messing around.”

Kurt nodded. “You did the right thing by calling Brill. Turns out he’s the same guy who shot you and Stedman. Ballistics matched his rifle to the bullet removed from your calf. He confessed to all the shootings when he thought Davison was going to cut a deal. I came to tell you it’s over.”

Ethan squeezed Vanessa’s hand. “What a relief. Thank You, Lord.”

“Did the doctor say how long it would take for the leg to heal?” Kurt asked.

“It’s just a flesh wound, so I’ll be out of commission for a couple weeks, but I should be able to ease back into things after that. I’m definitely not down for the summer.”

Chapter 40

The
next day, precisely at noon, Tessa breezed into Nick’s Grill, Antonio close behind, and hurried over to the counter, where Gus and Maggie Williams were already seated and watching the news.

Before she could say anything, Nick Phillips came through the double doors of the kitchen and put his arm around her, offering Antonio a hearty handshake.

“Welcome, friends. What a difference a day makes, eh?”

Tessa put her hand on her heart. “I’ll say. I’m not even hungry. I just wanted to be with friends.”

“WSTN just announced that the mayor, Chief Jessup, and Sheriff Parker are going to address the community at two. They’re carrying it live.”

“
Hello,”
Gus said. “We’re over here, in case anyone cares.”

Antonio chuckled, then slid onto the stool next to Gus and slapped him on the back. “How’s it going, friend?”

“Really can’t complain. But I always do.”

“So what do you know?”

“I think I’d rather hear what
you
know. How’s Chief Jessup’s family holdin’ up?”

“Doing better than you might think, considering what they’ve been through.”

“Antonio and I took them some apricot muffins this morning,” Tessa said. “Now that Ethan’s safe, they all seem fine.”

Gus tilted his glass and crunched a mouthful of ice. “I’ll tell you what: I can’t help but respect a young man who refused to be bullied into sellin’ out an innocent guy, especially when it meant takin’ a huge risk. Some people might argue it was foolish, but it tells me what he’s made of. He’s gonna fit right in at the Jessups’.”

Tessa looked down the counter. “Well, for heaven’s sake, Gus. Was that comment meant to reflect favorably on
Brill?”

“I suspect it was.” Gus winked.

“I’m still aghast that Win Davison is the one who had Tal killed,” Maggie said, “and that five others died because of his twisted plot to cover it up. Let’s hope this scandal doesn’t kill the town’s economy, too. If Davison Technologies closes its doors, I don’t see how we could survive the domino effect of having another nine hundred people out of work.”

Gus took her hand in his. “Darlin’, after everything that family’s done to build the business for three generations, they’re not gonna board it up and call it quits.”

“Then who’s going to run it with Win in prison?”

“Maybe Win’s dad will step up again for a while. Or maybe they’ll hire a CEO that doesn’t have ice in his veins and find out people are more productive when they respect their boss. And don’t forget he’s got a bunch of daughters in the wings. The Davisons are not gonna let this be the last thing people remember about them.”

Nick nodded. “Gus is right. There may be a ray of hope in all this. I can’t imagine that Win will be missed. And I have a feeling most people who work there would welcome new leadership as long as their jobs were secure.”

“I hope you’re right,” Maggie said.

There was a momentary lull in the conversation.

“I’d like to change the subject for a minute, if I may.” Antonio nudged Gus with his elbow. “So when can you take us to Best Buy to get a computer?”

Gus stroked his mustache. “I’m free after lunch.”

“Great. So are we.”

“Oh dear,” Tessa said. “I wasn’t expecting this to happen so soon. I need time to adjust. What if I can’t learn it? I’m not very good with electronics.”

“You can learn to email,” Maggie said. “It’s simple.”

“Sabrina and Phil will flip if they get an email from us.” Antonio put his arm around Tessa. “Just imagine: We could communicate with them at any hour on any day—all the way to London. Jessie, too. I say we go for it.” Antonio glanced over at Gus. “But you’re going to be our techie, right?”

Gus swatted the air. “Sure. Don’t y’all worry about a thing.”

“Hi, everybody.” Clint straddled the stool next to Tessa. “So what’d I miss?”

“Well, it looks like Antonio and I are getting a new address.” Tessa enjoyed baiting him for a moment.

“Aw, you’re not leaving Sophie Trace, are you?”

“No, we’re getting an
email
address. How about that?”

Clint smiled. “You’re finally coming out of the dark ages. Good for you.”

Jo Beth came through the swinging doors, filled the coffee mugs, and took orders. Gus and the others pored over Antonio’s drawing of a kitchen computer nook and made suggestions about printers, scanners, and copiers.

Tessa sipped her coffee and observed, keeping one eye on the TV and the amazing turn of events unfolding in the shooting case and the other on Gus, who seemed to have come alive since Antonio challenged him not to be disingenuous. Had she ever seen such an about-face in a person before? Could she have ever imagined Gus taking the lead and teaching Antonio and her anything—much less how to link up with their daughter at the push of a button?

Her cell phone rang. She rummaged through her purse and found it.

“Hello.”

“Tessa, it’s Emily. Are you at home?”

“No, Antonio and I are at Nick’s having lunch and making plans to get a computer. Can you believe it?”

“Wow, that’s awesome. Now you can write Jessie, and she can send pictures so you won’t miss seeing her grow up.”

“I’m excited about that. I’ve missed them so. What can I do for you, sweetie?”

“Would you show me how to make those yummy lemon bars? I want to take some to Ethan at the hospital.”

“Sure I will. Antonio and Gus are going to be busy for a bit after lunch. Could you come over at one thirty?”

“Okay, thanks. Oh, I almost forgot … could I borrow the ingredients?”

Tessa chuckled to herself. “Of course you can. See you soon.”

“Love you. Bye.”

Tessa started to respond, but the connection was dead before she could return the sentiment. She put the phone back in her purse and pasted Emily’s “love you” in the scrapbook of blessings. Life had certainly changed since the Jessups moved in next door and she had become a surrogate grandmother. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that God had brought this family to Antonio and her because they each had something the other needed—and that her prayers for each of them mattered.

She was suddenly aware of coffee being poured into her cup.

“You look lost,” Jo Beth said.

Tessa lifted her gaze. “Oh, I’m not lost, honey. I’m just deep in thought. Never in my life have I been more comfortable with where I am.”

Brill sat at her desk and looked out beyond the shade trees that graced the grounds around city hall to the bank of storm clouds that had rolled in over the Smokies and hidden the mountains from view. A flash of lightning zigzagged across the sky, followed by a booming clap of thunder that reverberated and shook the windows.

She sensed someone in the doorway and turned in time to see Trent knock on her open door.

“Got a minute?” he said.

“Sure. Come in.”

Trent walked over and stood in front of her desk. “There’s something I want to give you.” He reached in his pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes. “I won’t be needing these anymore. I quit. This time I mean it.” He handed the cigarettes to her.

“I’m proud of you, Trent. Why the change of heart?”

“I don’t know exactly when it clicked. But hearing about Stedman Reeves’s gambling habit and what it did to him turned my stomach. I don’t want
anything
to control me like that. I don’t want to be one of those people I’ve seen who still lights up when he’s carrying an oxygen tank and his chronic cough turns him inside out. Or while he’s on chemo for lung cancer. Or right after he gets out of the hospital after a heart attack. That’s not how I want to end up.”

“Good for you.”

Trent put his hands in his trouser pockets and seemed to stare at nothing. “I’ve made all kinds of excuses, but the bottom line is I knew the risks going in. I
let
the habit take hold. And the only way I’m going to kick the habit is to take back control. So … let me go on record to say: I’m taking control of my life again. Or I guess I should say, I’m letting God have control of my life again. And I’m asking you to hold me accountable.”

“All right, I will.”

“Even if I have to find a support group, I’m serious this time. I’m done.”

“I believe you.”

Trent was quiet for a few seconds and then flashed her that Denzel Washington grin. “Enough said. I’ve got work to do.” He started to go and then stopped. “Well, there is one more thing. I’m pleased that you and the sheriff have called a truce. To tell you the truth, I’d never seen the side of him we saw yesterday. My respect level went way up.”

“Mine, too, Trent. I think things are going to be different from now on.”

A loud boom shook the building and the clouds finally broke loose, rain blowing against her window and falling in sheets.

“I’m going to Nick’s and get some takeout,” Trent said. “Want me to pick up something for you?”

“I’d appreciate that. I’ll have a veggie burger with everything and a bottle of water.”

“Sweet potato fries?” His voice was coaxing. “Nobody does sweet potato fries like Nick’s.”

Brill smiled. “Now you’re tempting
my
addiction. All right. But a
small
order.”

“Done. I’ll be back within the hour. I think I’ll stop and get another bag of Tootsie Pops. I must be nuts to go out in this.”

Trent turned and left.

Brill got up and stood at the window, watching the rain pour from the heavens, blowing in sheets across Main Street and forming swift-moving tributaries that rose higher than the curbs.

How appropriate it seemed that her beloved Sophie Trace should be cleansed after the insidious evil that had taken up residence and trapped both the weak and willing in its scheme. Win Davison was no longer a threat, and the blood he paid to have spilled here had been washed away. But the stain would take time.

Stedman stood at the window in his hospital room, his arm in a sling, and looked out at the gray clouds that had hidden the Great Smoky Mountains and dumped a couple of inches of rain. The dreary weather seemed appropriate.

He heard a knock on the door and turned just as Ethan hobbled into his room on a walker.

“I came to say good-bye,” Ethan said. “I heard you’d been discharged and were waiting for your parents.”

Stedman nodded. “I can’t believe they called. They want me to come home. They’re going to court with me too. My attorney thinks the judge will let me off with probation if I get into a program. I really want to kick this gambling habit.”

“That’s great, man. This could be a new beginning on a number of levels.”

Stedman studied Ethan’s face. Even now he seemed to have a peace that made no sense. “I still can’t believe you risked your neck to help me.”

“I’d do it again. You didn’t deserve to be hung out to dry.”

Stedman sighed. “Come on. What I almost did was despicable.”

“People do terrible things when they have to feed a habit. I have a feeling that, apart from that, you’re a pretty decent guy.”

Stedman blinked the moisture from his eyes. “Saying thank you doesn’t seem like enough. But I’m grateful. I think now I’ll get my life straightened out.”

“I’ll be praying that you do.” Ethan held out his hand, and Stedman shook it.

There was a long pause.

Finally Ethan said, “When you get into the program and need to call on a higher power … I’d love to introduce you to the real deal. I promise you Jesus Christ can turn your life around like you never imagined. He’ll set you free.”

Stedman looked into Ethan’s eyes. “From the gambling, maybe. I doubt there’s a cure for the shame.”

“Of course there is. That’s what salvation is all about. The truth is, we all need the cure. We’re all sinners.”

“I don’t know about that,” Stedman said. “But I know
I
am.”

“Why don’t you come to church with me sometime?”

“I’d like that. I stopped going when Father David got on my case about my gambling. Too bad I didn’t listen. I guess I should give you my parents’ phone number.” Stedman went over to the rolling table, wrote the number on a napkin, and gave it to Ethan.

“Great. I’ll be in touch.” Ethan patted his good shoulder. “Whether you know it or not, Stedman, you just came through a spiritual battle on the winning side. God wants your heart.”