Under Currents (28 page)

“When you grab John’s gun, I’ll have no choice but to shoot your sorry ass. After you’re dead and the worms are munching on you, the first thing I plan to do is take Julie. Maybe in front of those two brats of hers.”

A rush of adrenaline gave Caleb the strength to pull free of the deputies and slug Grear’s jaw. He landed another punch to Frank’s stomach.

Grear grunted as he belted over in pain. “Grab him.”

Caleb swung in all directions but couldn’t prevent the other deputies from overtaking him.

Once subdued, Grear punched Caleb even harder. Blood spattered from his bottom lip and nose.

He wanted to slug Frank Grear just once more but instead, his legs buckled beneath him, and he sank to the ground, barely able to move. He closed his eyes and allowed blackness to slip over him like a moonless night.

Grear positioned the butt of a gun in his palm. Then the bastard forced his fingers around the handle. He slapped each side of Caleb’s face. “Oh, no you don’t, pretty boy. You’re gonna be awake when I pull the trigger defending myself.”

Caleb managed to open his eyes wide enough to see a fuzzy image of Grear, grinning like the devil, with his gun aimed at Caleb’s chest.

♦♦♦

Julie couldn’t believe they’d driven all the way to Eminence only to discover Casey had moved to Faith. They had lost valuable time.

Her father sped down the highway, then turned onto the two-lane road leading to town. Ahead she saw the trailer park and unfastened her seatbelt. Once he made the turn, she spotted the squad cars parked in the yard.

Please let him be alive.

Julie leapt out of her father's truck and ran toward Frank and the other officers.

Her heart pounded.

She maneuvered around the cars to the open space where Caleb laid.

“No, Frank!”

A gunshot went off.

Her heart stopped as the sound rang in her ears.

Gun powder permeated the air.

She forced herself to look at Caleb. Blood bubbled and spurted up like a geyser through a hole in his shirt.

“Shit, I didn’t kill him.” Frank flashed a nasty grin, a gloating one that agitated the hell out of her. “Had to shoot him, he drew that gun on us. You got time to tell him how much you love him.”

An ambulance sped up the narrow lane through the park; its siren blaring. Julie dropped to her knees and placed a hand on Caleb’s throat. "He's alive. Hang on, Caleb. We’ll get you to the hospital.” She removed her vest, folded it over, and pressed it against his chest. “I love you, Caleb McGregor. Don’t you die on me.”

“He’s under arrest. He’s not going anywhere.”

“You bastard. You set this up.” She turned and glared at Casey, standing in the trailer’s doorway. “And you helped.”

Frank moved forward to prevent the attendant from treating Caleb, but stopped when two Missouri State Highway Patrol cars pulled in the yard across the street. “Who the hell invited them to my party?”

“I did,” Julie replied. She stood with her dad's help, so the paramedics could attend Caleb. “We called them before we left Eminence.”

“If he lives, he’s going back to prison for a very long time,” Frank said, delight dancing in his eyes.

The two state troopers studied the situation. Julie approached one of them. “I’m Julie Ross. I’m the one who called. My dad and I got here too late.”

Frank glared at her. “McGregor attacked Casey Phillips.” He motioned toward Casey. “Then he resisted arrest. I had no choice but to shoot him when he grabbed John’s gun and turned it on us.”

“I hope you can prove that in court, Frank,” Julie said.

Both of the state troopers glanced around at the neighbors who watched. “Anyone see what happened?” the older officer asked.

No one came forward.

“Hell, I got two deputies, Casey, and her sister-in-law as witnesses.”

The policeman lifted the gun that had fallen from Caleb’s hand and placed it in a bag.

“That’s mine,” John said, holding his hand out.

“No, it’s evidence. There will be an investigation conducted by the MBI. We’ve already contacted them,” the younger trooper announced.

Frank paled. “What’s to investigate? I told you what happened.”

The troopers exchanged glances before turning back to Frank. “Considering we received a call predicting this would happen, I’d say it looks staged. Everything played out just as we were told. So there’s a lot to review.”

The paramedic turned to Julie. “He’s critical. An airlift is on its way to take him to the trauma center in St. Louis.”

Tears cascaded down Julie’s face. “Can I go with him?”

“Ms. Ross, we really need you here to give us your statement. It’d be best if you stayed for now," the state trooper said. “We’ll inform you where they’ve taken him.”

Julie turned to her father and buried her head against his shoulder.

He wrapped his arms around her. “He’s tough. He’ll hang on.”

“You make my stomach turn,” Frank said, hostility ringing in his tone. He glanced at the trooper talking to Casey and rushed over to join him. Julie pulled from her father’s arms and followed him.

“I’m about two weeks along,” Casey confessed. "Caleb McGregor is the father. When I told him, he was angry and started yelling at me. He beat me and then tried to choke me to death.”

The trooper snapped pictures of her bruised face and neck. The bruises on her neck showed the imprint of a hand. "The person who choked you is left handed."

"Caleb is right handed," Julie said. "But Frank is left handed. Aren't you?”

"No, it was Caleb, who hit me," Casey said before Frank could answer.

Julie got in the girl's face. “You lying bitch. Caleb wouldn’t hit a woman. If you’re pregnant, I’d guess it’s Frank’s bastard since he’s the one who knocked you around so you could blame Caleb. I have a witness who overheard the entire plot, and he’s willing to testify.”

Casey looked at Frank then back to Julie. “No, Caleb’s the father. He raped me.”

Julie wouldn’t let this woman falsely accuse Caleb. “Rape you! I saw you licking his fingers at the Burger Barn and pawing all over him. Everyone in town witnessed your seductive behavior. Doesn’t sound like he’d have to go as far as rape to have his way with you.” She looked at the officers. “I know Frank is capable of rape. Aren’t you, Frank?”

“Shut up, Julie. You led me on that night.”

“Me? I’m not the one who spiked my drink.” She looked at the state officers. “If Caleb hadn’t stopped him, Frank would’ve raped me. He’s threatened more than once to frame Caleb and send him back to jail.”

At that moment, Ned, Faith’s chief of police arrived and spoke with the state troopers. Afterwards, he turned to Frank and the other local deputies involved. “You’re all off duty until this can be investigated. Turn over your badges and guns.”

Frank's face distorted in anger, and he glared at Julie.

The choppy roar of the helicopter’s propellers drew everyone’s attention. Dust and debris scattered from the gust of air as it landed. 

The paramedics lifted the gurney and rushed Caleb to the waiting EMI’s. They loaded him in the helicopter and immediately placed an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth then started an IV.

Don’t die, Caleb. I need you.

Just as fast as it had landed, the helicopter lifted and was gone.

Julie’s heart sank.

God, please let him live.

♦♦♦

When Julie entered her parents' den, her dad held a small suitcase in his hand. “Your mother and I decided I should go with you. She’ll manage the kids.”

Julie couldn’t argue. She needed his strength and support. If the news were bad, she would need someone to hold her up. She loved Caleb and always would. She hugged her children and mom, then hurried to her van.

She insisted on driving. The late afternoon sun blinded her. She pulled down the visor. Her father gasped when she zipped around curves only slowing down slightly.

“There’s an
oh-shit
handle just above the door. Hold on,” she told him.

In St. Louis, Julie barged through the trauma unit door when it opened and stopped at the information desk. “I’d like to inquire on the condition of Caleb McGregor. We’re family.”

She swallowed back her fear.

Please be alive.

The lady’s mouth dropped when she looked at the computer screen. “I'll have a doctor come speak with you."

"No, just tell me."

"I can't."

"Damn it! Tell me."

They lady glanced around her to see if anyone was listening. "I’m sorry, ma’am. They’ve taken him to the morgue,” she said in a low voice.

Julie closed her eyes and gripped her father’s arm to help fight the pain ripping through her.

“Wait just a minute,” the older woman said. “Did you say Calvin or Caleb McGregor?”

“Caleb,” Julie whispered. “Caleb McGregor.”

“He’s in surgery right now.”

“Oh, thank God.” The relief swept through Julie like a tidal wave. She wanted to go somewhere and cry tears of joy. Caleb wasn’t dead.

“You have a seat in the waiting room. I’ll inform the doctor Mr. McGregor's family is here. I’m real sorry about the mix up. I'd appreciate you not saying anything.”

“We won't. Mistakes happen,” her father said. He guided Julie to a sofa and sat beside her.

“Oh, Dad, if only we had reached him sooner.” She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

He patted her arm. “Like I said, he’s a survivor. He’ll pull through.”

Several hours later, a doctor wearing green scrubs, with a surgical mask hanging loosely around his neck approached them. He still wore the green paper booties around his shoes. After introducing himself, he came right to the point. “Mr. McGregor's post-traumatic condition is still listed as critical.”

“Will he live?” Julie asked.

The doctor nodded. “He was fortunate. The bullet missed his heart and lungs but nicked an artery. The bullet has been removed and the damage repaired. His vital organs seem to be functioning well. It was necessary for him to receive a transfusion. He’ll remain in ICU until he’s stable. Besides the gunshot wound, he endured a severe beating.  I’ll have a nurse take you back to see him.”

Following the nurse, Julie prepared herself to see Caleb. In the Intensive Care Unit, small glass rooms surrounded them, some with the curtains drawn while others remained open. As the nurse motioned to one of the rooms, Julie’s gaze focused on the figure in bed. Wires ran from the patient to machines, and the oxygen tube looped around his face to his nose. Because of Caleb's swollen and bruised face, it took a moment to recognize him.

“He looks terrible.”

“You may visit for five minutes then you’ll need to wait until the next visitation which is at five tomorrow morning,” the nurse informed them.

Julie thanked the nurse. She stood in bewilderment at all the machines blinking. The automatic blood pressure machine made a pumping sound then hissed as it expelled the air. Bright green fluorescent numbers registered on a dark screen. He appeared so still. If not for the slow line zigzagging up and down across the heart monitor, Julie would have thought he was dead.

His blood pressure was extremely low. He wasn't out of the woods yet. She crossed the small room to the bed and placed a hand over her mouth to prevent from weeping aloud. But she couldn’t stop the tears.

Oh, Caleb. I’m so sorry for not believing you. Please hang on.

“Julie, I don’t think he’s willing to lay down and die.”

She nodded and placed her hand on Caleb’s arm, stroking it gently. “Oh, Caleb, I got you into this mess.”

The nurse walked in and informed them it was time to leave. Julie kissed Caleb’s forehead. His skin felt slick and rubbery. She glanced at the nurse. “I'll be here all night.”

They returned to the waiting room. Her father stretched his long legs out and crossed them at the ankles. After an hour, Julie insisted he find a motel for the night and return in the morning. He hesitated, but she assured him she’d be fine without him.

Lying out on the uncomfortable sofa, Julie managed to doze off and on during the night. She woke feeling nauseated and went to the bathroom where she freshened up. She pulled her hair into a ponytail, then returned to the waiting room. Her stomach still felt queasy. Eating something might make her feel better.

She found a vending machine and purchased a Sprite and a pack of cheese crackers, then returned to the waiting room.

Caleb remained unconscious during her next visit. Some of the swelling had gone down in his face making him recognizable. Julie gently pushed his hair from his face and kissed his forehead. His skin wasn’t as clammy.

After getting a cup of coffee from the cafeteria, she walked outside the hospital and removed her cell phone. She first called her mother to inform her of Caleb’s condition and say hi to her kids. Then she searched for Adam McGregor’s phone number and keyed in his number.

“Hello,” answered a voice very similar to Caleb’s. Deep and mellow. Yet it had a roughness to it.

”Hi, this is Julie Ross. I own Boats and Floats in Faith.”

“Yes, I remember you. I used to be friends with Jacob, Jeremy’s older brother. I was real sorry to hear about Jeremy.”

“Thank you.” She inhaled a deep breath. “I’m calling about your brother, Caleb. I’m his next door neighbor.”

“I don’t have a brother.”

She chose to ignore his statement. “He’s in ICU at the St. Louis University Hospital.”

“I said I don’t have a brother.”

“He didn’t kill Amy and Connie. He was framed. We have proof. I’m hoping it’ll be enough to clear him.”

Silence prevailed for a few minutes.

“That would mean Devin Vincent lied. It’d be difficult to prove especially with him being a state senator.”

She didn’t give him any details. “Caleb was beaten and shot by Deputy Frank Grear. It was all a setup to justify killing him. Caleb needs you.”

“Look, I’ve just joined a new law firm, and I have a family to think of. Nor do I have the money to get stuck paying for his hospital bills or trial expenses. The last thing I need is to be tangled up in Caleb’s garbage and damage my reputation. He ruined my life before. I won’t let him do it now.”