Dark Hearts. Sharon Sala

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СКАЧАТЬ “I’ll text you the visiting times.”

      Trey nodded. “I’m not leaving the area. I just need a little privacy to make those calls.”

      Lee went one way and Trey the other as they left the waiting room. Trey sent a text to Dallas on the way down in the elevator, then waited to call Sam until he was in a more private place. He was on his way out to his cruiser when he realized the predicted rain was imminent.

      Thunder rolled as he made a run for the car, followed by a shaft of lightning that momentarily lit up the sky a few miles away.

      He unlocked the car and slid into the seat. The silence was brief. There was traffic on the police radio, but from what he could hear, Dwight Thomas, their night dispatcher, had everything in hand.

      He thought about Sam, and then shifted focus to the need for security on Trina. He didn’t have enough officers in Mystic to keep someone on guard day and night. He was trying to remember the security service Mack Jackson had used a few months ago for his fiancée, Lissa, when she was being stalked by the janitor where she worked, and looked to see if he still had Mack’s number in his contacts. He did, so he hit the call button, and then wiped a shaky hand across his face as he listened to Mack’s phone ring.

Three

      Trey’s heart was so heavy he could hardly breathe, and yet he had to stay focused. When Mack picked up on the third ring, Trey braced himself to say what had to be said.

      “Hello.”

      Trey cleared his throat. “Mack, this is Trey. I know it’s late. I hope I didn’t call at a bad time.”

      “No, not at all,” Mack said.

      “I was wondering if you could give me a contact number for the security guard you used for Lissa.”

      “Sure, his name is Cain Embry. I don’t have it on me, but I’ll find it and text it to you in a few minutes, okay?”

      “Yes, I would appreciate it.”

      “Is something going on? Something related to the murders?” Mack asked.

      “Yes,” Trey said, and then his voice broke. He had to clear his throat again and start over to get it all said. “Yes, something happened. Mom is dead, and Trina just came out of surgery. We still don’t know if she’ll make it or not. They were shot on their way home from the memorial service.”

      Trey heard a gasp and then a groan, followed by a couple of anxious whispers, and guessed Mack was telling Lissa.

      “Dear Lord! I don’t know what to say except that I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Mack said.

      Trey stared out across the parking lot.

      “Yeah, me, too,” he said. “I keep thinking about that little speech I made at the church, wondering if I pushed the killer into it.”

      The shock of what Mack was feeling echoed in his voice.

      “Hell no, you didn’t push the bastard into anything. For one thing, he already killed twice before. Without a clue as to why this was happening, you’ve been helpless to stop anything. I’m finally coming to accept that they were all doomed from the start. Did Trina say anything? Do you have a lead?”

      “No, she was unconscious when I found her. That’s why I need the guards. If she pulls through, she might be able to finger the killer. I can only imagine how freaked out he must be, knowing she’s still breathing.”

      “Is there anything I can do? Do you need help—”

      “You’re helping by getting me the number. I’ll be watching for the text. I’ve got to call Sam. He’s on his way home. He doesn’t know Trina made it through surgery yet.”

      “Believe me, Trey, I know everything you’re going through right now. Just know Lissa and I will keep you in our prayers.”

      “I know you do, and thanks,” Trey said and disconnected. While he was waiting for Mack’s text, he called Dallas to let her know Trina had made it through surgery, then made the same call to Sam.

      * * *

      Sam’s eyes were burning, and his shoulders ached. He’d been driving in rain for over an hour, which was making it twice as difficult to see the highway. When his cell phone finally rang he almost jumped out of his skin. Then he saw it was from Trey and put it on speaker so he could keep both hands on the wheel.

      “Please give me some good news.”

      “Trina made it through the surgery. She’s in ICU. I’ll give you details when you get here. Right now I’m waiting on a phone number so I can get twenty-four-hour security on her.”

      “Thank the Lord,” Sam muttered. “I can help with security when I get there,” he added.

      “I know, but I’m selfish enough to want you with me. I have a couple of ideas as to where to take the investigation but I’m waiting on you to get here to implement them. Where are you?” Trey asked.

      Sam sighed.

      “Somewhere in Tennessee. I’m north of Knoxville, and that’s all I know for sure. It’s raining pretty hard right now. Difficult to see road signs.”

      Trey frowned. “Be careful. Stop and sleep over somewhere if you need to.”

      “Yeah, I watched one young man die tonight. I don’t want to be next.”

      “What? Are you okay?” Trey asked.

      “Yes. It was a wreck. I saw it, but I wasn’t in it.”

      “I’m sorry, Sam.”

      “Yeah, so am I, for a whole lot of reasons. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow. That’s all I know for sure. Keep me posted on any change in her condition.”

      “I will. Be safe. Oh...hey, I just got a text. It’ll be the info I’ve been waiting on. I’ll talk to you later,” Trey said and hung up.

      Sam heard the click in his ear and disconnected, too, thinking to himself how his little brother had grown up while he wasn’t looking.

      He drove for a few moments more, peering past the frantic swiping of the windshield wipers while the relief of knowing his sister was still alive sank in.

      “Thank You, God. Now please help me get home.”

      * * *

      The killer couldn’t rest. He needed to know if Trina Jakes was still breathing, but he didn’t want anyone else to know he was calling. He got out of bed, moving quietly through the house to his study as he called the hospital, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, as the phone began to ring.

      “Webster Memorial Hospital.”

      “I’m calling to check on Trina Jakes’ condition.”

      There was a pause, and then the operator СКАЧАТЬ