Desperate Choices (17 page)

“He’s dead.”

Max’s words echoed through the hospital room. He shrugged out of his suit jacket and slung it over the back of the lone chair next to the bed before flopping down in it. His hands wrestled with the knot of his necktie.

“Who’s dead?” Remy asked from the bed. The whining sound of a motor whirred as he raised himself up to a more comfortable position. His left shoulder was bandaged, his arm positioned in a sling strapped close to his body.

“Steven Black. Lousy son of a bitch isn’t going to have to pay for a thing he did.”

“Damn. I thought they arrested him. What happened?” Remy’s voice was laced with pain as he struggled for a more upright position.

“They did. Once he let the kids go, he walked out and turned himself in. Captain Wheeler was pleased everything went down without anybody getting hurt. Except you, of course.” Max grinned at his baby brother, who gave an undignified snort in response.

“Anyway, they arrested him, took him down to the station and booked him. Put him in a holding cell to await arraignment. Half an hour later, a guard found him lying on the floor not breathing.”

“Heart attack?”

“Don’t know, but I don’t think so. The investigators found about a half-dozen pill bottles in the bathroom of the garage he held the kids in. I’m guessing when he asked for those two minutes, after he let Tommy and the girl go, he went into the bathroom and downed all those pills.”

“Prescriptions? Any idea where he got them?”

Max could tell Remy’s mind was working along the same path his had.

“Yeah, they’re checking with his physician, but from the names of the meds, he was on some pretty strong stuff, massive pain medication. Pure speculation on my part, but I figure he didn’t have long to live anyway.”

“Do you know who the girl is? One of the guys said something about her being in a wheelchair.”

“You’re not gonna believe this one. Rebecca Burton is actually his niece.”

“Lord have mercy, he treated his own family like that, keeping her a prisoner? The man was freaking crazy, wasn’t he?” Remy leaned back against the pillows, shaking his head.

Max nodded. “You want to hear something even more amazing? Tommy told his folks as much as he wanted to come home, he wouldn’t unless they let Becca come and live with them.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope. Apparently they became pretty close during all this, spending so much time together, isolated. When things got really bad there at the end, they didn’t have anybody but each other to depend on.”

Remy kept shaking his head. “I guess I can understand that. It’s kind of like Theresa and me. Friendship through adversity. So what did Tommy’s parents say?”

“What could they say? His parents want him home so badly I think they’d agree to just about anything at this point. They’re keeping Becca in the hospital for a couple of days, just to make sure she’s okay. David’s contacting Social Services, to find out what needs to be done so she can live with them.”

Max ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, making it stand up on end. Casting a look at his brother, he quirked an eyebrow at him. Remy chuckled. “What’s so funny?”

“Sorry, bro. You’re just looking a bit like a porcupine at the moment.” Max’s hand flew back up, smoothing down the offending locks, while Remy continued to grin at him.

“Why so dressed up, by the way? Going someplace special?”

Max shifted in the chair, hesitating, uncertain with what he was about to tell his brother. He knew how much Remy cared about Theresa, and he didn’t want to drive a wedge between them. But Max loved her, more than he’d ever thought it possible to love another person. Just thinking about her made his blood sing. Desire flashed through him within seconds.

“I’m taking Theresa out to dinner tonight. Look, Remy, about me and Theresa, there’s something you need to know.”

“You mean like the fact that you’re so head-over-heels in love with her you can’t see straight?” Remy laughed aloud, surprising Max. “I hate to break it to you, big brother, but I think the only person who didn’t realize you were in love with Theresa was you. And maybe Theresa.”

“It doesn’t bother you that I love her?”

Remy looked at his brother, his own love and compassion shining clearly in his eyes.

“Max, I care about Theresa, you know that. I’m not in love with her, though. Never have been. She’s my best friend and the closest thing I’ve ever had to a sister. Nothing makes me happier than the thought of you loving her.” After a beat, he continued. “You do know that she loves you too, don’t you?”

“I’m praying she does.” Reaching into his trouser pocket, Max pulled out a jeweler’s box and opened it, handing it to Remy. Remy stared down at the sapphire-and-diamond ring nestled inside, surrounded by the black velvet interior.

“I’m going to ask Theresa to marry me.”

“You’ll wait on the ceremony until I’m out of the hospital, so I can be the best man, right?” Remy grinned up at his brother, then grimaced as the muscles pulled in his shoulder from too much movement.

“How long before they spring you from this joint anyway?”

“Couple more days. They want to keep me to make sure there’s no sign of infection from the surgery where they took out the bullet.”

“You are so damn lucky it missed your heart. Doc said another couple of inches and we’d have lost you. It struck the rib, and they had a heck of a time digging that sucker out.”

Remy rolled his eyes. “Don’t remind me. I’ve heard it in gruesome detail from the guys at the station.”

Remy handed the ring box back to Max, as a nurse came in to check his vitals. The cute curvy blonde smiled as she wrapped the blood pressure cuff around his upper arm. Remy grinned at his brother and winked.

Max replaced the ring in his pocket. With a quick wave to his brother, he left him to the tender mercies of the nursing staff.

***

Theresa totaled up the receipts Maggie had left for her, after closing up the shop that afternoon. Working on the Saunders case with Max and Remy, she’d been away from her place more than usual, yet the customers still came and spent their hard-earned dollars on the merchandise she carried. Whenever she thought about her shop she always felt a sense of accomplishment, a pride
that her place was unique and special. Citizens of New Orleans and tourists alike frequented her place. She made a good living doing something she loved, yet now it wasn’t enough.

She knew the answer, had known for some time, but she’d been running from the truth. God in His infinite wisdom had given her a special gift—one born in tragedy, but nonetheless a gift—which she had squandered, ignored and even hidden.

She walked to the safe in the wall behind her glass counter, opened it and placed the daily receipts and cash inside. She swung the door closed, spinning the tumblers to make sure it locked. She froze, feeling the air around her turn eerily cold, goose bumps running up and down her arms. Instinctively she turned around and came face-to-face with Jacob Freeman.

Or, more precisely, his ghost. She raised a trembling hand to her chest in surprise.
Okay, you’ve talked to him before, and he didn’t hurt you. Stay calm and find out what he wants.

“Hello, Jacob. Can I do something for you?”

Jacob was still more insubstantial than solid, but distinctly present. He looked exactly as he had the last time she’d seen him in her dream.

“I came to say thanks. You saved Tommy and the girl. Because of you, he can’t hurt anybody ever again. I’m just sorry he won’t pay for what he did to them and to me.”

“What do you mean? He’s been arrested, and he’ll go to prison.”

“No he won’t, because he’s dead. He killed himself.” Jacob’s apparition shook his head slowly, his expression sad.

“He was in jail, how could he have committed suicide?”

“All I know is he’s crossed over. I’ll be doing that soon, too. I just wanted one more chance to say thanks.”

Theresa stared at him. He was translucent, paler than he’d been when he had first appeared in her vision. She realized they didn’t have much time left.

“Jacob, I know this is hard, but can you tell me where Steven put your body, you know, after he…killed you? I’d like to be able to help give your parents and your sister some closure.”

Jacob nodded. “He rolled me up in a big rug, one of those fancy kinds with fringe all around it. Stuffed it in the back of the old tool shed on the other side of his garage. He hid me pretty well, behind a big wooden table. He stacked some other stuff on top, ladders, ropes and other things, so I probably wouldn’t be noticed right away.”

“You’re still right there on the property? He didn’t move you?” Surprise laced Theresa’s voice. Poor Jacob had been there the whole time, yet nobody had found his body.

Again Jacob nodded, his blond hair falling down across his forehead.

“I’ll tell the police where to find you, and get you back with your family, Jacob, I promise.”

He smiled, lifted his hand in a little wave, and in the blink of an eye he was gone.

Theresa walked slowly over and flopped down into her chair. This had really been one heck of a day. A shooting, a hostage situation and, now, a ghostly visitation. What other surprises could this day hold?

Theresa shook out the folds of the dress she’d picked out for the evening. She bought it months ago, on a dare from Remy, but never found the courage to wear it. A deep, vivid red with a halter neck that dipped low in the front and the back, exposing more skin than she’d ever been comfortable with. She quickly stripped and changed into sexy red lace undergarments. She slid the cool material of the dress over her head, tugging the fabric down over her hips, and fastened the catch at the back of her neck.

She grabbed the hairbrush from her dresser and walked toward the bathroom to finish getting ready. She caught a glimpse of her reflection as she walked past the standing mirror in the corner of her bedroom. She stopped abruptly, her eyes going wide at the sight.

Her long blond hair floated freely, framing her face and cascading down her back. The slinky fabric clung to her curves, outlining them to perfection, accentuating her figure without making her look cheap. She liked what she saw in the glass. For the first time she saw an attractive woman, an air of confidence about her that hadn’t been there before. Smiling at her reflection, she finished her trek into the bathroom to finish up her hair and makeup. Max would be here soon, and she wanted to be ready.

When she heard the knock on her back door, she raced down the stairs. He was here. Anticipation flowed like champagne bubbles tingling through her veins.

She swung open the door, and Max stood on the other side, a dark charcoal-colored suit encompassing his broad shoulders. A crisp blue shirt and patterned blue tie completed his outfit, the muted colors in the shirt and tie accenting the ice blue-gray hue of his eyes. The total effect was amazing. She’d seen Max dressed up before, but this was different.
He dressed up for me.

“Wow, you look stunning.” Max’s words were followed by a wolf whistle. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look more beautiful than you do tonight.”

“Thank you, Max. I must say you’re looking rather dapper yourself.”

Max ran a hand down the front of his tie. “You ready to go?”

“I’m all yours.” This time when she said those words, she meant them. She truly was his. She knew deep in her heart she always had been and always would be.

Picking up her purse and a light wrap, she allowed Max to usher her out the door. They walked for a few blocks and she realized that Max was taking her back to the same restaurant where they’d dined at the beginning of this whole investigation, where they’d fought and she’d threatened to quit. She looked up at him, a question in her eyes.

“I felt it was the right place for us tonight. To maybe eradicate some of those old memories, and make some new, more pleasant ones.”

She stopped and he did, too. Reaching up with both hands, she cupped his face, drew it toward hers and stretched upward, pressing a brief kiss to his soft lips. “I think that’s a wonderful idea, Max. Let’s make some new memories tonight.”

Max lowered his head and kissed her in return, his lips caressing hers, not in a brief touch as hers had been, but a ravaging, marauding, feel-it-to-the-depths-of-your-soul type kiss. It was as if he were trying to kiss his way through her, to be a part of her. Theresa responded just as arduously, forgetting they were standing on a busy sidewalk in the French Quarter, people milling around them, whistling and cheering at the sight.

Max finally pulled back, staring down into Theresa’s face. She read the desire and need in his eyes, knowing her gaze echoed his. She wanted him all the time, it seemed, every minute of every day. It was a need growing in her, one she no longer intended to deny.

“Let’s go get that dinner before I ravish you right here in the middle of town.” He smiled down at her, at the love shining in her eyes. Hands clasped, they walked a few more feet and entered the restaurant. At Max’s request they were led to the same table they’d had on their previous visit. The garden terrace sparkled with twinkling lights, accented by the candles lit and waiting on the table.

They placed their order, and Max told her about the things he’d found out earlier that day, about Steven Black’s death, and his visit to Remy.

When he finished talking, Max stood and reached out his hand for hers. “May I have this dance?”

Theresa stood, placing her hand in Max’s. He led her over to the secluded corner of the terrace where there was enough space for two people to dance. The light strains of music could be heard floating through the open French doors of the main restaurant, low, slow and romantic.

With Max holding her in his arms, Theresa felt as if she were home. With all her heart, she prayed that someday Max would feel the same way about her. She rested her head on his shoulder, swaying to the music playing, envisioning a future full of love and happiness, knowing that it was all a dream, but unable to push it away.

***

The dance finished, Max led her back to the table where they ate and talked. When Theresa excused herself to go to the ladies’ room, Max pulled the ring box out of his pocket, once again looking at the sapphire-and-diamond ring inside. The love he felt for her was overwhelming. He wanted to shout to the entire restaurant that she was his and declare his feelings to the world.

Reaching into his pocket, he rubbed his fingers across the other surprise gift he’d had made for her. Almost as much as he wanted her to say yes to his proposal, he wanted her to say yes to this, too.

He stood when she returned to the table, pulling her chair out before returning to take his seat. Now that the moment was here, he was shaking like a schoolboy. Stalling, he motioned the waiter over and ordered dessert. Theresa watched him, a seductive smile flirting around those gorgeous sensuous lips of hers.

“Theresa, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you. No, don’t say anything, let me get this out.” Max reached down and wiped his sweaty palms on the linen napkin across his lap.

“We’ve been through a lot these last few days, and I know—even though we’ve known each other for years—we’ve gotten closer through this whole situation. I’ve realized how much I care about you, and want you in my life. You’re everything to me.” He paused, gazing into the eyes of his woman. His world. “I love you.”

Rising from his chair, Max dropped to one knee beside Theresa’s chair. He smiled at the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

“You love me?” Theresa whispered the question.

“Honey, I’ve loved you for a long time. I fought it. I tried to push you away, but it didn’t do any good. My feelings for you never changed, never even wavered. I loved you then, and I love you now.” Max reached into his pocket and pulled out the box. Opening it, he showed the sparkling ring to Theresa. “Will you marry me? Be my wife, live with me, bear my children and love me for the rest of our lives?”

Laughing and crying at the same time, Theresa leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. “Of course, I’ll marry you, Max. I love you so much. Yes, yes, I’ll marry you.”

A huge grin spread across Max’s face. He straightened, lifted Theresa out of her chair and swung her around. The sound of applause from the other patrons of the restaurant echoed around them. Theresa hid her face on his shoulder, embarrassed and ecstatic.
God, how he loved her!

He finally lowered her back to her chair and resumed his seat, but not before sliding the white-gold band onto her finger, placing a brief kiss there once the ring settled into place.

Max knew he was grinning like an idiot, but he couldn’t help it.

“I’ve got one more thing I wanted to ask you. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for the last few days.” He slid a plain white object across the table, until it rested by Theresa’s hand. “I want you to consider coming to work with me. With your psychic abilities, I think we’ll be a great team.”

He sat back and watched her take in the inscription on the business card. Lamoreaux Investigations was scrolled across the top followed by the names Max and Theresa Lamoreaux spelled out on the textured white card.

“Really?”

Something clicked deep inside Theresa. She didn’t hesitate in her answer.

“I don’t need to think about it, Max. I want to come and work with you. We’ll probably butt heads, but I think we can make it work. I know we can.”

She smiled at him across the table, grasping his hand and intertwining their fingers. Looking down at their joined hands, hers so delicate and yet strong, his large and rough, she knew it would work out.

After all, it didn’t take a psychic to figure out they’d find a way to be together, working and loving, fighting and making up, until the end of time.

She couldn’t wait for their future together to start.