26

 

“Can’t you go any faster?” Will sat in the front seat of the police car, leaning forward as though that would help. The screaming siren and flashing lights did nothing to calm his nerves.

The cop barely glanced at him. “You could be wrong, you know. Just take it easy. We’ll be there soon.”

“I can’t take it easy. I know they’re in danger.” He leaned back and forced himself to slow his breathing. He tried to keep his frustration out of his voice. “Take this corner.”

“I know my way around the city.”

“Just hurry.”

As soon as they rounded the corner, flashing lights confirmed that the ambulance and other police had already arrived.

Will jumped out of the car before it came to a complete stop. He ran past the cop who yelled at him to halt. He skidded just outside the open door.

A cloth-covered figure was at the bottom of the stairs.

His shoulders slumped. His knees nearly gave out. His heart must have stopped.

“Where’s that stretcher?” someone called.

Will looked higher on the stairs, and air filled his lungs again. “Nila.”

A paramedic with a gurney pushed past him, stepped around the body on the landing, and headed for Nila’s semi-prone figure.

The other paramedic stood to assist his partner.

That gave Will a clear view of Nila’s blood-soaked sweater. He sagged against the doorway.

She couldn’t die.

His groan became a prayer. “Please, God.”

They moved her onto the stretcher, and her eyelids fluttered open. “Will?”

A cop held him back, so he raised his voice. “I’m here, sweetheart. You’re going to be fine.”

The paramedics carried the gurney down the stairs. As they neared the doorway, Nila reached for him. He enclosed her icy hand in his own.

The paramedics paused.

Will flashed them a grateful look. He leaned down to hear Nila’s faint whisper.

“The kids—are they all right? I—I couldn’t...”

He swallowed a huge lump of fear. He didn’t know, but she needed reassurance. “I’m sure they are.” He faced the stairs. “I can’t hear them. They must be asleep.”

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head.

A paramedic checked her pulse. “We’ve got to go,” he said to Will. “You can follow us if you’d like.”

They moved efficiently to the ambulance. Within moments, Nila was inside, and the doors closed.

Will stood frozen. He didn’t have a vehicle. His was back at his mom’s.

The ambulance pulled away and felt his heart go with it. But then, Nila’s question echoed. The kids. He had to check on Jess and Tommy.

Tires squealed. Jason slammed his vehicle to a stop in front of the house, and then Faith ran up the sidewalk. Faith cried out, “Jessie! Tommy!” She grabbed Will’s arm. “Who got hurt? Where are my kids? What happened?”

Will backed away as Jason caught up to them. “I haven’t gotten inside yet. Nila’s hurt, but the kids…I don’t know.”

Jason wrapped his arm around his wife and pulled her to the house.

She hung back, inches from Will. Her face twisted, and she beat on his chest. “I trusted you,” she sobbed. “You promised to take care of them.”

They disappeared into the house.

Will sank onto the ice-cold step. His sister was right. He had failed. Just like before. First Vixen, and now Nila. And probably his niece and nephew. He dropped his head onto his hands.

Nick had won after all.

He sat there as the cold seeped into his bones. It burned with a painful numbness. He didn’t care. Nothing mattered.

One of the officers tapped his shoulder. “Excuse me, but your sister needs you upstairs.”

He wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his parka and stood on shaky legs.

The cop nodded toward the stairs.

Will climbed them. Trepidation slowed his steps. He reached for the doorknob and paused. Regret held him captive. How could they ever forgive him?

Jason opened the door, motioned him inside, and closed it behind him. “We don’t want them to see the mess out there.”

Dread’s terrible weight lifted as he took in the scene.

Faith cradled Jessica on her lap and kissed her over and over while Tommy slept peacefully in his father’s arms.

“Jessie was awake, but calm, and as you can see, this little guy didn’t stir.” Jason shook his head. “Incredible.”

Jessica wiggled away from her mother’s kisses and waved. “Hi, Hunky Unky. Where Ni-ya?”

Will swallowed hard and knelt beside the daybed. He stroked her cheek, marveling at its softness, its wholeness. “Hi, sweetie. Auntie Nila’s busy right now, but you can see her later.”

She leaned into his touch. “O-kay. Where Deb-o-rah?”

Will looked at Faith, who stared back, questions in her eyes.

They both looked at Jason.

He shrugged and shook his head.

“Who is Deborah, sweetheart?” Faith asked, a frown creasing her forehead.

Jessica snuggled against her mother. “She nice. Shiny yady, yike yite.” She pointed at Tommy’s angel nightlight and sat up straight. “She sing-ed to me and Tommy when bad man ye-wed.” Her eyes widened, and her lower lip trembled. “Bad man gone?”

Will closed his eyes, but he could still see the covered form at the foot of the stairs.

Faith squeezed Jessica so tightly she whimpered. “Yes, baby girl, the bad man is gone.”

“O-kay. I wuv you, Mommy.” She turned to smile at her father and uncle. “I wuv you, Daddy and Hunky Unky.”

She leaned against Faith’s chest. “And I wuv Deb-o-rah, too. My ange-o.”

The three adults shared a look.

Will leaned against the wall. He stared at the angelic nightlight.

So God had sent an angel to guard the little ones. Good. They deserved it. But didn’t Nila, too?

 

****

 

Nila woke slowly. Her brain felt foggy. She opened her eyes. Too bright. She tried to shade them with her hand, but it seemed to be stuck. She tried to sit up. Pain pushed her back against the pillows, and she moaned.

Will appeared above her, new lines framing his puffy, red eyes. “Good morning. How are you feeling?”

She tried to speak, but it came out as a croak. Will held a straw to her mouth, and she sipped cool water. She pushed the straw away with her tongue. “Where am I? What happened?”

Will replaced the water jug and pulled his chair close to the bed. “You’re in the hospital. Don’t you remember?”

Images flashed. “Nick. I killed him.” She closed her eyes and moaned.

“He nearly killed you.” Will’s features hardened.

She struggled to remember. Fear cracked her voice. “Jessie? Tommy?”

Will cradled her cold hand in his, and the warmth infused her heart. “They’re fine. Pretty much slept through the whole thing.”

“Really?” Her whole life depended on his answer.

“Yes, they’re perfectly healthy. Probably wrecking my house by now. They’re all staying with me until the cops are done with the crime scene.”

Nila turned and stared at the wall. “But they could have been hurt. I ruined everything. People are suffering because of me.” The brightness of the room seemed to dim. She was consumed by gloom. When she spoke again, her voice rasped. “I killed a man. There were times I wished he was dead, and now he is.” Despair conquered, and hope vanished. She didn’t deserve anything good. She faced Will, and even though her mouth trembled, she forced the words out. “Leave me, Will. I’m no good. Not for you. Not for anyone.”

“But Nila…”

She shook her head. “Please, don’t. I can’t handle it. Just go away.”

She closed her eyes and waited.

Finally he released her hand, and warmth was replaced by barrenness. The chair scooted back as he stood, but she refused to look as his steps moved toward the door. They paused. His voice was low and full of pain. “Goodbye, Nila.”

Then he was gone.

She pressed her face against her pillow and sobbed.