Going Home (The Green Bayou Novels Book 1) Read online

  My heart thunders in my chest when I think back to Sarah. Memories of a million warning signs that seem so obvious now flood into my mind, but I missed them back then. I’m so hurt, saddened, and angry, but I can’t let him see it. My face remains stone cold, but inside I’m raging. I want to tear him limb from limb with my bare hands, and the struggle to remain collected grows harder with each word he speaks.

  Kent continues. “That’s right. She didn’t tell you because she was finally with a real man. When I found out she was pregnant with my baby, I figured I’d do right by her, keep her out here, and we could be a family. She had other plans. I came to visit her one day, and she was dead.”

  I’m still stone-faced, but I can’t help that the blood has drained from my face. She was pregnant, and it’s now confirmed that she’s dead. She didn’t leave me. It’s much easier to believe she ran off, that she ended things on her own terms. Instead, she died feeling helpless, terrified, and tortured. She counted on me to protect her, and I failed her. I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach. I failed Sarah. She’s dead because of me. I snap out of it when Kent starts talking again.

  “Walt, hell, I didn’t need him for anything but to seal the deal about her leaving you. He became some lucky gator’s supper the same night we got out here.” Kent clutching his jaw, wriggles it again. “And, that brings us to your current love, Emily. Oh, sweet Emily. Something that fine doesn’t come into our area very often. I wanted her the first day I saw her, and when I heard she was back in town, I made big plans for us. You beat me to her though. Didn’t you, Pete?” Kent says, struggling to stand. He flops back against the tree trunk.

  “Don’t move again,” I warn. Kent goes on as though nothing has been said.

  “I almost had her hooked, too. Little bitch kept blowing me off though, because of you! First at Chaisson’s, then at Christmas dinner, and at the New Year’s party. Then here, she bites the shit out of me when I try to nail her. She shouldn’t have fought me. One time with me, and she’d have been mine! MINE!” he shouts.

  That explains his pulled muscle story. Leave it to my Emily to take care of herself. She’s so strong, smart, and brave. My heart swells with pride when I think of how courageous she was to plan that out, and then follow through with it. Kent continues talking.

  “That’s okay though. Emily rocked out a private shower session for me.” He sighs. “Seeing her lather up that hot body of hers only proved to me that she was worth the wait. You’re looking a little red there, Pete. What? Are you upset to hear that she couldn’t wait to get naked for me? After a few days, she even confessed that she wanted to be with me. Ask her.”

  Again, my heart swells with pride. She told him what he wanted to hear to survive. I know that’s exactly what she did, and though I want to gouge his eyes out for looking at her, my love for Emily grows. She is my everything.

  Kent once again tries to stand, and I adjust my aim.

  “Stay where you are! Don’t you even think about getting up until I tell you!” I command.

  “Why? I suppose you want to take me into the station so that you can parade me around. Oh, look at me! I caught the big, bad Kent!” he facetiously sings out. “Well, they got nothing on me, except maybe kidnapping. Sarah killed herself, and there’s nothing left of Walt. No body, no crime, mother fucker. I’ll do my twenty years or so in the special part of prison. You know they keep cops in a special area, don’t you, Pete. A nice cushy area, away from all the real bad guys who might want to take vengeance on an ex-officer. I’ll get out, and when I do, I’m going to find you. My wish will be granted. Once I find Emily, I’m going to enjoy shoving my…”

  I zone out while intense animosity swirls through me like a hurricane. Kent’s right. He’ll serve a short sentence compared to his crimes, and he’ll come after us once he gets out. I know exactly what I need to do. My attention temporarily turns Bert.

  “You need to leave for this,” I say, my eyes dark with rage. “This is my issue, not yours.” Bert looks from Kent to me, then back to Kent.

  “I’m staying. We’re in this together, brother,” Bert decides.

  Pacing back and forth like a caged animal, I try to reign in the beast that’s trying to escape. I’m going to kill him, no doubt, but how I kill him is the issue. A bullet is far more humane than what I want to do to him. “Are you sure? I’m doing this, but you don’t have to be involved,” I warn once again.

  “I’ve made my decision. I’m staying.” I nod and train my aim back on Kent.

  “Hey man! What do you mean? What are you talking about? Wait! Oh no. I get a trial by jury, mother fucker. It’s my right! You’re a cop, and you can’t do shit except bring me in!” Kent yells.

  “You underestimate me, Kent. You’ll come after us as soon as you get the chance and probably go after a lot more people, too. You think I’m going to hold my breath waiting for the day you make good on your promise? Fuck you! I’m your judge and jury, and the sentence is death, you no good piece of shit!”

  Kent laughs. “You don’t have the balls. Go to hell!”

  “You first,” I say, squeezing two rounds into his chest.

  Kent slumps over and comes to rest against the tree he’s reclined against. He’s unmoving, but Bert fires an additional round into Kent’s already bloody chest. I look at him for an explanation.

  “Pete, we’re in this together,” Bert says, lowering his gun. “For better, or for worse, I got your back. If you go down, we both go down.”

  I holster my weapon. “It can only get better from here, right?” I ask, kicking the now lifeless body of Kent. “Fucker!” I proclaim, letting out a long sigh while leaning against a tree far from Kent. I run my hands through my hair.

  “I’ve never killed a man before,” I mumble.

  “Don’t. It was self-defense. He might not have had an actual weapon on him now, but we both know you and Emily would have to live your lives looking over your shoulders. He’d fuck with you from prison, and you know it.”

  I run my hand over my weary eyes. “I guess.”

  “No, you don’t guess. You know,” Bert asserts.

  “You’re right. I know. Our official statement we will give—so we found him behind the tree, he aimed his gun at us, and we shot him. Right?”

  “That’s exactly how I remember it,” Bert agrees. “Let’s go ahead and call it in.”

  I shake my head when he tries to get a signal on his cell phone, and he realizes we’re too far out of range to call for backup. It wasn’t a lie. Technically, we should leave the body and send a team in to retrieve him, but instead we carry Kent’s body towards the camp. The less people who see the actual crime scene, the less chance of our story being disputed. In fact, Bert and I will insist we carried Kent out to make it easier for help to get to him, but he perished during the trek back.

  Several uniformed deputies wait for us, along with some members of the Louisiana State Police. The crime scene unit is already sweeping the area, and boats motor around the normally serene bayou. We drop Kent’s body near the shore, and the sheriff pokes his head out the door of the camp. Walking to the edge of the porch and crossing over onto the bank, he sucks on a toothpick tucked in the corner of his mouth. He stands over Kent’s body shaking his head.

  “I’m gonna need a statement on this one, boys,” the sheriff requests.

  Bert and I nod. He climbs back into his boat and takes off down the bayou.

  Not surprisingly, it’s several hours before we’re released from the crime scene. I need to get to Emily, so I plead with those in charge until they finally allow me to leave for the hospital. Bert and I had to hand over our blood splattered clothes to the detectives, so I stop at Greenleaf long enough to shower and change. Afterwards, I race down the highway to get to my beautiful Emily.

  EMILY

  Thanks to the pain meds, my nap lasts longer than expected. As I struggle with waking up, I realize someone is holding my hand. Must be Connie, I think. Maybe I should go b
ack to sleep? I open my eyes to the familiar glow of the overhead light. When I turn my head, I see Pete sleeping in the chair beside my bed.

  “Oh, my god. Pete! Baby, you’re here!” He wakes with a start, and in a heartbeat, he’s lying next to me in the bed.

  “Hey there,” he whispers, softly cradling me in his strong arms. He very gently places kisses along my bruised and swollen face.

  “Oh, Pete! Pete!” I cry, trying to get as close to him as possible.

  “Be careful, baby. Don’t hurt yourself. I’m not going anywhere,” he says. “Kent’s dead. He can’t hurt anyone else,” he says, stroking my hair. His fingers skim over the wound left when Kent hit me over the head. He winces and looks closer to inspect it.

  “Does it hurt?’ he asks, his voice laden with concern.

  “A little. These hurt worse,” I say, pointing to all the bumps and bruises on my face. “It’s a wonder I don’t have brain damage. See, my hard head saves me once again.”

  Pete smiles at me and leans over to kiss one of my swollen cheeks.

  “Feel better?” he questions.

  “A little,” I say, trying to return his smile.

  “What about here?” he asks, kissing the other cheek.

  “Getting there.” His lips finally find mine, and he kisses me more tenderly than ever. Once he pulls away, he leaves one hand holding my cheek.

  “I almost lost you, Em.” He touches his forehead to mine.

  I nod, swallowing hard. “How much do you know? Pete, there are some things I need to tell you about when we…oh, Jacob. You heard about Jacob didn’t you?” I question.

  He nods and presses his finger against my lips. “I already know all I need to know,” he says.

  “But Pete…Sarah.”

  “I know everything. Kent bragged about it all,” he says, disgust and contempt flooding his face. His expression softens a bit when he says, “He also told me that he didn’t rape you because you…” His eyes drop, and he takes a deep breath. “Em, that bite is probably what saved you.”

  I nod. “It’s all I could think to do. I wanted him off me,” I explain.

  “I’m so proud of you and your quick thinking. You absolutely did the right thing. I hate thinking of that jerk’s hands on you. I should’ve been there to protect you!”

  “Pete, you didn’t know. I didn’t know. Nobody knew,” I reason. “Poor Jacob tried so hard to get free to help me.” My eyes drop to my lap.

  “I know, sweetie. He was a good man. I was jealous of him a lot, but I’m glad he was such a good friend to you,” he says, pulling me into him. After a few moments of silence, he backs away slightly.

  “Something you probably don’t know is how long Kent’s been doing this. That came out when we confronted him in the woods.” I look confused, so Pete tells the story.

  “Oh, my god. I had no idea. So basically, the incident that separated us all those years ago was Kent’s fault? That’s eerie. Now let me tell you something you probably don’t know. He’s the person who caused Cherie to wreck into the bayou that night. He knew she was on to him. He had it all planned out so Jacob and I would be the ones to respond and everything. Sick bastard. Have you heard anything about her condition?”

  “Last I heard she was in DeSoto and still in ICU. They expect her to pull through, but she’ll need lots of rehab. You saved her life, Em,” Pete answers. I nod then I look deeply into Pete’s eyes.

  “I never want us to be separated again. Ever.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he smiles, pulling my ring out of his pocket and sliding it back onto my finger.

  “I thought it was gone! Where did you find it?” I ask, excitedly.

  “Kent left it with a note saying you and Jacob had run off together. I knew you’d never do anything like that to me, and when I saw the ring, I knew for sure something was wrong. That ring helped me save you. That ring and String Bean.”

  “String Bean?”

  “Alphonse.”

  “Alphonse! How is he? Did he get away?”

  “He’s fine. Barely a scratch on him. That little sucker came through like nobody’s business. I’m going to put in for a commendation for him.”

  “That’ll make his momma proud.”

  “It’s well deserved.”

  “Oh, I can’t wait for us to be back in our bed. I don’t ever want to leave your arms.”

  “You’d get tired of me,” he says with a laugh.

  “Never.”

  “I want you to say that fifteen years from now when we’re chasing six kids around the house.”

  “Six kids! You plan on staying mighty busy, don’t you?”

  “That’s my plan.” Pete kisses me.

  “Speaking of plans, when do we get to go home?” I ask, snuggling against his chest.

  “Not soon enough,” Pete answers, stroking my hair. “Not soon enough.” I can’t help but smile.

  13

  My bruises are considerably faded by the time Jacob’s memorial service rolls around. Just the faintest hint of color peeks through my makeup. Pete, clad in his dress uniform, wears a black band around his badge.

  “You okay?” he asks while holding the car door open for me.

  “Yeah, I’m okay, but I need a minute.” I fight tears as I watch a steady crowd of mourners filing into the four-story building. Most wear uniforms; some are in suits or dresses. I had the option to choose, so I’m wearing a black dress. The thought of putting on that uniform repulses me; my wounds are too fresh.

  “I suppose we should go inside,” I say after letting out a pent up breath. Pete kisses the top of my head and pulls open the door to the Evangeline South Medical Response’s headquarters. I remove my sunglasses, and we snake through the corridors until we arrive at the huge bay area in the rear of the building. It’s normally used to store ambulances, but today it holds much more. Ambulances line the back parking lot and driveway. They’re joined by fire trucks, police cars, and every other type of service vehicle imaginable. Black ribbons are tied to all of their antennas. The ambulances and some of the fire trucks have black wreaths fastened to their grills. A lump forms in my throat as I take it all in.

  Pete and I have reserved seats up front, and I steal a glance at the lone ambulance parked in the bay. Jacob’s inside that one. The lump in my throat swells as I fight back the tears. I look over at the makeshift podium that has been assembled, and next to it propped on an easel is a large picture of Jacob.

  Georgia and her family sit across the aisle from us, and I give a slight wave to acknowledge her. She does the same. Drying my eyes with the tissue I’ve remembered to bring, I listen intently to Grant’s introductory speech. He offers a brief prayer, and then tells of Jacob’s career with ESMR. As soon as he finishes, he looks at me.

  “Since you were his partner, would you like to say anything?” he asks.

  Taking a deep breath, I nod and make my way to the podium. I clutch the lectern so hard my knuckles turn white. As I clear my throat, I scan all the faces in the large crowd.

  My voice is shaky at first, but there are many familiar faces in the crowd, so I begin to speak more calmly. I spot Carter, Joe, and Rob. Also in the crowd are Alphonse, Sheriff Rivet, Bert, and Connie, who gives me an encouraging smile.

  “I had the honor of working with Jacob, and in the time that we worked together, we developed a very special relationship. When we first met, I never imagined we’d forge such a solid and special a bond. I’m alive because he gave his life trying to protect me.”

  A fresh batch of tears well in my eyes, but I choke them back.

  “I’m so torn, because even though I’m incredibly heartbroken, I’m honored and grateful that he loved me enough to die for me. Yes, he loved me, and I him. Those of you who have partners you’re close to will understand the strong bond to which I’m speaking. My hope is that Jacob died knowing what a hero he was. I want to tell him how appreciative I am of his bravery, his selflessness, and his courage. I can’t
, but I can tell all of you.” I pause for a moment. After another deep breath, I try again.

  “I’m sure most of you know that Jacob and I were kidnapped from our station and held captive in a cabin on the bayou. Despite his unbearable pain and his horrific injuries, Jacob repeatedly threw himself into harm’s way to keep me safe from our attacker. A partner is under no obligation to do such things. He could have looked after himself. It wasn’t his battle to fight, but he fought it without hesitation.”

  A chill runs through me when I ponder where I might be if Jacob hadn’t been there with me.

  “I can tell you all, especially his beautiful fiancée Georgia, how honored and grateful I am for everything Jacob did for me.”

  I looked over to where Georgia sits, and I notice her nodding to me as I speak.

  “Jacob’s parents have requested he be returned to his hometown of Shreveport for burial. He’ll be going home very soon. First, I want to thank all of you for giving Jacob the hero’s send-off he deserves.” I open my hands toward the crowd. “ESMR is going to transport Jacob home in our station’s ambulance. We’re going lights and sirens one last time, partner.” I blow a kiss toward the unit standing by. I’m nearly sobbing by this time, so I swallow hard and blow out a deep breath before I continue.

  “The sheriff of Atchafalaya Parish has graciously allowed two of his deputies to escort the ambulance all the way to Shreveport. Thank you, sir. You’re truly going above and beyond, and it’s greatly appreciated.” I look to the sheriff and nod my thanks to him.

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way! Jacob was a real good man!” he yells. I smile.

  “That he was, Sheriff. Let’s never forget Jacob’s sacrifice, and we can all honor him by staying safe out there, my brothers and sisters.” I conclude my speech and walk from the podium to the waiting ambulance. I open the back doors, kiss my hand, and place it on the casket.

  “Goodbye, my brother,” I say. Georgia and Pete join me.