Submerged

“Good guess. Actually, I agreed to stay at her house for a few days.”

“Why would you do that?”

Marcus sucked in a deep breath. “She’s petrified that whoever tried to kill her will come back and try again. Even the police think it’s a possibility.”

“What about her kids?”

“They’re staying with their aunt. That leaves Rebecca alone in her house with no support other than a patrol car outside.”

“If she’s got police watching her, she’s more than likely gonna be fine.”

“Why are you giving me such a hard time about this, Leo? I’m trying to be a nice guy.”

“Sorry, man. I can’t help it if I worry about you. It strikes me as very unusual for you to take such an interest in one of our callers.”

“Rebecca’s not merely a caller. Not to me. Not after all this.”

Leo sighed. “I know you feel some kind of connection to her. I won’t argue with that. But I do think you’re rushing into things, not considering the consequences.”

“What’s there to consider? I’m going to sleep on her couch so she’s not alone, not sleep with her.”

“You sure about that?”

Marcus clenched his jaw. “You’ve been telling me for months to get out more, meet someone. Well, guess what? I did. Okay, granted I met her on the job, but who’s to say there’s anything wrong with that? I like her. I think she likes me. Right now, all that’s important is that she feels safe. I can do that for her.”

“I’m not sure about this, Marcus.”

“I know what I’m doing is a bit… unorthodox. But she asked me to stay, and I couldn’t say no. Hell, it’s for a few days. It’s not like I’m moving in with her permanently.”

There was a long, uncomfortable pause.

Then Leo said, “Fine. Do what you gotta do.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust your judgment. It’s just that I—”

“Don’t trust my judgment.”

Leo chuckled. “I worry about you. You can’t blame me for that.”

“I know, Leo. And I appreciate it. Really. But I’m fine. For the first time in a long time I feel like I’ve got my life back.”

“Something else happen to you out at the river?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… you sound like you’ve had a near-death experience or something. You know, seen the light and all. Maybe you drowned and then came back to life.”

Marcus laughed. “You should write books with that imagination. No, I didn’t drown. No near-death experience either. No tunnel or bright light, except from the flashlight.”

“So this woman. Rebecca. She hot?”

The question took Marcus by complete surprise. “Uh… I guess.”

“You guess? That’s lame, man. She’s either hot or not.”

“Fine. She’s hot.” Sizzling hot.

“You bring her over for dinner one night.”

Marcus wiped a hand across his brow and focused on the road.

“Marcus, you there?”

“Yeah, Leo. I heard you. And the invite. I won’t promise anything. She may not be that into me. I’m rusty at reading signals.”

“But there were signals?”

“I think so.”

“Well, you are her superhero.”

Marcus sat up. “What? Where did you hear that?”

Leo erupted into laughter. “Oh man. Word got out in the hospital and went everywhere. I heard Carol’s making you a cape.”

“Shit.”

“Hey, don’t sweat it. You did good, Marcus. Real good. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks.”

“Now, what do you want me to do about Arizona?”

“I’ll pick her up before we leave for Rebecca’s. And Leo? I’ve really appreciated you looking after Arizona for me.”

“No problem. Except you’re gonna have to talk my wife out of getting a dog now. That’s all on you, buddy.”

Marcus laughed. “I’ll do my best, but I know that once someone looks into Arizona’s big brown eyes, she’s got them hooked.”

“I’m not getting a dog.”

“Okay, Leo. You keep saying that. Bye.” Click.

On the long drive to Edmonton, Marcus mulled over the attempt on Rebecca’s life and every possible scenario.

He kept hearing John Zur’s voice in his head. “She’s into you.”

Could he be right?

Chapter Thirty-Two

Hinton, AB – Saturday, June 15, 2013 – 1:57 PM

When Carter Billingsley walked into her hospital room, Rebecca gave him a smile. “You didn’t have to drive all the way here to see me.”

“Yes, I did. It’s the least I could do. You know your father and I go way back.” Carter leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You’re like a daughter to me.”

“So the kids can call you Grandpa then?”

His frowned. “Let’s stick with Uncle Carter, shall we?”

“I’m glad to see you,” she said with a sigh. “It’s been a rough few days.”

He dragged the chair closer. “I hear it’s going to be rougher.”

She squeezed back tears and nodded, not trusting her voice.

“Rebecca, I want you to know that the extra bills have been paid for from your grandfather’s money. Yours too.” He held up a hand to silence her. “I know he specified it was to be spent solely on the children, but you and I both know he’d do this for you. He’d want you to have the best care and not have to worry about paying bills later.”

A tear escaped and she wiped it away. “Thank you.”

“Is there anything I can do for you or the children?”