Chapter Forty-Three
Saturday, March 31st
Zach watched the monitor while TJ Poole sat at his side. “Look at her. She’s acting like she doesn’t have a care in the world,” TJ said, watching Tara Blanchard working in Eleanor’s room.
“Eleanor is aware someone’s there,” Zach said. TJ crunched his brows. “Look at the monitor. Her heart rate and breathing rate bumped up.” Zach leaned over and raised the volume.
“Elora, you are starting to piss me off. Wake up and talk to me.” Tara filled a basin with cold water. “I’d let you rot, but I need to keep you clean as ordered.”
“Wes…save…puppies…corn…no…no,” Eleanor mumbled. “Wes…run…save…Wes.”
“Mumble, mumble, damn it, Elora, we need to know where you hid the damn chest.” Tara slapped Eleanor’s cheeks.
Eleanor feebly raised her hand to push Tara away. “Wes…no…die…”
“Maybe this will help you,” Tara said as she pulled a vial and syringe from her pocket.
Zach and TJ were on their feet. They tossed open the door, weapons drawn. “It’s over, Tara,” Zach said.
TJ grabbed her wrist, forcing the syringe out of Tara’s hand. “What are you doing? It’s a flush for the IV,” Tara maintained.
Zach picked up the vial from the counter. “When did saline flushes start being called sodium thiopental? TJ, take her to holding.” He moved over to Eleanor. “I need some help in here.”
Eleanor’s head rolled on the pillows. “Wes…save…Wes…” she moaned.
* * *
Kip sat across from Tara. Kyle sat beside her and yawned. “I’m getting tired. What about you, bro?” Kyle asked.
“Actually, I’m hungry. What about you, Tara? Tara is your real name. Now Blanchard, that has to belong to the sick piece of shit you married,” Kip said.
A flicker of light moved across her face.
“Yup, you’re going down for attempted murder. And accessory to kidnapping, assault, murder. Am I missing anything?” Kyle asked.
“All the crimes are federal too. She did cross state lines,” Kip said.
Tara squirmed in her seat. “I want a lawyer,” she asked after four hours with Kip and Kyle tag-teaming her.
“Okay, Kip, I’ll call Agent Murrow. He’ll be ecstatic we have a lead in his daughter’s disappearance,” Kyle said.
“No… Wait.” Tara yanked at the cuff holding her to the table. “Please, he’ll hurt me. She said he’s evil.”
“Who, Tara?” Kyle leaned in toward her.
“Theresa Murrow.” Tara dropped her head between her hands.
* * *
Troy sat beside Wes in the ICU. “Your mom and dad are coming. They want you to know they love you. I spoke to your grandma too. She says you need to recuperate at the lodge. She’s got to be fun at parties. She wanted to know if you had someone special in your life. When I dodged her, she wanted to know if we were a couple. You do have a cute ass and great hair,” he teased, “but I told her you weren’t my type.
“Ice found the mole. It was the PA, Tara Blanchard. Seems Tara is married to another Drake—Weaver. Matches what Ellie said about integrating into the community. There was nothing in her background that should have been flagged. She was normal until she met Fred Blanchard while working at a community center. And, yes, it’s the same community center Ellie volunteered at. This was a coincidence. Tara and hubby worked there first. Tara applied legitimately. My guess, there were more applicants from the Divine End. DC is rerunning every applicant.
“She confirmed that Theresa Murrow went from victim to willing participant. Theresa married Conrad Drake, whom we know as Dixon Knolls. Theresa stole Ellie’s little ones for her own. The infant girl is still critical with encephalitis. A little boy was admitted last night; we are waiting for the confirmation, but I’m sure he’s Ellie’s. He’s battling. The newborn didn’t make it.” Troy swallowed hard, trying to control his emotions.
“Brandon Finch came back to work. He cares a lot about the program. He said all the patients are making measurable progress. You did it. Um, Gwen and I, we spent the night in the motel before we headed to the hospital and Shepherdstown. I felt at peace lying beside her while she slept. No bad dreams.
“I’m gonna talk to Finch. I decided, when I get to San Diego, and after the colostomy reversal, I’m thinking about trying…well, you know. I do need an XO. Ugh, I already hear your voice in my head.
“I need your help on something else. We talked to the administrator at the senior center where Ellie and Belinda volunteered. I need to replay a few things. I don’t know how the story took on the lie, but Belinda was not the loving sister Ellie made us think she was. I think Belinda is running this ring with her parents.
“Ellie’s still out of it. But when she wakes up, how do I tell her you’re here, and her sister is the cause of her misery?” Troy lowered his head in prayer.
