Page 57 of Gentle Persuasion

“What would you have done?” Tina asked sharply. “Bullied the doctors? Cried harder than I did? Killed some one else?”

The color faded from her face. She clasped her fingers to her lips to call back the words, but it was too late. “Oh my God,” she moaned, and jumped to her feet. She wrapped her arms around Cole’s waist and buried her face against his chest. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. You know my mouth—it has no brain, only a mechanism that makes it flap.”

Debbie was sick. The look on Cole’s face—if he’d been slapped, he couldn’t have been more shocked. She wanted to shake Tina Garza, but knew that her words had come from exhaustion and fear. There was nothing she could do now but let Tina make her apologies and hope that when this was over, Cole had survived.

“It’s okay, honey,” Cole said, and patted her shoulder. He felt the slight protrusion of her belly pushing against him. It was only a reminder that Rick Garza had too much to live for to lose it now. “Last night was hell on everyone.”

Tina turned away. Shame for what she’d done overwhelmed her. Cole was Rick’s best friend, like a brother to her. And she’d done the unforgivable. She’d hurt the man who’d tried to save her husband’s life.

“It’s just this damn job,” she cried. “It’s inhuman.”

Cole’s expression froze. Debbie watched her world falling to bits before her eyes and knew that if she didn’t do something now, it would be too late. Tina was simply mouthing Cole’s sentiments. It’s all she’d heard since she’d arrived from Oklahoma. Cops, marriages, and families don’t mix.

She knew there were plenty of policemen and women who made marriages work…and work well. But the facts were there. There were also plenty that failed.

“Come with me,” Debbie said. She slipped her hand beneath Tina’s elbow. “Let’s go wash up. When we come back, I’ll fix your hair. When you put on some makeup, you’ll feel like a new woman. Trust me.”

Cole watched them walk away. He tried to block out what Tina had just said, but it was impossible. Cops and marriages don’t mix…don’t mix…don’t mix...

They came back, but Cole was gone. Two members of Tina’s family had just arrived to bring her fresh clothing and news of her son’s night at the grandparents’ home. For a moment, everything seemed almost normal.

“Did anyone see where Cole went?” Debbie asked.

A man, whom Tina quickly introduced as her uncle, spoke. “He’s in Rick’s room. The doctor was just here making rounds. He got permission.” The last was said for Tina’s benefit.

Tina slumped down into a chair and buried her face in her hands. “He doesn’t need permission,” she said softly. “He’s as much a member of this family as any of us. I just hope he can forgive me for what I said.”

“Don’t,” Debbie said softly. “Knowing Cole, he already has.”

But Debbie was wrong. Cole hadn’t forgotten a thing. And for the next five days, it festered inside of him until he was a fight waiting to happen.

***

“Dad, I’m going to be gone for a couple of days.”

Morgan turned around in shock and dropped the shears he’d been using to trim the shrubbery in the backyard.

“Now? I thought you were taking a few days off since—”

“The man is dead. I couldn’t stop it from happening, just like I can’t make the world stop spinning, understand?”

“That isn’t what I meant,” Morgan answered just as sharply.

Cole stuffed his hands in his pockets. The grim expression on his face darkened. “I know it,” he said. “And I still jumped all over you anyway. That’s why I need to get away. I’ve got to get back to work, get back on the street…”

He stared into the clear, nearly blue-white waters of the pool. “If I don’t do it now, I may never be able to face it again.”

Morgan hugged his son. “I didn’t realize it was bothering you this much,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

Cole shrugged. “Nothing anyone can do…except me.”

“Does Debbie know?”

Cole turned away. He didn’t answer.

“Cole…dammit! Does she?”

“No!”

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