Page 33 of Two Hearts' Accidental Heroes

“Shanna? I’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I’m not sure how much time I have left,” he said gruffly. “There are some things we need to talk about. I’m going to send a friend of mine over to come and get you. He’ll be taking care of you for me.”

Her initial grief turned into panic. Would she be held hostage for the rest of her life?

“Things are going to be different. I promise,” he said softly. “You’ll understand when he arrives to pick you up.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow morning. Ten o’clock. Be there at the large cabin. Okay?”

“Alright,” Shanna answered, filled with dread.

Chapter Eighteen

It had been a long cold winter. Although Rick had discovered nothing at all about the trafficking ring, he’d watched his boss’ health deteriorate before his very eyes.

Until finally he’d collapsed at work one day in February, and Rick had been the one to drive him to the hospital.

“I have cancer, you know,” Wes confessed, his voice so weak, Rick could barely hear him.

Rick nodded. “I knew that something was wrong, Wes. I also knew that you’d tell me if you wanted me to know.”

They’d developed respect for each other, and even though Rick had been able to discover nothing in regard to his investigations, he had his suspicions as to why.

Wes knew who he was. He’d probably known from the beginning, and had been watching and assessing, trying to decide if Rick was a real threat.

“He doesn’t have much time. It could be as little as a few days,” the doctor told Rick after Wes had been admitted into the small hospital. “He’s named you as his health care proxy.”

“What?” Rick was stunned.

“He’d like to talk to you for a minute. Try to make it quick,” the doctor said, leading him to Wes’ room.

“Wes,” Rick said. “What can I do?”

“You’re a good kid, and I knew nearly right away that I could trust you,” Wes said. “You don’t have to tell me who you are. I already know. I’ve tried to spend the last few years making up for the horrific deeds I’ve done.”

“I think I knew that right away,” Rick admitted.

“Tomorrow morning, I need you to drive to Crystal Rock and pick up my girl and bring her here so I can see her one more time. There are things she needs to know. I’m not sure if I have much time, but I want to make things right.”

Wes gave him an address and told him to pick her up at ten a.m.

“She knows you’re coming, although she doesn’t know specifically who you are.”

“I will,” Rick said, swallowing hard. Shanna.

Wes continued, “I want you to record everything I say tomorrow, Rick. Alright? And make sure what I tell you gets into the right hands. I’d do it all tonight, but the doctor says I need to rest and get an I.V. in me, or I won’t make it through the night.”

“I will, Wes. I promise.”

“Okay, get out of here and do what you have to do for me at the marina. Alright?”

Rick nodded.

* * *

“This is crazy, Rick,” Jake replied after hearing everything that Rick had to say.

“But I believe he wants to make amends,” Rick said.

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