Page 113 of Cougar Point

Now I do break down in tears, but I pry her loose and see Jack standing alone.

Ronnie wipes a tear from her eye and smiles. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

It might be, but there’s still a chasm that has taken a long time to be excavated between Jack and his wife and her brother. I don’t envy the Herculean task it will take to fill that hole in. Been there, felt that with my own brother.

The paramedic is trying to steer Victoria back toward the ambulance but she says something to him and comes to us.

“Mom, you need to go to the hospital. I’ll ride with you if you like.”

“Not yet. I need a moment. This must be Megan.”

Once again I’m tongue-tied. I merely nod, and she takes my hand with her good one.

“We need to meet properly. Thank God there will be time. Thank you for being with my baby.”

I wonder what the hell is wrong with me. I’m not used to being overwhelmed and my therapist had told me this is how I cope with feelings.

“Give me a moment,” Victoria says, and goes to Jack, who is still unsure what to do. Victoria steps close to Jack making him look into her eyes, and she surprises me by slapping his face. He looks completely shocked, and she slaps him again and then falls against him until he puts his arms around her. I can’t watch any longer.

The paramedic comes over. “That’s your mom, right?” Ronnie nods. “We really should get to the hospital. She possibly has some broken ribs and I suspect she’s malnourished and dehydrated. I’ll get fluids going but I’m worried about infection.”

The coroner has arrived, and I see Sergeant Lucas is talking to him and a uniformed officer. A bandage is strapped around Lucas’s waist. He looks my way and nods, then a crime scene tech in Tyvek coveralls and a hood speaks to Lucas and they go inside the bunker. I’ve never been shot but I can imagine what it feels like. I hope it hurt.

Victoria and Jack come to us. She says, “Sergeant Lucas saved my life. Your uncle was shot protecting me.” Jack pulls her closer and plants a kiss on the side of her face.

“It’s okay, Mom,” Ronnie says. “We should get you to the hospital.”

“I just want to go home.” Her eyes widen. “Is Rebecca okay? Have you called her?”

Ronnie says, “I’ll find out which hospital they’re taking you to and I’ll call her to meet us.”

“But…”

“Don’t argue with me, Mom.”

Jack says, “She’s right. Let’s go. We can talk on the way if you like.” Victoria looks back toward the bunker, and Jack has to turn her toward the ambulance.

Victoria’s knees weaken and Jack holds her up. “Vinnie’s dead, Jack.”

“I’m so sorry, honey. I am truly sorry. He seemed like a good guy. It’s my fault. This is all my fault. I won’t blame you if you hate me. But please let me help you. Don’t leave me. Please.”

She just says, “Oh, Jack.”

Maybe I do forgive him. Maybe he can’t help seeing everything through “Jack” eyes. I hope this has opened them. I look on and think that it’s too bad it takes something of this magnitude to wake people up to what’s important and what’s small beans.

Jack leads her to the ambulance and they get inside. The paramedic gets in and closes the door. The driver leaves; lights and siren.

Vinnie was a hero after all the lies. He was lying to protect his sister and he ended up dying for her. I hope Lucas wasn’t the one that killed him.

As the ambulance pulls away, I step back to visually piece together what’s happened but I can’t help but hear what Victoria tells them of Vinnie’s death. Vinnie was killed protecting her. I suspect Missy, Duke, and Thundercloud are inside. Dead like they deserve.

Ronnie got the hospital information and called Rebecca.

“She’ll meet us at the hospital.”

Lucas comes from the bunker with the coroner. A paramedic is trying to get him to let them change his bandage. He doesn’t look any worse for the wear. I need to talk to him. I’m not ready to let this go.

SEVENTY-FOUR

---