Page 125 of Fall to Me
“Alright, then. I’ll be on my way. One of the nurses will come get you when he’s situated.”
I feel lighter, like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I can finally breathe again.
One by one, our friends and family filter out of the room.
“Give us a call if you need anything, kiddo,” Luke says, pulling me into a hug.
“I will.”
Luke releases me, and Katherine takes his place, holding me for a few long minutes, and squeezing me tight. “I love you, sweetheart. I’ll go call your momma and update her.”
“Thank you. I love you, too.”
I watch them walk out the door—Katherine already on the phone, dialing my mom—and take a seat in a chair across from Aspen.
“Y’all can go. I’ll be alright. Why don’t you go pick up Tucker and take him home? I’m sure he’s worried.”
“I’ve already called Tuck,” Cal says, leaning back and stretching out in his chair. “We’ll wait until the nurse comes to get you.”
There’s no arguing with that man, so I rest my elbow on the armrest, prop my head on my hand, and close my eyes. I hear someone’s shoes scuff across the floor, and my eyes pop back open. A man wearing navy dress pants and a white button up stands in the doorway, looking completely worn out. His eyes find mine.
“Mrs. Graham,” the man greets me.
Should I know him? He seems to know who I am. My eyes volley to Cal and then Aspen before settling back on him.
“Yes?”
“Detective Matthews. I’ve been working your case,” he says, taking a seat next to me. He releases a drawn-out sigh before asking, “How’s Carter?”
“They said he’ll make it. I didn’t think to ask what we can expect long-term. I was just happy to hear that he was alive.”
I pick at my nails, nervously, hoping like hell he’s here to tell me they have Jaxon in custody, and he’s given them enough to put him away for a long time. As in forever.
“That’s great news. I was worried we didn’t get there in time.”
He looks as though he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. With his elbows braced on his knees, he claspshis hands together, and lowers his head for a few seconds, then turns to look at me.
“Carter was on the phone with me when he walked into the apartment. Your husband is a smart man. A brave man. He was able to tip me off without alarming Mr. Martin. I was listening on the other end of the call the entire time, and I have to say, I’ve never seen anyone handle a situation like that as well as he did. We tried to get to him before things escalated. I’m sorry we didn’t.”
He pauses, and worry gnaws at my gut as I wait for him to continue.
“I wanted to check in on you both, but I also wanted to let you know that I’ll be closing the case.”
My head jerks back. “What do you mean?”
“Several of my officers and I entered the apartment as the two men were scuffing, and before we could intervene, your husband . . . he . . . well, let’s just say Mr. Martin is dead.”
I think about what that means for me. My babies are safe. No more looking over my shoulder or running. No more fear. No more PIs and security guards. I’m free to live my life. Does it make me a bad person to be relieved to know that Jaxon is dead and can never hurt us or anyone else again?
“Good,” I say, looking him in the eyes when I say it.
He nods his head in understanding. “Tell Carter I’ll be in touch. I won’t be needing his statement since I heard everything, but I’ll stop by to check on him. I hear he’s a great hockey player, but I think he may be in the wrong profession.”
“I told him that very thing once.”
“Hey now. Don’t you two get any ideas and go trying to recruit my player,” Aspen cuts in with a finger pointed at him, then she points to herself. “He’s mine for the next year and a half.”
“I don’t know, ma’am. I think if you’d heard him in action, you would agree with us,” he counters, then offers a hand to me. “River, I wish you well.”
