Chapter Twelve
Hank awoke. The room was still bathed in darkness, yet something felt off. He’d long ago learned to trust his gut. Lying still, he let his night vision adjust to the room. A click echoed through the darkness. He rolled over and laid a hand across Jeannie’s mouth. Whispering in her ear, he alerted her to be quiet. “Someone’s here. You need to hide. Get into the bathroom and lock the door. Don’t turn the light on and don’t come out until I tell you.”
Jeannie kissed him quickly on the cheek then scampered into the bathroom. This wouldn’t be the last time he saw her or held her in his arms. He’d vowed to protect her. And damn, he deserved more than one night of passion with her.
Hearing her turn the lock, he leapt from the bed and slid his jeans on. Tugging his gun from his duffel on the chair, Hank flicked the safety off and laid his finger alongside the barrel. Three short steps and he stood behind the bedroom door. The soft light from the Riverwalk illuminated the living area. Two figures were bathed in the shadows near the hotel room door.
Hank took a deep breath as one of the figures crumpled to the ground. Raising his gun, he stepped out from behind the door and crouched behind the sofa. The helpful concierge lay limp on the floor, her face illuminated by the moon outside. Unable to tell if she was breathing, he focused instead on the still-unknown threat.
From his new vantage point, he watched as the figure tiptoed around the room. The intruder obviously lacked prior knowledge of the Roosevelt Suite’s layout. As the figure approached the second bedroom, Hank caught a glimpse. A woman?
Keeping between the intruder and the main bedroom, Hank studied her movements. He couldn’t see anything in her hands. What purpose would she have for breaking in? And why drag another person along then knock her out?
He lost sight of her as she entered the other bedroom but clearly heard bedding ripping and lamps tumble and break. Obviously, this woman didn’t have the training of a killer but still could be dangerous. Tired of playing this cat-and-mouse game, Hank flipped on the light in the living area. He raised his gun and prepared to confront her.
“Freeze. Don’t move,” he shouted as she strolled out of the unused bedroom. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
Brown disheveled hair stuck up in strange angles around her face. But it was the crazy glint in her eyes that had him nervous. “Get out of my way. I’m here to see Jeannie.” Her voice grew louder with each word. “Jeannie. Come here,” she practically screamed.
“Ma’am. There’s no one here named Jeannie. You obviously are mistaken. Why don’t you sit down on the chair over there and we can get someone to help you.” His conscience wouldn’t allow him to shoot an unarmed person just because of threats. And this woman was a few marbles short of a bag.
Stomping toward him, the woman appeared unfazed by the gun in his hand. “Jeannie is here. She has been telling the press all sorts of stories about my husband. He loves me, and she’s jealous.”
Pieces of the puzzle started to click. Hank recognized the intruder as the woman he’d bumped into outside Jeannie’s store last week, right before the fire. She obviously was the one who’d married that actor while Jeannie was behind bars.
“Ma’am, is your husband, Clinton Walker? I’m a big fan.” Playing along, he hoped to defuse the situation before it got worse.
The woman brushed her hair back from her face. “Yes, he is… Did you know he was up for an Emmy and an Oscar?” Even as she spoke, the intruder kept creeping closer to Hank and the bedroom he protected.
“Do you think I could meet him and get an autograph, being a big fan and all?” He didn’t put down the gun but threw all his charm at the woman. “By the way, why is one of the hotel staff on the floor? What happened to her? Did she trip and fall?” Hank didn’t want to rankle the intruder but needed to know if the other woman should get some medical help.
“Oh… That woman let me borrow the key. She’s taking a nap. Been working so many hours. My husband would be thrilled to meet a fan. But, I’m sorry… I can’t help you with an autograph. Clinton is so very busy preparing for his next picture. He’s a method actor, you know. He delves deep into his preparation. This time, he’s playing a dead body and must stay in character.”
Each step the woman took, Hank measured in his mind. Only four more steps, and she’d be on top of him. Still hopeful to defuse the situation, he continued playing his role. “I’m not surprised, ma’am. An award winner like your husband. Maybe you and I can go down to the bar and talk about acting. I’ve always enjoyed your husband’s movies. Can you tell me how he gets into character?”
She lifted a syringe from the pocket of her long jacket and brandished it. “He used this.”
Another puzzle piece fell into place. “Is that a neurotoxin? I’ve heard of using it for people with certain central nervous system diseases.”
“You’re very smart. This toxin is deadly and can kill in days when in contact with the skin, but when injected, it paralyzes in minutes, shutting down the heart, lungs, and brain. Now, let me see Jeannie. She’s needed for Clinton’s next production.”
“Stop. Or I’ll shoot.” The woman kept coming closer, and should she even nick him with the needle, he’d die. Aiming, he pulled the trigger, hitting the woman in the leg and sending her crashing to the ground.
The banging on the hotel door and click of the key lock forced Hank to take his gaze off the woman now sobbing on the floor. As a policeman stormed into the room, Hank held his hands up.
“Everyone freeze. San Antonio Police. Drop your weapon.”
With two guns trained on him, Hank laid his weapon at his feet. “I’m Deputy Hank Walker from the Hunt Sheriff’s Department. This woman admitted to killing her husband and attempted to murder Miss Jeannie Hall.”
As one of the officers approached the sobbing woman, she lunged with the needle, lashing out, trying to catch the officer.
Hank called out, “Don’t let the needle touch you. It’s a powerful toxin.” He ran to pull the officer to safety. A shot echoed in the small room, and a red spot blossomed on her chest as the syringe fell to the floor.
***
One month later…
Jeannie pulled her legs up under herself as she sprawled in the rocker. The tinkling of the fountain, the calls of birds, and the smell of numerous flowers filled the air. A slight breeze blew across her face as she read her favorite romance novel.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, she looked up as her favorite deputy sauntered over. Her breath caught in her throat. His body glistened with droplets from the pool. She licked her lips as she watched his long trim body encased in dark-blue board shorts getting closer.
“Hey there, did you miss me?” he teased.
She lifted her book and held it in front of her face, pretending to read. “Nope. Got myself a hot cowboy here.”
“Can he do this?” Hank pushed her book away and kissed her fiercely. His teeth nipped at her bottom lip, and his tongue teased hers.
“Maybe you’d better ask me again. I need to be sure.”
She closed her eyes and pursed her lips. But rather than kissing her, Hank shook his hair, sending cold droplets raining down on her “Ahhh!!” She leaped from her rocking chair, dropping her book, and threw her arms around his waist. “Just for that, you’re going to need to buy dinner tonight. I’m feeling in the mood for some Italian.”
Hank cupped her face then kissed her.
“Ah-herm, excuse me,” Ms. Mori called out. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but you received a letter.” She held out a red envelope.
Hank grasped the letter. “Thanks, Maeve. You look well.”
Jeannie stepped away from Hank and held her hands out to the dark-haired woman. “We were so worried after the attack.”
Maeve’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, both. Luckily, the evil woman only scratched me with the toxin. While it was enough for me to pass out, I wasn’t harmed. Instead, I took some time off to spend with my family. Almost losing your life puts things in perspective.” She stepped into Jeannie’s arms, and the two women hugged.
“I’m still having nightmares about the whole thing. But you’re right…we must celebrate life.” Jeannie released the woman and blinked her eyes to keep her own tears from falling.
“We’re so grateful for Master Draikoh San for giving us this extra weekend,” Hank chimed in. “We didn’t really have the opportunity to enjoy the hotel the last time, but we’re making up for it this time.” He wrapped his arm around Jeannie’s waist and pulled her close.
The brunette straightened her jacket. “I’d better get back to the desk. I’m so glad you’re enjoying your stay. And thank you once again.” She turned and entered the hotel lobby.
“Well, aren’t you going to open the letter?” Jeannie scolded. The envelope was the same red as the one Cherri had given her. Maybe Draikoh San would finally admit he made her perfect weekend up.
Hank tugged at the flap and opened the envelope. He pulled a light-pink piece of paper out. Jeannie laid her head on his shoulder as she read the words on the page.
Dear Ms. Hall and Mr. Walker,
You are now enjoying the weekend at the beautiful Riverwalk hotel which you missed out on previously. This time, you have found all the attractions of the Chancellor dim in relation to your feelings for each other. I’m happy to see one deranged woman couldn’t stop true love.
I saw between you a connection, which both of you were too scared to reach for. But sometimes, when in crisis, we can see people more clearly and learn to appreciate those around us. Remember…during your most trying time, each of you reached for the other and in turn found heaven.
Please don’t forget my invite to the wedding, when you finally get around to asking her, Deputy.
Sincerely yours,
Master Draikoh San
Matchmaker Extraordinaire
Jeannie pulled the paper from Hank’s fingers. “Will you look at that? The man’s taking responsibility for our relationship.”
“He does have something right.” Hank’s eyes sparkled as he glanced down at her. “I think a wedding is in order.” Hank bent down on one knee. “Jeannie Hall, will you marry me?”
Tears slid down her cheeks, as she cupped his face and placed a kiss on his mouth. “Yes, Deputy Dan. I’ll be your wife.”
The End
PS. If you loved this story, find out about Master Draikoh San’s other matches of Cherri’s customers in A Chalkboard Romance and One Night in Laguna.