The voice’s high-pitched cackle rattled her eardrums. She pressed her fingers inside of her ears and tried to block out the sound.
What did I tell you? I knew you’d screw this up. What are you going to do now?
“Andrews, get out of the car.”
Michelle glanced to her left to see Det. Delaney pointing a gun in her direction.
See? What did I tell you? You should have killed that bitch when you had the chance.
Michelle’s hand lowered and drifted the gun in her lap.
Shoot her now. We never liked her anyway.
“Shut up.” She hit her head against the butt of the gun. “I have to think. I need to think.”
“Andrews, lower the weapon.”
Shoot her, dammit.
Michelle rocked in her seat and banged her head even harder while one side her body seemed to grow numb. “Think. I just need to think.”
There’s no time to think. “Shut up,” she cried, desperately wanting some peace. “Andrews!” Michelle glanced at the cop again, and this time still noticed Josephine standing just inches behind her.
You need to take at least one of them out. It’s only fair.
“I swear if you don’t shut up.” She placed the gun’s nozzle against her temple.
I knew you’d wimp out. You’re pathetic. A lost cause.
“Please, just shut up.”
“Andrews, put the gun down. It doesn’t have to end like this.”
No. It’s going to end with you in an eight-by-ten cell with straightjacket on.
“I’m warning you,” Michelle hissed, as tears rolled from her eyes.
That’s where you belong, anyway. You know it. Your parents knew it as well.
“Andrews!”
“I said shut up,” Michelle screamed, pulled the trigger, and finally quieted the voice forever.
Chapter 39
“It’s over,” Josie whispered, and was surprised to feel the trickle of tears as she stared unblinkingly at the mess inside the Jaguar. When an arm weakly encircled her waist, she slumped into his familiar warmth and comfort.
“Are you all right?” William asked.
She nodded, not sure if it was the truth. She turned toward him and was shocked by his weakened condition. “Help! Somebody help!”
He collapsed, but help arrived.
Before long, ambulances and more police officers pulled Josie and William in two separate directions.
As Detective Delaney, Simmons, and Hernandez conversed, the lake, the house, and even the garage area were taped off as crime scenes.
“I’ll need to bring you in for questioning,” Detective Delaney said, drawing her to the side. “We have a lot of questions to ask you.” “Where are you taking William?” Josie asked instead. “They’re taking him to the hospital to look at his shoulder. We…” “I want to go with him,” she declared, pulling away from the cop. “Ms. Ferrell, I understand your concern, but…” “I’m not answering any questions until I know William is all right. Period.”
Det. Delaney held Josie’s gaze for a lengthy spell before her demeanor softened, and she nodded in understanding. “Then let’s get you to him.”
They reached the ambulance just as they were closing the door, but she wasn’t allowed inside until Delaney flashed her badge and gave the okay.
“I’ll meet you at the hospital,” Delaney said.
Josie nodded, and the doors were closed. However, during the race to the hospital, she found herself worried over William’s blue pallor.
“Is he going to be all right?”
“We’re doing to all we can,” the paramedic said. “He’s lost a lot of blood.”
She clutched William’s hand, afraid more than ever that she was going to lose him. It would make sense, considering the hand life kept dealing them. She leaned over him and stared lovingly into his eyes.
“You’re doing great.” Her smile trembled. “They’re going to patch you up, and you’re going to be as good as new.”
Amazingly, he returned her smile and squeezed her hand.
“You know, once you’re all better, we have a lot of lost time to make up.” She placed his hand across her heart. “I made you a promise, and now I want you to make one to me. Promise me that you’ll pull through this.” He smiled again; his eyes were nearly close shut. Could he understand her? “Promise me, William,” she urged, and batted back her tears. His lips trembled but soon formed the words ‘I promise’ before he at last passed out.
#
True to her word. Ming met Josie in the ER’s waiting room. It had turned out that one of the bullets Michelle had fired into the trunk was still lodged in William’s shoulder.
The possibility of losing William forever unleashed a dam of tears and twisted the knife of regret deeper into her heart.
His death would be all her fault and her undoing.
William had only wanted to help her and even a chance to rekindle their love. And she...what? Couldn’t get over the fact that he had been married once?
She mopped her tears with an already drenched Kleenex and gave her story to an attentive Delaney while they waited for news.
She told her everything. How she and William knew each other from Paris and how he saved her. She couldn’t control her body’s slight tremor as she talked, but the episode was mild compared to previous ones.
“I also have a confession to make,” Josie said. “I killed Michelle’s boyfriend.” She started to cry. “I don’t know why, but I shot him in his chest.” “You shot him?” Ming asked. “Y-yes.” “What else did you do?” she asked, gently. “That’s it. I just shot him. I don’t even know where I got the gun.”
“I do,” Ming said. “It was Michelle’s gun. Knowing her, she probably gave it to you. In your drugged state, she probably wanted you to think you had killed him so that your guilt could be used to get you to kill yourself.” She reached for Josie’s scarred hands. Josie tried to pull back. The only problem is…is that you didn’t kill Daniel Thornton.” Josie’s lifted her wet face and stared at her in confusion. According to Daniel’s autopsy report, he was already dead when you shot him.” “Already dead?” Josie repeated. “But then that means…” “That you’re not a murderer.” Josie continued to stare. “I didn’t kill him.” “No.”
Josie grabbed the cop in a fierce embrace and sobbed in relief. It seemed as if she held on forever, and when she pulled away, Josie smiled in embarrassment.
“Ms. Ferrell, after everything that you’ve been through have you thought about enrolling into a rehab center to complete your detox efforts?”
Josie laughed through her film of tears. “No more institutions. I can handle a few shakes on my own.”
Delaney nodded, and her voice softened as she spoke again. “By the way, Ms. Ferrell. I didn’t get the opportunity to thank you for saving my life. Thank you.”
“I did what I had to,” Josie said simply.
Delaney winked and squeezed her hand again. “That’s all for now, but we’ll contact you if we have any more questions. I’m glad you were able to survive this whole ordeal.” “Yeah. I just pray William will, too.” “I’m sure he will.” Josie gave them a gracious smile. “Thank you.” Her eyes landed on Ming. “For everything.” “Don’t mention it.” Ming and Tyrese stood and left Josie alone.
Tyrese shook his head as they walked out of the hospital’s exit. “Now that I met both women, Michelle couldn’t hold a candle to the real Josephine.” Ming nodded. “Yeah, it’s a pity how differently they turned out. Well, partner, I’m heading home.” “Catching some Zs?” “That and I have a houseplant that needs to be watered.” She smiled. “Come again?”