The part she’d be most impressed with was that he was going back because he wanted to-not for her. It would take him years, but without her, it seemed like he had too much time on his hands anyway.
Noah eventually drained all of his emotions. He again apologized for his recent absence, vowing to make a quicker return next time. He could almost hear her playfully say, as she often had, “You better, Warner, if you know what’s good for you!” Accompanied by that infectious smile that made him melt.
Noah’s pilgrimage wasn’t over. It was important for him to go to “the spot.” He put the top up on the Jeep and was on his way-to make a return trip to hell.
Noah took Zycko because he needed to follow the same path they took on that night. Last year it was a route to the end-a dead end-as he’d planned to join her. This year he just wanted to pay tribute to his eternal soul mate and try to make some sense of the whole thing.
Zycko Hill was dark and menacing, just as it had been that night. Noah replayed it, second by second, as if he were viewing each moment in slow motion. He passed the entrance to the nature preserve, known as The Natty. It was a protected area beside the Samerauk River, best known for being the hangout for Rockfield’s youth. It was also the place where he’d asked Lisa to marry him.
He twisted the Jeep around another curve, passing the blinding bright lights of a pickup truck coming in the other direction. Noah remained in a hazy state, re-living the accident.
Just before they crossed the small one-lane bridge, the giddy newly engaged couple looked at each other and Lisa mouthed, “I love you.” They both smiled.
Then out of nowhere, the light rain turned into a downpour. The wipers struggled to clear the windshield. Lisa urged him to slow down.
Noah listened, but the rain intensified. Just after crossing the bridge, the car began to hydroplane. Noah slammed the brakes, but it only made it worse. No matter what he did he couldn’t stop the car from sliding. Noah cursed and Lisa screamed.
With a massive jolt, the Mustang slammed into a large oak tree. The passenger-side door took the worst of the collision, and of more importance to Noah-Lisa. She couldn’t get out, as the door was jammed against the tree, branches shooting through the shattered window.
Noah maneuvered her out through the driver’s side door and examined her from head to toe. She was shaken, but not a scratch on her pretty face. It was a miracle.
Lisa encouraged Noah to call the police and report the accident. He briefly argued with her, wanting to sober up a little from their celebratory champagne before getting the police involved. Lisa assured him that the conditions, and not alcohol, caused the crash. Noah gave in and made the call.
They stood in the rain, waiting for the authorities to arrive. Noah complained about the twisted metal of what used to be his car, while Lisa kept reminding him they were lucky to be alive, and still had a wedding to plan.
As they waited, Lisa mentioned that she felt cold. Noah went to bring her his denim coat, but before he could get to her, she collapsed.
He called 911, this time in a panic. It seemed like days passed before he could hear the ambulance siren echoing off the river. They rushed Lisa to the hospital.
Noah thought it was some sort of cruel joke when the doctor told him that Lisa was dead. “She’s fine! Not even a scratch!” he kept yelling. He was too distressed to hear the explanation from the doctor that the impact with the tree caused massive internal bleeding and there wasn’t anything that could be done for her.
Later that night, he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, along with vehicular manslaughter. The nightmare had begun.
Chapter 30
The sound of Lisa’s scream woke Noah from the nightmare. He spotted a pair of headlights following too close behind him. He was in no mood for such a trivial annoyance on this night.
As Samerauk Bridge came into his field of vision, lights flashed behind him.
“Cop?” Noah muttered, unable to think of any violation he might have committed. In his brasher days he would have made a run for it. But he cooperated, pulling off to the side of the road just before the bridge.
Noah took a glance into his rear-view mirror. He recognized Kyle Jones exiting the cruiser and walking slowly toward the Jeep. Jones was known to have a special dislike for drunk drivers, which had put Noah in his crosshairs. He’d heard rumors about Jones planting evidence and doctoring Breathalyzers. It wasn’t their first encounter, but he had a bad feeling about this one.
Noah rolled down his window, and a gust of wind blew through the Jeep. “Can I help you, officer?”
Jones smiled, but didn’t look happy. “Please step out of the vehicle, Mr. Warner.”
Noah began to argue, “I wasn’t doing anything wrong, Jones. I don’t…”
The officer took matters into his own hands. He opened the door, and in one fluid motion, grabbed Noah by his jacket and tossed him to the ground.
When Noah tried to get to his feet, Jones took his nightstick and pounded it into his knee. Noah collapsed back to the ground in agony.
Jones pounced on top of him, pushing his face into the pavement. He forcefully twisted Noah’s arms behind him and handcuffed him. He pulled him to his feet, pushing him face-first against the hood of the car, and grinding his nose into the still-warm metal.
“What the hell are you doing, Jones?”
The officer remained calm, almost trance-like. “You are under the arrest for the murder of Lisa Spargo.”
Noah had watched enough TV to know you couldn’t be charged for the same crime twice. He tried to reason with him.
Jones would hear none of it, again jamming Noah’s face into the hood of the car.
“You took an innocent life, Mr. Warner, and now you must pay with your own.”
“You’re crazy.”
“I’m crazy?” he repeated with condemnation. “Crazy is murderers like yourself being allowed to drive the streets.”
“You will never get away with this,” Noah shouted as loud as he could. The only response was his voice echoing back at him.
Jones’ expression never changed. “I remove the evildoers one at a time. If they couldn’t connect me to the death of Senator Kingsbury, with every law enforcement official in this country working on it, I truly doubt I’ll be connected to the suicide of a small-time punk like yourself.” His nightstick landed another blow to Noah’s back with a hollow thud.
Noah gritted his teeth. Only the intense pain distracted him from grasping Jones’ insane claim of killing a US senator. “My brother will never let you get away with this.”
Jones laughed condescendingly. “JP Warner is too wrapped up in his own vanity. He will only be concerned how good he looks in the suit he wears to your funeral.”
“He will know I didn’t kill myself.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time you attempted to take your own life. The way I see it, on the anniversary of your murderous act, and ravaged by guilt, you couldn’t bear to live another day without your beloved Lisa. And this year you found the guts to go through with it.”
The mention of Lisa’s name shot a warm energy through him. Noah wanted to live. He kicked his leg back like a mule, knocking Jones to the ground. He began running away over the bridge, his hands still cuffed behind his back.
Chapter 31
With Tommy present, Gwen and I remained on our best behavior. We weren’t exactly swapping old stories and falling into uncontrollable laughter, but she hadn’t shoved me to the ground in over an hour, so I considered that progress. But a tense awkwardness still hung in the air. There was too much clutter between us to let down our shields-hurt feelings or wounded pride could surface at any moment.