Castleton General Hospital

  Madison's room- Room 407

  Thursday Evening

  James is seated by Madison's bedside, the lights dimmed, and the back of one hand pressed against her moist forehead. How many times did he sit by Samantha's bedside? How many times did the doctors return to bring him more bad news. At least, Madison's prognosis is not so bad. She'll live.

  Deputy Newsome lightly raps on the cracked door with his knuckles. James is brought out of his musing, and looks up solemnly.

  "Come in, Dave. Shut the door."

  Dave does as asked, crossing to where Detective Mackey sits next to Madison. The towering deputy looks down at the diminutive, supine young woman with genuine sympathy.

  "Doctors say what's wrong with her, Mack?"

  "Yeah. From what the doctors can tell, Maddie may have experienced an acute anxiety attack. At some point; Madison lost consciousness, fell, and struck her head. She may have a concussion. They're running more tests."

  "Oh," Dave says, placing a hand on Detective Mackey's shoulder. "She'll be okay, Mack. It could have been a whole hell of a lot worse. Right now, she's in the safest place she can be. Aquarius can't touch her in here."

  Detective Mackey sighs and removes his hand from Madison's forehead. He grips her slender right hand in his own. Bending forward, he kisses both sides of Madison's hand. For a brief moment, James rests his cheek against Madison's left palm, feeling the weak pulse in her wrist through his flesh. He squeezes both eyes shut.

  "While we're on the subject of Aquarius. I'd like to have a talk with that Stefan Clayborne fella. Even if the guy has nothing to do with our case...I'd like to be sure," James says. "Too much about this case is odd coincidences. We need to rule this guy out as a suspect."

  "Guy's hardly ever home, Mack. He spends most of his time out on the road. When the first girl was snatched, Stefan Clayborne was in Texas on a delivery. I've asked around. I figured it couldn't be him. So I didn't bring it up anymore."

  "Too big of a coincidence, Dave. Even if he's not the killer...He may have some idea who is. Even if Stefan doesn't realize he holds the key to cracking this case wide open. We have to try."

  "We need probable cause and a warrant, James. We can't just go strolling onto someone's property because he has the same last name. Do you know how many Claybornes there could be in this country, Mack? No different than all of the Joneses, Smiths, Williams, and Parkers I've run into over the years. It's a name."

  "Fine. Then, I'll go alone," Mackey says, tenderly stroking Madison's cheek with the back of his hand. "Nobody's saying bust his door down, Dave. I just want to speak with the guy. I want to know what he knows. If anything. That's all."

  "You know what? Fine," Dave hisses. "We'll go out there. Together. But not tonight. Just...Take care of Madison. I'll be back to pick you up in the morning. I don't trust you to drive. Not after that stunt you pulled today. Detective Patterson told me to tell you...She's headed back to Fell's Springs. Said she'll keep in touch. When Madison gets out of here, we'll have a female officer stay out at her place. During the day at least. The nighttime will be your concern. Try to get some rest, James. You look terrible."

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  "Okay," James says.

  Deputy Newsome pats James on the shoulder one last time before quietly slipping out of Madison's hospital room.

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  Much later that evening

  Dave's Residence

  Dave parks his pickup behind Hazel's Mercedes and tiredly walks toward the house. The deputy's shoulders are slumped and his jaw is clenched. So many lives lost, so much absurdity. Maybe that Stefan character can shed some light on this insane business. Mackey's right. As usual. They have to at least try.

  Hazel opens the front door before Dave can even climb the stairs. She pushes the screen open and steps out wearing only her thin nightgown. Dave grins wryly. A little early to be wearing a nightgown. Even for Hazel.

  Hazel opens her arms for an embrace. Dave happily accepts the offer. Hazel is more than a little surprised when silent sobs rack Dave's body. She tenderly kisses the flesh behind his right ear and leans back, staring into Dave's stricken face.

  "Dave? What's wrong?" Hazel says.

  "I...Oh jeezus. We...Thought we lost another girl today. Thank goodness...It was a false alarm. But...Madison Kelley is in the hospital. James is with her right now. She had a real bad anxiety attack and...They think she might have a concussion."

  Dave pauses briefly to kiss Hazel's forehead. He lowers his aim to the bridge of her nose, and then her lips. He pecks her mouth three times before continuing to speak.

  "The two girls killed in Fell's Springs...Are former Chief Middleton's twin nieces--Maisey and Kelsey. It's been confirmed. They were identified by their matching dolphin tattoos. The killer removed both tattoos from their bodies. Oh god, Hazel. This is getting insane. I mean, what the hell is the connection? The last two victims...We suspect they link back to Madison. The killer may target her for real this time. I'm so tired, Hazel. I just want to climb into a hole. I don't know how much more of this I can take. Please don't think any less of me. Please. I'm so sorry."

  "Dave, no. Of course not. No," Hazel whispers, drawing Dave into a warm kiss. "Of course not."

  Dave rubs Hazel's back through the thin material of her nightgown. Hazel reaches back and grips Dave's hands. Drawing him into the house, Hazel maintains contact with the deputy's mouth. Once they are inside, Hazel uses one hand to shut the door. The other hand, she uses to grip the hem of her gown. She briefly unhinges her mouth from Dave's and pulls the thin garment up over her head.

  "I could never," Hazel sighs, seeking Dave's mouth again.

  Dave issues a low sigh of his own, drawing Hazel firmly against him. He brushes the flesh of Hazel's chin and cheek with his closed lips.

  "I'm supposed to be the one protecting you, Hazel. Yet, here I am blubbering like a scared chicken. Oh Jeezus...I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, Hazel. I never wanted you to see me like this."

  "Dave, it's okay. Really. I understand," Hazel exclaims, cradling Dave's face with both hands. She stares intensely into his eyes, lowering her voice reassuringly. "I understand. It's me, Dave. I'm not judging you. I've seen what cases like this do to people. What they've done to my dad. My mother was always...She said it was killing her...The way Dad would go into himself after a really bad case. His mood swings, his silent brooding, and his tendency to block out the whole world. Mother talked about leaving Dad once. Or twice. She said she couldn't take it. That's why I stayed after Mom died. I love my father. And I love you, Dave. I think you're one of the bravest people I've ever known. To face this crap every day. But even a brave man needs a shoulder to cry on from time to time."

  Leaning forward and going up on her tiptoes, Hazel angles her head and kisses Dave firmly on the lips.

  "Or something a little more," Hazel whispers, drawing her partially open mouth slowly upwards, brushing the skin above Dave's lip.

  Dave takes the bait, wrapping his arms tighter against Hazel's middle. Their noses almost seem to parry as the two lovers each attempt to gain more purchase on the other's mouth.