13. Gage
13
Gage
The waiting room buzzed with tension, the air thick with tears and hushed whispers. Word had spread about Lori and the serial killer, and families from all over California had come, desperate for answers. Sisters, daughters, and mothers—missing pieces in the lives of those waiting—were at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Jasper stayed glued to my side, a comforting presence amid the chaos.
A woman seated nearby wiped her tear-streaked face and turned toward me. “Did she know about the others?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Did she know who they were?”
“Lori was lucky to escape,” I said gently. “She told me he said he killed his wife, and he took her because she had red hair—like his wife did.”
The woman’s expression hardened, her grief giving way to anger. “I knew he killed her,” she said, her voice shaking. “That bastard. If he were alive, I’d kill him all over again. Sofie was my friend. They met at a bar, and she thought he’d give her a wonderful life. He promised her so much. But now I see it—he must’ve been killing women even before he married her. There were missing women before they got married.”
The arrival of the FBI interrupted her. They moved with purpose, clipboards and questions in hand, their presence a reminder of how much had gone unanswered for so long.
One agent approached me. “We’re here to get answers about the missing women. Did she say anything?”
I frowned, frustration creeping into my tone. “The police told me they reported the missing women, but the FBI didn’t have time to investigate. Now you’re here asking questions?”
“I’m asking if she knows anything,” he repeated, his tone clipped.
“Lori doesn’t know anything,” I said firmly. “She fought for her life, that’s all she knows. Three crazed men wanted to kill her, and she survived. That’s the story.”
Eddie stepped forward, his voice cold and steady. “My daughter is still fighting for her life. If you want answers, start digging up that bastard’s property and find the women he killed.”
The agents exchanged glances before turning and leaving the room.
We sat in silence, the weight of everything pressing down on us, until the doctor came in.
“The surgery went well,” he said. “Now, we wait. If two of you want to visit her for a few minutes, you can, but sleep is best for her right now.”
Eddie turned to me. “Would you like to go with me to see Lori?”
“Yes, I’d like that,” I said.
We followed the doctor to the ICU. When we entered the room and saw her lying there, her face pale against the white sheets, Eddie covered his face with his hands, overcome with emotion.
“She’s getting better,” I said quietly. “They’ve got her hooked up to all these wires for a reason. We were lucky to find her when we did.”
“Yes,” Eddie agreed, his voice thick. “Thank the Lord—and Jasper.”
“Dad,” Lori’s voice was weak but clear, “I’m going to be okay. I want you to go home and rest. You can take Jasper home and keep him for me until I go home.”
She paused, her eyelids fluttering. “Now, I’m going back to sleep.”
“I’ll take Jasper home,” Eddie whispered. “But I’ll stay nearby for a few days. I want to see her get better with my own eyes.”
“I don’t blame you,” I said. “Would you like to sit with her for a while?”
“No,” Eddie said, shaking his head. “I think I’ll rent a room nearby, somewhere within walking distance, and get Jasper something to eat.”
“First, I’ll let the others know they can head home,” I said, stepping out of the room. “Then I’ll come back and sit with Lori. Someone should be here if she wakes up.”
“Sammy, my other daughter, will be here soon,” Eddie said. “Hopefully, she won’t cry too much. She’s been so emotional lately.”
“Why’s that?” I asked, curious.
“She married her high school boyfriend, and he’s been cheating on her ever since they married. I just hope she doesn’t take him back this time.”
“That’s rough,” I said, unsure of what else to offer. “Maybe they should’ve waited a few years to get married.”
Eddie sighed. “Sammy got pregnant, and his mother insisted they get married right away. Sammy didn’t stand a chance against that woman—she can be pushy as hell. I should’ve stepped in more forcefully, but Sammy thought marriage would be fun, that he’d always be home with her.”
“It’s hard,” I said. “But she’ll be happier once she moves on. It’s tough now, but how can you be happy if you’re always worrying about your husband’s cheating on you?” I said.
“Lori was against the marriage from the start,” Eddie admitted. “She told Sammy to have the baby without the wedding. Said she was too young to take on a husband, a home, and a baby all at once.”
“I can see her point,” I said thoughtfully. “That’s a lot to handle at such a young age. But when you have a baby, life gets grown-up fast.”
Eddie nodded, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. “Lori’s always been the practical one. And she’s right more often than not.”
“Yes, it was an eye-opener for her,” Eddie said. “Lori was looking forward to Samantha going to college and getting away from Greg. She hasn’t had anything to do with him since the first time he cheated on her little sister—long before the wedding.”
I was sitting in Lori’s hospital room when her sister walked in. They looked so much alike they could have been twins. Samantha’s face was streaked with tears, and she froze when she realized someone else was there. Grabbing a handful of tissues from her bag, she dabbed at her eyes.
“Hello,” I said gently.
“Hi,” she replied, her voice wavering. “How is she?”
“She’s doing well, all things considered. They’ve got her hooked up to a lot of wires, but it looks worse than it is.”
“It’s a good thing that bastard is dead,” Samantha said, her tone hardening. “If he wasn’t, I’d kill him myself. I still can’t believe a serial killer kidnapped my sister. I’m so thankful she’s safe. I just hope she’ll be able to walk after being shot in the back,” she whispered. “That monster should’ve been shot in every hole on his disgusting body.”
“I managed to get a few shots in before he died,” I said.
Samantha’s gaze sharpened. “Are you Gage Sparrow, by any chance?”
“Yes, I am. And you must be Samantha. I’m sorry—I don’t know your last name.”
“It’s Daniels,” she said. “I took my maiden name back when I filed for divorce.”
“How did you know my name?” I asked.
“Lori said she had a date with you. I figured it had to be you since you’re sitting here with her. She also said you were extremely good-looking.”
I chuckled at the same time Lori did, her soft laugh barely audible. “Leave it to Sam to spill all my secrets,” Lori murmured, her voice weak but amused.
“Lori! Oh God, I’m so happy you’re alive.” Samantha’s tears overflowed as she rushed to her sister’s bedside. “I was so scared that monster would kill you.”
Lori’s eyes closed again, her energy fading as she drifted back to sleep.
“Where’s my dad?” Samantha asked, brushing her tears away.
“He went to get a room at the motel around the corner. He has Jasper with him,” I explained.
“Who’s Jasper?” she asked, curiosity softening her voice.
“Jasper’s the bravest, most loyal dog I’ve ever seen. He found Lori under the house and showed her the way out. Then, when we couldn’t find her at the killer’s property, Jasper appeared and barked until we followed him. That’s how we found Lori.”
“I love that dog already,” Samantha said with a faint smile. “Do you want to grab a coffee or something to eat? I don’t think I’ve eaten today.”
“Sure,” I said, standing. “I haven’t eaten either. Let’s check out the cafeteria—I hear they have great coffee.”
“I don’t usually drink much coffee,” Samantha said as we walked. “But since the kids and I have been staying at Lori’s place, I’ve been drinking more. She has the best coffee. I need to find out where she buys it because she’s almost out.”
“If you’re staying at her place, where’s Lori been staying?” I asked.
“She’s been staying at our dad’s, keeping an eye on him. The kids love her place, though—it’s right on the beach.”
“How old are your kids?”
“Macey is eight, and Sandy is five,” Samantha said, her tone softening as she talked about them. “They’re with their grandmother while I’m here, though I hate leaving them with her. She’s always fishing for information about me. Macey told her, ‘We don’t like to gossip because it makes Mom sad when she remembers all the girlfriends Dad had.’ She’s so much like her Aunt Lori.”
I laughed. “Sounds like she’s got Lori’s no-nonsense attitude.”
“She does,” Samantha said with a small smile. “I’m over Greg, but it’s tough dealing with people who want to drag up the past.”
“That’s how it goes after divorce,” I said. “The mother-in-law always wants to know every little detail.”
Samantha nodded. “So, tell me about my sister’s injury. I talked to Dad, but he avoided the subject. My family thinks I’m an emotional wreck, and, sure, I was at one time. But I’ve grown up. I’m not that teenage girl who had a super crush on the popular boy at school anymore.”
“Lori was shot in the back,” I said carefully. “I don’t know much about the extent of the injury. She mentioned being with her mom for a while, but she’s going to be okay—that’s all that matters.”