Submerged

Wesley poked his head inside, a smile on his face. “You up for visitors?”

She sighed. “I don’t think we have anything more to say.”

She saw the frown on Marcus’s face. “Marcus, this is my—uh, Wesley. Wesley, Marcus Taylor is the man who pulled us out of the car.”

Wesley opened the door all the way and stepped into the room, one hand outstretched. “I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Taylor. If you hadn’t been there…” He shook his head and looked at Rebecca. “My wife and kids are alive because of you.”

Rebecca noticed that Marcus gave an abrupt nod, but didn’t offer his hand.

“Becca,” Wesley said, “there’s someone else who’d like to see you.”

Rebecca looked over his shoulder. “Ah, the other woman.”

Tracey Whitaker gave her a timid smile and sniffed. “Rebecca. I hope you don’t mind, but as soon as I heard what happened I asked Walter to drive me here. We knew Wesley would head straight here as soon as he heard.” She inched near the bed. “I was so worried when I heard about the accident. And the kids. I couldn’t believe it when Wesley told me what happened. And now here you are with police guards on your door. Oh my God!” She rambled for a few seconds, then said, “How are the kids?”

Rebecca couldn’t answer. Her mind was too numb from the sparkle that resonated from Tracey’s left hand. “You’re engaged?”

Tracey covered the ring. “I, uh… we… Wesley and I were going to tell you later. At a better time.”

Rebecca swallowed. “There is no better time.”

“I’m sorry,” Tracey said, staring at the floor.

It wasn’t that Rebecca hadn’t seen this coming. She’d anticipated it a while ago. Hadn’t she been the one who asked Wesley if he had wedding plans? And hadn’t he said he’d tell her if there was?

She eyed her future ex-husband. “When’s the happy day?”

“We’ll pick a date as soon as the divorce is finalized,” Wesley said. At least he had the decency to look shamefaced.

“Congratulations. I hope you two will be happy.” She was surprised to discover she meant it.

Marcus stood. “Uh, I should be going, let you all talk.”

He slipped past Wesley and had one hand on the door, when Rebecca called out, “What time will you be here tomorrow to pick me up?”

“Dr. Monroe said you’ll be released at noon. I’ll be here by then.”

She waved. “Bye, Marcus.”

After he was gone, she let out a yawn. “It’s late, Wesley. We can talk another time.”

“My dad wanted to come by and—”

“Not now. Later maybe. I appreciate your concern, but I’m tired.”

Wesley opened his mouth as if to argue, but Tracey tugged on his arm.

“Hope you feel better soon,” Tracey said.

Rebecca’s lips thinned. “Me too.”

“We’ll go see the kids now.” Wesley ushered Tracey into the hall. “Take care, Becca. Oh, we’re staying in Hinton overnight. We’ll come by in the morning.” The door closed on his last words.

Last thing she wanted was to see Wesley again. But Colton and Ella were his children. Of course he was concerned about them.

In the back of her mind there was a small glimmer of doubt.

No. Wesley had nothing to do with this.

But what if she were wrong?

“Mrs. Kingston?”

“Huh?” She looked up. The guard stood in the doorway.

“You okay, Mrs. Kingston?”

“Yeah. But I am tired.”

“I’ll be right outside if you need anything.”

“All I need is sleep.” And answers.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Hinton, AB – Sunday, June 16, 2013 – 7:30 AM

In a room at the Holiday Inn, Marcus had slept his usual two hours. Upon waking, he groaned. His body felt as though it had been through the ringer. Every movement hurt, even tying his shoelaces. But that didn’t stop him from rushing to the hospital to see Rebecca.

Before going to her room, he stopped by the hospital cafeteria for breakfast.

He spotted Zur standing by the cappuccino machine.

“What are you doing here, John?”

“Well, I’m not here for the menu.” Zur dropped a tray with a stale-looking sandwich with mystery meat on a table, then indicated that Marcus should join him. “You visiting Mrs. Kingston again?”

Marcus dispensed a paper cup of vanilla cappuccino. “Just about to head up.”

“How’s she doing?”

“Fine. Except her husband and his mistress showed up last night.”

Zur cringed. “Ouch.”

“Yeah, I thought it was a tacky move on Kingston’s behalf.”

“The guy’s not too sharp.”

Marcus nodded. “I know. That’s the other reason why I’m sure he didn’t orchestrate the murder attempt on his wife. Guy doesn’t have the balls.”

“He had enough to screw around on her.”

“He’s engaged to the woman now. Rebecca found out last night.”

“Double ouch. That’s like putting salt in a wound.”

“You should’ve seen the look on Rebecca’s face. She was so hurt. But I think she realizes her marriage is now over.”

“She already did. She’s the one that filed for divorce.”

Marcus shrugged. “Wouldn’t you hold out and hope things would change if you and Lily hit a rough patch?”

“As long as I could. But not if she had feelings for another man.”