A Cry in the Dark (Carly Moore #1) - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,44
ground.”
“What was he doin’ at the Alpine Inn?” he asked. “And in a room?”
“I don’t know, sir,” I said. “Maybe the rest will help you figure it out.”
“Go on, then,” he said in a gruff voice.
“Seth was on his knees while the two men faced him. One man was pointing a gun at him. He asked Seth where the stash was. Seth told him he didn’t know what he was talking about. A third man came from Seth’s motel room, saying he’d found a camera but that the stash was still missing, and Seth kept claiming he didn’t know anything. They started kicking in doors trying to find it, but when they got close to mine, I set off my car alarm, hoping they’d run off and leave Seth alone.” A lump clogged my throat, and I had to force out, “Instead they shot him.” I started to cry.
Mr. Chalmers sat still in his bed, watching me with his bloodshot eyes. “Go on when you’re ready.”
I nodded and grabbed a tissue off his nightstand. After I dabbed my eyes and took a breath, I said, “As soon as they took off, I ran out to Seth. He was still alive. I wanted to get help—I’d already tried calling 911, but the phone in my room didn’t work and I didn’t have any cell reception.” I released a tiny sob. “He begged me not to leave him, and there was so much blood…” I paused. “He asked me to give you a message.”
Mr. Chalmers put his hand over mine, then nodded, giving me permission to continue.
“He said to tell you that he had to try. He knew how much it would hurt, and he was sorry.”
His shoulders shook with a suppressed sob, and I considered stopping, but I decided it would be better for both of us if I let it all out, like ripping off a Band-Aid.
“He also said that he had evidence, but when I told him I’d call the sheriff, he panicked. Said the man who’d shot him was a deputy, and some of the other cops are also involved.”
The older man nodded but didn’t say anything.
“He had some numbers written on his hand. He showed them to me, but I have no idea what they mean. I figured it might have something do with the camera. Does that mean anything to you?”
He shook his head and my heart sank.
“He was getting weaker, and I’d called out for help, but no one was coming, so I screamed and Max came running out of the tavern. By the time he reached us, Seth was dead.” I broke down, starting to sob. “I’m so, so sorry, Mr. Chalmers.”
Mr. Chalmers patted the back of my hand with his free one, tears streaming down his cheeks. “This wasn’t your doin’. This wasn’t your fault.”
“I set off that alarm. I made them shoot him.”
“No, girl. Don’t you take that blame upon yourself. It was those men’s doin’, not yours.”
“If I’d gone out there…” I lifted my gaze to his. “I should have tried to stop them. I had a gun.”
“If you’d threatened them, you’d be dead too and I wouldn’t know the truth of it. You couldn’t take on three men with a gun.” His eyes turned watery. “You done him a good deed. If they’d taken him, they would have beaten and tortured him until he finally confessed.” A tear slipped down his cheek. “And that boy was stubborn, boy howdy, was that boy stubborn.”
I covered my mouth with my hand to contain my sobs. “If I’d only…”
“If you’d only what?” he asked in a hard tone. “Seth brought this on ’imself, and I guarantee that he wouldn’t want you to be takin’ on the blame. He knew what he was doin’, even if I begged him not to do it.” He shook his head, then held my gaze with his watery eyes. “Once my grandson was shot in the chest, there was no savin’ him. Not that far up the mountain.” He took a deep breath and his shoulders shook again. “But knowin’ he didn’t die alone…thank you.”
My chest heaved as I tried to control my tears.
We sat there in silence for a moment, both of us crying. He mourned the grandson he’d obviously deeply loved while I ached over a boy’s death and his grandfather’s deep loss. After several long minutes, Mr. Chalmers said, “You told the sheriff he was dead when you reached him.”