A/N: Oh boy. I'm not terribly pleased with this chapter, but it probably has more to do with the fact I'm still a squealing mess after Sunday. Please let me know what you think. And just FYI – I intend to have most, if not all of the rest of this fic be fluffy and happy. So there. :-P
January 2016
"I changed my mind. I don't want you to do this." He stood resolute against the kitchen door. Crackling, the intercom buzzed to life as Anna paged Cora. Shaking her head, Elsie took another sip of coffee.
"It's too late for that. The plan's already in place." She sighed, got up from the table, and put her arm around him. "I can't promise that everything will be fine, but I know that we're taking every precaution."
"It's not just you," he protested. "You are the one I'm most worried about, of course, but what about John? What if she goes berserk and hurts him? Anna's had enough to deal with before, but now with the baby-"
"Which is why both Mr. Bates and I are very grateful you'll stay with her until this is over." Privately, Elsie hoped that Anna and Charles would have the fortitude to stay at the office, and not interfere. She knew that Anna's instinct was to protect John. She said a quiet prayer of thanks that Anna's unborn child would ground her to reality. She thought wryly it was too bad the same could not be said of Charles.
She was more nervous than she showed. She was not at all sure that the plan would work, dependent as they were on Edna. But it was not enough to simply rid themselves of a malicious rumor. She, Charles and John wanted to end the threat from Vera for good, and the idea that Michael and Tom had presented seemed to be their best chance. Unfortunately, since they were dealing with Vera, it was also dangerous.
"Promise me you'll stay with Anna here, and not leave until you hear from us. Please?" Elsie tucked her head under his, wrapping his arms around her. "I'll feel better knowing you are out of harm's way."
He dropped his arms, spinning her so that she faced him, his hands on her shoulders. "And I'm supposed to be content, knowing you are willingly putting yourself into harm's way? It was bad enough when you confronted that monster who attacked Anna!"
Alex Green. She shuddered, thinking about that terrible-well, she could hardly think of him as a man. She had never been a pro-gun person, but she would never blame Anna for shooting him when he broke into her house. It was one of the rare times she was glad of the self-defense laws.
She never should have tried to confront him, but all's well that ended well. And she would not be alone this time.
With difficulty, she pulled her mind back to the present. "We don't know for sure what Vera will do. She doesn't suspect confrontation." As long as Edna holds up her end of the bargain. "All we've done is prepare for every situation. Mr. Lang will be there undercover as well, even though he's not on duty today. Tom called him personally this morning." She sighed, stroking his sleeve. "John and I will not be alone."
He pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm glad Henry will be there," he said quietly into her hair. "If something happened to you, I would never forgive myself."
Elsie was about to reply when the door opened, and Anna and John came into the kitchen. Robert and Mary were right behind them. Reluctantly, she began to unwind her arms. Charles stopped her, instead planting a sweet kiss on her lips.
"I would say something about workplace PDA, but now is not the time," Robert said. To Elsie's surprise, he stepped forward and took both of her hands in his. "Mrs. Hughes, do be careful. We're all behind you."
"Thank you, Mr. Crawley," she said, touched by his concern.
"I'm going down now. Five minutes?" John asked, raising his eyebrows. She glanced at the clock. 4:05. Elsie nodded, and he shook hands with Charles and Robert before leaning over and kissing Anna. He murmured I love you in her ear. No one commented on their obvious affection as he walked out. Elsie let out a breath. No going back now.
Mary slid an arm around her friend. "He'll be all right. Everyone will be all right," she said gently, the fear in her wide eyes palpable. "Papa and I will wait with you and Carson."
"I appreciate that," Anna said shakily, controlling herself. She handed a set of keys to Elsie. "Before I forget, you might need these," she half-joked.
"Yes, maybe," Elsie said, trying to smile. She hugged Anna, jumping slightly as she felt a flutter. "Oh my, is the bairn wishing us good luck, too?" She patted the bump. Anna laughed with tears in her eyes.
"Mr. Crawley is right. We're all behind you, even those of us without a front-seat view," she rubbed her belly tenderly. The kitchen door flew open as Beryl ran in.
"Am I too late? Have they gone?" she said, before noticing Elsie standing there. Her shoulders sagged in relief. "Thank God." She gave Elsie a hug. "You'll be fine. Just take care of yourself."
"I appreciate that," said Elsie, giving Charles a glance. "But if everyone could find a way to help Mr. Carson and Anna worry less, I would be even more grateful." Everyone's acting like it's our funeral.
"Carson can give me a tutorial on appellate procedures," Mary said, sounding more like herself. "Surely that will occupy his mind for a while." She took a deep breath and shook Elsie's hand. "Good luck, Mrs. Hughes."
Elsie murmured thank you before turning to Charles. "I will be right back," she said, emphasizing her words. The poor man was hunched forward, his hands clenched at his sides, as if to keep himself together. Not caring how it would look, she reached up and took his face in her hands. "I love you, Charles Carson," she breathed.
"I love you, Elsie Hughes," he sighed. They kissed once, then twice, then before she could lose her nerve, she walked out the door.
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Steering Beryl's big SUV into late afternoon traffic was not easy. Elsie was glad of the distraction, if only for a short while. She glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Edna's car behind her.
"They're behind us," she said, shifting gears. "Are you all right?"
John lay hidden on the floor behind the front seats. "Fine, thanks."
She continued on until she saw the sign for the auto repair shop. Next door was a restaurant that served breakfast and lunch. Having been closed for several hours, its parking lot was empty. She parked the SUV next to the shop and checked her phone.
Edna Braithwaite to Elsie Hughes
She doesn't know.
Elsie composed herself before unbuckling her seatbelt. She got out, and dropped the keys into the box next to the shop door. Then she turned and strode purposefully toward the white Elantra in the empty parking lot next door. Edna hesitated, but the woman next to her immediately exited the car when she saw Elsie coming.
"I told her you'd figure it out eventually." Vera was surprisingly calm. "You were bound to notice someone following you, though I must say, it took you far longer than I thought. Has someone been on your mind? Mr. Charles Carson, by chance?"
Elsie swallowed several insults on the tip of her tongue. The calmer Vera was, the better. She wanted to keep it that way. Stick to the plan.
"I noticed Edna several days ago, and recognized her," she nodded as Edna got out of the car. "I didn't expect to see you here. Hello, Vera." She kept her voice light, as polite as she could. She hoped she was convincing.
The woman removed her auburn wig, showing the dark hair underneath. "I have nothing to hide, not from you, Elsie Hughes." Vera smirked. "Thought I was gone for good, didn't you? Well, I'm not finished, not by a long shot." Her voice was quiet, but Elsie could detect a hint of malice. They were separated by thirty feet, with Vera leaning against the car.
"To be honest, I am curious as to why you're here." Elsie said, not taking her eyes off of the ex-Mrs. Bates.
Vera laughed, a shrill sound. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Edna flinched, walking backwards towards the back of the car.
Elsie shrugged. "I should think you wouldn't have anything left here to trouble you." From the way Vera reacted, she knew instantly she'd said the wrong thing.
"Left here!? I should damn well say I have something left here! And you have the gall to suggest I don't!" She leaned forward, pointing at Elsie. "It was your precious Mr. Carson that represented my Batesy in court! He tricked me!" Her voice rose to a shriek. "That pompous bastard, no doubt he was like the rest of you, knowing my husband was cheating on me while going through the divorce! Maybe," her voice lowered ominously, "Maybe Mr. Carson didn't mind John Bates sleeping with that little blonde slut because he was sleeping with his office manager."
"That's enough, Vera!" They turned as John hurried from the direction of the SUV to stand next to Elsie. Vera's face lost all of her color.
"Surprised to see me?" John said quietly. "I can't say the same for you." Rage flashed in Vera's eyes as she backed against the Elantra, bending over to pull her coat down. "It's over. The divorce has been final for almost five years." He kept his voice steady. "Why come back? You could have made a life for yourself somewhere else, started over-"
"Like YOU!?" shrieked Vera. "I HAD a life with you, until YOU decided to chase someone else's skirt-"
John sighed, holding up his hands. "Our marriage was over long before I met Anna, you know that-"
"No," Vera cut him off. To Elsie's horror, she pulled a handgun from her pocket and pointed it at her and John. "The only marriage that's over is yours." Elsie held her hands up, feeling her heart stop and her life flash before her eyes. Charles, my love, I'm so sorry.
"POLICE! PUT DOWN YOUR WEAPON!" bellowed a voice over an intercom. Out of the corner of her eye, Elsie saw Henry Lang hunched over his unmarked car. His gun was drawn and pointed straight at Vera. When she hadn't moved, a second voice, from behind the auto shop, boomed.
"THIS IS SERGEANT WILLIS! DROP YOUR WEAPON! NOW!"
John shoved Elsie down on the ground. She felt the loose gravel cut into her hands, but that didn't matter. Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop echoed between the buildings. Elsie heard a scream from Edna, followed by a grunt and a thump close by. She rolled over, staying low, only to find herself staring at John Bates, lying on the ground.
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"Mr. Bates?" Elsie gasped, crawling toward him. He can't be dead, no, Anna, Poppy, the baby, Anna-
He was lying on his side, his face away from her. A figure went flying past them toward the Elantra. Just as Elsie reached John, he moved. Elsie cried out, more out of relief than anything. He flopped onto his back.
"Oh my God, are you all right?" Elsie reached for him, her hands shaking. John started to sit up, but another figure, this one in a police uniform, put a hand on his shoulder.
"Just stay down for a moment." The officer, a woman with light russet hair, looked up. "Strallan?"
"She's dead." A man's voice came from the Elantra. He shouted into his radio. "We need an ambulance! Lang's shot, MOS shot, and a civilian!" As he continued relaying directions, Elsie saw a third officer sprint across the lot to their right, toward Lang's prostrate form.
"She shot both of them?" Elsie asked, blinking furiously. The earth spun around her. She felt someone take her arm, holding her in place.
"You had better lie down, you've had a shock." The female officer.
"Mrs. Hughes? Are you hurt?" Elsie jerked her head. John looked at her from the ground, worry etched all over his face.
"M-me h-hurt?" she stuttered, feeling the officer supporting her back. "No!" Her throat closed up as the tears began. "I thought you were dead!"
"No, no, I'm very much alive," he said, taking her hand. "Are you sure you're not hurt?"
"Yes," she said, feeling the cold asphalt beneath her. "I think I scraped my hand, but that's all." She turned to John again, feeling tears run down her face. "How are you not-dead?" He glanced at the officer.
"I thought of the worst-case scenario, and planned accordingly. They call them bullet-proof vests for a reason. Lang wore one as well, I hope he's all right." He winced. "I might have a bruise, though."
"We'll have the EMTs look at you," the officer said. "Right, Mrs. Hughes? Can I get you on your feet?" She helped Elsie stand up. The distant sounds of sirens got closer before the ambulance drove screaming into the parking lot. It was a relief when the noise ended, though the flashing lights continued. Elsie waited patiently as one EMT checked on John before getting to her. He checked her vital signs and asked her a few simple questions. She had calmed down, seeing John well. After the EMT questioned her, she saw two others wheeling Lang across the parking lot. He seemed to have several bandages on him, but he was clearly talking to the EMTs as they put him into the back of the ambulance. Yet another ambulance had its doors open, waiting as its crew lifted a covered body onto a stretcher.
"Mrs. Hughes?" the female officer said. "I'm to take you, Miss Braithwaite and Mr. Bates to the station."
"You don't have to go to the hospital?" Elsie asked him incredulously as they got into the squad car. She was mildly amused by the fact they were riding in the backseat, like criminals.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "I wish I could say the same for Mr. Lang."
"He's going to be all right," the female officer said from the front seat. "He was shot in the chest, on the right side. He should recover quickly, though." She looked at Elsie and John in the rearview mirror. "I'm Officer Lavinia Swire, sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner."
"You were doing your job. Thank you," John said, Elsie repeating the thanks. They rode the rest of the way to the station in silence. When they got inside, Officer Swire took Edna back into a private room, leaving John and Elsie sitting in the hallway. Another staffer got them some water. Elsie stared unseeing at the opposite wall.
She was alive. Again. She remembered how it felt the day the doctor had called and said her cyst was benign. This felt similar, only magnified by the feeling of relief that John was all right, and that Vera was dead. Anna would not have to worry any more, and she and Charles could rest easier, knowing the person behind the rumor would not bother them ever again-
"Charles!" she gasped, sitting up. John started, as if he had been gazing into space. She looked under her seat and at the next seat over before remembering. "My phone is in my purse! I left it in Beryl's car!"
"I have my phone, I'll call them now," John said. "It hasn't been that long, maybe an hour since we met them, it's barely a quarter past five now." He punched a button on his phone and held it to his ear. "Hello? It's me, love," he said, his voice in the tone that he used with his wife. "It's over. It's all over, and we're all right." He looked at Elsie, as if to say I'm not telling her everything right now. "Y-yes, yes," he chuckled quietly. "I really am all right. We're at the police station, in the hallway," he said quickly. "It's all part of the procedure. I'm sure Mr. Carson won't mind driving you." He stopped again. Elsie could hear Anna's voice on the phone, but not the words. "Yes, Mrs. Hughes is here, she's all right," John said. "She's sitting next to me-what? Mr. Carson, she-she's fine. Yes," he said, a tad impatient. Elsie reached for the phone, and he handed it to her.
"Charles?" She asked. "I'm fine, I'm here, I don't suppose you ever thought you'd have to pick me up at the police station," she joked, but his voice made her stop.
"Elsie? Oh, thank God-" he choked, his voice was cut off by an unfamiliar sound, not one she had ever heard over the phone. He wept, his relief so strong that Elsie wept with him.
"Mrs. Hughes? It's Mary," Mary's voice was gentle. "We're leaving the office now, all except Mrs. Mason. Her husband's coming to pick her up and get their car. They'll come to the station after that. Papa, Carson, Anna and I will be there in five minutes."
"Is Mr. Carson all right?" Elsie whispered, trying to hold back her tears.
"Yes, now that he knows you're all right."
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Charles stood in the hallway, the florescent lights flickering. He didn't notice, as his arms were full of Elsie.
"I'm not going anywhere, Charles," she murmured. "I'm right here." He dropped another kiss on her forehead.
"She was going to kill you. How could I have ever let you-"
"She didn't kill me. She didn't even touch me. Here," she kissed him full on the lips. "Does that convince you I'm alive?" She was so grateful for his arms around her; it made it easier to try to make light of things.
Her cancer scare had not frightened him as badly. Maybe it was because he had yet to acknowledge his feelings then. All he knew was that the woman he loved more than his own life had nearly lost hers earlier that day. He felt so guilty, knowing she could have been spared the mental anguish if he'd only insisted on going in her place. Oh really? You tried that, and she was having none of it. He prayed that they would never have to go through such an ordeal again. He hugged her tighter, only loosening his grip when Officer Swire came out of an office, talking to Mary.
"Thank you," he said to the fair-haired woman, shaking her hand enthusiastically. "I can never thank you enough for helping Elsie." He wound an arm around his wife-to-be, while Elsie patted his back.
"You're welcome, Mr. Carson. It's all in a day's work. I must say, if you thank anyone, you should thank Detective Lang and Sergeant Willis."
"I shall. Where can I find the Sergeant?"
"He's gone home. He's been put on leave."
"What?" Elsie asked, echoed by the others. "Why? He saved our lives!"
Officer Swire nodded. "I know, but it's the policy of the department when an officer shoots someone, they get put on administrative leave. There will be an investigation, to which you've already given your statement, and after he's cleared he'll be back on duty." She cleared her throat. "No matter how bad the situation, or the criminal, no officer wants to shoot someone. It's a last resort."
"I'm sure the Sergeant will be back to work in no time, Carson," Mary said.
"Speaking of work," Robert said, "I don't want to see either of you, Bates or Mrs. Hughes, at the office tomorrow. And perhaps not the rest of the week. You both deserve some time off, after today." He paused. "I can't tell you how glad I am that you're both all right, and that maybe this wretched business is over, once and for all. I spoke with Miss Braithewaite. She has agreed to stop following you, Mrs. Hughes. And I promised to go with Mary later this week, to pay Richard Carlisle a visit. I certainly don't think he intended things to go this far."
"Maybe not," Charles growled. "But the fact that he worked with that despicable woman shows that he was willing to take things pretty far."
"I should think after he finds out what happened today, he'll want to crawl under a rock," said Beryl. "And not come out again anytime soon."
"He'll know we're keeping an eye on him," said John, his arm around Anna. "Steven Russell will be furious. I'll put money on that."
The group of them walked out of the station under the night sky. "Where's Poppy?" Elsie asked Anna as they approached their cars. "It's long past time to pick her up."
"Thomas picked her up from daycare, and took her to my mother-in-law's house. We'll get her tomorrow."
"Mother wanted some extra time with her. Says she needs to be spoiled before the baby comes," John said. Elsie was relieved to see him smiling as he unlocked their car. She gave Anna an extra hug.
"Sleep well tonight," she whispered, knowing that the two of them would probably sleep better than they had in years.
"You too," Anna smiled. "I'll call you later this week. We need to talk about wedding plans!" she called as Elsie got into the car next to theirs.
"We certainly do," Charles agreed as he fiddled with the heat dial. "I can't wait to be married to you." There was a gleam in his eye as he grinned at her. She squeezed his hand.
"Neither can I."