Pushing Up Bluebonnets

Cooper's expression hardened. 'Damn good question.'

22

Though Richter was mad enough to chew nails and spit rivets about the fake security guard, he was more concerned about JoLynn and was anxious to see her. He'd given that message to a staff member heading inside the ICU.

So Adele stepped up and said she would make sure real security would be on the job as soon as possible. After calling to Simone—who was still talking to the morose visitor—that she'd be back as soon as she could, Adele left to make phone calls.

'I could head over to this agency you used, talk to them about how this happened,' Cooper told Richter.

'Waste of time,' Richter said. 'The cancellation was done over the phone, so they don't know a damn thing. I've used these people before, but they specialize in protecting my ship-channel sites here in Houston and my offices in south Texas. They've never done an assignment like this and the impostor was smart enough to call in the termination of services during the evening, when people who know my voice weren't around.'

'At least we know what the guy looks like,' I said. 'We can alert the staff in case he shows up again. But why did he leave? We didn't know you were coming, so how could he? And why wouldn't he believe you'd accept his presence here just like we did?'

'I don't know . . . unless . . .' Richter's eyes traveled across the waiting room to where his niece was now on one knee, photographing the visitor. 'Simone took the stairs while Adele and I rode the elevator. She got here first and as you can see, she's never known a stranger.'

'You think she told the guy who she was, that you were on the way, and that's why he decided to split?' I said.

'Maybe,' Cooper said. 'Let's ask.' He caught Simone's eye and gestured for her to come over.

She stood and put a comforting hand on the man's shoulder and he looked up at her gratefully before she left him.

Richter spoke before Cooper could open his mouth and asked Simone about the guard. 'Yeah, he was here. I talked to him. He didn't do much talking back, though. Just got up and left.'

'Did you never mention your uncle or give him names?' Cooper said.

'No.' Simone's tone indicated this was, like, the stupidest question ever. 'I asked if I could take his picture, that's all. He said 'Not today' or something like that, picked up his stuff and headed for the stairs. I did get one shot off, though, because he turned around to see if I was following him. Then you and Mom came and I forgot all about him.'

'Didn't you think that was odd? Did I not tell you I hired security for JoLynn?' Richter's anger was now focused on his niece.

She stepped closer and lifted her chin, stared him in the eye. 'You didn't tell me a damn thing, Uncle Elliott. But I guess I'm to blame for whatever's got you pissed off now.'

Richter closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose with thumb and index finger. Quietly he said, 'I'm sorry. None of this is your fault.' He then explained about the fake-security-guard snafu.

'Oh crap. So . . . you're okay, then?' Simone asked.

Richter offered her a puzzled look. 'Yes . . . but I don't understand—'

'You said you were sorry. You and Mom never say you're sorry about anything,' Simone said.

Richter stared down at Simone like he was seeing her for the first time. 'I truly am sorry.'

Cooper cleared his throat, then asked Simone to show the picture to her uncle to see if Richter might know the man. Simone held the display out and clicked back about twenty times before she found Joe Johnson's photo.

Richter shook his head no, but before he could say anything, Chuckles the Private-Duty Nurse came through the double doors.

'Mr. Richter? Maxine Norman, your day-shift nurse.' She extended her hand to him, ignoring the rest of us.

Brightly I said, 'Ms. Norman is new, too.'

Simone said, 'Oh boy' under her breath.

But Richter said, 'I recognize you from your re?sume? photo, Ms. Norman.' He looked at Cooper. 'The nursing agency faxed me several applications to consider. I chose Ms. Norman myself, as she has outstanding recommendations, has dealt with head-injury patients often, but she couldn't start until yesterday.'

'I appreciate your confidence, Mr. Richter,' Norman said. 'Your granddaughter is sleeping, but responding nicely to the reduction in sedation. Movement in all extremities, pupils reactive though unequal. Vital signs good.'

Relieved Norman hadn't mentioned JoLynn's agitation during our earlier visit, I said, 'She smiled when I mentioned you, Mr. Richter.'

'Really?' he said.

'Let's go in, but only for a few minutes. She needs her rest more than anything.' Norman turned and started walking.

'Can my niece come, too?' he asked.

'Certainly,' Norman said over her shoulder.

Simone followed and I heard her say, 'May I take your picture?'

Richter hung back for a second and said, 'If you can get a lead on that man, I'd appreciate it. He made the cancellation call to Brace Security about ten p.m. Wednesday night. Meanwhile I'll have Simone show his photo to the staff.'

Richter started after his niece and the nurse.

Cooper called after him. 'Have her e-mail me that picture—and send it to Abby, too. You still have our addresses?'

He nodded and disappeared behind the double doors.

Cooper sat down again, looking puzzled and worried. 'Guess we wait until protection arrives.'

'You think that guy planned another attempt on JoLynn's life right here? Doesn't that only happen on television?'

'He was probably here to gather as much information as possible, maybe get a handle on her condition, follow Richter when they took JoLynn out of here,' Cooper said. 'Killing her in this place would be way too tough. But how did he find her?'

'There was a small article in the Houston Chronicle the day after the accident,' I said.

'That explains it. If he tried to kill her, he'd be looking for proof she was dead. What bothers me is how easily he planted himself here. He must have scoped out the original guards, caught the logo on the uniform and knew who to call. He was careful and he was smart.'

'Could Kent Dugan have sent him? The switcheroo occurred after he knew where JoLynn was.'

'Very possible, but what's his motive to kill her?' he said.

'You got me. Maybe she ran from him because he threatened her, he found her and . . . hell, I don't know. But like Jeff said, the guy gives off bad vibes.'

Before he could respond, Adele came clickety-clacking back into the waiting room. 'Mission accomplished, and this time, I have a picture on my BlackBerry of the man who should be arriving shortly. Where's my brother?'

'In there.' I nodded at the ICU.

'Would you like to visit, too?' Cooper asked.

She glanced at the doors, hesitated. 'Oh, no. I have to wait for the new security person.'

Her whole facade had fallen away, leaving her looking vulnerable and afraid. Too much emotion had been