Part 47 (1/2)
Replacement wrinkled her nose and closed one eye. ”I sorta already know.”
Jack sighed. ”If she didn't tell you, I don't want to know.”
”But she did.” She let out a little whistle. ”I kinda took her there.”
”Where?”
”Hope Falls.”
Jack's mouth fell open. ”You took her to Hope Falls? Really?”
”You're not mad?”
Jack stopped to think for a second. ”No. No, I think that's a great idea. Maybe we can call Kristine and see if she can stay there until she finds a place.”
”I did. She put Marisa up at the inn. She even let her set up an easel in the widow's walk.”
Jack could picture Marisa up there at sunset, painting.
She'll be happy.
”Good job, kid.”
Replacement beamed. She took his hand and they continued to walk.
”I haven't asked yet but, how's my car?”
Replacement stopped.
d.a.m.n.
”Did they tow her to Sully's?”
She nodded but didn't look at him.
”What did he say?”
She looked up, and he knew his Impala hadn't made it.
”Sully said everything was gone. Engine, frame, just everything. The driver's side was the only thing that made it. It was the most protected...” She looked away.
He put his hand on her shoulder, and she spun around and hugged him. Jack's eyes rolled back from the pain, but he tried to mask it. He softly touched her hair.
”You were so hurt. I remembered you told Ilario to go to the drop at the base of Big Blue, so I ran there as fast as I could. Ilario made a hole in your chest, and there was so much blood. I...they took you to the hospital but you...” She buried her face in his chest and cried.
A couple walking by gave him a pitying look, and he nodded as he awkwardly smiled. Jack stroked her back as she tried to get hold of herself.
She straightened up and wiped her eyes. ”I'm sorry.”
”Thanks.” Jack smiled lopsidedly.
”Thanks?” Replacement lifted an eyebrow.
”What am I supposed to say? I'm sorry I almost died and freaked you out?”
She nodded. ”Yeah. That would be better than thanks.”
Jack laughed. He put his arm around her shoulder and started to walk again. When they reached the end of the block, he stumbled slightly.
”Are you okay?” Replacement put her hand on his chest.
”I'm fine. I got distracted.” He pointed to the curb where a jet-black Charger was parked.
Replacement smiled from ear to ear, crossed her hands behind her back, and raised herself up on her toes. ”Do you like it?”
”Like it? It's my favorite...” His voice trailed off when she held out her hand and let a set of keys dangle from her fingers.
No way. No way.
As his mouth fell open, she squealed. He grabbed her around the waist.
”Don't pick me up. Don't. Don't,” she protested.
He picked her up and spun her around anyway. Jack knew he'd be sore that night, but he didn't care.
”Thank you.” He looked at her with amazement, and she pushed him toward the driver's side.
”Get in. Start her up.”
She ran over to the pa.s.senger side as he slid into the driver's seat. He rolled his fingers around the steering wheel, curled his lip, and looked over the dashboard.
”Wait a second. This is...this is my Charger. It's my police car?”
”Is that okay?” She knelt on the seat, gazed up at him, and held her breath.
His mouth twitched into a smile as he nodded. ”But, how?”
Replacement clapped and wiggled in the seat. ”I begged Sully to fix the Impala and, when he couldn't, I knew how b.u.mmed out you'd be, and I knew you loved this car. Well, they sent this one to Sully's. I only had a little money, but Sully called in some markers. He knew a mechanic and a body guy, so we went there and he said, 'I never ask for nothing, but I'm askin' for a favor now.'” She laughed as she imitated him. ”They said it wasn't as bad as it looked, and Sully got the parts from another Charger.”
Jack turned around and started the car. The engine's roar turned into a purr. Jack rubbed the dashboard, and Replacement laughed.
He closed his eyes as he gripped the steering wheel. ”I don't know how to thank you.”
”Thank me?” Replacement scoffed. ”After everything you do for me?”
Jack shook his head. ”You're always doing stuff for me.”