The Blind Man

SIXTEEN

She wasn't sure what was happening, but she woke up to the sound of shouts ringing through the hospital halls. Her eyes fell on Jae as he stood on high alert at the cracked door. He was talking to someone that was standing out of her sight. The noise began dying as Jae shut the door back and turned to face her.

"What's going on?" Maggie looked over to find Cristal at her side with a fearful expression.

"They can't get the other man to calm down. Every time he wakes up he starts going crazy. "

"Why?" Maggie asked.

Jae pushed his sunglasses up his nose. "The guard said that he keeps begging them to keep some guy away from them. They believe he's talking about the second man involved. "

"He might be willing to talk." Maggie added.

"Yeah, but only if they can calm him down. They keep having to knock him out."

Maggie shuttered at the thought that came to mind, but it might work. "I need to talk to him."

Jae flinched at her words. "There's no way you're going in that room with him."

"I can ask for a cop to be near by, and you can be there too."

"No way, Maggie. He might have a hidden plan behind all this. You're not going to speak to him."

"Can you do it for me then?"

Her question clearly floored him. His expression was unreadable as he stepped closer. "What would I say?"

"Ask him about the other man and why he's so scared of him. Get some answers out of him."

"I think the cops can handle it." Cristal puts in. "I mean, it is their job."

"But that might be the reason why he keeps freaking out because there's no one there but cops and people against him." Maggie argued.

"Of course we're against him. He's a terrible man."

"I know, but if he can tell us more information about the other man than we need to do everything we can to talk to him."

Jae sighed rubbing the back of his neck. She watched him, having a sudden desire to kiss his firm jawline. What a thought to have at a time like this.

"I'll do it."

She reached out and took his hand. He bend lower to her and she brushed her lips across his cheek. "Thank you."

He cleared his throat having not expected her to do that. "Anything for you." He mumbled.

Cristal raised her eyebrows at Maggie and Maggie winked at her friend.

"I'll tell the sheriff what we've planned." Jae found his way to the door and out into the hall.

Cristal looked over at her. "Things have changed between y'all. Where did all that come from?" She teased.

Maggie blushed, but said nothing.

Cristal stood then. "I'm going to go sit with Luis. "

"Is he any better?"

Cristal sighed as she mindlessly rubbed a bruise on her arm. "I like to think he is. He's still weak and sick to his stomach, but he should be better later on. The doctor told me that if y'all keep healing like you are he'll be able to release you both in a day or more."

Maggie's heart felt lighter. "That sounds heavenly."

Cristal nodded before heading out the door herself. Maggie closed her eyes and leaned back against her pillow. Tears filled her eyes at the gratitude that filled her heart. God had kept her safe through it all and soon things could get back to normal.

~~*~~

Things had been set up for today. Jae really didn't want to waste time talking with this man since Maggie and Luis were being released today, but it was needful.

He took a seat at the foot of the man's bed. Jae of course couldn't see him, but the guard had said that he was cuffed to the bed and his feet were changed tight. He was suffering from a deep stab wound in his abdomen and a minor concussion.

Jae took in a breath as the nurse slipped a drug in the man's IV to wake him up. Jae was to be left alone with him while the guards and two nurses stood just outside the door.

Jae listened as he heard the man groan and jerk to life. "Where am I?" He mumbled. "Who are you? What's going on?" He's tone grew fearful and Jae knew he must be about to flip at the sight of his bonds.

"Hey, it's ok, man. I'm here to help, not hurt."

The man stilled. "Where's James? He's going to kill me."

Jae hated him for hurting his friends, but deep down he was concerned for his mental state. This guy had major issues going on.

"Just calm down, James is no where near here." Jae lied.

"But he will be!" The man cried.

"If he shows up there are enough cops outside your door to put him under the jail."

This seems to calm the man some. Jae leaned forward placing his elbows on his knees. "Can you tell me why you're so afraid of him?"

The man snorted. "Your lady friend called him Psycho, and I think that describes him well." The man's tone still held fear and an edge of something, a warning? "I knew he was dangerous when I got into this. But when I told him I was done, he went crazy. He attacked me and I really thought I wouldn't get away."

"What's the reason for all this?"

"I have no idea. He just hired me, I was to do all the dirty work, but when I saw how insane he was, I wanted out."

Jae sighed glad the man was opening up. "Did he ever say why he was doing this?"

"He never said why, but I do know he was obsessed with that woman." Silence passed for several moments. "When does he get out?"

Confusion swept over Jae. "Who?"

"James. When does he get out of the hospital? I know they have him here."

"We never caught him." Jae admitted.

The man's voice picked up some. "That's crazy talk. I saw him standing with the others, and that Mark guy!"

Jae mumbled a curse under his breath. If he wasn't blind he would have been able to see the man.

"You mean he's loose?" He yells, and Jae stands to his feet to calm him.

"I'll do everything I can to stop him, I promise. Just give me his name again."

The man's breathing heavy now and he seems like he'll go off at any moment. "He told me it was James, but it's not he's real name. That Cristal girl called him by a different name. I think it was.....Luis."

Jae straightened. "You must be wrong."

"That's it, I know it is." The man's tone rises. "He's still in this hospital and he'll finish me off. You have to get me out of here!"

An alarm started beeping loudly as Jae heard several nurses rush in behind him. Jae felt himself get jerked out of the room. And soon he's in the hall hearing the man scream. Moments later silence falls and Cristal comes to check on Jae.

"Where's Luis?" Jae asks.

"Him and Maggie decided to go ahead and leave. Luis was really tired and Maggie was good to drive so she's taking him home. They both didn't want to wait any longer. Why?"

Jae's mind begins to race with possibilities. "Try calling Maggie, if you reach her tell her to turn around and come back."

Jae can feel himself tensing as Cristal tries to get in touch with Maggie, but no answer comes.

"Jae what's going on?"

The sheriff comes walking up then. "Did you learn anything?"

Jae swallows hard feeling sick to his stomach. "I think Maggie's in trouble."