Lucky Like Us

chapter Twenty

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Saturday, 10:22 A.M.

JENNA’S PHONE RANG far off in the penthouse. Probably someone from Merrick International trying to get in touch with her. Sam had his own line in his bedroom, so he tried to ignore it. Jenna’s muffled voice carried down the hall to his room. The distress in her tone signaled some kind of trouble.

Opening his eyes, he glanced at the clock. He’d slept in spurts throughout the night. He remembered waking up just after two in the morning in a cold sweat to the sound of Elizabeth’s scream. He must have lain there for over an hour trying to get back to sleep. At some point he succeeded, because it was after ten now.

The dreams disturbed him. His guilt rearing its ugly head, because he hadn’t protected Elizabeth. He blamed himself for her injuries, since she’d gotten them saving his hide. Maybe things would be better when she was out of the hospital and he was there to protect her. It would give him a chance to make things up to her.

A familiar chill went up his back, little devils danced between his shoulder blades. Mind your back played in his head. Suddenly, he wanted to know who was on the phone. Carefully getting out of bed, wearing only his pajama bottoms, he made his way out toward the living room. He’d taken his sweat-soaked T-shirt off in the middle of the night, and he didn’t bother grabbing another one. Hell, Jenna had seen him half naked more than once. She could pretty much guess what the rest looked like, since Jack was his identical twin.

The penthouse was oddly quiet, since four children and four adults were living there with him at the moment. He found Jenna sitting on the couch with her hands together pressed to her mouth. She stared off in the distance.

Sitting next to her, he asked, “Where is everyone?”

“They went to the zoo. I thought you needed some peace and quiet this morning. Caleb and Summer are taking the kids back to Colorado tomorrow. Jack wants to stay until you’re feeling better.”

“He doesn’t have to do that. I’m fine. I’m home. No major damage done. My back is better. The muscle spasms are subsiding and the meds are helping.”

“He’s not worried about your physical health. It’s your mental state that concerns us. Deputy Director Davies said you seem better, and you’ve been cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting. I knew you would be, but I’m glad you have the FBI behind you too. You must be relieved. Jack and I still feel you need some time away from your work. It’s taking a toll on you, Sam.”

Her comments and worry, nothing but stalling tactics. “Who called? Did something happen at work? I can tell you’re trying not to tell me something.”

Sam sat beside her, his chest bare, the bruises fading, and although she couldn’t see his back, the look on his face told her his pain persisted. Odd, when she looked at him, she felt the love of a sister, even though he had the same face as her husband. When she looked at her husband, he sometimes took her breath away, he was so gorgeous. It goes to show love is not only a physical attraction, but a connection between two hearts. She hoped Sam would find a woman who connected to his heart. He needed someone to love him.

Stubble shadowed his jaw. He needed a shower and to eat a decent meal, and all she had for him was more bad news. She wasn’t sure how much more he could take. “Everyone stayed up last night talking about how we’ve never seen you like this. You’re like a roller coaster. You were so happy when Elizabeth woke up and talked to you, but then you go quiet for long periods of time.”

He was reliving that night over and over, but they all hoped that as Elizabeth got better, so would Sam. Even on his last visit to the ranch, they recognized his depression and weariness. But now he was on some emotional pogo stick and that was a very bad sign, since Sam was such a strong individual.

“Jenna, I’m fine,” Sam said, even though she didn’t believe him for a minute, and he knew it.

“I don’t want to tell you the news I received. It’s bad, Sam. I’m not sure how you’ll take it.”

Those devils stomped up his spine again. “Who called, Jenna? What’s happened?” He sat forward and glared her into answering him.

“Mrs. Hamilton called. Before you panic, Elizabeth is alive, but apparently, someone tried to kill her last night at the hospital.” She spit it out fast, like the words were some sour fare she couldn’t get rid of fast enough. Sam digested them and wished he hadn’t asked to be served the news.

“Oh, my God. She’s alive though.” He ran a hand through his hair. His stomach pitched and rolled. Bile rose up his throat, and he swallowed hard. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“Someone drugged her with the same stuff they found in your system. Because of her already fragile condition, even with the antidote, she’s worse now. She’s in a coma, and they’ve had to place her on a ventilator.”

Everything inside Sam went still. Taking a breath was a monumental effort. Jenna continued with the details. “The night nurse went in to check on her because the guard at her door went missing. Someone hit the nurse from behind. When she awoke a few minutes later, she discovered Elizabeth’s heart rate was dangerously low, and she was non-responsive. They suspected she was probably drugged and shut off her IV. They found the same drugs you were given in her blood-work. She’s alive, Sam, but Rachel wanted you to know what happened. She’s hoping that maybe you know who did this to her daughter.”

“No one knows the man who did this. He’s a ghost we’ve been trying to trap for a long time. I was so close that night, but he got away and I never saw his face. He didn’t succeed killing Elizabeth the first time, so he tried to finish it last night. Davies, Tyler, and I talked about this yesterday. She gave us a description of the guy, but she fell back to sleep before we finished questioning her. She can identify him. That’s why he tried to kill her again.”

Sam stood and marched to his room to get dressed. He had to get to the hospital to see her, then he’d talk to Davies about how they were going to stop this bastard. For good.

“Sam, calm down. You’re getting all worked up. She’s alive. We’ll go and see her and you’ll see for yourself.”

In three long strides, he stormed back to her. “Fine. She’s almost been killed twice because of me. How much more do you think she can take?” His rage wanted to fly, but he took a deep breath and pulled himself back together. Jenna didn’t deserve his anger.

“Sam, this isn’t your fault,” Jenna said softly, her big, round, sad, green eyes pleading with him to calm down and be reasonable. He couldn’t do that where Elizabeth was concerned.

He glared at Jenna, turned on his heel, and went back toward his bedroom to get ready to go.

“I’ll have the car brought out front. I’ll go with you.”

They arrived at the hospital and Sam jumped out of the car before it came to a stop in front. Jenna hurried after Sam, who had already made it to the bank of elevators and gotten into one. Jenna almost didn’t catch the elevator in time, banging her shoulder against the door as she hurried inside.

“Jesus, Sam. Take it easy.”

“I’m sorry, Jenna.” He wrapped his arm around her and gave her a squeeze. “I have to see her. She has to be okay.”

“I told you she is. Rachel said she’s stable, they’re waiting while the drugs clear from her system. They expect her to wake up in a day or so, like you did.”

He hoped it wouldn’t take Elizabeth long to wake up again.

“She was already in a fragile state after surgery. Her liver had to be repaired from the gunshot wound. Her system can’t handle the drugs as well as I did.”

Sam shifted from foot to foot in the elevator. “Can’t this thing go any faster? It’s only four floors, for god’s sake.” Just when he thought he’d go nuts, the doors opened onto the ICU floor and Sam took off toward the only room that had two guards posted outside. This time, the guards were FBI agents. Sam flashed his badge and stormed right past them.

Rachel hadn’t expected Sam to get there so quickly. He came bursting into the room and didn’t even see her. He went straight to Elizabeth, stood over her, and took her in. The sound of the ventilator echoed in the otherwise silent room. The intense look on his face told her Sam cared deeply for her daughter. His heart was breaking, like hers, seeing Elizabeth worse off than she’d been when she’d first come out of surgery.

Jenna came into the room quietly. Rachel got up to greet her, but Sam stopped her.

“What did the doctors say?”

“She’s okay, Sam. They got the antidote into her system quickly.” Rachel walked over to Sam and put her arm around his back. He traced his fingertips over Elizabeth’s pale cheek as soft as a ladybug crawling over her skin.

“She’s been through a lot. Whoever did this to her must have woken her up because she fought him. See her arm. He grabbed her and held on.”

The impression of a perfect handprint with fingertips circled her forearm near her wrist. Sam rubbed the back of his neck and tried to work out some of the tension.

“What else did the doctor say?”

“Sam, she’s in a coma. We have to wait for her to come back to us in her own time. The Judge is down the hall in the waiting room talking with Agent Reed about how the man got past hospital security and what they didn’t find on the security footage,” she said, frowning. “Why don’t you go and speak with them? Agent Reed can tell you what happened.”

“I don’t want to leave her. I’m supposed to protect her and look what happened. I wasn’t here when she needed me. Again.”

“Sam, this is not your fault. We had a guard protecting her. Whoever did this got past everyone. You’re on leave until she’s supposed to go home. I can’t tell you how relieved we were to find out you would be protecting her. She trusts you, and the Judge and I trust you with her. Do you understand what I’m saying to you, Sam? We trust you with the most precious person in our life.”

“She wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me and the investigation I’m working.”

“You’d be dead if it wasn’t for her. Remember that.” Rachel stood beside him, holding his arm and giving it a squeeze. “I’ll leave you alone with her. The Judge expects you for dinner tomorrow night, and so do I,” she commanded.

Rachel and Jenna left the room and he took the seat next to Elizabeth. Alone with her, he took her hand in his and watched her face to see if she knew he was there. “Hi, sweetheart. Can you hear me?”

He waited to see if she tapped his hand, or blinked her eyes. Something. Anything to indicate she was aware of him. She didn’t move. It was too much to hope for at this point.

“Come on, honey. Give me one tap, so I know you’re okay.” Nothing. Not even a twitch in her pinky.

“I’m sorry. I know you asked me to protect you yesterday, and I wasn’t here last night when that bastard tried to kill you again. You must be so mad at me. I’m mad at myself. We should have known hospital security wasn’t enough to protect you from this maniac. I mean, how daring is that to try to kill you in a crowded hospital?

“You did so well yesterday giving us the description of the man who tried to kill us. Agent Reed is working on the suspect list. Thanks to you, he’s been able to narrow the list of people down considerably. I wish I was here with you yesterday.

“You were so great with Agent Vernet. I thought I made the guy’s life hell, but you really stuck it to him. Your brother, Patrick, said you had a great sense of humor, but you really have a wicked sense of humor the way you played with Agent Vernet and his game of words. You can be a force to be reckoned with when you want. I knew you were leading him on, but I never guessed you’d completely exonerate me in the shooting.

“I don’t remember the events like you do, but I know you told the truth. That’s all I need to remember each time I replay that night in my mind. I never meant for you to get hurt. Now when I see myself shooting you in my mind, I remind myself I was trying to help you.

“God, I wish I was here with you last night. You must have been so scared, and you’re probably scared now. Don’t be, sweetheart. Two really big guys are outside your door making sure no one gets in here. This time, they’re FBI agents. I haven’t been cleared to work yet, but thanks to you, the investigation will be closed by Tuesday. I was hoping to take you home that day. If you wake up right now, maybe I still can. Come on, sweetheart, wake up for me, so I can take you home.”

He sat holding her hand, rubbing his thumb across the back of it, and hoping he’d feel even the slightest movement in her fingers. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been there staring at her when Rachel and Jenna returned along with the Judge.

“Sam, let’s go home and let Elizabeth’s parents spend time with their daughter,” Jenna coaxed softly.

Sam didn’t move or stop watching Elizabeth. He wanted to feel her move once. A strong hand clamped down on his shoulder, and he glanced up at the Judge.

“She’ll be fine, son. Not to worry. I expect you at Sunday dinner tomorrow. She’ll know we’re all here with her. She’ll come back to us. I have no doubt.”

“This is all my fault, sir. I can’t fathom everything she’s suffered. You should have heard her yesterday. She’d make a great lawyer. Hell, she’d make a great agent. She’s precise, sticks to the facts, doesn’t mince words, and keeps everything to the point. She was a great witness. And as you know, that’s rare. You should be proud of her.”

Judge Hamilton smiled. “I am proud of her. She’s great at arguing her case. I have to say, I was disappointed she didn’t go to law school. She said we had enough lawyers in the family, and she wanted to do something fun, not taxing. She said she’d take cupcakes over nutcases any day of the week.

“Once, when she was sixteen, she wanted to start dating. She wasn’t allowed at the time, but this one boy wanted to take her to the prom. I wasn’t in favor of the idea because the boy was older than her. In order to convince me he was respectable and would treat her well, she walked into my office and presented me with letters of recommendation, like some lawyer presenting me with legal briefs. She supplied one from the boy’s teacher, his mother, his best friend, and even one from another girl he had dated.

“She knows how to get what she wants, and she’s fair-minded and understands that in order to make your side of the argument you have to be truthful and present facts and not emotion. That’s not to say she doesn’t have a heart. She’s got one bigger than most. She gives more than she’ll ever take.

“That’s why I’m saying this for the last time. This is not your fault. You have done nothing but show concern for her well-being, and when Jarred came here to cause more trouble, you took care of him. I have no doubt that had you been with her last night you would have fought to the death to save her. I’ll expect no less when it’s time for her to go home and you’re assigned to protect her and find the bastard who did this to her. Are we clear?”

“Yes, sir.” He wasn’t quite convinced, but having the Judge on his side did make a difference. “Did you let her go to the prom?” The image of Elizabeth walking into the Judge’s office and presenting her case nearly made him smile.

“She presented a sound argument and the boy’s references were impeccable. They had a great time, as I remember. She wore a blue gown with her hair piled on her head. She was beautiful. They were crowned prom king and queen.” Judge Hamilton remembered the night fondly. “Her first dance and date with a boy. She was so excited when she got home with her rhinestone crown propped atop her head. She looked like a princess.” Those were memories to cherish. And by the look of the Judge, he had a lot of wonderful memories of Elizabeth. Sam hoped there’d be a lot more to come.

A princess. Prom king and queen. Maybe they fit into Tyler’s cryptic message from his 1-800-PSYCHIC and the missing girl case.

“You’ll call if there’s any change, or if she wakes up. I want to know right away. I’ll come back and see her later.”

“You know we will,” the Judge assured him.

Judge Hamilton liked Sam and any man who cared for his Elizabeth like Sam did deserved his sympathy. The Judge wondered how long it would take Sam to realize he cared for Elizabeth on a deep personal level and not out of guilt or responsibility. They’d make a nice couple. He hoped to see his daughter with someone as trustworthy and honorable as Sam. Maybe something would develop between the two of them. Sam was a good man. The Judge had no doubt about it. Elizabeth was kind and sweet. She’d bring joy into Sam’s dark world.

Sam kissed Elizabeth’s temple and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. He hated to leave her, but her parents wanted to be alone with her, and she would want them before she’d want him. He headed for the door where Jenna waited. Rachel reached out to touch his arm as he passed. He gave her a reassuring look and walked out, leaving his heart and soul in that room with Elizabeth.

Tyler stood talking to the agents guarding Elizabeth’s door. “Hey, I have a lead for you to follow on that missing girl. She’s in high school, if I remember right. Check to see if she went to the prom, and whether the guy she went with was the prom king. That might tie into your King of Hearts message.”

Tyler smiled. “I’m surprised you considered the message and took it seriously enough to come up with a lead. Maybe I’m not crazy for listening to Morgan after all.”

Sam shrugged, so Tyler left it alone. “I’m meeting the detective in a little while to go over the case. The file contained a picture of her and a bunch of girls at a dance. Maybe she went with a date. I’ll check it out. How are you doing with all this? How’s Elizabeth? Did you see her?”

“I’m fine. She’s not.” Sam turned to address the two men guarding Elizabeth’s room. “No one but her immediate family and me goes in.” He waited for their nod. Grabbing Jenna’s hand, he headed toward the elevators to go home. He wanted to stay with Elizabeth, but he needed to get out of there before he collapsed on his knees by her bed and begged her, God, the universe, anyone, everyone for her to wake up.