by Lin Larson
“Neither am I,” Sam returned, as he smiled and then frowned.
Alex could feel a sudden distance between them. “What’s wrong?”
“The kids. They know who I am.”
“What!” Alex bolted up.
“Easy.” He pulled her down. “They’re on our side, I think.”
Alex responded slowly. “Sam, is it going to come down again? Are we in danger?”
“Not yet. Did you know that Heather’s mom is Elizabeth Martin, the newswoman?”
Alex jumped up again. “What? This is crazy. They’ll find us!”
“No, no. I have a feeling about the mother.” He slowly pulled her back down, this time onto of him. Sam kissed her gently at first. “I’ve been looking forward to you all day.”
Alex came up for air. “You asked for it.” She sat up and pulled her sweater off over her soft curls, and she came back to him.
“Is this all I get?” Sam said teasingly.
“Patience, more is coming.” She slid down and took off Sam’s shoes. “Now it’s your turn. You give a piece. I give one in return. All’s fair. It’s an old game, but sometimes old games are the best.” She continued her game.
Sam stopped. “I’d like to give more than one necessity at a time.”
“Oh, you would, would you, Mr. Stone. But, you don’t’ have much left, do you?” Alex grinned.
Suddenly they were no longer polite. They boldly enjoyed each other.
#
Afterwards, Sam lay listening to the walls creaking in the storm. It must be a blizzard now. He never thought he’d like being snowbound. He felt Alex’s light body curled against his. He was wrong. He’d have to put this into his next book, if he lived to write one.
CHAPTER 25
The room was heavy in darkness, but he couldn’t sleep. Sam kept tossing in his bed. He was afraid he’d wake Alex. He rose and threw on his robe. The old wooden floor was cold now. Better turn up the heat. He moved quietly down the steps and adjusted the thermostat. He entered the study and sat in the darkness. How would he begin? Would Martin believe him? He switched on the old lamp. Ben had said that Sam would like the old study lamp. He did. He swiveled thoughtfully in his chair. Ben used to live here in his teaching days. Maybe that’s why Sam fit in so well. He tried to imagine burly Ben in his youth, sitting in this simple chair and planning his lectures. His students probably adored him. Ben was an honest and caring man. Sam missed hm.
Sam pulled out a pad of paper and wrote out his story in longhand. When he was finished, he folded the pages into an envelope and addressed it. He couldn’t read it over. He hoped he’d watched his p’s and q’s, but he felt emotionally beaten. The old pain had returned.
It came, despair flooded over him. He turned in his chair and cried. He hadn’t cried since Caroline died. He had to get hold of himself. He had more to do. He grabbed the envelope and placed it in the old overcoat hanging by the door. He’d have to return the coat in the morning.
Suddenly he flashed on a moment in the past. The formula! He had left the drug label in his pocket. He wondered if Jessup had found it in Sam’s old clothes. Maybe Jessup just trashed them. He hoped he was doing well and not hurt. He still had to thank and pay him. Oh, stop thinking. It’s in the future, when and if this all ends well. I’ll ask him then about the label. I’m going to stop worrying and go back to bed.
Sam turned out the lights and padded softly up the stairs. He stole a look at Sarah on the way. She looked so sweet. Her pert nose barely reached above the soft quilt. He brushed aside the copper ringlet that had fallen across her forehead. He kissed her lightly. He couldn’t resist, he felt like her father. He stopped short and placed his hand on her head. Was she unusually warm? He was beginning to feel his role and his obligations as a guardian. Sam went back and woke Alex.
“What’s the matter?” Alex said sleepily.
“Sarah feels warm.”
“Is she crying?” Alex stumbled quickly into her robe.
“No,” said Sam.
“New Poppa, she’s probably fine.” Alex punched him playfully on the arm.
She checked anyway. Sam was right, he wished he wasn’t.
Alex worked all night on Sarah’s fever. She tried Tylenol and then changed to aspirin. She used cold towels, nothing worked. Sarah became lethargic and tolerated her mother’s frantic efforts. Finally, they bundled her up for the hospital. Sam scribbled a note on the door for Heather and Eddie, and they left.
#
“Did you poison your daughter?” The doctor said angrily.
“Of course not.” Alex was terrified. “What’s wrong with her?”
“We don’t’ know, but whatever it is, her illness is not naturally caused.”
“Oh God, no. I love her so much.” Alex began to cry hysterically.
Sam put his arm around her.
“Who are you, sir?” The doctor snapped.
“I’m a professor at the University, and Sarah’s stepfather.” Sam didn’t blink with his lie. Her natural father had given her special vitamins, but that was months ago. Could it still be in her system and cause a reaction?”
“I don’t know. Can you bring the vitamins for testing?” the doctor said.
“I don’t know. Alex, calm down, honey. Think. Do you still have some of Silas’ vitamins, the ones he gave Sarah?”
Alex stopped crying and looked up in shock. “You think it’s the vitamins. I stopped giving them to her. Are you sure it’s not the flu or an ear ache?”
“No. Your daughter is in a coma.”
“What, oh, no!” Alex screamed. “No, no, oh, Sam…Do something, please!”
Sam sat her down. “Did you save any of the vitamins? Could Sarah have found them?”
Alex looked up stunned. “Do you think she did? No, not my baby! Why would Silas give her dangerous medicine and hurt our baby?”
Sam took her hand firmly. “Alex, he was crazy. Doctor, I’ll go home and look for the pills. Alex, where do you remember last seeing them?”
“In my letter box. I don’t know why I save them. I don’t know why, oh, no!” Alex was inconsolable now.
“Doctor, can you give her something ‘til I get back?
“Yes, sit down, Mrs. Sinclair. Nurse….”
#
“Oh, Alex, why did you save them?” Sam muttered as he hurled himself up the icy steps. He fumbled with the door in the semi-light of dawn and then tore it open. He took the old steps to the second floor in leaps. Grabbing the antique box on the dresser, he dumped it violently on the bed. No pills! He felt desperate. Alex, where did you put them? You didn’t take them, did you? Tears formed in his eyes, he shook them away and launched himself at their little girl’s room. Sam started with the bed, then the closet and dresser. He was throwing possessions like a madman. He saw it suddenly, the bottle, on the floor under the side of the blanket. He pulled it towards himself and shook the container. Empty! Sam extended his arm wildly under the small bed. His fingers touched a scatter of objects. The pills. He pulled them in. Thank God, he had them. He sat his large frame on the edge of the little bed and exhaled deeply. He loved Alex’s little girl. Jensen, what did you do to your own child? What kind of stinking monster are you?
He reflected only for a moment and then rushed to the door. He grabbed the overcoat as an afterthought and threw it in the backseat of the old black Chevy of Ben’s. He crunched down the driveway and hurried off. Sam’s mind was only on a small girl with bright copper curls.
#
Sam had delivered the pills to the doctor and then quietly opened the door of Sarah’s hospital room. Alex slept with exhaustion on the side chair. Her head rested on the bed and her hand clutched the small hand of her only child. An I.V. tube penetrated Sarah’s other helpless limb.
Sarah was so young. She had a whole life ahead of her. How could Silas have poisoned his own child with his horrible obsession? What kind of man does that?
Sam pulled up another chair and sat softly beside S
arah and Alex.
The young doctor suddenly taped him on the shoulder.
Mr. Sinclair, Professor, may we talk?”
Sam nodded. “Outside.”
They stood facing each other. Doctor Hernandez was no longer angry but instead, very sad.
Sam sensed the change. “Will she live?” Sam feared the answer.
“I don’t think so. I’m so very sorry.” He paused and lowered his eyes. “I had the pills analyzed, as thoroughly as we could with the time necessity. I’ve never seen that combination of chemicals before. We don’t quite know how to treat the child. We are not giving up, but, well, I have a specialist on poisons coming from Chicago. The pills worked awfully fast, however. Do you know the manufacturer? There was no brand stamped on them and no label on the bottle.”
Sam frowned. “I think it was experimental. His father is a powerful man. He did this to her, and we can’t touch him. Not yet anyway.”
“I don’t understand,” The doctor said.
Sam changed the subject. “Have you told her mother?
“Not yet. Do you want me to wake her and explain the situation?”
“No, thanks, I will, but not yet. Let her sleep, if time makes no difference.”
Sam braced himself and crept back into the child’s room. He pulled the chair back up next to Alex. He stared at their unconscious child. At least there seemed to be no pain, he thought.
Sam rubbed his eyes. He must be tired. His hand suddenly went to his mouth. Sarah was changing just as Caroline had. Her beautiful sweet face was aging at incredible speed, as if years took seconds. Sam burst into tears. “Oh, sweetie!” He stumbled from the room and leaned against the wall.
“An outstretched arm kept him from falling. “Professor, let me help you sit down.”
Sam turned his tortured eyes towards the doctor. “It’s Sarah!” His voice broke.
Dr. Hernandez dropped Sam’s arm and sprang into the room. Sam slipped slowly to the floor and sat there stunned with his head against the wall.
A few minutes later the doctor joined Sam and helped him up. “She’s still alive. I’ve never seen anything like it. Can you help your wife? She’s just staring at her daughter.”
I will try.” Sam said emotionally and turned back to the room. He then looked back
to the doctor. “If she’ll leave the bedside, do you have a spare room that my wife can rest in?”
“Yes, two doors down in room 609.”
“Thank you.” Sam quietly brought Alex out. Neither said a word. They just walked down the hall. Sam stopped at the door and took a deep breath. It all seemed like a horrible dream and so final. He slowly pushed open the door, and they entered.
Hernandez understood. He felt useless, however. He did not want to return to the unconscious child’s room, but he did.
#
Sam helped Alex to lie down in the spare hospital room. She stared out for some time and then finally closed her eyes. He had to pry her fingers from his arm in order to leave her side. He left a note by her tear-streaked pillow. She looked so broken. Sam was sick of the people he loved being hurt.
Sam slowly walked into the restroom and splashed his face with cold water. He looked at himself warily in the mirror. He was different. He recognized immediately the change. He was filled with hate. All the politeness of his planned offensive using Elizabeth Martin had disappeared with the youth of his child. No one should hurt a child. Jensen was going to die, the sooner, the better. Sam went into the hall to seek out the doctor. He had to see Hernandez before he left.
He found the doctor in the lab looking over the chemical reports. Sam sensed the young man’s bewilderment and frustration. “I know how you feel. Doctor, I’ve been dealing with it for months, but for the first time with a child. Let me explain.” He did.
“Mr. Stone, what do you plan to do now?”
“You’re with me then?” said Sam.
“If I hadn’t seen that little girl, I would have called the authorities at the mention of your name. I believe you, crazy as it all sounds.” Hernandez extended his hand.
Sam shook it quietly, and they walked down the hall.
Sam stopped and leveled with the doctor. “Is there any hope of finding an antidote or cure, or is it a foolish question?”
“In time?” The doctor sighed. “I doubt it, but I’m going to try. I promise you that. What are you going to do? You are in one hell of a mess.”
“Yep.” Sam started walking again. “I’ll go for the media, then Jensen. Maybe if the head honcho falls, the dominoes will follow and the money vultures will scatter. It’s the President’s involvement that might be dangerously sticky.”
“Yeah, sort of. I can’t believe he’s involved. He’s slick but not very bright. Why would he join in?”
“That’s just it,” Sam countered. “He wants to be smarter, he’s power hungry and a follower. He’s probably more dangerous than Jensen, and I’m sure he’s taking the drugs. A drug controlled man who has the power to push the annihilation button is scary.”
“You are pulling the rug out from under me. Good luck, sir.”
“Thanks. Take care of Alex and my little girl for me. I love them both, very much.” Sam said as his eyes teared up. He quickly brushed them away. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize for having feelings. I’ll do my best, Mr. Stone. By the way, I am a big fan of your books.
Sam smiled. “Thanks. You just reminded me that I’m not a total nut.” Sam clasped his hand for the last time and covered the hall in big strides. He disappeared shortly into the snow covered streets. Day had come and Sam had things to do, and it was almost 8 A.M.
CHAPTER 26
Sam pulled up to the empty house just minutes before the kids. He threw belongings into his suitcase and headed back to the door as the sound of a car signaled its arrival. He paused as he heard Heather and Eddie talking, settling on the icy step, and reading Sam’s note aloud. He yanked open the heavy storm door and looked into their concerned faces. “I’m glad you’re here,” said Sam quietly.
“Is Sarah all right, sir?” Heather piped up.
“Nope.” Sam tried not to show his pain as he explained, but it was all over his face. “She was given dangerous experimental vitamins by her real father in the past. We didn’t realize that last night she found an old bottle of them in her toys and then ate almost all of the pills. Now her body is reacting to the poison. The effect is causing the aging process to move with tremendous speed. She was unconscious all night and then- an hour ago her face and body rapidly aged. My sweet little six-year-old girl now looks like a very old woman. She is dying fast. It’s so awful.” Sam gasped and fought back tears. “Let’s go. We have to tell people what is really going on in our country. We have to warn them. Ready?”
“Yes,” said Eddie softly. Heather nodded.
“Good, thank you.” Sam turned, grabbed his suitcase, and burst down the steps and across the walk. “We’ll take my car.”
Then suddenly he stopped and turned to the kids. “Do you both have money to get home if I have to leave you in Chicago? Should our plan fall apart, I don’t want you hurt. I want you to go home. I don’t want you in danger. Understood?”
“Yes,” answered Heather softly.
“I agree, sir,” said Eddie.
Heather then leaped into the front seat, Eddie in the back.
“Thank you,” said Sam, as he handed Heather the letter from his overcoat pocket. “This is for your mother. You both should read it, and I have to make a short stop on the way.”
“Okay.” Heather nervously nodded her head and began reading.
Sam soon stopped, dropped off the coat, and began to drive again.
Heather looked back at Eddie and handed him the letter. He read it as she turned to Sam and proudly said, “I called my mother. She has a restaurant near the lake front and is meeting me there. Here’s the address.” She handed the paper to Sam.
“Good, thanks Heather.” He then retu
rned to his silence and drove on.
Heather and Eddie leaned back and slept.
For five hours not another word was spoken.
Heather thought she was dreaming when Sam finally said, “Heather. Eddie. We are about an hour away now.”
#
They arrived at the restaurant as planned.
Eddie and Sam settled in a booth with their backs to Heather. All three were beginning to feel the excitement of the confrontation. Would it end positively or all turn afoul? So much hung on Heather, her hands shook. Sam leaned around and hugged her briefly. “You’ll be fine, honey. If I forgot to tell you, you’re terrific, and thank you.”
Heather relaxed momentarily, then she saw her mom. Heather froze for a few seconds and then, feigned relaxation again. She pasted a blazing smile on her face and stood up.
“Mom, thanks for coming.”
“I love seeing you, sweetie, but I’m running ragged with this Stone story. I can’t stay long.” Elizabeth Martin pulled an expensive silk scarf from her long dark hair and shook her head. “The winds are really tossing me around today, but it feels good. Did you order? I’ve got to eat fast. There have been rumors that Stone has been sighted in Florida.” Martin summoned the waiter and ordered for the two of them.
“Mother, I have something that you should read.”
“What is it, your term paper? Dear, I know you’re smart. I really don’t have time.” She smiled her perfect smile.
“No, it’s not a term paper, and you do have time. Please.” Heather fished the envelope from her pocket and handed it over with trembling hands. She hoped that her mother would believe and side with Sam, but she wasn’t sure of her mom’s reporting ethics. She got her stories but maybe at the expense of others and possibly the truth. Hopefully, Sam wouldn’t end up her victim.
“Who is this from?” Martin was puzzled.
“Sam Stone,” Heather said calmly, she was starting to gain control.
“What? You’ve seen him? Is he here?” Martin jerked out of her seat.
“Mom, relax. Just read the letter and believe it. Let’s eat too, I’m starved.” The waiter had brought the food, and Heather dug into her pastrami sandwich. She was enjoying seeing her mom squirm in shock.
