“I’m going to investigate further. If Trevor is behind this, he will have to deal with me first and the authorities later,” Garth said.
“This has been a long night,” Eva said, as she laid across the bed waiting for him to join her.
Garth removed his shoes and clothes and laid next to her. He rolled Eva on top of him. He used his right hand and moved her hair from her forehead. “Stop worrying. I’m going to make sure whoever it is, is caught.”
Without waiting for her to respond, he placed his hand on the back of her neck and brought her mouth on top of his. Their tongues entwined. Garth gently removed her clothes and took his time making love to her body with his tongue, not allowing her to touch him. Hearing her moan his name in pleasure turned him on. After he pleasured her, he held her tight and as their heart beats synced, they fell asleep. They slept in each other’s arms the entire night.
Garth hadn’t slept that sound in a long time. He felt Eva shaking him. “Brenda’s on the phone,” Eva said, gently waking him up.
Garth grabbed Eva’s phone. “Brenda, good to hear from you.”
Brenda said, “My father’s doing better. They are letting him go home, but he’ll need rehabilitation.”
“I’m glad he’s doing better.”
“I’m thinking about extending my stay to help him out.”
Garth said, “Like I mentioned earlier, take as much time as you need. We got it covered here.”
“Are you sure, because I love my job and I…” Brenda said.
Garth interrupted her and said, “I’m positive. Making sure your dad gets back on his feet is your top priority. In fact, make it your only priority.”
Garth reassured Brenda that her job was secure and hung up the phone.
Eva got on her knees and got behind him. She rubbed his shoulders and said, “You’re a great boss. That was nice of you.”
“Did you call her or did she call you?” Garth asked.
“She called to check on me. She had been seeing news reports and just wanted to see how I was doing. I thought that was sweet of her.”
“Brenda’s one of the best. She really hated the fact that she had to leave.”
“I like Brenda. We’ve vowed to keep in contact even once this case is over.”
“Good,” Garth said. He felt good that he was instrumental in introducing Eva to a new friend.
“I sure wished I would have cancelled today’s show,” Eva said.
“If you’re not fit to go in, call John and let him know.”
Eva looked at the clock. “No, it’s too late to reschedule our guests. I’ll do it.”
Two hours later, Garth dropped Eva off at the studio. Garth had come up with a plan. He called to confirm Trevor’s whereabouts. It was confirmed Trevor was at the office. Garth made a detour towards Trevor residence. As best friends, they each gave one another keys and passwords in case of emergency. Garth never thought he would need to use them—especially in this type of situation. To erase any doubt he had, Garth had no choice but to do what Trevor would probably see as an invasion of privacy—he accessed his place without Trevor having a clue he was going to be there.
Garth hoped Trevor’s nosy neighbors were too busy to see him enter. The last thing he needed was for one of them to report back to Trevor; but even so, he had been over enough times to be familiar with most. Garret was careful as he went through the house. He made it a point to put things back in place so it wouldn’t alert Trevor that someone else had been inside. He found similar clippings of Eva that he had found in Cheryl’s box. He found Trevor’s laptop under the bed. Garth’s first thought, “What an unusual place to keep your laptop.”
Garth placed the laptop on top of the bed and turned it on. Surprisingly there wasn’t a password required to access it. As many times as he tried to impose on Trevor the importance of a password, he didn’t listen. Fortunately for Garth, Trevor didn’t heed his advice. It made his job so much easier.
Garth inserted his zip drive into the external port. With a few keystrokes, he copied the files on Trevor’s laptop to his zip drive so he could view from his own laptop later. He chose not to view the items there because he would have been tense on edge, worrying whether Trevor would make a surprise visit home. After copying the files, he dusted his fingerprints off the laptop and placed it back under the bed in its original location. He placed the zip drive in his pocket and did one final swoop of the room.
Garth surveyed the room one last time and didn’t see anything else out of the ordinary. He made sure everything was in tact and headed down the hallway. When he got near the door, he thought he heard a noise. Garth rubbed the back of his head. He was now laid across the floor in front of the front door. It took awhile to gather his senses. He wasn’t sure how long he had been laying there. Someone had knocked him out but were now gone. Garth stumbled some as he got on his feet.
None of his personal belongings had been taken so he wondered who else had been in the house. He checked his pocket for the external drive and it was still there. He couldn’t tell Trevor about the incident because he wasn’t supposed to be there. What if it was Trevor? He dialed Trevor’s office number. He picked up. Garth said, “Hey man, I just wanted to let you know that I was on my way to the office.”
If it was Trevor, he never indicated to Garth that he knew his whereabouts. As far as Garth knew, Trevor was at the office, so the question was, who hit him? Garth hung up the phone and with his mind and body on full alert, he went through Trevor’s house to see if he could find any evidence of the intruder. The intruder had not taken anything as far as he could tell.
Garth peaked out the window to see if any neighbors were outside. None were, so he took the opportunity to go to his car. When he got to his car, there was a note on his company stationery with the words written – STAY OUT OF IT, written across it.
Garth got in his car. His mind was on overload as he tried to process the events that led up to this particular moment. Trevor was still not out of the clear. He could have had his office number transferred to his cell number. He dialed the employee he had watching Cheryl. “So she’s been there the entire time? Are you sure?”
After they confirmed Cheryl’s whereabouts, Garth scratched Cheryl off the list. His cell phone rang, it was Caroline. Garth said, “Yes, I’m still coming in.” He paused, before saying, “Okay. Call Eva back and tell her I’m on my way.”
Garth hung up with Caroline. His phone indicator alerted him to several missed calls. He clicked and noticed most were from Eva. Garth knew he should call Eva back but until he could get the pounding in his head to subside, he would just wait until he got to the studio. He clipped on his Bluetooth and listened to all of his messages as he drove towards the studio. He called Trevor to let him know of his change of plans. Trevor didn’t seem too surprised.
~ 38 ~
“This must be from your new man,” Jackie said, as she walked in Eva’s office with a bouquet of red roses and a box of candy.
“They are beautiful,” Eva said, anxious to read the card.
Jackie handed both to her. Eva looked but didn’t see a card. “Where’s the card?” Eva asked.
Jackie responded, “There wasn’t any.”
Disappointed, Eva said, “You can eat some of the candy. Just save me a piece for later.”
“You sure. This is the expensive chocolate.”
“And that means what to me?” Eva asked.
Jackie said, “Well, you don’t have to tell me twice.” Jackie removed a round thick piece of chocolate that looked like turtles and ate it. In between bites, “It’s good but it has a funny taste to it.”
“Let me taste one,” Eva said.
Jackie reached out to hand her the box of candy but before Eva could take it, Jackie started panting hard and fell to the floor barely missing the edge of the desk.
Eva screamed, “Oh my God. Somebody help me please.” She rushed from around her desk. Bach happened to be walking down the hall and hea
rd her. “What’s going on?” he asked as soon as he entered the room.
“Hurry, call 9-1-1,” Eva yelled.
Bach retrieved his phone and made the call. “I’m not sure what happened.”
Eva said, “She was eating candy and then she passed out. Oh my God, the candy could be poisoned.”
Bach attempted CPR on Jackie, but she remained passed out. It didn’t take long for the paramedics to arrive. She moved out of the way as she listened to Bach explain to them what happened. One of the paramedics said, “She could have had an allergic reaction, but we won’t know that for sure until we get her to the hospital.”
Eva rocked back and forth as the paramedics tried to revive Jackie. Bach and John tried to calm her. “Where’s Garth?” she asked.
Bach responded, “His secretary said he was on his way.”
The paramedic said, “She’s coming around.”
“Thank God,” Eva said.
One of the officers walked up to her. “Has her next of kin been notified?”
John responded, “I’ve contacted her parents. They will be meeting us at the hospital.”
Eva by now was standing by Jackie’s side. She said, as Jackie’s eyes flittered open and close. “You got to get better. Who else can put up with my mood swings?”
She thought she saw a slight smile on Jackie’s face, but wasn’t sure. The paramedic said, “Ma’am, we got to get her in the ambulance now.”
Eva released Jackie’s hand so they could do their job. Mo wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll ride in the ambulance with her. You don’t need to be there. The media is going to be all over this.”
“I don’t care. Jackie has to be okay.”
Mo said to John. “Take care of her. Let me go before they leave me.”
He placed Eva’s hand in John’s and left to enter the back of the ambulance. “Eva, I got here as soon as I could,” Garth said, making his way through the small crowd that had gathered from other parts of the studio.
She ran into Garth’s arms not caring what anyone said. “Someone tried to kill me, but instead they almost got her. I had received a bouquet of flowers and candy. I thought they were from you. She asked for a piece of candy so I was like sure—take the whole box.”
“Where’s the package now?” Garth asked.
“You’ll have to ask one of them,” Eva said, pointing in the direction of the police officers.
“John, stay with her.”
“I’m coming with you,” Eva protested.
“Fine.” Garth made his way through the small crowd.
Eva followed behind Garth and listened in as he asked the detective questions about the contents of the box.
Detective Thomas said, “Until we get our lab to confirm, I can’t say for sure what was in the candy. Ms. Ward here says after she ate the candy, she started heaving and passed out. It’ll be two days before we learn of anything.”
“I have connections that can get it back sooner,” Garth stated.
“Sir, that might be the case, but this is my investigation.”
Garth pulled out his card. “I’ve been working with Special Agent Morrison and he has assured me that…”
Detective Thomas interrupted him. “Why didn’t you say so?” He got the attention of another detective. “Have this rushed. We need to know what was in the candy no later than this time tomorrow.”
Eva was impressed with how Garth handled the situation. She stood in the background and continued to listen as they exchanged information. Garth said, “We would appreciate it if you wouldn’t speak with the press about any of this.”
After Garth finished talking with the officers, Eva made it known that she wanted to go to Cedars to check on Jackie. “It might be best not to,” Garth said.
Special Agent Morrison walked up to them. After their initial greeting, he said, “Good, I caught you both before you left. I overheard you say you were going to Cedars. I’ll take you there myself. I know a secret entrance.”
Garth said, “But we’re trying to avoid any media attention.”
“I have an idea. Media attention is exactly what we need.”
Eva looked between Garth and Morrison. “I just want to check on Jackie.”
“Ms. Ward. In order for what I have planned to work. I will need your full cooperation.”
Eva retrieved her purse from her office. Thirty minutes later, Morrison had snuck Eva in. Only she didn’t walk in, she was wheeled in on a stretcher. As they went down the hallway, she noticed the surprised look on several people’s face, when they recognized her. Garth was on one side of the stretcher and the detective and some paramedic who she didn’t remember his name, was on the other.
“We need a nurse,” the paramedic said.
Eva was officially admitted into the hospital. Morrison had it set up where she was in a room right next door to Jackie with an adjourning door. “I’m not sure if this was a good idea,” Garth said.
“I’ll do anything if this will end this madness,” Eva said, as she slipped into the room to check on Jackie.
Mo put his fingers up to his hand to hush her. Jackie had several IVs in her and was resting. Mo whispered, “They pumped her stomach. The nurse said she’ll be in and out. I was going to stay until her parents get here.”
Eva let Mo in on their plans. Mo’s facial expression changed dramatically as if he was watching a thriller. Eva said, “This is a time where I don’t care if you talk to the media.”
Mo said, “Now you know I can make the story real good. Do you want it mild or wild?” he asked.
“Don’t make it too far fetched. Then again, a few boo hoos might help.”
“Oh I got this,” Mo assured her.
Garth walked through the adjoining door and said, “Eva, the phone calls have started.”
Eva hugged Mo. “Showtime.”
“And you know I was born to be a star. Just tune in to the news. When I leave here, I’ll make sure I go through the front entrance.”
Garth shook his head at Mo’s over dramatic display. Eva went back into her hospital room and laid in the bed and got under the covers because she was cold. She looked at Garth. “I hope this works.”
“Morrison is one of the best. I trust his judgment,” Garth responded.
“That should be me laid up in a bed like that,” Eva said, as her body shivered from the cold.
“I wish it was neither one of you,” Garth said. “Move over,” he said, as he got in the bed beside her. “Now lean on my chest.” Garth wrapped his arms around Eva, instantly warming her up.
~ 39 ~
Morrison cleared his throat a few times. Eva and Garth woke up. Eva stretched her arms. “I came baring gifts,” Morrison said, as he placed two containers on the tray near the bed. Eva was glad because with everything that had been going on she hadn’t been hungry. Now that she didn’t have access to food, she finally had an appetite. She refused to eat the bland hospital food one of the hospital staff had brought her.
Garth sat in the chair beside the bed and Eva remained in the bed as they ate their food. Morrison gave them an update on what was going on outside. He said, “You might want to watch the news.” He flipped on the television to one of the local stations. Standing outside of Cedars was Mo surrounded by cameras and microphones. One reporter asked, “Were you the one who found Eva and her assistant?”
“Yes and I almost passed out myself. But I knew time was important so I immediately called 9-1-1.” Mo’s bright red shirt really stood out on television.
“Were they conscious when you found them?” another reporter asked.
“No. That’s what concerned me. I called another co-worker and we immediately started trying to do CPR.”
Sandy Blair, the tabloid reporter, asked, “How is Eva and her assistant doing?”
Tears started flowing down Mo’s cheeks. “Jackie was sleeping when I left. The doctors won’t let me in to see Eva. Eva’s my best friend and I just hope that she’s alright,” Mo sai
d. “Whoever is responsible for this, they need to come after me. Going after someone who has never done anything to anybody,” Mo paused and then continued, “it’s just not right.”
Reporters started throwing out more questions. Mo said, “It’s just not right,” he shook his head and fielded his way through the reporters down the walk way. The cameras followed him to a waiting cab.
Garth spoke out first. “Mo’s good.”
“Told you,” Eva said, as they continued to watch the news.
The anchorwoman said, “Sources tells us that Eva is still not conscious. We’ll update you on the ten o’clock news. Back to you Jim.”
Morrison said, “Now all we have to do now is wait.”
Garth said, “I’ll be right back.”
Eva said, “This bed is not too comfortable. Can you get me another bed?”
“I’m afraid the air mattress is the best they have,” Morrison responded.
Eva didn’t look too pleased with his answer. Morrison pretended he didn’t notice. He went on to say, “Garth said he has one person watching Cheryl Johnson. I also have someone watching her. There’s also someone outside your hospital door. If she makes a move, we’ll know it.”
Eva said, “Here’s another option since this is the best they can do…is there any way, you can slip me out of here so I can go home? My back is not going to make it on this bed.”
Garth walked back into the room and answered for him. “I spoke with Mo. When he comes back, he’ll transform you and nobody will know it’s you.”
Betrayed by Love Page 17
