Lilly and Reed: A Kensington Family Novel

by Allie Everhart

  "They're not sure. He's awake now and they're running some tests. Meredith said William hasn't been feeling well for the past month or so. She said he's been extremely tired and has had headaches that have been getting worse the past week."

  "Has he seen a doctor about this?"

  "No. Meredith tried to get him to go but he told her he didn't have time." She pauses. "Pearce, I'm worried. I can't lose another son."

  "He'll be fine," I assure her. "When are you going to see him?"

  "Today. I was just about to book a ticket. Jade is coming with me. She didn't want me going alone."

  "I'll go as well. Don't worry about getting a ticket. We'll take my plane. I'll call my pilot and have him get it ready."

  "Pearce, you don't have to do this. I know you're busy."

  "You and William are family. I wouldn't even consider not going. I'll call you back once I get timing for when we can leave." I hang up and immediately call my pilot.

  "Pearce, what's wrong?" Rachel asks.

  "Just a moment," I tell her as the pilot answers. I tell him to prepare the plane, then end the call and turn to Rachel. "William is sick. He's been hospitalized and I'm flying out there to see him, along with Jade and Grace."

  "I'll come with you." She stands up and takes her plate to the sink.

  "There's no rush. They have to get the plane ready. It'll be a couple hours."

  "Am I staying here?" Lilly asks.

  I don't want Lilly here alone. When she's at the dorm, she has other people around her and the campus has excellent security, but I worry about her being alone in this house. It's in a very exclusive neighborhood and protected behind a secure gate but our neighbors are not at all friendly. They like to be left alone, so if Lilly needed help, they'd be of no assistance.

  "You'll be going with us," I tell her, then I call Garret's number.

  Jade answers. "Did you hear the news?"

  "Yes. I just spoke with Grace and told her we'd be taking my plane. You need to have Garret drive the two of you down here. You should leave in a few minutes. The plane should be ready by noon."

  "You and Rachel are going?"

  "Yes, and Lilly."

  "Okay, but um, Garret is staying here with the kids and..." She lowers her voice. "Don't tell him I said this, but I'm not sure he can handle the kids for that long. I mean, I don't know how long we'll be gone, but if it's longer than a day, he might need some help. I was hoping Rachel could stay here. Or maybe Lilly."

  I smile. "I understand. Lilly will remain here. He can take her back with him and she'll stay there until we get home."

  "Sounds good. We'll leave in a few minutes."

  "Why am I staying behind?" Lilly asks as I put my phone away.

  "Because your brother needs help with the children."

  Rachel smiles as she clears the table. "Why is it that dads need help but moms don't?"

  "I guess you're just better than us," I say, my arm reaching around her waist as I kiss her cheek. "Why don't you go pack a bag? I can clean this up."

  "I'm gonna pack one too," Lilly says. "How long will I be at Garret's?"

  "I don't know yet. Just pack enough for a few days."

  She races off to her room.

  When she's gone, Rachel asks, "How serious is his condition?"

  "I'm not sure. The doctors are running tests. Apparently he passed out at work this morning." I pick up the remaining plates while Rachel takes the glasses.

  "Why is William working on a Sunday?" She meets me at the sink as I'm rinsing the plates.

  "That's just what he does. He's like I used to be. I used to work Sundays all the time."

  "Yes. And I didn't like it." She sets the glasses down and gives me a kiss. "I'd much rather have you at home."

  "Which is where I'd rather be." I smile at her. "Now go get packed." As she's leaving, I ask, "Will you pack mine too?"

  "I always do," I hear her say.

  I don't like packing a suitcase but Rachel does, so I just let her do it.

  A little over an hour later, Garret and Jade arrive, along with the children and Grace.

  "Grandma!" the twins yell when Rachel greets them at the door. They jump and down and reach their arms up, wanting to be held.

  She bends down to hug them. "How are my two little sweeties?"

  "Hopped up on sugar," Garret says as they come inside. "Jade made waffles but I think they ate more syrup than waffles."

  "We made waffles too," Lilly says, appearing in the living room with her small pink suitcase.

  Abi and Hannah run up to her.

  "You get to stay with us!" Hannah says.

  "We can have a slumber party!" Abi adds.

  Garret picks up Ethan as Jade takes Miles. "You can have a slumber party," he says to Abi, "but you're not staying up all night."

  "Garret, you're no fun," Lilly says. "Slumber parties are all about staying up late. Eating candy. Watching movies."

  "Yeah, Dad," Abi says. "We want to stay up late. Please!"

  He sighs, his eyes on Lilly. "Fine, but when they're cranky the next day, they're all yours. I'll be hanging out with the boys."

  "Works for me," Lilly says, a big grin on her face. She loves spending time with her nieces and nephews. When she's around Abi and Hannah, she reverts back to being more childlike, which I think is because she never had much of a childhood herself. Katherine kept her locked away in her room and rarely let her play with other children.

  Grace approaches me, speaking quietly. "I just spoke with Meredith."

  "And? What did she say?"

  "He's not doing well. His blood pressure dropped and he passed out again."

  "Let's step outside." I lead her to the back patio where we can talk. When the children are over, it tends to get rather loud and it's hard to hear. "Any update on what's wrong with him?"

  "The doctors still don't have any answers. I'm hoping by the time we get there, they will."

  "He's at the Clinic, I assume."

  "Yes. At the one near his house in New York."

  "Who's the attending physician?"

  "I believe it's Andover."

  "Andover." I stop to think who that is. I'm so far removed from the organization that I haven't even been to a Clinic in years. I go to a regular physician, as does the rest of my family.

  "Dr. Andover is a younger man," Grace says. "In his thirties. He started when you moved out here."

  "Yes, I remember him now." I shake my head. "He should not be the one caring for William. He's too young. Too inexperienced. William is too important to be cared for by Andover. The other members know this. I assume they're bringing in someone else?"

  "No. Meredith said Andover would be the one taking care of him."

  That doesn't make sense. A high level member being cared for by a junior level physician? My internal radar goes up, signaling something isn't right but I don't have time to assess what that might be.

  Right now, I need to find a new doctor for William. The only one I trust.

  Chapter Three

  Pearce

  I get my phone out and call Logan.

  He answers right away. "Pearce. How nice to hear from you. It's been months since we talked."

  "Yes. I'm sorry it's been so long. I had a very busy speaking schedule last spring and then Lilly moved back from college."

  "Don't worry about it. I've been busy as well. So what have you been up to, besides giving speeches?"

  "Logan, I'm sorry but I can't really talk right now. I'm getting on a plane soon. I'm heading to New York to see William Sinclair. He was admitted to the Clinic this morning."

  "Oh. I hadn't heard."

  "Yes, well, his mother, Grace, just informed me that Dr. Andover is William's physician. As you know, he's not approved to treat someone at William's level. I don't know who assigned him to William or why they did, but this must be corrected right away. I was wondering if you could help me out. I'm no longer aware of what physicians are available but—"


  "I'll do it."

  "But you're an hour away."

  "That's nothing. It's an easy drive. Maybe I'll bring Shelby along. Is Rachel coming with you?"

  "Yes, and I know she'd love to see Shelby."

  "Very well. Then I'll bring her along. I'll inform the Clinic that I'll be arriving soon to take over William's care."

  "Thank you, Logan."

  "You're welcome. Have a safe trip. We'll see you soon."

  I put my phone away and talk to Grace. "Logan will be taking over William's care. He's headed there now."

  "Dr. Cunningman?"

  "Yes. So rest assured, William will be receiving the utmost care."

  She shivers, even though it's very warm out today. "Pearce, I'm so worried."

  I wrap my arms around her. "Everything will be fine. I'm sure this is all because William's been working too hard. He has too many responsibilities."

  "About that." She pulls away and looks at me. "When you see William, I want you to have a talk with him. I want him to stop working for them. It's too much. Between the company and his responsibilities at the organization, he's working himself to the bone. This can't continue. It's not good for him. William won't listen to me when it comes to this. He won't even listen to Meredith. He'll only listen to you."

  "Grace, you know I don't have that kind of power. Even if he wanted out, they wouldn't let him."

  "I'm not suggesting he no longer be a member. I just want him to no longer be at the senior level."

  I don't respond because I can't agree to what she's asking me to do. William and I worked very hard to get him to that level. It was risky and dangerous, but we did it because we needed someone good at the top. Those high-level positions tend to attract the members who are hungry for power and control. Men who think only of themselves and care nothing about their fellow members. When I was an active member, I tried to strip those people of their power, and in many cases I succeeded and I don't want to give that power back to them.

  "We need to get going," I say, not addressing Grace's request. We walk back in the house and say goodbye to Garret and Lilly and the children, then they head home while the rest of us go to the private airport where my plane is waiting.

  After several hours in the air, we arrive at the small town where the Clinic is located. It's one of many but not our best. The one in Connecticut, near my old house, is far more advanced in terms of treatments available. But I suppose this one will do until the doctors are able to diagnose what's wrong with him.

  William's wife, Meredith, greets us at the front desk. She looks tired, her face pale, her eyes red. She's always been a very thin woman but she looks even thinner now.

  "Meredith, honey." Grace gives her a hug. "We came as soon as we could."

  "Thank you for being here." She glances at the rest of us. "It was so nice of you all to come." She opens her arms to Jade. "Jade, it's been too long. William and I have missed you."

  "We've missed you too." She hugs her. "Garret had to stay home with the kids."

  "How are they?"

  "They're good. Abi and Hannah keep asking when you're going to swim with them again."

  "Tell them maybe later this summer. William and I were hoping to make a trip out there, but now...I don't know if he'll be able to." Her voice trails off, her eyes gazing down at the floor.

  I go up to Meredith and put my arm around her shoulder. "William is going to be fine."

  She nods. "It's good to see you again, Pearce. Thank you for making the trip." She glances at Rachel and smiles. "Rachel, we need to have a girls' weekend again."

  "We definitely do." Rachel steps up to her and hugs her. "I'm sorry, Meredith. I know it's hard when they're not giving you answers."

  Meredith and Rachel became good friends after Rachel and I got married the second time. Rachel used to see Meredith at parties when we were first married, and sometimes they'd talk, but they didn't really know each other. After our second wedding, William and Meredith came out and stayed with us for a weekend and Rachel and Meredith became friends. Since then, they've had several girls' weekends, meeting at places all over the country.

  "Pearce." I hear his voice and look over and see Logan walking toward me.

  "Logan." I shake his hand. "Any news on William?"

  "No. I arrived about an hour ago and saw him just briefly. I've been meeting with the other physicians to discuss his case. As of now, we need to run more tests."

  "Can we see him?" Grace asks.

  "Yes, of course. Right this way."

  We follow Logan down the hall to William's room.

  "He's very tired right now," Logan says. "Go ahead and spend a few minutes but then we'll need to let him rest."

  We file into his room. He's hooked up to monitors and looks very pale and thinner than I remember.

  "William." Grace goes up to him, tears starting to fall.

  "Mother." He attempts to smile as he puts his hand over hers. "There's no need to cry. I'm not dying. I'm simply worn out. The doctors say it was most likely exhaustion causing the dizziness."

  She sniffles and kisses his cheek. "I told you to stop working so much. And you need to eat more. You're skin and bones."

  "Yes, Mother."

  She straightens up. "No more 'yes, mother'. I know you only say that to appease me, but then you never follow through. This is serious, William. You can no longer work those long hours. It's destroying you. Your father never worked as much as you, and if he were alive, he would be disappointed that you're spending all your time at work instead of with your wife or out on your sailboat."

  He nods. "You're right, Mother. I just need to make some changes at the office to allow me more free time."

  "Other things need to change as well," she says, referring to his role at the organization.

  "Mother, this is not the time," he says in a harsh tone. He looks over at Jade and smiles. "Jade. Come give your uncle a hug."

  She walks over and hugs him. "I've missed seeing you. I wish you'd come visit us more often."

  "I will." He glances at his wife. "Meredith and I plan to be out there later this summer. How are the children?"

  "Good." She laughs a little. "With the girls out of school, it's kind of a circus every day, but it's fun. It's definitely never boring."

  Rachel goes up to him next and says a few words and then Logan appears at the door.

  "I'm afraid visiting hours are up," he says.

  As we leave the room, I hear William say, "Pearce."

  "Yes?"

  "May I have a word with you, please?"

  "Of course." Then I whisper to Rachel, "Tell Logan I'll be just a minute."

  She nods and follows everyone out.

  I go up to his bed. "What is it, William?"

  "I think they may be involved."

  By 'they' he means our fellow members. Whenever something happens to one of us—an accident, an illness—we always suspect the organization might've been involved.

  "Have you upset someone recently?" I ask.

  "Not that I'm aware of, but you know how they are. They'd never come out and actually tell you."

  "How did they act at the last meeting? Did you notice anything unusual?"

  "No. It was just a typical meeting. I didn't get the feeling anyone was out to get me."

  "Then maybe you're just ill. You have been working too much. I know when I was working all those hours, it took a toll on me."

  "I'd like to cut back, but as I'm sure you know, those extra hours are not spent on activities having to do with Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. If that were my only job, I'd be home at a reasonable hour and be working far fewer weekends."

  I lower my voice. "You can't give up your position. You know how hard we worked to get you there."

  "Yes, but if that's truly what's causing this, I may have no choice but to step down."

  I sigh. "And who would be your replacement?"

  He stares at me and I realize what he's implying.

  "No." I s
tep back, my hands raised. "Absolutely not."

  "Pearce, I'm only asking you to consider it."

  "I'm not doing it. I'm out of that life and there's not a chance in hell I'm going back."

  "You're still part of it. You're still a member."

  "I don't even attend the meetings, other than the one in December, which I'm forced to attend. Even if I were willing to do this, which I am most definitely not, there is no way they would offer me your position."

  "You're a leader, Pearce. Many of them look up to you. You could get support from at least half of them, maybe more."

  "No." I shake my head. "I am not discussing this. Or considering it. I finally have peace in my life and feel as though my family is at least somewhat safe. I'm not throwing all that away and going back to the hell that was my past."

  "But Pearce, if you just—"

  "Those bastards took my wife!" I yell, then lower my voice. "They tried to kill Rachel. They forced her into hiding for fifteen years. You think I've forgiven them for that?"

  "That was your father's idea."

  "Yes, but the other members went along with it. Because that's who they are. Killers. Murderers. They don't give a damn who they hurt. Even one of their own." I take a breath. "I'm sorry, William, but there is no way I would even consider this. You have to understand that."

  "I do." He looks down. "I'm sorry I asked."

  "I'm not saying I won't help you. We just need to find a different way."

  "Pearce?" I turn back and see Logan at the door. "We need to run some tests on him and then he needs to rest."

  "Yes, I'm going." I turn back to William. "We'll talk later."

  "You're not leaving, are you? I mean, you're not going home right away, are you?" His voice is desperate.

  "Of course not. I'll stay as long as you'd like."

  He nods, still gazing down.

  "William." I put my hand on his shoulder. "I didn't mean to raise my voice earlier. I want to help you. I really do. You're like a brother to me and we've been friends for a very long time. We'll figure something out."

  Logan comes into the room and stands beside me. "You don't follow orders very well, do you?" He smiles.

  I smile back. "Never have. Never will. You should know that about me by now." I walk out of the room, joining up with everyone in the waiting area.