She rubbed her eyelid, begging it to be still. She was trying to absorb everything he’d said when Ham stepped between her and the doctor.
“Bottom line the outlook for him, please.” Ham’s tone was strong and formal.
Samantha looked at Ham with new eyes. Santa wasn’t in the room anymore. Hamilton Davis, the attorney, had taken charge with one sentence. The physician’s expression clouded over as if he resented the interruption. Ham’s expression didn’t change.
“The patient could regain consciousness at any time, however, I can’t possibly predict when,” the doctor said.
“He’s to receive the best of care.”
“Of course.” The doctor studied Linc’s chart. “The patient will be moving from the burn unit to another floor. If you’ll leave your phone number with the nurse, she’ll call you with a room number,” he said while checking his pager. “If you’ll excuse me.”
Ham and Samantha watched as the doctor hurried from the room. “I’ll contact Linc’s family as soon I get back to the office,” he said. “They can be here in a few hours.”
“Thank you.”
“I need to get back to the office. Do you want to stay? I can come back later.”
“I want to stay.” Samantha was torn. She didn’t want to leave his side, but did he want her there?
“They will be moving Linc soon. You’ll be sent to the family waiting room.”
“I’ll go with you. Dave and Maggie have to be told. I’ll come back later.”
She leaned over Linc again. “You hang in there. I’ll be back.” Her heart ached to hold him, but she had to accept that he’d willingly walked away from her. It was possible that he wouldn’t want her hovering over him.
“You ready?” Ham walked to the door.
She took one more look at Linc and then followed him from the building. Guilt weighed heavier on her heart with each step. “I can’t believe Linc’s been here alone.”
“Samantha, he doesn’t know he’s been alone,” Ham said. “Let’s be honest. This was a freak accident.”
Ham maneuvered through traffic back to his office. His help had proven invaluable, and she’d never be able to repay him. He parked close to her rental car in the parking garage of the office building.
“I’ll call Linc’s parents right away.”
“Thank you. You driving me to the hospital meant a lot.”
“It was my pleasure. Charlie would’ve helped my granddaughter…if I’d had one. By the way, I have something for you.” Setting his briefcase on her hood, he retrieved a check and handed it to her. “We got sidetracked or I’d given it to you earlier.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What’s this?”
“Remember I told you about the executor’s salary?”
Staring at the piece of paper in her hand, she had trouble speaking for a second. “Ham, you actually may be Santa Claus.”
“There is one thing.”
“No.” She joked, clutching the check to her chest. “You can’t take it back.”
“You’ll get one exactly like that one every two weeks until the estate is settled. You may want to open a bank account, so we can use direct deposit.”
“Can you do this? Legally, I mean?”
“My dear.” Ham’s eyes sparkled as he peered at her over the top of his wire-rimmed glasses. “I’ve become quite fond of you, but not so much that I would break the law. The compensation is based on the size of the estate. You’ll receive no more and no less than the amount due you under the laws of the state of California.” He checked his watch. “We’ll talk again later.”
“Thank you.” She drove straight to a branch of her bank and added the check to her account. Lost in thought, she drove to her motel, parked, and then got out.
“I was beginning to worry about you.”
Samantha whirled and bumped into Dylan’s chest. Her heart jumped to her throat. “What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you.”
“How did you know where to find me?”
“So many questions.” His long thin fingers wrapped around her forearm. “I have my ways.”
“What do you want? I’m very busy.” She backed out of his grasp. His hand went up indicating his surrender.
“I’m trying to make peace. I heard about the fires and had to extend my sympathies. I’d like to help. What can I do?” He advanced a step.
“I accept your offer of peace and am grateful for your offer of help, but I have everything under control.”
“I want to begin again. Let’s do lunch and discuss how to mend this riff between us.”
“This is going to sound rude, but you don’t seem to understand. There is no ‘us’ — there never was and never will be. We’re not going to be friends. I want you to stop calling and showing up unexpectedly.”
“I’ll grow on you, and I don’t give up easily.” Dylan reach over and touched her check. Then he turned and walked away. No, he sauntered as if they just had a pleasant conversation. Had he not heard anything she said?
Her skin felt as if thousands of ants were crawling around just under the surface. She hurried inside and stopped at the desk. “Has anyone been asking about me, Samantha Anderson?”
“No, ma’am, and I’ve been here since seven this morning.” The man’s nametag indicated he was the assistant manager.
“No one has asked for my room number, right?”
“Not on my shift. We don’t supply information about any guest. Is someone giving you trouble?”
“Not exactly. I’ll let you know if it becomes a problem.” Samantha went to her room, bolting the door behind her.
Again, her eyelid was twitching like crazy. She sat at the small desk and called Dave, giving him the good news. Satisfied that he and Maggie would go to the hospital, she dug her list out of her purse. “I’ve become a list maker,” she said to the empty room. Her cell buzzed. The area code was Dallas, but she wasn’t familiar with the number.
“Hello?”
“Samantha? Colton Weir. I’ve been trying to reach Linc, but he’s not returning my calls.”
“He’s in the hospital.” Once Samantha started talking it was like a dam bursting. The news about the fire and Linc’s injuries came pouring out of her.
“What’s the prognosis?” Colton asked.
“The doctor says Linc will wake up; he just can’t say when. My attorney is calling his family, but if I remember right, Linc said fall is apple harvest time for them.”
“Apples grow in California?”
“That’s what I asked. Apparently they grow them in the mountains.”
“How are you holding up?”
“I’m staying busy trying to get construction started on the restaurant and house.”
“The fire puts a whole new spin on your grandfather’s death.”
“I’m hoping the police will take a second look. Did you have something you wanted to tell Linc?”
“Yeah. I went through the employee files he sent. I didn’t find anything of significance except for one man. Leo Cornetta is your bookkeeper?”
CHAPTER 21
An image of the polite man who seemed so grateful that Charlie had given him a job flashed through Samantha’s mind. “Yes. Why?”
“It could mean nothing, but Leo fancies himself a high stakes poker player. However, he has a reputation as a loser. He’s owed some powerful men a lot of money in the past.”
“You think maybe Leo had been stealing from the restaurant and Charlie caught him?”
“Could be, but don’t go accusing him of anything. If he’s involved, he’ll run for the hills. It’s best if you don’t mention this. Listen, I can come out if you want, or I can pass the intel to the detective you just mentioned. Phil Garner, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, but he’s not investigating my grandfather’s death. Do you think this new information might convince him they are part of the same case?”
“I’ll give him a call.”
“I
appreciate you helping out.” She had to ask about the previous injury to Linc’s head. “Linc hasn’t said much about the attack in Texas.”
“Did he tell you he was undercover in a high school?”
“Yes. And he was attacked from behind.”
“Yeah. My partner, Rafe, had gone home after his dad passed and got involved helping an old girlfriend who had been accused of murder. The psycho bastard who’d committed the murders thought she belonged to him. He mistook Link’s friendship with her for more than it was, so in a fit of jealousy, he snuck up and beat Linc’s head with the marble base of a trophy.”
“He’s worked really hard to pass his physical. I worry this may prevent that from happening.”
“Don’t buy trouble,” Colton said. “Here’s a question for you. Were the books in the restaurant when it burned?”
“No. Charlie didn’t like computers so everything was done on paper. Leo always worked after hours; he went over the invoices, verified what Charlie should pay and then filed the invoices. He deposited the day’s receipts on the way home. Oh, and he carried the accounting books back and forth.”
“I suggest you contact Cornetta and get those books into your hands. Be casual and if he questions you, don’t get into a lengthy discussion and don’t argue. He has no use for them now and if he doesn’t readily agree, something’s wrong.”
“I’ll do that.”
“Meet him in a public place and don’t go alone.”
“I won’t.”
“We’ll stay in touch. That detective in Westbrook Hills, Wade Beckett, and Rafe are going to want to know what Linc is doing.”
A second thought occurred to Samantha. “Colton, may I ask one more thing?”
“You bet. Ask away.”
“Information on Smythe Construction?” She gave him the correct spelling. “Jules and his son, Dylan.”
“Anything in particular you’re looking for? Are you considering hiring them?”
“Oh, hell, no. They tried to buy the restaurant and house from me. I refused and now both are piles of ash and rubble. The son gets weirder every time he pops up. Frankly, he scares me.”
“Scares you how?” Colton’s tone had turned icy, giving her the impression he could be harsh when necessary.
Samantha shared her experiences with Dylan, being careful not to leave anything out.
“You’re thinking he could have torched your properties or paid someone to do it.”
“It did cross my mind.”
“I’ll see what I can learn.”
“Thank you.”
“Try not to be out in public by yourself. If you just have to go somewhere alone, stay on your toes.”
Samantha ended the call wondering if she should have asked Colton to come to California. She sat at the small table in her motel room that had become a makeshift desk, took her phone and returned the calls she’d received but hadn’t taken. For some reason, she waited to call Leo last. Reminding herself that he was innocent until proven guilty, she dialed his number and had to leave a message.
Guilt for not staying at Linc’s bedside was impossible to shake. Should she have? Would that have been presumptuous on her part? Regardless of how she felt, her grandmother needed an address, and Samantha had an appointment to check out a storage building close to Charlie’s house. She changed into a pair of capris, a T-shirt, and sandals but couldn’t leave without an update from Ham.
“Hey.” She tried to sound upbeat. “I’m about to rent a place to store my furniture, but wondered if you’d reached Linc’s parents.”
“I spoke with his mother. She and his dad are on the way.”
“Good. I’ll swing by later and introduce myself.”
“As Linc’s wife?” Ham chuckled.
“I’d forgotten about that.” Samantha’s cheeks warmed. “I’ll have to explain that little white lie.”
“It’s okay. I told her it was the only way we could get information. Mrs. Hawkins totally understood.”
“Maybe I’ll stop by later.”
“Why don’t you give his parents some time alone with him?”
“If you think that’s best.” A hole opened in her chest and fill with chilling air. Had they requested she not come? She pushed those thoughts from her mind. There was nothing between her and Linc. His goodbye had been very clear. “You’re right. I might pop in tomorrow for a minute and see if they need anything.”
She left the motel and followed directions to the storage facility office. Dylan’s uncanny ability to seemingly pop up out of nowhere made her check her rearview mirror every few minutes. The manager at the storage facility was waiting to walk her through the units. She found one that would provide ample space for her furniture, signed a contract, then returned to her motel.
She drove slowly through the parking lot, making sure no one was going to blindside her again. Once inside her room, she sat down with her list. The construction companies didn’t need her. Nana didn’t need her. But the most painful realization of the day had been Linc. He didn’t need her either.
There was one last item on her list. Leo hadn’t returned her call. She dialed his number again.
He answered on the second ring. “Hello.”
“Leo, this is Samantha.”
“Sorry I haven’t called you back. I’ve been out of cell range and just got your messages. What can I do for you?”
“I need all of the financial records and books that you kept for my grandfather. Can you meet me at The Cage construction site? You can see the progress we’ve made, and I’ll take the books at that same time.” She hoped her nerves hadn’t been noticeable in her voice.
“Sure thing. I’m not in town today, but I can meet you tomorrow any time.”
“How’s eleven o’clock sound?”
“Perfect. See you then,” Leo said ending the call.
Samantha considered their conversation. He certainly hadn’t sounded concerned or upset that she’d asked for the books. So he had a past, that didn’t mean he was a criminal. She showered, ordered a pizza, and started a new list of things to do tomorrow.
First thing she wrote was to call Colton in the morning and ask him to see if Leo and the Smythe family were connected.
****
Samantha had breakfast at a local café on her way to meet Leo. She called Colton to let him know she was getting the books today but had to leave a message. Her world seemed to be a circle of leaving and receiving voicemails.
She finished a second cup of coffee to bolster her courage and made the trip into L.A. She was nervous about meeting Linc’s family, but she couldn’t spend another minute not knowing his condition. The hospital was busy, and the information desk had a couple of people in front of her, making her feel as if she’d waited in line forever. At last, she walked down the corridor and into Linc’s room.
Her heart jumped to the back of her throat when she stepped inside. He lay on his side facing her, clean shaven with his hair brushed back out of his face. His eyes were closed, face relaxed, and he looked as if he were sleeping.
A blonde woman stood. Her eyes were the same clear blue as Linc’s, only hers were bracketed by a few wrinkles. Tall and slim, she crossed the room with her arms open. “Samantha. I’m so glad you came.”
She relaxed into the woman’s embrace. “Thank you. I was hoping he’d be awake.”
“He’s opened his eyes but hasn’t really been present. The doctor said Linc’s vitals are getting stronger every day.” The woman led Samantha to his bedside. “By the way, I’m Claire.”
“He favors you. His eyes and the twinkle behind them came from you.”
“He inherited my intelligence too.” Claire winked. “But don’t tell his dad. You’ll meet him later. I sent him to the motel for a few hours rest.”
“He looks much better today.” Samantha sat on the edge of a chair.
“One of the nurses helped me clean him up.”
She had to clear things up, had to make sure Claire
understood. “Ham told you that I lied to the doctor?”
“He did, and I think telling them you and Linc were married was a pretty smart thing to do.”
“I’ll clear that up today before I leave. I wanted you to know that there’s nothing between us. We had a common bond, my grandfather. That’s all.”
“I see.” Claire studied Samantha’s face. “I was hoping he’d found somebody.”
“No, really. I’m not his girlfriend.”
****
Linc opened his eyes to narrow slits, tried to unscramble his brain. He raised his eyelids open further, venturing a look around. Shit. He was in a hospital bed. Questions filled his mind. This scenario wasn’t plausible. Was this some kind of weird dream?
His head and back hurt like hell. Son-of-a-bitch. The fire. He remembered running out of the building. Linc opened his mouth to speak but nothing happened. Trying again, he pulled together all his determination and spoke. “Mom.” It didn’t sound like his voice, but at least he’d made a noise. He tried again, this time with more force. “Sam.”
If he’d had the strength, he’d have laughed, as both Sam and his mother jumped out of their chairs. His mother pushed the call button and yelled at the nurse.
“He’s awake. He’s talking.”
An army of jackhammers inside his head, Linc used as few words as possible. “I see you two have been introduced.”
“We have. You’re in Los Angeles Memorial Hospital.” His mother smoothed his hair off his forehead exactly like she’d done when he was a kid. “You just rest. The worst is behind you.”
“The Cage?” He caught Sam’s gaze. Why was she standing so far away?
“It and the house are gone.”
“Both?” He wanted to reach out to her but didn’t. “Damn it.”
“That’s enough,” his mother said. “You need your rest.”
“I’m okay, Mom. I want to know.”
His mother walked out to the hall, apparently impatient no one had come running fast enough to please her.
“There’s not much to tell. Apparently both buildings were set on fire at approximately the same time.”
“I’m sorry. I was running down the beach when I saw The Cage was on fire. I went inside but it was too late. Everything else is a blank.”
Till The Dead Speak (Killer Affections Book 2) Page 20
