“No! This is Mara Brennen. She’s kidnapped Johnny twice, the first time on the day he was born. Amanda and I saw her in the ER when she abandoned Johnny. I’ll never forget her eyes. And she’s done it again. She took my boy. She knows where he is. I’m going to make her tell me.” Grace faced Mara. “Tell me where he is now!”
Mara sneered. “You’ll never prove it,” she whispered just loud enough for Grace to hear. “Amanda’s long gone. I checked when I got to Richmond, so it’s your word against mine. I’m not afraid of you, Grace. You don’t have the guts to stop me. One thrust and I could toss you like a ragdoll. Johnny’s my son, and you can’t have him. He’ll always belong to me.”
Marci called for security as Grace touched the point of the scissors to Mara’s throat and imagined them piercing the skin. The violence of the thought frightened her but proved she was capable of more than Mara imagined. She squeezed her other hand into a fist and lifted it to strike.
“Mom?” The word dispelled Grace’s rage and pierced her heart. “Is that you, Mom?”
Grace kept the scissors at Mara’s throat as she turned her head toward the sound. Johnny’s voice was weak but close. “Johnny? Where are you?”
Mara chuckled beneath her. “That’s right. Your precious boy is on the other side of that wall. If you go to him, I’ll disappear again, and you’ll never find me. So, what’s it going to be, him or me?”
Grace glared at Mara not knowing what to do. Her little man was only feet away, but if she went to him, Mara would escape, and they’d never have another chance to capture her. But how could Grace ignore Johnny? The days and weeks separating them had been agony, yet there he was, right within her reach. She only had to take a few steps to hold him in her arms.
She threw the scissors to the floor and climbed to her feet. Mara would get away, but Grace didn’t care. All that mattered was Johnny. All that had ever mattered was Johnny.
Mara scrambled to her feet and started for the exit, but Marci blocked her path.
“You’re not getting out of here. Security is on their way.” Marci glared at her with her hands on her hips.
Mara sized Marci up. Grace was a tiny slip of a thing, but Marci was a different story. She was at least five-ten and looked like she was no stranger to a gym. Mara had hoped to get out of the hospital without having to play her last card, but there was no way she could take Marci down in a hurry, and security arrives any second.
“You’ll let me go,” Mara said and lifted the pant leg hiding the gun strapped to her calf. She pulled it from the holster and pointed it at Marci. “If you don’t want to add more patients to this ward, you’d better get out of my way.” Marci raised her arms and backed up to let Mara pass. “Good choice.”
Mara tore Marci’s badge from her uniform and used it to activate the scrub dispenser. She held the gun in one hand and grabbed a pair of scrubs with the other before running toward the ICU exit. She threw the scrubs over her clothes as she went and put on a sterile cap and surgical mask for good measure. She took time to stop and flip off the stunned ICU staff before heading out the door.
Grace ran to Johnny’s room but froze when she saw him lying on the bed with his head shaved and bandaged. She knelt at his bedside and whispered, “Is it all right that I’m here?”
She held her breath as she waited for his answer. Johnny lifted his hand to her and said, “Mom, it is you. I knew you’d find me.”
It was all she needed to hear. She pulled him into her arms and held him as tightly as she dared. Her tears spilled onto his pillow as Johnny shook with sobs.
When he quieted, Grace looked into his eyes and said, “I can’t believe you were here all this time. Why are you in ICU? Did Mara do this to you?”
“In a way.” He told her the story of his ordeal and said, “It only took two days to figure out what a creepy nutcase Mara is, but by then it was too late to escape. I tried but I couldn’t do it. If I hadn’t hit my head when I fell off the window sill, she would have hauled me off to Portland or somewhere where you never would have found me.”
“That didn’t happen. Mara’s gone. You’re safe. Let’s just be grateful for that.” She tenderly brushed her fingertips over his bandages. “I had her, but I had to let her go. She was in my grasp but getting to you was more important than capturing Mara. It was more important than anything. You have my promise I’ll never let that monster within miles of you again. Your dad and I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
Wes divided his unit into three groups. He left four agents to guard the main lobby and prevent anyone from leaving. He’d tried to get hospital security to order a lockdown, but all they were willing to do was post guards at the remaining exits including those used by staff. Wes split his other two groups between the elevators and stairs. His team took the elevator.
He was silent and tried to steady his thoughts as they ascended to the ICU floor. He didn’t know how he’d bear it if Mara slipped through their net for the third time. Or was it the fourth? He’d lost track. His gut told him this was his last chance.
He was worried about Grace, too. After the way Mara had attacked the store clerk, Wes hated to think how far she might go if Grace threatened or cornered her. Dread rose in his gut at what they’d face in the ICU.
He sprang through the doors the instant they opened and led his team to the ICU entrance. A woman in scrubs wearing a surgical mask and sterile cap came out as they reached the door.
“FBI. Please hold that open,” Wes called as he pulled his credentials from of his pocket.
The woman pushed it open as far as it would go and stepped aside for them to pass. Wes gave her a quick glance as he brushed by. She had her eyes lowered, but he saw enough of her face to recognize her. She flicked her eyes at him for less than a second, but it was long enough to confirm his suspicion.
She reached into her waistband as she turned to run in the opposite direction. Wes grabbed the back of her scrubs and yanked her back through the ICU entrance. Mara thrust her weight forward and broke his grasp, but Wes tackled her, and they slid across the slick tile floor.
Mara fought to break free while Wes pulled the gun from her waistband and held it up for Agent Cameron. He flipped her onto her back and straddled her as Grace had done. He ripped off the surgical mask and cap to get a better look. Mara struggled beneath his weight, but Wes just held her tighter.
“Get off me, you brute,” she cried. “I’m a nurse here.”
“Glad to,” Wes said as he climbed off and rolled her on her side to cuff her. “Mara Brennen, you’re under arrest for kidnapping, carrying a concealed firearm into a hospital, and resisting arrest. I’m guessing they’ll be adding illegal possession of that firearm and who knows what else. Now, before I send you away to be locked up for the rest of your life, tell me where Johnny is.”
“Bite me,” Mara said.
Wish I could, Wes thought as he handed her off to Cameron. “Get her out of my sight.”
Wes had agents Prince and Elliott start questioning witnesses while he went to find Grace and figure out what Mara had been doing in the ICU. He hoped it would lead them to Johnny. Capturing Mara was only the first step in ending this nightmare. His promise to Grace didn’t end until her son was safely home.
He saw one of the nurses watching him scan the unit for Grace. He marched up to her and took out his phone to show her a picture of Grace. “I’m Special Agent Reid, ma’am. I’m searching for this woman. Have you seen her? Can you tell me where she is?”
A smile crept up the nurse’s face and she motioned for Wes to follow her. “I’m Marci. I’ve known Grace for years.” She stopped outside room four and said, “In there.”
Wes raised his eyebrows at her. He was afraid Mara had shot Grace and couldn’t imagine why Marci was smiling. He went in and stopped in shock at what he found. Grace was seated next to the bed holding Johnny’s hand.
She jumped out of the chair and grabbed Wes’ hands. “Mara was here. You have to g
o after her. You just missed her.”
It was Wes’ turn to smile. “Mara’s in custody. Don’t worry, Grace, it’s over.”
“You caught her?” When he nodded, Grace threw her arms around him and squeezed so tight that Wes was surprised at how strong she was. “I knew you would,” she said.
Wes gently freed himself and looked her in the eye. “You’re the hero, not me. But what were you thinking of going after her on your own? She had a gun, you know.”
Grace’s eyes widened. “I had to get to her and make her tell me where she was holding Johnny. Nothing else mattered. Turns out, Johnny was right here.”
Wes stepped close to the bed and held out his hand. “You must be Johnny. I’m Wes. You can’t imagine how happy I am to meet you.”
The past twelve hours had been incredible and kept getting better by the minute. Johnny had smiled so much his face hurt.
After his mom found him the night before, she called his dad with the news, and he got to the hospital in record time. He’d been so overwhelmed at seeing Johnny that he couldn’t speak for two minutes. They both bawled like babies and made fun of each other for it.
They were only able to talk for five minutes before the doctor came in to tell his parents they would have to sleep in the family lounge down the hall. They begged him to bend the rules under the circumstances, but he stood firm. Johnny needed his rest.
Even though Johnny hated seeing his parents go, he was comforted to know they’d be close if he needed them. He felt even better that the hospital had posted a security guard outside his door. He knew he didn’t need to be afraid of Mara anymore since Agent Wes had locked her up, but having the guard there made him feel safer.
His parents and the doctor had come in as soon as Luke finished taking Johnny’s vitals in the morning. The doc announced that they were moving him to the step-down unit so he could have more visitors, and his parents could stay the night in his room if he wanted them to. His mom said she was staying whether he wanted her to or not. Johnny laughed but was happy to know that some things never changed.
Moving to his new room had tired Johnny out, but he was still thrilled when Steph, Uncle Adam, and Auntie Alec showed up as soon as he finished lunch. Steph and Auntie Alec each hugged him so many times that he finally had to beg them to stop. When they’d been there for just over an hour, his mom stood and announced that it was time for everyone to leave.
“We just got here,” Alec said. “I was planning to stay for the rest of the day. Adam and I even came in separate cars.”
“Johnny has another visitor coming and they need time alone. You can stay as long as you want once he’s home,” Grace said.
“Who’s coming?” Johnny asked.
“You’ll see,” was all his mom would say.
His sister, aunt, and uncle all hugged him again before reluctantly agreeing to leave. After they left, his dad said, “I have an errand to run, so I’m going to head out for a bit, too. I’ll be back soon with a surprise.” He kissed Johnny’s head and waved as he left.
“What’s going on, Mom? You’re not keeping secrets from me again, are you?”
“Never,” Grace said. “Someone is coming that you need to meet.”
As she said the words, a man with short brown hair peeked his head in and tapped on the open door. “Can I come in?” he asked.
Johnny’s mom went to the man and led him to Johnny’s bedside. “Johnny, this is Craig Stuart, your biological father.”
Johnny stared at the man with his mouth gaping. Craig was the last person he’d expected to come walking through his door. He didn’t know how to act or what to say.
Craig stepped closer and said, “I’ve dreamed of this day for so long. It’s wonderful to see you again, Johnny.”
Craig held out his hand, but Johnny said, “It’s all right if you want to hug me. Everyone else is.”
Craig’s eyes welled up as he leaned down to wrap his arms around his son. Johnny gingerly lifted his arms to return the hug. He thought it would be awkward with this stranger, but it felt familiar to him.
“Thank you,” Craig whispered and wiped his face as he sat in the chair that Grace offered him.
“You should know that I read about you on the internet. Not personal stuff, just news stories about you.” He glanced at his mom, not sure if he should ask the question that had haunted him since he read Alec’s book. When she nodded, he said, “How come you didn’t want me when you found out that I was alive? Why did you give me back to my mom?”
Craig looked Johnny in the eye. “I don’t want you to ever think that I didn’t love or want you. It makes me sad to know that you’ve thought that for even a minute. It was never about me wanting you. It was…complicated.”
“Tell me. I want to know everything.”
It was Craig’s turn to glance at Grace. When she nodded again, he said, “I need to start at the beginning. Your mother’s name was Samantha, and she was the most amazing person I’ve ever known. I still miss her and think of her every day.”
Craig’s lip trembled, so he stopped and took a breath before going on. Johnny’s eyes were riveted on his father. He’d waited his whole life to know the story of where he came from and who his parents were. He was relieved to know they loved each other.
“Your mom was the one who pushed us to have a baby, and it took a long time for you to come along. Sometimes we worried it would never happen. We were both thrilled when it did.”
He stopped again, and Johnny was tempted to beg him to get on with it, but he kept quiet. He understood why talking about it was hard for Craig.
“Something went wrong when your mom went into labor. Grace can explain it to you later, but they had to do an emergency delivery. The doctors did a Cesarean and whisked you off to the nursery before I even got to hold you. Your mom hemorrhaged. The doctors couldn’t stop it. Mara and her husband stole you from the nursery while I held your mother’s hand as she slipped away from us. She died without ever seeing your face. It was the worst day of my life. I lost your mom and you.”
Johnny didn’t try to hide his tears as he silently watched Craig. He heard his mom sniffle from her chair in the corner.
“That’s so horrible. How did you go on living after something like that? You lost your whole family in one day.”
“This gets to the explanation of why I didn’t keep you when I found out you were alive. My best friend had a sister named Kristen. We’d never been close, but she was there for me after I lost you and Sam. I wouldn’t have survived that time without her. We fell in love, or at least I did, and we got married. We found out she was expecting at the same time I found out you were alive. We brought you home, but Kristen is a selfish person and didn’t want to share her love between you and our son.”
“That’s harsh,” Johnny said. “I kind of don’t blame her, though. I know I’m not easy to take care of.”
“It was more than that. I think Kristen would have rejected you if you were perfectly healthy. You were miserable and homesick when we took you away from Grace, too. She was the only mother you’d ever known, and you cried for her day and night. Kristen threatened to leave if I kept you. I had a terrible choice to make, but I made the one that was best for you, and I don’t regret it. No one could have raised you or loved you better than Grace and Ryan.”
Johnny smiled at his mom. “I agree. Thanks for explaining. I know it wasn’t easy.”
“I’m glad I got to tell you. When you disappeared, I was afraid I’d never get the chance.”
“Does Kristen still feel the same way? Does she mind that you’re here?”
“Kristen did us all a favor and ran off after your brother was born. My new wife is Melanie, and she’s dying to meet you.”
“So, I have a brother?” Johnny asked.
“Two brothers, Sam and Charlie, and a sister named Laurel. I’ve told them everything about you. We’re all hoping you’ll allow us to be a part of your life, Johnny. I should have done this years
ago, but I hope it’s not too late.”
“It would be incredible. I have a whole other family. That’s freaking amazing.”
“Come to stay with us this summer if your parents agree to let you out of their sight.”
“Of course,” Grace said. “But first we have to get him well and home. Then we’ll make plans for summer.”
Craig stood and squeezed Johnny’s hand. “Melanie is on her way from Albuquerque. We’ll visit in a few days when you’re stronger. I love you, Johnny. Thanks for understanding.”
“Love you, too.” He paused before he said Dad. “What should I call you? Dad doesn’t feel right. Ryan’s my dad.”
“We’ll have to work on that but pick whatever feels right to you.”
“I’ll let you know,” Johnny said and smiled when his second father waved on the way out.
Grace picked up the copy of Alec’s book that Alec had brought in for her and carried it to Johnny. She showed him the cover before holding it out to him. He hesitated before reaching for it but took it and laid it on the blanket without looking at it.
Grace pulled her chair close to the bed and sat facing Johnny. “You and I need to have a talk. I know seeing that book must stir up some terrible memories, but you need to read it. I resisted when Alec gave it to me, just before you disappeared, but your dad eventually convinced me to read it. I’m glad I did. Remembering the obstacles we overcame when you were a baby kept my hope alive.”
Johnny glanced at the book before turning his eyes back to Grace. “I’m afraid to read things I don’t want to know. For so long, I wanted to know where I came from more than anything, but that story Craig told is brutal. Maybe I’m better off clueless.”
“No, Johnny, you aren’t. I made a terrible mistake in not telling you the truth about your past years ago. I know it will take time for us to get past what I did, but I don’t want there to be any more secrets between us. You need to know the truth of who you are, and who I am. The first part of that book is the story of my early life that I’ve kept hidden too. Your father tried for years to get me to tell you, but I was afraid to for some reason. I can’t remember why now, after all that’s happened.”
The Complete Arms of Grace Series Page 56
