by R L Dunn
"No, we didn't. I think Steve is referring to the kisses." Tucker laughed.
"Good. Beth, I'll write the orders. Discharge home. I'll also write an order so that, accompanied by medical, you can check on Austin and visit Lola two short periods daily."
Elizabeth was snarky, "Yes, Dr. Hedges."
Martin cuddled her in his arms. After the third time his phone vibrated, he pressed her back. "Sunshine, I need to handle some business." His people were waiting for him. "Let the doctors write up their orders, visit Austin and Lola, and I'll bet you by the time I'm finished, you’ll be ready to go home."
His team's expressions warned Martin he was not going to like the news. He joined Mike, Zach, Tate, Ford and Tighe at the round table in the ICU conference room. Julian’s face appeared on a laptop. "Well?" Martin asked.
Tighe spoke first. "Martin, if you want me to resign, I will. Elizabeth's instincts were correct. Our lab found residue of nitrates in one of Lola's IV bags. It happened on my watch. I'm so sorry." Tighe wrung his hands.
"Did you drug her?" Martin asked.
"God, no."
"Then we’re stuck with you." Martin told the story of when he offered to resign.
Julian held up an old picture of Lewis James. "We’re still hitting a wall. We checked WitSec, and Ian checked with contacts at the Agency. I asked Tech to run every picture of him we found through facial recognition another time. It's like he disappeared into thin air. Clay Jenner's footprint is uninteresting—almost too uninteresting. His finances show no anomalies."
Ford took a shaky breath. "We received the transactional bank account information. A lot of money is moving. The corruption appears to cover all shifts and all ranks in the jail and PD. More names than we thought. There’s a group of offshore accounts as well. Tech is trying to decrypt the privacy protection.
"Elizabeth's letters went as far as Thibodaux Spooner's office, but no concrete evidence if Spooner or Jenner saw them. Spooner's bank records give us some concrete evidence he’s cycling cash through his children's college funds and back to him."
Ford passed Martin a file. "January, a check signed by Spooner was the source of funds for a new bank account. Boss, read the name on the account."
Martin stared at the file. The account was the one on Elizabeth's credit report. "Is there any evidence Elizabeth opened the account herself?"
Ford shook his head. "None. They started to set her up from the minute she came back to Silverton."
Martin slammed his hand on the desk.
"Martin," Mike said, "Elizabeth's prescriptions at the hospital are sent electronically or on watermarked hospital printer paper. In the last eighteen months, we traced over one hundred thirty prescriptions handwritten on her personal pad to former inmates from Silverton jail for schedule III and IV meds, street value about sixteen million dollars. The amount being generated puts her on DEA radar. Combined with that bank account, she would appear guilty, certainly by Silverton PD standards."
"Compare handwriting; she didn't do this," Martin's tone matched Mike's.
"We did. They're a perfect match. Too perfect. No one signs their name the same way each time, with the same pen. Tech is trying to prove they’re laser-printed." Mike set his hand on Martin's. "Martin, we one hundred percent believe she's not responsible. I don't think anyone would set up a governor's daughter without his knowledge."
Mike did not release his hand as Martin searched his face. "Talbot Reed filed for and received a restraining order against you. He also filed a complaint with Silverton PD for aggravated harassment. We all understand the anger, but you crossed the line. You need to stand down, Martin."
"If I don't?"
"Please don't make me do this," Mike pleaded.
Martin wouldn't push his friend to suspend him. "I'm sorry—to all of you. Some leader I am."
He got up and walked out of the meeting to return to Elizabeth.
"Out," Martin said to Tucker and Pete, his soft demeanor gone. He wanted to speak to Elizabeth alone.
Pete scowled at him. "You’re angry at the wrong people."
“What's wrong?" Elizabeth started to stand.
"I'm sorry, Sunshine." He sat beside her.
She rested her head against his chest. "It's about my father, isn't it, Marty? What did he do now?"
Martin wrapped his arms around her. It was the only thing he could do to protect her, and it wouldn't be enough. "Sunshine, I need to ask you some questions."
"Please, you’re scaring me. Ask." Elizabeth tried to push back, but he held her tighter.
"I told you about the background check. We found a bank account that was opened just before your mom died."
Her body burrowed into his. "What bank account?"
"It’s an account with $250,000 at Silverton Financial, opened on January second."
She pushed hard against him. "I don't bank there, Marty. I would never open an account there. Silverton Financial bought Lewis's family's bank. I swear it."
"I believe you. I'm sorry. Someone wants it to look like you took a payoff."
"Payoff? For what?" She struggled to break free from his embrace.
"I need to ask some more." She nodded against him. "How do you write prescriptions?"
"I don't. All my scripts are sent via electronic transfer or printed from a terminal on the unit or the clinic. Inpatient, seldom. At discharge, the residents do it as part of their training."
"All of them? You never use a prescription pad?"
"Why are you asking?" He didn't answer. "I use an app on my phone; it goes directly to the pharmacies," her pitch rose.
"Where do you keep your pads?"
"In a safe in the floor of the guest room. Marty, tell me why you’re asking this?"
"We found a bunch of handwritten prescriptions from the past eighteen months."
Elizabeth froze. "A payoff for selling prescriptions? When I got here, I stayed the first month at my parents’ until I found my house. When I left, I had my license and prescriptions changed to my new address. I took one pad out of the first box in case of a computer failure but never opened the second. That pad is locked in my office." She started to shake. "Oh God, my old scripts from Hopkins. They were in Daddy's safe. I need to find them and destroy them. Oh god."
"Shh. Shh. We will.” His breath hitched.
"Only if you tell me what's happening. Remember, no secrets."
"I'm so sorry, Sunshine." Martin told her almost everything, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell her that her father said he would be better off if she died.
"The prescriptions—they will destroy my career… Momma's letter? What benefit does it give him, other than to hurt me more? And you? You were defending me, but..." Elizabeth's cheeks turned blotchy.
"I am so sorry I lost my cool, Sunshine. Please forgive me?"
Elizabeth wiped away her tears. "Why does he hate me so?"
"I can't answer that other than to say you did nothing wrong." Martin held her.
Tucker and Pete paced outside her room, where Mike and Zach joined them. "He threw us out. I swear if he upsets her, he’ll need a hospital bed again." Pete's arms crossed over his chest.
"No one is screaming; what is he telling her? Martin never behaves like that." Tucker's soft tone disappeared.
Mike laid out the entire situation and some new information. "Five minutes ago, we confirmed Reed is supporting a second family. He’s paying into a blind trust for three children he started when he left office. We’re culling through the layers for an ID."
Pete cussed, "How much more can that bastard hurt her?"
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tuesday, August 1st
Elizabeth left the hospital Tuesday morning, delayed by falling into a devastated, tearful sleep. Martin carried her into his parents’ farmhouse.
"I can walk,” she protested.
"Well, I can carry you." He deposited her on the bed in his old room, ignoring the ache in his ribs. The old twin bed had been replac
ed by a comfortable queen-sized bed covered in a beautiful handmade quilt. "I'll bring you towels. One of my staff packed you a bag. I'm sure you want to take a shower."
Elizabeth climbed from the bed. "Only if you wash my back." She peered over her shoulder at him.
Martin approached her with reservation. "Sunshine, I..."
"Look at my discharge papers, Marty." She thrust the yellow pages into his hand.
He scanned the list and smiled. With hungry eyes, he carried her into the bathroom. "No one is in the house."
His body tingled with energy. Feeling like it was his first time, Martin's hungry mouth sought hers, the kiss exploding with love. Nervous fingers unbuttoned her blouse to find her braless. “Oh God.” His fingers outlined their shape, gliding down her body. At his touch, her shorts and panties dropped to the floor. He paused to take her in.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck, rubbing her breasts against his chest. His hands moved beneath her thighs, and she squealed when he lifted her up and walked into the shower, carefully setting her on the built-in shower bench. His eyes never left hers as he stripped and joined her. His hand reached to pull her beneath the warm water. Holding her head against his chest, they stood in silence.
With the spray of the shower blanketing them, Martin let his tears fall. "Sunshine."
Elizabeth murmured to him, "Let it out."
She drew him closer after returning to the seat and placed kisses across his belly as her fingers massaged his lower back. Martin's eyes remained closed as her hands slid down to his bottom, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Her soft fingers traveled forward to find his erection, her warm mouth welcoming him. Breath hissed from his lungs as her tongue swirled over the mushroomed tip, dipping it into his dripping slit. Supporting his shaft by her fist at the root, she bobbed her head, bringing him deeper into her throat. Martin's hands pressed behind him, reaching against the shower wall for support, unable to resist her tongue's slow slide against him.
His breaths came in shallow pants. "Eliza...beth." He lifted her to her feet, seizing her mouth with primal possession. "Wrap your arms around my neck." Her legs curled around his waist. "I need you." His voice strained with need.
"Take me," she answered.
Martin's voice rumbled, "Mine." There was nothing soft and delicate as he surged long and hard between her slick folds, filling her to his hilt in one deep thrust. "Mine," he said again, thrusting once more.
"Mine." Her muscles squeezed him inside her as they moved together, the water warming them as their passion deepened. Martin's fingers searched between their connection. His thumb and forefinger pinched her swollen bundle of nerves. Elizabeth screamed his name as she exploded into an orgasm. Powerful aftershocks brought him to his own undeniable climax, a guttural moan falling from his mouth as he poured himself into her.
After their shower, they curled up together in bed. Elizabeth slept untroubled under his protective gaze.
Martin slipped from her arms with a kiss to her cheek and went downstairs. After pouring himself a glass of his mom's lemonade, he sat at the dining room table and pulled up the case file on his computer. He was furious with himself. After losing Elizabeth twenty years earlier, he spent his entire career clear and focused. He always put his personal feelings into boxes with clear boundaries. "How's that working for you?" he mumbled as he read.
Mike's words about Talbot Reed whirred in his head, as did Ford's report suggesting there must be people in power running the operation. "Secrets and lies."
On a pad from the kitchen counter, Martin diagrammed the players: Talbot Reed, Hal Dufour, Craig Hillinger, and Clay Jenner were all in positions of power. "The jail." The reports named the jail warden, Rhoda Sanders. Her background showed no financial irregularities. Without someone inside Silverton Jail, the day-to-day operation couldn't function for long. Martin dialed their technical analysis department. It took the analyst fifteen minutes to collate the information. Rhoda Sanders, née Shaw, went to middle school with Brynn Hackman.
As he waited for the second call to connect, Martin cursed under his breath. "Mike, we need to meet," he said over the phone.
Elizabeth and Martin returned to the hospital later that afternoon. Lola rested in Elizabeth's arms while Martin stood by as the proud father. Tucker, who assumed the role of case manager to oversee the care of Lissa and Lola, reviewed both girls' charts. Caleb let Dr. Choudhury enter, his expression amused.
Indira scowled after being frisked. "Mr. Bailey, you are a hard man to pin down."
"I didn't realize you had an all-points bulletin out for me. Dr. Choudhury. What can I do for you?" Martin caught Tucker's raised brow.
"I explained to you: Lola is in fragile health. We need to discuss her discharge plan."
"You do realize I am engaged to Elizabeth Reed? I believe her more than capable of understanding Lola’s needs."
"I do, but Elizabeth requires her own specialized care," Indira said.
"Mr. Hanlon, Lola's case manager, developed a plan based upon his discussions with her surgeon and her ancillary therapy team. I'll be happy to speak with you about it," Martin's words came between clenched teeth.
Unlike her usual conservative clothing or scrubs, today Elizabeth dressed in bright colors, and her hair flowed over her shoulders, secured by a brightly patterned headband. "Indira, never let the truth get in the way of a rumor." Elizabeth gave Lola to Martin. In short medical terms, she detailed the care plan. "Lola will receive round-the-clock care. Is that sufficient enough for you?"
"Elizabeth, I didn't recognize you." The pediatrician took a step back. "You look...uh...well."
"Martin and I are thankful for your exceptional interest in my health and Lola's care." Elizabeth's smile belonged to a ferocious tiger out to protect her new family.
After twenty-four days as Royce Mills, Troy managed to work his way into the graces of the gang of guards and prisoners. Sergeant McAllister stood in the yard with Tim Lampton. "Heard he'll be staying a while. Whatta waste moving drugs. That man is built to fuck and fight." Lampton's eyes fixed on Troy lifting weights. "Get a load of him. He can make us a fortune."
McAllister peered over his sunglasses. "Ro and Etta say the same thing. I think it's time to make him a star."
"I don't want Boyd near him. He'll keep him for himself." Lampton walked away, cackling.
While Elizabeth underwent cardiac stress testing, Martin used every bit of the time reading the case files. Though he was under suspension, Mike kept him in the information loop. Thibodaux Spooner, aka Tibby, was Cicely Moody, mother of three girls: Danielle, nineteen, engaged to Silverton PD officer Trip Mathias; Mary, age seventeen; and Amy, age fifteen. "Blind trust for three? Talbot Reed, you are scum."
The next report made him sure of his theory. Telephone logs showed no calls between Todd Duran and Clay Jenner. Ian confirmed Todd stayed at the Omni for a family wedding with his longtime boyfriend, Asa Minkin. Negative contact with Clay Jenner.
Brynn Hackman's more in-depth background check showed she lacked the qualifications to do the job, but her father had political clout. Stupidity is not illegal.
The background check on Lewis James remained red-flagged. Ian hit a brick wall even with his top clearances. Lewis James disappeared off all rolls effective May 1, 1998. The family had had no contact. No activity, no electronic footprint.
The cardiac lab door opened, and Elizabeth entered, smiling. "I passed."
Martin looked at Pete and Patrick. "Well?"
"Cardiology said, considering what she went through, her heart is functioning well. Tomorrow, the pathology lab. There is a cadaver all picked out for her," Patrick joshed.
Elizabeth stuck out her tongue, and Martin moved his computer to pull her closer. "Be careful, missy." His hand tapped her bottom.
Elizabeth stared at the computer screen. "Who’s that?" A twinge of discomfort rippled across her face.
"Clay Jenner, Silverton Department of Corrections."
The mo
ment she focused on the picture, she tensed. He gave the image a second glance.
"I tried to call him, but I spoke to Tibby instead. He said he would discuss my issues with him. I never heard back." Elizabeth appeared tired all of a sudden.
Martin waggled his brows. "Time to go home, eat some lunch, and take a nap." Elizabeth gave him a playful slap.
Naked, Elizabeth rested in Martin's arms. "Thank you."
Their fingers intertwined. "For what, Sunshine?"
"My second chance. Lola's second chance," Elizabeth spoke with love. "That August night, so long ago, the night we created our other little girl…we were young and naïve. Marty, you were my hero then, even if I didn't understand what a hero was. Now, we’re grown up, and I realize what a courageous man you are. You’re driven to stand up for those who can't. You care. You love hard. You risk yourself to help others. The men and women you work with do too."
Martin rolled to his side to face her and cupped her cheek in his hand. "If I am any of those, you make me a better man."
Bravo team’s Ismael "Fox" DeCastro worked the night shift at Silverton Jail, watching over Troy. The tier was quiet during his 02:00 pass. His shift supervisor, Sergeant Keene Jensen, approached. "We need to bring Mills to segregation."
Ismael could do nothing but offer a "Yes, sir." His keys rattled opening Troy's cell. "Mills, on your feet," his tone was sharp.
Troy stood, wiping the sleep from his eyes. "CO, what's the problem?"
Ismael applied the requisite shackles and walked him down the hall. Uncomfortable with where this might go, he used the mission code. He gave Troy's shoulder a squeeze, giving him a chance to use the duress word. "Time for dinner and a show. You're going to segregation."
Jensen tightened the handcuffs in a show of control. "Go back to your post. I’ll take it from here.” He turned to Troy. “Mills, your talents are being squandered. We have a proposition for you." All Ismael could do was watch.