Summer's End (Wildflowers Book 5)

by Jill Sanders

  Aiden walked forward and carefully poured the liquid back into the decanter.

  The doctor said, “Something tells me you knew there was something in here all along.”

  Aiden sighed. “I gambled.” He shrugged. “Tell me she won’t get away with this.”

  “Will my father be alright?” Aubrey asked, worry filling her.

  “Alprazolam can cause drowsiness and problems with vision and memory, but my main concern is that it can cause muscle weakness. I hope Harold’s heart can withstand the amount he was given. Any idea how much he drank?”

  “Since we got here around three, two glasses then at least one more glass at dinner. But he was acting a little funny then. Who knows how much he’d had beforehand,” Aubrey answered.

  “Thanks. Can I offer you a ride to the hospital?” Dr. Williams asked them.

  “No, we’ll head back and change then meet you there.” Aubrey stepped forward and touched his arm. “Thank you for coming so quickly and for caring for my father for all these years.”

  Dr. Williams chuckled. “He may not be my favorite patient, but he is my friend.” He tapped her hand before leaving.

  “Well,” Aiden said suddenly, “that was fun. Kind of reminded me of Clue.” He changed his voice slightly. “After following the clues, I determined that it was Bridgett in the study with poison.”

  She couldn’t believe it. At a time like this, with her father’s life hanging by a thread, and Aiden still had the ability to make her laugh.

  Her laughter turned to tears as his arms wrapped around her. “Come on,” he said into her hair. “Let’s go back and change then head to the hospital.”

  “I have to call—”

  “You can call your sisters on the way back to our place.” He pulled her towards the doors.

  As she stepped outside, they were surrounded by some of the guests who hadn’t left yet.

  “Is Harold alright?” several of them asked.

  “Yes, Dr. Williams just wants him to get checked out,” Aiden answered for her as he continued towards the door.

  “Martha, please make sure all of the guests make it home,” she said to the woman as they walked by.

  “Please keep us posted about your father’s condition,” Martha asked her.

  “I will,” she agreed and let Aiden slip on her coat.

  When they stepped outside, the limo driver was waiting for them. “I heard about your father,” the older man said. “Do you need a ride to the hospital?”

  “If you don’t mind, Carl, take us back to our place first so we can change. Then we’ll head to the hospital.”

  “Sure thing, Miss Smith.” The man opened the limo door for them.

  When the car started moving, she pulled out her phone.

  “Hey,” Zoey answered. “We’re all here,” she called out. “Drinking and bitching about men. Well, they are drinking. I’m having milk,” Zoey corrected.

  “Taking the night off I see. When I’m away you guys play?” She smiled. “What did Dylan do now?” she asked.

  “Nothing, it’s not my husband that’s the issue,” Zoey supplied. “He’s perfect.”

  Aubrey heard several of her friends groan or sigh in the background.

  “Who then?” Aubrey asked. She needed normal for a moment before she sprung the evening’s crazy on her friends.

  “Brett,” Elle supplied.

  “Brett?” Aubrey sat up slightly.

  Aiden glanced over at her. “What’s wrong with Brett?”

  “Our Brett? What did he do to piss you all off?” she asked the group as she turned her phone onto speaker so Aiden could hear.

  “He kissed me,” someone said loudly.

  Aiden looked at her with question.

  “Was that…” She frowned down at her phone.

  “Dr. Lea Val is filling in for you tonight since you’re off in the city dealing with crazy Bridgett,” Hannah added with a giggle. “We didn’t know that the good doctor would drink us all under the table. I mean, what do you weigh? Eighty pounds?” Her friend’s voice was slightly slurred, indicating that the entire group, except for Zoey, were already hammered.

  Lea could be heard laughing. “I went to medical school. Where do you think I learned how to drink? I never knew I could have a thing for a man in uniform.”

  “Speaking of the police…” Aubrey said.

  Aubrey heard the phone shift off speaker.

  Then Zoey asked, “How are things going up there?”

  Chapter 18

  As they headed back to change clothes, he listened to Aubrey fill Zoey in on what had just happened. The more he listened, the more he realized that it was all extremely bizarre and similar to a horror movie.

  “I mean,” Zoey said, “did she really expect to get away with poisoning your dad?”

  “I don’t know. Hey, listen, we’re back at our place. We’re going to change and then head over to the hospital,” Aubrey said.

  “Keep us posted,” someone shouted. Then the phone was muffled as someone asked a question.

  “Val wants to know what Bridgett gave your dad,” Zoey said.

  Aubrey glanced over at him in question.

  “Alprazolam,” he supplied.

  “How much?” Val’s voice came on the line.

  “We don’t know,” Aubrey answered as he opened the front door for them. “Enough to be noticed. He was pretty much passed out when they carted him out of the house.”

  “Keep me posted,” Val said to Aubrey. “He should be okay, if your father’s health was good to begin with.”

  He saw Aubrey wince. “I will. Thanks, Val. Oh, and about Brett.” She glanced over at Aiden and smiled. “Did you kiss him back?”

  Val laughed. “You know it.”

  Aubrey laughed again as she hung up.

  “Brett and Val.” He shook his head. “Now there’s a combination. Did you know that Brett hasn’t dated since…”? He thought about it as they rushed up the stairs to change clothes. He stopped on the landing and cocked his head to think. “Hell, I guess I can’t remember the last time he went out on a date. Then again, we don’t gossip like you and your friends do.”

  She slugged him in the shoulder. “Stereotyping us won’t get you far.” She rushed up the rest of the stairs.

  “It’s not stereotyping when it comes to you and your friends. Remember, I’ve hung out with the five of you over the past three years,” he called after her.

  He changed out of the rented tux quickly and, while he waited for Aubrey, shot off a text to his friend.

  -So, you and Dr. Val?

  Brett quickly responded.

  -Shit, it was a lapse of judgment.

  He sent another quick text after that.

  -I do admit that the woman is hot, but she can get under my skin. I only kissed her to get her to stop complaining about my injury.

  Aiden punched dial quickly after reading that last bit.

  “You were injured?” he asked when Brett answered the phone.

  “I got a scratch and a sprain, nothing more.”

  “How bad?” He knew better. Brett always downplayed everything. Especially when it came to his health and his job.

  Brett sighed. “I’ll be on desk duty for the next week.”

  “What’d you do?” he asked.

  “It wasn’t me. You know how tourists can get when they party too hard,” Brett supplied. “A few big ex-jock types decided they wanted to borrow some golf carts at the country club at one in the morning. One of them ran me over when I informed them that they were all under arrest for a DUI.”

  “Seriously? Man, they ran over you?” He shook his head.

  “It wasn’t that bad. Like I said, we were on the greens and it was a golf cart. Top speed of what? Ten miles an hour.” Brett chuckled.

  “Listen, we’re heading to the hospital. Someone tried to poison Aubrey’s father. Long story, which I will fill you in on later, but I’ll check in with you when we get back from New York.”r />
  “Wow, sure thing. Tell her that I hope her old man pulls through,” Brett added as Aiden stepped out of his room. Aubrey was coming down the stairs.

  “Sure will. Oh, and stay away from drunks on golf carts,” Aiden added.

  “Will do.” Brett chuckled as he hung up.

  “Brett?” Aubrey asked.

  “Yeah.” Aiden sighed. “Okay, so maybe we do gossip as much as you and your Wildflowers.” He shrugged. “Sorry I said that.” He opened the front door for her.

  She turned to respond to him, but suddenly, an explosion of flashing lights caused them both to jump. He pushed in front of her to protect her only to realize that there were more than a dozen photographers standing between them and the limo, all snapping pictures of them standing in the doorway.

  “What the…” he said, but Aubrey had tugged his arm and they raced through the growing crowd to jump into the limo.

  “Sorry,” Carl said as they pulled away from the curb. “They started showing up shortly after you went inside. I suspect that word has gotten out about your father being taken away in an ambulance. They must have followed us from the house.”

  “It’s okay. Just get us to the hospital,” Aubrey replied and leaned back. “It’s like some bad movie,” she said softly once they were on their way.

  “Funny, I was thinking the same thing. I mean, what else could go wrong?”

  “Don’t say that. Remember what Ryan Kinsley did to us?” Aubrey shivered and tugged her coat closer to her.

  “Right.” He shook his head. “I think Bridgett and Ryan were cut from the same cloth.”

  Aubrey glanced over at him. “Ryan pulled a gun on Dylan; Bridgett was sneaking around trying to kill. I’m not sure which is worse.”

  “This changes our plans,” he admitted.

  She rested her head back as she nodded. “We may end up sticking around the city a little longer. You know, to make sure he gets back on his feet. If he does. Harold’s health had never really been… spectacular. Not that he is an invalid. But when I met him for the first time, I remember thinking he was old back then. Now.” She shook her head again, then she winced. “You don’t think he and Bridgett actually…” She let the rest of her question hang in the air.

  “God.” He shook his head quickly. “Let’s not even go there.”

  “Too late, it’s already seared in my brain.” She groaned.

  “Hey.” He nudged her chin until she looked at him again. “He’s going to be okay. I know the two of you don’t have the best relationship, and you try to come off tough, but it’s obvious you still care for him.”

  “How can you hate and love someone at the same time?” She glanced out the windows.

  He took her hand in his, then tugged her closer and wrapped his arms around her.

  When they arrived at the hospital, they were told to wait in a waiting room. They were both slightly surprised that Bridgett wasn’t there waiting as well.

  “Do you think they let her back there with him?” she asked him.

  “Not sure,” he answered. “Could she be in police custody already?” he questioned.

  “Let me text Dr. Williams and tell him we’re here.” She pulled out her phone.

  Less than five minutes later, the older man walked into the room and glanced around with a frown.

  “What is it?” Aubrey went on guard. “My father?”

  “He is resting comfortably,” he assured her quickly. “We’ve pumped his stomach and are flushing the drugs from his system, which will take some time. I want to keep him under surveillance for a few days.”

  “Had he been drugged?” Aubrey asked.

  “The lab is confirming his blood and the bourbon now. I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Bridgett?” Aiden asked.

  “Didn’t get to the hospital, as far as I know,” the doctor answered. “The police are already looking for her for questioning. They’ll want to talk to the both of you as well. I’ll show you to a room where you can wait.” He turned to go.

  “Can I see him?” Aubrey asked.

  Dr. Williams smiled. “Yes, I’ll come get you when he’s been moved to a private room,” he said as they followed him down a hallway. “This is my office.” The older man motioned to a large room. “I’ll come get you after they move your father. If it’s okay, I’ll send the police your way as well, so you can both give them your statements.”

  “That would be fine,” Aubrey said with a smile. “Thank you.” She touched his arm. “For showing up so quickly. For being there for my father.”

  Dr. Williams sighed. “I should have checked in on him sooner.” He shook his head as he walked out.

  They waited for less than fifteen minutes before three police officers knocked on the door and stepped in behind Dr. Williams.

  After introductions were made, Aiden was asked by the officers to wait outside while they talked with Aubrey. Dr. Williams disappeared again and told him that when Aubrey was done, she could see her father in room eleven-forty-three.

  “She’ll have to show ID at the door. The police have put a guard on his room. If Bridgett shows up, they’ve been instructed to detain her and keep her out of the room.”

  “So, it was confirmed poison then?” he asked.

  Dr. Williams sighed. “Technically, I’m not allowed to say.” He glanced towards the door. “Tell Aubrey if she needs anything, I’m heading home for a few hours of sleep. I’ll be back around eight.” He shook Aiden’s hand. “It was smart thinking.” He shook his head as he walked down the hallway.

  When the office door opened again, he had a fresh cup of coffee in his hands from the vending machine down the hallway and handed it to Aubrey. “Your dad’s up in room eleven-forty-three,” he said as he stepped past her. “Head on up. I’ll meet you there after I’m done here.” He nodded to the officer who was watching them.

  “Thanks,” she said motioning to the coffee. “I’m going to sleep great tonight.” She leaned up on her toes and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

  When he closed the door behind him, he glanced at the three officers. The woman was sitting behind the desk while the two men were still standing.

  Directing his eyes to the woman, he held out his hand for her. “Aiden Stark.”

  “Detective Rhodes.” She shook his hand and motioned to the chair. Her brown eyes assessed him. “I take it you were raised by a woman?”

  He chuckled. “What made you suggest that?”

  “Most men immediately assume I’m here to take notes.” Her eyes narrowed. He gauged the detective was roughly five years older than he was. Her short brown hair was cut in a style that accented her oval face. If he’d been a single man, he would have probably flirted with her. But the only woman he wanted now and forever had just left the room.

  He winced. “First off, I’m not chauvinist. Second, that one”—he pointed towards the closed door that Aubrey had just left out of—“has two black belts. I know better than to underestimate anyone.” He sat down.

  “Fair enough.” The detective smiled at him. “Shall we get started?”

  For the next fifteen minutes, he answered all of the detective’s questions, no matter how mundane they were. When they had arrived in New York. How they had traveled. Where they were staying. Why he’d suspected the poison was in the bourbon. If he’d met Bridgett before today.

  The only question he’d struggled with was when the detective asked what his relationship with Aubrey was.

  “We’ve been… together for over three years,” he answered, causing the detective’s eyebrows to rise slowly. He chuckled. “It’s complicated.”

  She leaned on the desk and smiled at him.

  “Relationships usually are.” She ran her eyes over him. “She’s one lucky lady,” she added standing up. “I think we’re done here,” she said to the other officers. “We’ll keep an officer on Mr. Smith’s door until he’s released. As I mentioned to Miss Smith, we have an APB out for Bridgett Rowlett. We’ve sent th
e local PD out to talk with”—she glanced through her notepad—“Zoey and Scarlett Rowlett to see if they have any further details about Mrs. Rowlett’s whereabouts. Per Aubrey’s request, I’ve also requested that a local officer be stationed at the camp for their safety.”

  “You think she’ll go after them?” He tensed. He hadn’t thought of that angle.

  “No, but your girl seemed to be worried about her friends.”

  “Yes, me too.”

  The detective nodded. “That should do it for now. Miss Smith didn’t seem to know how long the two of you would be in town…”

  “Same. Need us to give you a heads-up when we decide to leave?” he asked.

  “If you wouldn’t mind.” She handed him a business card, then held out her hand.

  When he was riding up the elevator to the eleventh floor, he sent a text to Brett.

  -Local PD wants someone from your office to watch out at the camp for Bridgett. Think you can get assigned the duty? I know you’re on desk duty, but it would help to have someone I trust watching out for my friends.

  -On it. Got the call ten minutes ago. Heading out there now. I’ll keep you posted.

  He knocked on the door to room eleven-forty-three and entered after he heard Aubrey call out for him to come in.

  Seeing her sit on the side of the bed with her father’s hand in hers and tears rolling down her cheeks tore his heart apart. Seeing the old man’s eyes just as wet as Aubrey’s had his attitude of the old man shifting.

  Chapter 19

  Aubrey closed her eyes and tried to relax. The taxi ride between Isaac’s place and the hospital seemed to take longer than before. It was a quarter past ten and she was beyond tired.

  “Are you doing okay?” Aiden asked her. Just the sound of his voice helped her relax even further.

  “Yes,” she answered with a sigh. “I’m just tired.”

  “Ditto.” He pulled her into his arms, and she relaxed against his chest. “I know I’ve been trying to stick to the new rules, but I’m willing to bend them, for tonight. I just want to hold you.” He placed a kiss on her forehead.

  She thought about falling asleep in his arms and nodded. She needed it. She needed him. More now than ever, she just wanted to have him beside her. Holding her.