by Kell, Sheila
Lee could run Ross Communication much better then she could.
“I’m thinking about it.” More and more since I’ve been shot and may not have a choice.
She chatted with him for a few minutes, laughing at his young daughter’s escapades.
“Let me take some time to visit with others before I see Ariana.” They stood. “I’ll see you later. Tell Valerie hello for me.”
“Bye, Kate. Don’t be such a stranger.”
She pondered on her visit with Lee. He’d been extremely curious about whether they had any leads on who had shot her. She hadn’t realized her getting shot would affect everyone so deeply.
Kate visited with the rest of the executive staff. They would be an enjoyable group to work with. They excelled at what they did and had fun doing it. But would it be enough for her? She sighed. It may have to be.
“Ariana’s in a business meeting. Another station is making a pitch for her to purchase it. She’ll be glad for the interruption.” Tamara, Ariana’s assistant reached for the phone.
“Don’t interrupt her if she’s in an important meeting.” It upset Kate when someone interrupted her during an interrogation. She wouldn’t do that to her sister.
“Kate, you know her. If she doesn’t want to break up her meeting, she won’t. Besides,” Tamara frowned, “she wasn’t looking forward to this meeting.”
“Well, okay. Let her know I’m here.” She moved to the elegant waiting area, admiring the two antique chairs that had been with the Ross’ since they’d founded the company. The scent of the lilies in the large floral arrangement drifted to her, bringing back memories of Kelly Ross. No matter what time of the year, her mother had required the florist to have lilies in every bouquet.
In a few minutes, Ariana exited her office ushering a tall, thin, unhappy man out the door. Either he hadn’t swayed her into the purchase of his station or he had the worst pleased expression she’d ever seen.
She walked him to the elevator before she returned to Kate. “Thank you. I thought that man was going to cry when I told him I wasn’t interesting in his station.”
“Ariana, you can be so mean,” Kate teased.
“Mean has nothing to do with it.” Ariana waved her hand. “It’s about business. I’ll read his proposal, but it’d best be better than his pitch if he wants me to buy it.”
If Kate came to work at Ross Communication, she’d leave these types of meetings to Ariana. She didn’t think she’d be able to say no to someone who looked like they were going to cry. Maybe she was too soft for corporate America.
“Are we still on for the Children’s Hospital?”
“Of course we are.” Ariana turned toward her office. “Come on, let’s take a minute.”
They entered Ariana’s spacious office. Her desk, a sleek cherry-wood design, sat prominently in the center of the room. Off to one side was a matching cherry-wood meeting table with six tan chairs. On the other side of the room a comfortable seating area with a couch and two Queen Anne chairs faced each other. Ariana held a lot of high profile meetings in her office, and the office had been perfectly outfitted for them. It was perfect for Ariana but not for Kate.
She sat in a chair and accepted the bottle of water her sister had opened for her. Another inconvenience of having her right hand bandaged.
Ariana sat on the couch, adjusted her skirt and took a sip of water. “How’s the hand?”
“It’s just sore.” Earlier, she’d automatically reached down for the gear shift with her right hand and thought she might have busted stitches. It still throbbed terribly, but she didn’t want her sister to worry any more than she already did.
“I still can’t believe you were shot. You’re lucky you didn’t get killed.”
“I am lucky Jesse saw the gun in time to knock me to the ground.”
A curious expression formed on Ariana’s face. “The guy you avoided at the hospital?”
“How’d you know?” She should have known her sister would figure out her odd behavior in her rush to leave the hospital.
“He wore a hole in the carpet in the waiting room while you were in surgery. I thought he was going to strangle the nurse when she wouldn’t let him back to see you in recovery.” Ariana smiled. “By the way, your partner is gorgeous.”
She didn’t know how to address the first part of what her sister had said. “AJ’s a great guy, but he’s too young for you. Besides, he’s a ladies’ man and plays the field.”
“Too bad. So tell me what’s up before we leave.”
Ariana could always read Kate, knew when she had something to say or something to hide. She’d never been able to keep a secret from her.
Ariana raised her eyebrows. “Kate?”
The floodgates opened and Kate told her everything. Her concern for her ability to do her job. The idea of working at Ross Communication. Catching her shooter. And, her date with Jesse and subsequent decision to keep away from him.
Like any good sister, Ariana sat and listened.
* * * * *
Kate and Ariana rode in Ariana’s Mercedes to the Children’s Hospital. The agents followed, not happy Kate had ignored AJ’s order to return home. They were even less happy when she told them they would not be able to enter the children’s rooms. Luckily, they couldn’t get AJ back on the phone, or she wouldn’t get away with ordering them around, senior agent or not.
The sisters made heavy donations to the charities they felt made a significant difference, but their parents raised them to make time to participate, give something of themselves. Volunteering at the Children’s Hospital topped their list of favorite charitable activities. Watching children fight for their lives with a positive attitude warmed their hearts. The resilience of these kids amazed them.
They entered the hospital and stopped in the lobby. Two sides of the lobby were surrounded by windows four stories high. Dozens of blue modern chairs placed around the lobby gave it an open, bright, comfortable feeling.
Kate greeted the receptionist by name before they walked to the large stairwell on the east side of the lobby. The new artwork in the hallway captured their attention as they made their way to Nurse Debi’s office. After knocking on the door, they entered to see a desk overflowing with paperwork. The nurse stood and hugged each of them.
“Hi, Ariana and Kate. It’s good to see you both.”
“Hi, Debi.” The overpowering scent of potpourri assailed Kate’s nose. She didn’t dare comment on it being too strong and too much in such a small office because she knew Debi made it herself and took pride in it.
The nurse put her hands in her cat covered smock pockets. “I’m glad you’re here. The children always enjoy your visits.”
“Where would you like us today?” Ariana’s business suit had been replaced with a pair of slacks and silk blouse. Kate wished she could get her sister to wear jeans and relax completely.
“I can’t wait to see Jason again. Is he still here or has he been discharged?” No home awaited Jason. His parents died in a home invasion right after he’d been admitted. He and Kate had bonded on her weekly visits. He fought his Leukemia with gusto.
Debi’s smile faded. “He’s still with us but started declining.”
Kate’s heart sank. He couldn’t lose his battle. He should be living the normal life of a child. He dreamed of trying out for football. She looked forward to watching him play.
“Well, let’s get to it, shall we?” Ariana turned to the door.
“You know the way, so I don’t need to escort you. I need to catch up on paperwork.” Debi waved a handful of paper. “Enjoy your time with the children and stop back by on your way out. I’d love to hear how it went.”
They hadn’t visited the hospital since their last donation that had been earmarked for the remodeling of the playroom. They walked into the playroom and smiled. Each wall had been painted a primary color and had a large mural featuring children’s favorite characters, like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, painted on the
m. Different sized children’s tables and chairs were scattered throughout the room. The once nearly empty toy bins were overflowing with toys and books.
Ariana scanned the room. “It looks like we have a full room today.”
“Look at Seth. Last time we were here, he was bedridden. It’s good to see him up and about.” Seth, at six years old, had been at the hospital for months. He was a precocious and lovable little boy.
“I’m headed to the train table with the boys. I’ll leave you to play with Seth.” Ariana walked away. She’d been a girly-girl growing up, but every time they visited, she went straight for the boy toys.
Kate made her way around the playroom. She stepped around the Lego tower being built by two children. She ruffled their hair as she passed. Children at the coloring tables looked up, smiled and waved at her knowing she’d color with them before she went on individual room visits.
Seth jumped up from the building blocks he played with, ran to her and hugged her tightly. “Kate, you’ve come back. Just like you said you would.”
She laughed at his exuberance. “I missed you. I had to come back and visit.” She looked him over, noticing the positive change in him.
“Did you see that I’m playing? I don’t have to stay in the bed no more. Doc Boyd says I’m getting better.” He displayed a big grin on his face. “What happened to your hand? Did you get a boo-boo?”
She broke into a wide, open smile. “I’m so glad to hear you’re getting better. Are you ready to play with me? I can’t do much with this boo-boo, but I’m willing to try.” Telling him how she got the injury would start an entire conversation she didn’t want to have with a child.
He grabbed her good hand. “Come on. I know just what we’ll do.”
* * * * *
Playing with the children had worn Kate out. She and Ariana began their individual room visits.
“I’d like to visit Jason first.” Kate looked at her sister, unable to hide the pain in her eyes. She knew not every child survived their Leukemia, but she wanted Jason to be one of the survivors. He meant too much to her.
“Okay.”
She hesitated at his partially open door. A commotion down the hallway got her attention. After a gunshot rang out, she moved swiftly down the hall.
A man attempted to pull a child out of a room where a nurse lay bleeding and unconscious on the floor.
Before Kate could block the exit, her protective detail jumped in front of her, their weapons drawn. “FBI. Drop it.”
She tapped Agent Keller on the shoulder. “I’ve got this.”
He nodded but didn’t move from in front of her.
She spoke around the agents. “William, let him go. You know you aren’t supposed to be here. Billy is staying.”
“Stay out of this. He’s my son, and he’s leaving with me.”
“That’s not going to happen today, William. The court says he stays and you’re not allowed to visit. He has to be treated and trying to beat the devil out of him as you put it, isn’t going to do it.”
On a previous visit a concerned nurse had advised her of the court order and William’s insistence he take his son home.
He pointed the weapon at his struggling son. “Move or I shoot him.”
Tears streamed down Billy’s face. His small body trembled.
“Not going to happen. We’re not going to let you out of here with him.”
“Drop your guns and move. I’ll shoot him if you don’t let us pass.”
Billy’s eyes widened, and he stopped struggling.
She told the agents to put their weapons away and leave the room. They refused, so she pushed her way in front of them.
“Look, William, you don’t have to do this. Hand me the gun, and we’ll call it a day.”
“I said move. I’m not leaving without him.” He tightened his grip on his son’s arm.
Billy cried out in pain and fear.
She slowly advanced toward them. “William, hand me the gun.”
His hand shook. “Don’t come any closer.”
She stopped arms-length away from them. She reached out her hand midway between them and kept her voice soft and calm. “Hand it here, William.”
His eyes darted around the room resting on the two federal agents behind Kate. He swallowed and lowered the weapon. Kate reached out and removed it from his grasp.
“Now let Billy go.”
He looked at his son. “He’s my son. He belongs with me.”
“I understand this is hard for you, but Billy belongs here right now. So, let him go.”
He let his son go. He lunged at her, and she elbowed him in the face then sucker-punched him with her left hand. He doubled over, grasping his bleeding nose.
“You can take him.” The agents had already rushed around Kate grabbing William.
Agent Brent pulled William’s arms behind his back. Agent Keller rushed to the nurse and checked for a pulse. After given the all clear, a waiting doctor hurried into the room.
Kate turned to the child. “It’s okay, Billy. It’s all over. Let’s go down the hall and get something to drink.”
His arms wrapped around her legs, his sobs breaking her heart. No kid deserved the treatment he’d received at the hands of his father. Getting him out of the room became a priority for her so he didn’t see the nurse and blood on the floor or his father being arrested.
“Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you.”
A nurse led them to an empty room. Kate settled him in the new room and waited until he finally calmed and fell asleep.
After dealing with the police, she and Ariana arrived back at Jason’s door. She smiled at the thought of seeing him again and knocked.
“Yeah?”
They entered the room.
“Kate! Ariana!”
They approached the bed and Jason reached over and gave each of them a hug. Kate held on tight. She couldn’t let go. She needed to give him her strength to fight his current infection.
“I’d hoped you’d come by today.”
“We’re glad to see you. I hear you’ve been good for the doctors and nurses.” Kate reluctantly released him. She refused to wait this long again to see him.
He hugged Ariana. “Well, they mean well.” Jason, at twelve, acted like a young adult. He’d missed a great deal of a regular childhood due to his Leukemia.
“So, tell us. What’s been happening?” Ariana cringed after she’d said it.
He frowned. “They’re keeping me in bed most of the time. They won’t let me go play. They haven’t told me, but I know that I’m not getting better.” His serious tone held too much resolve in it. As if he’d accepted his fate.
Tears formed in Kate’s eyes, and she blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. He couldn’t see them. She had to be strong for him. “I’m sure it won’t be long that you’ll be back out there playing.” God, she hoped so.
“I have to. I have to be strong to be a quarterback. I want to be ready for next season.” He picked up the worn football lying next to him in bed.
Her heart ached. He may never leave the hospital, may never get to play football. If his infection wouldn’t improve, his chance dwindled.
“I bet you’ll beat out all the other boys for the position.” If he got out of here, Kate would hire him a coach to help him become the best quarterback his school has ever seen.
“I’m reading a Harry Potter book, and it’s so long. Will you read me a few chapters, please?”
She nodded and smiled. “We’d love to read to you.” Doing something normal with him would help keep her from breaking down and crying.
Kate and Ariana took turns reading chapters aloud. They read about some stone Harry said someone was trying to steal. It enthralled him.
He stopped Kate at the end of a chapter. “That’s enough. I’ll read the rest later.”
She closed the book and set it on his nightstand. “It’s a good book. There are more Harry Potter books after this. Are you going to read them all?”<
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“Yes. I like Harry. He’s a good wizard, and he’s going to beat that bad wizard.”
Kate laughed. “That he is.”
“I know you visit other kids while you’re here, so it’s okay if you have to leave.” He was such a polite and respectful child. His parents had done a wonderful job raising him. What would happen to him now?
“I think I’ll do just that. I miss some of the other kids, too.” Ariana gave him a hug. “Goodbye, Jason. You keep fighting.” She left the room.
“What about you, Kate?”
She reached for his hand and smiled. “I can stay with you as long as you want.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
A thunderstorm darkened the sky. The fat raindrops pounding on Kate’s car hadn’t let up since she’d picked up her car at Ross Communication. Her car headlights had little effect breaking through the blackness that accompanied the heavy rainfall. It was a reprieve to see a streak of lightning flash across the star hidden sky, highlighting the skyline. Even though expected, the loud clap of thunder that immediately followed startled her.
After parking her car, she reached for her umbrella. Luckily it had a push-button mechanism to open it. Not waiting for her protective detail, she opened her car door, popped open the red and white polka dot umbrella and moved at a brisk pace toward her apartment, hoping Joy, her dog sitter, had stayed with Dottie since her dog got antsy during storms.
Arriving on her doorstep with wet shoes and pant legs, she cursed at not being able to close her umbrella. Brushing off her frustration, the open umbrella landed on the doorstep, and she pulled her keys from her purse. She didn’t need to wait for her detail to clear the place. She could do it herself.
A muffled, deep, male voice sounded from her apartment, and she automatically reached for the missing weapon on her hip. Pain shot through her hand from the contact with her side. Before she could remove the weapon from her purse, Joy laughed and she relaxed. It must be Doug, Joy’s boyfriend, visiting.
She quietly stepped inside and scanned the room for the visitor, catching sight of two handsome men. AJ and Jesse. What were they doing here? Maybe AJ had good news for her, but why would Jesse be here with him?