Watson Manor My Journey Home (Watson Manor Mystery Series Book 4)

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Watson Manor My Journey Home (Watson Manor Mystery Series Book 4) Page 12

by Ronald S. Craig


  "Shit happens and you move on, Henry. Sandy's done her job and it will all be behind us tomorrow." She pressed the mute button and said, "Take the van back to the rental lot in Phoenix, can you at least get there by tomorrow?"

  "Yes, sorry … ."

  "Save it!" She cut him off and disconnected to call.

  Chapter 22

  Wall clocks in hospital emergency waiting rooms seem to run slower, lacking the sense of urgency surrounding the area's purpose. I'd sat, paced, attempted distraction in three magazines without success until Special Agent Baker of the FBI approached me an hour-and-a-half after they'd rushed Charlie off to surgery.

  "Jenny, how is he?"

  "Still in surgery. He'd lost more blood than I'd originally realized. Sandy's down the hall. I haven't heard how she's doing either."

  "Walker called me, explained the situation. Said to tell you, he'd be here as soon as he could get away from the scene. I have agents escorting Randy Staples, that’s the other man, to San Jose."

  "I couldn't let them take Sandy away. I hope that didn't screw this all up for you."

  "Actually, once again, Jenny, your involvement has been a blessing. Sandy's out of harm's way and not a possible casualty if we need to take the rental house by force. Walker also told me, without details, they convinced Randy Staples to relay the message that Sandy had died."

  I was a little confused by his smile and calm words. I had convinced myself that when I saw Special Agent Baker after what we'd done, it was going to be the unleashing of a viscous, growling junkyard dog.

  I guessed that he saw the puzzlement in my gaze at him when he said, "Jenny, I had too many balls in the air, all focused on getting McBride to the drop. You, Charlie and Walker did what was, and should have been my priority, so thank you. I'm sorry that Charlie was shot in the process." He squeezed my hand and I watched him walk over to the nurse's station. They talked a few minutes and he turned back and motioned for me to join him.

  "Any word on my husband?" I asked the nurse when I reached the desk.

  "I just sent someone in to get an update for you, Mrs. Watson."

  "Sandy's awake, Jenny. Apparently, she is not only looking very good, but is also very hungry. Do you want to join me?"

  "Of course." I looked at the nurse and she saw the question.

  "Yes, don't worry. We'll find you there, Mrs. Watson."

  I was surprised when we entered Sandy's room that she was sitting up in bed and was still wearing the clothes she'd had on when I brought her there. Her doctor spotted us in the doorway as he was removing the blood pressure band from her arm. "Looks very good, also, Sandy. I'll be right back." We joined him across the hall.

  "Her abductors apparently wanted her to wake up around this time and she woke up on her own about thirty minutes ago. The good news is, she's healthy, dehydrated a little, but with a positive appetite. The best news is that my initial examination indicated there was no need to run a rape kit." The doctor was smiling.

  "Thank God. They've had her several days. You're sure?" I couldn't help but ask him.

  "Sandy has never had intercourse, voluntary or otherwise, that I'm certain of."

  "Is she in good enough shape to talk with us, Doctor?" Baker asked.

  "I want to check her again after she eats. If there are no adverse reactions, she could still be released tonight."

  "Wow, that is encouraging. My husband is in surgery now. I'll be staying here tonight. Maybe Chief Walker can take her home when he gets here."

  "Let's go talk with Sandy for now, Jenny," Baker said leading me back across the hall toward Sandy's room. We were intercepted in the hall by a young male, dressed in pale green scrubs and removing a surgical mask.

  "Mrs. Watson?"

  "Yes," I was holding my breath.

  "Mr. Watson will be fine. There was extensive internal suturing required in removing the bullet and repairing its path. The surgeon is closing the external wound now and he'll be moved to recovery within the hour. He probably won't be awake until morning though."

  "But I can see him before then? Can't I?"

  "I'll come get you in a couple-of-hours if you're staying tonight."

  "Oh, yeah! I'm staying. Thank you for the great news." We watched him walk back in the direction he had come.

  "That is great news. I'm very relieved, Jenny."

  "Let's go watch Sandy devour dinner." I was able to smile again. She was in fact eating when we entered her room.

  "Sandy, I'm Special Agent Baker with the FBI, and this," he said moving me forward, "is Jenny Watson, the key person in your rescue team tonight."

  "Thank you, Ms. Watson. I owe you a great deal."

  "It's just Jenny. There were three of us, my husband Charlie and Police Chief Rodney Walker. But how are you doing from all of this, Sandy? It must have been terrifying for you?"

  "At times, yes. I knew strangers were holding me captive. I don't have a feel for how long I was there. A day, two, a week. I remember walking back to the dorms. I'd just had dinner at Barney's Grill just off campus and a man was asking for directions to the student center. I turned, pointing to the student center and suddenly, I couldn't breathe. My mouth was covered and a sickening smell. I'd talked to Dad. Oh my God, is he OK? Can I call my Dad?"

  "Of course, Sandy. We'll get you home." I wanted to calm her concerns.

  "Sandy, it's more complicated than that. Your father, Don Richards and you are both safe," Baker said. "The two men that were holding you are in FBI custody and no longer a threat to you."

  "My God Baker, he needs to know his daughter is safe!"

  "He will, Jenny. We have an agent at Benson that will inform him of her safety first thing in the morning, when he goes to work."

  "What's going on? Why can't I go home tonight? My parents must be going crazy with worry?" She set the remainder of her dinner on the bed beside her.

  "Sandy, we, both the FBI and your family, need your help and understanding. So, I'll explain what's going on and why you need to stay protected with us for now."

  "But, there must be someway … ," I said when he cut me off.

  "Jenny, Sandy, please hear me out. There is nothing I'd like more than for this to be over and you, Sandy, back with your parents. You were kidnapped to force your father to cooperate with a man seeking to obtain valuable information from Branson Systems. We believe you were brought here from Arizona tonight because the exchange is set up for tomorrow. Your father pulled into his garage at five-thirty-six tonight and is safely at home now with your mother. We have agents watching, but they also have eyes on your parent's home. What we don't know, is if they have a tap on his cell phone, or on the home phone line."

  "I told you where he is, Baker. Take him and his crew at the rented house to shut him down."

  "And what do I hold him with, Jenny? What charges do I have to eliminate him as a threat to the Richards family when he walks away from me? There is nothing yet. I, no, we all need McBride's hands on the information from Don Richards."

  I looked between him and Sandy, and realized that this time he was probably right. McBride was too smart and way too familiar with FBI and police procedure to have left a trail at this point. "Sandy, I think he's right. Your father, probably going crazy with worry, is however safe until he hands over the information."

  "I understand that part. But they have to know you rescued me, and it's over for them, they have nothing to barter with."

  "That's the critical part in all of this, Sandy, and I know it's also the hardest. They have your father in motion because he believes your life depends on it. We also know enough about your father's integrity that if he knew you were safe with us, he'd never betray Benson. McBride believes he still has your father's complete focus. One of the men transporting you tonight was convinced by us to tell McBride that you died along the way and your body would never be found. I don't mean to be morbid here, but you need the whole picture. The other man is in the morgue."

  "When the man you'
re holding doesn't show up, he'll know then," Sandy said.

  "Hello Sandy, I'm Chief Walker and am so pleased to see you." He walked into the room and continued, "We got a real break with McBride's second mistake. That van scared him with forensic evidence of your being transported in it and he ordered them to take it back to Arizona, immediately."

  "I am so glad you're here, Chief," I needed the hug he offered me. "You got the update on Charlie?"

  "Just out of surgery, I was told coming in. Strong vitals', but he won't be dancing for a few days."

  "Charlie? That's your husband, Jenny? He was hurt?" I saw another layer of concern masking Sandy's face.

  "Charlie knows you're safe, Sandy. That'll be his best medicine." I worked on a comforting smile. "The man, that Agent Baker told you was in the morgue, well, he shot Charlie before he died."

  "Sandy, that's Jenny's short and modest version," Walker said and turned from facing me, still in his hug, to face Sandy. "After he fired at Charlie, he'd turned to run. Jenny here," he paused at my growing embarrassment for effect, and then continued, "Jenny was behind the wheel of our car, hit the gas hard and smashed him into a dumpster. He was pinned there until Charlie could return fire."

  "I think you are only serving to further terrify her, Gentlemen!" I told them sternly and moved toward Sandy. "Mug books and further questions can wait, Sandy." I picked up her food tray and handed it to her. "This is your priority now so please eat. If you want something better, between all of us, one of us will go get it for you."

  "Now that you've brought it up, Jenny, there was pizza and burgers on the way here and I'm taking orders."

  Baker moved over beside Sandy. "I can wait until you're released and then take you to a safe house in San Jose for tonight."

  I know, I need to work on being a little more reserved, or more bluntly put, as you're probably thinking, to stay out of everything, but give me a break, it just slipped out. "Or Sandy, you can have a real meal with Chief Walker and me. Get some rest and meet my Charlie in the morning, and we'll drive you home tomorrow when Agent Baker gives us the all's clear."

  She smiled at me, and then turned to face Baker. "I really like that version much better, Agent Baker."

  "Actually, Sandy, so do I." Baker patted her arm. He turned to Walker. "Maria Sanchez, our agent inside of Branson Systems, may be calling you in the morning when she talks to Mr. Richards."

  "I'll be here. I know Mr. Richards is the key to your nailing McBride, and if you can't risk telling him first thing in the morning, get him in touch with Sandy as soon as possible."

  "That's a promise," he said and left the room.

  "I think he meant it Chief."

  "I most certainly did," Baker said walking back into the room. "I'll be right beside your father the moment he's clear. I want the first thing he hears is to be your voice, Sandy." He handed her his phone. "Hold down the red memo button and speak to your father. I'm sorry it only holds thirty seconds."

  She held the phone a moment and it was clear her emotions were taking hold and choking her. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes, then pressed the red button. "I love you, Daddy and am very safe tonight, rescued by new friends. They didn't hurt me, Daddy, the kidnappers I mean, they are in jail and I'm completely OK with a bear hug and kiss for you and mom just moments away." She released the red button and looked at me. I was totally worthless and completely in tears, extremely grateful that Chief Walker was there and could tell her that her message was perfect.

  "I'll be there for that moment also, Sandy," Baker forced out, retrieved his phone and left the room quickly. We were all very quiet for several minutes and I needed to sit down on the bed beside Sandy and took her hand.

  "Okay, I think we were discussing dinner options," Walker said finally bringing us back.

  "Chief, you said McBride's second mistake?" I asked him.

  "Obviously, thinking he could intimidate Charlie into silence. A major mistake, and the only reason we are having dinner with this beautiful young lady. We'll see McBride locked up. We call it 'Watson stubborn' at Marina PD."

  "The nicest compliment you've ever given us, Chief."

  "And exactly the intended meaning."

  Chief Walker blessed us with a feast of cheese burgers and pizza and we enjoyed dinner in Sandy's room for about an hour when I was given the all clear that I could see Charlie. I gave Sandy a hug and told her I'd see her in the morning. It occurred to me with McBride thinking Sandy was at the bottom of a reservoir, that she was finally safe from his reach. Walker simply said that he had no place better to be. He stayed close and without question was prepared to be our guardian.

  The man that delivered the news earlier in the hallway was beside Charlie when I entered the room. "Hello again, Mrs. Watson."

  "How's he doing, doctor?"

  "Actually, I'm a surgical nurse. Your husband was very lucky, not to imply getting shot was a fortunate thing, but he is looking at complete recovery by only an inch. I understand you two belong on our 'Wall of Fame' for a daring rescue tonight?"

  "I think we belong in your psycho ward for tempting fate."

  "Possibly that is an accurate definition of hero. I understand you'd like to stay here tonight with him."

  "Yes, I need to be close."

  "I'm pleased we had this double room available and you won't need to sleep in a chair tonight. Have you eaten? The cafeteria is still open."

  "I've eaten, thank you. Coming down from worry and panic, you sir, have instilled a tremendous reassurance that Charlie is in wonderful care here." I searched his chest for a name tag and simply added, "I'm Jenny and you are?"

  "Jenny, pleased to meet you, I'm Sam. The nursing staff will be in and out tonight and they are aware that you are staying. Dr. Mason will be checking on Charlie in the morning. You're free to use the restroom here and I hope you get a good night's sleep."

  "Thank you so much, Sam. In my book you're the unsung hero here."

  "Thank you, Jenny. Goodnight." Sam smiled and walked out the door.

  I stood beside Charlie's bed and held his hand. I was shaking and tears filled my eyes. It wasn't tears and emotion from the tremendous relief as I watched him breathe. The words an inch away from complete recovery and Watson stubborn brought guilt. It wasn't Watson stubborn that put Charlie in that hospital bed, it was Jenny stubborn. I wanted to tell him so many positive things, how much I loved him and the good from his sacrifice, but "Forgive me Charlie. I'm so sorry that I put you here," were my spoken words and thoughts. I leaned over and kissed him softly when I heard them at the door.

  "And forgive me, Charlie for not having your back when he drew his weapon," Walker said entering the room. "Most of all, Charlie, forgive me for not convincing your inspired wife to sit in our car in surveillance mode while Sandy was raped across the parking lot."

  I looked up at him and saw horror in Sandy's face behind him. "Hello Sandy."

  He turned quickly. "I never intended for you to know that, I'm so sorry, Sandy!"

  "After you'd left my room, I realized, I wanted to see Charlie also. Didn't intend to surprise you."

  "But you weren't raped, Sandy! Or physically exposed when Chief Walker pulled him out of the van." Trying desperately to reduce the shock.

  "Here I thought, it was just my life I was grateful to you all for. How close was I to being robbed of my … ."

  "What's important is that you didn't, not what could have happened," Walker said.

  "The last few days remain a fog. I'll never have those answers and maybe that is a blessing. I'm stronger than you give me credit for and want to know what you can tell me."

  Chief Walker pulled a chair over for Sandy and she sat down. He started with Charlie's abduction by McBride and ended with sliding the van door open, hearing the kidnapper's words with his pants down and Walker's relief that her underwear was still in place.

  "I'm grateful you told me, Chief Walker. And can add, grateful that I wasn't watching him in those moments befo
re you opened the door." Then watching Sandy produce a small smile, she said the most incredible thing. "I am sorry that I missed, and would have thoroughly enjoyed watching you toss his exposed ass on the ground." We all had to laugh at her ability to spin what happened into humor. Her gift, chipping away at my guilt, allowed the visual with her spin on it, to bring on another wave of healing laughter.

  *****

  I appreciated having the bed to sleep in, but was so tuned in to hearing him stir that every noise woke me. I finally gave up as the early morning nurse left the room and went into our private restroom to wash my face. I was dying to call home, but we still weren't sure if any of the phone lines at Watson Manor were tapped and I'd have to wait for Chief Walker to bring his phone in. It appeared that Charlie hadn't moved at all through the night and that was a little concerning to me, a side sleeper still flat on his back.

  I was holding his hand again and couldn't resist kissing him. I don't know if it was him returning that kiss or his arm pulling me in that startled me most, but I gave in to both. Even in the pain I knew he must be feeling, the frequency in the heart rate monitor was increasing in beeps-per-minute.

  "Seems that those internal wires are still connected," I told him.

  "Oh, is that you Jenny?" He attempting humor and instantly regretted it with the pain it brought to his side. With a moan he added, "Scratch the humor for a while."

  I located the pendant beside him and pressed the call button. "We'll get you some pain meds, Charlie."

  "I may need more of your distraction therapy until they get here."

  "What happened to, scratch the humor, mister?"

  "Who said I was kidding? Were you here all night?"

  "They gave me a bed. How are you doing?"

  "Glad you got me here in one piece, but sorry you needed to bring me here at all."

  "I'm so sorry you were shot, because of my pushing you into this."

 

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