by Francis Ray
“Hi. You ready for me to pick you up?” Marlene asked.
“Yes. Dillon and Samantha are on their way here now. They’ll leave the front gate unlocked for you.”
The cranky security man at the entrance had made it clear in Samantha and Dillon’s joint office, when she’d asked him to stay until Roman was ready to leave, that he had plans and wasn’t staying once his shift was up. He was tired of working late because they couldn’t get their work done on time.
Dillon had shot up from his seat, but Samantha had waved him aside and stood, her palm faceup as she’d asked for the gate keys. The man had hesitated, then slapped them in her hand with a smirk.
Tossing them on her desk, Samantha had told him that Collins might not be a good fit for him any longer.
His shocked expression had been priceless, his apologies useless. Samantha had told him they’d discuss it Monday at eight in her office, dismissing him by taking her seat. He’d slunk off like a whipped puppy. To Dillon’s “Well done,” Samantha had said, “I learned from the best. You.” Since they were staring at each other hungrily, Roman had gone back to work.
“I’m leaving now. Bye,” Marlene said.
“Bye.” Roman disconnected the call. It was his problem that he wanted her to depend on him for something, to trust him with her love. She’d freak out if she knew how much he loved her. He’d been falling since the moment he saw her. It had been so easy to love her. She deserved to be loved, pampered, treasured. And she was so afraid to take that final step.
He just hoped he got the chance. Straightening, he moved the curser to print the file. As the laser printer spit out the sheets, he slid the top on the portable thumb drive that contained backup files of all the information.
Outside his office door, he heard voices and recognized them as Dillon and Samantha. He blew out a breath. This wasn’t going to be easy.
“Who is it?” Dillon asked as soon as he and Samantha came through the door.
“Please tell me it isn’t one of the longtime employees,” Samantha said, her hand in Dillon’s.
“I wish I could, Samantha.” Roman reached for the inch-thick stack of sheets on the printer. “The embezzlement goes back three years. The reason no one caught on is because accounts payable simply paid invoices. There was no reason for them to check with shipping to ensure that the merchandise had actually been shipped.”
“But you did?” Dillon asked.
“Yes. Although Collins had lost a few accounts, production was up ten percent from last year. As you thought, there was no way the company should have been in such a bad financial position.” Roman shook his head. “Unfortunately, your grandfather only saw the decline of capital, the lost accounts, and thought the company was in trouble. Without matching shipping to invoices, it would have been impossible to tell someone was embezzling from the company.”
“Who is it?” Dillon’s voice was cold.
Roman looked at Samantha before answering. “Evan Collins.”
Shocked raced across her face. She felt numb and pulled her hand from Dillon’s. “No, he wouldn’t do that.” She rounded the desk to stare at the computer screen. “Someone must have used his name.”
His mouth tight, Dillon curved his arm around her shoulder.
“I checked and double-checked, Samantha. I’m sorry,” Roman told her. “In the past three years, fake invoices were submitted by your uncle payable to Frazier and Company for well over a million dollars.”
Her eyes briefly shut. “That’s my aunt’s maiden name. She had a business account to be able to go to the Dallas Mart and Design District and shop.”
“Since he was V.P., no one questioned him. The same way they paid his expenses without question,” Roman told them. “Besides the inflated expenditures, he’s given copies of bogus receipts.”
“It’s hard to believe he’d do that to his own father.” Samantha swallowed hard.
“He’s stolen his last penny from Collins,” Dillon promised. “He’s going to jail.”
“I think not,” Evan said, a gun in his hand.
Eighteen
Dillon stepped in front of Samantha. “Put that down.”
“I’m not going to jail.” Evan motioned with the gun. “Move away from the computer. Samantha, shred those papers. It will be your word against mine once the evidence is destroyed.”
Roman handed the paper to Sam. “Do as he says.”
Sam took the sheets, but she didn’t move. “How could you do this to your father? He died thinking he’d failed.”
“Shut up!” Evan shouted, advancing farther into the room. “You shut up. I worked all of my life for Collins. This company should have been mine.”
“So no one would ever know you stole?” Dillon asked.
“You have a big mouth. Maybe I should silence it.”
“No.” Sam rushed to shred the papers. “I’m doing as you say. There’s no need to hurt anyone.”
“Listen to you, caring for this nothing.” Evan wiped perspiration from his forehead. “I thought he was here alone since his truck was outside, but you made your choice.”
“The papers are shredded,” Roman said. “You can leave.”
“Smash that computer,” Evan ordered.
Roman didn’t hesitate. The monitor crashed to the floor.
“You think I’m stupid?” Evan riled. “I meant the tower under your desk.”
Roman reached for the tower. Dillon’s hand on his arm stopped him. “Your mother is on her way here,” Roman whispered tightly.
“What did you say?” Evan took a step closer. “Try something, and I’ll use this gun.”
Roman disconnected the wires to the tower and dropped the tower on top of the broken monitor. The crash vibrated around the small room.
“Why?” Samantha asked, her voice quivering.
“I had expenses. Gambling debts.” Evan’s voice trembled.
“You could have gone to Grandfather.” Samantha had tears in her eyes. “You didn’t have to steal from him.”
“He would have told me to clean up my mess.”
“And you should have,” Dillon told him.
Evan swung the gun on Dillon. “Shut up. This is all your fault, and that mother of yours.”
“You have what you came for, you can leave,” Roman told him.
“I have the gun. I give the orders.” Evan’s hands shook.
Sam took a couple of steps toward her uncle. “We can work this out.”
“Sam, don’t,” Dillon warned.
“You stay where you are!” Evan shouted angrily. “If it wasn’t for you, Daddy would have left me the company. You tried to take what’s mine, and now you’re going to pay.”
“No!” Samantha’s desperate scream joined that of Marlene’s just outside the door.
Evan glanced over his shoulder, then back as Dillon lunged for him. Stumbling back, Evan fired the gun. Dillon didn’t stop, his hard fist connecting solidly with Evan’s chin. Evan went down and didn’t get up.
Dillon turned to check on Sam. His world tilted. She was on the floor, her eyes closed, a ribbon of blood running from her temple.
With a cry of pain and rage, he crossed the room, gently taking her from Roman and wrapping his arms around her. Tears stung his eyes. He was unaware of the passing time, of the sheriff and the ambulance attendants rushing into the room, of his mother telling Roman that she’d arrived soon after Evan and called the police.
“She’s alive, Dillon.”
He heard his mother as if from a distance. This couldn’t be happening.
“The ambulance is here, Dillon. Let them help her.”
Faintly he recognized Roman’s shaky voice, saw his mother crying beside him. He tried to speak, couldn’t. He was afraid to let her go. It was as if, as long as he held her, she wouldn’t … A guttural sound of pain slipped from his mouth. He couldn’t lose her.
“Dillon, you have to let her go to the hospital.” On her knees, his mother took his face in he
r hands. “Listen, Dillon. Let them have her. I know it hurts, but you can’t help her this way.”
He felt tears slide down his face. His hold loosened. Two sets of hands were there to take Sam and put her on the gurney.
“I didn’t mean it. The gun went off by accident. You have to believe me.”
The numbness Dillon felt turned to red-hot rage. He came to his feet and went for Evan. Wide-eyed, Evan scuttled back. One policeman reached for Dillon. He batted the hand away, kept walking. Then his mother was in front of him, Roman by her side.
“Samantha needs you. They’re taking her to the hospital. When she wakes up she’ll want to see you. She needs you.”
“Let’s roll.”
Dillon’s head jerked around as he heard the snap of the gurney rising to its full height. The two E.M.T.s rushed past him with Sam, the white sheet up to her neck. She looked pale, lifeless. Dillon felt his insides knot.
“Nothing will save you if anything happens to her,” he said to Evan, then hurried out the door to catch up with the gurney.
* * *
Directly behind Dillon, Roman held Marlene’s arm with one hand and called his brother-in-law with the other. He didn’t want his family hearing about the shooting on the news. Then, too, they’d want to be there for Dillon.
“Hello.”
Watching the E.M.T.s load an unconscious Samantha into the ambulance, the two police cars with lights running, he talked fast. “The audit I did went bad. Samantha was shot. She’s unconscious with a head injury. They’re loading her into the ambulance now.”
“Oh, God. Anyone else hurt?”
“No. Just Samantha. We need your prayers.”
Marlene moved to pull Dillon away from trying to get into the back of the ambulance. “You have to ride up front. Roman and I will be right behind you.”
“You know you have them,” Nathan said. “We’re coming.”
Since he knew it wouldn’t do any good to tell them there was no need, he didn’t try. “I’m not sure where the hospital is located.”
“We’ll find it.”
“Thanks.” Roman went to Marlene and curved his arm around her waist as the passenger door shut and the ambulance took off with sirens blaring.
* * *
Sam wouldn’t wake up. She’d been in the ER for almost an hour, her private room half that time. The sheriff had tried to talk to Dillon, but he’d been too angry and scared and referred him to Roman. Dillon’s only focus was Sam getting well. He’d paced the ER waiting room, his thoughts in disarray. He kept thinking how happy they’d been that day, how full of life she was.
Carson and his parents had arrived with hugs and prayers. Dillon had been too restless to sit and carry on a conversation. Carson had matched him step for step, silently giving him his support.
Now, sitting by her bed, Dillon held Sam’s hand and prayed. The resident in the emergency room said he “thought” she would be all right since the small-caliber bullet had only grazed her temple. He’d requested a neurological consult for the next day. Dillon didn’t plan to wait that long. He eased his hand from Sam’s, took out his phone and dialed information.
In seconds he was speaking to Dr. Cade Mathis’s answering service. Before he could finish telling her about Sam, the woman said that Dr. Mathis was out of town on an emergency. She wasn’t sure when he’d return.
Feeling helpless, fighting anger, Dillon disconnected the call and bowed his head. The door opened behind him. He didn’t look up. His mother and Roman had been in and out of the room to check on Sam, and him too, he supposed. He didn’t know if Carson and his parents had left or not.
“I called the neurosurgeon I met yesterday. He’s supposed to be the best, but he’s out of town.”
“I heard you needed me.”
Dillon jumped up, almost knocking over the chair. “Dr. Mathis.”
With him was the resident, staring worshipfully at Cade. “He’s the best in the state, probably the nation.”
“Call me Cade. Nathan called. Sorry it took so long. I needed to finish late rounds.” Cade moved to the bedside and stared down at Sam. “I’ve already checked her X-rays and CT scan. All look good.”
“She won’t wake up,” Dillon said, watching intently as Cade examined Sam.
Finished, the doctor looked up. “The brain has a marvelous mechanism to protect itself from unpleasant things. It simply shuts down. I understand that before she was injured, your life was threatened.”
“Yes.” Dillon’s face hardened. Evan was going to pay for this.
“How would you describe your relationship?” Cade asked.
Complicated. Passionate. Dillon searched for a word and finally said what was in his heart. “I love her.”
Cade smiled as if he knew the admission wasn’t easy. “Her not waking up might have more to do with not wanting to face you being injured more than her own injury.” Cade looked down at Sam. “Have you been talking to her?”
“He said to let her rest.” Dillon picked up Sam’s hand. “I’ve just held her hand and prayed.”
“I thought it best,” the resident explained quickly.
“In most cases, but this time I think Ms. Collins needs to hear his voice,” Cade said.
“I’ll talk nonstop if I have to,” Dillon promised.
“I want to order a few more tests before I leave,” Cade told him.
Panic hit Dillon. He grabbed the doctor’s arm. “You’re leaving?”
“I have a seven o’clock surgery that can’t be postponed. She should be awake by then, but if not, I’ll be back tomorrow after I make evening rounds.”
Dillon stared into Cade’s face, met his direct stare, and knew he could trust him. “Thank you. Whatever your bill, I’ll gladly pay it.”
“Getting her well is all the thanks I need. I’ll go order those tests.”
Dillon retook his seat and kissed Sam’s hand when the door closed. “You hear that, Sam? Cade said you’re going to be all right. All you have to do is open those pretty eyes. If you can manage before he leaves, not only will I give you a key to every car, truck, and motorcycle I own, I’ll teach you how to drive them.”
* * *
Marlene was in the waiting room with Roman’s sister and her family, Dr. Mathis’s fiancée, and another couple, Zachary and Madison Holman, who had come with them. She couldn’t thank Nathan enough for having the foresight to contact Dr. Mathis. The way the staff had stared at him, he must be the best.
Seeing Dr. Mathis come through the waiting room door, she came unsteadily to her feet. She felt Roman’s arm around her, helping her to keep it together.
Dr. Mathis stopped in front of her. “I believe she’s all right. I want to run a few more tests, but I expect her to wake up shortly. If she doesn’t, I’ll return tomorrow night.”
Tears crested in Marlene’s eyes. “Thank you. We were so worried.”
“I told you, if it was possible for her to be helped, Cade would find a way,” said his fiancée, Sabrina Thomas.
Dr. Mathis sent Sabrina a smile filled with love. “My one-man cheering squad. I’ll go order those tests.”
“Marlene, please drink the coffee Roman brought you,” Tess urged.
Marlene turned to Roman and went into his arms, crying softly. “I was so scared.”
Holding her tightly, he kissed her on the top of her head. “Me too. You want to go back to her room for a bit?”
Marlene sniffed and straightened, drying her eyes with the fresh tissue Tess handed her. Carson’s mother was beautiful, with laughing black eyes; she’d always been friendly and down-to-earth despite her husband’s millions.
“Thank you for coming.” Marlene took the other woman’s hands, her gaze going to Nathan standing by her side. Tall, elegant, and handsome, he was a man you could count on. He’d certainly proven that tonight. “You helped us get through this.”
“You know we love Dillon.” Tess cut a look at Roman. “Something tells me you’re the reason Roman ha
s been so late returning to Dallas.”
“Real subtle, Tess,” Roman said, his arm back around Marlene.
“If you don’t ask…” Tess shrugged and grinned.
Marlene stared up at Roman. “I wouldn’t have made it through this if you hadn’t been here for me to lean on.”
“As long as you need and want me, I’ll be here,” he said, his voice throbbing with sincerity.
The door swung open. “Ms. Collins is waking up. Her fiancé wanted you to know,” a nurse informed them.
Everyone took off. Roman had told the ER staff that Dillon was Samantha’s fiancé so he could get updates on her and stay in her room.
In a matter of seconds they were all crowded around Samantha’s bed, openly flaunting the “no visitors after eight” rule. Marlene reached for Roman’s hand, and his fingers locked with hers.
“Come on, Sam, you can do it,” Dillon coaxed. “Keep those eyes open this time if you want the keys to everything I drive.”
Carson whistled. “You sure know how to bribe a woman.”
Fighting tears of happiness, Marlene watched Samantha’s eyelids slowly open. “I won’t even be upset that he let you drive them before I do.”
“Dillon.” His name was the barest whisper of sound, but he heard it.
“That’s right, baby. I’m here, just waiting for you to wake up.”
“Head hurts. I—” Her eyes widened as she tried to lift her hand toward his face. “The gun went off.”
Dillon caught her hand, kissed her palm. “I’m all right.” He looked at his mother for guidance. He didn’t know how much to tell her.
“The bullet missed Dillon and grazed your head,” Marlene said softly.
Her unsteady hand lifted to the bandage on her head. “The last thing I remember is Dillon going for my uncle.” She frowned at him. “Stupid.”
“It’s my fault you were hurt,” Dillon managed. “I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Uncle Evan’s fault, not yours.”
“Looks like the patient woke up.” Cade stood at the foot of the bed. “How are you feeling, Ms. Collins?”
“This is your doctor, baby,” Dillon told her.
“Head hurts. A bit groggy,” she answered.