She had no intention of being turned away. She reached in her purse and extracted her wallet. "I'm Mary Elyse Haley, Senator Sterling's sister-in-law." A small lie, but almost true. She showed the officer her driver's license.
"Just a minute," he said, and spoke into the walkie-talkie he carried. A moment later there was a response, and the man said, "An officer will be right down to take you to the family."
A few minutes later another man arrived. He escorted her to the third floor, where, he informed her, a room had been set up for Senator Sterling's relatives.
As she entered, Liz, who had been sitting on the couch by Grace Sterling, jumped up and rushed over to embrace Elyse. "Honey, how did you get here? Where's Janey?"
"Terri's with her. I couldn't just sit at home and wait. How's Clint? Have you heard anything more yet?"
Liz shook her head. "Not much. The bullet entered the right side of his chest, but thank God it missed any vital organs. He's in surgery now, so all we can do is wait."
Elyse greeted Paul and his parents with hugs and words of condolence, and it was only then that she realized Dinah wasn't there. For the first time it occurred to her that exactly what the other woman had feared all along had happened—another assassination attempt. Her husband had died this very same way, and that's why she'd refused to marry Clint.
But she'd come back. Was she going to desert him now that it had happened to him, too?
"Where's Dinah?" Elyse asked, fully aware it wasn't the most diplomatic thing to do.
The four other people hesitated for a moment and looked at one another, before Paul spoke. "She's out of town. Our two sisters have been notified and will be arriving as soon as they can make airline connections. One lives in New Hampshire and the other in Georgia, and its the height of the vacation rush, so it may take them a while to get here."
Obviously he didn't want to talk about Dinah Jefferson's absence and was hoping to change the subject by switching to his sisters. Elyse didn't push. They all had enough on their minds right now; she'd make Liz tell her about Dinah later.
She switched to questions about the shooting. "What happened? Why would anyone want to shoot Clint? Did they get the person who did it?"
Again Paul, who was obviously spokesperson for the family, answered. "The subject of gun control is a fiercely debated one and emotions run high. Clint had given his talk, answered the questions and spent a while socializing before leaving. He'd just walked out of the restaurant, when the shot was fired."
Elyse gasped and could almost feel Clint's pain in her own chest as Paul continued. "The police have a man in custody, but we don't know anything about him. There'll be time enough for that later after we find out how Clint is."
Soon they received a call from the governor, who regretted that his security staff wouldn't allow him to come to the hospital but assured them that his prayers and those of his wife were with Clint.
The evening wore on, and they were joined by Clint's secretary, his administrative assistant, Bill and Reba Ogden and several other people, who were introduced to her as close friends of Burton and Grace Sterling. Visitors to the room were carefully screened by the security men, who had set up an office in the building. Only those closest to the senator and his family were allowed on the third floor.
Meanwhile reporters, photographers, anchorpeople and other members of the news media crowded the lobby and waiting rooms on the first floor, all anxious for a medical report on the fallen senator. Still there was no word from Dinah. None of the Sterlings seemed surprised by her silence or her absence. Nothing was said about her, and Elyse bit back her own questions.
By seven-thirty she could no longer tolerate the small crowded noisy room. She felt hemmed in, claustrophobic. A buffet of sandwiches and salads had been brought up and set out earlier, but she knew better than to try to force food into her queasy stomach. Besides, she'd already consumed a gallon of coffee.
She took Liz aside and told her she was going to the chapel.
The small peaceful sanctuary on the third floor, with its oak pews, stained glass windows and large wooden cross in back of the altar, offered a haven of quiet and solitude. Elyse leaned back in one of the pews and closed her eyes.
Unless there were unforeseen complications during the surgery Clint would live. She had to believe that. Anything else was unthinkable. But what was in the future for her? Was there a place for her in his life?
Where was Dinah? Was it possible that she'd run away when she'd heard that Clint had been shot? Such a reaction was incomprehensible to Elyse. No woman could be that selfish and cruel.
Still, Dinah had been through an identical experience before, and she'd suffered a breakdown because of it. Maybe her nervous system simply couldn't cope with the same shattering situation twice. Who could say what another person's breaking point was? Elyse had been through a similar experience, but she was more fortunate than Dinah. Elyse had Janey, who needed her. Janey, whose helplessness and dependency gave Elyse the will and the purpose to survive.
A hand on her shoulder made Elyse jump, and she opened her eyes to see Liz standing beside her, smiling. "The surgery's over," she said, her voice tremulous, "and Clint's been taken to the recovery room. The bullet's been removed and there are a couple of broken ribs, but he'll recover completely."
Elyse collapsed against the back of the seat as joy replaced the terror and pain. "Oh, thank God," she moaned as Liz sat down and gathered her close in a loving maternal embrace.
For a moment Elyse clung to her sister, drawing on Liz's strength until she could recoup her own. "The doctor says Paul and his parents can go in and see Clint for a few minutes," Liz said, "but he's still coming out of the anesthetic. They'll be moving him to a private room in an hour or so, and then you can see him."
Elyse nodded and sat up. "Is Dinah here yet?"
"Dinah isn't coming," Liz said firmly as she stood up. "Look, I've got to get back to Paul. He wants me with him when he sees Clint, but we can't stay long. Wait for us in the family waiting room. There's nobody there now. Everyone took off after being assured that Clint would be all right. We'll talk later."
Liz left, but Elyse continued to huddle in the pew. For a moment she was too light-headed with relief to think or move, but her mind wasn't blank for long. Liz had said Dinah wasn't coming to the hospital, which meant that she was still running from her problems.
Poor dear sweet Clint. He was probably going to have to go through losing Dinah all over again, and at a time when he was most vulnerable. A stab of pain for him made Elyse wince.
Would she be willing to be second best if Clint still wanted her? Damn right she would. She'd take him any way she could get him and count her blessings. But there was one thing she couldn't do. She couldn't be there when Paul told him that Dinah had deserted him again. She couldn't watch the anguish he wouldn't have the strength to hide. If there was a chance that she would be taking Dinah's place in his life she didn't want to know the depth of his pain when he heard the news.
So okay, she was a coward, but this was one time she couldn't comfort him. Clint of all people wouldn't expect it. He wouldn't want her put through something like that.
She picked up her purse and walked slowly out of the chapel. In the family waiting room she found a pad of paper and wrote: I've decided to go on home. Janey needs me. Please give Clint my love and my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Tell him I'll come to see him when he's feeling up to having visitors.
She signed it and left it on the coffee table, where it couldn't be missed, then took an elevator to the ground floor and walked out of the hospital, unnoticed.
Physically and emotionally spent, Elyse slept soundly all night, but woke in time to catch the six o'clock early-morning news broadcast on one of the Sacramento television stations. According to the report Clint's condition was good and he was resting comfortably. She'd call Liz later and get a more detailed account.
That is, if Liz were still speaking to her. Elyse h
ad known her sister would be upset with her for leaving the hospital when she'd been told to wait, and she hadn't felt up to arguing about it, so when she'd arrived home last night she'd unplugged the telephones before taking a shower and dropping into bed. She'd been uneasy about it, but Liz had assured her that Clint's life was no longer in danger. His family was with him, so he'd be well cared for, and she'd desperately needed sleep before facing him the next day.
She'd plugged in the phones again when she'd gotten up, but so far they hadn't rung.
She curled up on the sofa and sipped her coffee, not hearing a word of the news as the broadcast continued. Her thoughts were with Clint. How was he really? Would he be in the hospital long? How had he taken the news of Dinah's defection, if that's what it was?
Her heart ached for him. Hadn't he suffered enough? Why hadn't Dinah just stayed away and left him alone?
Elyse longed to go to him. They should have been married the same weekend Paul and Liz had been, then nothing would have kept Elyse away. If she were given a second chance with him she was going to marry him and let tomorrow take care of itself. She loved him enough for both of them, and eventually she'd make him forget Dinah.
Janey came downstairs at seven-thirty. She and Elyse had just finished breakfast, both still clad in their nighties, when they heard the front door open and close. Elyse got up and went into the hall, where she met Liz coming toward her, her eyes blazing.
Before she could speak Liz lit into her. "What's the matter with your telephones?"
Elyse had been afraid her sister would react like this. "Nothing. I unplugged them."
Liz was furious. "Oh, that's just great. I've been trying to get you all night. If you ever do a thing like that to me again I'm going to turn you across my knee and give you the spanking I should have administered at intervals years ago."
By this time they were back in the kitchen, and Janey was watching them, wide-eyed with amazement at her aunt's uncharacteristic anger.
Elyse sighed. "I'm sorry, Liz, but I knew you'd be upset with me for leaving without telling you, and—"
"You're damn right I am. Clint's been asking for you—"
"For me?" Elyse blinked with surprise.
"Yes, you, although why he wants such a blind, stubborn little fool, I'll never know."
"But I thought it was Dinah he'd want."
"I told you Dinah wasn't coming. Now, dammit, get your clothes on while I dress Janey. I'm taking you back to the hospital if I have to tie you in the car."
Without another word Elyse turned and ran upstairs and into her bedroom. She heard Liz dressing Janey in the next room as she quickly donned a breezy turquoise gauze dress with a wide flounce and multicolored rick-rack trim. Her pulse was pounding, and she didn't take the time to put on makeup—except for a rich berry shade of lipstick—before sliding her bare feet into white pumps. She hurried toward the door just as Liz and Janey came out of Janey's room.
Liz carried a small overnight case. "I'm taking a change of clothes for Janey," she explained. "She and I are going to spend the day together, aren't we, pumpkin?"
The child clutched her aunt's hand and nodded vigorously.
Downstairs Elyse headed for the garage, but Liz stopped her. "We're going in my car," she said flatly.
"But how will I get home?"
"I'll bring you, but not until Clint tells me to. Now get in and don't give me any more trouble."
From long experience Elyse knew better than to argue with Liz when her elder sister had her mind made up. She and Janey got into Liz's gray Chrysler.
By the time they were on the freeway and headed for Sacramento Elyse had regained some of her composure and was determined to find out what was going on. "Liz, I want to know where Dinah Jefferson is and why she hasn't been to the hospital. Does she know Clint's been shot?"
Liz was driving ten miles over the speed limit, and she kept her eyes on the road as she answered. "I'd have given you a detailed explanation last night if you'd waited as I'd asked you to do. Now I'll let Clint do it. He'd prefer it that way."
Elyse's protest was met by stony silence, and neither spoke again until Liz pulled up in front of the hospital. "When you're ready to leave, call me and I'll come and get you. And Elyse—"
Elyse looked at her sister and saw that Liz was smiling.
"He's in room 426. For the love of God, marry the man."
Elyse nodded and managed an uncertain grin. "I intend to if he'll still have me."
She kissed Janey goodbye and walked into the lobby.
Chapter Fourteen
Elyse saw the uniformed police officer as soon as she rounded the corner of the nursing station on the fourth floor. He was sitting outside the door of the room at the end of the long hall, which she knew would be number 426. When there was an attempted assassination of a state senator, law enforcement was conspicuous.
Her stomach churned as she hurried toward him. How was Clint? Would he be glad to see her? Would the officer even let her in?
He stood as she approached him. "I'd like to see Senator Sterling," she said.
"Your name, please, and family affiliation."
"Elyse Haley. I'm his brother's sister-in-law."
"Wait here." He pushed open the door and walked into the room, only to reappear within seconds. "You can go in, but I'll have to search your purse. Sorry."
She nodded and handed the white crushed leather bag to him, but he didn't take it. "Open it and empty the contents out on the table." He motioned to a cart that stood next to his chair.
She did as she was told, and he eyed the assortment of makeup, wallet, pens, credit card holder and keys.
"Okay, you can put everything back and go in," he said, still not touching anything.
She scooped the items into her purse and walked through the swinging door.
The room was fairly large and the furnishings were polished hardwood instead of metal, but there was no mistaking the place for anything but a hospital room. Clint lay on the partially raised bed, his eyes open, watching her. He was wearing a navy cotton pajama coat with white piping, and the sheet covered him to the waist. There were no IVs or other needles or tubes, and any bandaging was covered by the coat, but he looked white and tired.
Elyse's first impulse was to run to him and hold him, but his grim expression didn't encourage such familiarity. Liz must have been mistaken. He didn't want to see her, after all.
She stood rooted to the floor, drowning in his cool green eyes. "Since you've finally decided to visit me, you might as well come all the way in," he said, and beckoned her with his left hand, while keeping the right one at his side.
He was angry. She'd hurt him—the last thing she'd wanted to do.
She walked over to the bed and stood on the left side, away from his injury. "Clint, I'm so sorry—"
Her voice broke, and she reached out and took his hand in hers.
His fingers closed over hers in a firm grip. "Sorry about what? That I've been injured? Or that you didn't come to me last night when I needed you so?" There was bitterness in his tone.
Her knees gave way and she dropped down on the side of the bed, careful not to jar him. "Oh, darling, what I'm sorry about are all the misunderstandings that seem to plague us constantly," she wailed. "If I'd known you wanted me with you, nothing could have kept me away." Her voice shook and her features twisted with anguish.
With a groan Clint pulled her to him and cradled her against the uninjured side of his chest. She put her hand to his neck and caressed him.
"Why would you think I didn't want you?" he murmured, his voice as shaky as hers.
"I—I knew how upset you'd be because Dinah wasn't here. I guess I just couldn't face you, knowing I was second choice."
"Second choice!" His arm tightened around her. "You mean you didn't know? But I thought someone would have told you."
She raised her head to look at him. "Told me what?"
He uttered a low growl of regret as he kissed her
on the forehead. "That Dinah left yesterday morning to go back to France. I was hurrying out of that luncheon on my way to you when some idiot took a shot at me."
Elyse's eyes widened with surprise. "You mean she left before you were shot?"
Clint nodded. "She went back to a man she'd been seeing in Paris, and I was trying to get to you. It's as I told you all along, you little skeptic. It isn't Dinah I want—it's you."
Elyse collapsed against him, too relieved to argue. Dinah was gone. She didn't even know of the assassination attempt, and Clint didn't seem at all upset about her leaving.
He continued to speak. "I'm afraid it's my own damn fault you weren't with me last night." There was strong self-disgust in his tone. "I should have told you on Saturday that she was leaving."
This time Elyse sat up. "You had this all settled on Saturday and you didn't tell me?"
He nodded, and in spite of her burgeoning anger she could see the toll this discussion was taking on him. His face was drawn and his eyes reflected the physical pain he wouldn't admit to. "I'd intended to tell you at the cocktail party, and you'll never know how eagerly I was looking forward to the big reconciliation scene that was to follow. I was going to haul you off to my bedroom, lock the door and keep you there all weekend."
Clint closed his eyes and shuddered. "Then you waltzed in on the arm of another man, and I went crazy with jealousy."
The anger drained from her. "Jealousy? You were jealous of Ferris?"
"Damn right I was. He had his hand on you, and he was carrying my daughter. It was all I could do to keep from throwing him out."
My daughter! He was already thinking of Janey as his.
Elyse couldn't help grinning. "But I told your mother I was bringing an escort."
"Well, she didn't tell me," he grumbled, "and when you walked in with him I lost all my celebrated cool. Then Janey turned away from me, and the whole thing got nightmarish."
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