*
It’s been one week since the auction and today is Michael’s very important date with Miranda. He plops down on the end of the sofa, looking at his phone, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, so I ask. “What’s the plan?”
“First stop is the Lake.”
“How romantic.”
He plucks my bare arm with his fingers.
“Ouch, just saying.”
“We’ll take a ride in an official Hopson Tigers rowing boat and then we’re off to 42 for a behind the scenes tour, some mixology tips, and hot wings.
“You are the right person for such a date.”
“She saved me from a horrible fate.”
“Yes, she saved you from the clutches of your crazy ex.”
He bent, placing his head in his hands. “Don’t remind me. What are your plans today?”
“A run, lunch, a nap, and a long, hot bath with lots of bubble therapy.”
His phone vibrates. “She’s ready to be picked up. Catch you later! Don’t shrivel too much.”
“I won’t. You kids have fun!”
I finish my long soak in the tub and pull on leggings with an oversized shirt, then go to make a cup of green tea. I wrap myself in a sweater and stand in front of the sliding door, facing the lake. Letting the steam from the mug cover my face, my thoughts go to Michael and Miranda. I start to think about what it would be like to be on a date with him. Sneaking glances, flirting, looking into those dark brown eyes. Talking to him about his likes and dislikes and finding out what makes him tick. Then there’s the goodnight kiss and the feel of his lips pressed against mine. I sip my hot tea, though maybe it should be cold water.
He’s clearly gotten under my skin, as I now find myself stealing glances at him. Or when we bump against each other in the kitchen or play video games, my nerve endings get all whacked out. I won’t tell him because I respect the friendship we have. So he needs to go on dates and I need to go on dates, but something keeps us right where we are. So maybe the tides have turned.
I’m looking out at the water when I notice a figure move by one of the trees, smoking a cigarette. He’s wearing a cap and a dark jacket and reaches for something on the ground. Binoculars? What are those for? He’s now looking up at the apartments. I skirt behind the curtain. This is real weird. Is he looking at me or someone else? I peek out again to see him put out the cigarette and walk up to my building.
Feeling uncomfortable about what I just saw, I head over to the front door to make sure it’s locked, but notice a piece of paper laying on the floor. I pick it up and flip it over seeing the words, “Watching You!”
I’m instantly chilled, but look through the peephole to see if anyone is on the other side but no one’s there. The door is locked but now I’m freaking out. Is this a prank or is it real? Maybe Stacey is getting real creative and still sore about the auction. Either way it’s creepy. I reach for my phone to call campus security. After five minutes or so they knock. I tell them everything I know and hand them the note. They ask a few more questions, do a perimeter check, and go over some safety tips. I ask if anyone has called or complained other than me and I don’t like the answer: no. I lock the door when they leave, taking my now room temperature tea to the sofa, where calming down takes a while.
*
“Jamie, wake up.”
I open my eyes to see Michael standing next to me.
I scoot to sit up on the sofa. “You’re back.”
“Campus Security was here—what happened? Are you okay?”
I yawn. “I called them after I found the piece of paper at the front door.”
“What?”
“The note, the guy outside.”
He sits next to me. “Let’s start from the beginning.”
I give him the full rundown, and he stands, walking to the balcony door looking out.
“You could have called me.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt you.”
I go get a bottle of water, then return to sit in the chair.
“I did what I needed to do and that was to call security. Now, how was your date?”
He still looks worried, but eventually speaks up. “She likes fruity drinks, really hot wings, and admitted she likes to watch guys in rowing boats more than being in a boat. She wants to travel to Europe next year for school.”
I’m smiling. “A good date.”
He stands. “You’re not off the hook yet. I want to know more about what happened tonight.”
“I know you do.”
*
Since the incident at the apartment, Michael has been close to me but trying not to hover. He’s been walking me to class or magically appears when I’m done. Some of it is normal for us, but he seems a little on edge since the incident. The sun was out today, not raining like the past three days, so I decide to sit by the fountain and enjoy an apple before my next class. My phone vibrates, so I search in my backpack to find where I threw it over two hours ago. It’s still going off when I answer, but nothing is said. I look at my screen for the number, which is unknown. I hang up. I go to slip it back in my bag when it starts vibrating again. Another unknown? I say, hello, twice. Nothing but silence. I start looking around me to see if someone is playing a joke on me. Still nothing, so I hang up, feeling two calls like this and the note is a little sketchy. Now who’s paranoid? This time I sit it next to me. It vibrates again, but it’s Michael.
“Hello.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, why?”
“I’m coming over.”
“Why, wait, where are you?”
Before I can disconnect, he’s standing next to me, out of breath. “What’s wrong?”
“How do you know something is wrong and why are you out of breath?”
“The look on your face.”
“I received a couple of unknown phone calls. People get them sometimes it’s no big deal.”
“Your situation is different. The guy with binoculars, a note and now unknown callers. Have you gotten them before?”
“Yes, a couple. I understand, but relax on the security detail.”
“Campus police said you need to be careful. Jeff was going to follow you to class, but he is running late.”
“Are you serious? You involved him?”
“Along with Stan and Ronan. We all want you safe.”
I shake my head, knowing I won’t win this argument. “I appreciate the concern from all of you, but just turn it down a little.”
He takes my apple and takes a huge bite. “Will do. Come on, or you’re going to be late for class.”
I walk after him and my apple, clearly not winning the discussion, but feeling grateful to have friends who care about me.
Chapter 17
Acouple of weeks have gone by with a few unknown calls but no peeping tom. Feeling a little at ease, I move on with my routine and encourage Michael and the guys to do the same. We had inventory at 42 tonight, so we’re closing our doors at 10:00. The cooks made pizzas so when the last customer left, we all ate, waiting for instructions. Michael came down with folders in his hand, as Pete began assigning us into teams. This was my first time, so I was paired with Meredith on food detail. Overall, it went quickly.
After all the folders were turned in, everyone left except me and Michael, since we were walking home together. He goes back up to retrieve his things so I wait by the bar. When Pete leaves, I go up to see what’s keeping him.
“Michael, come on—it’s late and I need a shower badly, so I know you do.”
I enter his office only to find him sitting behind the desk with a man holding a gun to his head. The guy is wearing a black jacket and faded blue cap. He must have heard me because he didn’t seem surprised to see me.
“Come in and shut the door.”
I hesitate and he screams, “DO IT!”
Michael goes to move and the man hits him with the end of the pistol, knocking him back in the chair. He grabs at his head and all I c
an see is blood dripping through his fingers.
“Okay. What do you want?”
“Are you the only one left? Don’t think of lying, because I won’t hesitate to shoot either of you.”
“Yes, I’m the only one.”
“What is your name?”
I swallow. “Jamie.”
He’s nervous, pacing. “Go over to the safe.”
Michael speaks. “Let me do it.”
“No, she can. Do you know the number?”
“No.”
He pushes the gun at Michael’s chest. “Tell her the combination and don’t mess up.”
I bend down in front of it, but I’ve never opened it before, so I’m hoping I can on the first try. My hands are trembling. I look back at Michael. “I’m ready.”
He aims the gun at me this time. “Tell her the numbers.”
“Jamie turn it to the left twice. First number is 16, right once, 32 then left once, 46.”
I try the numbers but have no luck. “It didn’t work.”
“Try again sweetie or I will shoot your boss.”
My fear right now has to be second because I can see Michael is in a lot of pain. “Okay. Michael tell me again.” I listened to his instructions carefully.
When it opens, the guy reaches inside his coat, throwing me a bag.
“Here fill this up.”
When I finish, I stand facing him.
“Bring it to me.”
I step towards him and can see Michael’s eye was swollen. “You have what you want, please just leave.”
“No, I need one more thing from you, Jamie. You are coming with me.”
Michael jumps up. “NO!”
The gun is now pointed towards me, as he looks back at Michael. “Sit down. I like her better, so she goes.” He looks around the room and finds duct tape on a file cabinet and tosses it at me.
“I want you to put it around his wrist and the arm of the chair. I don’t want him notifying anyone before we reach the street. Now move.”
I walk over to Michael and lean down to wrap his wrist.
“Jamie, I can’t let you go.”
He looks bad. I want to help him, but how?
“I will be fine.”
On his desk, I spot a ball shaped paperweight. I glance at him, and then back at it. He shakes his head, no.
The guy comes over to me. “Hurry up.”
He shoves the gun at my shoulder. As I tear the tape, I see him looking at the bag of money. This is my chance to do something. I reach for the paperweight, then swing as hard as I can, hitting him on the side of his head. He drops the bag, turning away from us and I fall against the wall as Michael jumps past me, tackling the guy. They both fall against stacked boxes of liquor. My head is spinning trying to locate the gun—where is it? I see a 2 x 4 sitting by the door, so I jump over the desk, grab it, then turn to swing and hear a loud noise. There’s pain in my leg and Michael yells my name. Then he hits the guy, knocking him to the floor where he lays facedown. Michael falls against the wall.
I drop the board, running to him.
“Jamie, you were shot. Let me see.”
“No. I have to get you help.” I turn to find the roll of tape under the desk and began to wrap the guy’s wrist, then his ankles. I look over at Michael, whose head is against the wall and his eyes are shut.
“No, no, no you have to stay awake. Michael, talk to me.”
“You hit him pretty hard with that paperweight.”
“I wish it had knocked him out.” I turn to find the phone, but it’s been pulled out of the wall. “Michael, where’s your phone?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I’ll be right back. My phone is downstairs—stay awake.”
Running down the steps to get my phone, all I can think about is Michael and what he looks like. He needs help. The dispatcher has me on the line asking questions as I go over unlocking the door to wait for them. As the first officer enters, I hang up with dispatch and I tell him my name as the dispatcher instructed me to do.
“Jamie, is the shooter still in the building?”
“Yes, he’s unconscious in the office at the top of the stairs. He’s wearing a black jacket. The owner is also up there, wearing a blue button up shirt. Please hurry, he’s hurt.”
Two officers go up and one stays behind to speak with me. “Can you state your full name and why you are here?”
“Jamie Morgan, I work here. We had inventory tonight.”
“Miss Morgan, you are hurt, please sit down.”
“I’m fine.” Then I hear an “All Clear” as the stretcher gets taken up the steps.
“We need to assess your injury.”
I sit down so an EMT can look at my leg.
“It’s nothing.”
He turns to the officer. “She’s been shot and needs stitches.” He begins to pull out gauze and tape.
“Miss Morgan, you need to go to the hospital, but first, can you tell me what happened?”
“The owner, Michael Tucker was being held by a guy with a gun. He made me open the safe giving him money. It’s in a black bag.” I keep watching for some sign of Michael. Then two officers bring the guy down, slumped over in handcuffs. On the officer’s radio I hear they’re bringing down Mr. Tucker.
I look around the officer and see them. I want to go to him but I’m held back. I see his head is secure and he’s hooked up to a bag of fluids. I slip past the officer to the stretcher, placing my hand on his arm, saying his name. Tears are falling down my cheeks, landing on him, as the reality of what just happened hits me. He lifts his fingers, trying to say something, but his eyes close. They take him out as Pete shows up.
“Pete! How did you find out?”
“On the scanner at my house.”
“We need to go to the hospital.”
“Jamie did you recognize the guy? Was he a customer?”
“I don’t know. We need to call Michael’s parents he looks so bad.”
“I will do that. What about you?”
I hear Meredith at the front door trying to get in, so I go to the officer who’s been helping me. “Officer Daly, she works here.”
He motioned for the officer at the door to let her inside.
“Oh my god Jamie are you alright? I was walking home when I heard the sirens. Where is Michael?”
“I’ll fill you in, but can you give me a ride to the hospital? Officer Daly do you have what you need from me?”
“Yes, you are cleared to leave, but get your leg looked at.”
“I will. Thank you.” I look over at Pete.
“Jamie, go, I’ll stay.”
*
Arriving at the hospital, we go in search of information, starting at the information desk.
“Are you a family member?”
“His roommate.”
“What is your name?”
“Jamie Morgan.”
She comes from out behind the desk. “The doctor will be out to speak with you soon after the examination is done with Mr. Tucker. In the meantime, your leg needs to be looked at.”
I’m brought a wheelchair. “I’m fine, but thank you.”
The nurse places a hand on her hip. “You need to sit down, because you’re bleeding on my floor.”
I reluctantly do as she asks and I am wheeled into an exam room to receive stitches and a shot. The doctor offers me something to help me rest but I refuse it. I’m not going to sleep until I know about Michael’s condition.
In the waiting room is Pete, Jeff, Stan, and Kirk, along with some employees from 42 who had heard about the robbery. I notice a doctor coming towards us, hoping he has information.
“Who is here for Mr. Tucker?”
Everyone stands. He flips through the chart. “Ms. Morgan?”
I step closer. “That’s me.”
“Can we go over here so we can speak alone?”
I look back at all of them. “Please, we’re all friends and are concerned about him.”
&nb
sp; He waits a moment then proceeds. “He’s currently asleep. There’s a little swelling on his brain, bruising, and he took some hard hits to his shoulder and abdomen. Three cracked ribs along with multiple contusions and he’s receiving medicine to keep him asleep so he can heal. We’ll monitor him for the next 24 to 48 hours.”
Pete asks if we can see him.
“I’ll allow one person to go in for five minutes. Tomorrow will be better for visitors as long as the swelling improves. Again, I can’t express enough about him resting.”
I stand, waiting for Pete to go. He touches my arm. “Jamie, you go. Let him know we’re here praying for a fast recovery. He needs to know you’re alright.”
I follow the doctor as he speaks about keeping him calm and not saying anything to upset him. He opens the door where I find Michael asleep, hooked up to bags of fluids, a monitor to his right, and a bandage around his head. I feel so much right now but I need to let him know I’m alright. I wrap my fingers around his hand.
“Michael, if you can hear me, I’m fine. Everyone is praying for you and a fast recovery. The doctors say you need rest, so I will be right outside waiting for you to wake up.”
I place a kiss on his hand, gently squeezing it before leaving the room.
*
It’s been a few hours since he was brought into the hospital. I stretch loosening my now tight muscles, then see Pete speaking with an older couple. The woman looks over in our direction. They’re met by the doctor as all go down the hall. Jeff sits beside me.
“They’re his parents.”
“Good, I’m glad they’re here.”
About 20 minutes later, they come walking back, his dad on the phone. His mom walks beside Pete. She’s petite, dressed in a gray pantsuit, with fair skin and brown hair piled up off her neck to fit her small face perfectly. She touches her husband on the arm as she points towards us. He nods and she turns, walking over to us.
My Heart Page 8