Burned Bridges: Oliana Mercer Series Prequel (Crossing Series)

by Marguerite Ashton

  I stayed in the kitchen while he packed, trying to find things to keep me occupied. Olivia came in with a handful of pictures.

  “Marc asked me to give these to you.”

  She dumped them onto the table, and I looked them over. They were photos of Marc and me. I banged my fist on the table and stalked out.

  When I stepped into the room, he was zipping up his suitcase.

  “You’re so inconsiderate.”

  Marc spun around to face me. “What did I do now?”

  “The pictures. Cheating on me wasn’t enough? Now you’re trying to hurt me again by throwing what I thought was good back in my face.”

  “That was not my intent.”

  “Then why?”

  “I wasn’t sure if I should throw them away or—”

  “You could do that? Just throw away our past like that? I’m not some gullible jury member you can brainwash with your twisted truths. I want to know how you could give me a promise ring, make love to me that same evening while the entire time you were thinking of Stephanie. Why didn’t you just leave?”

  “I felt trapped. Things were moving too fast, and yes, I screwed up royally getting involved with Stephanie, but things just snowballed, and this is where we are.”

  “I hate you for doing this to me! I’m sorry your baby and I were such an imposition on your fancy lifestyle. I’m sorry that while we were screwing, without protection, you forgot to tell me you were not up for a serious responsibility,” I screamed.

  Seconds later, a sharp pain shot across my lower belly. I doubled over, holding my stomach. I must have cried out because Olivia rushed to my side.

  “What happened?” Olivia guided me over to the bed. “What did you do to her?”

  “Nothing,” Marc said.

  I raised my hand to stop them from touching me. The tightness encompassing my belly was excruciating. It felt as if my muscles were being stretched like old rubber bands and any second they could give way.

  I began blowing short breaths between my lips.

  Marc checked his watch. “It’s been about a minute.”

  As the pain dulled to a mild cramp, Marc propped pillows behind my back. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

  I shook my head. “It’s going away.

  He eyed his watch again.

  “It’s gone,” I said.

  “That was about a minute and a half.”

  “Call the nurses line.” I threw my head back, letting my body sink into the goose down feathers encased in the silk shams. “The number is on my nightstand.”

  Olivia sat on the bed next to me. “You okay?”

  “Yeah,” I said.

  Marc hung up the phone and said, “Dr. Tellis is five minutes from the house. He wants to swing by and check on you.”

  I bit my lower lip as my stomach tightened again. I closed my eyes and blew air between my lips. I could hear the phone ringing but my body refused to respond and I just laid there. I figured Olivia must have answered it, because my machine never picked up.

  Dr. Tellis arrived shortly after. He asked questions and checked my vitals. “I’m going to put you on bed rest.”

  “I can’t. I have to work.”

  “The pain you’ve been feeling is most likely round ligament pain, which is common. The bed rest is just for a couple of days. If the pain doesn’t subside, or you experience vaginal bleeding, you will need to come in.”

  I nodded, too tired to argue with him.

  He reached out to shake Marc’s hand. “Take care of the mother to be and call if you have any questions.”

  “Thanks,” Marc said.”

  Marc and Dr. Tellis left me wallowing in frustration. I looked up at the ceiling praying for a break from the stress for just a little while.

  Olivia came in with a glass of water. “Karin just called. She wants to be with you during the birth of her grandchild.”

  “No way. This subject is so over,” I said, grabbing the remote. I took slow deliberate sips of my ice water. “How are things going for you?”

  “Okay, I guess. The finger pointing is getting old though. I’m headed out. Did you want anything?”

  “Double chili cheeseburger with chili cheese fries and no salt.”

  Olivia’s eyes widened.

  “The doctor said I had to stay in bed,” I said. “He didn’t say I couldn’t eat.”

  “Double chili cheese, coming right up.”

  “I have to fly to Nevada,” Marc said, coming in. “I’ll be away until Wednesday. If you need me before I get back, call.” He handed me his itinerary.

  I took it from him and looked away.

  He picked up his suitcase and left the room.

  Chapter 25

  As I heard Marc’s car leave my driveway, I clicked on my favorite cable channel, settling for a classic movie made in 1941. When it went to commercial, it dawned on me. If the number was for Bruce’s phone and Olivia was certain it wasn’t him, then it had to be someone with access to that phone.

  Also, if this Bruce guy had access to an unregistered handgun, that meant he had to have some criminal ties.

  I scrolled my phone once more and copied down the number. I picked up my cordless, blocked my phone line, and called the number. After a few rings, a machine picked up, and my heart stopped.

  “You’ve reached the law offices of Jensen, Lake, and Powers. If you’ve called during business hours—”

  What the hell?

  If this line was the property of the law firm, it had to be for a cell phone that was used by the associate attorneys. And the only other person that would have access to an attorney’s phone, besides HR, was his paralegal.

  Olivia said this number belonged to Bruce. Well he certainly wasn’t a lawyer with the firm. So the only way he would have that phone was if his cousin arranged for him to have one. Dana.

  I phoned Norman and informed him of what I learned.

  “I’m getting ready to prep for surgery. I’ll be over after the procedure and consult with my patient.”

  “How long is surgery?”

  “About three hours. Don’t do anything. Stay put, and I’ll be right over.”

  I thanked him and ended the phone call.

  There was no way I could wait three hours. It may be too late.

  If the calls were tied to the firm, then that is where I needed to start.

  I turned off the TV and strained to listen for movement in the house. It was all quiet. Even the usual creaks and moans were stifled.

  I’d just make a quick drive over to get what I wanted and then come straight back home. If I timed it right, I could probably catch Dennis, and he’d let me in.

  Moving carefully, I waddled over to my dresser and put on a pair of maternity jeans and a pink blouse. I gently nudged Sam with the door until she stood up and moved, letting me out of the room.

  Upon arriving at the firm, another text came through.

  “A.”

  I pounded on the glass door to get the cleaning staff’s attention. Dennis saw me, opened the door, and smiled. “I’m about five minutes from closing up. Is everything okay?”

  “Everything is fine. I just left some paperwork on my desk.”

  “Need help?”

  “No. Thank you though.”

  “Congratulations!” he said pointing to my tummy.

  “Thanks,” I said. “I should probably get that paperwork.”

  I pretended to go through my purse as he walked away. When he was out of sight, I hit “call” next to the message button and listened for a ring. It went to voicemail. I dialed again and moved away from the reception desk.

  As I advanced further down the hall, I could hear a phone ringing on Dana’s desk. I went over, picked it up and skimmed the call log. There was my number listed as a missed call.

  I looked around. The lights were off except for what daylight was left coming in through the windows.

  I ran my hand over the top of Dana’s computer.

 
Still warm. Quickly, I began opening her drawers until I came across one filled with files.

  I knew from her work with Marc that Dana was meticulous with her filing system. If I screwed up and put something in the wrong spot, she would know that somebody had been in her folders.

  A mailing envelope tucked behind the file stack caught my attention. I plucked it from its spot and opened it. Inside was a key, and a piece of paper with the name Bruce and a phone number scribbled on it.

  As I examined the key, I was shocked to see that it looked exactly like the one to my house. I flipped it over and saw the heart drawn with red marker.

  I picked up the cell phone, scrolled through its call log, and I saw my number, Bruce’s, and Olivia’s.

  Thumping sounded in the back hallway. I shoved the envelope into my purse, closed the drawer and put the phone back on the desk. I looked over my shoulder at the dark figure on the wall, headed in my direction.

  I got down on all fours, crawled under the closest desk and pulled the chair in as far as my pregnant body would permit.

  I leaned my weight against the shell desk. A contraction started to surface. I clenched my fist and placed it over my mouth.

  Soon, the person was in the same room with me, shuffling papers and going through the file drawer.

  By the time the contraction subsided, the person either had stopped moving or had left. It didn’t matter at that moment because I was too scared to look. Then, another contraction hit. It was too intense to ignore or to ride out under a desk. I pushed the chair away and crawled out so I could stretch out on the floor.

  I laid on my side, rolled over onto my back and waited for the tightness to go away. When it ceased, I adjusted my position and was finally able to stand up.

  The office was deserted and I left.

  Once outside, the sky darkened while drops of rain pelted my face. Soon it was pouring and my hair was matted against my skin. I zipped up my jacket and started towards my vehicle.

  “Traci.”

  I grabbed the stair railing and turned around.

  Dana hurried towards me with her hand out. “Give me my envelope back.”

  Dana reached for my purse, trying to wiggle it from my grasp. The strap slid down, snagging my watch, but I held on tight. Soon it was no longer a gentle tug-of-war, she started to shake me violently.

  “Hey, what’s going on here,” Dennis asked, jogging towards us.

  I let go and tottered against the railing of the stairs. “Dennis, I think—”

  A sharp pain pierced my belly.

  I couldn’t think. Couldn’t stop it.

  Like a magnet, some unnatural force pulled me forward toward the stairs. Helpless, I followed.

  Chapter 26

  I opened my eyes, but bright white lights forced me to close them again. My head pounded. Spots flashed behind my eyelids. “Where am I?”

  “You’re in the hospital,” Olivia said.

  “Hey,” Marc said, squeezing my hand.

  I instinctively reached for my stomach, but my bulge was gone. Oh, God! Oh my God! My ears began pounding with panic. “My baby!”

  “Calm down. Olivia, go get Dr. Tellis.”

  I pulled at the tubes in my arms, sobbing and heartsick. “Marc, where’s our baby? How long have I been here?”

  “You’re awake,” Dr. Tellis said, coming into my room.

  “What is going on? My baby, where’s my baby?”

  “Your baby, all four pounds and six ounces of him, is resting. So should you.”

  “He’s alive.”

  “Yes, he is, although I don’t think I need to tell you that his being born this early poses many risks. Right now, he’s being fed through a tube and will stay in his isolette. We have to take this one day at a time.”

  I nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.

  “We had to perform an emergency C-section. The fall caused minor damage to your placental wall and the umbilical cord detached,” Dr. Tellis said.

  “I tried to catch you, Ms. Collins. Guess I wasn’t fast enough,” Dennis said, his kind eyes peering at me from over Marc’s shoulder.

  “Oh, Dennis. Thank God you were there.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad you’re okay. I better go now.”

  “I need to finish making notes on your chart,” Dr. Tellis said, following Dennis out of the room. “I’ll come and check on you before my shift ends.”

  I couldn’t just lie there and have Olivia and Marc staring at me as if I’d shatter. “I want to go see our son,” I said, fighting a fog of drugs and pain.

  “Hold on a sec” Marc’s restrained me with hand. “Olivia filled me in about why you were at the law firm.”

  “I had to tell him, Traci.”

  “Is that so,” I asked.

  Marc scowled. “Damn right it is. I plan to put a stop to all of this nonsense. Had you told me in the first place that someone was threatening Olivia, none of this would have ever happened.”

  “I see.” But I didn’t. Thinking took too much effort. What had Olivia told him?

  “You were carrying my son, and I almost lost you both.” Marc’s voice was rough and raw with unaccustomed emotion. He kissed my hand and rubbed it against his cheek.

  I snatched my hand out of his. “No way. I’m not getting sucked in again by your charm. What you did was unforgivable, and now you want to play like nothing ever happened?”

  “I try to show you I care and you treat me like I have some disease.”

  “You do. It’s called Stephanie.”

  “She’s not in my life anymore.”

  “And you’re not a part of mine. Our son is the only connection we have. You made sure of that.”

  “I know you. You want the perfect family to fit in your perfect world. For that to happen, I need to be in Daniel’s life. You just need some time to get over your hormonal issues.”

  Did he just say that to me, again? Hormonal. Guess I didn’t make his spaghetti hot enough. Maybe it was simply a waste of my time. He’ll never change.

  “How about this, I’ll go grab takeout. Anywhere you want.”

  I wanted to smack him. How could a smart criminal attorney be so clueless?

  I looked over at Olivia. She mouthed something and pointed to Marc.

  “Marc,” I said, “can you go get me some ice chips? My mouth is all pasty.”

  “Sure.”

  As soon as he was gone, I jabbed my finger at my friend. “What did you tell him?”

  “Just that someone was angry I’d been released, and you were doing some investigation of your own.”

  “How did he find out?”

  “Apparently, he stopped by the office before his flight. Norman called me after seeing you wheeled into the emergency room. What was I supposed to do?”

  “I don’t know. Crap. I need more time.”

  “Are you crazy? Look what happened to you. What were you doing, anyway?”

  “I’m this close,” I said, pinching my thumb and index finger together.

  Olivia regarded me blankly. “To what?”

  “Answers. I believe Dana is responsible for the texts, for one.”

  “Traci, I want you to stop looking into this.”

  “Where’s my purse?”

  “Marc put it in a bag the nurse gave him.” Olivia went to the closet, retrieved my purse and handed it to me.

  I searched my purse, but the envelope was missing. “It’s gone.”

  “What’s gone?”

  I dumped the remaining contents, scanning the items. The envelope – the evidence I’d found against Dana – wasn’t there. “She took it.”

  “Took what?”

  “The proof I had on Bruce and Dana.”

  Marc returned with a smile on his face and the ice chips. He set them on the table and reached for my hand.

  I tucked my hands in my lap and looked at Olivia.

  “I better get home and let Sam out,” Olivia said and left.

  “Dennis handed this to me.
” Marc placed an envelope in my hands. “He said it fell out of your purse. Is it yours?”

  I checked the envelope and saw that everything was still in it. “Yes, it is.”

  “Let’s go see our handsome son.”

  Marc helped me out of bed, put me into the wheelchair and rolled me down to the neonatal intensive care unit.

  Peeking through the window, I felt intimidated by all of the monitors and machines that surrounded just one little body. The sight of my son, impossibly small, incredibly perfect, twisted my guts as guilt set in. “I haven’t been a good mom to you,” I said, touching the window.

  Marc rubbed my back. “He’ll be okay.”

  “We have to think of a name.”

  “I told the nurses Daniel James.”

  “What? How could you make that kind of decision without me?”

  “I thought it sounded better than Baby Drake.”

  “Do you always have to control everything? Even if it means taking away something as precious to me as naming my child. My child, that I carried and bonded with?”

  “You like it?”

  “It doesn’t matter if I do or don’t, you crossed the line. What last name did you give him?”

  “Mine. They said that since we’re not married, I had to sign papers acknowledging he was my son. I filled out your information. All you need to do is sign it.”

  “Daniel James Drake,” I said, trying to see how it sounded as a full name. The three names rolled right off my tongue, and I loved it. But I wasn’t going to tell him that.

  “Are you going to change it?”

  “I might.”

  A nurse came out with green folded paper gowns.

  “Are you ready to see your little boy?” she asked.

  I nodded, unable to take my eyes off my son.

  “I need you to wear this. Then sweep your hair off your neck, and I’ll put this cap on your head.”

  I couldn’t comply fast enough. We entered the gleaming, sterile room with tiny beds holding delicate, tiny bodies, not stopping until we reached the one at the end.