Sam stepped closer. “Your mother is right. You should rest.”
She stepped back as a nurse and doctor joined them. They checked his vitals and vision while talking around him. He needed to be out of this damn bed.
“How about talking to me…instead of around me.” A nurse removed the oxygen line, a definite improvement.
“I’m Dr. Sherrill. Good to have you back with us, Mr. Hawkins.” A white coated guy chopped his words like they were all one syllable.
A suit filled the doorway. Linc had no doubt who this guy worked for. “Come in,” Linc said.
“Lieutenant Phil Garner,” the big guy said. “I believe you know my father-in-law, Hamilton Davis. I have a few questions about the fire.” Holding his hands up in a time-out signal to the doctor, the Lieutenant added, “When you’re up to it.”
“If these people are through, I’m good to talk.” The night of the explosion played back in his memory, and Linc shared everything he remembered. “I didn’t see anyone, but truthfully, I wasn’t looking. I never carry my cell when I run, so my focus was getting my hands on the phone and calling 911.”
Sam had backed away from the group. The dark circles under her eyes made him wonder how awful things really were. She was a strong woman but this had to be a blow. “Sam, how bad is the damage?”
“The Cage is almost gone. The house was pretty much gutted, too.”
Linc pushed himself up on his elbow, moaned, and went back down. “I want to go home,” he said to the doctor.
Dr. Sherrill shook his head. “Your head wound is healing nicely, and the burns on your back will heal with time, but let’s take things one step at a time. First, let’s get you eating and up and around before we talk about you going anywhere.”
“I need to get up.”
“Well, let’s turn you over on your back and raise the head of your bed for starters. It’s pretty simple. If it hurts don’t do it. Only you can judge the level of your pain tolerance.” The doctor held his arm out for Linc to grab.
The Lieutenant stepped up. “I’ll help him.”
Linc gritted his teeth, clasped the big man’s forearm and allowed him to help. Waves of pain hit hard but subsided a little once the move was done. “Thanks.”
“Glad I could help.”
Doctor Sherrill looked at Linc and smiled. “Mrs. Hawkins, if you have no questions, I have other patients to see.”
Linc scrubbed his hand over his eyes. The look of horror in Sam’s eyes was confusing. That doctor had looked straight at Sam, not his mother, and called her Mrs. Hawkins.
“Mrs. Hawkins?” He asked Sam.
“You’ve had a big day. Get some rest. I’ll be in touch.” With that, the officer almost ran out the door.
“Something you want to tell me, Sam?”
“Don’t look so scared. I didn’t bring the chaplain in and marry you while you were unconscious. They wouldn’t give out information except to a family member…they kind of assumed I was your wife, and I confirmed.” For the first time, he saw humor lighten her face.
“What are you doing here?” Instantly, he knew that came out wrong.
He was about to clarify and add that he thought she’d gone home to Texas, but the expression on her face shifted. The look of pity on her face punched him in the gut. His chest almost imploded. She understood this was a huge setback to his plans. What if this ended his career? Then who would he be? A stranger with no identity. He shifted his body and tried to ignore the searing pain in his head.
“I’m going to have The Cage and the house rebuilt.”
“Son of a bitch,” he muttered. “The Smythe family pulled out all the stops to get that property. Burning it makes no sense.”
“Ham’s son-in-law is working with the fire department. I hope they figure out who is responsible. Whoever’s behind it, they aren’t going to stop me. I’m going to honor Charlie’s wishes. I’ll reopen the restaurant.”
“Sam, don’t allow his dream to ruin your life. You have the money to go anywhere you want and live wherever you like. Live your dream, not his.”
He gritted his teeth, hating the overwhelming weakness that enveloped his injured body. It was best she distance herself from him, and he had to help her. Not too long ago, she’d looked at him with passion. Now her eyes were filled with sympathy. Her expression of pity ripped his heart from the depth of his chest. Linc had never expected or accepted pity from anyone, and he sure as hell couldn’t bear taking it from her.
“I thought it was your dream, too.”
“You didn’t come back because of me…did you?” She flinched as if he’d slapped her. His heart wanted a yes answer, but his pride refused to let him accept one.
“You sound like a chick-flick movie. Get over yourself.” She stood over him, her fingers rolled up into fists. “You were missing when I got back. Somebody had to take charge.”
His mother stepped forward. “Samantha’s premonition is the only reason you weren’t under arrest when you woke up. You two can take this up again later. For now, let’s concentrate on your health.”
CHAPTER 22
Samantha waited for Linc to say something, but he nodded and fell silent. His beautiful blue eyes had changed right before her eyes. They went dark, flat, cold, and uncaring. He groaned and turned his face toward the wall, away from her.
“I just stopped by for a minute. I have an eleven o’clock meeting,” she lied.
“Will we see you tomorrow?” Claire asked.
“I’m tied up for the next few weeks. Linc’s friend Dave Cornwell will probably check in with you tomorrow.” Samantha grabbed her purse. “It was a pleasure to meet you,” she said to Claire.
Samantha refused to make eye contact with Linc as she walked calmly from the room and down the hall. Opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, she opened the stairwell door and started the long walk down. Relief that Linc would fully recover, coupled by his complete rejection of her, pushed tears to the surface. She paused in the quiet, pulled herself together, and wiped her eyes. One step at a time, she left the building. By the time she reached the car, she’d regained her composure. She immediately called to tell Dave the good news.
“I’ll go to the hospital first thing in the morning.” Dave’s joy resonated in his voice. “See you there?”
“No. I’ve got a meeting with Leo at the construction site and then a meeting with the head contractor in Ham’s office.”
“Then I’ll see you at the construction site.”
Samantha ended the call before Dave could ask more questions. A weight had settled on her shoulders, but she worked to shake off the empty feeling in her chest. She refused to act like a fourteen-year-old who had been ignored by her latest crush. She’d taken the first step to reconnect. The rest was up to him.
Settled in her room, she fired up her laptop, busying herself with emails and phone calls. The walls of the single motel room were closing in on her. The beige paint and leaf-patterned bedspread reminded her of her temporary status. She missed having a kitchen and a living room. Stretching out on the bed, she pulled a blanket across her legs and turned the news on the television.
The next morning, she woke with a crick in her neck and a growling stomach. She hurried through her morning routine and checked her messages. Everything was falling into place.
Colton’s call was the first she returned. “How’s Linc?” he asked.
“Awake. His mother was with him yesterday. What did you find out?”
“That the Smythe family is on everybody’s radar. The construction side of the business looks legit on the surface, but there’s a lot of money flowing in and out. We’d like to know where it’s coming from, and that’s really all I can tell you.”
“Did you find a connection between Leo and the Smythe family?”
“Nothing yet, but with his love of gambling and reputation for losing — who knows?”
“You think the Smythes are involved with illegal gambling?”
“I don’t know. I’m coming out there for a few weeks.”
“Officially?”
“No. I’ve got time built up, and Linc won’t be able to nose around for a while.”
Samantha gave Colton Linc’s hospital room number. “Want me to text you the names of a couple of motels close to his condo?”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“Did you reach Phil Garner?”
“Yeah. I sent him some intel. He doesn’t need to know I’m coming out there. Sometimes locals don’t play well with us.”
“This detective is one of the good guys.”
Colton chuckled. “If you say so. You’ll let Linc know that I’m coming?”
“I won’t be seeing him again, but I’ll make sure he knows.”
“Trouble in paradise?”
“It was nothing like that.”
“Then you’ll have supper with me?”
His drawl sent a wave of homesickness rolling over her. She’d always love Texas, but this was her home for now. “Sure. I’d love to.”
Samantha disconnected, wondering why she’d agreed to supper with Colton. Why hadn’t she made it clear that this wouldn’t be a date? She attributed her weakness to him being home-folk. It would be fun to speak Texan for an hour or two.
****
She pushed herself through the next few days, refusing to deal with the fact that Linc had been discharged and hadn’t contacted her. The construction at the house had started and was moving fast. The Cage, on the other hand, had hit another financial snag. She found herself in Ham’s office studying two requests for more money.
“We can’t go forward without your approval.” Lenny Carlyle, the owner of the construction company, had a voice that grated on her nerves. Ham and Lenny were staring at her as if she’d sprouted a second head. She smiled and scanned the document in front of her again before pinning Lenny with a glare.
“I believe Michael Douglas said in some movie that ‘Greed is good’, but these prices are ridiculous.” Cost overruns had Samantha’s temper right on the edge of erupting.
“I hadn’t anticipated the electrical problems, but if the building doesn’t meet code, it doesn’t pass inspection.” Slumped back in his seat, Lenny Carlyle glared back, unflinching.
His dark hair slicked back away from his face, accentuated deep-set, hooded brown eyes surrounded by way too many pounds. Looking comfortable with himself, he chewed an unlit cigar. His appearance was questionable at best, but he came with high recommendations.
“Your call,” he continued. “The second invoice is the flooring your grandmother insists on using. It wasn’t in the original plan and she’s changed her mind three times. If we lay this particular flooring, we have to strengthen the floor joists to support the extra weight, and you get to foot the bill. Let me know what you decide.” Shrugging, he pushed back from the table, and stood to leave.
“Fine. Do it her way.” Samantha signed the documents and pushed it across to Ham. She’d given her grandmother free reign on the interior design and would stand behind her choices. She and Dave were doing a great job on The Cage. Samantha had spent her time on Charlie’s house, which was coming along fast. Maybe she needed to devote more time to the restaurant and give her grandmother a break.
“Thanks.” Lenny hustled from the room as if any second she was going to change her mind.
“If he was going to screw me, he could’ve kissed me first,” she mumbled under her breath. She caught Ham smothering a smile.
“You’re getting good at this. You saw right through his “tough as nails” façade, didn’t you? He’s really a good guy.” Ham studied her face. “You’re looking a little tired. If I give you my physician’s name, will you make an appointment?” Ham stared over the top of his glasses.
“I’m fine. I’ll slow down when we open for business. I’m shooting for Christmas or New Years at the latest. She stood to leave. “I’ll talk to my grandmother. She’s done so much for me. I don’t want her to think I’m ungrateful. I’m so grateful for her help, which is why I haven’t reeled her in yet.”
“Is that the only reason you came back to California?” Ham leaned back and formed a steeple with his fingers.
Her stomach clenched. “Why else?”
“Don’t you want to ask about Linc?”
“How is he?” Her heart rate kicked into overdrive at the sound of his name. Every day, she hoped that feeling of loss filling her chest would fade. “How is he?”
“He’s doing well. He was being released from the hospital the day I dropped by.”
“He’s strong. I knew he’d bounce back.” She tried to hold back the next question, but it was out before she could. “Did he ask about me?”
“I’m sorry. He didn’t.”
“I didn’t really think he would. His focus is getting back to work.”
“Dave wondered why you never came back to the hospital.”
“Dave should speak with me if he has questions. There was no reason for me to return to the hospital. It’s as simple as that.”
“I don’t think it’s quite that simple, but if you don’t want to talk about it, I understand.”
****
Leo put the stack of books and folders in the passenger seat, walked around, and got in his car. Why he’d had to be briefed before giving Samantha the books was a mystery. Did Jules think he was going to say too much? Or give her the wrong set? It pissed him off royally that nobody gave him credit for anything.
The old man had been furious that the restaurant and house had been burned. He’d ranted that Leo was as useless as Dylan. Never mind that Dylan had ordered the torching. Leo almost walked around the desk and beat the old bastard to death.
Leo returned to his car in the parking garage after being properly humiliated and called every vile name in the book. He slid his key in the ignition and started his car.
A shadow rose from his back seat. A name formed in his mind, but before his lips could speak the word something slid over his head and around his neck, cutting off any sound Leo wanted to make. Leo grabbed at Dylan’s wrists, clawing at the gloves on his hands to no avail as the cord tightened and cut into his flesh. Leo rolled his shoulders and thrashed about, in an effort to break free. The pain was excruciating as his lungs struggled for air. Pressure built in his brain until the images around him began to fade, yet he fought on, clinging to the hope he could break free. A final thought crossed his mind as his vision faded to black.
It shouldn’t take this long to die.
****
Samantha spent the time waiting for Leo with the site foreman. The framing carpenters were hard at work. Everything would move faster because the slab, electrical, and plumbing already existed. She’d salvaged as much of the lumber and pictures as possible. The Cage would look new but it had to have some of its history included.
She walked to water’s edge, and the foreman returned to his crew. The day was breezy and the waves were white capped, otherwise fall in California was proving to be beautiful with fragrant flowers and trees in full bloom.
Dave joined her. “Have you been waiting long?”
She glanced at her watch. “Yeah, over an hour now.”
“Have you called Leo?”
“No. I guess I should.”
“I’ll call him. You won’t chew his ass out for being late, but I will.”
“Thanks. I’ve got to meet my grandmother. She’s narrowed the dinnerware to two choices.”
“Go. I’ll let you know when I have the books.”
She turned her back to the ocean and walked across the parking lot, grateful that Dave hadn’t mentioned Linc. He usually tried to bring Linc into the conversation, forcing her to change the subject. Linc had made no attempt to contact her, so talking about him only inflicted pain and accomplished nothing. Late at night when she should be sleeping, she found him slipping into her mind. Apparently, her heart refused to let go of his memory.
She heard a vehicle, turne
d, and watched as Lenny got out of his pickup. He waved and went straight to his foreman. Curious, she decided to join them.
“How’s it going?”
“The crew is making good progress. We’re running a full crew working today, and now that you’ve approved overtime, things will move faster. If you need something we can, we can go inside the construction trailer and sit down if you want.”
“No thanks. I have to meet my grandmother.” Samantha thought Lenny moaned but ignored it. “Give me a walk through, then I’ll get out of your hair.”
She and her grandmother had sifted through the debris, keeping anything reusable from the original bar before the structure had been demolished. The new building would be a variation of the old. It would have as much of Charlie in it as possible, and she’d even considered changing the name to Charlie’s Place, but decided against it.
What she was going to do after it opened? She hadn’t decided. Her knowledge of bars and restaurants totaled zero. She only had Dave and Maggie and maybe Hector, so she’d authorized Dave to start searching for new hires. Leaning against a work bench, she listened and learned as Lenny explained the next steps.
“I’d like to open before Christmas. Think we’ll make it?” She had a picture in her mind of how the holiday decorations inside and around the new patio would look.
“I wish I could say yes, but it ain’t happening. Not with the recent rain delay. Now that we’ve got the building in the dry, things will go much faster. It’ll be damned close, but the state has to complete the final building inspection before you open. Then we gotta fix all the little things they find,” Lenny said.
“Will it be ready enough for me to have a small Christmas party?”
“I’ll make it happen.” Lenny stopped talking and looked off toward the ocean.
Curious, Samantha turned the direction he was staring. Her heart jumped to the back of her throat at the sight of Linc heading their way. He tracked across the beach like a big cat on the hunt, with its prey in sight. His smooth, easy gait, made her want to check to see if his steps left an impression in the sand. He didn’t glance right or left, his gaze directed straight at her.
Till The Dead Speak (Killer Affections Book 2) Page 21