Chapter Nineteen

“Ric, damn it, wake up,” she was shaking him as blood oozed from the large gash above his left eye. His shoulder was twisted at an odd angle. She ran her hands over the rest of him, feeling for broken bones. It seemed his head and shoulder had taken the worst of the impact.

 

Her knee hurt her, other than that, she’d taken stock of herself and noticed nothing was broken, and there was no major bleeding. She thought she’d bumped her head, but so far her vision was fine and the pain had been minimal.

 

She looked up and watched as the semi driver jumped out of his mangled truck, into a waiting jeep and then peeled off. Making a mental note of all the details, she turned back to Ric and focused on trying to wake him. She didn’t notice the man approaching the back of the car, not until the gun was pointing at her temple.

 

“Remove your weapon, detective. Slowly.” She heard him say in a thick middle-eastern accent.

 

She went to move her head to look, but he pushed the gun against her temple a little harder and said, “Now.”

 

Moving just her hand, she slowly released the clasp and fingered her weapon. She handed it out the shattered window to him.

 

“Now, if you would be so kind as to step out of the car,” he reached and opened her door.

 

Talking one last look at Ric, she did as the man asked. He stood just a few inches shorter than her, his darker skin was covered by a crisp white thawb, which, with his bulk, made him look larger.

 

“What do you want?” she held herself stiff, ready to spring at any opening she saw. She heard Ric moan behind her, so she positioned her body so the man wouldn’t see him, should the need arise.

 

“First, I want Ric Derby dead, then you and I are going to take a little ride,” he motioned for her to step aside, she held her ground.

 

“Why?” upon his blank look she said, “Why do you want Ric dead? What has he done to you?”

 

“Not to me, my dear. It’s what he’s done to my brother and niece. You see, he’s been filling my niece’s head with ideas. Ideas that she could do something else in life other than what her family has been planning for the girl since her birth.”

 

“I don’t understand,” Rob could hear Ric moving around and knew that the man was now too far away to hear the slight movements.

 

“Sannidhi is young and impressionable. She was fooled by Ric into thinking she could actually move to America and become an artist. She’d be Americanized!” the gun wavered in his hands as he screamed.

 

“My brother has plans for her, she is to be a good wife to someone of great importance. My brother Haidar, has tried to keep her under control, but then a few months back she disappeared. The tickets she used to leave her family was under the name Ric Derby, he helped her escape. We think she is somewhere in Europe alone, thanks to him. The family will find her, they are very close to locating her, but they had to explain her absence, make excuses, to her promised husband, and it’s all thanks to him.” He pointed the gun to the empty car, and she saw his dark eyes go wide with fear.

 

She saw her opening then, as the man frantically searched around for Ric. She swung low as Ric came from behind, high. She heard the shot, felt the heat, but continued to kick out until she noticed when Ric finally had the man pinned to the pavement. He continued to hit the man until she could tell he was unconscious and Ric kicked the gun away.

 

She stood there, as if in slow motion and smiled down at Ric. She watched the blood slowly dripping down the left side of his face as he looked at her. She could smell his blood, how funny. She could see him screaming at her, but couldn’t hear him. Which was even stranger. Then the world tilted and went dark.

 

Lights flashed as she was wheeled below brighter lights. Ric was screaming at her again. What was he saying? She tried very hard to focus. Why was it important? She had to tell him something. She couldn’t remember what it was. She saw his eyes and focused on them. Why was he crying?

 

Ric watched as they wheeled Roberta through the double doors at Edgeview Hospital. The nurse had walked him into a different area so an emergency-room doctor could take a look at his shoulder and head. His left arm hung by his side, there was no doubt in his mind that it was dislocated. His knuckles were bloody from where he’d repeatedly hit the man who’d been holding Rob at gun point.

 

When he had him on the ground unconscious, he’d looked up and had seen the dark stain on her chest. Ric had jumped up and grabbed Rob just before she’d slid to the ground.

 

The passenger van full of retired golfers, which had been the first car to come down the road, had been a blessing. One of it’s occupants had been a retired doctor and had actually turned out to be Aaron Steven’s grandfather.

 

He’d stood by and watched as the man and an older woman had worked on Roberta, stopping the blood that had been oozing out of her left shoulder.

 

When the ambulance had arrived they loaded her into the back and he watched the local Sheriff load the man into the back of his squad car. He’d ridden in the ambulance with Rob, watching, hovering over her.

 

Ric looked up now and watched Aaron Stevens walk in.

 

“What happened?” Aaron asked as he rushed to his side.

 

“Rob, she’s been shot, can you go check on her for me? I’m okay, just please let me know what’s going on with her first,” Ric pleaded.

 

“I’ll go check and be right back,” Ric watched as Aaron quickly left. Then he placed his head in his hand and prayed.

 

Less than ten minutes later, when a nurse was finishing cleaning his head, Aaron walked back in. The look on his face said more than his words.

 

“She’s in surgery, Doctor Kent is the best around, he’s going to take care of her. Her vitals are not good, but they aren’t getting worse.” Aaron walked over and started looking at Ric’s shoulder. “Let’s take care of this shoulder.”

 

“I didn’t know you were on staff here. I thought you had your own place.”

 

“I do, my grandfather called, I was in town for a meeting, today just happened to be your lucky day. This is going to hurt.” He said as he popped Ric’s shoulder back into place.

 

Six hours later, Ric felt like he was going crazy. He was pacing up and down the small private waiting area, his arm in a sling and new stitches on the side of his head. The whole Jordan clan was there except Lacey, who was at home watching all the young children.

 

Allison and Iian sat quietly huddled together, Megan and Todd had arrived shortly after them. There was even a priest, a Father Michael who was sitting talking quietly to Megan. He seemed like a nice, older gentleman.

 

Ric had been raised Catholic, but hadn’t been practicing for some time, he’d quietly prayed with the man when he’d arrived. Rob’s partner Tom had arrived two hours after he’d called the PD and told them what had happened. Now there were several cops sitting around the room as well, including her sergeant and commander.

 

The room was quiet, too quiet, Ric wanted answers. He walked to the door and looked out at the nurse’s station. When he saw Aaron standing there, talking to another doctor., he opened the door and walked towards the men.

 

Rob knew what was happening, she felt herself drifting away. Everything in her head said that she was leaving, there was no pain.

 

Her mind flashed to the night so many years ago, when she was back in a hotel room with her dad. He’d passed out drunk on the other bed and she’d stayed up all night watching MTV, eating red licorice vines, Mike and Ike’s, and drinking three Dr. Peppers.

 

Then, she was whisked away to be with her friends, months before they’d been gunned down. They’d been eating burgers and drinking sodas, laughing. Everyone was there, Billy, Bonnie, Tom, Jenny, and all the others. Their young faces all smiling and happy.

 

Then, she was eighteen and sitting with Detective Johns in an ice cream parlor, after they’d won their case against the gang members who’d taken her friends away. They’d celebrated and he’d asked her what her plans were for her life. His face hadn’t masked the concern and friendship he’d shown her.

 

Quickly, she was whisked to the small cabin with Ric. They were making love slowly after taking a walk on the beach in the summer rain. She spent more time here, realizing that it had been the happiest she’d ever been.

 

She watched as his face hovered above hers, his eyes filled with love. Then his eyes turned sad and tears were falling down on her as she was being wheeled down a long bright hallway. She wanted to go back to the cabin, back to the happy moment.

“Please,” she begged.

 

“Shh, shh, it’s okay, everything’s going to be okay, you’re safe. Just relax, rest now, I’ll be here. I’ll be right here,” he said.

 

She’d been calling his name over and over, from across the room. He’d woken in the uncomfortable chair he’d been sitting in for the last two days.

 

His friends had brought him a change of clothes, razors, whatever he had needed. Aaron had managed with his pull, to allow Ric full access to her room, day and night. He’d showered and changed into new clothes and stayed by her side ever since.

 

His friends brought him food from the hospital, something home cooked, or something from the restaurant.

 

Roberta’s friends and partners came and went. Her mother and grandmother came and went, they had even stayed for a few nights in a hotel nearby. Megan, Lacey, and Allison came and went. Todd and Iian had stopped by and kept him company for a while. All the time, Ric had stayed, never leaving the room and only stepping into the adjoining bathroom for quick breaks.

 

Aaron came back every day, checking her charts, her vitals, checking him to make sure he took his medicine for his shoulder and head injuries.

 

Now as she stirred, Ric leaned over her and comforted her. This was the first time she’d moved since arriving at the hospital.

 

Her eye’s fluttered, then she was looking at him. He could see confusion and fear.

 

“You’re at Edgeview Hospital, you were shot.” He tried to maintain his voice, but it still cracked and he held back a sob. “The bullet was lodged less than an inch from your heart, but they got it out.” He leaned down and kissed her lightly on her forehead.

 

When she tried to talk, he shushed her again, “Don’t, they say you throat will be sore from all the tubes. Everything is going to be fine, just rest. I’ll be here.” He watched as her eyes slid closed again.

 

He sat next to her and watched her sleep. Her dark eyelashes resting on her pale cheeks. Over the last few days, he’d thought long and hard about losing her. What it had done to him, seeing her lying on the cold ground, blood pouring from her chest and shoulder. He thought for a moment that he’d lost her, and it had nearly killed him.

 

His hands shook now as he reached over and lightly pushed a dark strand of her hair from her forehead.

 

There had been no one else he’d ever felt this passionate about. He couldn’t think what life would be like without her, he didn’t want to think about it.

 

Pushing up, he started to pace the room again. He swore he’d wear a pathway in the linoleum flooring soon. Just then, a nurse walked in, when she started taking Roberta’s vitals, he told her that she’d briefly woken up.

 

“That’s a good sign Mr. Derby, I’ll pass the good news along to her doctor.” She quietly left the room.

 

Less than ten minutes later, Aaron walked in smiling.

 

“I heard she was awake.” When Ric nodded, he continued. “Wonderful, was she coherent?”

 

“No, not really, she just called out.”

 

“Well, give her some time. It’s a good sign.” Ric watched as Aaron double checked her vitals and IV tubes.

 

“Have you had dinner?” When he just shook head no, Aaron said. “I can have someone bring you something, it’s meatloaf night in the cafeteria. You don’t want to have the meatloaf here.” He shook his head. “Iian’s making lasagna for the family.”

“Sounds good, thank you.”

 

After he left, Ric sat and watched Rob sleep, his phone beeped with a new message. He hadn’t heard it ring, then he realized it was on silent mode. He’d switched it over to allow her some quiet.

 

He listened to his sister’s message. “Ric, it’s Katie,” she sounded so different, almost as if she was far away. “I heard about what happened, I just wanted you to know that I’m thinking about you and I hope Roberta gets better. I… I’m sorry I can’t take your calls right now. Just know that I’m not upset with you. I just need to sort a few things before I can deal with… everyone else. Give Rob my love. Bye.”

 

He felt sad knowing that his perky little sister was no more. He sat in the quite room and listened to the machines and thought about everything he’d almost lost.

 

Less than an hour later, there was a light knock on the door. Walking to it he was shocked to see his father on the other side.

 

“Dad?” Ric was the same build as him, lean, tall, and toned. He knows his father spent as much time in the gym and running as Ric did. His blond hair and blue eyes matched his father’s perfectly. His father’s hair was just shorter and more well trimmed at the moment.

Ric noticed that his pants and shirt were wrinkled, something he’d never seen on his father before. Usually the man’s clothing was in pristine condition. He actually looked like he’d just stepped off a plane and ridden in a car for two hours like a normal human being.

 

“Ric, I heard about your -- detective and came as soon as possible.” His father looked uncomfortable, standing in the bright hallway. Ric could see the dark circles under his eyes and could only imagine the pain the man was going through. He knew that his father had just found out that his wife of over thirty years had not only been unfaithful, but had a different family and had lead a separate life across the world.

 

“It’s good to see you,” Ric walked into the hallway and hugged his father.

 

The next day, when Sergeant Johns was visiting, he pulled Ric out to the hallway.

 

Well, it looks like Adham Rangan was the real mastermind, he’s admitted to hiring the others to steal everything he wanted from your gallery, then trying to kill you and abduct Rob. It appears that he’s shipped several of the pieces to India for his brother so he could recoup the lost of his daughter’s dowry. Since she’s still missing, he assumed you had something to do with her disappearance. Even if they did get her back, the shame she’s caused her family was irreversible. Most likely she’d be killed if they ever found her.” The sergeant shook his head. “Damn crazy country, anyway, what he didn’t ship we recovered in his mansion. The man has more money than god, apparently his family has oil money. He has a pile of lawyers fighting to get him free now. We’ll see how it plays out in the courts. Most likely you’ll be called in to testify.”

 

Ric watched as the older man rubbed his hands through his hair.

 

“I’d like to get my hands on him myself. But, he’s been transferred to the state facility already. There’s a possibility the feds will even get a chance at him since shipping of stolen goods to outside the US is a federal and international crime. There’s a lot of people piling up the charges against him.”

 

“Thanks,” Ric went to shake his hand.

 

“Please, call me Mike,” he shook his hand.

 

“Thanks, Mike.”

 

Roberta sat up in the bed and watched the group of grown men huddled around her. Their faces were all solemn and she could tell they were trying to keep a positive attitude.

 

“Do I look that bad?” she asked Tom.

 

It had been three days since she’d woken up. Since then, she’d had so many visitors she couldn’t count. Her mother and grandmother had driven and spent two whole days with her before they’d been assured that she was on the mend and had returned home with their promises they would visit her soon in Portland.

 

Today, it seemed, the whole Portland police department was crammed into her small hospital room, which had been filled full of amazing bouquets of flowers.

 

She looked around the room now, looking for Ric, he’d been a standard feature in the room since she’d woken. She saw him standing in the corner now, talking to his father, who had apparently shown up a few days ago. He hadn’t left his son’s side once since arriving.

 

He’d mentioned the wedge that they had, but it appeared to her that they had mended any rifts that they might have had.

 

Ric had left her alone for only a few hours. Apparently to shower and change, since he came back looking fresh in new clothes she hadn’t seen yet.

 

She desperately wished for a shower. She’d had a nurse pull her hair up in a loose pony-tail. The most she’d been allowed to do was walk to the restroom by herself, even then, a nurse had never left her side.

 

“You take your time healing, there’s no rush to get back,” Tom was saying.

 

She noticed that Sergeant Johns had not stepped forward to talk to her, yet. He stuck to the back of the group and waited until everyone started to clear out. Then, when it was just Ric, his father, Rodrick, and the Sergeant, he stepped forward.

 

Rob looked at Ric and he and his father quietly walked out of the room, leaving her alone with the man who had been more of a father figure than her own dad had ever been.

 

“You scared me little girl,” he patted her hand, she reached up and held onto his. She’d held it together in front of the others, now, however, she felt the tears coming.

 

“I scared myself,” she hadn’t known she could explain to this man what he’d done for her life. How could you repay someone who had saved your life in more ways than one? “Listen Sarge,” wetting her lips she held onto his hand, “I’ve never told you…”

 

“Shush now, you don’t have to say anything,” he patted her arm lightly.

 

“Yes, yes I do. If it wasn’t for you, who knows where I would have ended up. You saw something in me that day, something no one else had ever seen. You gave me something I didn’t even know I needed.” Tears were slipping down her cheeks now.

 

“Rob, I didn’t do anything that you wouldn’t have done. I saw potential in the scared girl who’d just lost everything, I gave you a chance and you haven’t failed me or yourself since that day. You are the strongest person I’ve ever known. That’s why I know you’re going to be back at the office, doing your job as soon as you’re cleared. You will continue saving and protecting others like you were born to.”

 

“I love you, you know that,” she smiled, then he leaned over and kissed her cheek softly.

 

“Yeah, I love you too, kiddo. I think there’s someone else waiting to hear those words as well. Unless I’m just an old fool and have lost my ability to see the obvious.” He smiled down at her and then turned and left.