Page 24 of Defending Love

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dani

“ I t sounds like you’ll be busy,” I said to Mom as I helped her back into bed. “With all that therapy, in no time, you’ll be having dinners in the dining room instead of in here.”

Mom looked down at the tray of food and back to me. “What if it isn’t safe?” Her lip quivered. “I’ve been alone since Derek died. I don’t know if I can trust other people.”

“Mom.” I sat on the edge of the bed and covered her hand with mine. “Maybe along with the physical therapy, you need to talk to someone, a counselor or therapist. You’ve been through a very traumatic series of events.”

“I just want to close my eyes and wake up next to your father. I want to be annoyed by his snoring. I want to find his chair at the kitchen table pulled out because he rarely thought of pushing it back into place. I want to find his coffee cup in the sink because the dishwasher was too much to ask.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Dani. I shouldn’t burden you with this. ”

“You’re not burdening me, Mom. I love you. As soon as you’re able, you’re coming to Indy. You don’t have to sell your place or make any rash decisions, but you are alone too much. I’m sorry I can’t stay longer.”

“I understand.” She reached for a tissue and wiped her eyes and nose. “I know I can’t have all the things I just listed, but I hope one day we can all have peace. They need to find whoever did this to your father.”

Pressing my lips together, I nodded. “They will. Guardian Security is working on that as we speak.”

“And the police and FBI.”

“Of course.” I sat taller. “Have they come to talk to you?”

“Back in the hospital. Deputies from Sumter County came multiple times.”

“You mentioned FBI.”

“They only visited once. Two men.” She looked around. “The sheriff sent female deputies.” She smiled. “They were kind.”

“Did you get their names?”

“The deputies? I think they gave me their card. I don’t remember.”

“The FBI.”

Mom shook her head.

“What did the FBI ask?”

Mom picked up her fork and began pushing the green beans, mashed potatoes, and meatloaf around her plate.

“The same questions as the sheriff’s deputies.

What could I remember? Had your dad told me anything that I believe would have endangered him.

Had he been acting oddly.” She took a bite of meatloaf.

“Had he been?”

“Acting odd? No.”

“Did Dad ever say anything that you think could be connected?”

Mom shook her head. “There is no logical reason why anyone would harm Derek. He was a good husband, father, and person.” Her expression fell. “He was so excited to be a grandfather.”

I feigned a smile. “We’ll all tell Dylan great stories about his beloved papa.” I noticed the blue and white striped beach bag. “Mom, I found a photo album, and I was wondering if you could help me identify some of the people.”

“Sure, bring it here.”

I took the photo album and laid it on the covers next to her. “Finish eating first.”

She reached down and opened the cover. A smile curled her lips. “Oh my. Look how handsome your father was.” She shook her head. “That was before I knew him.”

I came around and peered down. “How old do you think he was?”

“I’d say around twenty. He was in college.” She took a drink of her water. “And look” —she pointed to the man at Dad’s side— “that’s Phen.”

Leaning down, I took a closer look. “Phen?”

“Oh, he doesn’t go by Phen any longer, but Derek always called him that. Stephen Elliott. He and your father were roommates their freshman year and in the same fraternity.”

I picked up the album and stared at the faded picture. “Goodness, I didn’t recognize Stephen. I knew this one was Dad.”

After Mom finished eating, I moved her tray and placed the album on the rolling table.

Slowly, she went through, page by page. Naming every face.

There were pictures of Darius as a baby.

Damien and I at different ages. There was a picture of Dad standing in front of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals and one of him in front of the scrolled word Sinclair outside the executive offices with a big smile. It was right after a big remodel.

“This one,” I said, pointing. “I recognize the research area at Sinclair, but I don’t know who this person is.”

Mom tugged the photo from the plastic sleeve and turned it over. On the back was written Eric . Pressing her lips together, she hummed. “I believe that was Eric Olsen.”

“A chemist at Sinclair?”

“No, no. He was a research fellow at Indianapolis University.”

“Was? Is he dead?”

“Oh yes, it was years ago. Tragic really. He was shot in broad daylight.”

A cold chill skittered down my spine. “Like Dad.”

“I guess.” Her eyes widened. “That’s a coincidence. Eric was at a park, sitting on a bench. It was sad.” She met my gaze. “You remember David Carpenter?”

“Yes.”

“His wife, Brenda, was Eric Olsen’s daughter.”

“What was Eric’s research focus?”

She inhaled. “I believe it had something to do with the Propanolol that David engineered. After Eric was killed, the university shut down its research. Damien convinced David to come to Sinclair and complete his father-in-law’s research and development.”

“Didn’t David die unexpectedly?”

“He was ill. Derek knew, but David didn’t want anyone else to know.” She shrugged. “I haven’t thought about Brenda in a while. I wonder how she’s doing.”

“Her father was killed and her husband died young. Poor Brenda.”

“Well, financially she was secure.”

“How do you know?”

“David turned Sinclair Pharmaceuticals around after Darius…” She pursed her lips. “Damien might know more of the particulars, but getting David to work for Sinclair was a feat. Of course, he was well compensated.”

My phone buzzed. I read the text message from Eli.

“We have a flight to catch.”

I turned to Mom. “I’m sorry I’m leaving early. I’ll fill Damien in on all your therapies. I’m sure Ella or Damien will be down here soon. I’ll be back too.”

She reached out for my hand. “Stay safe, Dani. I don’t want anything to happen to anyone else I love.”

Just like Dad’s letter.

I feigned a smile. “I will, Mom. I have Eli.”

“Last time he left.”

“Because last time there wasn’t really a threat.”

“I hope he stays,” she said. “Sinclair can afford Guardian Security, and until Derek’s case is resolved, I feel better if he’s with you.”

My smile was genuine. “Me too.”

I hoped he stayed.

I hoped the murderer would be found.

I hoped Eli would stay after that.

“Do you mind if I keep the photo album?” I asked.

“Oh, I’m enjoying these memories. I think I’d like to keep it for now. It will give me something to do.”

How could I say no to that?

“Okay, Mom. If any picture jumps out at you, please let me know.”

“It’s nice to remember the happier times.”

After giving her a kiss, I picked up the empty bag and opened the door. A stunning green stare met me from the other side of the hallway. Eli’s arms were crossed over his chest, stretching his bodyguard uniform on the shoulders. His long legs were crossed at the ankles.

As he dropped his arms and pulled away from the wall, a grin tugged at his lips. “Dr. Sinclair.”

“Mr. Rhodes.”

I turned to Jack. “Thank you for watching over Mom. It would be okay if you went inside. I think she’s lonely.”

Jack nodded.

Eli lifted his hand in a wave before placing it on the small of my back as we made our way to the back stairs.

“Dr. Sinclair,” a woman called from the nurses’ station.

We stopped as the woman came closer. I didn’t need to see her name badge to know who she was. “Becky.”

“You were present during your mother’s therapy-planning session.”

“I was.”

She handed me a clipboard. “It seems that somehow you entered without signing in downstairs. Please sign by the X. We make a point to keep our patients safe with up-to-date records.”

As I signed, I had a thought. “Do you know if the hospital Mom was transferred from has the same protocol?” I was trying to recall right after the incident, but honestly, it was all a blur.

“Yes.”

“So,” I asked, “if I wanted to check on some of Mom’s visitors, they’d be able to tell me?”

“They should. Every visitor is supposed to sign in, give the name of the patient they’re visiting, and sign out when they leave.” She took the clipboard. “Are you now leaving?”

“I am.”

She scribbled the time of day on the page before handing it to Eli. “Sir, could you also sign?”

He nodded as he wrote Elijah Rhodes, the date and time.

Becky didn’t stop us as we made our way to the back steps. It wasn’t until we were out and back inside the SUV that Eli asked a question as he pulled the vehicle away from the curb.

“Who do you want to check on, what visitor to your mother?”

“Mom said two FBI agents visited her at the hospital. She said the Sumter County Sheriff’s deputies came multiple times. The FBI only once.”

“What does she remember about the FBI?”

“Just two men. Couldn’t recall their names.”

“Are you wondering if they were real?”

I lifted my brow. “I am. Wouldn’t Jack check their credentials? He’d know they were fake, right?”

Eli inhaled. “I don’t know what to think. I’ll ask him if he recalls the visit.”

“What about the whole work setup in the villa—all those computers.”

“I spoke to my contact this afternoon. Guardian will clean it out. The location is compromised.” He handed me a small wallet. “For the flight back, you will be Candace Rogers. I’m your husband, Lloyd.”

“Lloyd,” I said with a giggle. “You could pick any name, and you chose Lloyd?”

“Mitchell already had the IDs. I didn’t get a choice.”

“Why are we not us?”

“Because at this exact time, I don’t trust anyone.” Through his sunglasses, he looked into the rearview mirror. “Have you called your brother to tell him you’re coming home early?”

I reached for my purse. “I should.”

“Don’t.”