She suddenly felt uncomfortable. She had a vague memory of John showing up and helping Todd get her out of the woods. He saw me last night. Oh, God. Her hands twisted the blanket covering her as she struggled to put on a brave face for John. She didn’t want his pity, his or anyone else. “I’m doing just fine. You know me, I’m a fighter.” She met John’s eyes daring him to comment further.
Todd was so proud of Blair. That was his she-wolf talking. She was tearing up inside, but she wouldn’t let John or the kids see that. He walked over to the wheelchair and assisted her into her bed. He carefully avoided her back and made sure it was supported with a soft pillow. “That’s my girl,” he smiled and cupped her face gently. “So, John, are we finished for now?”
John hesitated. “Well now that you’re both here, I’m afraid I have to ask some questions.”
“You can’t be serious!” Todd swung around, if he had to, he’d push John out of the room before he’d let him bother Blair with his questions.
“Todd, Blair, it’s my job. I need to know what really happened last night.”
Todd started to move toward John but was stopped by Blair’s hand. “Todd don’t. If we’re going to get Mitch, John needs the evidence to put him away when caught. What exactly do you want?”
“Just start at the beginning and tell me what you can. “ John pulled out his notepad. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Before Blair could start, Starr, Jack, and Sam showed back up at the door. “Mom, Dad, We’re going to go home and get some clothes for you. Just in case Dr. Wolek does let you come home after all.” Starr said, then she spotted McBain. “Oh, I didn’t know you were going to be here detective.” She glanced at her little brother Sam, hoping John wouldn’t say anything about an investigation.
John watched as the color drained from Blair’s face when the kids entered. Obviously, she didn’t want them knowing all the details. “Yes, well Bo and I were concerned about your mom after her ordeal and I needed to talk with your father about something. I’ll wait outside while you continue your visit.” He started to leave.
“No, that’s okay we’re going anyway. Mom, we’ll be back. Be good, so Dr. Wolek gives the okay.” She walked over and gave her mom a quick kiss.
“Yeah Mom, we need you home. Rascal’s just dying to get into more mischief. You should have seen the mess he made with the paper this morning.” Jack piped up. “He always seems better behaved when you’re around.”
“I know, I don’t know why he decided to scamper away last night. He must have seen a rabbit or something.” Blair said. “I’m guessing he came home just fine last night.”
“Yes, he was covered in leaves, so Dad figured you were in the woods looking for him.”
replied Starr.Blair looked at Todd standing beside her. She saw the anguish in his eyes and knew he was remembering finding her. “Thank goodness he went home,” she said to the room, her eyes never leaving Todds. That damn puppy, if I hadn’t chased him none of this would have happened. She knew Todd was probably thinking the same thing. She wrapped her hand around his and drew him closer. “Your Dad’s my hero, my rescuer. I’d still be lying there hurt if your father hadn’t come looking for me.” Her voice choked up and Todd sat down on the side of the bed wrapping an arm around her to steady her.
“Hey, I couldn’t let my wife get lost in the woods. Just do me a favor. The next time you decide to take a trek through the woods, please wear more sensible shoes. You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck.” Todd kissed the top of her head and smiled into her eyes. “We won’t let you get lost again. That’s a promise.”
Sam could tell his mom was close to tears. “Yeah mom, anyone can get lost. Next time Rascal runs away, just tell Dad. He’ll come right back if Dad calls him, then no one will get lost.”
“You’ve got that right, Sam. Now say your goodbyes and go home. Starr can bring back clothes for your mom. I’ll try and change Dr. Wolek’s mind about another overnighter for her, but if the doctor insists she stays, I’m going to keep her company.”
Sam moved close to the bed and Todd lifted him up to give her a kiss. He whispered. “I hope you come home, I miss you, Mom.”
Blair’s tears started to drop. “I miss you too, Little Man. Now be good for Starr the rest of the day until I get home. Okay?” she kissed him back.
“Okay, Mom,” Sam said as Todd put him back down.
Jack gave his mom a quick peck. “Same here, Mom. Hurry and get home,” he turned and left the room before anyone could see his tears. Someone had hurt his mom bad. He had a feeling his dad and John McBain knew the guy who did it and that‘s why John was really there. He knew his dad wasn’t going to tell them any more than they already knew. He’d have to ask Shaun. Maybe the big guy had gotten more information from the police who had been in the woods all night. Jack wiped his tears away as Starr and Sam joined him in the hallway and the three of them headed back home.
John had been waiting patiently by the door during the whole dialogue with the kids. He had heard the bit about the puppy and now the dog whistle made sense. Once the kids were definitely gone he moved forward and placed his notepad on the tray. “Blair, how often did you walk the puppy?”
Blair was wiping away her tears and looked at John. “Every evening, since we got him. Why?”
“Because it means Mitch wanted you specifically. He could have taken any of you when you guys were walking the puppy. He had a dog whistle that he used to lure the puppy to him. He knew you would follow. Then he just waited until you walked right into his trap.”
Todd looked over in alarm. “What’s to stop him from going after the kids next, by doing the same thing?”
“For one, I think he got what he wanted. He left everything where he used it and didn’t even care if we knew it was him. I’m sure he’s sitting somewhere gloating right now. Possibly at the location we believe. I know it’s painful, but I need to know what he did to you? You went chasing after the puppy, then what?”
Blair wasn’t sure she even wanted to talk. She looked down at her arms, saw the bruises and felt chills remembering Mitch holding her. She shivered in Todd’s arms and for a moment wanted to pull away, as she recalled Mitch licking her. All of a sudden her stomach heaved. “I’m going to be sick.” She turned away from both of the men, and got sick off the other side of the bed.
Todd reacted quickly steadying her as she struggled to get her stomach back under control. “Blair, you don’t need to do this right now.”
“I have to, but the way he made me feel,” she hugged her arms around her and allowed Todd to pull her in close again. “his hands were so cold and … and the look in his eyes. It was different. He was different.”
“How so? Mitch has always been crazy.” John was watching her carefully, maybe it was too soon. She had been holding it together so well until he had asked her for details.
“He seemed younger, somehow. But it didn’t make sense, I kept trying to wrap my head around that fact. I struggled and broke free of his grip, but stumbled and fell trying to get away. Then he was grabbing at me and trying to get me under control.” She stopped and looked up at Todd, “I was fighting him, and I know I did some damage, but then he was sitting on my legs pinning me to the ground,” she gulped. Her hand dug into Todd’s arm and she spoke, almost in a whisper, lost in her thoughts at that moment. “He was enjoying every moment of my struggle. Playing with me like I was a mouse he could take and devour whenever he was ready. Then he fondled the baby.” ‘When I’m finished with you, he’ll never be enough again’. All Blair saw at that moment was Mitch’s face hanging above her and she reacted. Her hand slashed through the air clawing at the imagined face in front of her. She pulled her hand back in and looked at the imaginary blood under the nails. “You’ll never compare to him” she whispered to herself. She cradled the hand for a moment and then stroked her belly. “Mommy got him good.”
Todd was scared. Blair was reliving what had happened. She had ceased to be with them and was in her mind replaying the events. “Blair?” He took her hand and started to rub it, trying to bring Blair’s attention back to the present. He looked into her eyes and she was unfocused. “Blair, look at me?” No response. “John get help!” As John left, Todd moved to stand in front of Blair but was unprepared for what happened next.
Blair’s arms jerked over her head as if bound and her eyes got wild and she began to moan as if her mouth was covered. She started reacting to each blow Mitch was giving her.
Todd watched horrified at what he was seeing. He had to stop it but he didn’t know how. He moved to take her back into his arms, trying to pull her arms back down and keep them down even as she continued to jerk. “Babe, I’m here, you’re safe, it’s all over.” The jerking subsided just as the nurse appeared.
“What’s going on?” Laurel could see Blair being held by Mr. Manning, but something wasn’t right. “The detective said Mrs. Manning was acting strange.”
“I don’t know, she seemed to be caught up in her memory of last night. I think it’s over.’ Todd looked down at Blair’s still form in his arms “That’s right isn’t it ,Babe. You’re okay now.” There was no response and Todd reached to turn Blair’s face to his. A cold chill ran down his spine. She was staring off into space. Todd held her and gently laid her back in the bed. She was lying there, her eyes open, but she was unaware. “Talk to me. Come on, Babe, it’s me.” God, please tell me she hasn’t gone where I think she has. He ran his fingers through his hair. Then put his hands beside her face. “Babe, don’t do this. You don’t need to hide. Not from me, never from me.”
Laurel Rogalla quickly took charge. “Mr. Manning, let me check her out.” She gently moved Mr. Manning away and turned to her patient. “Mrs. Manning, it’s Nurse Rogalla, can you hear me.” She checked the pulse. “Her pulse is a little high. I’ll get Dr. Wolek. Mr. Manning, I’m sure everything is going to be alright.” Laurel quickly hit Dr. Wolek’s extension. “Doctor, it’s Mrs. Manning, there seems to be a problem.”
Todd had watched the nurse. God, Blair, I’m so sorry I didn’t get to you sooner. Mitch is going to die. I promise. From the corner of his eye, he caught John standing just inside the door and his anger flared. He was suddenly pushing John up against the wall. “This is your fault! You just had to get a statement. You had all the proof you needed that it was Mitch. I could kill you right now.” Todd had one arm pressed against John’s chest while his other hand was around John’s throat.
John remained very calm. He knew just what Todd was capable of and he couldn’t blame him at that moment. He brought his hands up attempting to break Todd’s hold. “Todd stop, I’m sorry, you’re right. I shouldn’t have pushed Blair, but if you kill me, you won’t help her or your kids.”
Larry entered the room at that moment and immediately went to help John. “Todd, don’t do this. Let him go. Todd, let him go or I’ll have to sedate you. What the hell is going on in here?”
“He pushed Blair, he just had to get her story. Look at her Larry, this happened because of him.” Todd turned his eyes toward where Blair lay, still unmoving. He turned back to John and closed his hand harder around his throat.
John had managed to get a few fingers in between Todd’s hand and his neck and now he fought Todd’s anger. “Todd, it’s not me you’re angry with. It’s Mitch.” John was beginning to feel woozy. He was losing the battle. He had to get through to Todd. He knew when Todd thought about it later he would regret his actions. “Todd, you do this, Mitch wins. It’s what he wanted. He hurt her to get to you. Don’t let him win. Blair wouldn’t want it.” The hand loosened and John watched as his words sunk in. Todd’s hand dropped abruptly.
“Get out of here, John. You find Mitch. You owe her.” Todd turned away and walked back to stand beside Blair. He stroked her hair and spoke softly. “Blair come back to me. Please. I can’t live without you.”
John and Larry caught him as the sedative knocked him out. He had never felt it. They laid him back on his bed and John filled Larry in on everything that had taken place. After a few more words he departed and Larry looked at his two patients. They were both part of his extended family, but he had never felt so helpless. Vicki had once told him, Todd felt he was cursed. In that very minute, Larry would have to agree.
Another great chapter.
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