Chapter 10

"I'm sorry what did you ask me?"

Alexis made a face. "I guess that didn't come out right…"

Kevin leaned back in his chair, folded his hands together and tilted his head. "Alexis…"

"It wouldn't be permanent. Or at least there's a very good chance it wouldn't be, I don't really see her avoiding jail time. But I'd hate to see her in lock up through the holidays, just because her parents abandon her. I mean…chances are…"

"You want Lucy and I to take in a teenage girl, that neither of us have met before, for Christmas?"

"Well, when you put it like that…"

"Is there another way to put it?"

"No…that pretty much covers it." Alexis sighed. "You're going to say no, aren't you?"

"Frankly, yes. Look Alexis, I owe you big time, and I'm more than willing to help you with this girl…in a professional capacity…but Lucy and I are leaving Tuesday morning for Texas, we're spending the holiday with her Aunt Charlene."

"Oh…" Alexis replied, "what did you mean by professional capacity?"

"I'd be happy to talk to Sam and file a report. Of course depending on the outcome, it may not be 'helpful'."

"Meaning?"

"Well, meaning if she's truly disturbed I'd have to note that. And if she isn't disturbed, but shows potential as a chronic offender, I'd have to make note of that as well."

"Well, there's a 100 percent chance she'll re-offend if she's left on her own."

"I was speaking about a psychological aspect…"

Alexis sighed. "I don't think she'd agree to speak with you Kevin. She isn't much of a talker."

"My offer stands, but Alexis may I ask you something?" Alexis looked around nervously then sat back down.

"Sure, I mean, you can…I don't have to promise to answer do I?"

Kevin laughed. "No. You seem to be very invested in a child you just met. A child who victimized you."

"I thought you were going to ask me something." Alexis sniped.

"Any idea why?" Kevin held her gaze.

Alexis bit her lip and busied herself with her briefcase, but could not look away from Kevin's penetrating stare. "No."

"None at all?"

"Wait just a second, you said I didn't have to answer then you challenge my reply. I call foul Dr. Collins."

"Touché." He smiled as Alexis rose. "Like I said, I'll help anyway I can. I'm technically on vacation already, but I'll be in the office this afternoon and for a little while tomorrow. Feel free to bring Sam by if you feel it might help."

"Hi Laura, it's Alexis, I was wondering if you were available at all this afternoon. Give me a call if you get a chance. 555-4658." Alexis hung up and forced her phone back into her purse. "Okay, kid." She looked up and found only a paperback sitting where she'd left the teen. Don't panic, she told herself…cripes she ran away the second she was alone…the Judge will hang me…no…no she…breathe…

Alexis called Sam's name a few times…no response…she leaned into the ladies room and tried again, no answer…She then made her way to the Nurses station to ask if they had seen her. As she rounded the corner she saw Sam talking with Bobbie Spencer. Her relief was replaced immediately with annoyance.

"Sam…Sam. What are you doing? I asked you to wait."

The girl didn't turn around. She answered in a low, shaky voice. "I needed to use the bathroom."

Bobbie told her where it was and Sam shot off down the hall.

Alexis looked at Bobbie, completely bewildered. "Do you know her?" Bobbie asked.

"Do you?" Alexis replied, not quiet sure what to make of the situation.

"Not really, she was here a few days ago visiting…" Bobbie looked around then pulled Alexis' by the arm, back to the alcove. "Come here. She was visiting Stone."

"How does Sam know Stone?"

"Forgive me Alexis, but I'm more curious about how you know Sam?" Bobbie replied.

"She's just staying with me for a few days." Alexis really didn't want to get into it.

Bobbie had a million questions to ask, but she knew this wasn't the time. "Robin told me that Sam and Stone were in the same foster home for a while. From what I can gather, they were very close. She was asking about him…and well, I'm sure you've heard, Stone's not getting any better."

"Oh God." A hand covered Alexis' mouth.

"You didn't know?"

"I knew Stone was bad. Mac and Felicia give me fairly regular updates…but that they knew each other…I hadn't the slightest idea. Is he here?"

"He's gone back to the penthouse…"

"Thank you Bobbie…" Alexis walked off toward the ladies room.

Almost 20 minutes passed before the door opened with Sam behind it. Alexis looked up at her from the floor. "Hi."

"Hi, I…I guess I ate too many waffles." Sam stammered, her face freshly washed, but her eyes quite red. "I'm sorry you had to wait."

"No problem…I had some calls to make. Would you mind if we skipped the sneaker shopping for today?"

"Sure…"

"I need to swing by and visit a friend, that okay with you?"

"Do I have a choice?"

Alexis smiled. "I guess not."

She fought the urge to put her arm around the girl's shoulder. They walked toward the elevator in silence.

"Your phone's ringing." Sam said in the parking garage of the Harbor Towers.

Alexis reached down and shut it off. She reached in her pocket and studied a scrap of paper. They entered the lobby together.

"Ms. Davis?" A man in a dark suit asked.

"Guilty." She answered.

"You're expected. Penthouse 4."

"Thank you."

When the elevator door shut, Sam looked uneasily at Alexis. "You don't know where your 'friend' lives?"

Alexis grinned nervously. "We aren't that kind of friends."

Sam rolled her eyes. Alexis took a deep breath, hoping this was the right thing to do. The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Another man met them and escorted them in. Mac greeted them.

"Hi Alexis…you must be Sam."

"Hi Mac, thank you for…" Alexis began.

"Not a problem…I think it will put his mind at rest…he's been agitated about…"

"Uncle Mac?" Robin appeared on the stairs…"Are they here yet?"

Alexis turned to Sam, recognition dawning on the girl's face.

"Hi Sam," Robin smiled weakly at the teen. "He's awake now…"

Alexis put her hand on Sam's back, and gentled her forward. "It's okay, Sam. It's okay."