Mac, Stella and Detective Perry sat in the waiting room at the mental hospital for over an hour waiting. Finally, the therapist came back out. "If you'll come with me," she said.
They followed her to another room. There was a box sitting on the table there. "That should have anything you're looking for," the therapist said. "And blood samples are kept in that cooler."
"Thank you," Detective Perry said.
Mac headed for the cooler. The therapist pointed out the right samples. "I hope that will help you with what you're looking for," she said.
"Why do you keep samples like this?" Mac asked.
"In case they come back. We can test their blood and know if they are taking their medications."
"Were you his therapist?"
"Yes, I was one."
"Did he seem hostile?"
"At times. I don't think he intended to let go of any of his hostility. He left the hospital on his own terms."
"Did he ever mention anyone named Peyton Driscoll or Doctor Driscoll?"
"I wasn't with him all the time. I mostly helped him with exercises."
"Who was his mental therapist?"
"That would be Doctor Laura Jenkins. I don't think she will tell you anything about his sessions. That is private."
"But this man is suspected of murder. Peyton Driscoll was the mother of my two-year old daughter. I want to know why he killed her if he did."
"I wouldn't know, Detective, but I wish you luck."
"Thanks."
Mac took the samples over to Detective Perry. "Lets get these back to the lab for analysis," Mac said.
They hurried back to the lab. It would take the rest of the day to get the results. "Why don't we take a break and have a snack?" Detective Perry asked.
"Yes," Mac said. "I'm ready for that. There's no telling when we'll get another chance. I hope we can find that guy."
"He must be here in London somewhere," Perry said.
They went to the lounge and had a snack. Mac sat there at the table. He was more anxious now than before. They had to get this over with and get out of here. Mac walked around while he drank his bottle of water. It was spring water. He didn't like spring water as much as he liked regular purified water, but it would do.
Mac went back over to Stella. "Why don't we go and spend some time with Amanda while we're waiting?" he asked. "It's going to take a while to get that."
"Okay," Stella said.
"I'll let you know when John Fortner gets back to London," Perry said. "We'll test his DNA as well."
"Thanks," Mac said.
Mac and Stella went out to their car and went to the house. Peyton's sisters were there now. Mac had not seen them since he came over to London with Peyton. They greeted him, but they didn't seem to be too happy about his being there. Stella noticed it too. Mrs. Driscoll gave her daughters a warning look. She liked Mac and was glad that he loved his daughter.
Amanda went to Mac without hesitation. "Daddy," she said.
"I've missed you today," Mac said, as he hugged her and kissed her. "How's my little girl?"
"Fine. I want you to read a story."
Mac smiled. He was still surprised at how well she could talk. "You're a smart girl," he said. "I think I'll talk to your grandmother a little first and then I'll read to you."
"Promise?"
Mac smiled. He thought a moment. "If I don't have to run off on the case again, I promise."
"Okay."
Mac put Amanda down and looked at Mrs. Driscoll. He couldn't help but notice the critical stares from Peyton's two sisters, Lauren and Diane. "We almost have an answer for who killed Peyton," Mac said. "I believe it's one of these two men that we have as suspects."
"And just how do you know that?" Lauren asked. "How do you know anything about Peyton?"
Mac swallowed. "Your mother told us a lot, and we found more information from files at the hospital."
"So, you've been snooping."
"Lauren, that is enough," Mrs. Driscoll said.
"He thinks he can just come over here and take Amanda back to New York with him after he hasn't even been a father to her for two years."
Stella was getting flustered now. "He didn't know about her," she said. "And for your information, Peyton was the one who broke off their relationship." She would not stand here and let her talk to Mac that way.
"But, he has no right to take Amanda from what she has known all her life. I won't stand by and let that happen."
"You don't have a say," Mrs. Driscoll said. "Peyton's will specifically states that the child will go to live with her father in the event of her mother's death."
"She didn't know she would die like this!"
"Neither did Mac," Stella said.
Mac felt like he was an intruder now. Stella didn't like it one bit. She glared at Lauren. "How dare you talk to him like that," Stella said. "Mac is a wonderful father to that child, even if he hasn't known her but two days. He came all the way over here to see her. You don't even know him."
"Amanda doesn't know him either," Diane said.
"Yes, she does. She knew him the first time she saw him. Peyton made sure she knew her father. How can you stand here and talk like this when your sister is lying in state? She wanted Mac to know his daughter, and her to know him. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
Stella stared at them a moment. She thought she was figuring out what this was about. They thought Mac really killed her. Stella shook her head. "I don't believe this," she said.
Mac thought he would be sick. Mrs. Driscoll was furious. "You two will stop this right now," she said. "I want you to leave."
"NO," Mac said. "Stella and I will leave. I won't come between you and your daughters. I'll come back tonight."
Mac headed for the door. Stella wanted to stay there and give those two women some more of her mind, but she followed Mac. Mac was at the car before Stella even got out the door. Suddenly, Amanda came out the door. "Daddy, you didn't read my story," she said.
Mac thought his heart would break. Stella looked from Amanda to Mac. She knew he couldn't do it. Stella squatted in front of Amanda. "Daddy will be back to tuck you in if he can," Stella said. "He has something he has to do."
"Isn't he going to say goodbye?"
Stella looked toward Mac. He was standing at the car with his arms folded. She didn't think he could. Stella could also hear Mrs. Driscoll telling her daughters what she thought of that episode. Stella felt like she was caught in the middle. "Your daddy loves you very much," Stella said. "He's…" How could she explain this to a two-year old? Stella kissed Amanda on the forehead. "Everything is going to be fine. Daddy will come back to see you. Okay?"
"Okay."
Amanda looked at Mac and waved. "Bye, Daddy," she said.
Mac waved. "Goodbye, Sweetheart," he managed to say. He felt like his heart was upside down.
Just then, Mac's phone rang. Stella took Amanda back into the house. "I'm sorry about that," Mrs. Driscoll said.
"It will be alright," Stella said.
"They will not interfere with Mac taking this child. She will be with her father where she belongs. I will see to that."
"Thank you, Ma'am. We have to get going. Mac just got a call. I think we're about to find our suspects."
Stella went back out to the car. "What was that call about?" she asked.
"John Fortner is back," Mac said. "They're on the way to the precinct with him now."
Stella looked at Mac. She knew he was holding his emotions inside. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Mac swallowed. "I don't want to talk about that right now," he said.
"Mac…"
"Don't try to push it, Stella."
Stella folded her arms. She would like to get those two women alone and let them hear her fluent Greek. She wouldn't do it in front of Mac or Amanda, or even Peyton's mother.
Mac knew Stella was upset, but he felt like he would explode if he tried to tell her how he felt. He didn't know how to explain it anyway. He didn't know how they could hate him like that. He had never done anything to Peyton. He knew this didn't have anything to do with her opinion. Her mother was definitely on his side. Mac wondered what Peyton had told her. Mac's mind was full of questions. He didn't understand any of this, but he would help solve her murder.
They rode in silence to the precinct. Mac got his first look at John Fortner. He was tall, with dark hair and blue eyes. He looked at Mac. "Mac Taylor," he said.
Mac was surprised. "How do you know me?" he asked.
"I don't. I just know 'of' you. I didn't kill Peyton. Why would I want to kill her when I loved her?"
"We have to eliminate you as a suspect."
"What about you?"
"I've already been eliminated."
When they tested John Fortner's DNA, it didn't match. Mac had not thought it would. That left one other person: Tom Watson. Mac wondered how long it would take to find that guy. "We need to get a picture of him out so that maybe we can find him that way," Mac said.
"It's a shot," Perry said.
Mac and Stella sat down at the table in the lounge. Stella held Mac's hands across the table. "Are we going back to the house to see Amanda?" she asked.
Mac looked at her. Stella could see the hurt and uncertainty in his eyes. "I don't want her sisters to be there when I go back," he said. "And they may be expecting more company to come. Peyton's funeral is tomorrow. I don't want to cause her mother anymore pain."
"Mac, she 'wants' you there."
"But they don't. And who knows who else will be there?"
"I know someone else who wants you there."
Mac looked at her. "You can't stay away from her because of them, Mac," Stella said.
"I know," Mac said. "I wish I knew where to find Tom Watson."
"They'll find him. Someone with burns like that has to be noticeable."
"What does that do to a person?"
"I don't know."
"It has to be a horrible experience."
"I'm sure, but it's no excuse for murder."
Mac pressed his eyes. He felt tired. What was supposed to be a joyous occasion had turned into a nightmare. He thought of how he felt when he was in that 'dream' with Claire. Mac felt like he was on the opposite end of that spectrum now.
"We have to go back," Stella said.
"Not right now!" Mac said that louder than he meant to. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright." Stella wished she could take his pain away, but she could only share it. She would wait for him to make a decision.
Stella thought Mac would rub all the hair out of his head before he got up from the table. He finally stood up. "Alright, I'm ready," he said.
Stella hugged him. "I'm with you, my darling," she said.
Mac bit his lip. He didn't want to cry now. "Lets go."
When they got back to the house, no one was there except Mrs. Driscoll. She opened the door. "Come in," she said. She hugged Mac. "Don't worry about their opinions. Go to your daughter."
Mac looked at her and nodded. He went to Amanda's room. It was her bedtime. "Daddy," she said. She ran to him.
Mac picked her up. "Are you ready for that story?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Okay, lets get you into bed."
Stella sat down on the couch. "I'm sorry if I caused you any discomfort," she said to Mrs. Driscoll.
"My daughters are the ones who caused me discomfort," Mrs. Driscoll said. "How would they like to be separated from 'their' children?"
Stella didn't have anything to say about that. She had no idea what she would think or do in a situation like this.
"Would you like something to drink?" Mrs. Driscoll asked.
"Yes, thank you," Stella said.
"I will make some tea."
By the time Mac got finished with Amanda's story, she was asleep already. She had wanted to sit in his lap while he read instead of lying in bed. Mac wondered if her grandmother had told her that her mother wasn't coming back. He had not had time to ask her. Mac wondered how old she should be before she knew what happened to her mother.
Mac put the baby to bed and then went into the kitchen where Stella and Mrs. Driscoll were. He accepted a cup of tea. He looked at Peyton's mother. "Have you told her that her mother isn't coming back?" Mac asked.
"Yes," she said. "I told her that she would be living with her father now."
"What did you tell her happened?"
"I told her that her mother has gone to heaven."
"She didn't ask me anything about it."
"I'm sure she will."
Mac sipped his tea. He still felt like happiness and sadness were fighting over his heart inside him. He couldn't move one way or the other. He thought the sadness was stronger. He felt like crying his eyes out, but he would have to get somewhere alone to do that. He was sure he would when he got the opportunity.
"Why don't you go to the hotel and bring your things here and stay here tonight?" Mrs. Driscoll asked. "You're more than welcome, and I have plenty of room."
Stella looked at Mac. "What do you say?" she asked.
"You can be here with Amanda in the morning."
Mac thought a moment. "I would like that," he said.
Mac and Stella went to the hotel and picked up their things and went back to the house. Mac would be happy to see his daughter first thing in the morning.