The next morning, Brooke woke up to the sound of a coffee machine. What the hell ? she thought. She swore she was ready to take her gun and rushed in the kitchen when she noticed Julian's luggage next to the bed. He's back. Her panic was quickly replaced by joy.
« Morning husband. » She said with a large smile acroos her face while she placed her arms around him.
« Morning wife. » he replied with a warm smile and kissed her.
« You came back, why didn't you tell me ? » she asked still hugging him.
« It was very late, I didn't want to wake you. Plus, I figured you needed sleep after … last night. » He said the last bit with sadness. Brooke didn't answer, instead she squeezed his back and then for the first time since the terrible event, she allowed herself to cry in her husband's arms. Julian's eyes began to water too and he found comfort tightening their embrace. « She'll be okay, Sam's tough. » He tried to reassure but was sincere about what he had said. Brooke nodded and sniffled.
« It's almost 7, I'm gonna get change and see her. » she said regaining her composure.
« Yes, I'll do the same. » He replied emptying his cup of coffee.
« Are you sure ? I mean you barely slept. You basically just came back from the airport. You can meet me there later if you'd rather. » Brooke said.
« Yes, I'm sure. I need to see her. » he replied. Brooke loved him. He really viewed Sam as his daughter. For him, he was the girl's father, just not by blood that's it. Although he understood it would take more time for the teen to see him that way considering all the things she's been through and her personnality. And he was okay with that. Actually he was more than okay because he could tell they made progress. At first, Julian was Brooke's boyfriend for Sam and she befriended him but as the months went by, she started to see him more like a father figure – just like she did whith his wife. It was therefore just a matter of time for the girl to see him as her dad.
At the hospital, Dr. Reeze lead Brooke and Julian to Samantha's room who was still asleep.
« Oh Sampson… » He said just above a whisper when he saw the girl lying on the bed. « How is she doing doctor ? » He turned to face Dr. Reeze.
« She's still weak but it's normal all things considered. She needs to rest a lot and to avoid any sources of stress which could cause tensions and put her health in danger. » Dr. Reeze warned. Just then, Rebecca arrived and greeted the parents and informed Dr. Reeze she was ready for the blood transfusion.
« Alright Mrs. Dennis, we'll need two blood bags from you. One for the transfusion and one in case of an emergency. Please follow me. » Dr. Reeze replied. A few minutes after Dr. Reeze and Rebecca had left, someone knocked on the door. They both were surprised to see Haley standing there.
« Hey, what are youd oing here ? » Brooke asked puzzled.
« Well, my dear friend's daughter whom I consider as my niece / goddaughter just got shot in the chest so… » Haley answered and Brooke engulfed her in her arms.
« I love you, you know that ? » she whispered in her ears. Haley smiled. « Wait, where's Jamie ? » Brooke asked.
« He's outside the door. I thought he was going to be upset to leave his dad a few days earlier but when I told him about Sam, he insisted to come back both for his « best friend and aunty Brooke » his words. » Haley explained and Brooke smiled. She loved her godson.
« So I better go say hi to him then. » She said and left the room.
« So how is she doing Julian ? » Haley asked looking at the person she first saw as her best student before anything more personnal. She really was concerned about that kid. Julian filled her in with everything he knew.
« Hey buddy ! » Brooke exclaimed.
« Oh, Aunt Brooke, hi ! » Jamie repleid and jumpt into her arms.
« Oh, I miss you buddy. » Brooke said and planted a kiss on his forehead.
« I miss you too aunt Brooke. And Sam, and Julian a lot also. » he said. « How is she doing ? » he then asked.
« Well, she's okay but she's very tired. » Brooke explained to the 5 years old boy.
« She's not gonna die like Q, is she ? » He asked. You could tell he was worried. Brooke knew Jamie was one of the first people Sam let in her heart when she moved in with her. And for the boy, he just saw who she truly was right from the beginning. Oddly, it had always amazed her. The connection between the two kids. And Jamie really considered her as his best friend and probably as his big sister as well.
« No, she should be okay if everyone listens carefully to what the doctor is saying. » He nodded, satisfied with his aunt's answer.
A moment later, Dr. Reeze returned with one bag of blood and asked the adults to leave the room. It was decided they would go to the cafeteria. There, they talked about Spain and Nathan whom was doing great but misses home. Thankfully his contract ended in less than a month.
About twenty minutes later, Dr. Reeze came back. « Sorry to interrupt, I wanted to let you know the blood transfusion from Samantha's aunt worked perfectly and she should be awake in any moments now. So, it's also my duty to report that to the police. I'll call them. » Dr. Reeze informed and was about to leave again when Brooke spoke up.
« Wait, sorry, did you say Samantha's aunt ? There must be a mistake here. »
« Why ? » Dr. Reeze frowned.
« Well, Rebecca Dennis is Sam's biological mother. » Brooke explained. Dr. Reeze looked down at her file one more time before speaking. « Hmm… I'm sorry but DNA doesn't lie and I can assure you that Mrs. Dennis is not Samantha's biological mother but her biological aunt. » Everyone was shocked at the unexpected news.
« Why would she lie about something like that ? » Haley asked perplexed and a but disgusted.
« I have no idea. » Julian answered obviously still numbed by the revelation.
« Perhaps it explains why she was weird the other night. She was afraid we'd discover it. What else has she been lying about ? » Brooke thought out loud. « Oh wait, oh no, no, no, it can't be, it doesn't make any sense, why ? » Brooke was at that point, up and pacing the floor with one hand on her hip and the other on her forehead. Everyone stared at her.
« What's going on hon ? » Julian asked getting up.
« The night it hapenned, I called her, I told her Sam's got hurt, badly. » Brooke said looking in her husband's eyes who was very confused by her right now.
« She asked me if I knew who shot Sam. » she explained but Julain exchanged a look with Haley who seemed as lost as he was. Brooke caught that and explained some more. « I never told her she was shot. »
Flashback
« Allo ? » a tired voice answered.
« Hi hello, sorry to bother you this late- »
« Who's this ? »
« Sorry, hum…this is Brooke- »
« Oh Brooke, is something wrong with Samantha ? » How did she guess ? Of course, why would you call her this late otherwise ?
« Hmm, yes something terrible happened. » she paused as her voice trailled off « she got hurt, badly. We're at the hospital. »
« So what does it mean ? What are you saying ? » Julain asked.
« I don't know…. But tell me how she knew ? » Brooke asked hopping for a more rational explanation than the one she had in mind.
« Perhaps she talked to someone at the hospital before joining you. » Julain said.
« No, she went straight to the waiting room. » Brooke replied.
« Maybe she guessed it right ? » Haley attempted but was not convinced herself.
« I think there's only one theory that explains it. » Brooke paused before speaking again. « She did it. »
« But why ? It doesn't make any sense. » Julian said.
« I don't know why ! But… » Brooke stopped when she saw the two police officers from the previous night walking in her direction.
« Good morning Mrs. Baker. » They said in unison. « We've been notified that Samantha would be in condition to talk today. It is standard procedure we speak with her. You're allowed to be present of course. » The female agent said.
« I understand. Let me see if she's awake and I let you two come inside. » Brooke replied leaving the group to process her theory.
Once in Sam's room, the girl's eyes were opened but you could read the fatigue in them. She got closer to the teen and placed a hand on her arm.
« Hey sweety, it's so good to see you. » she said trying her best not to cry.
« Hey, how are you ? » a tired voice replied.
Brooke scoffed. « Shouldn't I be the one asking ? » she playfully said and Sam managed to crack a smile. « Honey, I'm sorry to do this right now, I wish I didn't but two police officers are here and they want to ask you a few things. Is it okay ? » Brooke asked carefully scruting her foster's daughter expression.
« Yes, I'm ready. Let's get it over with. » she said and tried to sit up but winced in pain and felt very dizzy.
« No hun, just lay down. » Brooke said helping the girl to do so with her hands on her shoulders. Then Brooke opened the door to let the two officers come in.
« Hello Samantha. » The male agent said. « We have some questions for you if that's okay. » he went on and the teen nodded.
« Did you happen to see who attacked you ? » the female agent asked.
« No, I was talking to Brooke when it happenned, not looking out the window. » she answered.
« Did you tell anyone you were planning on eating there that night ? » The male agent took over.
« No, I didn't. I just needed to get out and hang out with my mom. Well, I mean Brooke. » she said so there wouldn't be any confusion between Brooke and Rebecca. But she also wanted to make sure Brooke understood it which apparently she did.
« Can you think of anyone who would like to get back at you for some reasons ? » The male agent clumsily asked.
« You mean, if I can think of anyone who wishes me dead ? No, I mean I met bad people in the past but things didn't evolve with them wanting to end me. I wasn't that important for them to ruin their life. » Sam exclaimed and that statement made Brooke's heart ache.
« Anything out of the ordinary these last few weeks ? » The female agent now asked.
« No, I mean except that I've been seeing my biological mother but I don't think that's relevant here. » Sam said and she saw something in her foster mom's eyes even though she couldn't read it.
« I'm sorry but I think that's enough for today. Her body temperature is rising up which is normal but is a sign that she should rest and get some sleep now. » Dr. Reeze said at the door.
« One more thing. You said you needed to get out, why is that ? » the female agent asked.
« Oh, I was just bored and wanted to do something else you know ? » she answered and the female agent nodded.
« And why did you want to hang out with your foster mother ? Ain't kids your age trying to avoid their parents ? » the male agent clumsily asked.
« I've been hanging out quite a lot with my biological mom lately and I didn't want my foster mom to get the wrong idea. » Sam said and slightly blushed which made Brooke secretly smiled. « Plus, I'm not like most kids my age. » She finished. When Sam fought a yawn, it was now Brooke's turn to politely ask the police officers to leave.
« I'll see you later honey. » She said and planted a kiss on her daughter's forehead even though she was already back to sleep.
« Officer ? May I have a word with you please ? » Brooke asked once she left Sam's room.
« What is it Mrs. Baker ? » The female agent asked.
« You asked me to call you if I could think of anything and I don't know, it might be silly but… » Brooke paused, unsure of how to properly address the issue.
« Mrs. Baker, very often the small details you consider silly are the one helping a case the most. » she encouraged her to continue.
« Well, we've just found out Rebecca Dennis is not really Sam's biological mom but her aunt which is an odd thing to lie about. And also, when I called her the other night to inform her about Sam, she knew she got shot but I never mentionned it. » Brooke felt relieved to say it out loud.
« Thank you Mrs. Baker, we'll have a talk with Mrs Dennis then and if anything's worth sharing we will let you know. » The female agent replied.
When the two police officers confronted Rebecca that day about lying and knowing about Sam's injury, she denied it at first and then confessed but said it was only to protect the child from her family.
Clearly woman, we don't share the same definition of the verb. If you want to know what protection means, ask Sam she knows, she's been protecting me my whole life. Anyway, what followed is quite a mess. The police, before pressing any charges, wanted to check the woman's background and dig up her past. So they called her family who informed them they hadn't heard of Rebecca since she left home at the age of 17. They said they would come at the hospital to continue their talk but somehow this infuriated Rebecca who begged the police not to let her parents know about the teen nor seen her. It took about 45 minutes to calm the woman whom at some point looked straight into Brooke's eyes and said « you're going to give the girl an unbearrable life. » Poor Brooke. She didn't know what to think, was Rebecca crazy ? though she looked sincere. She figured she still had about an hour to think things through before Rebecca's parents arrived.
When the Denises' arrived at the hospital an hour later, the two officers invited them to talk down at the station but the Denises' insisted to talk at the hospital. You could see just by looking at them, they were powerful people – probably wealthy judging by clothes and jewelry alone – and you could feel a 'don't mess with me I've got influence' vibe emaning from them. This is probably one of the reasons why the two detectives didn't argue with them and conveyed their interview at the hospital, the other reason being simply more practical.
« Alright Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, we've got a situation here. Your daughter, Rebecca, admited to attacking a teenager. » the male officer announced.
« Oh my – this is terrible Jim. » Mrs Dennis told her husband.
« We called you because we would like to know more about your daughter. » The female agent continued.
« Well, I mean, this is a total surprise for us officers. We know Rebecca's never been easy to deal with but not that she could cause any harm to anyone. » Mr. Dennis exclaimed.
« What do you mean 'not easy' ? » the female agent asked.
« Rebecca's nothing like her sister officer. She's always been jealous oh her I think and it had made her bitter in a way. We come from a family of traditions and while her big sister followed the rules and behaved as expected, Rebecca was the contrary. She would be disobedient, disrespectful of her origins and would run away to shame our family name in the county. » Jim Dennis said bitterly.
« Why would she be ashamed of her origins ? » the male agent asked.
« Rebecca's never seen as positive that our family is wealthy. We'd made a lot of money when we openned our business some fifty years ago in New York State. We're in the ship industry and made investment plans which turned out to be very... fruitful. Anyway, she thought money brings the worst in people and saw us as monsters or something. So she would do anything to have nothing to do with it such as befriending rascals and eventually leaving the nest for good. » Mrs Dennis explained.
« I see. And why would she be jealous of her sister ? » The female agent asked.
« We don't know for sure. I mean it's not like one was better than the other, they were both good students, doing well with sports and everything it's more regarding their personnality I think. Throughout their childhood and teenage years, Rebecca was the outgoing one, the troubled one whereas Suzanne, our eldest, was more timid but very friendly and funny. Everyone would be fond of her. She was like a magnet, always happy and people needed to be around her to feel it too. Perhaps Rebecca felt neglected or something. God knows what that child was thinking ! » Mrs Dennis said.
The female agent eyed her coworker to let him know she'll talk to Rebecca and that he should conduct this interrogation alone. He nodded and she left. Out of the room, she thanked the security guard from the hospital to have kept an eye on Rebecca and she invited the latter to talk in another room.
« Could you describe to me your relationship with your older sister Suzanne ? » the female agent asked.
« Let me guess. My parents told you I hated her or something, well that's not true. » she spatted.
« Any reasons to be jealous of her ? » the agent asked.
« Jealous ? they said I was jealous ? Are you kidding me ? Listen, I loved my sister so much, she was the reason why I stayed this long in that crazy house. But I have to admit, sometimes I wanted to strangle her or something. » she said shaking her head.
« Why is that ? » the policewoman asked.
« See, I hated my parents and their foolish traditions. If we weren't rich, we wouldn't have them. Money disgusts me. I rebelled in my own way. I made friends with working class kids or less fortunate. I hated all those stupid rich rules, all the banquets, the much obliged invitations, the dress code, the false politeness and fake smiles oh, all of it was just fake, everything's just pretending and dust. And my sister, she hated it too. It drove her nuts and that's why I loved her so much. She was like me deep down, which was also the problem, it was deep down. She wouldn't dare act out, rebel say or do anything to upset my parents, to shake their world, I was always the one doing something about it, well until she got pregnant that is. I thought it was good news, it would show she wasn't perfect and she would leave and be free, start a new life with her kid and me helping out if needed, away from our parents but no. No, she wasn't going to do that. She was too afraid and said yes to anything my parents would say. She chose her side and it wasn't the one I wished for so I left. » Rebecca explained.
Back in the other room, the older couple were still answering the male officer's questions.
« Do you think Rebecca was also jealous of her sister's pregnancy ? » the male officer asked and both parents were shocked.
« How do you know about that ? I mean about the pregnancy ? » Martine Dennis asked puzzled.
« Your youngest daughter told us about it. So I'm sure it must have been a shock to learn your 18 years old was expecting, I think it's safe to assume it wasn't part of the family traditions, was it ? » the male agent asked the parents.
« No it wasn't. But it's not what you think either. It's a rather complex and painful matter officer. » Martine Dennis said.
« Well, you've got all my attention. » The officer responded sitting down on a chair in front of the couple.
Meanwhile, still at the hospital, Brooke, Julian, Haley and Jamie were waiting for Sam to wake up again and for the two officers to step out of the rooms and tell them what was going on. Fortunately, Jamie didn't have to wait long for his best buddy to awake.
« Sam ! » he said excited and pressed pause on his video game. He rushed towards the teen and carefully jumped on her bed.
« Hello Sir. » she replied a bit tired.
« You don't call me sir but Jamster. » he corrected.
« Oh really ? I'm sorry, it's probably because I don't know who you are sir. » Sam replied and Jamie frowned.
« It's me, Jamie. » He said puzzled while behind him, the adults held their laugh at the trick Sam was playing on the boy.
« Jamie who ? I don't know no Jamie. » she replied frowning.
« Jamie Scott ! » he exclaimed, hurt.
« Jamie Scott ? Hmm, no it doesn't ring a bell, sorry. » she said.
« James Lucas Scott ! » he insisted.
« Wait, hold on Sir. Is it James, Jamie, Lucas or Scott ? I'm confused. Do you even kow who you are ? » the teen asked.
The boy was so confused, he turned his head to his mother who shrugged and tried her best to hide her smile. Then he looked at his aunt Brooke and Julian who couldn't take in no longer and burst out laughing. His face was priceless !
« Oh you ! You're joking me ! » He practically yelled at the girl.
« Gotcha ! Sorry Jamster, I couldn't resist. » she said with a smile.
« Jeez, you scared me. » he replied laughing as well.
« Sorry but can you blame me ? I'm bored here, all I do is sleep. » she said playfully.
« Alright, I forgive you. Hey, let me tell you about Spain ! » he said enthusiastically.
« Can't wait to here about it. » she responded while giving a smile at Haley to say hello. Haley smiled back and let her son tell the teenager everything. At some point Sam's hand turned into a fist and she winced in pain, trying her best to quiet a groan. She didn't want to scare Jamie or the others.
« Are you alright sweety ? » Haley was the first to notice and took a step towards the bed.
« Yeah, all good, I'm good now, it passed. So you were saying… » she invited the boy to continue but Jamie was concerned.
« Does it hurt ? » he asked pointing at her chest. The girl took a few seconds before answering.
« A little but it's okay. It's not that bad. » However, the boy was not convinced. « Actually, it hurts less than that time you beat me at basketball that still stings like hell. » she added and it made Jamie laugh.
Sam seemed to have more energy today and the visit lasted longer so that everyone was able to talk with her.
In the other rooms, the interrogations were about to finish.
« Suzanne asked us to come sit in the living room after our morning breakfast and that was when she told my husband, Rebecca and me she was with a child. She didn't want to say who the father was so all we knew about that man was he didn't belong to the same social circle as we do. Of course, we were shocked and angry at first but see, we are Catholics and we take religion very seriously in or family. We asked if she was to marry the boy but she said no and abortion was not an option. It was decided Suzanne would stay home during the pregnancy and once the baby born, it would be given to the nuns. Suzanne agreed with the plan until Rebecca talked her out of it saying she could keep the baby and start anew somewhere far from the family. Suzanne was at the time emotionnaly undecisive. One day she was fine with our plan, the next, she wasn't. Nobody knew about her condition so we would say she had spent a few months abroad, say it would look good on her resume and people believed us. Anyway, nine months later a baby girl was born and the nuns came and picked her up a few hours later at night, it was more discreet that way. The thing is, officer, we didn't expect, any of us, to fall for the baby girl so quickly, in the span of seven hours. She was beautiful, calm and oh boy that smile, it was Suzanne's. A week after giving birth, Suzanne was still miserable and wanted her daughter back. We supported her decision. We would say Suzanne met her fiancé and was about to marry him when he had to go as he was a Marine- that was our story and again, people believed us. So the nuns finally agreed to give our granddaughter back thanks to a generous donation in the name of the institution- and everyone was happy. Well, everyone except Rebecca who was thrilled at first but couldn't bear the idea her sister wouldn't want to leave the mansion. That's when she decided to pack her things and leave. We never saw her again. » Mrs Dennis said ruefully and paused. The policeman caught a glimpse of sadness in their eyes.
« Anyway, the following months were the best in my life. » Jim Dennis continued. « We loved our granddaughter so much, she was the joy of our life and we'd never seen our Suzanne this happy. » He said with a warm smile while remembering everything. « But it didn't last long alas. » he sounded defeated.
« Why is that ? » the officer asked.
« Samantha was not yet a year old when she got taken away from us. » Martine Dennis said. The officer frowned. « Kidnapped. She got kidnapped when she was nine months old, we'd never seen her again either. » Jim Dennis said looking down at his knees.
« Somebody took her ? » The policeman asked and the older couple nodded.
« We've never catched the culprit. We hired a PI, involved the police, alerted the media, everything. We'd done everything. Money was not an issue so we'd pay for everything and rewarded anyone with information that could lead to our little Samantha but nothing, nothing happenned. » Jim Dennis stopped talking when he felt tears in his eyes.
« Just like that, she disappeared, in the middle of the day, in our house, no one had seen or heard anything. » Martine Dennis explained.
« Did the police have any suspects ? » the policeman asked.
« Everyone was cleared – alibi and such. Even our daughter Rebecca. » Mrs Dennis said.
« You suspected your daughter ? » the police agent asked.
« Yes, she was very upset when Suzanne didn't want to leave with her so we thought perhaps she had something to do with it but apparently she wasn't even in the country but in Mexico when the abduction occured. » Jim Dennis answered.
The male officer was about to speak again but stopped when he heard a knock on the door. It was his colleague. He knew what that meant. Time was over. They needed to bring Rebecca to the station for her felony.
« Well, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, this has been very helpful and I'd like to continue some time if that's okay. » he asked and the couple gave him their address and mobile phone numbers. Funny enough, the male officer knew this address : 9917 North Pine Street. He used to call their house 'the beige castle' with his brothers as it was the biggest mansion in the area and of a very peculiar color close to beige.
« What will happen to Rebecca ? » Jim Dennis asked.
« Well, we'll arrest her and will question her at the station. » he answered not giving too many pieces of information.
« Can we see her ? » the father asked.
« If she wants to, yes I don't see why not. » He replied and thanked them both again for their time.
Just before leaving the building, the male officer entered Sam's room and discreetly asked for Brooke to come outside a few minutes. She followed him with Julian and let Sam in company of Haley and Jamie who was now playing cards with the teen.
« Miss Dennis and my colleague are in the car. We arrested Rebecca Dennis for attempt of murder on a minor and will drive at the station now. We believe further investigation is needed in order to know if the act was premeditated or not. Meanwhile, here's what we can tell you. » He then informed the young parents everything he and his coworker learnt from their interrogations.
Brooke and Julian were surprised, they didn't expect any of that. Tonight was going to be a long night to take everything in. Thankfully, Haley offered to stay the night to morally support them and Jamie would play and sleep in Samantha's bedroom at Brooke's.