Disclaimers: My wonderful wonderful beta Lori wrote half if not more of
this chap. She was so cool and patient with me as I fumbled my way through
all this. Cyber hugs to Lori! There is one more (short) chap after this,
which is the epilogue.
Oh, and Richie's song is 'Girls and Boys' by Good Charlotte.
AN: This is the re-loaded version. My comp was being a butt when I uploaded yesterday so this should be better.
Duncan, Tessa and Brad all sat in the waiting room. The doctor didn't want too many people in Rylan's room, even if she was unconscious. Richie flat out refused to leave and Duncan wanted to know exactly what had happened, so the adults left the kids to themselves.
"What happened?" Duncan demanded. All he knew was that Rylan was malnourished and dehydrated. They had set her up on an IV after giving her something to make her sleep for a long time.
"From what I can gather." Brad started.
"Gather?" Tessa demanded. "You are Julie's husband! How could you have missed this?"
"I was on a business trip. Rylan was fine when I left. She was really happy because she had just spoken to you and was going to meet her grandmother," he explained calmly.
"So what do you know about what happened?"
"Julie told the kids Rylan was sick. They hadn't seen her in a week and a half. There was a lock on her door. All I can think of, is that she did something to make Julie furious and as a punishment she locked her in her room."
"And didn't feed her," Duncan added.
"Or let her out," Brad added. "She was a mess when I found her. I am truly sorry," he said as Tessa began to weep into Duncan's shoulder. "If I had been there, I wouldn't have allowed this. I got her out of there as soon as I found her."
"What about your kids?" Duncan asked.
"They're at Monica's. I don't know why Julie would do something like this. How anyone could treat a child in such a manner is unfathomable. I just wonder what Rylan did to spark this after getting along so well with Julie? Something mush have happened after I left."
Duncan and Tessa thought for a minute. "Oh, it can't be," Tessa whispered. "Do you think." she asked not finishing the question and looking up at Duncan. "We did it," she continued, an overwhelming feeling of guilt rushing over both Tessa and Duncan. "It's our fault. We did this to her."
"We don't know for sure, Tess," Duncan assured her. "It could have been anything."
"Do you mind if I ask what you're talking about?" Brad asked.
"We took her to a concert," Duncan started.
"We snuck her away," Tessa added. "After Julie had said no. We took her anyway."
"That still doesn't give Julie the right to do this," Brad said.
"No, it doesn't. And Tessa, it wasn't our fault," Richie's voice surprised everyone in the waiting room. He noticed their expressions, "I was thirsty, came out for a drink and heard you talking. Tessa, it was Nanna who called us and insisted that Rylan come to my concert. Is it my fault that I wanted her there to hear me and didn't argue that she shouldn't come?"
"No, Richie, it isn't your fault!"
"Then Tessa, it isn't yours either. It isn't anyone's but Julie's. She's the one that went off the deep end and started hurting Ry."
"I know; you're right, but."
"No! Tessa, don't blame yourself! Rylan wouldn't want you to."
Tessa sighed, but looked a bit better. Richie went over and gave her a hug. "I'm going back to sit with Ry. She'll be alright. She has us."
Tessa gave him one last squeeze before releasing him. She gave him a sad smile as he walked back into Rylan's room.
Brad took the opportunity to reassure the MacLeods that they'd soon have their daughter back. "As soon as I can line up a lawyer, I want a divorce and full custody. Duncan, Tessa; I will do everything I can to help you get Rylan away from Julie."
"And we'll help you," Duncan answered. "I can get you an appointment with our lawyer."
"Thank you."
It was at this moment two strangers, one man and one woman, walked into the waiting room. They stood out in their dress clothes and were noticed immediately by the group. The woman spoke up, "I'm looking for Mr. Brad Kregson."
Brad looked up, surprised. "I'm he. What can I do for you?"
"My name is Detective Mary Spiegel and this is my partner Detective George Yedger. We both work for the Seacouver Police Department in the Children's Protective Services unit." Both Spiegel and Yedger held out their badges as proof that they were who they said they were. Duncan and Brad looked carefully and then nodded for them to put them away. "We've received a call from a Dr. Michael Henry and also another from a Monica Fisher, claiming that one minor, Rylan Fisher was being abused. We'd like to know details about what happened."
Tessa spoke up first and proceeded to tell the detectives everything she knew about Rylan and her relationship with her mother. She told them about the dinner Julie came to and how Rylan claimed that Julie slapped her, about the judge giving Rylan to Julie for a brief period, about how Monica let Rylan go to Richie's concert and how that was the last time they had seen her. Brad filled in the blanks that Tessa didn't know and finished by describing how he had found the girl, locked in the bedroom.
"So, it is your opinion that Rylan's dehydration and malnutrition happened while you were away, most likely caused by your wife?" asked Detective Spiegel.
"Yes. Julie's always acted a bit odd towards Rylan and I really thought that she wanted to get to know her daughter, but she went too far. I took my children with me when I brought Rylan to the hospital and I will not allow her to go near them again."
"Thank you, Mr. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod. We already have Mrs. Fisher's statement and our next stop is to talk with your wife. Will she be home?"
"I think so; I don't see why she wouldn't be, but I haven't talked with her since I left with Rylan and the kids."
"Okay, we'll be in contact with you soon, letting you know what we decide to do." Detective Yedger handed both Duncan and Brad a business card. "If you have any questions or anything to add to your statements, please call us and let us know." The detectives left a quiet group behind them.
. . . . . .
Two hours later the doctor told them that one of them could stay over night. Since Brad was Rylan's legal guardian at the moment, he had to sign papers authorizing Tessa to stay in his place. The rest of them went to Nanna's since the kids were there and it was closer than the houses.
Rylan slept soundly through the night and Tessa watched her every minute of it. The young girl was deathly pale, except for the dark circles under her eyes. Her usually full, shiny, bouncing, shampoo commercial worthy hair was dark, matted, and stringy with oil and grease. Tessa gently stroked Rylan's cheek.
"Petite lapine, I love you so much," she whispered. "I would give my life to undo all the pain you have been through in your life." Her eyes filled with tears. "I wish I had found you sooner. I feel more complete with you. Don't get me wrong, I love Richie, too, but he makes a lousy daughter. The only thing that would make you more perfect is if you were my own. I promise you that nobody will ever take you from us again. And Julie will never come near you again. And if she tries. I'll kill her."
She reached out in attempt to stroke Rylan's hair but her hand recoiled when it touched the oily mess. She pushed the nurse call button and asked the speaker box if there was a way to get Rylan cleaned up so she would feel better when she woke up. A few minutes later, a nurse arrived with a basin of water and a bottle of no rinse shampoo. One look at the girl sent her for more supplies and another nurse. It took all three women but they successfully washed the unconscious girl's hair. Tessa thanked them as they left.
She took her spot in the chair next to the girl's bed and held her hand. She told Rylan stories about what had been happening while she was gone. The most exciting news she had to tell was that Richie had been invited to perform on 'Seacouver Sunrise,' a local morning talk show, in two weeks. After his performance, he was going to be interviewed.
"You will be there," Tessa told her. "You will be fine and in the front row with Duncan and I. We are so proud of him; I know you are, too."
Morning came quickly that day. Tessa hadn't slept but was so happy just to be able to touch Rylan that she hadn't noticed how much time had passed. Richie came to take her to breakfast and then to take her to Nanna's while he had to go to a pre-interview for the talk show. Richie wanted to cancel but Duncan convinced him to go. Rylan would hate missing the chance to see him on TV.
After his interview, Richie went back to the hospital to take his turn sitting with Rylan. There was no change. She was still pale and thin, but her hair looked better. He told her about some new songs he was working on for the show. He still had his guitar so he decided to play one for her.
"Educated With money He's well dressed Not funny And not much to say in most conversations But he'll foot the bill in all situations 'Cause hey pays for everything... Girls don't like boys Girls like cars and money..."
"I like it," Duncan interrupted from the doorway.
Richie stopped and turned to him. "I didn't know you were there."
"How is she?" Duncan asked, stepping into the room.
"I could have sworn she smiled a minute ago," he admitted. "When is she supposed to wake up?"
"A couple hours," Duncan shrugged. "Look, Rich, I know you want to, but Tessa wants to stay again tonight. Will you just let her without any argument?"
Richie's shoulders slumped a little. "I guess," he mumbled.
"Not used to sharing her, are you?" Duncan chuckled, putting his hand on Richie's shoulder. "I'm sure Tessa will call the second she wakes up."
"Okay," Richie mumbled. He and Duncan stayed a couple more hours and then it was Tessa's turn for the afternoon, after which, Richie would reprieve her while Duncan took Tessa out for a break and dinner. Tessa then would come back for the night.
Around one in the afternoon, Rylan began to stir.
"Shhhh," Tessa soothed putting her book down. "You're okay."
"No," Rylan groaned pulling away. "Please, I'll be good."
"Petite, open your eyes," Tessa urged.
After what seemed like forever, Rylan opened her eyes. "Tessa?" she mumbled groggily.
"Oui. How are you feeling?"
"You shouldn't be here," Rylan answered ignoring the question.
"What?"
"Go away," Rylan told her.
"Lapine, listen."
"Please, go away." Tears welled up in Rylan's eyes. "Leave me alone."
"Rylan, you have to listen to me."
"No, leave."
"Why do you want me to go?" Tessa asked tears sliding down her cheeks.
Rylan took a deep breath and turned away. "I want to stay with Julie," she whispered fighting the urge to cry. "Go away."
"You can't mean that," Tessa insisted. "She told you to say that, didn't she?"
"What does it matter?" Rylan shot back; her emotions rising as she began to fully wake up. "I'm her's now."
"No, you're not," Tessa told her. "You're mine. and Duncan's and Richie's. Julie is gone. She's going to jail for what she did to you."
"What?" Rylan asked turning to face Tessa.
"Brad found you and brought you here. We had Julie reported. She's going to jail. She'll never be able to touch you again."
"You promise?" Rylan asked.
"I promise."
Rylan looked at Tessa for a few seconds the burst into tears. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I tried to be good, I tried; really I did; I just couldn't make her happy--I did what she told me to but it was never good enough.I wish I wasn't going to make her any money then she would leave me alone and none of this would have ever happened!" she rambled in one long sentence.
"You did nothing wrong," Tessa insisted. "You are not to blame."
"Yes, I am! She said if I wasn't going to make her money, she would have left me on the streets!"
"What money?"
"I don't know."
. . . . . .
Later that afternoon, after Tessa got Rylan back to sleep, she called Duncan and Richie back to the hospital. When they arrived back, she tearfully told them what Rylan had said, about Julie going after her for her money. She was extremely confused because she knew the girl, while having a lot for someone her age, didn't have access to that much money. If it was Duncan's money Julie was after, the worse way to get it would be to abuse Rylan. Neither Richie nor Duncan had any suggestions to add and were both as confused as Tessa was.
Duncan decided to wait with Tessa until Rylan woke up again. The insisted that Richie go back to Nanna's and let Rylan's grandmother know that she had awakened and what she had said about Julie.
Richie was furious when he left Rylan's hospital room. What money had Julie been after? Rylan had a little over a thousand dollars in her bank account. What good would that have done? When he made it back to Nanna's, he was shaking with anger and frustration.
"What's wrong?" Nanna asked, when she found him pacing around the den.
"I hate her, Nanna," Richie told her, his voice shaking.
"Julie?"
"Who else?"
"Come with me." Nanna led Richie into the kitchen. She sat a plate of Oreos in front of him along with a tall glass of milk. "Now tell me why you hate Julie?"
"Stupid question," Richie grumbled, twisting apart a cookie.
"How about what has you so riled up now?"
"She wants Rylan's money. Rylan doesn't have any money. She's more broke than me."
"Broker. But she will have more money than you." The last was said in a quiet, under the breath kind of way as Monica thought quickly to herself.
"What do you mean?" Richie asked.
"Her inheritance," Nanna explained. "When each of my grandchildren turns seventeen, they get half of their inheritance. As you can guess, it's quite a sum."
"That's what Julie is after?"
"I should have known," Nanna continued. "Kevin and the twins had no problem letting her have some of their money."
"There's no way Rylan was going to give her a dime," Richie finished. "What happened to Skylar's money?"
"I split it between the others after paying for his funeral."
"That's going to be one thick birthday card."
. . . . . .
Richie was back at the hospital early the next morning. He was greeted by a wide awake Rylan and two sleeping MacLeods. "Aren't they cute?" Rylan was a lot more cheerful after a night's sleep and a big breakfast, though she couldn't manage to eat more than a few bites before getting full.
Richie grinned at his almost sister, "Yeah, too bad they have wake up, isn't it?" He could see the shadows that still remained under Rylan's eyes, and knew that only time would take them away.
It was at this moment Duncan woke up. He was glad to see his girl awake and looking much better than she had the night before. "Good morning. Glad to see you with the living this morning, Ry."
"Hi, Duncan. Yeah, I feel a lot better than I did. Breakfast this morning really helped."
Before anything else was said, a screeching voice was heard outside Rylan's closed door. The noise woke Tessa, causing her to start up from where she had been leaning against Duncan's shoulder. "What's going on?" she said in the heavily accented voice that she had when first waking up.
Before anyone could answer, the door was thrown open and an auburn-haired woman stormed into the hospital room. "What's going on here?" Julie demanded. "Why are you here with Rylan? I told you I didn't want you anywhere near her!"
Tessa rose quickly to her feet, all traces of sleep gone from her face. "How dare you! You abused my daughter, you bitch!" She made a break towards Julie, who didn't have enough sense to escape the angry Frenchwoman. Duncan made a grab for her, but Tessa slipped from underneath his arms. Richie, however, had more luck and managed to grab Tessa by the arms, eventually wrapping his arms around her to prevent her from attacking Julie.
Julie didn't see the danger she was in and spoke, "Your daughter? She's not your daughter, she's mine. I'll do what I please with her and I don't want you anywhere near her and I want you to leave now!"
Richie continued to struggle with Tessa, but managed to keep a tight grip on her. Rylan was paralyzed in her bed, not able to do more than curl up in a tight ball, and watch the fighting between the two women. Duncan took the opportunity to use Julie's distraction and call the police. He found the business cards the two detectives had left and managed to get a hold of Detective Yedger. Yedger let him know that they had had no luck finding Julie earlier and that the detectives were on their way and to try to keep Julie there without endangering anyone.
Duncan was trying to get Julie and Tessa out in the hall, so as to not upset Rylan anymore when Yedger and Spiegel arrived. Luckily he had managed to calm Tessa down, but the two were still yelling at each other. Seeing the situation, Spiegel immediately read Julie her rights and tried to handcuff the woman. "You have the right to remain silent." Julie struggled but Yedger was able to place the handcuffs on her.
"You have no right! You can't arrest me; I've done nothing wrong!" Julie refused to go quietly.
"Ma'am, you're being arrested on charges of child endangerment, child neglect and child abuse."
"What? I've never done anything to that girl. She's lying!"
"We have proof. Your husband is willing to testify that he found your daughter locked up and tied down, lying in a bed covered in her own waste. The doctors have documentation of her malnourishment and dehydration."
Julie kept on struggling a little, but went quiet, unable to answer or comment on the charges.
Rylan took the opportunity to ask Julie, "Why? You keep on saying you don't care about me except for my money, but I don't have any!"
Richie, seeing Julie refusing to talk, answered her. "Ry, I talked with Nanna last night. Tessa told me about the money thing, and I found out that on your next birthday, you are due to receive half of your inheritance from Nanna. It's A LOT of money. Julie was able to go most of the other kids' money because they were close to her, but there was no hope of getting anything from you."
Rylan interrupted, "You got that right."
Richie continued, "So we think she set this whole thing up so you were with her on your birthday and she'd be in the position to get it."
"Is that right?" Yedger slightly shoved the angry woman, "We'll be definitely looking into that and perhaps adding a few charges onto the rest of them, like fraud." He turned to the group standing in the doorway. "We'll be letting you know her court dates as soon as they're set. We'll need all of you to make statements, especially you, Rylan, but you can take a few days to do so. We have enough evidence right now to hold her without them, but will need them soon." He turned back around and pushed Julie in front of him, aiming for the elevator. The group watched in silence as Julie was carted away.
"When can I get out of here?" Rylan's plaintive voice could be heard as the elevator's closed behind the detectives and Julie.
Oh, and Richie's song is 'Girls and Boys' by Good Charlotte.
AN: This is the re-loaded version. My comp was being a butt when I uploaded yesterday so this should be better.
Duncan, Tessa and Brad all sat in the waiting room. The doctor didn't want too many people in Rylan's room, even if she was unconscious. Richie flat out refused to leave and Duncan wanted to know exactly what had happened, so the adults left the kids to themselves.
"What happened?" Duncan demanded. All he knew was that Rylan was malnourished and dehydrated. They had set her up on an IV after giving her something to make her sleep for a long time.
"From what I can gather." Brad started.
"Gather?" Tessa demanded. "You are Julie's husband! How could you have missed this?"
"I was on a business trip. Rylan was fine when I left. She was really happy because she had just spoken to you and was going to meet her grandmother," he explained calmly.
"So what do you know about what happened?"
"Julie told the kids Rylan was sick. They hadn't seen her in a week and a half. There was a lock on her door. All I can think of, is that she did something to make Julie furious and as a punishment she locked her in her room."
"And didn't feed her," Duncan added.
"Or let her out," Brad added. "She was a mess when I found her. I am truly sorry," he said as Tessa began to weep into Duncan's shoulder. "If I had been there, I wouldn't have allowed this. I got her out of there as soon as I found her."
"What about your kids?" Duncan asked.
"They're at Monica's. I don't know why Julie would do something like this. How anyone could treat a child in such a manner is unfathomable. I just wonder what Rylan did to spark this after getting along so well with Julie? Something mush have happened after I left."
Duncan and Tessa thought for a minute. "Oh, it can't be," Tessa whispered. "Do you think." she asked not finishing the question and looking up at Duncan. "We did it," she continued, an overwhelming feeling of guilt rushing over both Tessa and Duncan. "It's our fault. We did this to her."
"We don't know for sure, Tess," Duncan assured her. "It could have been anything."
"Do you mind if I ask what you're talking about?" Brad asked.
"We took her to a concert," Duncan started.
"We snuck her away," Tessa added. "After Julie had said no. We took her anyway."
"That still doesn't give Julie the right to do this," Brad said.
"No, it doesn't. And Tessa, it wasn't our fault," Richie's voice surprised everyone in the waiting room. He noticed their expressions, "I was thirsty, came out for a drink and heard you talking. Tessa, it was Nanna who called us and insisted that Rylan come to my concert. Is it my fault that I wanted her there to hear me and didn't argue that she shouldn't come?"
"No, Richie, it isn't your fault!"
"Then Tessa, it isn't yours either. It isn't anyone's but Julie's. She's the one that went off the deep end and started hurting Ry."
"I know; you're right, but."
"No! Tessa, don't blame yourself! Rylan wouldn't want you to."
Tessa sighed, but looked a bit better. Richie went over and gave her a hug. "I'm going back to sit with Ry. She'll be alright. She has us."
Tessa gave him one last squeeze before releasing him. She gave him a sad smile as he walked back into Rylan's room.
Brad took the opportunity to reassure the MacLeods that they'd soon have their daughter back. "As soon as I can line up a lawyer, I want a divorce and full custody. Duncan, Tessa; I will do everything I can to help you get Rylan away from Julie."
"And we'll help you," Duncan answered. "I can get you an appointment with our lawyer."
"Thank you."
It was at this moment two strangers, one man and one woman, walked into the waiting room. They stood out in their dress clothes and were noticed immediately by the group. The woman spoke up, "I'm looking for Mr. Brad Kregson."
Brad looked up, surprised. "I'm he. What can I do for you?"
"My name is Detective Mary Spiegel and this is my partner Detective George Yedger. We both work for the Seacouver Police Department in the Children's Protective Services unit." Both Spiegel and Yedger held out their badges as proof that they were who they said they were. Duncan and Brad looked carefully and then nodded for them to put them away. "We've received a call from a Dr. Michael Henry and also another from a Monica Fisher, claiming that one minor, Rylan Fisher was being abused. We'd like to know details about what happened."
Tessa spoke up first and proceeded to tell the detectives everything she knew about Rylan and her relationship with her mother. She told them about the dinner Julie came to and how Rylan claimed that Julie slapped her, about the judge giving Rylan to Julie for a brief period, about how Monica let Rylan go to Richie's concert and how that was the last time they had seen her. Brad filled in the blanks that Tessa didn't know and finished by describing how he had found the girl, locked in the bedroom.
"So, it is your opinion that Rylan's dehydration and malnutrition happened while you were away, most likely caused by your wife?" asked Detective Spiegel.
"Yes. Julie's always acted a bit odd towards Rylan and I really thought that she wanted to get to know her daughter, but she went too far. I took my children with me when I brought Rylan to the hospital and I will not allow her to go near them again."
"Thank you, Mr. Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod. We already have Mrs. Fisher's statement and our next stop is to talk with your wife. Will she be home?"
"I think so; I don't see why she wouldn't be, but I haven't talked with her since I left with Rylan and the kids."
"Okay, we'll be in contact with you soon, letting you know what we decide to do." Detective Yedger handed both Duncan and Brad a business card. "If you have any questions or anything to add to your statements, please call us and let us know." The detectives left a quiet group behind them.
. . . . . .
Two hours later the doctor told them that one of them could stay over night. Since Brad was Rylan's legal guardian at the moment, he had to sign papers authorizing Tessa to stay in his place. The rest of them went to Nanna's since the kids were there and it was closer than the houses.
Rylan slept soundly through the night and Tessa watched her every minute of it. The young girl was deathly pale, except for the dark circles under her eyes. Her usually full, shiny, bouncing, shampoo commercial worthy hair was dark, matted, and stringy with oil and grease. Tessa gently stroked Rylan's cheek.
"Petite lapine, I love you so much," she whispered. "I would give my life to undo all the pain you have been through in your life." Her eyes filled with tears. "I wish I had found you sooner. I feel more complete with you. Don't get me wrong, I love Richie, too, but he makes a lousy daughter. The only thing that would make you more perfect is if you were my own. I promise you that nobody will ever take you from us again. And Julie will never come near you again. And if she tries. I'll kill her."
She reached out in attempt to stroke Rylan's hair but her hand recoiled when it touched the oily mess. She pushed the nurse call button and asked the speaker box if there was a way to get Rylan cleaned up so she would feel better when she woke up. A few minutes later, a nurse arrived with a basin of water and a bottle of no rinse shampoo. One look at the girl sent her for more supplies and another nurse. It took all three women but they successfully washed the unconscious girl's hair. Tessa thanked them as they left.
She took her spot in the chair next to the girl's bed and held her hand. She told Rylan stories about what had been happening while she was gone. The most exciting news she had to tell was that Richie had been invited to perform on 'Seacouver Sunrise,' a local morning talk show, in two weeks. After his performance, he was going to be interviewed.
"You will be there," Tessa told her. "You will be fine and in the front row with Duncan and I. We are so proud of him; I know you are, too."
Morning came quickly that day. Tessa hadn't slept but was so happy just to be able to touch Rylan that she hadn't noticed how much time had passed. Richie came to take her to breakfast and then to take her to Nanna's while he had to go to a pre-interview for the talk show. Richie wanted to cancel but Duncan convinced him to go. Rylan would hate missing the chance to see him on TV.
After his interview, Richie went back to the hospital to take his turn sitting with Rylan. There was no change. She was still pale and thin, but her hair looked better. He told her about some new songs he was working on for the show. He still had his guitar so he decided to play one for her.
"Educated With money He's well dressed Not funny And not much to say in most conversations But he'll foot the bill in all situations 'Cause hey pays for everything... Girls don't like boys Girls like cars and money..."
"I like it," Duncan interrupted from the doorway.
Richie stopped and turned to him. "I didn't know you were there."
"How is she?" Duncan asked, stepping into the room.
"I could have sworn she smiled a minute ago," he admitted. "When is she supposed to wake up?"
"A couple hours," Duncan shrugged. "Look, Rich, I know you want to, but Tessa wants to stay again tonight. Will you just let her without any argument?"
Richie's shoulders slumped a little. "I guess," he mumbled.
"Not used to sharing her, are you?" Duncan chuckled, putting his hand on Richie's shoulder. "I'm sure Tessa will call the second she wakes up."
"Okay," Richie mumbled. He and Duncan stayed a couple more hours and then it was Tessa's turn for the afternoon, after which, Richie would reprieve her while Duncan took Tessa out for a break and dinner. Tessa then would come back for the night.
Around one in the afternoon, Rylan began to stir.
"Shhhh," Tessa soothed putting her book down. "You're okay."
"No," Rylan groaned pulling away. "Please, I'll be good."
"Petite, open your eyes," Tessa urged.
After what seemed like forever, Rylan opened her eyes. "Tessa?" she mumbled groggily.
"Oui. How are you feeling?"
"You shouldn't be here," Rylan answered ignoring the question.
"What?"
"Go away," Rylan told her.
"Lapine, listen."
"Please, go away." Tears welled up in Rylan's eyes. "Leave me alone."
"Rylan, you have to listen to me."
"No, leave."
"Why do you want me to go?" Tessa asked tears sliding down her cheeks.
Rylan took a deep breath and turned away. "I want to stay with Julie," she whispered fighting the urge to cry. "Go away."
"You can't mean that," Tessa insisted. "She told you to say that, didn't she?"
"What does it matter?" Rylan shot back; her emotions rising as she began to fully wake up. "I'm her's now."
"No, you're not," Tessa told her. "You're mine. and Duncan's and Richie's. Julie is gone. She's going to jail for what she did to you."
"What?" Rylan asked turning to face Tessa.
"Brad found you and brought you here. We had Julie reported. She's going to jail. She'll never be able to touch you again."
"You promise?" Rylan asked.
"I promise."
Rylan looked at Tessa for a few seconds the burst into tears. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I tried to be good, I tried; really I did; I just couldn't make her happy--I did what she told me to but it was never good enough.I wish I wasn't going to make her any money then she would leave me alone and none of this would have ever happened!" she rambled in one long sentence.
"You did nothing wrong," Tessa insisted. "You are not to blame."
"Yes, I am! She said if I wasn't going to make her money, she would have left me on the streets!"
"What money?"
"I don't know."
. . . . . .
Later that afternoon, after Tessa got Rylan back to sleep, she called Duncan and Richie back to the hospital. When they arrived back, she tearfully told them what Rylan had said, about Julie going after her for her money. She was extremely confused because she knew the girl, while having a lot for someone her age, didn't have access to that much money. If it was Duncan's money Julie was after, the worse way to get it would be to abuse Rylan. Neither Richie nor Duncan had any suggestions to add and were both as confused as Tessa was.
Duncan decided to wait with Tessa until Rylan woke up again. The insisted that Richie go back to Nanna's and let Rylan's grandmother know that she had awakened and what she had said about Julie.
Richie was furious when he left Rylan's hospital room. What money had Julie been after? Rylan had a little over a thousand dollars in her bank account. What good would that have done? When he made it back to Nanna's, he was shaking with anger and frustration.
"What's wrong?" Nanna asked, when she found him pacing around the den.
"I hate her, Nanna," Richie told her, his voice shaking.
"Julie?"
"Who else?"
"Come with me." Nanna led Richie into the kitchen. She sat a plate of Oreos in front of him along with a tall glass of milk. "Now tell me why you hate Julie?"
"Stupid question," Richie grumbled, twisting apart a cookie.
"How about what has you so riled up now?"
"She wants Rylan's money. Rylan doesn't have any money. She's more broke than me."
"Broker. But she will have more money than you." The last was said in a quiet, under the breath kind of way as Monica thought quickly to herself.
"What do you mean?" Richie asked.
"Her inheritance," Nanna explained. "When each of my grandchildren turns seventeen, they get half of their inheritance. As you can guess, it's quite a sum."
"That's what Julie is after?"
"I should have known," Nanna continued. "Kevin and the twins had no problem letting her have some of their money."
"There's no way Rylan was going to give her a dime," Richie finished. "What happened to Skylar's money?"
"I split it between the others after paying for his funeral."
"That's going to be one thick birthday card."
. . . . . .
Richie was back at the hospital early the next morning. He was greeted by a wide awake Rylan and two sleeping MacLeods. "Aren't they cute?" Rylan was a lot more cheerful after a night's sleep and a big breakfast, though she couldn't manage to eat more than a few bites before getting full.
Richie grinned at his almost sister, "Yeah, too bad they have wake up, isn't it?" He could see the shadows that still remained under Rylan's eyes, and knew that only time would take them away.
It was at this moment Duncan woke up. He was glad to see his girl awake and looking much better than she had the night before. "Good morning. Glad to see you with the living this morning, Ry."
"Hi, Duncan. Yeah, I feel a lot better than I did. Breakfast this morning really helped."
Before anything else was said, a screeching voice was heard outside Rylan's closed door. The noise woke Tessa, causing her to start up from where she had been leaning against Duncan's shoulder. "What's going on?" she said in the heavily accented voice that she had when first waking up.
Before anyone could answer, the door was thrown open and an auburn-haired woman stormed into the hospital room. "What's going on here?" Julie demanded. "Why are you here with Rylan? I told you I didn't want you anywhere near her!"
Tessa rose quickly to her feet, all traces of sleep gone from her face. "How dare you! You abused my daughter, you bitch!" She made a break towards Julie, who didn't have enough sense to escape the angry Frenchwoman. Duncan made a grab for her, but Tessa slipped from underneath his arms. Richie, however, had more luck and managed to grab Tessa by the arms, eventually wrapping his arms around her to prevent her from attacking Julie.
Julie didn't see the danger she was in and spoke, "Your daughter? She's not your daughter, she's mine. I'll do what I please with her and I don't want you anywhere near her and I want you to leave now!"
Richie continued to struggle with Tessa, but managed to keep a tight grip on her. Rylan was paralyzed in her bed, not able to do more than curl up in a tight ball, and watch the fighting between the two women. Duncan took the opportunity to use Julie's distraction and call the police. He found the business cards the two detectives had left and managed to get a hold of Detective Yedger. Yedger let him know that they had had no luck finding Julie earlier and that the detectives were on their way and to try to keep Julie there without endangering anyone.
Duncan was trying to get Julie and Tessa out in the hall, so as to not upset Rylan anymore when Yedger and Spiegel arrived. Luckily he had managed to calm Tessa down, but the two were still yelling at each other. Seeing the situation, Spiegel immediately read Julie her rights and tried to handcuff the woman. "You have the right to remain silent." Julie struggled but Yedger was able to place the handcuffs on her.
"You have no right! You can't arrest me; I've done nothing wrong!" Julie refused to go quietly.
"Ma'am, you're being arrested on charges of child endangerment, child neglect and child abuse."
"What? I've never done anything to that girl. She's lying!"
"We have proof. Your husband is willing to testify that he found your daughter locked up and tied down, lying in a bed covered in her own waste. The doctors have documentation of her malnourishment and dehydration."
Julie kept on struggling a little, but went quiet, unable to answer or comment on the charges.
Rylan took the opportunity to ask Julie, "Why? You keep on saying you don't care about me except for my money, but I don't have any!"
Richie, seeing Julie refusing to talk, answered her. "Ry, I talked with Nanna last night. Tessa told me about the money thing, and I found out that on your next birthday, you are due to receive half of your inheritance from Nanna. It's A LOT of money. Julie was able to go most of the other kids' money because they were close to her, but there was no hope of getting anything from you."
Rylan interrupted, "You got that right."
Richie continued, "So we think she set this whole thing up so you were with her on your birthday and she'd be in the position to get it."
"Is that right?" Yedger slightly shoved the angry woman, "We'll be definitely looking into that and perhaps adding a few charges onto the rest of them, like fraud." He turned to the group standing in the doorway. "We'll be letting you know her court dates as soon as they're set. We'll need all of you to make statements, especially you, Rylan, but you can take a few days to do so. We have enough evidence right now to hold her without them, but will need them soon." He turned back around and pushed Julie in front of him, aiming for the elevator. The group watched in silence as Julie was carted away.
"When can I get out of here?" Rylan's plaintive voice could be heard as the elevator's closed behind the detectives and Julie.