"We should get the check." I get the waitress's attention and once we pay
the bill, we make our way back to the Bureau.
******
After our team is in place and the bag of money is dropped in the dumpster, I make my way back down the alley towards the main street.
We have agents surrounding the vicinity and as I climb into my waiting vehicle, a man wearing a winter hat and coat turns the corner. He makes his way into the alley, with all entrances blocked. As soon as he goes for the bag, agents are swarming around him, and I step out from the car and join them.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Appleton."
"I didn't take Stephen!" he tells me with wide, fearful eyes.
"And what was all this?" my voice booms as I feel Martin's hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me.
"I thought this might be an easy way to get the money. Or, at the very least, see you again."
I roll my eyes and control my raging emotions, ready to slug the guy.
Martin walks with me towards the vehicle, opening the door and I take a seat. I hear my cell phone ringing and glance down to see Jack's number displayed.
"You couldn't wait for me to call?" I answer into the ringing phone.
"Nice to hear from you too," Jack answers. "Thought I should give you a heads up. Danny and Vivian found your father, Sam."
"What?" my voice escapes my lips and I feel my breath caught in my lungs.
"He's in the hospital. It was your uncle who was involved."
"How?"
"Your Uncle Marcus isn't talking and Stephen isn't awake yet. We'll have to wait for the answers. I thought you should know, though."
"Thanks," I answer and get the information on which hospital before hanging up.
"Jack?" Martin eyes me and moves his thumb to dry the tears I hadn't realized had fallen.
"They found Stephen Radowski; he's in the hospital," I state with a soft sigh and glance down at the scribbled address I have in my hands. "Would you mind taking me back to the office?"
"Let me inform one of the other agents," Martin answers, shutting my door. A minute or two later he sits down in the driver's seat. You're going to the hospital, aren't you?" "You want me to come with you?
"It's a good three-hour drive. You might as well stay here. Do me a favor, though; check on Eva? Make sure she's all right and let her know where I've gone?"
"Why don't we swing by your place and pick her up? It doesn't sound like you want my company, but Eva wouldn't be so bad?" Martin's eyes meet mine.
"I need to do this alone," I tell him soundly. "Thank you, though."
We make our way into the parking garage and I head to my car and then the highway. I feel my eyes grow heavy at the lack of sleep I've had. I know I could do this tomorrow, but I want to be there---I need to be.
"Oh, shit." I whisper, shaking my head and feeling tears fall down my cheeks. I'm sure Stephen's new family---his wife and daughter---have been contacted. They'll probably be making their way to the hospital too. What will I say to them? What will they say to me? Should I be the one to tell them? "This sucks," I breathe with a sigh as I try and relax on the drive down.
I turn up the radio and roll the window down a little, trying to do everything imaginable to stay awake.
I hear my cell phone and reach over to answer it.
"Spade?"
"Hey, it's Danny. I take it you heard the good news?"
"You found him?" I question.
"Of course. He's awake now too. He has one hell of a story to tell you."
"I'm about forty-five minutes out still."
"He's looking forward to seeing you, Samantha." Danny's voice is soft and honest and I feel my heart skip a beat.
"Really?"
"I wouldn't joke about that," he answers. "Take your time getting here. It's starting to snow where we are, so be careful."
"Thanks," I answer and hang up the phone. I let out a breath, turning the radio up louder and trying to ignore the fact it's quarter to one in the morning and I've been without sleep for too long.
My mind races with all the reasons why my father left, and I can't come up with one good one that I can accept. I know my parents married young, but it's inexcusable. I let out a sigh, pulling into the parking garage and finding my way to room 517. I notice Danny and Vivian standing by the door.
"Why didn't you two go home?" I eye them both.
"We wanted to make sure you got here safely. Besides, we'll have to stay the night in a hotel anyhow. It's very late and the weather's gotten too nasty to head back."
"Thanks, you guys," I tell them with doubt on my face.
"Come on," Danny ushers me into the room.
"Sam?" I hear my father's voice and bite down on my quivering lip as my stomach tenses. I freeze in the doorway--too afraid to come in and too curious to run. I see his wife, Vanessa, in the chair next to his bed and their daughter, Morgan, lying on a chair sleeping.
"I'm going to grab a coffee; want anything?" Vanessa eyes everyone as she leaves the room and I slowly approach him.
His eyes stare into mine and I see so much in such a simple glance---a reflection that boggles and startles me.
I feel like a child all over again, without words but so many emotions. I don't know where or how to begin. I slowly move towards his bedside, finally coming to take a seat where Vanessa sat.
"What happened? They said Marcus did this?" I question.
"Yes." He nods his head and winces in pain. "I was afraid to call your mother," he tells me as his eyes watch mine. "I wanted to see how you were doing and to erase the pain I've caused. I didn't want to die knowing I left you behind. I would always think of you, Sam, and always wondered how you grew up. I called Marcus, hoping to talk to him. We met at a bar and well--" he pauses, his eyes glancing towards his sleeping daughter and then back towards me. "He told me you worked for the FBI now and you moved on with your life. He also told me a few other choice obscenities and I walked out again. I didn't know what else to do. He was screaming such awful things and I realized maybe he was right, but I didn't have any idea what to say or do to make it up to you now. So I drove off---back home. On my way back, he must have been following me. He forced me off the road and into a ditch. Smashed up my car and pulled me from it, but not before hitting me a few times; left me for dead somewhere along the highway. Your agents found me."
I let out an annoyed breath, "Don't expect me to feel sorry for what Marcus did to you. I had to grow up with him in my house because you left us."
"I was a child myself, Sam."
"You had responsibilities!" My voice rises, as my eyes grow narrow with anger. Morgan stirs from her seat, glancing towards me questionably before looking back to her dad. "Did you know Vanessa when you left mom?"
"It wasn't like that." He shakes his head. "I had so much to do and experience. I was only twenty years old when your mother and I had you, Sam."
"That was your choice," I remind him sternly.
"I would have been such an awful father by staying."
"At least then I would have had a father!" I storm out of the hospital room, breezing past Vivian and Danny.
I head for the bathroom, slamming my fists against the tile walls as I moan out in frustration.
"Samantha," I hear Vivian's soft voice behind me.
"Go away," I groan out, feeling tears spill down my cheeks as I try and keep myself together.
"It's okay to be angry with him." I feel her hand on my shoulder.
"It's more than that---he left me!" I cry out in pain. "He promised me the world and instead--"
"He gave you an empty promise," Vivian finishes my thought. "It happens from time to time. Holding a grudge won't turn back time and it won't fix what's been broken. I'm not saying it's easy, but he obviously wants to be a part of your life."
"Why should I let him in?"
"Because whether you realize it or not, he loves you." My eyes meet Vivian's as I feel my breath escape my lungs and a few tears fall a course down my cheeks.
"What do I do now?"
"You come with us to a hotel for the night," she offers, "and in the morning, you'll come back and visit."
I nod my head and feel a yawn escape my lips. "Why don't you give me the keys; I'll drive you over."
"I'm okay. I made it this far," I remind Vivian, as we step out from the bathroom.
"I'm just looking out for you."
I hold onto my keys, but Vivian agrees to drive with me to the hotel. We make our way to the hotel lobby, getting three rooms as I realize I didn't bring any spare clothes with me.
"Shit," I shake my head in dismay.
"What is it, Samantha?" Vivian eyes me as I follow her to Danny's car where she grabs her bag.
"I left in such a rush that I didn't even think about grabbing a change of clothes."
"You don't have a spare set in your trunk?"
"I took them out the other day because they needed to be washed," I answer with a sigh. "I'll worry about it in the morning." I take my key and enter the hotel room. It's a small place, but the room's in better condition than most places I've stayed.
I slip out of my work clothes and slide between the sheets for a night of peaceful sleep.
******
After our team is in place and the bag of money is dropped in the dumpster, I make my way back down the alley towards the main street.
We have agents surrounding the vicinity and as I climb into my waiting vehicle, a man wearing a winter hat and coat turns the corner. He makes his way into the alley, with all entrances blocked. As soon as he goes for the bag, agents are swarming around him, and I step out from the car and join them.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Appleton."
"I didn't take Stephen!" he tells me with wide, fearful eyes.
"And what was all this?" my voice booms as I feel Martin's hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me.
"I thought this might be an easy way to get the money. Or, at the very least, see you again."
I roll my eyes and control my raging emotions, ready to slug the guy.
Martin walks with me towards the vehicle, opening the door and I take a seat. I hear my cell phone ringing and glance down to see Jack's number displayed.
"You couldn't wait for me to call?" I answer into the ringing phone.
"Nice to hear from you too," Jack answers. "Thought I should give you a heads up. Danny and Vivian found your father, Sam."
"What?" my voice escapes my lips and I feel my breath caught in my lungs.
"He's in the hospital. It was your uncle who was involved."
"How?"
"Your Uncle Marcus isn't talking and Stephen isn't awake yet. We'll have to wait for the answers. I thought you should know, though."
"Thanks," I answer and get the information on which hospital before hanging up.
"Jack?" Martin eyes me and moves his thumb to dry the tears I hadn't realized had fallen.
"They found Stephen Radowski; he's in the hospital," I state with a soft sigh and glance down at the scribbled address I have in my hands. "Would you mind taking me back to the office?"
"Let me inform one of the other agents," Martin answers, shutting my door. A minute or two later he sits down in the driver's seat. You're going to the hospital, aren't you?" "You want me to come with you?
"It's a good three-hour drive. You might as well stay here. Do me a favor, though; check on Eva? Make sure she's all right and let her know where I've gone?"
"Why don't we swing by your place and pick her up? It doesn't sound like you want my company, but Eva wouldn't be so bad?" Martin's eyes meet mine.
"I need to do this alone," I tell him soundly. "Thank you, though."
We make our way into the parking garage and I head to my car and then the highway. I feel my eyes grow heavy at the lack of sleep I've had. I know I could do this tomorrow, but I want to be there---I need to be.
"Oh, shit." I whisper, shaking my head and feeling tears fall down my cheeks. I'm sure Stephen's new family---his wife and daughter---have been contacted. They'll probably be making their way to the hospital too. What will I say to them? What will they say to me? Should I be the one to tell them? "This sucks," I breathe with a sigh as I try and relax on the drive down.
I turn up the radio and roll the window down a little, trying to do everything imaginable to stay awake.
I hear my cell phone and reach over to answer it.
"Spade?"
"Hey, it's Danny. I take it you heard the good news?"
"You found him?" I question.
"Of course. He's awake now too. He has one hell of a story to tell you."
"I'm about forty-five minutes out still."
"He's looking forward to seeing you, Samantha." Danny's voice is soft and honest and I feel my heart skip a beat.
"Really?"
"I wouldn't joke about that," he answers. "Take your time getting here. It's starting to snow where we are, so be careful."
"Thanks," I answer and hang up the phone. I let out a breath, turning the radio up louder and trying to ignore the fact it's quarter to one in the morning and I've been without sleep for too long.
My mind races with all the reasons why my father left, and I can't come up with one good one that I can accept. I know my parents married young, but it's inexcusable. I let out a sigh, pulling into the parking garage and finding my way to room 517. I notice Danny and Vivian standing by the door.
"Why didn't you two go home?" I eye them both.
"We wanted to make sure you got here safely. Besides, we'll have to stay the night in a hotel anyhow. It's very late and the weather's gotten too nasty to head back."
"Thanks, you guys," I tell them with doubt on my face.
"Come on," Danny ushers me into the room.
"Sam?" I hear my father's voice and bite down on my quivering lip as my stomach tenses. I freeze in the doorway--too afraid to come in and too curious to run. I see his wife, Vanessa, in the chair next to his bed and their daughter, Morgan, lying on a chair sleeping.
"I'm going to grab a coffee; want anything?" Vanessa eyes everyone as she leaves the room and I slowly approach him.
His eyes stare into mine and I see so much in such a simple glance---a reflection that boggles and startles me.
I feel like a child all over again, without words but so many emotions. I don't know where or how to begin. I slowly move towards his bedside, finally coming to take a seat where Vanessa sat.
"What happened? They said Marcus did this?" I question.
"Yes." He nods his head and winces in pain. "I was afraid to call your mother," he tells me as his eyes watch mine. "I wanted to see how you were doing and to erase the pain I've caused. I didn't want to die knowing I left you behind. I would always think of you, Sam, and always wondered how you grew up. I called Marcus, hoping to talk to him. We met at a bar and well--" he pauses, his eyes glancing towards his sleeping daughter and then back towards me. "He told me you worked for the FBI now and you moved on with your life. He also told me a few other choice obscenities and I walked out again. I didn't know what else to do. He was screaming such awful things and I realized maybe he was right, but I didn't have any idea what to say or do to make it up to you now. So I drove off---back home. On my way back, he must have been following me. He forced me off the road and into a ditch. Smashed up my car and pulled me from it, but not before hitting me a few times; left me for dead somewhere along the highway. Your agents found me."
I let out an annoyed breath, "Don't expect me to feel sorry for what Marcus did to you. I had to grow up with him in my house because you left us."
"I was a child myself, Sam."
"You had responsibilities!" My voice rises, as my eyes grow narrow with anger. Morgan stirs from her seat, glancing towards me questionably before looking back to her dad. "Did you know Vanessa when you left mom?"
"It wasn't like that." He shakes his head. "I had so much to do and experience. I was only twenty years old when your mother and I had you, Sam."
"That was your choice," I remind him sternly.
"I would have been such an awful father by staying."
"At least then I would have had a father!" I storm out of the hospital room, breezing past Vivian and Danny.
I head for the bathroom, slamming my fists against the tile walls as I moan out in frustration.
"Samantha," I hear Vivian's soft voice behind me.
"Go away," I groan out, feeling tears spill down my cheeks as I try and keep myself together.
"It's okay to be angry with him." I feel her hand on my shoulder.
"It's more than that---he left me!" I cry out in pain. "He promised me the world and instead--"
"He gave you an empty promise," Vivian finishes my thought. "It happens from time to time. Holding a grudge won't turn back time and it won't fix what's been broken. I'm not saying it's easy, but he obviously wants to be a part of your life."
"Why should I let him in?"
"Because whether you realize it or not, he loves you." My eyes meet Vivian's as I feel my breath escape my lungs and a few tears fall a course down my cheeks.
"What do I do now?"
"You come with us to a hotel for the night," she offers, "and in the morning, you'll come back and visit."
I nod my head and feel a yawn escape my lips. "Why don't you give me the keys; I'll drive you over."
"I'm okay. I made it this far," I remind Vivian, as we step out from the bathroom.
"I'm just looking out for you."
I hold onto my keys, but Vivian agrees to drive with me to the hotel. We make our way to the hotel lobby, getting three rooms as I realize I didn't bring any spare clothes with me.
"Shit," I shake my head in dismay.
"What is it, Samantha?" Vivian eyes me as I follow her to Danny's car where she grabs her bag.
"I left in such a rush that I didn't even think about grabbing a change of clothes."
"You don't have a spare set in your trunk?"
"I took them out the other day because they needed to be washed," I answer with a sigh. "I'll worry about it in the morning." I take my key and enter the hotel room. It's a small place, but the room's in better condition than most places I've stayed.
I slip out of my work clothes and slide between the sheets for a night of peaceful sleep.
