Frank did as he was told and slowly the color returned to his face. He stood up and reached for the phone. "Angelic's been lying to us. She told us her father was hiding," he explained as he dialed.
His mother answered on the fourth ring. "Where's Joe?" he asked.
"He and Angelic went to the hospital," she told him. "Why?"
Not wanting to worry her, he never answered her question. Instead, he asked her to keep Joe at home when he returned until he could talk to him. After hearing her agree, he said he was on his way home and hung up.
Frank thanked Dr. Philips, who was clearly curious about what was going on. Frank didn't explain. He needed to get home fast.
Earlier that morning, joe had decided to go back to the hospital and find the intern who had greeted him and Angelic yesterday.
Going downstairs, he told his mother where he and Angelic were going and they left after breakfast.
"We've been to the hospital several times," Angelic complained. "What can we possibly learn there?"
"I don't know," Joe admitted. "But I've got a feeling that today we're going to find out what's been going on."
She laughed nervously. "I certainly hope so," she told him. "All this tension is starting to get to me."
Joe glanced at her as he made the turn into the hospital's garage. "After we finish here i want to see your father," he told her. "I know you know where he is. If he doesn't want me to know where he's staying, then tell him to arrange a time and place."
"But he could get hurt," she protested.
"Angelic, it's very important," joe told her firmly. "I have to see him. No excuses. Will you arrange it?" he asked. She sighed unhappily as she nodded her acquiescence.
"Why don't you make the call while I see about a certain intern?" he asuggested, leading her to a pay phone before going to the nurse's station.
He was back a few minutes later. "No good," he told her. "The guy isn't on duty today. Did you get a hold of your dad?"
"Yes," she said with a smile. "He thought it was time to meet you anyway. He wants to meet us at the amusement park this afternoon at three."
"Great!" enthused Joe. "Maybe now we'll get somewhere."
"What are we going to do until then?" she asked. "Maybe we could hang out at the park until it's time?" she suggested.
"Good idea," he agreed. "I'll call Iola and see if she wants to come," he added, remembering what Frank had said last night.
"Why?" Angelic demanded, her green eyes flashing. "My dad won't show himself if she's there," she quickly added, seeing Joe's frown.
"Angelic, we need to talk," Joe said softly. He took her elbow and led her to the bench outside. "i apologized for the way I behaved when we first met," he began after they sat down. "But I still felt guilty and I think I've been overcompensating."
"What do you mean?" she asked in a soft voice, gazing into his eyes.
"I think I may have given you the impression that I like you too much," he said choosing his words carefully.
"I don't understand," she said, putting a hand on his arm.
Joe took her hand and laid it in her lap. "I care about you," he said. "But I don't care about you in the same way as I do Iola."
"I see," she said. "Maybe we should go back to your house until it's time to meet my father," she continued coldly. "I wouldn't want to make you feel you have to stay in my company." She stood up and marched toward the car.
"Aw, Angelic," Joe said, hurrying to catch up with her. "Don't be angry. I do care about you, but only as a friend." She kept walking and didn't acknowledge him. "Can't we be friends?" he asked in desperation, coming to a standstill.
"Friends?" she asked, stopping and turning to look at him. At his nod, she smiled brightly and held out her hand. "Friends," she agreed.
"Great!" Joe said, taking her outstretched hand. "Now, why don't we go to the amusement park?" he suggested, opening the car door for her.
"Aren't you going to call Iola and see if she wants to come?" she asked when he got behind the wheel.
"No," Joe said with a shake of his head. "You were right. Your dad may shy away if he sees anyone with us."
"If you're sure?" she asked cautiously.
"I am," he assured her. "Let's go."
When they arrived, Angelic saw a clown by the Ferris wheel. "Look," she said, grabbing Joe's left shoulder and pointing.
"Ouch!" Joe shouted, wincing in pain and pulling away from her.
"What's wrong?" she asked in concern.
"That's where the glass hit me when Cavanaugh shot at me last night," Joe explained. Then realizing she didn't know about Cavanaugh's midnight visit, he told her.
"Then why do you need to talk to dad if Cavanaugh's been caught?" she asked. "It's over."
"No, it's not," Joe said gently. "Cavanaugh was after me because I discovered his fraud. He wasn't behind the attacks on you."
"I'm scared," Angelic said, tears coming into her eyes. "I don't think I want to wait for daddy here after all," she added, looking around fearfully.
"Take it easy," Joe soothed, putting an arm around her shoulders and wiping away a tear with his finger. "I won't let anything happen to you," he promised.
She gave a wan smile and took a deep breath. "Okay," she said braely. "I'm in your hands."
"Good. Let's ride the Ferris wheel," Joe suggested.
"Okay," she agreed. Almost two hours later she suggested they get something for lunch.
"I am kind of hungry," Joe said, agreeing. "We're not supposed to meet your dad for another hour and a half. Let's go to the burger joint down the street."
"Sounds good," Angelic agreed.
Once there, Joe asked Angelic to place the order while he made a call. When he returned, he was frowning.
"What's the matter?" Angelic asked him as he sat down across from her.
"I just talked to Officer Higgins," he told her. "The clerk came out of the coma early this morning but he's still not fully conscious."
"That's good news," she said, watching him take a drink of his cola. "Why are you upset?"
"Officer Higgins said he kept muttering 'crazy girl.' Maybe we've been looking for the wrong type of person," he added thoughtfully. "Perhaps there's a female who has it in for your dad," he added, then took another large swallow of his soda. "I don't know why I'm so tired all of the sudden," he said a couple of minutes later, trying to stifle a yawn.
"You need to rest," she said and quickly got up and threw their lunch into the trash.
"Come on," she added, wrapping an arm around his waist as he stood and lurched.
"Crazy girl," Joe mumbled, his thinking growing fuddled and his gait unsteady.
They reached the car and Angelic pushed Joe into the back seat. "I'm not crazy," she told him as he drifted off into unconsciousness.
