Zach let himself into the physician's lounge and placed his box on the table before seating himself. He could hear someone in the shower, but the common room was empty for at least a few minutes. He pulled the document he had been served out of his pocket and unfolded it to read the court order. In addition to being barred from Kendall's hospital room and prohibited from obtaining information on her medical condition, the court had frozen the assets of his various businesses pending a hearing that was scheduled in ten days. Zach breathed a heavy sigh as he realized that he was once again in exactly the same position as he had been when he offered marriage to Kendall – because without operating capital the casinos could not remain open.
Despite the fact that he was both financially and emotionally worse off than he was prior to their marriage, he couldn't find it in himself to regret even one moment of their marriage. Kendall's health and welfare was still the most important thing to him, and he found that he could care less about the casinos and other related businesses if she would not be running them with him… but at the same time he was not one to admit defeat or allow others to control his life without a fight. He wasn't sure that he had anything worth fighting for if Kendall could not be a part of his life. He had to mentally shake himself as a reminder that he had always been prepared to walk away at her request… it had just come sooner than he expected. And as long as she received the help she needed to recover, his feelings were unimportant in the long run.
Thinking about the help that Kendall needed reminded him of his telephone conversation with Dr. Geoffrey and what he should do with the information. She was making arrangements to visit Pine Valley and make an assessment of Kendall's condition for treatment. He had been so hopeful that she would be able to provide what Kendall needed for her recovery… but he was also certain that no one in Kendall's family would even consider a suggestion of his regardless of how beneficial it might be to her. No… he had enough experience with those people to fully expect that Dr. Geoffrey's recommendations would be summarily dismissed because he had solicited her to consult in Kendall's case. He had two choices… he could call the doctor and explain the circumstances or cancel the visit entirely. Considering how reluctant the physician had been to visit Pine Valley in the first place, she would probably cancel it herself once she found out about the legal wrangling between Kendall's husband and her family.
He didn't have to make all his decisions right away, though, so he instead began to pack his things and prepare for his departure before the meeting with Kendall's nurse. It might turn out to be one of Erica's twisted schemes to prove to the court that he was untrustworthy, but he wasn't willing to reject his only opportunity to get in contact with Kendall. Taylor had been very kind to Kendall and had taken a special interest in her case from the moment she had been moved to the nursing unit… he wanted to believe that she was thinking of Kendall when she asked to speak with him.
Just as he was about the leave the lounge his cell phone rang. He placed his things on the floor and answered the phone quickly, "Slater."
"Zach? It's Livia," spoke the voice of his attorney.
"What can I do for you?" Zach asked warily.
"Zach… I just received notice of the restraining order. I had no idea that Jackson had found out about the divorce… much less taken this action," Livia answered in an agitated voice.
"Thank you, Livia. I will, of course, be seeking alternate counsel," Zach answered coldly.
"That's entirely your prerogative, Zach. However, I would be happy to represent you at the hearing and continue as attorney for Slater-Hart Gaming," Livia replied confidently.
"That won't be necessary, Livia," Zach answered in the same brusque tone.
"Zach… normally I would not bother to try and convince you otherwise but I believe that I can be of help to you and Kendall in this matter," Livia insisted.
Zach sighed, "And why should I even consider your proposal?"
"Because right now I'm your best chance at keeping the casinos open, Slater-Hart Gaming operational, and your marriage intact," Livia answered.
"I thought you disagreed with my choices," Zach answered sharply.
"That was before I visited Kendall. I saw for myself how Erica is destroying her will and interfering with her recovery. Jackson Montgomery may be an old friend and partner, but he is blinded by the wishes of his wife. Right now, I think that you are Kendall's best chance for a complete recovery… and I have to consider her needs and wishes as both a client and my friend. Any misgivings I had about your choices disappeared when I considered your dedication to Kendall… before and after the accident," Livia explained.
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, counselor," Zach said quietly.
"Zach… I'm very good at what I do. That means that I can read people well. I know the difference between a man who is fond of his business partner and a man who is in love with his wife… and that Erica Kane would find the latter very unsettling," Livia answered. "It's no secret how Erica feels about you. She is not going to wait until Kendall regains her ability to communicate and risk her insisting that you remain a part of her life… no, Erica wants you out of her daughter's life and the only way she can do that is to take this action now… while Kendall can't express herself."
"The thought had crossed my mind," Zach replied cautiously.
"Zach… Did you know that in addition to the restraining order against you that she has petitioned to become Kendall's legal guardian? The petition cites permanent and irreversible brain damage. If she succeeds then she can halt all of Kendall's treatment. Is that what you want for Kendall, Zach?" the attorney asked pointedly.
"Go on," Zach said quietly.
"In our last conversation, you indicated that Kendall's prognosis was good as long as she received aggressive treatment and therapy… but that any delays could cause her to lose ground that she might never make up. Bianca told me the same thing when she and I spoke a few days ago. Yet Erica believes that you and she are pushing Kendall too hard. It seems to me that my client's recovery could be severely compromised. Is that a situation that you are willing to risk?" Livia asked him.
"I will do whatever is best for Kendall. She fights every effort I have made to help her… perhaps she's better off without my… interference. I will accept your help in keeping Slater-Hart Gaming in operation until Kendall can make her own decisions," he answered and glanced at his watch. "I'll call you tomorrow. I have an appointment."
"Alright, Zach. I'll get to work immediately on a stay to keep the casinos in operation pending the hearing. I'll have my secretary check my schedule and call you tomorrow with an appointment," Livia answered.
Zach smiled into the phone, "Very good, counselor. Until tomorrow."
He disconnected the call and picked up his things. He was going to be a few minutes late to meet with Kendall's nurse, but she could not afford to be seen meeting with him. He quickly took his things to the parking lot and loaded them into the trunk of the car before returning and taking the elevator to the executive offices. If anyone was watching his movements, they would believe that he was returning his keys to Dr. Martin. Once he stepped off the elevator, he quickly made his way to the stairs and the smoking patio at the rear of the hospital. Once he determined that Taylor was alone, he made his presence known.
"I thought you'd changed your mind," Taylor said to him.
"I wanted to make sure that we weren't seen. My wife's mother would not take it kindly if she knew that we were meeting," Zach answered honestly.
"I believe you. That's one of the reasons that I asked to speak with you," the nurse replied.
Zach looked at her curiously, "One of the reasons?"
"Look… I'm not about to risk my job by giving you any information about your wife. But I wanted to tell you that what her family is doing is wrong… I've seen you with her and its obvious how much you want her to get better. I don't buy for a minute that you're after her money like they've been saying," she answered indignantly.
Zach laughed for a moment before responding, "Thank you. I appreciate the information. Now I'm sure your break must be over…"
"No… I wanted to meet you… to offer to take a message to your wife. She deserves a goodbye and I know they won't let you do it," she said, placing her hand on his arm.
Zach looked at her hand before looking her in the eyes, "Why?"
"Because I'm interested in the welfare of my patient… because I like you," she shrugged. "Because it's the right thing to do. Why does it matter? According to my friend Shannon you've been here since the accident… it's not good for Kendall if you suddenly disappear. It makes my job harder. Will you give me a message for her?"
Zach considered her words and what he'd seen of her as she had cared for Kendall. He made up his mind and answered, "Tell her that I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make her unhappy. Tell her to get better and that I only care for her happiness."
"That's it? That's all you want to say to her?" she asked him in surprise.
"There's nothing else. If you'll excuse me," Zach said quietly before turning and leaving the patio. Without looking back he quickly climbed the stairs and returned the key to Dr. Martin's secretary. After that he left the hospital and drove home to his empty condo, trying very hard not to glance longingly toward its twin across the courtyard.