A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Ten
For the next ten or fifteen minutes, Josh drives around town before he pulls into Jon's Bar. Parking out front, he sits in his truck for a couple minutes before he gets out. Walking inside, he walks over to the bar and sits down as Lizzie walks over to him. "Josh." She says, slightly surprised that's he's there.
"Whiskey, straight." Josh says and she looks at him even more surprised as she reaches for a bottle of whiskey. She serves him and then goes to put the bottle away when Josh says. "Leave it."
She looks at him for a few seconds before she puts the bottle on the bar and then walks away. Throughout the night, Josh pours himself drink after drink and Lizzie keeps and eye on him while she handles the rest of her customers. Just before closing time, two young guys walk over to Josh. Lizzie is in the back room as one of the guys sits down besides Josh as he friend reaches for the bottle in front of him. "Don't." Josh says, reaching for the bottle.
"Come on, old man, you can share." The other boy says, reaching to stop Josh.
"I don't have to." Josh says, taking the bottle away from the boy and standing up.
He's not too steady when he stands up and he staggers a little bit as he walks to the door with the bottle in his hand. Lizzie comes back in from the back room and sees Josh trying to leave with the bottle of whiskey in his hand and she rushes over to him. "Josh, you can't take that with you." She says, reaching for the bottle but he pulls it back.
"Fine." He says, slurring his words slightly as he walks over to the bar again. He's sitting across from where he was originally sitting and the two boys can see him as he pours himself another drink. The boys watch him for a while before they get up and walk out of the bar.
For the rest of the evening, no on else bothers him and by the time Lizzie closes Josh has all but finished the bottle of whiskey. Everyone has left when Lizzie walks over to him. "Josh, do you want me to call Reva?"
"No, don't call Reva, I'll drive…." He says, slurring his words as he pulls his keys form his pocket.
"No, Josh, you're too drunk to drive." Lizzie says, taking his keys from him.
"I'm fine." Josh says, still slurring his words and he sways back and forth before he falls back into the bar.
"I don't think you are. So let's go and I'll take you home."
"No, I don't want to go home. Reva's…."
"Reva's gong to worry if you don't go home." Lizzie says, walking him towards the door."
"No, I don't want to see Reva." He says, as they walk out of the bar.
"Stay right…." Lizzie says, as she turns to lock the door.
The next few seconds happened so quickly. Lizzie finds herself being knocked to the ground as two men rush them. She hits her head on the asphalt and is knocked unconscious. One of the men hits Josh while the other one stands back and laughs.
"Who's tough now, old man?" The boy asks Josh as he punches him.
Josh doubles over and the boy punches him again. Coughing, Josh falls to his knees. The other young man continues to laugh as his friend kicks Josh repeatedly in the stomach and chest. He's about to kick him again when a car pulls in and Mallet jumps out of the car. "Hey." He shouts.
"The two boys look up and then turn around and run as Mallet runs towards them. Lizzie begins to come around as Mallet reaches them. "Lizzie, are you okay?" He asks.
"Yes, what happened?" She asks, looking around as she sits up.
"A couple of young boys attacked you." Mallet says, reaching out to stop her from sitting up. "Stay there." He says, as Josh groans softly.
"Josh, where's Josh." Lizzie asks, sitting up.
"Stay there, he's over there, let me check on him." Mallet says, walking over to him. "Josh, can you hear me?" Josh moans softly. "Don't move I'm going to get help." Mallet says, pulling out his cell phone and calling 911. "Hello, yes, this is Detective Mallet. I need and ambulance at Jon's Bar, I've got two victims. One looks to have several lacerations, possible broken ribs and abdominal injuries, possible internal bleeding." Mallet says, as Josh sits up and then immediately vomits. "Okay." Mallet says, watching both Lizzie and Josh.
A few minutes later, an ambulance arrives and the EMT's take over. One examines Lizzie while the other looks after Josh. It's quickly determined that Lizzie is okay. However, Mallet insists that she go to Cedars to be checked out fully. After looking Josh over they realize that he probably does have a couple broken ribs. The EMT's load him into the ambulance as Mallet helps Lizzie into his car and they follow the ambulance to Cedars.
Once they arrive, the ER doctors take over and check out Lizzie and Josh while Mallet calls Reva. After a couple rings, she picks up. "Hello." She says, sleepily.
"Reva, its Mallet."
"Mallet? What's wrong?"
"I'm at Cedars with Lizzie and Josh."
"Josh, what happened?"
"They were both jumped outside Jon's Bar. I don't know all the detail, but Josh took a good beating the doctors are looking him over."
"Okay, I'm on my way." Reva says, getting out of bed.
"Okay." Mallet says, as Lizzie's doctor walks up to him as he hangs up.
"Detective Mallet." He says.
"Yes." Mallet replies, turning to him.
"We've checked out Ms. Spaulding and she seems to be okay, but we're going to keep her overnight for observation."
"Then I'll call her mother."
"I believe Dr. Bauer is handling that."
"I've just spoken with Mrs. Lewis and she's on her way."
"I'll be sure to inform Dr. Shelley."
"Thank you, can I talk to Lizzie?"
"Yes, she's right through here." The doctor says, leading him back to his Lizzie's room
When Mallet walks in Lizzie is laying down with her eyes closed. "Lizzie." Mallet says, walking up to the bed.
Opening her eyes, she looks up. "Hi." She says, pushing herself up in the bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Alright, but they want to keep me overnight."
"I know." Mallet says, sitting down by the bed.
"You want to ask me some questions."
"Yes."
"I didn't see who they were. I was busy locking up."
"Do you have any idea why they attacked you?"
"No."
"Is there anyone that caused any problems tonight?"
"My bartender said there were a couple guys that sort of had a confrontation with Josh, but it didn't go anywhere, he said."
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I was in the back. When I came out Josh was trying to leave with a bottle in his hand and I stopped him. My bartender maybe able to tell you what happened, but we were busy tonight."
"Okay, you rest." Mallet says, standing up as Beth rushes in.
"Lizzie!" She says, rushing over to the bed.
"I'm fine." Lizzie says, as Beth starts to check her out.
"Rick said that you were attacked outside Jon's Bar."
"I was, but I'm fine."
"Lizzie, I'm going to go." Mallet says.
"Thank you, Mallet." Lizzie says, turning to him.
"You're welcome." He replies, as Beth looks up and notices him standing there.
"Mallet." Beth says, nodding to him before he turns to leave. She returns her attention to Lizzie. "Rick said they are keeping you overnight."
"It's just a precaution. I hit my head when I fell and was unconscious for while. They want to make sure I'm okay." Lizzie says, as Alex walks in.
"Lizzie." Alex says.
"Aunt Alex." Lizzie says.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, they're keeping me as a precaution." Lizzie says, as Rick walks in.
"Ladies." He says, as he walks over to the bed.
"Rick." They reply.
"I came to tell you that we should be moving you upstairs in a few minutes."
"Okay, how's Josh?" Lizzie asks.
"Josh?" Beth asks.
"He was brought in with her." Rick says. "He's got a few broken ribs and he'll be bruised up but he's going to be okay. I'm going to see about your room."
"Okay, thank you Uncle Rick."
When he leaves, Beth asks. "Why was Josh with you?"
"He was at the bar tonight and when we were leaving two boys jumped us. They knocked me down and went for Josh."
"He was the bar, why?" Alex asks.
"I don't know. He showed up around eight and he stayed till we closed."
"Was he drinking?" Beth asks.
"Yes." Lizzie says, as Rick walks in with two orderlies
"Are you ready?" He asks.
"Yes." Lizzie replies, as the two orderlies walk over to the bed. They transfer her to another gurney and then they leave for Lizzie's room.
Mallet is walking down the hallway when Reva rushes into the hospital and sees him. "Mallet, where is he?"
"He's still in the ER. They are admitting him for observation."
"What happened?"
"He was at Jon's Bar and from his blood alcohol he was there for a while. He and Lizzie were leaving the bar after closing and while Lizzie was locking up two boys jumped them. They knocked Lizzie out…."
"Is she okay?"
"She's fine, but they are keeping her for observation too."
"What about Josh?" Reva asks, as Josh's doctor walks by.
"Dr. Shelley." Mallet says, stopping him
"Yes." He says, turning to him.
"This is Josh Lewis's wife."
"Oh yes, Mrs. Lewis. I'm Dr. John Shelley. I examined your husband when h was brought in."
"Is he okay?"
"Yes, he'll be fine. He's got a couple of broken ribs, along with abrasions and bruises. We're going to keep him overnight to be sure that he has no complications."
"Can I see him?"
"We're moving up to a room, but after we get him settled you can see him." Dr. Shelley says, as Cassie, Richard and Billy come in.
"Reva." Cassie says, walking over to her.
"Cassie." Reva says, turning to her. "He's fine."
"I'm going to go make sure he's settled and then I'll come for you." Dr. Shelley says.
"Thank you." Reva says, turning to him.
"You're welcome." He says, before he walks away and Reva turns back to Cassie, Richard and Billy.
"So, what happened?" Cassie asks.
"I'm not sure of all the details, but he came home tonight and we got into a fight again about Jeffrey and then he left. Apparently after that he went to Jon's Bar and was there until Lizzie closed. While Lizzie was locking up, two boys jumped them. They knocked Lizzie down…."
"Is she okay?" Billy asks.
"Yes, but they're keeping her for observation. Anyway, they knocked her down and went after Josh.
"Who called the police?" Richard asks.
"I'm not sure. Mallet called me after they were already here."
Reva says, as Dr. Shelley walks up to them.
"Mrs. Lewis."
"Yes." Reva says, turning to him.
"We have Mr. Lewis in his room. He's on the fourth floor in room 423."
"Thank you."
"You can see him at any time."
"Okay, thank you again." Reva says, holding out her hand.
"You're welcome." Dr. Shelley says, as they shake hands.
He leaves while they go to the elevators to go up to Josh's room.
William walks into the palace a couple hours after he leaves Springfield. Since he had been out of the country the staff had been lower than when he was there. Two pages bow to him as they opened the door for him. He nods as he walks in and they go to get his luggage as he goes to his office. Walking in, he sits down at his desk and picking up the phone. He dials Ava's number as he sits back. After a couple rings, she picks up. "Hello."
"How are you?" William asks, leaning back in his chair.
"I'm good. Are you at the palace?"
"Yes, we landed about fifteen minutes ago. You haven't seen…."
"No, I haven't seen Olivia. I don't think I will, but if I do I'll keep it civil."
"Okay, don't let her upset you."
"I won't. But I don't see her as much now that I'm at Company. I'll be fine. Do you have anything to do tonight?"
"No, Natalie didn't book anything because I came back late."
"Is that going to be a problem?"
"No, I'll be fine."
"Okay."
"What have you been doing?"
"Umm, sitting around mostly, I miss you."
"I miss you too."
"I keep expecting you to be here."
"I will be."
"What do you have to do tomorrow?"
"Umm, I've got meetings with the Lord Chancellor to discuss the drafting of the proposal for the referendum."
"I thought they've already started that?"
"They have, but they're going to brief me and we'll continue to work on it."
"When will it be voted on?"
"Not for a few weeks, maybe a month. It depends on if we can get all sides to agree and how quickly we can do that."
"And then you'll have the election after the referendum?"
"Yes, and after that the new leader of San Cristobel will take control of the country and I'll be moving to Springfield."
"Maybe by that time, I'll have a job."
"You don't need to worry about that, I'll take care of you."
"I know you will, but I need to have something to do."
"Did you hear anything?"
"No, and I probably won't. It's been a couple days since I went for the interview. There's a new company coming in from Chicago, I'm going to apply there in the morning."
"I think you should try Lewis too. I know you're worried about whatever is going on between Josh and Jeffrey but I'm sure Billy would see your value and override any decision Josh makes."
"I've already gotten a job because I had an in with the boss, grant it I'm not getting the job because the boss wants to sleep with me, but I don't want a job because someone overrides or gives me any special consideration."
"I understand. I'm sure one of the companies Richard is bring in will hire you."
"We'll see." Ava says, getting up and walking over to the window. She looks down into the parking lot and sees Olivia pull in. "Oh no."
"What?" William asks.
"Olivia just pulled in." Ava says, watching her walk across the parking lot. "William, I need to go."
"Don't answer the door."
"I'm not going to be here if she comes up here." Ava says, grabbing her purse and walking towards the door.
"Where are you going to go?"
"I haven't eaten since we had lunch. I think I'll conveniently go get me something to eat." Ava says, opening her door and looking out into the hall
"Alright, but call me and let me know that you're alright."
"I will, I've got to go."
"Okay."
"Don't worry. She won't see me."
"Be careful."
"I will, now I got to go."
"Okay."
Ava hangs up and tossing the cordless phone on the couch, she leaves pulling the door closed behind her. She walks to the end of the hall and then looks around the corner. When it's clear, she hurries down the hallway to the backstairs leading out of Company. When she gets outside, she circles around the building and then over to her car as Olivia is walking up to her door.
Jeffrey moves to his side so that Sam can lie down beside him. She lays down as she asks. "Do you want to watch another game?"
"I've watch more than enough baseball, so pick out a movie." He says, reaching for the remote and handing to her.
"Even a chick flick?" She asks, taking the remote.
"Yes, I'll even watch a chick flick." He says, hugging her.
"Who are you and where is my husband?" She says, as she flips through the channels.
She finally settles on an action film. When the movie ends, she pulls away from him and then sits up. "Where are you going?" He asks, watching her.
"I've got to go to the bathroom." She says, getting up and walking toward the bathroom.
Jeffrey gets up. Reaching for his pants, he pulls them on along with his shirt before he walks over to the bathroom. "Sam, I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?"
"Bring me a Sprite."
"Okay, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I'll be out in a moment."
"Alright." He says, and then he leaves.
When he returns, Sam is straightening the room. "Here." He says, handing her the Sprite. "It's really nice outside, do you want to go for a walk?"
"We can. I'll have to take a shower."
"We can take a shower together." He says, as she walks towards the bathroom.
"You want some more." She asks, looking back at him.
"Are you offering?" He asks, following her.
"Are you asking?"
"Do I have to?" He asks, reaching for her and pulling her to him, wrapping his arms around her. "For some reason, I don't think I have to." He says his voice low and sexy.
"Umm, no you don't." She says, pulling him into the bathroom.
About an hour later, they leave the bathroom. When they are dressed, Jeffrey opens the door and holds it open for her, closing it behind them as they leave. Taking her hand they leave walking towards the center of town. When they reach the outdoor market they walk through the shops and restaurants. Stopping, they get something to eat at one of the café's and then they go on. They are standing in front of one of the shops when a woman comes up to them. "Jeffrey." She says, turning him to her. Before he realizes what is happening she's kissing him. He pushes her back after a few seconds and she asks. "What's wrong?"
Before he can answer, Sam says, as she stands beside them. "Maybe the problem is that you're kissing my husband."
The woman glances at her and then back at Jeffrey before she starts to laugh. "You, get married, I don't believe it." The woman says, looking back and forth between Jeffrey and Sam.
Jeffrey looks down at Sam and then turns towards the woman. "I'm sorry, but who are you?"
The woman stops laughing and looks at Jeffrey. "You don't remember me, it's Shelly Winters."
"I'm sorry but I don't remember."
"Mexico, about five years ago." She says, as Jeffrey tries to remember. "I nearly went to jail because of a…."
"Oh, Shelly, of course. I'm sorry."
"Now you remember after my most embarrassing moment…."
"I would think kissing a married man with his wife standing beside him would be your most embarrassing moment." Sam says, reminding them that she was there.
"Shelly, let me introduce my wife Sam. Sam, this is Shelly Winters, we were working on a case for the Mexican government and I got her out of a particularly embarrassing situation." Jeffrey says, turning to Sam.
"It was a situation of your own making. You made the dare." Shelly says.
"You didn't have to accept." Jeffrey says.
"As much as you all teased me. I had to do something."
"Excuse me." Sam says, getting their attention again. "Your pregnant wife is still here." She says, looking at Jeffrey.
"I'm sorry." He replies, turning to her. He puts his arm around her and pulls her against him. "Shelly, it was good to see you again."
"You too." Shelly says. "Sam, you've got a good man here. But I'm still surprised you got married." She says, looking at Jeffrey with desire in her eyes.
"I've got the marriage license to prove it." Sam says, as Shelly turns to walk away and Jeffrey looks down.
"Don't be that way." He says having heard her and watching her, watch Shelly walk away.
"I…."
"You're jealous."
"No, I'm…." She looks up. "Okay, so maybe I am."
"She didn't know I was married."
"Even if she didn't know we were married. She had to see your arm around me when she walked up. That's usually and indication that there's something serious going on between two people."
"I don't know. She was… well she was never like that in Mexico. She was a bit of a prude and we all teased her about until one night we all got drunk and a couple of us…."
"I don't want to know the details." Sam says, pulling away.
"Sam." He says, reaching to stop her. "Nothing serious happened between us."
"But something did happen." Sam asks, looking up.
"We… well we were a short affair while we were in Mexico and we were working that case. When we got back to New York, I left and went to Springfield."
"It was a brief affair, but she knew you well enough to believe you would never get married, that doesn't sound brief to me."
"We… there was a connection between us. But I had to go to Springfield and she understood that. This isn't like you. What's wrong?"
"You just had one of her ex's come up and kiss you with me standing right beside you. Excuse me if I'm not too excited about it." Sam says, turning and walking away from him.
"Sam, whoa wait. Where are you going?" He says, reaching out to stop her.
"Back to our room."
"No, you're not leaving. This is our honeymoon. I'm not going to let it be ruined because of something that happened in the past "
"You're the one that said I wasn't good…."
"I was teasing you. I told you that."
"Were you?"
"Yes, I didn't know she was here. I haven't thought about her in years. Hell, I didn't even recognize her."
"That's supposed to make me feel better, if the situation was reversed, would you so quickly forget…?"
"Sam, this is ridiculous. She was someone I passed some time with. We both enjoyed our time but when it ended we were both comfortable with that. What happened with us then doesn't compare to what we've had before or what we have now. Hell, I lost you. I thought you were dead. I told you there were other women before…."
"And I'm supposed to simply accept that and not react when it's thrown up in my face so blatantly." Sam says, turning she walks away.
"Sam." He calls, but she continues walking.
He starts to follow her and then stops. She walks back to the hotel room, by the time she reaches their room she's crying. Lying across the bed, she reaches for his pillow and wrapping her arms around it. She wasn't even mad at him. She had to admit to herself that she didn't like that fact that he move on after Russia. And he was right he thought she was dead. "What was he supposed to do?" She asks herself sitting up and wrapping her arms around his pillow, laying her head down on it.
He finds her like that when he returns to their room about thirty minutes later. She looks up when he opens the door, holding a bouquet of roses in his hand as he walks in. "Sam." He says softly as she climbs off the bed and runs to him.
"I'm sorry." She says, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding onto him.
"It's okay." He says, holding her.