A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Thirty
Ava is in Emma's room when he walks up to her door. "Ava, sweetheart." He says, leaning against the door.
"Yes." She says, turning to him.
"I was wondering when your next doctor's appointment is?"
"Ahhh, I'm not sure. I'll have to look at my calendar, why?"
"Because I wanted to make sure I can be off so that I don't miss it again."
"Let me get Emma to school and I'll look at my calendar when I get to the office and I'll text you the date before I go to the loft."
"Alright, you guys better hurry, it's almost seven fifteen now."
"Emma!" Ava calls, turning."
"I'm right here." She says.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes ma'am." Emma replies, as Ava turns to leave.
William steps back from the door, letting them leave. Stopping beside him, she leans up to kiss him. "I'll see you later." She says, stepping back.
"Yes, remember I've got to see the tailor for my tux before I come home." He reminds her as they all walk out of their room.
"Thank you, I would have forgotten and been worried."
"I know." He says, as the elevator doors open and they walk on.
Jeffrey comes downstairs as Sam is taking his breakfast off the stove. He walks into the kitchen. "Why do you do that? I could've gotten something at Company." He says, walking over to her.
"Because it's my job." She says, taking his plate over to the table. "So sit down and eat it while I go get dressed." She says, as he sits down.
She turns away and he reaches out to stop her from leaving. "I really wish you wouldn't make yourself sick to fix me breakfast."
She leans over to kiss him before she stands up. "I promise you that it's not as bad as it was."
"Sam."
"It's not and the window helps, so eat your breakfast and I'll be down in a moment." She says, standing up. She walks towards the stairs as he shakes his head and begins to eat.
Thirty minutes later, she comes downstairs with her hair in a ponytail and her scrubs on. He's sitting at the kitchen table when she comes downstairs. "I thought you would be gone."
"I was waiting for you." He says, getting up as she walks over to him. "I know you believe that it's not bothering you as much with the window open to fix me breakfast, but I'm not going to let you make yourself sick, so from now until he's born, I'll get breakfast at Company. "
"J…."
"No, it's not worth you being sick." He says, leaning over to kiss her. "And don't tell me you weren't because I heard you in the bathroom." He says, as she looks away. "No more until he's born."
"Alright, but I don't like it and you have to eat more than just coffee and a Danish. I'm going to ask Buzz."
"I'll eat more than coffee and a Danish." He says, leaning in to kiss her. "I'll pick you up at noon." He says, stepping back.
"Ummm, that's fine, but I'll be at the hospital if Holly's spoken to Blake's doctor. I'm going to call her when I get to the office."
"Alright, let me know where to meet you and we'll go to the meeting with Mrs. Owens attorney together."
"I will and I love you." She says, leaning up to kiss him.
"I love both of you." He says, deepening the kiss for a moment before he releases her. "Don't forget that."
"With a kiss like that, how could I?" She asks, as she smiles. He walks over to the door and she follows him.
Slipping his coat on, he turns to her and then leans over, lightly kissing her cheek, he whispers. "I love you."
"I love you too." She says with a smile as he opens the door. She stands in the doorway, watching as he walks down the steps to his car and then leaves.
After straightening up the kitchen, she goes downstairs to her office. The staff is already getting ready for the day. "Good morning, Dr. O'Neill." Leah says as she walks towards her office.
"Good morning Leah." Sam replies, walking into her office and closing the door. Walking over to her desk, she sits down as she pulls up her pc. She's checks her calendar for her first appointment and then reaches for the phone. Dialing Holly's number, she sits back and waits.
After a couple rings, Holly picks up. "Hello."
"Holly, its Sam."
"Hi."
"I wanted to check back in with you to see if you've spoken to Blake's doctor."
"I've been trying to reach him, but I haven't yet. I'm sure that it will be fine if you look at Sam's chart. You're only offering a second opinion."
"Dr. Jackson and I haven't started off on the right foot. I would feel better if you were to speak to him about me looking over Blake's file before I actually did. At least advise him that you're seeking a second opinion."
"I've put in several calls to his nurse, explaining that it was important that I speak to him about Blake's case. I suppose that I could pass the message on through her that you would be looking over her case. I don't want to wait any longer. Would you be able to see her today?"
"I was planning on it if you had spoken to Dr. Jackson."
"Then give me five minutes and I will call you back." Holly says.
"That will be fine." Sam says, sitting up.
"Thank you." Holly hangs up.
Ten minutes later, Sam is finishing up some files when her phone rings. Picking it up, she answers on the third ring. "Sam O'Neill."
"Sam, its Holly."
"Were you able to speak to Dr. Jackson?"
"No, but I did leave a message with his nurse, explaining that I was bring in a doctor for second opinion and that you would be stopping by Blake's room later today. If that's okay."
"That is sufficient, thank you Holly."
"I'm thanking you."
"As I told you before, I won't promise that I'll be able to help Blake. I'll look over her tests and file and I'll offer my opinion, but be prepared I may agree with Dr. Jackson's diagnosis."
"I understand."
"Then I'll stop by Cedars before lunch. What room is she in?"
"She's in room 451. And thank you for seeing her."
"I'll let you know what I think after I've examined her."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, and I'll talk to you soon." Sam says, hanging up a moment later. Picking up her cell phone, she sends a text message to Jeffrey telling him to meet her at Company at noon.
When Jeffrey walks into the reception area for his office, Stace's at her desk and says as he walks in "Good morning, Sir."
"Good morning."
"Here are your messages and your first meeting is at nine." She says, holding out his messages.
"Thank you, could you get Billy Lewis on the phone for me?" Jeffrey asks, taking his messages.
"Of course." She says, as he walks into his office.
Putting his briefcase on his desk, he takes his coat off and hangs it up before he walks over to his desk, sitting down. He's bringing up his computer when Stace buzzes him. "Yes."
"Mr. Lewis is on line one."
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, connecting the call. "Billy, how are you?"
"I'm good. We're working on the loft. It should be finished by next week."
"Thank you for the update, but that's not why I was calling. I was wondering if you could come to my office say around ten." Jeffrey asks.
"I can make that. Is there a problem?"
"No, I need to talk to you about something important." Jeffrey says, looking out his window.
"I'll be there by ten."
"Thank you, I'll see you then." Jeffrey says, hanging up a moment later. Once the calls disconnected, he buzzes Stace "Could you come in here please?"
"You wanted to see me Sir." Stace says, walking into Jeffrey's office.
"Yes, Mr. Lewis will be here by ten for a meeting. I'm expecting some papers to come from my broker, be sure to bring them to me as soon as they arrive, even if I'm in the meeting with Howard."
"Yes sir."
"That will be all."
"Yes sir. I'll add Mr. Lewis to your calendar." Stace turns to go as Jeffrey nods.
Richard walks into his office a little after eight. He's putting his briefcase down and hanging his coat up, as Amelia walks in. "Good Morning, Sir."
"Good morning, how is Morgan?"
"He's feeling a little better. I have an appointment for him for later today if that's okay?" She says, bringing him his messages.
"That's fine." He says, looking through them. "I've got a call to make before my first meeting."
"Yes sir. Do you need some coffee?"
"That would be good." He says, looking up and smiling.
"I'll bring you a cup." She says, smiling back before she leaves the office.
Sitting down, he picks up the phone and dials Kevin's number. Sitting back, he waits for him to answer. "Kevin Harrison."
"Kevin, its Richard."
"Yes, Mr. Mayor."
"I'm not mayor yet. I wanted to speak to you about the campaign schedule." Richard says, turning towards his window.
"The schedule, Sir. We need to start heavy before the other candidates…."
"I'm not backing off on campaigning. But I am saying that the schedule be amended to leave Sunday's free. That time will be spent with my family."
"Sir, we…."
"It's the only way it's going to be, Mr. Harrison. I'll campaign everyday of the week but Sunday. I would prefer to have both Saturday and Sunday off, but I know that I will need to have events on Saturday, but Sunday there won't be any. Have to spoken to Mr. Westbrook?"
"I have a meeting scheduled with him this morning. I also have a meeting with Holly about the campaign announcement."
"I'm going to contact a couple of men I know that wrote for me when I was in San Cristobel. They know me and they know my style of speaking. Until I speak with them, I will write the announcement."
"I'm not…."
"Holly can look it over before I give the address Friday night."
"Yes sir."
"Have someone in the staff contact the Beacon? I spoke with Cassie about making the announcement there and she's fine with it. They will need to speak to Reva Lewis when they call. I don't want Cassie involved with planning this announcement."
"Yes sir. I'll have one of the staffers take over the event planning."
"That's everything, but make sure you make it clear to whomever you put in charge of event planning. There will be no campaign events on Sunday."
"I will."
"Thank you. I've got a meeting I need to get ready for. If you need me, call my office or cell."
"I will." Kevin says. They hang up.
When Billy arrives, Stace buzzes Jeffrey. "Sir, Mr. Lewis is here to see you."
"Send him in." Jeffrey says, holding the button down for a moment before he releases it. Taking a deep breath, he stands up
Opening the door, Billy walks in as Jeffrey walks around his desk." Jeffrey, I was a little surprised with your request for this meeting, especially since we discussed everything this morning about the loft." Billy says, walking over to him.
'This isn't about the loft or construction. It does have to do with family business though." Jeffrey says, turning to his desk. Holding down the intercom, he asks. "Stace, have those papers come from my broker?"
"They just arrived, Sir." She replies, getting up.
"Bring them in." He says, releasing the button. He walks over to the door as Billy turns to watch him. Opening the door, he takes the papers and says. "Thank you Stace." Closing the door behind him, he turns around. "Please have a seat." Jeffrey says, walking over to his desk.
He doesn't go behind it, but instead walks over to the chair beside where Billy is sitting. "Can I ask why you've brought me over here?"
"I'll explain. Do you remember when you were asking me about my middle name?"
"Yes, it was a little strange that you were named the same name as my, our father but we know why now."
"You also told me about our father's company. Do you remember that?"
"Yes, and I explained that Spaulding has controlling interest in Lewis Oil. They have for several years now."
"Yes, I know. And I thought about that a lot after you told me about. So, I contacted my broker and I asked him to make some inquires about Lewis Oil."
"Inquires about Lewis Oil, I don't understand."
"I wanted to see how many shares were available and how much we could get back from the Spaulding's."
"You tried to take over Lewis Oil."
"I didn't try. I did take over Lewis Oil." Jeffrey says, quietly.
For a moment, Billy stares at him. Not quite believing what he was hearing. "You mean you have partial control of Lewis…."
"No, I mean I have complete control of Lewis Oil. I spoke to my broker and I asked him to buy up as much Lewis Oil stock as he could find and he did. Up until the point that we had everything but the shares owned by Lizzie Spaulding."
"She wouldn't sell her shares."
"She did sell me her shares, all of them. And with those shares and the shares that my broker was able to buy, I have complete control of Lewis Oil." Jeffrey says, opening up the envelope that Stace had given him. "My broker told that the SEC approved the buy out and these are the papers giving control back to us, and I'm giving them to you." He says, pulling the papers out.
"To me, why? Josh should be given control of Lewis Oil. I came in at the end."
"Maybe Josh should have it, but I'm giving it to you. So, here." Jeffrey says, holding the papers out.
For a moment, Billy looks at him and then he reaches for the papers. "I don't know what to say. You know that Josh will not accept you, even with this."
"I think he's already starting to accept me. But that's not why I did this. I knew that Josh probably wouldn't accept this when I did it, but it didn't feel right having the Spaulding's controlling the company our father built."
"Josh knows about this and what do you mean he's starting to accept you?"
"He overheard Wes telling me about the approval at Jon's bar on Halloween. He reacted the way I expected him to react but then yesterday, he and Reva came to the house…."
"He and Reva came to your house?"
"Yes, they came by yesterday afternoon. It was awkward at first but then he actually apologized to me and we talked." He says, smiling at the look of disbelief on Billy's face.
"Was that Reva's idea?"
"I don't know. I only know they came by, and we talked. He explained some of the reasons why he's behaved the way he has towards me."
"He thought you and Reva would get together. And maybe a little bit of it had to do with the relationship you had with Marah and the things that happened with Cassie."
"That's all true, but there's more to it than that." He says, getting up and walking around his desk.
"What do you mean?" Billy asks, watching him.
"As he explained it, it's a little hard to face again the fact that our father wasn't faithful to Josh's mother. He was worried about everything else but I believe he also didn't want to face HB's infidelity again." Jeffrey says, sitting down behind his desk.
Billy looks down as the papers and then at Jeffrey. "Why are you giving this to me? Josh should…"
"You and Reva were the ones that accepted me without question. I don't know anything about running a company that size. I'm a lawyer. And I suppose that I should've given it to both of you, but I think Reva's busy right now with Cassie."
"So, Josh explained that it wasn't just the fact that he was afraid of a relationship between you and Reva, did he say anything else?"
"You're forgetting he apologized."
"He apologized, he really apologized?" Billy asks, looking at him.
"Yes, he really apologized and before you asked it wasn't forced."
"Then if he apologized, then I think you need to give this to him." Billy says, holding out the papers.
"You don't want it." Jeffrey asks, surprised.
"No, I'm very flattered that you wanted me to have it, but really Lewis Oil was Josh's birthright. We built Lewis Construction together, but Lewis Oil should be his." Billy says, laying the papers on Jeffrey's desk.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, in fact I enjoy Lewis Construction a lot more than I ever enjoyed Lewis Oil. I think it's because sometimes I'm able to get a little dirty. I could never do that at Lewis Oil. So give that to Josh, it was his birthright."
"Alright." Jeffrey says, taking the papers back and putting them in the envelope.
"Thank you for it." Billy says, as he stands up.
"You're welcome. I… appreciate you coming by." Jeffrey says, standing up too.
"I think we'll have the loft done within a week or so."
"That will be good." Jeffrey says, walking around his desk. He walks over to the door with Billy following him. "I'll see you soon." He says, opening the door.
'Sure." Billy says, holding out his hand. They shake hands before Billy leaves. Going back to his desk, Jeffrey sits down and then looks at the envelope. He wasn't sure how he was going to approach Josh about this. Picking the envelope up, he puts it away and then returns to work.
Shortly before eleven, Sam finishes up with her final patient for the morning. Walking him out before she turns to Leah. "I will be at Cedars and then lunch."
"Yes ma'am." She says, as Sam turns to walk away.
Five minutes later, she walks into Cedars. Walking over to the elevator, she pushes the button and then steps back. She's standing there for about a minute when Rick walks up. "Good morning Dr. O'Neill."
"Good morning, Dr. Bauer."
"How are things going?"
"Fine."
"Are you here for a patient?"
"No. I'm here to offer a second opinion for another patient. The family asked me to take a look."
"What patient?" He asks, wondering if it was one of his.
"Blake Marler. Holly asked me to look at her case. Only to see if there was anything else that could be done for her."
"Coma patients are extremely hard to predict, but then I guess you know that having worked Richard's case."
"They are hard to predict, but they're not hopeless." Sam says, as the elevator doors open. Rick holds the door for the exiting passengers and Sam.
She walks on and then he follows her, pressing the button for his office and then the fourth floor button. "I believe Blake is on the fourth floor."
"Yes." Sam says, as she walks to the back left corner of the elevator.
"You realize that Dr. Jackson will resist your opinion." Rick says, looking at her as the elevator doors close.
"I'm aware of that. But the family has the right for a second opinion and they have the right to choose which doctor they want." Sam says, as the elevator stops and the doors open. "It was good to see you Dr. Bauer." Sam says, walking off the elevator.
"It was good to see you as well. Tell Jeffrey hello."
"I will." She says, as the door closes and she walks towards the nurse's station. When she reaches the station, there is a large woman standing behind desk as Sam walks up. She looks up and then returns to chart she was working on. "I would like to see Mrs. Marler's chart." Sam asks, looking at the woman.
She looks up and stares at Sam for a moment, before she says. "Dr. Jackson doesn't allow other doctors looking at his patient's chart without him being the one to ask."
"The family has asked me to provide a second opinion so if you could please get me Mrs. Marler's chart I would appreciate it."
"Of course." The nurse replies, getting up from her desk. She walks over to a large filing cabinet. Opening one of the drawers, she pulls Blake's file and then brings it back to Sam. "Here you go. I believe the family has tried everything, but she's simply not responsive." The nurse says, handing her the chart.
"Thank you." Sam says, taking the file. "Which way to Mrs. Marler's room?"
"Down that hall and to your left, first door on your left."
"Thank you." Sam says, turning away from the desk. She follows the hall until she reaches Blake's room.
Slowly she pushes the door open. When she walks in she's shocked at what she sees. The room is dark and quiet, not even the TV is playing. The only light in the room is from the bathroom about two feet from the bed and the light coming in from around the blinds on the windows. There is nothing in the room that even hits at the fact that Blake had family that loved her. Walking over to the table by the bed, she puts the chart down on the table before she turns to the window and opens the blinds. The room is flooded with light.
She turns back to Blake and looks down at her. She looks withdrawn and sallow. Her hair is listless and she has no makeup on. Reaching for her chart, she looks over the notes, Dr. Jackson has made since she became his patient. Reaching for her stethoscope, she puts it in her ears before she walks over to Blake. "Good morning, Mrs. Marler." She says, as she listens to her heart and breathing. "You don't know me. My name is Dr. Sam O'Neill. I'm a friend of Cassie and Harley's and your mother asked me to come by and see you. It's seems you've been taking a very long nap and she wants you to wake up." Sam says, as she moves on through her examination. "And I'm sure your kids would like for you to wake up too. I'm sure they miss their mom. I know Cassie and Harley miss you. There's a lot going on here in Springfield and I know they would love to have you around to talk to about it." Sam says, putting her stethoscope back into her pocket. She reaches for the side of the bed to turn the TV on as Dr. Jackson walks in.
"What are you doing here?" He demands, walking over to Sam, towering over her.
She takes a step back and then looks up. "I came to examine…."
"You have no business examining my patient. I'll have…."
"May I speak to you in the hall, Dr. Jackson?" Sam asks, walking around the bed.
For a moment he stands beside the bed before he lays the chart down and follows Sam out of Blake's room. "Mrs. Marler, is under my very competent care and I resent you're interference again in a patient that I'm taking care off." He says, once the door is closed behind them.
"I'm not interfering in your care of your patient. Mrs. Marler's mother asked me to look at Blake's case. And after doing so, I'm afraid I'm not satisfied with her care." Sam says.
"Who are you, young lady…?"
"Hold on Dr. Jackson. Who are you to speak to me like that? I'm your colleague and you will treat me with that respect. Do not ever treat me like and irritating child. You can call me by my name, Dr. O'Neill or hey you but don't ever call me young lady. I'm not your daughter, grand-daughter, niece or any other female relation you may have. And I have never interfered with any patient you have had." Sam says softly. "I am sure that you've tried your best to care for Blake, but from what I saw in that room when I came in. I understand why Mrs. Marler is still in the condition she's in."
"Dr. O'Neill, I've been caring for patients several years longer than you have. Patients in Mrs. Marler's condition do not wake up and we both know that. I have been trying to convince the family that it's time to let her go, but they will not listen."
"And I'm certainly glad that they haven't because I disagree with your assessment of Mrs. Marler's situation and I will be reporting that to her mother when I speak to her. Have a good day." Sam says, turning to leave.
"Dr. O'Neill." Dr. Jackson says, reaching out to stop her. "I will not let you interfere with my patients care."
"I haven't interfered in anyone's care. I was asked for a second opinion I will give it. What her mother does with that opinion is up to her. Now if you excuse I have a lunch meeting that I must get to." Sam says, turning and walking away from him.
When Sam pulls into Company, Jeffrey is already waiting for her. He walks over to her car. Opening the door for her, he helps her out and then leans in to kiss her. "Hi." He says, closing the door behind her after she locks it.
"Hi." She says, slipping her arm around his waist. "How was your morning?" She asks, as they walk across the parking lot.
"It was busy. What about yours?"
"The same."
"Did you go see Blake?"
"Yes." She replies, as they walk into the courtyard outside Company.
"So, what do you think?"
"I think I need to talk to Holly. She's not receiving the right care, in my opinion and that's what I told Dr. Jackson."
"You told her doctor you thought he wasn't taking care of her properly."
"No, I told him that I didn't believe she was receiving the right kind of care." She says, as he opens the door for her and they walk in. "…not that he didn't take care of her properly. We're not going to get along anyway."
"Good afternoon." Frank says, nodding to them.
"Afternoon Frank." Sam says, watching him leave.
"Sam, do you want to sit down?" Jeffrey asks.
"Hmm, oh yes, sorry." She says, following him over to a table.
"Are you going to tell me what you were thinking just now?"
"Oh, I was thinking about Megan and Frank." She says, sitting down as Marina walks up.
"Hello, you two." She says, with a smile.
"Hi, Marina. How are your?" Jeffrey asks, returning her smile.
"I'm good. So, do you need a moment or do you want to order?"
"We're actually waiting for someone." Jeffrey says. "But can you bring me a cup of coffee and some apple cider for Sam." He asks, looking at her. She nods.
"Sure, I'll bring it right out."
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, as she turns to walks away. "Now you were saying about Frank and Megan."
"Oh it was nothing." She says, shaking her head. "What's been going on at City Hall?" She asks.
"Not so much with Springfield business but I did talk to Billy this morning?"
"Did he take the papers for Lewis Oil?"
"No, he didn't."
"What, why not?"
"He told met that he felt like I should give the company to Josh. That he felt like Lewis Oil was Josh's birthright."
"Are you going to do that?"
"I don't know. If I do, I'm not sure how I would approach him." Jeffrey says, as Marina brings there drinks.
Putting them down, she says. "Let me know when you're ready to order."
"We will. Thank you." Jeffrey says, as she turns to leave. "So you were talking about Blake when we came in. You think she's not being taken care of?"
"No, medically she is. But emotionally she's not. You should've seen that room, when I walk in there this morning. It was dark. The only like in the whole room was from the bathroom and it was about two feet away from her and then the light coming in from around the blinds on the windows. The TV was off. It was as silent as a tomb. There was just no life there."
"And that's what you told her doctor?"
"Not specifically, we didn't really get into it."
"Why not?" He asks, after taking a sip of coffee.
"I lost my temper with him."
'Why?"
"Because he's a condescending…." She takes a deep breath. "He's a man that believes a woman's place is at home not questioning his ability to take care of his patient. I knew when Holly told me who her doctor was that it would turn into something like this.' Sam says, before she takes a sip of cider.
"Why?"
"Because he's the doctor that was treating Mr. Holtzmeir the morning he died. He didn't appreciate me taking over the care of my own patient so I could imagine what he would like to do about me questioning his care of Blake, if I had let him get started."
"What did he call you?"
"Young lady, like I was an irritating child and not his colleague. And I told him that." She says, looking around the restaurant. "What time is it?"
"It's about five after."
"I told him I would be here at one."
"We'll give him a few more minutes. So this Dr. Jackson, can he do anything about you looking at Blake's case?"
"No, everyone is entitled to a second opinion and that's what Holly asked for, but I'm not on his Christmas list this year." Sam says, as Marina walks up.
"Are you ready? Or do you still want to wait for your other guest?"
"We're going to wait a few more minutes." Jeffrey says, as she nods
She walks away as Sam asks. "Did you tell Billy about Josh and Reva coming over yesterday?"
"Yes. He was as surprised as us about that."
"Does he think Josh's means the apology?"
"I don't know. I didn't ask him. But I explained to him about the hidden reasons for Josh's behavior.
"What did he say about that?"
"He didn't really say much about it. He did say that the loft should be finished within the week or so."
"Really."
"Yes, so I guess we're going to be helping Ava and William move into it." Jeffrey says, as he glances at his watch.
"What time is it?"
"Almost ten after, can you call him?"
"I suppose I can. You know him better than I do."
"I don't know him at all. I didn't think to call Jonah and ask about him."
"Who's Jonah?"
"He's the man in charge of public defenders office. I had some serious court battles with some of his attorneys when I was DA."
"Can you call him?"
"I suppose I can." Jeffrey says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone. He dials a number and then waits for someone to answer.
After a couple rings, a woman picks up. "Springfield Public Defender's office."
"Yes, this is Mayor O'Neill. I would like to speak to Mr. Burris."
"Mr. Burris…" Jonah is walking out his office as the secretary says his name. He stops. "…he's out of the office. May I take a message, Mr. Mayor?"
When Jonah hears that, he reaches to get the woman's attention. "Could you please hold?" The woman says, placing Jeffrey on hold.
"Is that the Mayor?"
"Yes sir, he called to speak to you, but I was about to tell him that you were out of the office for lunch."
"I'll take the call." Jonah says, turning back towards his office.
"Yes sir." Connecting the call back to Jeffrey she says. "Thank you for holding, Mr. Jonah is back in the office, if you'll hold one moment more he'll be right with you." She says, placing Jeffrey on hold again.
"What's going on?"
"They've put me on hold." Jeffrey says, as she nods.
A few seconds later, Jonah connects the call. "Mr. Mayor, it is a surprise to hear from you."
"Jonah, thank you for taking the call."
"Not a problem, is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes, I need some information, well specifically if you have a public defender working in your office."
"What's the name?"
"A Mr. Scott Waterford, do you know him?"
"Scott Waterford? I can't say that I know that name but I do have a large staff and it's hard to keep track of everyone on it."
"Can you tell me the attorney that's handling the Owens's case?"
"Owens's, I'm not familiar with that name. What's the case about?"
"She was arrested on kidnapping charges after she failed to return her daughter to her father following her court ordered weekend visit."
"Owens's, yes I remember the case now. It was given to Russell."
"George Russell?" Jeffrey asks.
"Yes, he's handling that case."
"Have you spoken to him about the case?"
"No, I don't involve myself in every case, you know that."
"Yes, of course. Thank you for the information."
"You're welcome." Jonah says, and Jeffrey hangs up.
"What did he say?"
"He doesn't know a Scott Waterford and Mrs. Owens's case was assigned to another attorney." Jeffrey says, raising his hand to get Marina's attention.
She walks over to them. "Are you ready to order?"
"Actually no, I'm sorry. Something has come up that we need to take care of. Can you bring us the check?" Jeffrey says, as Marina nods.
"Sure." She turns to leave while Sam watches him.
"What's wrong?"
"I'll explain when we get out of here and we'll pick something up on the way?"
"Where are we going?" Sam asks, as Marina brings the check.
Jeffrey hands her some money as he stands up with Sam following him. "Keep the change." He says, ushering Sam out of the restaurant.
"Okay, what's going on?"
"I don't know about Mr. Waterford and his involvement, but Jonah told me who was assigned to this case and if he's true to his normal routine. Mrs. Owens's will find herself on the way to the women's facility and Arianna will be returned to her father." Jeffrey says, backing out of his parking space.
"What are you going to do?" Sam asks, as he pulls onto the street.
"First, I'm going to get us both some lunch. I should've when were in Company, but my first instinct was to get you out of there."
"Why?" He looks at her and then looks back at the traffic in front of him. "J, why did you want to get out of Company?"
"I was afraid your brother might be up to something."
"My brother! What could he possibly be planning?"
"I'm not sure, but I find it a little bit strange that you were supposes to meet a man that Jonah has never heard of about a case that involves your brother. I thought it was better if I got you out of there, quickly." He says, pulling up to one of the fast food restaurants. They both order lunch. As they are pulling away, Sam asks. "Where are we going now?"
"I'm going to talk to Frank. I want to find out if Mrs. Owens has talked to either one of these men and then I might talk to Mel."
"Mel, why are you going to talk to Mel?"
"Because whether or not she's talked to her attorney, I would almost guarantee he's only doing what he absolutely has to do for her. He's probably advised her to make a deal and be done with the charges and he hasn't even bothered to find out all the facts about the case."
"For someone who didn't want me to become involved with this case, you're becoming more and more involved with it yourself." She says, looking at him.
"I don't like seeing someone sent to prison with out the strongest possible defense and I don't like someone being bullied, you know that." He says, looking at her as they turn into to the City complex.
"So, what am I going to do while you're talking to Frank?"
"You're going to be there with me and you're going to talk to Mrs. Owens." He says, parking in front of the police station."