Chapter 50
After a long companionable silence during their drive back from her hospital check up and farewell/baby shower Meg suddenly commented. "You know I really really hate waiting and being kept out of the picture. … Even Robert is doing it now! … I thought having a joint lawyer would mean more news. Oh No just … "
Mandy smiled as she listened understanding Meg's frustrated emotional moan, who could blame her she was pregnant after all. She knew the others knew that and wanted to protect her from the ups and down of near missed deals in SB and time was creeping on. Although it was still May they had about four weeks to go and she knew now that Meg's job was finished time would seem a mixture of slowing and rushing. ….
"… Cryptic emails 'Michael and Vanessa possible, Sunset Sisters okay, don't worry enjoy your peace and quiet.' What on earth am I meant to make of that and Sara's just as useless saying things are fine not too worry, phone calls are worse…."
"Damn!" Mandy exclaimed as she took evasive action to miss the coach, which was usually parked down the side of the driveway with enough room for anyone to pass. But today it was sticking out at such an odd angle she had no hope of going by. There hadn't been any danger to either of them or shock as she'd been going slowly, knowing the kids and others could be leaving the stables about now.
As she eased the car towards the hotel car park she carried on talking. "To be honest there is nothing you can do. They are the ones on the spot and they don't want you to worry, they know you can't do anything from a distance." Her tone lightened a bit as she said. "Mind you, after last night's business it's just as well things at Sunset Beach are going along quietly. I'll park and we'll walk round, the things can be carried through by staff."
Meg hadn't been worried by the sudden change of direction, but it did concentrate her thoughts making her give a sigh of resignation, "Yes… I suppose you're right, perhaps that's why it's so irritating" thinking about last night as Mandy had reminded her she couldn't help smiling and wondering if the 'trouble fairy' that dogged them at SB had finally found them and said. "Talk about chaos and plans being wrecked." She looked back at the coach as they swung into a parking place. "Are you going to argue with the coach driver?" who she could see was reading a paper so possibly hadn't realised what had happened or was just hiding and hoping.
Mandy smiled as she brought the car to a gentle halt. "No I'll let Jack do that later he's got more official clout."
Her grouchy mood gone Meg smiled at that thought and another and teased Mandy. "Ready for the big change then?"
Mandy laughed and said honestly, "No … thank goodness it's not till late July," she looked at Meg and emphasized lightly in view of earlier thoughts as she carried on. "And I don't want your son putting in an early appearance at the party regardless of the long speeches, thank you very much!"
Meg laughed and teased. "Be a good climax don't you think!"
"Oh don't please!" Mandy sighed and shook her head; they got out the car and saw Jackie waiting on the driveway to the apartments obviously anxious to give and get news but from her smile knew things were not too bad.
Opening the car door to get things from the back seat Mandy said. "I'll explain things to the lad who's just come out then catch you up." Then huffed good naturedly. "After all we can't keep her waiting now can we?"
"Heaven forbid!" Meg exclaimed with a laugh and started to walk up the pathway to get to the driveway.
oxoxo
Meg smiled as she carried on walking towards Jackie, wondering just who was going to get their news out first.
As Mandy caught up with her, Meg felt tension grow in both of them, which was not surprising after last night's chaos. Of course that had meant today and the next few days were not going to be the quiet days they had been hoping for and got back to wondering what if anything she should tell Casey after all it would affect his future and their plans, but she still wanted them here.
As they got within talking distance Jackie jumped in first with "Everyone's okay and the ride was good. So how are things?!"
Mandy chuckled and Meg smiled recognising Jackie's tone.
Knowing just how stubborn Jackie could be Meg answered her question in sound bites hoping that would be enough and she would get more about what had been going on in their absence. "Great party and presents got the promise of carrying on a few hours from home if I want to. I'll think about that later. I checked out okay and the baby is fine … so it must have been indigestion. … Got some scan pics … due date end of July or beginning of August."
Seeing Jackie's stubborn expression she sighed and continued. "Okay. My doctor thinks it's going to be August and of course just to be different Mandy's brother thinks July. We reckon he just wants extra days off as he's going to stay here in case John needs him. … The midwife is coming round again in a couple days time just to make sure every thing is okay for the new portable incubator etc when it arrives." She gave a slight giggle "Of course they loved the idea that John and Jack will donate it to the emergency crew afterwards." She then added in a tone Jackie would recognise. "Val and Paul okay?"
They'd been walking slowly down the driveway to the apartments as she talked and had silently acknowledged the six school kids who ran past them to get on the coach. Seeing the adults following the children Meg realised it was the group John would have been out with so started to walk towards the stables rather than towards the apartment.
Happy with the news Jackie started to give her account of the day. "John took Paul out with him said he needed some light relief, still not sure whether he was talking about Paul or himself. As it turned out the group were sort of okay, which was just as well as those two together are useless."
They all smiled knowing exactly what she meant and she huffed. "Yeah a right pair of kids! Anyway Val is at Tony's I think they got accountants with them as well … either way they've been there most of the day and might not get back till late." Jackie couldn't help smiling as she told her tale. "The 'removal men' have stored what furniture and bits they could in the spare buildings at the Hardware store, and staff and office stuff are in offices John bought." She saw the look of surprise on both their faces and carried on "Yeah, glad you never knew about those offices either … talk about a dark horse!"
Mandy and Meg had smiled at the mention of the 'removal men' remembering the rush that had happened after last night's frantic phone call from Paul and Val. That was the first sign that their plans for Casey and his family were going down the plug hole at ninety miles an hour with very little to stop it. The 'removal men' had been all the police officers Jack could round up along and others including Simon in police and other cars and vans to sort out what was happening and pick everything they legally could in the couple of hours allotted to them.
As Jackie mentioned about the offices, Meg could not subdue the shiver that ran through her so Mandy ignored her daughter's last remarks and said gently guessing Meg's thoughts. "Don't worry Casey will have a job, just not with Paul's firm; Mat will help Paul regarding the investigation and loss of the firm. Of course, Val's relations chucking her off the board and out the house last night are too much of a coincidence so it should not take too long to find out the connection and truth, once that's done things will get sorted out."
Meg felt a little calmer but really unhappy not only for her family's sake but also Paul and Val's betrayal and said crossly. "I know, but to kick her out of her house like that! I mean she's been looking after the firm and family for years now when she starts to get a life of her own they chuck her out with nothing!! Claiming it was her fault as well!"
Mandy couldn't help a slight smile and said. "Not quite nothing. … It must have been quite a surprise to find the police turn up to get the furniture etc. and at the firm as well. They thought it would be just what she could carry but at least they couldn't argue with the officers."
Jackie butted in with a little bit of a laugh in her voice, not wanting things to go too morbid on them. "Oh, I think they are finding out just how big a mistake they've made actually."
She smiled as she got their attention back to today and explained. "You know John told her to cancel anything that had her name on immediately. … That meant calls to power, water, phones, food deliveries, car hire and carers for the older aunts or uncles and the same goes for the office. Well! amazingly they all stopped immediately so today they have nothing.
Regarding the firm the staff that could not move out are working to rule saying she as their boss used to check everything which means the new boss has to check everything. Of course they are questioning whether the new bloke is qualified and can be trusted.
The contracted staff walked out and took everything with them, including computer disks, paper files as well as the odd computer and cabinet and left notes demanding immediate payment of salary with the accounting staff. Apparently although the contracts are with Val personally the payment is with the firm with penalties for late payment so that should be fun."
"Really!" Meg exclaimed brightening at the thought of the chaos.
Jackie smiled "Yes, Val insisted that clause be put in years ago; what's more they had police, legal people and papers there so 'the man' as they nicknamed him could not make a fuss. That was courtesy of Jack and Tony by the way, and how they ended up in the offices I mentioned earlier.
Apparently as Paul and John gossiped during the wedding preparation John sensed rumblings of unrest within the family but of course never thought it would be anything like this. He thought they might have let her go freelance, anyway he heard about these offices the day before the wedding, they were being renovated. Owners had to sell quickly so he bought leasehold thought it was too good an opportunity to miss. Wasn't going to say anything till he put them on the market and got his money back, of course now he's got clients in a bit quicker than he thought, but I don't think he'll charge rent just yet."
As they haven't got phones in yet the contracted staff have been on their cell phones ringing round clients hoping to get their side of the story in first and keep the contracts by reassuring them that Val is with them."
Jackie stopped for a moment to draw breath, they had stopped opposite the apartments to listen to her because Mandy was going to go back to the hotel rather than down to the stables and would call in later with Jack for other news.
Having got her breath back and sorted the rest of the story in her mind Jackie carried on. "As for Paul well he is still in shock about the accusation of bad practice and surprise take-over or sell out whatever you call it. But he is a bit happier now he knows Mat is bringing the big guns in from Boston and should be here tonight. Of course that's going to take time and they've got to work out whether it's worth spending money to get the firm back or just walk away and just get Paul's good name back."
She gave a snort of light-hearted disgust as she carried on. "Of course my so called better half put his nose in, didn't he and said there's a nightclub in town wanting a make over and a new owner."
Meg gave a chuckle guessing what was coming.
Jackie smiled, "Oh Yeah! … Needless to say both John and Paul's eyes lit up, big smiles … I mean if they'd been walking John would have been faced down in no time. But as they were riding by the end they had decided that Val can do the interior design, Paul would be manager while John would act as agent and Mat put the money up. Then, once Paul's good name and money were back he would take over completely. All the while there was Simon, Stephen and myself trying to control and calm the kids ... yeah bedlam."
She laughed with the others then carried on half seriously. "I just wonder which one is going to tell Mat that he's got a new project to finance, and Val's not only staff to sort out but a nightclub to dress up. … Not a bad hour's work really." Her anger caught up with her as she sighed and added. "I still don't understand why they turned on her like that. I mean the pair of them are great to be around … Mad in Paul's case I know."
Meg had given a near silent chuckle at the bit about the nightclub that sounded typical of John and Paul, now understood part of the reason she smiled and said. "All about who's in control and money, before the relations had been in control of Val but since Paul's been around and especially since New Year they've seen he's been willing to back her ideas, he's not afraid of the consequences of saying no to them. Now this nephew's come along he's young, ambitious, unattached and can be moulded into what they want."
Mandy, knew her daughter's belief in family pulling together and said half in disbelief. "Oh come on Jackie! Don't say you've forgot about John and his twin!"
Jackie shook her head and smiled, "Umm point taken … talking of whom, John not his brother I need a quick word Mum."
It was quiet now the kids, minders and coach had gone, Mandy smiled knowing what her daughter's fears were so turned to Meg and asked. "Are you okay with Paul and Val staying with you for a while?"
Without any hesitation knowing John's views Meg answered happily. "Yes John's fine with the arrangement but if it gets too much we will chuck them over to you. I know you've got room in the lodge for them. Come over with Jack for a conference meal in the garden room, we'll order from the restaurant to save cooking."
Mandy smiled warmly "Good idea, Jack will join us when he's free and don't worry if Val's apartments are lost; we can always put your family in the lodge till they find somewhere to live. And Casey might be able to work out that internet idea from the interview if not I'm sure we can find something for him to do so finance will not be a problem."
"I know." Meg smiled and sighed. "And to think yesterday afternoon we were putting the finishing touches to our plans for the meet and greet Sunday meal and wishing everyone at Sunset would tell me what the hell was going on. Now it's me who's going to be wondering how much I should tell them!"
Mandy laughed and asked, "Was that it Jackie?" Jackie nodded and Mandy carried on, "Good, I'll see you later." then turned to walk towards the private entrance to the hotel.
Making their way towards the stables Jackie asked. "Okay so what did they give you Meg? Not giving her a chance to answer exclaimed. "Guess they've not cleared the stables yet."
They could hear the noise of horses' shoes on the path and saw Shep come bouncing round the corner followed by Simon who was walking by Sandy's head while talking to John who was still riding.
Meg stopped and watched John dismount and start to talk to Simon again. Shep now stood away from Sandy obviously resigned to wait for his master, though from the wag of his tail and the quick look in her direct Meg knew she'd been spotted even if John had not seen them yet.
Jackie's teasing comment. "Okaay so where is the other trouble maker then?" brought her back to where she was.
Starting to walk towards the group Meg laughed and automatically looked towards the paddock and spotted the 'other trouble maker' and exclaimed. "In the paddock letting Jess and few of the others out … ooh! There's Snow White chasing Thor! Promise you'll not fight Val for her."
Jackie laughed understanding Meg's accidentally spoken fears and said happily. "No we'll share after all I like Val even if she does not know which way is up at the moment."
Meg chuckled knowing that was quite true, turned her attention back to John and Simon and was going to call John's name to get his attention when she saw him sway and release Sandy's reigns and put his hand out. She saw the startled look on Simon's face and then saw John start to collapse to the ground. Simon still in shock moved to help him to the ground.
Disbelief with heart beating fast and a sinking feeling of shock enveloping her, Meg started a hesitating awkward run towards them. Seeing Simon put his hand on the side of John's neck to check his pulse, shot the fear of what it could mean through her mind and she screamed. "No! John! Please John, No!"
Simon's concentration on what he had to do never wavered, not even as Meg arrived and knelt awkwardly beside John taking hold of his hand still calling his name over and over again.
oxoxo
At the first sign of John's collapse Shep ran, opening the apartment's door and pressing the emergency buzzer as he had been trained to do. Then he lay down so the door would stay open and he would not be anyone's way, but watched where his Master lay. Sandy had started to walk back to the stables as soon as he heard Stephen's whistle.
Mandy had stopped and turned at Meg's heartbreaking yell then ran with racing heart knowing Meg would get to John before her. That Simon would be in radio contact with the necessary people and Jackie would follow Shep into the apartment to get the emergency equipment that might be needed. They had all trained for this though never thought it would happen not since he started coping so well. The strongest thought that raced through her mind was - She was not going to lose her son not now!
As soon as the emergency buzzer had been pressed the special flood lights lit the paddock up, red round the outside with white in the middle to guide the helicopter down, whether it was day or night. When the lights came on the helpers knew what to do and Stephen gave a sharp whistle and the horses stopped racing around and started to come to him. He gave the signal and those nearest the riding school were collected and lead inside. The rest came to the gate to the stable and followed on through. Paul not understanding what was going on shadowed Stephen who explained what was happening and what he wanted him to do. Stephen knew that the horses were trained to stay calm when the helicopter came so he could leave the stables.
oxoxo
Simon had been immediate contact with Mandy's brother and the helicopter unit through the radio they carried when out with John. He called out the information to them and got information back and acted on it. As John's pulse disappeared then after a scary moment came back only this time it was very weak and he could feel John going into shock.
Meg still shocked took a breath and looked up as Mandy arrived and Simon quickly explained knowing it could be important. "He said Derek then collapsed! I don't think he saw me Mandy. His pulse disappeared and is now very weak and he's going into shock."
Mandy got down beside Meg, taking medical things out of the bag she always carried with her said reassuringly. "Keep talking to him Meg doesn't matter which name you use. It's your tone and touch that's important." then started to check him over, eased his position and made her own assessment.
Meg talked as she gently put John's hand on her stomach hoping that feeling their son move as he settled down after her shock and run and hearing about him her soulmate would stay with them.
Jackie arrived with the emergency equipment and set it up, then covered John's waist and legs with a blanket. Simon listening to the radio through his earpiece put the oxygen mask on John's face and said. "Mandy, they will be here in five minutes we have to move him now." and looked over to Jackie need her input.
Jackie checked the machine, knowing they really needed more time and looked over at her Mother saying. "Pulse is weak but steadying, from the chart looks like deep shock rather than an actual heart attack. You and I will grab the bits and pieces, Stephen and Simon can carry him on the board. We can't risk him hearing the helicopter."
"I know. … Paul, look after Meg." Mandy said as Paul and Stephen arrived with the stretcher that was usually kept in the stables. She knew they were taking a risk moving him but they had too.
Meg felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up at Paul who said with a shaky voice. "You need to move Meg."
She felt dazed as her mind was starting to play catch up and asked, "Why call out for Derek?" as she reluctantly let go of John's hand and then with Paul's help got to her feet. She was shaking and found herself tucked into Paul's embrace against his side so they could walk to the apartments together. The warmth and comfort of it reminded her of John when he wanted to protect her and felt a stronger shiver run through her as they watched the others expertly move her soulmate onto the stretcher and started towards the apartments.
"We'll ask him when he comes round. He's a fighter; he's going to be fine Meg." Paul said gently as they followed the group into the apartment.
In the distance they could hear the gentle thumping of the helicopter's engines.
oxoxo
As they got into the apartment and the doors closed Mandy called across the room. "Meg, we need to find out what has happened to Derek."
Meg dazed by the order just looked at her so she explained again. "John has a connection to Derek rather than the other way round. I'm pretty sure it's Derek who collapsed … possibly died … Meg … we need to know so we can treat John."
Meg nodded feeling Paul's arm gently guide her over to the sofas, the bustle of the group at the end of the apartment as they put John on the bed cleared some of her daze. She nodded again and felt Paul release her so she could sit down, which she did. She fumbled as the looked in her bag to find her phone; her mind was starting to buzz away from heart attacks for both brothers to hoping that Robert would be in Sunset and not Seattle or Boston.
She found it, knowing Paul would stay close to help her and felt Shep's head rest gently on her knees just as he used to do with John, she shook that thought of 'used to' and speed dialled Roberts emergency number on the second ring it was answered.
Shakily she said. "Robert, John's just collapsed calling Derek's name. We need to know what's happened so we can treat John."
"Meg I'll ring round and be in touch. I'm in Sunset but I don't know how long it will take could be five minutes could be longer, which phone shall I call you back on."
She started to relax very slightly as she heard his reassuring voice and answered. "Sara might use mine so use John's hotel one you'll be put straight through."
"Okay hang on to your love for him Meg."
She cut the call and snuggled up into Paul's welcoming embrace and his gentle reassuring words.
Oxoxo
The muffled thumping of the helicopter's engines could be heard as it landed then the silence as it stopped, followed fairly quickly by the whooshing of the door as Mandy's brother and co-worker ran into the apartment.
There was audio chaos as Mandy called across medical information to her brother who as he passed Meg gave her a look of reassurance but talked to Mandy and Jackie, which lead to action around John. Amongst it came Paul's quiet words, "I need to phone Val they will have heard the helicopter and be worried."
Meg moved a little out of his embrace to free him to use his phone but still kept contact with him needing that reassurance while starting to take notice of the sound from the heart monitor. As well as the reassuring fact that Shep had stayed with her and his tail was wagging slowly, surely that must be a good sign. Didn't they howl if their masters died?
She shivered as the monitor sounds dipped and peaked and Jackie run to her side saying urgently. "Meg John's heart is erratic due to shock we need to shock it back into the right rhythm … he's coming round and needs to see you are okay."
Shocked Meg got up and followed Jackie as she continued. "We think Derek had a heart attack and died and John got caught in the after shock. He'll be all right we need him to be asleep when Bob does it then it will get into a steady rhythm easily."
Meg hitched herself on the bed beside John for the first time really seeing how pale he looked; as she touched his cheek next to the mask his eyelids flickered.
"John sweetheart" she said gently and his eyes opened, no quite focused so she called again this time his free hand moved to find hers and she took it reassuring him gently. "It'll be all right John."
"Derek died as I held him Meg." His voice was soft with sadness and very weak.
"Oh Ben I'm sorry." She whispered her grief for his loss showing through, she knew in spite of all the pain Derek had caused them they loved him. "Robert is finding out what happened."
With the sound of his erratic heartbeat in the background he whispered. "Tired."
Bob said gently. "John we need you to rest while we get your heart into its right rhythm."
Meg noticed a flicker of understanding as John gave a tired nod and a weak "Need to know…."
Bob interrupted quickly, "You will John just a couple of hours sleep then we will be able to tell you what has happened and decide what to do. But we need to get you stable so rest, stay with Meg as you go to sleep … we will be around when you wake."
Meg felt his weak grasp on her hand tighten slightly and a gentle "Promise?" She smiled and answered, "Yes ... whatever the news is."
She watched him drift into sleep and when he was properly under she moved off the bed watching as Mandy and her brother checked the machines and set the panels up. The heart rate dipped and raised again as it started to dip again she felt Paul's arms round her shoulders and gentle words. "Sit over here Meg you don't need to watch this. … He'll be fine."
With little resistance she allowed herself to be moved over to the sofa but could not stop the shivering violently as she heard Mandy call out some numbers and Bob's voice call "Clear?" the others answered and then the buzz of the shock, quickly followed by the reassuring. "Okay rhythm caught … staying level ... keep checking"
Still not daring to look over she heard the regular rhythm of the monitor carrying on and started to breathe again relaxing her intense gaze on her hands. She felt a cold wet nose nudge into her hands and altered her gaze and saw Shep had stationed himself again so his head was resting on her lap, his big dark eyes were watching her, and those eyes seemed to glisten reassurance as did his body because his tail was wagging steadily.
"See said it was going to okay." Paul added gently, resting his hand on Shep's head.
Meg gave a gentle nod to both of them. She could see Paul's fear fading as well, and felt the weight of a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Jackie. She too looked pale but like the others her eyes were bright and reassuring along with relief in her voice. "Bob is going to watch for a while to make sure the beat is steady but it's looking good already Meg."
Meg felt the warm rush of relief wash over her and gave a smile, which was mirrored by Jackie as she carried on. "Mum's going to order in soup and picnic food so we can pick as we want rather than a meal."
They all looked up as the apartment door whooshed open and Jack marched in looking very worried. Meg watched him take in the scene and gave him a slight smile, and his worry seemed to lessen but his attention swung away from her to Mandy who was smiling as she walked quickly over to him.
He opened his arms to give a hug as he exclaimed. "You would think that the room bathed in red light then helicopter landing outside would be enough to shut 'that' committee up. Oh no they had to carry on yakking till I walked out, then to cap it all found the car had been blocked in so had to walk round! What happened to John, I assume he will be all right?"
Mandy now in his hug said gently if a little shaky "Yes … it's Derek who died."
"Oh hell." Jack swore quietly and released her from the hug so she could carry on but kept his arm around her shoulder.
"John held his brother as he died." Mandy said quietly still shocked by it all.
"Oh double Hell." Jack swore sadly then sighed, "We never thought of that one did we?"
"No. We think it could have been a heart attack and the shock put his out of rhythm. We've shocked back and as there's no sign of an actual heart attack his end we reckon he will be all right. But Bob's put him to sleep for a couple of hours as a precaution." They looked at each other silently reassuring each other they were okay and their adopted son was really all right then Mandy broke the silence asking. "The new sheriff what's he like."
Jack smiled knowing his wife's tactics and need for distraction, "Good. Actually he was the one who told me to walk out as soon as he knew the reason for the red light. So he's doing my job and I'm here as long as you lot need me, anyone told Robert?"
Mandy gave a little laugh as she started to relax. "Meg did he's going to ring back on the hotel phone with news it could a long wait so I phoned through for food, Val should be arriving soon Paul told her that John collapsed but there was not danger, that will reassure Tony and stop Bill hunting a story."
There was a moment of silence then the door whooshed open and Val came in, Paul left Meg's side and went to her, hugging her as he brought her up to date. Meg felt Shep get up and walk over to Bob and John, and watched as he in an easy springing jump got up on the bed by his master and lay down nudging his nose under John's hand.
Bob gave a rueful smile as he looked over at his sister and the others. "Guess we can relax for a while, he's better than any machine I know. You can have your turn Meg when he starts to wake up any sooner might cause problems."
Meg smiled understanding his meaning, just as there was a knock on the joining apartment door, Bob pushed the button to open the door as he was the nearest. Two members of staff came in with food on special trays; Mandy and Bob took the trays and discussed arrangements for night before the staff left.