Chapter 21
Patrick had his head down in his chart, still thinking about his earlier conversation with Robin, when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. "Dr. Drake?"
Patrick groaned, recognizing the voice. He didn't turn around as he answered. "What do you want Dr. Banks?"
"I was wondering if you and I could speak in my office for a minute?" Marcus couldn't believe that Patrick was not at least looking at him.
"I'm a little bit busy right now." Patrick continued studying the chart, fighting the urge to turn around and just punch the man. He suspected that Marcus knew what had happened to Robin while she was away and all Patrick wanted to do was pummel the man until he told him everything but that was not a part of the plan. But maybe he could help the plan along. "Give me 10 minutes and meet me in my office. I'll even bring the coffee."
Marcus couldn't see Patrick's face but the man's dismissive tone was really annoying. "Fine, I take my black with two creamers."
Marcus walked away and Patrick smiled before handing the chart to the desk nurse and heading to the cafeteria.
15 minutes later Patrick walked into his office and handed Marcus a cup."Sorry, I had to check on a patient. Please have a seat."
Marcus sat down and took a drink of his coffee. "Ugh. I said two creamers not two sugars."
Patrick looked at the cup his was holding. "I'm sorry – that's mine. Here," Patrick set the cup on the desk in front of Marcus, "this is yours and I promise I haven't taken a drink from it."
Marcus set the cup he was holding down and picked up the other one. "Quite alright – the reason I wanted to meet is discuss Robin."
"I figured as much. What is there to discuss?" Patrick was trying to keep a professional demeanor but he wasn't doing a very good job.
"I will be working from Wyndamere for the time being on a special research project and I want to make sure Robin will not be harassed by you here at the hospital. Nikolas has agreed to be here with her but I thought…"
Patrick interrupted the man. "You thought you should treat Robin like she is a child instead of a grown woman and talk to me? Robin is a strong and brilliant woman and I think you underestimate her. If Robin and I talk, it is our business – not yours. She is the mother of my daughter and we have a relationship and always will."
Marcus shook his head. "I am trying to look out for her. I love Robin and I will do everything in power to protect her."
Patrick snorted at him. "Love – you don't love her. You want to possess her, control her and I will do everything in my power to stop you."
"What do you mean stop me? Should I make sure Nikolas assigns a guard to Robin here at the hospital to keep you away from her?" Marcus could see what Helena couldn't – Patrick Drake was a huge threat to their plans.
Patrick backtracked. "No, I will stay away from her except when we are dealing with Emma but I don't trust you Dr. Banks and I never will."
"Well you need to get over it because in 3 months you will have to deal with me permanently. You see, Robin and I are getting married."
Patrick's heart dropped down into his stomach. "Does Robin know that?"
"Of course she does." Actually, Robin didn't have a clue. Marcus would tell her about this new development later, after he got her home and they had a session. "We are planning a short honeymoon trip to the Adirondacks, an old friend of mine has a place there, and we would like Emma to join us."
Patrick stood up. "My daughter will not be going anywhere with you."
"So you are going to keep Emma away from her mother." Marcus got a satisfied smirk on his face. "I told Robin you would do that."
The glare Patrick shot Marcus was so sharp that it could have cut ice. "I would never do that."
"Good, then it's all settled. Glad we could have this talk. I'm going to go pick up my fiancée." Marcus stood up and went to the door. "Good day Dr. Drake."
Marcus left and Patrick sat back down at his desk, slowly calming down. Robin didn't know about Marcus's plans, he was certain of that, but she would go along with it if she thought she was protecting the people she loved. Patrick knew Robin was in trouble – he just didn't know how bad it was or how to get her out of it.
Patrick opened up his phone and made a call. "Mac, it's Patrick. I have the cup and some more information for you regarding Dr. Banks."
Mac smiled. Patrick had called him and told him about his plan to get the elusive Dr. Banks's fingerprints. "That's great. What information did you get?"
Patrick took a deep breath. "Marcus said that he and Robin are getting married in three months."
"The hell they are."
"My thoughts exactly." Patrick stood up and began pacing his office. "Mac, I talked to Robin earlier today and I am convinced she has no idea about this marriage. He said that they were planning a honeymoon with Emma to the Adirondack Mountains. Robin would have said something to me, especially since it involves Emma."
"I agree." Mac ran his hand through his hair. "This just speeds up our timeline – we need to figure out what is going on before that wedding. I will let everyone know what is going on and Dante is on his way to collect the cup. There is one other thing you need to know Patrick."
Patrick stopped his pacing. "What Mac?"
"The PCPD received an anonymous tip that Jerry Jacks may be in town." Mac heard a chair fall over and knew Patrick had just kicked it. "I would guess that whatever is going on, Jerry is right in the thick of it."
"If Jerry is involved, then Robin and Emma are both in danger." Patrick thought about it for a moment. "Mac, Emma needs to be guarded. I know that Nikolas will keep an eye on Robin at Wyndamere but Emma…"
"Anna is already on it." Mac sighed. As mad as he still was about the blind eye Patrick had turned to Robin's predicament, he knew the man loved her and their daughter deeply and would do everything in his power to protect them. "We will get to the bottom of this Patrick, I promise you."
Mac hung up the phone and Patrick stood there staring at the coffee cup. Hopefully Banks' fingerprints were the first step to getting the man out of Robin's life for good.