It had been only ten minutes ago that Sandy Cohen had a brother and sister, now it was just sister. Well at least living, he still had a brother but he was dead. Ten minutes that felt like a lifetime. His mother had only just made it but it didn't really matter anyway since he had died on an operating table there was no chance for a goodbye or anything. Once Sarah and Jane had arrived he left his mother with them and went outside. He was hoping Kirsten would be there soon it had been well over an hour since they had spoken on the phone and he didn't want to ring her and tell her this. He just needed to be able to hold her.
"Are you Sandy Cohen?" Sandy looked up and saw a woman, probably in her early 30's, standing next to him.
"Yes do I know you?" He was confused.
"No but I know your brother Ben. I was just wondering how he was doing?" His brain was starting to tick.
"You're his other woman aren't you? Did you call me before? Do you know who did this to my brother?"
"Keep your voice down will you. You never know who is around. My name is Denise and yes I was having a relationship with Ben and yes it was me who called you before. Look I could get in a lot of trouble if anyone finds out am here so will you please just tell me how your brother is and I'll be out of your hair."
"He's dead." He felt sick saying it. Her face said she felt sick hearing it. "He died about half an hour ago in surgery, he was in a pretty bad state before surgery and then they just couldn't stop the bleeding. His wife is in there now with my mother and sister." Sandy felt such anger towards her but when he saw the tears flowing down her face he felt guilty. He handed her a tissue. "Look I don't want to get you in trouble but I need to know who did this. I'm a lawyer I can protect you."
"Sandy, is it alright if I call you that?" Sandy nodded. "Ben told me a lot about you, you sound too good to be true if it's anything to go by. I know you mean well but you couldn't protect me and you're better off leaving it alone. You don't want to know who did this because if they find out that you know your mother will lose both her sons. Trust me. Let it go. Take your mother and your sister back to California where they won't find you."
"No!" The anger was coming back again. "Why should I let them get away with this! My brother is lying in a morgue now and you want me to go back home and pretend that it hasn't happened! I don't think so. Just tell me what you know; they won't know it's you who told me. For all they know Ben could have told me." She looked at his face, he was quite like Ben, and knew he wasn't going to give in.
"Come with me then." She turned and led him out of the car park towards a taxi.
Kirsten arrived at the hospital over two hours after she had spoken to Sandy. She hadn't mean to be so long but by the time her and the boys had sorted out what they were going to do and then the drive over took forever, she just hoped Sandy was okay and Ben too.
"Sophie, Sarah, hey. How's Ben? Where's Sandy?" Kirsten didn't like how things were looking. Sophie had been crying, it looked like Sarah was crying and Sandy was nowhere to be seen.
"Kirsten you should come over here." Sarah pointed to the chairs and the two women went and sat down. "Ben is dead." She started crying and Kirsten hugged her. She couldn't believe it. She was desperate to see Sandy now.
"Oh Sarah I can't believe it. I'm so sorry. Does Sandy know? Have you seen him?"
"Yes he and mom were here when it happened. He went out for air a while ago. I'm surprised you didn't see him outside."
"No he definitely wasn't outside, well not where I came in. I'm going to go look for him I won't be long. If he comes back will you tell him I'm here and to give me a call? Thanks." Kirsten hugged her again and before going out she went and hugged Sophie too who, although surprised at the gesture, reciprocated.
She started to worry when she really couldn't find him anywhere outside the hospital and hewasn't answering his mobile. She decided to leave a message after he didn't answer the fifth time.
"Honey it's me. I know I'm so sorry. I really want to see you, make sure that you're okay. I know that you're not okay but you know what I mean. Please just call me when you get this." She felt so helpless, she wasn't really needed at the hospital with Sandy not being there and she couldn't help Sandy because she had no idea where he was. She decided to go back inside in the hope that he would be with his mother and sister when she got back.
Sandy got the voicemail while they were still in the cab. He felt guilty; he could hear it in her voice that she was desperate to speak to him. Finally once they had got out of the cab he could ring her.
"I'm just going to ring my wife." Sandy turned to Denise. "I'll only be a minute."
"That's okay this is as far am I am taking you. What I told you in the cab is all I can say, I've brought you this far now what you do is up to you. Don't try and contact me please not unless you want my death on your conscience. Be Careful." With that she walked away down the street and round the corner. Sandy just stood watching. He had tocall Kirsten.
"Sandy? Are you okay? Honey I'm so sorry. Where are you?"
"Hey baby. Sorry I couldn't answer the phone before. Are you with mom and Sarah?"
"Yes. Why couldn't you answer the phone? Sandy where are you?"
"Listen Kirsten, what happened to Ben it wasn't an accident. I need to get some answers. I really need you to take mom and Sarah back to the hotel with you I'm not sure how safe it is for them to go home. Take Jane too."
"Sandy you're scaring me. Are you going to be at the hotel? Is it that guy you told me about, did he kill Ben?" She was terrified, she knew Sandy he wasn't going to let them get away this.
"I'll be at the hotel later I've got something to do first, its nothing to worry about. As soon as I'm at the hotel we can call the police. However I think it would be best if you and the boys went back early, just to be on the safe side."
"Sandy this is crazy. We aren't leaving you when you need us the most."
"Kirsten I need you lot to be safe and I think the safest place for you right now is Newport so please just try and get flights as soon as possible. Please." She could hear how frightened he was and it scared her. The boys could go back home but there was absolutely no way on this earth he was getting rid of her.
"I'll ring the airlines in a bit. I don't know how I'm going to convince your mom and Sarah to come to the hotel with me."
"Tell them I told you. Actually I'll ring Sarah too so that should make it easier for you." Kirsten sighed, she should be making things easier for him right now not the other way around. "I love you. I'll see you soon."
"I love you too. Sandy please be careful, please."
"I will don't worry." With that he hung up, he didn't want her to know that he was terrified.