Chapter 26
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Sam, Danny and Jack returned to the hotel after a long day testifying in front of a committee. While it was stressful it went well. Jack had assured them not to worry, that this was just standard operating procedure, that they did everything by the book, and there was nothing to worry about it was still a relief that the committee was friendly and complimentary when they left. When they left, they ran into Victor Fitzgerald who told them that the information he has been getting back from the committee indicates that they have absolutely nothing to worry about. He also apologized to Jack for not informing him in advance that Martin would be testifying tomorrow. Jack told him he accepted his apology but he made it very clear that he did not like being the last to know anything about his team.
As they rode the hotel elevator, Sam could not help but feel butterflies in her belly just thinking about her dinner with Martin. They were going to dine on his boat and Sam began to daydream about wine, candlelight and sitting under a sky full of stars. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice that Jack and Danny were talking to her.
"Sam!" Danny finally shouted to get her attention.
Startled, Sam turned to look at Danny. "Huh? Excuse me?"
Danny chuckled and repeated, "I asked you if we should call up Martin to invite him for dinner."
"Oh, actually, I already have plans to have dinner with him tonight." Sam noticed Jack eye her but she kept her gaze on Danny.
Danny smiled and said, "Great! Where are we meeting him?"
"Oh, um…." Sam panicked.
"Sam, I'm just kidding. Have fun tonight." Danny laughed. "But you should have seen the look on your face. It was priceless."
"Funny." Sam remarked as she punched him in the arm.
The elevator doors dinged and they headed to their respective rooms. When Sam reached her door she heard Viv open hers. Turning to look at Viv she said, "Hey, where did you disappear to?"
"Hey, Sam." Viv said as she closed her door and walked to where Sam lingered in her doorway. "Got a minute, I need to tell you something."
"Actually, I have to get ready. I'm on my way to have dinner with Martin." Sam smiled widely. "Can we talk tomorrow morning?"
"No, I really have to talk to you before you go." Viv's face was serious which worried Sam.
"Okay, sure, come on in." She motioned for Vivian to enter her room. Viv walked across the room and turned around to face Sam, wringing her hands. Sam put her briefcase and key card on the table and sat down on the edge of the bed. "What is it, Viv? Are you okay? Is it your heart?"
"I'm fine. It's actually about Martin. I saw him today." Sam nodded her head, watching her. "I told him that you knew that I was having heart problems before I collapsed."
"You what?" Sam asked.
"I thought I was helping." Viv replied.
Sam put her elbows on her knees and head in her hands muttering, "Explain to me how it came up."
Viv explained the conversation she had with Martin as Sam sat there listening but never once lifting her head up. When she was done she asked, "Sam, I really had the best intentions."
Sam looked up and said, "I know. I don't think it's you he's really mad at; that was the last big fight we had before we broke up. And it wasn't even really a fight, it was me being bitchy and pissed off and needing someone to take it out on. I just sorry it was you." Sam sighed heavily. "Well, this should make dinner slightly more interesting. Thanks for telling me."
Viv nodded and headed to the door, "I am sorry, Sam. Not just for telling him but for making you promise to keep it a secret. That was wrong, I realize that now."
"It's okay, you weren't ready to tell people. Besides, that was just one incident in a long line of issues we had when we were together."
"Good luck tonight." Viv said as she exited Sam's room.
Sam stared at the closed door. So much for her big romantic night; now she could only hope that Martin would be willing to listen to her side of the story.
