Chapter 18

Sam's next stop was the station, where he gave Lt. Cochran as detailed a statement as he could regarding his near-drowning. "I'm sorry that wasn't much. I was pretty much unconscious most of the time."

"That's okay, Mr. Axe. We've got plenty of evidence to send these guys to prison for awhile, and the DA is considering trying them as adults due to the severity of the crime." He smirked. "Tying a cement brick to your legs doesn't exactly scream 'accident', like they're claiming."

"They're saying it was an accident?" Sam gaped at him. "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!"

"Yeah, you know it and I know it, and the jury will know it too. But then, you never know how the defense will spin it." He sighed and shook his head. "I'm really hoping these kids get some serious jail time." He removed himself from his perch on the edge of his desk. "Thanks for coming in and giving me your testimony, Mr. Axe."

"No problem."

On the way home, he remembered that he intended to go to Michael's place to talk to him about a new job that Jack was helping him with, and Sam would take care of the intelligence gathering. But he was beat, and he really just wanted to go home. He was headed that way when his phone rang.

"Hello."

"Sam, I wasn't sure if you'd pick up. I thought your phone got ruined in the pool."

"Yeah, but Eve picked me up a new one. Good thing I bought that insurance on it," Sam said with a laugh. "I have a feeling they're going to hate me every time I wreck a phone and need a new one."

"Well, hopefully that won't happen for awhile, if ever." Michael knew better, but it never hurt to hope. "Anyway, were you planning on stopping by? I have some stuff I want you to track down."

Sam sighed heavily. "Mike, I've had kind of a full afternoon, and I just got out of bed right before lunch. I don't know if I'm up for this yet. Sorry."

"I understand completely. I was surprised that you still wanted in on this so soon. You need to recover."

"Yeah, and you need to spend some time with Fi and Lucas."

"I am." Silence followed his short denial.

"Mike, I really need to hang up and drive. We'll talk about this later. Tomorrow, in fact. I'll be there at nine, if that works for you."

"Sure. I'll see what we can get done before then."

By the time Sam arrived home, he felt as if he'd run to the Keys and back. He carefully pulled his car into the garage, parked, and let his head fall back on the headrest for a few minutes.

"Honey, are you okay?"

Sam opened his eyes and saw Maddie standing there. "Oh, Maddie, hi! I'm, uh, just tired."

"You're doing too much, aren't you? Didn't Yvette tell you to take it easy?" She gave him the Mom stare, the laser glare that Michael received when he was pushing himself too hard.

"She did. I just had a little business to take care of." He got out of the car, closed the garage door, and slipped out the side door with Maddie following close behind.

"The only business you should have right now is with your pillow, Sam! You almost died, and your family needs you to get healthy. Get in that house right now and go to bed!" She pointed at the back door.

He returned her gaze with tired eyes. "Thanks for nagging me, Maddie, but I was already planning on getting some rest before the kids came over."

"Kids? The kids from school?"

"Yeah. They're going to clean up the mess they made in front."

"I see. Well, they're already here, and some girl is supervising. You don't have to watch over them, they've got it under control." She turned him and pushed him gently toward the door. "So go on and get your rest!"

Sam shook his head at Maddie's demanding tone. And she wouldn't be happy until she knew he was upstairs, because she followed him to the second floor, parading past a surprised Yvette.

"Maddie..."

"Just making sure you listen to me. Don't forget, I'm your mother now!" She said it with a finger pointed at him.

"Yeah, yeah." He dropped onto the bed, kicked off his shoes, and lay down. He folded his hands over his stomach and closed his eyes. "Happy...Ma?"

She grinned, which Sam couldn't see with his eyes closed, but he could hear the triumphant tone in her voice. "Yes, I am. Sweet dreams, honey." She patted his shoulder and left the room.

As he lay there dozing, Sam heard the group of kids outside talking, laughing, and every once in awhile, a girl screeched. They were at it a long time, and he wondered how much longer it would take. Mrs. Petersen was probably livid by now, between her worrying about the hoodlums and the mess, and the sounds of life outside his window interrupting her afternoon television. Either he fell asleep for awhile, or the kids were finished, because he suddenly realized that it was quiet outside.

Sam got up and moved to the window. The sun was sinking in the west and a few kids were still on the lawn raking up the last of the toilet paper. He glanced at the tree and was impressed at the work they did. Other than a few pieces clinging to leaves here and there, it was completely clean.

"Hey, Mr. Axe!" Meghan looked up at the window, grinned and waved.

"Meghan, you were involved in this?" He couldn't believe it!

"Yeah, Jill and I came up with the idea, and the others just went along with it."

"I hope this ends your tp'ing career."

She laughed. "It wasn't as much fun pulling it down. I don't think I'll be doing this again any time soon."

With the last of the paper picked up, the kids said goodbye and left. Sam sat on the window seat and watched the last of the sun's rays break through the leaves and slowly disappear over the horizon. He was still tired, so he decided to skip supper and just go to bed.