Chapter 3

Fiona arrived at Madelyn's with the requested medical gear. She still wore the scrubs and fake ID she used to sneak into the hospital and pinch the supplies Sam needed, but she also brought along a bag with her normal clothes. She had no intention of looking like this for longer than was necessary.

Sam greeted her at the door with an appreciative smile. "Thanks, Fi! It's nice to know I can count on you even if Mikey's not around!" He ushered her into the house with an arm around her shoulder, and she looked up at him as if he'd suddenly grown another head.

"Sam, are you okay?"

"I'm fine! We...I mean, I...have a little situation here, and I'm really glad you were able to help me out."

Fiona glanced around the room. Maddie sat at the table smoking, watching the exchange between the two. Sam, as soon as he finished speaking to Fiona, turned on the ball of his foot and hurried toward the guest room. Fiona was curious. She had intended to go into that room to change, but obviously something, or someone, was inside and in need of medical attention. A little tingle ran up her spine.

"Michael?" She breathed as she turned her concerned eyes on Maddie.

"No, honey. It's not Michael." Maddie smiled sympathetically. "Why don't you have a seat here and I'll tell you what Sam told me."

By the time Maddie finished telling Fiona the story of Sam's adventure on the sea, he came out of the room with purposeful strides and took a detour into the bathroom. He came out with a wet washcloth and disappeared into the room again.

"Do you think he needs some help?" Fiona looked after him with concern.

"He's probably done all he can. But let's go see anyway." Maddie stood and Fiona followed her into the bedroom.

Fiona watched with amazement at the tenderness Sam showed as he took charge of the mystery woman. He set up an IV on her and gently pressed the cool cloth to her forehead. He checked her pulse at the wrist and held her hand as he studied her. She could almost see the wheels turning in his head, because her own mind worked on the same questions. Who was she? Where did she come from? And why would anyone want such a beautiful woman dead?

There was no denying she was attractive. Her long, sandy blonde hair dried into tight curls that spread out on the pillow. By the fine lines around her mouth and the barely noticeable creases in her forehead, she looked to be in her 30s. She wore no jewelry, but Fiona noticed that the elegant gown draped over a chair screamed of wealth.

Sam noticed where her eyes landed. "She's rich, but that's about all we know. I'm thinking maybe she was on a yacht out in the waterways or the ocean when someone tried to kill her. Maybe she fell off the boat or jumped to avoid her attacker." He shook his head. "I just don't know until she can get her memory back, or we see something on the news."

"If someone was trying to kill her, no doubt we'll never hear about it that way."

"Agreed. I have some people checking on missing persons reports, police reports on kidnappings, stuff like that." As he spoke, Sam absently ran his thumb over the back of the woman's hand. Fiona had to wonder if he wasn't developing romantic feelings for her. If he was, that would be a new Sam Axe low. The woman was unconscious, unable to rebuff him. She shook her head, disgusted with herself for even thinking that. In the past few years, she'd learned a few things about this man. He loved the ladies, but he was always a gentleman unless a situation called for brute force.

Fiona sighed. "Madelyn, is there somewhere I can change?"

"Sure, Fiona. You can use Michael's old room."

When she returned, she found Maddie entering the bedroom with a shallow bowl of ice water that she laid on the nightstand on the side where Sam sat. He dipped the cloth into the water, wrung it out, and placed it on his patient's forehead.

"She's still out?"

He nodded and glanced at Fiona. "Yeah." He cocked a grin at her. "That outfit suits you much better."

Despite herself, Fiona smiled, flattered that he noticed. "Thank you, Sam." She approached the bed and picked up the dress from the chair, searching it for clues. "Well, hello."

"What? What did you find, Fi?"

Fiona turned and held the garment so Sam could see the customized label inside. "See this?"

"Yeah, it's a label. So what?"

"This dress was made custom, most likely, at Mia Couture. I know where this shop is." Fiona grinned. "I can take the dress in and maybe find out who ordered it, at the very least. With luck, it will be our mystery woman."

"Brilliant, Fi! Let me know what you find out."

"I will." She draped the dress over her arm. "Good luck with sleeping beauty."