************
Chapter 41
Cameron didn't know how long she had been standing out on the balcony when she realized she was shivering. A light rain had started falling, forcing her to go back inside. She had so many thoughts running through her head… so many things to sort through, she didn't know where to begin. She did know it had been a long week and she was glad tonight was her last night in the ER. She was tired and all she wanted to do was spend the weekend alone, curled up on her sofa with comfort food and a bottle of wine. If she could only avoid House for the next few hours, she might survive the rest of the day. After what Chase had said about her still having feelings for House and House knowing that she had lied about sleeping with Wilson, she just really didn't want to deal with him right now. Not to mention finding out that Chase had been seeing someone else while they were together. It was just too much to deal with.
She was heading back to the lab when her cell phone went off. She looked at it to see it was the front desk in the lobby. She curiously answered. "This is Dr. Cameron.
"Dr. Cameron, there is a delivery here for you." The sweet old voice said on the other end. "If you would like, we can have it brought up to you."
"No, that's okay. I'll be down in a few minutes."
Cameron placed her phone back into her pocket, wondering who had sent her something. She decided on the stairs and quickly took them to the lobby. A few minutes later, she was standing in front of the elderly woman who had just called her.
"Hi, I'm Dr. Cameron." She said with a curious smile.
The older woman smiled and reached behind her and picked up a long white box that was sitting on the counter. "This is for you." She said and handed Cameron the white box.
Cameron was very curious to see what was in the box and carefully opened it. She was surprised at it's contents.
Several of the other woman who were behind the counter ooed and awed.
Inside were sixteen, very beautiful, long stem red roses, with a card lying on top. Cameron sat the box down so she could open the card, wondering who the gift was from. As she pulled the card out of the envelope, her heart skipped a beat and a sickening feeling started to burn her insides. The card was completely covered with pictures of her. Pictures that were taken of her from various places. She slowly opened it and read the words.
"For my Angel. I am never far away."
Cameron placed the card back in the box and quickly closed the lid and headed to Cuddy's office.
**********
House was staring out his window when Wilson stepped in and interrupted his thoughts.
"Hey." Wilson said as he stepped inside.
House was a little surprised to see his best friend standing in the doorway. "Surprised to see you here."
Wilson shrugged his shoulders. "We haven't talked in a couple of days. Thought I would drop by and see what's going on." He said as he walked across the room.
"You mean you want to know if I have been having secret meetings with Cuddles and her twins?" House smirked.
"Funny. No. I'm not wondering about that." Wilson said honestly. "I had a visit from Lisa this morning."
"Really. And what did she have to say?" House asked flipping a pen into the air.
"Not much. She apologized and said you were an ass." He said with a half cocked smile.
"I'm sure she did. She and I haven't really talked since the mattress mambo."
"Can we not talk about that, please." Wilson winced.
House saw the look of pain that briefly crossed Wilson's face. "Sorry." He said in a low tone.
"Did you ever talk to Cameron?" Wilson asked.
"Nope." House answered sharply.
"Aren't you the least bit curious as to why she said what she said?"
"Nope." House lied.
"Liar. You so want to know. Ask her." Wilson pushed.
"Why? So she can lie again?"
"Why would she lie?" Wilson asked watching House carefully.
"Because she does it so well." House paused. "Did she tell you why she said it?"
"She said she wanted to throw you a curve ball and I believe her."
"So, you don't think she was trying to make me jealous?"
Wilson smiled. "You would like that, wouldn't you?"
"Actually, I'm glad she doesn't think about me any more."
Wilson stood. "You know what?"
"What?"
"She's not the only one who can lie well. Go talk to her."
"It's Friday night. Wanna grab a drink later?" House asked hesitantly.
Wilson stopped at the door. "Sure."
House watched Wilson leave, thankful things appeared to be getting back to normal with his friend. Then he thought about what Wilson had said and decided he was right. He needed to talk to Cameron. He called her cell phone but she didn't answer. So, he set out to find her. First stop was the lab.
**********
Lisa finished her meeting and was heading back to her office when she saw two men in suits - a short, stocky, older man and a tall, younger man, standing in front of her office door. She was instantly alarmed. This can't be good, she said under her breath.
The stocky man in a suit approached her first. "Are you Dr. Cuddy?"
"Yes. Can I help you?" Lisa asked in a alarmed voice.
The man pulled out a card and handed it to her. "We are Detective's Hodges and Waters. I'm Hodges. We are here about Christy Sumner. She is an employee of yours, correct?"
Lisa unlocked her door and they followed her inside. "Yes. She works for me. Has something happened to her?" She asked as she flipped on the lights and walked to her desk.
"I'm afraid so." Detective Hodges answered. "She was found dead this morning."
Lisa stumbled backwards, completely shocked.
"Are you okay Dr. Cuddy?" Detective Waters asked.
"Yes. I just didn't expect to hear that she was dead." Lisa felt strange saying Christy was dead. "What happened?"
"She was murdered."
"Oh my God. That's horrible." Lisa said and sat down in her chair. "Where?"
"In the park on the other side of the hospital. It was actually the bluffs that overlook the park. When was the last time you spoke with Miss Sumner?" "Yesterday afternoon right before she left for the day. I left her a message this morning when she didn't show up but I never heard from her. Now, I know why." Lisa said sadly.
"We found her car in the hospital parking lot. Do you know if she was meeting anyone after work last night?"
"No. She was very sociable especially with men but I wasn't aware of her meeting any one or even having a boyfriend." Images of Christy flirting with House flashed through her head.
"There is something else." Hodges added.
"What is that?" Lisa asked.
Detective Waters handed Lisa the note that was now in a sealed plastic bag. "This was found on the body. It was in an envelope with Dr. Cameron's name typed on the front."
Lisa read the note and her mouth fell open.
"Does a Dr. Cameron work here?" Detective Waters asked.
"I'm Dr. Cameron." The two detectives and Lisa all looked up to see a pale Cameron standing in the doorway.
"Cameron, come in. Something horrible has happened." Lisa said.
"What?" Cameron asked as she stepped inside.
"It would seem that Christy is dead." Lisa responded before the detectives could say anything.
Detective Hodges took the note enclosed in plastic from Lisa and handed it to Cameron. "We found this note on her body with your name on it. It appears she was killed for you."
Cameron stared at the stocky detective with wide eyes. She took the note with a shaky hand and slowly read the words in bold type, just like the notes she had found on her jeep. "Oh my God." She said softly and read the words again.
"This gift is for you my sweet, sweet Allison. Now you will know how much I love you and that it won't be long before we are together."
Cameron looked up at the three people who were staring at her and remembered the white box she was still holding under her arm. "These just came for me and there is a card inside." She handed the box to the detective.
Cameron felt her heart began to race. Her throat started closing off not allowing any air to her lungs. She was having a panic attack and there was nothing she could do to stop it. The room started to spin and blackness began to fill the space around her. She was trying to fight it without anyone noticing but as she tried to sit down, she stumbled and fell backwards until two strong arms caught her and kept her from falling to the floor.
"What the hell." House said as a limp Cameron fell into his arms.
