25- Starting over… chapter twenty-five A
Walter remained while Sarah slept. Twice she woke, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze to let her know he was there and she drifted off again. Four hours passed when Seth and Mary returned to enter the room to see Walter in a doze while holding Sarah's hand. They quietly went back out to sit in the waiting room.
"What do you know of this guy, Seth?"
Seth laughed, "he hacked our security program- he is the one that got the award and then sent us the security program neither Sarah nor I could breach. Sarah suggested we try to hire him so we did a search before going to see him. Remember that stuff in the news years ago about that Scorpion team, the pack of geniuses' that did incredible stuff? He's that guy. Genius, mathematician, computer guru of the highest order. Sarah and I are good, he is amazing. He now works alone doing security software. Genius makes people strange, and he is way up there- third or fourth highest IQ ever measured and pretty much a hermit in this garage he lives and works in."
"Sarah seems pretty into the guy- how come we didn't know? Usually she tells us everything, so why the secret?"
"Have no idea, will just have to ask her when she isn't drug addled and out of the hospital." Seth said. "Sarah has her reasons. Shall we make some noise and see what is going on- she should be back from drugged out la-la-land by now. Wake him up and have a talk." They both got up and, walking back to the room, Seth laughed and called to Sarah before entering the room.
Walter's eyes were open when they entered and he sat up straighter.
"Hey, Walter, still here? We can take over. She wake up at all?"
Walter rose, "Just woke twice to go back to sleep. I could go for some coffee, you want some?"
"No, thanks. Take your time, we will await sleeping beauty waking up."
Walter got up and stretched then left to get some coffee. Mary sat in the chair. Seth took Sarah's hand, giving it a shake, "Sarah, you ever going to wake up?"
"Ugh. Yeah, yeah, I'm awake, but I'm not happy about it. Want to tell me what happened? This is a bit of a detour- was just taking some dinner to a starving frog and woke up here- busted up and addle brained."
"You got center punched by a speeding stolen truck," Seth explained. "Pretty buggered up in case you didn't know it- over four hours in surgery, compound breaks on left leg and arm- I gather you are pinned and screwed back together- getting on a plane in future may be interesting. You have been drugged out for some time. What is this about Walter? He has been here since yesterday- stayed late, back early- was actually dozing here until we came in."
Sarah looked at Seth then Mary, "He really was here, wasn't a drug induced figment of my imagination?"
"No," Mary said. "He should be back soon- just went to get some coffee. Does not appear he has slept much if at all."
Sarah looked at Seth, "think this will affect my riding? The doctors say full use? Probably have to do physical therapy, huh? Ugh, no fun."
Walter having returned with coffee cup in hand leaned on the door jamb. "Physical therapy is a given with the breaks on your arm and leg. Won't be easy to put it mildly."
Glancing at Walter, "think it will affect my riding?"
"As I do not know what is entailed in staying on a horse, I could not say. But just walking, much less the minor motor use of your hand on such a badly broken arm will take a lot of effort."
Mary watching the two interjected, "We can put you in the nursery once you are released from here. May make you feel better surrounded by stuffed toys and cowboy wallpaper."
Seth added, "yeah, we can break down the crib and get a hospital bed in, so good to go."
Walter watched the conversation between the three and Sarah's reaction, noticing the ever so slight tightening around the eyes, hint of a frown so stood up straight to enter the room. "If I may, I live alone and am present there except when with a customer- then my manager, Gina, is on site. There is a ramp as well as stairs to the loft, but a kitchen and full bath on both floors. I can set up a hospital bed and any exercise equipment as necessary in the first floor living area- no stuffed toys in the place, though. That way she need make but one move from the hospital when released rather than tear up your nursery then have to move again when your baby comes home. I have the room and either one or another car to get to doctor or therapy when needed depending on weather. You can come observe the place and how it will be set up to be at ease that she will be safe."
Seth and Mary both looked at Walter, then each other, then to Sarah who was looking at Walter with wide eyes and a surprised look.
"You could put up with me 24/7, Walter?" Sarah asked.
Walter chuckled, "The garage has two levels. You will be set up in the first floor living area, I will be up in the loft so easily able to escape you. With that leg cast, should I remove the crutch you will be released with, you will pretty much be able to be contained downstairs." He turned to Seth, "as her closest relative, you are more than welcome to stop in and check out the garage when we leave. You have not seen beyond the office, when you do, you are welcome to make suggestions on her accommodations. If you wish, should she stay there, I can give you the security code to freely enter as you like as long as she is there to be ensured of her safety."
"This is a very generous offer, Walter," Seth said. Looking to Sarah, he raised his eyebrows, "up to you sis, you know him better than I."
Dropping her eyes to her hand on her lap, she was trying to hide her smile, "well, I don't know, Walter. Your reputation may be jeopardized…. someone happen to look through a window and see some woman sleeping in your garage…. but…" she looked at Walter with a big grin, "…knowing what a gentleman you are…..…OK, I will accept your very kind offer."
"When we leave you can follow me to the garage to look over the living quarters," Walter said dropping his empty coffee cup in the trash can by the door. "Anyone like some coffee?" No one nodded so he left so they could continue the discussion privately, hearing Mary start before getting out of hearing distance.
Walter took his time knowing their discussion would take a while understanding he was a total unknown to them, Mary particularly.
About fifteen minutes later, Walter sauntered back into Sarah's room, coffee in hand. "Visiting hours are about over. If a decision has been made, you can follow me to the garage."
Mary looked up, "You are sure about this offer?"
"Would not have suggested it if not sure," Walter smiled. "When you look over the garage you will see I will be safe from her."
All three chuckled. Seth and Mary rose, "we will follow you. If you would not mind, Mary would be more comfortable in your Malibu- I am in the sardine can Prius, she left the Tundra at your place, right?"
"We will get the vehicles straightened out. If you are ready, Mary….. we can leave as Seth knows where the garage is- come around the back to the garage doors, Seth, the office is locked up," Walter said finishing his coffee to drop the cup in the trash. "Good night Sarah, will stop in tomorrow to find when you will be released and get things set up."
Mary rose, "Appreciate this, too, Walter. Trying to stuff myself in the Prius is an impossibility at this stage of pregnancy…. the Tundra is roomy, but would really rather ride in the bed than the cab, to be honest. They just don't build vehicles for pregnant people."
Mary and Walter walked to the parking lot. "Give me a moment, I can push the seat back to give you more room." Walter opened the passenger side door to get in and adjust the seat back as far as possible, got out and gave her a hand getting in.
Walter got behind the wheel and started up to look at Mary. "I do not read people well, but I take it you have questions?"
"You obviously read me well enough," Mary said with a smile. "Not many people would open their home like this. Seth said he and Sarah met you just some months ago when you hacked their program. Hacking and hackers are usually considered a bad thing."
Walter chuckled. "Yes, usually unless you post an award to anyone who can breach your system. I was in need of funds at the time so won their award." He glanced at her, "I did turn around and sell them a security program to keep their system safe. That should count for something."
"Yes, Seth and Sarah both could not get through it. I do not code but both of them are supposed to be very good- they were quite in awe of your program. So how did you get to know Sarah well enough to open your home to her- to go from needing funds to the outlay of having to accommodate her medical needs?"
"After getting the awards by hacking two systems, I started Scorpion Security Systems which in a short time has done quite well. I am now an independent affiliate of Elias Enterprises which means all the company data centers now are protected by my programming. I tend to not sleep much; when I have an issue to work on, I go for long drives around the LA area, many times stopping in at a local restaurant. Seems Sarah also indulges in late night drives and stopping in the same restaurant which made for conversation." He glanced at Mary. "Sarah is an interesting conversationalist, especially to someone like me who is not overly social."
Pulling up to the garage bay door, Walter got out, went through the man-door and opened the big door to pull the Malibu in to open the door and give Mary a hand getting out.
"Wow, a Ferrari?" He closed to big door and set the stops to lead Mary to the seating area.
"Yes, that is my late night driving vehicle. Would you care for some coffee or water?" She shook her head. "Seth should be arriving soon." He turned on the lights while Mary sat and, looking around noticed the whiteboards as he headed to the office kitchen to get the coffee going.
"I like the little colored lights- festive. What is this on these boards?"
"Some mathematics I am working on," Walter said returning from the office kitchen leaving the door open. "Sometimes the math is what prompts the late night drives," Walter said with a chuckle. There was knocking at the man-door so Walter went through to let Seth in.
"Wow, a Ferrari," Seth said looking the car over. "Bet the Jag can take it top end, but that would beat it in the handling department. The Jag is eye candy, but with that huge steering wheel handles like a tuna clipper on curves," Seth said following Walter into the seating area to sit with Mary. "What is that on those whiteboards?"
"Some math I am working on, care for coffee or water?" Both shook their head so Walter went back into the office kitchen as the maker quit gurgling, got a cup from the cabinet and poured himself some to return and sit with them. "There is a full kitchen and bathroom through that door. A hospital bed set up here for Sarah she would have the facilities close, plus going through the kitchen she would have Gina in the office for company should I be gone."
"This is a rather strange residential area….. safe here?" Mary asked.
"Think it is termed 'mixed use' per the legal designation. There are security systems for the living area, the office as well as video security feed 360 around the perimeter of the building as well as the street and alley. She will be quite safe here."
"Well, since Sarah says it is OK, and you are willing to put up with her, guess we have no complaints," Seth said rising. "I can come pick up the Prius tomorrow if that is OK?"
"I'll open the door so you can pull it in behind the Ferrari," Walter said rising with Seth and Mary. He went through the garage to open the door so the Prius could pull in then closed up while Seth and Mary got in the Tundra to leave for home.
Walter closed up and set security, put his coffee cup in the kitchen dishwasher and went up to the den to glance at Megan's picture, "Going to be interesting for a while, Megan" he said before sitting at the desk to open the laptop and check mail to see a message from Gina and Richard.
Walter- Hope your friend is doing well after surgery. Let me know if I can help with anything. Gina
He hit reply.
Gina- surgery went well. Will be setting up the living area on the first floor for her. Recovery should take a while as injuries were extensive. Walter
Walter- tried to get hold of you about you joining the last day of tours. Called Gina when you did not reply. She said a friend had an accident and in hospital- all is well? Richard
Walter sat back thinking. Marta and the rest will be gone tomorrow. He snickered wondering if Ilya was still angry. He hit reply.
Richard- Sarah's surgery went well. May be staying at the garage for recovery when released. Was the Russian better behaved these last days here- the board work usually brings elevated attitudes back to Earth. No longer wanting to throttle him? Walter
Sitting back for a moment, he got up, turned out the lights, went into the loft kitchen to set up the coffee for the morning then went into the bedroom to strip and go to bed to lay staring at the ceiling, thinking of the changes that will be coming before dozing off.
Walter awoke after a good, long night of deep sleep. Laying in the nest of blankets, he thought of what repercussions will be coming after making his offer. Like Sarah herself said, CAN he put up with her 24/7? Thinking on it, he came to the conclusion he WILL have to make some changes because he DOES want to have Sarah around 24/7. Like she said, he needs to quit thinking so much on everything. He has gotten too much into an introspective frame of mind lately- haughty, aloof, focused on self- convinced he can make it on his own, has no need of another- until he was told Sarah was in hospital with unknown condition- he was devastated like the world ended. He needs to come to a decision, to open up to make that connection- he WANTS to make that connection she said he was not giving her.
He got up, started the coffee and went into the bathroom to take a shower. In boxers with towel around his neck, coffee cup in hand, he went into the den and opened the laptop to check mail. Message from Richard.
Walter- Don't worry, didn't throttle the Russian. His attitude was quite changed so you did a good job. Understand- needing to take time with injured friend. Hope recovery goes well. Richard
He hit reply.
Richard- May be busy for a few days until settled in, then back to normal. Walter
Walter then looked up medical supply distributers. Looked over the needed equipment. Ordered an adjustable bed with apparatus for elevating arm and leg, the sheets necessary, pillow, and movable screens to give her privacy. Everything to be delivered in the afternoon. He got up and got dressed in jeans and t-shirt to then go up to the roof to see how the day was looking. Sitting in the early morning sun and slight breeze, he finished his coffee. Getting up he returned to the den to send a message to Gina.
Gina- Medical supplies will be delivered this afternoon, have it taken through to the seating area. I will set everything up when I return from the hospital this evening. Walter
He got up to go downstairs to pull the Malibu out as he would be leaving for the hospital shortly.