Chapter 19

Morgan couldn’t wait to get home. Brennan’s visit had stirred up a number of emotions, not the least of which was her curiosity. As soon as she walked through the door, she went straight to the bedroom closet and pulled down a large box from the top shelf. She had never bothered to go through all of her dad’s papers because it was too emotionally draining, but she didn’t have the strength to throw them out, either. Thank God for small miracles. She wished she had gone through the piles of paper earlier. She found several marked envelopes in handwriting she barely remembered. She even found a bank letter concerning the account Brennan had mentioned. So he was telling the truth. What made her heart skip a beat was an envelope with her name on it. She studied the script, tracing the letters as if drawing her dad’s memory from it. Nervously, she broke the seal, almost hesitant to read it. Would this reveal all? Was this going to destroy all the good memories and reveal things she would rather not have known?

Morgan got a beer out of the fridge and took a swig to calm her nerves. Her hands were shaking. As much as she wanted to leave it alone, the letter was in her fingers before she realized she had even picked it up. She started reading.

“My Sweet MoMo...” Tears welled in her eyes. She could hear her dad saying that. She wiped her eyes on the hem of her shirt and began again.

My Sweet MoMo,

If you are reading this then it probably means... well, you know. I have some things to say, and I hope you can understand why I did what I did. You are my pride and joy, honey. I was never prouder of you than the day you graduated from the Academy. I know you’re upset with your brothers. Please, don’t be. They only did what they thought was best by leaving. I can’t be angry at them for trying to find their own lives. I never told you the boys kept in contact with me. I knew where they were even if you didn’t. I can just hear you now. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Why? Probably for selfish reasons. I was afraid if you found them you would be gone, too. I would be alone, Morgan. I couldn’t stand that. I needed you, and not for a housekeeper or a cook (God forbid!),but as my daughter, my sweet MoMo, and my buddy. We had some pretty good times. Watching the Yanks lose. Watching you whip me in poker. Sitting back with a beer and watching TV. Those were some of the best times of my life. I put you in a position by choosing your career for you, but I thought you loved the force as much as I did. If I was mistaken, then I’m truly sorry. I know I didn’t give you the opportunity to find your own way.

What could she say? It was like hitting a brick wall as her senses just stopped, waiting for the rest of her to catch up. This letter was changing all her preconceptions about her life. Was she angry about what he did? She wasn’t sure. She kept reading.

The boys also sent money monthly to me, but I put it aside for you. You had sacrificed so much for me, it was the least I could do. Please find enclosed a bank letter that should let you access the account when you feel ready to.

I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. In hindsight, I suppose I should have at least told you they had contacted me, but each time I tried to, I just couldn’t do it. I was comfortable with the way things were, and I suppose I just didn’t want to give that up. So I let you think they were assholes. Don’t hold it against them, Morgan. In the end they were good sons and did the right thing. Please don’t forget me, Sweet MoMo. You really were the only one I could count on. Please don’t think bad of me for what I did. I love you,

Dad

Morgan looked at the official letter from the bank, which provided account details and current balance at the time of writing. Her eyes widened. The amount said almost seventy-five thousand dollars. While it wasn’t a small fortune, it wasn’t an amount to be sneezed at, either. Ten years her brothers had been sending money to her dad, and she didn’t even know it.

There were a number of letters bound together by a rubber band that caught her eye. She opened the first one. It was from Brennan. Did she want to do this right now? Mixed emotions roiled within her. Ten years’ worth of anger couldn’t be set aside in a heartbeat. She bundled the letters together and put them back in the box. They were for another time when she had a better handle on things.

She glanced at her watch and saw that she was late for a visit to the hospital. She put the box back in her closet and her father’s letter onto her bedside table. She would probably read it a few dozen times more in the next week, trying to absorb the memories that lay on the page. After locking up her apartment, Morgan set off for the hospital, not quite sure what she felt about her family. Andrea was coming home tomorrow, and Morgan didn’t know whether to be happy or scared. She’d been able to maintain a certain emotional distance in the starkness of the hospital room, but she wasn’t sure she could in the privacy of Andrea’s apartment. And she knew very well she was expected to visit. Often. The time was fast approaching when Morgan was going to have to make good on all those signs of affection.

She stood in front of the unopened door to Andrea’s room feeling strange, like a long-lost friend who had just been found was about to disappear. How many times had she crossed this portal in the last few days? Too many for her liking. Of course she would have preferred that Andrea wasn’t in the hospital at all. Morgan opened the door and peeked around the edge to see if Andrea was sleeping. To her surprise, Andrea was sitting on the edge of the bed studying her feet. She looked up and smiled as Morgan came in.

“Well hello there, Sergeant.”

Morgan’s emotional detachment went flying right out the window “Hi.” She was barely able to speak as her body was turning warm and fuzzy. Despite her promise to be strong, she found herself drawn toward the bed.

“How are you feeling?” Morgan managed to say, proud of herself for sounding so nonchalant. She walked to the side of the bed.

“Pretty good. I’m a little sore, but I suppose that’s to be expected.”

“Are they still discharging you tomorrow?”

“Looks like it. Unless, of course, something happens in the meantime.”

“Then you’re home free,” Morgan said absently.

“Yep. Are you okay?”

“Fine. Why?”

“You seem a little distracted.”

“Do I? Sorry.”

“What’s up?”

“Just a lot going on at work, that’s all.” Morgan smiled wanly. She saw no need to dredge up all the confusion she felt about her family. That was better left for another time.

“So nothing else is bothering you? Like, say, me?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Well, first of all, you’re not denying it. Second, you haven’t kissed me yet. And third, you’re standing there like you have a stick up your butt.”

“I didn’t realize you were counting.”

Andrea patted the space next to her on the bed. “C’mon. Tell Auntie Andy what the problem is.”

“Auntie Andy? So now you’re an advice columnist?”

“Yep. By night I’m a masked superhero do-gooder,” Andrea said, drawing an answering chuckle from Morgan. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Morgan whispered as she leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Andrea’s soft cheek. “Stop worrying.”

“Don’t make me hurt you.”

Morgan tried not to look into Andrea’s eyes, she really did, but she couldn’t help herself. Should she burden Andrea with her problems? Somewhere along the line, she was going to have to put some trust in this relationship. Maybe now was the time after all.

“I had a visit from one of my brothers today.”

Andrea studied her for a moment before responding. “Is that a bad thing?”

“I thought so. We haven’t been on the best of terms.” Was that ever an understatement.

“What did he want?”

“He...” Morgan hesitated. If she said any more it was going to require an explanation. But she had done that once, and her world didn’t crash into a heap. Maybe she could do it again.

“He wanted to mend some bridges.”

“And why is that important?”

“Because...” Morgan took a deep breath. “Because my dad made me believe my brothers didn’t care about us.”

“Why on earth would he do that?”

“Why? I’m still trying to get my mind around that one.”

“Is it anything to do with what happened to you before you became a detective?”

Shit. “I’m going to kick Henry’s butt for this.”

“Don’t you dare. I asked and he answered.” But Morgan said nothing. “So, you’re not going to tell me?”

It was a monumental decision. Telling Henry was one thing. He was her best friend, her confidante, and most of all, he was her partner. Andrea was something else. But what? She didn’t quite know what to call their relationship. It was in transition from friends to something more.

Andrea touched Morgan’s hand. “It’s all right. I’m here.”

“I was beaten up.” Morgan blurted it out before her courage failed. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it would explode. She looked at Andrea, expecting to see disgust, sympathy, or even horror. She was met with anger.

“Who did it? That bastard.”

Morgan looked on with surprise as Andrea bristled.

“That slimy son-of-a-bitch.”

“Calm down.” Morgan wasn’t sure she could calm down, either. She was having a panic attack just thinking about it. “Dad’s partner was responsible.”

“I don’t want to calm down. He beat you?”

“Not him personally. Three mob guys broke into the apartment. They made dad watch. It broke him.”

Andrea reached up and brushed at the tear on Morgan’s cheek.

“And you, too, by the looks of it. Now I understand.” She continued to gently rub her thumb on Morgan’s cheek. “So how do you know it was your dad’s partner?”

“One of them said, ‘Tell Larry that Angelo says thanks.’ Larry was Dad’s partner.”

“That would do it. So what did you do about it?”

“Nothing. There was nothing I could do.”

“He got you beat you up and you took it?”

“It was a bruise here and there. The mental torture was what nearly broke me. The threats, the lies, the promises. They knew things about me and Dad that left us vulnerable. We had nowhere to hide from them, Andrea.”

“What about the law?”

“It was Larry’s word against ours. He had friends in high places, ones who would make sure he never got prosecuted. We weren’t going to risk our friends and family over a beating.”

“That sucks,” Andrea muttered.

Morgan looked away. “So now you know why I am the way I am.”

“Yeah. That sort of betrayal would destroy your trust in your fellow man.”

Morgan returned her gaze to Andrea and saw sympathy. “I’m sorry I was such an ass at the beginning.”

“And you’re not an ass now?” Andrea said, but she added a smile.

“Sometimes, but I’m working on it.” Morgan smiled back.

“So, what about your brothers while all this was going on?”

“My three brothers took off as soon as they were able. That left me and Dad. Let’s just say from that day they were no longer my brothers.”

“They didn’t keep in touch at all?”

“I thought they didn’t. I’ve just discovered they’d been in regular contact with Dad and had been sending him a little money.”

“That sounds like they cared.”

“I didn’t even know he had it. He’d been saving it for me.” She didn’t like talking about money with someone who probably used what her brothers had given her as pocket change.

“How long was this going on? Ten years? It should be a tidy nest egg for you.”

Andrea didn’t ask, but Morgan could see she was curious.

“According to the bank letter, it was seventy-five thousand dollars. I didn’t check the date on it, so it could be more.”

“That’s not ‘a little.’”

“A year’s wages, yeah. It moves me one year closer to that place on the coast.” Morgan was drained. “Can we drop all this?”

“Yes. Back to us.” A grin touched Andrea’s lips.

“Us?” Morgan groaned. “You have a one-track mind.”

“Well one of us has to.”

Morgan suddenly realized how physically close they were. She tried to put some space between them. “Can we talk about something else?”

“Okay.” Andrea sounded reluctant.

“What time do I pick you up tomorrow?”

“You’re going to take me home?”

“Of course. Who else would?”

“I can catch a cab.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Morgan teased.

“Not much for me, unless you were in there with me.”

“Hmm. Can I trust you?”

“Trust me? What do you think I’m going to do, Sergeant? Jump your bones?”

Morgan dropped her gaze to the floor and Andrea laughed.

“Oh, come on. It will be broad daylight and in a taxi. Then there’s your broken wrist and the hole in my shoulder.”

“Er... ah... of course. I—that is, I wasn’t suggesting anything.”

The hole Morgan was digging for herself was getting deeper.

“Yeah, sure. Stop worrying.”

“I’m not worried.” Morgan’s voice was a tight squeak.

“Right.”

“I’m not. Stop it.”

Andrea squeezed Morgan’s hand. “You’re taking me home. How about we go for some lunch after that? I’m dying to get out into the world again.”

“What does the doctor say?”

“Who cares?”

“Hey, if he says rest, you rest.”

“Like you did, you mean?”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

“I’m a police officer. My job comes before an injury.” Yeah, right. God, next time try saying something that doesn’t sound so friggin’ stupid, she added to herself.

“Uh-huh. I’m fine, really. The wound’s healing beautifully, and I’m eager to get the hell out of here before I climb the walls. Just humor me, okay?”

“Fine,” Morgan said tightly.

“Please.”

The soft plea tore at Morgan’s heart. She looked into Andrea’s eyes. “Okay. Let’s not fight. You and me, we’ve come a long way in a short time. Found something pretty good, too. So let’s not mess that up.”

Andrea sighed deeply. “You’re right. I am so not good at this relationship stuff.”

Morgan looked at her with surprise. “No kidding?” Andrea chuckled and the sound warmed Morgan’s heart.

“Everything will be fine,” Andrea promised. Morgan trembled as Andrea kissed her with infinite care and gentle entreaty. There was no escalation into wild passion. Morgan found solace in the soft touching of lips.

“So, what do you want to talk about?”

Should she? Morgan had to admit that Andrea’s parents were an enigma, so she asked. “Tell me about your family.”

Morgan collapsed onto her bed when she got home. She and Andrea had talked and talked to the point of exhaustion, and Morgan had forgotten the time. She smiled thinking about how cute Andrea was and how animated she got when talking about things she liked. Morgan’s long-held convictions were slowly fading, replaced by an almost giddy joy at finally finding someone to share her life with. Still thinking about Andrea, Morgan fell asleep. Her cell phone rang. Disoriented, it took her a few moments for her to realize where she was. Her hand fumbled around on the bedside table for the elusive object.

“Yeah?” she sleepily answered.

“Sergeant? Sorry to wake you. Counselor Worthington’s been attacked.”

“Say that again? Shit.” She swung her legs out of bed. “Okay, I’m on my way.” She hung up and anxiously punched Henry’s number. “Hey. We have an emergency. Can you pick me up on the way to the hospital?” Morgan tried very hard to keep her voice calm.

“What now?” Henry paused. “Is it Andy?”

The question hit a nerve and Morgan nearly lost it. “Yeah. Someone tried to kill her.”

Morgan and Henry stood in the hospital corridor, waiting for the doctor to finish his checkup of Andrea. “I don’t get this,” Henry said. “I thought we had the man.” His confused expression mirrored Morgan’s own.

“We had the hired man, not the person who wants her dead. They just hired someone else to finish the job.”

Captain Markham stepped out of the elevator. “How is she?”

Markham’s concern showed in his tone.

“She’s fine,” Morgan said. “The duty nurse was doing her rounds and walked in just as the guy was about to put a pillow over her head. She screamed. He took off.”

“What kind of description did she give?” Markham’s brow creased in anger.

“He looked like, and I quote, ‘the Empire State Building,’” Henry said.

“So we’re looking for a tall moving building in Art Deco.”

Now was not the time for jokes, but the image was just so ludicrous that Morgan couldn’t stop the comment.

“Sounds like it.” Markham gave a bleak grin. The doctor emerged from the room, and Morgan moved swiftly to him. “Can I see her?” she asked.

“Sure. She’s been asking for you.”

Morgan didn’t dare look at either Henry or Markham for their reaction. She quickly entered Andrea’s room and saw her sitting up in bed while a nurse was taking her blood pressure.

“I can’t leave you alone for a moment, can I?” Morgan tried to sound reassuring to hide the dread and fear in her voice.

“Looks like it,” Andrea said with a tired smile. “I might just have to keep you around all the time.”

“Where are the uniforms who were on duty?” Morgan asked the nurse.

“They were found unconscious. They’re being looked at now.”

Just as well, she thought. If they had been anywhere else but unconscious their asses would be hers. “Can you check up on them for me, please? When you’ve finished here.” She was probably asking a lot, but it was a big hospital, and all it would take for the nurse would be a phone call. Besides, Morgan didn’t want to leave just yet.

Morgan waited for the nurse to disappear before she approached the bed. “How are you really?”

“Fine. A little shaken up. Stop worrying. I didn’t even know he was there until the nurse screamed and woke me up.” Andrea grabbed Morgan’s hand. “I’m fine,” she repeated. “I thought you had the guy.”

“So did we.”

“What’s going on, then?”

“Someone wants you out of the picture. Permanently.” Morgan tried to think of a more eloquent way of putting it, but opted for the truth. “Look, I don’t think it’s got anything to do with the Vaughan case at all. It’s like someone is using that as a diversion from the true reason behind all of this.”

Andrea’s jaw clenched. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. “Where do we go from here?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to the captain.”

Andrea gripped Morgan’s hand tighter.

“You okay?” Morgan asked.

“About as well as can be expected, knowing someone out there wants me dead.”

“I’m sorry,” Morgan said, trying to be soothing. “But know this. I’ll protect you with my life.”

Andrea held Morgan’s gaze. “I know.”

“Give me a minute, and I’ll find out what’s going on.” Morgan leaned over and kissed Andrea’s cheek. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. Go and do what you have to do.”

“Don’t go anywhere.” Morgan winked at her as she left the room to meet with Henry and Markham. They congregated around the coffee machine in the waiting room, discussing the turn of events.

“O’Callaghan,” Markham said. “They’re obviously stepping up their campaign to get to the counselor. We’re going to have to take more drastic measures to protect her.”

“Drastic?” She looked over at Henry but his eyes were firmly fixed on the floor.

“Are you up to it?” Markham asked.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Get Worthington out of here. Tonight. Find some motel and hole up there until we can set up a safe house. You lay low while we try to figure this out.”

Just as Morgan thought would happen. “Okay. I’ll call Henry once we’re settled.”

Markham reached for his wallet and extracted a number of bills. “Here.”

“Am I getting a raise or something?” Morgan asked sweetly. He glared at her. “Stop fucking around. This is serious.”

“I know. But if I don’t joke, I’m going to stress out.” She took the cash.

“Don’t use any credit cards,” Markham said, emphasizing what Morgan already knew. “At all. No calling cards, either. Pay cash for everything. We don’t need you getting traced. Oh, and save the receipts, you know, for accounting.”

Always the administrator. “Gotcha.”

“Well, that’s it, then.” Markham turned to leave when Morgan grabbed his wrist.

“Wait. Who’s going to tell Andrea?” Morgan looked first at Markham then Henry. They stared back at her. Shit.

“All right. I guess that means me. Buncha damn chickens.”

“Hell, yeah,” Henry said with exaggerated relief. “Damn right I’m chicken. I’ve heard her have a go at being protected before. You’re not catching me anywhere near her.”

“Okay,” Markham said. “We’ll get things moving on our end. I’ll speak to the doctor on the way out to arrange any medical care for you two. I’ll get Velasquez to drive you since both of you are in no shape to drive yourselves.”

Markham left but Henry hung back. “So,” he said and hesitated.

“Yeah. I know. I hope to see you soon.”

“You, too, Red. Take care of our girl, won’t you?”

“Sure will.”

The inconsequential chatter covered the real emotion between them. Henry pulled Morgan into a hug that had her floundering. It took a moment for her to react, but she finally wrapped her arms around him and squeezed back.

“You take care,” he said as he released her. “I don’t want to have to go looking for another partner.”

“Me either. I’ve finally broken you in, and I don’t want to have to train another one.”

“Yeah. That’s a lot of work.” He looked up at her. “Take care. I know Suzie and the kids are looking forward to having you visit for Thanksgiving.”

“I will.” She thought for a moment. “And you were right, damn it.” They started walking up the corridor toward Andrea’s room.

“Right?” He looked at her quizzically. She gave him a shy smile. “Oh.” He laughed. “Knew you’d come around to my way of thinking sooner or later.”

“G’wan, get out of here.” When they reached the nurses’ station, Morgan shoved Henry toward the elevators. “I’ll be in touch soon, okay?”

“Okay. Until then, you be careful, Mo.”

“Always.”

He stepped into the elevator and lifted a hand in goodbye as the doors closed.

Morgan went back into Andrea’s room. She perched on the side of the bed and sifted through an assortment of explanations as to why they would be leaving tonight.

“Where did everyone go?” Andrea asked when Morgan sat next to her.

There was really no point in beating around the bush, so Morgan tackled the issue like she did so many things in life—head-on. “We’re going to go into hiding for a while.”

“Things are that serious?”

“Andrea, this is attempt number three. How many more attempts do you want?”

“You have a point.”

Andrea’s nonchalance was unnerving, but Morgan could see the taut lines around her mouth. She was worried, and she had every right to be.

“So where are we going?”

“Velasquez will drive us to a hotel for the night. That will give them time to organize something a bit more... um...” Morgan didn’t want to put a dampener on the conversation.

“Permanent?” Andrea asked. “Is that what you’re trying not to tell me?”

“In a way, yes. We’re not much closer to an answer than we were with the hit-and-run.” But she had her own ideas on that particular incident. “We might have caught one of them, but now there’s another out there picking up where the first one left off. How many more are out there?”

“Stop worrying.” Andrea reached out and patted Morgan’s hand.

“Stop worrying? You’re kidding, right? Aren’t you at least a bit crazy with not knowing why? I know I would be.”

“That’s probably the detective in you. Me? Well I have faith you will protect me and solve the mystery. Don’t you have any faith in your own department?”

“Of course I do.” But that wasn’t the point. Morgan was frustrated with the slow speed of progress in the case.

“Then stop worrying.”

But for Morgan, trying not to worry about Andrea was like trying to stop breathing. Impossible.