Stasi glanced around the fifth-floor waiting room, then turned toward a vending machine. “I’m going to grab coffee. Want anything?”
“I’m good. Thanks.”
“Can I have a couple dollars to get something?” Stasi waggled her fingers from an open palm. “Please?”
Savannah bit back a retort. “There’s always an angle.”
“So said Bing Crosby in White Christmas.” Stasi looked like she’d stand there all night with her hand out, so Savannah dug into her billfold as always. “Thanks, sis.”
Savannah sank onto a vacant seat in a corner of the room close to the hallway as the “Sisters” song from the movie played through her head. Had more perfect lyrics ever been penned to capture the complications of sisters’ relationships? Please don’t let the nurse take too long.
Her patience for Stasi was about to break. There was too much Savannah needed to do, from protecting Addy to catching up on work. She couldn’t divert energy to ignoring Stasi. Her phone dinged and she pulled it out to see a text from her mom.
Happy birthday, sweetheart.
Thanks.
Do anything fun?
Had lunch with the girls at Il Porto.
You love that place.
I do.
The flashing ellipsis indicated her mom was still texting. You safe?
Yes, it’s just a tragic crash.
But the Fourteenth Street Bridge? That’s close.
It is. But I wasn’t on it. Unfortunately, others hadn’t been so lucky.
Will you come home for Christmas?
I don’t know yet. Maybe she should invite them here. Can you and Dad come here?
There was a pause, and Savannah had to resist retracting the invitation.
I’ll talk to him. Well, love you. Tell your sister hi when you see her.
Sure, Mom.
Her mom refused to give up the naive hope that someday the two would be bosom friends again, like they had been decades ago as preteens. Maybe Mom’s distance facilitated her belief in that fantasy, but it wasn’t going to happen except in the dreams of a mother.
Stasi sauntered up. “The coffee’s not much other than warm.”
“Can I have my change?”
Stasi thrust a single at her, then took a sip. “Who was that?”
“Mom wishing me a happy birthday.”
“Oh, that’s right. Happy birthday.”
“Thanks.” Savannah forced herself to ignore the ire those words generated. “Why pretend to be married to Dustin?”
“For tonight at least, he can’t deny me. If it gets us in to see him, then all the better.”
“You shouldn’t lie about things like that.”
“It’s not a lie. He will. One of these days.” Stasi punctuated the last words with her finger.
A nurse approached them. “Are you Dustin Tate’s family?”
“Yes.” Stasi stepped forward with a little shuddering breath. “Can we see him?”
The nurse glanced at the tablet she carried. “I have to warn you he may not be himself. He claims he’s not married.”
Stasi’s hand flew to her mouth and the other reached for Savannah as if she needed the physical support. “Is he badly injured? He must be if he doesn’t remember me.”
“I can’t tell you much more than we’re keeping him for observation. The doctor wants to be cautious.”
Stasi looked uncertain as she let go of Savannah and wrapped her arms tight around her coat. “Should we go in?”
“For a few minutes. If he gets tired, you’ll need to leave sooner.”
The nurse turned and started toward the locked double doors, but Stasi stayed frozen in place.
Savannah squeezed her arm. “Want me to go in for you?”
“Yes. No.” Stasi lifted her chin. “I’m his wife.” She latched on to Savannah as if clutching a lifeline, and they followed the nurse to the door. The woman keyed them through.
Stasi hesitated again. “I’ll wait here.” The nurse frowned, but Stasi wore a pleading look. “Please let my sister confirm he’s okay first. I’m terribly squeamish. Our daughter goes to him when she’s hurt.” She gave a small shrug as if her words explained everything.
The nurse considered her a moment, then her expression softened. “All right.” Then she turned to Savannah. “You can only stay a few minutes since you aren’t family.”
“But I am.” Now she understood how Stasi could pretend to be his wife for the day. Too bad Savannah had actually filled that role. The nurse stared, so she continued. “We were married years ago, and I will always be his daughter’s aunt.”
“Sounds like a messed-up situation.”
Savannah gave an uncomfortable chuckle. “That’s an understatement.” The scab was off, but the scar would always be part of her.
The nurse led her farther down a hallway with rooms off each side, most with closed doors. Christmas hadn’t entered this wing, probably because of the germs that could get captured in decorations. The woman stopped at a door across from the nurses’ station. “Mr. Tate was very lucky. He could go home as early as tomorrow.”
“Will he require assistance when he’s released? He lives alone.” At least he did the last time Addy mentioned spending time at his apartment. The woman considered her, and Savannah caught her mistake. “I meant if he’ll need help during the day when Stasi works and their daughter’s in school.” If Stasi even pretended to have a job.
“We’ll see what the doctor says when he’s released. Situations like his are usually fluid.” The woman nodded toward the station. “I’ll be there if you need anything. Please limit your time to ten minutes.”
“That won’t be a problem.” She wouldn’t spend that much time with him other than to give Addy peace of mind.
She peeked into the room without entering.
Dustin lay against the raised bed and pillows, his dark hair flopping starkly against the white pillowcase. He looked weak in the blue and white haze of light that flickered from the TV mounted on the wall. She glanced at it and noted the football game.
“I see you still like sports.”
He rolled his head in her direction. “Ah, Savvy.”
“You don’t get to call me that.”
“Addy does.”
“Yes. You don’t.” Savannah tried to calm her tone. “I see you survived.”
“Hope you aren’t disappointed.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t wish an accident like that on anyone.”
“It was . . . rough . . . ” An IV had been shoved into one hand. He dragged the other down his stubbled jaw. “It was a blur.”
“What happened?”
“Did you know the Fourteenth Street Bridge is only fourteen hundred meters from the end of the runway? With the snow at takeoff, I wondered about deicing. But it’s a blur. Crazy kaleidoscope of moments.” He rolled his head gingerly, and she noticed a bruise forming along the right side of his face. “Why are you here?”
She gestured toward the door. “Your call terrified Addy, and someone had to let her know you’re okay.” She studied him, and he met her gaze a moment before shifting away with a grimace. “Stasi’s here.”
“Ah no.” Age lined his face.
“Yep.” She searched for something in his expression, though she wasn’t sure what.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re x-raying my soul.”
“Do you still have one?” The words burst from her, and she didn’t care.
“Don’t tell me you believe the article.”
She simply stared at him.
“Come on, Savvy, you know me better than that.”
“The man I knew said he loved me. Promised to never leave me. Then he went after my sister.” She stepped closer and lowered her voice as she bowed her head to get closer to him. “Don’t tell me what I can’t believe. I used to believe the best about you.” She wouldn’t make that mistake again. Not without proof he was worth the risk.
“I didn’t do anything that reporter said.” His eyes flashed with a life that hadn’t been there a minute before. “I don’t know where he got his information but it’s wrong. Dead wrong.”
“Then fight back.” The words burst from her.
“I can’t. There’s more happening.”
“More than working for athletes too rich to be told no? Do I even want to know how much of that article is true?” She stood and stepped back. “You disgust me.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know, and if I explained, lives could be in jeopardy.” His hand grabbed her arm with startling force.
“Let go of me.” She pushed the words through gritted teeth, but he ignored them.
“You have no idea.” His hold eased enough she tugged free. “Savvy, we’re doing something good. But it has to be kept under wraps or people could be hurt.”
“If that were true, you’d still say something. Where’s the man who fought for justice?” She bit off the words, her sophisticated edge long gone.
“Still here.” He sounded like he’d given up. “You can’t believe everything you read in the paper.”
“I don’t need the paper to tell me what I already know.”
“Get off your high horse long enough to think, Savannah.” His pulse-rate monitor took off at a gallop.
“You forget.” She paused. “I know you.”
“Well, if you believe that bunch of lies, you knew some fake person.”
“Now, those are true words.”
He lay back, pale, spent. “You have to believe me. Each trip is honorable. When I get out of here I can show you. I have proof stashed away.”
“Show it to the reporter or tell me what it is now.”
“I have to talk to Donnelly first.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s got more at stake than I do. No one cares about me. He’s got a career in the limelight. Without his money, we can’t do this.”
Savannah bit her tongue. She needed to think about what Dustin had said. He spoke with a quiet fervor that defused some of her anger even though she still didn’t understand what he meant.
A man wearing an FBI jacket stuck his head in the room. “Logan Donnelly?”
Savannah frowned at him. “No, this isn’t his room.”
The man’s face firmed into a mask. “Do you know where he is?”
“No.”
Dustin held up his hand. “Can you let me know when you find him?”
The man nodded, then moved out of the doorway.
“What’s this proof, Dustin?” It was too easy to believe he was just sandbagging her.
“When I’m back home you’ll see. I’ll show you. I’m completely innocent.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” As a nurse rushed in, Savannah stepped back. “I’ll tell Addy you’ll survive and she can see you when you’re home.”
“Give me time to get the proof.” His words faded. “I have to talk to Logan first.”
Stasi stepped into the room and pressed her body against the wall. “What happened?”
What little color remained in his face leached away. “Why are you here?”
“I’m your wife.” Her words held a little energy, then she sagged.
“I don’t have a wife.” His gaze drifted to Savannah. “Anymore.”
Savannah felt like she was trapped in the Twilight Zone or her worst dream. How could she escape?
Stasi ignored the attention Dustin gave Savannah. “You’re alive.”
“Yes. Addy’s check might be a little bit late this month.”
The nurse turned from the monitor, where she was clicking away on a keyboard. “Is she bothering you, Dustin? Sounds like she’s claiming to be someone she isn’t.”
“It’s all right.” The words were weak, almost listless. “It’s a mess I created.”
Stasi eased closer. “I can take care of you.”
Dustin’s laugh was bitter. “You don’t like blood or other bodily fluids.”
“Well, no, but they aren’t anyone’s favorites.”
“Not happening.” Dustin’s words were harsh, and Stasi turned and fled from the small room.
Savannah couldn’t stand to listen to them anymore, but what if Dustin had proof? She wanted to flee but was rooted in place.