Hiding Out (14 page)

He paced around in the park, trying to determine his next move.  He had to know for sure if she still worked there.  What would be his next move?  Slowly, he walked back to his car and drove over to his hotel.  Once there, he walked purposefully over to the courtesy phone in the lobby, pulled the phone number for the investigator from his pocket and dialed.  It rang twice before being picked up.

“I’m calling to verify employment information,” he said as calmly as he could manage.

“Certainly, sir,” the gentleman on the phone replied.  “And this would be for which employee?” 

“The name on the application is Haley Daniels.”  He held his breath.

“Haley Daniels? Hmm.”  The sound of papers being shuffled followed.  “I’m sorry sir, but there is no employee here by that name.”

He exhaled in disgust.  “I see.”

“Is there anything else I can help you with?” 

He was silent.  “No, thank you.”  After hanging up, he sat stewing.  It didn’t make sense.  She had to be working for them.  The investigator who left his card was doing a background check for her employment.  Maybe she didn’t pass the background check.  Maybe she was never hired.  Now he was back to square one.

Tense and angry, he decided to read the newspaper while he waited for a sudden brainstorm to come to him.  He had read through almost the entire paper when it happened.  In the Public Record section, one birth announcement stood out.  It was strange.  He had taken to reading the birth announcements starting a month ago.  He always thought he might just see his name in there linked with Haley’s.  It wasn’t so far fetched.  In his passion he had failed to use any protection.  But no, the announcement that caught his attention was that of Ellen Sanders-White and her husband Ryan who had just had a baby girl.  Wasn’t Ellen Sanders Haley’s roommate at college?  She might know where Haley was.  Or maybe Haley was masquerading as her roommate and found some sucker to marry her and raise his child.

With a satisfied smile, he stood up, folded the paper under his arm, and headed for the nearest department store.  He couldn’t very well visit an old friend empty handed.  He even began humming as he drove away, confident of the plan he now had in place.

Sam’s private line was ringing insistently at eleven in the morning.  He felt his stomach knot up in anticipation.  It could only be Jake.  And if it was, it was bad news.  He sat heavily in his chair as he answered. 

“You may want to come down to my office when you have a minute,” Jake said seriously.

“Is it bad?”  He asked as he gazed at Haley through the open door.

“Definitely.”

He growled.  “I’ll be right there.”  He stood and walked to the door, trying to figure out how he was going to make it past Haley without her picking up on his dark mood.  She would be concerned and want to question him.  It was all falling apart.

“Hey,” she said, grabbing his sleeve as he tried to slide past her.

“I have to run out for a minute, Miss Iverson,” he said seriously.

She studied his eyes for a moment.  She didn’t like what she saw there.  He was way too intense given that they had spent the entire weekend together.  “Okay.”  She sighed.  “I just wanted to get your approval for the letters and ad proposal packages we were going to send out to the companies on your list.”  She shrugged.  “I guess it can wait.”

“I’m sorry,” he said honestly.  “I’ll look it over after I get back, okay?”  He gave her hand a quick squeeze and exited the office.

By the time he reached Jake’s office, he had worked himself into such a state with the scenarios he had created in his head that he didn’t have the energy to burst through the door.  He slowly let himself in and all but collapsed in his usual chair.

“Man, you’ve got it bad,” Jake commented with a grim smile.

“Just tell me why I’ve been summoned.  I can’t take it anymore,” Sam said sadly.

“Well,” he began seriously, “I just had an interesting phone call from a man who claimed to be verifying Haley’s employment.”  Sam nodded.  “He called this line, so I know he was the one who talked to the neighbor, otherwise employment verification would go through Human Resources.”  Sam clenched his hands together, his knuckles turned white.  Jake glanced at them.  “He didn’t give a name, but from my Caller ID I know that he’s staying at the Weston near the park.”

“Is that all?”  Sam asked.  Jake stared at him a moment.  “I mean, that’s enough, but give it to me like you’re taking off a Band-aid.  Just slam me all at once, okay?  Look at me.”  He gestured at his demeanor.  “Certainly, you don’t think you need to build suspense, right?”

Jake smirked.  “I’m going to have to guess her name is really Haley Daniels.”  Sam opened his mouth to speak, but anticipating what he would say Jake added, “I’m going to check that out.” 

“So, what do I do?”  He stood up and began pacing around the small office.  “I have to go back and face her once again after having messed up her life.  She was doing just fine hiding out before me, but I’ve ruined it.  Some guy who has hurt her in ways I can’t even imagine is here and it’s entirely my fault.”

“Hold up,” Jake said severely.  “You need to get it together and stop blaming yourself.  She was hiding herself really well, this is true, but you have given her back a life.”  Sam stopped and looked at him.  “As terrible as it is that this creep is here, she needs to face him and move on.  If that means she has to press charges and endure a trial, at least she will have peace of mind.  She won’t ever have to look over her shoulder again.”  He watched Sam for a reaction.  He was getting through to him.  “And because of you, she has people that love her, a great career, and security.”

“Security?  I…”

Jake smiled.  “I noticed you didn’t deny loving her.”  Sam’s ears burned.  “And yes, she has security.  You’d lay down your life to save hers and you know it.”

He swallowed.  “Absolutely.  I’d do anything for her.”

“Go back to work,” Jake urged.  “I know how to find you.”

By the time he reached his office he was much calmer.  He even had a smile for Haley as he walked in.  He was about to ask her to join him in the office to go over a few things when the phone rang.

She was smiling as she spoke to the person on the other end.  “Of course.”  She listened and giggled.  “I’m sure I can find something appropriate to wear.”  She smiled at Sam.  “Well, thank you so much for asking.”  He stood there watching her, wondering.  “Yes, he’s right here.”  She put the caller on hold.  “You may need to sit down for this,” she said with a laugh.  “Take it in your office.  We can talk after.”

He stared at her for a second, holding that memory of her purely happy in his mind and walked into the office.  He closed the door behind him before answering the phone.

“So, what are you doing Saturday afternoon?”  Ellen asked.

He smiled.  “Anything you want.”  He would do anything to see Haley that happy again.

“Wow, Haley has certainly been a positive influence.  Or did I just pick the right day to ask you?”  She was being coy.

Suddenly he stilled.  “Ask me what?”

“I want you and Haley to be Abigail’s godparents.”  She paused, waiting for a response.

“Aren’t godparents supposed to be married?”  He asked.

She laughed, “In your case, I’ll make an exception.”

“And why is that?”  He was genuinely confused.

“Because somehow I think you two are going to be together forever,” she stated.  She might have said more, but there was a knock on her door.  “Well, I guess I’ll see you both on Saturday.  Gotta go!”

He waited impatiently for the door to be answered.  When the door opened to reveal a tired looking Ellen, he struggled to hide his disappointment. 

She wore a curious expression.  “Yes?”

“Hello, Ellen,” he said smoothly.  “I’m sure you don’t remember me.”  She shook her head.  “We went to school together.  I’m David’s friend.”  She nodded.  “I was only in town for the day.  I thought I might meet up with Haley while I was here.”  That was absolutely the wrong thing to say.  He knew it instantly.  Ellen moved to shut the door in his face.

“I wish I could help you,” she said shaking her head.  The door was very nearly closed when he stuck his toe in it.  Her eyes widened in shock.

“Of course you can,” he said.  He was about to force his way in when a man entered the room.

“Ellen, who’s at the door?”  Ryan asked from behind her.

With that, Chase hurried back to the car. 
Damn it.  So close.  She has to be here.  I just want to talk to her, reason with her. 
He glanced at his watch.  It would have to wait until the next trip.  He had to be back at work tomorrow.  He growled.  Nothing was ever simple.  He threw the stuffed bear on the passenger seat as he drove away in a rage.  Now he would have to face his father, admit his mistake, and plan a return trip in the near future.  He fumed all the way back to the hotel.

As he hung up, he saw Haley standing in the doorway beaming at him.  “What are you so happy about?”  He asked pleasantly.

“We’re going to be godparents.”  Her eyes were sparkling like emeralds and her happiness was contagious.  He wanted to shut out the rest of the world and just hold her tight.  He stood to make that a reality. 

“Come here,” he said in a husky voice.  She smiled at him coyly, but entered the room.  He stepped behind her to close the door and wrapped his arms around her.  In the past she had shrank back from his touch, stiffened, and often run.  He reveled in the positive changes between them.  It thrilled him to be able to touch her and hold her, to have her melt into him.  He sighed.

“Happy?’  She murmured into his neck.

“Ecstatic,” he said honestly.

“Now I just need to find something to wear,” she admitted.  He stepped back to look at her and she regretted her words instantly.  “No,” she said shaking her head.  “This is not a business expense.  I will find something more than suitable with
my
money.”  She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Okay,” he shrugged.  “I was just hoping that I could convince you to go to the spa with me Friday after work.”

She looked at him suspiciously.  “For what purpose?”

“Well, I need a hair cut,” he began slowly, still formulating his plan, “and you deserve to be pampered.”  She started to argue, but he had already anticipated that.  “Listen, you do more work than any other temp ever has.  Hell, you do more work than half of my permanent staff.  I can’t reward you with a pay raise since you technically work for the temp agency, at least let me repay you in other ways.”  He crossed his arms and gave her a look that dared her to disagree with him.

“I hate pity,” she said quietly.

“Why would I pity you?”  He softened.  “I admire you more than anyone I know.”  He gripped her shoulders lightly.  “Just let me do nice things for you once in a while.”

Haley tilted her head to one side.  Would that be so terrible, letting him do nice things for her?  She smiled slowly.  “Okay, but nothing too extravagant?”

He nodded, pleased that she conceded so easily.  “By the way, what do you consider too extravagant?”

She sighed.  This might be more difficult than she imagined.

At three on Friday afternoon, Sam sent the chauffeur to pick up Haley.  “But I have two more hours!”  She protested.

“Not today, madam,” he replied as he shut the door behind her.

The divider came down and she was addressed once more.  “Mr. Davenport suggested you enjoy a glass of wine on the way to the spa.”

She balked at the idea.  “Who drinks at three in the afternoon?”

The driver smiled.  “Well, some would suggest that it was five o’clock somewhere.”

The driver was about to raise the divider once more, but Haley stopped him.  “Excuse me, sir,” she began, “I feel terrible.  You have driven me several times, but I don’t even know your name.  What would you like me to call you?”

The driver flushed, unused to anyone caring.  “Well, miss, you could call me Neville, if you like.”

She nodded.  “Thank you for driving me, Neville.”  She smiled and relaxed into the leather seats.  Soon they arrived at their destination.  The door was opened for her once more.  “Um, I hate to ask, but are you waiting for me or…”  Her voice trailed off.  She had no idea what was planned for her.

With a warm smile, Neville responded, “Don’t worry, Miss Iverson.  We will make sure that you get home safely.”

Haley was whisked away into the depths of the spa almost as soon as she checked in.  Immediately she began to realize what an important man Sam must be if she was being treated so well for merely being his guest.  “We’re on a tight schedule, but don’t let that prevent your enjoyment of today,” her esthetician said while looking her over.

Nothing could have impeded her ability to enjoy her afternoon.  She was given a French manicure and pedicure.  Haley loved the nice clean sophisticated look.  She loved even more that she didn’t have to give it to herself.  Her facial left her with fresh glowing baby soft skin.  The stylist she had worked with on the Employee Appreciation Day had sent over several outfits for her.  At first she struggled to choose which outfit she liked best, but was told they were all hers and her jaw dropped.  This must be costing Sam a fortune.  And that made it somewhat difficult to take pleasure in the rest of her day, until she was sent for her body treatment.