Almost Dead (Lizzy Gardner #5)(15)

“They took her back?” his wife asked him. “Can they do that?”

“No,” he answered. “It’s complicated. Barbara’s mother took Debra, and I haven’t seen her since.”

Hayley’s stomach churned. Just one more misplaced kid. It never ceased to amaze her. People treated children worse than dogs. The child no longer suited his lifestyle, so he gave her away—decided to let someone else deal with her? Unbelievable. “You gave your four-year-old daughter away without—”

Kitally stepped in front of Hayley, cutting her off. “Please, Mr. Blatt. Can you give us information about Barbara’s mother—tell us where we can find her? We need to talk to her as soon as possible.”

“Of course he will,” his wife said. “You girls stay here. I’ll be right back.” She shut the door. Through the decorative glass, they watched her usher Dan back into the main part of the house until they couldn’t see either of them.

“Sorry about that,” Kitally said. “I didn’t want to interrupt, but I didn’t think ripping the man apart was going to get us the answers we need.”

“People like Mr. Blatt need to grow a f*cking pair. Who does he think he is? The only person in the world who’s had someone die? Jesus.” Hayley turned around and headed down the path. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”




As she had done every day since the shooting, Lizzy walked into the hospital room at Sutter General and sat in a chair pulled up close to the bed. She clasped her hand around Jared’s fingers and proceeded to talk about whatever came to mind. “I miss you.” She paused. “Did I tell you that I’m living with Kitally and Hayley?” She forced a laugh. “I couldn’t live with Cathy and Richard for another moment,” she told him. “You’re probably wondering why I moved in with my sister to begin with. It was a stupid idea, I know.” She paused, smiled at Jared, then leaned closer and brushed the back of her hand over his cheek.

He looked so peaceful.

“Open your eyes, Jared. Talk to me.”

She watched him. Waited.

“Squeeze my finger so I know you’re here with me.”

Nothing.

A nurse came in. She checked Jared’s vital signs, wrote down numbers on his chart. “He looks good,” she said in a cheerful voice that grated on Lizzy’s nerves. “It says here that Dr. Calloway wants to speak with you.”

Lizzy stared at Jared, willing him to wake up, praying for a miracle.

“Did you hear what I said?” the nurse asked.

“No.”

“Dr. Calloway would like to talk to you.”

Lizzy looked up at the nurse, then followed her gaze, which was directed at the door. She was surprised to see Jared’s sister, Lynn, standing there.

Lizzy stood and gathered her coat from the back of the chair.

“You don’t have to leave,” Lynn said.

“I’m afraid I must. I’ll come back later.”

Lynn stepped into the room and released a long, drawn-out breath. “I realize my father never warmed up to you, Lizzy, but surely you understand why he’s fighting you on this. Jared is his only son. The two of you weren’t even married—”

“Jared signed an advanced directive,” Lizzy said calmly. “This was Jared’s decision. Not mine. He did not take any of this lightly.”

“But you’re not family.”

Lizzy stiffened. “When was the last time you called your brother?”

Silence.

“Exactly. Why don’t you ask your mother and father the same question. The three of you didn’t even have the decency to call Jared after wedding invitations were sent out. And yet you can stand here now and tell me you know what’s right for a man you haven’t seen in years?”

Lynn shook her head. “You don’t know about our family, Lizzy. You certainly can’t judge us.”

“Too late for that.”

Lynn narrowed her eyes, then heaved another sigh. “Jared always had a blind eye when it came to you.”

“And what exactly does that mean?”

“He had the whole world at his feet. He could have done so much, gone so far, but you probably have no idea what I’m talking about.”

“Why don’t you tell me.”

“Before you came back into his life, Jared was gearing up to go into politics.”

Lizzy snorted. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s true. Ask Jimmy Martin if you don’t believe me.”

Lizzy inwardly counted to three. “Even if it were true, what’s your point, Lynn?”

“The moment you came back into my little brother’s life, I knew Jared’s future would be a dark one. We all knew.”

That blow landed, but Lizzy didn’t let on, just lifted her chin a notch. “You’re all so selfish. You don’t give a damn about Jared’s wishes. This is all about you. This is about you and your parents wanting power and control over Jared, something you all never had while he was growing up.” Lizzy raised her hands in frustration. “I get it now. I know why Jared picked me to make this horrible decision . . . He knew I loved him and that I would put his wishes before mine. He also knew his family would always put themselves first.”