The Midnight Hour - Brenda Jackson [3]
Dr. Chadwick nodded and slowly opened the hospital room door and went in.
Ashton sat there, listening to the rhythm of his friend's
breathing.
Nothing he had said had caused even a twitch. When he heard the hospital door open, Ashton turned, thinking it was Trevor returning, but it was only another doctor. He stood and crossed the room, not wanting Drake to hear his conversation with the physician.
"I need to check on the patient," Dr. Chadwick said, looking over the chart.
Ashton raised a brow and noted this wasn't the same doctor he had spoken with when he'd first arrived earlier that day. "I'm Colonel Ashton Sinclair. Where is Dr. Waverly?"
Dr. Chadwick glanced up from the chart and met Ashton 1 Sinclair's gaze. "I'm Dr. Chadwick, his replacement for to-l night. Dr. Waverly was called away unexpectedly, but will return in the morning."
Ashton nodded. "I'll leave to get some coffee while you check him over. Is there any way we can talk afterwards about his condition?"
Dr. Chadwick looked back at the chart. "Are you family, Colonel?"
"No. Drake doesn't have family. However, Marine Captain Trevor Grant and I are listed on all of Drake Warren's official records as his next of kin."
Dr. Chadwick nodded. "All right, but any information will have to come from Dr. Waverly. I'm here to check Mr. Warren's vital signs and to make sure he continues to sleep peacefully through the night."
"All right." Then without saying another word, Ashton turned and walked out of the room, unknowingly leaving the imposter alone with CIA agent Drake Warren.
Once the door closed, the lone figure moved quickly across the room to the hospital bed to where Drake Warren lay. CIA agent Victoria "Tori" Green fought back the deep pain that hit her full force when she looked down at the man who was not trying to fight for his life. Instead he appeared content to lie there and die. Struggling, she forced memories deep down inside of her, but because of them she refused to let him go without first trying to talk some sense into the only man she had ever loved.
She knew that he was still in love with the memory of the woman he had loved and lost, Sandy Carroll. And because he hadn't ever gotten over that loss, he took on assignments where the risks of dying far outweighed the chances of surviving. She had to convince him to reach for another chance at life, at happiness, and one day, at love.
Moving closer to the bed, she leaned closer and placed a kiss on his parched lips before whispering close to his ear. She noticed a small thin scar on the side of his face that hadn't been there before.
"Drake, please listen to me. It's not your time to go. You still have unfinished work to do. I'm someone who cares and I'm also someone who knew Sandy. I believe in my n heart that she would want me to tell you to fight and not let go. If you loved her, you won't give up your will to live, but will continue to live life with the same passion that she always loved in you."
Tori momentarily closed her eyes as emotions flooded her and again she struggled to keep the memories at bay. She opened her tear-stained eyes and for the next ten minutes, in a whispered voice she kept talking, pleading, and begging in an attempt to convince Drake to live.
And she said a silent prayer that she was getting through to him.
Punta del Este, Uruguay
Solomon Cross glanced up from his meal when Miguel Toscana entered the room. Of all people, Miguel knew not to disturb him when he was eating. He gave the man a deadly look. "Is there a reason why I'm being disturbed?" he demanded without preamble. He saw the man swallow nervously. Fear. Stark fear. Cross smiled. He liked seeing fear in people; especially the people who worked for him.
"I have information that might interest you, sir."
Cross leaned back in his chair. "I hope for your sake it does."
Miguel swallowed again and Cross's smile widened. Miguel knew to take his implied threat seriously. "Drake Warren is dying, sir."
Cross's hand tightened