Mike laid out the entire situation and some new information. "Five minutes ago, we confirmed Reed is supporting a second family. He’s paying into a blind trust for three children he started when he left office. We’re culling through the layers for an ID."
Pete cussed, "How much more can that bastard hurt her?"
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tuesday, August 1st
Elizabeth left the hospital Tuesday morning, delayed by falling into a devastated, tearful sleep. Martin carried her into his parents’ farmhouse.
"I can walk,” she protested.
"Well, I can carry you." He deposited her on the bed in his old room, ignoring the ache in his ribs. The old twin bed had been replaced by a comfortable queen-sized bed covered in a beautiful handmade quilt. "I'll bring you towels. One of my staff packed you a bag. I'm sure you want to take a shower."
Elizabeth climbed from the bed. "Only if you wash my back." She peered over her shoulder at him.
Martin approached her with reservation. "Sunshine, I..."
"Look at my discharge papers, Marty." She thrust the yellow pages into his hand.
He scanned the list and smiled. With hungry eyes, he carried her into the bathroom. "No one is in the house."
His body tingled with energy. Feeling like it was his first time, Martin's hungry mouth sought hers, the kiss exploding with love. Nervous fingers unbuttoned her blouse to find her braless. “Oh God.” His fingers outlined their shape, gliding down her body. At his touch, her shorts and panties dropped to the floor. He paused to take her in.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck, rubbing her breasts against his chest. His hands moved beneath her thighs, and she squealed when he lifted her up and walked into the shower, carefully setting her on the built-in shower bench. His eyes never left hers as he stripped and joined her. His hand reached to pull her beneath the warm water. Holding her head against his chest, they stood in silence.
With the spray of the shower blanketing them, Martin let his tears fall. "Sunshine."
Elizabeth murmured to him, "Let it out."
She drew him closer after returning to the seat and placed kisses across his belly as her fingers massaged his lower back. Martin's eyes remained closed as her hands slid down to his bottom, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Her soft fingers traveled forward to find his erection, her warm mouth welcoming him. Breath hissed from his lungs as her tongue swirled over the mushroomed tip, dipping it into his dripping slit. Supporting his shaft by her fist at the root, she bobbed her head, bringing him deeper into her throat. Martin's hands pressed behind him, reaching against the shower wall for support, unable to resist her tongue's slow slide against him.
His breaths came in shallow pants. "Eliza...beth." He lifted her to her feet, seizing her mouth with primal possession. "Wrap your arms around my neck." Her legs curled around his waist. "I need you." His voice strained with need.
"Take me," she answered.
Martin's voice rumbled, "Mine." There was nothing soft and delicate as he surged long and hard between her slick folds, filling her to his hilt in one deep thrust. "Mine," he said again, thrusting once more.
"Mine." Her muscles squeezed him inside her as they moved together, the water warming them as their passion deepened. Martin's fingers searched between their connection. His thumb and forefinger pinched her swollen bundle of nerves. Elizabeth screamed his name as she exploded into an orgasm. Powerful aftershocks brought him to his own undeniable climax, a guttural moan falling from his mouth as he poured himself into her.
After their shower, they curled up together in bed. Elizabeth slept untroubled under his protective gaze.
Martin slipped from her arms with a kiss to her cheek and went downstairs. After pouring himself a glass of his mom's lemonade, he sat at the dining room table and pulled up the case file on his computer. He was furious with himself. After losing Elizabeth twenty years earlier, he spent his entire career clear and focused. He always put his personal feelings into boxes with clear boundaries. "How's that working for you?" he mumbled as he read.
Mike's words about Talbot Reed whirred in his head, as did Ford's report suggesting there must be people in power running the operation. "Secrets and lies."
On a pad from the kitchen counter, Martin diagrammed the players: Talbot Reed, Hal Dufour, Craig Hillinger, and Clay Jenner were all in positions of power. "The jail." The reports named the jail warden, Rhoda Sanders. Her background showed no financial irregularities. Without someone inside Silverton Jail, the day-to-day operation couldn't function for long. Martin dialed their technical analysis department. It took the analyst fifteen minutes to collate the information. Rhoda Sanders, née Shaw, went to middle school with Brynn Hackman.
As he waited for the second call to connect, Martin cursed under his breath. "Mike, we need to meet," he said over the phone.
Elizabeth and Martin returned to the hospital later that afternoon. Lola rested in Elizabeth's arms while Martin stood by as the proud father. Tucker, who assumed the role of case manager to oversee the care of Lissa and Lola, reviewed both girls' charts. Caleb let Dr. Choudhury enter, his expression amused.
Indira scowled after being frisked. "Mr. Bailey, you are a hard man to pin down."
"I didn't realize you had an all-points bulletin out for me. Dr. Choudhury. What can I do for you?" Martin caught Tucker's raised brow.
"I explained to you: Lola is in fragile health. We need to discuss her discharge plan."
"You do realize I am engaged to Elizabeth Reed? I believe her more than capable of understanding Lola’s needs."
