Sandy was suddenly awakened by the small boy standing next to his bed, softly crying, holding his teddy bear.
Sandy said, "What's the matter, sweetheart? Why are you crying, Lloyd?"
"I had a bad dream about Uncle Dan and I can't get back to sleep."
Sandy lifted the covers, "Hop in bed with me, sweetheart." Sandy pulled him close and pulled the covers up. "Do you want to tell me about it, son?"
"I dreamt that Uncle Dan came home and did not wake up, he was just in bed all day like my dad. I kept trying to wake him up, but he wouldn't wake up. I love Uncle Dan. He is always there for me. He will sit and hug me and listen to me. I miss him a lot, Uncle Sandy. I know God is busy with important things, but do you think it would be all right if I asked Him to make him well again? "
Sandy smiled, "I think it would be fine to pray for Uncle Dan. God is never too busy to listen to your prayers. I miss Uncle Dan very much, Lloyd. I promise you that Uncle Dan will be home tomorrow if all goes well, and he will be happy to see you again because I know he loves you very much. We all do, son, you are a fine boy. Don't be afraid to come to me in the middle of the night if you wake up with a bad dream. Uncle Dan and I are your guardians now. We want you to come to us if you have any problems at all. You and Chip are part of our family and we will always be here for you." Sandy reached over and took a tissue and wiped Lloyd's tears away. "Why don't you blow your nose? There now, are you feeling a little better?"
"Yes, thank you, Uncle Sandy."
Sandy put his arm around Lloyd and kissed him on the forehead. Lloyd snuggled against him and was asleep in a matter of minutes. Sandy smiled and was soon asleep himself.
Sandy awoke at first light. He untangled himself from his small charge and slipped out of bed. He knew Lloyd would sleep until Joe woke him in time to get ready for school.
After his morning ritual and dressing for the day, he went down to the kitchen for a pot of coffee. He carried the carafe and a mug to the desk in the office he shared with Dan. He booted his laptop and after reading his emails, he picked up the house phone and dialed the security office.
"Good morning, Mr. Dunnlap, this is Charley, how may I help you?"
"Charley, has your security detail reported in from the hospital this morning?"
"I received a report ten minutes ago. Mr. Kelly and Brian had a restful night. The Resident made his rounds an hour ago and said everything is normal and Mr. Kelly is scheduled for several tests at 7AM this morning."
"Thank you, Charley. Will you please notify Chet Williams to call me when he reports in?"
"Certainly, sir. Do you want me to turn off the alarms to the grounds?"
"Why don't you hold off on that until your security team in the Manor is ready for the morning rush."
Sandy said, "One more thing, while I think of it, will you check to make sure that Captain Nelson aboard the Danny Boy is made aware of what happened yesterday. If he wants to, he can reach me on my cell phone."
"Yes, sir."
Sandy returned to the computer and began answering his emails. Ludlow knocked on the open office door. "Master Sandy, can you spare a minute?"
"Of course, Ludlow, come on in."
Ludlow said, "Do you have any more news about Master Dan?"
"Yes, I do, Ludlow, thank you for asking. Dan had a restful night and is scheduled for his tests early this morning. If all is well, his doctor will release him this afternoon. Nelson will be here to set up one of the suites for Dan. Will you tell Joe that Lloyd is asleep in my bed? The poor kid had a nightmare last night and sleep with me. I'm sure he will be fine when he sees Dan alive and awake this afternoon."
Ludlow said, "Thank you for the update on Master Dan. Shall I tell cook to prepare you breakfast, Master Sandy?"
"As a matter of fact, I am hungry. Tell cook I'll have a full breakfast, sausage and eggs with a small portion of home fries."
Ludlow said, "I'll notify you when your breakfast is ready, sir."
Sandy answered his ringing cell phone.
"Hi, Sandy, this is Murdoch. I spoke with my security director and he would like to know if you would object if he sat in on your security meeting this afternoon?"
Sandy said, "I think that's a smart move, Murdoch. He was in on the last case and he could be very helpful on this one as well. Anyway, if it is our old nemesis, I think that you and Ryan should be on top of this as well."
Murdoch said, "Thanks for the head's up on this, Sandy. How is our buddy, Dan doing?"
"According to the reports, he spent a restful night with no complications. If all goes well he will be home this afternoon."
"That's good news, Sandy. Now remember you and your family are welcome to stay at our estate in Scotland."
"That will be a refuge of last resort, my friend. There is too much going on here in River City. My hands are tied until Craig Shelby is out of the picture. He is holding on by a thread. His sons would be devastated if we left him behind in his condition."
"I agree, Sandy, that is so sad. Well, keep that option in the back of your head for future reference."
"I will, Murdoch, have your Security Director call Chet for the time of the meeting. Our security teams will all be checking the wastewater facility out this morning. I have the feeling that the meeting will not be today. It's much too soon to pull everything together. They are going to need a day or more to evaluate the information they are gathering now.
"Give my best to Dan and tell him I'll call him later today."
"Will do, Murdoch, and thanks for calling."
Sandy and his security men arrived at the hospital at seven-thirty. Sandy headed to Dan's suite, stopping at the nurses' station to check on Dan's condition. "Good morning, Mr. Dunnlap."
"Good morning, how is Dan this morning?"
"He had a restful night's sleep. He is down in Imaging for a brain scan. Dr. Judge was in earlier this morning and discontinued the coma inducing medication and said Dan should be conscious in a few hours."
Sandy said, "I sure hope so. Would you contact Dr. Grant and ask him if he can spare a few minutes to talk to me this morning?"
"Yes, sir, he is in a staff meeting at the moment, but I'll see that his secretary gets your request."
Sandy thanked the nurse and walked into Dan's suite.
Later, Dr. Grant walked into the room, "Good morning, Mr. Dunnlap. I understand you wished to speak to me?"
"Yes, Dr. Grant. I have given some more thought about moving Brian back to the Manor with Dan. If Dan's brain is functioning normally, I know he will want to work from the Manor. For business reasons, I don't think that Dan would want to discuss many of these confidential projects with Brian in his room."
"I understand," Dr. Grant said. "Brian is going to need some additional therapy and I think it would be better for all concerned it we transfer Brian over to our rehab center. He will receive excellent care and treatments, and will be with other patients he can converse with. I think I'll go talk to Brian now."
Sandy called Chet to let him know that Brian would be spending a few more days in the rehab center before he can be released back to the manor house facility.
Doctor Grant returned to the sitting room. "Brian is all for the move to the rehab center. He said he wants to make sure he is familiar with the crutches before he returns to his apartment. Mr. Dunnlap, will you have time to visit with Craig Shelby sometime today? His internist feels his days are numbered and he does not think he will last the week."
Sandy responded, "We can do that right now while Dan is down in the Imaging Center."
Dan followed Dr. Grant over to Craig's room. Dr Grant picked up Craig' chart and laid it back down. "No change at all."
"My God," said Sandy, "he's nothing but skin and bones. He's really gone down hill since I saw him last week."
Dr Grant said, "This is to be expected, given that he has not eaten in several weeks. He has been living on Ensure and Gatorade."
"I don't know if I want the boys to see him like this," Sandy said. "I think it would be better if they remember him as he was the last time they saw him at home."
"I agree," said the doctor.
"Doctor, I'll call the funeral director to alert him. We will be having two services for Craig. One will be here, and after the cremation, he will have a memorial service in London. His wish is to be buried next to his wife."
"Will the two boys be going over to England for the memorial service and burial?"
"Dan and I have discussed this and we feel that the boys should stay home. They don't know many of the people who will attend the memorial service. They will be mostly business associates. I think it would be too much stress for those little guys."
Dr. Grant said, "I can see you have everything under control, if you'll excuse me I have a meeting in ten minutes."
"Thank you, Doctor, I think Dan should be back in his room by now." Sandy walked back to Dan's suite.
"Hi, Boss, the orderlies wheeled Dan back to his room a few minutes ago. The nurse was in to check on him and said he was starting to come around."
Sandy went into Dan's room, walked over to his bed and kissed him on the head. "Good morning, sweetheart." He sat down and held Dan's hand.
Dr. Judge walked into Dan's room and said, "Good morning, Mr. Dunnlap. I had a look at Dan's latest brain scan and everything looks normal. The swelling has gone down and we found no brain damage. We will need to take a look at Dan in a month for a follow-up."
Sandy said, "Well that's good news, Dr. Judge. The nurse told his bodyguard that he should be waking up very soon."
"Yes, I would say in just a few minutes now. I can see by his eyelids that he is about to wake up. I'm willing to bet that he will be hungry. Most of my patients that have been out for a few days are really hungry. I need to go check on Brian to see how he his doing. I'll be back."
Sandy sat down once again and took a hold of Dan's hand. Dan opened his eyes and smiled at Sandy. "Hi, sweetheart, where am I?"
Sandy smiled back, "You are in the hospital. You've been unconscious for almost two days. Do you remember being run off the road at the Dunnlap Plantation?"
"The last thing I remember was Brian pushing me down behind the back seat and the sound of bullets hitting the back of the truck. I could feel the truck swerve to the right, and tumble down the embankment. I must have passed out. Are John and Brian okay?"
"John was killed, and Brian is in the next room recovering. Both you and Brian received a slight concussion. You have a broken arm and bruised ribs and Brian ended up with a broken leg and some very badly bruised ribs. He will be spending a week in rehab before he can return home."
The nurse walked over to Dan and took his blood pressure and temperature. She said, "Well, all signs are normal, Mr. Kelly. Dr. Judge signed off on you and returned you to Dr. Grant's care. He said he would drop by in a few minutes. How do you feel?"
"I feel fine, just a little groggy and very hungry."
"That's a good sign," the nurse said. "How does some orange juice, scrambled eggs and toast sound to you?"
"It sounds delicious. How about some bacon with those eggs?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Kelly, but it's a simple bland diet for the next twenty-four hours."
Dr. Grant walked into the room. "Good morning, Mr. Kelly, I'm Dr. Grant."
"Good morning, Doctor, you treated my son a few months ago."
"Yes, I had forgotten about that." Dr. Grant checked Dan's heart, eyes and ears. "Well, Mr. Kelly, everything is back to normal. I think we can remove that catheter and the IV from your arm." Dr. Grant pulled the curtain around Dan and removed the catheter. He opened the curtain and asked the nurse to remove the IV.
"When do you think I can go home?" Dan asked.
"Dr. Grant," Sandy said, "I have an RN who will be taking care of Dan when he is released. There is a hospital bed set up in his room and he will be well cared for."
"If that is the case, Mr. Kelly, I don't see any reason why you can not be discharged this afternoon."
"I'll have a private ambulance take Dan home," Sandy said. "I think he would be uncomfortable trying to ride in our SUV."
"Excellent," Dr. Grant responded, "I'll sign Dan's release right now."
"Thank you, Doctor," Dan said.
Sandy pulled out his cell phone and called Nelson. "Nelson, this is Sandy Dunnlap, I'm with Dan at the hospital. His doctor is signing his release papers. I would like you to come here and supervise Dan's move home. You will need to order a private ambulance service to take him home."
"I'm on my way, Mr. Dunnlap. I can order the ambulance service when I get there. I'll bring some underwear and a sweatsuit for Dan to wear home. I'll also bring along a light blanket to throw around his shoulders. There is no need to try to put a shirt on over the broken arm."
"Good thinking, Nelson. I completely forgot about clothes. It will be another hour or so before they are ready to release Dan."
An orderly delivered Dan's breakfast and left. Sandy said, "Dan, I need to check with Jim and let him know of our plans. I also need to update Brian as well.He will be moving to the rehab center and I want him to know that I'm taking you home today."
Sandy left to go to Brian's room and returned shortly.
Dan asked, "How is Brian doing?"
"He is very upbeat, and is looking forward to moving into the rehab center. He said he is anxious to get back to his workout sessions and he's tired of lying in bed doing nothing. He asked to have Chet send over his laptop so he can keep up with the goings on at the Plantation."
Dan smiled, "That's my Brian. I glad he's feeling better."
Sandy said, "Dr. Grant took me over to see Craig earlier and I was shocked by how much he has deteriorated since the last time I saw him. I know the boys were in to see him a few weeks ago and mentioned how much weight he'd lost, but I had no idea he was this bad. You know how kids tend to see only what they want to see. Dr. Grant said it was only a matter of days now."
"Sandy, I would like to see him before I leave today."
"Okay, Dan, when Nelson gets here I'll have him help you into a wheel chair and we'll both go over to see him. Lloyd came into my bedroom in the middle of the night crying because was afraid you would come home and wouldn't wake up, like his dad."
"I love those boys so much, Sandy. Lloyd is such a sensitive little guy. I could see why in his mind he thought I would end up like his dad."
Sandy said, "I don't think the boys should see their father like he looks now. I talked to my sister about this and she agrees that it would be better if they remember their dad the way he was before. They are both very sensitive boys and I feel it would be too traumatic for them. I would like them to think that God took him up to heaven to be with their mother."
"I agree with your sister, Sandy. We'll have to play it by ear. Craig has been out of their everyday lives for so long now, I don't think they will react too badly. I feel they have been assimilated into our little family and feel like they belong to us now."
Nelson walked into the room and greeted Dan and Sandy. "I met with Dr. Grant on my way in and he gave me my orders, so we are all set whenever Dan is ready." He laid the garment bag with Dan's clothes on the bed. "Would you like to use the bathroom before I help you to dress, Dan?"
"Yes, please."
Nelson helped him out of bed and into the bathroom. When Dan returned he was dressed in his sweatsuit. Nelson said, "The orderly left the wheel chair in the sitting room for you."
"Before we leave," Dan said, "I would like to visit Craig once more."
Nelson said, "Do you feel strong enough to walk or would you like me to wheel you over?"
Dan said, "I would like to walk over there, I feel I need the exercise." Dan walked with Sandy and Nelson to Craig's room.
He walked over to the bed and patted Craig's hand. "Hello, old friend. I'm sorry you won't be leaving with us today."
Nelson and Sandy stood by Dan. Dan turned to leave and Nelson and Sandy followed him back to his room.
Dr. Grant walked into the room, "Well, Dan, I've signed your release and you're free to leave."
Dan said, "Let me say goodbye to Brian on our way out, Nelson."
As Nelson was wheeling Dan out the hospital door, Stan said, "Mr. Dunnlap, Jim will be riding shotgun in the ambulance and Charley and I will be riding with you in the SUV right behind the ambulance. I spoke to Chet earlier and he said there was no reason for a security guard to stay with Brian."
"Yes, I agree, since Dan was the target."
Ludlow and the housekeeper were waiting to greet Dan outside the main entrance. The ambulance pulled up to the front entrance and the driver used the lift to lower Dan's wheelchair to the ground. Nelson wheeled the chair up to the steps where Dan then walked up the steps to the landing. Ludlow said, "Welcome home, Master Dan, we've all missed you."
"Thank you, Ludlow, it's good to be home safe and sound." He turned to Nelson and said, "I don't need the wheelchair, Nelson, I feel strong enough to walk to the elevator."
Nelson said, "We set up the hospital bed in the bedroom next to your suite. The doctor said you should take it easy for the next couple of days. At least until your bruised ribs have had a chance to heal."
"I think I'll take the doctor's suggestion and lay down in bed for a bit."
Sandy said, "Dan, while you rest, I need to make a few calls; I'll be back a little later. The boys should be getting back from school soon and I'm sure they will be all over you."
Jeremy, Chip and Lloyd quietly walked into Sandy's study on the second floor. Sandy said, "Good afternoon, boys, have you had your snack this afternoon?"
Lloyd said, "No, Uncle Sandy, we wanted to know if we can see Uncle Dan?"
Sandy stood up and walked over to the boys and gave each of them a hug. "Why don't we walk next door and see if Dan is awake?" The three boys followed Sandy to the bedroom Dan was using. He opened the door and saw that Dan was awake typing away on his laptop. Sandy said, "Dan, you have some visitors."
Dan smiled, "Come here, you three, and give me a hug." The boys ran to Dan and each took turns hugging him. Lloyd said misty-eyed, "We missed you and I was scared that you would not wake up, Uncle Dan."
"Well, little one, as you can see I'm wide awake. As soon as my lungs heal, I will be able to move around better. The cast will be removed in a month or so, and I will be as good as new."
Jeremy said, "I'm happy you are home again, Daddy Dan, we were all praying for your safe return."
"Thank you, son, I'm sure your prayers helped."
"Let's go, guys, and have our snack," said Jeremy.
"May I come back later to see you, Uncle Dan?" Lloyd asked.
"Unless my door is closed, you may come in and visit with me anytime, sweetheart."
Lloyd smiled and left to catch up with his brothers.
Sandy said, "Would it hurt you if I climbed into bed with you?"
"I don't think so," Dan said smiling, "and I would like that. We have not had a minute to be ourselves in days and I've missed you."
Sandy closed the bedroom door and crawled into bed with Dan. After they settled in each others arms, Sandy gently kissed him. "Now this is more like it, I've missed holding you every night and you were in no condition to communicate before this afternoon. That hospital room is like a stage, we didn't have a minute to be alone together what with the hospital staff and our own security people breathing down our necks."
Dan said, "I feel much better now. What really happened two days ago? I remember Brian calling for support. He said that someone was following us and firing shots at our truck. After he made sure I was down behind the back seat, I remember the truck sliding down the embankment. That's all I can remember until I woke up today."
Sandy said, "We don't have all the facts in yet, but the consensus is that you were the target. It was a set-up. Who ever it was had a pretty good guess that you would be the one to check out that software relay system. They just waited for the opportunity, and got lucky. I got a call from Mike Lee this morning letting me know that they have gathered enough information to hold a meeting tomorrow morning. The three teams will meet here to brief us on what they have discovered. Murdoch asked if he could sit in on the meeting, as well, since he wanted to visit you anyway. And Pete and Penny asked if you would like some visitors. They would like to stop by around 4PM for a cocktail."
"I feel fine; tell them I would enjoy the company."
Sandy answered his cell phone, "Sure, Nelson, come on in. Nelson needs to check your vitals and give you another pain pill." Sandy kissed Dan on the lips and got out of bed. "Nelson will need to take your blood pressure."
"Would you like me to have Ludlow serve our dinner up here tonight, or would you rather eat in the dining room?"
"Would you mind if I stayed in bed for my dinner tonight, Sandy? I don't I feel up to eating in the dining room just yet. I'll have Nelson cut my meat into bite size pieces. Maybe he can eat his dinner with me tonight while you have dinner with the boys. I'm sure they have a million questions for you."
"That may be the best solution, Dan. You let me know when you are ready to join us in the dining room. Look, while Nelson is doing his thing, I'll be next door making a few calls."
Nelson helped Dan into the bathroom and said, "I think it would be good for you to spend some time in the whirlpool. It will help to take some of the soreness from your chest."
"That's just what I need about now."
Dan was resting in the sitting room when Sandy brought in Pete and Penny. "You have visitors, Dan."
Penny walked over and hugged Dan and kissed him on the cheek. "You really had us worried, dear brother. The boys are driving us crazy worrying about you. I told them I would bring them by after school tomorrow, if you are up to seeing them."
Dan said, "Tomorrow will be fine, I miss them."
Pete walked over and hugged Dan. "It's good to see that you survived this mess. Penny could not believe that you were involved in a tragic accident less than an hour after we said goodbye. Life keeps throwing us these curves. To think this happened on our property, twenty minutes from the house. We're lucky that our children are safe. We've taken extra care to be sure that they are."
"Yes," Dan said, "we must protect our love ones at all costs. We can't let our guard down for a minute. I know we thought that our security was tight, but this incident points out some of our weaknesses."
Sandy said, "I've had a long discussion with Chet and the other security chiefs and they are mapping out a new security program for the Plantation and Dunnlap Manor. They will present that to us tomorrow at the meeting. Mike Lee, Murdoch's agency and Chet are on top of this. So you know we will be secure with them mapping the program. Pete, I hope you and your security director will be able to join us tomorrow?"
"I wouldn't miss it," Pete said.
"Well, I promised you all a cocktail," said Sandy. "What's your pleasure, folks?"
Pete said, "Penny and I would like a glass of white wine."
Sandy prepared the wine and passed it around. "Are you able to stay for dinner?"
"Thank you," Penny replied, "but we like to have dinner with the children. I'm sure they will have lots of questions about Uncle Dan, and we so enjoy having dinner with them; that's when we learn what they have been up to all day. Even the younger ones like to have their little say. They don't want to be left out. They are really cute."
"I really appreciate your dropping by to see me," Dan said. "I hope to be back to my normal schedule next week. I'll see you tomorrow morning, Pete."
Pete and Penny said their goodbyes and followed Sandy out of the room."I think we'll hold the meeting in the conference room," Sandy said, as he walked them to the door. "I know it's a larger space than necessary, but it's the only place big enough for the whole crowd."
Pete said, "Okay, Bro. I'll be here with my guys then. See you later. "
"Enjoy your dinner," Sandy said.