Mary Baxter - Lightning Strikes Part 2

“I’ve asked myself that same question a hundred times.”

“What does Noah think?”

Melissa made an unladylike noise. “He doesn’t have a clue, either, but you noticed he went back to the hospital, which means he’s obviously not too worried.”

“Well, er, I’m sure there are a lot of emergencies due to the weather,” Patsy said in a lame tone.

Melissa knew she had put Randi’s friend on the spot, that she was uncomfortable with criticism of Noah. She didn’t care. Right now, she was not happy with her son for leaving her alone to cope with this bizarre and embarrassing debacle.

“I just wish I knew what had happened to her,” Melissa whined, at the same time fingering her perfectly coiffed hair.

Patsy played with the creases on her lavender silk dress, then peered up at Melissa. “Did Randi ever say anything to you about her feelings for Hal?”

Melissa stiffened. “What’s that supposed to mean? Noah hinted that their relationship might’ve had problems, which I don’t believe. Randi loved Hal and wanted to marry him. I’m convinced of that.”

“I’m not,” Patsy said, her tone blunt.

Melissa raised her eyebrows. “What are you saying?”

“I’m not going to betray Randi’s confidence, but I will say, in light of this situation, that she and Hal had their problems.”

Melissa pursed her lips. “Then why wasn’t I told?”

“I’m sure Randi didn’t want to upset you.”

“Upset me!” Melissa’s laugh was close to a squeal. “Now, that’s a joke. If this is an attack of cold feet, it’s unforgivable. I don’t like being blindsided, nor do I like being made a fool of.”

“I’m sure something terrible must’ve happened to make Randi run off.”

“Whatever it was, she’s inflicted cruel and unusual punishment on me.”

“It’s not about you,” Pasty mumbled.

“What’s that, dear?”

“I’m sorry,” Patsy said, her features pale and pinched. “I wish there was something I could do.”

“What about calling the police?”

“I thought of that. But they won’t do anything until she’s been missing for at least twenty-four hours.”

“Which is oftentimes too late.”

“I agree, and on a night like this, emergencies are taking all the police manpower. Almost every road is flooded, and with the nonstop rain, there are continual mudslides—the downside to living in Colorado.”

Melissa couldn’t argue with that, aware that the police weren’t going to give her missing daughter a thought, until…She wouldn’t think about that. She couldn’t. The idea of anything seriously befalling Randi didn’t bear thinking about. At the same time, she wanted to strangle her for pulling this stunt.

“Mrs. Howell.”

She swung around and faced Alex Bennett, who was a close and longtime friend of Noah’s. He was tall and powerful-looking with his polished, professional demeanor. He had always been rather imposing to Melissa, but she liked that in a man. He seemed to know what he wanted and went after it. He was a very successful oil tycoon.

“Is Noah still around?” he asked.

“No, he had to go back to the hospital.”

“What about Hal?”

“Come to think about it,” Melissa said, feeling a frown coming on but refusing to give in to it for fear of adding wrinkles, “I haven’t seen him, either.”

“No one has.”

Melissa gave him an incredulous look. “You mean he’s disappeared, as well?”

“Todd, his best man, said as much.”

“Now that you mentioned it,” Patsy put in, “I haven’t noticed him myself.”

“I thought maybe he was simply avoiding me because of what Randi did,” Melissa said in a taut voice.

Alex fingered the knot on his tie. “I have my doubts about that. Since he’s not around, everyone’s assuming he’s looking for Randi.”

Melissa sighed. “If that’s where he is, then let’s hope he finds her.”

“Oh, I think that’s a given,” Alex said. “Soon we’ll all be laughing about this.” Leaning over, he pecked Melissa on the cheek. “Give my best to Noah. Meanwhile, you hang tough. Randi’s going to be just fine. I’m convinced of that.”

Melissa smiled for the first time in a long while, lapping up his encouragement and positive outlook. “Thanks. I hope you’re right.”

Alex nodded at Patsy, then strolled off.

“Is there anything you want me to do?” Patsy asked, shattering the short, terse silence.

“I wish I knew what to do other than stand here like a fool and wait.”

Patsy visibly winced. “You want me to try and call Noah? He’ll want to know there’s no news yet.”

“You probably couldn’t reach him. He’s too busy doing his own thing. Leave him be.”

“I’m going to see if I can find Hal, okay? Then we’ll go from there.”

“You’re a dear,” Melissa said, fighting back unwanted tears. “Thanks for standing by me.”

“No problem. Randi’s my dearest friend, and I’m awfully concerned. This is just not like her.”

“No, it isn’t. I didn’t raise her to be so thoughtless.” Melissa sniffed, then reached into her purse for a handkerchief.

Patsy squeezed her left hand before turning and walking away. Melissa wished she had the nerve to circulate, to visit with her friends. But she was far too fragile emotionally to endure their pity and their questions, questions to which she had no answers.

Damn you, Randi! Where on earth are you?

And Noah. She wasn’t through with him, not by a long shot. He wouldn’t get away with his treatment of her. She’d make him pay for leaving her alone.

Melissa glanced at her watch. It seemed as if hours had passed when in reality it had only been two. Still, there were no signs of anything changing.

She curled her long, expertly manicured nails into her palms and squeezed, grateful for the pain. At least it proved she wasn’t totally numb.

But how much longer was this nightmare going to last? She didn’t know if she could continue to endure the strain.

Why, Randi, why?

* * *

“Come on, Olivia!”

“We’re losing her, Doctor,” Amanda Jennings said, watching from afar as Noah Howell zapped the mayor with yet another round of electric current.

“I know that, dammit!” Noah’s face was drenched in sweat.

“Wipe his brow, Liz,” Amanda said to the nurse.

Liz Roberts did as she was told, then Noah swung himself away from the stretcher.

“Is she going to make it?” Dr. Sloane asked, her gaze jockeying back and forth between Noah and Amanda.

“Let us pray,” Amanda said, her eyes on Olivia. “This is a severe heart attack.”

It was in that moment that she saw the mayor’s lips trying to move. Noah was aware of it, too, she realized, because he bent over Olivia at the same time she did.

In fact, Noah was so close now, Amanda could smell the erotic mixture of sweat and cologne. Mentally, she berated herself for noticing.

He’s your past, not your future.

“She’s moving her lips,” Noah said urgently. “She’s trying to say something.”

Amanda pushed her hair back and leaned even closer. “What is it, Olivia?”

Seconds passed and there was no response. Amanda’s hopes that the mayor would actually speak were dashed. Then Olivia opened her lips again along with her eyes.

Amanda heard Noah’s breathing quicken. “Olivia, what is it? Please, tell us.”

Olivia’s mouth opened and closed while she gasped for breath. “Coal,” she finally whispered.

“What—” Further words dried up in Amanda’s throat as Olivia’s eyes rolled back and her head slumped to the side.

All other eyes darted once again to the monitor. A straight line stared back at them.