Every Precious Thing

CHAPTER EIGHTY — SIX

Logan was in the middle of his story when Callie arrived. As soon as she had made the calls to the police and Special Agent Sanchez, she’d left Riverside. Now, as Logan went on, she confirmed many of the points he told Sanchez, and soon they were all heading to the hospital.

Though Sanchez wanted them all to travel together, Logan insisted on taking his own car. He had a very important reason for this, a promise he had yet to keep. So, after Callie gave Sanchez her personal assurances that Logan wouldn’t bolt, they headed over separately-Callie with the agent and Dev with Logan.

Logan and Dev arrived first and found Harp and Barney sitting in the lobby. Barney had insisted that Harp be taken by one of the ambulances so he could be checked out after his hostage ordeal.

“What did the doctor say?” Logan asked.

“About me?” Harp said, surprised.

“Yeah, Dad. About you.”

“Said for a man my age, I seem to be in perfect health.”

Logan looked at him skeptically, but Barney nodded.

“Yeah. If I hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have believed it, either.”

“Means I’m going to be around for a while still, so you should remember that,” Harp said.

“Great,” Logan replied, rolling his eyes in mock disgust. “I hear you’re pretty handy with a tire iron.”

“As a matter of fact, I am.”

“You should have seen him,” Barney said, swinging his arm through the air. “He didn’t even think about it. He just did it.”

Beaming, Harp said, “See? I can be useful.”

“Of course you can, Dad. I’ve always known that.” Logan paused, then said, “I have something for you.”

Harp raised an eyebrow, curious. “What?”

Logan pulled the envelope from Len out of his pocket, and held it out. “Just a little late on my promise.”

Harp lit up. “Thank you. I…I appreciate it.”

The outside door opened and Sanchez and Callie came in.

“When we have a little time,” Logan said to his dad, “we’re going to talk about what’s inside.”

“I thought you said you didn’t look,” Harp said.

“I did. Sorry, Dad.”

“Oh.”

“But I didn’t read it.”

Harp hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. We’ll talk.”

“Mr. Harper? Mr. Martin?” Sanchez called out. “Are you coming with us?”

They proceeded into the emergency room, where they learned that both Richard and Alan were in surgery. They found Sara, Diana, Rachel, and Kurt in a private room waiting for news of their loved ones. Emily was there, too, wide awake and clinging to her mother.

There was a happy moment of reunion as Logan and the others walked in.

“Boy, was I wrong about you,” Diana said.

Logan shrugged. “Maybe a little.”

“Thank you,” Sara told him. “Is…Dr. Paskota…”

“Probably in surgery right now,” Logan said. “And under arrest. It’s over.”

Judging by the look on her face, she didn’t agree. He knew she was thinking about the client still out there who’d paid for Emily’s existence.

He looked over at Rachel and Kurt. “Do you mind giving us a few minutes alone? We need to talk to Sara and Diana.”

Rachel nodded. “We’ll be in the cafeteria.”

Once they were gone, Logan turned his attention back to Sara and Diana. “I know you’re still worried, but this can be over if you want it to be.” He glanced at the other two women in the room. “Sara, you already know Callie. The person with her is Special Agent Sanchez with the FBI. I think you all have a lot to talk about.”