Her Only Son (10 page)

When she walked into the back area of the cafeteria, one of the chefs addressed her. “Hey, Tessa. I didn’t know you were going to be here this morning.”

His words floated around her and she tried to stay focused. “Yes, I hope that’s okay. I couldn’t sleep so I thought I’d come in.”

“No problem. We can always use the help.”

She nodded, trying to keep her wits about her.
Just waiting for the truck.
“Point me where you need me.”

“Well, you look tired this morning, so let’s keep you off your feet. How about you sit at the computer and enter the orders for next week for me?”

“That sounds good.”

“You want something to eat?”

“Sure…that sounds good.”

He wrinkled his forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not acting like yourself.”

She tried to shake it off and refocus. She turned to him. “Yes, I’m sorry, I truly am fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night. Part of the package I guess.” She rubbed her belly.

He laughed. “Okay. You go take a load off and I’ll get you something to eat. Let’s get your energy level back up. You’ve entered orders for me before. You remember how to log in?”

Tessa nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

She walked over to the small office and sat at the computer. She glanced in the direction of the chef to make sure he was busy and turned on the computer. The first thing she did was confirm the deliveries for that morning, and sure enough, one was scheduled to arrive at 5am. She felt her energy lift immediately.

Yes! One way or another, I’m on that truck.

She grabbed the pile of papers out of the plastic box on his desk and logged into the order screen. About ten minutes later, the chef brought her in a plate of food and set it on the corner of the desk.

“You make sure and eat this, okay?”

Tessa looked at the plate and smiled. “I will. I’m definitely hungry.”

He patted her on the shoulder. “Good girl. If you need anything else, you let me know.”

Tessa grabbed the fork and stabbed a bite of food. “Will do.”

She ate everything on the plate, knowing she would need the energy; who knows when she’d get to eat a decent meal again. When she was finished, she walked around to the back area, stuffing every kind of small snack food she could find in her purse. She thought of the cash box and made her way back to the office. Some of the orders she was asked to enter still sat on the desk. She grabbed one and started entering the order, keeping an eye on the people moving about in the kitchen area.

When the coast was clear, she opened the bottom desk drawer where she knew the cash box was located. The box was locked, but there was a business size envelope on top that was full of cash. She looked up to make sure no one was watching and when she was sure it was safe, stuffed the envelope in her purse. She closed the drawer and continued entering orders.

At 4:45am, she stood and slowly walked to the loading area. The bay door was still closed and no one was there, so she hid behind a crate and waited.

Fifteen minutes later she heard voices entering the loading area. The bay door slid open and she heard a truck back up to the building.

She held her breath and peeked around the side of the crate. The back of the truck was wide open and she knew there would be people going in and out of the truck a few times, so she waited.

A deliveryman pushed a dolly loaded with boxes off the truck and spoke to someone Tessa couldn’t see. “This is the last one, I’ll get your paperwork in just a second.”

She heard a voice say, “No problem.”

She peeked around the side of the crate again and saw the two go through a door with the delivery. When the coast was clear, she hurried into the back of the truck and hid behind the remaining boxes. She blew out a breath and rubbed her belly.

So far, so good.

When she heard voices come back into the loading area, she held her breath. The doors on the back of the truck slid shut and she blew out another breath she was holding.

Almost there.

Her heart pounded as the truck pulled away from the loading area. She knew they would have to exit the compound through the back gate, after that, she would have to figure out how to get out of the truck once it stopped again.

She felt the truck come to a stop and heard voices talking to the driver. The voices moved toward the back of the truck and when the door slid open, she felt every drop of blood drain to her feet. She shook her head.
No! Please, no!

She heard someone enter the back of the truck and tried to melt into the box she was hiding behind.

A voice called out. “We know someone is in here.” There was a short pause. “We were alerted by security. They saw you enter the back of the truck.”

Tessa didn’t move. Maybe they wouldn’t find her and think security was mistaken.

When she heard footsteps close in on her, she let the tears fall freely. When a hand grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up, she closed her eyes and let the darkness take her.

Chapter Sixteen

When Tessa awoke, she found herself on an exam table. The room was spinning and her tongue felt heavy in her mouth. She turned her head and saw a doctor in the corner she didn’t recognize. He appeared to be taking papers out of a file and when he finished, he folded them and put them in his briefcase.

She tried to speak. “Who…are…you?”

He turned toward her. “Tessa. You’re awake.” He walked over to the table and stood beside her. “Don’t try to speak. You’ve had quite an experience.”

Although reality was a bit blurred, she quickly recalled what happened. Her attempt at an escape had failed. She reached down and touched her stomach, relieved to still feel her baby bump.

The doctor chuckled. “Oh, yes, you’re still pregnant, but you won’t be for long. That’s already been taken care of.”

Tessa felt the tears well up in her eyes. “You bastard!”

“Just following orders.” He returned to the folder he had removed the papers from, closed it, and placed it in his briefcase.

“My name is Dr. Hartman and I was instructed to take over as your doctor last week, but there was a mix up and your file was placed back in the main file room. Luckily, I found it this morning before one of the other doctors.” He smirked and shook his head. “Could you imagine the fallout from that?”

She spoke through slurred speech. “Why are you doing this?”

“It’s an unfortunate turn of events, but we have to do what’s best for the program.” He turned back to face her. “Your miscarriage will sadden many, but just think, you’ll be heading home in no time.”

She turned away from him and looked at the ceiling. She felt a twinge of pain in her lower abdomen and panic set in.

She spoke through her tears. “Where is Dr. Westcott?”

“I’m sorry, but she’s no longer in charge of your care.”

“Dr. Rayner?”

“Nope. I’m in charge now, Tessa, it’s best to just accept it.”

When she felt another twinge she allowed the tears to come. The tears quickly turned into sobs as the reality of what was happening set in.

He walked up beside her and checked the IV that was in her arm. She didn’t even realize it was there and panicked ever more realizing this was causing her miscarriage. She reached up and tried to pull the needle out of her arm.

He grabbed her hand. “Try that again and I’ll strap you down.”

She dropped her hand. He let her go and walked over to the counter. She watched him fill a syringe and walk back to her.

“This should keep you calm.”

She felt the needle go into her arm and it didn’t take long for the room to start to spin, and eventually, go black.

Dr. Hartman patted her arm. “That should hold you. By the time you wake up everything will be over and we’ll be sending you back home.”
With a nice little gag order, of course.

Kinsey woke to find Tessa gone. She checked the exercise rooms, but there was no sign of her. Panic set in as she tried to guess what was happening. Tessa was supposed to see Dr. Westcott at 3pm. Kinsey recalled Tessa’s plan to escape the compound in the back of one of the delivery trucks. She rushed to the cafeteria and talked to the first employee she saw.

“I was wondering if Tessa Sloane is working today?”

“I haven’t seen her, but Tessa would be in the back if she’s here.” She motioned to a door leading into the kitchen area. “You could try back there.”

“Thank you.”

Kinsey rushed through the door and found herself in the kitchen. She searched for Tessa, but didn’t see her. She addressed a chef who was busy preparing food.

“Is Tessa Sloane working today?”

“Tessa? Yeah, she was here early this morning. Said she couldn’t sleep so I had her enter some orders, but she must have left because I haven’t seen her for a while now.”

Kinsey’s stomach sank. “Thank you.”
Oh, my god, I wonder if she made it?

Kinsey grabbed some breakfast and headed outside to sit in the park and think. She was worried about Tessa.

Why didn’t she come and wake me up?

The thought of her alone in the back of the truck made her sick. Did she get out of the truck once she was in it? Where would she go if she did? How would she eat? She was six months pregnant!

The questions were driving her crazy. In the short time she’d known Tessa, they’d become extremely close friends and she had to find out what happened. She would go to the clinic at 3pm to see, if by chance, Tessa showed up. She knew she wouldn’t, but at this point it’s all she had.

Why didn’t we think to exchange cell phone numbers?

Kinsey made it a priority to locate someone who could give her Tessa’s number. A group of women walked by Kinsey’s table and she overheard one of them mention Tessa’s name. She reached out and grabbed the woman’s arm.

“Did you say Tessa? Tessa Sloane?”

The woman looked down at Kinsey’s hand wrapped around her arm and gave her a dirty look. “Yeah, what’s it to you?”

Kinsey let go of her arm. “Sorry, Tessa is a friend of mine and I haven’t been able to locate her today. Do you know what happened?”

“Oh, sorry for the attitude. Pregnancy hormones I guess.”

“No problem, I understand. Can you tell me what you know about Tessa? I’m really worried about her.”

“Of course. I have a friend who works at the clinic and Tessa Sloane was brought in early this morning. Apparently, she’s having a miscarriage.”

Kinsey went pale and her hands started to shake. “She was brought into the clinic this morning? Who brought her in?”

“My friend said she was rushed in by security and a special doctor was called in. Rumor has it, she’s in the process of miscarrying.”

“A special doctor? Dr. Westcott’s not caring for her?”

“Not from what I was told. Another doctor has taken over and no one else is allowed to care for her. I guess he’s a specialist and is only called in when needed.”

Kinsey felt her body go limp and tears welled in her eyes. The woman reached down and took her hand.

“I’m really sorry about your friend. From what I’ve been told, this kind of thing doesn’t happen here often.”

Kinsey nodded and her tears of sadness turned to tears of anger. “No, I’m sure they don’t.”
Unless you’re the rape victim of a madman
. “Thank you for the information.”

“No problem. Again, I’m sorry about your friend.”

Kinsey nodded again. “Thank you.”

Kinsey sat for a moment trying to figure out what to do. Tessa must have been caught if she was brought to the clinic by security. She looked at her watch. It was almost 10am. The woman indicated Tessa had been brought in early this morning. How early? Was she still there? Did she already lose the baby? The thought of that gave her a chill. She remembered Tessa’s tearful plea from last night.

I want to keep her, Kinsey!

Kinsey had to get to the clinic. Dr. Westcott may not be in charge of her care now, but she had to know something.