Page 20 of Rules of Engagement

I walked over to Solomon, and picked up his hand, looking at his still form. They were right. There was nothing I could do and as much as I wanted to watch over him, I didn't want to get in Dr. Forsythe's way. Plus, Solomon would want to wake up wearing his own clothing and he would need something to come home in again. "Okay," I agreed.

Mom stepped out to make a call and when she returned, she said, "Garrett will pick you up down at the main entrance. Will you be okay to walk down there or do you want me to come with you?"

I nodded, then clarified, "I'll be okay."

"He'll be here in five minutes." Mom placed both her hands on my shoulders. Reluctantly, I let Solomon's hand slide from mine and allowed Mom to guide me from the room. She walked me to the elevators and hit the button. "Remember," she said as I got inside robotically, my legs working by themselves. "The sooner you go, the sooner you come back."

"Call me if there's any change," I said as the doors began to close. On the ride down, I began to panic. What if his vitals dropped and I wasn't there? What if he died and I wasn't with him?

"He'll be okay," I said.

"Do you need some assistance?" asked a disembodied voice.

"God?" I asked, my heart pounding. I really did need some assistance, possibly a divine intervention.

"No, ma'am. It's Ernie in Maintenance. I monitor the elevator. You pressed the call button."

"Oh, sorry."

I stepped out of the elevator and followed the signs to the exit, walking out of the hospital onto a paved plaza. I couldn't see Garrett anywhere so I zipped the hoody higher and walked over to the pickup zone, looking for him while I seriously contemplated turning around and running back inside. I couldn't shake the idea that something might happen to Solomon while I was gone. I would never forgive myself if he... No! I couldn't think of that. Dr. Forsythe said he was stable. I would pick up his clothes, get back to the hospital and he would wake up. Yes, that's the thought I chose to cling to.

"Lexi Graves?"

"Yes?" I turned at the voice. A short man with receding hair and an expensive-looking, black wool coat over a black suit approached me.

"I have a package for you. Sign here please." The man thrust a digital signing device into my hand and pointed to the screen. I signed it, wishing he would hurry up and go away so I could turn my attention back to searching for my brother. I had things to do. Too many things.

"Your package," he said as he returned the device to his briefcase and stuffed an envelope into my hands. Without saying goodbye, he turned and walked away.

I looked down, preparing to push the envelope into my pocket and forget about it but the handwriting made me stop. My name was written in Solomon's hand. I searched for the man, realizing now what I failed to notice before. Regular couriers didn't wear three-piece suits in Italian wool. "Hey," I shouted. The man didn't turn around. I broke into a run, determined to catch him before he stepped into the town car idling at the curb. "Hey!" I grabbed his arm and he spun around.

"Yes, Miss Graves?"

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Thomas Gort," he said, producing a business card. "Hemingway, McCarthy and Gort."

"Lawyers?" I guessed.

"Correct."

"What is this?" I asked, flapping the envelope.

"I believe all the information you need to know is inside."

"Why are you delivering it to me now?"

"Miss Graves, I am merely a messenger. I do not have any additional information. Excuse me." He sat down in the backseat of the car and pulled the door closed. The car moved off before I could rap on the window and demand he come up with an answer, right now! Instead, I was left watching them until they turned the corner, moving towards the exit of the hospital's sprawling parking lot.

"Who was that?" asked Garrett, jogging towards me.

"A lawyer," I replied, confused as I watched the car.

"What did he want?"

"I don't know." I looked down at the envelope and opened it at the curb side, extracting two pieces of paper that I unfolded. The first page was a handwritten letter from Solomon, dated a year ago.

My darling Lexi, he wrote, my lawyers have been instructed to deliver this to you should I ever become incapacitated. Assuming you are reading this, please know that I love you so very much. I don't know what has happened to me, or why you have this letter now, but I must assume it is not due to natural causes. I have made some enemies in my life. Enemies that won't always let go. Do not be tempted to investigate. I do not want you caught in any crossfire that may have arisen from something I did. I know you will want the truth, but there are others who can find that out and keep you safe.

The enclosed is to ensure you have a safety net while my affairs are put into order, should the worst happen. The lawyers who delivered this also have custody of my will. The agency is yours. I know you will continue to do good things.

Everything is yours, as am I.

Always,

John.

"It's a letter from Solomon," I told my brother. I peeled the second slip from the back of the letter and my eyes widened.

Solomon also sent me a check for a million dollars.

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