Page 43 of Degrees of Control
My father says something, but it is garbled and unclear. All I am able to make out is a hoarse whisper and the sound of my given name.
“I was hoping over time she would realize that I couldn’t possibly do those things. I know she’s wrestling with right and wrong. I love her, God help me Carlos, but she doesn’t trust me and that’s no way for a man and wife to live.”
There is a garbled voice and then the beeping of the equipment grows to a pronounced intensity. Overhead I hear the announcement… code blue to 302, code blue to 302. I hurry into the room as I realize it’s my father, but Chase draws me out of the way as the code team races in, pulling me into the corner of the room, holding me upright and steady, as they start emergency ventilations, apply pads and suction to my father’s chest.
There is a scramble of activity around his bed and it’s hard to make out what is being said. They are talking out loud and there is a scribe taking notes. “One milligram of epinephrine given before the physician arrives. No change…. Another man arrives in scrubs and begins barking orders. “Forty milligrams of vasopressin. All clear!” There is a pregnant pause and then, “all clear!” I can’t make out anything else they are saying and after what seems like an eternity. “He’s back!” he says.
“Oh, God, Chase, he’s going to make it,” I say, slumping against him.
“He’s going to make it, Baby,” he says, cradling me in his arms, allowing me to lean into his frame as he guides me out of the room and into the main hall where Sheldon has kept my mother detained.
“What happened, Katie?” she asks. Her eyes are red-rimmed and filled with fear and I wish we knew if the worst was over.
“He went into cardiac arrest but they’ve got him stabilized. Go be with him,” I say, glancing at the nurses and hoping they will allow her in to be with my dad. Chase’s arm is still around me and he pulls me into an embrace as we move into the main hallway.
“Katarina, look at me,” Chase says, gently lifting my chin. “I know the events of the last few weeks have taken their toll on you and our relationship and I know you’re struggling with everything that has happened.”
“Chase, I know you didn’t have anything to do with Ty and my dad told me what happened in Miami,” I start, but he does not let me finish.
“I love your innocence and I don’t ever want you to lose it. I want you to have the life you’ve always dreamed of and be able to trust the man you call a husband someday. I am setting you free, Katarina,” he whispers, pressing a light kiss onto my forehead.
“Chase, you don’t understand,” I say, but my words trail off as two Chicago police officers approach. One is of medium stature and the other one is unusually tall. “Chase Prestian, you are under arrest for the illegal transportation of narcotics with intent to distribute and for the murder of Joey Larussio. You have the right to remain silent...” the tall police officer says.
“Take good care of her, Sheldon,” Chase interrupts as the officer places him in handcuffs and the harsh sound of steel clicking resounds in my ears.
“You can’t arrest him. He didn’t do the things you are accusing him of,” I say, barely able to choke the words out.
“I’m sorry, miss,” the shorter man says before he and his partner walk Chase down the long hall of the hospital.
I watch them until they are completely out of my sight. My heart is aching and I am having trouble breathing and finding my voice.
“Sheldon, do something,” I say, sobbing.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Kate, I know this is hard.I need to touch base with the rest of the security team, but why don’t we see how your parents are doing first,” he says, guiding me down the hall towards my father’s room. The Larussio guards are still posted outside his door and they nod at both of us as we enter the room. My father is sleeping peacefully and my mom is in a recliner next to his bed. Her eyes flutter and close again as we walk into the room and I turn around quietly so as not to disturb her.
“I don’t want to wake them up,” I say to Sheldon as we make our way towards the waiting area. There is a coffee pot in the corner of the room and I pour a little bit into a styrofoam cup, attempting to warm myself as Sheldon begins conferring with the other security guards.
“Kate, most of the security details you’ve gotten to know are still in Aruba and Brazil. Chase sent Matt and Dereck and their teams to be with Jay. Chris and his crew will stay with your parents.”
“My dad has his own security with him, though,” I say.
“Two of your father’s security men were working for Joey. That’s how they got into your dad’s suite. Chase dedicated an entire team to your father and mother after the incident, so we’re running a little short,” he says.
I look around at all the guards. “Sheldon, surely we have enough men?” I ask.
“Not enough to cover all the perimeters and points of contact we usually guard,” he says, shaking his head.
“Did someone call Keith?” I ask.
“No, who is that? Jay usually handled all the coordination.”
“He helped Jay bring my mom back from Florida. Chase talked to him not too long ago and gave him time off for paternity leave, but he lives nearby. Chase trusts him,” I say.
“If he’s on the payroll, we’ll find him,” Sheldon says. “In the meantime, let’s take you home to get some rest and then I’ll bring you back in the morning,” Sheldon says gently, guiding me out of the hospital with an army of security in tow.
The paparazzi swarm us as we exit and the security men clear a path for us as we make our way towards the limousine that has been pulled up as close to the entrance as it can be. The entire scene is reminiscent of the last time we left the hospital and I was with Chase. The reporters are yelling out questions about Chase’s arrest and the shootings. I avert my face as I slide into the back seat and the door closes behind me. Sheldon gets in on the other side and sits across from me while the others pile into the seats in the front of the car.
