Chapter 10: Part 2

Bill picked his way through the leaves and tree trash littering the city streets. A few roadblocks and traffic jams kept him from checking in on Amanda before lunch.



He had called the One and Only Club, asking about his wife. She had made it through the storm. The club had sustained minimal damage. They were open for business, if he needed a room.



The list of things to do was growing. His lawyer would need to know about Shana's infidelity. Maybe once the lawyers came out in full force she would get a grip and start acting like her old self. Not that a one eighty in her attitude would change his plans, but it might help her to save face. Right now she was acting like total a fool.



The traffic cleared, allowing him to drive close to the speed limit. It took him another five minutes to make it to the hospital. From the outside, the place looked secure. He had talked to the police and found out that the winds had reached hurricane strength. The storm was now being defined as such as it barreled towards Florida.



The states had a few hours warning, but not enough to evacuate all the people who needed to head north or inland. The storm would prevent his return home. He could make up something to stay on island for longer. Hopefully Amanda would have something for him today.



He felt sorry for the girl. She'd been the most popular jazz rhythm and blues singer for a few years running. Her forays into classical music had made the world realize the depth of her talent. Now she looked and sounded horrible. The fact that her voice was gone would shock everyone. He remembered the first time he had heard her live. The clear, crisp vibrato that was her voice had split the air leaving him breathless.



The crowd at The Gardens had loved her. Three more times he'd gone to seen her perform. It was pure entertainment to listen to her belt out the tunes that made her popular. Shana hadn't understood. She had thought that his infatuation with Amanda had been sexual. Sure, the singer was hot, but she could have looked like a cow with that voice.



Now it looked like the end of an era even though Amanda hadn't even been on the stage long enough to call her career an era. He stopped before entering the hospital. She needed a miracle. Soon the media would hear she'd been rescued and lay in convalescence in this small Bahamian hospital. Surely the cunning reporters would overwhelm the understaffed facility trying to cope with the hurricane injuries. The rent-a-cop he'd employed with his own money wouldn't stand a chance against the manipulative press. The situation would be dangerous.



A conversation with the chief of staff seemed to be in order. Just another thing added to his long list of tasks.



Bill entered Amanda's room, his palms grew damp as anticipation filled him. The sight of her sitting up brought a smile to his lips. The woman truly was amazing.



"Hello, did you sleep last night."



She nodded her head.



"You want anything to eat? Drink? Can I get you anything?" Damn, he was babbling. He was supposed to the calm FBI agent here to help, and he sounded more like a pimple-faced teen unable to contain his excitement at meeting Amanda.



She shook her head and motioned him closer. His reaction was swift.



Sweat. Shaking. Elevated heart rate.



Oh yeah, he had it bad. The idol worship needed to stop. After mentally berating himself he leaned in close, ignoring the delicate curve of her shoulders and the graceful shape of her ear.



Her voice was thin and wispy, unlike her usually strong pipes. "I remember."



"Wonderful, hopefully that sketch artist can come today and we'll get a flyer out with his face. Do you know his name?"



"I doubt he gave me his real name. Something like Dave."



"Why do you think that wasn't his real name?"



"He always laughed or smirked when I said his name. The guy was strange, but his behavior about the name thing was odd."



"I need to hear everything. Everything you remember."



Bill pulled his tape recorder out, ready to turn it on. Amanda's hand landed on his arm, her grip tight.



"I can't have this get out to the press."



"I'll guard the information with my life."



"Bill, they are devious. They have moles. I can't..."



The tears did him in. He crawled up onto her bed and wrapped his arms around her slight frame. She felt fragile so he loosened his arms. She took the opportunity to snuggle up next to him, semi crawling into his lap. His thoughts went wild. He imagined what it would really fell like to be holding her as a lover would.



No doubt about it he was a first class jerk. Amazing, he totally was ready to take her, but only idiot would take advantage of a woman in her situation. He focused his thoughts finding her attacker.



Working this close to Amanda would be difficult, especially with the pain of Shana's betrayal so raw. Acting on his infatuation would be beyond stupid. Amanda needed a police officer to help her, not some hormonal guy ready to claim her.

Copyright Sara Thacker 2011