5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
" T hank you for joining KNTB News. Tonight’s top story…"
A picture of the UT San Antonio school logo popped up on the screen next to the news anchor’s face.
“As we’ve been reporting, the University of Texas at San Antonio campus attacker assaulted another woman. His fifth victim was found near the campus library and taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries five days ago. We are happy to report that after two surgeries, the victim was released this afternoon from the hospital. The woman’s name and details about her condition have not been released to the public. Police still do not know the identity of her attacker, who fled the scene prior to police arriving to help the victim, though they have released some details. He is believed to be approximately five-foot-nine, with a slim build, wearing all black, including the ski mask he wears to conceal his identity. Campus police and San Antonio PD are asking all female students on campus to remain vigilant and stay in groups.”
The camera panned over to the female news anchor.
“We also have an update on Governor Harris’s son, Adam, who was found in his apartment several nights ago after he tried to take his own life. He remains at a private hospital receiving treatment for his injuries and mental health. Today, Governor Harris spoke to reporters outside his office.”
Cody leaned forward on the couch as the TV screen switched to video of Governor Harris’s comments. “My son, like so many other Texans, is suffering from depression. He’s struggled with his mental health for a long time. We are so grateful to the doctors and nurses taking such good care of him right now. He’s receiving the best treatment available, something not everyone has access to but deserves, just like my son. That’s why I’m working with our public health department to come up with funding and a new initiative to help those in need. I hope to have something in place very soon because people struggling with mental health issues need help now. Thank you.”
Cody’s heart went out to the governor and his family. It hadn’t been that long since the governor, his wife, and Adam were all here celebrating Christmas with them.
The governor stepped back from the reporters, who shouted out questions. The governor held up his hands. “Please, I ask that you give me, my wife, and Adam our privacy at this time so that we can focus on Adam’s needs and helping him heal.”
Cody hoped the governor made mental health a priority and he wasn’t just paying lip service to something that was desperately needed for underserved communities, where folks couldn’t afford therapy that was often not covered by insurance.
Kristi glanced over at him. “I still can’t believe the governor’s son attempted suicide. It’s so sad. It’s all anyone is talking about. On one show yesterday, they had people from his classes talking about him. Everyone said he was quiet and had few friends.”
Cody wondered if that was true. “I think Brooke was friends with him. I saw them talking at the Fourth of July picnic and at Christmas when he was here.”
Susanne came up behind them. “Dinner is served.”
Cody turned off the TV, stood, and held his hand out to Kristi to help her up. The last few days had proven to be a reversal of their schedules, where Kristi had been working nonstop and helping her mother on some charitable project. They’d barely spoken on the phone, let alone texted. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think she was purposely avoiding him.
The thought that maybe she knew he wanted to end things and was stalling crossed his mind more than once. Not that he’d given her any indication of that since he’d made up his mind just days ago. Still, it seemed odd. And the longer she made him wait to see her, the closer they got to the wedding date.
But tonight was the night. He’d invited her over, hoping to talk and end things amicably. But Susanne opened the door to Kristi when she arrived and invited her to stay for dinner before Cody could say anything. So he was stuck waiting until after their meal to have the private talk. It needed to be done today. He didn’t want to wait any longer. Kristi deserved to know he’d changed his mind, so she could break it to her family and they could cancel all the wedding plans. And he desperately wanted to see Brooke and tell her he loved her and wanted to be with her.
Kristi took her seat and looked across at Susanne. “You heard about the governor’s son, right?”
Susanne never said anything to him about how she felt about Kristi being at the table when Brooke hadn’t been home in months. It had to wear on her. She had to be upset with him for the way things had changed.
He sensed she didn’t say anything because she knew he didn’t like Brooke’s absence any more than she did. But he hoped to change that very soon.
Tonight would be the first step in getting Brooke back.
Susanne nodded. “That poor boy. I thought about calling his mother, but decided to give them some time before I reached out.”
Kristi loaded a slab of lasagna onto her plate. “They’ve got their hands full right now, that’s for sure.”
Cody handed the salad bowl to Susanne. “Everything seemed fine at the Christmas party. But I guess you never really know what someone is going through on the inside when everything on the outside seems fine.”
Thinking about the Christmas party made him think of Brooke. Memories of her lingered in his mind and popped up all the time.
Was she upset about what happened to Adam?
Were they close enough that she’d know if something was wrong?
Was she sad for her friend right now?
He didn’t want to think about her being upset. He wanted her to be happy. Always.
She hadn’t come home for her twenty-first birthday. He’d always thought they’d share that special day together. He’d get her drunk. Keep her safe. Show her a good time.
Right. The last time he shared a drink with her, they’d had a good time that ended in disaster.
The last time he spoke to her was on her birthday. He’d wanted to reach out so many times, to let her know he’d changed his mind about marrying Kristi. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her. But he needed to end things with Kristi first.
It felt deceitful to sit next to Kristi now, when she was oblivious to what was going to happen after dinner. His appetite shriveled up. He didn’t want to hurt her. He was doing this so he didn’t hurt her more in the long run by lying about his feelings.
Kristi added lasagna to his plate, but spoke to Susanne. “How was your day?”
“I went by Brooke’s building to check on the progress of the renovation. She’s going to love all the changes. I sent her some pictures of the café space. Then I did some shopping. I thought I’d send Brooke a little something to cheer her up.”
What? Why? “Is something wrong with Brooke?” Cody tried to sound casual and not as desperate as he was for any information about her.
“I’ve gotten the feeling she’s not been herself lately. I think she might be homesick and stressed about finals over the next few days.”
The upcoming wedding probably weighed heavily on her. Cody wished he wasn’t the cause of her upset. He’d make it up to her. Soon. He couldn’t wait to see her. He couldn’t wait until she was home. With him. Finally.
Their housekeeper, Janie, walked in from the kitchen with a stack of mail. She clutched several envelopes to her chest, her eyes filled with dread and worry.
“What’s the matter, Janie?” Susanne asked, her voice urgent.
“I’d forgotten to get the mail earlier and went out to retrieve it now. There’s something odd. Is Brooke sick?”
Susanne set her fork down with a clatter on her plate. “No. I don’t think so. Why?”
“There’re several statements from the insurance company and a hospital addressed to her. And this.” She held up the cream-colored envelope. “A card from a funeral home.”
“What?” Susanne snatched the mail from Janie. “Thank you.”
Janie walked away, leaving the family to deal with their own business.
Cody’s stomach went tight as Susanne opened the first envelope, scanned the statement, pushed her plate away, and tore open another envelope. Then another. And another. And another, until they were all spread out before her on the table.
She opened the card and tears fell from her eyes as she covered her gaping mouth with her fingertips, making Cody’s heart race.
“Susanne, what is it?”
She held out her hand, waving her fingers in a gimme motion, her gaze filled with a panic that set off all kinds of alarms inside him. “Your phone. I left mine upstairs. Give it to me.”
Cody handed it over into Susanne’s shaking hands. She tapped at the phone, fumbled the number, and had to try again. She held the phone in a death grip as she listened. “Voicemail. Voicemail. Damnit, Brooke, answer the phone. Answer the phone.”
She dialed again and listened, then slammed the phone on the table.
He snatched back his phone. “Susanne.” Even his sharp tone didn’t get her attention as he tried to see what the statements said without pulling them out from under Susanne’s hands.
Openly crying now, Susanne shook her head from side to side.
Kristi’s gaze bounced from him, to her, then back again.
Cody’s gut twisted, his chest so tight he could barely take in a breath. He desperately needed Susanne to tell him what happened. “What’s wrong with Brooke?” His mind spun tales of what might have happened to her. Everything his mind conjured scared him half to death.
“This can’t be true.” She slammed her hands down on the papers. “This can’t be true!” She picked up the papers. “Blood work. A gestational diabetes test.”
He didn’t know what that was.
“Obstetrician visits.”
Oh God. Cody’s mind reeled as his stomach knotted.
“This is why she hasn’t come home for months. Not for a weekend, or her birthday. This is why she planned to stay with Mindy Sue for a few weeks before coming home after she graduates. All this time…she was pregnant.”
With my baby. It has to be mine.
Wait. Was pregnant.
Cody went stone still.
Tears streamed down Susanne’s face. She held up the card. “Condolences on the loss of her child.” Misery filled her every word. “This can’t be true.”
Cody felt the cold reality of it sink into his bones, like claws biting into him.
“No!” he wailed and swept his arm across the table, sending his plate, wineglass, and silverware flying across the room and shattering on the floor.
Kristi flinched and stared at him, eyes wide with shock.
He grabbed the papers and tried to concentrate and sort out what he read in black-and-white, but couldn’t seem to take in as real.
This can’t be happening. Not again.
Why didn’t she tell me?
Maybe it wasn’t his.
No. It had to be his.
And I wasn’t there when she needed me.
He jumped up from his seat and ran to his office. He pulled out the folder he kept in his desk with all the information for Brooke’s school in case of emergency. He called the dorm advisor first, since Brooke wasn’t answering her phone and going through Mindy Sue probably wouldn’t get him anywhere.
“Hello.”
“Andrew. This is Cody Jansen. I’m trying to reach my sister, Brooke Banks, but I can’t seem to get ahold of her. Is she in the dorm right now?”
“Uh…” The pause lasted so long, Cody thought maybe the connection had cut out.
“Andrew? Are you still there?”
“Sorry. I’ve been instructed by campus security not to give out any information on Brooke’s whereabouts.”
That set off all kinds of red flags. “Why?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t say. You’ll need to call the dean for more information.”
Cody hung up, found the dean’s number, and dialed.
“Hello.”
“This is Cody Jansen. I’m calling about my sister, Brooke Banks.” He never called Brooke his sister, but he’d use the family connection and whatever means necessary to get answers.
“Mr. Jansen, I’m so sorry. It’s terrible what happened. I assure you, we are doing everything possible to keep her safe and find the perpetrator.”
Confirmation that something terrible had happened to Brooke sent a shockwave of dread through his system. He pressed his palm to his desk to steady himself. “Is she all right? Why weren’t we notified that something happened?”
“She gave strict instructions when they admitted her to the hospital that no one was to call her family. I’m sorry. She’s an adult. My hands were tied.”
“What can you tell me about her condition? About the baby?”
“Well…I need to be sure you’re really who you say you are. We’ve had a lot of calls from reporters.”
“I know the baby didn’t make it.” He hoped that assured the dean that Cody was really who he said he was.
“They’ve kept that information in the strictest confidence. I’ve not seen Brooke, but have been told her injuries are quite extensive. Worse than any of the other victims. She fought for her life and that of her baby, but the man had a knife. I don’t know the exact details of her injuries because of the privacy laws. You’ll have to speak to her. She returned to campus just a few hours ago with her roommate. We have security outside her building. I’m sorry, but that’s all I know.”
“I’m on my way.” Cody hung up, pulled his keys from his pocket, and started for the door, passing Susanne and Kristi on his way. “Keep trying to call her. Tell her I’m on my way.” He thought about that, and then changed his mind. “On second thought, don’t tell her I’m coming. She might not like it. Call me as soon as you reach her. I need to know that you talked to her. I need to know that she’s okay.”
Susanne caught up to him, grabbed his shoulder, and pulled him around. “I’m coming with you.”
“No.” He couldn’t think past getting to Brooke. Right now. Ten minutes ago. Three days ago. Six months ago. He met Susanne’s gaze. “ I need to do this. Please,” he begged, hoping if he got to Brooke first, he’d have a chance to salvage something, anything of their relationship.
If Susanne came along, Brooke would lean on her and probably shut Cody out. He wanted to be there for her, to share the pain of losing their child. To help her in any way he could and pull her back to him and the love they shared. He wanted to prove to her that she hadn’t lost him or that love.
She needed him. He needed her more than ever.
“She’s my daughter.” Tears gently rolled down her cheeks.
He put his hand to her arm and squeezed. “I know.”
“Her baby died!” Susanne wailed and the tears came in a torrent. She cried so hard, she started to hyperventilate.
Cody took her by the shoulders and practically held her up. “Susanne, take a slow breath. You’re going to—”
Her eyes rolled back and she passed out. It was all he could do to wrap one arm around her and ease her to the floor without her bumping her head.
“Oh my God.” Kristi rushed forward and dropped to her knees beside him.
Susanne was already waking up and mumbling, “What happened?”
“You fainted.”
She tried to get up.
Cody gently helped her sit and kept his hand at her back to ensure she didn’t pass out again and crack her head on the marble floor. “Give yourself a minute.”
The tears had slowed but not stopped. “I need to see her.”
“You’re in no shape to go anywhere right now. And what if she’s already on the way home and we miss her?” The dean said she was in her dorm with security outside, but Brooke could decide to leave campus and come home to her mother. He doubted it, but it was a possibility.
Susanne pressed her hand to her forehead. “I need to be there for her.” Her voice came out soft and made her sound lost.
“I need you to let me do this. You understand, right?” He didn’t have time to go into what happened between him and Brooke at Christmas. At this point, Susanne had to know the baby was his.
He didn’t even look at Kristi. That was a conversation for another day, to go along with the end of them.
“I just…” She looked at him with teary eyes filled with worry. “I feel sick about all of this.”
He got that when she fainted on him. He’d never seen her do that, but she’d never been rocked by such terrible news like she was today.
“You need to rest.” He hugged Susanne, hoping to reassure her. “Wait here in case she comes home. Please.”
Susanne begrudgingly nodded as he let her go. “Bring her home.”
He gave Susanne a quick kiss on the cheek, so grateful she’d let him go to Brooke alone. “I’ll call you as soon as I see her.” He helped her up and didn’t let go until he was sure she was steady.
“I’m fine. Go. Hurry.”
He took two steps toward the door before Kristi stepped into his line of sight and said under her breath, “Let Susanne go and take care of Brooke.”
He met her angry gaze. “I can’t. Not now. Please take care of Susanne. Brooke needs me.” He slammed the door behind him and ran to his car. The long drive would test his patience. Strained and anxious, he drove, fast and nearly reckless, his focus on getting to Brooke and discovering exactly what happened to her and his baby.