Chapter Five #2
Oakley hoped that Johnny Doe wasn’t another victim of their father’s overzealous legal actions, like Rachel had been.
“Dad said he didn’t recognize the guy on the riverbank.
” And while Clemons might be quick to feel wronged and chase justice, whether truly warranted or not, his dad wasn’t a liar.
Unless that had changed with the move to Emerald Ridge.
“I’ve got to go visit my patients,” Cheyenne said. “Normally my shift is in the mornings, but I said I’d cover this afternoon. Be sure to keep me posted.”
“You do the same, sis, especially if he gets his memory back.” He kissed her on the cheek. Before they parted, the nurse stepped out.
“We didn’t agitate him, did we?” Cheyenne asked the woman what Oakley was thinking.
The nurse shook her head. “No. It’s not your fault.
He’s in a great deal of pain, which is normal following surgery, and he’s frustrated because he has amnesia.
Healing takes time, and his recovery is compounded by not knowing who he is.
” She cleared her throat. “But once he’s cleared of the effects of anesthesia, and we’re certain he can give informed consent, we’ll administer a DNA test and allow the police to take and run his fingerprints.
That’ll most likely be tomorrow. Today he needs to rest. I gave him something to help him sleep. ”
The nurse left, and they walked back to the elevator bank. Cheyenne pressed both buttons, Up for her and Down for Oakley.
“I’ll see if Dad has any idea why our amnesiac might have said his name.” He kissed his sister’s cheek again and stepped into the elevator when the doors opened.
Oakley couldn’t escape the growing unease taking root in his gut. He prayed Johnny’s case wasn’t another situation where Clemons was suing someone who didn’t deserve it. Had he seen Oakley’s dad on the promenade? Maybe he’d tripped and had fallen while trying to get out of the way?
Oakley had always had the philosophy that it was one thing to take on a corporation that had failed to protect its consumers, or to receive compensation for the pain and suffering caused by a wrongful motor vehicle accident.
That’s why people carried liability insurance.
However, it was another thing to sue or harass individuals because of things like baby puke or because his dad didn’t like the wine.
He was becoming more and more convinced that Clemons had filled the hole in his heart, left by his wife’s death, with constant complaining and litigation.
Using his car’s hands-free function, Oakley called his father and found him at home. “I was at the hospital. Mind if I stop by?”
Once his dad said yes, he called the office.
Rachel answered immediately, and he smiled as he heard her voice.
The fact his heart also gave a little flip was nothing to worry about.
He told himself he did not “like” her the way Cheyenne insinuated, even if part of him whispered that was a lie.
“Hi, Rachel, I won’t make it back in today. I have another errand to run first.”
“Okay. How was the patient doing?”
He recounted what he’d learned, leaving out the man saying Clemons Fortune’s name.
“That poor man,” Rachel murmured. “I can’t imagine not knowing who I am, much less also being in so much pain. In the meantime, I’ve got things under control here. I’ve emailed you the updates from Dallas and sorted your mail.”
“Perfect. I’ll see you in the morning. And Rachel?” He paused for a second. “I’m glad you’re back.”
Her voice came softly through the SUV speakers before she disconnected. “Me too.”
The smile was still on his face when he arrived at his father’s, and Clemons noticed. “Whatcha so happy about? Did the guy get his memory back?”
Oakley shoved his car key fob into his front pants pocket. “Actually, quite the opposite. But he did say your name.”
“What? Never seen him before.” Clemons grumbled something Oakley didn’t quite catch as he followed his father to the great room at the back of the house. He glanced around. Normally his dad’s cat would be sunning himself on the couch.
“Where’s Mewington?” he asked.
Clemons gestured out the window. “Outside in the catio. Loves it out there. All day he comes and goes as he pleases through that kitty door. Whiskey?”
“Sure.” It was technically happy hour, or close enough if you went to the bars that began happy hour early.
Not that Oakley was happy. There were still too many unanswered questions regarding why his father’s name had struck a chord with Johnny.
He sipped the expensive Scotch and listened to Clemons rant about some new slight.
At the right moment, Oakley shifted the conversation back to Johnny Doe.
“He doesn’t know who he is or anything about the accident.
But any idea why he blurted out your name? ”
“Like I said—no clue. And I don’t recognize him, so I’m certainly not suing him for anything. He best not be trying to pin this on me. Maybe he saw my name in the papers somewhere, about me being a Fortune.”
Could his dad have a point? After all, Clemons had gotten plenty of press over the years.
“Maybe, though I doubt that he’s after you,” Oakley said, hoping he was right. If anything, he thought the man might have been trying to get away from Clemons. “You’re sure you didn’t see him on the promenade?”
“I said no.”
“You know, it might be a good idea if you go see him tomorrow. Maybe that will jog his memory, and we can solve this mystery. I can meet you there.”
Clemons blanched. “No.”
“Dad, the guy knew your name. He has no memory, but he remembered that when he’s trying to recover from surgery? It doesn’t make any sense. Cheyenne said it’s weird, and it is. It can’t be a coincidence.”
“Not going to no hospital,” Clemons insisted.
“I know you don’t like them after what happened with Mom.”
Before he could add a “but,” his dad cut Oakley off.
“I said no. I hate them. Places of death.” Clemons spit out the words before pouring himself another finger of whiskey.
“They’re horrible and I’m not doing it. You can’t make me.
Didn’t we have this talk about respect yesterday?
I’m your elder, boy. You best remember that. ”
Oakley hated to press the issue, though his gut was telling him not to ignore it.
His dad always seemed to leave a trail of trouble wherever he went, and truly seemed nervous about what his connection to the guy might be.
Clemons’s refusal came from a place far deeper than hating hospitals after his wife had died in one.
That was even more reason to solve this mystery.
“Look, you need to visit him. Get to the bottom of this. I said I’d go with you. Maybe you’ll recognize him better now that he’s awake and cleaned up. Maybe he’s a friend of someone you know. Or a relative.”
“Nope.” Clemons tucked both his lips under and squared his jaw. “Not happening.”
“I’m afraid I have to insist.” It was rare that Oakley put his foot down, but he really didn’t have much of a choice.
“He knows your name. We need to find out why. We moved to Emerald Ridge to get a fresh start. We can’t let this mystery derail our status in our new town, not for you, or for me and my siblings. ”
Clemons harrumphed and folded his arms. Then he loosened them and took another sip of whiskey.
He lifted his forefinger and tapped it lightly against the glass.
“Fine. We’ll go first thing. I don’t want this spoiling things for you kids.
But this is a big request. You best remember that and show me some respect. ”
“I will, and I’ll make sure the others know the sacrifice you’re making.” That was only fair. “Cheyenne might even be working. She was a great help today. Her coworkers really seem to like her.”
“Why wouldn’t they? She’s my daughter and she’s as pretty and generous as her mother. You staying for dinner or what? The housekeeper left some meals in the refrigerator.”
“Sure. But let me make a call first.”
* * *
When Rachel got the call from Oakley, she frowned but answered. She had just put Allie in her high chair and her daughter was fingering food into her mouth. She put the phone on speaker. “Hey. Did you not find everything I left on your desk?”
“To be honest, I haven’t even been back to the office. I have a big ask, though. I’m at my dad’s for an early dinner, and I need to accompany him to the hospital tomorrow.”
“Is he okay?” Even though he had sued her, she wouldn’t wish Clemons harm. She wasn’t that cruel, and she cared for Oakley—as a boss—and he clearly loved his dad.
“He’s fine.” He lowered his voice. “Johnny Doe has amnesia but for some reason he remembered my dad’s name. We don’t know why, and neither does he. I want my dad to visit. See if he recognizes him now, or we’ll see if maybe Johnny will remember my dad.”
“That makes sense. And I’m glad nothing’s wrong with your dad.”
“Me too. At least not physically.”
“Noted.” She handed Allie some more cereal and made faces at her. Allie giggled.
“But that brings me to the big request. My dad has hated hospitals ever since my mom died five years ago. Her death is one reason he’s, well, the way he is.”
Rachel had experienced that firsthand.
“Do you mind if we do tomorrow morning’s work tonight?
” Oakley asked. “That way, I can accompany him to the hospital. If you agree, I can swing by the office and grab what we need. I’ll come to your apartment, of course, so that it doesn’t throw Allie off schedule.
” As if he could sense her hesitation, he added, “I’m also happy to pay you time and a half for the hours…
and give you tomorrow afternoon off with pay. ”