Jane stayed overnight at Lisa’s. She helped out with the kids and chores alongside Margaret. After she had ensured the kids ate and slept, she retired to Lisa’s room.
She had added sleeping pills to Lisa’s dinner and she was happy it was taking effect. She left for the sitting room to clear her head.
“Alex should have opened up about the vasectomy. This would have helped her believe he was saying the truth about Marie’s pregnancy. She could have informed Lisa in time and possibly prevented the mishap,” Jane thought and wondered if Alex truly underwent vasectomy.
She perused through Lisa’s phone to get Alex’s PA’s number. She stumbled on the number and put a call through to him.
“Hello, sorry for calling late at night. I am a family friend of Mr Alexander Peterson. Can you just spare me some of your time?” Jane said from her end.
“Alright, I am all ears,” Benny responded.
“I was told Lisa is not allowed to see her husband. I don’t think it is right. I understand that Mr Peterson gave the orders but no woman would be able to stay still in this kind of situation. She needs to see and know her husband’s condition. It’s her right and obligation,” Jane said.
“I am sorry ma’am. I didn’t make the decision, I am just following orders.”
“I know but try to do something about it. Talk to Alex or something, let him know his wife is losing it … and I suggest, if he refuses to see her, I could visit in her stead and also as a family friend.”
“It isn’t my call to decide. I will get back to you as soon as possible. Your name please?” Benny requested.
“Oh, I am Janet Clinton. He knows me as Jane.”
“Alright, I will get back to you.”
“Ok thanks,” Jane hung up and hoped for a positive response.
“What was Marie thinking? What would be her gain,” Jane reasoned. Unlike Lisa’s claim, she wanted to believe the fire was an accident and Marie isn’t behind it. She wondered and retired for the night.
*****
Marie was perturbed, she only has information on other wounded members of the team but nothing on Alex. Not even the hospital where he was being treated. She never predicted that things would get out of hand.
The blaring of her phone brought her to consciousness. She picked it up and realized it was one of the companies she had made deals with.
“Hello Miss Tanner. Remember our deal? How far with the merchandise? If we are to pay the concluded amount, our deal must stand. The data must be exclusively sold to our company,” a voice said from the other end.
“Oh yes… I understand the deal perfectly well, but I am not rushing into this. When I am ready for the deal I will give you a call,” Marie responded.
“Do not drag it out else, we lost interest,” the caller said but Marie hung up angrily.
She had bargained with two different companies on the sales of Evans Mechanics’ data. Even if Alex did not make a comeback, she can still continue her life. She has data on almost every machine that was designed while she worked with him.
The sale of three years worth of data on self-less research, design and invention of machines will be sufficient to bank on.
******
The next morning, Jane went to retrieve Lisa’s car from the road side. When she drove in, she realized she had missed calls from Alex’s PA. Just as she was about dialing his number, her phone beeped, it was him.
He informed her that Alex approved of her visit only on one condition, she must not bring Lisa along. Jane agreed and he told her the visiting time.
Jane told Lisa but she refused to stay behind. She promised to wait in the car. They drove down to the hospital and Lisa did as promised.
Jane sighted Benny immediately as she walked into the hospital. She walked down to him and she introduced herself.
The PA was awestruck by Jane’s beauty but he kept it to himself as it was not a perfect time. They exchanged pleasantries and he led her into Alex’s room.
“What!? Alex!” Jane screamed and pushed her way back towards the exit. The PA held her arms but she struggled free. She sobbed and wiggled out of his hold. She ran back towards Alex’s bed for a closer look.
Alex was badly burnt and he was unconscious. He had an oxygen mask on and was connected to different machines. Jane cried hard while the PA held her in place.
“What is the prognosis?” She asked in between her sobs.
“After he is stabilized, he would have to undergo facial surgeries. But right now, the worst is not yet over. We pray he gets better. Before he lost consciousness, he pleaded that his wife would feel broken if she saw him in this state.”
Jane nodded and followed the PA out. “What about the other team members?” Jane asked.
“They are also receiving treatment but none is as badly hurt. The firefighters claimed they had received an anonymous call before the fire started. The caller gave an exact information. He told them that it was the workshop on the third floor. The fire fighters had arrived before the fire started. They were already on the third floor. Therefore, the rescue was quick, quick enough before other blasts started.
Boss wasn’t immediately rescued. He was left unconscious in the workshop until one of the rescued wounded team members raised an alarm. The firefighters returned but the workshop was burning fast. The door had locked up automatically, it was one of the responses put in place to avoid spread of fire. It took great effort to get him out.”
Jane sighed and asked. “Weren’t you part of the team? I heard you were the one who called him over.” “Yeah. I was supposed to be there but he sent me to retrieve some documents before joining the team.
“Oh, alright but this is big, you can’t continue to act solely. He has a family. We can’t hide this from his wife for too long. I would like to stall till the end of the week before telling her. Let’s pray he regains consciousness before then. Mrs Peterson would call to ask details about the damage incurred at the company. Thanks for your kindness.” Jane said to Benny and cleaned off her tears. She left for the ladies, reapplied her make up and went out gingerly to join Lisa.
Lisa leapt out of the car immediately she sighted Jane. “How was it? Did you see him?” She shouted from afar.
Jane walked closer with a smiling face and pushed her back into the car.
“We will discuss it when we get back home.”
“Oh, yeah, sure.” Lisa responded and they drove off.