Chapter 19: Gabby

GABBY

Two weeks passed with no sign of Lauren or Chad, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Part of me was happy they weren't bothering me, but the other part of me wanted the whole ordeal to be done and over with.

I shook my head and tried to clear them from my thoughts. I had one more patient to see before I was off for the next four days. Byte and I were planning on going up to Badger's cabin for a long weekend, and I couldn't wait.

"The last patient of the day is ready in room three," Jan said.

"Thanks. I'll go ahead and get started. Will you let Dr. Vaughn know?" I asked and opened the patient's chart on my laptop.

"Sure. He'll be right behind you."

I knocked on the door and entered the room. "Hello, Ms. Watson. I'm Gabby, a nurse practitioner student working with Dr. Vaughn. What brings you in today?" I asked and almost dropped my computer when my eyes landed on Lauren. She was sitting on the exam table with a devious smile on her face, and a large gun in her hand.

"Yes, Gabby, I know who you are," she said snidely.

I instinctively took a few steps away from her. "Don't even think about it. Unless you want me to kill everyone in this building, you'll keep your mouth shut and do as I say."

"What do you want?"

"I want what's rightfully mine," she said.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Before she could respond, Patch knocked once on the door and entered the room. "Hello, Ms. Watson. I'm Dr. Vaughn. I see you've already met Gabby."

"Yes, I have," she gritted out.

At her tone, Patch looked up from the computer screen and noticed the gun in her hand. "What's going on here?"

Lauren rolled her eyes dramatically. "I thought doctors were supposed to be smart. Isn't it obvious?"

"Sorry. This is my first time being held at gunpoint at my place of business."

"I want you to send everyone home," she instructed. "And don't even think about trying to alert anyone."

Patch nodded and stuck his head out the door. "Jan, you guys can go ahead and go home. We're going to be a while longer."

"Are you sure? I can stay and help," she offered.

"Thanks, but I think we're good. I'll see you tomorrow," he said and closed the door. Turning back to Lauren, he asked, "Now what?"

"Now we wait for everyone to leave," she said. "While we're doing that, both of you put your phones over there where I can see them."

I reluctantly removed my phone from my pocket and placed it on the counter beside Patch's. The only thing keeping me from completely freaking out was knowing Byte was in the parking lot, waiting to pick me up. When Patch and I didn't leave with the rest of the employees, he would realize something was wrong. I just needed to stall long enough for that to happen.

"All right, everyone should be gone by now," Lauren said and pulled out a roll of duct tape from the large purse beside her. She pointed the gun at Patch and gestured to the chair. "You, sit down. Gabby, you're going to secure him to the chair and cover his mouth with tape."

I couldn't tape Patch to the chair. If I did, I'd be completely on my own against her. "What? Why? Why are you doing this?"

"Oh, now you're interested in me?" Lauren spat.

"What are you talking about?"

"I shouldn't be surprised. You've always only cared about yourself," she said and laughed derisively. "You know, I actually thought you'd try to find me. For years, I waited for someone to show up, but they never did."

While Lauren was talking, Patch had been slowly inching his way closer to her. Unfortunately, Lauren noticed and angrily pointed the gun in his direction. "Not another step closer."

I completely ignored their interaction and tried to bring her attention back to me. "I'm sorry, but I'm really not following you. For years you thought I'd come for you? How would that have been possible? I just met you last year."

She narrowed her eyes, and the muscles in her jaw tightened. "No, you met me when we were children."

I remembered Byte telling me angry people were sloppy people, and I hoped that would be the case with Lauren. "You obviously knew I had no recollection of you. Why are you acting so upset about it now?"

"I'm not upset," she growled and emphasized her words by aiming the gun at me. "I'm pissed."

"Yes, I can see that," I said and gestured to the gun. I really didn't have a clue what I was doing, but I was determined not to let her win. I had to keep her talking until one of us could get the upper hand. "Will you at least tell me why you're so mad? What did I do to make you hate me so much?"

"Oh, Gabby. Dear sweet, stupid Gabby. I don't hate you. I'd have to feel something for you in order to hate you, and I have zero feelings for you."

I didn't point out that she'd just admitted to being angry. She was clearly in the middle of a psychotic break of some sort.

"Okay, I got it. No feelings for me. So, what's this all about?"

"I already told you!" she screamed. "I want what's rightfully mine!"

"And you think I have what's yours?" I asked. I truly had no idea what she was talking about.

She huffed in frustration. "How do you not know? Look at me!"

At that point, I was just as frustrated as she was, and I was tired of talking in circles. "I am looking at you! Just tell me!"

"I'm your fucking sister!"

"No, you're not," I uttered in disbelief. "You can't be."

"Why not? Because I didn't come from some hoity-toity rich bitch like you did? Because politicians are known for their fidelity? Tell me, Gabriella Hastings, why can't I be your sister?"

I gasped at the sound of my original surname. "I-I," I stammered while I tried to make sense of her words. My sister? There was only one way that was possible. "Are you saying Lawrence Hastings is your father?"

"You always had so much more than me, and you didn't even appreciate it. You had a room full of toys you never played with. Everything sat untouched on the shelves while your bedroom was in pristine condition," she sneered.

Suddenly, realization dawned. She was the kid from my dream. "I remember you," I breathed. "You used to come over to my house. You would break my toys and destroy my room. I got in trouble every time you came to visit."

"Oh, boo hoo. Poor little princess Gabby had to clean up after her slovenly sister," she spat.

"Okay, fine. You're my sister. What do you think I have that belongs to you?"

"My inheritance."

"Your what?"

"Our father was a senator. I know he was loaded. I want my half of the money you got from him."

My brows furrowed in confusion. "I didn't get any money from him."

"Don't lie to me!" she screamed.

"I'm not lying to you. He was convicted of numerous crimes. Everything he had was seized by the authorities," I explained.

"I know you're loaded," she insisted.

I swallowed thickly, knowing she wasn't going to like my response. "Yes, I have a substantial trust fund, but that came from my mother and my grandmother. I didn't inherit anything from Lawrence."

"You know what? I don't care. I want half of what you have. We'll call it compensation for my pain and suffering. Now, it's time to go." With that, she pointed the gun at Patch and fired.

I watched in horror as the bullet pierced his left upper chest. He stumbled backward and fell to the floor as blood appeared on his lab coat. I dropped down beside him and covered his wound with my hands. "Patch," I cried. "Are you okay?"

"Let's go, Gabby," Lauren insisted.

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" I yelled.

"Do what she says," Patch croaked. "Don't worry about me."

"Listen to the dying doctor," Lauren hissed.

"I'm not leaving you," I said to Patch. "She can't kill me and get her money."

Lauren sighed in exasperation. "You're right. I can't kill you, but I sure as hell can maim you."

As soon as the words left her mouth, another loud boom filled the room, and white-hot pain pierced my shoulder. And that was it. I'd had enough, and I couldn't take any more. My only explanation for what happened next was that I snapped.

I got to my feet and launched myself at Lauren, tackling her to the ground. We landed on the tile floor with a thud, but I didn't let the impact stop me. I raised my closed fist and plowed it into her face, followed by my other closed fist. Over and over. I didn't stop until someone touched my shoulder and shouted my name.

Patch was slumped in the chair, with Lauren's gun in his hand. "I've got her. Go get Byte."

Byte. The sound of his name filled me with overwhelming relief. He was right outside.

I ran to the back door and almost dropped to my knees when I saw him.