SHERIDAN'S SECRET

Chapter Five

(note-sorry I forgot they didn't live in California so I changed chapter two to make this a holiday week--Columbus day -that way they had time to drive from New England-whoops!)

The Mexican vacation was just what Sheridan needed.  She felt so relaxed with Hank.  He never questioned her motives, never criticized her behavior.  He was always there for her, so sweet, so understanding.  Was it possible that he really was her dream man.  She decided to put the whole Harmony scene out of her mind for the weekend and just concentrate on relaxation.  Ivy would be home today, so she didn't need to worry about the house, and Pilar was always there to make sure things ran smoothly.  She could shop, lounge around the pool, laugh and talk with Hank.  As she jogged along the beach outside their villa, Sheridan breathed in the crisp warm air of the  remote  but plush Mexican resort town.  Black sand beaches sparkled in the morning sun and  blended into plush forest in the distance.  She passed  a few children, some peddlers, and two little dogs   further back from the shoreline where she ran.  Scattered cabanas lined the  smooth glittering shore, and the water splashed up on her bare feet as she stopped to breathe in, breathe out.  "Ah, she thought, I could be happy here.  She stared off, hands resting on her hips letting the warm ocean tide wash back and forth on her tired feet and digging her toes into the silky sand.  " Nobody  here knows who I am or cares what I've done,"' she thought.  Then  She caught herself. Stopping her thoughts cold, she playfully kicked the water up with a skip and a hop and took off back to toward the villa,  jogging slowly, and repeating to herself.  "This is a vacation, Sheridan, a vacation!"

That afternoon, she and Hank drove into a nearby village where Hank took care of his business, and also took the list from Pilar to get  the veterinary supplies in town. She shopped for everything  for the girls and bought tons of souvenirs, including some silly trinkets that she wanted to pass out to the kids at the center.  She couldn't resist buying lots of beautiful silver and gemstone jewelry and decided to let everyone choose what they wanted out of the bunch and to keep the rest for herself.  The prices were fantastic, and the workmanship was so unique.  There was nothing like this in Harmony or even Paris for that matter.  When Hank was done, they had a delicious dinner of fresh fruits and seafood with champagne and tequila under the starry sky.  The heat from the day had worn off, and the ocean breeze smelled fresh and light as it crept softly through the clear night.

"I'm having a wonderful time, Hank," Sheridan sighed. She leaned back in her chair and studied the spattered patterns of stars.  The sky is so beautiful here, so clear, and the stars are just everywhere.  I don't think I can move."  She leaned up again and pleaded with Hank as he filled her glass with champagne. "Do we have to leave in the morning?  It seems like we just got here."

"Yeah, I know, " he held her hand on the table and popped a strawberry in each of their mouths with the other.  It was easy to smile back, " We've got a long drive ahead of us, hon, and they'll be expecting you back at the youth center after the break.  We'll have plenty of fun along the way back.  I'll take a different route so you can see some other places,  There's loads of stuff I want to show you Sheridan.  If we leave early enough, we can even stop over in Vegas the first night, and stay south to the Carolinas, then back up the coast home.  How does that sound?" 

"I love the coast.  Driving down through California was gorgeous.  I wish we could just travel around forever like two vagabonds, well two rich vagabonds! " Sheridan poured a glass of champagne for the two of them, and they toasted. 

"To us,"  Hank clicked her glass softly and looked at her beautiful, lonely face. "That's easy for you to say, but the only way I'm gonna be rich is if I hit the jackpot in Vegas."

They got up early the next morning ready to pack the car and leave as soon as possible.  After checking out, Sheridan waited outside the front lobby  while Hank went to get the car, as the valet was no where to be found.  She was beginning to get restless when she realized there was a huge commotion in the parking area between Hank and one of the hotel employees.  The worst had happened.  Hank's new car had been stolen.  The valet had disappeared and several cars from the hotel had disappeared along with him.  He was in a furious rage when he got back to where Sheridan was waiting. 

"What can we do?" she asked afraid to say too much.  She'd never seen him so upset.  "I can call Ethan if you like.  I'm sure we have connections down here somewhere, but it could take some time."

"Forget it," he calmed down and apologized, "I'm  so sorry Sheridan.  At least our luggage wasn't in it, and the insurance will pay for it.  Consider it free mileage, I guess," He found a place for Sheridan to relax and arranged for transportation to the airport where the timing would be just right.  "At least, we won't be waiting for a flight out.  We'll be home tonight.  Tomorrow morning I can call my insurance company, and then I guess it's car shopping time all over again." 

Sheridan felt strange all the way to the airport.  Was this the beginning of another streak of bad luck?  She tried to relax and think about all the fun they'd had.  When they got to the airport, Hank recommended she go through customs with the carryon things while he got the tickets and checked the luggage to save time.  He walked her over and she waited her turn.  As luck would have it, she was selected for a baggage search, but at least they were good time wise. The customs official rummaged through her things quickly and   asking her to declare what she'd bought.  She showed him her written form, and he spotted the bottles from the veterinary supply company Pilar had needed.  As he examined the contents, he stopped on one and called another inspector over.  They spoke in Spanish for a few minutes looking at her like they were ready to interrogate her.  When they paused, she spoke up. "They're   supplies for our kennel and horses.  Is everything ok?  I was told our family groomer had purchased these here before.  We wanted to stock up since we live so far away , and the prices are much better here."

"These are some very strong drugs, Miss.  They are indeed for veterinary use only?" the officer questioned her politely pointing to the label on the bottle  where she recognized the word veterinary in Spanish.

"Yes, they are." she answered politely , her hands beginning to tremble and her heart pounding like wild native drums .  She hoped she could remain calm enough to get through this.

"All right, then" he waived her through shutting the suitcase and motioning the next person to come forward.  Sheridan was in a daze as she fumbled with the baggage trying to get it back together, when Hank came over. 

"What's wrong, Sheridan?"  He reached around her gathering their things and taking her arm to lead her over to the boarding area. "Did you have some problems with the carry on stuff.  I checked the others." 

"Hank," she spoke barely containing herself,"  Are you sure we got the right things for Pilar at the veterinary supply? " she asked.

"I gave him the list, Sheridan.  It was all in Spanish.  I didn't really pay much attention to tell you the truth, but come to think of it, he did point to each item and then to the one on the list as he bagged them up.  I guess he wanted to show me he was getting me what I needed.  He probably deals with Americans all the time. Why, what's wrong? " he asked back.

"Hank, one of the drugs that Pilar ordered is exactly the same drug that Dr. Russell said I had in my system, the sedative.  I remember the name of it, and it was identical even in Spanish.  It said phenobarbitol!  The customs man warned me that it was a strong drug and asked me if it was for the animals.  It must be the same thing! "  Sheridan was on the verge of tears. Why would Pilar order something like that. Hank?  What's happening to me?"  she cried.

"Hold on now, Sheridan; calm down.  I'm sure they use sedatives all the time for the horses and those crazy  high strung dogs you guys have guarding the place.  Everybody who has that many animals keeps stuff like that around.  It doesn't mean anything, except that the drug is near by.  Maybe you came in contact with in petting the animals or something.  I don't know anything about that sort of stuff, but I guess it's possible an animal could excrete some sort of drug residue." Hank sat back considering how ridiculous his reasoning was and wondering himself  if maybe there was something shady going on at the Crane mansion.  "I don't know what to tell you Sheridan. It does sound suspicious.  We'll talk to Pilar and Dr. Russell about it.  Maybe the tests were wrong anyway, and this is just a coincidence." he tried to  satisfy her fears but was having some of his own.  Who would want to hurt Sheridan, he wondered.

"I'm going to use the phone over there," she told him pulling herself together. "I want to let them know we'll be flying in and have someone meet us."

While Sheridan made her call, Hank's mind went through a wild whirlwind of speculations.  Would Ethan want to get rid of Sheridan and get a larger share of the Crane fortune?  What about Ivy, or even Julian.  Was there something Sheridan was hiding that incriminated one of them to the point that they wanted to get rid of her before she told her secret.  He could be leading her to her death trying to get her to deal with her past.  What about Luis?  Did he really despise Sheridan so much?  No, that was really crazy!  It must have something to do with that secret she's been hiding.

"Well I spoke with Ivy,"  Sheridan's voice was affected, not right at all, and it snapped him back to reality.  "She's sending a driver for us, and sends her sympathy to you for your ordeal with the car.  Oh and something else," she paused.  Ivy told me that Dr. Russell called and said that no mistakes were made.  She said the doctor had told her  that I would understand.  But I don't understand, Hank." her voice was slipping, "  I'm not a drug user!"  She was beginning to get worked up again.  I'm afraid, Hank."  Sheridan looked away, then back at Hank with tears streaming down her cheeks.  " I think  maybe I should check into that clinic and sort this out.  What do you think?"

"I think I have to agree with you, Sheridan", Hank wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him.  He motioned for her to get a tissue from her purse, which she did, then put her sunglasses on.  The boarding had begun, and they rose to find their places on the plane.  Once settled in , Hank pulled her hand near him and held it firmly.  "As much as I want to be near you, Sheridan, I want you to be safe, and I can't think of a better place to be until we get this figured out.  Maybe that private investigator can help."

"He's an idiot, Hank. And besides he's gone now.  He couldn't find his way home in the dark.  No. I don't want to tell anyone yet, maybe Pilar, and Dr. Russell, and of course the new doctor.  I need time to think.  My brain feels clearer just this past few days, and I certainly didn't sleepwalk, did I." she was beginning to think straight now.

"No you didn't.  That's why I always wanted to get a room big enough to be able to sleep on the sofa so I could be there if you needed me.  You scared the heck out of me that night, crashing into stuff all the way into the main house.  Sheridan, don't worry, I'm sure you can get a note from Dr. Russell to continue your work at the center later and check into Franklin Institute as early as tomorrow if you like.  I'm just saying it's a plan to consider, that's all.  I don't want you hurt any more. I kinda like having you around you know."  he smiled over at her, and touched the tip of her nose.

She wiped it off and smiled back," What would I do without you Hank?"

"You'll never have to know," he promised.  They both put their heads back and closed their eyes for the long trip back, each tormented by the horrendous possibilities of what could be happening.

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