SHERIDAN'S SECRET

chapter two

On the way to Dr. Russell's office, Sheridan felt relieved that she might finally be solving her dreaded nightmares.  She and Hank arrived before the doctor, and after filling out some background forms.  "You can wait out here, Mr. Crane", the receptionist told Hank.  

They both laughed,  "I'm afraid I'm not Mr. Crane, at least not yet, right Ms. Crane? Hank joked. I 'll be right here,"  he added, "then it's coffee time, right dear?"

 He was different, wasn't he, she thought to herself.  "I'm sure it won't take long.  You don't mind? "  she asked.  Hank grinned and nodded approval picking up a copy of an old car and driver magazine and waving her on.  

 Sheridan was escorted into an examining room where she was given a gown and a pre-exam for vital signs.  She couldn't help worrying about the discretion of the nurse, but kept telling herself how crazy it was to worry.  Still, being a Crane, people had always tried to make her business their business, so she was always on guard.  She thought about how accommodating and understanding  Dr. Russell had been the first time she had asked for something to help her sleep, so she was  anticipating all would go well today. She was beginning to hope she could stay in Harmony and face her fears with the help of her dream man, Hank.

Dr. Russell was right on time.  "Hello, Ms, Crane, I see you're here for that exam.  I'm glad you could make it.  I see here it's been quite a while since your last physical.  We'd better start there and rule out  any physical reasons for those sleep problems you told me about. Were the pills helpful that I gave you."

"Yes, thank you Dr. Russell, but I seem to be sleepwalking."  Sheridan answered.

"Are you taking any other medication? You don't mention anything here."  Dr. Russell looked over her notes and went on."  That sort of thing usually happens to people in a deep sleep, people who fall asleep easily or who are on large amounts of medication which would induce a deep sleep where the subconscious mind is actually fooled into thinking you're awake.  You're so at ease that you actually do things in your sleep like walk and talk." 

Sheridan assured the doctor that she was taking only the mild sedative she was given but that she had experienced the sleepwalking many times before, even though she didn't consider herself a person who falls asleep easily.  After the examination during which Sheridan revealed the entire dream including the bloody hands, the coffin, and the letter opener, as well as the dream man who saved her, Dr. Russell  assured her of confidentiality.  The doctor had personal experience with  the kind of secret one would never want to be exposed.   Dr. Russell explained to Sheridan that if there were no significant  physical findings she knew a wonderful female psychiatrist who specialized in overcoming trauma using  a technique more successful than hypnotherapy in a       community  where patients could stay in comfort and anonymity. Before Sheridan left Dr. Russell assured Sheridan that everything would work out and she would be right on track for  getting control of her life .  To complete things she also  ordered some lab tests and said she would call Sheridan later that day with the results.  She planned to rush them over to the lab and get the results  at lunch from the hospital. Dr. Russell, physician and confidante,  knew that helping a Crane could be very beneficial when it came time to solicit contributions for the clinic. She had every intention of helping Sheridan Crane any way she could.  

Sheridan headed out of the office feeling  like she had a new lease on life.  Finally she had people around her who really cared about her, and not about who she was. She spotted Hank with his head buried in a magazine, eyes closed.  She tapped the top of his head lightly and impishly quipped, "All done!"  

Hank snapped back to reality,  "Woah, that was fast, everything ok?"

"Perfect, now if only I didn't have to go in for my so called community service.  They should call it Officer Luis Lopez Fitzgerald's demeaning daycare.  All I ever do is take care of his personal needs.

"Roger captain, guess I was pretty much over and out,"  he smiled as he got up and took her arm to head out the door.

  "Come on, coffee's on me."  Sheridan put her hand over his and gazed up at him. (or I think it might be down at him, but anyway,) "You look like you could really use it after last night.  I didn't mean to keep you up past your bedtime , Mr. Sleepyhead, but I sure appreciate what you're doing for me. "  Sheridan climbed in the car with Hank's gentlemanly assistance, and they headed off to the coffee shop for  a much needed refueling.  

Hank joined Sheridan at the youth center where the project for the day was a new sign for the men's locker room door.  (A peep hole would have been a more constructive use of time) It seemed that even though Sheridan and Luis continued to lock horns at every turn, day by day, more and more, they were forced to see new aspects of one another.  The faces behind the masks they wore began to show compassion, sacrifice, and an admirable strength of character underneath the crusty facades.  Hank could see that the bickering twosome actually had a lot in common as far as character.  He just hoped he could prevent the fiery and passionate exchanges he had witnessed from turning into the kind of fiery passion he had reserved for himself. 

Throughout the day, Sheridan busied herself with the usual menial tasks so foreign to a woman of her background still believing Luis had it in for her for no apparent reason.  Luis, on the other hand, took great delight in filling her day with the sort of work he knew would belittle her intellectually, still trying to beat her down for what he thought was a betrayal of a budding friendship.  He would never forget the sexual harassment charges he was told she had brought against him and had no idea she was totally innocent of any involvement. His breaking her down was a police tactic he had devised to break her and make her reveal the deep dark secret he knew she was hiding.  Hank saw right through the game, and he discouraged Luis at every opportunity in order for him to endear himself to Sheridan for the very same reason as Luis...Sheridan's secret past. They were two very different men with the same goals and two very different strategies.  The only difference besides the obvious good versus evil is that Luis had not yet discovered how much he desperately needed to be a part of Sheridan's life.  Hank knew that if Luis ever did wake up to that realization, the battle for  Sheridan's affections would not be easily won, but he had planned to be ready with plenty of ammunition and strategic moves.  Luis would never get that far if Hank acted quickly and rationally, and the fact that Luis didn't admit his attraction to Sheridan really gave Hank the advantage.  

They completed their project and sat down together for lunch with everyone getting along and talking about future youth center project ideas.  Sheridan suggested a dance class, the guys agreed.  She had noticed that the girls weren't participating in things as much as the guys.  Luis agreed and admitted he had been unable to coax the girls into anything so far, but that Sheridan's idea would be great for  building self esteem as well as coordination and discipline.  He had never regretted the training his mother had encouraged, and Hank pointed out it hadn't hurt his dating prospects either and how Luis had always been king of the dance floor.  "You wouldn't believe this guy, Sheridan, totally into it!" he bragged about his friend.

" Actually, I've had first hand experience with  Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald's abilities on the dance floor", Sheridan looked at Hank, then smiled coyly over at Luis, and back to Hank,"  I must say I was quite impressed and rather surprised ,"  She shot a sexy grin at Luis, picturing in her mind's eye the hot, wild tango they shared at Pilar's party.  Luis was locked into the same tempting daydream when the phone rang, and he handed it to Sheridan.  

"Yes,' she answered ," can you hold on a moment while I change phones?" Sheridan excused herself to take the phone call.  "Hello Dr. Russell, do you have any news for me so soon?" 

 Dr Russell was friendly but direct, "Yes, Ms. Crane, I was able to get the lab to run your tests while I did my rounds at lunch, and I just wanted to clear something up with you.  You said the medication I gave you for sleep the other day when you brought your nephew in was the only medication you had been taking regularly, is that right!" 

"Of Course, Dr. Russell, I'm sure I've had an aspirin or two in the last few months and a little alcohol, but I'm absolutely positive I haven't taken any other prescription drugs, or any other drugs at all for that matter since I came to Harmony and for at least a year before that.  I had some antibiotics in Paris for a strep throat that I mentioned to you, but that's it."  Sheridan seemed bewildered. "Why do you ask, Dr?"

"Ms. Crane," Dr. Russell continued in a frank tone obviously used for meeting out the facts,  "the tests show large amounts of two very strong prescription drugs, scapolomine, and phenobarbitol in your system.  We're not talking about antibiotics or any over the counter medication formulas here.  These are very highly intoxicating , mind altering drugs.  Now if you haven't taken them, that would lead me to the question of whether someone you know is administering them to you without your knowledge.  Are you being completely open with me, Ms. Crane.  You know that everything between us is in strictest confidence, and I'm only here to help you."  

"My God, Dr. Russell!   there has to be some mistake.  I trust you completely, and I can't imagine anyone getting the opportunity to poison me much less the reason to do so."  Her mind flashed on Jean-Luc, then the bloody dreams, then confusion and denial.  Are you sure this isn't some kind of mistake, a mix up at the lab.  They were very hasty with the results.  Maybe someone else has my reading. Can you double check?" she asked frantically, wondering if she was really losing her mind.  This was so crazy! How could anything like this happen to her.  It must be a mistake."

"Well of course I can run it through again."  Dr. Russell assured Sheridan.  "Drugs like these do explain some of the things you told me though, for instance the sleepwalking, the traffic accidents, forgetfulness, hopelessness, the possible hallucinations and obsessive behavior, and paranoia about how people see you, even the absent mindedness like when you said you accidentally went into the men's locker room without thinking.  These drugs affect the memory center of the brain as well as dull the senses and block peripheral thinking so that you tend to focus on whatever it is you wish to focus on, and sometimes things you really wouldn't want to lock into.  Even a small amount is very potent, and from the look of this report, whosever it is, someone has been getting this drug recently over a period of days, maybe weeks.  It's hard to tell, but it's easy to see the presence of a large residual amount. I want you to see a friend of mine, Ms. Crane, while I have these results double checked.  She may require some of the same tests, and that should help you evaluate the validity for your self if the tests prove to be right."

"Alright," Sheridan seemed dazed bombarded with so much information and so many bizarre possibilities.  She couldn't believe someone would drug her...who?? why?? Her mind was swimming, yet the words rung out, hopelessness, her poor driving record, her obsession with the past, her sleepwalking.  She wanted to cry out for help, but answered calmly. "What should I do?"

"No matter what the results of the tests, Ms. Crane," Dr. Russell explained, "your exam and tests show nothing that leads me to believe I can be the one to help you in this particular instance.  You can see me for any reason, any time, but I want you to see that professional  I spoke to you about.  She deals specifically with problems like yours, drugs or not, in a way much more advanced and successful than the  hypnotherapy you tried with no results.  Her name is Dr. Davina Franklin, and she runs the Franklin Institute. Like I said, it's near here, about an hours drive north on the coast."

"I see", Sheridan went on listening.

 " You may have heard of her tapping therapy to train  the portion of the brain that retains the horrible nightmares you've been suffering. Her studies show that people can become trained by their own fears to have certain reactions, and this seems to be a way to break yourself of that negative training that's developed over time.   That's about all I can tell you really myself, but I do know that her success rate is phenomenal.  Patients come from all over the entire world to get treatment there.  Luckily, she is a friend of mine, and you can stay there as an inpatient which is recommended or drive in when you can if necessary.  I know you have the work at the center, but I could get you a medical release"

Sheridan interrupted," No, I don't want any suspicions from Officer Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald.  I know of Dr. Franklin.  Crane Industries is on the board of her non profit research center.  We contribute  assistance for legal and financial services. I guess I just never thought of myself as someone who needed that kind of help, but maybe you're right.  Can we talk it over when you get the test results back again, Dr. Russell?  I'd like to think it over a bit.  I guess I'm still in shock over those tests."

"I'll get back to you as soon as possible, Ms Crane."  Dr Russell promised." And, please, consider the possibilities of how you could be getting something like this in your system.  I want you to pay attention, Ms Crane, I mean it, seriously.  An error like that in the lab especially for someone whose chart obviously says Crane is highly unlikely.  That clinic is supported by Crane dollars, and I'm sure no one there wants to lose his job. 

Sheridan hung up the phone and slipped into the ladies room.  She stood before the mirror staring at her own reflection, wondering :  Who could it be?  How could this happen?  It didn't make sense, and yet in some ways it made everything so clear. She had to talk to someone. She buried her head in her hands, anxiously massaging her eyebrows and circling around her hairline  with her fingertips to rest her chin in them, her hands covering her lips as if in prayer. She searched her reflection for the answers  as her mind slipped into a blank, dark shallowness, and the tears began to flow.  She had to talk to someone. 

 Outside the guys noticed that Sheridan  seemed to disappear for much longer than necessary.  Just when Hank and Luis were beginning to argue over whether she had ditched her assignment and gone AWOL, Sheridan emerged from the ladies' room walking quickly back to her work area, her trembling hands fumbling to cover her tear stained face.  Struggling to maintain a degree of dignity, she apologized for her unexplained absence and asked Luis if he would mind if she spoke to Hank alone just briefly.  Luis was quick to apologize back, and left immediately, but from where he sat he could still observe the frantic body language and gesturing between the two. 

Sheridan relayed the phone call to Hank.  She blurted out everything, her tests results, her  denial  about the drugs, her bewilderment, her fears.  Hank listened patiently, thinking she must be lying because how could someone be drugging her and why, but he let her believe he was buying her story.  It was a pretty big dose for him to swallow too, not what he had expected, but he knew the chances of the tests being mixed up were slim.  People in this town just didn't make that kind of mistake with a Crane.  Still, he needed time to process all this.  He decided to continue with plan A, stay close to her, and if the treatment helped her , maybe she would keep confiding in him, and he would be her one true friend.  

"Sheridan," he reached out  with both hands  casually resting on her shoulders.  "Look at me," he appealed to her with his painted look of concern.  "I've got a great idea. Dr. Russell probably won't have those results until at least after the Columbus Day holiday weekend.  If someone is hurting you, I want you as far away from them as possible.  I've got to go to Mexico in the morning for the  holiday week.  You could come with me.  That way I can make sure you're safe and you can get your mind off this whole thing. A guy there owes me some money for work I did last month.  He wanted to send it to me, but I just got this new car, and I need to break it in anyhow.  We can stay at his place.  It's right on the beach, beautiful view, great weather,  fantastic food and I know you like to shop.  They have the most beautiful silver jewelry all hand crafted. You'd have a ball, and you'd be doing me a favor too.  I could use the company on the drive , and hey you do owe me one, remember.  Whatdayasay?"

"Sounds great, actually' she agreed, turning to look at him from the sideways stare   where she had been blindly fixed. "I need some time to think, and truthfully, Hank, I just don't know who to trust any more.  I know you haven't had the opportunity or been with me long enough to be my culprit, and I just hope I'm not making the same mistake with you that I seem to make with every man I know. "  Her eyes pleaded with him for confirmation.  

"Sheridan, I care about you, more than you know.  And I've been around you long enough to know that helping you get your past and your life in order is the one important step you need to take before you could even consider thinking about me the way I think about you.  I'm more that willing to take that time with you. I'm here for you for whatever you need."  He held her at arms length knowing everything he was saying was just perfect and just so pleased with himself that his own satisfaction seemed to her like the genuine thing, and he knew it everything was falling into place. "I'll pick you up in the morning, or I can stay at your place tonight.  I can watch the main house if you like, whatever you think. "

"No, morning's fine, Hank."  her mood lifted.  "I can manage, and I need some time to  myself.  I'll keep busy packing and then catch up on some sleep.  Pilar will be coming by to check on everything, so she'll stop in I'm sure.  She takes care of me like a daughter, you know.  I don't know what I would have done without her.  I'll be ready in the morning, and I can even help with the driving if you like."

"Oh no, not with your record", he joked actually quite seriously. "Those Mexican cops make Luis look like a pussycat.  I want to keep that new car. Besides, I like to drive, and you need to relax.  I just want this to be a getaway for you, ok.  I'll let Pilar know tonight when I stop by in case she wants to help you pack.  You're right about her; you couldn't be in better hands.  She's been like a mother to me too.  I think I missed her and her family when I was away more than my own family, but hey, don't let my brother know I said that!"  

Sheridan glanced over at Luis who was obviously interested in what was going on.  "I'd better get back to work.  I don't want to have my time extended for taking too many breaks.  I think I'm pushing my luck here.  Thanks, Hank, you're such a dear friend."  She looked warmly into his face, trusting him like a kitten on it's first trip to the vet.

CHAPTER THREE

After work, Hank stopped by the Lopez Fitzgerald house to let Pilar know about the arrangements. When he got there, Miguel was talking with Pilar and Luis about how he had taken Charity to the lighthouse park that day to look through the telescope at the island just the way they had before her tragedy in the fire.  He was trying to rekindle  the feelings they had before the accident, and was excited about the idea of taking a boat to the island for a romantic excursion with her. 

"Luis," he said entreating his brother to share his excitement," you won't believe what we saw today through the telescope.  The chimney, the one we always used to look at with Papa, Charity and I both swear we saw smoke coming out of it."

"That's odd,"  Luis seemed interested,  his usual police officer inquisitiveness kicking in, "I thought that place was just a crumbling pile of bricks by now.  It's been there forever.  Besides, no one's lived on that island since the big storm, seems like at least ten years now. "  

Suddenly glass came crashing down shattering around the table where they sat talking., and the crash made everyone in the room jump like a bunch of startled kids sitting around a campfire telling ghost stories.  The guys burst out in laughter, Hank grabbing one shoulder on each brother and shaking them back like a joke. "Hey, you guys don't think it's turned into monster island or anything do you?  Or maybe a tribe of mutant Amazon women are secretly living there waiting for the right time to sneak over and dominate all the men of Harmony. "

"Come on Hank," Miguel wanted to finish his story. "Do you guys know anyone with  a boat we could borrow for a few hours.  I've got plenty of experience from my job this summer at the docks, so you wouldn't have to worry, you know. He bent to help his mother clean up the glass  votive candle that had fallen from the window.  She had been lighting them there every night since Papa left , always holding out hope for his return.  

"I know where you can get one," Luis piped up.  I'll call him tonight.  But you better get back early.  There's no electricity over there.  It's pretty much desolate, and don't forget to take something for first aid just in case.  It's probably crawling with bugs and covered with debris.  I don't want you over there long, little brother, ok"

"Sure, Luis, gee thanks.  You're the best, except when it comes to wrestling of course". Miguel joked jabbing his brother's shoulder and quickly jumping back laughing.

"Don't get started you guys", Hank chimed in, "I don't think your mom here wants to clean up any more broken glass.  You guys take it outside if you need to."  

Pilar broke in," I don't think it's a good idea Miguel."  She seemed worried.  

"Mama, I know it's dangerous in there.  Charity just wants a closer look, that's all.  I would never let her walk around in that mess after what she's been through. I know better than that.  We won't even dock, how's that.  We'll just cruise on over towards the shore and stay in the boat.  I don't want to take any chances either. I promise you. I give you my word, Mama, we won't even get off the boat.  We just want to get close and look around a little, just for a few minutes, then we'll head on back.  Charity isn't up to a long day anyway."  Miguel held his mother's hands in his.  

Pilar looked up lovingly  at her son's face and squeezed his hands,  "That's fine, son.  Just be sure you don't stay long.  I worry about you."  She didn't seem to like the idea but could see that he was determined to go.

"I'll call my friend tonight about the boat," Luis told Miguel," I'm sure he can meet you in the morning if you want to leave then.  He never uses it, and he owes me a favor anyway."

"Everybody owes you favors, Luis."  said Hank, " I might be in a position to return some favors myself this weekend.  Does anyone need anything from Mexico?   The silver jewelry there is gorgeous you know, and very reasonable. He never mentioned Sheridan's tests results which she had asked him to keep private, but he announced that Sheridan would be accompanying him to Mexico that weekend .   If you guys want me to pick up anything , I'm sure Sheridan has great taste, and she's gonna be doing some shopping while I take care of business.  Maybe Theresa would like something."

"Oh wow," Miguel lit up," Maybe you could get something for Charity while you're there.   I could give you the money now, and maybe Sheridan could pick out something nice for her.  She loves surprises, and she really needs cheering up."

"I need some things too, Hank," Pilar added.  "Something for Theresa would be wonderful and I need some veterinary supplies for the Cranes' kennels and stables.  It's much cheaper in Mexico.  I can give you a list.  Would that be okay?"

"Sure, but I can't believe the Cranes need to save money.  You always look out for everybody, don't you?  Why don't you write everything down for me and I'll just give it to the veterinary supply store there.  Before Hank left, he had a list from Pilar along with a  blank check made out to him, and he had taken a load of ribbing about his travel partner and the possibilities there.  He reminded Pilar again  that Sheridan was alone, and she said that she had already planned to take over some dinner, check on everything, and now would also help her pack.  Sheridan would make a great travel partner, he pondered as he left the Lopez-Fitzgerald's cozy little home.  He hated driving all that way alone, and as long as money was talking, Hank was a great listener.

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