Taylor’s palms were sweating. “I have my lawyers looking into options, but I need to get her out today. They have her strapped down and drugged.”
The deputy picked up his pen and said, “Not to offend you, but if she doesn’t belong there, how did she end up in there?”
“Her parents admitted her.”
His chair squeaked as he leveraged back. “Why would her parents do that?”
“She’s not crazy, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
His impassive face wavered. “Look, when it comes to Bleekman’s it’s complicated.”
“You’re telling me,” Taylor added.
“I can’t just go in there and take people out free Willy. If you truly believe she’s not crazy, you can get a court order and send in an agent.”
Taylor stood up. “How do I do that?”
Eyeing Taylor, he said, “Get those big city lawyers of yours on it.”
As soon as Taylor got in his car, he called Caleb. “I want her out of there right now!”
“I’m working on it, Taylor,” Caleb Monroe said after a heavy sigh. “Nothing in the legal system moves fast. You know this.”
“What I know is what I fucking witnessed, and that’s my wife passed out, looking like she’s on the verge of death while they have her spread out on that fucking torture device. So don’t tell me what I know. Just help me get her out of there.”
“Give me an hour.”
“You’ve got thirty minutes.”
“Don’t go back there without a court order. Do you hear me, Taylor? I understand you’re upset, but don’t make this harder for me to get her out. Get something to eat and save your energy. You’re going to need it.”
“What have you found out about the conservatorship?”
“Her parents have full right and the hospital has some say in what is required for recovery. Look, you should have told me you got married and about her situation. I could have had a head start on this. We’re working against time now. And it’s not looking good.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s sitting in an asylum that her guardian and doctor think is necessary. On top of that, we’re going to have to fight the expert opinion that she wasn’t capable of making the decision to marry you.”
Sucker-punched in the heart. Suddenly terrified that he might lose Jude, Taylor couldn’t breathe. His only air worth inhaling was shackled to a hospital bed. “We love each other.”
“I understand that.” Taylor didn’t like his lawyer’s tone. “But it’s not up to us and this is not about emotions. It’s about what’s best for her. The courts will have to decide that. Listen, I need an hour. Go eat. Take care of yourself. I’ll call you back.”
Taylor started retracing their days after they got married. There was so much he should have done. He should have taken her to his lawyer so she could have filed to gain her rights back. He would have gotten her a phone of her own. He would have never let her go back to that hell again, much less alone. He failed her time and time again. So much he would do differently in hindsight.
He was determined to make things right for her, even though he sat in his car now, gutted by the fact he may have no rights at all, that he may not be able to help her, much less save her. He had great lawyers. This was their time to prove it. Starting the car, he looked down at his phone. He couldn’t just sit here any longer, so he backed out and drove to Bleekman’s to wait on his lawyer to call him back.
Fortunately he didn’t have to wait long. Caleb called, and said, “I’ve got a judge who will make a call for us. Since this will turn into a legal matter, he’ll request she be released into your custody. Be aware. They do not have to comply since her parents still hold legal guardianship over her. The marriage blurs lines in this case. I’m going to file on your behalf for an immediate transfer of guardianship based on not only the marriage license being legal, but on your clean record and upstanding citizenship in the state of New York.”
“How long do I have to wait?”
“Get to Bleekman’s—”
“I’m already here.”
“Then hang tight. I’ll call you when I hear back from the judge’s office.”
“Thank you.” Taylor hung up the call, but held on to the phone. He watched the building like a hawk. When she was released, he wanted a quick getaway, so he moved his car up a row closer and into the end parking spot. The phone rang and he answered immediately, hearing what he wanted. “You’re clear. Go get her.”
Taylor hung up and tossed the phone into the cup holder. Running to the gate, he stopped when he saw the doctor coming out of the building. “Mr. Barrett, you do not understand the damage you are doing. We got off on the wrong foot, but I’m asking you now to leave her.”
“Get my wife!” He pressed the button and the receptionist didn’t answer. She just buzzed him in. Thank goodness for earlier charms.
Dr. Conroy looked annoyed when he heard the gate buzzed open without his permission. Turning back, he had his hands up as Taylor came toward him. “I’m begging you to let her stay another day or two. She’s a very sick woman.”
Taylor ignored him and continued walking straight inside. Maxine, the receptionist, stood up and smiled. “Down hall three. Room six.”
He never paused and started to run. The doctor was calling after him, but he didn’t care. Jude was his only goal. Until the doctor said, “Judith is confused. She kissed me. She begged me for more. Are you willing to be responsible for a woman who can’t even tell the difference between you and me?”
With his hand on the door, he looked back. It took all his willpower to stay focused on getting Jude out of here. How dare he talk about Jude as if she means nothing, as if she wasn’t Taylor’s every waking thought. He wanted to end him, but kept his mission on Jude. “She would never confuse us. You have done nothing but hurt her and I will do nothing but protect her. She knows me not by sight, but by heart.”
Nothing prepared him for seeing the room cradled in blackness. His heart started beating and he felt for a light switch. When he didn’t find one, he leaned back and saw it just outside the door. “Jude,” he called softly before flipping it on.
Her body was in a tight ball on the mattress in the corner. She didn’t move.
Walking in, he heard the doctor behind him. “This is unorthodox and can ruin her treatment.”
“Back away from us.”
“I don’t have to allow this.”
Taylor turned, his body heaving, his hands fisted. “Get away from me. Get away from her. That is your final warning.” His anger steamrolled the doctor making him take three steps back.
Even with the shouting, Jude didn’t move. Taylor bent down, his anger morphing into heartbreak, and whispered, “Jude? Baby, it’s me. Hazel. Can you hear me?” No covering on her. No sheets on the mattress. Hostility mixed with unease in his stomach. Hate for the man behind him mixed with sadness for the woman in front of him. How could they treat my Jude like this? How could they treat anyone like this? He touched her shoulder lightly and could feel her body shivering. His hand moved slowly over her shoulder and to her head. “I’m going to pick you up. Okay, Jude?”
Still no response.
Taylor scooped her into his arms. Her breath hit his neck as he held her close. He got up and walked toward the door with no fear of the doctor or the two orderlies standing by. Taylor walked right past them and to the desk. “Where are her things?”
Maxine put a large clear Ziploc bag on the counter that contained her lavender dress, her shoes, and her two rings. With a sympathetic smile, she said, “That’s all she had.”
He nodded, unable to speak. The tragedy of their love gripped his heart and strangled his words. As he walked to the front doors, a nurse ran up and opened it.
The nurse seemed to understand his silence, and whispered, “She’s going to be okay. I checked on her vitals less than an hour ago.”