Star Struck (23 page)

“Let me taste one,” Hailey said.

Jackie reached out to hand her the box of candy but before Hailey could take it, Jackie started panting hard and fell to the floor barely missing the edge of the desk.

Hailey screamed, “Oh my God. Somebody help me please.” She rushed from around her desk. Bach happened to be walking down the hall and heard her. “What’s going on?” he asked as soon as he entered the room.

“Hurry, call 9-1-1,” Hailey yelled.

Bach retrieved his phone and made the call. “I’m not sure what happened.”

Hailey said, “She was eating candy and then she passed out. Oh my God, the candy could be poisoned.”

Bach attempted CPR on Jackie, but she remained passed out. It didn’t take long for the paramedics to arrive. She moved out of the way as she listened to Bach explain to them what happened. One of the paramedics said, “She could have had an allergic reaction, but we won’t know that for sure until we get her to the hospital.”

Hailey rocked back and forth as the paramedics tried to revive Jackie. Bach and John tried to calm her. “Where’s Garrett?” she asked.

Bach responded, “His secretary said he was on his way.”

The paramedic said, “She’s coming around.”

“Thank God,” Hailey said.

One of the officers walked up to her. “Has her next of kin been notified?”

John responded, “I’ve contacted her parents. They will be meeting us at the hospital.”

Hailey by now was standing by Jackie’s side. She said, as Jackie’s eyes flittered open and close. “You got to get better. Who else can put up with my mood swings?”

She thought she saw a slight smile on Jackie’s face, but wasn’t sure. The paramedic said, “Ma’am, we got to get her in the ambulance now.”

Hailey released Jackie’s hand so they could do their job. Mo wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll ride in the ambulance with her. You don’t need to be there. The media is going to be all over this.”

“I don’t care. Jackie has to be okay.”

Mo said to John. “Take care of her. Let me go before they leave me.”

He placed Hailey’s hand in John’s and left to enter the back of the ambulance. “Hailey, I got here as soon as I could,” Garrett said, making his way through the small crowd that had gathered from other parts of the studio.

She ran into Garrett’s arms not caring what anyone said. “Someone tried to kill me, but instead they almost got her. I had received a bouquet of flowers and candy. I thought they were from you. She asked for a piece of candy so I was like sure—take the whole box.”

“Where’s the package now?” Garrett asked.

“You’ll have to ask one of them,” Hailey said, pointing in the direction of the police officers.

“John, stay with her.”

“I’m coming with you,” Hailey protested.

“Fine.” Garrett made his way through the small crowd.

Hailey followed behind Garrett and listened in as he asked the detective questions about the contents of the box.

Detective Thomas said, “Until we get our lab to confirm, I can’t say for sure what was in the candy. Ms. Barnes here says after she ate the candy, she started heaving and passed out. It’ll be two days before we learn of anything.”

“I have connections that can get it back sooner,” Garrett stated.

“Sir, that might be the case, but this is my investigation.”

Garrett pulled out his card. “I’ve been working with Special Agent Morrison and he has assured me that…”

Detective Thomas interrupted him. “Why didn’t you say so?” He got the attention of another detective. “Have this rushed. We need to know what was in the candy no later than this time tomorrow.”

Hailey was impressed with how Garrett handled the situation. She stood in the background and continued to listen as they exchanged information. Garrett said, “We would appreciate it if you wouldn’t speak with the press about any of this.”

After Garrett finished talking with the officers, Hailey made it known that she wanted to go to Cedars to check on Jackie. “It might be best not to,” Garrett said.

Special Agent Morrison walked up to them. After their initial greeting, he said, “Good, I caught you both before you left. I overheard you say you were going to Cedars. I’ll take you there myself. I know a secret entrance.”
Garrett said, “But we’re trying to avoid any media attention.”

“I have an idea. Media attention is exactly what we need.”

Hailey looked between Garrett and Morrison. “I just want to check on Jackie.”

“Ms. Barnes. In order for what I have planned to work. I will need your full cooperation.”

Hailey retrieved her purse from her office. Thirty minutes later, Morrison had snuck Hailey in. Only she didn’t walk in, she was wheeled in on a stretcher. As they went down the hallway, she noticed the surprised look on several people’s face, when they recognized her. Garrett was on one side of the stretcher and the detective and some paramedic who she didn’t remember his name, was on the other.

“We need a nurse,” the paramedic said.

Hailey was officially admitted into the hospital. Morrison had it set up where she was in a room right next door to Jackie with an adjourning door. “I’m not sure if this was a good idea,” Garrett said.

“I’ll do anything if this will end this madness,” Hailey said, as she slipped into the room to check on Jackie.

Mo put his fingers up to his hand to hush her. Jackie had several IVs in her and was resting. Mo whispered, “They pumped her stomach. The nurse said she’ll be in and out. I was going to stay until her parents get here.”

Hailey let Mo in on their plans. Mo’s facial expression changed dramatically as if he was watching a thriller. Hailey said, “This is a time where I don’t care if you talk to the media.”

Mo said, “Now you know I can make the story real good. Do you want it mild or wild?” he asked.

“Don’t make it too far fetched. Then again, a few boo hoos might help.”

“Oh I got this,” Mo assured her.

Garrett walked through the adjoining door and said, “Hailey, the phone calls have started.”

Hailey hugged Mo. “Showtime.”

“And you know I was born to be a star. Just tune in to the news. When I leave here, I’ll make sure I go through the front entrance.”

Garrett shook his head at Mo’s over dramatic display. Hailey went back into her hospital room and laid in the bed and got under the covers because she was cold. She looked at Garrett. “I hope this works.”

“Morrison is one of the best. I trust his judgment,” Garrett responded.

“That should be me laid up in a bed like that,” Hailey said, as her body shivered from the cold.

“I wish it was neither one of you,” Garrett said. “Move over,” he said, as he got in the bed beside her. “Now lean on my chest.” Garrett wrapped his arms around Hailey, instantly warming her up. 

~ 39 ~

Morrison cleared his throat a few times. Hailey and Garrett woke up. Hailey stretched her arms. “I came baring gifts,” Morrison said, as he placed two containers on the tray near the bed. Hailey was glad because with everything that had been going on she hadn’t been hungry. Now that she didn’t have access to food, she finally had an appetite. She refused to eat the bland hospital food one of the hospital staff had brought her.

Garrett sat in the chair beside the bed and Hailey remained in the bed as they ate their food. Morrison gave them an update on what was going on outside. He said, “You might want to watch the news.” He flipped on the television to one of the local stations. Standing outside of Cedars was Mo surrounded by cameras and microphones. One reporter asked, “Were you the one who found Hailey and her assistant?”

“Yes and I almost passed out myself. But I knew time was important so I immediately called 9-1-1.” Mo’s bright red shirt really stood out on television.

“Were they conscious when you found them?” another reporter asked.

“No. That’s what concerned me. I called another co-worker and we immediately started trying to do CPR.”

Sandy Blair, the tabloid reporter, asked, “How is Hailey and her assistant doing?”

Tears started flowing down Mo’s cheeks. “Jackie was sleeping when I left. The doctors won’t let me in to see Hailey. Hailey’s my best friend and I just hope that she’s alright,” Mo said. “Whoever is responsible for this, they need to come after me. Going after someone who has never done anything to anybody,” Mo paused and then continued, “it’s just not right.”

Reporters started throwing out more questions. Mo said, “It’s just not right,” he shook his head and fielded his way through the reporters down the walk way. The cameras followed him to a waiting cab.

Garrett spoke out first. “Mo’s good.”

“Told you,” Hailey said, as they continued to watch the news.

The anchorwoman said, “Sources tells us that Hailey is still not conscious. We’ll update you on the ten o’clock news. Back to you Jim.”

Morrison said, “Now all we have to do now is wait.”

Garrett said, “I’ll be right back.”

Hailey said, “This bed is not too comfortable. Can you get me another bed?”

“I’m afraid the air mattress is the best they have,” Morrison responded.

Hailey didn’t look too pleased with his answer. Morrison pretended he didn’t notice. He went on to say, “Garrett said he has one person watching Shareeka Johnson. I also have someone watching her. There’s also someone outside your hospital door. If she makes a move, we’ll know it.”

Hailey said, “Here’s another option since this is the best they can do…is there any way, you can slip me out of here so I can go home? My back is not going to make it on this bed.”

Garrett walked back into the room and answered for him. “I spoke with Mo. When he comes back, he’ll transform you and nobody will know it’s you.”

“Good thinking,” Morrison said.

While they were waiting on Mo to return, Hailey met Jackie’s parents. They were informed of the importance of not letting on that Hailey hadn’t been poisoned too. They agreed to cooperate because they wanted to find out who was behind their baby girl’s stint in the hospital. Jackie’s prognosis was good because they were able to pump her stomach in time. Fortunately someone was around when she ate the candy or it could have been deadly.

“So it has been confirmed it was poison?” Jackie’s mom asked.

Garrett answered, “We’re not certain, but we’re not ruling it out.”

Jackie’s dad said, “I need to know something as soon as you find out.” He was looking directly at Hailey.

“Sir, you will be one of the first.”

“She’s our only daughter and if anything ever happened to her. Elaine and I, well we don’t know what we’ll do.”

The sight of him crying tugged at Hailey’s heart. She squeezed Garrett’s hand a little bit tighter.

Garrett said, “I’m going to do everything within my power to find out who did this to your daughter.”

Hailey and Garrett left and went back into the other room to give Jackie’s family privacy. Garrett remained with Hailey as they waited on Mo to return. Mo came back with looked like an overnight bag. “Are you ready to be transformed?” Mo asked Hailey.

“Work your magic,” Hailey responded.

Hailey sat in the chair as Garrett laid down in the bed and watched television. Mo said, “Garrett was able to recognize raw talent so it didn’t surprise me when he asked me to do this.”  He picked out a concealer in his kit and changed Hailey’s complexion several shades darker. Mo pulled out a jet black wig. He said, “I don’t have time to take out those tracks, so we’ll hide your golden brown hair under this wig.”

Hailey picked up the wig and admired it. “It’ll work.”

Mo pulled out an outfit from his bag. “I decided you needed to be more casual so I brought you a jogging suit and a pair of tennis shoes.”

Hailey went to the bathroom and changed into the outfit. The clothes and tennis shoes were a perfect fit. Mo, did a few more things to her face. Mo said, “Garrett what do you think?”

Mo, used his hands, and guided Hailey to turn around to face Garrett.

Once Mo was through, Garrett could barely recognize Hailey. “
Mo. I have to say you’re good. In fact, if you ever need a sideline hustle, GT Securities could use your services.”

Mo placed his hand over his heart. “I would love to moonlight for you. Hailey’s he’s a keeper.”

Hailey looked at Garrett and her eyes were beaming. “That he is.”

Garrett said, “What should I call you?”

Hailey switched her head from side to side as they wig bounced. “Beyonce’s altar ego is Sasha. My altar ego, let’s call her KiKi or Mercedes.”

“KiKi, how did you come up with that name?”

“It just sounds good.”

“Well come on KiKi or Mercedes or whatever you want to be called.” Garrett opened the hospital door and whispered something in the police guard’s ear. The guard pointed down the hall.

Mo went in one direction. Hailey and Garrett went in another. “We’re going to use the exit we came in, but your disguise will work just in case someone’s discovered it.”