Can't Let You Go

Chapter 49

Thankfully the procedure went smoothly and Dad has fully woken up from the anesthesia. The doctors recommend he extend his stay to a week so they can fully monitor everything. He begrudgingly agrees after I insist. The doctors said that kidney stone was a blessing in disguise because it appears that his kidney hasn't been performing like it should, probably due to high blood pressure. He's been taking a prescription to reduce it, but they want to switch him to another if this one isn't effective enough.

Darius comes to check on him and give me some news. He pulls me to the side and starts to report.

"If it's about Savis, I want to hear, too," Dad calls to us in a raspy voice.

"Dad, you just had surgery hours ago. Rest," I admonish him.

"It's my kidney that needs to rest, not my brain."

Darius and I walk back to his bedside.

"I think I've found Lars Hansen. We've tracked some of his movements and he seems to be staying in one place for a week or two then moving on. Further, if the inel is correct, he has been staying in towns where their company has had jobs in the past. He's probably friendly with the ski run owners and may be staying in employee lodging. Which is why he's been hard to track. Right now the PI thinks he's in Switzerland."

"Thank you for the update Darius. Keep an eye on him. We'll try to meet up with him at his next stop."

"No, go now," Dad says. "I'm fine and if I become 'not fine,' I'm already in the hospital."

"He's right, Honey. We should get this taken care of as soon as possible."

I may be the project manager now, but I have to follow the advice of my betters and Darius and Dad both qualify as that. I'm reluctant to leave his bedside, but I agree.

"Fine, we'll leave tomorrow." I've barely said the sentence before Darius dials up the person in charge of booking travel for Savis executives. Dad's face relaxes and he shuts his eyes.

Now I understand his motive for not wanting me to see him after the car accident. For the first time in my life, he looks old and vulnerable. I feel wary about leaving him now, but it's clear he wants Savis to go forward as usual.

"You're going to Switzerland, alone, with Darius?" Liam's annoyance shows in his voice.

"After all the things I've just told you, that is the point you're getting stuck on?" I'm annoyed that he's annoyed.

"I don't trust the man. I think he has ulterior motives," he grumbles.

"Everyone has ulterior motives. I'm an adult. I'm allowed to go on business trips without anyone else's permission. It's not like I'm going on a date, unlike some people." I let the sarcasm sneak in.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he snaps.

"Nothing," I feign innocence, "I'm just telling you I'm not dating Darius."

"Are we fighting?" Liam's volume has steadily increased.

"We are if you're going to try to stop me!" I shout into the phone.

A heavy sigh comes from his end of the phone although I can tell he's shifted the mic away from his mouth. He comes back sounding sullen. "I'm not. I'm simply concerned."

"There's no need to be. Save your concern for other wom-- things." I started off in a normal voice, but I nearly let my sarcasm sneak back in. I want to tell him to go bother the other women in his life and leave me alone.

"Where exactly are you going?"

"I don't know, Darius has all that information," I say distractedly as I resume trying to pack.