A Hopeless Pursuit (Forbidden Love Series Book 10)

 

The next day Liam waited impatiently for some news of Lisa but when after 9 o'clock, there was no news of her, he went to Laurence's house.

"Bro couldn't they track down her mobile phone yet?" Asked Liam worriedly.

"Last night they tracked her mobile last near Deadman canyon. They had approached the Desert National Wildlife Refuge center to conduct a thorough search of the area for Lisa's whereabouts," informed a distressed Laurence.

"Why don't you get the police to track that bastard's phone too?" Asked a furious Troy.

"They tried, it has been last switched on here in the house. He didn't once switch it on," answered Laurence.  It was around twelve noon that they received a call from Sherriff William Powells from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

"Mr. Lennard, this is Sheriff Powells speaking. Your sister Lisa Lennard has been found in a critical state near the limestone spires at the mouth of Deadman Canyon. She has been admitted to Mountain View hospital near the trailhead. We are heading there for further investigations on the case. Please come immediately, " said the sheriff.

Laurence sat down with shock. "How serious is she?" Asked Laurence dreading the worst.

"The pre-medical check-up points at rape and alcohol overdose," sighed the sheriff. The phone dropped from his hands. The sheriff disconnected the call.

"What happened?" Liam asked, his face pale seeing Laurence's reaction.

"What's the matter Laurence?" Asked Troy extremely worried.

Laurence repeated what the sheriff informed him. Arianna and Sandra started sobbing, upset at the news. Liam paled with shock. He staggered to a nearby chair and sat down. He felt disappointed in himself. He shouldn't have left her alone. He should have pursued like a leech, gained her trust. Tears pooled into his eyes at the thought of what she might have gone through.  She might have been so helpless.

"I'm here to take care of the children and Arianna. Laurence you should leave for Deadman canyon immediately with Liam, " said Troy. They agreed and immediately left without wasting any more time. They climbed into Liam's car and sped towards Mountain View hospital.

Suddenly Laurence's phone vibrated with an incoming call from Sofia.

"Hello, bro, Sofia here. I just received two SMS' from Lisa's phone. She might have tried to sent them last evening bro, but network issues might have prevented her from sending them. I'll forward them to you. You can get a rough idea where she is. Leo's friend has a cottage there," informed Sofia.

"Thanks Sofia. That would help in the investigation. We just received a call from the sheriff. Lisa is admitted to Mountain View hospital at Deadman canyon. She's been raped and abused and is critical, " informed Laurence in a grave tone.

A gasp escaped Sofia as tears trickled down her cheeks. "Can I come with you bro?" She begged. She couldn't believe that her brother could do such a heinous crime. She had no idea else she would never have suggested that Lisa escape with Leo. She would have prevented her. Sofia felt guilty for pushing Lisa with Leo.

"We're on our way Sofia. I'll update you once we see her," said Laurence. He disconnected the call, covering his face with his hands in shame. He couldn't protect his little sister. His phone vibrated with two SMS messages forwarded from Sofia's phone. He read the messages and tears pooled in his eyes. If only he had known last night, he could have saved Lisa. He read out her messages to Liam.

"The son of a bitch. If I could get my hands upon him, I swear I would have taught him the worst lesson of his life," swore Liam.

"Forward them to the sheriff, bro. Then they could arrest Leo if he's still there at the cottage," said Liam. He mentally decided to get Leo punished once he ensured that Lisa was better. Laurence called the sheriff and informed him about the cottage and about Leo. He forwarded Lisa's SMS messages to the sheriff. They reached the hospital and Liam parked the car. They rushed inside to find the deputy chief and other officers of The Investigative Services Division of LVMPD waiting for them.

"Hello, Mr. Lennard, I'm deputy chief Paul McCarthy, in-charge of investigating your sister's case," the officer introduced himself.

"Hello, this is my friend, Liam Parker," introduced Laurence.

"Hello, Mr. Parker. Well, we have some good news for both of you. We raided at the address that you have provided us and we have arrested Leonard Blakesley from there. He has admitted to his crime. We have collected his fingerprints and he's been taken into police custody. We have informed his family too," said the officer.

Laurence nodded, "Thanks. Hope my sister recover's soon. Can we see her?" Asked Laurence.

They reached the reception and enquired after Lisa. A nurse led them to the emergency department where they were made to wait outside the ICU. A doctor came out to meet them. "I'm doctor Perry. Are you Lisa Lennard's family?" He asked curiously.

"Yes, I'm her brother and this is my friend, " said Laurence anxiously,

"How is she doctor?" Asked Liam, his breath stuck in his throat.

"Ms. Lennard has been physically abused while she was under the influence of strong alcohol. We have found an overdose of alcohol in her blood samples. Tell me did she regularly indulge in alcohol consumption?" Asked the doctor.

"No doctor.  She never touched alcohol. She had just turned eighteen. I think her drink might be spiked or something," said Laurence.

"We have tested her thoroughly. There's no sign of any physical struggle or injury which proves that the crime was committed when she was unconscious. She's extremely dehydrated and anemic and she's lost her consciousness from acute exhaustion. We have put her on intravenous drips and once she gains consciousness, the trauma care unit will start their treatment of her," said the doctor. Laurence and Liam listened intently.

"Her mental state isn't stable. Be very patient and gentle with her. She might be averse to men right now. She might not want to meet you. Don't pressurize her. Just take things slow, " said the doctor.

"Can we see her doctor?" Asked Liam.

"Yes but from a distance. We don't want her to be scared and her brain to shut down. Then she might go into a self-induced coma. Let her gain consciousness. We will conduct tests to estimate the extent of damage caused to her mental health. Then the treatment will start," said the doctor. They nodded and followed the doctor into the ICU. Lisa lay still on her bed in the far end of the room. Laurence clamped onto his mouth to stop the sob that wanted to escape so badly. Liam however stood like a statue, watching Lisa's pale face and frail body nearly merged with the white hospital bed. He wanted to find out what made her take up this drastic step to escape home. But now wasn't the right time to ask Laurence.  Once Lisa healed he would have a talk with Laurence. He had to know what was going on.

"When will she gain consciousness doctor?" Asked Laurence.

"Maybe once her body recovers from the shock and is replenished.  Maybe in 2-3  hours. Why don't you sit outside. We'll call you once she gains consciousness, " said the doctor.

Laurence and Liam went outside and sat down in the lobby waiting. They updated Troy and Sofia.  Apparently her parents refused to fight Leo's case. His parents were arriving from Canada to handle the situation. "Should we call Sofia bro? What if Lisa refuses to see us?" Asked Liam with worry.

"Not now. If Lisa refuses to see us, then we will call her," said Laurence. They waited the whole day but Lisa still didn't gain consciousness.

"The doctor said 2-3 hours, yet she hasn't shown any improvement. Shouldn't they recheck her?" Asked Liam, very worried by now.

"Let the doctor come, we will take an update," said Laurence.  The doctor emerged after fifteen minutes.

"Doctor did Lisa Lennard gain consciousness?" Asked Laurence with hope.

"Yes, five minutes back. We were busy checking her. She has improved but still we would have to be cautious. Our Trauma Care specialist, Dr Stella Wilbur will be here soon to have a talk with Ms. Lennard," said the doctor.

"When can we see her doctor?" Asked Liam.

"You can come now but one by one. Let's see how she reacts to you. First Mr. Lennard would you like to see her?" Asked the doctor.

"Yes, thank you so much doctor for everything you're doing for my sister, " said Laurence anxiously.

"I'm just doing my job Mr. Lennard," said the doctor. He led Laurence inside the ICU towards Lisa's bed. Laurence stood like beside Lisa's bed scared to even call her name.  What if she refused to recognize him? What if she stopped loving him? He had failed her after all.

Lisa slowly opened her eyes and looked at Laurence.