Tommy 41 cont...

"Jeff, this is all my fault.  Are you okay?" Sam rushed into Jeff room. Jeff finished signing the baseball he was autographing for one of the Dr.'s sons & handed it back.  "Sam, this isn't your fault at all.  I will be good as new.  I think I can go home today but Ginger & that Dr. Stafford ganged up on me &, well, you know Ginger I am staying." Jeff chuckled as he recalled Ginger telling him he was going home over her dead body.  Jeff looked up & saw the tears in Sam's brown eyes. "Come here, Sam."  Jeff gave her a hug, looking over her shoulder at Tommy. Tommy just shrugged.  "You did nothing wrong, Sam.  & I am still happier he found me & not you." She finally let go of Jeff & went to join Tommy, lacing her fingers with his. "I am just glad everyone is okay & I am terribly sorry for the trouble I have caused your family." "You did nothing wrong." Both Jeff & Tommy stated together.  Tommy & Sam stayed to visit Jeff until Ginger returned from going home to freshen up. ********* Tommy had to get to ball practice & asked Sam if she wanted to go along.  She declined saying she had errands to run.  Sam found herself standing in front of the River Run police department.  She summoned the courage to finally walk inside.  Approaching the tall desk right inside the door, she asked the sergeant if she could see Derrick McKinley.  He instructed her to sit in the wooden chairs evenly spaced against the wall.  The sergeant picked up the phone, said a few words & informed Sam it would be just a few minutes.  She nodded & thanked him.  Looking around the room, she noticed the small town police department was full of charm unlike the stations in a big town.  After a few moments, Officer Jenkins came out to greet her. "Hello, Miss, I understand you want to see Mr. McKinley?" Sam stood up & took the hand he outstretched for her to shake. "Hello, My name is Samantha" "Bradshaw.  I am a fan of your column Miss Bradshaw, just took me a minute to recognize you.  I used to make a special trip to Brandstaetter's just to get the Toledo Times for your column.  Anyways, I can take you back to see Mr. McKinley now.  Is he a friend of yours? He's a nasty little fellow real mean streak." Sam shook her head. "No, he is no friend of mine." Officer Jenkins took her to a room & told her he would bring Derrick in. Sam paced the room, her stomach knotting up inside.  She was about to leave when the door opened up.  "Hello Derrick."