Haunted by the Past Ch. 04

The Duke frowned darkly at him. Ward just shook his head...

Charles put a pair of pants on over his boxers and let his soon-to-retire temporary partner into his room and explained to him what had happened. A few minutes later, Peter Woods showed up.

Dan Miller tried to keep Charles and Woods calm so they could think through how to handle things. He had to stop them from jumping the gun and starting up a manhunt for Diana's attacker. Dan had to remind them it was up to the L.A.P.D. to search for the bastard—it was not within the FBI's jurisdiction at that point.

They had to wait a few tense hours before they could go to the airport and get Charles a flight back to L.A. Charles called the hospital and left a message for them to tell Diana that he wouldn't arrive until mid afternoon. The earlier flight to L.A. was booked up. He was going to have to wait at the airport for several hours.

Before the morning flight departed, Charles had an idea. He went to the gate and asked if anyone would be willing to trade their ticket for the later flight. He explained that he had an emergency and needed to get home to his wife right away.

An older gentleman in his 60's who'd recently become a widower stood up and told Charles he'd trade tickets with him. He could see the pain in the younger man's eyes.

You love your wife as much as I loved my Martha...

**********

Charles gazed blindly out the window of the plane through the tears in his eyes. He felt a bitter twist of irony.

Now I know what that dark gut feeling I had the last time I was on a plane headed back to L.A. was all about...

Diana had been attacked exactly three months after they met and married. Both days were Friday the 13th!

The first one was the luckiest day of my life...

But this one proved why so many people were triskaidekaphobics—fearing the number thirteen. Especially when that date fell on a Friday...

He was going crazy. He got up to pace the aisle until the stewardess made him sit down again.

The nightmare was a warning...

He'd almost said something to her about the dream before he left yesterday morning and he'd ignored his instinct to call her and warn her last night.

I chose not to scare her...and look what happened... We've probably lost our chance at happiness...

Charles wiped his eyes and stood up to pace again.

**********

Diana awoke in her hospital room at around eight o'clock when they brought in her breakfast. One of the nurses told her about the message from Charles. He wouldn't be able to get there until sometime after three. She was a little disappointed.

But at least he's trying to get back...

At around 10:30, one of the nurses opened the door with a huge smile and an excited look on her face. "Mrs. Richards, are you up for visitors? There are a couple gentlemen here to see you!"

It must be Ward and the big man...

It was no wonder the nurse looked so excited—she'd probably never expected to see John Wayne coming to visit someone at this hospital. All the big stars usually went to one of the more prestigious medical facilities.

Diana told the nurse to let them in while she gingerly sat up and tried to make herself more comfortable.

Ward and Wayne walked into the room and saw her struggling. They immediately went over to her bed and moved the head up further and put more pillows behind her so she could get comfortable.

She winced and moved haltingly.

Ward asked her, "How badly are you hurt?"

Dare I show you? It's not like you haven't seen me naked before...

Diana looked at them and frowned. She untied the soft robe she was wearing and started to pull it open.

Oh, God...I can't bear to see your beautiful body again...

"You shouldn't do that, little girl," Wayne said quietly.

Diana looked him square in the face. "You've both seen me naked before. And besides...I don't think what you're going to see will turn you on! It made me sick when I saw it this morning!"

She pulled her robe open. Both of them winced. There were mottled patches of red, blue and dark purple scattered around her torso. They were mainly concentrated on her lower abdomen, hips and pelvic area from where the bastard had pounded her against the hard edge of her desk.

Damn it to hell! I'll kill that...

Wayne frowned harder and closed his eyes. He turned away and muttered, "Son-of-a-bitch!" under his breath again.

Ward also frowned, closed his eyes and turned his head.

Tears came into Diana's eyes. She closed her robe and tied the sash. When they looked back at her, she said, "I'm really glad to see you two. The nurse gave me a message that Charles can't get here until after three."

Ward said, "Yeah, we know. We checked at the nurses' desk before we came in to make sure he wasn't here. By the way...he told me to tell you that he loves you more than ever."

The big man glanced at Ward and frowned painfully.

Diana asked them to tell her what was going on with them—how production on "The Wings of Eagles" was going. Ward sat in a chair on the far side of the bed and Wayne perched on the bed next to her knees. They chatted like they had been friends for years.

Wayne said he was doing "Eagles" as a favor to Pappy—John Ford. It was a project dear to Ford. The main character, Frank "Spig" Wead, whom Wayne was portraying, had been a good friend of Ford's.

Wayne said, "You know, Pappy still asks me from time to time if that beautiful, intelligent little girl has ever said anything about taking him up on his offer to get into directing or writing!"

Diana smiled. "Yes, Ward told me the same thing when we saw each other in Vegas when I was on my honeymoon..." She went silent and looked down when the big man frowned again.

When Charles arrived in L.A., he went straight to the hospital, found out which room Diana was in and headed to the elevators to go up to the third floor. He got off and passed the nurses' desk on his way to her room.

A nurse came out and was following him.

"Sir, where do you think you're going?" She stopped him right outside the door to Diana's room. "Sir, you can't go in there at the moment! Patients are allowed only two visitors at a time and she already has two visitors!"

Charles looked at the woman sternly. "Ma'am, I'm not a visitor. I'm her husband and there's no way you're going to keep me out of there. Now, please, move out of my way... Or are you going to make me have to move you?"

As soon as Diana heard Charles, she looked at the big man in panic. "I've told my husband about us, but I don't think he believed me and I want it to stay that way!"

Wayne nodded. Ward had explained everything to him. He stood up and backed away. He moved to the foot of the bed, out of the direct line of sight from the doorway...just as the door opened. Wayne clenched his jaw and swallowed hard at the look of deep love and concern on Charles Richards' face as he stared at his wife.

Oh, my God, pretty lady... How could he do this to you...

Charles moved slowly toward her. He perched next to her right hip on the edge of the bed. He moved to gather her in his arms.

I need to hold you and tell you that everything is going to be OK...

As soon as he touched her, she whimpered in pain. "How bad is it?"

Diana frowned and told him she'd show him later. She glanced to her left. He looked that way and saw Ward sitting in a chair. "Hello, Ward. Thanks again for calling me."

He looked back at Diana. He put his left hand to her face. He carefully traced the bruises and scratches, the lump on her forehead and her swollen lower lip.

He leaned forward and whispered hoarsely with tears in his eyes, "I'm so sorry. I knew something felt wrong and I should've been here to protect you, my pretty lady."

He lingered for several moments as he kissed her gently, his hands softly cupping her cheeks.

When he leaned back, Diana slowly opened her eyes to stare at him with deep love and sadness. Then her eyes widened slightly as she glanced over his shoulder.

Charles turned around to look behind him. He immediately stood up with his eyes wide when he saw The Duke standing at the foot of his wife's hospital bed.

Wayne moved toward Charles with his hand out. They shook briefly...but very firmly.

"Mr. Richards, I'm pleased to meet you. I just wish it could've been under better circumstances. I was at Ward's house last night when she called for help. Ward and I both came and stayed with her until she was brought here. We both care about your wife very much. She's a wonderful woman...a fine young lady and we would do anything in the world for her. So please let us know if there is anything else we can do for her—or you."

I don't want to like you...but she loves you...

Damn it...don't be nice! Try to hit me...make me hate you...

Charles studied the big man. He tried to detect any other emotions stronger than the caring and concern that were etched on his face. He couldn't see anything else in The Duke's eyes.

Wayne clenched his jaw a couple times after he finished speaking.

Maybe he's just concerned over what happened to her. No...he's more than just concerned...

Wayne continued to clench his jaw.

Yeah...you still love her...

Charles frowned. Why would Diana let you come visit knowing I would probably run into you...

Then he remembered. She wasn't expecting me until after noon...

Are you protecting her—or yourself—by not letting me see any love for her in your eyes? I guess Ward told you that I don't want her to know I know the truth. Boy...you could get an Academy Award for this performance...

Only the slight clenching of his jaw gave away Wayne's agitation at meeting Charles face to face.

Charles stared at The Duke and said sincerely, "Thank you for your care and concern for my wife. Even under these circumstances, it's an honor to meet you. My wife and I are both big fans of yours and we really enjoy your movies."

That's right...she's MY WIFE! I saw your eyes flinch...

Get a grip...he's just trying to rattle you...

Wayne looked down and frowned. His respect for the younger man deepened even as his jealousy flared.

You have the love of a woman that I would've given up my career for...if she had only asked. But she didn't ask...and you were relieved! Don't kid yourself! She belongs with him...

He swallowed his emotions and looked back up at Richards. Then he grinned wryly. "Thanks."

Wayne glanced at Diana. She was staring at her husband with deep love.

The same look I saw in your eyes when I made love to you... You may belong with him, but I can't stop loving you...and wanting you...

He clenched his jaw again. "Ward, I think we should be going. I'm sure Mr. Richards would like to be alone with his wife. Goodbye, Richards. Let us know if there is ever anything else we can do. Anything at all."

Wayne's eyes flashed with intensity as he tried to get his message across.

I'd do anything in the world for her...even now...

I saw a flash of something in your eyes...but what were you trying to say...

It was gone so quickly that he wasn't sure what he saw. Charles shook Wayne's hand again and said goodbye. Then he shook Ward's hand as he passed on his way to the door.

When Ward closed the door, Duke was pacing agitatedly back and forth in the hallway.

"What's troubling you, Duke?"

"I am glad she's found a decent man that loves her. But, right now, I keep seeing images of him making love to her and her looking at him the way she looked at me! It's just making me a little insane at the moment!"

Ward said quietly, "Duke...after what she's just been through, how long do you think it will take those two to get past this? Don't you think Diana needs a husband who loves her that much and that she needs to love him that much if they're going to get through this and survive it together? What if something like this had happened to Pilar? Would you still be thinking about the way Diana looks at Charles when he makes love to her?"

Wayne stopped, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then he looked at Ward. "You always seem to know just what to say to make me think about the bigger picture. Especially where Diana and Pilar are concerned. How did you get so wise in that respect?"

I have no clue...

Ward just smiled wryly and shrugged his shoulders. He was just glad he was a friend to all of them so he could clearly see the "bigger picture."

Maybe that's how I know what to say...

**********

When Ward shut the door, Diana silently released the breath she'd been holding.

Thank God the big man held it together...

Charles sat back on the edge of the bed again and looked at Diana for a few moments. "How badly are you hurt?" She untied her robe and opened it. He frowned darkly and muttered savagely, "Son-of-a-bitch! That bastard had better hope the police find him before I do!"

I'm going for my gun and I'm going to hunt that bastard down myself...

"Charles, please! Don't leave me!" Diana wailed as he stood up.

He heard the fear in her voice and saw it on her face. He sat back down.

"Please, just hold me...and don't ever let me go!" she pleaded softly as she started to cry.

I'll never ever let you go...

He carefully wrapped his arms around her and held her against him. Tears came into his eyes.

You must've been so scared and you must've fought so hard, my brave, pretty lady...

He told Diana how he intended to handle her attacker.

**********

Wayne and Ward were about to turn and head toward the elevators when they heard Diana cry for Charles not to leave her. Wayne frowned darkly and started toward the door, but Ward stopped him.

Ward turned around and quietly cracked the door open.

Charles was holding her. He said fiercely, his voice strained with emotion, "I'll kill him, Diana. I meant what I said; that bastard had better hope the police find him before I do, because, I swear...I'll kill him!"

Ward quietly shut the door again. He and The Duke made their way to the elevators knowing that Charles and Diana would survive this tragedy.

But Ed Hood probably wouldn't.

If Ward Bond, John Wayne or Charles Richards ever got near him...