Chapter 7: Lucy's Question
A little later, Emily fell asleep.
The doctor had given her medication for the pain, and her body needed rest.
Lucy was still awake.
She sat on the hospital chair with Bear's leather vest folded across her lap.
Bear noticed her looking at the Iron Wolves emblem.
"Do you like it?"
Lucy nodded.
"Are those your friends?"
"Yes. They're my brothers and sisters."
"Why do they all wear the same thing?"
"Because we're a motorcycle club. It reminds us that we look after one another."
Lucy traced the embroidered letters with one finger.
"Do they help people?"
Bear smiled.
"We try."
"Like you helped Mommy?"
"Yes."
Lucy thought about that.
Then she asked:
"Does that mean you're my grandpa?"
Bear looked at her.
He had imagined meeting his granddaughter countless times.
In his imagination, he had always been prepared.
He had pictured taking her to an amusement park, buying her ice cream, teaching her how to ride a bicycle, and watching her open presents on Christmas morning.
He had imagined a thousand perfect moments.
But he had never imagined this question.
He knelt in front of her.
"If your mommy is comfortable with it, then yes. I'd be very proud to be your grandpa."
Lucy smiled.
"Can I call you Grandpa Bear?"
He laughed.
"Grandpa Bear?"
She nodded.
"Because you're big like a bear."
Bear pretended to think about it.
"That's a pretty good name."
Lucy smiled wider.
Then her expression became serious.
"Will you go away again?"
The question broke his heart.
Bear sat beside her.
He did not want to promise something carelessly.
Instead, he looked directly into her eyes.
"I can't promise that life will never make things difficult. But I can promise that I won't disappear because I'm angry. If something is wrong, I'll talk to your mommy. And I'll always do my best to be there for you."
Lucy looked at him.
"Even if I'm naughty?"
"Especially then."
"Even if I break something?"
"Well, that depends on what you break."
Lucy giggled.
Bear smiled.
"Just kidding, sweetheart."
She leaned toward him.
"Can I hug you?"
He opened his arms.
Lucy climbed into his lap and wrapped her little arms around his neck.
Bear held her carefully.
He had spent years believing he had lost his family.
Now, in a hospital room, he was holding the granddaughter he had never known existed.
And he silently made a promise.
He would not waste another day.
Chapter 8: The Investigation
The following morning, two detectives arrived at the hospital.
They wanted to speak with Emily about the attack.
Bear remained in the waiting area with Lucy while Emily gave her statement.
The detectives were professional and patient.
They asked about Travis Reed, his previous relationship with Nathan, and the threats Emily had received.
Emily explained that Travis had once managed part of Nathan's construction business.
After Nathan's death, Travis had approached her about several financial matters.
He claimed that Nathan had left unfinished business arrangements and that Emily needed to sign documents to settle them.
But Emily had become suspicious.
Some of the documents contained figures that did not match Nathan's records.
She had refused to sign.
After that, Travis became increasingly aggressive.
He began telling her that Nathan owed him money.
Then he suggested that if she did not cooperate, she could lose her house.
Emily had saved several text messages.
She had also recorded one phone conversation in which Travis threatened to come to her home.
The detectives asked her to provide copies.
Outside the room, Marcus arrived with a small envelope.
He handed it to Bear.
"Emily asked me to bring this from her car."
Bear opened it.
Inside were printed messages, a small notebook, and a photograph.
The photograph showed Nathan standing beside a younger Travis at a construction site.
Bear examined it.
"She kept all of this?"
Marcus nodded.
"Looks like she was building a record."
Bear looked toward the hospital room.
"She's stronger than I realized."
Marcus gave him a serious look.
"She had to be."
Bear understood.
Emily had raised a child while dealing with grief, financial pressure, and a man who was trying to intimidate her.
She had done it without the father who once promised to protect her.
Bear felt a deep sense of regret.
But he also felt something else.
Respect.
His daughter had become a strong woman.
She did not need him to rescue her from every difficulty.
She needed him to stand beside her when she asked.
And he intended to do exactly that.
Later that day, the detectives informed Emily that they had located Travis.
He had been stopped by a patrol officer near the old sedan.
There was enough evidence to question him about the attack.
The police were also investigating the financial documents he had presented to Emily.
Bear listened quietly.
He did not ask to confront Travis.
He did not threaten anyone.
He simply told the detective:
"I want this handled properly. My daughter deserves justice, and nobody should have to be afraid of him."
The detective nodded.
"We'll follow the evidence, Mr. Mercer."
"That's all I ask."