The clock on her cell wall kept ticking, each second a hammer blow against Sami’s ribs. It was the last morning on the planet for her. That is what the warden had called it, so clinical, so final. “Oh, my God,” she breathed.
“Somebody please stop that clock. ”
Eric burst in behind the bars, his face lit with something she hadn’t dared hope forin days. “Sami. Dad got Roberto to confess.
””
Roman appeared beside him, waving papers like a flag of surrender. “Great news, Sami. Here are these release papers. Let’s get my daughter out of that damn cell.
””
She couldn’t breathe. “Oh, Daddy. I knew you could do it. Thank you.
””
But the clock kept ticking. And the warden’s voice replaced her father’s, flat andand unyieldingfrom the corridor beyond: “This is a day we have all dreaded, Samantha. But justice will be served. Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.
””
Nicole woke to Kate Roberts standing over her, already dressed, already commanding. “Six a. m. Hang on there.
Hang on until I get there, Roberto. Ah, good. Nicole. You saved me the trouble of waking you up.
You need to get dressed. There’s a limo waiting outside to whisk you andLucas away toGreen Mountain Lodgefor your honeymoon. ””
“Are you trying to get rid of meandLucas? ” Nicole asked, pulling the pink robe tighter.
“You’re trying to get rid of meandLucas, aren’t you? ””
“Can’t a mother give her son a wedding gift? ”
“Meaning me? I’m the gift?
”
“Well, I did buy you, didn’t I? And in my book, that entitles me to full compliance, no questions asked. ”
“You don’t own me, Kate. ”
“The hell I don’t.
You cashed the check. You’re into me for 5 million big ones. So take off the fluffy pink robe, grab your thong, and start making your husband’s dreams come true atGreen Mountain Lodgenow. ””
“Lucas just gotWill back,” Nicole said.
“He won’t want to leave. ””
“Lucas will go because you’ll make him go,” Kate snapped. Just thenLucas walked in. “Make me go where?
”
Meanwhile, in a sterile hospital room, Roman Brady leaned over a dying man’s bed, desperation cracking his voice. “Roberto. Roberto, listen to me closely. Please, I’m begging you, help me save my daughter’s life.
His eyes are open. Roberto, can you hear me? Tell him, Roberto,” Rosa urged from the corner. “Tell him the truth.
It will help his daughter andyour family. ””
Roberto’s lips moved, faint as moth wings. “Sami…””
Roman’s face crumpled. “No!
Roberto, no! Stay with me, please! Talk to me! Who killed Franco?
””
But the man’s eyes slid shut. The only answer was a monitor’s flatline cry. Outside the state penitentiary, a crowd swelled like a living wound. Reporters shouted into cameras: “We are live outside the state penitentiary, where convicted killer Samantha Brady could become the first woman to be executed in the state in 16 years.
Unless there’s a miracle, Sami Brady will die by lethal injection at midnight tonight. A judge put a rush on her death sentence after Brady assaulted a prison guard here at this maximum-security facilityandmade a daring escape. Ina bizarre twist, the prisoner was apprehended by her own father, Captain Roman Bradyof the Salem police force, ona train headedfornorthern Canada. She almost got away, but at this hour, Sami Brady is backon death row.
””
Sami sat inchair, watching the doctor’s needle glint. “What are you looking for,” she asked. “That’s where they’re going to put the needle? ””
“Try to relax,” the man said, but there was no comfort in his voice.
The warden came back with forms. “Here’s how it’s going to go down. First, the doctor’s going to check you out, make sure that you’re healthy. ””
“So that you can kill me.
””
“When the doctor’s through with you, you can have visitors. Then we’ll serve you your last meal. ””
“My—I can’t believe this is happening,” Sami whispered. “Who do you want your personal effects to go to?
Clothes, watch, purse, I. D. ”
“Will,” she said, “I guess. But not now.
He’s not ready. Maybe just one day when he’ll understand, you could tell him…””
“Burial or cremation? ” the warden asked. “You have till midnight to decide, at which time the lethal injection will be administered with witnesses present, of course.
May God have mercy on your soul. ””
At home, Marlena stared at the television as if it werea window into her daughter’s cell. John paced behind her. “What a circus,” he said.
“It’s onevery channel. They’re all out there watching the big show. We’ve all done that, haven’t we? Except this time it’s us.
It’s my little girl. ””
The phone rang. Johnanswered. “John Black here.
Hey, Mickey. Yeah. Mickey’s still at the state capitol. He’s waiting for a stay of execution from the state Supreme Courta.
””
“Then they haven’t said no,” Marlena said, hope flickering. “There’s still a chance. ””
“Excellent chance,” John said, though his voice didn’t match his words. Then he picked upthe phone again.
“Who are you calling? ” Marlena asked. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before,” John said. “This is John Black.
I want you to fuel upthe jet, get clearance for immediate takeoff. Yeah. Let’s go. ””
“Where are we going?
””
“We’re going to save Sami. ””
At Austin’s apartment, Carrie woke with a start on the couch, still clutching their wedding photograph. Austin stood inthe doorway, his face unreadable. “I’m sorry, Austin,” she said.
“I know that you wanted me out of here before you got back. I was up late last night packing my stuff, andI guess I was too tired to stay awake. ””
“That’s not all you were doing,” he said. “You’re holding our wedding photo.
””
“That’s the thing about packing—everything seems to remind you of happier times. ””
“Right. ””
She stood to leave. “Well, I know it doesn’t look like it, but I’m almost finished.
I’ll come back. ””
“Wait,” he said. “Don’t go. ””
They stood there, a room full of ghosts.
“You know,” he said slowly, “I’ve been thinking a lot about this day. We have been through so much stuff. We had to go through so much stuff just to get down to the altar. All Sami did was lie back then,andthat didn’t stop us.
I felt like nothing ever could. ””
“I know,” she whispered. “I keep wishing that I could go back,Austin, anything to keep from hurting you again. ””
“You can’t,” he said.
“We can’t. ””
“Austin,” she said, tears spilling, “I want you to know that I still love you. ””
“But you still loveMike. Otherwise you wouldn’t have done what you did.
I get that now. ””
“If we hadn’t been separated—and I’m not blaming you, okay? I know SamiandWill needed you, but I kept wishing that we could talk—””
“We’re talking now. ””
“And it feels good, like maybe we can get past what happened.
””
“Are you saying you wantto save this marriage? ”
She didn’t answer. He pressed: “We can’t even talk about saving our marriage until you let go ofMike. Can you do that?
”
Still silence. He nodded, bitter. “Okay, that was clear. Save it.
I get it. Somewhere down the line you decided I wasn’t enough for you. I feel so stupid. I loved you,andI thought you loved me.
””
“I did,andI do. ””
“Then how could you fall in love with someone else? ””
“I don’t know, Austin. Maybe if we had waited before we got married—””
“Waited for what?
For you to realize that you were in love withMike Horton? I meant my vows. Every word. Forever, till death do us part.
You can tell yourself whatever the hell you want to justify what you did withMike, but I know you meant your vows. ””
The phone rang. Hedidn’t want to answer, but he did. “What?
” His face went pale. “Mike. It’s Mike. Don’t hang up.
They moved your sister’s execution up to midnight tonight. ””He hung up, staring at nothing. “What is it? ” Carrie asked.
“Austin, what is it? ””
“They moved your sister’s execution up to tonight. ””
At the prison, Eric held Sami’s hands through the bars. “Hey, it’s going to be okay.
Dad is going to getRoberto to confess. AndMickey—Mickey’s at the state capitol right now. Can you imagine those Supreme Court judges saying notoMickey? The way that he loves you?
The way that we all love you? It’s going to be okay. ””
“I want to believe you so much,Eric,” she said. “I listen to those people out there.
How can anybody want one person to die that much? ”
She looked at the clock. “12 hours,” she said. At the hospital, Roman stood guard overRoberto’s bed, watching the monitors flicker.
Kate foundhim there. “Roman, I saw the papers. I’m so sorry. ””
“I swear,” he said, “if the people of this state put an innocent woman to death—””
“That’s not going to happen,” she said, “becauseRoberto is going to clearSami.
””
“Yeah, how do you know that,Kate? You got a direct pipeline to God? Because that’s what we need right now. We need a miracle.
””
Down the hall, Mike Horton enteredRoberto’s room, checked the vitals, shook his head. “I’m sorry I can’t give you better news about your brother. ””
“Mike, will he regain consciousness before he dies? ” Roman asked.
“It’s a tough call, Roman. We’ll know more tomorrow. ””
“Tomorrow’s too late. The judge moved upSami’s execution,Mike.
She is scheduled to die at midnight tonight. ””
Mike’s face went gray. “Oh, no. ””
“Mike, I needRoberto’s statement.
It’s Sami’s only chance. ””
“Then I’m sorry,Roman. There’s nothing I can do. ””
“Damn it,” Roman said, slamming aainst the wall.
“Damn it,Eric, there’s got to be something else. There’s got be another way. There’s got to be something I’m not thinking of. ””
Eric squeezed his father’s shoulder.
“Dad, I’m going to go to the prison. I need to be withSami right now. ””
“Yeah,” Roman said. “You tell her—you tell her I’m going to come through for her.
I’ll find a way to save her. ””
Outsidethe prison, a crowd had gathered, chanting, arguing, praying. A woman namedTracey Simpson shoved amicrophone aside andlocked eyes with the camera. “Sami is just like most of you out there at your home.
She’s a kind, beautiful, sensitive woman who loves her little boy more than anything in the world. She did not kill anyone! Somebody else shotFranco Kelly! God said thou shalt not kill.
I guess he was talking about everyone! That includes the state! I hope you’re listening, Governor. Thou shalt not kill!
Do not killSami! ””
Eric stepped forward, face flushed. “Sami didn’t kill anybody! She’s innocent!
””
“Who are you? ” areporter demanded. “I’m Sami’s twin brother. I know her better than anybody.
There is no way that she killedFranco,andwe’re going to prove that before she becomes another victim of murder. ””
Backat the lodge, Lucas opened the door tothe bridal suiteandwhistled. “Wow. The bridal suite, huh?
Nicole, I knew you were an amazing woman,butthis—this is the kind of thing I usually do. ””
“Well, marriage is a partnership,” she said. “Why should you have to do everything? Besides, we haven’t had a chance to celebrate with the custody hearing andSami kidnappingWill.
””
“Hey, don’t get me wrong,” he said, pulling her close. “I’m not complaining about this. I love the fact that you went to all this trouble just to make me happy. ””
She let him hold her, let herself feel the weight of the lie she was living.
He didn’t knowaboutKate’s check. He didn’t knowaboutEric. He didn’t knowany of it. She told herself it didn’t matter.
She would make this marriage work. She had to. There was no other way. “Are you really mine?
” he asked, almost shy. “I mean, I know we’re married, andyou helped me get custody of my son,butthis whole husband andwife thing—any chance you could love me half as much as I love you? ””
“Lucas,” she said, andthe words stuck, but she forced them out. “I’d like to make this marriage work.
””
Tessaid in the governor’s office, John Black refused to back down. The receptionist was firm: “No, I’m sorry. The governor is in wall-to-wall budget meetings. But if you’d care to make an appointment…””
“Listen,” John said, leaning in, “I don’t give a damn about your appointments.
Please tell him thatJohn Black is hereandi want to see the governorandi’m not leaving till I do. ””
The door opened. A tired-looking man with gray temples looked out. “John?
””
John turned. “Governor. We need to talk aboutSami Brady. ””
At the hospital, Rosa knelt in the chapel, praying.
Kate slipped init, knelt beside her. “Rosa, am I too late? Is he dead? ””
“The doctors say it will be soon,” Rosa whispered.
“Oh, thank God he’s still alive,” Kate said, gripping her arm. “Andwe are going to keep him thatway. ””
She went toRoberto’s room. The machines breathed forhim.
She leaned close, her voice lowandsteel. “Roberto…Roberto, can you hear me? Listen to me, Roberto. Your mother andyour sister, they want you to help me.
Oh, my God, you’re awake. Listen to me ‘cause we don’t have a hell of a lot of time. You need to do what I say. You don’t have any choice.
””
His eyes fluttered, unfocused, then slid shut again. At Austin’s apartment, the phone had barely rung when it rang again. Austin stared at it, then at Carrie. “It’s about Sami,” she said.
He picked it up. Listened. Hung up. “What is it?
” she asked. “They moved the execution,” he said slowly. “It’s tonight. Midnight.
””He looked at her, something crumbling in his chest. “I went away to think about my future without my wife andmy son,andI’ve—” Hethenstopped. “You know what? I’m done with this.
I’m through with it. ””
“Austin,” she said, her voice breaking, “I will never forgive myself for hurting you. ””
“Sure, you will,” he said, but there was no heat in it. “Mike will talk you into it, just like he—” He shook his head.
“I’m done. ””
He moved toward the door. She called afterhim: “Austin—where are you going? ””
“To see my son,” he said.
“He’s at Kate’s. He asked for Will earlier, he asked… heasked for his mommy. ””His voice cracked. “What do I tell him,Carrie?
What do I tell a fiveyear-old boy about why his motheris going to die tonight? ”
She had no answer. He left. Outsidethe prison, the crowd kept growing.
A reporter’s voice crackled: “The crowd has been growing outside the state prison whereSami Brady awaits the ultimate punishment. As you can see, protestors on both sides feel very strongly. If the state Supreme Courtrefuses to grantSami Bradyareprieve, she will be taken to the death chambera little less than17 hours from now. ””
Marlena stood withJohn on the tarmac, wind whippingher hair.
“John, maybe we should have calledMickey before we came down here. ””
“There wasn’t any time,” he said. “Andhe would have said go ahead andgood luck. It’s going to be okay, Doc.
I promise you. ””
Inside the prison, Sami sat alone, the clock ticking. Seventeen hours. Now twelve.
Now fewer. Each seconda step closer. She thought ofWill, of his small hands, of the way he said mommy. She thought ofEric, of her father’s voice promisinghe’d find a way.
She thought ofthe needle,andthe cold, andthe nothing after. The warden came back. “You have visitors,” he said. Eric was there, his eyes red.
She reached through the bars. He took her hands. “Hey,” he said. “Hey,” she whispered.
“I can’t lose you,Sami,” he said. She held his gaze. “Has Roberto—””
He shook his head. “No, notyet, butDad’s on top of it.
He’ll get his statement. ””
“Eric,” she said, “I’m a little scared. ””
“I know. I know.
””
“I mean, I knowDad’s going to find a way to—””
“He will. He will,Sami. ””
She swallowed. “But I keep thinking…what’s going to happen if I never get to see you again?
Or what if I never get to see Mom or Dad orWill? My poor little boy. I just think about him having to be raised by that drunken father of his. How could something like that happen to my sweet little boy?
””
“Well,” Eric said, bitterness leaking through, “we haveNicole to thank for that. ””
She closed her eyes. The clock kept ticking. At Kate’s mansion, Austin stood inthe foyer.
Henderson appeared. “I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed to see him, Mr. Reed. ””
ButAustin was already moving past him, calling up the stairs: “Will!
Hey, buddy boy! Will! ””
A small figure appeared at the top of the stairs, rubbing his eyes. “Daddy?
Where’s mommy? ””
Austin’s heart cracked open. He caught his son atthe bottom of the stairs andheld him, pressed his face intothe boy’s hair, andsaid nothing because there was nothing safe to say. At the hospital, Roman’s pager went off.
He looked at it, then atKate. “I can’t do anything here,” he said. “What do you mean? ” she asked.
“I’m going to tell the hospital that if he regains consciousness to call me immediately. ””
“Roman, you can’t leave now. Roberto’s your only hope. ””
“Maybe not,” he said.
“Maybe there’s another way to saveSami. ””
He was already moving, leaving her standing alone in the fluorescent light, watchingRoberto’s chest rise andfall, rise andfall. The clock in the cell ticked on. Sami counted the hours.
Then she stopped counting. There was no point. There was only the waiting, andthe sound of her own heart, andthe word midnightsuspended over everything like a blade. Marlena andJohn stood in the governor’s office, facing a man who looked like he hadn’t slept in weeks.
John spoke. The governor listened. Marlena watched his face, searching for any flicker of mercy, any crack of doubt. The clock on his wall ticked too.
Everyone’s clock was ticking tonight. In the cell, Sami bowed her head. The chaplain, Orin, sat with her. Some people believe in your innocence,Sami, he said.
“Does it matter? ” she asked. “Yes,” he said. “It matters.
You are not alone. ””
She looked at the clock again. It was almost time. The sound of footsteps in the corridor.
Keys in the lock. “Sami Brady,” the warden said, “it’s time. ””
She stood. Her legs were shaking.
She thought ofWill’s small face. She thought ofEric, of her mother, of her father’s voice: I’ll find a way to save her. She stepped forward. The door closed behind her.
The clock kept ticking, but she couldn’t hear it anymore. Somewhere out in the night, a phone rang in the governor’s office. Somewhere, a man namedRoberto opened his eyes. Somewhere, her father was running, was shouting, was begging.
Somewhere, her mother was on her knees. And then, just before midnight, the phone rang in the prison warden’s office. The warden picked it up. He listened.
He looked atSami. His face changed. “Stayof execution,” he said. “Granted.
””
The night went silent. Then Eric was there, andRoman, andMarlena, all of them, holding her, sobbing, laughing. The clock was still ticking, but it no longer sounded like a countdown. It sounded like time, ordinary time, the kind of time that meant tomorrow, andhe next day, andhe next.
Sami held her father andwept into his chest. “You did it,Daddy. You did it. ””
“No,” he said, his voice rough.
“You’re coming home,Sami. That’s all that matters. ””
She looked up, through tears, at theofficials, atthe cameras already gathering outside, at the crowd whose mood was already shifting. She didn’t care about any of it.
She just wantedto see her son. “Take me home,” she said. And they did.