No current to the fuel pump at the fuel tank

Faulty fuel pump return valve causing fuel to drain back to fuel tank , connect a inline fuel pressure gauge start engine , note pressure stop engine pressure could drop a few psi then hold , if pressure drops close to zero replace valve or pump .

the fuel pump will run for 2 secondes with key on to prime system. then when you crank engine it should run all the time. you check fuse and if current go to fuel pump at tank connector. if there is current then the fuel pump must be defect.

You may be right on your hunch.
The fuel pump gets power from the pump relay for 3 seconds when you turn the key on, then no power until the engine starts. If the fuel pressure is low it could take several trys to get the pressure up to normal and the engine start.
A mechanic would check the pump relay and the fuel pressure with a gauge before and after cranking the engine.

My first question would be is the injector spraying when you crank it ?
The way its supposed to work, the fuel line to the tank should have about 10psi of pressure before you crank the engine. When you turn the key on the pump gets power for 3 seconds to boost the pressure. The pump stops working until the engine has oil pressure which takes a few seconds.
If the base fuel pressure leaks back to the tank, or the pump relay is not powering the pump, you won't have any fuel pressure or spray until you get oil pressure.

To clarify, the engine cranks and starts. If it cranks but won't start until 4 or 5 tries, I would check the fuel pressure before and after the first attempt. The check valve in the pump may be faulty and allowing the fuel to flow back to the tank when it is not running. The pump only gets power for the first 3 seconds during crank time until the engine starts.

You might have a defective fuel tank pressure sensor!

Check for spark and fuel. When you turn the key on you should hear the fuel pump in the tank for a few seconds till the pressure builds up. When you crank the engine there should be spark at the plugs.

There is a check valve in the tank, part of the sending unit. you can't buy it by itself. Instead of cranking on the starter to get it started. just turn the key on and off 3 or 4 times. it energizes the fuel pump everytime you do it. this should get your vehicle started.

But it starts good cold? The injectors are leaking ( dirty ) the fuel pressure can be too high or low the fuel pressure regulater can be leaking or bad, the fuel filter can be stopped up' the check valve in the fuel pump can be bad letting all the fuel back into the tank and it has to reprime every time the oil pressure switch can be bad and the pump doesnt start till the override kicks in ( then the thing will take the exact same number of cranks to start) Try to start it by just bumping the starter three times then crank it if it starts right up then you know where to look.

Does the fuel line still have 55 PSI when engine warmed up? Any other codes show up?