by Nolan Thomas
The elevator doors slowly opened. They all hurried down the hall to Room 313, where a young policeman guarded the door.
“This is Officer Dan McGuire,” Vince said. “Dan, this is Casey Callahan and Billy Daniels. As we discussed earlier, these two are cleared for unlimited access.”
“Got it. Glad you’re here for her,” Officer McGuire said. They exchanged handshakes. Vince, Casey, and Billy entered the room.
“That’s Riley,” Billy said, dropping his head into his hands, fighting back tears of relief. “Thank God she’s alive.”
She looked so small and fragile. He walked over to her bedside and wrapped his hand around hers. “Riley, it’s Billy Daniels. I’m here for you Riley. I’m here.”
Vince stepped up to the side of Riley’s bed. “The doctor says her prognosis is good. She’s not awake yet, but they tell me that isn’t unusual in this kind of a situation. It’s the body’s way of protecting itself. They treated her for shock and smoke inhalation. There were no indications of sexual molestation.”
“Thank God,” Casey said.
“Yeah. She’s young and healthy so the Doc expects her to bounce back quickly from the physical trauma,” Vince said. “She was unresponsive at the scene, so no one’s questioned her yet. Who knows what kind of emotional trauma she’s experienced.”
Billy said, “We’ve got to make sure she gets around-the-clock protection.”
Vince hit his speed dial. “I’m already on it. I’m going to let my Captain know we have a positive ID on Riley, and then head over to the station to see what they’ve been able to turn up in the investigation. I’ll come back to the hospital as soon as I’m finished. Shouldn’t be too long.”
Billy pulled a chair next to Riley’s bed, sat down, and placed his hand over hers. Casey stood behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. She leaned over and whispered, “You okay, Billy?”
Billy reached up to his shoulder with his free hand, patted Casey’s hand, and nodded his head several times, indicating he was okay.
“How about I grab us some coffee?”
“None for me.”
When Casey left the room, Billy did something he hadn’t done for years. He cried. Then prayed.
31
“BILLY DANIELS? BILLY, IS THAT you?” a groggy Riley asked, rubbing her eyes.
“It’s me kiddo. You had me worried there for a while.”
Riley started coughing. Billy pushed the button to summon the nurse.
“Where am I? Is this a hospital?”
A nurse entered the room. “How are you feeling Riley?”
“My head hurts and my throat is very sore. When I breathe it’s kind of like a funny tickle in my chest.”
“That’s all very normal and what we expect for someone who was in a fire.”
The nurse checked Riley’s vitals then paged the doctor handling Riley’s case.
“I hid in the kitchen from Mr. Smith. I smelled smoke. I think Rocky smelled it too, because I tried to keep him from getting too wiggly. I was afraid Aunt Dixie would find us.”
Riley started wheezing and hysterically grabbed at the nurse’s arm. With tears streaming down her face she cried, “Rocky! Where’s Rocky? What happened to Rocky?”
“Is Rocky a dog?” Billy asked.
“He’s not just a dog, he’s my best-friend-in-the-whole-wide-world!” Riley sobbed. “Oh no, he’s dead isn’t he? I didn’t mean to let go of him. I tripped, and I couldn’t see where he went. Oh, Rocky! I’m so sorry. Please don’t be dead. Everybody I love dies.”
Billy wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay Riley. Rocky’s not dead.”
“He-he’s not?” Riley whimpered.
“No. The police told me the firemen found a little dog next to you. They took him to a veterinary hospital.”
“He’s alive?” Riley asked through her tears. “Is he going to be okay? Can I go see him?”
“He’s going to be fine, just like you. Let’s get you well, then we’ll see about visiting Rocky.”
Before Riley could ask Billy any more questions, Doctor Mooreland came in and examined her.
“You’re doing quite well, Riley. You’re a strong, healthy girl. If you keep improving like this, you may be able to go home tomorrow.”
“What? You don’t mean Aunt Dixie’s house?” Frantic with fear, Riley grabbed Billy’s arm. “Please, I can’t go back there. She’s the reason I was in that awful man’s house. Please, please don’t let them send me back there.”
“Don’t worry, Riley. No one is going to send you back to Aunt Dixie.”
“Do you promise?”
“I double-dog-pinky-swear.”
Riley smiled. Not just an ordinary smile. A big heart-stealing smile. She extended her pinky finger. Billy hooked his finger over hers and sealed the oath.
Casey stood in the back of the room for a few minutes, and witnessed what had just happened. She placed her hand on Doctor Mooreland’s arm.
“This is an unusual situation,” she said, her voice lowered. “I can’t go into all the details, but the police believe this was a deliberate attempt on her life. That’s why the MPD has a guard posted.”
Casey tilted her head towards Officer McGuire standing outside the doorway.
“What kind of monster would do something like this?” the doctor said more to himself than asking Casey a question he expected an answer to.
The doctor leaned over the bed to talk with Riley. “Get some rest, Riley. No one will send you to any place where you might be hurt.”
Riley nodded her gratitude.
“I’ll check in on you later.”
When Doctor Mooreland and the nurse left the room, Riley looked at Casey and asked, “Who are you?”
“Riley, I want you to meet Casey Callahan. She’s my best-friend-in-the-whole-wide-world.”
Casey reached over and gave Riley a warm hug. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Billy’s told me so much about you, and he’s been desperately looking for you.”
Riley turned her head towards Billy. “Seriously? You looked for me? You tried to find me?”
“Yes. I really enjoyed our conversation, so I came by to see if we could talk again, and I found out about your mother. A lot of people have been working to find you.”
“Hey, look who’s awake,” Vince smiled. “How are you feeling?”
“Riley, this is a friend of ours,” Billy said. “He’s a policeman. His name is Vince.”
“You don’t look like a policeman. Where’s your uniform?”
“She’s got you there,” Casey teased.
“I don’t usually wear a uniform. I’m a detective.”
“A detective?” an impressed Riley asked. “Really? That’s a very important job.”
Vince smiled. “Speaking of important jobs, if you feel well enough, I’d like you to tell me everything about tonight. Do you think you can do that?”
“Sure. I’m a little tired, but I think I can do that. I don’t know where to start.”
Vince pushed record on his phone. “Let’s start with how you ended up at that house tonight.”
For the next twenty minutes Riley told her story to Vince, as Billy and Casey listened and comforted her.
Billy’s phone rang. He checked caller ID.
32
“I’VE GOT TO TAKE THIS. I’ll just be right outside the door in the hallway,” Billy said before turning to leave. “Jeremiah, what’s up?”
“I got a call from Captain Diaz a few hours ago. He told me they pulled a girl matching Riley’s description from a burning house.”
“They did. It’s Riley. I’m at the hospital with her now. She’s okay, but turns out it’s a pretty ugly story, and she’s still in a lot of danger.”
“Which hospital?”
“I’m at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital.”
“My flight will be landing at Reagan in about twenty minutes,” Jeremiah said. “I’ll come straight to the hospital.”
“Your
flight?”
“Yeah. After the call from Diaz, I figured you could use some moral support. I’ve got a shitload of time off piled up, so I figured what the hell, and jumped on the next flight to DC.”
“Hey, man, you didn’t have t--”
“I know I didn’t have to,” Jeremiah interrupted. “Hell. This is as good an excuse as any to use up my vacation time. Besides, maybe I just want to see that ugly mug of yours.”
“Right,” Billy chuckled. “I’m on to you, tough guy. You’re worried about me.”
“Damn right I’m worried. Riley disappears and then gets pulled from a fire. That’s some bad shit going down. A man would be crazy not to be scared.”
“I’m not crazy,” Billy said. “So we know what that leaves.”
“That’s why I’m on my way. I’ve spent a little time in DC so thought I could help. Somebody’s got to have your back. Now give me the address of that hospital.”
“No need. I’ll pick you up.”
“You don’t have to do that Billy. I can rent a car. You’ve got a lot going on. You stay there at the hospital.”
“Nope. Casey’s here with Riley, and a cop is posted right outside her room. The airport isn’t that far from the hospital. I can jump on I-395 to the G.W. Parkway. Traffic’s not too heavy now. I’ll probably beat you to the airport.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sure as shit. The airport has this cell-phone waiting area. Makes it easy for me to pick you up. I’ll be in my Jeep. Call me as soon as you arrive, then head to Baggage Claim. Let me know the exterior door number. I’ll pick you up there. If you’re going to have my back, we should at least be in the same car.”
“You got it.”
“Thanks, Jeremiah. You’re the best,” Billy said, but the line was already dead.
Billy went back into Riley’s room. Vince, Riley and Casey looked like a happy little family, all chatting away. For some reason this bugged Billy, but he shook it off. He walked over to the bed. Vince stepped aside to let him get closer.
“I’ve got to head out,” Vince said. “Police work. I’ll be back to see you later, Riley.”
He asked Casey, “See you later?”
“Yes.” Casey smiled.
Rather than punch Vince, Billy took Riley’s hand.
“Hey, that was my boss on the phone. He’s coming to town, and I’m going to pick him up at the airport.”
“Your boss?” Riley asked. “Are you in trouble?”
Billy laughed. “No, I’m not in any trouble. My boss is one of the good guys.”
“When are you leaving?”
“I’ve got to head out now, but Casey will stay here with you.”
Casey smiled. “Of course I will.”
Riley grabbed Billy’s sleeve as if it were a life preserver in troubled seas.
“You’ll come back, won’t you? Please come back.”
“Are you kidding? You can’t get rid of me. We’re forever-friends.”
Riley liked the sound of that.
“Forever-friends with Rocky, too? Promise?”
Billy bent down and kissed Riley on the forehead.
“Promise.” They locked pinkies.
JEREMIAH OPENED THE back door of Billy’s Jeep and placed his large duffel on the back-seat floor.
“Thanks for picking me up,” Jeremiah said, then shoved the back door closed, opened the front passenger door, and climbed in.
“I’m glad you’re here, Jeremiah.”
Jeremiah reached over and squeezed Billy’s shoulder. “Me too, Billy. Good to see you.”
“Hey, I don’t know where you planned on staying, but Casey insisted you stay with us.”
“Us?”
Billy laughed. “It’s not like that.”
“Uh-huh. I’ve seen her picture. I know how attractive she is.”
“We’re just friends.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Seriously, Jeremiah. Casey and I have been best friends since we were kids back in River Falls.”
“Whatever you say, Billy,” Jeremiah grinned. “Seriously, I don’t want to put you guys out. I’ll just grab a hotel for tonight. I may end up staying at my place in Virginia.”
“What place in Virginia?”
“I’ve got a cabin over in Warren County. A small place in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s about an hour from DC, unless you hit heavy traffic. That can easily add thirty minutes, even an hour sometimes, to the drive time.”
“Are you serious? I’ve never heard you mention a home in Virginia.”
“What’s the matter, Billy? You think a black man can’t own two homes?”
“Hey man, I didn’t mea--”
Jeremiah’s laughter interrupted Billy. “Gotcha!”
Billy gave him the middle finger salute.
“No hotel. End of discussion. I’m staying in Casey’s guest room. She’s got twin beds in there, so you can bunk with me.”
It felt good to laugh with Jeremiah. A short break from all the stress. At first Billy was surprised Jeremiah showed up. But after thinking about it, he was surprised that he was surprised. Of course Jeremiah would be here. Jeremiah was his boss, mentor, friend, and family.
As they drove back to the hospital, Billy brought Jeremiah up to date on everything—the murders of Regina Cox and Judge Maxwell, Riley’s kidnapping, and Aunt Dixie aka Kathryn Dixon.
“This Dixon woman sounds like she’s one mean mother,” Jeremiah said. “Riley’s seen her. She either high-tailed it out of town or she’s coming for Riley.”
Billy nodded his agreement.
“You better drive faster, Billy.”
33
“OH NO!” RILEY CRIED. “WHERE’S my necklace? It’s a locket with my mom’s picture. It’s all I have of her.”
Casey’s heart ached as she watched this tough, smart girl melt into tears.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Casey pulled Riley into her arms, cradling and rocking her.
“It’s all right, Riley. I bet the hospital people have it somewhere. They usually remove jewelry from patients. We’ll just ask the nurse the next time she comes in. I bet she knows exactly where it is.”
Casey felt Riley’s small hands clinging to her.
“You know, Riley, I’m sad you’ve experienced so much hurt. But I’m very happy you’ve come into my life.”
“I’m glad too,” Riley said while yawning.
“You need to get some rest. I’m going to run to the cafeteria and grab some snacks for us. I’ll stop by the nurses’ station and see if I can find your locket. Why don’t you try to get some sleep while I’m gone?”
“Do you have to leave?”
“I won’t be gone long. Besides, you don’t have to worry. You have a policeman right outside your door.”
Casey smiled and hugged Riley.
“Officer McGuire. Could you come in here please?” Casey called through the doorway.
The officer jumped up from his chair outside Riley’s door and rushed into her hospital room.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s fine,” Casey said. “I thought it would be a good idea for Riley to meet you. I need to be away for a few minutes. Given all that’s happened she’s understandably nervous about being left alone.”
Riley appreciated the way Casey described her feelings to the policeman. She could have made it sound like she was a real cry-baby-scaredy-pants, but she didn’t.
“Riley, this is Officer Dan McGuire from the Washington, DC Police Department. He’s been sitting outside your room to protect you and make sure no one gets near you who isn’t authorized to be in here. Officer McGuire, this is Riley Sinclair.”
Riley stuck out her hand and Officer McGuire gently shook it.
“Nice to meet you, Officer McGuire. Thank you for being my guard. But please make sure you’re careful. I used to watch a lot of TV shows. It’s always the nice guard sitting outside the room who gets hurt.”
Officer McGuire could tell Riley’s concern for his safety was genuine, so he stifled his chuckle and said, “Thank you ma’am. I appreciate your concern, and I’ll take your advice to heart.”
“Officer McGuire will be right outside your door and he won’t let anyone in who could hurt you. You get some sleep, and I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“Okay,” Riley said, closing her eyes as Casey tucked the covers under her chin.
As they walked out of the room, Casey asked Officer McGuire, “Have you heard anything new?”
“No. I haven’t got any updates.”
“Okay. I shouldn’t be gone too long. I wanted to get out of the room so she could rest. As long as I’m in there she’ll continue to talk. She’s such a sweetheart. I could listen to her all night, but she really needs her rest.”
“I can’t believe anyone could hurt her. It just makes me sick to my stomach,” Officer McGuire said.
“I know. I feel the same way. But remember, Riley can identify someone we suspect of being involved in some other very serious crimes, including murder.”
“Don’t worry, no one gets in there who isn’t authorized.”
34
OUR LADY OF MERCY HOSPITAL provided the ideal environment for a hit. People distracted by the demands of illness noticed very little. Rolinska’s contacts had supplied her target’s location. Riley was in Room 313. She ducked inside a linen closet and pulled scrubs on over her clothes. She tucked her hair under a cloth surgical cap, tied a surgical mask over her mouth, then pulled it down under her chin. No need for the latex surgical gloves. Her fingerprints had been removed a long time ago.
Rolinska moved through the hospital with ease, carrying a chart she picked up from a nurses’ station, blending in with her surroundings and moving confidently through the corridor. Reading a chart didn’t get a second glance.
At the bank of elevators, Rolinska waited patiently for the next car. She studiously reviewed the chart to avoid any possible conversation. The elevator pinged, and she stepped in. Someone had already pushed the button for the third floor. She preferred to take the stairs, but people in hospitals tended to take elevators. Rolinska was an astute observer of people and how they behaved. Her success and survival depended on it.