“Oh, honey. I’m hurt. How could you think I’d stoop so low as to get my hands dirty with the likes of her?” Gabriella’s tone moved from one extreme to another—smarmy to, angry and downright smug in between.
Realising Gabriella wouldn’t tell her anything, she hung up on her. Immediately after, she dialled the police. She reported an incident in progress at Casey’s bookshop before making her way there herself. When she got to the store, the flashing lights of the police cruisers didn’t worry her as much as the paramedics loading a patient into their ambulance.
Her car coming to a screeching halt, she jumped out, pushing through the crowd of busybodies observing the scene. A uniformed police officer stopped her at the yellow tape.
“Ma’am, you may not pass,” the officer informed her.
“That’s my partner,” she shouted, dodging his hands and making her way to the back of the ambulance. She got there just in time to see the blood streaming down the side of Casey’s face. Casey’s eyes were closed and the EMTs were checking her vitals. Casey wasn’t moving.
Covering her mouth with her hand, Nicolette stifled her scream. “Oh God.” Her heart constricted at the sight. Her chest felt tight, the pain there unbearable, almost doubling her over. Her breathing became shallow, the hairs on her arms felt like they were standing on end. Not even when Gabriella had hurt her did Nicolette feel this kind of fear.
Another police officer, plain-clothed this time, grabbed her from behind. She didn’t even have the strength to fight him off. Tears were streaming down her face, but she angrily pushed them away. Looking to the store, she noticed the walls were no longer lined with books. All the signs were ripped from the windows.
“What hospital are they taking her to?” Nicolette asked.
The uniformed officer looked at her with a critical eye.
“Where are they taking Casey?” She repeated, impatience mounting within her.
He didn’t respond, wasting valuable time as she watched the ambulance drive off. She needed to be by Casey’s side. Now. Shaking off the other’s grip, she strode towards her car. “Never mind, I’ll figure it out by myself.” She hadn’t grown up in Florida, but she knew there weren’t that many hospitals in the area.
Fear and anger warred within her. She wanted to rip Gabriella limb from limb. But the need to be with Casey far outweighed that. Casey had become an integral part of her life. What would she do without her Casey girl? Her chest tightened again at the thought.
Catching up to her, Mr. Plain-Clothes guided her away from her own car, putting her in a dark-coloured sedan. He drove her straight to the emergency room door of the hospital. The entire way there, fear left a bitter taste in Nicolette’s mouth, her eyes streamed with the tears she was unable to hold back. “Thanks,” she whispered, exiting the vehicle.
He followed her inside, but she couldn’t worry about that right now.
“I need to see Casey Addison. The ambulance just brought her through here,” she told the stern-looking, linebacker-material female nurse at the counter.
Barely sparing her a glance, the nurse barked, “Are you family?”
Nodding and responding at the same time, Nicolette confirmed, “Yes, I’m family.” To which, the nurse produced a ton of forms for her to fill out.
“Fill these out. And the doctor will see you when he’s done.” The woman acted like Nicolette had disturbed her in her own home.
“But…”
“Ma’am. I’m sure your family is very important to you. But trust me when I say she’s in good hands here. The doctors are extremely good at their jobs.” Bored, the nurse’s speech was obviously rehearsed. The woman’s lack of compassion bleached the words of any comfort they should have elicited. Stilted and fake, she completed her diatribe with “Now, please sit down in the ‘Families of Emergency Room Patients’ lounge. And fill out the paperwork.”
The woman didn’t even have the decency to look at her when she spoke. Nicolette had met really nice and helpful nurses before and this woman was not one of them. She opened her mouth to dress down the dried up old prune, but a hand tugged on her arm, stopping her. Wheeling on him, she faced off with the same officer who drove her to the hospital.
“What do you want?” she questioned. “Why won’t you leave me alone?” Picking up the paperwork, she walked away from him, not really caring about his reply. Anger and fear warred within her.
Sitting in the lounge, she dumped the papers in the chair next to her, placing the palms of her hands over her eyes. She sobbed, her heart breaking. Tears squeezed through the sides, running down her hands.
She couldn’t lose Casey, not now. She should have told her…everything. She might have been better prepared, more alert for any unusual activity near her store. She knew how Gabriella operated. The woman was pure evil.
But, oh no. Stubborn pride could cost her the one person in the world she loved above all others. The hand on her shoulder didn’t jolt her this time around. Quite frankly, she wasn’t surprised he hadn’t left. The annoying detective just wouldn’t let up.
She tried ignoring him but the man just wouldn’t leave. “Who are you? And what do you want from me?” she inquired of him. She cared very little for his answer, but she hoped by giving him what he wanted he’d leave her alone. She shrugged his arm off her shoulder, not at all comfortable with anyone other than Casey’s hands on her body.
“Detective Enrique Santiago, ma’am. You’re the one that called 911, right?” At her nod, he continued. “How did you know your…partner was in trouble?”
Moving her hands from her face, she looked at him through watery eyes, assessing him. He handed her some tissue. Accepting it, she wiped her tears, crushing the scrap of tissue in her hand.
Taking the seat near her, he left a chair between them. Looking at him again, she began, “I’ve been getting threatening phone calls from an ex, for some time now. I’ve mostly ignored them or hung up when I accidently answer.”
Clasping her hands together, she tried to stop the trembling, staring at them. “Tonight, was different somehow. I waited and listened.” Shrugging, she took a deep breath. “Maybe because Casey hadn’t answered my calls. Or maybe it was some kind of foreboding. But for whatever reason I listened.” Water spilled from her eyes again. “I listened and what I heard still curdles my blood even now. She said...she said ‘I told you the bitch would leave eventually. Now you’re all alone. Again.’”
Nicolette’s breath shuddered out of her lungs. She felt oxygen deprived. She needed to calm down before she had a panic attack. “I knew then exactly what she meant.”
“And what did she mean, Ms…? By the way, what is your name, ma’am?” His face registered surprise. He’d been writing on his little pad for a while now without asking an important question like her name.
“Nicolette Marchand,” she answered. “And I know because that woman took our break-up very badly. She even put me in the hospital.” She shuddered. “She’s capable of unimaginable acts of violence.” It was just a pity Nicolette hadn’t figured that out until the events that led to her hospital stay. She succinctly related her own attack to the detective.
“I’ll need to request a police report from the...”
She cut him off, saying “There is no police report outlining my attack.”
“Why didn’t you report it to the police?”
Turning on him, she couldn’t help the anger rising within her. “I’m not an idiot, officer. I thought about reporting it. But what would have been the use?”
The trembling travelled beyond her arms to encompass her entire body. “Gabriella is related to almost all the officers in Glendale. There was no justice for me there.”
Realisation dawned on his features and horror flashed across his face before he was able to mask it.
Nicolette deflated, her anger abating. She knew not all police officers were the same. But it was hard sometimes, hard to reconcile one with another, especially since the inaction of the Glendale
police had negatively impacted her thinking.
“I’m sorry. I...I...” She slumped back into the chair, tired from the retelling. Resting her head on the back of the chair, she stared up, counting the grooves in the ceiling. Detective Santiago didn’t leave when she was done. Instead, he sat quietly beside her.
The doctor entered the lounge shortly after. Jumping to her feet, Nicolette met him halfway. Listening intently to everything he said, relief flooded her. Casey’s prognosis was good; she would make a full recovery. She broke down, tears streaming down her face as she began to collapse. Catching her, Detective Santiago guided her back to the chair. The doctor performed a cursory examination of her before leaving, promising to let her know when she could see Casey.
* * * *
Awakened yet again, Casey debated whether hitting the nurse trying to help her would seem ungrateful. She usually possessed an even keel, but at this moment her patience wore thin. Her tiredness weighed heavily on her. The nurse began his usual checks: blood pressure, pulse and heart rate.
“Are you done yet?” she snapped, watching as the man checked all the monitors hooked up to her. She knew he only tried to do his job, but really when would this situation end? She’d been held in this hospital bed for the past two days. She wanted to go home, now.
“Not yet.” He winked at her, as if at the moment she’d be receptive to any advances he might make, even if she had preferred an outie. “Nicolette went down the hall. She asked that you call her on her cell as soon as you wake up.” Retrieving the phone resting at the side of the bed, the nurse handed it to her.
Grabbing the phone away, she grunted a quick, “Thanks.” After the nurse left, she dialled Nicolette’s cell number. She fidgeted, impatiently listening to the ringing of the phone. If she were standing up, she would be tapping her foot repeatedly.
“Hello.” The tiredness of the voice on the other end comforted and annoyed her. She wanted to be beside Nicolette in their bed, dammit. Not here in some uncomfortable hospital bed being hit on by some male nurse, too immature to choose a more appropriate time and place to make the moves on her.
“Hi, my Nicolette. I’m awake. Come back to me.”
“Oh, hi Casey girl. I’m on my way back. How’re you feeling?” Casey heard the ding of the elevator and the sound of the doors sliding open. Before she could even form a response, she also heard a quiet “I miss you so much.”
Tears sprang to Casey’s eyes at those mumbled words. “I miss you too, my Nicolette.” She sniffled. “I want to go home,” she whined, experiencing no shame at the sound.
Walking into the room, Nicolette closed her cell. She took the phone Casey held, placing it back on the nightstand. Perching on the side of Casey’s bed, Nicolette grabbed hold of her hand.
“I want us to be home too, baby girl. But you know you have to stay here and get better for me.” Sighing heavily, she continued. “Maybe we can convince the doctor to release you early. You know, into my care or something.”
“Do you really think he’ll go for that?” Casey shook her head sharply. “I don’t care. You have to try. Promise me you’ll get me out of here.”
Nicolette kissed her lips. “I’ll try, baby. I promise.” The promise made went a long way in soothing Casey. “So anyway, Detective Santiago called earlier. He said they might have a break in the case.”
“Are they close to making an arrest?” Casey didn’t need to be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life. This situation hadn’t been at all pleasant for her, not that anyone would find it acceptable.
Nicolette paused, then said “Detective Santiago said he had some leads. They wouldn’t tell me what evidence they’d gathered but he sounded optimistic.” Relief was evident in Nicolette’s voice, making Casey smile.
Nicolette sounded happier, more relaxed. Casey hadn’t realised until this moment how tight her voice sounded in their previous conversations.
Cupping her cheek, Casey said, “My Nicolette. You know, I don’t blame you, right? For the attack, I mean.”
Nicolette didn’t say anything, but her stare never wavered. Nicolette’s breath hitched out of her. The quiet sobbing noises tore at Casey’s heart. She watched the tears pooling in Nicolette’s eyes.
“C’mere.” She hugged Nicolette to her. “Shh, baby. I love you, my Nicolette.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. But she hoped those words meant enough to get Nicolette to forgive herself…she hoped they meant everything.
“I love you too, Casey girl.” Hiccupping, Nicolette hid her face in the side of Casey’s neck. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen.”
Nicolette’s words were muffled, her tears soaking into Casey’s hospital gown. Reaching for some tissue, Casey handed it to Nicolette. “I just didn’t want to worry you. I never thought she’d go after you.”
“That’s not the point. You should have come to me. We’re supposed to be partners.” Casey added “You know, a couple, in this for the long haul. You were having a problem and instead of coming to me and discussing it, you made a decision that affected both our lives. A decision you made without me.”
Inhaling deeply, Casey tried to tamp down her temper, lowering her voice. “What if you’d gotten hurt? I wouldn’t even know the reason.”
A violent shudder ran the length of her body at the thought. “I love you, my Nicolette. You mean more to me than anything or anyone ever has.” Pausing, she tried to order her thoughts, tried to find a way to make Nicolette see, tried to find the words to make her understand they were in this together. “Please. Trust me.”
“I...I will. I do. I do trust you.” She sounded pretty agitated, but Casey believed in open communication being necessary to make a relationship work. She needed to get through to Nicolette.
“Look.” Lifting Nicolette’s face away from her chest, she stared into her eyes. “This is my first true relationship. But there are certain things that I always envisioned should occur within any relationship to make it successful.” Casey had gone through high school and college without ever getting truly serious with anyone. Her college sweetheart, Pamela, had been her only steady sex partner. They hadn’t been exclusive or anything, just fuck buddies.
This relationship with Nicolette was the first real relationship she’d had in her entire life. Nicolette meant more to her than anything, more than a gratuitous fuck. “I’m not saying you have to reveal everything of your inner self if you’re not comfortable doing so.” Taking a deep breath, she forged on. “But I just think...I mean I believe anything that affects either of our wellbeing would fall under the open conversation category.” Knowing they were both pretty emotional, she finished with “Look, just think about it, okay?”
“Okay,” Nicolette agreed.
Chapter Five
Nicolette had convinced the doctor to release Casey into her care. Adamant, he outlined the various do’s and don’ts she should adhere to in order to ensure Casey’s continued health and full recovery.
Wheeling Casey out of the hospital, they helped Nicolette move her to the waiting car. On the drive home, Casey turned this way and that, observing the sites they passed as if for the first time.
“You really felt hemmed in while admitted to the hospital, didn’t you?” Placing her hand on Casey’s leg, she stroked along her thigh. Nicolette still felt guilty. She’d brought this attack onto Casey, brought into their lives.
She’d thought long and hard about what Casey had said the previous night. She really couldn’t fault her logic. Nicolette knew she held herself back from Casey because of her past experiences with Gabriella. It wasn’t fair. Casey should not bear the burdens of Gabriella’s sins. And that, more than anything, made her feel even guiltier. Casey deserved better, their relationship deserved better.
“I was going stir-crazy in there.” Grinning in her direction, Casey squeezed her hand where it rested on her thigh. “I’ve missed you, baby. That’s why I felt hemmed in.” Facing the window yet again, she cont
inued. “I’m just ready to go home.”
Nodding, Nicolette decided to broach the subject of the attack. “They want you to come into the station. They have someone in custody.”
“I’m not sure how much help I can be.” Her eyes went out of focus for a moment. “I never had a chance to see who attacked me. It was the equivalent of a sucker punch. Something tells me that’s the only way she knows how to achieve anything.”
Nicolette agreed, amazed at how perceptive her girl was. She deduced this information from the titbits Nicolette had imparted regarding her experience with the Gabriella. “Well, we probably need to let them know that. I’m not sure what kind of effect it would have on the case. You can’t be the first victim in history unable to identify their attacker.”
The police said they had good leads. They could deal with making the evidence right. Her job was to make Casey happy and their relationship right.
“Are you hungry, Casey girl?” She felt hungry herself, but wondered what Casey would be in the mood for. “We could stop on the way home, pick up something to eat.”
“We could stop at Dim Sum; pick up some shrimp dumplings, Peking duck, fried wontons and curry vegetables.”
“Feeling hungry, are we?” Nicolette chuckled. “I’ll get that and some almond chicken as well.” She turned from their original path, heading towards the restaurant.
“You have no idea how horrible hospital food can be.” Casey shuddered, causing Nicolette to chuckle again. In the parking lot of the restaurant, she stopped Casey from coming with her. “Stay here, Casey girl. I’ll be right back.” She had placed her order on the way over, not wanting to be away from her girl any longer than was absolutely necessary.
Shrugging, Casey settled back in the car seat, seeming content to wait.
* * * *
They sat across from each other at the kitchen island in their home, the food spread out before them. Chopsticks in hand, they passed the food back and forth. The almond chicken never left Nicolette’s side, while the Peking duck was all for Casey. They devoured half the food before slowing.
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