by Gina LaManna
“Dude.” I turned and faced him. “Why in the world didn’t you just call me? Instead, you had your production company film a movie halfway across the country?”
“Just forget about it,” Ryan muttered. “My idea’s obviously not working. I saw you with that guy this morning.”
“With my neighbor.”
Ryan stopped in the hallway. “You’re telling me that you two aren’t a thing? But yet... you’re coming out of his house first thing in the morning? I don’t know about you, but I guess relationships work differently out here.”
“You’re darn right they do,” I said. “People don’t dump one another anytime someone new and shiny comes along.”
Ryan went quiet. “Right. I deserved that.”
“Where’s Tennison?” I asked. “Let’s talk to him before we get so busy arguing we forget why we came.”
“Why don’t you take a seat in the waiting room, and I’ll go get the nurse,” Ryan said. “See if he’s up for visitors.”
While Ryan went to find the nurse, I took a quick trip to the restroom, then perused magazines in the lobby. Ironically, I found one with Ryan’s face on it along with the title “SINGLE?”
Ryan popped up behind me just as I began reading the article that lambasted the fact that poor Ryan Lewis was single all over again after a rough string of breakups.
“Interesting reading?” he asked, giving me a crooked smile. “If there’s anything you want to know, Jenna, you can just ask. I’m an open book.”
“Sure.” I slapped the magazine shut and put it back on the rack. “An open book. Which is why you won’t tell me the things I really do want to know. Like why you went inside that car.”
“Jenna—”
“Whatever. I’ll figure out the truth one way or another. Even, especially, if you’re lying. And I know when you’re lying, Ryan Lewis.”
“I know. And I’m sorry for that.”
It felt strange having Ryan apologize up and down to me. Strange that he needed me. I’d spent these last few months fuming over what he’d done to me. After all, our breakup had prompted a huge life change for me. I’d given up my lucrative career for a more modest, Midwestern life. And modest was being generous.
Instead of dissipating over time, my anger toward Ryan had simply moved to the background, hovering in the distance. In some ways, I’d forgotten about him—out of sight, out of mind. But when he was shoved in my face—on the covers of magazines or now in person—it returned in a wave of hurt. I was surprised at how difficult it was to feel indifferent about my ex-boyfriend.
“Let’s take a seat,” he said. “I went to ask the nurse, and she confirmed he’s still not awake. I told her we’d wait just in case there’s a change for the better.”
Ryan and I sat next to one another in the waiting room. In a way, it was like old times. We lounged, looked at magazines together—magazines like Home & Garden or the Best Burgers of Minnesota. Magazines that were safe from things like Hollywood news and Ryan’s face.
I yawned, beginning to wonder what was taking so long, when a nurse appeared in the entrance to the lobby and called Ryan’s name. I stood along with him, and together, we approached the nurse.
I could tell right away that something was wrong. The nurse gave a furtive glance at me, then Ryan, as if she had something to say but wasn’t sure she should say it in front of me.
Ryan picked up on it, too, and asked quickly. “What’s wrong? You can say it in front of her.”
“I’m afraid there’s been a development.” The nurse nervously tucked a strand of hair away from her face. “Why don’t we chat in private?”
Ryan shot me a look of alarm but agreed. We followed the nurse into an office.
Once there, she hesitated as she looked us over. “I’m sorry, but Tennison didn’t make it.”
“Didn’t make it—” Ryan choked on his words. “What are you talking about? I thought...”
“He was in critical condition,” the nurse said apologetically. “We did everything we could.”
“We were just going to see him,” Ryan said, sitting back in his chair and looking mystified as if he couldn’t believe what she was saying. “We were going to talk to him.”
“I wish I had better news for you, but unfortunately, he took a turn for the worse. It was quite sudden.”
Ryan flew to his feet. “Did you try to revive him? Bring him back?” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and massaged his forehead. “He’s in a hospital for crying out loud. He shouldn’t have died.”
“He’s been in critical condition since he arrived,” the nurse said. “He was on a ventilator. We had hoped he might pull through, but there were complications.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Truly, I’m sorry, and if—”
“No!” Ryan threw his arms up. “He can’t be dead.”
“Ryan,” I said softly, standing next to him. “It’s not her fault. Take a deep breath.”
“If he’d just woken up, maybe he could’ve told me who was after him,” Ryan said. “He could’ve set the record straight.”
“We don’t know that,” I said gently.” He might’ve been just as confused as the rest of us. Please try to calm down, Ryan. The poor nurse doesn’t know anything. She and the doctors were just doing their jobs. They did everything they could to save him.”
The nurse looked relieved at my explanation.
“I’m sorry about this,” I said, putting my hand on Ryan’s elbow and guiding him toward the door. I turned back to the nurse. “We appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“Of course,” the nurse said. “I’m so sorry for your loss. If you need anything, my name is Carrie. Please reach out to me anytime. You can call the front desk, and they know how to get ahold of me.”
“Thank you. We don’t need to take up any more of your time.”
I led Ryan out of the room. I heard the nurse exhale in relief as I closed the door behind me.
“He can’t be dead!” Ryan’s eyes were frenzied. He didn’t seem to be in the mood to listen to reason. “Someone killed him. Someone snuck in here and killed him.”
“But—”
“They were trying to finish him off because the gun thing didn’t work,” Ryan said. “Maybe Tennison knew who killed him, and the person had to cover their tracks.”
“I think—”
“No, Jenna—”
“No, Ryan.” I put my hands on Ryan’s shoulders and clamped down. I gave him a tiny shake. His eyes were still wild, but as I held him steady, he came back to earth as I continued to speak. “Tennison suffered from a serious gunshot wound. I’m sorry he didn’t make it, but you need to take some deep breaths. You’re making a scene.”
“But—”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong,” I hissed, dragging him to the side of the lobby and leaning in close. “I’m not saying we shouldn’t look into what actually happened here, but we need to do so calmly or else we won’t find anything.”
Ryan took a few deep breaths. But I couldn’t pay too much attention to him because at that moment, I caught sight of another face over Ryan’s shoulder that made me freeze in place.
“Uh-oh,” I said. “That’s not good.”
“What’s not good?” Ryan swiveled around. He caught a glimpse of Cooper and looked relieved. “Oh, good. I need to talk to him.”
I winced as Ryan stomped across the lobby and went right up to Cooper. Even as he did, Cooper’s eyes were fixed on me. Eventually, I turned my gaze toward my toes because that was a much safer place to look.
The next thing I knew, Cooper was at my side, and Ryan was standing by the door looking confused.
“Oh, hey,” I said. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Yeah, strange,” Cooper said. “Seeing as my attempted murder case just turned into murder one.”
“So I heard.” I looked back down at my toes. Thankfully, I had Anna Nelson ballet flats on that were bright pink and made
a great focal point. “Sad. Really sad. It’s hard to believe Tennison is dead.”
“It sure is,” Cooper said. “And it’s even more uncanny that you’re here. Cozied up with my number-one suspect.”
“Uh-huh,” I said and then jerked my head up to look at him. “Cozy? Me and Ryan? No. You’ve got the wrong idea.”
Even as I argued, I knew how it must look to Cooper. He’d walked in while I’d had my arms on Ryan’s shoulders. We weren’t supposed to be together, let alone at the hospital where a man had just died. I could see how Cooper might have misinterpreted things.
“You can’t seriously think I had anything to do with Tennison’s death,” I said, my face flaming with frustration. “I can’t believe we’re still having conversations about me killing people. I’m not a murderer!”
I might have said the last line a smidgeon too loud, which accrued me several strange looks from others in the waiting room.
“If you think that’s what I was about to say...” Cooper shook his head. “Come on, Jenna. I know you’re not a murderer.”
“Then what were you trying to say?”
“You’re here with Ryan,” Cooper said. “And while this isn’t the time or the place to get into the details, I’m a little confused after yesterday.”
“You’re right,” I said. “This isn’t the time or the place. And maybe I’m confused, too.”
“Fine,” Cooper said. “Then it is probably best if I get straight to business. What time did you arrive at the hospital?”
“Are you interviewing me?”
“You were here, weren’t you?” Cooper said. “And you were in the presence of Ryan Lewis?”
“Yes,” I said sadly. “To both. Can we sit down? I need a cup of coffee. Maybe a mint. I’m hungry, and although these shoes are adorable, they are killing me. I need a breath of fresh air. Can we go somewhere?”
“Get a coffee from the station,” Cooper said. “I’ll meet you in the office in ten minutes. I have to visit Tennison’s room first anyway. But don’t get any ideas about disappearing on me this time.”
“Who, me?” I echoed. “I’d never.”
Chapter 9
It took longer than ten minutes for Cooper to do whatever needed doing inside of Tennison’s hospital room. Meanwhile, Ryan and I were offered cups of coffee and creamer, which we both accepted. Then we were led to a small office, different than the one we’d just been in with the nurse.
The office where we were seated was small. There was a desk along one side, then a small table on the other side with two chairs pushed up to it. Someone retrieved a third chair and silently added it before Cooper arrived.
“What’s taking him so long?” Ryan asked, breaking the silence. “What’s he doing in there?”
I tapped my thumb against the Styrofoam cup. “Don’t you want him to investigate the room for signs of foul play?”
Ryan lapsed into melancholy silence. Since we’d been stuck in the office, Ryan’s sail had deflated. His anger and frustration had faded into a moody sadness. If I had to guess, he was mourning the death of a friend while also being concerned the case against him had just gotten worse. Oddly enough, I understood.
“What’s the deal with you and the chief?”
“What are you talking about?” I looked over at Ryan. “Me and Cooper?”
“You’re dodging the question. You do that when you don’t want to answer.”
“I do?”
“And you ask a lot of questions.”
“You don’t say?” I frowned. “I guess you’re right.”
“I might’ve been a jerk when we dated, but I paid attention to some things,” Ryan said. “Just too little too late.”
“It wasn’t all your fault,” I said on impulse. When he shot me a surprised look, I gave a grudging shrug of one shoulder. “I was really busy with my career. I know at times it took priority over our relationship. I’m sorry about that.”
“Ironically, it’s your career that got me mine.”
“I wondered if you knew that.”
“I’m not an idiot, Jenna,” he said. “I’m sorry for what I did to you. It’s in the past, and I can’t change it. I don’t blame you for not wanting to have anything to do with me.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
He gave me a wry smile. “You’re a nice person.”
“Thank you,” I said. On second thought, I added, “You’re not a bad actor, yourself.”
“Um, thanks?”
“What I mean is that I did believe in you when we dated,” I said. “My career might’ve gotten you some of the connections that gave your career the jump-start it needed, but you wouldn’t have taken off if you sucked.”
“Well, that’s generous after how I ended things between us. I’m sorry.”
“Let’s forget about apologizing and just move on,” I said, finding myself surprised to mean it. “Bygones be bygones and all that. Let’s put our attention into finding out who killed Tennison. He deserves that much.”
Ryan nodded.
A minute of silence passed.
“So,” he said. “About you and the chief.”
I balled up my napkin and threw it at him. He gave a laugh, and though it was out of place considering the circumstances, it was nice. There’d been a cloud of tension surrounding us since we’d reconnected, and it was pleasant to let it go. To move on—completely.
The door finally opened, and we both looked up to find Cooper standing there. He cast us a stern look, and the smile melted off Ryan’s face.
“Having a nice time?” Cooper remarked, entering the room and looking grave. “I need to talk to you both. But we’re going to do this one at a time. Who wants to go first?”
“Uh—” I looked down at my pretty shoes. “Ryan can go first. I need more coffee.”
“Not so fast,” Cooper said. “I changed my mind. It might be best if Ryan could go and grab us both a cup of coffee while we chat. Don’t get any ideas about taking off, Ryan.”
Ryan looked annoyed, but he managed to keep his mouth shut as he stood and left the room. He closed the door behind him, leaving me to sweat bullets as I sat opposite Cooper at the table.
“It’s not what you think,” I said quickly. “It’s not like that.”
“Like what?” Cooper’s tone was even. “I didn’t have time to think. Everything’s been happening so fast.”
“You’re telling me,” I grumbled.
“Well, I suppose we should get started so you can get on with your day,” Cooper said. “Seems like you’ve been keeping busy.”
“Don’t start, Cooper.”
“What time did you meet with Ryan this morning?”
“I didn’t meet with him, okay?” I said. “He showed up at my house.”
“He showed up when—this morning? Last night?”
I glowered at him.
“It’s a simple question, Jenna. Ryan’s on my suspect list. I’m trying to establish an alibi.”
“An alibi...” I turned the words over in my mouth. “Does that mean someone killed Tennison? I mean—again? I mean... did someone come into the hospital and kill Tennison? I assumed he died from complications from the gunshot wound.”
Cooper flicked his gaze at the door. “I’m not at liberty to say, yet.”
“Cooper, it’s me.”
“And you might be the alibi for my main suspect.” Cooper sat back in his seat and spread his hands. A wry smile twisted his lips. “You can see how the situation is a little touchy.”
I scowled, but it was difficult not to see his point. “This morning. I saw him this morning when I was coming back from Matt’s—” I stopped at the sight of Cooper’s eyebrow raising. “Oh, for Pete’s sake. I brought coffee to Matt this morning. My neighbor and my friend.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
I made a little wiggling motion with my pointer finger. “Your eyebrow did, mister. Your eyebrow was a skeptical eyebrow.”
“Is that rig
ht?” Cooper looked amused. “I apologize on behalf of my eyebrow.”
I couldn’t hold back a tiny smile. “Well, I forgive your eyebrow.”
Cooper made a sound between a snort and a chuckle. “I’m trying to be professional here.”
“I am, too,” I said quietly. “I’m sorry for what you saw. Rather, what you think you saw. You need to let me explain. I’m not sure if now is the time or the place—”
“Dinner,” Cooper said. “I’ve got work to do today. But tonight I’d love to make time for you. If you’re free. And interested.”
“Of course I’m interested! Don’t be ridiculous.” I stared him down. “This is off the record, what I’m about to say next, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I don’t go around letting people kiss me like that if I’m not interested,” I said, leaning forward and whispering in case someone was eavesdropping at the door. “I only reserve that sort of thing for, you know, the right person.”
Cooper looked pleased. “Well, I’m glad to hear that.”
“So...” I waved a hand and tried not to let my embarrassment show. “Go on. Ask what questions you have to ask.”
“Great,” Cooper said. “Then consider this still off the record. I plan to do more of that tonight. If you’ll have it.”
I choked a little in surprise. “Oh, well. You know. Surprise me, I guess.”
Cooper laughed, looking down at his notebook. The page was empty, but he studied it as if it contained the secrets to the universe. I realized that he, too, was the tiniest bit flustered, and that made me feel better. I wasn’t the only one feeling all sorts of feels when we were in a room together.
“Well then, I guess we’ll pick up where we left off.” Cooper set his notebook down and looked at me. “The sooner we get done with this, the sooner we get to dinner.”
“I thought dinner was at seven.”
“I was hoping five.”
“What are you, a grandpa?”
Cooper grinned. “Just a man who doesn’t want to wait until seven to see you again.”
I did a little fan of myself. “I thought you were getting back to business.”
Cooper retreated, leaning back against the chair. I tried to pay attention as he circled back to the dire situation we were both facing.