by Lyn Horner
She smiled, or tried to. No, she wouldn’t worry as long as he was with her. Closing her eyes, she drifted on the edge of unconsciousness during the ride to the hospital, aware only of Nate’s presence beside her. Then she was in a room so brightly lighted that it hurt even through her closed eyelids. The light brought her awake enough to hear a woman’s sharp voice snapping orders.
Hands cut away her bloody clothes and a crisp sheet covered her chilled body while fresh bandages were applied here and there. Through a fog, Talia heard that same woman’s voice say something about a plastic surgeon, but she didn’t relate it to herself. She wanted Nate. Where was he? He said he’d stay with her.
Forcing her eyes open, she squinted at the terrible brightness. “Where’s Nate? I need Nate,” she mumbled.
“Shh, you’re going to be fine, hon,” a sympathetic dark-haired woman said, patting her arm gently. Was she a nurse? “Just lay quiet. You’ve lost a lot of blood. You can’t afford to lose any more.”
“But I want Nate,” Talia insisted, attempting to sit up.
“Sedate her. Now, before she does more damage to herself,” the sharp female voice barked.
“No! I want Nate!” Talia tried to shout. It came out a weak cry. Then everything went gray, fading quickly to black.
CHAPTER TEN
Talia’s eyes flickered open, closed for a minute then opened again. The ceiling swam into focus above her. It was bright white and unfamiliar. Where was she? Sensing a light source to her left, she turned her head and saw a window. The movement caused pain on the right side of her throat, as if her skin was being pinched tight.
Raising her hand, she encountered a thick bandage covering the painful area. Just like that she remembered being brought to the hospital after Misty attacked her. Nate had been with her until … .
“You’re awake!” cried a familiar voice. “Be careful, honey, don’t pull off the bandage.” A soft, papery hand stopped her from picking at the taped gauze.
Talia lowered her hand. Slowly turning her head in the opposite direction, causing only a slight twinge this time, she saw her mother sitting in a chair beside her bed. She looked tired and older than Talia had ever seen her. “Mom, what are you doing here?” she asked in a dry, cracked voice.
“Where else would I be when you’re hurt?” her mother said with tears clouding her eyes, the same silver-gray as Talia’s. “Do you want some water?”
“Yes,” she croaked, grateful when her mother rose and held a cup with a straw to her lips. Once she finished drinking, she asked, “How did you find out I was injured?”
“Your supervisor, Dave – I can’t recall his last name – phoned to tell us. We came as fast as we could. Your father drove like a madman all the way.” Her mother cupped her cheek, a trembling smile wreathing her lined features. “We were so afraid for you.”
Talia returned her smile. “How long have I been here?”
“It’s been over three days.”
“Three days! I’ve been unconscious all that time?”
“Yes, dear, I’m afraid so. You had surgery to repair several of your deepest wounds and then plastic surgery on your throat and one arm. You’d lost so much blood! The doctors gave you transfusions and kept you sedated so your body could recover from the shock.” Her mom captured her hand again. “We almost lost you,” she added in a choked voice.
Talia had to clear her throat. “Where’s Dad?” she asked to distract them both.
Regaining her composure, her mom resumed her seat. “He went down to get a bite to eat in the cafeteria with your friend Nate.”
“Nate is here?” she blurted, heart jumping in her chest. She hazily recalled him telling her he’d stay with her, but then he hadn’t been there when the doctor and nurses were working over her. She’d called and called for him, or was that a dream?
“Oh my, yes, he’s barely left your side the entire time. He seems like a nice man, although I must say he does have a lot of tattoos on his arms.”
“He’s a tattoo artist, Mom, a very talented one,” Talia said. Learning Nate had stayed with her the whole time she was unconscious spread a warm glow through her.
“I’m sure he is, dear, and he obviously cares about you a great deal.” Her mother patted her hand. “And I think you feel the same about him, yes?”
Talia smiled rather sadly. “Yes, but I don’t know if there’s any future for us. We come from very different worlds.”
After a moment’s hesitation, her mother said, “Honey, you married a man from your world once and he made you miserable. Maybe you need someone different.”
Talia stared at the ceiling. “Maybe.”
Moments later, her father walked into her room with Nate right behind him. Her stocky, anxious looking dad froze when he met her smiling gaze. Then his face split into a huge grin. “There’s my girl! Welcome back, pumpkin,” he said, rushing to her bedside. Bending down, he hugged her, making her gasp when he squeezed a tender spot on her arm.
“John, be careful!” her mother cried.
“Oh, sorry, pumpkin,” he said, instantly letting go. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s okay, Dad. I’m fine.”
“You’re a long way from fine, baby girl. That bitch carved you up something awful.”
“John! For goodness sake, Talia doesn’t need to hear that,” her mom scolded.
“Ah hell, I’m just a bumbling old fool. Sorry again, pumpkin” Looking shamefaced, her dad turned to Nate, who stood near the foot of the bed, gazing at Talia. “Friend, you’d better say something before I make an even bigger ass of myself.”
Nate smiled tenderly. “Hello, Tally.”
“Hi,” she murmured, feeling suddenly shy.
Her mother stood and said, “John, I’d like to eat something other than cafeteria food. Let’s go find a decent restaurant.”
“What? I just ate, Maggie, and you ate a little while ago. Besides, Tally just woke up. Don’t you think we should stay and keep her company?”
“Not just now, dear,” Mom said, rounding the bed and looping her arm around his. “We can come back later. Right now we need to give these two some time alone.”
“Oh.” Glancing at Talia then at Nate, he grunted and winked. “I guess you’re right, honey, as usual.”
Mom laughed and led him out, smiling at Talia over her shoulder. As soon as they were gone, Nate sat in the chair her mother had vacated. Shadows of sleeplessness ringed his eyes.
“You look exhausted,” she said. “My mom told me you hardly left my side the whole time I’ve been here.”
He reached over to gently caress her cheek. “I told you I’d stay with you all the way, remember?”
She smiled. “I remember but … you weren’t there at first. In the ER, I guess.”
“I wanted to go in with you but they made me wait in the hall.” Frowning, he threaded his fingers with hers and stared at their locked hands. “I’m sorry for not seeing what Misty was, honey. I nearly got you killed.”
“That’s not true. She hid her insanity too well for anyone to see.” Giving his hand a feeble squeeze, she added, “I never suspected she murdered those women until that night.” After a pause, she asked, “She is dead, isn’t she?”
“Yeah, one of your bullets tore up her liver. She was also hit in the head.”
“Right, I remember a red light striking her forehead. That’s what took her down.” Talia scrunched up her face at the improbable memory. “Or did I imagine it?”
Nate shifted in his chair and looked away. “No, you didn’t imagine that. I, uh, have a secret weapon, sort of a laser.” He glanced at her sharply. “No one knows, so please don’t mention it to Detective Lovett when he questions you about what happened. He’s looked in on you a couple times and I’m sure he’ll be back.”
“No doubt. But how did you acquire such a weapon?” She hoped he hadn’t bought it from an arms dealer who’d stolen the weapon from an army base.
He smiled crookedly
. “Don’t worry, I didn’t do anything illegal,” he said as if reading her mind. “I’ll explain when you’re strong enough to listen and think over everything I tell you.”
She frowned in annoyance. “I’m quite capable of thinking now.”
“Maybe so, but you lost a lot of blood. You need to rest and recover from the shock before I dump my problems on you.”
Although still disgruntled, his concern for her convinced her to let the subject drop. For now.
“You wouldn’t be lying here if I’d picked you up that night at the police station. I tried to call and tell you I’d be later than expected getting there, but your phone wasn’t available. What happened, did you turn it off?”
She snorted in disgust. “No, it ran out of juice. I’d forgotten to charge it. So, on top of missing Dev’s call, I missed yours.” She peered at him. “I guess you couldn’t get away from the shop, hmm?”
He scowled, a muscle bunching along his jaw. “No, I couldn’t and it was because of Misty. I’d told her I needed to go pick you up soon, or you might take it in your head to catch a bus.” He cocked an accusing eyebrow at Talia.
Feeling her face grow warm, she shuttered her eyes beneath her eyelashes and muttered, “You know me too well.”
“I hope you’ll give me a chance to know you even better,” he said in a warm tone that made her breath catch and her eyes meet his smoldering umber gaze. Then he sighed.
“Anyhow, before I finished with my client, Misty came crying, claiming she was sick and had to go home, and would I finish the tat she’d started. The little bitch delayed me so she could waylay you,” he snarled between his teeth.
“She was devious as well as insane. I’m glad we ended her murder spree.” Changing the subject, she said, “I need to call Dave, my boss in D.C., but I’d rather not use the hospital line. Can I borrow your cell?”
“Sure, but you might want to wait. He’s coming to see you.”
“He is? How do you know that?” She stared at him in surprise.
“I got the news secondhand from your dad. Lovett evidently filled Dave in on what happened to you and the guy said he’d be down either today or tomorrow.”
“Oh. I wanted to thank him for contacting my parents but you’re right. I might as well wait and tell him in person.”
“Good idea.” Rising, Nate said, “In the meantime, I’ll leave you to rest.” He bent and kissed her forehead, making her wish he’d kiss her lips instead. Straightening, he grimaced. “Sorry if I stink. I need a shower and a change of clothes.”
“You also need to get some sleep. That’s an order, Maguire.” She narrowed her eyes sternly.
He grinned and gave a sloppy salute. “Yes, ma’am, whatever you say. See you later.” He gently squeezed her hand then walked out, closing the door.
Smiling, she was glad he’d kept his promise to stay with her, except for that time in the ER. Soon, she dozed off.
She woke to the sound of heavy footsteps. Opening her eyes, she saw Detective Lovett standing by her bed. He grinned broadly.
“Hey. Sorry for waking you, but I’m damn glad to see those pretty gray eyes.”
She started to laugh, discovered it hurt, and settled for a smile. “I’m happy to see you too, Detective.”
“Call me Bud. You’ve earned the right, my friend. You gave this old heart of mine quite a scare. How are you feeling?”
“I’m sore but I’ll be fine.”
“Good, good. So, are you up to telling me exactly what happened the night that murdering little witch attacked you?”
She crooked her lips. “I’m up to it. Let’s get this done so you can close the case.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Taking a seat in the chair by her bed, he extracted a pen and a small black notebook from his suit coat pocket. “Okay, shoot.”
She related the incident as best she could remember while he took notes and prompted her with an occasional question. When she finished her story, minus Nate’s intervention, Bud looked up, studying her.
“So you shot your assailant twice, not three times, is that right?”
“Yes.” Talia knew what he was going to ask next.
“Humph. The autopsy revealed an odd wound in her head. There was no trace of a bullet. The M.E. said it looked like the girl was shot with some kind of high-powered light beam, like a laser. You know anything about that?”
She furrowed her brow as if struggling to remember. “I can’t recall. After I shot her, everything got kind of fuzzy.” Not totally untrue. Pretending drowsiness, she closed her eyes and mumbled, “Sorry.”
Lovett was silent for a brief moment. Then she heard him close his notebook and stand. “Okay, thanks for filling me in. Get well soon.” He patted her shoulder, said he’d see her later and left, quietly closing the door.
Talia expelled a sigh of relief, appreciating his decision not to interrogate her further about the ‘odd wound’ in Misty’s head. Finding she really was tired out from reliving her battle with the crazed young woman, she again drifted to sleep.
Thankfully, Dave did not arrive until the next day. It was early afternoon. Her parents had gone to eat at the Italian restaurant they’d found yesterday. Having eaten as much of her blah lunch as she could stand, Talia moved from her bed to a wheelchair, steadied by her nurse and Nate, who’d shown up earlier, clean shaven and rested. Painfully stiff and feeling every one of her wounds, the maneuver was an ordeal.
However, she forgot the pain when Nate pushed her out to a patio where several other patients sat taking the air. The gentle January sunlight warmed her face and the man sitting in a chair beside her, holding her hand, warmed her heart. Her breath hitched when he told her he would need to meet with Dev and his friend Michaela – out of town.
“Not until you’re out of the hospital,” he hastened to add, cold comfort since she’d hoped for some time with him before returning to D.C.
Concealing her disappointment, she started to mouth a chipper reply but forgot what she was going to say when her boss stepped through a door onto the patio. He glanced around, spotted her and waved. She returned the gesture and smiled as he walked over to her. Tall, dark-skinned and stern, he cracked a grin, highly unusual for him.
“One of the staff told me I’d find you out here. Good to see you up, Talia. I understand you were unconscious for several days.”
She made a face. “So they tell me, boss. Dave, I’d like you to meet my friend Nathan Maguire,” she said, looking up at Nate, who’d risen. “Nate, this is David Bellamy, senior FBI agent.”
The men muttered greetings and shook hands, straight-faced, as they sized up one another. They made Talia think of two strange dogs facing off. She pressed a hand to her lips, hiding a grin.
“I’d like a few minute alone with Agent Werner if you don’t mind, Mr. Maguire,” Dave said. Or even if you do mind, his piercing dark brown eyes challenged.
Nate’s mouth hardened. For a moment, Talia feared he might refuse to leave, but then he laid his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be back in a little while,” he told her. With a cold glance at Dave, he pivoted and strode away.
“How’d you meet him?” Dave sneered.
Talia stiffened. “I met him through Dev Medina. You might remember him. I partnered with him at the Bureau for a few years.”
“Yes, I do remember him.” Dave swung the chair Nate had used around and sat down facing her. “He quit to go be a grunt in the Army as I recall.”
Seething, she said in an icy tone, “That’s right and he served honorably in Afghanistan, even winning a couple medals.”
Dave raised his hands palms out. “Okay, okay, I don’t want to insult your friends, either of them. I was somewhat shocked, though, by Mr. Maguire’s tattoos. He’s not the type of man you’ve kept company with in Washington, is he.” It wasn’t a question.
Controlling her temper, Talia shrugged, paying for the movement with dull stabs of pain. “You’re right, he’s not, and I find that refreshing. Nate is a
decent man, contrary to what you might think after seeing his tattoos. He saved me the night I was attacked. If he hadn’t gotten to me and called 911, I would have bled out.”
Dave’s wiry eyebrows hiked up. “Well then, I’m grateful to the man. Now, why don’t you tell me about that night? I’d like to hear the story firsthand.”
Grateful for his moderated tone, she folded her hands in her lap and gave him pretty much the same account she’d given Bud Lovett. She explained how Nate had come to her rescue, once again not mentioning his ‘secret weapon’. Dave was a well seasoned investigator. Watching her closely, he probed for details about the fight and what led up to it, but when she claimed a fuzzy memory of the ending, as she had with Lovett, he stopped pressing her.
“I know there’s something more you aren’t telling me but whatever it is, it’s not important. You ended the serial killings, nearly dying in the process. I’m proud of you, Talia. The Bureau is proud of you.” He leaned forward and wrapped his warm brown hand around hers. “All you’re to do now is rest and recuperate. When you’re healed, I’ll be glad to see you back in the office. There’s plenty of work waiting, unfortunately.”
He left her brooding over his last statement. She felt obligated to return to D.C. as soon as she was fit to travel, yet her heart rebelled at the thought of parting with Nate. But then, it seemed he would be leaving her very soon, and she’d probably never see him again.
She was released from the hospital two days later with a prescription for pain killers and orders to take it easy.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
With Nate’s help, Talia gingerly lowered herself into his car outside the hospital entrance. While she buckled up, he loaded a large shopping bag in the back seat. It held two pairs of jeans, a few casual shirts and other necessities her mother had purchased for her before leaving for home with her dad yesterday. Even the clothes she now wore were brand new. Misty had destroyed everything else.
Nate drove straight to his shop, closed for the time being, and parked out back. He grabbed the shopping bag and assisted her out of the car. By the time they climbed the stairs to his apartment, she was tired from the exertion. She sank gratefully onto his couch.