by Virna DePaul
Marcus O’Neil, the young deputy whom Dominic had assigned to stay with her, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “They’re going to want to check your friend over before they move her. It hasn’t been that long, honest.”
Biting her lip, Mattie tried to focus on the man’s words of reassurance. He sounded sincere. Honest. Besides, nothing had come over his radio to refute him. Linda was strong. Probably the strongest woman Mattie knew. She was going to be fine. She had to be. If anything happened to her, Tony would—
Tony.
Gasping, Mattie fumbled in her purse for her cell phone. Flipping open the cover, she pressed the speed dial button assigned to Tony’s apartment. The phone rang three times before she abruptly hung up. She stared at the phone, second and third thoughts assailing her.
Of course Tony would want to know. He and Linda had dated for almost six months before they broke up, and she’d never seen her brother so desperately in love before. Code-pendent was how Linda had described it.
Should she tell him? Now? When she had no information about Linda’s condition?
His emotions were still raw where Linda was concerned. The last thing he needed right now was an excuse to turn back to the drugs.
But if she didn’t tell him, he’d be so angry with her. Rightfully so.
So she’d tell him, but not just yet. Not until she had more information.
Raking both hands through her hair, she stepped closer to the doors and pressed her nose against one. Her breath fogged the panel and she closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against the cool glass.
Trust Dominic, she urged herself. He promised to come as soon as he knew something.
She opened her eyes again and willed him to appear. When she accomplished nothing but straining her eyesight, she sank into one of the plastic chairs lining the walls and dropped her face in her hands. Just this afternoon, Linda had been flirting with Dominic, doing her best to keep his attention off Mattie. Now she was lying out in the cold, hurt.
Mattie snapped upright when she realized Linda was probably wondering where Mattie was. Why she’d left her alone. Linda was a doer. She’d want Mattie to do something, not stand here waiting around. The thought of failing her friend had her pushing open the doors. The cold stung her lungs, exacerbating her worry and dread.
“Ma’am, please—”
Moving fast, halfway to the parking garage already, Mattie ignored Deputy O’Neil until he caught her arm, his grip surprisingly firm. “Ma’am, you need to stay inside with me.”
She tried to jerk away, tears of frustration forming when he easily hung on. “Why? There are cops all over the place now. No one’s going to jump out and attack me.”
The expression she’d come to know as Dom’s “cop face” formed on O’Neil’s. Calm. Detached. Yet somehow demanding obedience. “Still, it’s safer for all parties if the scene is cleared.”
“What parties? There’s only one person out there who matters.” She pulled frantically at her arm. “I need to make sure my friend is okay.”
“Deputy Jeffries—”
“—is not calling in. My friend is—”
But O’Neil was looking over her head. She whirled around when she heard voices and saw the gurney moving toward them, this time with a bundled form on top of it. She ripped away from the man holding her. “Linda!”
One of the paramedics looked up as she ran toward him. “How is she?”
“Please, ma’am, get back—”
Mattie strained to see over the man’s shoulder. She cried out when she saw Linda’s face above the sheet. Blood and bruises stood out garishly against pasty skin. Her top lip was split and swollen twice its size. “Linda?” she called. “Linda!”
But Linda didn’t move. Didn’t so much as flinch at the sound of her voice.
The men lifted the gurney into the back of the ambulance.
“Move out of the way, ma’am,” one of the paramedics commanded when she blocked the closing door.
“Wait. Where are you—?”
“Mattie, let them take her to the hospital.”
She jerked around at the sound of Dominic’s voice. His expression was blank, revealing nothing about Linda’s condition. Even though she knew she was being unfair, the expression made her furious. “I want to follow them. I want to go with her.”
He nodded. “I’ll take you there.”
“She didn’t answer when I called to her. Is she okay? Why didn’t she answer?”
The ambulance motor turned over and the driver pulled away, sirens wailing.
Mattie stared at the ambulance’s departing taillights in shock. She couldn’t stop her teeth from chattering.
“Mattie—”
She turned on him, pushing away her fear with anger. “Why didn’t you call in? Why didn’t you tell me what was going on?”
“Mattie, listen to me—”
“You said you would let me know as soon as possible.” She slapped his hands away when he reached for her. Her voice rose higher. “She needed me. She’s probably scared. Wondering where I am. Damn you, I should have been there for her. God, I hate you! I should never have listened—”
He leaned down until his eyes were level with hers. “She was in cardiac arrest when I got to her, Mattie. I had to do CPR until the paramedics arrived, and then I needed make sure they got her safely to the ambulance. I couldn’t leave them until the perimeter was cleared. I came out as soon as I could, do you understand?”
He’d done CPR on Linda? That meant her heart had stopped beating. Then, of course, getting a message to her had been the last thing he’d been worried about.
What an idiot she’d been. Raising a shaky hand to her temple, she moaned at the way she’d lost control. Yelled at him. Hit him. “I’m sorry. I—I—”
“They stabilized her, but she hasn’t gained consciousness. Not since Nichols found her.”
Opening her eyes, she blinked rapidly to push back the tears. “Did she talk? Did she say who did this to her?”
He pressed his lips together as if he was weighing how much to tell her. “I’ll fill you in while I drive you to the hospital. Does she have family that needs to be contacted?”
She fell into step next to him, thankful for the hand he cupped under her elbow. “She has a sister in San Diego. Her mother lives back East.”
“What about a brother or father? Boyfriend?”
“No brother. Her father died when she was little. And no, no boyfriend right now.”
He guided her across the street, stopping at a black Durango.
“Why are you asking me about a boyfriend? Did she say something?”
“Yes, she said a name. I don’t know what it means, but…?.”
He stared at her as his words faded. While his features remained composed, his blue eyes were filled with emotion: Regret. Compassion. And suspicion.
But that was ridiculous. Why would he be suspicious?
“What was the name?”
His hand tightened under her elbow, his touch somehow increasing her trepidation. Instinctively, she pulled away. He scowled, but let his hand drop.
“What was the name?” she whispered.
“Tony.”
Chapter 11
She’d shut down. Of course she had. He hadn’t expected anything else.
As soon as he’d mentioned the name Tony, she’d stopped talking, except to tell him to bring her to the hospital. Now, as they sat in the waiting room for news about Linda, he decided he’d had enough. Placing himself directly in front of her, he held out a cup of vending machine coffee.
She glanced up, her face pale and her eyes dazed, staring at the cup as if she didn’t know what it was. Sighing, Dom kneeled down in front of her. He took one of her hands and wrapped her fingers around the cup, knowing the lukewarm coffee would do little to alleviate her shock.
“Have they told you anything?” she asked in the same ghostly whisper she’d used back at his truck.
“Not yet.” He
raised a hand and brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek. Once more, he was struck by a feeling of rightness. When he talked to her, when he touched her, he felt calm. The restlessness that flowed through his veins seemed to subside. He wanted to bask in it, but now wasn’t the time. She pulled away from his touch. The rejection stung just as much as it had before. “Don’t you think it’s time we talked, Mattie? If I’m going to help Linda, I need to know if this attack was personal.”
She averted her eyes, but he nudged her chin up, refusing to let her hide. “She and your brother are dating?”
Biting her lip, she shook her head. “Thirsty,” she murmured. He straightened and settled into the seat next to her. With a trembling hand, she raised the cup to her mouth and took a sip. “They used to date. A few years ago. But Tony didn’t do this. He couldn’t have.”
He didn’t bother telling her that anyone was capable of violence. That even seventy-year-old women had been found guilty of serial murder. She wouldn’t listen to that, and it certainly wouldn’t get her to open up to him. “I’ve never met your brother, but from the little you’ve told me, I’m sure he wouldn’t. But I need to know why Linda said his name when she’d just been attacked. Have they talked recently?”
“No. I just saw Tony yesterday. He was over at my house, watching Jordan.”
She gasped and all the color drained from her face. The hand holding her coffee jerked, spilling its contents on both his legs and hers. She didn’t even notice. Fear had darkened her eyes until the brown orbs dominated her pale face. Dropping the cup on the floor, she dug into her purse.
Dom winced, knowing instantly she was looking for her cell phone. She was afraid now. Afraid for her daughter. If she was wrong, she’d regret it later, but if she was right…
He deliberately kept his voice gentle. Soothing. “Where is Jordan now?”
“At a friend’s.” She dialed a number, her breaths panicked. “Janet, this is Mattie Nolan, Jordan’s mom. I was just checking in—” Her features and her shoulders relaxed. “Oh, a Disney movie? And they had pizza for dinner. That’s great. Yes, I can hear them in the background.” She glanced at Dom quickly before looking away. “I know we talked about you taking Jordan to school in the morning and I wanted to make sure that still works. A friend of mine is in the hospital and I’m not sure what’s going to happen. Yes. Thank you. I appreciate it.” Another glance at Dom. “Janet, I’m going to pick her up from school. Until then, if—if anyone else comes to your house for her, don’t let them leave with her. And would you call me immediately on my cell number? Thank you.”
She shut her phone and stared at him, refusing to meet Dom’s eyes.
“Mattie—”
Her head snapped up, her eyes fierce. “I don’t think he did this. But she’s my daughter. I have to protect her no matter what.”
Dom reached out and covered her hand, which still gripped the cell phone with whitened knuckles. The trembling he hadn’t seen before tickled his palm.
“It’s okay, Mattie. I understand. You’re a good mother.”
“You don’t know anything about me,” she whispered.
“I know you care about Linda. That you wouldn’t let any of us stop you from checking on her. I know you care about your brother, but that some small part of you, as much as you don’t want to, has reason to doubt him.” Unfortunately, Dom couldn’t stop pushing until he learned the reason for himself.
“Yes, but—”
“There are no buts. Once we get news about Linda, I can go check on Jordan—”
“No!”
He jerked at her vehement refusal, but she quickly shook her head. “She’s perfectly fine with Janet and the school won’t let her leave with anyone but me unless I call first. You need to concentrate on finding out what happened to Linda. You may not know this, but her apartment was broken into—”
“Mattie—” he began, but before he could continue a man dressed in light blue scrubs walked into the room.
He pulled down his surgical mask. “Deputy Jeffries?”
With one last piercing look at Mattie, Dom turned to the doctor. “Yes?”
“Ms. Delaney has been stabilized, but she hasn’t regained consciousness yet.”
Mattie stepped forward. “Is that normal?”
“You are?”
“This is Ms. Delaney’s friend, Mattie Nolan.”
The doctor looked at him oddly. “May I talk freely in front of her?”
Dom ran his fingers through his hair. “Yes, of course. You’re free to tell her about the patient’s condition.”
The doctor nodded. “I’m afraid it’s too soon to tell. She suffered internal bleeding, and the pressure on her brain made things tricky. Right now all we can do is wait.”
Dom jolted when Mattie reached out, took his hand, and squeezed it tightly. The doctor noticed, but she seemed completely unaware of her actions. The small gesture made his chest tighten. He squeezed her hand back.
“You mean she might never wake up?” Mattie asked.
“I didn’t say that. Just that it’s too soon to tell. I suggest you go home for now.”
“I’m not going home until I see her.”
The doctor arched a brow. “I’m sorry, but visiting hours are over.”
A mutinous expression took over Mattie’s face. In college, it would have been impossible to find anyone with a sunnier disposition. She’d always been a force to reckon with when crossed, however. If the doctor refused to let her see Linda, they’d be here all night. “Can you make an exception?” Dom asked, although his tone indicated he expected his request to be granted. “I promise we’ll be quick. It’s been a difficult night for Ms. Nolan and I’m sure she’ll rest easier if she can just see her friend.”
The doctor hesitated, then sighed. “The guard is outside her door as you requested, Deputy. I assume you’ll be accompanying Ms. Nolan?”
He squeezed her hand again when she stiffened, automatically putting the worst spin on the doctor’s comment. “Yes.”
“Then I’ll give you five minutes. Please don’t make me regret my decision by staying longer or trying to rouse the patient to ask her questions.”
“Thanks, doc.”
They followed him down several hallways to Linda’s room, Mattie muttering all the way. “Do you think that doctor could have been more suspicious? As if I could have done that to Linda. Not to mention the fact that I was with you when it happened—” She stopped speaking so abruptly he knew she’d finally remembered their kiss.
“Yes,” he agreed lightly. “You definitely were a little distracted, too.”
She smiled tightly as they reached the correct room. Hands on her hips, she managed to look down her little nose at him. “I wasn’t that distracted.”
Dominic nodded at Deputy O’Neil before looking down at her. “That’s too bad,” he responded softly. “Because I definitely was.” He gave himself a moment to enjoy the way her eyes widened and her lips parted before he motioned Mattie toward the room. “Go on,” he said. “I’ll be right here.” A small smile stretched his lips when she continued to stare at him. “Five minutes, you hear? I don’t want to get in trouble.”
Even as he watched her open the door and slip silently inside, Dom let out a deep breath and raked his hand through his hair. One thing was for sure. He was already in trouble.
Ten minutes later, as Dominic drove Mattie home, she laid her head back on the seat, closed her eyes, and tried to block the image of Linda’s still, bruised face. Even when she managed to do so, however, all she felt was guilt. Yes, her brother had acted uncharacteristically when he’d been hooked on the drugs. However, he’d never done anything to warrant Mattie’s fear that he might harm Jordan.
The flash of panic had been brief, she tried telling herself. Just a few minutes. But in the end it didn’t matter how brief her thoughts had been.
For those few minutes, she’d considered the possibility that Tony had hurt Linda and that he might actuall
y pose a threat to Jordan. What did that say about her? What did that say about the world she lived in?
“You aren’t different from anyone else, Mattie, so stop beating yourself up.”
The husky baritone of Dominic’s words penetrated her self-castigation. She raised her head and stared at his profile. His features were set in grim lines but he didn’t take his eyes off the road in front of them.
“You don’t understand,” she began, but he didn’t let her finish.
“Of course I do. You love your brother and you believe in him, but you aren’t willing to take any chances, not when it comes to your daughter. That doesn’t make you a bad sister, it makes you a smart mother.”
“Maybe in your world it does, but in mine…” She shook her head. “Besides,” she said, unable to verbalize her own disloyalty, “there are a lot of Tonys in the world. Lots, I’m sure, that Linda has prosecuted.”
With a sudden jerk of the wheel, Dominic pulled the truck to the curb. A couple of teenagers walking a dog stared at them even as they continued to walk past. He turned to her, his eyes fiery enough that she instinctively flinched back. The calm mask he almost always wore was gone, replaced by a heat and intensity that was as captivating as it was scary.
“Yes, that’s possible. But sometimes things aren’t so complicated. Sometimes things are exactly what they first appear to be. And it appears you have reason to believe that your brother might be capable of assaulting an ex-girlfriend. I need to know why.”
“So you can throw him against a table like you did Dusty?” she shot back, even as she knew she was being unfair. He’d just been doing his job then. What really bothered her was the realization that all this emotion, all this passion, was still about his job rather than her. He didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned about his actions with Dusty.