“I thought you were getting the nurse.”
He glanced at her arm and one corner of his mouth pulled up into a grin. “I thought you were going to wait. The nurse is on her way. You weren’t really going to pull out that chest tube, were you?”
She wasn’t about to admit she had actually considered it. She sat on the edge of the bed and set the drain unit back in place.
“Of course not. I’m not stupid.”
He rolled his eyes and tossed the clothes onto the bed beside her. “It’s just sweatpants and a t-shirt, but it’s all they had. I talked to the doctor, and he agreed to let you leave as long as you have medical supervision.”
“But I can’t pay for that.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve already taken care of everything.”
Great. Pity. She didn’t want his pity. And she didn’t want to owe him anything. She just wanted to get away from here. Away from him. She couldn’t think straight when he was around. She couldn’t tell him that though, and it wasn’t likely he was going to leave her alone again.
“Look,” he finally said. “I agree with Dr. West. You need medical supervision. But like we’ve discussed, someone did try to kill you. Which is why, believe it or not, I also agree with you. The hospital is way too public, and security is difficult to control. The place I have in mind for you is secure and has medical staff.”
This could work. If she agreed to go with him, she could make a run for it once they got outside the hospital doors.
Right, like that’s going to work. He’s an extremely fit cop, and you’re still injured.
That was out of the question. She would just have to sneak out of wherever it was he was taking her.
“Fine,” she sighed. At this point she wasn’t sure she had any other choice. Still, she had the feeling she was going to regret this.
“Everything is going to be okay. Try not to worry.” His voice invaded her thoughts.
“I’m not worried.” Much.
He smiled. “Then maybe you should release your grip on that poor sheet.”
She hadn’t even noticed how tightly she had been gripping the sheet, but her knuckles were solid white. She let out a short laugh and relaxed her fingers. “Okay, maybe I am a little worried.”
About her health. About her attacker. About her plan to deceive this man who was trying so hard to help her. About the fact that she even cared about deceiving him. Still, she had to look out for herself. She had to run.
She looked at him, fully expecting to see him still smiling. He wasn’t. He was looking at her as if he could hear every thought.
The nurse came in carrying a tray. “Alright, let’s get you ready to go.”
Her pulse quickened when she caught a glimpse of the tools on the tray. Leaving suddenly seemed like a horrible idea. She looked at the sheriff, searching his eyes for the comfort his presence seemed to give her. The same comfort he’d given her at the scene of the accident.
He put his hand on her shoulder. “You’re going to be fine. I’ll wait right outside the door.”
No. Stay.
She tried to brush off the thought as soon as it crossed her mind, angry with herself for looking to him for reassurance. It was the meds, or fatigue, or the fact that he was the only familiar thing in her life right now. Whatever it was, she didn’t need him.
“He’ll be waiting for you.” The nurse’s comment interrupted her thoughts.
“What?”
“You look worried. He won’t leave without you.”
She didn’t like what the nurse was implying, and she was losing patience. She wanted to leave, and she wasn’t going to be able to until the chest tube was out.
“I’m not worried about him…” She shook her head and took a breath. “Look, can we just get this tube out so I can leave?”
“Alright. Take a nice, deep, breath.”
The nurse applied pressure and pulled, and the tube was out just like that. She pulled her brow together and frowned. “I understand the reason for your early discharge, but…well, you take care of yourself. Be careful out there, alright?”
“I will.”
Sheriff Warrick glanced in the room when the nurse swung the door open and held her gaze as the door closed.
Maybe she could trust him, but she still wasn’t sure she should. She would be better off relying only on herself. Wouldn’t she?
She stood and pulled on the gray sweatpants, every movement making her side throb, no matter how gentle and slowly she tried to move. Fatigue forced her to sit back down and catch her breath before she could put the shirt on. She picked it up and rolled her fingers through the soft, green cotton. She liked green. At least she was pretty sure she did.
He hadn’t brought shoes, so it looked like she’d be leaving in hospital slippers, after all. Probably his way of insuring she wouldn’t run.
She opened the door into the hallway and found him waiting. He was leaning against the wall, one leg casually crossed over the other.
“The nurse is going to get a wheelchair to take you to the car.”
“I’d rather walk.”
“You should use the wheelchair. You’re not looking so good.”
“I said I’ll walk.”
The sooner they were out of the hospital, the happier she’d be. She needed space, and she needed quiet. Maybe once she got both, she could remember who she was and what she’d been running from. She had to remember. Until she did, she wouldn’t be safe.
“If you insist.” He shook his head and took her arm, his fingers clasping her elbow. They were calloused, the skin rough, but his touch was gentle as he led her to the elevator.
She felt woozy and lightheaded as they waited for the steel door to slide open. The wheelchair probably would have been a good idea. She took as deep a breath as she could and steadied herself.
“Regretting it?” he murmured as the elevator door opened and he ushered her in.
“What?” Her heartbeat pulsed through her ears like a marching band, muting her voice and his.
“Regret not letting the nurse wheel you out?”
Yes. “No.”
The elevator ride seemed to take forever, and by the time the doors opened into the lobby, her pulse raced and beads of sweat dotted her forehead. Bright sunlight reflected off the white tile floor, beckoning her outside to feel its warmth. She broke away from the sheriff, hurrying toward the glass entrance doors, desperate to breathe in the fresh air.
“Wait.” He grabbed her arm, stopping her from rushing out. “Let’s not take any chances.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist, keeping his body between her and the parking lot as he led her outside. Sunlight warmed her skin, the sweet scent of freshly mowed grass hung in the air. She inhaled through her nose and closed her eyes, relishing the fresh air and sunshine. She would’ve liked to stay there, basking in the warmth and smells of summer, but he hurried her to a squad car parked a few yards away.
“I’m sorry about the rush, but I don’t want you out in the open any longer than necessary.”
Her pulse jumped and her body tensed with fear. “Do you think he’s out here?”
“I doubt it, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution.” He closed her door and rounded the car, carrying the scent of fresh air in with him as he settled behind the wheel.
He pulled out of the hospital parking lot, checked his review mirror several times, and merged onto the road. Trees sped by on either side of the car, small brick buildings and street lamps dotting the landscape. Nothing looked familiar.
“Where are we going?” she asked, wishing something would spark a memory.
“A place with plenty of security and full-time nursing.”
“You’re not taking me to jail, are you?”
He laughed and shook his head. His eyes sparkled when he smiled. “No. I promise it’s a lot more comfortable than that.”
“But you’re not going to tell me where it is?” She looked straight ahe
ad, trying not to notice his smile or his eyes, or the way they made her want to let her guard down.
“It’s just outside of town.”
“What town?”
“This town. Gunderson.”
The name was familiar, and not just because she’d heard it at the hospital. Was it her home town? Had she come to visit family? Friends? She had too many questions and not enough answers.
“You okay?” His tone was genuine, but he was still just doing his job, right? Still trying to figure out if she was faking amnesia?
“Fine. Just trying to see if I recognize anything. I just wish something was familiar. Anything. But nothing is. Not even my own name. It’s been almost a week—I don’t understand why I don’t remember anything.”
“Maybe you’re trying too hard. Sometimes the more you try to remember something, the further the memory slips away.”
She looked at him. Maybe it was just fatigue, but it seemed like sadness had settled in the fine lines around his eyes.
“How’d you know?”
“My grandfather has Alzheimer’s. I watch him struggle to remember things, too.” He glanced at her, and then turned his attention back to the road. “It’s probably on the tip of your tongue. Is there any name that pops into your head? Maybe that’s a good place to start.”
It should be a good place to start. It should be easy. It was her name, after all. It should be right there…
She rubbed her forehead, trying to force a name to come.
All that came was more emptiness, more questions.
She closed her eyes, hiding the tears that stung behind her lids.
“Try not to get frustrated.”
There it was again. The tone of his voice that made her think maybe she was going to be okay.
“It’ll come to you. Just say the first name you think of.”
Maggie. It was just a whisper. An echo of a memory, somewhere deep in the recesses of her mind.
“Maggie.”
He smiled at her. “Yeah. Maggie suits you.”
Chapter 5
Maggie stared out the window as the sheriff drove, trying to keep herself from feeling sick. Her stomach churned, her head pounded with every beat of her heart.
Although she didn’t recognize anything yet, she hadn’t stopped hoping some memory would come to her. If she lived here, something should spark a memory. Shouldn’t it?
The small brick buildings that lined the road were beginning to look familiar, but then again, they all looked alike.
Starbucks on Fifth street. She had definitely seen that before. About five minutes ago. She looked at Sheriff Warrick. His gaze moved often, from rearview mirror, to side mirrors, to the road, and back to rearview again.
“Didn’t we pass this way already?”
“Yeah. I have to be positive we aren’t being followed.”
Followed? Her attacker had followed her, chased her through the woods. Sweat beaded her upper lip. She could see her attacker in her mind and hear his footsteps pounding behind her. Her breathing quickened, her stomach flip-flopped.
The memory raced through her, fear mixing with the medications already in her blood. She swallowed in a vain attempt to keep her stomach from pushing its contents upward. Blood rushed to her head, beating a loud rhythm through her ears. “Pull over! Stop the car!”
“I can’t—”
“Pull over!” She shouted, panicking at the thought of vomiting in his squad car.
He pulled into an alley, and she didn’t wait for him to come to a complete stop before she threw the door open and leaned out. Everything around her disappeared into a black tunnel as her stomach convulsed.
“You’re okay.” Sheriff Warrick’s voice echoed through the fog in her head and she felt the heat of his hand on her back, easing the tension in her muscles.
She wasn’t okay. She was still woozy. Plus, she was embarrassed. Why did she have to get sick now? In front of the hero cop? She leaned back into the car and pulled the door closed. Her head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. She laid it back against the seat and closed her eyes, waiting for him to say, “I told you so.”
“Here.” That familiar, soothing voice made her open her eyes. He handed her a tissue and she wiped her mouth. The fact that she had just vomited didn’t seem to bother him. There was no “I told you so,” no lecture about why she should’ve stayed at the hospital. Only…kindness.
“Better?” He asked.
“I think so.” She hoped so. She didn’t want to feel any more embarrassed than she already did.
“What happened?”
“The car ride and medicine, and…” She hesitated, not sure if her memories were real or imagined.
“And what?” He held her gaze and rested his hand on her arm. “It’s okay, you can tell me.”
“I think I remembered my attacker. He was chasing me through the woods. He was wearing black gloves, a black long-sleeved shirt, and a black ski mask.” Her voice wavered, her heart beat so furiously in her chest she thought for sure the sheriff could hear it.
He looked at her, furrowing his brow. “Long sleeves? Are you sure?”
“Positive. Why?”
“The temperature’s been in the nineties all week. Why would someone wear long sleeves when it’s so hot?”
“You think he was trying to hide something.”
He nodded. “Yeah. A tattoo, a scar—something you could have identified. Do you remember anything else about him?”
She should. She’d remembered what he was wearing, surely she could remember more.
She closed her eyes and tried to picture herself back in the forest. She could see her attacker; hear his steps closing in on her. Her breathing sped, fear raced through her veins, and then there it was again—the hero cop’s warm hand on her shoulder. A reminder that he was protecting her, that she was okay.
“Breathe slowly. You’re safe.” He was sincere. And he was right. She knew as long as she was with him, he would keep her safe. She still had to run, though. Didn’t she? Could she? After today’s little episode, it was obvious she wouldn’t be going anywhere for the next day or two, at least.
“I can’t…I don’t remember anything else about him.”
“You will. We’re going to catch him, Maggie. I promise.” The way he looked at her made her question her plan to run even more. She didn’t have to decide now, with her stomach still turning, her head pounding, and a handsome, protective man beside her making her feel—well, she wasn’t sure what she was feeling, but she wasn’t thinking straight. Once she felt better and had some time alone, she could figure out where she was going to go. If she was going to go.
“We should move. Will you be okay if I drive now?”
“I think so. Thanks, Sheriff.”
“James,” he corrected. “And you’re welcome.”
The car lurched and bumped as he pulled through the pothole laden alley and then back onto the main road.
She closed her eyes and rested her head on the seat, trying to avoid a repeat performance. It was difficult to calm her stomach with so much stopping and going. It seemed like James was hitting a lot more lights and taking a lot more turns than necessary.
Suddenly the car jolted forward, forcing her body against the seat. Her eyes flew open and she looked at him.
“We’ve got company,” he said, his voice strong and steady, his eyes shifting between the mirrors and the road ahead. His jaw clenched, his arm muscles flexed, and his hands tightened around the wheel as he guided the speeding car onto the interstate.
“What are you doing? Why are you getting on the highway? We’ll be trapped in traffic! He’ll catch us!”
“Maggie.” His tone was hard, his gaze focused on the road ahead. “You have to trust me. I will not let anything happen to you. Alright?”
Seriously? He just said someone was following them. How could he promise to keep her safe? Fear surged through her veins, and her head whipped from side to side trying to see their pu
rsuer.
“Maggie! Are you listening to me?”
“I don’t see anyone following us! Are you positive?”
“Of course, I’m positive. They followed us all through town. They’re behind us, in the left lane, two cars back. Blue Chevy, no front plate.”
James’ tone had quieted to an almost eerie calm. He slowed down, and the blue car started to close the distance between them.
“He’s going to catch us! Speed up! What are you doing?”
“Losing him. Hold on.”
The blue car was nearly beside them when James swerved onto the exit ramp. The blue car didn’t have time to change lanes and was pushed ahead by the flow of traffic. James looked at her as the car rolled to a stop at the bottom of the off ramp. “You okay?”
No. She wasn’t okay. Someone was trying to kill her. Her stomach was in knots and her head was pounding even more than it had been earlier.
“No, of course not!” She rubbed her temples and tried to calm her breathing. “Did you lose him?”
“Yes.” The tone of his voice and the look in his eyes reassured her. Something as simple as a look shouldn’t have been so reassuring. But his was.
“Why would he try to kill me now, while I’m in a cop car?”
“He wouldn’t. He wasn’t trying to catch us, just follow.”
“So, he would know where to go and finish what he started. He knew I was in the hospital, and he knew when I left. He was waiting for me. How did he know…” Thoughts of what might have been screamed through her mind and sent chills down her spine.
James looked into her eyes, his hands twisting on the steering wheel. “I told you I’d keep you safe, and I meant it. He doesn’t know where you are now, and he’s not going to find you. Okay?”
She held his gaze and nodded. Something about the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes made her feel safe. Physically, anyway.
“Maybe if you close your eyes your headache will let up. Why don’t you lay your head back and rest until we get to the safe house?”
She was too tired and in too much pain to argue, so she closed her eyes and rested her head on the seat as James released the brake and pulled forward. She wasn’t sure how long they’d been driving when she felt the car slow as it turned a corner.
Killer Secrets Page 4