The Making of a Centaur (Centaur Agency Book 3)

by A. S. McGowan

  Unable to eat, he stood and dumped his tray in the trash can. He headed back to Rebekah’s room. Outside the door, he stopped and called home. He was grateful it was his mother that answered the phone. Hearing her voice helped to ground him some in the present and stop the ‘what if’ game for now. When he finished the call, he went back into the room. Resuming his spot next to her bed, he picked up her hand and and clung to it. He gave her

  a soft squeeze and he closed his eyes and began to pray.

  Chapter.29

  The last couple of days were spent entertaining Rebekah while she was awake and watching over her when she slept. A nurse had another bed brought into the room, so he could sleep in comfort. He had to admit he was grateful for the bed. Sleeping in the chair had been torture. So many times, he had awakened to a stiff neck and back when he slept in the chair.

  Earlier that morning the pain pump had been removed. Rebekah was not handling the pain very well. The ibuprophen was not strong enough for the pain she was experiencing. Nathaniel was tired of watching her suffer and went to get the doctor.

  When he came back with the doctor, Rebekah was laying in the bed with her face scrunched up. Her complexion was pale and that worried him. As the doctor examined her and asked questions, he took the time to straighten his bed up.

  “I don’t want to put her back on the pain pump at this point. I agree she needs something a bit stronger, so I will order up some pain medication.” Not waiting for a response, the doctor left the room.

  He sat back in the chair next to her bed. With the pain pump she had started to look better since she was pain free. He really hated how bad she looked without it. “Hold on a bit longer.”

  “I am trying. You have no idea how bad it hurts.” She pushed his hand away when he tried to hold hers. “Sorry it just really hurts and being touched just makes it worse.”

  “No need to apologize. I just want you to get better. We got several of the men responsible for kidnapping you the first time. The FBI will want you to testify. I will stand by you through it all.” Leaning down he kissed her forehead.

  “Some is better than none. I will testify. This time with all of you has made me stronger. No longer will I live in fear. They need to pay for what they did to not only me but so many other victims. I will be their voice.”

  A nurse came in at that moment with her pain medication. Quietly she inserted the syringe into the iv port. Turning she exited the room. Nathaniel paid her no attention as he continued to talk to Rebekah. A mistake he would soon regret.

  Chapter 30

  He was mid-sentence when he realized something was wrong. Her eyes had grown wide before quickly rolling back into her head. She began convulsing. Instinctively he grabbed her hand and ripped the iv out. Running from the room he screamed for help. In no time a half-dozen medical professionals darted past him and into the room.

  He stood in the hallway as they worked on Rebekah. Slumping against the wall, he slid down to the floor. What happened? One minute she was in pain but otherwise fine. A reaction to the pain medication was the only conclusion he could draw. He just hoped he had torn the iv out in time before too much of the pain medication reached her veins.

  He was still sitting on the floor leaning with his back against the wall when the doctor came to talk to him. She had to be alright. He could not lose her now.

  “We have her stabilized. I am not sure what she was given but my only guess was it was lethal. Well would have been if you hadn’t got the iv out in time.”

  “What do you mean you don’t know what she was given. She had an allergic reaction the pain medication you ordered.”

  “No, she didn’t. First off, the pain medication hasn't arrived from the downstairs pharmacy. Secondly, she has had it before without any issues. We have been periodically giving it to her while she was unconscious to help manage any potential pain.”

  “I watched the nurse come in and administer it” Standing he glared at the doctor.

  “Son, I assure you none of the nurses here had been in that room.”

  Turning away from the doctor, he walked a bit away for privacy. Dialing the ranch, he needed to let them know what happened and get someone here who could keep Rebekah safe. Matt picked up on the second ring.”

  “How is she doing?

  “She woke up and all seemed fine. She was in pain, so the doctor ordered pain medication. That is when everything went to hell. Matt someone came into the room with me in there and poisoned her.” his words call came out in a rush.

  “Nathaniel don't tell me that girl is dead.”

  “No, no. She is stable. I got the iv out as soon as I realized something was wrong. But Matt she is not safe here.”

  “No, she ain’t. Let me make some calls. We need her in a secure location.”

  “I don’t think she is stable enough to move. Moving her could kill her. Matt what the hell can we do?”

  “Let me make some calls. We can get guards on her room and restrict access for now.”

  Hanging up he made his way back into the room. She looked worse now than she did the entire week following her stabbing. He couldn't lose her. Not now.

  Learning down he spoke softly in her ear. “Rebekah you need to fight. Ruth needs you. Your parents need you. I need you. Oh darlin’ everyone needs you. Please fight for all of us.”

  Chapter 31

  Pain shot through her. She tried to move again. It was no use, pain accentuated every movement. Blinking her eye, she took in her surroundings. She was still in the hospital. The pain meds must have knocked her out hard. One minute she was talking to Nathaniel and the next waking up. No that wasn’t exactly true. Something had felt wrong with her before she passed out. Struggling she tried to remember just what happened. Maybe it was the pain meds that made her think something happened and in fact all was normal.

  “Hello,” she tried to scream but it came out a whisper.

  “I am so glad you are awake. At least this time you were only out for a day or so. Here drink this.”

  The straw touched her lips as Nathaniel held the cup for her. Rebekah drank greedily from the cup. Whatever the nurse had given her had drained every ounce of fluid from her body. Never had water tasted so good than it did at this moment. She sucked on the straw until the fire that burned her throat disappeared.

  “Did something happened?” She wanted to believe still that it was just a pain shot and nothing more. Something in her though feared that was not the truth.

  She saw the worry on his face. Not abnormal considering she had been stabbed. Then she saw him struggle. It was like he was thinking about what to say. So, something did happen.

  “What happened Nathaniel?”

  “You were poisoned. How we do not know. That is what everyone is working on.”

  She noted the wary expression on his face. He was still hiding something. She hated that at times he viewed her as weak and fragile. She had a right to know what was going on. Sucking on the straw once more, she waved the cup away.

  “Now tell me what you are hiding,” her voice rose.

  “I am not hiding anything. I told you what happened.” He stared at the ground, not looking at her.

  “I know that nurse was responsible. Now tell me what has happened since I went night-night again.” She began to tap her fingers on the bed’s metal safety railing.

  She watched him struggle to decide whether he should tell her everything. The change in his facial expression and posture told her that she had won this round. Now that she had won, did she really want to know the answers? Sitting down in the chair next to the bed Nathaniel took her hand. The warmth gave her some comfort.

  “They found the nurse or whoever she was in the parking garage. Her body was dumped in a dark corner still wearing the scrubs. Peanut shells were in her hair. Rebekah this is connected to the killer we have been hunting. Do you remember anything about him?”

  “I remember everything. The problem is he was wearing a disguise. I can des
cribe him if need be, but it won’t do any good. I have no clue who he is. He could be someone I have met and would never know it.”

  “It’s okay. Homeland security and the FBI are working together to try and identify the woman. That may help us find out who this guy is, once and for all. Right now, just rest and get better.”

  I can’t rest though. I hurt way too much to do that.”

  “I have you covered.” Reaching on to the bed he handed her the control to a pain pump “The doctor had a nurse hook you up on a pain pump after what happened. You are back in control of how much pain medication you need. When the pump runs out the doctor himself with hook up a new one.”

  “I actually feel a bit safer with this instead of a nurse coming in each time.” Holding the control, she pressed the button. “Night-night time again. Wait what if he tries again in another way?”

  “Two armed guards are outside the door. No stranger is getting in here again. You are safe. I promise.”

  “You trust the guards?

  “I do. Now rest. Let the meds work and just heal up so we can get out of this place.” Never letting go of her hand he leaned up and kissed her forehead. It was a tender gesture that shot a thrill through her.

  She closed her eyes and waited for the medicine to take her under. Just as she was about to fall off the cliff into the dark abyss, she whispered “I love you Nathaniel.”

  Chapter 32

  He sat staring at her, his mind blank as he searched for something appropriate to say. He came up empty, so he just sat there. The silence hung in the air like a suspended moment before a fragile glass falls to the floor and shatters. He had to get out of here. He had to go somewhere away from her and think. Assured she was sleeping he slipped out of the room.

  Inside the elevator he tried to process just what had happened. It was the pain meds that made her say that. In fact he doubted she would remember saying it when she woke up. At least he hoped she didn’t remember. He couldn’t offer her what she needed. His job meant she would always be in danger. He would keep her safe from the threat against her, but he never wanted his job to bring more threats to her. When this was over she would leave the ranch and find her place in the world. The thought caused his chest to tighten.

  Outside the heat hit him hard. It sucked the air out of him. For a moment he debated whether to slip back into the comforts of the air conditioning or deal with the heat in exchange for fresh air. He needed the fresh air, so he waited a few moments to acclimate to the scorching heat. He found a bench nearby and sat down. Sweat trailed down his back, temporary coolness followed its wake. Time to call home and check in on everyone.

  He stared at his phone for several moments. He thought about calling his mother’s cell phone but in the end he dialed the house phone. After three rings, he was greeted by a cheerful hello.

  “Calvin, hey man I didn’t know you were going to be at the ranch.”

  “I am just here for a couple hours. I needed to go over Matt’s investments and decided to see my niece and nephew at the same time.”

  “I don’t blame you. Those two are cuties.” He smiled to himself at the thought of the toddlers. Quickly his mind jumped to Ruth. What story was Calvin told when it come to the little girl. This could complicate things.

  “Yep my pride and joys. One day maybe I will have kids of my own.” Calvin started laughing. “Sorry couldn’t resist. Me with kids is a funny thought.”

  “I can’t see it man. Hey is Matt around?”

  “I can’t see it either. Yeah hold on let me go get him.”

  He sat there listening to the sounds of people walking by. Overhead a bird flew by to land in a tree not far away. He could hear the sounds of cars driving past on the right along.

  “Nathaniel, how is everything going?” Matt’s voice came on the line.

  “She is good. She woke up for a bit and is now resting with pain meds.”

  “That is good. Hey real quick while I am sure no one can hear. Calvin is here as you know. The story he was told is that Ruth was with an aunt for a bit.”

  “Thanks, I was just wondering what story Calvin was given to explain the little girl’s instant appearance.” It was hard to keep up with all the lies and stories that needed told. He wasn’t sure he would ever be able to keep up with all of it. If he couldn’t he knew he wouldn’t be a good agent.

  “Well so far all is quiet here. Nothing new happening. I am not sure I like the quiet or not. On one end it is good because nothing new is happening. On the other end I am learning when this killer goes quiet he comes back with a vengeance.”

  “I know that bothers me. He has to slip up at some point.” Nathaniel watched a couple nurses head towards the hospital. One reminded him of Analise in the way she walked.

  “Nathaniel, have you told Rebekah how you feel?”

  “Do what? What do you mean how I feel?”

  “Come on Nathaniel, everyone can see how you two feel about each other. A piece of advice from a man who has been in your shoes, don’t waste time. Tell the girl how you feel.”

  “She is in no position for a relationship. She need to heal physically and emotionally. Not to mention my job will keep her in constant danger.” Nathaniel couldn’t believe they were having this conversation.

  “First stop thinking about what she needs. In the end I learned it didn’t matter what I thought Analise needed, I was usually wrong. So, let her decide what she needs. Secondly, life is full of danger no matter what. The only thing is whether you want to waste life or enjoy what time you have.”

  He headed back into the hospital after the call ended. The blast of frigid air hit him, fast freezing his sweat. Goose bumps formed on his flesh. He hated the extremes. Outside a person basically cooked in the scorching heat. Inside a person froze from the over eager air conditioner. There was no comfortable middle ground, just two extremes.

  He wrestled with a decision he knew he needed to make as he stepped into the elevator. Matt made it all sound so simple. It felt anything but simple to Nathaniel. He had it all worked out, he would let her go. Let her have a safe life once her immediate threat was dealt with. Now the conversation with Matt had him all over the board again.

  ***

  She woke up in the room alone, she blinked her eyes to remove the last traces of sleep. She tried to stifle a yawn, but it was no use. On instinct she covered her mouth with her hand even though there was no one in the room to witness. She wondered where Nathaniel went. Normally he was in the room when she woke up. Her eyes widened as she remembered what she had said right before she drifted off on the wave of the pain medicine. Heat radiated through her body. She knew if she was to look in a mirror her cheeks would be the color of a ripe strawberry. Was that why he was not in the room now? Did her confession really send him away?

  She took a deep breath and tried to get a handle on her mortification, when the door opened, and Nathaniel walked into the room. She stared at him, unable to look any higher than his chest. Nathaniel sat in the chair next to her bed and she averted her gaze. He wasn’t speaking, and she felt like she was drowning in the silence. She hoped he would speak soon and put her out of her misery. She knew he liked her but wasn’t sure how he had received her confession of love.

  She was still staring at an invisible speck of lint on the crisp white sheet, when she heard him speak. “I called the house. Everyone is doing just fine. Calvin was there so he was told Ruth had been visiting an aunt until now.”

  “I can’t wait to see her. I will play all her favorite board games when I get out of here. That should make her happy.” She began to pick at the imaginary lint.

  “Rebekah. I want to talk to you. Um.” He straightened his clothes. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  “You don’t want to lose me?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She never thought Nathaniel would open up about his feelings. “What about Gina?”

  “Gina? What about her?”

  “You were on a date with her when
I was kidnapped. Won’t she be hurt?” She lifted her gaze to meet his. He was smiling. Why would he smile when they were discussing the possible heart break of another person?

  “I wasn’t on a date with Gina. We did go to dinner, but I promise you that Gina and I are just friends.” He stood and leaned to place a kiss on her forehead. “When they took you, I thought I would lose it. Time had run out for me, for us. I get a second chance and well, I want you to get better. Use your pain medicine.”

  “I don’t want to be lost. Not now that I have been found.” A big smile broke out on her face. Her body hurt but her heart sang. “How did you know I needed my pain medicine?”

  “I know you well enough to know. It is written all over your face.” He took her hand in his. “How do you feel about Ruth having a father?”

  “I couldn’t think of a better man to help raise Ruth and teach her what a real man is all about” She squeezed his hand.

  “I love you too.” Placing a soft kiss on her lips this time before settling back into the chair.

  She pressed the button on her pain pump again. She longed to hold her baby girl though. She was the only bright light in Rebekah’s life for so long. The only thing that kept her alive. Without her, she knew she would have given up on life. Until Ruth was born, she didn’t realize how strong she was. She would survive this and when she left the hospital they would be a family. Her baby girl would have a good father and the life she deserved. Smiling Rebekah’s last thought before she fell of the abyss into peaceful sleep was about a small wedding.

  Chapter 33

  Damn that girl survived again. What was he given a dang cat? She seemed to have nine lives, that was for sure. Mentally adding up how many attempts have been made on her life, he figured she one or two left. Oh well. Those who hired him to kill her were either in jail now or dead. He could move on from this. In a way it was a failure but unlike so many people he was not afraid of failure. Failure was just a stepping stone to build on. After all those who try to do something and fail always succeed more than those who never try and thus never risk failure.