To Laugh

by Laura Scott

  First Chrissy and now Jeff. Obviously it was time to move on.

  The stairs led her to the main level of the hospital. She headed toward the parking structure. Thankfully, she had already cleaned out her locker after the medication error, so there was nothing else for her to take with her. It felt weird to leave the hospital knowing she’d never be back.

  Outside, clouds gathered overhead an indication of the forecasted storm.

  She quickened her pace, hoping to beat the rain when she heard her name.

  “Bella.”

  The male voice sounded familiar, but instinctively she knew it wasn’t Hackbarth. She turned to find Aaron Campbell, the surgical tech she’d worked with that fateful day.

  The one who’d refused to back up her, claiming he didn’t see anything.

  “Hey, Aaron.” She forced a smile.

  “What are you doing here?” Aaron was a heavyset guy about ten years her senior, wearing jeans and a T-shirt with a lightweight jacket on. He moved closer, and she instinctively took a step backward as he was invading her personal space. She knew him, worked with him, but it wasn’t like they were good friends.

  They didn’t hang out after work or anything.

  “Nothing.” She wasn’t going to tell him she’d resigned, no doubt he’d blab to everyone in the OR, including Dr. Hackbarth. They’d find out soon enough.

  “You spoke to Greco, didn’t you? What did you tell him?” Aaron moved closer and pulled his hand out of the pocket of his jacket.

  She froze when she saw he was holding a small gun.

  “I quit my job,” she blurted. What was Aaron doing with a gun? And what exactly was he accusing her of anyway? Her thoughts whirled with possibilities. Were all of these events— the brake line, the black SUV, the rattling of her door handle—all the work of Aaron Campbell?

  If so, why?

  “I handed Jeff my resignation letter, and he took it,” she continued. “I swear that was the extent of our conversation.”

  “Keep walking,” Aaron said.

  “Where do you want to go?” Her blood ran cold at the thought of leaving the parking structure with Aaron Campbell.

  “That way. See the black SUV over there? That’s my car. Although now that I think about it, we should take yours. It’s your new rental, isn’t it? How convenient that you parked so close to mine.”

  The black SUV. She couldn’t see the front of the vehicle but didn’t doubt it was the same one that had rear-ended them on the interstate.

  She tried to think of a way to stall for time. If only she’d gone back to the therapy gym to wait for Jonas.

  “I don’t understand. Why are you doing this?”

  Aaron gestured for her to get into her rental car, but she waited for him to answer.

  “Because it was me. I put the wrong antibiotic on the field, and I knew it was only a matter of time until you turned me in.”

  Bella gaped at him. “How could I turn you in when I didn’t see you do anything?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Aaron waved the small gun. “Once you kill yourself, everyone will assume you were guilty all along and I’ll be in the clear.” His voice went hard. “Get in the car. Now.”

  She tried to resist, purposefully dragging her heels over the paint on the ground, but when Aaron pushed the gun into her side, she gave in.

  She opened the car door and slid into the driver’s seat, fearing the worst.

  By the time Jonas realized she was gone, she’d be dead.

  14

  Jonas wasn’t surprised when Allan cut his therapy session short. The fall in the restaurant, in addition to the falls he’d taken at the old Stevenson house, had caused a blister to form on his left lower leg where it rubbed against the prosthesis. Every step he’d taken had been agonizing.

  “I told you to take it slow,” Allan admonished him. “If you stay off your prosthesis for a day, we can resume therapy on Wednesday.”

  Jonas nodded, unable to say much through his gritted teeth. The therapist was right. The most recent fall wasn’t his fault, but he knew he’d overdone things over the weekend.

  He took off his prosthesis and then crutched to the waiting room. He’d half expected her to be there, despite the way they’d parted earlier, but she wasn’t.

  The blame rested solely on his shoulders. He put his prosthesis in the backpack, then headed out to the parking garage, just in case she was waiting for him there. If she wasn’t, he still had the key she’d given him on Friday. Maybe he’d head over to her apartment to see if he could catch up with her there.

  Approaching the parking structure, he frowned when he saw what appeared to be Bella’s rental car leaving the garage. He stopped, wondering if he was confused. He thought there had been two people in the car, not one.

  But when he made his way to where they’d left the rental, he stared at the empty spot feeling sick to his stomach. There were scuff marks against the white paint that raised the hairs on the back of his neck. Was he overreacting? Maybe, but that didn’t keep him from making his way back inside the hospital.

  “Where is the security office located?”

  “Down the hall and to the left,” the helpful staff member told him.

  He crutched as fast as he could, instinctively knowing time was of the essence. When he burst into the security office space, several guards jumped to their feet in alarm and reached for their radios.

  “I have reason to believe a staff member was taken from the parking structure against her will,” he said. “I need to see the video you have of the parking garage.”

  “You can’t come in here demanding video,” the older of the two guards protested.

  “A staff nurse’s life could be at stake.” Jonas used every part of his military training to drill the two security guards with a steely glare. “Are you really going to risk her life over a few stupid rules?”

  The two guards glanced at each other. Jonas wanted to scream at them to hurry, but finally the younger guard closest to him reached over to the center console and played with the controls.

  “How long ago?” he asked.

  “Not long. Ten minutes?” Jonas leaned over so he could see the screen better.

  For several long agonizing seconds they stared at an empty parking lot. Jonas could hear the older guard speaking in a low voice, no doubt calling his supervisor.

  “There!” Jonas pointed at the screen when Bella came into view. “Slow it down.”

  The guard fiddled with the controls, and the entire room went silent as they watched the scene play out. Jonas saw a second figure come into view, a heavyset male with dark hair.

  “Can you tell me who that guy is?” he asked the guard.

  “He looks familiar. I’ll run a photo check through our computer system.” The guard spun away to work a second computer.

  Jonas watched the two figures on the screen walk toward Bella’s rental vehicle. When it came time to get in, Bella resisted, and there was a brief struggle before she slid into the driver’s seat. The male pointed a gun, and Jonas saw that Bella was holding her hands up in the air while the guy came over to get into the passenger seat.

  A red haze of fury threatened to overwhelm him, but he did his best to maintain control. He looked over at the security guard scrolling through ID badge photos. “Try Aaron Campbell.”

  The guard typed in the name, and within seconds the photo popped up on the screen.

  “I need his home address,” Jonas said. “Hurry! Didn’t you see that gun?”

  “We need to call the police,” the older guard who’d called for the supervisor piped up.

  “Call them. But get me his address. And I need a vehicle.”

  “We have one that we use for security,” the helpful younger guard said. He typed in another command, then nodded. “I got it. Campbell lives in the apartment building across the street.”

  The same building Bella lived in. “Let’s go.”

  “Davy, you can’t leave while you’
re on the job,” the first guard protested.

  “Campbell has a gun.” Davy headed for the door, so Jonas quickly followed. “Send the cops to the apartment building.”

  Jonas was grateful for Davy’s help. The security vehicle was parked close to the building, and Davy didn’t waste any time in pulling out of the structure and heading for the building.

  Jonas tried to think about why Campbell had taken Bella at gunpoint. So far the attempts against Bella had been designed to look like accidents. So where would he take her?

  His gut told him Bella’s apartment. He pulled his Glock from the backpack and secured it in the holster. When Davy pulled up in front of the building, he got out of the car as quickly as possible and grabbed his crutches. Davy was hot on his heels as he went inside.

  With Bella’s key in hand, he made it past the first security door. The elevator happened to be waiting, so he quickly went inside. Davy joined him, and they made it to the third floor.

  He pulled his Glock off his belt holster, the weight feeling reassuring in his grip. Setting one of the crutches against the wall so he could keep his right hand free, he tossed the key to Davy and nodded toward the door. “Open it,” he whispered.

  Davy was all thumbs but managed to get the door open. He pushed it further, then eased through the opening.

  The scene was something out of a horror film. Bella was crying as Campbell forced the gun into her hand and held it to her temple.

  “It’s got to look like a suicide, remember?” Campbell was saying over her sobs.

  “No!” she cried.

  Jonas didn’t wait. “Drop the gun, Campbell, or I’ll shoot!”

  Aaron Campbell whirled to gape at him at the exact same time Bella kicked him in the groin. Campbell bent over, grunting in pain. Davy ran forward and tackled him to the ground.

  “Watch the gun,” Jonas shouted a mere second before a shot rang out.

  “Davy! Are you all right?” Bella crawled over to check on the two men who were tangled on the floor. Davy lifted his head, then rolled off Campbell.

  “Fine,” he managed, lifting up the gun. “I wasn’t hit, he was.”

  Sure enough, Campbell was bleeding from a bullet wound in his abdomen. Bella immediately lurched to her feet, grabbed a dishtowel off the kitchen counter, and pressed it against the wound.

  “Call an ambulance,” she directed.

  Jonas caught her gaze and nodded. His fingers shook as he pulled out his cell phone to make the call. The sounds of police sirens grew louder, and he knew help was on the way.

  Bella was safe. The danger was over.

  He watched as she continued to provide first aid to the man who’d accosted her at gunpoint and realized in that moment just how much he loved her.

  And even if it was the best thing for her, he didn’t want to let her go.

  Bella was so thankful to see Jonas, even though he was holding the dreadful gun.

  “Don’t let me die,” Campbell begged as she held pressure on his abdominal wound.

  Bella couldn’t speak, still grappling with everything that had transpired

  “She won’t,” Jonas said, approaching cautiously. “Despite the fact that you almost killed her.”

  “I—I’m sorry.” Campbell was nearly crying now. “I couldn’t afford to lose my job. I made a bad mistake at the last hospital I worked at, and I was afraid this time I’d never find another job.”

  “All of this was because you didn’t want to lose your job?” Bella could barely comprehend what he was saying. “The brake line, trying to break into my apartment, rear-ending us on the freeway?”

  He stared up at her guilt darkening his eyes.

  “What about my job? What about the fact that you were going to KILL ME?” Her voice rose with a hint of hysteria, and Jonas dropped down to his knees beside her, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

  “Easy, Bella. He’ll go to jail where he won’t be able to hurt anyone ever again.”

  For the first time, Aaron Campbell seemed to realize how much trouble he was in. He tried to sit up, pushing Bella’s hands away.

  “You’re not going anywhere,” Jonas said. He placed his hand in the center of the guy’s chest and held him down. “Hear those sirens? They’re coming for you.”

  Bella continued to hold pressure but leaned against Jonas, absorbing his strength. “How on earth did you find me?”

  “Strong-armed Davy there to use the security video.” The corner of Jonas’s mouth quirked. “By the way, thanks for the key.”

  She let out a choked laugh, the horror of the past thirty minutes receding to the point that she didn’t think she’d fall apart.

  “Davy risked his job to save you,” Jonas continued.

  She glanced over at Davy. “Thank you,” she said. “You and Jonas saved my life.”

  Davy looked a little embarrassed but nodded. “Anytime.”

  When the police arrived, it took a good two hours for each of them to tell their respective stories. The ambulance took Campbell back to the VA hospital accompanied by two different officers who’d cuffed his hands to the sides of the gurney.

  When the last of the cops finally left, Bella grimaced at the blood stain on her carpet. Those moments that Aaron had forced the gun to her temple were the worst in her life. She could only imagine what soldiers like Ryan, Greg, and Jonas had suffered overseas.

  “Hey, are you all right?” Jonas asked. His dark gaze was full of concern.

  She forced a nod. “I know it’s late, but I can’t stay here. If you don’t mind, I’d like to return to McNally Bay.”

  Jonas nodded. “Fine with me. But maybe you should let me drive.”

  She didn’t argue. It was all she could do to hold herself together. She was relieved the danger was over, but it had been a close call.

  Too close.

  She stared at Jonas’s profile as he drove. Prior to his rushing to her rescue, and just in the nick of time, they’d parted in anger.

  If she’d gone to the therapy waiting room, ignoring his demand to be left alone, Campbell wouldn’t have had a chance to take her at gunpoint.

  Useless to wish for the chance to do things over. She knew it was better to focus on the future. A future that she couldn’t imagine without Jonas.

  But how to convince him of that?

  “I still don’t understand how you found me so quickly. You should have still been in therapy.”

  “Allan cut it short because of my fall at the restaurant.” Jonas glanced at her, flashing a wry grin. “Guess I owe Tattoo a thank-you.”

  She shook her head in amazement. How ironic that his most demoralizing moment had ultimately led to her rescue. She was quiet for a long moment before saying, “I thought I was going to die.”

  Jonas reached out to take her hand. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Bella. It’s my fault. I never should have pushed you away.”

  “I should have ignored you pushing me away,” she countered. “I could have waited for you but didn’t.” She stared down at their clasped hands for a long moment. “Do you want to know what I regretted the most when I thought I was going to die?”

  “No, what?”

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I regretted the fact that I didn’t tell you how much I love you.”

  Jonas jerked the wheel, clearly startled by her words. He abruptly took the next exit and pulled off on the side of the road. After throwing the gearshift into park, he turned in his seat to face her.

  “What did you say?”

  She smiled, gaining confidence in his stunned reaction. “I love you, Jonas. Every ornery inch of you. And I want you to know I don’t expect anything in return, I understand it’s too soon for you. There’s no rush. I have to find another job anyway.”

  “Bella—I—are you sure?” Jonas looked truly perplexed. “You’re so beautiful, so special, you could have any guy you want.”

  “Really?” She arched a brow and leaned closer. “That
’s good to hear, because I want you.”

  “Bella.” Her name was a mix of frustration and prayer, but then he was kissing her as if he’d never stop.

  She clutched his shoulders, wishing she never had to let go. But eventually they came up for air, and Bella began to laugh.

  “Look at us? We’re acting like a couple of teenagers.” She waved a hand at the fogged-up windows. “We should head home.”

  “Home.” Jonas lifted a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s interesting you view McNally Bay as home.”

  She thought about that for a moment. “It’s not just about McNally Bay,” she finally said. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful place. I love the lakeshore view, especially from the gazebo. But when I think of home, I think of being with you, Jonas. Wherever you are is home to me.”

  He pulled her close and kissed her again. “You can’t keep saying stuff like that, Bella,” he said in a low husky tone. “Or we’ll never get home.”

  She gave him a quick kiss, then settled back in the passenger seat. “You’d better drive, then. I think we might be able to get to the B and B in time for dinner.”

  Jonas started the car and headed back onto the interstate, quickly picking up speed. As the miles flew by, she tried not to dwell on the fact that he hadn’t said he loved her, too. After all, they’d only known each other for a week. Might be best to cut the guy some slack.

  “Bella?” Jonas broke the silence.

  “Yes?” She turned to look at him.

  “I love you very much.”

  It was as if he’d read her mind. “You don’t have to say that just because I did,” she protested.

  He shook his head with a hint of frustration. “When I saw you helping to save that jerk’s life after he nearly killed you, I knew I loved you. You deserve someone better, but I can’t walk away. I love you, Bella. I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove how much.”

  Tears pricked her eyes, and she reached for his hand. “I’ll give you that chance, and more, Jonas.”

  “Good.” He hesitated, then added, “You know, my sisters are going to be impossible when they hear the news.”