by Rebecca Deel
“I’ll take these back to the nurses’ station if you keep watch out here.”
While Matt was gone, Marcus and Paige Lang walked down the corridor, holding hands.
“Cade.” Paige embraced him. “How is she?”
“She has a concussion from a blow to the head. She also took a fist to the face from one of the bank robbers. Doc Anderson is keeping her overnight to make sure there aren’t complications. Barring that, she should be released tomorrow.”
“I want to see her.”
“You can look in on her, but she’s sleeping. The nurse gave her meds for the headache and nausea a few minutes ago.”
“We’ll be glad to stay with her if you want to go home,” Marcus offered.
“I’ll leave the hospital when Sasha leaves.”
“Can we bring you anything?” Paige asked. “Coffee, food?”
He started to refuse, but he hadn’t eaten in almost ten hours. “I could use a meal.” He reached for his wallet.
Marcus waved him off. “This one’s on me. What do you want?”
“Anything is fine. Thanks, Marcus.”
The pastor of Cornerstone Church clapped him on the shoulder and strode to the elevator.
“Thank you, Cade.”
He turned his attention to Paige. “For what?”
“Saving my best friend.”
“I did my job.”
She inched closer. “You can’t fool me, Cade Ramsey. I’ve seen the way you look at Sasha when she’s not paying attention. This wasn’t just a job to you. This was personal.”
He couldn’t deny it, and the truth would be obvious to everyone soon enough. “You’re right.”
Satisfaction filled her face. “I knew it. When are you going to tell her?”
Amusement washed over him. “I suppose I have. I asked her to have dinner with me.”
Paige beamed at him. “Fantastic. When?”
“This weekend, if she’s up to it.”
“Will you need a crowd again?” she teased.
“I can handle this one myself.”
“I turned in the ice packs.” Matt walked to his side. “Good to see you, Paige.”
“You, too. Were the members of Bravo team injured during Sasha’s rescue?”
“Not a scratch. Where’s Marcus?”
“Buying dinner for Cade. Do you want anything? I can text him to bring you something as well.”
“I’ll buy my own later.”
They spent a few minutes talking about neutral topics while they waited for Marcus to return. Cade checked on Sasha every five minutes. So far, she hadn’t moved an inch.
Ten minutes later, Marcus returned with two takeout meals from Delaney’s, the diner in Otter Creek’s town square and the only eating establishment open twenty-four hours a day. “Hope you both like meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Delaney’s comped your meals when they heard I was bringing them to you.”
“Oh, man. I love their meatloaf. Thanks, Marcus. I’d planned to grab a sandwich in the cafeteria in a few minutes.” Matt accepted one of the boxes and wrapped plastic utensils, then sat to start wolfing down food.
“Paige, why don’t you go sit with Sasha. I’ll find a vending machine to buy drinks for Matt and Cade.” He kissed his wife and nudged her inside the room. “I assumed you didn’t want Sasha to be alone,” he said as he handed Cade the second dinner with the utensils.
“You’re right. Thanks for being our food gofer.”
Marcus inclined his head toward the box. “Start on that while I find drinks for you.” He returned with two soft drinks and two bottles of water in his hands. “Wasn’t sure what you preferred with the long night ahead of you.”
“This is perfect.” Matt popped the tab on one of the soft drinks and guzzled some of the carbonated liquid.
When they finished their meals, the preacher tossed the empty boxes in the nearby waiting room’s trash can and returned. “The hall is empty. Tell me what happened tonight.”
They gave him a shortened version of what they’d told the police.
Marcus was silent a moment. “Do you regret your actions, Cade?”
He started to bristle until he remembered that Marcus Lang was one of the counselors for Fortress and he routinely asked these types of questions of all operatives when they returned from a mission. “He didn’t give me a choice. If I hadn’t stopped him, he would have shot Sasha. I couldn’t let him do that. So, no, I don’t regret what I did and I won’t lose any sleep over it.”
A woman in a nurse’s uniform walked toward them, a pleasant smile on her face. “How is my patient doing?”
“Resting,” Matt answered.
“Oh, well, I won’t be a minute. I need to check her vitals.” She walked inside the room, paused when she noticed Paige. “Hello. Step outside a moment, please. I need to check my patient.”
Cade frowned. Grace hadn’t insisted they all leave. Where was the woman’s hospital identification? It should have been pinned to her shirt or hanging around her neck. “Matt,” he murmured.
One look at his face had the medic on his feet as Paige stepped into the hall. They rushed into the room in time to see the woman uncap a hypodermic needle.
CHAPTER SIX
Cade surged across the room and grabbed her wrist before the woman could plunge the needle into Sasha’s vein. He confiscated the hypodermic and handed it to Matt. He’d apologize later if this woman was a legitimate nurse.
“What are you doing?” the woman screeched. “Let go of me.”
“Where is your hospital identification?” Matt asked, his voice hard.
She glanced down at herself. “I guess I forgot it. Look, I need to give Ms. Ingram her meds. Doctor’s orders.”
“You’ll wait here while I confirm that.”
Panic flared in her eyes. “I have rounds to complete. I’ll be in trouble if I’m late.”
Another nurse walked into the room, this one pushing a cart. She pulled up short. “I’m Tracy, Ms. Ingram’s nurse. What’s going on? Who is this woman?”
“That’s what we were going to ask you. This woman claims to have orders from Dr. Anderson to administer more meds to Sasha.” Cade tightened his grip. “Do you know anything about this?”
The nurse with the cart scowled. “No, I don’t.” She pushed the cart to the side of the door. “I’ll contact Dr. Anderson and security. Keep an eye on her.”
“She’s not going anywhere.”
The woman fought to free herself, cursing Cade and Matt.
Sasha stirred. “Cade?” Her words were slurred.
“I’ll take care of this one,” Matt said, taking over restraining the woman.
Cade leaned down, brushed his lips over Sasha’s forehead. “I’m here. Everything is fine.”
“Okay.” And she was out again.
“What was in the syringe?” Matt asked.
“I’m not saying another word.” The woman renewed her efforts to free herself.
“Take her into the hall,” Cade said. He didn’t want the woman anywhere near Sasha. After his friend moved the still protesting woman to the hallway, he shot a glance at Marcus who nodded and followed Matt. Cade doubted the medic needed help, but he’d take no chances on the woman escaping.
He motioned for Paige to sit in the chair nearest Sasha while he pulled out his phone. A moment later, Ethan Blackhawk answered his phone.
“Blackhawk.”
“It’s Cade. I need you at the hospital.”
“What happened?”
“Not positive, but I believe a woman just tried to kill Sasha.”
“I’m at the station. I’ll be there in ten minutes. Do I have a suspect to question?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Excellent.”
Cade slid his phone into his pocket.
“Do you really think that woman tried to hurt Sasha?” Paige asked.
He lifted one shoulder. “We’ll know when the contents of the syringe are analyzed.”
“I’ll apologize for scaring the lady, but I’m not sorry for protecting Sasha. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
A light tap on the door. Marcus poked his head inside and motioned for Cade to step into the hallway. A burly security guard waited, hand on his weapon, his gaze shifting between Matt and his prisoner.
“Problem, Matt?”
“Officer Petty wants me to release the lady into his custody.”
“No. Chief Blackhawk will be here in five minutes. He’ll take charge of the woman.”
Petty scowled. “We police our own grounds.”
“Not when it comes to attempted murder.”
The guard paled. “Murder?”
“He’s lying,” the woman spat out, hatred seething in her gaze. “I’ll have your jobs, all of you.”
Petty backed off a step, hand still on his weapon. “We’ll wait for Blackhawk, then. I hope you boys know what you’re doing. If the lady sues, you’re going to be held responsible for this.”
Cade scowled. He and Matt were Sasha’s bodyguards. This woman was a threat to Sasha’s safety. Cade was not handing her off to a two-bit hired guard.
Minutes later, the elevator chimed and the police chief strode down the hall with Rod Kelter, his brother-in-law and another of his detectives. “What have we got?”
Rod slipped a pair of handcuffs on the cursing woman.
“This woman went into Sasha’s room, claiming she wanted to check her vitals. She didn’t bring equipment to check anything. We caught her preparing to give Sasha a shot.”
“Did the doctor order more medication?”
“I can answer that.” Tracy walked up at that moment. “Dr. Anderson did not prescribe more medication. I don’t know who this woman is, but she isn’t authorized to administer any meds to Ms. Ingram.”
“I assume one of you has the syringe?”
Matt handed it over with the cap covering the needle.
“Any idea what this is?”
“Afraid not.”
Ethan turned his hard gaze on the woman who was now mute. “Who are you?”
She turned her sullen face away from him.
“Get her out of here, Rod.”
“Yes, sir.” He guided the woman toward the elevator. “We’ve got a nice cozy cell with your name on it, lady.”
She found her tongue again as the silver doors slid open.
“Sasha all right?” Ethan asked.
“She’s fine. Slept through most of it.”
“I need to check on Ms. Ingram,” the nurse said.
Cade glanced at Matt who followed her inside the room.
“Did the woman say anything to you, Cade?”
He repeated everything the woman had told them, which wasn’t much.
“I’ll run her prints and have the contents of the syringe analyzed. We’ll know soon if the contents are lethal. Keep an eye on your girl, Cade. This can’t be a coincidence.” He left with the syringe.
“What is going on around here?” Marcus frowned. “First, a bank robbery with criminals who didn’t want the money followed by an attempt to perhaps kill the rescued hostage.”
“I don’t know. I will get to the bottom of it.” No one was going to hurt Sasha again on his watch. Cade entered Sasha’s room as she answered the last of the nurse’s questions and promptly drifted back to sleep.
“Good news,” Tracy said. “Ms. Ingram is doing fine. I’ll be back in a couple hours. If you need anything, push the call button or come find me.”
“Thanks, Tracy.”
“Sure.” She pushed her cart out the door and continued on her floor rounds.
“What happened with our unwanted guest?” Matt asked Cade.
“Ethan and Rod took her back to the station. The police will test the contents of the syringe and let us know the results.”
“It’s late and Paige has a coffee shop to help run tomorrow in addition to her work at the community center.” Marcus helped Paige to her feet. “Anything else we can do for you before we leave?”
“We’re set.” He shook his pastor’s hand. “Thanks for the help, Marcus.”
“Any time. Call or text if you need me for anything.” After shaking Matt’s hand, Marcus escorted his wife from the hospital room.
Matt turned to Cade, his expression grim. “We need to figure out what’s going on and who’s behind it before your girl is hurt or killed. I’ll be outside the door.”
Alone with Sasha once again, Cade settled into the chair vacated by Paige and threaded his fingers through Sasha’s. He found a comfortable position and drifted into a light sleep.
He woke sometime later to Sasha thrashing in her sleep. Cade sat on the bed and laid his hand on her bruised cheek. “You’re safe, Sasha.” Gratified when she quieted, he rose to return to his seat but found his hand caught by her, Sasha’s eyes open. “Hi,” he murmured. “What do you need?”
“Would you….”
He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “Ask.”
“Would you hold me for a few minutes?” She looked so unsure of herself Cade couldn’t help the smile that curved his mouth.
“A request I’m happy to fulfill.”
She scooted over to make room for him. Cade raised the head of the bed a bit more and slid his arm around Sasha. With a deep sigh, she settled against his side, her head resting on his heart, and went back to sleep.
Cade dozed again until Tracy returned to check Sasha. He started to rise, but the nurse motioned for him to stay in place.
Sasha answered the same questions again and glanced up at Cade after the nurse left. “What time is it?”
“Almost three.”
“You should go home, Cade. I feel guilty keeping you here.”
“Not a chance.” He settled her against his chest again. “I’m too comfortable to move unless you need something.”
“I’m thirsty,” she admitted.
“Soft drink or water?”
“Something carbonated. I’m still nauseated.”
He kissed her forehead again. “I’ll be right back with your drink. Matt’s at the door. No one will disturb you while I’m gone.”
Matt turned when Cade walked into the hall. “Sasha all right?”
“Thirsty. Where’s the vending machine?”
“In the waiting room at the end of the hall on your right.”
“Need anything?”
“I wouldn’t say no to more caffeine and a two-minute break.”
“Go. I’ll buy the drinks when you return.”
Within five minutes, Cade was back in Sasha’s room. He handed her a ginger ale. “Matt said this will help your stomach.”
“Thanks.” She drank several sips before handing him the can.
He set the drink aside and gathered her close again, stretching his legs out alongside hers. Despite the interruptions from Tracy, Cade had never felt such peace as he did while holding Sasha as she slept. Not sure what to make of that, he ran his hand up and down her back. The soothing rhythm lulled her to sleep again.
An hour later, his phone vibrated with an incoming text. He checked the screen and scowled. Ethan. The syringe their mysterious woman planned to use was filled with heroin. If she had injected the contents, Sasha would have died within minutes.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sasha wondered if things would be awkward between her and Cade as she dressed to go home from the hospital. Man, she hoped not. He’d said more to her in the past twelve hours than he had since he moved to Otter Creek with the rest of Bravo team.
With her clothes in place, she bent to put on her tennis shoes and almost hit the floor, face first. Looked as though tying her shoes was a bad idea. Sasha eased herself to a sitting position. When the world finally settled and she was sure she wouldn’t be sick, Sasha leaned back against the pillow and curled onto her side.
She must have dozed off because sometime later, she woke to rough
ened fingers stroking her cheek. Cade. “Sorry,” she murmured. “Need help with my tennis shoes.”
“Can’t bend over, huh?”
“Not without dire consequences.”
Cade slid the shoes on her feet and tied the laces. He helped Sasha sit up again, steadied her when she swayed. “Guess I’m not taking you skating tonight.”
She narrowed her eyes. “That would be a definite no. I’m not coordinated enough on a good day to roller skate without getting another concussion.”
“Too bad. There goes that date idea.” His eyes twinkled.
“You can do better, cowboy.”
He stilled.
What did she say that bothered him? “What’s wrong?”
“Cowboy?”
He didn’t like the nickname. Sasha studied his face a moment. “You look like a man who would be comfortable in a cowboy hat, sitting on the back of a horse, riding across the range.”
Cade gave a huff of laughter. “My military nickname is Cowboy.”
“Why did they call you that?”
“I’m originally from Oklahoma.” He drew her to her feet. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”
She wanted to nudge him to talk. Now wasn’t the time. “Sounds great. On the way home, we need to stop for food.”
“You’re hungry?”
The mention of her eating made Sasha flinch. “No. You have to be.”
“I could eat.”
An understatement, she was sure. Cade and his fellow team members were in top physical condition, a state which burned calories even while they slept. “I’m ready to leave. What about Delaney’s?”
He shook his head. “Line is too long. Let’s go to That’s A Wrap. The scent of food isn’t too heavy, and Darcy will have tea on hand to settle your stomach.”
Since they arrived between the breakfast and lunch rush, Cade was able to park in front of the shop.
Sasha breathed a sigh of relief, grateful she wouldn’t have to walk a long distance. Fatigue was making her legs shaky. Didn’t make sense. She had slept for several hours while she suspected Cade hadn’t slept much overnight.