Walk Through the Valley
Page 19
After a while they finally left when the doctor and nurses needed to check him over some more.
“We’ll be back later this afternoon,” Cindy told him.
They made it downstairs and had just crossed the street when she heard someone call her name.
They turned and saw Detective Sanders walking up to them. “Glad I caught you,” she said. “You folks heading out of town?”
“Tomorrow morning,” Jeremiah said. “We wanted to make sure the dust had settled first.”
“Smart. You should take in some sights, too. If you haven’t walked the strip yet, you’re missing out on some mindboggling architecture.”
“What’s going to happen now?” Cindy asked.
The detective shrugged. “It’s out of my hands for now. The Feds have something they want him for, and I was told by my boss in no uncertain terms that I was to keep my hands off. However, that might not always be the case and I have a complete copy of everything Lisa had in that file. Maybe someday we’ll bring him down. I’m just sorry all of you had to get caught up in this mess.”
“We appreciate the update,” Jeremiah said.
“Not a problem. Now that I’ve got that taken care of, I have to run. Things to do, bad guys to catch, and all that.”
“I like her. She’s an interesting person,” Cindy said after the detective had walked away.
“I bet she has an interesting story,” Jeremiah said. “I did like her one suggestion. I’ve never been to Vegas before.”
“Neither have I. Want to see some interesting architecture?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” he said with a grin.
They turned and headed for the main strip.
Several hours later they returned to the hospital. Cindy wasn’t sure how many miles they had walked but she found it amazing how your mind played tricks on you when it came to judging distance here. She’d think something was only a few hundred feet away and would walk half a mile before she got there.
Jeremiah had explained to her that it was the desert that did that to you. Still, as tired as her feet were, she was glad they’d had a chance to just walk and ogle everything. They hadn’t had any deep conversations, but there was time enough for that later. The last few hours had just been about unwinding and enjoying each other’s company.
Upstairs in the hospital they ran into her father coming out of Kyle’s room. “He’s exhausted and falling asleep. I figured it was best to let him,” he said.
“Where’s mom?” Cindy asked.
“Bunni came by and took her out to dinner. I think girl talk was also on the agenda,” he said.
“Dinner sounds good, I’m starving,” she admitted.
“I know a cafeteria where the food is pretty mediocre,” her father said with a smile.
“Lead the way.”
“Oh, I forgot my phone in the room,” he said, patting his pockets.
“I’ll go grab it,” Jeremiah offered. “I’ll meet you guys down there in a minute.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” her dad said, taking her arm and leading her toward the elevator.
They made it downstairs and inside the cafeteria. Cindy moved toward the counter, but he stopped her with a hand on his arm. He pulled her over to the secluded table that they had shared that first miserable night. The look on his face was serious.
“What’s wrong, Dad?” she asked.
“I needed to speak to you for a minute. Jeremiah. I know you care for him so don’t bother denying it.”
“Okay,” she said cautiously.
“I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s a dangerous man, do you know that?”
“Yes, I know that,” she said, trying to keep her voice as calm as possible.
“I’ve met one or two men like him in my day while working overseas.”
“Dad, he’s just a rabbi,” Cindy protested, not wanting him to get overly concerned.
“Do me the courtesy of being honest with me right now. It’s important.”
She nodded.
“He might be a rabbi, but he wasn’t always. I know how much you’ve always treasured safety, and there is nothing safe about that man. I would be a poor father if I didn’t point that out to you.”
“I know who he is.” She hesitated and then continued. “And I know who he was.”
“And you’re okay with that?” he asked.
She looked her father straight in the eyes. “I am okay with it.”
He searched her eyes for a long moment and then he reached out and hugged her. “That’s all I needed to know,” he said.
A couple minutes later Jeremiah entered the cafeteria. Her father grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door. When they reached Jeremiah her father clapped him on the back.
“Change of plans. I’ve had enough of hospital food. What say we go to one of the steakhouses in town and get a real meal? I’m buying.”
Jeremiah smiled. “Sounds good to me.”
“Me, too,” Cindy said, realizing that she couldn’t stop grinning. Kyle might not be able to overlook Lisa’s past, but Cindy embraced Jeremiah’s. It was what made him the man he was today. The man she had fallen in love with.
Look for
KISS OF REVENGE
The final book in the Kiss Trilogy
Coming October 2013
Debbie Viguié is the New York Times Bestselling author of more than two dozen novels including the Wicked series, the Crusade series and the Wolf Springs Chronicles series co-authored with Nancy Holder. Debbie also writes thrillers including The Psalm 23 Mysteries, the Kiss trilogy, and the Witch Hunt trilogy. When Debbie isn’t busy writing she enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, visiting theme parks. They live in Florida with their cat, Schrödinger.
Look for
THE SHADOW OF DEATH
The next book in the Psalm 23 Mysteries series
Coming July 2014
Look for
FEAR NO EVIL
Book #10 in the Psalm 23 Mysteries series
Coming October 2014
Debbie Viguié is the New York Times Bestselling author of more than two dozen novels including the Wicked series, the Crusade series and the Wolf Springs Chronicles series co-authored with Nancy Holder. Debbie also writes thrillers including The Psalm 23 Mysteries, the Kiss trilogy, and the Witch Hunt trilogy. When Debbie isn’t busy writing she enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, visiting theme parks. They live in Florida with their cat, Schrödinger.