“No. I’m ok.”
“Syd, you really should have someone check out your head. And at least those cuts on your legs.”
“I’ll go if you let someone stitch up your face.” I twisted my lips together, testing him.
“Sacrifice for a sacrifice?”
“Something like that.”
The lock he had on the small of my back grew tighter. I wondered how long we could sit like this before we had to jump back into everything around us.
“All right. I’ll go.”
I blinked. “What? You’ll actually go to the hospital?”
He shrugged. “More for you than me. But not the worst idea to get stitches so I don’t bleed out tonight.”
I lightly touched just above the gash in his forehead. “You’re probably the only man who could get away with looking even sexier with a scar than without.”
“You think I’m sexy, huh?”
I blushed. “I’ve always thought you were sexy. Even in Econ 10.”
He chuckled and winced. He quickly grabbed the side of his chest. “Ok. Maybe time for X-rays.”
“Oh shit. I forgot about your ribs. Why are we sitting here like this?”
We helped each other to stand when one of the agents strolled over toward us.
“Agent Hart.” He nodded at AJ.
“Sydney, this is Agent Canson.”
I smiled at the man wearing an over-sized FBI jacket. He looked slightly older than us with a touch of gray at his temples.
“Ms. Miller, glad to see you’re awake. I was wondering if I could speak to you.”
AJ made a protective step in front of me. “This isn’t the time Canson. I’m taking her to the hospital. She needs to be checked for a concussion.”
“I can’t let her leave an active scene without a statement.”
“It’s also not going to do you any good if you take a statement from a witness who has a head injury and has a different story forty-eight hours later. You need to let her clear her head.”
Canson eyed us. “I’ll escort you to the hospital then. There’s an ambulance outside the hangar.”
“No.” I shook my head. I didn’t want to be forced into the back of the big truck. I was already anxious enough as it was about an examination.
AJ grabbed my hand. I felt the warmth of his grip when his fingers weaved between mine.
“We have a ride, but thank you Canson. I’m going to take it from here. Sydney will be under FBI protection. I’ll make sure she has 24-7 surveillance. I’m not letting her out of my sight anytime soon. You can
be sure of that.”
Canson wasn’t satisfied. “Do I need to remind you that she is not only a key witness to a major hijacking, but also part of your recruitment project.”
“She knows about Project Compass,” AJ explained. “Like I said. Until we know she hasn’t suffered brain damage, you can’t debrief her. Do I need to get Heidi involved?”
Canson looked away. “Not necessary. Do I have your word you’ll bring her in tomorrow?”