Quadruplets Make Six

“I understand. But I just need a brief statement from you. It won’t connect you to the crime in any way.”

I knew he was lying, but I also knew I was being a little selfish. I knew I couldn’t give myself too much credit right off the bat, either. I decided to just take baby steps. “Okay. But I have work until nine.”

“That’s okay. Just come down to 78th and ask for me.”

I blinked rapidly at the ease of his voice once again. It was insane, to be so hobbled over a voice. “Okay. Um, Alex Jordan, right?” I checked.

Ugh. Why did it feel good to say his name?

“That’s right. See you soon, Miss Camden.”

His line went dead before I could even respond.

Chapter Six: Rose

After two hours I was ready to leave. I did always like the pace of the job, and the experiences I got to embark on, but sometimes it just got to be too crazy. I mean, why would anyone purposefully jump off their roof just to make a video? It didn’t make any sense to me at all.

Then of course, there were the usual Wednesday blunders. And to think, the day started out semi-normally. Before I witnessed a murder and all. Granted, I didn’t actually see that gun shot, but I heard it. And according to every news channel across the board, that gunshot killed that man.

I dropped the tray of syringes all across the floor.

“Rose, you okay?” Dina, my co-worker and only friend besides Martha, was right there to help me pick them up.

She was a fun, spunky woman who I would have never pegged for an ER nurse. Her straight brown hair was in sharp contrast to my unruly, black curly hair. But together, we always covered the most beds out of all the other nurses. If we were assigned partners like cops were, she would be mine.

“Yeah. It’s just an off day for me.” I huffed.

We picked up the syringes and stashed them in the sharps container. We went off to our usual chill corner behind the last exam room. It had an old bed and an odd smell, but it was literally the only place we wouldn’t be found.

“How so?” She took her hair bow from around her wrist and tied her hair up.

I always wore mine in a tight bun, so I wouldn’t be bothered by it, even still, it always found a way to let a few strands come loose.

“Long story. How is your man?” I changed the subject. I wasn’t even sure I was ready to admit what happened that morning, let alone tell Dina. I was still freaking out about having to tell the detective about it.

And yes, I was thinking about his voice pretty much all evening.

“Fine. Boring as usual, but he’s what I picked.” She half laughs and then half scoffs.

Dina had been with a quiet, English teacher since I had known her. They were polar opposites, but I guessed what they said was true. Anyway, Scott, her

husband, was nice and he was a little older than her. I wondered how he even got her to settle down with him, but I guess that was what love did.

“He isn’t boring.” I giggled, “he just doesn’t want to hit the bars every Friday.” I knocked shoulders with her. She shook her head and shrugged unapologetically.

“Hmm. I spent all my fun years in class. Now, I can actually afford my nights out. Speaking of, you haven’t come with me in weeks. What’s with the blow off?”

I couldn’t lie to her, but I also didn’t really have a reason. “I don’t know. I’ve just been down. Maybe next week—hell, I can’t lie. Maybe the week after.” I smiled sadly.

Dina smiled and rested her head on my shoulder. “That’s okay. As long as you don’t blow me off here.”

“Pfft. How the hell would I get through my shifts without you?”

“True. Our anniversary is soon, and I don’t even know what to get him. Ugh, last year was almost as much work as the wedding.”

It would be their second anniversary, and I doubted anything could top their wedding. It was in a library—Dina often said it was the only thing he would ever get his way in their marriage.

“Hmm. Sexy lingerie maybe. Sometimes that’s all you need. But what do I know? I haven’t gotten laid in months.”