We all grow quiet, and Patrick continues. “While the meeting was happening... well... it seems a fight broke out in the jail where Derek was located.”
Fear clenches my insides. “Is he okay?” I manage to choke out.
“No... he’s not. One of the guys had a shiv, a makeshift knife, and he stabbed Derek twice.”
A strangled cry, and Mariska’s on her knees at my side, wiping my hair from my face. I don’t even see her. My vision is blinded, and all I can see is Derek slipping away, needing me. I try to force my brain to understand what he’s saying.
“I think I’m in shock,” I whisper. Everybody is frozen, staring at the small device on the table, waiting for more.
“Patrick, what’s going on?” Elaine shouts again.
“He’s in the ICU at Johns Hopkins. I’m in the car headed your way. Can Melissa come down and meet me? I’ll drive her to Baltimore.”
Pain causes me to bend at the waist. I turn to the side and grasp the chair next to me. I can’t breathe. “Lainey,” I whisper. “I can’t breathe.”
“Oh my god, Patrick, you have to tell us if Derek’s going to be okay.”
“It’s still a bit touch and go, but he’s at the best hospital in the country. I have to believe he’ll be fine.”
“She’ll be ready,” Elaine picks up the phone and switches it off speaker. “I’ll ride with you. Text me when you’re out front. We’ll come down when you get here.”
* * *
The drive to Baltimore passes in a blur. I sit looking out the back window as Elaine and Patrick discuss what happened up front.
“Marcus convinced the prosecutor Derek didn’t deserve to go to prison?” My best friend says.
“Mmm... More like nobody would come forward to defend Sloan Reynolds, so why did he want to send a decorated Marine to prison for defending someone against attack.”
“Your ‘defense of others’ suggestion?” Elaine is proud—possibly even a little smug.
Patrick grins. “As much as I want to support you in this Us versus Them thing you’re doing, your brother was pretty vital to the case.”
She exhales and leans back in the passenger’s seat. “Why can’t you take credit for doing a great job? Why does everyone have to be a member of the damn bar association?”
“I think you mean the state bar.”
“Whatever! You helped. Did he even acknowledge that?”
“He didn’t get a chance.” Patrick smiles at her, and glancing back, I see so much adoration on his face. “Hey, look at me. I only talked to Captain Asshat, and he was so relieved, he was fucking nice to me. I can only imagine they were shitting bricks waiting for that judge to decide.”
My best friend looks out the window. “They should have been. We were all counting on them.”
We ride in silence as the music plays on the radio. Patrick finally speaks. “I know your dad and brothers were shitheads when you told them you wanted to be a teacher instead of a lawyer—”
“They still are,” she quietly grumbles.
He lifts her hand and kisses it. “I’m not. I think you’re an amazing teacher. And I’m really glad you’re related to one of the top lawyers in the country.”
Her eyes slant at him, and for a moment, I’m not sure if my bestie will make a quip or kiss her new husband. She does the latter, and despite my growing anxiety, I smile.
I might have been mad at Patrick for encouraging Derek not to tell me about Sloan, but I can never be mad for long. He’s made my friend one of the happiest people I know. Their love is so strong. Chewing my lip, fear tightens in my chest. I can only hope our love is strong enough to pull Derek through.
* * *
We’re practically running down the polished corridor. Stuart and Marcus are in the waiting room, and the minute we see each other, they stand and head in our direction. Marcus gives me a hug.
“Melissa,” he exhales. “We were so sure he was in the clear and now this.”