Shielded In The Shadows

But Emma was hurt. It’s bad. Chantel’s words replayed. It’s bad.

“One other thing, Bill.”

“Yeah?”

“You ever know of a high school kid in your old neighborhood? Maybe he cut your grass or something.”

“Nope. Most of them were little. Elementary school. A couple of sisters in high school. And an older dude halfway down the street, lived alone. You can check me up on that, too,” he said. Jayden could hear the click-click of a turn signal. “I’m still in touch with a couple of the guys. My shop did work on their cars and I called ’em when I was back to work. I called a bunch of my old clients. Nothing said I couldn’t and I needed the business.”

“I’ll need their names,” Jayden said.

“Yeah. What the...?” A slew of curse words followed. “There are cop cars in front of my place. I’m not driving into that.”

“Yes you are. Are you on your street?”

“I’m one street over.”

“Slow down and hold on. Do not hang up.”

Not waiting for a response, Jayden made a couple of quick calls, got patched into the lead officer on the scene at Bill’s place and let him know that he’d talked his client in. He also warned them that Bill had an alibi. If anyone roughed him up, they could face departmental or even legal challenge. Then he switched back over to Bill.

“Okay, drive normally and head home,” he said.

“I got any choice in that matter?” the man asked.

“Not really. Not a smart one.” Jayden wasn’t at his best. He was almost at the hospital. “I just spoke with the officer in charge. He’ll take you to the station, verify your alibi, and you’ll be free to go.”

“So much for second chances, huh?”

“You’re living it, buddy. I just made the call for you. The rest is up to you.”

“This accident...was it Suzie?” There was no bravado in the man’s voice at all now.

“No.”

“I’m here,” Bill said.

Jayden stayed on the line long enough to hear Bill cooperating with officers and then hung up. He’d just pulled into the hospital parking lot.

It’s bad.

Heading into the hospital, he could hardly breathe. Or hold panic at bay. If Emma didn’t make it...

Jayden wasn’t a praying man, but as he waited for the elevator, after reading the text from Chantel, telling him what floor she was on, where to meet her, he asked every power in existence to keep Emma alive. She was a warm, wonderful, bright and vivacious woman who gave far more to the world than Jayden could ever hope to do.

* * *

The lights were bright. Too bright. Giving everything a stark white hue that wasn’t pleasant. Darkness was better. Underneath her, everything was hard. Flat. A board.

Blinking briefly in between the dark peace seemed necessary, but was painful.

Faces hovered over her. Around her. Intent. Focused. Busy.

Voices mumbled. Something beeped. Her arm hurt.

And her head. Someone touched it. She winced and that hurt, too.

“She’s awake.”