I was all patched up and I didn’t have the luxury of taking extra time. Once I knew nothing of major importance was damaged, I signed my forms and got out of there quickly.
Who would have thought I would be walking around with the key to our national security tucked securely inside my bra? I laughed and shook my head. Not me.
How had all this happened? Sneaky memories tried to trickled back in, but I stopped them dead in their tracks.
No, not now.
I needed to get this stick to the FBI. Enough people had been killed because of it. If I had to, I’d die getting it into the right hands.
I walked briskly in the icy drizzle. The ground wasn’t completely darkened yet. There were still small patches of dry concrete, but the torrent was coming. I could smell it. I needed to find a cab. I walked along holding my side. It hurt to breathe. With each step I took it was as if one of my ribs was puncturing a hole into my lung slowly leaking air. I kept my eyes on the few fellow pedestrians brave enough to be walking the neighboring sidewalks. As far as areas of town go, I wasn’t in the best one—in areas like this trouble found you. I suspected everyone, especially now.
I approached a stop sign at a four way intersection one block outside of the hospital and decided to wait for a cab; one had to be along shortly. Then I began to doubt leaving the hospital. Maybe the doctors and nurses knew what they were talking about. I was cold—shivering—and felt like death warmed over.
My sinuses were so swollen it mimicked a head cold from hell. I fantasized briefly over taking some of the awful-tasting, green, black licorice flavored cold medicine in my bathroom. That stuff could knock me out in heartbeat, and I would definitely need it to be able to fall asleep later when all of this was over.
I rested my shoulder against the cold metal post and closed my eyes; I was so tired. I desperately needed a good night’s sleep.
Footsteps came up behind me, and I stiffened.
“Jesus, Di, what are you doing out here? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
I jumped and when I turned, I saw Vance’s worried face. “Christ, Vance, didn?
??t anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on someone?” My heart didn’t appreciate the extra jolt, especially now.
“Always the tough girl, huh? Want some help?” He furrowed brows.
“Eh.” I grunted. “I’m fine. I got this.”
“Yeah.” He laughed. “You look fine, Rocky. How’s the nose?”
“It’s reset. Should heal nicely.”
“And the ribs? I assume broken?”
“Again, yes. But they’ll heal.” I winced as a sudden pain knifed my lung.
“Look, if you don’t want to be my partner anymore, you only had to say so. You didn’t have to go through this whole charade. It’s a little overkill, don’t you think?” Touches of humor lit his eyes.
“Whatever.” I grinned, staring at the rain beading up on his inky hair. It reminded me of the summer morning dew sprinkled on a spider’s web, except under the light of the moon, it appeared blue. I wanted to touch it but didn’t want to ruin the beauty. “I can’t believe you’re making a joke. Now. Comedic timing was never your strong suit.”
“Oh, whatever. You know I’m hilarious.” Over his shoulder, he scanned the streets. “All joking aside, we should get out of here. Who knows how many more of those men are out here.”
He was right, but I think the chances were slim anymore would show up. I’d been at the hospital for a few hours, and no one else had come to kill me yet. I’d been antsy and itching to leave since I’d arrived and was annoyed at how long the whole experience had taken. Given my injuries, I should have been in and out in an hour, but three hours later, I remained. It had been a busy night for the E.R.
“How’d you know I was still here anyway?” I’d checked my phone before I signed the hospital release forms and hadn’t gotten any texts or calls from him or anyone.
“Don’t be mad.” He smiled but avoided my eyes.
I squinted and cocked my head to the side. “When you say that you already know I’m going to be. What’d you do?”
“Okay.” He glanced at me with incriminating eyes and rubbed his lips together. “I jailbroke your phone that night you were at my house.”
“When?” A rush of heat rose to my cheeks. “After we—” I stopped myself.
He grimaced. “After we what?”
“Ugh, never mind,” I sighed and shook my head.