One More Day (The Alexanders 1)

“When can I get out of here?” Three days later, Ridley was beyond ready to leave the hospital. Unfortunately, until her doctor decided she was strong enough to go home, she was stuck.

Stuck in a stupid hospital bed watching stupid TV while her sister held her stupid phone hostage.

“The doctor should be around soon. He usually checks on you right before lunch.” Raina folded the blanket she’d been using in half.

“Aren’t you ready to get out of here? That chair can’t be comfortable.”

The nurses had offered to bring her a cot but the chair in the room was big enough that Raina had been able to prop a pillow against the back and sleep there. Still, she was going to end up in traction if she slept all cramped up for much longer.

“I’m fine. I’m just worried about you.”

“Is that why you won’t give my phone back?” Ridley asked.

Raina wouldn’t meet her eyes. She picked at the edge of the blanket until a few long, white strands came out. “I forgot it.”

“Again? That’s what you said yesterday.”

Raina crossed her arms and glared at Ridley. “You are supposed to be recuperating, not socializing.”

Ridley held in a groan. She’d thought Raina had been insufferable before, but she’d had no idea. Ever since the shooting, Raina had been in hyperdrive. The poor nurses on the floor were no doubt ready for her to leave so they wouldn’t have to deal with Raina questioning everything they did. It had been endearing the first day or two, but she was about ready to shake her sister silly.

If she was strong enough to get out of this damn bed.

There was a brisk knock at the door and Ridley turned toward the sound. Elliott stood in the doorway holding a small teddy bear and looking extremely uncomfortable. She wondered how much he’d heard. He looked back and forth between them.

“Is this a bad time?”

Raina looked like she was about to protest when Ridley motioned him forward eagerly.

“Elliott! Come in, come in. I’m so glad you came to see me.”

Eli stepped in and set the teddy bear on the edge of the bed. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

“Like crap. But I’m alive. Thanks to you. So what happened, you know, after everything? I don’t really remember.”

Elliott perched on the edge of the bed carefully. “Well, I figured out David’s identity on a hunch. I knew he’d been using an assumed name for about three years, but it wasn’t until I looked at the information on the flash drive that I put it all together.”

“The flash drive?”

He reached in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a stack of photos. He flipped through them and then pulled one out.

“That’s the necklace he gave me.” Ridley took the picture and ran her thumb over the image. It was hard to believe something so small had been at the heart of everything.

“It opens to conceal a flash drive.” Eli held up another picture. In this one the necklace was in two parts.

“That’s why he wanted it back. What was on it?”

“Confirmations of payoffs. The wire transfers we noticed going through the accounts he had set up in your name were just the beginning. He’s been borrowing identities for a while now. He uses them to set up accounts to funnel mob payouts to his father’s offshore accounts. Then after a few months he closes the accounts and moves on.”

Ridley tried to sit up a little but pain lanced through her side.

“Wait, I’ll help you.” Raina rushed over and pushed the button to raise the bed.

“Thanks. So, that’s why he needed it back so badly. Because it has all the account numbers and payoff information?”

Eli nodded. “I’m sure he’s got bits and pieces of information saved other places, but a lot of criminals keep their information offline. That way it can’t be hacked. He must have known the FBI was on to him again. So, before staging his car accident he hid the flash drive somewhere no one would ever find it. With you.”

“And I ruined his plan by running.” Ridley closed her eyes.

“Yes. You put quite a kink in his plans by doing what you did. Moreno is a great tracker, but you literally disappeared for a while. He admitted that Raina’s house was the first place he looked. But when it stayed empty, he had no idea where to go. It wasn’t until he saw the tabloid pictures of you and Jackson that he knew for sure you were in Virginia.”

“You know I almost left the necklace behind that day.”

At Elliott’s puzzled look, she continued. “He saw me put it in the drawer of my front hall table the day he gave it to me. Right before the accident. I took it out at the last minute because I was going to the bank. I thought it would be safer in my safe-deposit box. If I hadn’t done that, he would have gotten it when he broke into my apartment. None of this would have happened. I would still be in Florida living my life.”

Ridley swiped at her eyes, embarrassed to find her cheeks were wet. Part of her wished it had happened that way. She’d still have been a victim of identity theft, but at least she wouldn’t have been injured.

She wouldn’t be heartbroken.

“Maybe you should go,” Raina said gently. “She shouldn’t be getting upset.”

Elliott started to stand but Ridley grabbed his hand. “No, don’t leave. Please. Just stay and talk for a little while longer. I’ve been stuck in this bed for three days. I’d love to know how everyone is doing. How are your parents?”

“Worried about you. I filled them in on what happened. I think my mom was ready to storm the hospital because she thought you were in here alone.” He turned to Raina. “She didn’t realize you were back in town.”

He pointed to the cluster of flower arrangements that Raina had corralled next to the window. “Anyway, they sent flowers. It’s one of those. Nick sent flowers, too.”

“Hmm. Fat lot of good that does,” Raina muttered.

“Raina! Don’t start anything. Eli saved my life.”

Raina immediately looked chagrined. “I know, and I’m so grateful he was there.” She looked at Eli. “If I was the touchy-feely type I would hug you for that. Thank you for saving my sister.”

Eli shrugged but Ridley could tell he was a little embarrassed at the praise. “In all honesty, Ridley saved herself. That was a brave thing you did. You carried it off like a pro, too.”

Ridley snorted. “You were the one who told me what to do. If I hadn’t talked to you on Sunday, I wouldn’t have thought of that on my own. I guess things really do happen for a reason, huh?”

A nurse came in the room then and Elliott moved back so she could get to Ridley’s side. She knew it was necessary but hated the constant poking and prodding. Ever since she’d woken up, it seemed like there was someone there taking her temperature and blood pressure every hour.

How was she supposed to get strong enough to leave the hospital when she couldn’t get any sleep? She waited, impatiently, for the nurse to take the temperature bulb out of her mouth before she turned back to Eli.

“So, how’s everyone else?”