“No. It’s a panic attack. I’ll talk her down.” Paul didn’t take his eyes off Nicole while he was speaking. He held the blanket around her and continued the in and out breathing and counting until she was able to nod.
“I’m better n-now,” she said, her voice shaky and tremors still wracking her body.
Paul turned to Monty. “Maybe a cup of hot tea. Pour a good shot of rum or whiskey in it.”
Monty nodded and headed off to the kitchen to see what he could find.
“No b-booze in the h-house,” Nicole said, her voice stuttering.
“We’ll have to fix that,” Paul said with a laugh.
Nicole laughed and pulled the blanket closer. “I think that might be a good idea. I’m sorry. I haven’t had a panic attack in a long time.”
“With everything that’s happened today, I’m not surprised. Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?” Paul was still sitting on the bed. He laid one of his hands over hers where she was still clutching the blanket.
“I can stay here. Do you think I shouldn’t?” Nicole’s eyes grew wide and her breathing was speeding up again.
“Easy. Easy. Breathe. Breathe. I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be here by yourself until you get your window fixed. I’m not sure how the management is here at the complex, but they may not be able to fix your window today.” Paul still had his gaze locked on hers.
“Oh. I didn’t think of that,” Nicole stared down at her lap. His gaze was so intense.
“Here.” Monty came into the room with a steaming mug. “I couldn’t find anything stronger than tea, so I dumped a bunch of sugar into it.”
Nicole took the cup with a frown.
“What?” Paul asked, when he saw the grimace on her face.
“I hate sweet tea,” she said with a face.
“It will be good for you. Pretend it’s whiskey.” Paul lifted her hands holding the cup to her lips.
“Just a few sips for me. It will help stabilize your blood sugar. When you have these attacks, it can lower your blood sugar.”
“I know that. I am a nurse.”
Paul nodded and tapped at the cup.
Nicole took a sip and although it was sweet it did taste good.
“Again.” Paul tapped the bottom of the cup lifting it towards her lips.
Monty appeared in the doorway. “Everything good in here?”
“Yeah. Everything’s under c
ontrol,” Paul answered.
“Officer Meeker and I are heading out then. Meeker said he’d file the report and get a copy to us but didn’t think much would happen. I’m going to pull all the cameras around here and see if I can find out who the man may have been based on Nicole’s description and the picture she got on her phone. I’m also going to see if Egghead will let me use his facial recognition software. His program is better than mine.”
“Good idea. I’ll have my phone on if you need me. I’m going to stick around here for a while until the scene is secured or we come up with another plan.”
“Later.” Monty turned and moved out of the room.
“Now. About your plans for the evening?” Paul went back to Nicole.
4
Paul refused to let Nicole stay alone in her apartment and she refused to leave. When he realized she wasn’t going to budge without him throwing her over his shoulder caveman-style and carrying her off, he decided he would stay.