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"Miss Brennan, you must calm down," the nurse said, touching her fingertips to my arm. "You need your rest."
"I'll rest if you tell these guys to listen to me," I blurted.
"What's going on here?"
Mr. Lange's booming voice filled the room as he stormed in, followed by Noelle and Upton. I had never seen a more welcome sight in my life. Not only did the jackass police look instantly intimidated by Noelle's father, but Noelle and Upton's mere presence made me feel safe.
"We're just interviewing Miss Brennan, sir," one of the officers said. But I wasn't paying attention, because I was too busy staring at Upton and wishing I could touch him. Suddenly, more than anything, I just needed to cuddle into his arms and stay there for about ten years. But the room was so full now, he couldn't even get close enough to me to touch my hand. He and Noelle hung back near the foot of the bed while the nurse changed my IV bag. Noelle looked at me like she just wanted to hug me. I knew the feeling.
"Harassingher is what it sounded like," Mr. Lange replied, crossing his arms over his chest. His handsome face was red with anger, the little lines around his mouth deeper than usual as he frowned. He glanced over at Sawyer and me. "What's going on?"
"Reed told them she was pushed off the boat and they don't believe her," Sawyer said matter-of-factly.
"Pushed?" Noelle asked. She walked over to me now, practically shoving the nurse aside. Her long brown hair tumbled down her back in unwashed waves and she wore a plain white T-shirt, black shorts,
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and zero makeup. The most basic outfit I'd ever seen on her. "Who pushed you?"
"I don't know," I replied, my voice sounding small. "But I saw a .. . someone in a hooded jacket," I said, suddenly recalling. I glared at the officers. "I saw them moving away from the railing when I broke the surface."
"Can you describe this person?" Officer Marshall asked, his pencil at the ready. He cast a sidelong glance at Mr. Lange, as if he wanted to make sure Noelle's dad saw him doing his job.
"No," I said. "I couldn't make out their face from the water."
The nurse slunk out behind the officers' backs.
"You have to admit, it sounds a bit far-fetched," Officer Marshall said, looking at Noelle's father.
Mr. Lange took a step closer to the officers. "If the girl says she was pushed, she was pushed. I expect you to take her accusation seriously."
The two officers glanced at each other over Mr. Lange's shoulder. I could tell they were still doubtful, but they finally acquiesced.
"Yes, sir. Of course," Officer Marshall said. "Of course there will be a full investigation."
"Good," Mr. Lange said. "I'll be calling your supervisor to make sure your department is aware of the gravity of the situation."
Officer Gravois's jaw clenched. I could tell he did not like the sound of this, and I was glad. Glad that he was unhappy. He looked over at me and attempted a smile. "Get some rest, Miss Brennan. We're glad you're all right."
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Yeah. Sure you are. More like you 're pissed off that I just created actual work for you to do.
The two cops left the room and we could hear them bitching to each other in French all the way down the hall. Mr. Lange whipped out his cell phone and speed dialed someone, his lips set in a tight line.
"I'm going to go speak to the doctors," he said, holding the phone away from his ear for a moment. "Someone should be in here checking you out right now." As he walked out he barked into the phone. "Get me the St. Barths police department. Now."
"Thanks," I called after him meekly. Finally, Noelle, Upton, Sawyer, and I were alone.
"That's Daddy. Always multitasking," Noelle joked.
"He doesn't have to do all this," I said, a bit awed by his concern for and defense of me.
"Sure he does. He likes to be in control," Noelle said with a shrug.
Like father, like daughter. I heard him pause to talk to some people out in the hallway and recognized Taylor Bell's voice. I glanced at Noelle quizzically.