Betrayals (Cainsville 4)

"It's at Gabriel's office, along with his."

Gabriel looked taken aback. "Thank you. I didn't even consider that."

"I know. Mental confusion, right? It's handled. As is..." He took two cell phones from his pocket. "Your boss bought you a new phone, Liv."

Gabriel frowned at him.

Ricky held up two credit cards. "I fetched these from the front desk. There's a charge on the Amex for both phones. I set it up with your provider

by impersonating you."

"And me?" I asked.

"Yep, impersonated you, too."

I smiled and took the phone.

"You just need to download your backups," he said. "Please tell me you have backups."

"We do," I said. Then I pulled him into a hug. "Thank you."

"I knew you'd want to be up and running as soon as you could. Gabriel handled nurse duty; I did this. I also updated Rose on the situation and she went over to feed TC. Oh, and I know you lost your wallet in the river, so just make a list of what you need replaced and I'll make the calls before you get out."

"Before tonight?"

"You're not getting released today, Liv."

I made a noise that meant, We'll see about that, but just thanked and hugged him again for all he'd done.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Gabriel went home around ten to shower and shave. At noon he was back with lunch. One of the nurses smelled the food, and came in, as if to give us shit for it. Seeing Gabriel, she turned and walked out. Evidently, he'd made an impression.

After lunch, Ricky had a class. Gabriel and I were on our laptops, catching up on two lost days as we talked about Aunika and our next steps.

"Working?" said a voice from the doorway. "Didn't you just fall in a river?"

"No rest for the wicked," I said. "As you can see, we're very busy. Thanks for coming by, leave the flowers at the door...Oh, no. Wait. You didn't bring me flowers. You brought...a book? If it's from your library, I'm not really in any shape for literary visions."

Patrick walked over. "I know, which is why I brought you one that is pure entertainment."

"And while normally I'd say that's very sweet and actually quite considerate, I have the feeling..." I took the book from him and read the cover. "It's one of yours."

"How else can I guarantee it's any good?"

I snorted and set it aside. "The door is behind you."

"I came all the way to Chicago--and brought you a book--and you're kicking me out?"

"You came because you're wondering what happened and want to find out before the other elders. If you came bearing a useful gift, we could negotiate. But a copy of your own book earns you this much: Gabriel and I were pushed off a bridge. We survived. We don't know who did it, but we intend to find out."

"I think a copy of my book is at least worth the true version. You were pushed; Gabriel jumped."

"What?" I looked over at Gabriel.

"He jumped after you, Liv." A satisfied smile spread across Patrick's face. "Did you expect anything less?"

"How would you know that?" Gabriel said, rising.