“Ragnar Johansen.”
They were only a few steps behind, and Mark quickly performed the introductions. Ragnar was distant but polite. And Colleen knew why, of course. He wasn’t happy about a civilian being involved.
But he couldn’t help but hope for results.
“Axel just left,” Ragnar said, escorting them into the office where police and agents—someone at all times—kept watch over the rooms. “Gary Boynton left last night; he slept at his house. Brant Pickering never left the hospital. He slept in the recliner chair in Sally’s room. Apparently, Dierdre is going to be released this afternoon.” He hesitated, glancing at Megan. “Dierdre was taken and stuffed into a box. She wasn’t...held for long. Sally, on the other hand, spent days being abused in the basement. She’ll be under observation another twenty-four hours. Then, she’ll be released too.”
“Well, Dierdre may be madly in love with the most courteous jerk in the world,” Mark said. “But I’m willing to bet she’ll go home to her parents’ house when she’s discharged.”
“I think she’ll want to go to Gary Boynton’s house,” Colleen said. “But I imagine her parents will be persistent. And because she does love them and she may still feel a little shaky, I think she’ll oblige.”
“We’ll have observation on both residences,” Ragnar said. “Anyway, you want to be the one to talk to Brant Pickering and ask him if he’d speak with your sister?” he asked Colleen.
“I think I’ll be most convincing if it’s a favor the man is doing for me,” Colleen said.
She noted Mark and Ragnar looked at one another briefly, and she had to admit the two men had a great partnership. All it seemed to take was a glance for the two to know if they were in agreement or not.
And they were.
“Just tap on Sally’s door. He’s in there, as is Sally,” Ragnar said. “We’ll stay in the office to watch on the screens.”
“Red, stay,” Mark told the dog.
Red, apparently, had thought he was going too.
“Of course.” Colleen could see the room on the screen in the office. Sally was in the bed. Brant Pickering was at her side in a chair, holding her hand.
The IV was in her arm on the other side.
Colleen headed out of the office then across and down the hall to tap on the door and peek her head in.
“Hello,” Sally murmured.
Brant Pickering stood. “Special Agent...”
She smiled. “Law. Colleen Law. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to disturb you.”
“I don’t mind being disturbed in the least,” Sally said. “I’m alive. Disturb me. Though I’m afraid I won’t be of much help. If I could remember anything at all, though...”
Colleen nodded as she walked up to the bed. “I am disturbing you for a different reason,” she said quietly. She winced. “Sally, with his agreement, would it be possible to steal Brant for about ten or fifteen minutes?”
“I—Yes, of course,” Sally said. But, puzzled, she looked at Brant.
Brant looked back at Colleen.
And Colleen spoke quickly.
“I’m a triplet,” she explained with a rueful smile. “And—”
“Wow. Cool. I think you’re the first triplet I’ve met,” Sally said. “Are you identical?”
Colleen smiled and shook her head. “We’re fraternal triplets. I have one brother and one sister, and no, not identical at all.”
“Ah,” Sally said.
Brant was still staring at her.
“The thing is,” Colleen continued, “my sister’s an editor, and she’s read everything Brant has ever written.”
Brant smiled then. “She has? I didn’t think anyone had done that!”
“She thinks you’re one of the finest historical authors out there. And she’d love to meet you.”
“Oh, cool,” Brant said.
“I hoped maybe you wouldn’t mind giving her a few minutes in the waiting room.”
“Brant, of course—you have to meet a fan, especially one who knows all your books!” Sally said.
Brant smiled. Then he laughed. “I thought maybe you guys wanted to interrogate me! I mean, I am the boyfriend—was the boyfriend.” He stumbled over the words and then looked at Sally. “With any luck,” he said softly, “I am the boyfriend again?”
Sally looked at him adoringly.
The look he bestowed on her was impressive too. For a brief moment, Colleen might not have been there at all. They were together, and that was it.
Then Brant looked at Colleen. He cleared his throat.
“It’s rather sad how it takes almost losing someone forever before we realize how precious they are. The people we love matter more than anything in the world.”
Colleen nodded. “I’m so grateful Sally was found, and you two are...together.”
“I hate leaving Sally. Even for a minute.”