Lost in the Wind

by Calle J. Brookes

  He was staring at Nikkie Jean with a longing that Izzie had no difficulty interpreting.

  Dr. Jacobson spun Nikkie Jean right into Dr. Alvaro’s arms, then gave a funny little bow.

  And stepped aside.

  As if he approved of the other man.

  “Men are so weird, Ann. Especially men like them.”

  “I don’t know. Look at how he’s looking at her.”

  Izzie pulled her attention away from the jerk that was Allen Jacobson and looked at the gorgeous pirate that held her other best friend so close it looked like they were one being.

  Nikkie Jean weighed a third what he did. Less. Alvaro was holding her like she was made of glass. And the way Nikkie Jean was looking at him…it melted something in Izzie just to see it.

  “They are so…mismatched.”

  “He’s holding her like she’s the most precious woman in the world. I don’t think there is a better match than that.”

  Annie always had been the wisest woman Izzie had ever known.

  68

  “WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME before? I could have done something to help.” Jennifer practically hissed the words at him as she paced around the surgeon’s break room Monday afternoon. “How do you know it’s buried well enough to survive two audits?”

  “I don’t. Except it has this long. Hell…” He wrapped his hands around her arms. Jennifer had always had the softest skin. Yes, she might have put on some weight in the last ten years, but it suited her. “My departments have been audited before. I refuse to panic.”

  She looked perfect. She always looked perfect to him. Big dark eyes that sucked a man’s soul right in, the perfect chocolate-brown hair that was never out of place anymore.

  When they’d first met, her hair had hung to her waist and had been completely natural. The softest silk he had ever touched.

  Now it took routine visits to the stylist and half a bottle of hairspray to make it look like that.

  He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. When was the last time he had kissed his own wife?

  Wallace couldn’t remember.

  Jennifer was always so busy—it almost felt like their paths never crossed any more. They even had separate rooms. She said it was because of his snoring, but Wallace had wondered.

  “What are you doing?” She practically squeaked the question, like she had the first time he had ever kissed her.

  “I love you, Jennifer Rose. That has never changed in the thirty-five years we have been married.”

  “Has it been that long?” she asked quietly, calming against his chest. “It wasn’t that long ago we were eating macaroni-and-cheese with hot dogs in Philly.”

  “I know. We’ve been through quite a few things together, Jenny. This…this is just a bleep on our radar. We have bigger things to focus on, Madam Mayor.”

  She smiled, like he had known she would.

  He had faith in her. She’d get the election; provided the voters voted with common sense instead of picking whichever Barratt was in the running.

  Barratts did rather own the county. And the one south of them. Barratts were just about everywhere.

  “You always have been a flatterer, Wallace. I believed you, once.”

  He smiled at her, his hand brushing against her cheek. “Go home. I’ll be there in a few hours. We have a surgery scheduled tonight that I need to observe. I’ll bring us a late dinner. We can sit in front of the fire and just talk together. Like we used to.”

  They hadn’t had time for much romance in years.

  Wallace really missed that.

  The door to the surgical break room burst open.

  Wallace jerked around. He’d thought he’d locked it.

  He tensed, seeing Nikkie Jean. The look on her face wasn’t good.

  She hadn’t seen them. Instead, the girl dashed to the restroom near the back.

  “What on earth is wrong with that girl?” Jennifer asked.

  Wallace squeezed her arm and turned back toward his wife. “Never mind her. The girl is newly pregnant and not having an easy time of it.”

  “Who is she? She looks very familiar.”

  “That’s Jordan Carrington’s daughter. Do you remember her?”

  “Jordan and Darla Carrington? From Philadelphia? What is she doing here? I thought their daughter was dead. Didn’t she have—”

  “Ovarian cancer; yes. But she recovered. From what I understand, she left shortly after her mother’s funeral.”

  “How on earth did she end up here?” She shot him a suspicious look. “Did you have something to do with it? Did you bring her here?”

  “Of course not. She doesn’t even realize who I am. I don’t intend her to. But then again, she was what? Eight or ten the last time we saw her? I believe Reggie had been invited to her brother’s birthday party.” The last thing he wanted to do was discuss Nikkie Jean with his wife.

  He never discussed beautiful women with her. She was so insecure in that regard that he had learned years ago not to do that. And she’d always been jealous of Darla Carrington, even though they’d been good friends.

  “And now she’s pregnant. I wonder if Jordan knows? You don’t suppose he’s this mysterious hospital buyer, do you?”

  Wallace thought a moment. It was possible. Carrington Medical Group was expanding deep into Texas. “I don’t know. It’s possible. I haven’t spoken to him in several years. And even then, it had been through email.”

  Wallace and Jordan Carrington had attended medical school together. Their wives had been friends. Their sons had attended the same schools from day one, until Wallace had taken his family to Finley Creek.

  “You should make the association known to her. If her father is buying the hospital, that might work in your favor. Especially if he decides a new COM is in order. Especially at Barratt County.” She’d never been too happy that Wallace had been passed up for that position for what she believed was a no-name former army doctor who had no connections.

  Well, Alvaro most likely did have the connections now. Wallace had seen the photos of Dr. Alvaro at the governor’s wedding reception. Photos of all of the guests were everywhere, thanks to the Snotty Garlic.

  “I don’t think so. I’ve heard her mention several times that she’s estranged from her family. I don’t know any of the details, but I don’t want to make it awkward for her while she’s a resident here.” Best to direct her away from Nikkie Jean. Before Jennifer’s jealousy was triggered.

  The door opened again, and that dark-haired fireball nurse friend of Nikkie Jean’s was there, no doubt looking for her. Wallace waved a hand toward the restroom. The nurse disappeared after Nikkie Jean. “But it’s not her I care about right now. It’s you. Go. Relax. I can’t wait to get home and hear about your newest strategy. I have always loved your mind, sweetheart.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips across her neck. “And your body.”

  He looked over his wife’s shoulder as Nikkie Jean reappeared with her friend. Poor girl looked horrible.

  Wallace suppressed his grimace.

  He never had found pregnant women attractive.

  69

  CAINE BIT BACK A STUPID smile when he thought about the rest of the wedding reception and how he had felt that night when Allen Jacobson had been paged to the hospital.

  Jacobson had asked him personally to drive Nikkie Jean home.

  She hadn’t protested.

  He hadn’t crowed, like he’d actually wanted. Caine had behaved himself. Mostly.

  He’d wanted to pull her over to a table by themselves and share wedding cake with her while they talked.

  She’d been commandeered by guard dog Izzie instead. Guard dog Annie had had a sleeping toddler on her shoulder. The sight of the little boy the same age as Dalton had jolted Caine back to reality.

  It had been past the time that he retrieve his own children, ensure they had a bit of the cake he’d promised them, and take them home himself.

  Nikkie Jean had helped him do just
that, carrying Dalton to the car and chattering with the twins.

  Caine had ensured the twins were climbing into the rear of the cab, then lifted Nikkie Jean and Dalton in like he had before.

  He’d let his hands linger. Until reality had set in with one simple question.

  “Dad, is Nikkie Jean your new girlfriend yet?”

  Leave it to his son to ask a question at the exact wrong time.

  Caine hadn’t known how to answer.

  Nikkie Jean had, though. As she’d looked right at him. “We don’t know yet, Ev. Your father and I are still figuring things out.”

  Figuring things out? No. Caine knew exactly what it was.

  Nikkie Jean texted him again.

  She was accompanying guard dog Annie to city hall for a meeting with the mayor.

  She would text him later, at ten o’clock. He was required to wear clothes. Mostly. She’d texted he could take off his socks. Nothing more.

  Caine promised to do just that.

  “Hey, Alvaro, tune back in. We have a problem.”

  “Thor? I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were here already.” Time to focus back on the hospital around him.

  He had a job to do, after all.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “One of your nurses has just been reported missing. And she was having an affair with one of the suspects on your list. A Dr. Wallace Henedy. Same guy was linked with a nurse who went missing fifteen years ago. From Philadelphia. Not saying there’s a connection, but…the guy’s name is on your list—and the one I got from your brother last week. Care to tell me everything you know about him?”

  “Who’s missing? And what do you have already?”

  Wallace Henedy, who was no doubt with Nikkie Jean right now.

  70

  WALLACE FOUGHT THE NERVES. What he was about to do was more than just wrong. It was beyond criminal. Highly unethical and far worse than padding a few insurance bills.

  But he needed the answers. He’d received an email from Jordan Carrington directly, stating that he hoped Wallace was well—and they needed to talk.

  Privately. And as soon as possible.

  No doubt Carrington was starting to put things together.

  All he needed to do was see the report of Connie’s body being found—it had, near the reservoir, washing free during the recent rains—and linking her to the hospital where Wallace worked.

  Jordan was smart enough to put it together.

  Caine Alvaro had just called, told him he needed to see him in his office as soon as he could.

  It was almost word for word what Rafe Holden-Deane had said to him just three hours earlier.

  They all wanted him right now. None of them sounded the least bit happy.

  And Jennifer had just called him to tell him—she wanted a trial separation. Before the end of the audit. Because if the audit showed something unfavorable, she wanted some distance from him.

  Jennifer wanted to leave him.

  He had to know what had been found. Now.

  Nikkie Jean was the only answer he could think of. She was the only variable he could ever hope to control.

  And she was connected to every one of the other men involved in some way.

  Even Dr. Alvaro.

  He hadn’t missed the fact that everyone was speculating about just how Nikkie Jean and Dr. Alvaro had met. Most thought Jillian had introduced them.

  He supposed it was possible.

  Alvaro was the father of her baby. Jordan Carrington was coming to Finley Creek. Both COMs wanted to speak with him.

  And rumor at County said that Dr. Alvaro had brought in the FBI. To ferret out fraud. That someone had been stealing from Barratt County.

  But worse, the TSP had put out notice that they were looking for a vehicle matching Wallace’s—in connection with Connie’s murder. Wallace didn’t know how much longer he could do this.

  He needed information.

  Hopefully, this was the safest way for him to get them. He’d get what he needed from Nikkie Jean, then ensure she was found in a safe place. He’d even carefully researched what he was going to do so that it presented the least amount of harm to her and her unborn fetus.

  All he wanted was her in his control and incapacitated so he could ask her a few questions.

  Like if she’d seen him with Connie. Like if Alvaro was turning him into the FBI.

  If her father had ever mentioned Miranda Plattin. He’d just…scare her into talking. Then he’d leave her somewhere she would be found.

  Unless her answers revealed too much.

  “Dr. Netorre, your tea. Dr. Deane, a latte, extra cream. Patel, straight up black.” Wallace continued passing out the drinks. The now-empty small plastic vial burned a hole in his pocket. It had been so easy to do. Now he just had to be patient.

  Lunch would be over in minutes, then they were free to return to their departments for the rest of the shifts.

  But his shift ended as soon as this meeting was over.

  And then he had to make it to Barratt County to meet with Dr. Alvaro within the next three hours.

  That should give him plenty of time to get what answers he needed from Nikkie Jean.

  He couldn’t fight a battle when he couldn’t see exactly what weapons his opponents possessed.

  Nikkie Jean’s shift ended when Wallace’s did.

  He’d already told his nephew to alert him when Nikkie Jean stepped into the parking lot.

  He’d simply told Ray that he had a private matter to discuss with Dr. Netorre that he didn’t want anyone in the hospital to overhear.

  Ray had nodded, distracted by whatever it was that went on in Ray’s head. It was hard to figure out just exactly what that was.

  Ray had always frustrated Jennifer.

  He had been a good boy, really. Trauma had had an impact on him from the time he had been only seven. Wallace had tried to be as much of a father to him as he could. It hadn’t been easy. But he loved Ray. Almost as much as he loved Reggie. They were his children.

  Wallace had raised his wife’s nephew to the best of his own ability.

  To his satisfaction, Nikkie Jean downed the iced tea quickly. She picked at her food, though. He’d noticed before that she was fighting the NVP quite a bit lately. And not just in the morning.

  Poor thing.

  Her obstetrician needed to put her on some sort of antiemetic. Nikkie Jean was too thin to lose that sort of weight so early in her pregnancy. Dehydration was also a concern. Although, he doubted that Caine Alvaro was letting much slip past him when it came to her. Alvaro wasn’t the type to miss anything with the woman in his life.

  The anesthetic he’d slipped into her drink wouldn’t harm her long term. It would just make her easy for him to control, to question, and then she’d forget ever seeing him. She’d most likely forget the entire day’s events. Everyone would most likely assume she’d just fainted from high blood pressure, resulting in a seizure. It was rare, but it could happen.

  And it could cause memory loss.

  That’s what he was counting on.

  And if her answers to his questions revealed anything she didn’t need to know, he’d do what had to be done. He wouldn’t want to, but there wasn’t anything Wallace wouldn’t do to protect his family.

  Even if it meant harming Nikkie Jean.

  71

  NIKKIE JEAN GATHERED her bag and laughed at something Lacy was saying, but she wasn’t paying extremely close attention. She was starting to feel light-headed again. Woozy.

  Hormones or blood pressure, she wasn’t entirely certain yet. Pregnancy was playing ping-pong with Nikkie Jean’s body lately; that was for sure.

  Lacy asked her if she was fine. Twice.

  “I’m ok. Just a little woozy. Jelly Bean didn’t like the onions today.”

  “Quit eating so many onions. Go home. Take a nap.”

  “I’m on my way downtown to meet Annie. She’s meeting with the mayor about his initiative, and I told her I�
�d go with her. Give her moral support.”

  She liked the mayor. She’d met him before.

  He’d asked her for coffee once, but she’d turned him down. She’d liked quieter men. It was safer that way. He was too big, too powerful, too forceful.

  Of course, Caine was all of those things, too. And she’d now freely admit she liked him just exactly that way.

  Otherwise, he wouldn’t be Caine, the man she half suspected she was falling in love with.

  “Take it easy when you get home. If you need a ride in tomorrow, give me a call. I’ll swing by.”

  “I’ll do that.” Right now, she just wanted to get to Annie, help her friend, and then get home.

  To sleep for about a week.

  Pregnancy was making her body do all sorts of strange and unusual things. She’d never eaten tomato-and-onion salad before—at least not and liked it, anyway.

  Nikkie Jean forced herself to shake it off.

  There was no way she was going to drive feeling like this. That would be stupid. If her blood pressure dropped, she’d end up passing out behind the wheel. City Hall was only six blocks up the street. Not Boethe, which ran behind the parking lot and the hospital, but Main Street, which ran parallel on the other side. It wasn’t quite five o’clock; she had time to hoof it to the mayor’s office to meet Annie before her five-fifteen appointment.

  Nikkie Jean started across the parking lot as Lacy went in the opposite direction, toward W4HAV.

  It took her a moment to realize someone was calling her name.

  She turned.

  “Dr. Henedy…” She didn’t know what to say to him. He hadn’t asked her out again. She might have even imagined he’d meant more than he’d said last time. But…he was saying something to her. There was concern in his gray eyes.

  Her eyes started to close. Nikkie Jean tried to fight it. Panic rushed in, giving her enough adrenaline to take a few more steps. Something…something wasn’t making sense.

  His hands came up. Wrapped around her arm. “Hey, honey. I’ve got you. It’s ok. I’ll get you back inside. You’ll be safe. I promise you’ll be safe with me. I won’t let anything hurt you.”