The general shook his head. “No. That boy’s always had issues. I tried to help, but . . . no. He jumped. End of story.”
Gavin frowned. It was like the man was trying to convince himself.
A knock on the door interrupted them. The hospital chief of staff stuck her head in. “I’m sorry, General, but we need the room now. I hope that’s not an imposition.”
“Of course not. We’ll be finished in five minutes. Is that all right?”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
She ducked out again and the general turned back to Gavin. “Well? Can I count on you to help?”
Gavin gave a silent mental groan and nodded. The general smiled his satisfaction, but Gavin frowned.
Sarah was going to kill him if she ever found out. When she found out. Because she would. He stood. But if Sarah was truly in real danger, then he’d do whatever he could to keep her safe. “She deserves to know all of this, General.”
“Maybe so, but not now. When she’s stronger. I have some phone calls to make.” He strode toward the door. “Get me a coffee, will you?”
“Sure. I could use a cup as well.”
He and the general parted ways, and Gavin found himself in the coffee line, pondering the idea of acting as Sarah’s secret bodyguard. Then he pictured her finding out and shuddered at the imagined reaction. Yeah, that wouldn’t be pretty.
With a cup in each hand, Gavin approached Sarah’s hospital room by way of the nursing station. Sarah’s nurse looked up and shot him a frown. “She’s sleeping right now. I think it’s best not to disturb her.”
“Don’t plan on disturbing her.” He planned to sit next to her and watch the door. He glanced at Sarah’s door. “Is her father in there?” The general had been headed to her room twenty minutes ago.
“No, I haven’t seen him.”
That didn’t sound right. If the general was so concerned about her safety, why would he leave her alone?
Then he spotted the man at the far end of the hallway next to the exit sign with his back to Sarah’s room. Wireless earbuds in the general’s ears and his stiff posture made it clear he was on a call and disturbing him wasn’t an option.
But he’d left Sarah wide open for trouble should the threats be real. The truth was, Gavin wasn’t fully convinced the threats on the general had anything to do with Sarah’s kidnapping. That’s what terrorists did over there. They terrorized. One of those methods was kidnapping innocent women and girls. He walked to her room and, using his hip, pushed his way inside.
He stopped at the sight of the empty bed. “Sarah?” Gavin set the cups on the counter near the sink and knocked on the bathroom door. “Sarah?”
No answer.
He tried the handle and it opened easily.
Empty.
He frowned and returned to the nurses’ station, where he found Sarah’s nurse exactly where he’d left her. This time he noted her name tag. Donna. “She’s not in her room.”
Donna’s head snapped up to face him. “Not there? Of course she’s there.”
“Trust me, the bed and bathroom are empty.”
Donna darted from behind her station and jog-walked to Sarah’s room. Gavin followed. Donna pushed open the door and stopped so fast he almost ran her over.
“She’s not here,” she said.
Gavin raised a brow. “Really?”
She glared at him. Then did an about-face and stormed past him.
Sarah stood in the immaculately clean room, leaned against the wall, and waited for everything to stop spinning. She wasn’t sure this was one of her more brilliant ideas, but she had to reassure Brianne that she’d help her.
Somehow.
Only Brianne’s room was empty, smelling of bleach and pine cleaner, with no indication someone had occupied the room just forty-five minutes earlier. Had she stumbled into the wrong room by mistake?
No, it was the one right next door to hers.
She’d been rattled, but not that rattled. Confused, she checked the bathroom. Same story.
“Unbelievable.” So, go ask where she went. Sarah turned to leave the room when her eyes landed on a cell phone near the sink. Just as her fingers closed around the device, voices outside the door caught her attention.
“. . . consent . . . her family . . . questions.”
“She’s better off where she is now.”
Better off? Who? Brianne? That was Dr. Kilgore, but who was the other man?
“Has she been taking her meds?” A different voice, another man’s.
“Of course.”
“Take her off of them.”
“But—”
“Just do it.”
“But you know—”
“I know,” the unknown man snapped. “I know.”
“Right.”
“We’ll figure it out.” They fell silent, but footsteps drew closer to the room and Sarah’s nerves twitched. “There’s still no sign of the package,” the stranger said.
Dr. Kilgore sighed. “It’ll turn up. I’ve got people watching for it.”
Package?
“What about the other girl? What do you think she knows?” Again, the unknown voice that was . . . familiar. Sarah strained to hear.
“We’ll have to keep an eye on her,” the doctor said, “but she’s been so drugged up, I doubt she’ll remember much.”
Sarah swayed. What other girl?
“And if she does?”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“You’d better. We’re too close to have anything go wrong now.”
Close to what? Her brain might not be firing on all cylinders at the moment, but even in her weakened, woozy state, his words made her shiver. No, not his words, his tone. It scraped along her nerve endings and raised the hair on the back of her neck.
“I’ll be in touch,” Kilgore said. “I think I left my cell phone in the room. The last thing I need is that falling into the wrong hands.”
Sarah jerked and looked down at the phone. What was the doctor so worried about? She tucked the device into the pocket of her robe.
“Might not be there by now. They just finished cleaning the room.”
“It’s there. Cleaning staff said they left it in case someone came back for it. I’m back.”
Sarah grimaced and guilt slammed her. Was it still stealing if it was done for an altruistic purpose and she planned to give it back?
Probably. But what if there was something on the phone that she could use to help Brianne? A woman she was starting to wonder if she’d created or had been a figment of her fevered imagination.
No. Brianne was as real as she.
But, yes, it was stealing.
But, yes, she really would give it back. After she sneaked a peek. After all, her father may have derailed her military career, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t look for her next story to sell. Nothing wrong with that, right?
More guilt.
A silent sigh slipped past her dry lips.
She couldn’t do it. She might be a reporter, but she had her standards. Besides, he probably had a password she couldn’t crack. And then there was the whole phone finder app thing. It wouldn’t take him long to locate it anyway. Sarah slid the phone from her pocket and started to put it back on the counter, only to freeze when the door to the room squeaked on the hinges.
Having standards was all well and good, but for some reason, she didn’t want to be caught in the room. Not by Dr. Kilgore anyway. Quicker than her battered body liked, she scrunched into the small double closet and pulled the doors shut.
Less than a second later, confident footsteps entered the room and strode in her direction. Pain throbbed through her at the uncomfortable position, but she didn’t dare move. Or breathe.
The more she thought about it, the more certain she was that “they” had done something with Brianne. Better off where she is now. Where could that possibly be? If they were even talking about Brianne. If not, then who? A shudder racked her, and she bit her li
p against the moan that rose in her throat. She truly felt awful.
More footsteps. A string of curses. Sarah shivered and heat radiated from her. A wave of dizziness made her glad she was already kneeling with her knees against the side of the closet. Her breaths came in low, silent pants through dry lips.
Was she being silly? Hiding in the closet while her brain spun crazy theories? From what she knew of Dr. Kilgore, she liked him. He’d been kind to her and helped her. So why was she afraid of him now?
She’s better off where she is now.
Where was that? Probably home or in the psychiatric ward.
Another round of curses and a hard thud against the cabinet made her jump. He really wasn’t happy. Her fingers curled tighter around the device. What would he do if she stepped out of the closet and handed it to him?
There were so many things wrong with that mental picture. Wouldn’t that fuel her father’s quest to ruin her career and have her declared mentally incompetent?
The darkness in the closet grew even blacker. The light filtering between the cracks faded and Sarah blinked hard. Don’t pass out. No passing out allowed. At least not until he’s gone.
More banging. More footsteps that stopped in front of the small closet. She squeezed her eyes shut. Don’t open it, don’t open it, oh please, don’t op—
“Doctor?”
“What?” The snapped word cracked like a whip, and Sarah’s eyes flew open to find the door still shut. Her heart thudded and she pressed a hand to her chest, afraid he’d be able to hear it pounding.
“Um . . . I’m sorry. I was asked to find you and let you know that Ms. Denning is missing.”
Stillness. As though he was having trouble processing the statement.
“What do you mean she’s missing?”
“She’s not in her room and no one can seem to locate her.”
A scoff, then a hard thud against the closet door. Sarah flinched.
“Of all the incompetent—” His deep breath reached her ears through the doors. “I’m coming.”
Sarah wilted, her thundering heart slowing from warp speed to runaway train. Once he was gone, she unfolded herself out of the closet and set the phone on the counter where she’d found it. Now, to make it back to her room without passing out.
Gavin had been all over the floor looking for Sarah and had come up empty. He returned to her room to find Dr. Kilgore and Nurse Donna in a heated discussion they snapped off when he stepped into view. Donna cleared her throat and Dr. Kilgore smoothed his facial features into an expression of reassurance. “I know this is disturbing,” he said, “but the doors to this floor are locked. She’s most likely wandered into another patient’s room and—”
“I understand, Doctor. She’s not a child. She can leave her room if she wants, but she’s been spiking a fever and I’m concerned she could fall and reopen the wound.”
“Of course, of course. Where’s her father?”
“At the end of the hall on a phone call. I don’t think he’s aware Sarah’s gone AWOL.”
Dr. Kilgore released a short chuckle with no humor. “I’d like to keep it that way, but I suppose we need to tell the man.”
“I’ll stay here in case she comes back,” Gavin said. “Why don’t you see if anyone else has located her?”
“Good idea.”
The doctor slipped out of the room and Gavin raked a hand over his head. “Where are you, Sarah?” he whispered. “What are you doing?” He paced her room from one end to the other while he checked his phone. Nothing. Not a call nor a text. He stilled. Did she even have a phone? Probably not.
He stepped out into the hallway once more. Looked left, then right. And thought he saw a sock-encased foot peek out of the room next door before pulling back inside. He hurried the few steps to the entrance to find Sarah leaning against the wall, her face pale except for the bright flush to her cheeks. “Sarah!”
She swayed and he caught her against his chest. She blinked up at him. Focused. “Gavin,” she said. “Thank goodness.”
“What are you doing in here? Are you okay?”
“No, get me back to my room, please.” She tugged the belt of the robe tighter. “Hurry.”
“You shouldn’t be out of bed.”
“I promise I’m trying to get back in it.” She pushed away from him and took two wobbly steps.
Gavin gripped her arm, concerned when she leaned heavily against him. “Sarah . . .”
“Don’t let them know I was in here,” she whispered.
“Who?”
“Dr. Kilgore.” She swallowed and panted. “She’s in trouble,” she said, her voice low and weak. “They’ve done something to her.”
“Who?”
“She begged me for help. But now she’s not there. Need . . . to find . . . her, but I think I’m going to pass out.” Her last word ended on a whisper just a split second before she slumped. He caught her before she hit the floor and lifted her into his arms. Not seeing anyone at the nurses’ station or in the hallway, Gavin scurried back to her bed to deposit her gently on the sheets. She groaned and he noted the heat radiating from her.
“What’s going on?”
Gavin looked up to find the general in the doorway with a frown on his face. “I’m not sure, sir.” Well, that was the truth. “She said someone needed help.”
“Who?”
“Beats me. She passed out before she got that far. She’s definitely got a fever again.”
“I’ll get the nurse.”
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Lewis Denning walked into the café like he did every morning he was in town and found the table he paid to have reserved, whether he showed up or not. With his back to the wall and an unobstructed view of the entrance—and his two discreet bodyguards whom he tolerated—he picked up the cup and took a sip of the coffee made just the way he liked it.
He’d been coming here for five years and had gotten to know every server who worked in the place—unless there was someone new. And even then, it didn’t take him long to train them in his preferences—they knew exactly how and when to serve his coffee.
The second cup remained empty and would be filled the instant the man he was meeting walked through the door.
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than his friend, former unit member, and fraternity brother stepped into the restaurant. Lewis lifted his chin by way of greeting and Marshall McClain nodded in return.
Just as Marshall was halfway to the table, the young waitress stepped up and poured steaming coffee into the empty cup, then set three sugars and two creams on the table next to the saucer.
“Thank you, Jenny,” Lewis said.
“Of course. I’ll be back to take your order in a few minutes.”
“You know what I want.”
“Sure thing. I’ll have Zoe start cooking it.”
“You’re a keeper.”
She smiled and walked away, stopping to refill cups as Marshall took the seat opposite him.
His friend fixed his coffee and Lewis blew out a low breath.
Marshall glanced up. “How are you doing? Really.”
“I’m not going to lie. It’s tough.”
“I’m sorry.”
Lewis narrowed his eyes. “You don’t look so great either. What’s going on?”
“One of our employees was killed in a car wreck a couple of weeks ago.”
“What? I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks.” Marshall scrubbed a hand down his cheek and shrugged. “It’s been tough. He was a good friend, not just to me, but to many in the company. It’s going to be hard to replace him.” He took a sip of the steaming brew, then shook his head. “Some days I think I’m crazy to have gotten out of the service to open my own company.”
“It’s what you’ve wanted for a long time. The Army might have paid for your education, but you were never meant to stay there forever.”
Marshall pursed his lips and nodded. “Thanks. I n
eeded that pep talk.” He paused. “The employee who was killed?”
“Yeah?”
“He lost his son about two months ago. And now this? It’s inconceivable.”
Lewis winced. “You just never know what life is going to deal you or when it’s going to deal it to you.”
Marshall let out a small groan. “Listen to me going on and on about an employee when you’re struggling with losing Dustin. I can’t find the words to tell you how sorry I am.”
“Thank you.”
“The funeral was a fitting tribute to him, though.”
“There shouldn’t have been a funeral.” Lewis pressed his thumb and forefinger to his eyes and gathered control of his emotions before they were reflected on his face. “I don’t understand. He was doing better. Caden took him home the day he left the hospital and then saw him a few days before he . . . well, before. Caden said he looked better than he’d seen him in a very long time. He was on the new medication and it seemed to be working.”
“Was he taking it like he was supposed to? Because if he stopped taking the pills or . . .” Marshall shrugged. “You know how that goes.”
“How do I know? Once he was out of the hospital, who knows what he did?”
“But the medicine was definitely working while he was under supervision of the hospital?”
“Seemed to be. I don’t know what happened. No one does.”
“What about Rochelle? How’s she doing?”
“I don’t know. She doesn’t speak to me these days.” He took another sip of coffee.
“Do you blame her? From what you said, you played dirty pool with her and her career.”
“It was for her own good.” But the hate on her face and in her eyes the last time he’d seen her sat heavy on his heart. “I never wanted kids, you know.”
Marshall stilled. “I didn’t realize. You’ve never said.”
“I mean, I was never home and wasn’t going to be home anytime in the foreseeable future. But she wanted them.”
“Tara.”
He nodded. “And I wanted to make her happy. When Caden was born, I have to admit, it was life changing. I mean, I had a son.”
“Let me guess. You decided you wanted kids after all?”
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