by Jo Davis
“Thank God,” Howard said, swallowing hard. He looked ready to fall down. “I can’t believe this happened, especially to someone as vibrant as Clay.”
Sympathy welled in her and she patted the captain on the arm. “He’s getting the best care possible, and we’ve got a top neurologist on staff who’s already with him. Plus he’s young and strong, so hold on to that. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Thanks, Doc. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all you’ve done.”
She kept it together until she got to the staff lounge, and then she collapsed into a chair. The stress caught up with her and tears threatened as she rested her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands.
“Hey,” Shea’s voice said from beside her. “I heard about Clay. Are you all right?”
Sitting up, she gave her friend a slight smile. “I’m okay. I don’t know him personally, but we have friends in common, and sometimes that makes it hit home a little harder, you know?”
“Yeah, I do.” Her voice cracked. “Clay’s an awesome guy, and this is so unfair. He’s got to make it. He was Tommy’s replacement on A-shift at Station Five after Tommy was injured and couldn’t be a firefighter anymore. Did you know that?”
“No, I didn’t.” How awful.
“That could’ve been Tommy driving today when that truck hit them. As stupid as it sounds, that’s what keeps going through my head. It could’ve been the man I love in there, but for a set of circumstances that put Clay in his place behind the wheel of the ambulance.”
“That’s not stupid at all. It’s human nature to think about twists of fate, especially in our jobs.”
“Yeah. I feel so bad for Clay, and his friends.”
“He’s strong, or he wouldn’t have made it through surgery.” Robyn wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulders and gave her a hug. “We have to hope that’s enough.”
Reluctantly, they both left the break room and got back to work. Robyn checked on Clay from time to time, and found he was holding on. His friends were keeping the ICU staff on edge with their sheer numbers, so Robyn had to impose orders restricting his visitors to the captain and a couple of others.
That afternoon another patient arrived that took her mind off the paramedic for a while. A well-dressed man in his forties was rushed in by ambulance. He was pale, sweating, nauseated, experiencing chest pain, heart racing. Classic symptoms of a heart attack.
Despite their best efforts, he didn’t survive. As Lee draped the sheet over the man’s body, covering up what appeared to have been a perfectly healthy businessman in good shape, a quiet anger began to take root.
I’m going to get to the bottom of this if it’s the very last thing I do.
In the privacy of her office, she placed a call to Laura Eden, but was told the ME had been out sick and to leave a message. “Please tell her that I need toxicology on the deceased we’re sending over, Robert Woodrow. Cause of death appears to be a heart attack, but I’m not convinced.”
Hanging up, she sat for a few minutes trying to restore her equilibrium. What a fantastically hellish day. And it wasn’t quite over yet.
Her only consolations were thoughts of her sweet baby girl . . . and her sexy new lover to drive away the lonely nights.
Those were more than enough.
* * *
Chris and Tonio were in the middle of questioning another burglary victim when his partner got a call on his cell phone.
And for the first time since they’d met, he witnessed his normally serious, self-contained partner fall completely apart.
“Hey, Howard. What’s up?” Tonio’s expression was puzzled—but only for a few seconds. Confusion morphed to horror. “Oh my God. When? What happened?”
The witness glanced at Chris, startled. Tonio listened for a few more seconds, groaning in clear anguish before answering again.
“Sweet Christ. I’m on my way.” Ending the call, he raked a hand through his hair. “I need to get to the hospital. My brother’s been in an accident.”
Chris immediately took control, starting with the witness. “I’m sorry, we’ll have to continue this another day.”
“Hey, no problem,” the younger man said. “Hope your brother’s okay.”
“Thanks.” Tonio gave the man a polite nod.
Chris steered him to the car, then held out his hand. “Give me the keys.”
“But—”
“You’re in no condition to drive. Keys.”
Thankfully, Tonio surrendered them without further argument, which turned out to be a good thing. The man was in shock, swiping a shaking hand down his pale face as Chris navigated through town.
“What happened?” Chris asked quietly.
“Julian and Clay Montana were on their way to a call when an eighteen-wheeler ran a red light. Clay was driving and it hit on his side.”
“Shit.” Chris breathed. “How are they?”
“He just said to get there quick.”
That wasn’t good. At all. Chris wondered whether Robyn was treating either of the men, and figured she probably was. There were a limited number of doctors working at any one time, especially for traumatic injuries.
They arrived at the hospital and Chris parked the Taurus right outside the ER, making sure not to block the driveway. Then he jogged inside on Tonio’s heels, hanging back a bit so he could be there for his partner and hear him talking to Howard Paxton without being in the way.
The big captain placed both meaty palms on Tonio’s shoulders. “I’m so glad I finally reached you. First, Julian’s going to be all right. I just spoke with Dr. Lassiter.” Tonio visibly sagged with relief.
“Is he hurt?”
“He’s got a concussion, some banged-up ribs, and a messed-up ankle. Some TLC from Grace and he’ll be fine.”
Tonio closed his eyes and pulled a silver cross from under his shirt. “Thank you, God. Thank you.” Opening them again, he asked, “What about Clay?”
Howard’s face became miserable as he dropped his hands. “Not as lucky. He might not make it, Tonio.”
The other man stared at the captain in shock. “Clay’s so full of life, so . . . so fucking awesome. I can’t imagine anything bad happening to him.”
“Me neither, but we’ve got to say our prayers now. He’s so busted up, there’s not much holding him together, and it’s not looking good. The doc said he’s in a coma and they don’t know when, or if, he’ll come out of it.”
Tonio looked positively gray under his bronzed skin, and Chris knew what he was thinking—only a toss of the coin had put Clay in the driver’s seat rather than Julian. He was likely both relieved and feeling guilty about that at the same time. The man was only human.
“Where is he?” Tonio demanded. “I want to see my brother.”
A nurse directed him, and he hurried together through the ER’s doors to the treatment bays beyond them.
Tonio would likely be here for a while with his family. At loose ends, Chris pulled out his phone and texted Robyn.
I’m here at the hospital. Can you talk?
No answer was immediately forthcoming, so he entertained himself by taking a walk on the grounds. He ended up in the small garden area where visitors and staff sometimes took refuge, sitting on a bench for a bit. Almost half an hour had passed before his phone buzzed. He read the display.
Sorry, it’s been hell. Where are you?
Still here, in the garden area.
On my way.
A few minutes later he spotted her coming through the doors, and rose to meet her. She launched herself into his arms and held on as if she’d never let go, and it made him feel good that she was using him as her life raft in the storm.
“Rough day, huh?” he commented softly. It wasn’t really a question, more of a statement.
“One of the worst in qui
te a while, and that’s saying something.” As she drew back, he saw her eyes were red rimmed. Whether from exhaustion or tears, he didn’t know.
“I heard about Clay. That’s rough stuff.”
“Just about the worst it can get, short of death,” she agreed dejectedly. “If he survives, he’s going to need extensive physical therapy and the support of every one of his friends to recover. But at least he’s holding on, which is more than I can say for the other victim we had today.”
Reaching out, he took her hand. “You lost one?”
“Another heart attack.” Her expression was haunted. “This one was in his forties, a businessman named Robert Woodrow. He appeared to be in terrific shape—and I’m betting he had no blockages in his heart.”
“Another of our suspicious victims?” His gut clenched.
“I’m willing to bet my license on it. I put in a call to the ME about doing more extensive testing, including toxicology, but Eden is out sick.”
“That must be why she hasn’t called me back yet about that list.”
“Give her a few days. I’m sure she’s going to be swamped.”
“I will.” He touched her face. “Do you have time for a quick sandwich in the cafeteria?”
She nodded eagerly. “That sounds great. I’m so hungry, but it’s been too insane to stop and eat.”
“Let’s go.”
In the cafeteria, they picked out some chicken wraps and small salads and a couple of bottles of water. Chris insisted on paying; then they found a table in a corner. They ate for a few moments before Robyn picked up the conversation.
“Where’s your partner? Aren’t you working?”
“I am.” He swallowed a bite of his wrap. “Tonio’s brother, Julian, was the other paramedic who was injured with Clay. As soon as he got the call from Howard, I drove him over. He’s in with the family visiting Julian.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s terrible! But at least Julian is going to be okay.”
“That’s one miracle today, anyway.”
“I’ll say.” She paused. “How was Maddy this morning? I’ve been so busy I haven’t been able to call you.”
“She was fine. When she got up and saw me, but not you, I think she was thrown and a little nervous. But when I explained you had to go to work and Rachel was coming over soon, she got over it. And I may have bribed her with Pop-Tarts, but I’ll never tell.”
Robyn’s laugh went straight to the happy place in his groin. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“Hey, I’m a guy. You’re lucky I didn’t feed her chocolate cake and soda.”
“True.”
They finished eating, making small talk until Robyn looked at him with regret. “I have to get going. I need to check on Julian and Clay and make the rounds.”
“Okay.” Just then, his phone buzzed and he eyed the text on the screen. “That’s Tonio.”
I’m done. They r keeping J 2nite 4 observation.
Coming, he texted back.
“Is everything all right?” she asked.
“Yes. His brother is being kept overnight. Your doing?”
“Just as a precaution, due to the concussion. He can probably go home tomorrow.”
“That’s good news.”
He walked her to the entrance of the ER, where Tonio caught sight of them and watched with open curiosity. Ignoring his partner, he wrapped her in his arms briefly and gave her a chaste kiss. No need to get her in trouble with the hospital brass.
As they pulled apart, she nodded toward Tonio. “I want to speak to him before you guys leave.” Chris stayed at her side as she reached the other detective. She held out a hand, which the other man took. “Detective Salvatore, I’m Dr. Robyn Lassiter. One of my residents is the one who actually treated your brother, as I was busy in surgery. Did Dr. Rocha speak to you?”
Tonio nodded, his expression grateful. “He did. Thanks. I understand the decision to keep him overnight was yours?”
“It was,” she confirmed. “Dr. Rocha consulted with me, and we feel that’s best. If all goes well, he can go home tomorrow.”
“Good. You don’t know how much I appreciate you all taking good care of him.” The man’s eyes grew suspiciously bright. “He’s my only brother.”
She patted his arm, then dug in the pocket of her white coat and handed him a card. “Well, he’s going to be fine. That’s my number. If you have any questions or concerns, give me a call.”
“Thanks.” He paused, then his lips curved upward. His tone was friendly. “So, you and my partner, huh?”
“Um, I suppose you could say that.” Her cheeks flushed. “Though I’m sorry we had to meet like this.”
“Me, too. Maybe Chris can bring you out to the Waterin’ Hole for a beer soon, so you can meet the guys from the station.”
She shot a glance at Chris, who nodded. He should’ve thought of that first, and it annoyed him that he hadn’t.
“That sounds like fun. Hopefully it’ll be soon.” She smiled at them both. “I have to go. See you later.”
They both stared at her backside hard as she walked away. Tonio was the first to find his voice, giving a low whistle.
“Hot damn, my friend,” he said appreciatively. “You are one lucky son of a bitch.”
Chris blinked at him, torn between being irritated at the man for openly ogling his lady and astonished that the man’s uptight facade had crumbled. The latter won. And he realized this was the first time he truly felt like the man was being himself in Chris’s presence. That they could be friends as well as partners. A wide smile stretched his face.
“I am, aren’t I?”
It seemed things were finally going his way.
* * *
“Your water line is fixed.”
Five awesome words that meant Chris could leave his cousin’s house and get back to his own. Finally. He loved his family, but there was definitely such a thing as too much closeness.
A little more than a week after leaving, he walked into his house and took his gym bag to the bedroom, tossing it on the bed. His body followed and he flopped onto his back, stretching like a lazy old cat and for a few minutes just savoring being on his own comfortable mattress again.
That lasted all of seven minutes or so before he got restless. Fishing out his cell phone, he checked his texts. One from Tonio saying his brother was home and resting, so Chris sent one back saying he was glad. There was nothing from Robyn, though Chris knew she had the day off. Should he send a text, or call? Was he pushing too hard?
No. He’d continue to take his cues from her. If he was moving too fast, she’d let him know. He decided on a text.
Dinner tonight? My house?
Her answer wasn’t long in coming. Alone?
If that’s okay? Want some serious snuggle time with you . . . But don’t get me wrong, Maddy is always welcome!!
No, I need some alone time with you too. 7:00?
Great! See you then. ;)
:D
As an afterthought, he added his address since it occurred to him that she’d only been by that one time she dropped him off. Then he got up and began inspecting the house and realized it wasn’t nearly clean enough to have his lady over for the first time. Wanting to make a good impression, he started throwing away trash and tidying up. Then he vacuumed, mopped the kitchen, and washed the few dirty dishes. A couple of weeks’ worth of dust had accumulated on the furniture, so he took care of that, a task he typically hated.
When he was done, he was proud of his efforts. But now he was sweaty and disgusting, so a shower was in order. He took care of that, and in a half hour was ready to go to the store. The question was what to fix for dinner. Something simple, but good.
On the way to the store he mulled it over. It was hard to concentrate on food when he was suddenly so hot that a bea
d of sweat trickled down his face. He turned up the air in the car, and that helped. But by the time he got to the store, the nausea was making an appearance for the first time in three or four days.
If the customers coming to and from the store wouldn’t have thought he was having a breakdown, he would’ve cried.
I can do this. I’m okay.
As he searched the aisles, he kept repeating that to himself. He managed to immerse himself in hunting for dinner ingredients, and set about purchasing chicken breasts, jerk sauce, and some fresh veggies. At the last minute he threw in a frozen chocolate ice box cream pie, because he had a sweet tooth and he was no chef.
Happy with what he’d chosen, he checked out and was soon on his way home. Once there, he brought the bags in and started dinner, putting the chicken in a dish and heating the oven. The fresh broccoli and carrots went in a pan to sauté with a liberal amount of butter, something simple he could handle with no problem.
When the doorbell rang about forty-five minutes later, he had to admit the house was smelling pretty damned good. However, it didn’t smell nearly as good as Robyn when he flung open the door and pulled her into his arms. He buried his nose in her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of strawberries and some sort of light, fruity perfume that made him want to eat her like a piece of candy.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he said, tilting her face up for a kiss. He took her mouth slowly, getting a good taste, a preview of what he hoped was to come.
“Me, too.” She stepped back and sniffed. “Oh, something smells wonderful.”
“Yeah—you.” He grinned.
She gave a laugh. “Thanks. But seriously, what’s cooking?”
“Jerk chicken and sautéed vegetables. Hope that’s okay?” He tried to keep the sudden anxiety from his voice.
“That sounds terrific! I haven’t eaten today.”
“Seems like you make a habit of that,” he commented with a frown.
“One of the downsides of being a doctor, I guess.”
“Well, you obviously need a keeper, and I’m the perfect guy for the job.”
“You think?” Her eyes were filled with warmth.
“I know.” He took her hand. “Come on in, put your feet up. Can I get you a glass of wine, beer, or soda?”
