“I’ll run you through what we’ve determined. Let me know if anything doesn’t make sense, or I’m sure Tiffany can also help with any questions that may come up.” He glanced at Tiffany who nodded in response. “The bullet entered and then exited through the lower left area of her torso. It glanced off her rib, cracking it before it exited her back. We determined it passed through without striking any organs. Although there was significant blood loss, the wound was not life threatening. The head injury did cause us some concern and I ordered full x-rays and C.T. scans in order to eliminate skull fractures or brain swelling.”
“How did the scans look?” Tiffany asked.
“Overall, I think she’s out of danger. She’s got a serious concussion and, of course, some stitches. The blood loss will leave her extremely lethargic. Between that and the drugs we’ve put her on, she’s going to sleep for a while. But she’s resting comfortably. She’s going to have a hell of a headache for a while and will be a guest here for several days.”
“Oh, she’s gonna love that,” Sal said with a relieved smile and a squeeze to the shoulders of the women on either side of him.
“Can we see her?” Sydney asked.
“Sure,” the doctor said. “She likely won’t wake for a while, quite possibly not until sometime tomorrow morning. And even then it’ll be sporadic due to the painkillers. But there’s no reason you can’t sit with her if you’d like. We’re moving her to a private room. We’ll let you know as soon as we have her situated.”
Chapter Seventeen
SYDNEY OPENED HER eyes and stretched in the cushioned seat beside the bed. She turned to see Sal and Tiffany asleep, leaning on one another on two seats placed together nearby. The fully lighted, windowless white hospital room provided no clue as to what time it actually was and Sydney glanced at her watch—just minutes after five a.m.
The night before had been terribly draining and a whirlwind of activity. Tiffany had finally gotten the three of them into Alex’s private room and extra chairs were brought in. They were all permitted to stay, despite the normally restrictive visiting hours in the unit. Sydney wasn’t sure if that was due to Alex being a police officer or Tiffany being on the E.R. staff, but she was thankful for those allowances. On the few breaks Sydney had taken to get a drink of coffee or water or to use the restroom, she noticed the two uniformed officers stationed outside Alex’s room. These were obviously the security detail she’d been told about. While their presence was somewhat disconcerting, on a different level Sydney knew they were necessary.
She looked up at Alex in the bed nearby. She had yet to awaken, though both Tiffany and the medical staff gave assurances she was out of danger. Sydney couldn’t help but think about the emotional rollercoaster of the last couple of weeks. They’d been filled with fear and terror. There had also been the comfort provided by Alex’s presence and their new relationship. Was the intensity of her bond simply a result of this tumultuous series of events? Was this just another relationship for Alex, or did she feel the same way? How would she feel when she woke up to find Sydney there? Sydney had no answers to these questions, she only knew she wanted to be there, needed to be there. Not just because she felt responsible for Alex being injured while protecting her, but also because she was so incredibly attached to her.
“How are you doing?” Sydney turned to Tiffany when she heard the question quietly asked. Tiffany was awake and looking at her as Sal remained asleep leaning against her shoulder.
Sydney gave a weak smile. “I’m okay. I was going to get a cup of coffee. Can I get you something?”
At that moment Sal woke up, opening his eyes and yawning. He saw Sydney looking at him and immediately looked from Alex’s still form to Tiffany beside him and then back to Sydney. Concern burned in his eyes.
“What? Any change?” he asked, looking between the two women.
“No change. She’s been sleeping comfortably,” Tiffany said as she put a calming hand on Sal’s knee.
“I was just going to go for some coffee. Would you like some?”
Sydney asked as she rose. Sal shook his head as he yawned and stretched again. Sydney then looked at Tiffany with a question in her eyes. When Tiffany also shook her head Sydney started for the door. Her hand was on the doorknob when a quiet moan was heard from the bed.
Tiffany reacted the quickest and was immediately at the bedside. Her practiced eye reviewed each of the nearby monitors, then leaned over the bed to look at Alex. Sal was close behind her, joining her on the left side of the bed. Sydney approached the opposite side of the bed more slowly as Alex’s eyes fluttered then opened, soon focusing in on Tiffany who was leaning over closest her.
“Hey, you,” Tiffany said quietly. “You’re in the hospital. You’re going to be fine.”
Alex appeared to nod slightly. Her eyes moved to Sal and a small smile appeared on her lips. Then her eyes closed momentarily, only to open suddenly.
“Sydney? What happened to Syd?” she quietly demanded, speaking with effort. Tiffany put her hand on Alex’s shoulder and seemed about to speak when Sydney stepped in.
“I’m right here. I’m fine.” Sydney reached out and took Alex’s hand in hers. Alex moved her head and eyes to look at her and visibly relaxed. Sydney felt Alex lightly grip her fingers in return. Her eyelids fluttered and it was obvious this little bit of activity had exhausted her. Moments later her steady breathing revealed she was once again sleeping soundly.
Sydney’s eyes filled with tears she couldn’t keep from flowing. They were soon streaming down her face as she stood beside the bed, still holding Alex’s hand. Sal guided her into a chair that had somehow appeared behind her. Sydney sat and leaned forward, resting her head on the edge of the bed, still not releasing Alex’s hand.
Tiffany placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a supporting squeeze. “Sydney, you’re exhausted. You need to go home and get some rest.” She moved to Sal and put her arms around him. “Both of you do.”
“I don’t want to leave Alex alone,” Sal said. “She shouldn’t wake up alone.”
Sydney nodded in agreement.
“She’s not going to wake up again for quite a while,” Tiffany reassured them both. “I’ll stay here until you come back. I don’t want to see you back here for at least six or eight hours. They’ll probably move her out of ICU this afternoon and start reducing the meds a little. She may wake again this evening.”
“Come on.” Tiffany moved back to Sydney’s side and helped her to her feet. Sydney begrudgingly nodded and stood. She leaned over and placed a kiss on Alex’s forehead, then allowed Tiffany to guide her out of the room.
SYDNEY ARRIVED HOME a couple of hours later. The two officers who were to provide security for her drove her home and, at her insistence, took up posts in the ground floor rather than sitting outside in the cold. She told them to make themselves at home and showed them the kitchen basics, then quickly retreated to her bedroom.
As she entered from the top of the spiral staircase, she looked at the unmade bed and her mind immediately recalled the previous night spent with Alex. Was it just over twenty-four hours before that she and Alex had spent a wonderful night together? It felt like it had happened a lifetime ago. How could that incredibly joyful period of romance and tenderness have transitioned so dreadfully to the moments of terror that followed?
Sydney shed her clothes and fell into bed and, overcome by exhaustion, she cried herself to sleep.
Hours later Sydney was awakened by the sound of the front doorbell ringing. At first she was disoriented and momentarily terrified when she heard the front door open and male voices. Then she remembered the security detail that was currently assigned to her. Sydney hurriedly threw on sweats and a sweatshirt and went down the main stairs to the entryway. There she found one of the officers from the security detail in conversation with Detectives Chuck Severs and Robert Kim. The conversation went silent as they all turned to watch her descend the stairs.
Sydney paused near the b
ottom of the stairs, suddenly fearful there may be a very tragic reason for their arrival.
“Is anything wrong?” she asked. “Is Alex—”
“Alex is fine,” Chuck answered quickly. “I checked a couple of hours ago and there’s no change. She’s still resting comfortably. They just moved her out of ICU to a private room on one of the floors.”
The sense of relief almost dropped Sydney to her knees. She paused and leaned on the banister, then looked up at a clock in the entryway and saw it was just after three p.m. “I should get back to the hospital.” She began to turn to return to her room and get properly dressed.
Chuck spoke up. “I wanted to run some information past you and have you look at some pictures. Then we’ll make sure we get you right to the hospital.”
“Have you found him?” Sydney asked, eyes wide.
“We may have identified a possible suspect. Can we sit down somewhere and talk for a few minutes?” Chuck said.
She nodded and led the way to the kitchen.
“Why don’t I make some coffee for everyone? Officer Davis, would you and your partner like some coffee?”
“Coffee is always welcome, ma’am,” one of the Metropolitan Division officers who had today’s security detail said.
“Have a seat, detectives,” Sydney said, indicating the informal dining area next to the kitchen as she reached for coffee and filters. “Coffee?”
“Thank you, Ms. Rutledge,” Chuck said as his partner nodded.
Sydney busied herself making coffee, trying not to look at the tile area inside the French doors. It was there that Alex had lain bleeding just twenty-four hours prior. The officers had done a spotless job of cleaning the area after Alex was transported, but the picture was clear in her mind and she still found it unsettling.
When the coffee was done she handed out mugs to each of the four officers, providing cream and sugar as requested, then poured herself one and sat down at the table. She took a slow sip of coffee, preparing herself for whatever was to come.
“I believe you said something about some pictures, detective?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Chuck said.
He had what appeared to be a file folder in front of him. Sydney immediately recognized what was about to happen. The file folder was a photographic six-pack, a folder containing a display of six similar appearing individuals, usually photos from Department of Motor Vehicle files, or possibly old booking photographs. One of the individuals in the line-up was a possible suspect in the crime being investigated. Sydney had viewed photo six-packs numerous times in her career as they were frequently utilized for witness or victim identification of suspects. She had questioned detectives and witnesses on the stand on prior occasions to admit photographic six-packs into evidence in her trials. But she had never imagined she herself would be a victim viewing the photo line-up.
“I’m going to show you a group of photographs, one of whom may or may not be the man who attacked you yesterday,” Chuck said without emotion. “Please know the backgrounds in each photo may be different, hair styles may have changed, that sort of thing. If you see the man who attacked you and Sergeant Chambers, please point him out. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she replied simply.
With that response, he turned over the folder, revealing a series of six small photographs. Sydney forced herself to look at each photograph carefully and fully despite knowing she would recognize the attacker at a moment’s glance. His image was burned into her memory. When she got to the head shot in position number four she paused and her breath caught. Her finger came up immediately and pointed to the photo.
“That’s him. I’m positive,” she said, looking at Detective Severs. “That’s the man who attacked us.” The detective showed no reaction, but Sydney knew he couldn’t, and shouldn’t. He was likely making an effort to do everything absolutely by the book due to the important and personal nature of the investigation. The last thing they needed was for a defense attorney to be able to question the impartiality of a suspect identification.
The detective handed Sydney a pen and a photocopy of the line-up and had her circle the photograph she identified, then write and sign a brief statement. These handwritten notes on the photocopy would serve to document her independent identification to be presented later in court. As he collected the paperwork and folder he told Sydney that a rush DNA analysis had been conducted on various items collected in the clearing where the attack had occurred. One of the tests had matched to the suspect she’d just identified.
“Now we know who we’re looking for. We’ll get his photograph out to every cop in the county and we’ll try and figure out what connection he has to Sinclair, if any,” Chuck said, then finished off his coffee. “And I’ll make sure the officers assigned to you and Alex have good photographs of this guy. He won’t be getting near you again.”
“Thank you, detective,” Sydney said as she rose from the table. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get changed and get back to the hospital.”
LESS THAN AN hour later Sydney was showered and en route back to the hospital with her two escort officers. A cell phone call by one of the officers while en route provided them with Alex’s new hospital room number and she entered the room shortly thereafter. She found Tiffany sitting in a chair near Alex’s bed. Tiffany smiled at Sydney as she entered the room.
“Hey. Do you feel better?” Tiffany asked.
Sydney returned the smile and nodded, then looked at Alex’s sleeping form. “Is there anything I should know?”
“They started pulling back the sedative a bit, so she’s likely to wake up anytime this evening,” Tiffany replied. “I’ll talk to the staff before I leave and make sure they know you’re here.”
“Have you been here the whole time?”
“I crashed in our staff bunk room and had a friend stand by with her for a while,” Tiffany said. “But now that you’re here I’ll head home. I’m sure Sal will be back this afternoon at some point. There’s a newspaper and magazines there on the bedside table if you’re interested.” Tiffany gave Sydney a hug then handed her a piece of paper. “Here’s both Sal’s and my cell numbers. You keep those and call if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
Tiffany left the room and Sydney settled herself into the seat next to Alex’s bed. She moved the chair closer, leaning over to rest her elbows on the thin mattress and taking Alex’s hand in hers. It was clear that Alex was resting comfortably and that helped to calm Sydney’s mind. Unlike the restless sleep she’d found earlier at home, Sydney soon put her head down on the bed beside Alex and gradually fell asleep.
Sydney awakened when Alex’s hand moved, twitching and then tightening around her fingers. She lifted her head and saw Alex’s eyes flutter and then open. Their eyes met and a tired smile slowly appeared on her face.
“Hi,” Alex whispered.
Sydney grasped Alex’s hand and stood, leaning over her. “How are you? Are you hurting? Do you want me to get the doctor?”
“Shh. I’m fine,” Alex said, squeezing Sydney’s hand. Sydney lowered herself back to the chair and Alex released her hand and reached up, moving slowly and coming to rest gently against Sydney’s cheek.
“You’re hurt.” Alex was looking at Sydney’s swollen and bruised cheek and split lip.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,” Sydney said, finding it difficult to fight back the tears. Alex was lying in a hospital bed, recovering from a bullet wound and a concussion, yet her first reaction was concern for Sydney’s injury. “How do you feel, really?” Sydney asked.
“A little, uh, high, I think,” Alex said, still sporting the sleepy smile.
Sydney couldn’t help but smile back at her. “I’m told they’ve weaned down the medicine, but I’m sure you’re still flying pretty good.”
“Uh-huh,” Alex said. She then closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if trying to pull her thoughts together. When her eyes opened they were slightly more focuse
d and her look was serious.
“What happened? I don’t remember much after...” Alex paused and Sydney could see her mind trying to put things together. “Did you make it to the house? Did he come back? I remember trying to get back to the house. But it’s all fuzzy after that.”
“You made it to the house,” Sydney said, unsure of how much information she should be giving Alex in her current state.
“Did they catch him?”
Sydney paused, which was all the answer Alex needed. Her eyes closed in frustration. “Geez, how did I let him get the drop on me? Why didn’t I just shoot him? I should’ve ended this.”
“No. You did everything you could.” Sydney squeezed Alex’s hand.
“But he almost—”
“But he didn’t,” Sydney interrupted. “Because you stopped him. You saved my life, Alex,” she added quietly. “And they know who he is.” Sydney nodded as Alex looked at her. “They got DNA from the woods where it all happened. I just identified him in a photo six-pack today.”
“Who is he?” Alex asked.
“Who’s who?” The voice came from the doorway and Sydney turned to see Sal entering through the open door. He came to the bedside opposite Sydney and looked down at Alex.
“Hey, chica.” Sal leaned down as if examining Alex’s eyes. “You’re way high.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Alex said. “I gotta get ‘em to cut down on that stuff. I hate having my mind all fuzzy.”
Sal pulled up the other chair and sat down. “So, who we talking about? What he?”
“They got DNA at the scene. I was asked to look at photographs today and I.D.’d him,” Sydney said.
Sal nodded. “Yeah. The wanted bulletin is already out there. It’s posted at the nurse’s station outside as well. Every cop in the county is lookin’ for this guy. Don’t worry, we’ll get him.”
Sydney could see Alex’s eyes growing droopy and she leaned toward her, gently touching fingers to her cheek.
White Roses Calling Page 24
