One of the reasons he’d become a SEAL was because he wanted to be a man worth something, wanted to belong somewhere. And he had, until he’d lost his brothers-in-arms.
They’d been his family. Now they were gone. He’d come home and gotten help for his PTSD, but that hadn’t been good enough for Emily to give them another chance. Some bitterness still lingered. Was Laura able to put the past behind her because of her faith?
Griffin had learned that he could depend only on himself and so far, so good. He might not understand Laura’s actions, but he respected them. There weren’t many people who would try to fix something that had been broken for so long.
Griffin’s phone beeped and he looked down to see a text message from Boone. “Winslow’s here with your aunt.”
For a second, Laura looked confused. “Oh, I forgot Sydney had a prior commitment and Boone agreed to bring Joy.”
With all that had happened today, it was no wonder Laura had blanked for a moment. The door leading from the garage opened and her aunt came in followed by a tall lanky man with coal-black hair.
Concern in her blue eyes, Joy’s gaze went to her niece’s neck. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.” She gestured toward Griffin. “Dr. Devaney took care of me.”
Winslow arched a brow at Griffin, then stepped around the older woman, extending his hand to Laura and introducing himself. “You’re as pretty as your aunt.”
At the compliment, Griffin gave his friend a flat look even though he had learned Winslow’s charm was sincere. When on a job, Boone’s charisma could also be dangerous, drawing someone in before they realized it might be a mistake.
After the brief pleasantries, the other man slid a look at Griffin. “Is there somewhere we can talk? I got the lab results back.”
The icy sharpness in his friend’s blue gaze told Griffin the news must be grim.
“Results from the syringe?” Laura asked.
“Yes,” Winslow said. “And your blood test.”
Griffin motioned around the small circle. “Go ahead. We all need to hear it.”
“The good news is Laura’s blood work came back clear of infection or foreign substances.”
“And the bad news?” she asked.
“It was pentobarbital,” Boone said in a flat voice. “A large dose. Enough to put out a horse.”
At Laura’s questioning look, he explained, “It’s a narcotic.”
“Heavy-duty narcotic,” Griffin added grimly. Whoever had tried to inject Laura meant business. “It’s used for surgery patients, sometimes for seizures or people with insomnia. An overdose can be fatal.”
“So, this drug is available at the hospital,” Laura said. “Readily available to personnel?”
“I don’t know about readily,” Griffin said. “But it’s definitely accessible.”
“So, anyone who works there could get their hands on it.”
“Probably not just anyone,” Joy put in hopefully.
“But,” Boone added, “it wouldn’t be that difficult to obtain.”
Griffin nodded. “Before, I only asked Ghost for interior elevator footage. I’ll have him also check the hospital security footage outside the elevator. Maybe he’ll see someone going into the lab or supply room or even coming out with a syringe.”
“Who’s Ghost?” Laura frowned.
“A buddy who’s a former SEAL,” Griffin explained.
Boone added, “He’s also a computer genius. His nickname is Ghost because he can get in and out of anywhere without anyone knowing.”
“Oh.”
Griffin turned to Laura. “He’s already checking into the guy on the elevator who was wearing a hoodie.”
“Is he checking out everyone on the elevator?” Joy asked.
“Yes.”
“Including the nurse, Cheryl?” Laura asked. “She’s been nearby both times I was attacked.”
“And Pastor Hughes was conveniently around after the strangulation,” Griffin said.
“No!” Joy burst out, shock widening her eyes. “It can’t be him.”
“I hope it isn’t, but we have to look at everyone. Especially those in the hospital who are around Nolan.”
“Well,” Laura said slowly, “the pastor does spend a lot of time there.”
After what she had been through, Griffin wasn’t surprised she shared his cynical views on that.
“You shouldn’t think so ill of people, Laura,” her aunt scolded.
“She has to,” Griffin defended. “We all do at this point.”
Looking thoughtful, Laura said, “If Cheryl has access to the drug, so do other medical personnel.”
“True,” Griffin said. “But they haven’t been nearby after each of your attacks.”
“But Nurse Inhofe works on that floor,” Joy put in. “Her being there doesn’t prove she’s involved.”
“And since we can’t tell who stabbed at Laura in the elevator, I’ll have Ghost check on the nurse as well as the pastor. We do know neither of them were the ones who attacked you in the ladies’ room.”
“Well,” Boone said somberly, “whoever jabbed you with that syringe meant to kill you.”
If possible, Laura went even more pale, the blue of her eyes stark against her skin. For a moment, Griffin thought she might crumple, but she didn’t.
She lightly touched the swollen knot at her hairline. “I think I’ll rest for a while.”
“So will I,” Joy said.
As the two women walked away, Griffin kept his gaze on Laura.
“She’s impressive,” Boone said quietly.
Griffin slid his friend a look. “What do you mean? Her looks?”
“Her guts.” The other man grinned. “But I’m glad to see you’ve noticed how pretty she is.”
A man would have to be blind to miss that, but Griffin kept the thought to himself. “I have to take her back to the hospital tomorrow.”
“Why would you do that?” Boone’s gaze sliced to his, his tone saying he thought the idea was crazy.
So did Griffin. “It’s not my preference. Nolan’s transplant doctor finished going over Laura’s paperwork and needs a final meeting with her and her dad. Because of his schedule, he can only do it there.”
“I don’t like that.”
“Tell me about it.” Griffin dragged a hand down his face. “This is the most unconventional job I’ve had in a long while, but I have to make it work. Which leads me to ask if you can go with us tomorrow. I plan on asking Sydney, too. I need both of you.”
“Sure. Let me know what time and the plan.”
“Will do.”
Giving Griffin a slap on the back, the other man left. Griffin stared down at the first-aid kit on his table. He couldn’t get the images of Laura’s injured neck and head out of his thoughts. Or that syringe dangling from her sweater.
It brought back that unfamiliar burn of anger. He knew emotion like that—any emotion—could be dangerous. It bordered on becoming personally involved and Griffin wouldn’t go there.
But he would do everything in his power to keep Laura from getting killed. To do that, he needed to keep his focus on the job, not on his growing admiration for his beautiful charge.
*
Enough to put out a horse.
With those words screaming through her head, it had taken Laura a while to fall asleep last night. A long prayer had helped. She was trying to turn things over to God, but that had been a lifelong struggle for her. Though she had gained some peace, she was still afraid. But she also believed God had given her this chance to make amends with her dad. Because of that, she was determined to complete the blood donation process.
On their way now for her required meeting with her father’s transplant doctor, she hoped there were no problems today. The rainstorm that had accompanied their trip to the hospital had put them both on edge. And things were tense enough with Griffin because of his reticence to bring her back, but neither of them had tried to change the doctor’s mind.
/>
If they’d made an issue of meeting Dr. Farmer at the hospital, it would’ve looked suspicious to him and the staff. Laura and Griffin agreed that the less attention drawn to them, the better.
But she knew Griffin had ultimately consented to return only because he had been able to snag both Boone and Sydney for backup. Her every movement had to be carefully planned and orchestrated. It was frustrating and tiresome.
Laura hated that she had to be in WitSec. Yes, it was the only thing that had saved her life, but turning in evidence and testifying against Vin had also cost her everything—her family, her identity. She knew it had been the right thing to do, but she felt the price every day.
She was glad that at least she would be able to visit with her father for what would probably be the last time. There was no way Griffin would bring her back again and she understood why.
At the hospital, Griffin let her out at the east entrance with Boone and Sydney. Just the short time it took her to get from the vehicle to the hospital’s door chilled her to the bone. She could almost feel Vin’s hatred of her, the vicious resoluteness to end her life.
Griffin’s SUV almost disappeared into the deluge as he drove toward the parking garage. His two coworkers stayed close in the lobby of the reception area with Laura but didn’t hover over her.
A few minutes later, Griffin came through the doors, cheeks reddened from the chill, his eyes jewel-bright in the burnished copper of his face. He tugged off his black gloves and stuffed them into the pockets of his dark leather jacket. He made no eye contact with either Boone or Sydney, just cupped Laura’s elbow and guided her to the elevator.
The pair of operatives casually followed.
Her father had been moved into the bone marrow transplant unit to begin conditioning. Which was a medical way of saying he was being zapped with chemo to kill his bone marrow and cancerous cells to make room for new bone marrow.
When the elevator reached the floor, Boone and Sydney stepped off first and discreetly looked around before motioning Laura and Griffin out of the car.
She and her bodyguard moved into her dad’s room in the BMT unit. As was policy, both of them wore gowns and masks to protect the patient from any germs. They were also required to use hand sanitizer each time they visited. Today the curtains had been drawn to let in the light, which was a watery gray due to the weather. Laura could almost feel the frigid November temperature.
She had just managed to wake her father when the door swung open and a distinguished-looking man of average height with thick gray hair stepped inside.
“Hi, Dr. Farmer,” Laura greeted the transplant doctor she’d met after turning in her mound of paperwork.
Randall Farmer’s dark eyes warmed as he said hello to Laura and Griffin, his voice muffled behind his mask. “Nice to see you two again.”
The physician asked her father a few questions, then went over the process for the next five days. “Your injections of filgrastim need to be done at a specific medical clinic. The nurse will give you the information before you leave.”
“Why a specific clinic?” Griffin asked.
“Insurance.” Dr. Farmer shook his head. “These shots cost thousands of dollars. If they aren’t given at a place that’s been preapproved by the insurance company, they won’t pay the charges.”
“Guess we won’t be able to use Enigma’s doctor,” Griffin muttered.
“Guess not,” Laura said.
The doctor tucked her father’s chart under his arm. “Laura, do you understand that you aren’t specifically donating bone marrow but peripheral blood stem cells?”
“Yes.”
Griffin rubbed the back of his neck. “What’s the difference, Doc?”
“Donating bone marrow is a surgical procedure, done under anesthetic and in a hospital. PBSC donation is nonsurgical and can be done in a donor center or clinic. Using a process called apheresis, Laura’s blood will be removed through a needle in one arm and pass through a machine that separates out the blood-forming cells. The remaining blood is returned to her through the other arm.”
“That’s quite a procedure.” Griffin looked a little shell-shocked.
Laura knew the feeling. Since she’d arrived, she’d had a crash course in terminology, timing and procedure.
The doctor turned to her. “I appreciate you meeting me here. Is there anything you’re concerned about? Anything you’d like to ask?”
“Do you think Nolan will be ready for the transplant when I donate my stem cells in a few days?”
“If not the same day as your donation, then he’ll be ready the next.”
“All right.” Laura was glad, but she was also sad. Once her stem cells had been collected, she would have to leave.
After checking her father’s vital signs and making sure there were no more questions, the physician left.
She turned to her father. “We’ll let you rest now. I’m headed to get my first injection.”
“Wait,” Nolan said weakly, his pale blue gaze settling on her. “Joy told me about the syringe in the elevator. What else has happened?”
“I’m fine. I don’t want you to get upset or even think about anything except getting well.”
“What else?” The older man’s gaze went past her. “Griffin?”
Keeping his voice low, her bodyguard quickly related the incident in the ladies’ room.
“So, Arrico definitely knows you’re back.” Nolan’s eyes fluttered shut.
“Yes.” Even though he’d insisted, sharing this with her father bothered her. “But I’m safe and I know I’ll stay that way. I’d tell you not to worry, but it wouldn’t do any good.”
“Has there been any news of Arrico’s movements?” Nolan asked.
Griffin stepped closer. “Boone has been monitoring him in prison. So far his only visitor has been his attorney. He’s seen Arrico twice in the last three days.”
“Do you think he’s trying to find a way to angle for a new trial?”
“I don’t know. Whatever I find out, I’ll pass along.” Griffin shifted, his arm brushing Laura’s.
Nolan took a deep breath, causing her to wince at the pain on his face. “Do you think Vin’s lawyer was involved in these attacks on my daughter?”
She knew the older man was worried, but he didn’t need the added stress. “Dad—”
“Mr. Prentiss,” Griffin said quietly, “we’re watching the lawyer to determine that.”
Nolan nodded weakly.
With a look, Laura urged Griffin toward the door. Before he moved, he turned back to her father. “Sir, I’ll keep you informed. You can count on it.”
“Thank you.”
At the thinness of his voice, Laura leaned over and kissed her father’s cheek. Her throat tightened. “This may be the last time I see you, Dad. I’ll keep tabs on your recovery through Aunt Joy somehow.”
The marshal would actually make the contact and pass on the information, but Nolan knew that.
“I love you, Laura. And again, I’m sorry.”
“So am I.” She struggled to hold back tears. She’d finally been able to reunite with him and now she would have to leave again. “I love you, too. Please rest so you can beat this thing.”
He gave her a weak smile.
She squeezed his hand and felt him grip hers in return before she walked out with Griffin. Boone and Sydney fell in line behind them as they moved down the hall. Laura blinked at the brighter light, swept with a mix of anger and compassion and a deep sadness.
“I hate seeing him like that,” she said thickly, wiping at a stray tear. “He’s in so much pain.”
“I’m sorry,” Griffin said gruffly. “I know it’s bad, but he’ll get through it.”
“It’s so hard. For him and for Joy. I wish I could take some of the pressure of caring for him off her.”
As they walked, she lowered her voice so that only he could hear. “Once I finish my injections, I’ll have to leave and Joy will again be doing everything. I�
�ll only hear about Dad’s transplant and progress through Floyd. I really hate that part of Wit—the program.”
“I can see why. I don’t know if I could do what you’ve done.”
“You’re a SEAL. You could if you had to.”
“Maybe,” he said softly.
Something in his voice sent her pulse cartwheeling. She glanced over, surprised to see admiration in his eyes.
As they approached the elevator bank, someone called her name. “Miss Parker?”
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Pastor Hughes waving to her. He finished his conversation with a petite brunette nurse, then strode toward her and Griffin. Laura couldn’t help but wonder if he was involved with Vin.
Sydney and Boone melted into the corridor, one easing toward an alcove and the other to the elevators. Laura knew they could still see her and would be ready for action if something happened.
She and Griffin retraced their steps, greeting the stocky bald man, who was dressed in a black sweater and slacks.
With a compassionate smile, he took her hand between both of his. “Have you started your injections?”
“Today’s the first one.”
“Ah. Will you be going to a donor center or medical clinic?”
Why did he want to know? Even if she hadn’t caught Griffin’s warning look, Laura wouldn’t have answered the question. “I’m not sure yet.”
“You were probably told that headaches or bone or muscle aches are side effects of the drug. I’ll say a prayer that yours aren’t bad.”
“Thank you.”
After another few minutes of small talk, the pastor bid them goodbye. Eyes narrowed, Griffin watched the man return in the direction he’d come from.
Laura glanced at her bodyguard. “What is it?”
“We only met him after the attempt against you in the restroom, but he might’ve been aware of you before that.”
It made Laura nauseous to think a man of God might aid someone like Vin, but Griffin was right. They just didn’t know.
Boone and Sydney joined them in the elevator. Griffin explained how he and Laura knew the pastor.
“He’s too curious.” He glanced at her. “Why should he care where you get the first injection?”
“Right.”
Once downstairs, Griffin told her to wait while he went to get the SUV. Neither of them wanted to risk her getting a cold or any other kind of illness. Boone and Sydney stayed near Laura. Weak light seeped into the spacious lobby as rain pelted the windows and glass doors.
Love Inspired Suspense May 2015 #2 Page 26
