Blind Faith - Sharon Sala Page 0,45
into the residents’ quarters. Upon entering, he headed straight for Annie’s room.
The other hospice nurse was there, just as Doris told him she would be when he walked in.
“I’m Charlie, Annie’s husband,” he said.
“I’m glad to meet you, Charlie. My name is Rachel. You can put your bag in her closet. We had a recliner brought in that makes into a bed. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish.”
“Thank you,” Charlie said, then put the bag in the closet, hung his Stetson and his coat on a hook on the wall and walked to Annie’s bedside.
He stood in silence for a few moments, allowing himself to accept the reality of what was happening after denying the truth for so long.
She was thin. So thin. Her skin was so fragile he was almost afraid to touch her, and so pale that the blue veins beneath it were easily visible. The IV was taped down to her arm, the visible bruising evidence of trying to find a viable vein.
Her long blond hair was matted and tangled. He wanted to brush it, but let go of the thought. Her appearance was less important than her comfort.
He glanced at Rachel, and then pulled up a chair and sat down by her bed.
“Hello, sweetheart. It’s me, Charlie. I told you I’d be back,” he said, and then he slid his hand beneath her palm, letting her hand rest there lightly.
Rachel put a hand on his shoulder.
“She’s comfortable.”
“What about her vital signs?” Charlie asked.
“Not as strong as yesterday,” Rachel said.
Charlie’s heart hurt to the point of physical pain.
“I’m not leaving until she does,” he said.
“Understood,” Rachel said. “Can I get you anything? Something to drink? A coffee or a soft drink?”
“I’m fine for now, but thank you,” he said.
“Just let me know if you change your mind. I will be in and out, but still in the building.”
Charlie heard her, but didn’t respond. He was too focused on the slight rise and fall of Annie’s chest—the only proof he had of the life still within her.
* * *
Wyrick drove slowly on the freeway and got off as quickly as she could. Between the rain coming down and the spray from the traffic in front of her blasting at the windshield of her car, she was as close to driving blind as she’d ever been.
Once she was on the city streets, the drive seemed safer. There was still the rain, but not the same level of speed to contend with. By the time she pulled through the gates of the estate and drove around to the entrance to her apartment, every muscle in her body was screaming from the tension.
She grabbed everything in one load and dashed inside, dumped it all on the sofa and then went back to lock the door. Only after she heard the click did she begin to relax, because she knew something about Darrell Boyington that Charlie didn’t.
Boyington was a hit man, and Cyrus Parks had hired him.
It appeared she was going to have to send another message to Parks that he wouldn’t forget. Something more than shutting down every UT-based facility on the face of the earth for three days like she had before. Something that hurt him where it hurt him most.
But right now, she needed to text Merlin and let him know she’d be working from home for a while. Then she changed into some comfortable clothes and began setting up the temporary office of Dodge Security and Investigations.
* * *
It was around 7:00 p.m. when Charlie got a text. When he saw it was from Wyrick, he read it.
You do not go all day without eating. You have food at the front desk. Sit in the lobby and eat it.
He sighed. How the hell did she know he hadn’t eaten all day? Oh right. Psychic.
Rachel was adjusting the IV drip when he stood up.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“We’re good here. Take your time,” Rachel said.
Charlie glanced at Annie, then left. Once they buzzed him into the lobby, he saw a sack on the counter and pointed.
“Is that for me?”
The night clerk nodded. “It was just delivered. I was about to send someone to tell you.”
“I’m going to eat it outside and get some fresh air.”
“There’s a courtyard just off the common room,” the clerk said.
“I’ll just sit on the bench out front,” Charlie said, then took the sack and walked out into the night.
It had quit raining hours ago, but the fresh-washed scent