Explosive Attraction - By Lena Diaz Page 0,12
“It’s normal with head trauma. You forget what happened before the event that caused the injury. I’ve seen my share of clients in therapy with similar problems. Since you remember most of what happened before you got knocked out, you’ve got an excellent chance of regaining all of your memory.”
He didn’t look as though he appreciated her analysis. He was a big guy, more than capable of taking care of himself and those around him—normally. It had to be a blow to his ego to think he’d been knocked out and unable to help her, especially given his past, when he’d been knocked unconscious, unable to protect his wife in a home invasion. That reminder had Darby groaning inside. Great. She should have just kept her mouth shut.
“It doesn’t matter,” Buresh said, filling the awkward silence. “The few minutes you lost wouldn’t have added anything to the investigation. Dr. Steele gave a statement and a description of the bomber. She was an excellent eyewitness.”
Rafe winced and pressed a hand against his temple.
The corners of Buresh’s eyes crinkled with concern. “You need me to get the doctor?”
“I’m fine,” Rafe gritted out. “You never answered my question. Have you caught the bomber?”
“Not yet.” Buresh gave Rafe a brief summary of what had happened after Rafe was knocked unconscious, and the progress of the ongoing search. Buresh glanced uneasily at Darby, hesitating. “The envelope the bomber left at the warehouse had another timer and a photograph inside.”
“Who was in the picture?” Rafe asked.
Buresh looked at Darby.
A shiver of fear sliced through her. This was what Buresh had been hiding earlier, why he’d hesitated when he’d first come into the room. “It was a picture of me, wasn’t it?”
He sighed in surrender. “Yes.”
She rubbed her hands up and down her suddenly chilled arms.
“And the timer?” Rafe asked.
“The timer runs out at midnight.” Buresh’s voice was awkward, low.
Rafe and Darby both looked at the clock on the far wall. Ten minutes until midnight. Darby swallowed hard.
“We’ve searched half the marsh,” Buresh continued. “But at this point, I don’t hold out much hope of finding him there. We’ve been performing door-to-door searches to rule out that he entered someone’s house or took hostages. So far, nothing.”
“Loan me your gun while I’m in here,” Rafe said. “I don’t feel right without one.”
Buresh was shaking his head even before Rafe finished. “I’m not leaving a gun with a man with a concussion. Who would keep an eye on it when you’re sleeping? And I’m certain the nurses wouldn’t appreciate finding it under your pillow when they change the sheets.”
Rafe didn’t look happy with his captain’s refusal.
Darby tapped the bed rail. “You’re sure the bomber’s not...in the hospital, right?” She let out an uneasy laugh.
Buresh gave her a reassuring smile. “You’re completely safe here, Dr. Steele. I’ve got an officer posted in the emergency room. That’s the only access to the hospital this time of night. And Officer Daniels will stand guard until morning, when another officer takes his place.”
Her doubt must have shown on her face, because he gave her an admonishing look, as if he was disappointed that she didn’t trust him. “Half the police force is looking for the man who abducted you. He’s on the run. He wouldn’t have a chance to follow through on his ‘midnight’ threat, even if he knew where you were—which he doesn’t.”
“It can’t be difficult to figure out where I am, Captain,” she said. “There’s only one hospital in the area, and he knew I was hurt.”
The captain’s face reddened. “Not true, Dr. Steele. We could have taken you into Jacksonville. Baptist Medical Center South is just a short drive up the interstate.”
Darby regretted her reply. She hadn’t meant to sound sarcastic, but obviously Buresh had taken it that way.
“Regardless,” he said, “you’re safe here. What I’m worried about is what happens after you leave the hospital. Until we catch this man, we have to assume you’re still a target.” He glanced at Rafe. “You’ll need to be on light duty for a few days, so I have the perfect assignment for you. I want you to watch over Dr. Steele until we have the bomber in custody.”
Rafe shook his head. “I’m not a babysitter, and you can’t afford to have your best detective on the sidelines right now.”
Darby tapped her nails on the railing again to get Rafe’s attention. “I don’t need a babysitter. But I would appreciate having an experienced police officer nearby. It would make me feel