Fearless - Fern Michaels Page 0,67

arm back, then, as he was about to smash his fist onto Christina’s cast, three black-clad men burst through the door, guns aimed and ready to fire.

“Hands in the air!” one shouted while the two others tackled James Banks to the floor.

“Mom!” Christina shrieked. “What’s . . . what’s—” Anna didn’t give her a chance to finish. She leaned forward, wrapping her arms around her and blocking her view of what was taking place on the floor.

“Shhh, it’s okay. We’re going to be okay,” she repeated, shocked at the turn of events.

Steel cuffs clinked, and the sounds of heavy booted feet pounded, evidence of the struggle to contain James. Never in a million years had she suspected he was her stalker. Yes, he’d been upset when she broke it off with him, but enough to devote months to stalking her? It didn’t matter. It was over.

Mandy came in, along with the woman who’d entered her room earlier. Apparently, the woman was a police officer. She trilled off a version of the Miranda rights warning as the officers were pulling James off the floor.

“Let us through,” one of the officers said. “This scum is going down for a very long time.”

The trio stood aside as the arresting officers led James Banks out of the room, but not before she heard him say, “I’ll be back for you, bitch.”

The adrenaline that had pumped through her veins evaporated as quickly as it came, and Anna collapsed on Christina’s bed. Trembling, she struggled to regain her composure. “It’s going to be all right, sweetie, I promise.” Tears rivered down her daughter’s face.

Anna still hadn’t fully grasped what had actually taken place. She pushed herself off the bed, straightening the sheets. She said the first thing that came to mind. “I thought you were going for coffee.”

Mandy still wore the same clothes as she’d had on earlier. “I was. I’ll fill you in on the details”—she glanced at Christina, who had come wide-awake—“later.”

Anna knew she didn’t want to go into the nitty-gritty details in front of her. “Thanks.”

As soon as the room emptied, Ed Laird and a nurse she hadn’t met came into the room. “Little bit of excitement here today,” he said to Anna. “How’s our girl doing?” he asked. “Still hurts pretty bad, I’m guessing?”

“Mom, who was that man?” Christina had no clue, and as far as Anna was concerned, she would leave it at that.

“That was a wacko, who got out of control,” Mandy said. “Now, tell Ed how you’re feeling.” She took charge and for that Anna was thankful. She needed time to absorb what she’d just experienced, time to compose her thoughts. She went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, redid her bun, then stopped. The last twenty-four hours had been bizarre to say the least, and now the shit was going to hit the fan. She’d have to make a trip to the police station. Again. Though this time, she would know who her stalker was, and luck willing, he’d disappear into the far corners of some dark prison cell for a very, very long time.

Christina turned to Dr. Laird. “It still hurts.”

“I’m sure it does. You’ve had a nasty break. Amy is going to give you a bit of pain medication. I’m going to write you a prescription, your mom can get it filled, then as soon as all the paperwork is taken care of, I think you’re safe to go home later this afternoon.”

“No! I don’t want to go to that house. I’m in a lot of pain, really,” Christina insisted. “I should probably stay a few more days.”

Anna returned to her daughter’s bedside. “We’ll take good care of you at home. I’m sure Mr. Waffles is wondering where his best bud is.” She looked at her dearest friend, silently asking if they’d found the cat. Mandy mouthed, “No.”

And the hits just keep on coming, Anna thought to herself. Mr. Waffles would keep. And as much as she hated pushing him aside, right now Christina was her main concern. All the details, police reports, the bullshit with Ryan would keep until later.

Now, more than anything, she had to find out why her daughter didn’t want to go home.

Chapter 16

“I saw him in the cafeteria,” Mandy explained. “Creeped me out, then, when I realized who it was, I decided I’d follow him. I was always a bit suspicious of him. Too slick, too nice. Fake. When you gave him the boot, he was angry, Anna.