him quickly, surprising him yet again when she wrapped her arms around him and hugged herself to him. His hands fell hesitantly on her shoulders. He wasn’t quite used to this affectionate, warm side of her. She had always been so professional and crisp. It was funny, but he’d once fantasized about her … doing just this. Coming over to him and hugging him and telling him it was going to be all right.
“You aren’t responsible for this,” she said, her voice whisper-soft in his ear. “The evil that did this to him is responsible. Leo will know that, I suspect. He always struck me … well, I don’t know him personally, but he’s ex-military … a war veteran … so he knows.”
“Yes, but will he understand why I now have to make friends with that evil?”
She pulled back. “You think that man did this?”
“I … don’t know yet. I have to talk to him. And I have to talk to Leo.”
“So talk.” The gravelly command came from the bed and Jackson whipped around so fast he nearly pulled her off her feet. But he was reflexively holding her against him as he moved closer to the bed and leaned toward Leo.
“Dude, you look like shit,” Jackson said frankly.
“At least I have an excu to make me feel …H betterse,” he said, chuckling gingerly. “What’s yours?” It was clear he was sore and uncomfortable, and when he moved to sit upright, Jackson instinctively wanted to tell him to relax and just lie down … but he knew the reaction he’d get from Leo and how he himself would behave if the tables were turned. Leo was going to come out fighting, rushing to get back to himself … to be something other than a victim.
Luckily there was a trained psychiatrist in the room.
“Mr. Alvarez,” she said sharply as she pulled away from Jackson. “You are far from well enough to bounce onto your feet and hit the ground running. Lay back down and heal,” she said, pointing to the bed authoritatively.
“You know, that would be more compelling if I hadn’t seen you snuggling with Officer Huggy Bear over here.” Leo nodded toward Jackson.
“Would it be more compelling if I sat on your chest?” Jackson bit out. The last thing he needed was Leo making her feel self-conscious, even if it was just a defense mechanism on his part.
“No, but it would be compelling if she did.” Leo chuckled again, finding himself genuinely funny. And Jackson had to admit, no one did a one liner or a potshot better than Leo did.
“Behave yourself. Do what the doctor says,” Jackson said, reading the pain Leo was putting himself in by the white, tight lines around his lips and the clench of his jaw. “Besides, I need you to tell me what happened.”
“Fine. I’ll talk.” But Leo would be damned if he would do it lying down in a bed. He’d been strapped down long enough, now he needed to move. Then he needed to get his desert eagle and stick the muzzle right down the throat of the prick bastard who had done this to him. “It was that kid. From when Docia disappeared. The Down syndrome kid.”
“Andy?” Jackson was aghast with shock and horror as he remembered what Leo had looked like an hour ago.
That was when dizziness and his pal weakness paid Leo a visit, lecturing him about how much blood he’d lost. He gritted his teeth with anger, but stayed seated on the bed. He knew it wouldn’t do him any good to stand up only to end up back on the floor again.
“Yeah, him. I turned my back on him because I thought he was harmless.” He laughed, full of wry self-recrimination. “He jumped me and … he’s a psychopath. A sadistic psychopath. I didn’t even think it was possible. But I should have known better than to turn my back on anyone. Won’t make that mistake twice, I’ll guarantee you.”
“Come on, Leo,” Marissa scolded. “Down syndrome children and adults are some of the sweetest and more beautiful souls walking this earth. And because of their distinctive features it’s like an instant trigger for us to not see them as a threat.” She shivered visibly, rubbing at her arms. “My god. That poor baby has that kind of evil subjugating him? Isn’t there any way you can get the Templar soul out?”
“Templar soul?” Leo echoed. “What the hell does that mean?”
“No,” Jackson answered her. “At least, not that