Hidden - Laura Griffin Page 0,98
a pink plastic pitcher with a lid. It had a big plastic straw poking out of it, and he lifted it to her mouth and positioned the straw so she could sip.
Grape juice. And crushed ice. Memories flooded her of hot summer days playing in the sprinkler with her sisters. Their mom would leave a pitcher of purple juice on the porch. Bailey guzzled down the liquid until her throat felt numb.
“Careful or you’ll get a head freeze,” Jacob said.
“It’s so good.” She pulled back. “Where did you get it?”
“Your sister brought it.” He set the drink on the table by the bed. “There’s a kitchen at the end of the hallway.”
Bailey looked him over now, more alert from the cold juice. Dark stubble covered his jaw, and his hair looked like he’d run his hand through way too many times. His deep brown eyes rested on hers as he took her hand again.
Everything came back.
He’d ridden in the ambulance even after the paramedic said he couldn’t. He’d stayed with her in the ER and talked to her, only letting go of her hand when they’d wheeled her back for surgery.
Bailey looked at her leg. It was in a blue cast on top of the blanket.
She had a broken tibia. And it had been a through-and-through bullet. That was the good part, supposedly. When she’d first heard GSW flying back and forth, she had wanted to throw up.
Jacob lifted her hand and kissed it. “I’m glad you’re awake.”
She looked down at her thin hospital gown and knew she must look horrible. She could only imagine her hair.
“Thanks for staying with me.” She cleared her throat. “What happened last night?”
He sighed.
“Tell me all of it.”
He reached over and brushed the hair from her forehead. “We arrested Lucinda Oberhoff.”
“How did you know she’d be there? Right near my house?”
“We came looking for you.”
Something tugged at Bailey’s mind as she stared at him. Something vague and elusive that wouldn’t snap into focus. She remembered blood droplets. She remembered spittle hitting her face. She remembered Lucinda’s crazed eyes.
“Seth.”
He nodded. “Some people at his condominium reported a gunshot. Officers showed up and found him bleeding from a gunshot wound.”
“Is he—”
“He didn’t make it. Died en route to the hospital.”
Bailey’s chest clenched. She closed her eyes.
“He told the first responder about Lucinda. He said she was coming after you.”
Bailey’s chest clenched again, and she squeezed her eyes tighter.
What could she have done differently? She should have told Seth to take his story to the police. Or take precautions. Or something. Anything. She hadn’t grasped the danger.
She opened her eyes as Hannah strode into the room.
“You’re awake. Finally!” Her sister wore her blue scrubs and had her nurse’s badge clipped to her waist. She smiled at Bailey and her gaze dropped to Jacob’s hand clasped around hers.
“You thirsty?” she asked. “We have juice.”
“I drank it.”
She went to the other side of the bed and picked up Bailey’s wrist to check her pulse.
“You’re not my nurse, are you?”
She gave her a lopsided smile. “No. I’m just checking. This morning you’ve got Shelby, so you’re in excellent hands.”
Hannah released her wrist and pulled a clipboard off a hook on the wall. That would be Bailey’s chart, and her sister read it with a carefully neutral expression.
“So.” Bailey braced herself. “How am I doing?”
She hesitated a split second. “Good.”
Bailey shot her a look. “Could you be more specific?”
She rested her hand on her hip. “Dr. Chan is the best orthopedic surgeon in town. He put two pins in your leg.”
“I thought they said I needed one?”
“He decided on two once he got in there.” She turned and replaced the chart. “The wound looks good so far and shows no sign of infection.”
Two pins.
Bailey’s chest felt tight again.
“You scared the hell out of us.” Tears welled in Hannah’s eyes. “You know that, right? I was getting off my shift when they called me.” She shook her head. “Mom flipped out when she heard. She wanted to drive up here, but I downplayed everything and talked her off the ledge. I knew you wouldn’t want her leaving Dad to come here and fret over you.”
“Thanks.”
Hannah walked around and picked up the juice. “Want more?”
Jacob stood. “I’ll get it.” He took the pitcher, looking relieved to have a reason to step out and give them some privacy.
Hannah watched him leave and then sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Did anyone feed Boba Fett?” Bailey asked.
“I went by on my way in.”
“Thank you.”
Hannah