Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,8
loud and clear. “No obvious signs that Toni was thrown from the SUV, but the rain is hampering our investigation.”
Owen’s hand clenched hard around his phone. “Someone has Toni, bro. She wouldn’t have left Gigi of her own free will. We have to find her. Toni is pregnant.”
“Oh, man. I’ll start the process to access traffic cameras in the area.”
“They are few and far between.”
“While that’s true, a damaged black truck should be easy to spot if the driver stuck to the highway.”
“Plenty of places to turn off the main road.”
“Traffic cams are a logical place to start, Owen.”
“We don’t even know if the truck’s driver is the one who picked up Toni. This could be a case of road rage. If it is, Toni could be wandering around in the rain.”
“Elliot is contacting volunteers to search the area more thoroughly.”
“We can’t afford to have....”
“Don’t insult me,” David snapped. “The volunteers are former military or law enforcement, people who know the ropes.”
“Sorry.”
A snort. “No, you’re not. You are, however, concerned about Gigi and how this news will hit her.”
Couldn’t argue with that. His brother was right. “She needs to be focused on her own recovery. Knowing G, she’ll want to search the area near the wreck herself.”
“Then it’s your job to see that she helps in other ways. Is the doctor admitting her?”
“Yep. Gigi isn’t happy.”
“I can imagine. You want to lead the investigation into Toni’s disappearance?”
Although Owen longed to grab at the chance, his priority was Gigi. If the truck’s driver was the one who took Toni, Gigi might be at risk, too. “Under normal circumstances, I’d accept but Gigi is my first priority.”
“Understood. I’m assigning you as her bodyguard, then. When she’s mobile, you can take a more active role in the investigation.”
“Thanks, David.”
“I’ll stop by the hospital when we finish here. Stay alert, Owen.”
“Copy that.” He ended the call.
“What did he say?” Caleb asked.
“He assigned me as Gigi’s bodyguard.”
A snort. “He’s late to the party. You already assigned yourself that role.”
“Elliot is calling in volunteers to look for Toni in case she wandered away from accident scene.”
“Waste of time. She’s not out there.”
He nodded. “Has to be done, though. David is starting the process to check traffic cams. She either walked away or someone took her. I’m betting on the latter.”
The door to the imaging center swung open, and Jason pushed Gigi from the room in the wheelchair. “Next stop is Room 4598,” Jason said cheerfully.
Gigi’s face was pale and dotted with sweat. Not good. “Let’s go,” Owen said to Jason. “Fast and smooth, buddy.”
“You got it, Owen. Fasten your seatbelt, Gigi.”
Within minutes, they reached Gigi’s room. Owen scooped Gigi from the wheelchair and set her on the side of the bed.
A nurse walked in carrying a set of scrubs as Jason left. “Clean clothes to change into, Ms. Warren.” She glanced at Owen and Caleb. “If you gentlemen will wait in the hall, I’ll help Ms. Warren and give her the pain medicine the doctor prescribed.”
Owen kissed Gigi’s forehead. “I’ll be right outside,” he murmured, and walked from the room with his brother.
“She doesn’t look good,” Caleb said, voice soft.
“I hope the pain medicine kicks in soon. G’s in a lot of pain.” He’d never seen her look so fragile.
When the nurse opened the door a few minutes later, Owen straightened. “You can go in now. I’m Jessica, Ms. Warren’s night nurse. I’ll return soon with a soft drink and a cold pack.”
After Jessica left, Owen pushed the door open and walked inside. Gigi’s arm covered her eyes. The overhead light must be bothering her.
He turned off the overhead light, then turned on the dim light behind her bed. “Better?”
Gigi lowered her arm and sighed. “Much. Thanks.”
Owen moved a chair to her bedside and wrapped his hand around hers. “Close your eyes and rest.”
“The nurse is bringing a soft drink.” She grimaced. “I’m nauseated.”
“Concussions do that to you.”
“You’ve had one?”
“Oh, yeah. They’re not fun.” He squeezed her hand. “Close your eyes, G.”
She obeyed with a sigh. “When are you leaving?”
“I’m not.”
Her breath caught. “You must be tired, Owen, and you have to work tomorrow. I’ll be fine.”
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Her eyes flew open. “That’s not what I meant. I was worried about you.”
An invisible band squeezed his chest. Man, he hoped that meant she cared about him as more than a friend. If Gigi kept him in the friend zone, maintaining a surface relationship might kill him. “I’m not leaving.”
“You might regret