for her to see. First was footage of the ER the night Mrs. Inman died. Peyton watched as Barry Inman rushed in beside his wife. Barry looked shocked and terrified and Gloria was gasping for breath.
Two other people entered and went to the admissions desk. Another ambulance raced up and medics wheeled a pregnant woman inside. Then the man she’d thought was homeless. He wore a worn black hoodie, jeans and kept his head down as he approached the desk.
“Was that the man you mentioned?” the agent asked.
Peyton nodded. “You can see the nurse behind the desk looking at her computer. She must have recognized his face or name.” A second later, she called the security guard who appeared and escorted the man from the ER. He looked unsteady on his feet and jerked his arm away when he got outside.
She continued watching until the agent paused on a woman who entered wearing a dark raincoat and hat. Her head was bent, and she avoided looking at the camera. Her posture and rushed movements indicated she was nervous, and she gripped her phone and spoke into it as she ducked into the ladies’ room. Five minutes later, she exited the bathroom and hurried outside.
“If Inman had an affair, that could have been his lover,” the agent pointed out. “Do you recognize her?”
Peyton shook her head. “You can’t even see her face.”
The agent switched to show footage of the night of the fire. She watched people enter and be taken to the ER rooms, and two people who were discharged.
No sign of Barry Inman or the woman in the dark raincoat. Although another woman entered, her face shielded by a thick wool scarf.
She checked all around her as if she was afraid of something, then she hesitated for a second as she bypassed the waiting room and slipped down the hall.
“Do you know who that is?” the agent asked.
She shook her head, but one of the cameras caught a quick flash of the woman’s face.
Dear God. Peyton went still. The girl wearing the scarf was Val.
* * *
UNEASE DARKENED PEYTON’S EYES. What the hell was she hiding?
“Do you recognize that woman?” Liam asked.
She shook her head, but her breath sounded shaky. “If I’d seen something suspicious, I would have told you, Agent Maverick.” She stood. “Now it’s been a long day and I’m exhausted.”
The tension emanating from her was palpable. He had the urge to draw her into his arms and assure her everything would be all right. Although how could he do that when he was almost certain she was lying again?
“My analyst also learned the name of the drug seeker. When he was turned away from Whistler Hospital that night, he hit up an urgent care. He was found later and had OD’d in an alley.” So that was a dead end.
“I’m sorry,” Peyton said. “Drug problems, especially opioids, are rampant now.”
His phone buzzed. Jacob. “If you think of anything that can help, please give me a call.”
Peyton’s gaze locked with his for a moment. The wariness in her eyes troubled him. So did that damn bruise on her face. Made him want to comfort her. Promise her that if she was holding something back and was too frightened to talk, he’d protect her.
If she hadn’t fallen and he was right, someone had punched her.
A boyfriend? Lover? Another employee? A patient?
Dammit. Why would she cover for him?
“Peyton,” he said, as he paused at the door. “If you’re in trouble, I can help.”
A pained, frightened look darkened her eyes, then her lips curved into a forced smile. “Thank you, Agent Maverick. But I’m fine.”
He didn’t believe her for a minute. She opened the door and scanned the lawn and parking lot as if she was looking for someone.
He stepped outside and did the same.
Worry knotted his belly. She was scared. Of what, he wasn’t sure. But fear rolled off of her in waves.
His father’s mantra—Respect and Protect—echoed in his head. It was one reason he and his brothers had all chosen to become first responders. Another reason had been to honor their father’s memory.
His gut instinct shouted that Peyton Weiss needed his help and protection. But she was either too full of pride or terrified of something to ask for it.
“I meant what I said—call me if you need anything,” he murmured as his dark gaze locked with hers. “Any time night or day.”
She clamped her teeth over her lower lip, gave a little nod, then shut the door. He