When she’d realized the front of the car had crunched in on her, she was terrified of being paralyzed.
Then what good would she be to her mother or the other patients who needed her?
Her life flashed in front of her eyes. No more nursing. No family or baby of her own.
Odd, but she hadn’t considered finding love or her own family the past few years. Taking care of her mother and the guilt weighing on her had consumed her time and her thoughts. But when the car had spun out of control and slammed into the rocky wall, she’d realized she wanted all those things.
Liam’s handsome face taunted her. If things were different, she’d be attracted to the sexy agent. Heck, she was attracted to him. What red-blooded woman wouldn’t be?
But he saw her as a suspect. Had interrogated her. And he still might arrest her and send her to jail.
The ambulance veered to the right, then slowed and she realized they were stopping.
“We’re here.” The medic introduced herself as Helen.
They opened the back door, and carefully hauled her out, then rushed her into the ER. As a nurse, she knew the drill, although she hated being a patient.
They wheeled her into a room, began checking vitals and the attending ER doc on duty and a resident examined her. The next two hours were filled with tests, blood work and endless questions.
Liam stood by the room as if on guard, his dark eyes assessing as he watched the hospital staff at work. She’d asked him to inform Joanna of what was going on, and Jacob’s deputy watched her mother while Joanna rushed down to see her.
Peyton’s friend gave her a hug. “My God, Peyton, are you okay?”
“Nothing broken, thank God,” she murmured. Although how could she be okay when someone had tried to kill her and her mother?
“That agent said it was a hit-and-run. The driver didn’t even stop to see if you were okay?”
She shook her head. He hadn’t stopped because he’d thought she was dead.
When he learned she’d survived, would he come back to finish her off?
Chapter Fourteen
While Peyton’s friend Joanna visited her, Liam conferred with Jacob and his deputy Martin Rowan outside Mrs. Weiss’s room. Another deputy had arrived at the scene of the crash and stayed to supervise the evidence-recovery team while they processed the scene and had Peyton’s car towed to the lab for forensics analysis.
“I want a limited staff taking care of Mrs. Weiss,” Liam said. “And those employees vetted.”
“I’ll handle that,” Jacob offered. “FYI, coordinating the timing for the exhumation. I’ll let you know when it’s done and she’s at the morgue.”
“So, who or what am I looking for here?” Deputy Rowan asked.
“I wish I had a name or a face,” Liam answered. “Peyton said the caller’s voice sounded male.” He pulled a photo of Dr. Butler from his phone. “This is the doc who was on duty the night Gloria Inman died. He’s still at Whistler Hospital, so if he shows up here, don’t let him in the room with Mrs. Weiss.”
“You think the doctor tried to kill Peyton?” Jacob asked.
“I don’t know, but he’s a person of interest.” He accessed a photo of Herbert Brantley, and then one of Miller Conrad. “Both of these men are also suspects. Call me if they show up, and don’t let him near Mrs. Weiss either.”
Deputy Rowan nodded in understanding.
“Peyton’s friend Joanna has been with Peyton’s mother. Consult with her if Mrs. Weiss is given any medication. We want to make sure someone doesn’t sneak in and try to kill her while she’s too weak to know what’s happening.”
“No one will hurt her while I’m on guard,” Deputy Rowan assured him.
“I’m going to send a forensics team to Golden Gardens,” Jacob said. “And I’ll follow up about the paint sample from that vehicle that hit Peyton.”
Liam checked his phone for messages from Bennett. He still wanted more info on Herbert Brantley and Miller Conrad. But Bennett hadn’t responded yet. The men dispersed, and Liam headed back to Peyton’s room.
When he reached the door, she was trying to get out of bed. “I’ve been examined. I’m fine.”
Joanna gripped Peyton’s arm. “You’re not going anywhere tonight, Peyton. The doctor wants you to rest.”
“I don’t need to rest,” Peyton insisted. “I need to be with Mama.”
“You look a mess,” Joanna said. “Is that the way you want her to see you when she wakes up? You’ll scare her to death.”