staff, but now I don’t know what to think.”
Liam covered her hand with his. “I don’t blame you. It’s best to keep your eyes wide open right now until we know who’s behind this.”
He pulled into the hospital visitors’ lot and parked, then gave her hand another squeeze. “Hang in there, Peyton. I think we’re getting closer.”
Her heart stuttered at the tenderness in his eyes and voice. She latched on to his words and their gazes locked. Liam Maverick was not just an agent, but a virile and understanding man. She wondered why he wasn’t married with a family of his own.
Although perhaps he had a girlfriend or lover.
It doesn’t matter. He’s with you to solve a case, not get romantic.
The thought sobered her, and she dragged her gaze away and climbed from the car. They walked in silence up to the hospital entrance. Like a gentleman, he opened the door for her. She hurried to the elevator, her pulse pounding. Maybe hearing her voice would bring her mother back to life.
While Liam spoke to the deputy stationed outside her mother’s room, a heavy fear fell over Peyton. Eyes closed, unmoving, her mother looked so pale and fragile that Peyton rushed to her to make sure she was still breathing.
Her hand felt cold and clammy, and her chest rose and fell slowly. Thank God she was alive. But she was struggling.
She leaned over and kissed her mother’s cheek. “I’m here, Mama. Please wake up. I need to see your bright, shining eyes.” And know that I’m not alone.
She stared at her mother’s face, willing her to make some movement, to open her eyes and look at her. To say something.
She squeezed her pale, limp hand. But nothing happened.
Tears threatened to choke her. “Come on. You have to fight. It’s not your time yet.”
Although fear that she was wrong needled at Peyton. What if it was her mother’s time? What if she lost her? How would she go on?
* * *
LIAM HAD TO WAIT on Dr. Butler to finish a consult before he could question him. The man looked annoyed as Liam studied the diplomas, awards and certificates on his wall. Dr. Butler had graduated from Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, then did his residency at UNC in Chapel Hill.
“My time is limited, Agent Maverick,” Dr. Butler said curtly. “Get on with it.”
Liam seated himself across from the physician. “I had an interesting conversation with Peyton Weiss. She explained that she’d withheld the truth about the night Gloria Inman died.”
Dr. Butler rolled a pen between his fingers.
“She admitted that she voiced concerns to you, but you produced paperwork indicating she was at fault. She denies giving Mrs. Inman opioids, and states that she gave her one shot of epinephrine.”
“All I can tell you is what that log report showed.”
Liam narrowed his eyes. “You were in that ER with her,” he said. “Didn’t you know what meds were dispensed?”
“I gave the order for the epi,” Dr. Butler said. “If Nurse Weiss gave Mrs. Inman an opioid or a second epi shot, I didn’t see her do it.”
“Then how do you explain that log?”
His eyes widened. “I can’t. All I know is that her code was used to open the medicine cart.”
Liam hesitated. The doctor sounded convincing. But some people were adept at lying. And he could have told himself this story so many times that he’d actually started believing it himself.
“Dr. Butler, is it possible that someone else could have gotten hold of Peyton’s code?”
He tapped his pen on the desk. “The staff are instructed not to share codes. If Peyton shared hers, then she’s responsible for whatever drugs were removed.”
“What if she didn’t share it? What if someone stole it or found out on their own?”
“You’ll have to ask Peyton if she left it somewhere that someone could have gotten hold of it.”
“You encouraged her not to talk to the police,” Liam said.
“Listen, Agent Maverick, I think highly of Nurse Weiss. She’s dedicated, hardworking, compassionate and giving. I wish we had a thousand more just like her. That’s the reason I told her to keep quiet. I didn’t want her reputation ruined over a mistake.”
Liam leaned forward. “But didn’t you want to know what happened?”
The man’s expression went flat. “Yes, of course I did. But we did everything possible to save the woman, and sometimes we fail.”
Liam swallowed. “Maybe you weren’t concerned about Peyton’s reputation. Maybe it was your own you wanted to save.”
Dr. Butler’s expression turned steely.
“Then