Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,79

from his backpack. He checked her blood pressure with efficiency. “Your heart rate is a little fast and your blood pressure is a little high. Not bad, but I want you to be careful.”

Agent Bancroft asked, “Are you sure you can continue?”

“Yes, but we were just getting to what I can tell you. I remember Torin was going over to the nutrient station to get…” Her brow furrowed, which pulled against the stitches on her forehead, and she winced. She heard muffled cursing coming from the other side of the room and knew that Kyle was watching. She sighed heavily as she looked up. “I just don’t remember. It’s like there’s a black hole. I can remember forcing my body to stand up from the street and there was carnage all around. I was desperate to find Torin. I knew Caitlyn was behind me and wouldn’t have been right at the blast. I remember thinking Torin must be close. But it’s from the time the blast occurred to when I pushed myself up on the street that I was unconscious. I’m sorry, I just can’t think of anything.”

“That’s okay, Ms. McBride.” He closed his notebook and stuffed it into his pocket. “I need to have your phone.” Not giving her a chance to protest or acquiesce, he quickly added, “I don’t have to take it with me. For the people we’re interviewing who were right there at the site of the explosion, we’re borrowing phones for a few minutes to download everything we can.”

She nodded and pulled it out of her pocket, handing it to him. She watched in curiosity as with a few taps he downloaded her photographs, contacts, text messages, and emails.

He sat for another minute scrolling, then looked up, pinning her with his gaze. Turning the screen around, he asked, “Do you remember this one?”

She leaned closer, seeing Torin facing her, a grin on his face with his arms raised, a banana in each hand. Shaking her head, she gasped. “No. I don’t remember taking that at all!”

As he slid the phone back over to her, he admitted, “I know this may seem intrusive, but it helps us put together a picture more clearly. We can enhance this photograph and it might give us more information.”

She nodded and shrugged, offering a small smile. “You know who my father is, and you know my brothers. I’m sure you met our neighbors, the Kings, considering Chauncey is the Chief of Police. I was brought up in the world of law enforcement, Agent Bancroft. I understand it. And I’m grateful that you allowed my brothers to stay with me during our interview.”

He stood and looked down at her. “Thank you. I appreciate all your assistance. I realize that with concussions, it can be very easy to forget certain things… to have chunks of your memory missing. I also know that sometimes those memories can come back. If you happen to think of anything pertinent, here’s my card, please give me a call.”

By now, her brothers had eased from their protective stance and shook hands with him as their dad and Caitlyn returned from the den. Again, he and Caitlyn held gazes, then she turned her attention to her sister as Colm walked the agent out.

Erin grimaced as her headache was now full-blown, and Rory insisted she take medication.

“I can’t. What if Torin needs me to help get discharged?”

“If he gets discharged today, we’ll take care of everything. But honestly, this late? I think they’ll keep him another night.”

Nodding again, she accepted a glass of water that Kyle had brought to her, and with hugs all around, went back to her room. She sent a quick text to Torin letting him know she’d been interviewed. As exhaustion pulled at her, she laid down on her bed. Just a few minutes. That’s all I need is just a few minutes to rest.

24

Hearing rapidly approaching footsteps, Torin looked up from his hospital bed, this time not disappointed as he spied Erin just outside his door. But instead of coming in, her face lit into a smile as she threw her arms around a tall, dark-haired man in a white coat standing in the hall. And the hug was definitely reciprocated. In fact, the doctor held her face in his hands, turning her head gently from side to side as he looked at her carefully.

His lips pressed tightly together. Probably a doctor friend. One she’s friendly with. The kind of friend she hugs when