Truths Unveiled - By Kimberly Alan Page 0,60

Pam felt sheepish. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”

Marty laughed. “For you? Pamela Harrington, I’ve known you forever. Never in all that time did I ever witness you do anything impulsively. In fact, you are the slowest, most methodical, analyzing, aggravating person I’ve ever met!”

Pam felt the heat rise to her face.

“And with that said, let me add that since he was your high school sweetheart, don’t you think it’s about time? When do I get to meet him?”

Her cheeks burned brighter. “He’ll be up this weekend to help me pack.”

“So, do I take it this is the beginning of your notice?” Marty’s words were businesslike, but his expression told her he was happy for her. She had completed her emergency physician fellowship at Boston Community Hospital the previous year and accepted a year-long contract that contained a renewal clause. She loved Boston Community. The only reason she’d consider leaving would be to work with Marlene Everett. Supposedly in Chicago. Or so she’d thought.

Marty held out his hand. “Congratulations.”

Pam’s eyes filled as she wrapped both hands around his. “You’re the best, Marty.”

And he was. After the accident, when her parents had brought her to Boston, Marty handled all of her surgeries. From the beginning, he took charge of her entire treatment and rehabilitation. Was he also her ticket into Boston Community Hospital after med school? Maybe, but she did graduated third in her class at Harvard, number one went to New York and number two went to Los Angeles. Even in critical analysis of herself, she believed she’d earned it. Still, she felt indebted to this man. His healing touch and constant support played a direct role in teaching her how to walk again and how to excel academically and on the job.

“Middleton’s lucky to have you,” Marty told her. “And so is this fellow. Just be sure to stay in touch.”

“Always,” she promised.

****

Pam arrived back at her condo after seven the following morning. Though tired from a long overnight ED shift, she also felt invigorated. Yes, Sunday’s newspaper article irked her, but she’d come to terms with it. The hypnosis had helped that. It gave her a clearer picture of what happened. She still didn’t have all the answers. But for now, she had enough. People were going to talk. She couldn’t stop it. But she only cared about what Tom, his family and the staff at the medical center thought. If they could handle it, so could she.

Focusing on Tom, Pam’s lips automatically climbed up in a smile. He planned to fly into Boston the next night. They’d spent the past four days apart but constantly connected by cell phone and e-mail. Thank goodness for modern technology, she mused. She couldn’t remember ever being so happy.

As Pam slipped the key into the deadbolt, her front door swung open. “Did I forget to lock up?” Frowning, she walked inside. I guess anything is possible. Things had been so hectic lately. Stepping inside, she suddenly gasped. All her possessions in the living room lay in a heap on the floor, either ripped or destroyed. Granted, she wasn’t the best housekeeper, but even she couldn’t make this big of a mess. Then it hit her! And she knew what had happened.

On instinct, she started to run inside and assess the damage, but then stopped. She knew enough about police procedures to avoid touching anything. Not that the Boston police department had time to check for fingerprints. Burglaries in this city were far too common. But still. Just in case…

Pam’s next thought was to flee. Run outside and call the cops. Call Tom. She reached into her purse for her cell phone, but her hands were shaking so bad it slipped from her grasp. Forcing her hands to steady, she reached down and grabbed the phone to dial 911. Then it occurred to her that the burglar might still be somewhere inside the condo. After all, she had two bedrooms and a den on the second floor. This realization made her leap back from the door to her condo.

Trying to steady her trembling limbs, she tiptoed forward and softly closed her door. Now she needed to call the police.

Then she felt someone seize her from behind. She couldn’t breathe and her heart froze.

“I’ve got you now!” A deep voice whispered in her ear.

Truths Unveiled

Truths Unveiled

Chapter Thirty-Six

Pam screamed at the top of her lungs, kicking and fighting the strong arms holding her tight.

“Hey! It’s me!” Tom turned her around to face him. “What’s