Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Impact! Metal crunched and gears ground as her brain rattled against her skull. Her body flung forward and ricocheted back. The darkness consumed her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Rules are the foundation of any game. Without a foundation, you will fall.”
Holden Bishop, security expert
“Jane!”
The door to Jane’s hospital room swung open, and Conrad rushed in. Distress etched every line of his ashen face, and her chest clenched. On the ambulance ride over, the paramedics had stuffed an oxygen cannula into her nose. As the fuzziness in her mind had faded, she’d remembered what she’d almost said to the special agent as she’d lost control of her body and the car.
Clearly, they needed to break up. Today.
“To my immense shock, I’m okay,” she told him as he clutched her hand in his. “Just a bump on the head and a little whiplash.” And oh wow, he’d gotten here in record time, beating even Fiona and Beau, who she’d only had a chance to phone ten minutes ago.
The paramedics had tended to the gash on her head before driving her to Pinetum Regional for X-rays. Which she’d received right here in her room. A tech had wheeled in a giant machine with a long robotic arm. She just hadn’t seen a doctor yet…but that might be because she had refused to see anyone but Dr. Price. Why not make the best of the situation?
“But, um, Conrad.” She looked anywhere but him. “We really need to talk.”
“Not necessary. I can tell you how the conversation goes. You’ll suggest we break up. I’ll refuse. You’ll be secretly relieved, and we’ll both act as if the topic was never broached. Let’s just save time and skip ahead to the never broached portion of the afternoon.” He heaved a shuddering breath. “If you ever crash your car again…” His eyes closed for a moment. “Don’t get into another accident, Jane. I’m not sure I can survive this kind of stress a second time.”
“Don’t blame me. Blame my body. She betrayed me for no good reason. But, um, about that breakup.” Her stomach churned. “I really think we should, you know, do it. Maybe see other people. Well, I should. You shouldn’t. You should mourn my loss for months to come. Perhaps years.”
He kissed her knuckles. And ignored her babbling. “Have you had any symptoms of sickness before today?”
“Nope. Not even the tiniest ache. But about our relationship being fractured beyond repair. We—”
The door swung open again, and a very handsome black man in scrubs strode inside. “I hear you requested me, Miss Ladling. You were in a car accident, I see.” He glanced up from the chart he held then did a double take when he spotted Conrad. “Special Agent Ryan. Hello.”
Conrad nodded a greeting. It was clear he had no intention of leaving her side for any reason. A very sweet gesture. Precious even. A memory she would forever cherish. But he might object to her questioning of the doctor. Or he might cheer her on. No reason to risk it.
“Um, Conrad. Since we’re in the middle of a breakup—”
“Already back together,” he told her, stubborn to his core.
“—I’d like some time alone with Dr. Price. To discuss my private medical condition.”
Conrad pursed his lips, but he also nodded. “Take care of her,” he said, his firm tone conveying a clear message: or else. He kissed Jane’s brow, the tip of her nose, then her mouth, careful to avoid the bandaged area.
Her heart was racing as he strode from the room.
“I recognize you.” Dr. Price set the chart aside and approached the gurney. “You run the cemetery. And you’re dating the agent.”
“We’re only kind of dating. Maybe?” The muscles in her neck trembled with weakness as she shifted. “Trust me. It surprised me, too.”
“He’s an…interesting guy.”
“Very much so.” As the doctor began his examination, she said, “Listen. I’m working the Miller case. Hunting the killer.” Why not be blunt and save time? “I know you had rounds in this hospital the day someone stole those opioids. Which also happens to be the same day Reggie Belfry came in with injuries from a fight with the victim. What I don’t know is whether or not Emma Miller visited him or if you overheard Belfry’s conversation with his attorney.”
Dr. Price paused, blinking at her with his dark eyes fringed with thick lashes. Lucy was right. He really was a dreamboat. Wait! Jane’s mind wasn’t yet operating at full capacity, so it took her thoughts a minute to catch up with little details detected by her gaze. Had he stiffened when she’d mentioned Emma Miller?
Did he know the nurse who worked for a rival doctor? Had the two bumped into each other occasionally? Did Emma crush on him? Because wowzer. He just got hotter the longer you looked at him.
“I’m not allowed to talk about patients with anyone other than law enforcement,” he said.