Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 67000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67000 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
They were right, though. Had that been me, I would’ve been unconscious or worse.
“Billy’s gonna keep that patient,” Patricia said. “They sedated him and already called the cops and the hospital director.”
Good.
But not good enough.
“This is a joke,” I said as I shook my head. “I’m headed up to the cafeteria, then I’m going to grab some coffee from Starbucks on the way back. Anyone who wants anything, text me your order.”
Patricia pulled out her phone and said, “We’ll get it sent.”
Lunch consisted of a fried chicken sandwich, sub-par fries, and a slice of chocolate pie.
By the time I was finished, I’d gotten the order for the coffee. I headed through the breezeway that crossed a major road down below, and went into the next building that had the Starbucks and all outpatient surgeries, as well as doctors’ offices.
As I was passing over the road, I happened to look down and see the mama and baby from earlier standing next to the bus stop.
It caused my heart to hurt.
She was loaded down with bags, her baby, and looked like she was about to fall over.
The money in my pocket felt like it warmed to uncomfortable levels, and I decided that I knew where that money was going to go.
After placing the orders for the coffee, I made a mad dash down two flights of stairs and out of the building to where I knew the woman would still be waiting.
The bus didn’t run this way for another twenty minutes, giving me enough time to get to her.
I walked to the woman on the street corner, unaware that I had eyes on me, and reached into my pocket for the money.
“Hey,” I said as I pulled it out and tucked it into her hand that was holding her baby.
She looked at it, then burst into tears.
Big, ugly sobs.
The small baby that she’d just walked out of the hospital with, unsure what or how she was going to make ends meet or how she was going to pay for formula for her after being told she couldn’t breastfeed, cooed.
It was so sweet.
“Thank you, thank you,” she cried through her tears.
I patted her hand and said, “You have another fifteen minutes at least until the bus runs. Have a seat at the table right there before you fall.”
She gave me a relieved look, then did just that.
“Take care of yourself, honey,” I murmured, then made my way back inside to my drinks that were almost ready.
After catching them all up in two hands, I headed back to the ER, handing out cups to nurses as I went.
I’d just sat down to chart and savor my first sip of coffee when I was interrupted.
“Hey, Ellodie. There’s a man in the hallway who’s asking for you,” Jasmine called out.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose, hoping it wasn’t Frederick, who’d decided to pull out all the stops to win me back.
It’d been three days since we’d broken up, and in those three days, he’d sent flowers to me at work twice, ordered me lunch, and had come by twice as well.
Getting up, I made my way around the corner and out into the hallway to find…
“Hot Cop,” I murmured so quietly that I prayed he didn’t hear.
“Ms. Solaire?”
I opened my mouth to say yes, but he nodded. “I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Quaid Carter. An officer with Dallas Police Department.”
I already knew his name. I’d gotten on social media to find out exactly that—yes, I’d had to up the man’s name.
And there he was, standing in the middle of the hospital hallway, staring at me with those green eyes of his. Jesus, they were even more beautiful in the harsh lighting of the hospital hallway.
“Yes,” I affirmed.
He offered his hand. “I have a few questions to ask you.”
I automatically held my hand out to him, unable to stop myself even if I’d tried.
The electric zing that rolled through me as our palms touched was downright terrifying.
I blinked. “Oh. What can I help you with, Officer?”
He gestured toward a vacant room, and closed the door behind us.
I started to get nervous, thinking back to that money I’d stolen earlier.
Or the money I’d stolen last week.
Or the watch.
Or the…
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is… fine?” he hedged. “I’m here to ask you about a date you had a few months or so ago. His name was Benedikt Wells.”
I curled my lip up at the name.
Benedikt Wells was even worse than Frederick, and that was saying something.
“Well, if you’re here to tell me he murdered some woman in the woods, I wouldn’t be surprised.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
Jesus, I sure could pick them.
Quaid Carter blinked, then shook his head. “Actually, that’s exactly why I’m here. Why did you know to say that?”
I opened my mouth, then closed it, immediately feeling like a complete asshole.