Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102394 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Detective Olson’s eyes narrowed. “This just came back to you this morning?”
“Yeah. You know how it works—blank spots, delayed memory, things come back when the body isn’t in survival mode anymore.”
He crossed his arms, his expression skeptical, even though it was very common for a victim’s memory to play catch up later. Eventually, he pulled out his phone and started typing. “I’ll have a sketch artist come up to your room later. Might have to do it in the middle of the night, once visiting hours are over, so Vince or one of his guys doesn’t pop in again.”
“They could be watching the place twenty-four-seven, so maybe have him wear scrubs and hide his pad in a backpack or something.”
“Good idea.”
After Chief Olson left, I felt a surprising relief for the first time in twenty-four hours. Holding on to the information about the potential suspect—and not being sure who I wanted to give it to—had kept me awake last night almost as much as the pain. I sank back into the bed and let the quiet of the room finally settle around me, knowing it wouldn’t last long.
***
Two days later, I was packing the few things I had with me into a plastic bag, getting ready to go home, when Chief Olson walked in again.
“Look at you, up and around.” He smiled.
“Won’t be running a marathon any time soon, but I’m glad to get the hell out of this place.”
He nodded. “I’m not a fan of hospitals either. You’re supposed to get rest, but all they do is wake you up to take your blood pressure and give you meds.”
“What’s up? Juliette is going to be here any minute.”
“I have a guard at the entrance. My phone will buzz if anyone shows up. Just wanted to let you know we might have a lead. It’s going to be harder to have access to you once you’re discharged.”
I stopped packing. “Whatta you got?”
“We canvassed the area surrounding the market and asked business owners if they had security cameras. Guy who owns a liquor store said he didn’t have any. Turns out he was lying because he’s going through a divorce and was afraid if anyone knew he had cameras, his wife might find out his girlfriend stops by a few times a week. But he checked the footage himself and called this morning to say he has video of a guy running from the farmer’s market—short, dark hair, leather jacket, hook nose—around the same time as the shooting. I’m on my way over to take a look at the footage now. Gonna need you to check the phone your captain gave you so I can send through pics to see if you can identify the guy as the same person you saw acting suspicious.”
“All right. I can do that.”
“Where you heading after this?”
“Back to Juliette’s.”
Chief Olson’s brows pulled tight. “Ginocassi put other guys on her. He’s not gonna let you guard his daughter in your condition.”
I shrugged. “She feels guilty for what happened and wants to take care of me. Figured it was my way to stay in the game.”
His eyes searched my face. “Be careful. Getting close is good. But too close can be dangerous.”
Tell me about it. “I know how to play it.”
“I hope so, for your sake.”
***
Two hours later, Juliette and I pulled up in front of her house. She got out of the car and ran around to offer me a hand getting out.
“Thanks. But I got it.”
Up and down movements caused the worst pain, but I managed to get out on my own. Her two new guards followed as we made our way up the path to her door.
“Wes needs his rest,” Juliette said. “You guys are going to have to stay out here from now on.”
“Boss won’t like that,” Eddie warned.
“Ask me if I care.” She opened the screen door and put her key in the lock. I was grateful they didn’t fight her on it because all the moving around had wiped me out.
Inside, I plopped down on the couch, and Juliette brought me a blanket. “You relax while I make us some lunch.”
“Thanks.”
The smell of soup soon wafted through the air. I hadn’t eaten much of the disgusting hospital food, so by the time she was finished, I was starving.
“Grilled cheese and tomato soup.” She smiled and pulled out my chair, hovering until I sat.
“Thank you.”
While I dug right in, Juliette barely touched her food. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if anything had happened to you.”
I put down the sandwich and reached across the table, taking her hand, even though stretching hurt. “I’m right here. And pretty soon I’ll be as good as new.”
“You almost died because of me.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I stepped around it. “But you’re fine, and I’m going to be too.”