Page 43 of Unhinged

“I just don’t know. The men’s builds are similar, but with the mask and everything…” She lifted her hands. “I can’t be certain.”

“Thanks for coming in. We’ll contact you if we have any additional questions.”

“Of course, anything to help.” She paused, and Detective Sanchez lifted his eyebrows in silent question. “I, um… I was just wondering if you had any news on Monique Henderson’s murder.”

He regarded her shrewdly before responding. “We’re following some leads, but we don’t have anything concrete yet. Have you been contacted since that night?”

“No. I just worry.” She met his eyes and bit her lip. “I don’t want there to be a second victim.”

He let out a commiserating sigh and laced his fingers together over his stomach. “I don’t either. Until we catch this guy, just be aware of your surroundings and let us know if anything happens.”

“Thank you.” She rose from the chair and shook his outstretched hand.

She left the station and headed to the hospital. She stopped at the front desk to get Audrey’s room number and followed the attendant’s directions to the sixth floor. Peeking her head around the doorway, she saw Audrey lying in the stark white hospital bed, Scott in a chair by her side.

His head lifted and he waved her in. Climbing to his feet, he pulled her into a hug. “Hey,” she said, pitching her voice low so they wouldn’t wake Audrey.

Scott gestured to the chair he’d recently vacated. “Here, have a seat.”

“How has she been today?” She sank into the uncomfortable chair and glanced at Audrey before returning her gaze to him.

“Good, just really tired. No internal bleeding and her brain scan showed normal activity, so they don’t believe there’s any permanent damage. She’ll be weak for a bit, but she should be out of here tomorrow.”

“That’s wonderful.”

Audrey shifted on the bed and her eyes fluttered open. A small smile crossed her face. “Hey.”

Hannah stood and leaned over the bed to pull Audrey into a gentle embrace. “How are you feeling, honey?”

Audrey lifted a hand to her head and laughed low in her throat. “Like I got hit by a train.”

Sympathy zinged through her. “Do you remember what happened?”

“Bits and pieces. I remember finishing up with Mr. DeLuca and going back to my office to get my things, but it’s a little fuzzy after that.”

“Someone attacked you in your office. I don’t know exactly what they used, but he hit you pretty hard. You lost quite a bit of blood.”

Audrey nodded. “That makes sense. I remember hearing your voice, but it sounded really far away, almost like a dream.”

Scott laid a hand on her shoulder, his eyes fixed on his wife. “Hannah saved your life.”

“I just wish I’d checked on you sooner.”

Audrey shook her head. “Don’t blame yourself. Thank God you were there at all.”

“I’m going to go down and get some coffee, let you two talk for a few.” Scott stepped forward and kissed Audrey on the cheek. “Hannah, do you want anything?”

“No, thank you.” She smiled at Scott as he left the room, then turned to Audrey. “He’s playing the doting husband pretty well.”

Audrey rolled her eyes, immediately picking up on the underlying question. “Amazing how almost losing something can make you realize how badly you’ve messed up.”

“Are you going to try to work things out?”

“No.” Audrey closed her eyes for a moment. “I don’t think I can ever forgive him. And, even so, I don’t think last night changed anything for him, either. He’s been nice, but I’m pretty sure his plans are still the same.”

Hannah nodded. “Maybe he feels like he owes her. He did get her pregnant.”

Audrey’s gaze dropped to the sheet. “I heard him take a call a little while ago. He thought I was asleep, but I overheard him talking to her. He told her he loved her.”