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“There’s been a shooting,” Theo said grabbing Mac’s arm.
Mac looked up. “Where?”
“Nearby, I think.”
A banner across the bottom of the screen gave more news… The offices of Crane, Hayes and Benton, where a man has been shot…
Mac was already on the phone. Theo called Gus. The phone rang out. She tried Jacqui.
“Theo?”
“My God, Jac. Are you okay? We saw—”
“It’s Gus.” Jacqui was crying. “They shot Gus.”
Theo’s knees buckled. Mac caught her. He took the phone.
“Jac…Jac, calm down… Where? We’re on our way.” Mac put his arm around Theo and maneuvered her out of the bar amongst the movement of panicked people already leaving.
“He’s at the hospital,” he whispered into her ear. “He’s not dead.”
The cry seemed to burst from Theo’s lungs like a breath held too long. She buried it in Mac’s chest and no one saw.
Outside they tried to get back to their vehicle. Theo bolted. Mac caught up and grabbed her hand. He steadied her. “Come on.”
They ran back to where they’d left the Chevy.
“What did she say?” Theo asked desperately as Mac pulled the pickup out. “What exactly did Jacqui say?”
“She said Gus had been shot. That they were taking him to Lawrence Memorial.”
“She didn’t say he was alive?”
“If they’re taking him to the hospital, he’s alive.”
“Did she say who shot him?”
“No. I assume it was whoever was laying siege to Crane, Hayes and Benton…a disgruntled client, maybe.”
“Was anyone else hurt?”
“Jac didn’t say.”
Theo noticed that he didn’t tell her Gus would be all right. Because he didn’t know. Mac wasn’t about empty reassurances. She felt sick. She wished he’d lie to her.
Mac parked, and they ran in through the main reception. Theo spoke to the receptionist at the counter marked “Information.” Her badge read “Patty.”
“Excuse me. I’m Theodosia Benton. I was told my brother, Gus Benton, was brought here.”
“Just a minute.” Patty made a call. “Gus Benton.” She put the receiver down and spoke gently. “He’s been taken straight to surgery. I’ve told the doctor you’re here.”
Theo gasped with horror and relief. He was alive… If they were operating, then he was alive and was not so badly injured that he couldn’t remain so.
Patty nodded encouragingly. “If you just go to the waiting room in the surgical ward, someone will come out to see you.”
Theo and Mac found the ward and took seats in the waiting room. She kept her eyes on the double doors that led to the operating rooms. Someone would come through there soon…to tell her Gus was all right. As they waited, she kept hold of Mac’s hand, aware that her grip was probably too tight but unable to release it. If he was uncomfortable, he gave no sign.
Eventually a woman in scrubs came down. She was not alone. George Mendes walked beside her. Theo noted the detective’s presence without undue attention. Of course the police would be involved. Mendes hung back, making a phone call as the doctor moved over to them.
