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“Don’t worry. I heard from Ryan a couple of hours ago. They were swamped tonight. The calls never stopped. I mean, just look at this place. I’m shocked you guys didn’t have to call them tonight.”
“True. Look, I just need to run in the back to get some cleaner. I’ll turn the TV on for you, okay?”
“Thanks, babe. Can I get a soda before you go?”
I quickly grabbed a glass and poured Cara a soda, and then made my way into the back to grab some cleaner. Once I had filled my bottle, I grabbed three plates of leftover fries from the kitchen and took them out front, dropping them down in front of Cara and Glenn. Then I took a tray and started collecting more glasses from the floor. The place was a mess, and I already knew it was going to take me a while to get it cleaned up. I had just picked up my tray full of dirty glasses when I heard Cara gasp.
“Bailey, quick, can you turn up the TV?” she asked, standing up from the stool she was sitting on.
I walked fast, placing my tray on the bar. “What is it?” I questioned as I reached for the remote when I caught the headline on the TV. I turned up the volume and stood watching the nightmare unfold before my eyes.
“They have released no names. Again, a robbery in progress turned bad. Two Sunset Cove officers are dead, and they have transported one other to the hospital, injuries unknown. Suspect is still at large,” the news reporter stated.
The room spun and my vision blurred as I stared up at the screen; the words blurring together, and then the room went black.
“Bailey. Bailey. Please wake up.”
I blinked, slowly opening my eyes. It surprised me to find Glenn sitting beside me, his arm around me. Cara sat across from me, a look of worry on her face, and then Marcus appeared with a glass of water.
“What...what happened?” I asked, looking at them both.
“You fainted. After you heard the news.”
I looked at both Cara and Glenn, unsure of what they were talking about. “The news?”
“The shooting,” Cara bit out, Glenn giving her a look. “I’ve been trying to get hold of Ryan, but he hasn’t answered yet.”
“What about Jackson?”
Cara looked to Glenn and then back to me. “He’s not answering either.” She said, her voice low.
“We need to get to the hospital,” I said, trying to get up, but Glenn wouldn’t allow me to.
“Bailey, you just fainted. I think you need to wait a little longer. Make sure you are all right before you get up.”
“Yeah, I agree. I’m monitoring my phone, Bailey,” Cara said, rubbing my thigh.
“No, we need to go. Please, I’ll get my stuff,” I said as Glenn helped me slowly sit up, then helping me stand, making sure I was steady on my feet before I took a step.
* * *
My heart was in my throat as we walked into the entrance of the hospital. Immediately, Cara went over to the information desk and, in a panic, started asking if they had any information on the officer who had been shot. I watched as the woman behind the desk shook her head, refusing to give her any information. I hung my head and looked around when I finally spotted Dave Specter standing off in the corner, talking on his cell phone.
I walked over and tapped Cara on the shoulder, but she shrugged me off and continued bombarding the nurse with questions.
“Come, Cara, I know where they are,” I said, pulling on her arm, smiling at the girl behind the desk who looked annoyed.
“What? Where are they?” she said, almost falling as she stumbled over the carpet.
“Dave is right there,” I said, pointing in his direction.
We both walked over and stood in front of Dave. Every part of my body remembered this exact scene. It had happened only a few short years ago. My eyes burned at the memory of the night Connor had been killed. It was like I was stuck reliving that night all over again. Everything, right down to the smell, was the same.
“Any news?” Cara questioned as Dave looked at both of us.
“Ryan is fine, Cara. He just went to grab some coffees,” Dave said, looking at me with a look I had seen once before. Panic filled my body, and everything seemed to move to a dream-like state as I stood there looking back at Dave.
“Oh thank God,” Cara said, sitting down on the closest chair, looking relieved.
