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She’d hold onto the metal frame of the car for dear life.
Not because she wants to go to jail, but because she knows this is the only way for Daisy to grow up safe and sound. Because that’s what we both want most of all.
Even though she’s now left with a man she barely knows. A fugitive. But I won’t let them get their hands on her. She won’t go into the system. Not on my watch.
Instead, I’ll raise her somewhere far off in Mexico. Somewhere no one will take her away from me. Where we can live out our days in peace.
Lillian would’ve wanted me to.
I can tell from the look in her eyes. No regret. Nothing but steadfast perseverance.
Just like me.
I guess it’s to be expected with her finally knowing why I did what I did.
Maybe I should’ve told her sooner.
But who would ever say to their wife Hey, I killed a man to save our little girl?
No one.
Except me.
Chapter Ten
Hanson
Before
I grab the dead man’s body and drag it onto the bed, then cover it with sheets. I rummage through my bag and put on the nurse’s outfit and a fake badge, prepping for what’s to come. I grab his health chart and check it, making sure everything’s still the same as it was the last time I snuck into the hospital. I already know everything I need to know, and this chart confirms that. How ironic is it that he’s the one; the perfect match.
I put my hands under a running faucet and run my fingers through my hair, then I put on some fake glasses. A quick glance in the mirror is all I need to confirm that it’s spot-on. It’s go-time.
Without hesitating, I grab the bed and wheel it toward the door. Before I pass through it, I take one last deep breath, knowing it could very well be my last.
I peek around the corner. The guard keeping an eye on him has gone to grab his lunch. Perfect timing.
I roll the bed into the elevator and take it up to ward fifteen. I pass several nurses and doctors and greet them with a smile. They’re busy talking about their work today. None of them seems to notice the fact that my patient is out cold. Or rather … dead as a doornail.
Good. They’ll notice me soon enough. But not until I’m where I want to be.
I roll the bed into the ward and find the room I’m looking for. I’m glad no one has tried to stop me. I don’t think they would’ve survived it if they did.
I wheel the bed beside the little girl, lying in the other bed and hooked on the machines.
Seeing her still robs me of my breath and shakes me to my very core.
My little girl.
Liver failure, they said. She wouldn’t survive.
I begged them to take mine, but I wasn’t a match, and neither was her mommy.
Her body has given up, but her willpower hasn’t. I’m sure of it.
Time is running out. They’ll be here soon, and I have to be prepared. I take off the nurse’s outfit and grab my bag. I take out a bomb vest and tie it to my chest. No need to cover up anymore. When someone sees me, they’ll know exactly what I want.
I load another gun and tuck it into my pocket. Then I sit on Daisy’s bed and wait. I grab her hand and hold it tight, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “It won’t be long now. You’ll be with Mommy soon.”
She doesn’t answer, of course. She’s in a coma right now and unresponsive. But I know she’s in there somewhere.
Though I wouldn’t want her to see me like this, wouldn’t want her to remember her daddy like this. As a criminal. A murderer.
I swallow away the lump in my throat as I realize there’s no way back. This is it. This is when it’s all going down. And the moment a nurse steps into the room, I get up and point my gun at her.
Her eyes widen, and she freezes, bewildered. She almost screams, but I place a finger against my lips, and say, “Don’t.”
Her chest rises and falls. She’s panicking, I can tell, so I have to act as quick as I can.
“Contact the OR. Tell them to get ready,” I bark.
“Why?” she asks, her voice shaky.
“She’s getting the operation. Today,” I say. When she doesn’t move, I yell, “Do it!”
She immediately grabs her phone and calls the staff. I don’t know exactly what she’s saying, but I’m pretty sure she’s including the fact she’s being held hostage and forced to make a call. But I don’t care. Let them know how badly I want this, and how much I’m willing to sacrifice.
When all is said and done, more staff enter the room. I guess they got the call too. But none of them move beyond where the nurse is, probably scared of getting shot. However, I’m outnumbered now, and that increases the risks I’m not willing to take, so I show them my bomb vest.
