“I don’t know how I got out. I blacked out, came to and eventually made it out and up the bank.” She sighed. “Then I woke up in the hospital.”
“That’s so like you. Even with a head injury, you managed to save yourself.”
“Not sure I did all the saving. I don’t remember how I got to the hospital.” She laid a hand over his, resting on her belly. “Thank you for coming.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he said. “I’m sorry you had to go through all that.”
“I’m sorry I lost my G-ride. I need to call the field office and let them know. I need another vehicle to get me around.”
“You have time. For now, I’ll get you where you need to go. It’s probably not a good idea to drive after being in a coma for three days.”
“I feel fine,” she said.
“I’m here,” he said. “Humor me. I need to be needed.”
She snorted softly. “Right.”
The nurse pushed through the door, carrying a stack of papers, stapled together. “If you’re ready, I have your marching orders.”
“I’m ready.” As if to prove it, Avery pushed to stand.
Grant followed, standing close enough to catch her if she fainted.
“Just watch for any of the symptoms listed.” The nurse handed the papers to Avery. “If you have any of them, come back to the hospital and let us check it out.” Once she’d finished explaining what Avery should be doing and not doing for the next forty-eight hours, she smiled. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. Though you’ve been an ideal patient, try to stay out of the hospital in the future. Be healthy, happy and incredibly safe.” She patted Avery’s arm. “You’re free to go.”
Avery hooked her hand through Grant’s elbow and left the room. “How did they let me go without all the paperwork and proof of insurance?”
Grant covered her hand on his arm. “I vouched for you and gave them my information for now. We can follow up with yours once we get you well and squared away.”
Avery nodded, still too fuzzy-headed to care much.
He led her to the elevator, punched the down button and waited. “Last chance,” he said. “Are you sure you’re up for a murder investigation? We’re still at the hospital. You can stay.”
Her lips pressed into a firm line. “I’m so new in the San Antonio office that if I don’t show up, they might forget I exist. Not much of a great first impression.”
“But understandable, given the circumstances,” Grant said. “I’m sure they would cut you some slack.”
“I hope so.” Avery stepped out of the elevator and headed for the exit. “I need to get another phone and do something about credit cards, driver’s license and my FBI badge. “But first, I need to check in with the people I was supposed to work with.”
Grant stopped beside the passenger door of the rental car and pulled the door open. “Do you want me to call ahead to the sheriff’s department and let them know you’re on the way?”
Avery paused, her brow wrinkling. “No. I’ll show up and let them know what happened.”
“What if they have a manhunt going on, looking for you?” he asked.
“After this long, surely they’ve called off the hunt. How far is it from here to Shadow Valley?” she asked.
Grant checked the map application on his cell phone. “About an hour and a half.”
“I just want to show up. If I call, they might tell me to go home to recover.”
“Which was what the doctor wanted you to do,” he reminded her.
“I need to work,” she said.
Grant studied her face for a second and then nodded. “Okay. Let’s get you there and surprise them with your sudden reappearance.”
Avery’s lips twisted. “You make it sound weird.”
