A doctor met them outside the room. “I called as soon as Mr. Martin showed signs of regaining consciousness. I’m afraid I might have jumped the gun. When I was examining him a few minutes ago, shining a light into his eyes, he flinched and blinked. When I called out his name, he opened his eyes briefly. That’s when I told your deputy he should notify you.” The doctor’s lips twisted. “He hasn’t opened his eyes since. However, I think it could be any time now. His reaction to the light is a good sign. He should wake up soon.”
“Can we see him?” the sheriff asked.
“Absolutely.” The doctor moved aside, allowing their team to enter the room.
Blade lay in the bed, his dark skin in distinct contrast to the stark white of the pillow behind his head and the sheets pulled up over his chest. Electrodes stuck to his chest fed the monitor beside him with a steady beep, indicating the beat of his heart.
Grant stood over the man who’d tried to kill them yesterday and felt no empathy for the killer. He didn’t look so tough hooked up to monitors and an IV bag.
The man’s eyelids twitched.
“Did you see that?” Bree exclaimed.
“I did,” Grant responded. “He could wake at any moment.”
Avery sighed. “Or it could be hours. I don’t know about the rest of you, but my stomach is barking at me for skipping lunch.”
“I could stand a bite. Is the hospital cafeteria still open?” Melissa asked.
A nurse appeared behind them. “They’re remodeling the cafeteria. Until they’re finished, they have limited hours.” She wrapped the blood pressure cuff around Blade’s arm and tapped a button on the monitoring device. The cuff expanded, squeezing Bade’s arm. “Those of us working the evening shift usually call in our orders to TJ’s, and we send one of us to retrieve them. Beats going hungry or eating whatever meal prep we’ve had all week.”
Avery nodded. “Sounds like a viable option.” She looked around at her team. “Let me know what you want, and I’ll make that run.”
“I’ll go with you,” Grant said.
“Actually,” Avery said, “I’d like Bree to come along. It’s not far, and we haven’t really had time to talk. I’m still debating pressing charges,” she said with an arched brow. “Unless she convinces me otherwise.”
Bree snorted, her lips drawing up on one corner. “Not above blackmail, are you?”
Avery met her twin’s gaze. “Not if it works. Does it?”
Bree’s mouth spread in a smile, softening her features. “We’re more alike than I pegged you for.”
“How about I escort the two of you?” Grant offered, not liking the idea of Avery leaving his sight for even a short drive across town.
“Not necessary,” Avery said. “There’s still enough daylight to get there and back.”
Grant frowned. “I don’t like the idea of you two ladies going about without protection.”
Melissa snorted. “But it was okay for me and Bree to roam the countryside without a scary Navy SEAL to protect us?”
Avery cocked an eyebrow. “She makes my point. Besides, Bree and I have things to discuss. In private.”
Bree’s brow wrinkled. “We do?”
“Yes. If it makes you feel better, we’ll place the order from here for carryout. Bree and I will dash over to pick it up and be back in a matter of minutes.”
“The diner or TJ’s?” the sheriff asked.
“I like TJ’s wings and seasoned fries,” Melissa said.
“Sounds good to me,” Bree said. “Sheriff?”
“The sliders and plain fries.” Sheriff Taylor shook his head. “None of that seasoned garbage.”
Avery used her cell phone to locate the number for TJ’s and placed the call. Within minutes, she’d made the order, including a club sandwich for herself and a personal pizza for Grant.
“My car’s parked out front,” Bree said.
