“Yes, but if the accident happened somewhere else, the paperwork might have started there.” She sighed. “It might not have ever made it here.”
“That doesn’t make sense. If the address was Waverly, someone would have called our office.”
“Maybe.” There was something cagey in what Leticia wasn’t saying.
“What do you know?”
“I’m not sure.” She paused before continuing. “There was a situation we talked about in the leadership meeting a few weeks ago. A case where the director got a call but then was told to forget about it the next day. She wasn’t pleased but didn’t have enough information to push back. She mentioned it so we’d all be aware if something similar happened.” Leticia hummed a moment. “See, it’s nothing we can do anything with other than keep it in mind.”
Bridget didn’t like any of this. Something strange was going on, and it all seemed to circle around this poor girl who lay alone in the hospital. “Someone has to be missing her.”
“I hope so.” Leticia cleared her throat. “I’ll check again, but there’s nothing here. Stay close to her, and let’s hope Officer Westmont finds something. I don’t want you to sign for a risky surgery. I don’t like that, and the department won’t want to pay if it can be avoided.”
“Understood, but if it’s what she needs. . .”
“The doctor can make that decision. You don’t have the medical knowledge to do that.”
After the call ended, Bridget went back to Eliza’s room. She shouldn’t have left her alone, but she couldn’t stay in that small room for long periods. How could she balance protecting Eliza by staying, while also getting the information she needed?
She stifled a yawn as she sank onto the recliner. How much sleep did she get last night? Not much. Just a few hours, and none of it uninterrupted. Her brain had fogged, so maybe she could close her eyes for just a few minutes. Get a power nap to recharge.
She needed to stay awake. But her eyes refused to stay open as her head throbbed where she had hit it. She really should get more painkillers.
Bridget fought but felt sleep overcoming her.
CHAPTER 14
Anoise startled Bridget awake.
It was more than the beeps and whooshes of the machines that made the backdrop to the ICU. An alarm sounded somewhere down the hall, but that wasn’t what had awoken her. She opened her eyes and forced herself to stay still.
A man stood over Eliza. His build matched that of the man from the ER.
She shifted as she slid her phone from her pocket and hit the emergency button. At least she hoped she had. Would the police be able to locate her?
His eyes were hard and dark as he turned to her. “I wouldn’t do that.” His voice was low, lethal, hard.
“Why are you here?”
“Unfinished business.” The words were clipped.
She saw he meant them. Eliza was business to him. That chilled her more than seeing him tower over the child. “She can’t hurt you.”
“You’re right. I made sure everyone would be occupied and leave us alone.”
He’d come in knowing she was here. “Does that mean I’m unfinished business, too?”
He didn’t bother to reply, and a chill swept down her spine. She eyed the space to the door. The recliner was tucked between the wall and the bed. More equipment stood between the recliner and the door. Could she manage to get out and scream for help?
“Don’t bother.” He didn’t move with any type of speed, all his motions deliberate and unhurried.
Then she noted the nurse call button. It was tucked on her side of the bed. She could reach that before he grabbed her. She lunged for the button and punched it, holding on, as she rolled to the floor, hitting her head in the process. Her ears rang, head pounding a protest at another hit so soon after last night. She needed to clamp the button. Someone would come to provide help.
Soon.
She just needed to hang on.
As she did, her brain tried to process why he stood above Eliza seemingly doing nothing. He’d been there a while. Then alarms started blaring, and he was on Bridget, shoving a syringe in her leg.
