Something I didn’t want to see in her eyes.
We turn the corner and the living room is a disaster. A mirror sits on the floor in thousands of tiny pieces, mixed with drops of blood that turn into pools of blood.
“Oh my God!” I point to the floor. “Is everyone okay?”
The chief steps in front of Cooper and I, opening his mouth to speak before he’s interrupted by Wyatt coming into the house.
“I’m fine. Just a little blood.” He’s holding a towel to his cheek.
“You’re not fine. You’re going to the hospital.” The Chief says to Wyatt.
He pulls the towel away and there’s an actual hole in his cheek that goes along almost to his ear. “Wyatt! What happened?” I rush to him, inspecting the wound that won’t stop bleeding. “Put this back on, apply pressure, and get in that damn ambulance.”
I start pushing him out the door without asking any questions about Jack. “Ambulance or we’ll drive you, but make a choice now or I’m making it for you.”
Wyatt stares at me. “Who knew you were so fucking bossy?” He smirks.
“Three. Two.” I count down.
“Fine, fine. Cooper can drive me.” He climbs into the truck without another thought and Cooper meets us in record time.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Peterson, would you mind staying to give your official statements?” A cop who looks like he’s about twelve, asks me.
“We can get that at the hospital when we go check on our boy here.” The Chief answers for me.
“I’m sorry. If you go knock on the door at the farmhouse, Aggie or Tommy will be able to help you with anything. I’m sure they’re already texting everyone about what’s going on, unless someone called them.” Looking at Cooper and Wyatt I see sheepish little boy looks on their faces. “I’m going to say they’re unaware.” I add, then pull out my phone to call Aggie myself.
Chief shuts the door and we’re speeding down the road.
“Wyatt, what were you thinking? He was armed! You shouldn’t have jumped on him.” I admonish him.
“Please, it’sh my dob.” His eyes widen at the change in his speech.
“Okay, don’t talk. I think the right side of your cheek has some nerve damage. You might have facial paralysis. Just keep holding pressure.” I hand him a new towel from the back of the truck.
“That’s pretty specific.” Cooper says.
“I worked in an emergency room once upon a time when I thought I could get my RN. You learn a lot.”
Cooper pulls up in front of the emergency department doors and I hop out, helping Wyatt into the hospital even though he doesn’t actually need my help, it makes me feel better.
One of the triage nurses runs over to us. “Male, GSW to the cheek, possible facial paralysis, slurred speech,” I shout.
He nods, taking Wyatt back through the locked double doors immediately. I collapse into one of the waiting room chairs, pulling out my phone and see at least twenty missed calls and a matching number of texts from Aggie.
I sigh, standing again. “I’ve got to go call Aggie. And probably Anna to check on Lily.”
He wraps his arms around my shoulders. “Take a breath. A lot of shit just happened.”
Together we take a few deep breaths. “I’m good. Really. I just want to call Aggie.”
“Okay. Do you want me to come with you, or wait for you in here?”
“I think I’m okay to do it alone. I’ll be quick. Promise.” I drop a quick peck on his cheek before stepping toward the doors that open automatically.
The phone rings for all of half of a ring.
“Aubrey, honey!” she exclaims.
