Page 56 of Saving Meadow

He didn’t answer. The tape binding my wrists and ankles were cut, and Nick rubbed my arms. He called for a medic, and soon a man and a woman joined us. Neither of us spoke, but he never took his eyes from mine. I heard the man tell Nick I needed to get to a hospital. Nick nodded and held my hand while I was loaded into the ambulance. I was surprised when he climbed in after me. I thought he’d need to stay behind with the police, but he never let go.

“I’m sorry I drank the coffee. I was so stupid. I’m so sorry I killed Sally.”

Nick hung his head, and the thin leash that was holding me together snapped when the first tear fell from his eye.

It was all my fault.

25

Fly or drive?

The hospital was swarming with police when the ambulance pulled into the ER bay. The back doors of the rig were pulled open, and Meadow’s stretcher was flanked by police on both sides as we were escorted to a private room usually reserved for chemical contamination or communicable diseases. The threat of Beth Stevens was now contained; however, the media would be surrounding the hospital like flies on shit. I was grateful the local PD was doing what they could to keep them at bay.

The doctor came in, and the rapid-fire questions began. She was taking Meadow’s vitals and inquiring about past medical history. Through it all I sat there stone-faced, unable to give Meadow the reassurance she wanted.

I’d failed her.

I was still failing her.

I couldn’t stop the replay reel of Meadow thrashing around on the ground. One second later. That was all it would’ve taken. If Sally hadn’t gotten loose and charged Beth, Meadow could’ve died. I could do nothing; there was no time for me to get to her.

Sally!

Jesus fuck, the dog saved my girl, not me. I didn’t do a damn thing. And all Meadow was worried about was if Sally was okay. Then she apologized to me for taking coffee from Beth.

My phone vibrated, and I pulled it from my pocket.

Joel: Sally is at the emergency vet clinic on 12th. Updates to follow. How’s Meadow?

Me: Thanks. With the doc now.

“You’re a lucky lady, Meadow. Two lacerations. One I’m going to suture, the other I’ll Dermabond. I want to get your thigh cared for before we clean your back. I can Steri-Strip a few of the deeper cuts. Your back is going to be sore. I’m more concerned with the abrasions becoming infected than I am about the clean incisions on your leg. Your back will need to be washed twice a day with anti-bacterial soap, you’ll have a betadine ointment to use as well. I’m going to give you a round of IV antibiotics now and write you a ten-day script. Any questions?”

“No,” Meadow answered.

“Yes,” I countered. “She was drugged with ketamine. What are the side effects?”

“I was told. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic; it is short lasting, meaning the effect will wear off quickly. As the drug leaves the system, reactions vary from high blood pressure, muscle spasms, hallucinations, and extreme agitation. The flip side is low blood pressure and decreased breathing. Meadow isn’t presenting any adverse side effects,” the doctor informed me.

“What about a concussion? We don’t know if she hit her head,” I argued.

“I’m fine, Nick.” Meadow grabbed my hand and I fought not to jerk it away.

“We don’t know that,” I said.

“Agent Clark. I understand your concern. I can assure you we will be observing Miss Holiday closely over the next few hours, but as of now, it’s my belief she’ll be home in her bed tonight with pain meds to manage any discomfort.”

“Nick?”

Fuck. I couldn’t take Meadow’s tears; I needed a minute to regain my composure.

“I’ll be right back. I need to check in with the guys,” I lied, pulling my hand free.

I didn’t miss the look of disappointment when I left the exam room. I also didn’t miss the sound of Meadow’s sobs.

I yanked my phone back out of my pocket and dialed the one person I knew could help. I didn’t bother with the time, because they wouldn’t care. Day or night didn’t matter.

“Hello?”