Page 18 of The Deadly Shallows

“Good. Ask her to also compare it to the list of attendees that were slated to be at the hall,” he said. It’d be interesting to see what, if any, discrepancies arose.

ELEVEN

Brooke entered Wilmington General for what she prayed would be the last time that day. She rubbed her arms, trying to wrest December’s chill from her bones. It’d been over twelve hours since the shooting, and most of those hours were a hazy blur sifting through her rattled brain.

She made her way through the throngs of agitated family members pacing the lobby or lined up to speak with—or rather, holler at, as a man nearly lunging across the visitor’s desk was doing—the volunteer who was trying to keep order in the midst of tragic loss.

Two security guards stood watch, making sure no one got out of line. But she understood. There could be no peace for the throngs of relatives clamoring to learn more about their loved ones.

With the ER filled to overflowing and the tension pulsing through the air, visitors were limited, if not fully restricted, to the lobby.

Brooke swallowed, her throat parched. There hadn’t been time to eat or even drink more than bottled water during the intensity of the day. Once they’d wrapped up medic duties and everyone on-site had been seen to, Oscar had called a post-emergency briefing. It was important, but thankfully he hadn’t taken too long, because they were all weary, and her heart was cracked. Last she’d heard, Molly was still clinging to life—barely.

“Brooke,” Gabby called.

Brooke spun around, searching for her friend. She spotted Gabby waving from the center of the crowd as she maneuvered her petite frame through the tight-knit mass of people.

“Hey,” Gabby said, wrapping her arms around Brooke.

It was the first hug she’d gotten today, and heaven knew she needed it.

“How’s Noah?” Gabby asked. “You probably have or can get more details than me. All I could get was that he’s out of surgery and in a room.”

“The femoral artery wall wasn’t hit, thankfully,” Brooke said, the news one strong bright spot in her day. “They removed the bullet with no severe damage. He should be released within forty-eight hours.”

“Ha! My brother stay put for forty-eight hours? Yeah, right.” Gabby shook her head.

“I know. We might have to chain him to the bed.” But even that wouldn’t do it, knowing Noah. She was half-surprised he hadn’t already checked himself out of the hospital.

Gabby lifted a Trader Joe’s bag. “Rissi said you’ve been running all day. I thought you could use some fresh clothes, since I imagine you’ll be here awhile. And your purse is in there too. Finn cleared it from the scene. I also drove your car over. It’s in the rear parking lot—second row.”

Brooke took the bag from Gabby’s outstretched hand.

“Thank you. That’s so thoughtful.”

“Have you been cleared to go up?” Gabby asked.

Brooke smiled shyly, feeling a little reluctant when so many other people weren’t being allowed to see their loved ones. “Yes. Professional courtesy, I guess.”

Gabby squeezed her hand. “I better let you get up there, then.”

Brooke nodded.

“I’m praying for Molly. We all are.”

“Thanks,” Brooke said, trying not to cry. If she started, she feared she’d never stop. She gave Gabby one last hug and headed for the elevators.

The doors slid open, and Caleb and Austin stepped out.

“Hey there,” she said. “You two heading out?”

“Yeah. I’m taking Austin home,” Caleb said.

Brooke knew Austin had injured her shoulder but didn’t know the extent. “Anything broken or torn?”

“Nope,” Austin said. “Just a dislocated shoulder. They popped it back in place. Right as rain.”

While popping it back in place was a quick procedure, it certainly wasn’t a painless one. “Did the doc give you pain medicine?”