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The doctor scowled.
The woman grinned. “I see you’re feeling better. Are you hungry? I brought banana muffins.”
The warm banana scent made Chase’s stomach rumble. He smothered a smile at the expression on the doctor’s face.
“We really need to limit your visitors to one at a time,” he said. “You had a very close call last night.”
The woman frowned. “Obviously you need a muffin. Here, pick one.” She held her basket toward the doctor. He hesitated for a brief second, then took one and left the room.
“I told you not to come,” Josh said, leaning over to give her a quick kiss.
“Since when do I ever listen when someone tells me I can’t do something? Jacquie is my best friend, and she’s in the hospital. Of course I’m going to come.”
“I for one am glad she’s here,” Jacquie said and patted the bed. Callie sat next to her and handed her a muffin.
“And who’s this?” Callie asked smiling at Chase.
“Chase McKenzie,” he said, stepping forward to shake her hand.
“Would you like a muffin?” She held the basket toward him.
He smiled, turning on the charm, and took a muffin. “Thank you, I’d love one.”
“They’re banana and my specialty.”
“Callie runs the Mountain Inn Coffee shop,” Josh explained. “You’ll have to stop by while you’re in town—her baked goods are amazing.”
Callie smiled at Josh, and her nose crinkled the slightest bit, making her appear adorable. “Thank you.”
“It’s true,” Josh said with a goofy smile on his face.
Yep, she shouldn’t have come, Chase thought. Josh could barely take his eyes off the pretty blond.
“Listen,” Chase said to get his attention. “I’m going to run down to security and ask about their cameras. I’ll be right back.” Chase bit into his muffin and headed out the door. As he left the room, he thought about how wobbly Jacquie had been when he saw her in the hallway that morning. She needed to stay in bed. Though, if he remembered right, she never liked to do what she was told, and it appeared she hadn’t changed a bit.
He took out his phone and called his partner, Thomas, and filled him in on what was going on. “I think I’m going to need a little help with this one, maybe even another man or two. A couple of old friends of mine are in trouble. I’m hoping it’s not the case, but my brother might be involved. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this one. I can’t believe Aiden would do what they’re saying.”
“Maybe he didn’t. Wait for the evidence before jumping to conclusions. I remember Aiden. I don’t see him veering too far off the path,” Thomas assured him.
“I hope you’re right,” Chase admitted.
“In the meantime, I’ll do a deep dive and find out what he’s been up to.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“Don’t worry about your cases here, Suzy has you covered, and I’ll see if there is anyone else we can spare.”
Chase disconnected the line and, not for the first time, wondered how he would have made it without Thomas and Suzy. They always had his back, no matter what the situation, and he’s been in some pretty sticky ones.
He arrived at the hospital’s security office and spoke to the officer in charge. Within minutes he was looking at footage of a dark blue, late-model, Ford pickup truck, and a clear image of Aiden sitting in the passenger’s seat.
His heart sunk. Was he wrong? Had his brother tried to kill Sylvia and Jacquie?
5
Jacquie bitinto the warm muffin, thankful for the distraction and for Chase finally leaving the room. How was it that he was more handsome now than the day he left? It wasn’t right. “These are so good,” she said to Callie. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course I’d come. So tell me about Chase.” She gave her a knowing grin.
