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She’d hesitated and gave me a nervous smile before fidgeting with it for a second. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with this stupid thing. It’s messed up. I’ll see if Sharon can help me,” she’d said.
I’d smiled and reached over—which I absolutely shouldnothave done. Luckily, the IV pole was directly next to my bed, so I didn’t have to reach far. Without hesitation, I pushed the same button I’d watched other nurses push a hundred times to stop the beeping. When she gave an uncomfortable chuckle, I hit my call button without breaking eye contact.
“Yes, Temperance?” Nurse Melanie said.
“Hi, sorry to bother you. My IV is beeping. I think it needs to be swapped out,” I said.
“Okay! I’ll be right there!” she responded quickly.
I smiled. “Thank you. Send security, too. There’s someone in my room pretending to be a nurse.”
The faux nurse had waved her hands and rapidly pleaded innocence. “No-no-no. I’m so sorry to bother you. I’m the aunt of one of the—”
Before she could get too far into what I assumed would have been an Emmy Award winning testimony, I put my hand up to stop her. “Nice try on the aunt thing. Might have been believable if I hadn’t caught you going through my trash and shit. What grieving aunt poses as a nurse, pretends to know the staff, comes to a stranger’s room to check on them, and goes through their trash?”
Before she could give another panicked answer, my real nurses rushed into the room. As always, they were in there within seconds.
“Come with us, or we’ll drag you out. I’m not waiting for security. Don’t think for a second I’m playing with you. I’m small, but I’ll climb you like a damn tree.” Nurse Luisa was a tiny, sweet, and patient woman. She’d almost seemed mousy, but apparently, fucking with her patients was a no-go.
I couldn’t help the smartass that kept bubbling up. I was in pain, on pain killers, probably had PTSD, and I’d had enough of all the assholes trying to mess with me. “Also, you shouldprobablylearn the names of the people you’re fake-working with next time. I’ve been here long enough to know everyone here, and there’s not a single Sharon working on this floor.”
Security ran in and hauled her ass out while she blubbered something unintelligible about not meaning any harm. She’d had someone cause enough of a commotion in the lobby that she was able to slip by unnoticed in the same color scrubs assigned to nurses working in this unit.
Angela was right. My face and identity being out there would bring out the crazies! I just wish I’d even had the opportunity to take her advice. That chance had been robbed from me.
After that unfortunate event, security was tightened around my room, and I had an off-duty police officer posted at my door around the clock. Anyone coming in or out had to use a passcode that was changed every shift. It was ridiculous, and honestly, I didn’t understand how or why I was so important, but I knew it was necessary.
Someone charitable had taken it upon themselves to pay for my added security. They didn’t tell me who or why, but I was grateful for that, too. It was the first time I’d felt safe since everything had happened.
After all, it was obvious whoever attacked the church didn’t want any survivors. How long before one of them showed up in here to finish the job? And while dear, sweet Nurse Melanie had done her best to dissuade me of that, she failed. I had a wild imagination, and after seeing that much death… it didn’t exactly leave you thinking straight. Nightmares plagued me every time I closed my eyes, and I somehow felt safer in my paranoia.
A knock on my door distracted me from my worried thoughts. When I turned, Detective Abbott stood in the door frame with a folder in her hand. She had a genuine soft smile on her face. She was by herself, and I wondered if her brighter appearance had anything to do with losing Detective Downer for a while.
“Good morning, Temperance. May I come in?” she asked.
I nodded and carefully shifted higher in bed. “Of course. Good morning to you, too. Did you bring me some good news?”
Detective Abbott sucked in a breath and held on to it for a moment, her expression thoughtful as she pondered her next words. “Um… well…news, yes. However, I’m quite unsure how to classify it. I hate to say this, but I do have to warn you. This will be a difficult conversation.”
My brows furrowed. I didn’t like the way that sounded. “Okay… That doesn’t sound great.” I took a deep breath, preparing myself. “Okay. What is it?”
She motioned to the edge of my bed, and I nodded. After she took a seat next to me, her gaze turned to the door before turning back to me.
“I’m sure you’ve wondered why a generous benefactor would take it upon themselves to place round-the-clock armed, off-duty police security at your door as well as pay forallyour medical bills, including a six-hour surgery.”
“What? I knew about the security, but I had no idea about the medical bills. I can’t even imag—” I exhaled sharply, cutting myself off as I shook my head in genuine disbelief. My eyes were wide. “My bills have to be nearing $100,000. Atleast.Don’t get me wrong. I’mverygrateful. With my parents gone, I don’t know what happens to my medical coverage. Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it. However, hell yes. I’m wondering why.”
A mix of some emotion I couldn’t identify crossed her face. Sympathy? Concern? All-out worry? I couldn’t tell.
“Some information has come up. I want you to know that I looked into it myself. Before I tell you what I’m about to tell you, I want you to know something. This could possibly be completely untrue. It’s simply wishful thinking on someone’s part. And while I would love for him to find his happy ending and reunite his family—truly, I truly do—I also don’t want you to have to suffer through anything else. You’ve been through enough shit in the last couple weeks to last a lifetime. So again… What I’m about to say may not even be true. Whether it is or isn’t, I will be with you every step of the way. Okay?”
I swallowed hard. I appreciated her honesty and fierceness. It was obvious that even though she didn’t know me much and hadn’t spoken to me more than a couple of times, that she cared. She hadn’t completely walled off her heart like Detective Dickhead.
“O-okay. What is it?” I stammered. My voice cracked when I spoke, which bothered me more than it should.
“As you know, this has been quite the headline. Something tragic like this happens in a small town, and it’s big news. One hundred and thirty-seven people died. It got a lot of attention.” She shifted in her seat uncomfortably. “When your picture went up—”
“Oh, hell. Here we go,” I mumbled. “Lemme guess. Some weirdo came out of nowhere claiming I’m someone special, and he needs to meet with me right away?”
