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“Two people. One I know personally, the other I’ve only heard about.”
“Who are they?” Chloe asked, eager anticipation in her brown eyes.
“There’s a doctor here at the hospital named Harley Zabkar. He’s an orthopedic surgeon who would certainly fit with your profile. There’s just something about him I don’t like. I never have. He’s terrible to patients and their families; there are several complaints on file about him. And he’s hard to work with—he’s rude and arrogant. But he is good at what he does, which I suppose is why he still has a job. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s the look he has on his face when he consults down here in the ER. When he talks about a patient, there’s no compassion, no empathy on his face. He’s not just neutral either. It’s like he’s excited that they were hurt. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“And the other man?” Tom asked.
“One of the nurses who recently transferred here was in a bad car accident a few years ago. She went through extensive physical therapy at a private facility about twenty minutes from here. She said one of the therapists there was overly interested in her and her injuries. Whenever he was there, he would grill her about which bones she had broken, and what it felt like, and how they had healed. She said it wasn't just her, but he was always asking inappropriate questions about patients’ injuries, specifically broken bones. I think his name is Pete Larkin.”
*****
4:02 P.M.
“Thanks for your help, Fin,” Chloe said. It felt weird to say his name again; it had been so long since the two of them had spent any time together. She liked this, and she didn't want it to end. She wanted to think up more questions to ask just so that she and Tom didn't have to leave yet, but her partner had alreadycovered everything they needed to know for their case.
“Anything I can do to help catch this guy,” he said, although he addressed his statement more to Tom than to her.
Fin had barely glanced her way the whole time they’d been talking to him. Even when she asked him a question, he kept his gaze focused on her partner.
But …
Chloe thought that he might have breathed in her perfume when they’d first walked into the office.
Shethoughthe might have, but she wasn't completely sure.
One thing shewascompletely sure of was that Fin was still angry with her.
Very angry.
So angry she was starting to think that there was no hope for them. That her walking away and breaking his heart was irreparable. She should have known better. She should have talked to him, explained things.
But she hadn’t, and now Fin hated her.
Still, he had been affected by the scent of her perfume. Chloe had been able to tell by the glazed look in his eyes that he was reminiscing. He hadn’t looked angry as he’d been lost in thought, so hopefully, he had been thinking about happy times. And if he was thinking about happy times, then maybe therewasstill a chance for them.
Even if there was only the slimmest of chances that she and Fin could repair their relationship, she had to try.
After all, it was Christmastime.
A time for miracles and love and hope and second chances.
That had to mean something.
“Let us know if you think of anything else,” Tom was saying to Fin as they both stood.
She stood too—somewhat uncertainly. She wanted to talk to Fin, but she was afraid he was going to turn her down flat.Maybe it was best just to move on. It had to be the healthier option for both of them.
Chloe followed her partner out the door, but then she froze.
Now was not the time to be a coward. If she wanted to get back what she and Fin had lost, then she had to fight for them.
“Wait.”
Tom turned and looked at her, confused. “Did you forget something?”
“No. I uh, I just need a minute,” she said, looking back at the door.
“Ah.” Tom nodded understandingly. “Sure. I’ll go see if the nurse Fin told us about is working tonight, then I’ll call and check in on Hannah. She wasn't feeling well this morning. Meet you in the car.”
