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“I made plenty, help yourself.”
She dished up scrambled eggs, sausageandbacon—wow, he even made hash browns!—and a slice of a quiche thing that had green stuff in it, but it smelled good. “You can save livesandcook. Lucky me.”
She poured coffee and sat down at the table.
“You okay?”
“Peachy.”
“Seriously, Kara. I don’t usually get to save the life of the same person twice in one day.”
“Honestly, that’s behind me.” Mostly. “You are a rock, Michael, and I’ll never forget that. You had my back and I hope you know that I have yours, though you won’t see me diving into the ocean or disarming bombs.”
“You have your strengths,” he said with a grin, then stuffed a piece of bacon in his mouth.
“It’s Marcy,” she said after a few minutes. Well, it was MarcyandCatherine, but for different reasons. “Don’t tell me I did everything I could. I know that. It still doesn’t stop me from seeing her blow her brains out.”
Michael didn’t say anything, and they ate in silence. It was a comfortable silence, and she was grateful.
She cleaned up the kitchen while Michael poured them both more coffee. It was the least she could do after the delicious meal.
“How about if we go to the hospital and check on the Finches?” Michael said.
“I’d like that.”
The hospital wasn’t far, because nothing was far in Friday Harbor. They bought flowers in an attached gift shop, and as they were walking out, Kara couldn’t believe what she saw—a stuffed Marshall dog fromPAW Patrol. She went back to the counter and bought it. Maybe Hazel already had one. If she didn’t want it, Kara would keep it for herself. To remind her that she’d done her job: Hazel and her mother were alive.
When they arrived in Jamie’s room, Cal was in a chair, looking like he hadn’t slept or eaten in days. Hazel was sitting on her mom’s bed, looking up at the television, wherePAW Patrolwas playing without sound. That didn’t seem to bother Hazel. She probably knew every episode by heart.
Jamie had circles under her eyes. She was hooked up to an IV and had a bandage around her head. Her left wrist was in a cast, and her right wrist was bandaged. She looked at them when they entered and almost smiled.
“You didn’t have to.”
Her voice sounded off, tired and scratchy.
“Pretty!” Hazel said.
Cal took the flowers and put them on the windowsill. “Thank you,” he said. “For everything.” He took Jamie’s hand. Kissed it, gently.
Kara squatted next to Hazel. “I thought of you when I saw him.” She handed her the Marshall toy.
Hazel’s eyes widened even more. She took the stuffed rescue dog and hugged him. “I love him!”
Hazel had bounced back. Kara envied her innocence, hoped she held on to it as long as possible.
She turned to Jamie. “We won’t stay long. Just wanted to make sure you were doing okay.”
Jamie said, “I don’t remember much from yesterday, if that’s what you want to know.”
“Not now,” Michael said. “When you’re feeling better, you’ll need to give a statement, but not today.”
With all the emotion in the room, Kara was uncomfortable being there, and she admired Michael for his class. He was a good guy.
“Hazel’s a hero,” Kara said.
“She really is.” Jamie smiled, tears in her eyes. “The nurse told me what you did, Detective Quinn. That both of you risked your lives to get me out of that boat.”
“Piece of cake,” Michael said. “I’m a Navy SEAL, we can do anything.”
