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“Sorry, I didn’t think you’d be awake so soon.” He nodded toward the man. “Shelby Taylor, this is Gerard Guidry. He’s also with the Brotherhood Protectors, and he’s my backup on this mission. I texted him as soon as you started to wake.”
Gerard held out his hand. “Deputy Taylor. It’s good to see you up and about.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at Gerard and turned a cocked eyebrow on Remy. “Were there any other people besides the medical staff in my room while I was out?”
Remy’s lips twisted. “One other. It took time for me and Gerard to fly down from Montana. We had a man named Tyson King stand guard over you until we could get here.”
Shelby shook her head. “You two flew all the way from Montana?” Shelby narrowed her eyes. “What’s a hometown boy from Bayou Mambaloa doing in Montana?”
He grinned. “Receiving my orientation into my new job as a Brotherhood Protector.”
Shelby pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’ll have to trust you on that. My head aches, and I need to sit before I fall.”
“Right.” Gerard pushed through the door into her room and held it open.
Remy slipped his arm around Shelby’s back again and walked with her to the bed, where she sat on the edge.
“Do I have any clothes I can wear when I leave this place?” she asked. “Or will I have to wear these gowns out?”
“J.D. LaDue dropped off a bag your sister put together for you. It’s in the closet.” Remy crossed to the closet.
Inside were two plastic garbage bags. He lifted the one on top and peered inside. “These are your clean clothes and shoes.” He handed them to her and looked into the other bag. “This must be what’s left of your uniform.” His nose wrinkled. “Yup. Smells like swamp water.” He closed the bag and wrapped the drawstring around it several times. “I’m not sure what you can salvage from it, but we’ll take it with us when we leave.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“Come in,” Shelby called out. “I hope it’s the nurse with my discharge papers.”
A nurse entered, carrying a sheaf of papers, followed by a man in dark slacks and a matching jacket with a New Orleans Police Department patch sewn on the front.
The nurse grimaced. “I’m here to go over your discharge, but first, Detective Saulnier would like to ask you some questions about the attack.” She stepped to the side, allowing the detective through the door.
“Good morning, Miss Taylor.” He held out his hand and gave hers a firm shake. “Or should I say Deputy Taylor?”
“You can call me Shelby,” she said.
“Mr. Guidry was good enough to let me know you woke up this morning. I came as soon as I could.” The detective flipped open a small notepad and pulled a pen from his pocket. “I also came in the night you were admitted after you were attacked in your hospital bed. From what I could get out of the staff, they were all responding to a code blue when you were attacked. No one saw the man come in, but a nurse saw one leave your room. Can you tell me anything about your attacker?”
Shelby gave a short, sharp laugh. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I just woke up less than an hour ago. I don’t remember anything that happened to me for the past few weeks, much less the past two nights.” She flung her hands in the air, tears filling her eyes. One slipped out and ran down her cheek. “Damn it.” She brushed the tear aside. “Deputies don’t fuckin’ cry.”
“I’m sorry this happened to you, Deputy—Shelby.” The detective gave her a gentle smile. “I had to ask, just in case you came to before the man attacked.”
Shelby drew a deep breath, gathered her crumbling reserves and lifted her chin. “I understand. I apologize for losing my shit. I’ll be okay as soon as I get out of this hospital.”
Saulnier nodded. “I hate hospitals.” Saulnier pulled a card out of his pocket. “You know the drill.”
“Yeah.” Shelby smiled. “If I remember anything of use, I’ll give you a call. Hell, if I remember anything, I’ll turn backflips.”
After the detective left, Shelby’s gaze went to the nurse. “Let’s do this. No offense, but I’m ready to get the hell out of here.”
The nurse laughed and quickly went through the papers. When she was done, she asked, “Need help getting dressed?”
“Maybe.” Shelby gave Remy a pointed glance. “If you two could step outside, I’ll only be a minute.”
Remy and Gerard exited.
“I’ll stay to make sure you don’t fall,” the nurse said. “If you need help, just ask. Otherwise, you’re on your own. I ordered a wheelchair to be brought up. It should be here soon.”
“Thanks.” Shelby dumped the bag of clothes on the bed, thankful her sister had the foresight to send them. She smiled. Chrissy was a good mother to her children. She’d been Shelby’s second mom when their mother had to work full-time to support her two daughters after she’d divorced her husband. Sure, he’d paid child support, but the money had only gone so far.
