Cody’s ham sandwich started climbing up his throat. He tried convincing himself again that she was just saying something that sounded like baby.
The nurse moved closer, staring at Shay. “Is she pregnant?”
“I don’t know.”
She looked at him as if he were a worm. “You don’t know?”
“She’s not married.”
“I thought you were her husband.”
He shook his head.
“Who are you?”
“A friend.”
“Humph,” she said, as if he’d tricked her. “Well, go on, now, and let her rest. You can come back later. You should get some dinner.” She touched her nose. “And take a shower.”
She was right. He could smell his own sweat. He’d spent every spare moment near her, trying to outlast Jamie, who was doing the same. Both of them bounced back and forth between sitting with Shay and standing guard. What would he do if Shay was carrying Jamie’s child? His stomach knotted up just thinking about it. Cody pulled two Rolaids out of the packet he kept in his pocket since Shay was back. His phone rang. It was his FBI contact.
“Someone’s opened the grave.”
Cody walked down the hall to his room. “Shay’s grave?”
“And they opened the casket. The body’s gone. Want to tell me why someone would open a twenty-five-year- old grave?” Sam asked.
“Probably dug it up during the past thirty-six hours. Police are blaming vandals.”
Cody kicked off his boots. “We both know it’s not.”
“You might. I don’t know what the heck it is. This stuff’s getting old. I could lose my job.”
“I know. I appreciate all you’ve done for us.” Sam wasn’t even a buffer, one of the humans who knew about the warriors and helped hide their secrets so warriors could fight evil without fear of being arrested by the ones they fought to protect. They had buffers at all levels, local, state, and international. In this day of information and technology, the warriors needed help covering their tracks. Usually an entire generation served as buffers, which helped keep the knowledge contained. Sam was more effective than most of them. Cody should make it official.
“Enough to tell me what it’s about? I’ve covered up stuff I can’t even explain. Like that
“I know. If you want me to, I’ll explain after all this is over, but you might wish I hadn’t.” The clan wouldn’t like it either, but Sam deserved some answers.
“Nothing would shock me concerning you. I’ll try to keep the grave robbing away from the press, but I can’t promise anything. This stuff stirs up public interest, and it’s getting close to Halloween.”
Cody hung up, took a quick shower, and headed back toward Shay’s room before Jamie got back and monopolized her time. All the while, Cody thought about Shay’s fake grave and how close she’d come to having a real one today. He had just replaced the brake pads and rotors on his truck the week before. Had he screwed something up? If this was his fault— His train of thought was interrupted when he ran into Lachlan, Marcas, and Ronan on their way out.
“Heard from the mechanic yet?” Lachlan asked.
“No. He towed the truck. He’s checking it out now.”
The nurse appeared at the top of the stairs, carrying a tray. She glared down at Cody, who had one foot on the bottom step. “Where do you think you’re going?”
The woman acted like it was her bloody house. “To check on Shay.” He glared back, daring her to stop him.
“You can’t. She has someone with her. He requested a few minutes of privacy.”
Cody bounded up the stairs, head exploding with visions of the blond intruder. He heard his brothers and Ronan behind him.
The nurse planted herself in the way, and Cody stopped, rather than plow her down, which is what he would have preferred to do. The door was cracked. Cody saw Jamie lean over and press his lips to Shay’s forehead.
“What the hell is he still doing here?” Cody asked. “I thought he left.”
“
“Boyfriend, my ass.” He started toward the door, but Marcas grabbed his arm.
“Give him a break,” Lachlan muttered. “Jamie’s a good guy.”
