“No. You aren’t.”
“I gave your father my word.”
“And I know he didn’t ask you for it,” she said with perfect confidence.
How could he respond? She was right.
“The Sergeant Major wasn’t around too much when we were growing up all over the world. One military base after another. We didn’t come back to Texas until he retired.” Sadness tinged her voice as she tucked the curls behind her ears, something he’d wanted to do for several minutes. Now he could see the disappointment in her eyes. “He left four very curious minds to grow up alone…a lot. We were taught to be very independent, but I can take orders when necessary.”
“I need your help to ensure your brother’s safety.” Crickets chirped. The breeze blew a wind chime from a neighboring yard. His abs contracted and he had to force normal breathing. “It’ll be dangerous, and it may ruin your career. But you can trust me. If you listen, we can pull this off.”
“I’m in.”
“You don’t know what I’m asking you to do.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She stopped the swing, planting her feet on the worn wood of the deck. “He’s my little brother. I’m not only trusting you with my life, Erren. This is Texas. If Michael’s convicted of murdering a cop, it’s an expressway to the death penalty.”
DARBY WOUND THROUGH THE Parkland Memorial Hospital’s halls as if it were a typical day at work. She’d been in the county hospital several times to obtain statements from suspects or criminals. She never minded visiting the hospital to do her job. For the most part visiting was okay. There were areas that smelled like antiseptic or Mr. Clean. It always smelled the same to her. Overly absent.
It had been easy to purchase hospital scrubs and white shoes at a Walmart north of Dallas so they’d blend in. She and Erren had parked the truck, traveling the last half mile on separate buses. The facility normally had a huge staff, and the shift change on a Saturday morning provided perfect timing.
She’d told Erren she’d wait for him in the visitors’ area on the eighth floor. When she noticed his tall frame at the end of the hall, he stopped and chatted with several nurses at their station, seemingly unaware he was three minutes late. One of the nurses handed him a chart.
Wearing a white doctor’s coat with his hair pulled back in a rubber band, he flipped through the pages and turned his back to a security camera, waving to the brunette who continued to watch him walk away.
Darby lifted two fingers, pointing to the right. He acknowledged and passed her, opening the second door down the hall. She waited a moment and followed.
“Are you crazy?” she asked as soon as she pulled the door closed. “What was that all about at the nurses’ station?”
It was tight quarters in the closet where the crash cart was stored. Not much room for one person, let alone two. Erren took a step forward and was a hairsbreadth away from her.
Being close to him was driving her senses bonkers.
“Just blending in. I scored the coat on the way inside.” He lifted the collar with both thumbs, showing off. “Want to play doctor?”
The tension between them hadn’t subsided but only grown through the night. She’d even been able to get her hands on his chest when he’d insisted she practice giving him fake CPR. Making certain her brother would still breathe and wouldn’t be harmed by her pounding on his heart.
“We have a short window of time to pull this rescue together and an even shorter amount to make it happen.” Ignoring his playful “doctor” comment and avoiding looking into his eyes, she asked, “Shouldn’t we go over the last-minute details?”
His lips on hers took her totally by surprise. His hands stroking the skin of her back were as much a part of the kiss as his lips. The warmth of his arms penetrated the scrub shirt, wrapping her in a cocoon of protection. She didn’t understand her desire to stay secure or how this particular man could provide it. But she certainly enjoyed being there.
Her lips were moist from his caress and suddenly cool. Opening her eyes, Erren was still close because her arms had wound around his neck holding him in place. She dropped her hands to her sides, but his arms held tight at her waist.
“Hey, kissing worked when I was nervous in the balloon.”
“Are you certain this is the only way?” she asked, calmer, but still uncertain. “Isn’t there someone on Pike’s wall who could guard Michael or something?”
“Second thoughts?” He smiled at her, damn it. A smile that told her he completely understood she didn’t want to break the law she’d sworn to uphold.
“None. You can’t do this without two people in his room. I also know this hospital and their protocol. I can do this.”
“Great. This our special machine?” He set the chart on top of the crash cart. Fully in his element, his attitude was not only playful but excited. His eyes were bright and mischievous. “All set for hearts to go pitter pat?”
His teasing was meant to set her at ease. She hoped his infectious attitude would rub off and eliminate her jitters.
“I thought I was going to be the doctor.” She tried to maintain his lightheartedness.
“And I said I would
“I don’t think you accomplished what you hoped for.”
“Are you ready?” The amber of his eyes had darkened with anticipation.
“Yes.”
“Did you confirm the Sergeant Major’s location?”
“I used the hospital lobby phone. They’re in the parking lot with the car.”
“Perfect. Let me get the Medic on the line. We don’t go ’til he’s on standby.” He dialed the cell the ADA had given him the night before.
“Erren, I want to th—”
He raised a finger to his lips.
No one picked up. Erren redialed. “Come on, man. We’ve only got twenty minutes.”
The space was restricted and she could smell the clean, soapy scent of his skin when she turned her head to wait. She took a step back, but Erren’s free hand stopped her from moving. They weren’t really touching, except where his hand rested on her hip bone. And she should be more concerned that moments from now they’d be irrevocably breaking the law and she’d never be a cop again.
But right then, all she could think about was the strong, confident feel of Erren’s chest as she’d spaced and reviewed where to place her hands for CPR. Or how it felt to put her palm over his heart and feel wholly alive.
“What took you so long?” Erren spoke into the phone. “We’re ready to go. You’re on speaker. Remember to mute your phone unless you need to correct what we’re doing.”
Erren slipped the phone in his pocket. His hands cupped the sides of her shoulders and he looked into her eyes.
“Remember the conversation. Don’t lie. We talked about what’s going to happen. I mean it, Darby—it’s all the truth. Don’t lie. They’ll see through you faster than dialing 911.”
The man who would be hiding Michael was from Pike’s wall, a recommendation from Brian and known simply as “the Medic.” She’d listened to the plan through the open door while she’d been on the porch. Her inexperience wouldn’t have contributed to the conversation and she’d been tired of having to hold her tongue.
Their plan was solid and she agreed it was the only thing they could do. Thank God rescuing and securing Michael was everyone’s top priority. Even her father’s.
Erren picked up the chart and she backed out, pulling the cart. They left the closet, turning the last corner. Erren put glasses on, stooped his shoulders and put a pen over his ear. His complete immersion into his role as Dr. McCoy gave her the confidence to be his sidekick nurse. She was saving her little brother.
