- Unfortunately! - she responds.
I let out a laugh and she gets closer, heading towards Mike.
- Are you all right?" she says, hugging Mike. - I came as soon as I could. I could barely talk to you in the department.
- Yeah, it was just a cut. - he answers. - What did you do this time?
- It's a long story, but I promise I'll tell you later.
Casey looks at Viola and smiles.
- How are you? - she asks.
- I'm fine, Casey! - says Viola, hugging Mike's cousin. - I'll be better as soon as my mom leaves the hospital.
Casey faces America with disdain and smiles ironically.
- Are you going out for good or do you need an escort? - Casey asks, showing his badge.
- I'm so sorry! Your guarding power has no effect on this compound. - America says sarcastically, defying Casey.
She sighs, looking towards me and turns her eyes.
- Ryder? Can I shoot her?
- Feel free! - I answer, taking a step to the side and making room for Casey.
Everyone followed my gesture, leaving a clean target for Casey. America's eyes wide open, screaming when Casey triggered the gun.
- What's this circus in my hospital?
A thick and even more imperative voice sounds, coming out of one of the rooms. I make a face when I see Ryan come out in the hallway. Dressed in his usual white coat, he walks in wide steps, without ceasing to face, with fury, the look of Casey, who does not even bother with his presence.
- Not that one! - I whisper.
- Did you know he'd be here? - Brooke asks.
- I have no idea the dates of your shifts or I wouldn't have called Casey.
Ryan approaches with his intimidating posture, even for me, who was the same height as my uncle.
- It had to be you, didn't it? - he asks, coldly. - Can you put that thing down or do you intend to scare people?
Casey gives off an ironic laugh, but keeps his gun in his holster again.
- First of all, doctor, this is a public hospital, so it doesn't belong to you. - give it back to her. - Second of all, I'm no troublemaker. I'm a very respected policeman and this music box project, I was trying to attack my cousin when I got in. Aside, of course, from looking like a bully, a patient who doesn't want her to be there.
My uncle faces Viola, let him settle down. He turns towards his sister and shakes his head from side to side.
- America, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.
- What's it like?
- If Viola does not wish your presence, as a doctor, for the benefit of an adult patient and in full conditions, I must ask you to leave.
With a growl, she turns around and leaves escorted by Casey's friend, whose discreet gaze did not go unnoticed by me. I knew Maise. He was her partner and best friend. Maise completed all of her partner's madness, but he was never punished with her, because Casey always took the blame himself.
- Well, I gotta go! - says Casey, looking at Mike. - I wanted to know if you were okay and if you needed a ride. I have to get back in traffic or I'll be in even more trouble. If you need me, you know where to find me.
Casey says smiling and hugs his cousin with a lot of affection. She turns towards Viola.
- My congratulations on your age. Come to the bar when you're recovered and we'll celebrate. - she says. - Beer's on me!
Ryan snitching, folding his arms.
- Do I understand you correctly? Are you offering alcoholic beverages to my niece?
- Who's of age. - Casey hums with an annoying smile, which Ryan hates. - That's not illegal, in case you don't know.
He growls at her.
- Get out of my hospital, you suicidal freak! - Ryan whispering and gnashing his teeth. - Go look for buildings to jump in.
- With pleasure! - Casey says, saluting, before he turns around and starts walking down the hall. - Bye-bye, angel-boy!
I let out a laugh when Ryan snorts again. He hated Casey because she had no appreciation for his life. She always puts herself at risk and that makes Ryan think she's suicidal. A medical report, on a night when Ryan was not on call, confirmed a suicide attempt by Casey. Since then, he's been picking on her and vice versa. I believed that there was a strong attraction between them and they did not want to admit it.
- Uncle Ryan? Can I go home? - Viola asked in a low voice, and was embarrassed because of some pain she felt.
- Let me evaluate you and we'll see if you can leave the hospital today. - he says, smiling.
Ryan takes her back to the fourth and evaluates Viola, who was very weak but was not taking any chances. There were small abrasions and in a few days she could leave. I didn't understand the urgency that my mother had reported, but I believed that it was because of Mike that she had made all that noise, leaving me in
