“Please be okay. Please.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and sat back. He barely moved when a nurse came in to take her vitals, only getting out of the way when another came in to inject meds into the drip hanging above Gillian’s bed. Clinging to her hand, he yawned, unwilling to rest just yet. Absently, his thumb traced over her knuckles, his mind pulsing with the faint echo of her heart beat.
“Please, come back to me. Please, Gilli.” His pleas seemed loud in the stillness. He rested his head on the edge of her bed and watched the thin green line peak rhythmically.
* * * *
Shoving the security door open, Constable Rick Feller moved along the corridor to his office. He dropped his jacket over the back of a chair and sat before reaching for the phone.
“Constable Harris.”
“Hey, did you make contact with the informant on the Hilliard case?”
“Made contact via phone only; didn’t show at the appointed time. It was definitely a woman on the other end. Gave me a post office box where she claimed half the funds were. She quibbled on the rate, didn’t want to pay the extra. I’m supposed to meet with her this evening to get the remainder of the payment.”
“I’m emailing you a couple of photos. Print them off as proof of the job. Miss Hilliard was in an accident this morning. She may not make it.”
“Damn. You don’t think she hired someone else?”
“We won’t know until after the results of the investigation come back. Early indications are it was a simple car accident. She swerved to avoid hitting something in the road. Do what you have to.”
“Sure.”
Rick hung up the phone and turned to stare out the window. Seeing Jack at the accident scene had been hard. He’d never seen his friend so devastated, so out of control. He’d known him long enough to know he didn’t show emotion easily, not at work. The pain in his friend’s gaze haunted him as he stared out into the gathering dusk. Damn, some days he hated his job.
* * * *
Jack jerked awake, his gaze sweeping the room. Disoriented, he glanced around, a knot in his throat as he stared at Gillian’s still form. Nothing seemed out of place, not that Gillian had moved any in the week he’d been sitting here. He scratched at his jaw and winced at the grating of stubble beneath his nails. Tugging her blanket up, he cursed the discomfort of the hard plastic chair. The slight sound from behind him drew his attention to the opening door.
“What are you doing here?” Barbara eased inside, her face twisting into a furious mask.
“I’d ask you the same thing, but I think we both know you’d just lie about it.” Jack turned back to Gillian. He clung to her hand, leaning forward to hover over her, and then he smoothed her hair back from her face, spreading the dark strands over the pillow. The beeping of the monitors filled the silence between him and Barbara, who hovered near the door.
“She’s my daughter.” Barbara stepped farther into the room, her voice evening out.
“I’m not leaving.” Jack sat back in his chair. “So if you’re waiting for me to leave, you’re going to have a long wait.”
Barbara narrowed her eyes, a thought-filled look crossing her face. Jack watched her set her purse down before she eased farther into the room. “Jack, I really think we got off on the wrong foot. Surely we can come to an understanding. After all, Gillian’s hardly your type. She’s still hung up on her ex-boyfriend. Even if you manage to get past all that, why would you want to have someone so emotionless?”
Gaping at her, Jack shook his head. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“I know Gillian. She’s a bit, well, cold would be the only word I would have to describe her. Hardly the kind of woman to satisfy a man such as yourself. I mean, I can see you’re one who enjoys the more carnal aspects of a relationship…” Barbara trailed her fingers down his jaw, tugging at the collar of his T-shirt, a small smile on her lips.
“She’s more than enough woman. You’re married, remember.” Jack caught her hand. “And I’m not interested in any understanding with you.”
“Now don’t be too hasty. You could at least hear me out. After all, I can get your job back for you. Must be getting tight with no money coming in.”
“I have more than enough to live on until I get a new job, Barbara. And I’m still not interested.”
“Don’t be stupid.” Barbara’s charming façade fell away like broken glass. “She’s not even worth the time—”
“She’s worth ten of you.” Jack leaned forward. “Now, get out.”
Stalking toward the door, Barbara grabbed her purse. One hand on the door handle, she stared at him. “You’ll come to regret this.”
“Not in this lifetime. I told you before, I’m going to do whatever it takes to protect Gilli.” Jack stared at the door after Barbara stormed out, fury dancing around his control.
“You shouldn’t piss her off.” Weak, tired, Gilli’s voice drifted through the silence.
“Baby.” Jack whirled to see Gillian blinking in the low light. “Are you in pain? Should I get a nurse?”
“No.” Gillian winced. “What happened?”
“You were in an accident, baby.” Jack trailed a finger down her face. His stomach twisted when she turned away. “Gilli? What is it?”
“Go away.” Tired, her whisper was filled with pain.
“Gilli, please.”
“I don’t want you.” Her voice broke, tears trailing down her face. “He means it. Please, please, just go away. I don’t want to
