Chapter Eighteen
The familiar beeping sounds penetrated her consciousness and prompted Hazel to finally open her eyes. She was at the hospital. Was she supposed to be working? Why was she in a bed? She tried to take a deep breath, but her lungs burned. When she raised her hand to move the oxygen tube from her nose, she saw her right arm was bandaged. Had she been in an accident? Her family must be so worried.
She closed her eyes and, suddenly, it all clicked into place. The fire. Doc’s place. Tea. Doc. Was he okay? Did he make it out? She opened her eyes to find Jory standing beside her.
“Jory,” she mumbled, “did Doc…?” Her voice was raspy and sounded funny to her own ears.
“Doc’s fine. A few minor burns, but otherwise he’s okay. I think he’s driving the nurses crazy.”
She smiled but then immediately frowned. “Are you okay? Were you at the fire? Aiden! Is he okay?”
Jory sighed but said, “Everyone is fine.”
She breathed a long sigh of relief. As long as everyone was okay. “Where’s Mom?”
“I made her go get some coffee. She’s been here all night and she’s exhausted, but she didn’t want to leave until you woke up.”
She nodded but immediately regretted it. Everything ached.
“Do you remember what happened?” Jory asked.
She swallowed. “Doc and I were having tea. He went to get more, and then it all gets hazy.”
Jory nodded. “I know Phoenix wants to talk to you when you’re up for it.”
“Okay.” She licked her dry lips, and Jory brought a paper cup with a straw over for her to have a sip of water. It was so nice on her sore throat. She looked up at him, and her eyes filled with tears. “Jory…” She reached out and touched his hand. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about Aiden. It was all new. We would have told you right away. You just…found us first.”
Jory crossed his arms over his chest. “I want to believe you, but it’s…difficult. You two went behind my back. It’s just…wrong and weird.”
“I’ve liked Aiden for a long time, but I wasn’t sure if he liked me, too. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have moved in with him.”
Jory snorted. “Yes, you would’ve. That would totally be a ‘you’ move. Go after what you want without thinking about the consequences.”
She bit her lip. He wasn’t wrong about the old Hazel, but the new Hazel wasn’t like that. “I never meant to hurt you. You’re my brother, and I love you. I know I complain about you being so protective, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I know, Hazel. It’s just a lot to process… you and Aiden.”
She blinked back tears that had suddenly sprung into her eyes. “There’s no me and Aiden. I screwed that up, too. I hurt him so he doesn’t want anything to do with me. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
Jory snorted. “Hazel, the guy is mad about you. He literally ran into a burning building and dragged you out.”
She stared at her brother, fighting the hope rising in her chest. Could it be true? Could Aiden still want her? The image of the pain on his face the last time she’d spoken to him floated up from her memory. No. He might have saved her, but he’d done it for Jory and because it was his job.
“It’s nice to think so, but I don’t believe you, Jory. It’s okay, though. I’ll get…” Get over him? Not likely anytime soon.
There was a knock at the door, and Phoenix stood there.
“Hey, man,” Jory said.
Phoenix nodded to him. “How’s your sister?”
“I’m doing okay,” Hazel said and tried to push herself up a bit. Jory used the remote and moved the head of the bed to a sitting position.
“Better?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Think you can answer some questions?” Phoenix asked.
“Sure. I can give it a shot.” Just then Aiden showed up at the door. He was in a wheelchair. “What happened to you?” she demanded. Jory hadn’t mentioned Aiden had been hurt.
“I sprained my knee. Not a big deal. Just need to keep it elevated.” He gave her a very thorough once-over, which made her cheeks heat under his gaze. He rolled over to the other side of the bed from Jory. “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” she said in a quiet voice.
Phoenix cleared his throat. “Sorry, but I have to ask Hazel some questions.” He moved to the foot of the bed. “Hazel, do you remember anything about how the fire started?”
She tried to clear the cobwebs out of her brain. “I remember Doc going for more tea. I think I must have fallen asleep on the sofa because when I woke up, there was smoke in the room.”
“Do you remember anything else?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think— Wait, I think the door was stuck. I remember trying it, but it wouldn’t budge. Did the heat make it swell or something?”
Phoenix ignored her question and asked, “Did you hear anything out of the ordinary when you and Doc were talking or after he went downstairs for more tea?”
“No. Nothing.”
Aiden spoke up. “So, it was arson then?”
Phoenix nodded.
“Wait,” Hazel said. “How did you know that?”
Aiden turned to her. “The door to the room you were in was locked from the outside.”
Her heart thudded against her rib cage. “Someone tried to kill me? Someone wanted me to die?”
Jory, who was still standing beside her, crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll kill that little shit.”
Phoenix shook his head. “You will do no such thing. You will stay out of this.”
“I don’t think it was Tommy.” Aiden sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “He cares too much for Hazel to want to hurt her. Plus, he’s been burning small things on the outskirts of town. Doc’s place is almost in the center of town. It just doesn’t fit.”
“Aiden’s right,” Phoenix agreed. “Tommy set the other fires. The one at the apartment complex was an accident. I arrested him last night.”
Hazel frowned. “Oh, no. Phoenix, he needs help, not being under arrest. Jail will only make everything worse.”
“I know, Hazel, and I agree, but he broke the law. He’s got the best public defender in the county. She’s trying to arrange a psych eval. Since this is the first serious crime he’s been charged with, there’s a chance the judge will go easy on him. I’m doing what I can to help.”
“If it wasn’t Tommy, then who set the fire at Doc’s?” Jory asked.
Hazel’s mind went to Dr. Rawlins. He was the doctor on file for all the patients, but it just didn’t feel right. He just didn’t…care enough. He wasn’t involved enough to murder any of them. A memory flashed in her mind and then everything snapped into focus. “Bryson. It has to be.”
Phoenix cocked his head. “What makes you think so?”
Hazel swallowed. “Well, he would’ve treated each of the elderly patients who died under mysterious circumstances. They all had some sort of treatment that involved sedation. He was also very involved with his patients. He seemed to care about them, but when I asked him about Mrs. Josephs, he didn’t even remember her name. Either he genuinely cares, or there’s a problem.” She took a breath. “And he knew I was over at Doc’s the other night. He mentioned it. I went over at the last minute and didn’t tell anyone, so he had to be the one following me.”
Phoenix nodded. “Jane Fleming filed a complaint against Bryson with the medical board a few weeks ago. Turns out her mother passed away unexpectedly and left him a lot of money in her will. She came to us and wanted us to press charges. At that point, there was nothing to press charges for. So, I started digging around a bit. Bryson seems to have a habit of turning up in patients’ wills. There’s also a large number of patients in his former hospitals who are missing expensive items they’d arrived with. He was suspected, but nothing was ever proven. Anyway, he appeared to be up to his old tricks here.”
“But why would he want Hazel dead?” Jory demanded.
“He was targeting her because he wanted my files,” Doc said as he entered the room. “Sorry, couldn’t help but overhear. How are you, young Hazel?”
She grinned at him. “I’m doing well, Doc. How are you?”
“I’m right as rain.” He coughed.
Actually, Doc looked a bit worse for wear. His beard had been singed, and his long hair was disheveled. He also looked a bit pale, but the twinkle was still in his blue eyes. The bonds. Doc lost his Hawaii money.
Guilt washed over her. “I’m so sorry we didn’t find what you were looking for, Doc.”
He smiled at her. “But we did. Or rather, I did. I finally figured out the answer. Helen loved roses, but none of the files labeled Rose or anything to do with flowers or gardening contained the bonds. She also loved tea. I found them in a file marked Tea — Future . I took them to the bank yesterday. The money will be in the account day after tomorrow, and then I’m off to Hawaii.”
She grinned and clapped her hands. “Oh, Doc, I’m so happy for you!”
He turned sideways and waved his arms in the air like he was riding a wave. “Surf lessons, here I come.”
Jory looked at Aiden. “Do you know what they’re talking about?”
“Not a clue,” he responded.
Hazel laughed. “I’ll fill you in later.”
Doc came to stand beside Phoenix. “More importantly than all that, I have what Bryson wanted. I pulled the files of the patients that passed away and put them in the trunk of my car. I thought I would take them over to you, Phoenix, last night, but then I heard about Hazel’s predicament and thought maybe she needed an ear to bend.”
Heat crept up her cheeks, but she refused to look at her brother or Aiden. “So, you think there’s something in the old patient files that will incriminate Bryson?”
Phoenix nodded. “I think that’s why he burned Doc’s place down. He needed to destroy the files, but he also wanted Doc gone. Then he wouldn’t be available to answer any questions. Everyone knows Doc’s as sharp as a tack. He can probably remember everything in those files. Makes sense to avoid the risk if he can. You were just collateral damage, Hazel. He had to take you out just in case.”
“So, when are you going to arrest him?” Jory demanded.
“Working on it as we speak. I just wanted to make sure we had the details right. Hazel, when you’re up to it, you’ll have to come down to the police station and give a statement.”
“Of course.”
He turned to Doc. “You as well, and if I can get those files now, we can see what he was so afraid of.”
“Happy to help,” Doc said.
“Feel better, Hazel,” Phoenix said as he headed out of the room.
Doc waved and told her he’d be back later.
Jory glanced at Aiden and then back at Hazel. “I’m gonna get Mom. I’ll be right back.” He turned and walked out of the room.
“Hazel,” Aiden started, but she reached out and grabbed his hand.
“Aiden, can I go first?”
He gave her a quick nod.
“I…want to say thanks for saving me. Jory told me you were the one who went into the building to get me.”
“Of course.” Aiden gave her a smile. “I couldn’t leave you in there. Your mom and Jory would kill me.”
Icy fingers gripped her heart at hearing those words. It was as she suspected. He’d saved her because it was his job. She stared into his dark eyes and realized just how much she loved him. She probably always had. It was time to be honest, though, with everyone, including herself. She could do this.
“I am so sorry, Aiden.” The tears were back. “I’m so sorry about everything. I’m sorry I made you let me move into your place. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, and I hung the curtains, scratching up your paint job. I’m sorry I hurt you after… I shouldn’t have…”
“Shouldn’t have what?” he asked, his voice low and sexy. It rumbled out of his chest and shivers sparked across her skin.
“I shouldn’t have said I regretted being with you. Because I don’t. Not for one minute. I should have told you that I’m in love with you and have been for a long time. I…panicked when Jory found us and let the guilt do the talking, but that’s not how I really felt. I know I hurt you and it’s too late for us, but I wanted you to know. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
Aiden sat there staring at her. Was he going to say anything?
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Hazel, are you sure you don’t regret it?” he asked.
“Absolutely. It was a stupid thing to say, and I apologize for hurting you.”
He nodded. “Okay then.” He started looking around for something.
She frowned. “Okay then, what? What are you doing?”
“Trying to figure out how to get down on one knee without killing myself or breaking something.” He moved in his chair. “Maybe if I—"
“What? What are you talking about?”
He turned back to her and grimaced. “Sorry, this would be better if I wasn’t injured.”
“Just spit it out,” she demanded. “What is going on?”
Aiden grinned. “You have no patience.” Then his face got serious. “Hazel, I love you. I’ve loved you for ages. It took me a while to realize it, but it’s true. I kept telling myself our Thursday nights were fun because we’re all friends and it’s nice to hang out. But the reality is, I went so I could see you and only you. I used to go places that I knew you frequented just in case I might run into you.
Could it be true? Did he love her too? She was having a hard time believing it. Was she hallucinating? What meds did they have her on?
“I told myself you were off-limits because you were Jory’s sister but, really, I was just scared. I’ve already lost my entire family. I didn’t want to take the risk and lose you, too, but when I saw Doc’s place, the flames shooting into the sky… Phoenix said you were in there still. I knew in that moment that I loved you and I’d wasted all this time fighting it. I made a promise to myself that if I got you out, I wouldn’t waste any more time.”
He glanced around again. “I can’t make it happen like I imagined, but I’m not going to waste any more time. Picture me down on one knee with a ring in my hand.” He reached over and took her hand. “Hazel Kincaid, will you marry me?”
She closed her eyes slowly. Whatever meds they had her on, she did not want to wake up. Not ever. She smiled and opened her eyes. “Yes, Aiden Wolfe, I will marry you.”
He got up on his one good leg and leaned down and kissed her hard on the mouth. She caught him around the neck and deepened the kiss. When her heart monitor started beeping quickly, she broke off the kiss. “If we keep going, the nurses will come flying in here, thinking I’m having a heart attack.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time we got caught.” He grinned, then leaned over and kissed her again.
The End
Keep reading for a sneak peek at Catch And Release , Book 5 in the Callahan Security Series coming October, 2022