Chapter 6
Abuzz filled Audra’s ears. Her eyelids fluttered, and bright light burned her retinas, making her moan.
“Hey, there. Can you open your eyes and look at me?”
The female voice reverberated through Audra’s head. She moaned again and tried to roll away from the noise. A sharp pinch in her hand stopped her and brought a bit of clarity to her mind. What was going on?
“Open your eyes, honey. You’re in the hospital.”
Hospital? Why? Audra struggled to remember what happened, but her head ached something fierce. Another low moan escaped her. She raised her other hand to touch it, but someone pulled her hand down. Panic shot through her. Instinctively, she rolled her arm inward, breaking their hold, then lashed out. She connected with someone’s chest, and they let out an oomph.
“Let’s not do that, hon. We’re here to help you,” the loud voice said.
“Stop shouting. Blimey.”
“That’s a pretty accent. How about you look at me and tell me where you’re from.”
Audra groaned and blinked, then scrunched her eyes closed. “Can you turn the lights down? My head’s about to split.” She groaned again, but not from the lights. She’d spoken to the nurse in her native accent. Blimey was right. She’d blown her own cover.
“Claudia, hit the lights,” the nurse said. A moment later, the room dimmed.
Audra blinked again, and this time, was able to focus. A woman around her age, wearing navy-blue scrubs who had her blonde hair scooped into a messy bun, smiled at her. “Hey, there. My name is Gabby. Do you remember what happened?”
“No.”
“How about your name? Can you tell us that?”
“Amber Carter.” Claiming she was Alexandra Burton wouldn’t work now that they’d heard her accent, but she wasn’t about to give them her real name. Amber was another of her identities. If anyone searched it, it would come back to a marketing executive living in Vegas.
“Good. How about what day it is?”
Her pulse pounded in her temple as she tried to remember. “I don’t know. Friday?”
“Close. It’s just after midnight on Sunday morning.”
Audra let out a grunt as memories flitted at the edge of her mind. “What happened? How did I get here?”
“Best we can tell you got hit by a car while you were out running. The police would like to talk to you.”
She bet they would. Some of the night’s events came back to her. “Someone hit me.”
“Yes. You were running and were struck by a car.”
“No. I mean deliberately.”
“What?” Gabby’s voice turned sharp. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. I need my phone.” She touched her side, but realized she was in a hospital gown. “Where are my clothes?” A touch of panic set in as she remembered what else had been in her pocket. “Shit.” She closed her eyes and rested her head against the pillow. The cops probably had a lot of questions for her.
“We had to cut them off of you. But don’t worry, we won’t send you home in a gown. Let me get the doctor to come take a look at you since you’re awake. I know you have questions. Someone will be in soon, too, to take you down to CT.” The woman spun away and disappeared before Audra could protest.
She took the quiet moment to take stock of herself. A chill ghosted over her skin; the thin hospital gown and blanket doing little to keep her warm. With each passing moment, her head cleared a little more. It pounded, though. And throbbed. For that matter, so did her hip and side. Tentatively, she pressed a hand to the crest of her hip. Air hissed through her teeth. “Oh, yeah. Not doing that again.”
The door whisked open, and a young woman in a burgundy scrub top walked in. “Hello. I’m here to take you down for your CT scan.” She walked to the foot of the bed and took off the brake.
Audra’s stomach somersaulted as the bed rolled forward. She pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. “Go slow. I’m nauseous.”
“Got it. No racecar driving.”
The girl expertly steered her out of the bay and down the hall. Audra scrunched her eyes closed against the bright lights and bit back a moan. The gurney swung sideways, and they passed through a doorway into a chilly room that was thankfully dimmer.
“Hi, there. I’m Kate. Misty and I are going to transfer you onto our table. You just stay still. Let us do all the work.”
“No problem.” Audra closed her eyes. The room spun less that way.
The technicians made quick work of putting her on the table and running her through the scanner. In less than five minutes, Audra was back on the gurney and on her way back to the emergency department. Misty rolled her into her original bay, then bid her farewell. Audra lifted a hand, but didn’t open her eyes.
Vaguely, she was aware of people coming in and out. Sometimes they asked her to open her eyes and answer their questions. Mostly, though, they left her alone to rest. She wasn’t sure how much time passed before the doctor came in to talk to her.
The door slid open and the man’s greeting startled her awake some time later.
“Hello, Ms. Carter.”
Audra pressed her palm to her forehead and eyed him with a steely gaze.
He seemed unphased by her ire and smiled. “It’s nice to see you awake.”
Audra did her best to wipe the grimace off her face and studied the mid-forties doctor who’d walked in. A polite smile crinkled his eyes. “Hi. How long was I out?”
“Not too long. Longer than I’d like, but your head CT looks fine. Can you tell me what happened?”
“Someone hit me with their car.”
“The nurse said you think it was deliberate. Is that correct?”
“Yes. Could you tell me what other injuries I have? My hip is killing me.”
“I suspect it’s just a bad contusion. I’ll have another look, but I didn’t see anything concerning. All your scans were clear. You’re a lucky woman. You escaped with little damage.” He came toward her and pulled a penlight from his pocket. “Let’s check your pupils. They looked good when you were brought in, but your extended time unconscious has me a bit concerned.”
“I’m fine. You said my scan looked all right. My brain likely just decided it wanted the sleep. I don’t do that much.”
He hummed. “Humor me. Follow the light with your eyes.” He drew a cross in the air with the light, and Audra did as he asked.
“Good. You have a bit of a horizontal nystagmus. Is that normal for you?”
“No.”
“Okay. Nystagmus isn’t uncommon after a head injury. It should resolve on its own with time. I would recommend you see an ophthalmologist, though, if it’s not improving after a few weeks. They can recommend some eye exercises and run other tests to pinpoint the problem.”
“Oh. All right.” She wasn’t too worried about it. That might be because she still wasn’t thinking too clearly, however. The pounding in her head and the fire in her hip were taking up most of the space in her brain. The rest was concerned with the state of her op. Who tried to kill her? And why? Did someone find out who she was? How? And more importantly, who? She never slipped up. Outside of her house, she was Alexandra. Audra ceased to exist.
“The police would like to talk to you. Do you feel up to it?”
Audra closed her eyes and drew in a breath. She didn’t, really. But the sooner she got them off her back, the sooner she could get out of here and figure out what happened. “Sure.”
“They’re right outside. While you speak to them, I’ll work on getting you situated. I’d like you to stay for observation. Hang on.”
A frown drew her brows together. Observation? “Wait, I?—”
The doctor stepped out before she could fully protest, and she broke off with a low growl. She did not want to stay here tonight.
A moment later, two police officers came in. One wore plain clothes and had a badge hung around his neck. The other was in uniform. The man in plain clothes brought the rolling stool over and sat down beside her bed.
“Hello. I’m Detective Closterman.” He flipped open a small notebook and clicked a pen. “Can you tell me your name?”
“Amber Carter. Look, I know you have questions, especially with the items in my pockets. Before I say anything, I need to make a phone call.”
The detective lifted an eyebrow. “To whom?”
“Just—someone who can help.”
“I’m going to need more than that. An attorney?”
“No. And no, you don’t need to know more.”
He blinked, startled at her push back, and stared at her for several moments. “Are you an American citizen?”
“No.”
“What are you doing in the United States? Do you live here?”
“I do.”
“Why?” He crossed his arms.
“Why what?”
“Why do you live here?”
“Work.”
He rolled a hand. “What kind of work?”
“Marketing. Where’s my phone?” She was done answering his questions. She needed to talk to Dee.
He cast a quick look at the officer by the door. “We have it.”
“Perfect. May I have it?”
“No.”
Audra frowned. “Why not? I’m not under arrest. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“You mean besides carrying a concealed handgun?”
“I’m a woman alone at night.”
“Without a permit?”
“How do you know I don’t have one? Until a moment ago, you didn’t know my name.”
“You’re required to carry your license on you when you conceal carry. I’ve seen your belongings. You had a cellphone and a handgun.”
“Again, I need to make a phone call.” She would not admit to the man she didn’t have a permit. She didn’t technically need one, but he didn’t know that.
“How will that help?”
“Just…” Audra closed her eyes and sighed at his persistence. “Just trust me. It will. There’s much more going on than you know. I really can’t tell you more than that. I’m done talking now.”
The detective glanced at the officer, who stood near the door, silently listening.
“Okay. I can’t force you to talk. But you can’t go anywhere until I get some answers. You’re being detained, Ms. Carter.”
“Great. Get me my phone, so I can make that call and get this straightened out. You’ll be able to undetain me, then,” she shot back.
The wheels clacked as he rolled back and stood up. He motioned to the officer. The other man produced her phone from the cargo pocket on his pants and handed it to her. “You should call a lawyer, if that’s not who you’re calling.”
She gave him a flinty look as she snatched the phone. “Thank you.” She stared at them, waiting for them to leave. When they didn’t, she lifted a hand and made a shooing motion. “Goodbye.”
The detective flattened his lips. “We’ll be right outside, Ms. Carter.”
“I’m sure.”
They left, closing the door. Once she was sure she wouldn’t be overheard, she unlocked the device and called Theo. The line rang several times before it rolled to voicemail. She huffed, then left a short message. “Where are you? What the hell happened?” She hung up without asking him to call her back. He knew.
Next, she dialed the number for her division head in London. It was early in England, but she was likely awake.
“Thompson.”
“Dee, it’s Audra.”
A short pause came over the line, then, “Go.”
“Someone tried to take me out with a car. I can’t reach Theo, and the cops are here, asking questions.”
Dee cursed. “Where’s here?”
“Hospital. In Vegas.”
“Tell me everything you remember.”
“It’s not much, I’m afraid. I got knocked unconscious, so things are fuzzy.” She closed her eyes and forced herself to think about the last few hours. “I remember getting home from dinner with Liam. I did some research on the men we ate with. A noise!” She opened her eyes. “I remember hearing a noise. I went to investigate, but Theo called before I could check it out. He said he’d chased someone out of my back garden and that he needed help.” Her brow wrinkled as she tried to remember more.
“And?”
“I’m not sure what happened next. I have a vague memory of running and some bright lights.”
“Did you find Theo?”
“Not that I recall.”
“Okay. What else?”
She closed her eyes again, searching her addled brain. “Black shoes.”
“Black shoes?”
“Yeah. I remember black trainers.” Unbidden, another image flickered through her mind. This one of Theo. Wearing similar shoes. Her eyes snapped open. It couldn’t be.
But the thought wouldn’t go away. Something?—
“Anything else?” Dee’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
Audra cleared her throat. “No. Look, can you get me out of here without having to explain to these cops who I am? I gave them my Amber Carter alias. I was too addled to speak without my accent when I came to. They’re grilling me about the handgun I had on me and the lack of ID and a CCW permit.”
Dee let out a soft groan. “Yes. I’ll get on it. Don’t say anything else.”
The line clicked in Audra’s ear. She lowered the phone and sagged against the bed, fatigue taking over again. No problem.
What felt like seconds passed, but it was actually nearly an hour later when her phone rang. She startled awake with a hard jerk. Pain lanced her side. Audra winced and pressed a hand just above her injured hip. “Ow.” The phone continued to trill. She lifted it, seeing the U.K. country code, and answered. “Yes?”
“Do you need to stay in hospital?” It was Dee.
“I don’t think so.” Even if she did, she wasn’t.
“All right. I’ll send a car to pick you up. Your investigation has been compromised, so I want you on the first flight back to London.”
“What? I can still investigate here without?—”
“No. Come home, Officer Ridley. That’s an order.”
Again, the phone clicked in Audra’s ear. She pulled it away to frown at it. What? That didn’t make any sense. She couldn’t stay in her condo, but that didn’t mean she needed to leave the city. She had valuable knowledge and insights into Liam’s business. It would facilitate efforts to bring him down if she were contributing to the investigation here and not in London. They’d lose over half a day just in the flight, not to mention the time difference.
Audra’s mind whirled. Something wasn’t right.
She tried Theo again, but he still didn’t pick up. Cursing, she stabbed the icon to end the call. Audra thought furiously. She couldn’t go home. To her condo or to London.
The door opened, and the detective came in, a dark glower on his face. “I’ve been told to let you go.”
He walked closer and held out a white plastic bag with the hospital’s logo. Audra could see the outline of her pistol inside.
“For the record, I don’t like giving this back to you. I don’t know who you are or what you’re really doing here, but it’s above my paygrade.”
She took the bag. “Thank you, detective. I’m sorry to have caused problems. And I promise I’m one of the good guys.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I certainly hope so.” With a nod, he left.
Audra lifted her phone and tapped the screen. The generic background lit up. She touched the phone icon, ready to call Theo again, but the image of black trainers flitted through her thoughts. Logically, she knew many people owned black athletic shoes—she did. But she still couldn’t shake the feeling that it was the same pair of shoes. Something was going on, and she didn’t know who to trust.
Instead of dialing Theo’s number, she typed in one she’d memorized a few months ago. The line rang four times.
“Hello?”
Audra swallowed hard at the sound of the sleep-roughened deep voice and closed her eyes. A tear leaked out. Hearing his voice was like a warm blanket. It banished the worry trying to take hold.
“Sam? It’s Audra. I need your help.”
A short pause came over the line. “Aud? What’s wrong? Are you all right?”
“Um, sort of.” She sniffed and swiped at her face. “I just—Can you come to Vegas? I don’t want to explain over the phone. But I need you,” her voice trailed off into a strangled whisper.
“I’ll be on the next flight there. Where do you want to meet?”
A wave of relief flooded her veins at his willingness to come to her aid without question. “I’m not sure yet. I’ll text you.”
“Okay. Are you safe at least?”
“For now.”
“Good. I—” He stopped, and a beat of silence passed.
Audra could tell by the soft grumble he made that he had more questions, but was holding back. She was thankful. Now wasn’t the time for her to answer anything. That was best done in person.
“If that changes, call me. I know people who know people. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Another tear slid free. “I know.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay,” she whispered, emotion clogging her throat. She swallowed around the lump and clenched her teeth. Her head injury was really messing with her mind. She wasn’t normally so emotional.
He said goodbye and hung up.
Audra lowered the phone to her lap. Several more tears trickled down her cheeks, both from relief that she had an ally she could trust and from the fear and uncertainty of the last few hours.
The door swished open and the nurse from earlier reappeared. “Okay, Ms. Carter. Let’s get you upstairs to a room. I bet you’re ready to relax and get some rest.”
“I’m not staying.”
The nurse frowned. “What? The doctor said he’s admitting you for observation.”
“He didn’t give me a chance to say no. I’m not staying. He said I have a concussion and some bruises, and that my scans are fine. I’m not staying,” she reiterated. “Please bring my discharge papers. And some clothes, since you cut mine off.”
“Ms. Carter, I highly advise?—”
“I am aware I’m leaving against medical advice. Please bring my discharge papers,” she repeated, giving the nurse a steely look. They’d have to chain her to the bed to get her to stay.
“Have the police cleared you to leave?”
“Yes.”
The nurse sighed. After another moment’s hesitation, she turned toward the door. “Give me a few minutes.”
“Thank you.”
The door swished shut behind the nurse, and Audra huffed out a breath. The woman was right about one thing: she was ready to relax. That wouldn’t happen anytime soon, however.
Twenty minutes after she left, the nurse returned with the doctor in tow. Audra clenched her teeth and met his polite smile with a glare.
She held up a hand before he could speak. “Don’t waste your breath. Just sign my discharge papers. Unless you’ve suddenly discovered an active bleed on my CT scan, I’m leaving.”
He sighed, the smile leaving his face. “You’re sure? It wouldn’t hurt for you to stay a night and let us watch you.”
“I’m fine.”
He pressed his lips together, then nodded. “Okay. I can’t force you to stay.” He sat down at the computer and logged in. With a few keystrokes and the addition of a quick note, he got up. “Your discharge papers are printing. If you feel like you’re getting worse, please come back and get checked out again.”
She nodded once, even though she had no intention of doing so. They’d have to pick her up unconscious from the street before she’d come back.