Chapter 11 Brady #2
The glare she gives me is scorching, but she doesn’t rip her hand away the way I expect. Whether it’s because she doesn’t want to argue in front of the nurse or because she actually wants comfort, I don’t know.
I see it then, the tiniest tremble on her lip before she presses her mouth into a thin, furious line as her bandages are pulled back and her stitches are exposed.
The pit in my stomach that opens at the sight of her wound is instant, and unexpected. I squeeze her hand.
Elizabeth’s fingers spasm in mine as the nurse swabs the neat line of stitches, and I tighten my hold. For the briefest moment, her eyes meet mine before returning to determinedly study the ceiling tiles.
“I can’t help it,” she mutters in between shallow breaths. “Makes me sick.”
“You’ll be sore for the next couple of days and be sure to keep the stitches dry.” The nurse smiles again. “All the care instructions will be with your discharge paperwork. I’ll go see if the doctor has signed them yet.”
Before she can leave, the door opens again and two men enter, the clipped badges on their belts flashing under their jackets.
I recognize one of them and grind my teeth.
“Miss Gowan?” The man I don’t know speaks. “I’m Detective Ross, and this is my partner, Detective Simpson. We need to ask you a few questions about the incident last night. Your doctor thought you’d be up to talking now.”
Simpson is staring hard at me. Sensing the tension, Elizabeth attempts to sit up straighter, but winces when the movement pulls at her skin.
“Take it easy.” I push the button to raise the back of her bed and then rearrange the pillow behind her back, ignoring the odd look she’s giving me.
Thankfully, she doesn’t make an issue of it in front of the detectives. When her hand shoots out to catch mine again, I hide my reaction and interlace my fingers with hers, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. The unsettling part is… That’s exactly what it feels like.
“You can wait outside, Worthington.” Simpson glares at me.
“No, thanks.” I smile, keeping my tone light, knowing it will aggravate the prick. I’m still furious that I couldn’t get enough evidence while I was undercover to prove he was just as dirty as his captain.
Ross looks at me speculatively. “We were told her husband was back here with her.”
“You must’ve misunderstood. I’m Ms. Gowan’s security.”
His eyes narrow, and there’s a flash of recognition before his gaze darts to his partner and his jaw hardens.
Simpson’s lip curls. “Heard you were doing a rent-a-cop thing now. Figures.”
I ignore him.
Elizabeth shifts beside me. “If you’re done with the dick measuring, can we get to the questions? I’d like to go home.”
“We met last night.” Ross glances at the clock on the wall. “Well, I guess technically, two nights ago.”
“I’m hardly likely to forget,” Elizabeth deadpans.
There’s my girl.
A muscle ticks in the detective’s jaw. “I’ve got some follow-ups about that.”
“My lawyer will be here soon.” She does her best to sit straight against the pillow.
“He’s in the waiting room,” I lie and pull out my phone to thumb a quick message to Luke to get here, fast.
Simpson sneers. “Why would you need a lawyer? You’re the victim here. Right?”
Elizabeth doesn’t answer. She doesn’t even blink. Even injured, her hardcore boss lawyer mode is engaged.
Before the detective can press again, Luke steps into the room, his expression grim.
How the hell did he get here so fast?
He goes to Elizabeth first. “You okay?”
She nods, her lips pulling tight, and I feel the slightest release in her grip.
Luke stares down at our hands with narrowed eyes, but doesn’t comment.
Instead, he turns to the detectives. “Gentlemen. How fortuitous that I was already on my way here to check on my client before work. As I believe you were told, you can direct your questions to me, and I’ll provide you with Ms. Gowan’s response.
She’s on painkillers, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to answer questions at this time. ”
Ross shrugs. “We just want to know what happened. Off the record?”
Luke doesn’t look impressed.
“I’m fine.” Elizabeth’s voice is a little weaker than normal, but she sounds clearheaded.
Simpson casts me a triumphant smile, and I’m proud of myself for not instantly punching him in the face.
“Let’s start with yesterday,” Detective Ross begins. “Can you tell us what happened?”
I feel the faint tremor that runs through her hand, but her voice is matter-of-fact when she describes the events of the night before.
“Did they say anything? Give you an indication of why you are being targeted?”
Elizabeth shakes her head, and then stops. She looks at me before returning her attention to the detectives. “The first man told me to tell them where it was or something like that. I don’t remember the exact words.”
I have a distinct feeling she’s lying, but that’s something to address later.
“Where what is?” Ross’s voice is sharp, and I bristle.
“I don’t know.”
“Come on.” Simpson scoffs. “Your ex-husband is murdered with a warning to ‘Give it back,’ and now someone is trying to pull you off the street with a similar message, and you don’t know what it is?”
Luke stiffens, but I beat him to it.
“Watch your tone.” My voice is deathly cold.
Simpson ignores me. “It sounds like you’ve crossed the wrong people, Ms. Gowan. If you tell us where the item is hidden, it will help us identify who is after you.”
Ross gives his partner a warning glance before saying in a gentler tone. “If you are in possession of something you shouldn’t… maybe a client…”
He lets his words trail off, inviting Elizabeth to fill the silence, but her lips remain closed, and Ross sighs heavily.
“I’m concerned about this second attempt on your life.”
“Second attempt?”
He gives her a look. “If you didn’t kill your ex, someone else did. Someone who still wants something from you. Any information you can give us helps.”
Elizabeth’s face creases in frustration for a second before she smooths it to blankness again. “I don’t know what this person wants. Trust me, if I did, I’d give it back.”
“Or maybe you’re a good actress,” Simpson sneers. “You represent enough of them. Could have picked up some tricks. Maybe you killed your ex, and your alleged attempted kidnapping is just a diversion.”
I take a step forward, ready to take his head off, and not caring if I end up in a cell, but Elizabeth tugs on my fingers.
“I assure you, there is nothing alleged about the row of stitches in my body.” Elizabeth’s voice could freeze lava.
Ross glares at Simpson, and even Luke has reached the end of his patience.
“I think we’re done.” He walks to the door and holds it open. “If you need to speak to my client again, you can call my office to schedule an appointment.”
Ross looks between Elizabeth and Luke before flipping his notebook shut. “We’ll be in touch.”
Simpson hesitates, waiting until his partner is almost out the door before he hisses quietly, “Tell them where it is before it’s too late. These aren’t people to mess around with.” His gaze burns into mine, sending a chill down my spine. “Are they?”
I stare as he exits the room, and Elizabeth yanks her hand out of mine.
“What the hell is he talking about?” She’s looking at me like I’m a stranger.
Luke is also watching me, but he already knows about my time undercover, and I can tell he’s putting together the same pieces I am.
“You need to tell her.”
“Tell me what?” Her gaze bounces between us.
“Not here.”
“Start talking, Worthington, or I'll find another ‘protection expert’.”
“Not. Here.” Her eyes narrow, so I add, “There are too many ears. Once we get to my offices, I’ll explain everything.”
She closes her eyes and takes a few long breaths before opening them again. “Fine. But I need to stop by my office first. I need to get some—”
“You aren’t going to work today,” I bite out. “They know where your office is. They could come back with more people.”
Her nostrils flare. “Last time I checked, you weren’t in charge—”
“Yes, I am!” I practically shout, the last thread holding my sanity when dealing with this woman snapping.
Luke’s eyebrows shoot up at the angry energy flowing between me and Elizabeth. “Hang on. Everyone breathe for a second. Elizabeth, be rational for a minute. You can’t go—”
The death glare she turns on Luke is impressive. “I said stop by. If the two of you would stop interrupting me, I would have told you I need to get some things if I’ll be working remotely.
“I had appointments this afternoon,” she continues. “Meetings. Calls. They’ll need to be rescheduled. And there are contracts waiting for signatures—”
“Someone at your office can handle it,” Luke objects. “Delegate it to one of your junior associates.”
“Are you seriously mansplaining to me how to do my job, Luke? Do you talk to Dahlia like that?” She snorts when he blanches. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. I’m also going to need more items from my house. I can work from a hotel.”
She’s not going to relent so I give in. “We’ll stop by the office.
In and out. We’ll figure out how to get your things later.
But you aren’t working from a hotel.” She opens her mouth to no doubt eviscerate me, but I quickly add, “Whatever is happening isn’t over yet, and whoever is behind it won’t give up trying to force you to reveal the location of whatever this mystery thing is.
We’ve outfitted our headquarters to serve as a short-term safe house.
You’ll stay there where we know you will be safe. ”
I can practically taste her fury, but she only gives me a clipped nod. Exhaling, I look to Luke. “Can you find the nurse so I can get her out of here before she changes her mind?”