Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Davin’s stomach churned uncomfortably as he stressed about Chloe and what may have, or may have not, happened in those moments before he found her.
He hadn’t seen anyone suspicious leaving the shop, but there was a back door.
She’d given him an odd look when the sheriff first mentioned foul play.
What if Chloe remembered something and thought he was to blame?
Should he have shared his growing concerns with the sheriff?
They moved Chloe to a larger room on a different floor with a couch for him to sleep on.
He ordered DoorDash for both of them after Chloe’s dinner showed up and looked far below appetizing.
The pistachio salmon special from Smalls Fusion Comfort was delicious if not quite enough for him.
Chloe had the ‘Winter Pasta’ and it looked good with squash, chicken, bacon, and cheese.
They were able to get toothbrushes, and Davin had changed into scrubs provided by their new nurse, Jamie.
Now they were settled into bed. As much of a bed as a hard fake-leather cushioned couch may be.
He didn’t mind the future of a miserable night’s sleep, but he did mind the stilted air between them and the worry rolling through him.
Could the darkness he’d escaped in Guatemala have followed him here? Balam Garcia might have escaped from prison and come after him like he’d promised. Could he, or maybe someone he hired, have gone after Chloe?
It didn’t make sense to attack Chloe, but nothing Garcia said or did made sense to him.
The drug lord was a large, uncouth savage.
He believed Davin had an inside source and had written about Garcia’s life and exploits.
Garcia claimed that Davin’s Lock Down series had information about crimes he’d committed that the police and Interpol hadn’t discovered.
Garcia had sworn to hunt Davin down when he escaped prison and find out who his sources were, then cut Davin into small pieces and scatter him over the ocean.
Garcia didn’t want him revealing anything that hadn’t been discovered to the FBI and Interpol, and he wanted vengeance.
No matter what Davin said, the criminal believed he had that information.
Gruesome. Foul. Davin prayed that large and uncouth drug lord was nowhere close by and had never touched Chloe and wouldn’t in the future.
Davin had sent a text earlier when Chloe was using the restroom to Agent Florence, the FBI agent he’d relayed the conversations to.
Of course there was no way to know what crimes Garcia had committed that Davin had included in his books.
The main criminal in that series had committed many and varied despicable acts, but Davin had to at least share with the FBI what he could.
Agent Florence had shared the information with Interpol as well.
Agent Florence texted back immediately that he hadn’t heard anything but would check with the prison and get back to him.
Now Davin was lying in bed, uneasily awaiting a text and having no inspiration for what to say to Chloe.
“Are you comfortable?” she asked into the silence.
“Not particularly. You?”
“‘Does this look okay to you? Does it?’”
He chuckled at the Armageddon reference.
“At least they took the catheter out,” she said.
“You never had a …” He broke off and laughed again. Conversations with her were usually like this—comfortable, entertaining, and invigorating.
She laughed with him. “If only they would’ve taken out the IV and wheeled away all these monitors.”
“I’m sorry for your discomfort,” he said. “We have to make certain you’re the epitome of health so you can be released into my care in the morning.”
“Your care?” she asked with a teasing lilt in her voice. “When I blow this popsicle stand, I’m going to take care of myself.”
“We’ll see about that, Miss Chloe.” He tried to imitate Nurse Annabelle’s voice.
They laughed together again.
When their mirth settled, the darkness felt cozy and comfortable. Maybe he could get some sleep tonight after all, but it would be a light sleep. If by chance Garcia or his men were around, he couldn’t let down his guard.
“Do you think there was foul play?” she asked in a quieter voice, bringing all his concerns back to the surface.
“I’m afraid so,” he admitted. “Something had to have happened for you to be unconscious for so long. And you felt that recollection of something dark or uncomfortable, correct?”
“I did.”
There was a rap on the door.
“Come in,” Chloe called.
The door swung open and her doctor from the ICU walked in, holding an iPad. They both sat up. Dr. Palmer left the door open and the light from the hallway flooded in.
“Forgive me,” he said. “I didn’t realize you were already asleep.”
“We weren’t,” Davin reassured him. “Just settling in.”
“Good. I wanted to check on you before you fell asleep. The nurse will be doing periodic checks on you throughout the night, Miss Vance, and then when you go home, you’ll need to watch for signs like worsening confusion, persistent vomiting, trouble speaking, seizure activity, or changes in pupil response that indicate bleeding or swelling. ”
Dr. Palmer directed his instructions to Davin, as if they would be ‘going home’ together. He would appreciate the opportunity to continue to watch over Chloe but didn’t know if he’d be granted it. Especially if his suspicions were confirmed and he was the reason she’d been hurt.
“I will,” Davin said, again feeling it like a vow. He would be instrumental in restoring Chloe to full health.
“Also, the results of your blood and urine tests came back.” The doctor shifted his weight, looking apprehensive. “We found midazolam in your bloodstream.”
“Midazo … come again?” Chloe asked. “Why would… whatever you just said… be in my blood? What is it?”
Her perplexity was adorable and endearing, but the news was chilling. That wasn’t something that should be in her bloodstream. Its presence meant there was definitely foul play. Chills traced up Davin’s spine. Who had hurt Chloe and why?
“Midazolam is more commonly known as Versed,” the doctor said.
Chloe nodded that she recognized that name and gripped the blanket more tightly. She looked as uneasy as Davin felt.
“It’s a drug that is used to help a patient relax or sleep before a surgical procedure.
” Dr. Palmer clutched the iPad in his hands.
“The person who administered it to you might have been trying to use it as a truth serum. It can make a person more talkative, less inhibited, and likely to forget what they said. In practice, however, midazolam does not actually force compliance or accuracy. In many cases, it can make speech garbled or incoherent.”
“And someone shot it into me?” She rubbed her hand down her arm as if checking for a bump.
“If you didn’t take it on your own, there’s no other explanation.”
“That’s nuts.” Chloe looked to Davin. “Have you heard of this before?”
“Yes. I’ve used Versed in several books, but not as a truth serum.” He smiled. “I do my research.”
“I know that about you.” She shared his smile but sobered. “How did you use it?”
She was genuinely interested. Chloe was always sincere and invested, and not just in him. He’d seen her treat everyone who came into her bookstore that way. In his mind, she took it to the next level for him.
“I’ve utilized the drug to knock someone out for longer than a hit to the head could accomplish, and as an amnesiac. I know it can cause respiratory depression in high doses, especially when paired with other narcotics.”
“Okay, that’s disturbing that you know all of that, but I guess it fits your profession.”
She grinned to show she was teasing, but Davin’s chest tightened.
His profession might be the reason she was in this hospital bed and in abject danger.
He tried to breathe normally, but fear swirled through his veins.
He wrote about perilous and intense situations.
He didn’t live them, and he especially didn’t place the woman he was interested in at risk.
Davin’s phone beeped a text, and he glanced at it. Agent Florence. Finally. He’d read it as soon as the doctor left.
“In light of the appearance of midazolam, Sheriff Bradley and I have conferred. He contacted the Eureka Police Department while I waited on the phone. They are currently sending an officer to be stationed outside your room tonight.”
“Thank you,” Davin breathed out. “That eases my mind.”
Especially if Garcia was released and possibly in the area.
“You’re welcome. Now I’ll let you two rest. I’ll check in before you head home. If the night goes well and you continue to be a good patient, I’ll release you in the morning.” He smiled at Chloe.
“Thank you. I’d love to get home.”
“I understand. Goodnight.”
The doctor exited, shutting the door.
Davin looked quickly at the text.
There was a prison break less than an hour ago. Garcia has not been accounted for, but he couldn’t possibly have come to America or found your location and connection to Miss Vance that quickly. I’ll let you know when he’s apprehended again.
Thank you, Jaxon texted back.
He glanced up to see Chloe watching him in the darkened room.
“Who are you texting?” she asked, voice guarded.
“’I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you’.” Davin winced. “Sorry.”
He had flung the quote out there before he thought about it. He shoved the phone into his pocket, relieved that Garcia couldn’t have possibly hurt Chloe but anxious that the man had escaped. He prayed he’d be caught again.
“It’s fine.” Chloe laid back down. “It’s none of my business anyway.”
The silence was definitely cold between them now.
“I’m sorry they found evidence of foul play,” he said. He was grateful it probably wasn’t linked to him.
Unless Garcia had sent someone to scout out Davin’s location, knowing he was planning a prison break and could be here soon.
He started to sweat again.
“Me too. Hopefully Jaxon can figure it out. Goodnight.” Her voice was as chilly as the tense silence.
“Night,” Davin managed, not knowing what else to say. Should he share about Garcia? He drew in a heavy breath and pushed it out. He’d have to tell the sheriff. Tomorrow.
He rolled over in the uncomfortable bed. Thankfully, Garcia himself couldn’t be here and there was a policeman coming to stand guard outside their door.
Unfortunately, there had been foul play and Chloe was in danger.
He prayed it wasn’t his fault, and then he prayed that Chloe would be safe no matter who had injected her with Versed.
Someone was at large who had hurt her, and they could come after her again.
He prayed they’d find answers soon and he could keep Chloe safe.
Though he didn’t know if he’d get that chance. She might send him away as soon as they got back to Shadow Cove Island.