Page 138 of That Last Secret

I didn’t follow his instructions very well because I called the chief on my way out of the gym. I told him something had come up, and I needed one more day to let him know. I lucked out because he’s always been very understanding and didn’t ask any further questions.

The manisin a rush to retire, but he also doesn’t want to rush to give the position to someone who’s going to drag the department to shit.

So I ended up back at my apartment after the gym.

I took a long, hot shower—which did nothing for my racing mind.

I tried to watch Sports Center but couldn’t focus.

I tried to fold laundry, but I only thought of Emiline.

I picked up the phone a hundred times to call her. I checked to see if she had reached out to me. I half expected her to send me a long text message telling me I’m a piece of shit. But it’s been radio silence.

After another twenty minutes of pacing my kitchen, I pick up the phone to text her. But before I do, I throw the phone across the room, realizing this conversation needs to be had face-to-face.

If I sleep now, I can show up at her place when she gets off work.

But there’s no way I’m sleeping.

What if I show up at her work, bring her a coffee, and see if she has five minutes to talk?

It’s not the best idea, but also not the worst.

Deciding I won’t be sleeping until I talk to her, I grab my truck keys. Thunder booms and lightning flashes across the sky as I reach my truck at record speed and pull out of the parking garage.

The roads are a mess.

My windshield wipers are set to the fastest speed, and it’s still not enough. I want to speed to City General, but I can’t do it in this weather. Frustration takes over as I slam my fist against the steering wheel.

Mother Nature really wants to test my patience right now.

I’m driving down the road, and the next thing I know, my head snaps toward the passenger seat.

Pain sears up my entire left side as my truck flips upside down.

I scream as it hurls itself repeatedly for who knows how many times.

My seatbelt crushes my chest.

The airbags deploy into my face, and I can’t breathe.

The truck finally stops, and I realize I can’t feel my legs.

My breathing is erratic as I try to see what’s happening around me.

I’m upside down.

I can’t fucking breathe.

Emiline’s name is the last thing I remember…

Before everything around me goes black.

“Emiline. Emiline, wake up.”

I faintly hear someone calling my name, but I can’t open my eyes to see who it is.

What the hell happened to me?

---