Page 72 of Sweet Pea

“Sweet Pea. How’s he recovering from the crash?”

My heart raced. “Um...I’m sorry?”

“The crash,” he said, followed by a long pause. “Aw, fuck, sweetheart, you didn’t know?”

I stood, biting back tears. “Ah, sorry, Cowboy, can I call you back?”

I didn’t wait for him to respond as I hung up my phone and rummaged through my purse for my cell, but I realized quickly I didn’t know who the hell to call. Wiping tears away with the back of my hand, I opened my laptop and pulled up Bing.

Shit, what was the name of that fucking clinic?

Neighborhood something?

Shit, shit, shit!

It took me a moment of searching, but then Good Neighbor Medical Clinic popped up, along with a lovely photo of Dr. Gina Gardner, which was the only doctor mentioned, so I pulled out my phone and dialed the number.

“Good Neighbor Medical, how may I help you?”

“I was wondering if Dr. Gardner was available, please?”

“She’s with a patient, may I ask who’s calling?”

“Ah, my name is Callie Ames. I don’t think she’ll know who I am, but would you have her call me back, please?”

“And what’s it regarding?”

I squeezed my eyes closed. “Sweet Pea.”

“Okay, Ms. Ames, I’ll give her the message.”

“Thank you,” I said, and hung up, then called my investigator.

“Safe Detective Agency, how may I help you?”

“Is Addison Parker available, please?”

“I’ll check. Who may I say is calling?”

“Callie Ames.”

“Just a moment, please.”

Bad muzak came on as I waited, and I made a mental note to tell Addie to change her hold music.

“Well, hello, Callie Ames. What can I do for you?”

“Hey, Addie. Remember that biker I had you look into?”

“You mean that tall drink of water who should have been cast in Vikings?”

I smiled. “That’s the one.”

“Oh, I remember everything.”

“Your husband isn’t close by, is he?” I challenged.

“He’s standing right in front of me, and I’m enjoying the torture.”

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