Page 96 of Nothing to Fear

Damnit.

Finishing the bottle, because why the hell not, she gulped down the liquid.

Fernando came in. “Miss Mayden—”

“I know, he’s not coming.” She stood up, holding her phone. “Can I have the check, please?”

“We just heard… something.”

“Something?” she asked. Why was he pale, so reticent? “Fernando, what?”

“An ambulance was called to…”

“What?” she asked, her heart leaping to her throat.

“We don’t know exactly, but Tripp left his suite upstairs in a hurry about two hours ago. Took Roxanna’s car to Laird’s.”

“Laird’s—Laird’s Hospital?” With a gulp, he nodded. “Oh, God.”

“Go,” Fernando said. “There’s a car outside.” She got around the table and took half a step back. “Don’t worry about the bill.”

“Thank you,” she whispered and bounded over to kiss his cheek before rushing away. “Thank you.”

What was she doing? Whatever it was, whatever had happened, it was none of her business. Still, in the back of the car, speeding through the city streets, all kinds of scenarios rushed through her mind.

Damnit. Whatever happened, it must’ve happened fast. Wouldn’t Darroch have called the restaurant? God, theBreckenridges were close, all of them. What if it was one of the kids? Buoy? Darroch wouldn’t be thinking straight, none of them would be. What heartache, what worry, their kindness didn’t deserve to be repaid by tragedy.

She leaped out of the car and ran into the hospital. Only as she reached the desk in the mobbed emergency department did it occur to her that finding the Breckenridges may not be easy.

Taking up space, she stood dumb for at least a minute.

“Can I help you with something?” asked a man on the other side of the desk. “Are you sick?”

“No, I’m looking for someone.”

Not very descriptive.

“You family?”

“No, I’m—”

“We don’t give out patient information to anyone except family.”

Good rule that made a lot of sense. Though it left her stuck and—a feminine laugh cut through the rest of the noise. The why was unimportant, but the woman beyond the admissions desk ignited her hope again.

“Freya Dere,” she called out, louder than she’d meant to because more than one person turned. Luckily, one of them was the woman she needed. “You’re Freya Dere of Children’s Connection.”

“Yes,” the woman said, coming around the desk. “I’ve got this, Rufio.” The admin guy wandered away. “Do you have a child in need of medical care?”

“No.” She shook her head. “No, this isn’t about ChilConn.” She didn’t think. Though Buoy’s little smile chased her. “You don’t know me. I’m Savanna Mayden—”

“Oh, God.” Spiked with shocked concern, Freya came rushing around the desk to take her hand. “Why aren’t you upstairs with Darroch?”

Alice must’ve mentioned her… and her connection to Darroch. So much for flying under the radar.

What was the point of denying it when concern had to be written all over her face?

“I just—where will I find him?”

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