Page 78 of Beaten

We’d have to play nice with the local PD for a good long while. They’d be mad we stepped on their toes, and bruised their egos, when we crashed into the Taylor’s home and rescued them rather than calling 9-1-1.

Fortunately, we had a good working relationship with them.Hell, I served with most of the guys on the Weatherford force. And given time, they’d understand that while there maynot have been enough evidence for the PD to act, we’d made the right decision by going in.The Taylor’s will agree. Dad and I would get a lecture, or two, and we’d have to kiss the Chief’s ass until it eventually faded away.

Dad asked the scene commander to take my statement first, and she agreed. After I finished, I checked with Dad to make sure I was good to leave.

“We’ve got this, son, go to the hospital. I’ll stop by as soon as we’re done here.”

“Thanks.”

“Shit, we need to call Chris.”

“I got it. Go.” Jack gave me a gentle push. “Meg’s waiting just west of the police parameter.”

I took off my gear and locked it in the safe in the back of my SUV, then grabbed the roses from the front seat before jogging to Meg’s car.

“Thanks,” I said as I put on my seatbelt. It felt weird having Meg drive; hell I’d never even been in her car before. It was a gently used, navy blue compact. It wasn’t my taste but it suited her, and was way better than the beat-up old SUV she was driving when she first came to Weatherford.

We didn’t have any trouble finding out what room Emily was in when we got to the hospital. Which was good. I wanted, needed, to see her and didn’t have the patience to argue with the nurses. I’d check on her parents after I made sure she was okay.

We had just finished talking to the nurse when Chris stormed in. “What the fuck happened, Sheppard?” He yelled as he crossed the room.

“Sir, you need to keep your voice down.” A nurse scolded him.

Chris looked at the nurse, anger dripping out his pores, I thought for a minute he might keep yelling. But he didn’t, he got right in my face instead and growled. “You were supposed to prevent this.”

“I know.”

“You know?” His voice rose an octave. He was still pissed, but he sounded surprised too. Maybe he’d expected me to defend myself, but I couldn’t. He was right. I had failed him, Emily, his entire family.

“I know. And I can’t tell you how sorry I am.” I felt tears well up, and didn’t bother hiding them. I didn’t have anything to prove to Chris. He’d been at my side for the best, and the worst, days of my life.

He sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly. “Jesus Jamie, what the hell happened?” He asked, sounding calmer.

“Can I fill you later? Right now I want to check on Emily.” I asked.

He noticed the roses I was holding. “You stopped to buy flowers?”

“No,” I shook my head and tilted it to the hall “Let’s walk and talk.” I didn’t wait for an answer before I turned around and started walking. “I bought them earlier, before I stopped by the house to talk to Emily. I never had a chance to give them to her.” I paused and took a deep breath, grateful I’d trusted my instincts and pushed a little harder when she told me she didn’t want to talk to me.

I stopped when we reached her door. “I’ll fill you in later, but that’s how I found out Craig was there.” I looked at the door then at Chris, and against my deepest desires asked, “You want to go in first?”

“Yeah, I do.” He turned and opened the door before turning back to me. “Thanks.”

Chapter 39

Emily

Ilifted my head when I heard a soft knock on my door, and said come in. My mom didn’t say a word as she walked to my bed, leaned down, and pulled me into the fiercest gentle hug that only a mama bear can give. “My baby girl. I’m so sorry.” She cried onto my shoulder. I had no idea what she had to be sorry for. I was the one who brought Craig into their lives, I was the reason my dad had a concussion and I was in the hospital beaten black and blue.

I couldn’t find my voice to say any of that, so I hugged her back and let a fresh wave of tears fall. When I finally found my voice I asked, “Are you okay? How’s Dad?”

“I’m better now.” She pulled back and patted my hand. “Dad’ll be okay too, but they’re keeping him overnight for observation as a precaution. How are you? Are you in any pain? I can have the nurse get you something.”

“I’m okay. Nothing’s broken and the bruises will heal. The doctor already gave me something for the pain.” I didn’t tell her I’d asked him for something that wouldn’t put me to sleep, so it’d only taken the edge off. I didn’t want anything stronger until after I’d seen her.

And hopefully Jamie.

I vaguely remembered him being there, but the details were fuzzy. I remembered the pool of blood on the kitchen floor, but not seeing Craig. Had Jamie told me he was dead?

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