Page 11 of Chasing Justice
She stepped out of the vehicle and the keys jingled as her hands shook. Her legs felt like jelly.
“Thinking about what happened?” Josh strode up behind Maya, startling her.
“Maybe.” She worked to compose herself.
“You can tell me about it if you want. I know you’ll have to write a statement, but if you, you know, need to talk.”
“I’m fine. I’m just thinking through what I’ll have to write up.”
“All right.”
An ambulance sat near the ER doors, back doors open, the patient inside somewhere. On the top corner of the hospital was the chopper that had come to rescue Doug and Juniper. The blades were tied down, but the bird shook a little in the breeze.
The cool summer air stung Maya’s arms. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms, hoping to warm herself up. She’d have to get home and have a good hot shower, but not before she saw Doug.
“Here.” Josh held out a sheriff’s windbreaker.
She hesitated, then grudgingly took the windbreaker and slipped it on. “Thanks,” she muttered.
“What was that?”
Maya shook her head. “You heard me.”
“Well, you must be cold if you’re desperate enough to put on a sheriff’s jacket. Cross jurisdictions here. What will we do?”
Maya ignored Josh and headed for the sliding doors leading into the ER. As they strode through the parking lot, an old green Chevy truck caught her eye. It was missing a few letters across the back and instead saidChev let.
Her grandfather’s personal truck.
Other than when work forced their paths to cross, she had avoided Pops since their last fight. Maya knew her grandfather had every right to be mad. Not coming home for Nana’s funeral and lying about where she was hadn’t been her best moves, but at the time it was the only way Maya knew how to cope.
Take a deep breath and face him. He’s not that bad. Just your grandfather.
Maya continued into the ER waiting area. Pops was surrounded by other law enforcement officers concerned about Doug, including Deputy Sam King. Sam had started with the sheriff’s department the same year as her grandfather. He had been like another father to her. She hadn’t seen him since she had returned home, and in the years Maya was gone, Sam’s hair had completely grayed. Always a fan of the cliché doughnut, he had a belly that protruded over his duty belt. He had to be nearing retirement.
Maya held back, observing the group, feeling like a kid who’d snuck downstairs after bedtime to spy on their parents. Her grandfather chatted with the other men. He looked tired and worn and had aged about ten years since her grandmother’s funeral...maybe she had too.
Sam spotted her first. “Maya,” he exclaimed, coming over and squeezing her shoulder. “How ya holding up?”
“I’m good, Sam,” Maya said. “It’s nice to see you.”
“You too. Been too long. Come join us—we’re waiting on news about Doug.”
Maya’s grandfather turned her way and their eyes connected. They had the same green eyes that her grandmother said could look through anyone. It always felt like a pissing contest with Pops to see who could outlast who.
She stepped forward and joined the group, noticing that Josh hung back. “Pops,” Maya said.
“Maya.”
“I’m going to get a cup of coffee. Anyone want one?” Josh asked, escaping the tension.
“I’ll go with you,” Sam said.
The two men scrambled away towards the coffee machine. Maya stood taller.Never back down. That was the Marine way. Semper Fi and all that crap. Once a Marine, always a Marine... Maya didn’t know if she bought into that anymore.
“Hey,” Maya called over her shoulder at Josh. “Get a cup for me too, please.”
Josh waved in acknowledgment. Maya had to admit he wasn’t hard to look at walking away.You’re as bad as the women in town.
