Page 47 of Dangerous Kiss
Chapter Nineteen
Reggie, breathless and shaking, burst into Biba’s hospital room, making both her and Cosimo jump. Reggie stared at her. “Oh, thank God…thank God…”
He threw himself at her, and Biba hugged him hard, wincing slightly at the force of his embrace. For a few minutes, she reassured him that she was fine; she was okay. Cosimo left them alone, shooting a smile at his lover before he left the room.
Reggie finally sat down on the chair Cosimo had vacated. “God, Biba…I’m sorry I’m so late. Mom got sicker and when Cosimo called…the I-5 had traffic backed up.”
“It’s okay, I’m fine,” Biba said. She indicated a blood bag hanging above her. “Just getting some fresh stuff pumped into me.” She gave Reggie a half smile, then it faded. “Rich is dead, Reg.”
He nodded. “I know. God, I’m sorry…have they any news about Stella?”
“Nothing. Whoever took her had it planned out perfectly. At least that what’s the FBI thinks.”
Reggie sighed, shaking his head. “Agent Harris again?”
“Yup.”
“Jesus…couldn’t they have sent someone who wasn’t a moron? Stella’s life is in danger.”
Biba’s eyes filled with tears, and Reggie squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry, boo, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just mean…God, I don’t know.”
“Cosimo’s sending out private detectives to look for them. They have questions.”
Reggie looked impressed. “Such as?”
“How the hell did the abductor get in past the gates? How did he know that Stella was alone in her trailer when the rest of us were out at the lake?” Biba sighed, rubbing her face with her fingers, hard enough to leave red marks. “Reg…who would do this? Murder Rich? Take Stella?”
“A psychopath, Beebs. That’s the only thing I got.” He nodded at her body. “Does it hurt?”
“It’s sore, but bearable.” Biba looked out of the window. “Gunter is absolutely destroyed, Reg. He came to see me yesterday…he’s broken.” Her voice shook.
Reggie shook his head, his eyes filled with sympathy. “I’m so sorry…Rich was one of the good ones.”
“He was.”
They sat in companionable silence for a while. “How’s your mom doing?”
“Docs think it might be pneumonia now. She’s pretty sick.”
Biba groaned. “God. Reg, you need to go back to her. I’m okay here, seriously. If all goes well, I’ll be out of here in a couple of days, and I have Cosimo to take care of me. Mary needs you.”
He looked at her unhappily. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Get back to her, Reggie. You can call me whenever you like.”
He got up and hugged her again. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she told him, smiling. “Hey, and listen. Tell your MomRed Vinesare great for pneumonia.”
Reggie rolled his eyes and chuckled. “I will…she won’t need much persuasion. Later, Beebs. Glad you’re feeling okay.”
“Later, Reggie."
Downstairs, Cosimo was talking to some of the nurses at the station. “It is customary that we ask the relative to donate blood,” one of them was telling him.
“Of course. I have some right now if you could point me in the right direction.”
“I’ll come with you.”
