Page 38 of The Chase
And she felt souselesswhere Grady and Hala were concerned. But these little kids…they were terrified. They needed someone.
“It’s okay, BJ, it’s okay. I’m going to stay with you until it’s okay again. I promise.” Her hand covered his little back. He reminded her of Hala’s nephew. They had the same dark curly hair. Greer remembered how excited Hala had been when Ryan had been born. Greer had spent almost as much time with Ryan as she had Calvin.
Every child was so precious.
How could amotherever do this to her own children? Hurt them like this?
Greer followed Bailey to the SUV. They would have to take the kids to the ER for a full evaluation, and the police would need to do interviews. Technically, she was a witness, too. Even if she hadn’t seen anything. She had heard the screaming. And she had told Luis that something was happening in Hala’s apartment. Luis Sandoval had just appeared out of nowhere. He’d just pulled in beside her and been there.
She would never forget him running to Unit 12. He hadn’t had to do that, but he’d wanted to help.
It took longer than she wanted to think about to get to the ER.
Once there, Aubrey took the two kids into the exam room. Greer and Bailey stayed with them. Since she was now directly involved in the case, Greer would have to turn them over to Waverly or someone else. Just…whenever someone got there.
But BJ was clinging to her. And no one knew where his father was. Greer couldn’tdoanything for her brother and Hala right now. Guthrie had literally just carried Hala into an exam room—scooping her off her feet when she hadn’t wanted to leave Grady’s side—and Dr. Alvaro was treating her now.
But Deputy Ryce’s children hadno onewith them right now. Except Greer and Bailey. Those little babies were facing this terror all alone.
Greer helped where she could while Aubrey treated Wynnie first. The little girl had four cuts from her mother’s knife—but none needed stitches. Genny and another nurse took care of the cuts gently, then Aubrey came back in. With clean clothing for both children, and Bailey Addy. “The police need their clothing, Greer. As evidence. I’ve called your mother, about Grady and Hala. She called the rest of your family. George is bringing me some things for the kids to wear now.”
Greer nodded. Of course, the police needed their clothes.
Because their mother would be going to prison for this, for a long, long time.
Genny and the other nurse took the children to bathe them. Bailey accompanied them—she’d have to take photos of Wynnie’s injuries.
Then it was just Greer. Alone.
That’s when she started shaking.
There had been so much blood. And they were just innocent babies.
She stepped out of the exam room to find her family. Her stomach rolled a little as she remembered seeing her big brother’s face as he was wheeled right past her. He’d been so pale.
So still.
Grady wasalwaysmoving, always doing something. If he wasn’t working on the ranch or repairing something or building something he was telling Calvin stories before bed, or cooking something in the kitchen. Grady was neverstill.
He just wasn’t.
Greer rounded the corner of the hallway and slammed right into a hard man’s chest.
She looked up. The scent of him alone had told her who it was.
“Kurt. What are you doing here?”
“I just got the call. My foreman’s wife was hurt today, or something. And he needs me. I don’t know how bad Marie is.” His hands tightened on her. “You’re bleeding? Honey? Greer, what happened?”
She looked down. “It’s not mine. It’s…the kids, or…Hala or Grady…or…”
Greer seriously tried to hold back the nausea.
“Honey, tell me what happened.”
Strong arms went around her. Held her. And for just a moment, shealmostthought the world was right again. “Just hold me. I’m not so sure how much longer I can do this.”
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