Page 9 of Sergeant O'
“That’s good; means your meds are working. The second you start to feel something, you need to let us know. We need tostay on top of it. The pain is easier to manage if we nip it in the bud. Once you’re really hurting, it’s too late.”
“Got it.”
“There’s a waiting room full of people anxious to see you. We’ll let your immediate family back first, unless—”
I interrupted her. “Are Lainey and Adam out there?”
She nodded. “They got here right after you went into surgery.”
“Send them back with my mom and dad.”
“We normally only allow two people at a time…”
I looked at her with raised eyebrows, and she murmured, “But considering how many people want to see you, I guess we could make an exception.”
“If anyone gives you a hard time, I’ll talk to Chad.”
She tilted her head, like she didn’t know who I was talking about. I clarified, “Chad Stravinski.”
Doris still looked confused, so I added, “The hospital’s CEO.”
“Oh, yeah. I usually work nights, so I don’t know much about the new administrative staff.”
“That makes sense.”
But it really didn’t. This was a small town. While Chad had only been here a little over a year, his staff should know who he is—even the ones who worked at night. I didn’t know if that was a boss problem, or an employee problem.
What I did know was that it wasn’tmyproblem, so I again suggested Doris send Lainey, Adam, and my parents back.
Lainey walked in first, took one look at me in the hospital bed, and burst into tears.
“Thank God you’re okay,” she sobbed as she rushed to my bed and gripped my fingertips, careful not to knock the tubes sticking out of my hand.
I squeezed her fingers and reassured her, “I’m okay, Lain.”
Adam ran his hand up and down her back while looking at me. “You had us worried, buddy.”
“I think you and Alan saved my life.”
My dad’s voice boomed, “Who?” as he walked in the room
Shit.
Adam’s brother, Alan, had been in counterintelligence in the Marines and had helped find who took Lainey. Then, while we waited for a search warrant, he disappeared. Not long after, Adam and I caught up with him outside where she was being held.
I’d given him instructions to hang back when Adam and I breached the barn after hearing Lainey scream. He did, but I remembered he was there, applying a tourniquet to my leg after I got shot.
That was about all I remembered.
Adam replied, “Me. I saved his life.”
“That’s what I thought.”
My dad’s knowing smile told me he knew exactly what had happened, he just didn’t want to “know” it officially.
“How’s Earl?”
Adam lifted his shoulders. “You’re a better shot than he is.”
