Page 128 of Heartstruck at Dawn
It kind of felt like I could have another one if I didn’t keep my mind distracted. But the remnants of the sedative were surely flowing through my veins, keeping me somewhat calm because all I wanted was to see William and Caleb again, and I wouldn’t be able to fully relax on my own until I knew they were okay.
“Mr. Murphy?” Aaron said from outside the curtains. “May I come in?” My father opened the curtain for him. He carried inside a small bag and my phone. “Agent Robbins wants to talk to you.”
“Stay with her,” my father said to Aaron, standing up. “I’ll be right back, kiddo.” He kissed my forehead and left.
“We brought a change of clothes for you and other personal items you might need,” Aaron said, dropping the bag on the table. “I’m glad you’re okay, Miss Murphy,” he whispered. “They’re going to be okay too.”
He knew how important they both were for me.
For a second, I swore I could smell William’s cologne. And Aaron wasn’t wearing any. I was already hallucinating.
“Thank you—for everything,” I told him. He tightened his mouth and nodded. I couldn’t comprehend that Thomas was dead. I had to bite my lips to prevent myself from crying again.
I couldn’t understand how things escalated in such a way that Thomas had to end up dead and William and Caleb with bullet wounds because of him. Because ofme.
Unfathomable. Unacceptable.
My mind drifted toward my mother as I tried to imagine what she went through. I could still hear the screams of terror of the people at school that day. I closed my eyes for a second and inhaled deeply through my nose, trying to distance myself from my thoughts.
“We opened Thomas’s envelope,” Aaron said suddenly, taking a seat, his brow creasing. “That’s what Robbins wanted to talk to your father about. He’s briefing him. There’s a couple of detectives here too. They’ve wanted to talk to you, but your father’s been asking them to back off until you feel better.”
I didn’t feel like talking to detectives. But I knew I would have to, eventually.
“And can you tell me what was inside that envelope?” I asked, attempting to sit up straight again.
He leaned in and took one last look at the curtain before continuing. “Senator Hill killed Joshua, Thomas’s brother. All the evidence is inside that envelope. The surveillance tape clearly shows his father pushing Joshua down the stairs. I haven’t seen it, but that’s what I’ve been informed,” Aaron explained. “Thomas’s mother was standing behind Senator Hill when he did it. She had to see how her husband murdered her son.”
“No!” I covered my mouth and looked away. I was in shock. It must’ve been so hard for Thomas to go through that—knowing his father had murdered his brother because he couldn’t respect his sexuality. “He’s a monster! He ruined Thomas’s life. And his poor mother—” I couldn’t hold the tears in any longer.
Aaron took a deep breath and continued. “There are a few recordings of Thomas’s parents arguing about it on the phone where the conversation exhibits Senator Hill admitting to the crime,” he added. “Hewillbe apprehended for this. Let’s hope things proceed accordingly.”
My head fell back on the pillows. I was still feeling lightheaded, and Ihatedbeing stuck to this bed. I wanted to see William’s family too. “Could you ask anyone out there if I’ll be discharged anytime soon?”
Aaron looked at me with a disapproving look on his face. “I think you should rest. They’re both still in surgery and might be in there for a while.”
“Can I at least see Lily or William’s brothers?”
“Your father doesn’t want anyone coming into this area right now. I’m sorry, Miss Murphy. It’s a direct order. And I really think it’s best if you could find a way to get some sleep.”
Impossible.
A nurse came in and asked how I was doing while injecting a syringe into my serum bag. She smiled at Aaron and me before leaving. I sunk my head deeper into the pillows and immediately felt relaxed again. A cloudy haze appeared before my eyes.
Shit, another sedative… and it felt so good.
I WOKE UPa few hours later in the emergency room. I was still wearing the hospital gown. My arm was still in a cast, and Istilldidn’t know anything about William or Caleb.
This is not a drill.
Aaron was gone. A female agent sat on the chair next to me in his stead. Her skin was a golden shade of brown, and she wore her caramel-colored hair in a loose bun.
Behind the curtain, I could place two silhouettes. I couldn’t tell who they were, and I didn’t recognize their hushed voices either.
My phone indicated it was 5:37 a.m. There had to be news about William or Caleb by now.
“Hi, Billie. I’m Agent Johnson,” she said in a sweet voice. “How are you feeling?”
“Hi. Nice to meet you,” I replied, trying to sit up. Agent Johnson helped me up. “I’m okay, but I need to pee.”
