Page 45 of Peak Suspicion
“Not exactly.”
“What do you mean ‘not exactly’?”
“We’re friends. I want more and she says she’s not ready.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“So you think she’s worth waiting for.”
“Something like that.” He slid down farther in the seat. “I hope I’m not making a mistake.”
“Someone sure seems to have it in for her,” Aaron said. “Maybe it’s just as well you’re not too involved with her. It sounds like she’s made some enemies.”
“Is this supposed to make me feel better?”
“Her description of her attacker sounds like the same guy who grabbed Bryce Atkinson,” Aaron said. “I have to wonder if there’s a connection.”
“If it is the same guy, that lets Mitch Anders off the hook,” Carter said.
“It’s not public knowledge yet, but they’re releasing Mitch Anders this afternoon. At least half a dozen people saw him at the school at the time Bryce was being kidnapped.”
“Why did they arrest him in the first place?”
“Someone’s door cam caught the vehicle driven by the kidnapper,” Aaron said. “Same make, model and color as Anders’s. Only the first three letters of the license plate were visible, but those matched Anders’s also. He fit the description Bryce gave, too. That added up to probable cause.”
“Could someone else have driven his car?” Carter asked. “His dad lives with him.”
“His dad can hardly walk,” Aaron said. “I can’t see him manhandling a fighting kid.”
At the hospital, they waited while Mira’s arm was set. “She has a concussion and we’re keeping her overnight for observation,” the doctor told them. “You can talk to her, but keep it brief.”
What was it about hospital beds that made people look so small and vulnerable? Carter thought as he followed Aaron into the dimly lit room with its soundtrack of beeping machinery. Mira seemed to float on a sea of green sheets, her dark hair spread out on the pillow around her, her face almost as pale as the bandage across her forehead. But her eyes were open, and she smiled at him. “So I didn’t dream you were here,” she said.
“I’m here.” He took her hand and she squeezed it tightly, hanging on.
“How are you feeling?” Aaron asked.
“A little floaty,” she said. “They gave me something for the pain. The doctor says I have a mild concussion. And a broken arm.” She lifted the cast, swathed in pale blue wrapping.
“What do you remember now about the person who attacked you?” Aaron asked.
“He was strong. And fast. Not too tall. Dressed all in black.” One of the monitors began beeping faster. “He wanted to hurt me. I thought he was going to kill me.”
A nurse came into the room and checked the monitor. She laid a hand on Mira’s shoulder. “How is your pain?” she asked.
“Not too bad.” Mira forced a smile. “Getting better.”
The nurse looked at Aaron and Carter. “Don’t upset her,” she said, and left, the soles of her shoes squeaking on the tile floor.
“How is Shayla?” Mira asked.
“She’s fine,” Aaron said. “She only has a few bruises. Her parents picked her up a few minutes ago.”
“Mitch is being released this afternoon,” Carter said. He ignored the scowl Aaron sent him.
Mira’s smile was genuine now. “I’m so glad.” She looked to Aaron, the tense look returned. “Do you have any idea who attacked us? Or why?”
