Page 57 of Little Hearts

Nick said nothing, so Jonathon asked, “Do you really think it’s a possibility?”

“Is what a possibility?” Clara’s voice jumped an octave.

“Security cameras showed he was there,” he nodded. “There’s no footage of him doing it but it’s a reasonable conclusion.”

“What is? Jonathon, what’s he talking about?” Clara demanded.

Jonathon took her hands but hesitated, obviously uncomfortable spelling it out. Nick sympathized. He would have to tell Aggie, and he wasn't looking forward to it. He’d caused her enough pain already without having to be the bearer of bad news.

“The car, our father, did something to it.” Naomi’s eyes were fighting to close. “Why can't I stay awake?”

“They're giving you a sedative,” Clara recited the words distractedly.

“I don’t like sedatives.” Naomi’s eyes stayed closed, and it seemed that she had passed out.

“You just had major surgery.” Clara didn’t seem to notice that her sister was unconscious. “You need to recover, to do that you need rest.”

“Clara.” Jonathon laid a concerned hand on her shoulder. “Did you hear what your sister said? She’s right. It looks like your father might have done this.”

“Naomi needs rest.” Clara stood and walked to the door. “I need a hot drink, I'm cold.”

“Clara, what youneedis to deal with this.” Jonathon followed her.

Nick followed the two out into the corridor. A tall man with dark hair was striding purposefully toward them. Although the working theory was that Sebastian Candella had tampered with the car to kill his daughters, it was possible that someone else had done it. “Do you know him?” he whispered to Jonathon.

Glancing up, he nodded. “He works with Naomi. His name is Samuel Zeeke. I called him. Thanks for coming, Sam.”

“You should have called me sooner,” the man all but barked. “Who’s that?”

“Detective Sleigh, he’s investigating Sebastian,” Jonathon replied, one eye still on Clara who was standing staring vacantly at the wall. Turning to him, Jonathon explained, “Sam’s here to stay with Naomi, in case their father comes back.”

Head snapping up, Clara protested, “I'm staying with Naomi.”

“No,” Jonathon said simply. “You're wiped out. You need to go home, go to bed, get some sleep. You were hurt too.” He raised a hand to the bandage on her temple and traced a fingertip around it.

Clara’s face crumpled, along with it her wall of denial. “You really think he did it?” When Jonathon nodded, she asked, “And you really think he might come back when he finds out we’re still alive?”

“I think he might,” Jonathon replied quietly. “But he won't get to you, Clara. I'm not leaving your side. And he won't get to Naomi either, Sam will keep watch over her, make sure she’s safe.”

Nick cast a subtle glance at Sam. He didn’t need to ask if the man was qualified to play bodyguard, military was written all over him. He knew Naomi worked personal security for a private investigation firm and since Sam worked with her, Nick assumed he had retired from some branch of the military and decided to put his training to another use. Sam was the very definition of tall, dark, and dangerous. He had a scar across one cheek, his eyes were so dark they appeared black and almost bottomless, and his face was all angles and calm detachment. Except when he looked through the window in the door of Naomi’s hospital room. Then Nick detected a subtle change in Sam’s stance. It was still protective, still alert, still ready to squash anything that presented itself as a threat, but he softened somehow.

“Come on, sweetheart, I'm taking you home now,” Jonathon told Clara. “Sam, thanks for doing this.”

Sam shot him a look that clearly said the need for thanks was completely unwarranted. “Of course. Where else would I be when one of my employees was almost killed?”

“Call if there are any changes with her. We’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Jonathon had an arm around Clara’s shoulders and gently guided her down the hall. She went without resistance like the fight had drained out of her.

Sam turned to him when they were alone, his eyes cold and scarily composed. “Find him first or I’ll kill him.” With that, Sam opened the door to Naomi’s room and took a seat beside her bed.

Nick didn’t doubt that Samuel Zeeke would kill Sebastian if he got his hands on him. If it were Aggie lying in that hospital room, he would probably feel the same way. Three of Sebastian’s four wives were now dead, the fourth may be as well. He’d gone after his daughters, it seemed that he now wanted his entire family eliminated. And that wasnotgoing to happen.

* * * * *

6:36 A.M.

“Tell me again why this couldn’t have waited another hour or so? You know I'm not a morning person,” Miller complained, guzzling down his third cup of coffee. “Besides, we have the perfect excuse for sleeping in.”

Aggie’s sisters had apparently convinced her to file a report about the staged attack on her. Both he and his partner had been put on unpaid administrative leave while the matter was investigated. There was also a very real possibility that they could wind up in prison. Especially Miller since he was the one who had actually pulled the knife on Aggie and threatened her. For the case of conspiracy to be proven then Miller would have to confirm it otherwise it was simply Aggie’s word for it. But Nick had no intention of denying it. He wouldn’t hurt Aggie again. Ever.

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