Читать книгу Witness on the Run - Hope White - Страница 11

Where am I this time?

Robin opened her eyes and glanced across the room. Sunlight streamed through the curtains as she struggled to remember where she was. Right, she was in the hospital. Yet no flowers filled the window ledge, no balloons or notes from wellwishers.

Sadness settled in her chest. She felt so utterly alone and frightened, yet she knew she had friends. Her memories might be temporarily lost, but in her heart she knew some things as surely as she knew she was in a hospital bed.

Robin had friends and family who would be worried about her. If she could only figure out how to contact them.

“Can I see some ID?” Jake’s voice echoed from her doorway. He was keeping guard outside her doorway, having promised to protect her.

“Who are you?” a woman challenged. Her voice sounded familiar.

“ID,” Jake repeated.

A few seconds passed, then heels clapped against the vinyl flooring, and a cute blond woman came into view.

Jake stood beside her. “She says she’s a friend from work.”

The blonde rushed over and gave Robin a hug. Jake started to intercede and Robin waved him off. “It’s okay.”

There was something familiar about the woman, and Robin didn’t feel frightened. Actually, she appreciated the hug.

Jake nodded and left them alone.

“Oh, my God.” The blonde analyzed Robin’s bruised check and bump on the head. “When I heard the gunshot, then nothing, I was up all night trying to track you down. I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.”

“What time is it?”

“Three in the afternoon.”

“You—” Robin hesitated “—heard the gunshot?”

“We were on the phone, remember?”

“No, actually. I’m memory-challenged at the moment.”

“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry.”

Another hug. Robin fought back tears.

The blonde looked at her. “We were on the phone. You were at work, and I ordered you to join us for dinner, then bang!”

Robin jerked. Closed her eyes.

“Sorry, that was insensitive.” The blonde placed a hand on Robin’s shoulder. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. I—” she hesitated “—can’t remember.”

“Anything? I mean, you don’t remember what happened last night?”

“Nope.”

“Good.” The woman sighed. “I mean who wants to remember seeing someone get shot, right?”

“Yeah, right, I guess.” Robin clutched the blanket. “It’s all one, big blob of nothing.”

“That’s probably normal.”

Robin glanced at her friend. “I mean everything.”

The blonde frowned. “You don’t know me, do you?”

“I remember the sound of your voice, and you look familiar, but I don’t remember your name. Sorry.”

The blond woman shot Robin a sympathetic smile. “Don’t be sorry. It’ll come back. I’m Jenn. We work together.” With a bright smile, she extended her hand, and they shook.

Robin liked this woman. She was bright and positive, and her presence eased the ball of anxiety in Robin’s chest.

“I should call work and let them know you’ll be out for a while,” Jenn said.

“Where do I work?”

“You’re an events planner for the Anna Marsh Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Tomorrow is the walkathon to raise money for pediatric cancer research.”

Sadness washed over her. “I knew something big was happening.”

“See? It’s coming back to you. I’ll call Ruth, the executive director. Where’s your phone?”

“I think I lost it when…”

A scene flashed in her mind: crawling on her hands and knees. Pitch black. The monster stalked her. Closing in. Would she make it to the door? Pull the fire alarm!

“Robin?” Jenn said.

Robin glanced up. “I was remembering…something.”

Jenn frowned with concern.

“Never mind. It’s nothing,” Robin said.

“And your phone?”

“I don’t know where it is, but my briefcase is around here somewhere.”

“I’ll get it. Who else do you want me to call? Your parents?”

“Are they in Seattle?”

“Actually, they moved to Phoenix a few years ago.”

“No, don’t call them yet. I don’t want to worry them. Just for now, let’s keep this between you and me.”

“Well, the group kind of knows. They were with me when I was talking to you. Trevor was so worried.” Jenn winked.

“Trevor?”

“The guy you’ve been crushing on for the past three months. I could make up a playbill of people in your life to help you remember.”

“That would be great.”

“What’s causing the memory loss?” Jenn said.

“Trauma to the brain. I banged my head when I hit the ground. They say it’s a miracle I didn’t sustain more serious injuries.”

“No kidding.” Jenn went into the closet and pulled out Robin’s briefcase. “You want to…” She held the briefcase out to Robin.

“No, you go ahead.”

Jenn rested it on the bed, dug around and pulled out a file folder. “This should have Ruth’s home number. I’ll give her a call. Oh, and it looks like you printed out the sign-up sheets. Want me to get those to her?”

“That would be wonderful.”

“No problem. It’s a bummer you lost your phone.”

“Yeah.” It probably had all her information, names and contact information, special dates and deadlines, and even personal information. She nibbled her lower lip. If she’d dropped it at the scene, the killer probably had it, which meant he might know everything about her.

“Hey, it’ll be okay,” Jenn said, sensing Robin’s trepidation. “Here.” Jenn pulled a small notepad out of the briefcase, wrote something down and handed it to Robin. “My contact info if you need something or remember anything and want to talk it out. Whatever.”

Robin smiled as she eyed the notepaper. Jenn had written down her name, address and phone number, with the message, Call me anytime!

“If you want, I can stop by your apartment and bring back some things.” Jenn said. “Stuff that’ll make you feel better.”

And help you remember. Robin heard the inference.

“Thanks,” Robin said. “My keys should be in the briefcase.”

Jenn dug them out just as a tall, serious-looking man with a crew cut stepped into the room. A scar ran across his right eyebrow. Did Robin know him?

“Ma’am, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” the guy said to Jenn.

“Who are you?” Jenn asked.

And where was Jake? Robin wondered.

“Detective Monroe, Seattle P.D.” He flashed his badge.

A cop, an ally. Not a threat. Robin relaxed a little.

“Okay.” Jenn glanced at Robin. “I’ll be back later.” Jenn smiled and left.

Narrowing his eyes, the detective took a step closer to her bed. Robin felt small and cornered.

“You can fool the rest of them with your amnesia ploy, but I know what’s really going on.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What’d you do, promise Cole a lead on a case?”

“I didn’t promise anything, and I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Why Cole? Huh? Was he onto something, so they sent you to lure him in?” He clenched his jaw as if he was about to snap.

“You’d better leave,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Not until you give me something.” He grabbed her wrist and cuffed it to the edge of the bed.

“What are you doing?” Her heart slammed against her chest.

“Making sure you stay put until I can get answers.” He stalked around to the other side of the bed and poured her water. “Maybe this will help.”

“I can’t remember! Let me go!” She pulled on the handcuffs.

Caught. Snared. Stalked. About to be…killed?

She repeatedly pushed the nurse call button.

He closed in on her. No matter how far she leaned away, she couldn’t escape his stale coffee breath or the look of hatred in his eyes. “Cut the nonsense, lady.”

“Get away from her!”

Jake grabbed Detective Monroe’s arm and yanked him away from Robin. Anger arced through Jake’s chest at the look in her eyes. Terror didn’t begin to describe what he saw there.

Monroe glared at Jake. “You’re interfering with an ongoing investigation.”

“And you’re bullying a witness. This woman is a victim, not your perp.”

“I’m not so sure.” He eyed Robin.

She pulled on the handcuffs.

“She nearly died in the E.R.,” Jake said. “Uncuff her and get out.”

“Not until she answers some questions,” Monroe said.

“I don’t know anything!” she cried.

A young nurse rushed into the room. “What’s going on in here?”

“Police, ma’am.” Monroe flashed his badge. “I’ve been ordered to ask Miss Strand questions.”

“She’s not ready to answer your questions,” Jake said.

Monroe glared at him. “You’re a doctor now, Walters?”

“Stop it,” the nurse ordered. “She’s not up for visitors or interrogation. Now remove these cuffs and leave. Both of you.”

Monroe fisted his hand, and Jake realized the guy was dangerously close to doing something he’d regret. There were few things worse than losing a brother in blue. Jake understood the man’s emotional state but didn’t condone it.

“Let’s call Detective Beck,” Jake said.

“You do that.” But he didn’t move to uncuff Robin.

“And I’m calling security,” the nurse threatened.

Monroe snapped his glare from Jake and went around to release Robin. She turned away, her eyes connecting with Jake’s. He offered a slight smile, wanting to let her know it would be okay. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.

“We’re not done,” Monroe shot at Robin.

The nurse motioned for him to leave. “You, too,” the nurse said to Jake.

“No. Can he stay?” Robin asked.

The nurse frowned. “For a few minutes.”

Monroe stormed out with the nurse on his heels.

“You okay?” Jake asked.

“I’ve been better.”

She had a resilience about her that fascinated him. A cop, one of the good guys, had threatened her. but she hadn’t backed down.

“They think I was involved in the shooting?” she asked.

“They think you might have witnessed something. A police officer was killed tonight.”

Her eyes widened. “And that cop thinks I shot him?”

“I doubt it, but cops get crazy when a fellow officer is killed.”

“Yeah, he’s crazy and wants answers.” She sighed. “And my mind is a complete blank.”

“It will come back to you, in time.”

“I get the impression I don’t have time.”

Jake shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. He couldn’t argue with her.

“Someone’s after me,” she said in a soft voice.

“We don’t know that.”

“But if I saw something…”

“You need to focus on healing. You’re safe here.”

“You’re kidding, right? I almost died in the E.R., then a crazy cop handcuffs and interrogates me.”

Jake took a step closer. “It won’t happen again. I’m sorry I let Monroe question you.”

“He’s a cop. It’s not like you could have stopped him.”

“It doesn’t matter who it is. You asked me for help. I’ll make sure no one gets that close again.”

She leaned back against the pillow but didn’t look convinced. A distant memory flashed to the surface to taunt Jake. I won’t let him hurt you again, Mommy. But Jake had failed to keep that promise.

“You know the doctor in the E.R., the one who probably put something in my IV?” she said.

“Yeah?”

“I’ve seen him before.”

“You recognized him?”

“Just his eyes.” She hesitated. “Death Eyes.”

The nurse came into the room and checked Robin’s blood pressure. “Your few minutes is up,” she said, not looking at Jake.

“How are her vitals?” Jake asked.

“Everything looks good.” The nurse smiled at Robin.

With a nod, Jake started for the door.

“Wait, Jake?”

He turned to her.

“Thanks, for coming to the rescue.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Do you…?” She hesitated. “Would you want to sit in here?”

Robin glanced at the nurse.

“If it would make you feel better,” the nurse said.

“It would.” Robin motioned to a chair.

It hit a little too close to home, having recently spent months sitting beside Mom, but Jake read panic in Robin’s eyes. She would feel better if he stayed close.

“Sure.” With a nod, Jake collapsed in a corner chair where he had a clear view of the door.

The nurse finished up and left Robin and Jake alone.

Robin leaned against the pillow and eyed him. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why are you here?”

“Excuse me?” He sat up straight. Had she forgotten asking him to protect her?

“Don’t look so worried. I remember asking you to stay,” she said as if she’d read his mind. “I’m wondering why you came to the hospital with me in the first place.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he said, “I guess I feel responsible. It’s my fault you ran into the street.”

“You weren’t trying to shoot me.”

“No, but I frightened you, and you tore off to get away from me.”

“I wish I could remember.” She closed her eyes and pulled the blankets up to her chin.

The woman was a mess. Who wouldn’t be? The hospital should be a safe place, a healing place. Instead, it had turned into a war zone where enemies hid in every corner from the E.R. to her hospital room.

Detective Monroe. A complete jerk. Jake couldn’t believe the guy had gone after her like that, handcuffed her to the bed. What on earth was he thinking?

“I wish you could remember, too,” Jake said.

With a sigh, she rolled onto her side, facing him. Wrapped in blankets, she looked childlike and fragile.

“I’m afraid of what comes next,” she said in a soft voice.

“Don’t be. Just rest. That’s the best thing you can do for yourself.”

She nodded and closed her eyes. He folded his hands behind his head and leaned back. This woman tapped into all his protective instincts from his mom, to his ex-girlfriend, to innocents in Iraq. He was overthinking again.

He glanced at the door as someone passed. That’s what he should be focused on, not the tender beauty wrapped in white.

He suddenly wondered if this was his chance at redemption, his chance to make it right. He’d see Robin through to the end and make sure she wasn’t another innocent victim of violence.

Robin awakened with a start, terrified all over again. She glanced around to get her bearings and spotted Jake in the corner of the dark room, asleep in the chair.

She hadn’t slept well, tossing and turning, her thoughts driving her into a deeper sense of foreboding. She’d seen something she shouldn’t have, and couldn’t remember anything clearly enough to help the police find the killer.

Those buried memories were going to get her killed.

She didn’t want to die. She had a lot to do, things to accomplish. Too bad she couldn’t remember what they were.

A creaking sound from the doorway made her jackknife in bed. She squinted through the dark room toward the light in the hallway, but no one was there.

She was tempted to ask for a sleep aid, but didn’t like taking drugs of any kind, even an over-the-counter pain reliever, although she’d accepted a few of those earlier to ease her pounding head.

Placing a hand to her heart to calm herself, she flopped back against the bed and eyed Jake, her self-proclaimed bodyguard. His arms were folded across his chest, his head tipped forward. Guilt snagged her insides. He looked so uncomfortable. She shouldn’t have asked him to stay, but she didn’t know who else to turn to. She needed someone’s help, and so far Jake had been the only person in her life who seemed to be more concerned about Robin than the murder case.

The shrill sound of the phone made her jump. She grabbed it, not wanting it to awaken Jake. “Hello?” she whispered.

“Death Eyes is coming for you,” a gravelly voice whispered.

She slammed the receiver, ripped out her IV and jumped out of bed, backing up against the wall.

“Robin?” Jake said, clearing his throat and sitting up. “What’s wrong?”

“Phone,” was all she could say.

The walls closed in. She wasn’t even safe in the hospital. The cops considered her a suspect, the killer had spiked her IV, and although Jake was here, he didn’t owe her anything. He could abandon her at any time.

She felt like a revolving duck at a carnival shooting gallery, ready to be picked off as she made the next turn.

Although much of her memory was lost, she knew she was a strong and determined woman. She was not going to be terrorized by a phantom and lie in bed waiting for him to finish the job.

“It’s okay,” Jake said, edging toward her. “Why don’t you get back into bed?”

“And wait to be killed or arrested? No, thanks. I’ve got to get out of here.”

She hobbled to the closet, her sore knee giving her a little trouble.

“Robin, be reasonable.” Jake blocked her.

“Please get out of my way.” She planted her hands on her hips.

He stepped aside. She grabbed the bag with her clothes and went into the bathroom. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Who was that woman?

“Very funny,” she muttered. She recognized herself, she just didn’t like what she saw staring back at her: a bruised and pathetic-looking woman.

“You are not pathetic. You’re just hurt. And scared.” She searched her briefcase and found her wallet. “Awesome.” She had forty bucks and a few credit cards plus her driver’s license with her address.

The cash was enough for a cab. She remembered what Jenn had written on the slip of paper: Call me anytime!

But it was the middle of the night, really not a good time to call a friend and ask for a ride. Robin could take a cab to Jenn’s place, at least that way her friend wouldn’t have to get dressed and drive to the hospital to get her.

Robin slipped on her pants and buttoned her dirt-smudged, cream-colored blouse. Her head was still foggy, but she was okay, surprisingly okay. She slung her briefcase over her shoulder and opened the bathroom door.

Her gaze locked on Jake’s amazing blue-green eyes.

“Don’t argue with me.” Robin went to the bed and searched the table for Jenn’s note.

“Why are you leaving?” he challenged.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Who was on the phone?”

She snatched Jenn’s note off the floor and shoved it into her pocket. “It doesn’t matter.”

Robin stepped around Jake, marched to the door and glanced down the hall toward the nurse’s station. A nurse sat at a desk with her back to Robin.

He stepped in front of her. “I wish you’d reconsider.”

“Please get out of my way.”

“A doctor should release you.”

“I can’t wait for a doctor.” She walked around him and opened the stairwell door.

“It’s not safe to go home,” he said, following close behind her.

She gripped the railing as she climbed down the stairs, slowly, favoring her right leg. “It isn’t safe here, either.”

He stepped in front of her and blocked the door to the ground level. “What happened?” He narrowed his eyes as if trying to read her mind.

She gripped the strap of her briefcase. Besides Jenn, this stranger was the only person she could trust. “He called my hospital room.”

“Who?”

“Death Eyes.”

“How do you know it was him?”

“He identified himself.”

“How did he know you called him that?”

“I think I whispered it before I passed out. What does it matter? He’s coming for me, and I’m not waiting around to be killed!” She closed her eyes, embarrassed by her outburst.

Jake’s warm, solid hand brushed against her sleeve. “It’s okay. Take a deep breath. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, remember?”

With a sigh, she opened her eyes. “I’d like to believe you, I really would. But let’s be real. I don’t know you. Why should you help me?”

“I’ve given you my word.” He opened the door. “My car’s in the garage.”

Great, now she was going off with a strange man?

“You can drop me at Jenn’s.”

“Please stay close,” Jake said, his hand on something inside his jacket. A gun? Did he expect Death Eyes to pop out from behind a car?

She hoped by morning the fog would lift from her brain, and she’d recall exactly what happened. At this point all she could remember were flashes of memory, frightening flashes.

She glanced at her briefcase and rubbed her fingers against the smooth leather. She remembered doing this before, brushing her hand across it while holding her cell phone to her ear.

Memories echoed in her brain.

I’m ordering you a longhorn burger as we speak.

Walking toward the elevators…noticing a light from an office spilling out into the hallway…she glanced right—

“Stop!” she gasped.

“Robin?”

She struggled to breathe, gripping Jake’s jacket with trembling fingers. “I saw the light from the office. Someone was there.”

“In the Chambers Building?”

She nodded, but words couldn’t make it past her throat.

“It’s okay.” He glanced across the half-empty garage. “Let’s get you out of here.” He put his arm protectively around her shoulder and led her to a small pickup truck.

Robin couldn’t stop trembling as the memory clawed at the edge of her mind, taunting her, terrorizing her with the unknown.

A bang made her shriek.

“Shh, it’s okay. Someone just slammed a car door,” Jake said, squeezing her shoulder.

As they approached the pickup, a security officer stepped in front of them. “Ma’am, are you okay?”

“I’m…I’m, no,” she said wanting to destroy the memories circling her brain like crows over a dead animal.

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to step away from the woman,” the security guard ordered.

“You don’t understand—”

“The woman obviously feels threatened by you.”

Jake released her and Robin felt utterly vulnerable all over again.

“Robin, stay close,” Jake said.

The security guard stepped between them. “Sir, please keep your distance.”

“She’s suffering from a head injury.”

“Hands on the car.”

Jake turned and placed his hands to the roof of his truck. “Robin, it’s okay.”

He was being patted down and was still trying to take care of her.

“What’s this?” The guard pulled a gun from inside Jake’s jacket and waved it in his face.

She shivered at the sight of the black steel. A chill started deep in her bones and permeated her entire body to her fingertips.

“I’m a private investigator. I have a permit for that.”

Robin had seen one of those before, black steel aimed at her…

She backed a few steps away from Jake and the guard as she fought back the memories.

A red stain spreading across the carpet…

Saturating a man’s crisp, white shirt.

Her pulse raced as she turned away from the sight of the gun. She looked up just as blinding headlights pinned her in place.

The squeal of tires pierced her eardrums.

She couldn’t move, couldn’t cry out.

“Robin!” Jake shouted.