“It’s my job,” he said.
“No. It’s more than a job. Deep down you care,” she said.Otherwise, you wouldn’t have kissed me.
He squeezed her hand. “Okay. I do. I care what happens. It isn’t because I was assigned to protect you, but I’ve gotten to know you and I feel we’ve become friends at least. Don’t you agree?”
She nodded. “Yes. And to be honest, I have Shelby and Sheraton that I see the most of. On rare occasions, I might see someone I went to high school with. But I have never spent so much time with another human being since I lost my grandmother, and it has been really nice having you stay with me. I don’t know if Sheraton knew I needed that when he suggested you move in there or not. He’s always looking out for me.”
“Kind of like a father?” Grimm said.
“Yes.” She grinned. “Not that he’s ever tried to step in and take my own dad’s place. Who could? But he’s there when I need that strong shoulder or figure.”
“He’s never married?”
“Not that I recall. Unless he was when I was in college, but he never talks about it if he was. He’s dated a few times for periods of time, but being editor is a demanding job and he puts all his heart and soul into it.”
“So, he’s married to his job.”
“Basically.”
“Then you’re like his daughter. That’s the reason he hovers.”
“Maybe.”
“I’ll give him a call, don’t worry.”
“Thanks.” She leaned her head back. “I think I’m going to rest for a bit until my tray comes.”
“You do that. I’m going to step out and make calls.”
Grimm headeddown the elevator and went outside to make his call. He made sure he didn’t see anyone following him when he headed down the street to the parking lot. He got in his jeep and made his phone call to Sheraton, and then he called Burrows to update him on the situation before he left to go get something to eat at the nearby fast-food restaurant. He had three to choose from: a chicken place, a hamburger place, and a roast beef place. He went with the latter and drove back to the parking lot to eat before going back upstairs.
Quinn had finished her meal and was sipping her ginger ale when he returned.
“Looks like you got lunch instead of breakfast.”
“Yeah. That’s okay. It was good. So, you know I was starving.”
“Sheraton sends his love,” Grimm said. “He still can’t get away to come here, but I told him not to worry. We’d be back soon.”
“Shelby. I haven’t let her know what is going on. If she can’t get hold of me…”
“I can call her the next time I go out if you give me her number,” he said.
“Call her from my phone. It’s in my purse. Where is it anyway?”
“At the cabin. I’ll call her tonight.”
“Don’t make it too late. She goes to bed early.”
“Okay.”
The nurse arrived to take away her tray. “I’ll be back as soon as I remove these from the other bays, and we will get you out of bed for you to walk. Doctor’s orders.”
“Good. I think I need to go to the bathroom now that I’ve drunk this whole can of ginger ale,” she said.
Grimm’s phone rang and he excused himself to take it. “This is Detective Phillips calling me back. I’ve got to go talk to him.”
“Okay.”
