Or should she visit Lee?
Lindsay’s words came back to her. This might be the only time she got alone with Lee, and she wanted to sort a few things out. She turned towards the hospital and drove through the town.
A few residents were walking their dogs, but it was still early. Being the weekend, no kids were off to school, but there were a couple riding bicycles and a father was already down at the park with his young kids.
Such normal life.
She’d had none of that in the past week. She wasn’t sure whether she would ever feel normal again.
The hospital car park was empty, and she parked close to the door, walking through to reception.
“Nhiari!” the receptionist, Tracy exclaimed. “It’s so good to see you. I heard you were lost in the ranges. Are you all right? Do you need to be checked by the doctor?”
Nhiari smiled at the enthusiasm from Georgie’s friend. “I’m fine. I’m here to see the patient who was brought in last night. Lee Kwong.”
Tracy nodded. “Just down the hall to the left.” She buzzed the door open for Nhiari. “Sam and Sherlock haven’t left since Lee got out of surgery. It must be nice to have such good friends.”
Nhiari didn’t correct her. She followed the directions and stood outside the room for a minute. A murmur of voices came from inside, but with the door closed she couldn’t make out the words.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside. It was a two-bed room. Sam and Sherlock sat on either side of Lee’s bed and in the one next to him lay Rodney.
Shit. She’d forgotten about him. She was far too tired to deal with Rodney today, and she definitely didn’t want to have the conversation she needed to have with Lee in front of him.
“Nhiari.” Lee’s cautious smile made everyone turn and look at her. Lee looked good for someone who had been stabbed and shot. His colouring was normal, and he wore a blue patient robe.
Machines beeped and everything was white and sterile.
“Finally!” Rodney said. “Someone who can get me out of here. These two wouldn’t let me leave.”
Sam and Sherlock both smirked.
Nhiari’s feet twitched, and she almost walked out. She braced herself. “The last I heard you were under arrest.” He looked far worse than Lee. His face was pale, he had IV tubes in him and he lay with his bed only a little raised so he could see around the room easier.
“You didn’t catch Lucas?” Rodney demanded.
She glanced at Sam.
“We didn’t tell him anything.”
That was helpful. She could figure out what Rodney knew. She drew out a notebook. “Why don’t you two go home?” she said to Sam and Sherlock. “Get some rest. I’ll take over here.”
“Have you slept?” Lee asked, shifting to a more upright position with a wince.
“I’m fine.” She shooed Sam and Sherlock out of the room and then studied the two men who were left. One who she had hated with all her being while at the academy, and one she loved but couldn’t trust.
She couldn’t question Rodney with Lee present, even if the two heads of Stonefish were no longer in the picture.
“You need to tell me what happened,” Rodney blustered. “I am lead on this case.”
“You were caught helping a suspect escape and helping Lucas steal the treasure,” Nhiari said. “I don’t have to tell you anything.” She did, however, want to know what was happening with him. “How injured are you?”
“I’ll live.”
Shame. She called the station and Dot answered. “Shouldn’t you be in bed by now?” Nhiari asked.
“Just filling in Pierre on what happened.”
“Are Organised Crime there?”
