"Is something wrong, David?"
I could hear the concern in Sam's voice.
"No." I plastered a smile on my face as I turned to look at Sam. "I just have a lot on my mind at the moment."
"Anything I can help with?"
"Nah, it's something I have to work out for myself."
"Well, if you need to talk, you know where I am."
I nodded, because I did. Until he hooked up with Angelo Delvecchio, Sal's baby brother, and moved in with him, we used to spend most of our downtime hanging out together. Sam probably knew me better than anyone.
"Why don't you head on back to the bunkhouse and get your incident report started. I'm sure you're eager to get home. I can catch a cab back."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure, Sam. It's not like we haven't done this before."
Sam snorted. "We need to do it a little less."
Wasn't that the truth?.
"I'm going to work on that."
Sam snorted, but I knew it was meant in a good way.
"I'll see you back at the bunkhouse."
"Seriously, David, if you need a ride, call me."
I nodded as I climbed out of the vehicle. "I will," I said before closing the door and walking toward the emergency room doors. I waved to Dana, the security guard on duty, and then headed toward the check-in counter.
I smiled at the nurse behind the counter and lifted my arm to show her the blood-soaked bandages Sal had wrapped around my wound. "Officer David Wu. I need some stitches."
"Of course, Officer." The woman grabbed a chart and started writing in it. "If you'll just have a seat, someone will be with you right away."
Fantastic.
I walked over to one of the chairs against the wall and sat down. Hurry up and wait. Hospitals, government agencies, police brass. They were all the same.
I settled my bad arm across my chest and rested the other one on the armrest. I had no idea how long it would be until I could get in to see a doctor. The waiting room was pretty full. If I was lucky, I might be able to get a little shuteye.
I must have dozed off, because I was jarred awake by someone shaking my shoulder.
"Officer Wu?"
"Yes?"
The nurse smiled down at me. "We have an exam room ready for you. If you want to follow me back?"
"Thank you." I quickly stood and followed the nurse through the double doors leading into the medical area of the emergency room. I was led back to one of the exam rooms and then told to jump up on the table and take my shirt off.
The nurse pulled on some gloves and then brought over a tray of clear liquid and a sponge. I winced when she began cleaning the area around the wound. "How bad does it look?"
"Not too bad, Officer. You'll probably need a few stitches."
"Yeah, I figured."
