“I’m on level B-2, the surgical waiting area.”
“Got it.”
Next, I call Lauren. She picks up on the first ring. “Hey.” She sounds so depressed. My poor friend. I feel like I shouldn’t burden her with all this right now, but I’ve gotta tell her. We don’t keep secrets like this. Besides, I need her right now. I tell her first that I’m fine, but that the serial killer tried to kill me when I went to the apartment for my jewelry-making supplies.
Quickly, I relate the story about Sam confronting the killer, killing him but getting knifed in the process. “Sam is in surgery. There was so much blood. I’m so scared, Lauren.”
She doesn’t mince words. “On my way,” she says quickly.
“I’m on level B-2, the surgical waiting area.”
“Got it.”
Hanging up, I have to laugh. Gill and Lauren both said almost the exact same words on the phone just now. Weird.
I sober immediately, worrying about Sam. I can hardly sit still from worrying. Waiting for word is killing me. I don’t want to think about the possibility that I might lose him. I just found him. He’s annoying. He’s bossy. He’s heavy-handed. But I love him.Hurry up, Lauren and Gill. I need some support so I don’t panic. I know from sad, personal experience that life is short and there are no guarantees. If I sit here alone too much longer, I’ll go crazy with worry.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
I LOVE THE IDIOT
“Hello?”My eyes flutter open, and I sit up fast. I must have dozed off. A stunning-looking older woman is bending over me. “Hello?” she says again.
When I stand up, pain courses through my thigh. I resist the urge to look down at it. I don’t want to draw attention to the blood. “Hi… hello. Can I help you?”
“I’m not sure. My name is Valerie. Valerie Stone. Sam’s mom. You’re MacKenzie, right?”
“I am. You heard about Sam?” Of course, she did. Why else would she be here? My brain is not working well.
“Gill called me. He told me Sam was brought here by ambulance and that you were here as well.”
“I, uh, yes. That’s correct. He was. His leg was injured. He’s still in surgery.”
“How is he? Have you heard anything yet?”
“No.” I look up at the clock. “I’ve been waiting over an hour. I haven’t heard anything yet.”
“Were you there when he was injured?”
Oh, man. I don’t want to be the one to tell her about this. She could easily decide I’m nothing but trouble for Sam when she hears how he was hurt. She may want me far away from her son.The thought gives me a stab of terror. I really am the cause of all of this. If he hadn’t met me, he wouldn’t be in this situation. My terror builds, and I can’t breathe. I know it—I’m bad news. I’m… I’m….
“MacKenzie? Are you okay?”
I take a deep breath. “Yes. I was there.” Before I can elaborate, I see Gill and Lauren, with Officers Sawyer and Martinez following close behind.
Officer Martinez doesn’t look happy with me. “Do you think you could spare us a few minutes to answer some questions? You know, about the dead guy in your apartment?”
Lauren gasps but I’m assuming it’s more outrage than shock.
“Um, well, I wasn’t there when he got that way.” The look on Martinez’s face says all I need to know.MacKenzie, don’t push your luck.Sawyer’s face, on the other hand, looks amused. I’m glad one of us thinks this is funny.
“We’d like to ask you a few questions. We won’t keep you long,” says Sawyer in a kind voice. “I know you’re waiting on word about Sam.”
“Sure. Okay, that’s fine, thanks.”
“MacKenzie? Do you need an attorney?” Leave it to my bestie to want me to lawyer up.
“No.” I shake my head. I did nothing wrong. Probably.
