He shrugged, but his gaze never strayed from the girl in the bed. “We’ve known each other a long time. It’s easy to figure out you’d blame yourself.”
“How can I not? Itismy fault. I was in charge of watching her.”
Scrubbing his hands over his head, he sighed. “Fuck, Lori. How can I blame you when it’s myself I can’t forgive?”
She looked at his profile, the three-day beard covering his jaw and the circles under his eyes visible even from where she sat. “It sure as hell wasn't because you weren't watching her closely enough. That’s all on me.”
“I’m the one who assumed you were infallible. I decided you could watch her and work in the office alone. I didn't hire anyone to help you, despite knowing you’ll be out soon and we’ll need help.”
She snorted. “By that definition, I should have known I could use help and that I’m not Superwoman.”
Devon rubbed at his eyes and said nothing. There was no way he’d ever blame anyone for his daughter wandering off other than himself. The bastard who thought Hailey was worth nothing more than a piece of trash, on the other hand . . . yeah, he had plans for them.
“Do you have all the test results yet?” she asked after a few minutes of relative silence.
“No sexual assault,” he said without inflection. “She was hit in the head with a blunt object which knocked her out and caused some swelling. There were tire tracks to and from the well, so it’s safe to assume she was transported there for the sole purpose of dumping her. She has several fractures to her right arm from hitting the bottom of the well. Her right hip sustained a hairline fracture. Dehydration, contusions, etcetera.”
Lori frowned at the monotone way he described his daughter’s injuries as though he was reciting impersonal facts. She could guess it was to detach himself from the horror of the reality. They’d all been terrified to think his little girl might have been raped. “Any idea when she’ll wake up?”
“When the swelling goes down. After that, it’s anybody’s guess. She needs the rest to heal.” He flinched when he felt Lori’s warm hand on his arm.
“You can talk to me, you know.”
He didn't answer her. It wasn't personal; it was more that he was afraid to relax. If he loosened the stranglehold he had on his emotions, he was terrified he’d never be able to put the pieces back together.
The door opened, and Devon looked up, seeing Simon Chatsworth step into the room. “Devon.”
With reluctance, he stood. “Hello, Mr. Chatsworth.”
“I came to see how your daughter is faring.”
Glancing back at Hailey, his chest squeezed at the sight of her so small and frail in the giant bed. When he focused back on Simon, he noticed his gaze was also on Hailey. “She’s not good, but she will be in time.”
Lori came to stand next to him and put her hand on his shoulder.
“I was incredibly sorry to hear she was left on our property. I wanted you to know I’m working closely with Merrimac PD to offer help in their investigation. If you need anything from me or have questions, you can feel free to call me.”
Devon took the business card he offered and tried not to snort. “Thanks. I don’t really have anything polite to say about who did this. I hope you plan to prosecute whoever it was and not be lenient.”
One white brow arched on his wide forehead. “You’re insinuating it was one of my employees.”
Devon caught the edge to his voice, but he didn't give a shit. “The police found her on your property, in a well left open for anyone to fall in or use as a murder weapon. A burial ground for my daughter. Those are facts. Other than that, we don't know, do we?”
“No, we don’t.” Simon looked at Lori and her hand resting on Devon. “What is your wife’s opinion?”
“My wife is dead,” Devon spit. “This is my sister-in-law.”
Simon didn’t blush—probably couldn't under his ruddy leather complexion—but he looked abashed. “I apologize. The point of my visit was to inform you of our cooperation and to offer my sympathies. If it was someone from within my company, rest assured we will ensure they are prosecuted fairly.”
Devon turned back to the hospital bed, unsure of what else to say. He heard Lori murmuring to Simon and wondered if she was apologizing for him acting like a caveman. He wouldn't put it past her.
“Devon.”
He didn't look at Lori. “Yeah?”
“Are you going to be okay?”
Was he? No, he wasn't, and he didn't think he ever would be again. “I’m fine.”
