CHAPTER 40
Ty walkeddown the hall where Ben kicked out and spat at the staff. Leo’s team held him down while they administered a calming medication before attending to his injuries. Knowing they had limited time before he succumbed to the drug, Ty asked him. “Why did you do it, Ben?”
“Why? Because they helped everyone but me. My father ranted about them because he didn’t like all the new people in town. The Winters took in kids they didn’t know, and I visited the mountain whenever I got the chance. Not once did you see me,” he cried. “I didn’t mean to hurt Debbie. I tried to get the kids out when I saw the redhead push her out the window. I climbed onto Ty’s roof to help, and Debbie saw me. She somehow knew I caused the fire. When I went inside, Debbie reentered the apartment to keep me from hurting anyone else. We got trapped. I couldn’t get to her, and she encouraged me to get out. She told me I wasn’t a bad person and she didn’t blame me,” he sobbed.
“Why did you go after Scarlett?” Leo asked.
“I knew you blamed my dad. He didn’t do it, and eventuallyyou’d figure out I did. Scarlett was the only person who could identify me,” he slurred as the drugs took hold.
Leo pushed Ty from the room. “We’ll have to wait until they get him stabilized. I already called the police, and they’re picking up Jeremy’s body and obtaining evidence from your house. Taco and Shadow stayed behind to keep your hands from accidentally corrupting the collection process. One of them brought Hank back to the barn, and Jake went out to fix him up. He has some wounds around his head and neck.”
“Thanks. What about Rocker?” Ty asked.
“They said they’ll keep us updated. Doc’s a trauma surgeon, and he’ll do his best,” Leo assured him as he clasped his shoulder. “Get comfortable. I imagine it’ll be a long night.”
“I think I’ll visit Sledge and update him. Scarlett will want someone to tell him. I’m worried about her. She held my hand until they took her back,” Ty said quietly.
“Kassie caught Claire in the hallway. They’ll tackle it as soon as Scarlett gets out of surgery. You know how I formed Team Asshole. If I can take those two, Scarlett’s a piece of cake. Why do you call her Sparky? She went by Sassy Pants.”
Ty screwed up his nose and shrugged. “Her hair reminds me of a flame. More importantly, I didn’t realize how much I’ve been going through the motions of life and not taken the time to enjoy it. The fire will forever change us, but she sparked life back into me.”
Leo smiled and nodded thoughtfully. “Go see Sledge. We’ll be in the waiting room when you need us.”
Ty turned and went to Sledge’s room. As he walked the hallway, he glanced at Hannah’s room, making a note to ask Kassie or Chase about her.
Sledge and his wife lay cuddled up in his bed, watching a movie. When he saw Ty, he pressed pause. Something in hisexpression must’ve given him away because Kim sat up, and Sledge glanced behind him.
“Where’s Scarlett?” Sledge demanded.
“She’s in surgery,” Ty broke the news. He sat beside the bed, explaining everything he knew and sharing the news about Rocker.
“Will you keep us updated?” Sledge asked. “I’ll call her brother and parents. I’m sure they’ll want to fly here. She has a friend, Rayne, who plans to visit her this weekend. We’ll need to notify her.”
“Let me know if I can do anything,” Ty offered. “I’m staying in the waiting room. As soon as they return from surgery, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks,” Sledge said as his wife put her arm about his shoulder.
“Will you be released soon?” Ty asked as he got to the doorway.
“Tomorrow morning,” Kim said. “We’re staying in the cabin again with my parents.”
Ty nodded and entered the hallway. The closer he got to Hannah’s room, the bigger the urge he felt to tell her what happened to her anonymous friend.
Noticing Kassie at the nurse’s station, he waited for her to finish before approaching her.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” he said.
“You’re never a bother, Ty. However, I don’t know anything yet,” Kassie said, walking with him.
“No. I want to ask to visit a patient. I don’t know her last name. Scarlett calls her Hannah. It seems Sparky has slipped into her room after hearing she doesn’t speak. She encouraged her and reminded her she has a friend.”
“You’re on the list to visit veterans with our Brothers in Arms program. We can’t share any medical information with you, but you’re welcome to visit and read toher. You can stay for half an hour and leave the door open. It’s policy in case we need to intervene,” Kassie explained. “You’ll need to sign in at the desk and put her room number down.”
“Thanks,” he said before turning around and heading for the nurses’ station. Five minutes later, he opened the door and walked to the chair where Hannah sat, staring out the window. Someone swept her brown hair into a ponytail, and she wore comfortable lounging clothes instead of the standard-issue hospital gown. Her large brown eyes never left the scene outside, making Ty think she appeared trapped in her body and watched life from the prison of her own making.
“Hello, Hannah. You don’t know me. I’m a friend of Scarlett’s, and my name is Ty. Your new friend got hurt today protecting my mom. They took her back to surgery, and she’ll be fine. She wants you to know she cares about you. We can’t wait for you to feel safe enough to talk. She knows you’re scared. These people will help you and keep you safe. I’ll return and update you when I can.”
He left the room and joined his brothers, hoping they’d receive news soon.
