“You’re telling me! What kept you from knocking his block off?”
Colin grimaced and looked sideways at his friend. “I’ve never before in my career hit a suspect. Never.” He gazed past Thompson, and when he spoke his voice was thoughtful. “Had my fist clenched and pulled back. I was damn near incandescent with rage. God knows Iwantedto pulverize the bastard. But then I thought about something Josh said to me and…”Colin turned and met Donald’s eyes. “And I couldn’t do it.”
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t, but you wouldn’t have been hitting asuspect,” Donald told him. “You would have been punching out the guy who kidnapped and damn near killed your husband.”
“So is he in trouble?” Nate asked.
Donald grimaced and shook his head. “Oh,hellno.”
David wandered back to where the three men sat. “Miranda is coming down here. She can’t stay away.” He pocketed his phone and shrugged.
“I would imagine the place is going to fill up with cops pretty soon too,” Don commented.
“Donnie, call Lenny for me and have him tell the guys not to come. I appreciate it. but there’s nothing they can do, and I’m going to be with Josh as soon as he’s back from X-ray. Tell Lenny I’ll update everyone as soon as there’s news, but that right now it looks like he’s going to be OK.”
Donald nodded and stood, wandering a few feet away to make the call.
“Do you want me to call Miranda back and wave her off?” David asked.
“Yeah, Davy, would you? Tell her to call me tomorrow. Nothing she can do here.” He leaned forward over his knees, his entire body sagging with exhaustion. The unrelenting tension he’d suffered since earlier that evening had sapped the last ounce of his strength. “Nate,” he said, his voice a rasp in his throat. “Would you get me a cup of coffee? I’m about to cave.”
Colin glanced up at David as Nate moved toward the coffee machine. “What time is it?”
“It’s ten minutes after two,” David replied.
Colin nodded, then got to his feet and began to roam the length and breadth of the lounge. When Nate returned, Colin accepted the coffee and as soon as it was cool enough to swallow, he drank every drop and asked for another.
David watched him, shaking his head. “That’s exactly what Josh did whenhewas injured.”
“Paced around?” Donald asked.
David nodded and Donald shrugged. “Not much else hecando right now. Jesus, the waiting fucking sucks!”
It was nearly three a.m. before Casey returned, walking beside Joshua’s gurney as it was wheeled out of the elevator. Colin raced to his husband’s side. “Josh?” he whispered, reaching to touch his hand. “Josh?”
He saw Joshua’s hand move in a weak attempt to touch his own, and Colin grasped it tight, striding with Dr. Casey into the examination room, leaving the other men outside to wait.
Dr. Casey lowered the protective railing and bent over his patient. “Hey, Josh!” he said, touching the side of Joshua’s face. “Look at me, buddy. Do you know where you are?”
“Can’t see!” Joshua cried, his voice tinged with panic. “I can’t see!”
“Your eyes are swollen shut right now,” Adam told him. “You’ll be able to see in a minute. It’s Adam, Josh. Adam Casey. Do you know where you are?”
“Colin!” Joshua called.
Colin tightened his hold on Joshua’s hand. “I’m right here, sweetie,” he murmured. He lowered the railing on his side and leaned as close to Joshua as he dared. “It’s all going to be OK.”
“I can’t see you,” Joshua whimpered. “Colin, I’m scared! Where are we! What happened?”
Alarmed, Colin glanced up at Casey who was bending over Joshua’s head wound. “He may not remember things for a while. He’s got one hell of a concussion.”
“Baby, we’re in University Hospital,” Colin said. “You were injured. You’ve got two black eyes, and they’re a bit swollen. That’s why you can’t see. Relax, sweetheart. I’m right here. You’re going to be fine. Adam’s taking care of you.”
“Colin!” Joshua said, his voice a panicked gasp. “Where are we?”
Again, Colin looked up at Casey, wide-eyed with fear.
“Colin, he’ll probably ask you the same question twenty-five times. His short-term memory is on the fritz right now. Keep answering him, and for god’s sake staycalm.” Adam leaned close to Joshua’s ear. “Josh? It’s Adam. You’ve got a gash in your head, buddy. I’m going to close the wound now and you may feel a sting when I inject the anesthetic.”
