“Thank you.”
As I walked, I pulled my phone out and scrolled to my father’s name in my contacts. Opening the door tothe chapel, I was relieved to find it empty and immediately pressed theCallbutton.
He answered on the first ring.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dad, Wes was shot.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at Memorial Hospital.”
“Where exactly?”
“I’m in the chapel right now. I was waiting in the emergency room for them to come out and tell me how Wes is, but I realized I needed to call you. I need to get back.”
“You don’t leave that chapel, Juliette. Do you understand me? Is there a lock on the door?”
“I need to get back to Wes.” Tears welled in my eyes. “He’s all alone.”
“I don’t give two shits,” Dad barked. “You stay in that damn chapel until my men get there.”
“Are you even listening to me?” I shouted. “Wes was shot! He could die!” My pulse pounded in my ears. “And it’syourfault!”
“I’ll have men to you in fifteen minutes. Leave the hospital with them when they arrive.”
“Go to hell!” I yelled as I ended the call.
I wiped my eyes and went back to the waiting room, regretting that I’d left.
“Hi. I’m sorry to bother you again,” I said to the admitting clerk. “But I stepped out for a few minutes, so I don’t know if you were looking for me about Wes Callahan. I’m still waiting to hear how he is.”
She pointed with her pen to two men in suits. “No info from the doctors yet, but those two police officers asked for the woman who came in with Mr. Callahan.”
Great.
They must’ve overheard because they walked over. “You came in with the gunshot wound?”
I nodded.
“I’m Detective Olson, and this is my partner, Detective Barkley.” He flipped open a small pad. “What can you tell us about the shooting?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. One minute I was standing at a booth at the farmer’s market, and the next Wes was on the ground bleeding.”
“There was no argument or altercation beforehand?”
“No.”
“Did you get a look at the shooter?”
I shook my head again. “I didn’t see anything. Wes covered me like a human shield.”
“The clerk said Mr. Callahan is your boyfriend?”
I nodded.
“And your name is?”
