“Once we get you settled in your bed, sir,” Inez said, holding his elbow like she was afraid he would collapse, “I’ll run to get this prescription filled for you.”
“I need to see Rue first.”
“But she’ll see the blood on your sleeve.”
Eb frowned, his fuzzy brain trying to think up a reason. All he knew was hehadto see his daughter.
“I won’t take off my coat.” When Inez shook her head, he said, “The doctor told me we should be truthful with her, just careful not to be specific. She can’t help but notice I’ve been hurt.”
His assistant pinched her lips, but she didn’t argue with him further. When they reached Sandra’s door, he pressed his ear to it. Hearing nothing, he removed his key, grateful once again the attacker had grazed Eb’s left arm and not his right. When his shaking caused his hand to miss the keyhole for the third time, Inez huffed and took it from him.
She eased the door open and paused to listen. “Maybe they’re not here.”
But through the opening, Eb could make out a rounded form on the couch. He raised a finger to his lips and tiptoed into the apartment. Sandra lay with Rue snuggled into her shoulder. His throat tightened. How could Paige have walked away from their daughter without looking back? He assumed she hadn’t had second thoughts because she’d made no attempt to contact him since abandoning the child.
Inez tapped him on the shoulder and whispered, “This will give you a chance to get cleaned up.”
Eb had seen Rue, so he didn’t argue. He could send a text explaining where he was. Nodding, he let his assistant help him back into the hallway.
“Do you think your daughter would mind sleeping there?” Inez asked, already unlocking his door.
“I’m afraid it might be asking too much.” With her help, they got his coat off. He said, “Poor Sandra’s been sick the last few days and is just out of bed herself.”
Someone knocked on his door, and Inez hurried to open it. He recognized Derrick, the young man who’d assisted with Rue’s bed. The boy wore a sheepish expression.
“Walt said you might need some help. You know, with,” he looked at his feet, “guy things.”
“The man is brilliant,” Inez cried, clapping her hands together like a prayer. “All this time I’ve been worried about leaving Mr. Grinchly here alone and was wondering if I needed to call my husband to help.”
“I’m not incapacitated,” Eb said, irritated.
“No, but youaredrugged.” Inez put her hands on her hips. “If you want to see your daughter tonight, you have to get cleaned up, and I wasn’t looking forward to being your guard in the shower.”
“Right.” The burst of energy Eb had received from seeing Rue and Sandra had faded away, making his declaration that he wasn’t incapacitated almost a lie.
“Keep the TV and radio off,” Inez said, pulling Derrick into the apartment. “Get him cleaned up and any sign of bloody clothes—” She broke off and turned to stare at Eb’s trousers. “Is there any blood on your slacks?”
All three of them did a search, making Eb shift uncomfortably at the scrutiny.
“I don’t see any, but there’s some on your tie, Eb.” Derrick pointed to it. “I saw the video online, by the way. That was a mean half-nelson. Now I wish I’d taken wrestling.”
“Enough. I still have to get to the pharmacy.” Inez pointed to Eb’s bedroom door, and his neatly made bed seemed to call to him. “Help him get showered so he can see his girls before he collapses. Be sure to bag up the clothes. I’ll take those out to the trash when I get back with his meds.” Inez strode from the apartment.
“I’ll tell you. My life has gotten a whole lot more interesting since I started doing odd jobs for Walt.” Derrick tentatively took Eb’s arm. “You going to be able to stand in the shower?”
“Yes,” Eb insisted, though he swayed.
“Well, I remember when I broke my leg a couple of years ago. I had to cover my cast. You got any plastic bags and tape we can wrap around this?”
“In the kitchen. The trash bags are under the sink.”
“How about you sit on the toilet seat while I fetch those?”
Fifteen minutes later, after an awkward shower, Derrick stood by like a gymnastic spotter while Eb made his way to the living room.
“Shouldn’t you get into bed?”
“I don’t want to scare Rue by looking too sick.”
