“We will. Good luck with Juliet. Let me know how you go, and remember, no matter what happens, you deserve happiness.”
My vision blurs, and I sniff as I press my thumb and forefinger into the corners of my eyes. “I’m starting to believe it.”
“Good.” Her smile wobbles as she climbs into her car and shuts the door.
I watch her drive down the road until she turns the corner, then head back inside to clean the kitchen. Emily comes downstairs first, and I pass her a cup of coffee as she makes herself some toast.
“How’s Everett?” I ask. “He seemed a bit off last night.”
She sighs. “He didn’t say much, but whatever’s going on with his dad has got him really stressed out.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
“Has he ever said anything to you about his relationship with his dad?”
I shake my head. “He avoids talking about it whenever it’s brought up. I know he takes Tinsley to see him every fortnight, and he usually comes back in a foul mood. Other than that, I don’t know anything.”
“Because there’s nothing to know,” Everett snaps, entering the kitchen and going straight for the coffee machine. “Don’t waste your time or energy thinking about him. He’s a waste of space.”
Concern stirs in my gut for Juliet and Tinsley, but I can’t voice my fears without giving myself away. What did they go through with that man?
I’m still thinking about it later that night when I sign on for my shift with Jack and Melissa. The gnawing feeling that I’m not going to like what I hear on Wednesday keeps intensifying the more I dwell on it. I know I’m being irrational, but I think my own experiences with my parents are blinding me.
Everett wouldn’t let Tinsley anywhere near his father if he were abusive. There’s no way. He’s so protective of his little sister, and I can’t see him doing anything that would put her in harm’s way. Still, that little voice in the back of my head keeps wondering why else Juliet would have full custody of her daughter.
When we get our first call out for the night, I force myself to focus on the job so I don’t make any mistakes. The last thing I want is for something to happen to a patient because I’m not paying attention.
The fifty-two-year-old male we’re racing to is suffering severe chest pains and shortness of breath, according to dispatch.
“You lead the primary survey,” Jack says to me as we pull into the driveway of the impressive property. Whoever it is, they have some serious cash. “We’ll back you up.”
My stomach tightens as I nod. Adrenaline thrums through my blood, but I take a couple of deep breaths. This is what I’m training to do.
A young blonde woman, maybe a couple of years older than Juliet, waves to us from the front door in nothing but a black satin robe, still clutching her phone.
We grab the cardiac monitor and drug kit and follow her inside the house and up to the first floor.
When we enterthe bedroom, I freeze.
The patient is sitting upright on the edge of the bed, one hand clutching his chest, the other braced on his bouncing knee. Another scantily clad young woman is sitting next to him, this one a brunette, her hand rubbing his back in soothing circles. There’s a sheet pooled around his waist, and I have a feeling he’s naked underneath. His skin is pale and sweaty, and he’s breathing in shallow, rasping gasps.
Everett’s dad.
Jack shoots me a funny look, and I shake off my surprise.
I move over to the bed. “Hi, sir. My name’s Blake. I’m a paramedic student working with Jack and Melissa tonight. What’s your name?”
There’s no flicker of recognition from him as he wheezes out, “E-Edward. But th-this is ridic… ulous. I t-told them not to call.”
“You could be having a heart attack,” the woman near the door rushes to say.
He shoots her a venomous look before shaking the other woman off him. I wonder who they are. Something tells me they’re not here without a little incentive. I wonder if Juliet knows he’s paying for escorts.
My jaw clenches, and I take a deep breath. I need to remain professional. “Okay, Edward, can you tell me about your pain?”
“It’s… nothing,” he pants, grimacing. “J-just indigestion or something.”
“We’re here now,” I say, “so we’ll run some tests, just to be sure. Have you taken any medication tonight?”
