Reid motioned for Megan to follow. Keeping his hand poised to retrieve his weapon, Reid trailed the hobbling Megan and checked the surroundings for anything out of the ordinary.
Without the bomb squad having cleared Megan’s car, they gave it a wide berth and arrived at the hospital from the south side. A Peace On Earth sign above the entrance caught his attention. How ironic. Especially with armed security guards standing outside the doors.
Reid was thankful they’d been trained not to approach a vehicle where an explosion had sounded and not put their lives in danger or contaminate the crime scene. He explained the situation to the guards, and they’d been apprised of the earlier incident with Fowler, so even if they’d locked down the exits to this wing of the hospital, they let them pass without a hassle.
Inside, Micha stopped next to the bank of elevators. “I’ll coordinate with the locals and meet you upstairs when I’m finished.”
Reid clapped his friend’s shoulder in thanks.
Micha gave a firm nod as the elevator doors swished open. Reid waited for Megan to limp into the empty car before boarding.
As the doors were sliding closed, Reid locked gazes with Micha. The unease in the tough guy’s demeanor left Reid unsettled.
He swallowed it down. He wouldn’t let Megan see how much this situation had unnerved him. He put a pleasant tone in his voice. “How’s the ankle?”
“It’s fine.” She let out a shuddering breath. “Thank you, Reid. You’ve been nothing but helpful, and I’ve been a real grouch.”
“Yeah, you have.” He smiled, hoping to lighten the tension. “But you’re worried about Ella and your own safety, so I understand.” He suspected it was more than her worry for their safety, but now was not the time to get into their past. In fact, until he had a plan for keeping her safe, it was best to make the trip to the room without talking.
He leaned back and listened to the music. Oh Holy Nightplayed on the speaker above. Christmas. A few days until his family gathered around the tree. Would this issue be resolved before the big day? He still had shopping to do. As much as he’d joked with Jessie earlier about the presents, he would do everything within his abilities not to disappoint his daughter. He might need to arrange for Russ’s wife, Sydney, to help him out while he made sure Megan and Ella lived to see the holidays.
That thought removed all thoughts of a joyful holiday, and he remained alert and ready for danger again.
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.
“Stay here until I signal.” He fixed his hand on his holster and stepped out to check the area. Confident it was safe, he waved Megan on.
She walked close to his side without him needing to ask, something he appreciated. This allowed him to do his job. At each turn in the hallway, he stepped ahead, and she fully cooperated, limping toward him only when he gave her the signal.
On the final turn, Reid spotted Russ outside Ella’s door. He wore his usual scowl, and his hand rested securely on his holster. He waited, eyes watchful and alert, his posture rigid and a wide stance warning anyone who came near to be wary.
But Megan walked right up to him and squeezed his arm. “Thank you for staying so long. I know you wanted to get going sooner.”
He actually blushed under her kindness. “Jess kept Ella entertained, so it wasn’t too much of a hardship.”
“Well, thanks anyway.” With a quick glance at Reid, Megan slipped into the room to the ecstatic voice of Ella crying Boo-Boo’s name.
He waited for the door to close and turned to his brother. “Everything still okay here?”
“No issues. Unless you consider a nosy nurse a problem.”
Reid laughed and shook his head over his brother’s take on life.
“What?” Russ asked.
“I’m just glad to have a brother like you.”
“Seriously, we have a lunatic on the loose, and you’re gonna get all mushy like a little girl,” he said gruffly.
“Point taken,” Reid said for his brother’s benefit. Russ would do just about anything not to show his feelings. Except when it came to Sydney. Then he was a big old teddy bear.
“So what’s the latest?” Russ asked.
“I think the local PD will take things more seriously now. But even after this bomb, I’m not sure they have the resources to provide a protection detail for Megan. I’d like to spend the night here to keep an eye on her and Ella. Would it be okay if Jess and Bandit stayed with you and Sydney tonight?”
“Syd will be ecstatic to spend time with them. Especially since we’re now all settled in the cabin. She and Nikki can start a fire and the three of them can make s’mores.” Russ made it sound as if his wife was the only one who wanted them, but it was more of his tough-guy front. “Want to run your plan by me before I go?”
“I don’t have one yet. Micha’s talking to the locals, and we’ll hash it out when he gets here.”
