The other paramedic took Walter’s vital signs and questioned Bo, fluent enough in medical-speak to provide the particulars, only asking Lucky about what happened before Bo came into the room.
Walter, grabbing his chest. Walter, falling to the floor, sweaty and pale. An endless stream of images looped through Lucky’s mind.
Numb. He’d gone completely numb.
The paramedics settled Walter on the gurney and Lucky took one last look when they dashed from the room, wheels clattering.
Walter shouldn’t be alone with strangers. “I’m going with them.” Lucky bounded from the room. Wait! What about Mrs. Smith? He hollered at Bo, “Go get his wife. Bring her to the hospital. She doesn’t drive anymore.”
They barreled past Lisa at the reception desk. Her tears left a trail of black down her cheeks. “Will he be okay?”
“He better be!” was more of a demand to the universe than an answer, but the best Lucky had to give.
The gurney and paramedics took up all the elevator space. Lucky pounded down the stairs, arriving in the parking garage totally winded a few seconds before the elevator doors opened. He clutched his screaming side.
Without waiting for an invitation, he climbed into the ambulance and clasped Walter’s hand. His eyes blurred. He blinked several times, then gave up the fight. Wetness trickled down his cheeks.
The woman fussing over Walter asked, “Are you family?”
Lucky wiped a hand over his face. If he said no, he might get kicked out. Walter needed someone with him. “Yes. I’m his son.” At least, that’s what Walter had said once.
The next half-hour went by in the blur: arriving at the hospital, answering questions, a clipboard full of forms to fill out.
Lucky found himself in the cardiac unit waiting room, alone. Walter’s Old Spice clung to him.
***
A hand on Lucky’s shoulder made him jump. “What the—”
“Shh… It’s just me. Heard anything yet?”
Bo. Here. Tight bands eased around Lucky’s chest. He rubbed burning eyes and glanced around.
Bo held up a fast food bag. “After I brought Mrs. Smith I went up to the cafeteria and got you something to eat. Figured you’d be hungry by now. Sorry, but they didn’t have much in the way of comfort food.”
Wasn’t that just like Bo to keep a level head and take care of things? “Thanks. She’s with him now?”
“Yes.”
Lucky opened the bag and bypassed the carrot sticks on the way to the wrapped sandwich, turkey from the looks of it. Every bite turned to sand in Lucky’s mouth, but not eating wouldn’t help anyone.
“Those are mine.” Bo pulled out the carrot sticks and crunched one.
Also trust Bo to feed Lucky when dealing with bad news. “What’s going on at work?” Walter’s attack must’ve caused a panic in the department.
“Everyone’s shook up about Walter. Or rather, most people are.” Bo’s eyes went hard and his lips thinned.
“Should I guess, or should we play ‘name that asshole’?” Lucky paused his eating long enough to growl. Plenty of heartless bastards wandered the SNB’s halls.
Bo raised an eyebrow. “Actually, if it’s Keith you’re referring to, he’s been out of the office. He might not even know yet. I’m sure he’ll be worried.”
Lucky snorted. Keith? Worried about anyone but himself? Ha!
“Lisa’s shook up.”
Yeah, she would be, with her heart soft enough to even make room for Lucky. Of course, he’d swept in like a white knight and saved her from the department asshole a time or two. “How’s everybody else?”
“Landry didn’t seem to give a rat’s ass.”
