“Yeah. Right away. There was two officers with the SAR guys, and they secured the scene when they saw what had happened. Gots the IIO investigators in the next day to examine the scene—the IIO has asserted jurisdiction over the incident.” He paused. “They’s waiting with questions.”
Angie sat in silence. The Independent Investigations Office. They would decide now whether she’d committed a criminal offense. If so, her case would be passed to Crown counsel. “So am I still on active duty?”
“I guess that’s ups to Fitz and brass.”
A sick, anxious feeling dropped into her belly. “I don’t remember shooting him,” she said quietly.
Holgersen nodded but said nothing.
She threw back her covers suddenly and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “I want to see Maddocks.” But dizziness slammed her in the side of her head, and she wobbled.
“Whoa, not now—you needs rest.”
“Ihaveto see him. Get me a wheelchair, Holgersen. Give me my clothes.”
He snorted. “Your clothes is done, Pallorino. IIO investigators took them.” He went to the small closet against the wall and took out a plastic grocery bag. From the bag he pulled a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. He placed them on the bed. “I broughts you something from my place. For temporary.” He paused. “I’ll go get that wheelchair.” He yanked the curtain across, giving her some privacy.
Angie reached for the clothes, removed the hospital gown, and struggled to insert her limbs into Holgersen’s baggy, pale-gray sweats. She had to roll up the legs and sleeves and was exhausted by the time he returned, pushing the chair.
He helped her into it in silence and then wheeled her out of the room and down the hall.
“Ginny?”
Slowly her eyes opened, and she turned her face in search of his voice.
“Daddy?”
Emotion punched through Maddocks. He reached for her hand. It was slender and cool in his. His baby girl. His child. Now a beautiful young woman. This was what he’d made in life—the one good, true thing that had come from his marriage. And he realized that this alone was worthwhile. That the years hadnotbeen wasted. That she was alive, and so was he, and the future could still shimmer in front of them. Addams had not sexually assaulted her. It would be a rough road forward for her, he knew that. But they were going to do this together. They still had each other.
“I’m so sorry, Daddy.”
He straightened his spine, struggling to keep his emotions under check. “You did nothing wrong, Ginn. It’s going to be okay.”
“Thank you for coming,” she whispered. “For saving me. He ... he made me phone you. He was luring you, and I ... I knew he was going to try and kill you. I didn’t know what to do, and—”
“Shh.” He smoothed hair back from her face where doctors had stitched up the cut along her brow. When he’d first seen it, he’d thought it was a crucifix—he’d thought the worst. “You did good, Ginn. He’s gone now.”
“Angie?”
“She’s still out, sleeping.” He’d checked on her dozens of times already. “She’s going to be fine.”
“She saved us—she got him.”
“She did. He can’t hurt anyone else, ever.” He hesitated, swallowed, then said, “Your mother is here. The nurses told me that she’s waiting outside to see you. Shall I bring her in?”
“With Peter? Is he here, too?”
“I don’t know.”
His daughter’s gaze locked with his. “I’m sorry for all the things I said.”
“I understand.”
“We’re going to be good, Dad. I promise. I—”
“I know, Ginn. I know we will.”
“I love you.”
