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She laughs cutting him off, but it’s not her normal laugh. It sends chills through me.

“Who do you think sent me? And I’m beginning to understand why. You really aren’t that bright, are you? You aren’t the only one who pointed the finger at Nora Jacobs, so without your testimony, she’ll still go down for what she’s done. At least her part in it. The decision has been made to close down the drug business. It’s too hot apparently. And you’re the only string William Foster has left to cut.”

“Why you?” He sounds resigned.

“Because I wanted something from him, and I have access. You should know by now that’s how William operates. He trades you something you need for something he wants. And he really wants you dead, Zach.”

“What if I change?” Zach sounds desperate. “What if I talk to the FBI right now? What if I can bring it all down?”

“With what proof? That’s the kicker. There isn’t enough proof to bring him down, or it already would have been done. I could have let them charge you with attempted murder for what you did to my daughter. Or I can play the judge, jury, and executioner. Because we both know that guys like you always get out eventually.”

I hear movement, but no further discussion. The machines all go silent. Jennifer releases a sigh.

“Come out, Eli.”

Somehow I’m not surprised she knows I’m here. I’m also not surprised she would take this on. Though I can’t help but wonder what she got in return for her favor to William Foster. I walk into the open.

“I saw you slip into the hospital.” Jennifer meets my eyes. Her fingers are on his wrist. Her face is blank. “Figured now would be a good time. I assume Jack has the cameras on a loop.”

I nod.

She looks down at Zach. His face is relaxed, almost peaceful. “I would have done it for nothing, you know. What he tried to do to Harper was excuse enough for me. What he did to Harper.”

“You made a deal with William.” This could be a problem. Something I might need to let the others know about because that shit comes back around.

She lifts her brown eyes so like Harper’s to mine. “Yes. I needed to make sure when we return to our home that we aren’t going to have any more issues. No more guys breaking in. No more ransacking our house. And Luke is free to live with us and do what he wants with his life.”

I blow out a breath. “What did you have to give up?”

“Zach’s life bought Luke’s future.” She sighs and glances at her watch. “We need to leave. The machines will sync up with the nurse’s station in a few minutes. They’ll run a code, but it’s too late.”

She gestures to the door. “I didn’t give William anything more. Only Zach. He wanted Sean’s files, but I told him to burn in hell. For some reason that amused him.”

She shakes her head. I don’t know what William Foster’s infatuation is with Jennifer. Maybe she was like Harper to him at some point. If that was the case, I would understand, because there’s no way I’d let Harper go.

But William never had Jennifer. Not as a girlfriend. So what is it? The one thing he could never have?

I glance once more at Zach. I don’t know if William knew Zach was going after Harper before everything went down, but it sounds like he probably didn’t. We walk out of the room, past the sleeping guard, and around a corner.

The alarm goes off at the nurse’s station and the intercom comes on. “Code blue in room 316.”

We walk down the hallway toward the entrance that Jack looped the camera for. No one should be aware that either of us were here tonight. Honestly, with how badly hurt he was, it’s lucky he made it to the hospital at all.

“You didn’t work tonight.” I’ve been staying at Jack’s enough to know Jennifer’s schedule. “What if someone saw you?”

“No one saw me.” She glances my way. “I wasn’t here and neither were you.”

We walk outside and down the block to where I parked.

“Harper can’t know about this.” Jennifer stops me and gives me a serious look.

I straighten. This isn’t something Harper would be able to deal with. Our recovery has been good so far. Therapy is helping. Jack and Harper are coping better now. No need to reopen that wound.

Besides, Zach’s dead. He’s no longer a threat to any of us. That’s all that matters.

“I don’t think anyone else needs to know.” I meet her gaze. “Luke wasn’t returning to that house anyway.”

“Now he doesn’t have to.”