Page 50 of State of Suspense

“I’d think you would’ve learned by now.”

“Learned what?” Freddie asked when he joined them.

“How to quit while he’s ahead.”

“What’d you do, Vernon? Suggest she might need the ER or something?”

“Or something. I’ll make that call now and get you back to the office ASAP.”

After Vernon stepped back, Freddie said, “What was that about?”

“He’s getting Harry to come to HQ to deal with… this.” She used her chin to gesture to the injured hand.

“That’s a good idea.”

“I have to be there for that fitting.” She looked up at him. “I know it’s so stupid, but he hardly asks me for anything. This is important.”

“Yes, it is, and it’s not stupid.”

“Compared to finding the person who killed Tom, it is.”

“Different kinds of important.”

“Dr. Flynn is at the ER with Dr. McNamara, but he agreed to meet you since her fiancé is there with her.”

“Now I feel like shit because Terry and Lindsey need him more than I do.”

Vernon glanced at the hand sitting awkwardly on her lap. “I’m not sure that’s true.”

Sam hoped her glare spoke for her. “Do not tell my husband about this—or tell anyone who’ll tell him. He’s busy.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He waited for her to turn to put her legs in the car—and holy shit, that hurt—before he closed the door and got in the driver’s side.

“That was an awesome takedown, Sam,” Jimmy said when they were on the way to HQ.

“I got lucky when I crashed into him.”

“Did you, though?” Freddie asked.

“I kept him from getting away. That’s what matters.”

Freddie gave her a concerned look. “I really hope it’s nothing serious.”

As pain radiated from her hip, she was filled with dread that it might be very serious. No way did she have time to deal with that—again.

Terry felt like a bear trapped in a cage as he paced the length of that small room at least a thousand times.

Harry took a call. “Yes, I can meet her there in thirty minutes.” He turned to Terry. “Sam’s been injured on the job. I’m meeting her at HQ.”

“Why not here?”

“She says she doesn’t have time—and she doesn’t want Nick to know about it yet. Call me when you hear from the doctor.”

“How much longer do I have to wait to see Lindsey?”

The door opened to Dr. Anderson. “You can come in, Mr. O’Connor.”

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