Page 93 of Critical Doubt

"This looks like our security team," Jax added, moving toward two men in uniform who were coming down the hall.

Leaving Jax to deal with that, he went to join Abby and Savannah in the waiting room.

Abby finally let go of her and sank into a nearby chair. Savannah was happy that they had the waiting room to themselves. But then, it was almost ten and most surgeries were probably done for the day. Paul's surgery was now past the three-hour mark. She couldn't imagine what was taking so long. But she hoped it was a good sign that it was still going. That had to mean he was still alive.

She took the seat next to Abby as Ryker entered the room. He sat down across from them, resting his arms on his legs.

"Why would he do this, Ryker?" Abby asked. "Why would Paul fake his death?"

"We're going to need him to tell us that," Ryker answered.

"If he wakes up," Abby said darkly.

"When he wakes up," she corrected. "Don't give up, Abby."

"Give up? I don't even know how I feel. All the way down here, I felt like I was in a dream, that none of this could possibly be real."

"How did you get here so fast?" she asked.

"My dad's friend is a pilot for a charter service. He flew me here. First time I've ever been in a private plane, but I couldn't enjoy it. I spent most of the trip crying or trying not to cry."

"I thought you were bringing your mom."

"I did. She's downstairs. She wanted to get something from the cafeteria before it closes."

"We were just there. I'm surprised I didn't see her."

"You must have just missed her. Do you have any idea what Paul has been up to, where he's been living, how he'd been living?" Abby asked. "He doesn't have any credit cards or money. Is he on the street?"

"We're trying to figure that out, but it looks like he's been in DC the past few days."

"What about Todd? Is he alive, too?"

She'd been expecting that question. "We don't have evidence that he is, but it's possible."

"Chief Tanner told me they found Todd's body. I believed him. But I also believed him when he told me Paul was dead. Why would he lie? He's the chief of police. He has known me my whole life. He plays cards with my dad. How could he do this?"

She wished she had an answer, but all she could do was offer an unhelpful shrug.

"Chief Tanner can't just break the law like this," Abby continued.

"Who would turn him in?" Ryker interjected. "He controls the investigation. He must have also had someone at the morgue and mortuary working with him."

"More people who lied to my face," Abby said bitterly. "I want to scream at each and every one of them. Tell me again what Paul said tonight when you saw him."

"He said he was sorry," Savannah replied. "That he thought what he'd done would be better for you in the long run."

"How could he think that?"

"Maybe he thought the insurance money would make your life easier." She stopped abruptly, remembering something else Abby had told her. "The other day you said something about a veteran's fund that might pay you additional money. Do you have that information?"

"It's in my email. Why?"

"I'm curious where that money comes from."

"Well, I haven't gotten any of it yet. I haven't even had time to fill out the form. Now that Paul is alive, I'm sure I won't be getting anything. And if he dies today, maybe the insurance won't come either, because of the suspicious circumstances. Not that I care about the money. I mean, I have to care a little, because I have to support Tyler. But I really just want Paul to wake up and tell me that everything will be all right. He has to do that, Savannah. He has to."

Every word tore at her heart. "He will," she said, hoping she wasn't lying.

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