Page 21 of Black Bird

“I’m a lot better. Neck has been starting to give me a fit, itching and burning a bit. The doctors are telling me that’s a sign that it’s finally starting to heal. It doesn’t bleed anymore.”

“Good.” He nodded, briefly lowering his face before returning it to hers. “And your medication?”

Sarah’s mouth turned up in the corner. “You asking about the psycho pills, or the pain meds?” He chuckled through his nose and blinked. “I’m kidding. They’ve already started easing me off of everything.Can I ask … why are you here? Is this a pity visit, or did you and the girlfriend find something?”

Oh, he winced at that one.

“Girlfriend?”

“Yeah, the hot cop that came to see me yesterday?”

Wren tried to hide her smile. It was obvious that even if they currently weren’t, this guy had definitely fucked around with his partner. It was written all over his chiseled face.

“We’re just partners.”

Sarah leaned back against the bed. “You might wanna make sure she knows that.” She noted the muscle that feathered in his jaw.

“That’s not why I came. I wanted to see if they’d said anything to you about when you might be released.”

Wren decided to ease a little tension from them, leaning forward in her chair. “I asked about that when I got here. They wouldn’t tell me anything. The nurse we like isn’t here today.” Kane nodded at both of them.

“Okay.” He pushed off the end of the bed and walked out the door, both Sarah and Wren watching him while he passed by the window and stopped to lean over the desk at the nurse’s station. Wren shot Sarah a look.

“That guy is into you. Tell me you don’t see it.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “No, he’s not. I’m willing to bet my savings that they’re at least fucking.” Wren stared at her hard, her eyes narrowing.

“You never used to curse so much.”

“I didn’t think you of all people would care. You’ve got a mouth like a sailor.” Sarah shrugged and stared at the detective’s back. “What the hell is he doing?”

“I don’t know, but I’ve never seen two people look at each other like that. Better strap in for whatever this is between the two of you.”

“There is nothing between the two of us, Wren. We don’t know anything about each other.” Her eyes were cold … lifeless. Wren felt an ache in her chest.

“I would argue that you didn’t know that much about Brent before you let him put a ring on it, either.” Lightening the mood seemed pointless with the look Sarah gave her at that remark. “Okay.” Wren stood, grabbing her purse and slipping it over a shoulder as Kane stepped back into the room behind a doctor carrying a clipboard.

“Miss St. James? How do you feel about going home tomorrow?” the doctor asked, stepping between her and Wren.

“No chance of it being today? Or right now?” Sarah pressed, letting him check her eyes with a small light.

“That good, huh? We need to send some prescriptions to the pharmacy for you to take home, and it often takes a little while for discharge paperwork—”

“If she’s well enough and wants to go, rush the paperwork.” Kane cut him off, his eyes darkening when the doctor looked at him. “One of uscan come back for her meds when they’re ready.” The doctor looked back at Sarah who said nothing and stared at Kane.

“Alright. I’ll see what I can do,” he said, clutching the clipboard under his arm and hurrying uncomfortably out the door.

“Something’s up. Whatever it is, just say it.” Sarah narrowed her eyes at him, and Wren felt compelled to stay put.

“Fine,” Kane replied, crossing his arms over his chest. “Detective Northwood brought your charts back from the hospital last night and we’re following up on some things that seem … off. We both felt like the sooner you get out of here, the better.”

“Is she in danger? Do you know who did this?” Wren asked, a feeling of nervousness creeping along her spine.

“We’re looking into it. We’ve got leads, but we have to see where they go. I wouldn’t say that she’s in danger, but …” He directed his attention back to her friend. “Did you give the company you work for any permissions to access your personal files? Medical records? Did they request anything like that from you?” Sarah’s brows drew together.

“EverLife? No, I haven’t even started there yet. The night that I saw you at the club, we were out celebrating. I had just gotten accepted into the program and took the top spot in bio-chem.”

Wren stepped toward Sarah’s bedside. “Wait—go back. Are you—” She gave Kane a pointed stare. “You’re the one she was gawking at when we were at the bar?” He looked at Sarah and though he tried to hide it, a smile crept across his face.

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