Page 48 of In Dangerous Water

As one, Brynn, Skye, and myself all stepped forward.

The doctor did a double take. “She’s asking for Cordelia specifically.”

“That’s me,” I said.

“Come with me,” the doctor said. “I’ll take you back to her.”

“Doctor.” Austin approached with his badge in plain sight. “I would like to speak to Miss Golden as soon as possible. We need to get her statement.”

The doctor nodded. “Two people at a time in the ER rooms, Detective.”

Austin took my arm. “Then Cordelia and I will go.”

I looked over my shoulder for Tim.

“Go on,” he said, giving me a nod.

Austin spoke to Brynn. “As soon as we’re done, you and Skye can go in.”

Brynn leaned over and kissed Austin’s cheek. “Deal.”

Austin and I followed the doctor through the ER department. As we walked back, I worked on building up my psychic shields higher to protect myself from being overwhelmed from the injuries and illness that were all around me. When we reached the treatment room, I was surprised to see a uniformed officer posted outside of Kenna’s room.

“Detective Callahan,” he said, nodding to Austin as we passed.

Austin greeted him and slid open the frosted glass door of the treatment room for us to enter.

Kenna was sitting upright. At a glance I saw that she had an IV in her left arm, and that her right wrist was wrapped in an elastic bandage. Another bandage was taped on her forehead where a large bruise was forming.

“Hi!” she said brightly.

Without hesitation, I rushed to Kenna’s side. I wanted to hug her but was afraid that I’d hurt her. Instead, I reached for my sister’s uninjured hand. “I’m so sorry,” I told her.

“I’ll be fine,” she insisted, giving my hand a squeeze.

“Kenna?” Austin said. “Did you get a look at the other driver?”

“I sure the hell did,” Kenna told him. “Short dark hair, late twenties—early thirties, and definitely a female.”

That had my jaw dropping in shock. “Awomanran you off the road?”

“I didn’t recognize her,” Kenna said to Austin before he could ask. “But when she rammed the back of the car, I got a good look at her in my review. I could identify her if I saw her again.”

Sitting in the chair beside the bed I sat and held her hand while Austin asked her more questions. My stomach gave a hardlurch when Kenna told Austin after the initial hit, the other driver kept going. Pushing the VW until she was forced off the road and headed down the ravine.

Once he finished with his questions, he reached down and patted Kenna’s foot. “I’m very relieved that you’re okay,” Austin told Kenna. “We’re going to be keeping an officer stationed outside your door for the remainder of your stay in the hospital.”

“That’s not necessary,” Kenna said.

“Yes, it is,” Austin replied.

Kenna took a deep breath and began to argue with him.

Ruthlessly, I cut her off. “If you prefer, we could have Grandma Althea sit with you,” I said. “She’d hover over you all night long.”

Kenna blanched. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me,” I said, crossing my arms. “I’m not taking any more chances with my family.”

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