Page 39 of Fatal Witness

“I hope so.”

“See you in about thirty minutes.”

Once Dani was inside the hotel, Alex pulled straight into the hospital lot and found a space near the entrance. A few minutes later she approached the desk in the emergency room. “I need to check on one of my deputies. Mark Lassiter. He was brought in a little earlier.”

The receptionist checked her computer. “He’s in room 201.” She pointed toward the double doors. “Go through those and he’s straight down the hall—right in front of the nurses’ station.”

Alex thanked her and followed the directions. She heard Mark before she reached room 201, arguing with the doctor.

“I don’t need to stay here tonight.”

She knocked and was given the okay to enter. Alex pushed open the door and eyed Mark as he sat on the ER bed with his arms crossed. “Giving them trouble already?”

He jerked his thumb toward the doctor, who towered over him.“He won’t give me my clothes back. Says I need to stay overnight for observation.”

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” she said. “I can pick you up first thing in the morning.”

“Thank you,” the doctor said as Mark glowered at her like she was a chicken-killing dog. “He’s experiencing double vision.”

“Then that settles it. You can’t report to work until the doctor releases you—and I imagine that’ll come quicker if you cooperate.”

“That’s blackmail.”

“No. County policy,” she said. “Let me know what room they move you to. I’ll be around—I’m going to check with Mae’s nurse about her condition and then get Dani’s statement about what happened earlier tonight. I’ll need your report tomorrow if the doctor releases you.”

Mark glanced at the doctor. “If I agree to stay, will you give my clothes back?”

The doctor exchanged looks with Alex. “I suppose that isn’t an unreasonable request,” he said.

“See you tomorrow, Mark,” Alex said.

He was still grumbling when she left, and Alex understood. She didn’t like getting sidelined either. A few minutes later she approached the ICU doors and pressed the call button. It wasn’t visiting hours, but Mae had listed Alex on the HIPAA release, and the nurses usually let her in. Tonight was no exception.

“How is Mae tonight?” Alex asked when she stopped at the nurses’ station outside Mae’s room.

“Restless,” the nurse replied. “Maybe hearing a familiar voice will calm her.”

Alex had been praying for Mae to recover, and it sounded like God had answered her prayers. Not that he didn’t always, but his answer wasn’t always the answer Alex wanted.

She slipped inside the darkened room and approached Mae’sbed. “It’s me, Alex,” she said softly, touching her on the shoulder. “How are you?”

“Well enough to be home.”

Mae’s voice was strong, and Alex was amazed at how she’d bounced back from the stroke. Not that she had completely recovered. Mae was still pale, and Alex glanced up at the monitor. “That’s not what your blood pressure says.”

Mae glared at her. “I feel fine.” Then her gaze softened. “I want to be home when Danielle gets here.”

Should she tell her Danielle was already here? If she did, Mae might get so excited she wouldn’t sleep at all. On the other hand, knowing she was here might relax her. Besides, if their roles were switched, Alex would want to know. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that—she’s already here.”

Mae stared at Alex like she didn’t believe her. “Where?”

“She’s at the hotel across from the hospital.”

“You’ve talked to her? Seen her?”

“I have, and I’m going to the hotel as soon as I leave you.”

“Why didn’t she come to the hospital to see me?”

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