Page 54 of Fatal Witness

“Good idea—if you’re up to it.”

Her cell phone rang, and she handed it to Mark. “It’s Dani. I texted her that you were okay, but I think she needs to hear it from you,” she said with a grin. “She was really worried about you.”

He gave her a puzzled look and answered the phone. “Dani? It’s Mark. I’m fine.” His eyes twinkled as he glanced at Alex. “Yes, I’m sure. You can see for yourself as soon as we finish here and I collect Gem.”

Alex noted a grin when he disconnected. Interesting. In the six months she’d been chief deputy, she hadn’t known of Mark Lassiter being interested in anyone. The spark of attraction she’dseen earlier between the two had surprised her. Alex hoped it didn’t become a problem—Mark would be protecting Dani, and a romance could interfere with his judgment. But for now, Alex would watch and see before addressing the issue with him. If it became an issue.

“She feels responsible.”

“Yeah, I know.” She pocketed her phone. “So, all your symptoms are gone?”

He nodded. “A little headache and sometimes I see double, but that’s to be expected when someone almost knocks you out.”

“If it doesn’t go away, I expect you to see the doctor again.” Macho men. But it wasn’t limited just to men—she was about as bad.

25

Now that Dani knew Mark was all right, the stress of the last two days turned her muscles to Jell-O, and she sank into the chair. Too bad it was the middle of the day—she felt like she could sleep for a week. Maybe she should take a nap. Her phone rang, and she told herself to hold on to that thought as she glanced at the ID.The hospital. She punched the answer button and identified herself.

“This is the case manager at Pearl Springs Regional Hospital. I just spoke with Dr. Wexler, and he would like to discharge Mrs. Richmond to a rehab facility, but she is insisting on going to her home, and that isn’t feasible.”

“I’ll take her home and stay with her.” Dani looked around for her purse. “In fact, I’m on my way there now.”

“Oh. Well, I’ll need to apprise Dr. Wexler of the change.”

“Thank you.” Dani ended the call and turned to Judith as she stood. “The hospital is discharging Mae. I’ll be back as soon as...” Slowly she sat back down. “I forgot I don’t have wheels, and I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“Mae can stay here until you return—or as long as she needs to. And Alex wouldn’t want you to drive alone to the hospital.” Judith pointed to Dani’s phone. “Call her—she’ll know what to do.”

“Thanks.” She stared at her phone. The problems were piling up faster than Dani could take care of them.

“Do you want me to call her?”

She shifted her gaze to Judith and Carson at the table, touched by the look of concern on their faces. “Would you?” She handed Judith the phone.

“She’s on her way,” Judith said when she hung up.

“I can’t thank you enough for your help.”

“Mae is my best friend,” the older woman said. “And knowing Alex, she will not want you isolated on Eagle Ridge.”

When Alex arrived, she agreed with her grandmother. “And now we have to convince Mae.”

Dani stood, and so did Lizi. “You don’t mind if Lizi stays while we go to the hospital?”

“Of course not,” Carson said. “And while you’re back in Montana ... unless you booked Lizi a seat on the plane.”

Dani gasped. “I never thought about it, and I got the last two seats.”

“Then it’s settled. She’ll stay here.”

“Let me show you where you’ll be sleeping tonight ... and when you get back from Montana.” Judith led them to a room painted light blue and accented with ceiling-to-floor gray curtains. “There’s a bathroom here.” She pointed to a door on the right.

Dani took one look at the bed and wanted to crawl in. Maybe when she returned with her grandmother.

“Mae’s room will be right next to this one,” Judith said. “It only has a half bath.”

Dani followed the older woman to the next bedroom that mirrored hers, then she returned to the kitchen where Alex waited.

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