Page 23 of Love and Memories

“That sounds like a good report,” Travis said.

“I slept a lot yesterday and the day before, and I’m feeling much better today. They said if nothing bad happens today, I can be discharged soon.”

There was a knock at the door, and Bella quietly said, “Come in.”

Officer Asa Scott stepped in followed by Officer Dawson Keller, both dressed in dark-blue uniforms.

Travis stood and extended a hand to Asa. “Hey, man.”

“Good to see you,” Asa said as they shook hands.

Travis greeted Dawson the same way before saying, “Congrats on the promotion.”

Dawson slapped Travis on the shoulder. “Thanks, bud.”

“Is everything okay?” Bella asked.

Asa stepped forward and shook Bella’s hand. “It’s good to see you again. This is my partner, Sergeant Keller.”

Dawson shook her hand too. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Travis stepped to the side to let the two men move into the room. He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “Do you want me to step out?”

Isabella looked from the two officers to Travis. “It’s okay with me if you stay. What’s going on?”

“We wanted to let you know your fingerprints didn’t match up with anything in our database. So you’re not a criminal, teacher, or employed by a government agency.”

Bella’s shoulders sank. Travis hadn’t asked her if she remembered anything new yet, but it seemed the latest lead had gone cold.

“Thanks for checking,” she said softly.

Dawson clasped his hands in front of him. “Have you remembered anything else that might help us figure out who you are?”

There was a hesitation in her answer. It was small, but her response was guarded. “No, but thank you.”

“Is there anything else we can do for you?” Asa asked.

Bella smiled, but the expression was stiff. “No, but I’m grateful for all you’ve done.”

Asa nodded. “Do you still have my card?”

She reached for the card on the tray by the bed and held it up. “I do. Thanks.”

“We’ll leave you two alone then,” Dawson said with a wink at Travis.

Smooth, Dawson. Really smooth.

Dawson was a great guy and one of Travis’s best friends, but he had zero chance of ever being discreet. Apparently, he’d come to the conclusion that Travis was interested in Bella.

And he’d be correct to an extent. Travis was interested in her. There was a cloud of mystery hanging over her that he wanted to figure out, but he couldn’t afford to be romantically interested in her. He was here to help if she needed it, and that was all.

When the door closed behind the two men, Bella turned her attention to Travis. “I figured they wouldn’t find anything.”

“Why would you think that?”

She shrugged. “I haven’t told them about my parents yet. I’m… I’m scared to contact them for some reason.”

Travis settled back into the seat beside her and scooted closer. Forget the distance. She needed someone to lean on, and it was going to be him. “Do you want me to call them?”

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