Page 80 of Derek

Jackson’s phone chirped, and he answered with competent professionalism. Derek unashamedly listened to the one-sided conversation as it became clear it was about Angie.

The detective disconnected the call and grinned at them. “Patrol found Angie two blocks from here. They have her in custody.”

Derek pressed his head against Sonja’s chest for a beat, not sure if the connection was for her or himself. The oldest of the paramedics coughed, and Derek reluctantly let go. He watched her leave then turned to Jackson and Will to relate what he knew.

He ended his statement with, “I don’t know how Angie got in or how long she was inside before I came, but I’m sure she would have killed Sonja if I hadn’t shown up when I did.” Derek shuddered as he—once again—realized how badly things could have gone.

“Okay, adding attempted murder, vandalism, violation of the restraining order against her, her previous psychiatric hold and the documentation of your complaints in St. Louis, I have no doubt Angie is going to jail this time,” Will said as he put his pen and notebook back in his pocket.

Derek nodded and looked down at the drops of blood on the floor. His babygirl’s blood! He didn’t wish Angie ill, but by god, he would see she never came near Sonja again.

Jackson followed his gaze to the spatters on the floor and grinned at Derek. “I didn’t realize you two were into knife play.”

Derek scowled and growled, “That’s an awful joke.”

Jackson held his gaze and lifted an eyebrow, and then he laughed. He was relieved they could at least joke about it. Sonja’swounds would heal and so would his side, and with Angie behind bars, he could move on with his relationship with Sonja.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Derek was approaching the main desk at the hospital to ask about Sonja when a familiar figure stopped next to him. “Derek?”

“Oh, hi, Molly.” He almost hadn’t recognized her in her scrubs.

“What are you doing here?”

“Looking for Sonja. I think she’s here.” Derek checked his watch. “She was brought in by ambulance about forty minutes ago.”

“What happened?” Molly asked.

Derek gave her a quick run-down on the events at Sonja’s apartment and again started for the desk.

Molly stopped him. “If it was less than an hour ago, she’s still in Emergency. They won’t know anything here. I’ll walk you over, and we can find out what her status is.”

They started down the hall and had to wait for a gurney pushed by a joking young man in scrubs. Molly shook her head with a grin as she watched his antics. “Dr. Gerald is a big believer in the healing quality of laughter. Our own Patch Adams,” Molly said as she picked up the pace again.

“That kid is a doctor?”

“Thatkid,” Derek could hear the air quotes in Molly’s intonation of the word, “is twenty-seven, he’s in his last year of residency, and he’s great with the patients.”

The receptionist in the Emergency Department had a sour expression that brightened as Molly turned her attention to him. He reacted to Molly’s orders by quickly calling up the information from the computer.

“All right,” Molly said after thanking the receptionist, “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait. They’re still working on her. I told them you were her fiancé, so they’ll let you back when they’re done stitching her up. I hope that’s all she needs. Hand lacerations can cause nasty problems.”

Derek followed Molly toward the waiting area, glancing back at the young man. “If that boy had a tail, he’d wag it.”

“Huh?” Molly sent him an incredulous look.

“The receptionist. He’s totally infatuated with you.”

Molly shrugged. “My hormones don’t swing that way.”

Derek smiled. “I’ve noticed you with Erin a couple of times. Anything serious going on between the two of you?”

“Could be,” Molly said. “We’re both taking it slow. As far as kink goes, we’re a pretty good match, and she’s intelligent and has a great sense of humor.” Molly indicated the large seating area. “I’m sorry, but I have to leave you here. I was due back in ICU five minutes ago.”

“That’s okay. Thanks for getting me to the right place and getting me access.” Derek settled down in a padded plastic chair that had clearly seen better days. What was it with hospital waiting rooms?

Unless the place was new, all the furniture looked like multiple people had thrown up on it. In the ER, he supposed it was possible it had been. The ubiquitous television was tuned to a sports channel where a spirited discussion of the pro basketball season with ridiculously early predictions on whichteams would make the playoffs was taking place. The silliness of the commentators was enough to occupy the front of his mind at least.

---