Page 30 of Played By the Fool

“Don’t cry, baby, I’m okay,” I say as I press the sheet to my shoulder.

There’s a rush of nurses and doctors coming in. A few stop to check on Paul and verify that he’s dead. The rest come to check on Emilia and me.

“Seems like the bullet went straight through. But I want to get a better look at it before I confirm that,” the doctor says to me.

“Go. I’ll stay with Emilia. And I’ll call Salvatore,” Carmelo says.

I nod and kiss Emilia. “Thank you. I’ll be right back, baby.”

“I’m Doctor Carmichael. Let me take a look at your shoulder. Just as I thought, it’s a clean shot. I’ll stitch you up. It will help you heal faster. And I’d like it if you didn’t use this arm for at least a week or two so it can mend.”

“That’s going to be hard. I’m on a plane back to Ireland tomorrow to pack my stuff for the move.”

“I’d advise you to find help. You won’t be using this arm for at least three weeks. You will open up this wound if you don’t let it heal and you could do some real damage. What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a dentist.”

“Well, you’ll probably need that arm, then. So please, let it heal.”

I sigh. “I’ll hire people to help me pack.”

“Thank you. And when will you be back here?”

“I won’t be. I’m headed to Lake Renegade, Illinois.”

“You’ll need a follow-up in a month to make sure it’s healing properly. And you’ll need to change the dressing three times a day. If you notice more bleeding, make sure you get to a doctor. And don’t get it wet for a few days.”

“Okay, Doc. Thank you. I’ll make sure I get it looked at when I get back to Lake Renegade.”

“I’ll have one of my nurses print you out some instructions. And a prescription for some antibiotics. I’m sure you want to get back to your girlfriend. I’ll have them bring you the papers.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

When I get back to Emilia’s room, I’m told she was moved to another room down the hall. When I get to the new room, Salvatore and his partner, Mac, are there talking to her and Carmelo.

“How did Paul get out?” I frown at them.

“From what I’m told, there was a mix-up here in the hospital. He was supposed to be handcuffed with an officer posted outside his door. But someone fucked up. I’ll find out what really happened. Don’t worry.”

“Is Carmelo going to get into trouble for this? He was only protecting me and Ciarán.”

“No, there are cameras in the hospital and I’m sure we will see Paul on them searching for you. And we already know what he did to you.”

Salvatore’s answer seems to calm Emilia down a little.

“How’s your shoulder?” Carmelo asks.

“Doctor said it was a clean shot. I need to be careful and take some antibiotics. But I’m okay.”

Emilia scoots over on her bed and pats it, inviting me to sit with her.

“Are you still leaving tomorrow?” she asks.

“The sooner I leave, the sooner I get back.”

Emilia scrunches up her face. “Fine.”

Epilogue

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