Page 23 of Code Trauma

“I noticed Andy was here earlier.”

“He was.”

“Are you going to forgive him?”

Holly paused. “Yes. I just don’t know if I can trust him again. Just because I forgive him doesn’t mean that I want to put myself back into the same situation.”

Raina nodded. “I understand that.”

“But I’m praying about it and working on finding peace no matter what the outcome is.”

“And I’ll join you in that prayer.”

“Thank you, Raina.” She had the best friends.

A knock on the door pulled her to her feet, and Dr. Kirkpatrick stepped inside. The frown on his face didn’t bode well. “What is it?” she asked.

He waved a folder at her. “Got the autopsy report.”

“And?”

“Cause of death is an overdose of epinephrine. Said no way was that an accident. I’m afraid I’m going to have to suspend you pending an investigation.”

* * *

Andy was sittingacross from the sheriff when his phone pinged with a message from Holly.

Autopsy report came back. I’m suspended pending an investigation.

A groan slipped from him, and the sheriff looked up from the computer where he was watching the security footage from Holly’s townhome. “What is it?”

“Holly was just suspended.”

“For what?”

He read the next text. “The autopsy of Liza Hollister said she died from an overdose of epinephrine.”

The sheriff frowned. “They think Holly did it on purpose?”

“I don’t know whattheythink.Ithink someone’s framing her. Trying to prove her incompetent.”

“But ... if that’s the case,” the sheriff said, his words slow and thoughtful, “whether the intention was for someone to die or not, someone did. And that’s murder. Or at the very least manslaughter, depending on the circumstances.”

“Yeah.”

The sheriff eyed him. “If I were you, I wouldn’t leave her alone right now. Someone wants her out of that hospital bad—and it doesn’t look like they care if it’s in a car or a coffin.”

9

Holly dropped her packed bag on the floor of the locker room and turned to find Raina and Penny staring at her with sober faces and angry eyes. Angry on her behalf. “Stop,” she said. “It’ll be okay. The truth will come out.” She frowned. “What are you doing here anyway? You’re off shift.”

“We’re here for you, my friend,” Penny said. “Just like you’d be for us.”

Holly refused to cry over the love of her friends. Simply because if she started, she wouldn’t stop. And that wouldn’t help anyone. “Oh. Thank you.”

“Where are you going?” Raina asked.

“Back to the motel. The sheriff called and said he doesn’t want me going home until this has been resolved. I told him I would do that for the next couple of days, but after that, I wouldn’t have a choice.”

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