Page 15 of New Year's Negotiation

Seven

I took my time shutting up the sheriff’s house and locking it after grabbing the keys. It was the only thing that made me feel useful under the circumstances. My crazy day would be one for the record books. I slid into Ben’s car and started the long drive back into town. No way was I going home, not if I could offer Ben some support. He was like family, even if he was stubborn to a fault. It made him who he was.

Ben’s phone rang, and I glanced at the caller ID. My brother, Johnathan. Just perfect.

I answered on speaker. “Hello.”

“Lizzy? I must have dialed the wrong number.”

“You didn’t. This is Ben’s phone.”

The line went briefly silent. “Why do you have his phone?”

“Why did you lie to me?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You told me he was dating Marcia. You kept his messages from me. How could you do that to me? To him?” Angry tears welled up in my eyes.

The line was silent again.

“Why, damn it? I deserve an answer.”

“He was…is my best friend, Lizzy. You’re my little sister.”

I swiped at a rogue tear that slipped free. “Not good enough. Ben is on his way to the hospital, and so am I.”

“What? Are you hurt? Is he hurt?”

“We were out visiting his grandfather, and we think he had a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t know. I did CPR until the ambulance arrived. That’s all I know.”

“Shit.” My brother growled. “I’ll meet you there.”

The call disconnected before I could argue. The thought of seeing my brother in this moment had me pressing harder on the gas pedal. At least we’d be in the hospital where they could patch him up after I beat the living daylights out of him.

Twenty minutes later, I pulled into the busy parking lot of the ER. Grabbing Ben’s phone and his grandfather’s keys, I slid out of the car and hurried inside, pausing just beyond the electric doors. Ben was nowhere to be found. I headed straight for the nurse sitting behind the plexiglass window. She was the gate keeper, the one woman I would need to convince to buzz me in.

“I’m looking for Sheriff Malcolm Michaels. He was just brought in via ambulance.”

“Are you family?”

“No.” I knew the procedure. I knew what came next, and I hadn’t thought I’d need my shiny badge that got me entrance to most places.

“I’m sorry. I can’t disclose any information.”

I rested my hands on the counter and dropped my head before I exploded. One way or another, this woman was giving me answers.

“I’m a cop,” I said, lifting my gaze.

“Can I see your badge?”

“I don’t have it on me, but the man with the sheriff is like family to me. So buzz me in.”

“I’m sorry. No badge, no entry.”

“Now listen here—”

“I’m sorry, Sarah. My sister is just worried,” Jonathan announced, coming up from behind.

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