Page 94 of The Criminal's Cure
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I chuckle.
It is pretty sweet how much Ty loves her. I just hope I don’t screw this up again.
Chapter Forty-One
“Areyousureyouhave to go?” Peyton squeezes my shoulders tightly, locking me into a hug and refusing to let go of me.
“It’s not like I’m leaving forever. You can come visit me whenever you want!” I insist, trying to ease her mind a bit. Peyton’s become somewhat of a mother hen towards me, and I know she’s worried about me moving to San Francisco. She’s been constantly trying to change my mind since I told her, but at this point I’m set.
The last few days have been rough. When I told Roman about my part in Talia’s death, I was a little disappointed in his reaction. It’s not like I was expecting his gratitude or even his acceptance, but I also wasn’t expecting him to be so harsh either. Regardless, I knew I needed to make it right, so when Roman kicked me out, I went straight to the police and gave them everything I had. By the end of our conversation, they said they had enough to put Bauer away for murder and a host of othercharges. It’s a small consolation, but it’s the only thing I have left to give Roman and Ty.
Coming clean to the police also meant that the hospital board was made aware of what happened, and they politely asked me to leave. Even without a plan, I was happy to, because so much about this hospital—medicine in general—has been ruined for me. I wanted to help people, and instead, I was part of a murder. One that I knew about, at least. God only knew what else Bauer did. In my heart, I know it isn’t my fault, but I still feel partly responsible and I know I’ll never be able to completely shake that feeling.
My first call was to the doctor who runs the LA program, but they’d already filled the fast track position. Instead, he gave me the number of a friend of his who runs a trauma center in San Francisco. It won’t be as fast-paced, but I can start right away and the best part is, it has nothing to do with my dad or with Bauer. Putting some distance between me and Roman sounds pretty good, too.
I love him, more than I even want to admit, and cutting him and Ty out of my life will be torturous, but in the long run, it’s for the best. I’ll just be a painful reminder to them.
“I know,” Peyton whines, finally pulling away. “I’m just going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss you, too.” I sigh, letting my new reality sink in.
It’s going to be tough starting over. I have friends here in Vegas, I have a life here, and now I’m picking up and moving to another state, without much of a plan. The girl I was a few months ago wouldn’t even recognize me now. I showed up in Vegas with my life completely planned out—my job, my career path. I thought I had it all together. And now, I’m leaving with no idea what the rest of my life will look like. It was a little exciting,but mostly terrifying. “I just think it’s best for me to get out of here for a while.”
“Because of Roman?” She arches her eyebrow at me.
“No, not because of Roman,” I lie. “Just because, okay?”
“He was here looking for you last night.”
My heart nearly stopped. He was looking for me? “He was here? At the hospital?”
She nods. “Well, actually, Ty faked a stomach sickness to get Roman to bring him here so he could ask about you. He really wants to talk to you, Maddie. I think you’re making a mistake by not doing that before you go.”
I can’t help but laugh at Ty’s attempt to take matters into his own hands. I didn't get to say goodbye, and the poor kid was probably confused and hurt. It’s so sweet that it almost makes me cry, but I take a deep breath and push the thought away.
Of course I want to talk to Roman. I want him to forgive me and tell me he doesn’t blame me and that nothing has changed between us. But hearing those words will only make leaving harder. “Peyton, I think it’s best if I just go at this point. It’s too complicated right now and I don’t want to hurt him or Ty worse than I already have.”
“But Maddie, you haven’t hurt them. I got the impression that he just wants to make things right with you. He loves you, Mads, and you leaving isn’t going to help things, it’s going to make things harder on you both,” she persists.
“I appreciate the thought, but I don’t think—”
All of a sudden, an alarm blares over the loudspeaker. “Attention all staff, we have a Code Black. Please adhere to department evacuation plans immediately.”
“Stupid kids.” Peyton rolls her eyes. “Do you know this is the third time this month we’ve had a fake bomb threat? Every time I take all my patients out, then back in, just to find out it’s a bunch of dumb high school kids that think they’re funny.”
“Attention all staff, we have a Code Black. Please adhere to department evacuation plans immediately,” the speaker repeats.
“How about I help you get your patients out for old time’s sake?” I offer with a smile. I know how irritating things like this are. It happens a lot in Las Vegas because the city is a breeding ground for crazies. It never amounts to anything more than an annoyance for hospital staff and a fun trip outside for the patients.
“You’re an angel. I’m supposed to clear the third floor. Why don’t you take that one and I’ll get the rest?”
“You got it.”
“I owe you!” she yells over her shoulder and heads down the hall.
Many of the patients can walk out on their own, and our job is just to assist and direct them to the evacuation route. I take the stairs to the third floor and start scanning rooms. The third floor is post-op recovery, so it’ll be pretty empty at this time of day. I check each room, but quicken my pace when I hear a little girl crying down the hall.
I get to the last room on the right and open the door. “Is everything—”
