Page 63 of Atone in Darkness
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A FEMALE VOICEwhispered, “His eyes looked almost normal right there at the end, didn’t they?”
Marisol glanced up long enough to identify the speaker as Chase’s older sister, Gwen. “I thought so, too.”
At least he seemed to be resting easy for now. Although Dr. Young had him hooked up to a monitor, she wanted to check his vitals for herself, needingthat small connection with him. Chase’s breathing was slow and regular, his pulse well within the normal range for him. She rested her hand on his forehead and found it cool to the touch.
Laurel moved up beside her and offered her a stethoscope. “I thought you might want to take a listen for yourself.”
“Thanks.”
It did her own heart good to hear his thumping away so loud and strong. Now ifonly she could curl up next to him with her head on his chest and hold him close.
“His lungs are clear, and his heart sounds good.”
As she looped the stethoscope around her neck, a diet soda suddenly appeared in her peripheral vision. She accepted the offering and turned to thank whoever had brought it. To her surprise, it was Larem, who looked a bit unsure of his welcome.
She managed a tiredsmile and held up her drink. “Thank you.”
Then she patted Chase’s hand. “And for whatever it was you did for him. I don’t understand what happened out there in the woods, and I won’t ask for any explanations. Just knowing that it helped is enough for me.”
He tilted his head just a little to acknowledge her message was received and understood. “My wife is expecting me at home, but Dr. Young knowshow to reach me if I’m needed.”
“Good to know.”
Even if she really hoped they never had to go to that extreme again. He backed away and disappeared from sight.Chase stirred restlessly as the remaining people looked on in silence. She tightened her hold on his hand and resumed talking. As soon as she spoke, he turned his head in her direction and relaxed once again.
She was dimly aware of Jarvisand Gwen both staring at her. It was awkward talking nonstop to Chase while his family looked on. Finally, she acknowledged their curiosity. “Did you want to ask me something?”
Gwen bit her lower lip and then shook her head. Jarvis wasn’t quite so shy. No surprise there. “Just how well did you get to know Chase while he was locked in that cell?”
Was he asking what she thought he was? She snapped,“He was my patient, and I took care of him as best I could. I know him well enough to know how special he is.”
If Jarvis didn’t like it, too bad. After all, chances were that she would disappear from their lives just as quickly as she’d entered it. What she and Chase had shared together was their own business.
She resumed her one-sided conversation with the man she loved. After a few minutes,Laurel spoke up. “I think it’s time for everyone except for the medical personnel to leave for now. Gwen, go eat something better than fast food and then get some rest. We’ll keep you posted if there’s any change.”
When Marisol made no move to leave, Jarvis crowded close. “You heard the lady. Get out.”
She tried ignoring him, but he wasn’t having it. “We won’t leave him alone with the likesof you.”
Laurel moved up beside Marisol again. “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear, Jarvis. I said everyone except the medicalpersonnel had to go. For now, that group includes Dr. Riggs. She has valuable data to share with me, so I need her to stay.”
“No.”
The doctor definitely had her game face on now. “It’s my call, not yours.”
“Then I’m staying, too.”
When he didn’t back down, Devlin joinedthe party. “Jarvis, I get that you’re worried about Chase and that you don’t trust Dr. Riggs. However, what Laurel says goes in here. She said she needs Dr. Riggs and that you should leave. Do I really need to ask the guards to escort you from the building?”
Gwen didn’t look any happier than her husband did as she tugged on his arm. “Come on. You know Laurel won’t let anything happen to Chase.”
Neither would Marisol, but they wouldn’t believe a word she said. She kept her focus on Chase and ignored the drama playing out around her. Finally, Devlin succeeded in herding Jarvis and Gwen out the door. Then he walked back over to where his wife stood beside Marisol. When he slipped his arm around Laurel’s shoulders, the woman relaxed into his embrace. The stress of the past few days showedon both of their faces, but they took obvious comfort from each other. It was hard not to be jealous of their relationship.
She tried to picture her and Chase like that but couldn’t. For one thing, both Laurel and Devlin were both part of the same secret world as Chase and his friends. Marisol wasn’t, and they’d made it all too clear that she would remain an outsider.
She’d been alone and lookingin from the outside most ofher life. But after experiencing the special connection with this one man, the thought of resuming that solitary lifestyle again was so much worse. Meanwhile, the three of them stared down at the man sleeping on the steel table.
