Page 123 of State of Denial

“Ma’am?” Vernon said, wanting to move her along.

“Have a good night,” Sam said to the woman.

“You, too.”

“I guess I spoke too soon,” Sam said after they’d walked away from the woman.

“Indeed you did,” Vernon said. “Thank you for defending us.”

“Always.”

Sam knocked on the door to Shelby’s room and stuck her head in. Avery stood by Shelby’s bedside, still wearing the clothes he’d been in the last time she’d seen him. He’d removed the suit coat and had rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt. He looked exhausted and overwhelmed, but who could blame him?

“Come in, Sam,” Shelby said softly.

Sam stepped into the dimly lit room and went to Shelby’s side, taking her hand. “How’re you doing?”

“A little better,” Shelby said. “Dr. Trulo was a big help. Thanks for asking him to come by.”

“I’m glad he was able to help.”

“He prescribed some meds that perked me up.”

“That’s great news.”

“I’m trying to get Avery to go home and get some rest, but he refuses to leave.”

“I’m with you, kid,” he said, sounding weary.

“Is there anything I can do for you guys or Noah?”

“He’s with my sister,” Shelby said. “Blissfully unaware, thank goodness.”

“You’ll get through this, Tinker Bell. We’ll all make sure of it.”

Shelby nodded as her eyes filled with tears. “Thanks for coming by.”

“I love you,” Sam said.

Shelby squeezed her hand. “Love you, too.”

“I’ll check in tomorrow, okay? Let me know if there’s anything at all we can do for you.”

“We will,” Avery said. “Thanks, Sam.”

“How’s she doing?” Vernon asked when Sam rejoined them in the hallway.

“A little better, but still deeply rattled, as anyone would be.”

“For sure.” Vernon held the elevator door for Sam. “I can’t imagine what he must be feeling, too. That something from his work put his family in jeopardy like that…”

“It’s something everyone in law enforcement worries about. Even more so these days when everyone is armed.”

“It’s a scary world,” Jimmy said.

“Which makes me extra thankful for you and your colleagues who protect my family,” Sam said. “At least I don’t have to worry about what happened to Avery and Shelby happening to us.”

“No, you don’t.”

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