Page 10 of Risk of a Lifetime
“No one brought me a book.” Marcy’s focus flitted from Landon’s face to his hands then to his pocket and up again. “You…you tried to hurt me. Said you’d kill me…enjoy killing me.”
“Me?” Landon scowled, picking up a magazine from the rolling tray by the bed. He held it up for everyone to see. “All I did was keep you from getting hurt.”
“He was trying to help you, that’s all.” JB folded his fingers around hers. Her uncontrollable quivering told him she was about to lose control again. Shock couldn’t be far behind.
“I know what I’m saying. He tried to rip my IV out.” Her voice rose in volume and anxiety. Her fingernails dug into his arm. “Don’t leave me alone with him. Please don’t.”
JB had been around enough people who’d shot up to know that someone skewered by a drug reaction responded like this. They’d swear things had happened one way when surveillance clearly showed another.
“I’m not going anywhere. It’s the medicine,” JB said. “They’ve pumped so many meds into you, you didn’t know what was happening.”
“I did know.” She grabbed the doctor’s hand. “Why won’t anyone believe me?”
JB caught Landon’s attention and motioned to the door. “Maybe you should wait for me at the nurses’ desk.”
“Sure thing.” The man walked up beside JB and Marcy. “I hope you feel better soon, Mrs. Bradley.”
Her breath accelerated, coming out in escalating pants. “Go away. Please go away.”
JB pushed Landon aside with his body. What was wrong with the guy? Couldn’t he see his presence upset her? Working his jaw to control his response, JB tempered his words but used his back-off tone to get the point across. “I said wait at the nurses’ station.”
The agent raised his head, staring into JB’s eyes. Challenged.
JB didn’t blink. If need be, he could toss Landon across the room again. Bash him through the door. And kick him down the hallway like a soccer forward scoring a goal. He’d rather not but would if the man didn’t move of his own accord…and soon.
“Now! Right now.” JB pointed to the door. “By the way, when you talk to Leon Ferguson, find out if he saw the shooter. And call Leon’s attorney. He needs to be there before you talk to Leon.”
“Wilson said he already got the clearance to talk to him.” Landon walked out into the hall, closing the door behind him.
Marcy’s grip tightened on JB’s hand. “Don’t leave me alone with him. Please. Please. I know what happened.” Her breathing had leveled, but her eyes pleaded with him to believe her. “Who else would it have been?”
He leaned in close, careful not to jar her wound. “Landon’s never coming back in this room. I promise. You’ll never be alone with him again.”
Sadie pushed the door open and stepped inside, followed by Betsy. One look at Marcy’s face, and the two of them rushed to her bedside, barging between the doctor and Marcy.
“What’s going on?” Sadie questioned.
Doctor Crowley shook his head. “Your daughter needs some rest. Time to heal. We’ve got to keep her relaxed.”
“Those drugs are doing a job on her.” JB cringed at the scene he’d witnessed when he walked in the room. Lucky she hadn’t hurt herself worse. “You’re doing more damage than good right now.”
Betsy rubbed her sister’s arm as her mama stroked Marcy’s forehead.
Sadie looked to JB. “Is she okay?”
Marcy’s face flushed. Intensified excitement, imagined or real, meant intensified blood pressure. She pounded the mattress. “No, I’m not okay. Why won’t anyone listen to me?”
The doctor ordered the nurse to restart the IV in the other hand.
“I asked if she’s okay.” Sadie glared at JB.
“She will be.” He didn’t release his hold on Marcy, easing between her and the nurse.
“Move, so the nurse can put the needle back in.” Dr. Crowley scowled, puffing himself up to his full, commanding presence.
Not going to work this time. “What for?” JB asked.
“She needs an IV needle inserted. The staff needs to be able to give her something fast if something like this happens again.” Doctor Crowley scribbled on the chart. “IV’s the fastest way. In fact, I’ve ordered a sedative for her as soon as we get the bag going again.”
