Page 62 of Kidnapped in Dark Waters
“With pleasure,” Roger said.
“And then come back here to help process the scene,” Daniel added.
Luke led Dominique to the awaiting ambulance, where the two EMT’s attended to her. Once she was loaded up, the ambulance pulled away. Luke stared after the vehicle.
Intense relief nearly cast him to the ground. Hopefully, she had no other physical injuries than the bruised jaw, which was bad enough. But it would heal and eventually she would be fine.
“Go,” Daniel said from behind him. Luke turned to look at his friend. “I know you want to go with her. We can handle things here.” He tossed his car keys to Luke. “I can catch a ride back tothe station later. And in the meantime, I’ll give her sisters a call. I’m sure they’ll meet you there.”
“Thanks,” Luke replied and then raced for Daniel’s car. Once in it, he turned on the siren and then hurried to catch up with the ambulance.
They arrived at the hospital at the same time. Dominique was taken to the emergency room bay and Luke parked and then ran for the hospital’s front door.
Once inside, he checked in with the receptionist and told her he wanted to speak with Dominique’s doctor when he finished checking her out.
He then sank down in one of the plastic chairs in the waiting room. For the first time in what felt like forever, he was able to breathe.
He leaned his head back against the wall as a deep wave of exhaustion struck him. She was safe. Finally, she’d been found. It was as if he’d been missing a large chunk of his heart but now that chunk had been restored.
Love for her flooded through his veins, warming the icy chill that had been inside him since the moment they had discovered her gone.
He wasn’t alone in the waiting room for long. Angelique and Monique joined him there. “Thank God, you found her,” Angelique said, her eyes misty with tears as she hugged Luke.
“We’ve been so afraid,” Monique added, tears of relief also shimmering in her eyes.
They sank down in the chairs next to him. “Have you heard anything yet?” Angelique asked.
“No, nothing,” he replied.
“Daniel told me she has a large bruise on her jaw. He also told me you gave Burt a bruised jaw,” Angelique said.
“I hope I broke his damned jaw,” he confessed.
“So do we,” Monique said with a small smile. She sobered. “I can’t believe it was Burt, a well-respected man who works for the city.”
“I’m just glad she’s safe now.” Once again, love for her filled his heart.
The three of them sat in the waiting room for about an hour and finally Dr. Gregory Harmon stepped in. They all stood at the sight of the older doctor.
“How is she?” Angelique asked before Luke could.
“She has a bruised jaw, but thankfully nothing was broken. She is dehydrated and exhausted. I’m keeping her overnight so she can rest and we can get some fluids in her.”
“Can we see her?” Luke asked.
“I’ve given her a mild sedative and she’s already sleeping. I would prefer she not be awakened. I imagine she’ll just be here for one night. As long as there are no complications, she’ll be released tomorrow. You can all see her then.”
A swift disappointment swept through Luke. He’d just wanted to see her…maybe hold her hand and assure himself that she was truly okay. But, if she was resting peacefully, he also didn’t want to disturb her.
The three of them walked out of the hospital together. They said their goodbyes and then Luke got into his car. He dropped his forehead on the steering wheel and the tears he’d fought back for the past three days began to fall.
Each tear washed away the terror he’d had since the moment she’d been kidnapped. The tears were thanks to the vast relief that she’d been found alive.
He finally pulled himself together and called Daniel. He updated Daniel on Monique’s condition and told him that both her sisters had come to the hospital and had gone home. “I’m just now leaving the hospital and can be back at Burt’s house in about fifteen minutes.”
“You are not to come here,” Daniel said firmly. “I don’t need you here. I have plenty of officers to process the scene. I want you to go home, Luke. Get something to eat and get some sleep.”
“I have to admit, that sounds like a great idea. Then, I’ll be in as usual in the morning,” he replied.
