Page 59 of Tough Justice
Not knowing what else to say, Suzy took Heather’s hand and squeezed again.
“Good morning.” A middle-aged doctor in green scrubs called out in a sing-song voice as she entered the room. “I’ve got your test results. The images look good. I want to go over a few things then I can sign the discharge papers and get you out of here. Sound good?”
Heather gave a little nod.
“I’ll step outside and give you some privacy.”
“Will you call Duke?” Heather asked. “Find out if he’s gotten any answers yet.”
“Sure.” She flashed a smile at the doctor before heading out the door and closing it behind her.
The deputy stood guard. Wrinkles marred his baggy uniform as though he’d worn it after being stuffed in a bag all night. A wide-brim hat sat on his head and cast shadows over his face.
“Did you find Dorthy?” she asked, surprised to see him back at his post without Duke or his mom. Maybe Duke told him to stand guard while he continued his search, which wasn’t good news.
The guard shook his head. “Not yet.”
Disappointment dipped low in her gut. She didn’t have to pretend everything would be all right now that she was in the hall, away from Heather. But this wasn’t good. Something had to have happened to Dorthy. She just hoped Duke figured it out fast and could get her to safety.
“That’s not what I wanted to hear,” she said. “Do you know where Duke is?”
He shook his head.
Blowing out a frustrated breath, she reached for her phone in the pocket of her jeans.
The deputy stepped forward and invaded her personal space. He stared down at her, his brown eyes hard and his mouth pressed into a thin line.
Trepidation twisted her gut. Hillmore was a small town. She knew most of the deputies who protected the county, but this man didn’t look familiar. “What did you say your name was?”
“I didn’t.”
She took step back but was met by the hard wall.
He smirked and leaned down just enough to whisper in her ear. “If you don’t want that poor old woman to get hurt, you better come with me. Don’t make a sound or I’ll be forced to do something we both regret.”
21
With the sheriff’s department and state troopers on the look out for the vehicle carrying his mother, Duke made his way back to Heather’s hospital room. Dread at telling his sister the awful news added weight to each step, slowing his progress.
Reaching the room, he stepped inside and confusion wrinkled his brow. “Where’s Suzy?”
Heather sat on the bed with her legs swung over the edge. Black lounge pants and a blue t-shirt replaced her hospital gown. “I thought she was with you.”
“Why would you think that?” His words lashed out with more force than a bull whip.
“She went out in the hall when the doctors came in to discuss my results. The deputy was out there, and she wanted to call you to see if you’d gotten word about Mom.”
Turning, he ran back out to the hall and glanced up and down the corridor for the deputy who was supposed to be standing guard.
No one but nurses and doctors hurried past.
He stalked back into the room. Terror and rage twisted his insides until he thought he’d vomit. Leaning forward, he braced his forearms on his knees and drew in deep, ragged breaths. “She’s not there.”
Lane appeared in the doorway. “Who’s not there? Any word on your mom?”
Duke crushed his eyes closed, fighting wave after wave of panic until he forced himself to straighten and face his friend. “Suzy. I don’t know where she is.”
“What?” Lane gripped his phone, and his fingers flew over the screen. He waited a few beats then said, “Her voice message picked up.”
