Page 9 of Forever Dead
“You joke, but squeezing that thing fifty times is the closest I get to fieldwork.”
“That last case really did a number on you.”
“And then some.”
The injuries had improved. Selena knew that. Five weeks ago, getting from the bed to the bathroom had required planning. Her wrist had throbbed constantly, and her knee had swollen whenever she stayed upright for more than a few minutes. Now the pain came and went, and she could move around without feeling as though the joint might give way.
Progress did not make patience easier.
Jessie nodded toward her. “You do seem a bit better, though. How long until you finish your rehab?”
Selena sighed. “My orthopedic surgeon wants another three weeks before the Bureau doctor will even consider clearing me to start work again. Doctor Blethan has been keeping an eye on me, as well. I think at Connor’s behest.”
“Three weeks isn’t that long, Lena.”
“It is when you’ve already done five.”
“And after that?”
“Desk work for a while.”
Jessie smiled. “Might not be bad to take things down a notch.”
“I can’t stand the boredom.”
“I think you’ll survive.”
Selena went back to the waffle rather than answer and finished the last piece on her plate.
Outside, another gust moved through the trees bordering the motel property. During the week, Halloween decorations had begun appearing around Elmsview. Plastic skeletons leaned against porches. Orange lights framed shop windows. Somebody on Main Street had hung a witch from a streetlamp and nearly caused a traffic accident.
Ordinarily, Selena liked this time of year. Now, it only reminded her how long she had been stuck in one place.
Jessie wiped syrup from her fork with a napkin. “Well, plenty more visits for me until you get busy, then.”
Selena smiled. “Lucky you.”
A knock interrupted them.
Before Selena could reach for the cane, Jessie was already standing. “I’ve got it.”
“You don’t have to answer my door.”
“You take six minutes to get there.”
“Four.”
Jessie opened it. Eric Wilson stood outside in a faded black T-shirt advertising a horror movie Selena had never heard of.
He leaned slightly around Jessie. “How’s the chair working out?”
“All good, Eric, thanks.”
He smiled. “Told you.”
“You told me after you put it in here.”
Eric turned to Jessie and said, “She doesn’t know what’s good for her.”
