Page 71 of Driven By Impulse

Hanna groaned, but gave a sharp nod. “Fine. I get it. But stay outside. I don’t want to draw any more attention than is strictly necessary.”

Though she had the sense that Gray’s and Xander’s pasts actually made them quite adept at sneaking around sight unseen, she absolutely did not want them following her into the hospital.

When they agreed, Hanna walked through the front door and headed for the elevator bay. She took the familiar path up to Frankie’s room, pushing away thoughts of the last time she had been in the hospital and spiraled in an empty room. She couldn’t afford to do that now, not when she needed to have her head on as straight as possible now that they were so very close to finding Grace.

The truth was, she hadn’t really intended to visit Frankie. She’d been looking for a way to get back into town without Ash and Nicco on her heels. The guard dogs at the front gate posed a bit of a complication, however, and because Hanna needed time to think, she headed up to Frankie’s room anyway.

When she gave a small knock and pushed the door in, she was surprised to see Wyatt, Carson, and Darcy sitting in the visitor’s chairs. Fresh vases of flowers lined the windowsill, and a stack of cards covered the bedside table—a cartoon cloud smiling, a sad-looking dog, a photograph of a mountain vista, the sun peeking over a distant waterfall, all with well-wishes printed and scribbled inside.

“That’s a pretty card, Deputy.”

Frankie smiled. “Thanks, Boss. Carson took the picture on one of our hiking trips.”

Darcy stood with a jump. “Sheriff, you are a sight for sore eyes! We’ve been so worried about you with your house. You just tell us what you need—clothes, cookware—I promise we will get this all sorted.”

Wyatt’s greeting was a little less emotional. “What did you find, boss?”

She hadn’t updated him on the box. It felt strange, to not update her team after a big discovery, but that sense of unease lingered at the back of her mind, distrust and suspicion.

Or maybe I just have a new team now.

When had that happened? When had she turned around and started thinking of Ash and Nic as her team?

Hanna gave a sharp nod. “You were right to call me, Deputy. I’ll have the official report from the coroner’s office soon. And thank you, Miss Darcy. I promise I’ll let you know if there’s anything I need.”

“Promise,” Darcy prompted. “I’ll send Carson right over with a casserole tonight.”

Hanna smiled, very much despite herself. “That’s very generous but not necessary. I’m staying with friends.”

Right. Friends. The same friends who held her close and made her feel like none of the bad things in the world could touch her, like she was stronger because they were connected, like family truly was what she made it.

Friends who made her feel wanted, and cared for, and desired and…

The same friends she needed to keep safe from the specters following her.

She turned to Frankie. “How are you feeling today?”

He gave a careful nod. “Much better. Docs say I can go home tomorrow if everything checks out.”

“That’s great news,” Hanna replied. Thank God for silver linings on the journey to Hell. “We’ll get you set up with leave and taken care of until you can come back to work.”

“I look forward to that,” Frankie said. “I know I’m not on duty, but is there any news on Grace? I still feel so terrible that she was taken on my watch.”

Hanna placed her hand on his. “That wasn’t your fault, Frankie. You were outnumbered and out gunned. We’re just happy you’re okay.”

As for the rest, well that was the part she hated, truth be told. Hanna knew she’d always been forthright, blunt and direct. She had never been good at poker, and the idea of spreading some specific misinformation to figure out whom among her team was traitor seemed nearly impossible. So, she went with the truth.

“We’ve found some new information,” she said evasively. “I think we may be able to bring Grace home soon.”

She chatted with the others for another few minutes before excusing herself and heading back down the hallway. A quick peek out of the bridge window told her that Gray and Xander had followed boss’ orders and weren’t going anywhere.

Hanna pulled out her phone and shot a quick message to Tori.

You in the hospital?

She got a response a moment later.

Good timing. We just dropped off a patient for observation. Down in the bay now.