Page 76 of Kill Me Again: Psychics

Chapter Twenty-seven

Lake

The men clearly knew each other well, and together they were a lot to take in. In the small hospital waiting room, with no easy way to escape, the feeling was only amplified. Ben had spent most of the time on the phone, and from his tone—and the bits of conversation I overheard—it sounded like he was reporting to someone above him. We’d been told Jamie had made it to the hospital, but nothing else. That left us stuck there, waiting for someone to give us an update.

It was therefore something of a relief when my phone lit up with a call from Verity. “My sister,” I said to Baxter. Once he nodded to show he’d heard, I stepped out into the corridor. I made my way to the end, positioning myself between the drinks machine and the toilets, where I wouldn’t be in anyone’s way before answering it.

Verity didn’t bother with a greeting. “Never have kids, Lake.”

The slice of normality was like music to my ears after the night I’d had. “You don’t mean that.”

“Oh, trust me, after last night, I do.”

“What did Charlie do?”

“Came down with some sort of stomach bug at three o’clock this morning. Woke me up crying because he’d been sick and hadn’t made it to the bathroom in time. I changed the sheets, got him tucked back in, and then guess what happened?”

“He was sick again.”

“Oh, you’ve seen this film, have you?”

“Poor little man.”

Verity sighed. ”Yeah, well… I’ve kept him off school, obviously. But he seems fine now. So not only am I stuck doing load after load of washing so he’s got clean sheets tonight, but I also have to keep checking he’s not up to no good. I should’ve sent him to school.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

“Yeah… I’m just—”

“Tired,” I suggested.

“Yeah. Ignore me. I’m just jealous of you and your child-free existence.”

For a moment, listening to my sister rant, I’d forgotten where I was and what had brought me here. Then it all came rushing back. “No need to be jealous. I’m at the hospital, and I’ve been here for hours.”

“The hospital?” Her tone sharpened with concern. “What happened? What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said. “And Baxter’s fine.” The noise she made suggested she was pleased about the first part and not overly concerned with the second. I had faith Baxter would grow on her once she realized he wasn’t going anywhere. The problem now that I’d opened the door was that I had to explain something that even I was still struggling to wrap my head around.

”Someone got hurt,” I said. “A friend of Baxter’s. It’s… a whole police thing.” I realized my mistake the second the words left my mouth. If this conversation continued, it would only take us down a path that would reinforce her belief that Baxter was nothing but trouble. “I’ve got to go, Verity. Someone’s calling me. Give Charlie my love and tell him I’m glad he’s feeling better.”

“Lake?”

I hung up. One thing at a time. And right now, that thing was whether Jamie was going to pull through, and if he did, whether he’d remember anything useful.

The group had dwindled when I returned to the waiting room. Baxter explained that Griffin had needed to take over from John, and that Asher had gone with him to update Cade and make sure the PPB didn’t run itself into the ground without him. I wasn’t entirely sure whether the last part was meant as a joke.

That left Ben—still on the phone—and Calisto, who announced cheerfully that he was going to get everyone coffee.

“Not coffee,” I snapped. “Baxter can’t cope with the smell.”

Calisto’s brow furrowed as his gaze darted to his friend. “Since when?”

Baxter shrugged, looking sheepish. “The smell reminds me. I was carrying coffee when it happened.”

“PTSD,” I supplied, in case Calisto couldn’t make the connection.

His frown deepened. “But Asher and I had coffee when you were staying with us, and you said nothing.”