Chapter Seventeen

“I hate this. Does it always take this long?” Shay fidgeted on the blue chair in the surgical waiting room.

“Yes, it does.” Joanna released her hand. “The surgeon will take as much or as little time as needed to operate.”

By the time they’d arrived at the Trauma Center, Nick was already in surgery. Two hours had dragged by. Shay had paced the floor, stared out the windows, and counted the ceiling tiles—two-hundred and fifty of them—twice. The television in the corner droned. Happy morning-crew newscasters switched between stories about puppies to fires that destroyed lives, with barely a change in toothy smiles. Only one other family shared the waiting room, biding their time while their child’s appendix came out.

“Shay McDowell?” A woman in blue scrubs and a white lab coat called out.

“I’m here.” Shay jumped up and hurried over.

The doctor led her into a smaller, more intimate, nearby room.

“How’s Nick?”

“I’m Dr. Amara Belo.” She introduced herself, speaking with a light accent. “You’re listed as Mr. Nicholas Bianchi’s emergency contact. Are you a relative?”

“He’s my ex-husband.” She nodded at Joanna who’d followed. “This is a family friend.”

“Let’s sit.”

Shay perched on the edge of the chair and listened while Dr. Belo explained everything.

“As you are aware, Mr. Bianchi suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. The bullet entered the front and exited the back.”

“Damages?” Shay clenched and unclenched the chair arms.

The doctor glanced at Shay’s jumpsuit and name tag. “You’re an EMT, so I assume you understand the jargon.”

“Yes, Dr. Belo.” Joanna answered for both of them. “We know it’s a through and through with significant blood loss.”

Dr. Belo nodded. “The worst injuries are bullet damage to the spleen, which we have removed, and a nicked bowel. We cleaned everything as best we could. He’s receiving blood transfusions and appropriate antibiotics.”

A few minutes later, after filling her in with more information regarding the lesser wounds and prognosis, the doctor glanced at her pager and stood. “I have to go. Mr. Bianchi will be in recovery for a while before being transferred to ICU.”

Shay stood and shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you for everything.”

Kyle arrived just in time to hold the door open for the doctor before he came in and scooped Joanna into a hug. Over her shoulder, he peered at Shay. “You all right? How’s Nick?”

“Yes, I’m fine. He’s critical but stable.”

“You know I’ve had my problems with Nick, but I really am sorry.”

Like a big brother, Kyle disliked Nick because of his behavior toward Shay. “I know.” She walked over and enveloped them in a group hug. “I’ll be here for a while. Take Joanna home.”

A few minutes’ argument ensued, but she remained adamant. They finally left after she promised to call if she needed anything. Alone with her thoughts, Shay paced around the room, her mind racing. Could Brenda be crazy enough to shoot Nick? Yeah, she could. She had stabbed him once, even though it was a minor wound.

“Oh, no. Eli.” She slapped her forehead. They were supposed to meet up and go to the market. He would be so angry. Late was almost as bad as a no-show. Shay patted herself down, searching for her cell and found it in her deep leg pocket.

Before she could swipe it open, a strange man approached.

“Are you Shannon McDowell?”

“Yes. Can I help you?” She could see cop all over him, from the short dirty-blond hair to his gray suit and shiny black shoes.

“I’m Detective Brandt.” He flashed a badge. “I need to ask you a few questions.”

“All right. Do you want to sit?”

“No, Ms. McDowell. I would like you to come with me.” Brandt’s gray-colored eyes were cold and devoid of any emotion. “Now.”

“My ex-husband just got out of surgery, and I’m waiting to see him.” Goosebumps lifted on her neck. “Why can’t we talk here?”

“I’m aware of his status. But you need to come with me.”

A second man entered the room and approached. “Brandt, a word.”

Detective Brandt glared at her. “Stay right here.”

Shay nodded and chewed her thumbnail while the men held a heated discussion at the far end of the room.

Several times the other detective shook his head vehemently. Then, whatever Brandt’s words, it caused him to nod, though he didn’t appear happy.

They walked back over to her.

“As I said—” Brandt reached for her arm. “—you need to come with us.”

Shay stepped back, thudding against the vending machine. “I don’t want to go with you.”

“Please, Ms. McDowell.” The second man flipped open his badge. “I’m Detective Carter. We’ll get this cleared up and bring you right back.”

“No!” Panic bubbled up. “I don’t have to go with you.”

Brandt closed her in next to the soda machine. “Sorry, you don’t have a choice, Ms. McDowell. You’re under arrest.”

Carter shot him a look of surprise but didn’t stop him from snapping on a set of handcuffs.

Everything around her became foggy and surreal. Brandt read her rights and then grasped her upper arm.

The family, still waiting for their daughter in surgery, stared openmouthed as the police led her handcuffed through the room.

Shay was in too much shock to even be embarrassed until they reached the crowded ER.

People stopped watching the TV and playing on their phones to stare and whisper.

She tucked her chin to her chest.

Neither cop spoke to her on the thankfully short trip to the police department. Riding in the backseat cuffed made her already tenuous hold on nausea critical. If they didn’t stop soon, she would be sick.

At the station, Brandt and Carter escorted her to the room at the end of the hall.

Carter stood by the door while Brandt sat. “Take a seat, Ms. McDowell.”

“Why am I here? Officer Machau let me go to the hospital.”

Brandt took out a pad and slapped it on the table. “Why did you shoot your ex-husband?”

“I didn’t.” Her foot began to bounce under the table, and she pressed her leg to stop it.

“You admitted you were the last to see him before he was gunned down.” The detective leaned back in the chair. “How long have you held a grudge against him?”

“I told you. Nick came to see me. We didn’t fight, we talked.” Shay pressed harder on her thighs to keep them from moving. She didn’t want to appear nervous. Brandt would jump on that. “He left, and I cleaned up. Dispatch sent the alert before I could even get into bed.”

“So, there is no evidence he was at your house.” Brandt sneered. “You cleaned up any sign you’re telling the truth.”

Accusations and questioning went on and on until Carter intervened. “Detective Brandt, may I see you outside?”

Brandt shoved back, knocking the chair over, and stormed out.

Carter crossed the room and righted it. “Give me your hands.”

“Why are you keeping me here.” When the cuffs came off, she rubbed the red marks they’d left on her wrists. “I didn’t do anything.”

“I know. Michael believes you. I trust his judgment. Be patient, Ms. McDowell. I’ll be back.”

Twisting in the metal chair, she took the opportunity to glance around the interview room. Television had it mostly right. Tan cinder block walls without adornment. Two high, eyebrow windows with thick wire mesh needed a good cleaning. Cameras up in the corners blinked a red light, and a mirrored window filled the inside wall.

The whole process made her feel violated. Brandt’s insinuations about her were infuriating. He’d even brought Aden into it. Only when he accused her of manipulating Michael did Carter put a stop to it.

God, I’m so tired. Help me.

Shay folded her arms on the table, lowered her head, and began to sob.

****

Aden had started to tap out a text when Olivia burst into the room, still dripping from the shower.

“What’s wrong?” He glanced up.

“David just called. He said there was trouble at the hospital.”

“Is it Shay?” Aden’s stomach churned. “Eli called. She never showed up or let him know she couldn’t.”

“Shay’s at the hospital. Someone shot her ex-husband this morning.”

“Is she all right?”

“The ex is critical.” Olivia began to cry. “Aden, Shay has been arrested for shooting him.”

“What?” he shouted. “Shay would never hurt anyone. They’re wrong.”

“I know. But it gets worse.”

“Tell me.”

“David overheard one of the policemen. When they went to interview Nick’s ex-girlfriend, Brenda, she was gone, and it appeared there was a struggle at her house.” Liv paused before saying, “They’re blaming Shay for Brenda being missing too.”

“Why would Shay shoot her ex?”

“We need to hurry.” Olivia ran back to her room.

While she finished getting ready, he tried to make sense of Shay being arrested. Though he’d never discussed the ex, his sister had given him the pertinent details. They’d been separated and divorced for a while. Shay never showed any sign of anger or unresolved issues. Even when Nick showed up at the Grill, she was upset, but not angry or violent.

“Come on.” Olivia trotted back down the stairs. While she’d been getting ready, she also called Kate Danielson, a friend she knew from college—now a successful attorney. “Kate said she would head to the police department.”

During the drive, Aden stared out the passenger side window. Traffic was heavy, and it took two or three changes at each traffic light to get through.

Olivia called the lawyer again from the car.

“Kate Danielson.” The crisp voice came over the car speakers.

“It’s Olivia. I’m sorry to bother you, but we’re so worried.”

“Don’t be sorry. I pass the hospital on my way, so I took the opportunity to stop and ask a few questions. I’m glad I did. A lot of things aren’t adding up. Hang on a second.” The sound of a car door closing and ignition firing up came through the line. “I’m heading for the station now.”

“We’ll meet you at your office.” Olivia pressed disconnect on the steering wheel. “We’ll pass the hospital too. I want to stop and see David first. He might have more information for us.”

Traffic remained heavy all the way to the hospital. Aden didn’t want to take his worry and frustration out on his sister, so he stayed quiet while fisting and un-fisting his hands. They had been stuck in traffic for forty-five minutes, and now Shay would be another fifteen to twenty minutes beyond. He was like a dog chasing its tail.

“There’s David.” Olivia pointed.

Aden looked up and saw the man waving near the outpatient wheelchair ramp. He lowered the window as his sister pulled the car over. “Do you know what happened?”

“Some, but not much.” David leaned in the window. “Shay’s ex was brought in by helicopter early this morning. The trauma team took him to surgery immediately. They were able to save his life, but right after my colleague, Dr. Belo, spoke with Shay, two detectives showed up.”

Olivia came around the car, and David stood to hug her. He kissed her forehead and then cast a wary look at both of them. “There’s.…”

“What?” Olivia held onto his arms. “Is Shay all right?”

“Aden…” David glanced away.

“What is it?” Aden’s jaw clenched, and he bit out the words. Stress had him ready to explode. “Just tell me.”

“I don’t know everything. I’m putting the pieces together from listening to the medical staff on duty. The reason Shay is a suspect—” David cleared his throat. “—is because she was the last one to see Nick this morning. He’d been at her house. Through the night.”

A loud buzzing started in Aden’s head. They spent the night together? Did she still have feelings for her ex-husband? Was Shay the kind of woman to string men along? He’d been so sure the two of them were building something together. How much did he, in fact, know about her?

He tried to focus on David’s words, but the pang in his chest distracted him. There were so many questions. Was Shay playing him? Did her need for a job and desire to get into the kitchen make her manipulate him?

“We spoke with the attorney a few minutes ago. We’re heading over there now,” Olivia said to David.

“I’m not going.” Aden opened the door and lifted his legs out. “Can you get my chair?”

“Aden, wait.” Olivia stepped closer. “We don’t know for sure what happened.”

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m staying here. David, would you please get my chair?”

David and Olivia exchanged looks and then she nodded. “Get it for him. He won’t listen.”

Once in the chair, Aden turned and started for the ramp. “I’ll be here with the therapists. See you later.”

“Aden, please,” Olivia called out. “Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“You go to Shay.” David’s voice remained calm and steady. “I’ll talk to him when he cools down.”

Their voices carried on the breeze. Aden didn’t want to talk to anyone. With a growing hollow feeling in his chest, he wheeled up the ramp and into the hospital. Better to feel the pain in his legs, than the one growing inside. With Kayla, his pride took the hit, not his heart. Shay’s betrayal, however, caused a whole new level of hurt.