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Victoria
Through a haze of confusion, Victoria opened her eyes. A slew of corded tentacles twisted around her. Two thin, clear tubes pierced the blistered skin of her forearm. She blinked rapidly. Her vision blurry, she followed the maze of tubes, finding them connected to two fluid-filled bags. An annoying, monotonous droning sound echoed from the large piece of machinery while bright green squiggles swirled up and down on the heart monitor’s screen.
Henry was sprawled out on a high-backed chair positioned by the bed, one arm hanging listlessly over its side. Fast asleep, he slept with his chin drooped toward his chest, rising and falling with the waves of his breaths. Bright floral arrangements cluttered the surface of a small table by the window where Jennifer slept curled up into an oversized chair, her legs tucked beneath her.
Kelly! Terror claimed her thoughts. She had to warn them. Victoria shifted, attempting to move her body upright, and released a deathly howl.
Henry’s eyes flew open. “Victoria!” he gasped, vaulting from the chair.
Tears streamed down her face, burning and clouding her vision. “Can’t...breathe,” Victoria mouthed. Her lungs on fire, Victoria gulped, frantically fighting to fill them with air.
Jennifer leaped from the chair. “Oh my God! Vicki!” She bolted to the emergency call button, her fingers trembling as she pressed it. “It’s going to be okay. I’m going to get you some help.”
The door banged open. “Come quick! Somebody!” Henry’s panic-stricken voice called out into the hallway.
Pure torture ripped through Victoria’s ribcage while at the same time, spasms jolted mercilessly through her lower back. Hellish moans slipped from her lips as she clung to Jennifer’s hand. “Kel—” she gasped.
A nurse rushed into the room with a disheveled Henry panting right behind her. “Ms. Hathaway, my name is Beverly,” she said calmly. The nurse tapped on the bottom of a tiny bottle suspended above a syringe. “This shot is going to help with the pain,” she said. Satisfied when she saw the small, clear fluid drip from the needle, the nurse placed it down and picked up an alcohol pad. Carefully, she patted it against Victoria’s upper arm.
A woeful groan rushed through Victoria’s parted lips, her eyes huge as she stared at Nurse Beverly.
“You’re hurting her,” Jennifer cried.
His face ashen, Henry reached out, clasping Jennifer around the waist. “Let the nurse do her job,” he said.
A sob resounded from Jennifer. Tears fell down her cheeks as she nodded.
“I’m sorry. I know it hurts. Soon you’ll feel better, I promise,” Nurse Beverly said kindly.
Within moments, the heart monitor slowed to a steady rhythm. Air filled her lungs as Victoria’s breathing relaxed. “Thirsty,” she rasped.
“Thank you, Mr. Santana,” Nurse Beverly said as Henry picked up a pitcher of ice water from the table. She adjusted Victoria’s pillow and pulled the blanket below her chin. “Do you feel more comfortable, Ms. Hathaway?”
“A little,” Victoria responded drowsily.
“I’m glad to hear that. I’m going to check on some of my other patients. If you need me, I’ll be right down the hall.”
Water sloshed over the rim of the cup Henry carried toward the bed.
“You’re in good hands with Mr. Santana and Ms. Jordan,” Nurse Beverly said.
After the door clicked shut, Henry sat on the edge of Victoria’s bed.
“Be careful,” Jennifer warned.
He placed his arm beneath Victoria’s pillow, wincing when she released a soft whimper. Gently, he braced her neck and held the paper cup to her lips, tipping it slightly back.
The water cooled her throat, wetting her dry, cracked lips. “Kelly,” Victoria groaned.
“Hush. It’s okay, Goldilocks.”
The heart monitor began to beat faster. She had to warn them. Even if it killed her. Victoria tugged at the blankets, blanching at the physical exertion.
“Be still, please. You’ll hurt yourself,” Henry pleaded.
“Kelly...tried to kill—”
“She has been locked up. You’re safe. There is no way she can hurt you now,” Jennifer said.
Sucking in deep, torturous breaths, Victoria stilled. “You know?”
“Yes,” Henry and Jennifer said in unison.
Tears welled in Victoria’s eyes. Her heart wrenched at the sight of Henry’s grief-filled expression. “Frederick?”
“They found him walking along the beach. He’s staying at Andre’s apartment,” Henry reassured her.
“Thank God,” Victoria whispered, drifting off into unconsciousness.
*****
DRESSED IN HIS POLICE uniform, Andre stood at the foot of the hospital bed, his smile lighting up the room. “It’s great to see you awake.”
Victoria’s lips pulled into a tight smile. “Good to be seen,” she answered, her voice a mere whisper.
“I’ve brought Detective Smith with me. He’d like to take your statement,” Andre said, nodding at the gentleman beside him.
Jennifer planted her hands firmly on each of her rounded hips. For the past four days, she’d taken it upon herself to stand guard over Victoria’s bedside. “She almost died; she’s in no condition to give a statement now.”
Andre’s dark eyes settled on Jennifer in what Victoria assumed was a non-verbal warning. As far as she was concerned, Andre was a saint. It took an extraordinary man to understand Jennifer’s volatile nature. Especially with as much grace and dignity as Andre managed.
Aqua eyes glared back at him. “You know damn well that lunatic bitch did it.”
“Jenn—” Andre warned.
“That wacko gave Henry a full confession. What more could you possibly need to hear?”
“I am well aware of that, Jenn,” Andre answered calmly. “Now please, let us do our job. We need to get an official statement to lock Kelly St. Regis up for good. The sooner we get Victoria’s statement, the sooner we ensure she’s permanently off the streets.”
“It’s okay,” Victoria interrupted, hoping to ease the tension between them.
“Thank you, Ms. Hathaway. I promise I will make it as brief as possible,” Detective Smith piped in.
“Hello.” Henry walked into the hospital room. It had become his habit to leave each morning for about an hour to shower and shave. “I’m Henrique Santana.” Henry extended his hand to the detective.
The stranger shook the proffered hand. “Detective Smith.”
Although Henry’s voice was rough and slightly hoarse from the smoke inhalation, the doctor had assured all of them that he’d suffered no long-term effects from the fire. “Would you mind if I remain during the questioning?”
“Of course, just as long as it’s all right with Ms. Hathaway,” Detective Smith replied.
“We don’t keep secrets between us,” Victoria answered. “Also, I’d like Jennifer to stay, as well. They’re my family, as is Officer Jenkins.”
Henry lowered his hip to the edge of the mattress and placed a quick peck on Victoria’s forehead. “You up to this?”
“I want to get it over with,” Victoria answered.
Jennifer’s expression softened. “You got this,” she said, moving to the other side of Victoria’s hospital bed.
Taking Victoria’s bandaged hand into his, Henry was careful not to apply too much pressure as he placed it on his thigh. Lightly, he massaged the nape of her neck, finding one of the few spots on her body that didn’t hurt to be touched.
No nonsense, Detective Smith’s questioning was quick and to the point. Before he left, he’d promised that as soon as a court date was filed, they’d be notified.
Jennifer strode behind Andre as he followed Detective Smith from the room.
“What’s going on with those two?” Henry asked, balancing his long body beside Victoria’s on the edge of the mattress.
“He’s about to get a tongue-lashing.”
Henry cocked an eyebrow.
“Not that kind,” Victoria admonished.
“Say the words tongue and lashing to a guy, and our thoughts are bound to head straight to the gutter.”
“Anyway, as I was saying...” Victoria said. “Knowing Jennifer, as I do, she’s about to give him an earful.”
“Why?” Henry asked incredulously.
“Because that’s Jennifer. She’s ultra-protective of me, and Detective Smith’s questioning brought out the momma bear in her.”
“I see.” Henry nodded. “Andre isn’t a wuss.”
“No, he’s not. That’s why they’re so good together. Somehow, he keeps Jenn in line,” Victoria answered. “Now,” she said slyly. “Let’s discuss this new style of yours.”
“I’m bringing sexy back.”
“Oh, for God’s sake,” Victoria sighed. “If that’s what you want to call your new get-up, so be it.”
“I’ll make it a priority to purchase some new clothes,” Henry laughed.
“It’s funny. It looks fantastic on Andre, but totally ridiculous on you,” Jennifer chimed in from the doorway.
“I think you’re right, but I’m grateful for Andre’s kindness,” Henry said.
Jennifer picked up her purse and moved toward the doorway. “I suppose it’s time my man was rewarded for his valiant heroics.” She winked, walking back to the open door.
“Love you, Jenn,” Victoria said.
“Love you more,” Jennifer said. She paused and then smiled mischievously. “By the way—”
Henry and Victoria peered up at her, smiling as Jennifer stood with her fingers wrapped around the door handle. “Yes?” Victoria questioned.
“I guess you’re all right, too, lover boy,” Jennifer said and closed the door.
“See,” Victoria said. “I told you Andre had it all under control.”
“She’s something, but enough about her. Let’s relax and dream about the future,” Henry said, laying his head on the corner of the pillow and closing his eyes.