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NICK’S SECOND DAY began with murder.
Another victim was found just after sunrise, another leg amputee with a severed femoral, and a stab wound to the chest.
Tom Philips came to inform him, and ask for his help.
“Sister Belham told me you had predicted more murders. Something about us harboring an angel of death.”
Nick pushed to his feet, still exhausted. Sleep hadn’t come easy last night, not after his time with Victoria. He had left her soon after she’d returned with a bowl of rich broth, unable to stay without jumping her. She had left him hard, and aching in body and heart.
“They’re mercy killings. I’ve seen them before. Your angel seems to have a liking for leg amputees. My guess—they lost someone with the same type of injury, or find a missing leg to be more of a burden than they think the victim can handle. Either way, they won’t stop killing. For them, it’s a way to control an uncontrollable situation, and give what they think is peace to a man who clearly deserves it, in their mind.”
By the time he finished, Philips was studying him, arms crossed and one dark eyebrow raised. “You have quite a lot of knowledge.”
“Like I said, I’ve seen them before. I had one show up at a base hospital.”
Philips sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “If you can offer any assistance, I would be grateful.”
“I’m no investigator, but I’ll be happy to take a look.” It would also give him a chance to see Victoria. She was sure to be there, as the nurse in charge. Whether she’d want to see him was another matter. “Lead the way.”
Nick grabbed the dead doctor’s heavy wool coat, shrugging into it before he followed Philips out into the icy rain. The cold weather played havoc with his shoulder, and every scar ached in a way it hadn’t for some time. The only benefit of being trapped in the cavern had been the temperate air.
By the time they reached the med hut, Nick was cradling his right arm, his shoulder throbbing. He forgot it at first sight of Victoria.
She was flushed from the cold, rain dampening her blonde hair. He realized then that she wasn’t wearing her veil, her hair a cap of blonde curls. She must have rushed out as soon as she received the news.
Her clear blue eyes met his, pain in their depths. Nick knew she would blame herself for this, and she probably blamed herself for all of them. If he did nothing else before he was yanked back to limbo hell, he’d find their killer.
He sat on the edge of the bed, and carefully lifted the blanket, then opened the boy’s shirt. Like the others, his femoral artery had been opened, so he’d bled little after being stabbed. The killer was merciful, even if they were crazy. The poor kid probably never woke up.
His gaze wandered over the bed—and landed on a small hair comb, almost hidden by the edge of the blanket. He picked it up. “Does this look familiar?”
A gasp turned him around, and he met Victoria’s wide eyes. “Yes,” she whispered, her face pale. “It belongs to Katherine.”
~ ~ ~
VICTORIA REFUSED TO believe that Katherine had anything to do with this.
She led Nick and Major Philips to the second med hut, where Katherine was on duty, and had been since before dawn.
Katherine adored the soldiers, so much that she nearly broke down every time one of them passed because of their wounds, or the infections they still fought every day.
“Sister Belham. I did not expect to see you until...” Her voice faded as Victoria stepped aside, revealing Nick and the Major. “What is going on?”
“Please come with me, Sister Sykes.” Major Philips gestured to the door. “I have a few questions.”
Her eyes darted from him to Victoria. “What is—”
“It will be all right, Katherine. I am coming with you.” She looked at Major Philips, her gaze daring him to refuse her. She would not allow Katherine to face these ridiculous accusations alone. “One of the men was killed this morning.”
Katherine covered her mouth with one hand, tears filling her brown eyes. “Like the others?”
“Yes.” Victoria eased her hand down, twined their fingers together. “Major Philips has a few simple questions for you. All you need to do is answer them, and we can go back to our hut and have a nice lie down.”
“All right.” Katherine squeezed her hand, so tightly Victoria’s constantly aching fingers throbbed.
Major Philips nodded, and strode out of the hut. Every other nurse stared at them, keeping their distance from Victoria and Katherine, as if they had some contagion. Victoria glared at them until they turned away and went back to their duties. It would not stop the rumors from flying, but she planned to put a stop to them before they became rampant.
Right now, she had to support her nurse, and end this foolish interrogation as quickly as possible.
Nick joined her as they followed Major Philips to the administration hut. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t think he’d jump all over you like a criminal.”
“This is hardly your fault, Nick. You simply found the comb.”
Katherine’s hand fluttered to her mouth. “My comb?” Her voice was faint. “I thought I had lost it...”
“No more talking,” Major Philips said. “I will ask her questions. The two of you will remain silent. Are we understood?”
Victoria nodded, saw Nick do the same. As long as she was allowed to stay with Katherine, she was willing to agree to his terms.
They entered the foyer of the hut, and around the makeshift wall to Major Philip’s office. He ordered the closest soldier to usher everyone else out of the hut, then gestured to the chair. Victoria squeezed Katherine’s hand, nodding in encouragement before she let go. Katherine moved to the chair and sank into it, her fingers twisting into the apron that covered her gown.
Major Philips leaned against the front of the small desk and crossed his arms.
“I need to know where you were early this morning, Sister Sykes, and if anyone can verify your whereabouts.”
“I—” She swallowed. “I was in the med tent, making rounds. I do this at the start of every shift, to check the men, see if they need anything.”
“And they can vouch for you.”
“Most of them were sleeping,” she whispered. “It was before dawn, and I do not wake them if it is not necessary. They need what rest they can find.”
“Of course.” Major Philips pushed off the desk and stood over her. “What about staff? Did any of the other nurses see you? Speak with you?”
“I was the first on duty. Sister Wood came in just after sunrise, but I do not know if she saw me. I left to check the second med tent, and you...” She fought a sob, and lowered her head. “I would never hurt them, sir. I came here to protect them, keep them from dying—”
She started crying.
“Enough, Major.” Victoria crouched beside Katherine and embraced her. “All you have is a comb that most likely fell out of her hair when she leaned over to check him. I will not allow you to grill her like this without more reason.”
“Sister Belham—”
“I am in charge of not only their schedules, but their welfare.” She stood and moved between Katherine and the angry Major. “From this point on, you will go through me, and not attack my girls. Do we have an understanding?”
His jaw worked, and Victoria had a feeling he was silently cursing her. Finally, he unclenched his jaw enough to answer her.
“We do, Sister. I expect to have access to them, once I have spoken to you.”
“Of course.” She helped Katherine to her feet and guided her out of the hut, heading across the camp. “I want you to rest for the remainder of the day, dear heart.”
“Yes, Sister.”
Katherine refused to say anything else, so Victoria left her in their tent and closed the flap. She turned around—and bit back a scream when she ran straight into a broad chest.
“Sorry, beautiful. I was too busy admiring the view to warn you I was in front of your door.”
Nick smiled down at her, his right arm cradled against his chest. She looked closer, and behind the humor she saw the pain he tried to hide from her.
“I want to take another look at your shoulder,” she said.
“No need. I slept on it wrong. Not the first time, and it won’t be the last. The cold isn’t helping.” He caught her wrist as she reached for his shoulder. “I’m fine, Victoria. All I need at this point is time.”
She knew he was right. He also took away her excuse to touch him again.
“If you are hurting, I do have medicine I can give you.”
“I’d prefer a more personal approach.” He winked at her, and she could not stop a laugh from breaking free. “What do you say, Mrs. Belham? Will you go on a date with me?”
“A date?” What he was asking sank in, and he found herself blushing. “Are you attempting to court me, Captain?”
“Badly, from your reaction.”
“No—I was simply surprised. I have not been courted since I was a girl.” She smiled. “I quite like it, so far.”
He took her hand and led her around to the back of her hut, then wrapped his arm around her and hauled her forward, their lips an inch apart. “Wait until the actual date, beautiful.” His lips brushed hers, and she had to clutch the lapel of his coat as her knees went weak. “Can you do two things for me?”
“What?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
“Wear your hair loose, and come smelling like roses.” He pressed a kiss to her throat, and she let out a moan. “You drive me to distraction, Victoria.”
She swallowed, already wanting to backpedal. This man overwhelmed her, and had her dreaming of a life beyond this camp, this war.
“Nick—”
“No backing out. As far as I’m concerned, you said yes, and I’m making you stick to it.” He looked at her, his green eyes sober. “My life depends on you keeping your word.”
“What is it?” She cradled his cheek, startled by the intensity he showed her at odd times. “Please, Nick, tell me.”
“I wish I could, beautiful. But you have to be the one to step forward. That’s all I can say.”
He startled her by kissing her, in front of any sort of witnesses who may walk across the field behind her hut, pulling her in until her body was molded to his. Every time he held her like this, kissed her like this, she felt herself falling deeper.
Perhaps it was time to let go, let herself fall completely. Who knew what tomorrow would bring? Every day she survived this war was a victory. Why should she spend those days alone?
Because he will break your heart.
The voice in her mind shocked a gasp from her.
Nick eased back, cradling her cheek. “What is it? Victoria—you’re white as a sheet. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing,” she said. She took a deep breath, and eased out of his embrace. “It has been a difficult few days, and I expect it is catching me up. When is this date you have promised me?”
He studied her for endless moments, then let it go. “Tonight, if that’s convenient for you.”
Disappointment nearly crushed her. “I am doing a much-needed inventory of the pharmacy tonight. We are down to almost nothing on some of our supplies, after being inundated with soldiers the past weeks. I am sorry, Nick.”
“No problem. They come first.” He swallowed, and almost managed to hide the flash of fear in his eyes. “Tomorrow night?”
Relief spread through her, and she was finally thankful for the haphazard schedule she had been trying to sort since she was given charge of the nurses. Just the last few days, they had finally been able to breathe—and she had been able to give the nurses more than an hour at a time to rest. “I believe that may be possible, now that things have settled a bit. You know where I live, Captain.”
“I do indeed.”
“But please, do me the favor of being discreet. Relationships are frowned upon, and I will not be sent home because I have a difficult time saying no to you.”
“Got it. Stealthy and discreet.” He kissed her one more time, leaving her breathless and hot with desire.
She braced her hand against the wall for a moment, to catch her breath. When she was certain of herself, she moved around to the front, and watched him stride across the camp, maneuvering the narrow duck board as if he walked it every day. The man was an enigma, more mystery than certainty.
One finger touched her sensitized lips, and tried to forget the invading voice.
If Nick Saunders was going to break her heart, she would find all the joy she could before it happened.
She was tired of living her life alone.