28

The siren’s wail split the night.

Chloe released a pent up breath. Thank you, God. It had been ten minutes since Aidan and Matt had entered the building. She’d called the chief as soon as they’d gone in. But Aidan and Matt hadn’t returned, and Chloe feared the worst.

When the police cruiser pulled up behind Aidan’s car, Chloe jumped out onto the filthy sidewalk.

Chief Hillier met her, with a fresh-faced deputy trailing behind.

“Thanks for coming so quick.” She pointed to the alley. “They went in through that side door.”

“Joe and I will check it out.” Mike motioned for the deputy to follow him.

Chloe stood on the sidewalk, her emotions shredded. She couldn’t bear the thought of a possibly traumatized Lindsay being alone with gang members, or of Matt or Aidan being hurt. Ignoring her thudding heart, she entered the building.

Immediate blackness enveloped her, swallowing her whole. Perspiration dripped down her spine as she flattened her back to the wall and tried valiantly to control her fear. A scream sent chills down her arms. Dear God, help us.

“Stop. Police.” Mike Hillier’s voice boomed out.

Chloe snapped away from the wall to a nearby doorway and peered around the frame. Terror clouded her vision as she searched for Aidan in the melee.

Mike had one man pinned against the wall. Chloe made out two dark figures at the end of the room, but her focus snapped to the body on the ground. Her heart froze.

Aidan!

Joe held the radio to his mouth. “We need an ambulance at the abandoned warehouse on Thirty-Second Street.”

Chloe’s knees almost buckled as she rushed to Aidan’s side. He lay very still, his eyes closed. Kneeling, Joe pressed his hand to Aidan’s shoulder, but blood continued to seep through, soaking his shirt and jacket.

A sob rose in Chloe’s throat. She picked up his cold hand. “Hang on, Aidan. The ambulance is coming.”

Sounds of distress came from behind her. Chloe turned to see Matt hunched over Lindsay on the ground. Dark patches of blood stained the girl’s dress.

Chloe dragged herself away from Aidan.

“Help her, Miss Martin. She’s dying.” Tears coursed down Matt’s face.

Lindsay’s lip was split, and bruises had begun to bloom on her cheek. The neckline of her dress was in ragged tatters. More bruises marred the whiteness of her arms.

From where the blood was situated on Lindsay’s dress, Chloe had a pretty good idea of the cause.

Hot anger surged through her. What had Lindsay done to deserve this? Hadn’t she been through enough misery in her short life?

She brushed a hand over the girl’s hair. “Hang on, honey. We’re here now, and no one’s going to hurt you again.”

****

Chloe’s back ached from sitting on the hard plastic chair in the hospital waiting room. The overhead lights blinked and buzzed in annoying spurts. She pushed the hair off her face, fighting the fear that threatened to consume her. If someone didn’t come out to tell her something—anything—about Aidan or Lindsay, she would storm the cubicles.

Beside her, Matt sat with his head hunched over his knees.

She placed a tentative hand on his back. “I’m sorry Lindsay didn’t tell you about the baby. She didn’t want anyone to know.”

A tremor went through him.

“I want to kill Dylan Moore. And those animals—”

“It won’t help Lindsay if you get into more trouble,” Chloe said gently. “She needs you to be strong now.”

Matt swiped an arm over his face and turned away.

“The best thing you can do for her is testify against the guy Chief Hillier caught. With your word, the chief’s, and Mr. North’s, he’ll go to jail for sure. He might even be persuaded to turn in his friends.”

Matt lifted terror-filled eyes to her. “The others will kill me,” he whispered. “Why do you think I didn’t get out long ago?” A look of complete hopelessness settled over his features.

She laid a hand on his arm. “You’re not alone. You have all of us behind you.”

A doctor clad in green scrubs entered the waiting area. “Miss Martin?”

Chloe shot up. “Yes.”

“Mr. North would like to see you now.”

“Will he be OK?” She gripped her hands together to control the trembling.

“I believe so. He has a pretty nasty stab wound, but we’ve stitched him up. As long as he takes it easy for the next few weeks, he should be fine.”

Relief flooded her body, leaving her weak. Thank you, God.

“How’s my sister?” Matt asked.

“Another doctor is with her. You’ll have to wait until he comes out.”

Matt shoved his fists into his pocket and slumped back in his chair.

“Will you be OK for a few minutes while I check on Mr. North?” Chloe asked.

“Yeah.”

“I won’t be long.” She followed the doctor past several curtained areas.

He pointed at a cubicle. “We’ll be moving him to a room shortly, but you can go on in.”

“Thank you.”

Aidan lay completely still on the bed, his face as pale as the sheet covering him. Bulky bandages swathed his shoulder area, and one arm lay limply on top of the blanket.

He could have died tonight. Her throat tightened, and tears stung her eyes. Chloe raised a trembling hand to brush the hair off his forehead.

His eyes opened, and a faint smile bloomed. “Hi, beautiful.” His voice rasped out in a hoarse whisper.

“Hi.” A tear slid down her face. “How are you feeling?”

“Not bad. I think the drugs are working wonders.” He nodded his head toward the IV pole. Behind it, monitors blinked.

“Can I get you anything? Water? Ice?”

“Nope. Having you here is all I need.”

“That’s all I need, too. To know you’re OK.” More tears blurred her vision. “When I saw you on that floor, I thought you were dead.” Her world had almost crashed around her.

Aidan lifted his good arm and placed his palm against her cheek. “I’m alive, thanks to you. You called the chief right when I asked.”

“Actually, I called him the minute you went in.”

He gave a short laugh, and then winced. “I should’ve known.” His breathing grew shallow. “How’s Lindsay?”

“We’re waiting for news. The doctor’s still with her.” Now was not the time to tell him everything.

“Did—did they catch them?” The effort to talk seemed to drain him of energy.

“They got one guy. Mike is hoping he’ll give up the names of the others.”

Aidan’s lids began to droop.

“You should rest. Save your strength.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but she silenced him with a quick kiss. “I’ll be back after I check on Lindsay. You sleep now.”

He mumbled something before his eyelids fluttered closed.

As Chloe stepped away from the bed, she thought she heard him say, “I love you, Chloe.”

****

Chloe leaned against the wall in the corridor, her heart thundering an uneven beat. Had Aidan really said he loved her? She took in a shaky breath and attempted to focus on the kids. Matt needed her strength and calming presence. She only prayed Lindsay’s prognosis was as positive as Aidan’s.

As soon as Chloe arrived in the waiting room, Matt stopped pacing the floor.

“Any news on Lindsay?” she asked.

He shook his head.

Anxiety built to a painful pressure. She looped an arm around his thin shoulders. “Come on. Let’s talk to the nurse.”

The plump woman at the desk gave Chloe a sympathetic smile. “The doctor will be out when he’s finished. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

“Could someone at least get us an update?”

The nurse nodded. ”I’ll see what I can find out.” A few seconds later, she returned. “Good news. You can see her now. I’ll take you over.” She led them down the hall, past Aidan’s curtain to another cubicle.

The doctor came out as they arrived.

“How’s my sister?” Matt asked, his voice anxious.

The gray-haired man gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “She’s got some fairly serious injuries, but she should make a full recovery.” He paused. “I’m sorry to tell you that she lost the baby. Miscarriages at this stage of pregnancy are common, especially after the trauma she endured.”

Poor Lindsay. How would she handle this devastating news?

“The worst of her injuries are a broken arm and two broken ribs. We’ve set the arm and taped the ribs as best we could. The other lacerations and bruising we’re treating with ice and painkillers.”

“Can I see her?” Matt asked.

“Sure. Just try not to wake her. She needs the sleep right now.”

Matt stepped into the cubicle.

Chloe turned back to the doctor. “Were you able to tell if…” She trailed off, unable to voice to her question.

He gave her a frank look. “Besides the miscarriage and broken bones, there was no other sign of trauma. She was beaten, nothing more.”

“Thank you, doctor.” Chloe exhaled deeply. One thing to be grateful for.

“Do you know if the girl’s parents are on the way? We need her medical history as well as insurance information.”

Chloe stiffened. “I’ve left a message for her mother. The father’s out of the picture.” She prayed Mrs. Brown would pick up her voice mail message and get to the hospital.

“Let me know when you hear from her.”

“I will. Thank you so much for your help.”

He gave a brisk nod.

Chloe pushed through the opening in the curtain.

Bruised and swollen, Lindsay barely resembled the girl who’d arrived at the party that night. Her broken arm lay on top of the covers, the pink cast giving a garish glow. IV tubes snaked down to her taped hand.

Matt’s head lay on Lindsay’s good arm. Quiet sobs shook his frame. “I’m so sorry, Linds. This is all my fault.”

Chloe slid beside him and laid her hand on Matt’s back. “It’s not your fault, honey. You’re not responsible for what they did.”

His shoulders continued to shake.

Chloe pulled up a chair and prepared to share his vigil. “Come on, let’s pray for Lindsay and Mr. North.” As she took Matt’s hand and prayed out loud, she offered a silent entreaty to God for Matt’s deliverance from the guilt that haunted him.