Chapter 28

Sterling’s men cuffed the writhing lawyer and escorted him out the room, Miss Kerns following with her own set of constraints. Mr. and Mrs. Shelby reunited.

Elissa fell to her knees beside Cole, his crimson-stained hands clutching his right shoulder, his face twisted in anguish.

“We need to get you help.” Her tears streamed almost as fast as Cole’s blood gushed. What had she been thinking? Pulling a phony gun on someone with a real one. Cole had recognized her bluff and saved her, the bullet marked for her now lodging in his pain-stricken body. “I’m so sorry.”

“Seeing you cry … hurts worse.” Cole’s gaze pierced hers, his husky tone strained. “It’s … nothing, Spark.” He sucked in air through his teeth and sat up, the entire area around his shoulder soaked with blood.

The gruesome flow had to be blocked. She fished her handkerchief from her overcoat pocket and pressed it against the wound.

Cole winced.

She whispered another apology, staring at the flimsy piece of cotton—a poor relief against the pulsing surge.

Sterling crouched beside her. “Let’s take a look.”

She removed the handkerchief, and Sterling’s thick fingers tore the fabric of Cole’s shirt, exposing the gashed flesh.

Elissa gasped.

“It’s deep.” Concern threaded Sterling’s voice. “Gotta get you to Mercy. Can you stand?”

Cole nodded. Sterling slid a hand under Cole’s good shoulder and helped him to his feet.

Mercy Hospital stood only a mile away, but how much more blood would Cole lose between here and there?

“I’m going to pull my squad car ’round front.” Sterling assisted Cole to lean against the wall. “Don’t faint in front of your girl, Parker. I won’t let you live it down.” His words were playful, but seriousness flooded his eyes. He assessed the injury one more time and bolted from the room.

“Elissa.” Cole’s weak drawl pulled her closer. “I need you to do something.”

With her left hand steadying his good side, she used her right to push the hair from his forehead, fingers trailing to cup his jaw. “Anything.”

“Leave.”

Her hand dropped from his face. “What?”

“Get to the newsroom.” He mashed his mouth together and swallowed. “Write the scoop.”

Her gaze snapped to the notepad she’d dropped when the turmoil had started. This would be an exclusive for the Review. A story of this caliber would pull in revenue. Get national attention. A journalist’s dream.

What if this headline could save the paper from being sold?

“All set.” Sterling reappeared, rain dotting his suit, umbrella in hand. “It’s a torrent out there.”

“Here’s your chance, Spark.” Cole winked at her, pain bunching the corners of his eyes. “Show the world what you’ve got.”

Sterling stepped between them, allowing her no chance to respond to Cole’s words.

He leaned into his cousin and ambled away. She stood in the doorway, gaze lingering on Cole until he disappeared from the mezzanine. The handkerchief moistened her palm, reddening the cracks of her skin. A couple of weeks ago, Cole had stolen her golden opportunity, and now, in the exact same building, he handed it to her with his gracious blessing.

A sob rocked through her.

She nabbed the notepad from the floor and scurried out of the room, praying with all her soul she’d made the right decision.

“Are you here for my Last Rites prayer?” Cole struggled against the searing fire in his shoulder and forced a smile at the nurse who’d introduced herself as Sister Mary Monaca.

The nun softly chuckled and shook her head. “The only blessing I’ll be saying is the one over your dinner.”

His stomach protested. Because of his history of addiction, Cole had declined any use of opium, choosing over-the-counter pain relievers which had done nothing to calm the raging burn. “How long do I have to wear this thing?” The sling not only looked pathetic but didn’t do much good limiting the movement.

“For a while.” She gently prodded the area around the gauze. “Has the anesthetic worn off?”

Cole slid his eyes shut against the pain.

“Guess so. Be careful not to move too much. The concern now is infection. We need to keep the wound clean.” Sister Mary Monaca’s white habit swallowed her frame, leaving only her oval face and plump hands visible. She motioned another nun, holding a tray, into the room. “The doctor said you must eat. Set the food in front of our patient, Sister Ferdinand. If he eats, allow the officer in for questioning.”

The nun must be referring to Sterling. But what was all that about questioning?

“That includes your vegetables.” Sister Mary Monaca raised a gray brow at Cole, her chin upturned.

Cole would laugh if he could be sure his stitches wouldn’t burst. There wasn’t much room in this antiseptic-laden cubicle, but Cole wouldn’t decline a familiar face.

He shoved a bite of potatoes in his mouth. With a nod, Sister Mary Monaca left, the smaller nun following.

A rolled newspaper edged the dinner tray. Cole grimaced at the masthead.

Pittsburgh Post?

And they expected him to get better? He grunted and, with his good arm, opened the competitor’s evening spread.

Daniel Shelby Alive, Exposes His Assailants

Cole gaped at the headline, the potatoes in his stomach hardening to brick. He scanned the article. Pittsburgh Post had gained the exclusive. Where was Elissa? Why hadn’t she—

“Do you have enough to share?” Sterling removed his hat and entered the room. “Missed lunch in all this excitement.”

“I can’t believe this. Pittsburgh Post got the story.” He tossed the paper aside, his shoulder throbbing.

“Careful there. Don’t want to aggravate anything.”

Cole didn’t understand. Her dream was right there. So close. “She lost the opportunity. Again.”

His cousin swiped the roll from his plate and shoved it in his mouth, lips smacking as he chewed. “She couldn’t very well be two places at once.”

Cole’s brow lowered. “What do you mean?”

Elissa appeared in the doorway, eyes wide and stunning. “I came here instead.” A Mercy Hospital blanket wrapped around her, the bottom of her dress rumpled and discolored. Had she walked from the courthouse in the downpour?

Their gazes melded, the silence speaking clearer than words. She came to the hospital instead of going to the newsroom. Chose him over her long-cherished dream. His chest swelled with love for her.

Sterling cleared his throat. “I’m … uh … going to wait outside. Guard the door against Sister What’s Her Name.” Glancing between them, a twinge of sadness marked his eyes. He focused on his hat in his hands and then strode toward the exit. “Don’t be too long. I convinced the nun I was here for police investigations and needed Miss Tillman to accompany me.”

Ah. Smart. Otherwise, Elissa wouldn’t have been able to see Cole because she wasn’t family. “Thanks, cousin. I owe you.”

“You’ve done enough.” His eyes locked on Cole’s like a firm handshake, and then he stepped out.

“How are you feeling?” Elissa moved farther into the room, a cautiousness marking her steps as if she was unaware of her welcome.

Cole shifted, straightening against the five pillows Sister Mary Monaca lodged under his back. “Never been better.” He shot her a smile. “Got my consolation prize in a jar and my favorite girl for company.”

Her nose wrinkled when she caught sight of the bullet on the side table. “They put it in a jar for you?”

“Much better than tonsils, don’t you agree?”

She bit her lip, fighting a smile. Another step, but not near enough for him to reach her. Her gaze traveled to his shoulder. The amusement in her eyes disappeared. “I’m sorry, Cole. I was so foolish. You could’ve been …”

Killed.

He moved his hand, palm up, beckoning her.

She glided closer and slipped her fingers in his.

“When MacAfferty turned his gun on you, in that flickering second, my world died. For me, there is no tomorrow without you in it.”

She sniffed, eyes glassy.

“But so you know.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m confiscating that silly gun lighter.”

“I’ll gladly surrender it.”

“Just like you surrendered your chance at the golden article? Being placed above the fold?” He raised a brow. “Spark, that was your dream.”

Her lashes lowered. “Somewhere along the way, my dream and my heart blended.”

This blasted injury. Crushing her in his arms seemed the only appropriate response. “There’s something I want to tell you. Words you need to hear.” His gaze settled on her, and he stroked her index finger with his thumb. “But I’d rather not be in a hospital gown, smelling like ether, when I say them.”

She nodded, exhaustion framing her smile.

“You need to get some rest, sweetheart. I’m sure you’ll see me soon.” He flicked a glance at his bandaged shoulder and then to her. “As you can tell, I’m not easily gotten rid of.”

“I’m glad for that.” She bent low and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. “And as much as I would love to return home, it’s off to the police station for me.” She feigned a frown, but excitement ignited her eyes. This woman loved adventure. “Thanks to Miss Kerns, the two thugs from Shelby’s office have been arrested. She ratted out her own husband and brother, hoping to get a lighter sentence. Sterling needs me to identify them.”

“Which was the wiry one?”

“Her husband.” She smoothed the ripples in the blanket draping the side of the bed. “MacAfferty hired them all. He was the mastermind. The object was to get the plans and then get rid of Mr. Shelby.”

“Poor Shelby. Some friend, huh?”

She twisted her lip, eyes thoughtful. “But I still don’t understand the idea behind the perfume. Why did Mr. Shelby let her douse her fragrance on him, when he wasn’t having any relations with her?”

“Simple. He’d lost his sense of smell.”

Her jaw dropped. “What? How did you know?”

“Remember the cayenne pepper you found in his desk? Apparently, Shelby dumped the stuff on his food. It reminded me of my aunt who had done the same thing. She had dulled senses, and the only way she could taste anything was with a strong spice. I told Sterling, and he verified it with Shelby’s doctor. Shelby was embarrassed about it. He told no one. But the doctor and MacAfferty are friends from college.”

Elissa’s mouth made an O.

Sterling rapped on the door. “Hurry it up, you two. Sister Mary is coming down the hall.”

With one last squeeze of his hand, Elissa voiced her goodbye. Cole eased his head back on the pillow. No sling, no hospital room, and no Sister Mary Monaca could keep Cole any longer than necessary from her. Three unspoken words separated them, but not for long.