Authors: Kris Norris
Sam stepped up beside him. “She must have been standing at the sink. The guy was probably waiting in the stall. Sees her bent over washing her hands and sticks the knife in her back before she even knows he’s there.”
“Explains why she didn’t struggle.” Gage looked more closely at the sink.
“Looks like she was pulled backwards.
See how the prints smear towards the rim.” He copied the motion with his hands. “He jumps out behind her, stabs her, and then drags her back here before pulling out the knife.”
Sam nodded. “He lets go and she falls to the floor. Then the bastard runs out the door, but Emma sees him ducking out the back, and finds Brooklyn unconscious.”
“But Emma said she saw Brooklyn lying in a pool of blood. That means she must’ve been lying here for several minutes. Why did the guy wait so long to leave?”
“Maybe he was rifling through her purse? Or maybe there were people nearby and he had to wait until they left?”
Gage sighed. He had a bad feeling nothing would make much sense until Brooklyn regained her memory, and a part of him hoped she wouldn’t. “Well, at least we have a sense of what happened. Now all we have to do is answer why.” He motioned to Sam. “We can leave now.”
Sam nodded as Gage opened the door and stepped out, careful to avoid the blood. He took two steps towards the door before stopping.
“Something wrong?” asked Sam.
“I just need to check something out.” He walked down the hallway and disappeared around the corner.
“Find what you were looking for?” asked Sam as Gage rounded the corner.
“Sort of.”
He stopped in front of Sam, frowning. “There’s nothing wrong with the ladies room. I checked the toilets, they’re all working, and there’s no lock on the outer door.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I just don’t understand why she went in there.”
Sam grabbed Gage by the shoulder, easing him forward. “I’m sure Brook can fill that part in when she’s stronger. Or maybe Emma will know. We can talk to her later. Either way, I doubt we’ll find the answer here.” He glanced down at his watch. “And you made me promise to have you back at the hospital before Brook woke up again.”
Gage grunted, following Sam to the door. Trevor stepped up beside them as they reached for the handle.
“You guys finished?” asked Trevor.
“It’s like you said. There’s not much to go over,” said Sam. “Thanks for letting us take a look. I owe you one.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ll have our CSI department fax a copy of their findings to you.”
“I’d appreciate that.” He shook Trevor’s hand as he stepped onto the pavement.
“Hey, Gage.”
Gage stopped, looking back at the man over his shoulder.
Trevor forced a smile. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can do. I hate seeing these
kind
of crimes go unpunished, especially for one of our own.”
Gage nodded. “Thanks.” He walked out, joining Sam at the car. “Let’s go. I need to be there if Brook wakes up again.”
“Sure thing, buddy.”
Sam smiled. “Wouldn’t want to keep you away from the woman you’re about to divorce.”
Gage growled as he opened the car door. “Just get in and drive.”
* * * *
“Gage.”
Brooklyn’s head tossed on the pillow, a grimace twisting her lips.
“Easy,” he soothed. “The medicine should kick in any moment.”
“But the mirror…I see…” She drifted off.
Gage sighed and brushed the hair from her face, tracing the gentle curve of her jaw. She’d been restless for nearly an hour, and he’d finally paged the nurse. Nick had come instead. He patted Gage on the shoulder before shoving another needle of morphine into the tube in her arm. Then he’d sighed, adjusted the flow of liquid through the I.V. and disappeared.
“Better, darling?”
Brook mumbled as her head lolled off to one side. Gage tried to smile as he sat back down, sandwiching her hand in his. He’d been back for hours, but she hadn’t opened her eyes. Not even with the steady stream of visitors. First Emma, who’d broken into hysterical sobs again the instant she’d seen Brooklyn’s pale face beneath the covers. He’d immediately given up any hope of questioning her. Then Jack Reynolds had stopped by, sighing loudly, before patting him on the shoulder as he walked away. And of course there was Sam. He’d only just convinced the man to leave thirty minutes ago. He wanted to be alone with Brook. Hold her hand and touch her skin, without wondering what others were thinking. He didn’t want to think.
“Gage.”
He bent down over her. She’d whispered his name several times, though she seemed lost somewhere. “I’m here, Brook.” He squeezed her hand, reassuring her he was still perched at her side.
“Someone’s here…don’t…” Her voice trailed off. She was gone again.
She’s not really here.
Perhaps, but he wanted to believe she could hear him—sense his presence. He brushed his lips against her ear. “It’s okay. I won’t let him hurt you.”
“Love you.”
How long had he waited to hear those words from her…to believe what he knew to be false? Yet she’d spoken them twice in the same day.
Yeah, while heavily medicated with morphine!
Still, she’d said them. That must mean something.
You want it to mean something.
No, he needed it to mean something. He needed her back in his life. He needed to hold her, to protect her. He needed…
“Rest,” he said, stroking her hair. “We’ll talk later.”
* * * *
Brooklyn
opened her eyes, squinting at the bright light streaming in the window. Her head felt heavy and she couldn’t seem to get warm. She rolled slightly then stilled, waiting for the pain to ignite in her back. She didn’t remember much, but she remembered the pain.
Smothering, eye-rolling pain that seared through her whenever she tried to move.
She held her breath, but the pain didn’t come.
Morphine.
Not much else will help you at this point.
She must have had another shot, which explained the foggy feeling swirling in her head. She looked over at the couch. “Gage,” she breathed.
He was sleeping, his head propped up on a pillow. He had one arm wrapped around his shoulder, while the other dangled an inch from the floor. She drew a deep breath. He was, without a doubt, the most handsome man she’d ever laid eyes on. The way the sun accentuated the blond streaks in his hair as his chest moved in a steady rhythm. His figure looked even larger wedged on the small sofa, and the sight of it stole her breath. She wanted to reach out, feel the strong beat of his heart beneath her fingers. He was so close.
He’d only run away.
The thought sliced through her, bringing a pain the morphine couldn’t ease. How had she let it to get so far? Allowed the only man she’d truly loved to slip away until the rift was so deep no bridge could span it? She loved Gage—had since the moment she’d met him—and she feared she would until the day she died.
But he’s here. That must mean something.
She sighed. Gage was a protector. There was no question about that. Even the distance between them wouldn’t stop him from playing the role of the gallant knight. It was one of the things she loved most about him. How he always made her feel safe.
A tear trickled down her cheek. She hadn’t felt that kind of security since their last night together. She hadn’t realised how angry he was until he’d touched her. He’d been rough. Of course she understood why, now. But at the time, it’d been an erotic mixture of uncertainty and lust. It’d been the last time she’d touched him. Felt his skin, hot against her lips, her body. She’d gone down on him first, savouring the taste of him, so completely male it made the juices weep from her body. There were times she’d get so close to climaxing while sucking on his cock, he’d only touch her once before she’d explode. He used to love when that happened. He’d smile. Tell her how much he loved her. How he’d never get enough of her.
But not now.
Since that night, he’d gone to extreme lengths to avoid being around her. He’d slept at the office, worked weeks on end, until she couldn’t even remember the last time he’d held her, let alone kissed her. There’d been no love in his touch that night, and she supposed there never would be again. She’d lost him, and she knew as soon as she was strong enough to leave the hospital, he’d disappear from her life completely.
Gage felt the sun warm his skin an instant before he realised he was being watched. He tensed, prepared to pounce, as he opened his eyes and met the gaze staring back at him.
Blue eyes, glassy, brimming with a familiar sparkle.
“Hey.”
Her voice was soft and low, and for a moment he wasn’t sure he’d heard her speak. Some of the colour had returned to her cheeks, and a tentative smile touched the corners of her mouth. He rose from the couch and moved to the edge of the bed, their eyes still locked. He eased into the chair, lowering his face until it was even with hers. “Welcome back.”
Her smile widened. “Was I gone long?”
He touched her gently on the cheek. “Two days.”
Her expression hardened for an instant. He could see the confusion in the lines of her face. She reached out, tracing the line of his jaw, rubbing her fingers gently across his shadowed chin. He must look like hell. He hadn’t shaved, and he knew his clothes were wrinkled.
“How long have you been here?” she asked, grazing her fingers against his.
He chuckled. “Two days.”
“You stayed.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I could do.” He took her hand in his. “How do you feel?”
“Tired…cold.” She paused, as if deciding whether to continue.
“Confused.”
Gage stood up and walked over to a small closet on the other side of the room. “The tired will take care of
itself
,” he said, as he opened up the door and removed a thin cotton blanket. He shook it out and returned to the bed, draping it gently across her body. “The cold I can help you with. But the confusion is going to be a bit harder.” He took her hand again. “Do you remember what happened?”
She stared at him, her bottom lip quivering,
her
eyes wide and teary. “No.” Her voice was timid, and he knew she was scared.
“Nothing at all?”
“Why don’t you tell me, and I’ll let you know?”
“The doctor thinks it’s better if you remember on your own. That way I won’t influence any of your memories.”
“So I’m just supposed to lie here and wonder why the hell my back hurts so
much?
”
Gage smiled. There was a touch of the old Brooklyn in her voice—sarcastic and strong—and he couldn’t help but feel relieved. “I don’t expect you to do anything of the sort. I just want to ease you into the memory. Not throw it at you so you can spend another day unconscious on the bed.” He stroked her fingers. She used to love that. It was one of the many ways he’d learnt to sway her to his reasoning.
Brooklyn
moaned, glancing at her hand. She looked back, grinning. “You’re not fighting fair.”
“It’s the only way I ever win with you.” He moved up her hand, massaging the back in small circles. “Why don’t we begin with what you do remember?”
“I’m not sure where to start.”
“Do you remember going to Emma’s that day?”
“Emma’s?”
The word came out as a question. “Yes, I remember driving over to her house. I was supposed to go somewhere. I didn’t want to.”
“Do you remember where?”
“It had something to do with work.” She stopped, and looked to the side, as if trying to sift through the memory. “That’s right. I was supposed to go to a store, to sign books.” She gasped suddenly, and touched her hand to her temple.
“Brook?” Gage grabbed her shoulder, ready to call the nurse if she so much as sighed the wrong way.
“It’s okay. The images just caught me by surprise. I remember going to the bookstore. Emma wanted me to promote the new novel, but I didn’t want to go.”
“Why not?
You love going to book signings.”
She shook her head. “Not sure. There was something else I had to do that day. Another place I had to go.” She paused, as if trying to remember, but just sighed. “I didn’t want to go there either. It made me feel…”
Gage waited for her to continue, but she didn’t. “Made you feel what?”
“Nothing.
It doesn’t matter.”
“Everything matters. How did it make you feel?”
“Sad. Or perhaps a better description is alone.” She looked at him. “I’m not sure what it means.”
Gage nodded. He knew exactly what it meant. She’d been upset about having to meet him at Jack Reynolds’ office. Probably didn’t want to be stuck in the same room with him.
“Do you know where I was going?” she asked.