Unbreakable (City Lights, #2)(36)

I emerged from my father’s embrace. Marilyn Gardener, who looked dressed for Sunday brunch, held me by the shoulders and kissed my cheeks. “Oh, Alexandra. Darling. What mess have you gotten yourself into this time?” She heaved a sigh, taking in my disheveled and bloody appearance with cool blue eyes that melted a little to look at me. “Well, all that matters is that you’re safe.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I said dully.

I turned and there was Drew. My heart ached with a sudden pang to see his familiar face. Tall and lean and dark, he was the complete opposite of Cory, but he was my fiancé—by best friend in many ways—and I fell into his arms, hoping to feel a surge of passionate love sweep over me. Instead, I felt comfortable in Drew’s embrace, like being wrapped in a favorite blanket or putting on a favorite sweater.

“I was so worried,” Drew murmured. “I didn’t know what had happened to you. It wasn’t until two days ago that we found out you were in that bank.” He pulled away and looked at me hard with his blue eyes. Concern was etched into his narrow face and angular features. “Are you all right? Truly?”

How can I know that right now? I wanted to cry. The ordeal’s end wasn’t two hours old. But I forced another smile, mostly for my father’s sake. “I’m not injured if that’s what you mean.”

“Good,” Mother said. “Now let’s get you home and out of those clothes. You look a fright.”

“Afraid not,” Officer Paulson cut in. “Ms. Gardener is a prime witness. We need to take a full statement—”

“Nonsense.” My mother squared her shoulders and tossed her shoulder-length silver-blond hair. “She’s not going to flee the country, for God’s sake. She needs to rest, shower, and change out of those horrid clothes.” She turned to Drew and patted his cheek. “Drew, love, be a dear and take Alexandra home…”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can’t allow that.” Officer Paulson looked apologetically at me. “You’ll be required to come to the station for questioning tomorrow, after you’ve rested. But right now, I need to get a preliminary witness statement. Just a few questions.” He indicated for me to sit in the waiting area.

I ignored my mother’s complaints and did as Officer Paulson directed, secretly grateful and guilty all at once. The highly intimate things Cory and I had spoken of and the few precious minutes we spent in the office alone were vivid in my mind. I imagined every bit of it was written on my face for Drew to see. But I couldn’t leave the hospital until I knew if Cory was going to be all right.

I answered Paulson’s questions—mostly regarding the monster squad—glancing frequently down the hallway for any sign of someone who might be able to tell me whether Cory had lived or died.

When Paulson asked if I knew any of the criminals prior to the robbery, my mother bristled. “Really. My daughter is a very important attorney. Alexandra doesn’t consort with those sorts of people.”

I offered Officer Paulson a wan smile. “That would a be a ‘no.’”

The questioning went on and I did my best to answer fully, but down the hallway another officer was talking to a nurse. Finally, a doctor in OR scrubs rounded the corner and joined them. Automatically I rose, and walked fast down the hallway, then jogged, then ran.

“Is he all right?” I demanded. “Is he going to be all right?”

The nurse started to gently but firmly direct me back to the waiting area back, the doctor—a tall woman with dark hair and kind but sharp blue eyes glanced briefly at my blood-splattered clothes. “Are you the young lady who rode in with Cory Bishop? Yes, must be, must be.” She smiled gently. “I’m Dr. Lownds. The surgery went well.”

“Who is this Cory person?” my mother asked, coming up behind me with my father and Drew in tow. “What surgery?”

“He was a hostage with me,” I said quickly, then turned to the doctor. “So he’s…okay? He lost so much blood…”

“Yes,” she replied. “He sustained a gunshot wound to the middle lobe of his right lung, as well as two shattered ribs. But we were able to retrieve the bullet and repair the lung tissue. He is currently on a ventilator but we don’t anticipate he’ll have to remain on it for very long. He’s a strong young man, that Mr. Bishop.”

I closed my eyes for a moment as relief washed over me. “Can I see him?”

“He’s in the ICU now and under heavy sedation. But so long as his vitals look as good as they have been, you should be able to visit him some time tomorrow.”

The nurse patted my hand. “Have you any idea how we can get in touch with his family, dear?”

“He has a wife…or no. Not a wife. Georgia…I don’t know her last name.”

The nurse smiled. “I’m sure these fine officers will track her down.” She gave Drew a polite but knowing smile and nodded toward the waiting area.

I let Drew lead me away but stopped. “He saved my life. I want everyone to know that.”

“We’ll get the whole story, ma’am,” Officer Paulson said, and took me back to the waiting area for a few more questions. I was finally released to go home with an appointment at the Westwood Police Station with the F.B.I. the next day.

“You and Drew will come to dinner Saturday night,” Mother said, kissing my cheeks again, and then she held my chin in her manicured hand. “Oh darling,” she sighed and just before she turned away, I saw the glitter of tears in her eyes. “Come, Ralph.” She began to walk toward the front doors, her heels clicking. “You know how I hate the smell of hospitals.”