Chapter 93

CHAPTER 93

POE WATCHED IN amazement as Unit 4 spun into motion, like an impeccably rehearsed ballet. Grey was wheeled into a spacious wood-paneled suite, changed into a soft cotton gown, then transferred gently onto an oversized hospital bed.

Then, so she wouldn’t need to be wheeled off again for tests, advanced diagnostic equipment started coming to her. First, a team with a portable CT scanner. Next, a technician with a small x-ray machine.

Within minutes, Grey was examined by the head of the emergency department, then by the chief of neurology. Her scalp bruise was cleaned and bandaged by an attentive resident. By the time Dr. Schulte herself wheeled in a sleek white sonogram cart, she already had all the other results.

“The images of your head look good, Helene,” she said. “No fractures. No swelling. No internal bleeding. You’re lucky you have such thick hair. Good cushion.”

“Thick hair or thick head?” asked Grey with a wan smile.

Schulte tapped a few keys on the console. “Now let’s check on those babies.” Schulte slid Grey’s gown up and applied warm gel to her belly, then picked up the wand and moved it slowly across her abdomen. Poe leaned in close to the monitor as the images came into focus.

“There they are,” said Schulte, pointing to the two tiny bean shapes on the screen. “Safe and sound.” She tapped another key. The room filled with the sound of a tiny heartbeat—then another.

Grey looked over at Poe and patted his hand. “See? I told you I was fine.”

Poe dropped his head and let out a loud exhale. It felt like he’d been holding his breath for an hour. “Thank God.”

Schulte wiped the gel from Grey’s abdomen with a warm towel, then lowered her gown and covered her with a soft blanket. “You’re going to be fine, Helene. Just get some rest, okay?”

Grey nodded and settled back on the pillow. She looked relieved but exhausted.

“Be right back,” said Poe, squeezing her hand. He followed Dr. Schulte out of the suite and back into the serene reception area. “I want to thank you,” he said, catching up to her. “For the celebrity treatment, I mean.”

“Happy to do it,” said Schulte. “I’m glad Helene’s okay.” She stopped and turned to face him. “But actually, Mr. Poe, this is partly to thank you . You and your partners. For everything you’ve done.”

Poe’s throat tightened. He stared at the floor. For a second, he flashed to the image of that tiny corpse in the camera box in that cold, deserted building. “We didn’t get them all back, you know,” he said. “We lost one.”

“I know. I heard,” said Schulte. “And that’s a tragedy. For you. For us. For the parents. But you rescued the other five. And five more from the school bus. And the three from the TV studio. That’s thirteen lives.” Schulte gave Poe’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “That’s a very good outcome.”

Dr. Schulte turned and waved her key card. The door parted, then closed behind her. Poe walked back into Grey’s suite. Her eyes were closed. Her chest rose and fell in a gentle rhythm. Poe stood by the bed for a minute, just staring at her face.

He pulled his gun out of its holster and ejected the clip. He opened the top drawer in the bedside stand and put the weapon and ammo inside. Then he gently lowered the rail on the bed and kicked off his shoes. He slid one knee onto the mattress, then the other, trying not to jostle Grey too much as he nestled in beside her. He rested his cheek on the edge of her pillow and placed one hand on her arm.

His body was exhausted, but his brain was spinning. He had so many questions to ask her. About where she’d disappeared to. And if she planned to disappear again. But none of that now. Helene’s eyelids fluttered and her eyes opened for a couple of seconds.

“Sorry,” Poe whispered. “Is there room for two?”

Grey reached for his hand. She pulled it down until it rested on the blanket over her belly. Then she closed her eyes again.

“Four,” she said softly. “Did you forget how to count?”