Chapter 12

Chapter

Twelve

Lily tried to eat a few bites of the salad as Clint tapped messages on his phone and placed phone calls. He was diligently trying to figure out where this horrible monster was and why he’d left a terrifying poster in her house. Clint hadn’t said the word rape when he’d described the man’s crimes, but she’d read it in the article. She shuddered and set her fork down.

Clint would figure this out, but he obviously didn’t need her. She was relieved it wasn’t Jacob but wished she knew who it was so she could avoid that person. Was it somebody she knew? It had to be. Otherwise why would they target her? Simply because she looked similar to the deceased Mary? Clint hadn’t said anything about that either. Trying to protect her?

She stood. “I’d better get back to work.”

Clint stopped mid-text and stood too, towering over her and imparting the protection and safety he was so great at. Any hint at love and romance had disappeared with this horrific news. As it should. She should be grateful Clint was diligent and would protect her, not wishing he would hold her close and kiss her until she forgot the terrifying situation she was in.

“I don’t want you to go back to work,” he said, pocketing his phone.

“I have to. I can’t leave them short-handed. I’m safe here in the hospital.”

His brow furrowed. She could tell he wanted to argue.

“You’ll be right outside, and I won’t go anywhere but labor and delivery. Some guy isn’t just going to carry me out of there. No one can get in or out without being buzzed through the door.”

He drew in a breath, pushed it out, thumped his closed fist against his leg. Finally, he stepped back. “Okay. I’ll walk you up to work and be listening in. Don’t leave tonight until I come for you.”

“All right.” She gave him a weak smile and picked up her salad to throw it away. He also grabbed his sandwich and tossed it in the trash. “Not hungry?” she asked.

He shook his head and took her hand. They walked out of the cafeteria and down the hall to the staircase.

“Are you all right?” he asked softly as they ascended the stairs. “I know this is terrifying.”

“It is,” she admitted. “That lady that died and her parents … it makes me so sick for them to die in such a horrible way and my heart breaks for their family and friends.” She shivered.

They reached the top of the stairs. Clint turned her toward him and wrapped her up tight. She ran her hands around to his lower back and leaned into his strength.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered against her forehead.

She looked up. The look in his eyes was fierce—protective, loving, and committed to her. What about the issue with Walker? That should be the least of her concerns at the moment, but she wanted Clint devoted to her. She wanted to show him she loved him and pray someday he could love her more than he’d loved Sheryl.

“You’ve got me?” she asked.

“Always.” It was only one word, but it felt like a pledge.

She arched up and kissed him. Clint dropped his hat on the ground and matched the kiss with a passion as fierce as his gaze had been. He surrounded her in the dimly lit stairwell and made the world around them disappear. Nothing existed but her and Clint and their future happiness. His lips were persuasive, warm, and delightful. His strong body was the only protection and home she’d ever need. She clung to him and returned kiss for kiss.

The kisses slowed and he pulled back, smiling tenderly. He was going to declare his love. She knew it. But he bent and picked up his hat, reaching for her hand again. “You’d better get in to work. I’ll figure out who this scum is that would murder an innocent lady and her parents, and dare threaten you.”

It wasn’t the words she wanted, but she appreciated his diligence to protect her. She’d do well to focus on the terror at hand and be very aware. Until she was in his arms again and he could shelter and protect her.

“Thanks,” she managed, her breath still short from his kisses.

“Anytime.” He gave her a quick peck and then walked her into the waiting room outside labor and delivery and the women’s center. “You’ll wait for me right here at seven p.m.?”

“Right here.” She pointed to the floor.

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned and everything was right in the world.

“How could I possibly tell the mighty Sheriff Clint Coleville no?”

His grin widened, his blue eyes sparkling and full of her. “I’m hoping you never will.”

Her own eyes widened. He was going to pursue her and talk to Walker. That was what all of this meant, right? Or was he only trying to reassure and distract her from the horror of what they’d found out at lunch?

“Me too,” she admitted.

“Much obliged.” He tipped his head to her, his hat still in his hand.

She walked on unsteady legs to the door, swiping her card and buzzing in. Glancing back, she saw he was watching. His gaze was reassuring.

As soon as the door closed, she felt decidedly unsteady. She said a prayer and walked away, determined to focus on work.

The next five hours dragged by. They weren’t very busy with only two moms in labor. She restocked supplies, disinfected and cleaned equipment, checked on her moms, and prayed a lot. Fear lodged in her chest. She’d been afraid of what Dr. Hampshire might do to her grandma, but she hadn’t had this terrifying darkness and heaviness pressing down and making it hard to get a full breath. Where was that man who’d murdered Mary Fonnesbeck and her parents? It was surreal that a murderer was targetting Lily and had left that disturbing poster in her house. Thank heavens for Clint or she would be hyperventilating right now.

“Lily,” Jana said. “Why don’t you head out? You seem worn out, and it’s almost seven. I’ll brief the incoming nurses.”

“Okay.” Normally she’d wait and introduce her patients to their new nurse, but she was overwhelmed emotionally and physically right now. She walked into the room of the one patient she had and said goodbye, wished her and her husband a happy and safe delivery. They thanked her and she headed for her locker and grabbed her purse.

Pulling out her phone, she texted Clint. Leaving a bit early. I’ll wait for you in the waiting room.

Already on my way in. Can’t wait to see you.

Ah, that was reassuring. He could hear everything she said and was on his way. More importantly, he couldn’t wait to see her. She wanted to be home, in Clint’s house and in his arms. Her fear and exhaustion would flee then for sure. Thank heavens she had tomorrow off.

She said goodbye to her friends, buzzed out, and walked into the waiting room. She paced circles as she waited for Clint. He’d be coming any minute. Had he gotten held up with a phone call? She was tempted to walk down the stairs to meet him, but she said she’d wait for him here.

The elevator buzzed open behind her. She turned to look. Her eyes widened and she instinctively backed up. “Jacob?”

He wasn’t the murderer. She knew that. He didn’t look anything like the murderer. But when his lips curved into a smile and he darted forward and grabbed her arm, she screamed.

He clamped a hand over her mouth and dragged her back into the elevator. Lily kicked and flailed and hit at him. It slowed but didn’t stop him. He pushed the button for ground floor and the elevator doors shut.

Jacob held her fast, one hand clamped over her mouth, one around her chest like a vice grip. Clint would’ve heard her scream but she wanted to say the code word too. Make certain he knew she was in mortal peril.

She fought Jacob and tried to reach the panic button on the elevator wall. It was just a few inches away, but she couldn’t quite get there.

Her mind scrambled, trying to think what to do. She knew there were cameras all over the hospital; too many for them to pay attention to all of them. Had her friends heard her scream? Nobody had come.

Most importantly, where was Clint? He wouldn’t let Jacob hurt her. Was Jacob the murderer? That made no sense; he didn’t look like Landon Trupp.

“Now, Lily. You’re going to walk out of the hospital quietly with me and not make a fuss.”

She screamed against his hand, scratching at him and fighting to be free.

“You will. Or your parents are done.”

He released his grip around her chest and lifted a small device that looked like a bomb detonator. She had no clue what a real-life detonator looked like, but she’d seen them in movies.

She stopped resisting. Jacob was the murderer. No doubt about it now. Her legs weakened and chills pricked at her skin. He’d kill her parents and whoever else might be at the house tonight.

The elevator door dinged and opened. Jacob released her mouth, took her hand, and walked swiftly, skirting the open foyer of the hospital and heading for the back entrance. Lily was too terrified for her parents to think of defying him.

She could only pray Clint was listening in and would find her, stop this madman before he raped and killed her and blew up her parents’ home.