Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (book club recommendations txt) 📗

We were at Cook County. Crap. I hoped no one was working this late that might know me. I really didn’t feel like answering any questions or getting hugs and sympathy from anyone right now.

“Because the agents I texted to meet me replied saying they could meet me at the front door. I didn’t ask why, baby, if that’s your next question. I just need a couple of agents to be with you while I take care of this situation and that’s where they said they could meet.”

“And by situation you mean you can’t tell me… Right?”

“Right.” He kissed the back of my hand as we hustled to the door. Did he just say “a couple of agents?” Do I really need more than one agent? The evening wind was killer. A good night to stay in and snuggle by the fire. Sigh. I wished he didn’t have to work so we could be home in front of the fire watching football.

We finally made it inside after what seemed like the longest walk in history in that subzero weather. Two agents were inside waiting for us. One female and one male.

“Baby, this is Special Agent Cristina Cortez and Special Agent Todd Hawkins.” Josh let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around my waist. I shook each agent’s hand. “They go where you go,” Josh explained. Hawkins? Is this the same Hawkins that Josh didn’t want to come to his apartment?

“Great!” I exclaimed. “I’m going home. Josh, your keys please,” I stated holding my hand out, smirking inwardly. The agents’ eyes flashed to Josh, speechless. Shock spread across Josh’s face.

“I’m kidding,” I giggled. “I’m just having some fun with y’all.”

Agents Cristina and Todd smirked, enjoying Josh’s reaction.

“Isabel, you’re not funny,” Josh whispered in my ear, kissing me just under it.

“I think I am,” I whispered back. “I really owe you worse than that for talking to my parents about marriage before you talked to me.”

“We’ll discuss this later,” he whispered. “And please stay put. There is a nice waiting area by the ER. I’d like you to stay there,” he ordered and stalked off, thanking the two agents.

Hmph. What did he expect me to do while I waited for him? Should I make small talk with my new bodyguards? I took my jacket off and started heading for the ER. Maybe someone can tell me Caroline’s condition. I could also check to see if David was brought here.

The agents followed close by. Both of them looked just like Josh when he was in FBI mode. I glanced at one, then the other. They were trying not to stare at my attire. I rolled my eyes at Josh. I knew I was going to get stares. I heard Cortez clear her throat.

“Uh, Dr. Langley.” Her voice was low and apprehensive. “If you don’t mind me asking, but are you wearing Rockwall’s clothes?” No doubt they were both curious and Todd probably appointed her to ask since she was the female.

“Sadly, I am,” I replied, pruning my face. “I, um… trashed the clothes Victor Chang gave me and I haven’t made it to my house to get any.” I hoped I didn’t divulge too much for Josh’s sake.

“We heard about how they found Chang,” Todd interjected. “Rumor is you’re the one who drugged him and taped him up.”

Was that a question or a statement? I couldn’t tell. “Um, yup. Except I don’t know what drug I gave him. It was some round chocolates that he had all over the house,” I said.

“Opioids,” Todd said matter-of-factly. “You gave him an opioid. Chang was smuggling it in for the past year but the DEA or the FBI were never able to pin it on him.”

I felt a pang of guilt remembering David and how he told me he was helping the DEA. I was so cold with him. I hoped he was here so I could see him. I wondered if he’d even be conscious. Josh said they were able to jumpstart him but what did that mean exactly? We reached the nurses’ station but no one was at the desk. I looked around. No one I knew was working. I heard someone yelling my name. Both agents turned in the direction of the voice and stepped in front of me. It was Uncle Fitz walking towards us holding a cup of coffee.

“Uncle Fitz!” I shouted. “Oh, Uncle Fitz!” I stepped around the agents to embrace Caroline’s father. He hugged me so tight I had to tell him I couldn’t breathe. He loosened his hug but didn’t let go.

“Oh, Isabel Grace…” His voice was gruff with emotion. He kissed my forehead several times. “Isabel… thank you,” he said, holding back tears. “Caroline told us…” The tears were spilling over his cheek. He could hardly speak.

“Uncle Fitz,” I said in a shaky voice, “just tell me how she’s doing. That’s all I want to know.” Tears were rolling down my cheeks.

He pulled away to wipe his tears and look at me. “She’s doing just fine,” he grinned. “They gave her a few pints of blood, took the bullet out and she is resting comfortably. She’ll make a full recovery.”

“I’m so glad to hear it,” I sighed, wiping my tears with my sleeve. “When can I see her?”

“Come by tomorrow late morning. She should be awake by then. I’ll let you know if it’s sooner.”

“That sounds great.” I smiled.

“Well,” he eyed the two agents. “I’d better head back to her and her mother. I just came down for coffee.” I was sure he was wondering why I had bodyguards. I didn’t know what to say. My boyfriend still thinks I’m in danger of getting killed by a nurse that was employed here so he’s acting extra paranoid and won’t let me be alone? I thought that might have