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

“Smile, Isabel, someone with beautiful eyes like yours shouldn’t look so sad,” he said. Good grief! This young punk did not need to start flirting with me because I was really not in the mood. He handed me my drink but didn’t let go right away. I looked up at him, read his nametag and forced a half smile.

“Kevin. It is Kevin, isn’t it?” I asked dryly.

“Yes, gorgeous it is.”

“Well, Kevin, it looks like you’re one of those and I’m not interested in one of those. Don’t misunderstand me. You look to be about nineteen, twenty, and I’m sure a lot of young, stupid girls that frequent this establishment would swoon at the sight of you in that uniform, with your name tag and your oh so charming conversation. As for me, I’m not as young as I look or as stupid as you look so let go of my fucking drink so I can be on my way.”

“Whatever,” he said, giving me my drink. I rolled up my window and looked at him one last time. He was frowning. I mouthed a goodbye to him and left.

I headed for the hospital feeling a bit less agitated and more levelheaded. I parked in my spot and headed for the ER so David could let me in the ICU. I found David and he escorted me to the ICU. Jill was awake and seemed alert. She was propped up on two pillows watching the television. Relief washed through me. She was also alone. Stevens was gone but I noticed another agent by her door. David was reading her chart and started to check the machines.

“Dr. Annie Rodriguez is her doctor but I think she’s already come and gone.” David walked around to Jill’s bedside and started taking her vitals.

“Can I hug her?” I asked enthusiastically.

“Yes, of course just be careful…and gentle.”

“Oh, Jill! I was so worried! You look great! How do you feel?”

“Like I’ve been shot even though I was stabbed.” She was barely moving but she seemed comfortable.

“Are you in a lot of pain?”

“Surprisingly no. They have me on a lot of morphine so I feel okay.”

“Ladies, please excuse me. I’m getting a 911 page so I have to run but I’ll be back. Isabel, please don’t leave without talking to me first.” David gently moved me out of his way and kissed me on the cheek before he exited. Huh. That was unexpected.

“Are you and Doctor Summers back together?” she asked, surprised.

“No, no, we’re not. I suppose he’s just trying to be a better friend?” I looked at her confused as well. “So where is Stevens? He was here yesterday by your bedside in a bloody shirt, his arm in a sling and looking like something the cat dragged in. I think you gave him a good scare. Who knew someone as intimidating as he could get scared by a tiny thing like you.”

She snickered lightly, her face puckering from the pain. “I was told he had to get checked by a doctor again. Something about his shoulder getting an infection and it spreading to his arm.”

“So, that explains the new agent sitting outside. Do you know his name?” I asked.

“No, not yet. Today is my first day being able to speak without problems. When they took the tube out, my throat was sore and it hurt to swallow or say anything.” She exhaled softly.

“Do you know if you’re staying on this case or will the DA pass it to someone else?” I asked.

“Well.” She paused to think. “I think I should be able to keep it. I mean I have plenty of time to recover and even if I’m moving slow it’s not like I have to run a marathon. I’ll be sitting at the table in court, not running around. Plus, my paralegal can do all the leg work,” she added.

I was about to talk about the case when nurse Ginger walked in. I decided to get out of her way and sit down while she checked Jill and changed her saline bag. I stayed quiet while she worked and just watched. She took out a syringe with medicine in it and pushed the contents of it through Jill’s IV… at least I hoped it was medicine. She glared at me and didn’t crack a smile. The tension between us was palpable and I honestly didn’t understand why. I really didn’t know her or she me. She was an attractive woman with long blonde hair; she always had it in a bun or a ponytail. She had attractive blue eyes and red lips. She was very petite. In fact, I felt like a giant next to her with my five-foot, seven-inch stature. I would venture to say she was probably five foot two at the most but attractive nonetheless. She had no reason to feel insecure about David or me. He chose her. I looked at Jill and she had her eyes closed. Maybe that medicine was to help her sleep. Ginger finished and walked toward me, hands on her hips, giving me a death stare.

Here we go…I took a deep breath, “Can I help you, Ginger?”

“You can help by staying the fuck away from David! You’re playing games with his emotions and it’s affecting him. He chose me because you’re too much of a prude to deal with. You’re really just another stuck-up bitch!”

“Charming,” I replied with a sardonic grin. “Do you kiss your pimp with that mouth?”

She was about to yank me out of my chair when David walked in and grabbed her by the arm.

“Perfect timing, David,” I said with censure in my voice. “You can tell the help to leave now. She’s all done here.”

“FUCKING BITCH!” Ginger’s voice was a little too loud and the other nurses outside looked