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

“Ah, huh,” Davis was smirking, “you sound very convincing. You’re on pain medication too, are you saying things you normally wouldn’t?”

David walked in and interrupted our conversation. I swear that man had impeccable timing. I smiled at him and let out a sigh of relief. He noticed, did a double take, walked over to me grinning and kissed the top of my head. Oops, that was a big faux pas. I hoped he didn’t read too much into that. He looked at the machines and checked to see if the saline bag was empty. It looked sufficiently empty but he shook and squeezed it anyway. His gaze then turned to me and it made me flush slightly. The back of his hand brushed across my cheek, leaving goose bumps in its wake.

“Your cheeks are getting their color back, Isabel. You had me scared there for a minute. And those beautiful green eyes of yours are as gorgeous as ever. How do you feel?”

“Hungry,” I replied. “I can’t wait to get out of here and go eat.”

“That’s a very good sign,” he said with a broad smile. “Let me take your IV out and I’ll take you out to dinner.” He sat down on the bed with me to remove the IV.

“Oh, David, that’s very nice of you to offer but I have a birthday dinner waiting for me at home. My mom and brother are in town and she’s cooking brisket.”

“Your mother’s in town? I’d love to come say hello to her, and your brother too, of course. Which brother is here?”

“David, there is no way I’m letting you come over to my house and risk the chance of your crazy, sociopathic, volatile girlfriend finding out. She may poison me in my weakened state.” Both men chuckled.

“Ginger would never poison you. She couldn’t possibly be that vindictive.” David’s tone sounded uncertain. He didn’t look up from my arm. The IV was out and he put a cotton ball and band-aid in its place. His brow puckered for a brief moment. I was slightly bemused by his reaction to my comment. Did I strike a chord? Was I being ungrateful for everything he’d done for me today?

I took his hand in both of mine, saying, “Hey, thank you for all that you did today. Especially for taking good care of me. I don’t know how I can ever thank you for that.”

“Have dinner with me. Please. That’s thanks enough.” He looked like he needed sleep. I felt a pang of guilt.

“David, you look tired. Dinner probably isn’t a good idea. But, if you’re available, come for Sunday brunch tomorrow around ten-thirty. I’ll ask my mother if she can make her famous country brunch. Does that work for you?” I instantly regretted inviting him.

“That sounds wonderful, Isabel.” He beamed, his smile lighting up his face.

“Okay then, am I free to go?”

“Yes, you should be fine. Here is your pain medication and antibiotics,” he said, as he handed me a white paper bag. “I filled your prescription while you were sleeping. You can take the pain meds every four to six hours as needed and you will need them every day for the first few days. Make sure and take it even if you feel like you don’t need it, that way you don’t let the pain hit you. And make sure you finish the entire bottle of antibiotics. It’s to prevent infection.”

“Got it,” I replied and started getting out of bed. I couldn’t wait to get home and wash the blood off of me and throw my bloody clothes in the wash. I felt mentally and physically drained. I just wanted to get home and have this day end. Both men left the room so I could change. Thankfully my bra was still on me…it would be too painful to try and twist my arm behind me and hook my bra. It was painful enough to lift my arm and put my shirt on. I looked in the mirror and saw the bullet hole and bloodstains on my left sleeve. I grabbed my jacket to put it on and saw the bullet hole there too. Amazing how I didn’t feel anything. I looked at my watch and it was nearly five in the afternoon. Wow, the entire day wasted on the Chinese Triads trying to kill Conny and Pam? That was puzzling. I thought they were after Jill and me for this case we were on. I was hoping Davis had some answers for me. I stepped out of the room and noticed that the two scary agents Angie was telling me about were gone. The only agent outside the room was Davis…his face was impassive. Why on God’s green earth did he have to look like the Terminator all the time? I took a few deep breaths to calm myself so I wouldn’t snap at Davis.

“Agent Davis,” I addressed him calmly and professionally, “you have to stop with your looks. The facial expressions you sometimes wear are unapproachable and just plain intimidating. You’re about to meet part of my family and not to mention, you’re going to be with me for a great many hours and I tend to deal with a lot of children of all ages. You’re going to scare the livin’ daylights out of everyone!” I huffed. His smile reached his eyes and I was relieved to see I hadn’t offended him.

“I apologize, Isabel. I have a lot going through my mind and I’m trying to make sense of some of it. Or solve the puzzle.”

“Would you like to talk about it? We can talk in the car on our way home.” I started to walk to the elevators when he stopped me and motioned to the wheelchair.

“Isabel, it’s better if I take you down in