Witness Undercover. Debra Cowan

have happened.”

      “No, it shouldn’t have.”

      Griffin mentally kicked himself.

      “But,” she continued, “it’s not your fault that it did.”

      Sydney nodded. “That’s right.”

      Laura gazed up at him earnestly. “I’d prefer it if you would stay with me through the entire process, but it’s your decision.”

      There was no blame in her eyes or her voice. No resentment, either. It took a second for Griff to process that.

      She probably wanted him to continue because she was too shaken by the attack to realize she’d be better off without him.

      “I know you can keep me safe.”

      He wished he were half as sure as she sounded. “You do?”

      “Yes.”

      “All right, then.” He couldn’t deny the warmth he felt at her vote of confidence. “Let’s get back to my house.”

      She hesitated. “No.”

      “No?” Had she really just said that? Griff drew up short. “Why not?”

      “I want to see my dad first.”

      “Not after what just happened,” he said bluntly.

      “This is the best time.”

      “How do you figure?” He tempered his voice, cognizant of the people around them. “Didn’t you just say you wanted me to stay with you through this? That you thought I could keep you safe? The safest thing is to get out of here.”

      “I don’t want to take a stupid risk and if you really think I am, I’ll leave. But whoever tried to hurt me is gone. And probably won’t try anything else today. Plus Sydney is here if you want or need any backup. I want to see my dad.” Her voice cracked. “I need to see him.”

      Sydney had combed the hospital and grounds, looking for the assailant. There had been no sign of the guy. He was long gone.

      “There might not be another chance,” Laura said quietly.

      She had a point. Griffin didn’t like it, but Laura was right about this being the best time to see her father.

      After the syringe incident last night and now this, it was plain that someone had tipped off Arrico to Laura’s presence. If they stayed here, Griff could observe any suspicious behavior, see if anyone hovered around or seemed too interested in Laura or her father. Especially Nurse Cheryl, who had been nearby after both attacks.

      “All right, I agree. Under one condition.

      “What?”

      “If I say it’s time to go, then we go.”

      “Okay. Thank you.”

      He nodded. They were staying. And he was still Laura’s bodyguard. He hoped she didn’t regret her decision. He hoped he didn’t, either.

      * * *

      After agreeing to meet Aunt Joy and Sydney later at Griffin’s house, Laura and Griffin headed down the hall. Thank goodness he’d agreed to let her see her dad. Two attacks in the past two days told Laura she might not get another chance.

      Griffin slid a look at her. “I’d really like to check out your neck and head.”

      “They’re sore but I think fine.”

      “No nausea or dizziness from your fall?”

      “No. Not yet, anyway.” Laura hoped she wouldn’t suffer further ill effects. Time was short and her father didn’t need any delays.

      Griffin searched her face. “You’ll let me know if anything changes? If your neck or your head gets worse?”

      She nodded, stopping near the nurse’s station to leave her purse and coat in a visitor’s locker.

      They reached her dad’s room and she paused, surprised at the flutter in her stomach that had nothing to do with what had just happened in the ladies’ room.

      Griffin stopped, too. “Are you afraid he’ll be worse off than you imagine?”

      “What if he doesn’t want to see me at all?” There, she’d said it. To a near stranger.

      “I’m sure seeing you will make his day.”

      Laura hoped so, but after what she’d done, she wasn’t so sure. Squaring her shoulders, she glanced up, surprised to see encouragement in his blue-green eyes.

      She wanted to study his face. Instead, she turned toward the door to Nolan’s hospital room, saying a quick prayer that things would go well. “This could take a while. He might not be awake and I’d like to wait until he is.”

      “I’ll be here, no matter how long it takes.”

      “I appreciate that.”

      He nodded.

      She donned the required paper mask and gown, then pushed open the door and stepped inside. She was glad to see the drapes were partially open and light spilled into the room. Stopping at the foot of the bed, she grazed the knot at her hairline. Hopefully, it wasn’t noticeably swollen yet and her dad wouldn’t ask about it.

      Nolan lay unmoving as he had last night and now Laura noticed things she hadn’t been close enough to see when she’d looked in on him. Dark circles beneath his eyes, the parchment-thin appearance of his skin. There were still a few threads of black hair sprinkled among the thick whiteness.

      Overhead she heard the muffled thwump-thwump of a helicopter. The silence of the room was broken only by the hum of machines. Because she knew Griffin would allow no one to get past him, she addressed her father as she wanted. “Dad?”

      He opened his eyes, fixing his filmy blue gaze on her for a moment before recognition flared. “Laura?”

      His voice was tentative, as if he didn’t believe she was real. “Yes, it’s me,” she choked out.

      Her heart beat hard in her chest and she realized her palms were clammy.

      “I can’t believe you’re here.”

      At his accusing tone, she stiffened, instantly defensive.

      “Aunt Joy tracked me down. She told me you were ill.”

      “And you came.”

      “Yes.” Was he glad? Angry? She could tell nothing from his flat brittle voice.

      He blinked slowly, almost as if he was too groggy to stay awake. Laura moved up the side of the bed. If he told her to leave, she wouldn’t do it. This might be her only chance—their only chance—to make any inroads. “I know this is probably the worst time to talk, but I really think we should.”

      “We should.”

      Relief flooded her.

      Nolan peered hard at her. “What happened to your head?”

      “Just bumped it. I’m fine.”

      After a long moment, he labored out, “How did Joy find you?”

      “She had someone track me down.”

      “Someone from that agency of hers,” her father guessed.

      “Yes.”

      “Who?”

      “Griffin Devaney.”

      “Good man.” Nolan’s eyes fluttered as if it cost too much energy to keep them open, but he did. “Did you come so you could be tested as a donor?”

      “Yes, and I’ve been cleared to be your donor, but that isn’t the only reason I came. I want to ask your forgiveness.”

      “No.”