Covert Christmas. Hope White

seventeen?

      Pulling into the hospital lot, she parked near an overhead light and glanced out her window before getting out of the car. She hoped tonight’s staff knew she was on the list of people allowed to come by after visiting hours.

      As she marched across the lot, she started to wonder if everyone was justified in worrying about her attachment to Scott. She didn’t have the best track record with romantic relationships; make that a dismal track record.

      But this wasn’t about romance, it was about helping someone in need, a man she felt a visceral connection to when she looked into his wary eyes.

      She rode the elevator to the second floor and when she got out she noticed the absence of a police officer outside of Scott’s room. She fought the panic ringing in her ears. Perhaps Scott had remembered something and the officer on duty was in his room taking his statement.

      Her pulse quickened as she stepped into the doorway. “Scott?”

      The bed was empty.

      “Can I help you?” a nurse said coming down the hall.

      “Scott’s gone” was all Bree could get out.

      “Are you a relative?”

      “Where is he?”

      “A police officer took him away.”

      “Took him where?”

      “I’m assuming to lockup. He was arrested.”