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She conferred with her colleague and noted down the quantity and time of them.
“The FBI needs to leave, this patient won’t be questioned any more today.”
The FBI man opened his mouth but she held up her hand. “No. You can leave now.” He sighed, looked like he wanted to say something else, but then marched out of the room.
“I’m already breaking the rules by letting you two stay as long as you have,” she said addressing Cassidy and Mike. She turned and glanced at Raven, offering him a smile as she softened her voice. “You can stay, dear…as long as you let him rest.”
“Thank you,” Raven said, backing up along with my two detective friends, to let her get close to me.
“Hi there. I’m Sanji. It’s nice to see you with your eyes open. What a beautiful color.” She patted my hand. “How are you feeling, Mr. Huerta?”
“Like complete crap,” I said. “And really tired. I’ve got a splitting headache.”
“Yes, this will help with the pain.” She held out the cup so I could see the two pills in it. “This is Tylenol which is all I can give you with a head injury. Sorry if you were expecting something stronger.” She took hold of my wrist, turning it so she could read my name on the plastic wristband.
At the moment all I really wanted was a horse tranquilizer, but I doubted I could talk the small, brown woman into that. She looked formidable but it was the way my partner and my two intimidating friends backed up at her orders, that confirmed who was in charge here.
“Can you tell me your full name?”
“Miguel Huerta.”
“And what day is it?” She reached for a pink pitcher, pouring water into a cup.
I furrowed my brows, regretting that immediately as it only made my head hurt worse. “Tuesday, I guess.”
“That’s right. You’ve been asleep since you were brought in by ambulance yesterday morning but that’s to be expected with a goose egg on your forehead. It’s quite a spectacular bump, if I do say so myself.” She smiled brightly. “Can you hold the cup by yourself, Mr. Huerta?”
Of course, I could. But when I reached for the cup with my right hand, the IV line pulled. I reached for it with my left and noticed how my hand shook.
“That’s okay, I’ll help,” she said kindly. She held the cup for me as I took the pills and got several swallows of water down. It was cold from the ice in the pitcher and felt completely amazing on my parched throat. She smiled contentedly and then looked back over her shoulder. “Everyone but Mr. Mathis…out of the room!” She made a shooing motion.
“We’ll be back, Miguel,” Cassidy said.
“Glad to see you’re awake,” Mike added before leaving with Cassidy at his side.
“Do you need anything?” my nurse asked.
“Just some sleep.”
“Okay. I’ll be right outside. Try to get some rest until they come to move you.”
“Move me?”
Raven took my hand as she walked toward the door. I heard it swish open and then shut, noticing for the first time, that it was a sliding glass door, not the regular kind. “You’re in intensive care, Miguel. They’ll be moving you to the med-surge floor as soon as they have a room ready.”
“ICU?”Someone said that before, didn’t they?
Raven nodded, pointing to my forehead. “Head injury, Miguel.”
I wanted to groan. “Fuck. How long do I have to stay here?” I really hated hospitals, even nice ones like Cedars-Sinai.
“Baby, you’ve been out for almost thirty-six hours. That FBI guy could have killed you when he kicked you in the head. You’d better believe he’s in big fucking trouble if Cassidy and Mike have their way.” He squeezed my hand and once again, I noted how utterly wrecked he looked.
“Sunshine. You haven’t slept,” I said.
He shook his head. “When you’re out of danger and safe in your own room, I’ll sleep on the chair. I’m told all the rooms have comfortable, reclining chairs that fold out into beds.”
“How long do I have to stay here?”