Page 12 of Chasing Justice

Maya turned back toward her grandfather, pushing her thoughts aside. “Might be a long night. You need a cup?”

“No.” Her grandfather shook his head. He appeared defeated. Gray stubble dotted his face. A twinge of guilt swept Maya.

“How’s Doug?” she asked, trying to break the ice.

“In surgery.”

“He lost a lot of blood out there.”

“He did. We were told you did a lot to save him. He would have bled out without the care you gave him and without calling in the helicopter.”

“I did what I could.”

Silence again. The clock on the wall ticked away. Maya shifted back and forth on her feet.

After what felt like an eternity, but was probably only thirty seconds, Pops said, “You look like you need to see a doc.”

Maya narrowed her eyes. Here’s where it started. When her grandfather would tell her why she shouldn’t be doing what she was doing. Don’t join the military, you won’t be able to handle it. Don’t become a law enforcement officer, you’ll see things that will haunt you. Don’t do this. Don’t do that. “I’m fine.”

“I didn’t ask how you were. I said you need to see a doctor.”

“I heard you.” Maya crossed her arms.

“You should see yourself. Good thing Josh gave you that windbreaker.”

Maya smelled some of Josh’s cologne on the windbreaker. Even that was perfect. Why had she let him give her the jacket anyway? She had her own coat in her patrol vehicle. “I’ll go home and clean up. I’m fine, Pops.”

“Well, you don’t look fine. And at our last poker night, Doug said he was worried about you. Dealing with that mind stuff, that PT, whatever you call it. You should get help.”

“I’m just fine. Doug doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

“Look, Maya, I want you to take care of yourself. You’re not doing that.”

“Pops, if I have to say I’m fine one more time, I’m going to...” Maya couldn’t come up with a good threat. She sounded like a toddler. What was she going to do? Throw herself on the floor and have a tantrum? “I’m taking care of myself. Look, this has been a long day. Let’s just see how Doug is doing. Do you know anything about Juniper?”

Her grandfather shook his head no.

“Then I’m going to call the vet hospital and find out more.”

Maya marched back toward the doors outside. The fresh air would be better and out in the dark parking lot it would be harder for someone to see the tears that threatened to fall again. She needed to pull herself together. Now.

Chapter Seven

The phone rang for what seemed like an eternity. Maya paced around the outside of the ER, making the glass doors open and close. She moved farther away to avoid the sensor. The vet clinic might be closed because it was after hours, but someone had to be there taking care of Juniper. Her heart raced and her throat was dry. Would the dog be okay?

“This is Dr. Asher.”

Maya gripped the phone. She tried to talk, but words wouldn’t form. A part of her wanted to hang up. Maybe she didn’t really want to know how Juniper was doing.

“Hello?”

Maya forced herself to speak. “This is Officer Thompson. I’m calling for an update about K-9 Juniper. How is she?”

“She made it through surgery well. She was sore in the ribcage, but no major injuries. Her leg is stitched up and will need some care, but that wasn’t too bad. Infection is the biggest concern. We’re keeping her on IV antibiotics and sedated, but she should be able to go home in a day or so and actually return to work soon.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“You can come see her tomorrow if you want. Might help for the dog to have someone she knows visit her.”