Page 54 of Deathtoll

She wrote up Scott’s treatment report, pleased with his progress.

He came out, fully dressed, and stopped in front of her. “I really appreciate the help.”

“It’s why I’m here.”

“You don’t understand.” He swallowed and looked at his feet. “Back at home, my wife and I have to sleep in different rooms. Before my kids give me a hug, they have to ask me if it’s okay. They had to be taught not to jump on me from behind, not to shout when they play. What you’re doing… What this place is doing…” He shook his head.

“You’re doing so well, Scott.” Kate’s own throat was closing up a little. “By the time you go home, I promise, you’ll be a different man.”

“I just want to be myself again.”

“Others have done it. I can tell you, with one-hundred-percent certainty, that it’s possible.”

A quiet joy filled her. This was why she got up in the morning every day. This was what made her happy. When she saw someone take that first step toward getting better, it was like fireworks going off in her heart.

While Scott shifted on his feet, looking for words, a dark blond head popped in the door, followed by the rest of a tall Irishman.

“Hey, Kate.” Harper Finnegan glanced at her patient, then back at her. “Got a minute?”

Scott headed for the door, stopped on the threshold, then looked back. “Thank you again.”

Once he was gone, Harper stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

Kate sat up straight. “What is it? I don’t like the expression on your face. What’s wrong? Is this about Ian McCall?”

“It’s your neighbor, Mr. Mauro,” Harper said in a tone thick with regret.

A sudden chill went through Kate. She came out of her seat. “Is he all right? Did he fall on his walk?”

“You might want to sit back down.”

Bad news.In a place deep inside, she knew she didnotwant to hear what Harper was about to say. Her heart lurched into a mad rush. She gripped the edge of her desk. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Hit-and-run. I’m not going to lie, Kate, he might not make it. He’s in rough shape.”

Chapter Nineteen

Kate

“The captain said to come and tell you in person,” Harper said. “I can drive you to the hospital, but they’re not allowing any visitors at this stage. Do you want to go home?”

“Yes. I need to check on his house.” Because she wasn’t that great with emotions, her mind tended to turn to practicalities. Hadn’t she just done this for Betty? “But I can drive myself,” she added. “I’m all right.”

“Is Emma home?”

“She’s at work. New job. First day…”

Betty dead. Mr. Mauro possibly mortally injured.The two thoughts connected in her brain. She stared at Harper, cold dread crawling up her spine. “You think we could be in danger?”

“Both of your neighbors had seriousaccidentswithin a week of each other. Bing says it makes him twitchy.” Harper shifted on his feet. “He’s worried about you. The Ian McCall incident.”

She blinked, then shook her head. “Ian wouldn’t run Mr. Mauro over. It wouldn’t make any sense. How would he even know where I live? And why hurt a random neighbor? This isn’t Ian.”

“But you don’t really know him, right? Isn’t he new to Hope Hill?”

“I don’t know him, but I know a hundred other guys like him. This isn’t…” She couldn’t finish. Tears sprang into her eyes as all the emotion hit at last, all at once.Oh God. Mr. Mauro…

“He hasn’t tried to contact you since he ran off?”