Page 169 of Girl Between

“The after-action interviews are complete," George began, his voice low and steady. "FBI and NOPD wanted to wrap up everything that went down at the Tower ASAP. Landry’s been cooperating. Gave up everything on Monroe. Known associates, other body sites. Made some pretty startling discoveries into the connection with the Harvest Girls case. Creed’s team even managed to infiltrate the black market organ trade group they were using with Landry’s help. They’re shutting it down as we speak. Monroe will spend the rest of his life behind bars."

Monroe surprisingly survived his gunshot wounds, but Dana left a permanent mark, blinding him in one eye. Landry survived his injuries as well and would make a full recovery. Amelia hadn’t been as lucky.

Shepard, gaze still fixed on Dana's motionless form, gave a slight nod. "It's a shame about the girl," he said quietly.

Amelia had been rushed to the hospital along with Dana, but she went into renal failure and hadn’t recovered.

“It is,” George said, nodding his somber agreement. “Maybe it's a blessing. Amelia suffered enough. At least now she’s at peace and spared from seeing her father’s reputation tarnished. He’s cooperating, but that doesn’t excuse his role in all of this. He’ll be incarcerated along with Monroe."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the steady beep of Dana's heart monitor setting an eerie soundtrack George didn’t much like. “She’s gonna pull through,” he said again, forcing certainty into his voice this time.

Giving his friend’s shoulder another reassuring squeeze, George stood and stepped back, allowing the moment to settle. He looked at Jake, concern etched into his features. He’d never seen him so destroyed. The man looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Knowing Jake, he hadn’t.

"You need to take a break, Shepard. Get some rest, take a shower. Let me sit with her for a while."

Shepard shook his head, eyes never leaving Dana. "No. If she wakes up, I swear I’m never leaving her side again.”

George huffed a laugh. “Bedside bargaining, huh? Been there. It doesn’t work.”

Shepard gave him a questioning glance.

“My father,” George said by way of explanation. “Besides, you know Dana’s not gonna take too kindly to you giving up your life to play overbearing bodyguard.”

“I already have.”

“Yeah, I heard about your resignation. Given the circumstances, I’m sure the FBI will understand your error in judgement.”

Shepard shook his head. “I made my decision long before this happened. If anything, this validates it.” His head hung heavy as he gently smoothed back a lock of Dana’s hair. “If I'd gone into her hotel room with her that night like she asked, none of this would’ve happened."

"You can't blame yourself, Shep," George said firmly. "No one can predict the future. If Monroe didn’t come after Dana that night, it would’ve been another. At least she’s here, she’s still with us, still fighting. That’s a win."

Shepard’s jaw tightened. "I still can’t leave her."

George frowned, sensing the depth of his friend’s guilt. He carried his own over not being there for Sophie in the end. And if they were placing blame, George deserved the brunt of it for not listening to Dana sooner when she’d seen what he couldn’t regarding Landry.

Sighing, George buried his own shortcomings to focus on his friend. "At least take a few minutes to stretch your legs and get yourself a coffee from the vending machine down the hall. I’ll take up your post."

Jake hesitated, torn between his need to stay and the exhaustion evident in his posture. Finally, he gave Dana a somber look and nodded reluctantly. "Just a few minutes," he murmured as he got to his feet.

George gave him an encouraging nod, watching as Shepard finally left the room, his steps heavy with the weight of his emotions. George sat in silence, the steady rhythm of Dana’s heartbeat a constant reminder of the fragility of life.

153

Dana’s eyelids fluttered.Blurred vision brought her surroundings slowly into focus. Sterile white walls. The faint beeping of machines …

Panic began to rise as her memories flooded back—Monroe, his hospital of horrors. Terror gripped her as she tried to move, but her body was heavy, weighed down by fatigue and the lingering effects of sedatives.

Breath quickening, Dana struggled to remember where she was and how she got there. Frightening events replayed in fragmented sequences in her mind. The ache in her abdomen and the bandages on her arms reminded her of the brutal encounter she’d barely survived.

Vision still blurry, Dana scanned the hospital room, searching for a familiar face, for reassurance. Her eyes settled on George. He sat nearby, his presence a balm to her anxious heart.

But it wasn’t enough. He wasn’t who she was looking for. Her anxiety rose again as she racked her memories. Jake … he’d been there, in the Tower … she was sure of it. Wasn’t she?

“He just stepped out,” George said, interpreting the worry etched on her face.

“I wasn’t?—”

“Yes, you were,” he interrupted, smiling at her with more warmth than she deserved. “And don’t apologize for it. I’m just glad you’re okay.”