Page 38 of Justified Fear

“Rami called Nikki a liar because she said she was engaged at one time.”

The two of them were still staring each other down.

“Well, yeah, she was,” Tamilya said.

“What?”Rami finally broke eye contact with Nikki.

“We talked all about it at our last girls’ night,” Autumn said.

“What the hell?”Rami asked.“You go out with the other team?”

“Oh, no, Nikki, did you not get permission to hang out with us?”Tamilya asked, sarcasm dripping from every syllable.

“I go out for girls’ nights because hanging out with a sausage fest all day isn’t my idea of fun.”

“And, we have our lunches.Although Charity bailed on the last one because she was taking a nap and everything makes her want to barf in the middle of the day,” Autumn said.

“No one’s taking a break,” Seth announced just as Ryan walked back in with Maya.Their captain was eyeing the group that had gathered, then his gaze took in Rami and Nikki.Kap knew that those two were going to get a meeting soon.Seth was easy going, but when he was mad, he was a little scary…not that he would admit that out loud.

“What’s up?”Ryan asked.

“Ray’s alive and at Queen’s Medical.”

Eight

When Ryan and Seth arrived at Queens, the team made their way back to the ER.They were more accustomed to Tripler Army Medical Hospital, a big pink beacon built on the mountain.The story was that Hawaiians told the Army to paint it red because that would be better than white.By the time they realized that red would fade into pink, it was too late to change it.Ryan wasn’t sure if that was a true story or not, but it always made him chuckle.

They had been to the hospital a lot in recent months.It was the nature of their team.They were rescued, and they always went to the closest trauma hospital when needed.A lot of times, that was Tripler.

An older woman with short blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a business-like attitude approached them.She wore a set of purple scrubs and a white jacket.

“TFH?”

Seth nodded.

“I’m Doctor Mickelson.Come with me.”

They were led to another room off the ER.

“You’re the doctor?”

She nodded.“Ray Gailbreath is in good condition.Mostly, he’s dehydrated and has a few scrapes and scratches.He kept babbling about a shooting, and he was worried about someone called Keely.”

Seth and Ryan shared a glance.

“So, I guess that means something to you?”

Seth nodded.“She was the other survivor that night.”

“Ah, okay.I heard about that, but I was off last weekend.Anyway, I want to keep him for a day.He’s in decent shape, but I want to keep an eye on his vitals for twenty-four hours.They’ll be sending him up to his room soon, but he’s back here.”

“Thanks, doctor.”

“Go easy on him.He has a slight concussion and, like I said, that, coupled with the dehydration, means he might be a little loopy.The nurse will show you back.”

A woman stood in the doorway waiting for them.She led them down a long corridor, then turned right, which led them to a door.She opened the door, and they followed her through.The first glimpse of Ray shocked Ryan.There were scratches all over his face, a black eye, his nose looked like it had been broken, and his skin was pale.

“Ray,” the nurse said softly.