Page 13 of Reasonable Doubt (Wounded Heroes: The Redemption #7)

“It’s nighttime now. If you feel well enough, I’ll discharge you tomorrow. Don’t be in a hurry to leave us, though.”

“We won’t let her.” Her mother walked in with coffee. “I’m Dr. Eve Shannon, Noreen’s mother. I’m able to go home with her.”

“But—” Nick cut himself off. “That’s probably for the best.”

Noreen frowned. “You said you wouldn’t leave me.”

“He can move into your house, too,” Eve suggested. “You have three bedrooms.”

Nick smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

Dr. Cook said, “I recommend some counseling, Dr. Shannon.”

“I know. I’ll think about it.”

Eve said, “You agreed to that earlier.”

“Let’s see how this goes.” Noreen remembered something. “Mom, you’re supposed to be in the Caribbean.”

“I’m supposed to be here.”

Suddenly Noreen was tired again. “I have to sleep more.”

“Go ahead darling. You need to rest. Nick and I will chat some.”

* * *

The next day, Noreen was discharged and Nick drove her and her mother to Noreen’s home on Lakeland Drive.

The day was spitting rain and roads were slick all the way to her house.

With each of them on her side, they led Noreen inside from the garage.

Eve said, “I think you should go into your bedroom. You’ll rest better there. ”

“I agree.”

They led her to the last room down the hall. It, too, had a soaring ceiling, skylights and a wall of windows. Painted a pale sage with white trim, it fit well in this beautiful environment she created when she moved to Westwood.

Eve let go of her and turned down the bed. She wore her mother’s light knit pants and matching top that Eve had brought to the hospital. “After you sleep, you should put on different pajamas. Cozy ones.”

“Yeah, these were meant for the Caribbean. I’m sorry to have ruined your vacation.”

“The Caribbean will always be there.”

She looked at Nick. “Why did you call Mom, Nick?”

“You told me how close you two are. I figured it was best that she knew. It was her idea to come home.”

Noreen nodded.

Eve transferred her gaze to Nick. “I’d offer to give you two some alone time, but that’ll have to wait until she has a long nap.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Nick said jokingly. He kissed Noreen’s head—her skin was warm—and reached for the remote.

The blinds closed to dim the room. Even the skylights had shades.

Out in the living room, Eve collapsed on the couch and N ick into a chair. “Damn it, Eve, it’s killing me to see how battered she is.”

“Me, too. That prick. I hope he goes to jail for a long time.” She yawned.

“Why don’t you go take a nap too.”

“All right. I’ll use the second bedroom, closest to her, if that’s okay.”

“Sure. I’ll stay out here and make some phone calls to my office.”

“See you in a bit.”

Nick dropped down onto a stool in the state-of-the art kitchen and took out his phone. The snow hadn’t let up and he reminded himself to turn up the heat.

He hadn’t given work a thought except to call his assistant and leave a message that he would be out of the office for a few days. He punched in the number.

“Redmond Associates. Rina Smith speaking.”

“Rina, it’s Nick.”

“Are you all right?”

“I’m sorry I was so cryptic on the phone that night, but a…woman who means a lot to me was attacked. It was horrendous. For her privacy, I can’t give details.”

“Just tell me how she is.”

“Much better today. I’m here at her house. I’m going to take a couple more days off, but if any client needs me, alert Jacobs. Ask him to cover for me.”

“Of course. One thing, though. There was an urgent call from Anthony Johnston.”

Nick stiffened. “He’s no longer a client.”

“I know. But he’d phoned twice and he wouldn’t talk to anybody else. What should I do?”

“I’ll send him a text.”

“Best wishes to your friend, Nick.”

“I’ll tell her.”

Nick dropped down on a stool in the kitchen. Two years ago, Nick had taken a call from Anthony Johnston when he turned his back on his son…and Scotty died. No way was he going to talk to him again.

* * *

Noreen awoke to less pain. She was a bit woozy but actually felt strong enough to sit up on her own and breathe easily. She sipped some water and thought of what had happened to her.

The guards had been outside across the street, as Jackson had ordered round-the-clock security for the clinic. But she called and told them she was on her way home.

The TV remote sat right beside her. She could watch the news. She guessed Nick and her mother were resting and she didn’t want to bother them.

Then she heard the shouts. “No, no, no, it’s my fault.”

She eased out of bed, found her sea legs and walked to the living room. Nick lay on the couch, shouting.

Crossing to him, she bent over. “Nick, you’re having a nightmare.”

“No, no, no.”

She raised her voice and shook him. “Nick.”

He came awake, an expression of horror on his face. “You’re here in my house. I think you dreamed of Scotty again.”

He gripped her hand. It hurt.

“Shit. I dreamed about the accident.”

“I’m so sorry. Move over so I can sit.”

She dropped down next to him.

When full awareness dawned, he said, “What are you doing out of bed?”

“I feel better. I didn’t want to disturb you or Mom so I was going to turn on the news.”

He sat up. His body was still trembling.

“Maybe you should talk to somebody again too.”

“Maybe. But I know why I had the nightmare. Anthony Johnston called me at work and said he had to talk to me today.”

“Anthony Johnston?”

“The phone call I took that day at the park was from him. I dropped him as a client because he reminded me of what happened.”

“That’s understandable. I wonder why he’s calling you now?”

“He probably needs a lawyer.”

“Huh. You know what I think. You need to call him back right now and see what he wants. Get it over with. I’ll sit with you while you do.”

“You think I should do that?”

“Yes.”

Nick put the phone on the table and switched on the speaker. “Call Anthony Johnston,” he said.

The phone only rang twice. “Johnston.”

“It’s Nick Redmond. What do you want with me after two years?”

“I’ve done something that’s going to go public next week. Two years ago, I commissioned a children’s wing at the hospital. It’s called The Scotty Redmond Children’s Wing.”

Nick’s jaw dropped. First he felt anger. How dare he do this without getting Nick’s consent?

“We’re having a ribbon cutting ceremony and an open house to tour the facility in two weeks. I’d like you to come and cut the ribbon and see what we’ve done in honor of your son.”

He looked to Noreen for help. She picked up the phone and said, “Mr. Johnston. I’m a friend of Nick’s here with him. We’ll call you right back.” And she disconnected.

“Why did you do that?”

“I saw rage in your eyes. But you need time to digest this. To think it through.”

“It’s an abomination.”

She grasped his hand. “No, no, love. It’s something beautiful to honor your son.”