Page 44 of The Midnight Club

Ori touched his face. “They think I was drugged with some kind of sedative. That’s how come I didn’t feel it when I was stabbed ...” She looked to the doctor, who nodded.

“We’ve called the police, obviously. Look, you have your antibiotics. I’d like you to stay in one night for observation.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary.”

“Yes, it is,” Maceo interrupted her protest in a tone that she’d never heard before. Hard, angry, shocked. She nodded at him, squeezing his hand.Calm down.

“Fine. Thanks, Doctor.”

Maceo pressedhis lips to hers. “I’m so sorry, baby. I should have protected you.”

She clung to him, needing to feel his solid, strong body against hers. She felt chilled to the core. Maceo buried his face in her hair and she suddenly remembered what he had told her.

“Tyson’s dead?”

She felt him nod. “They think he may have fallen from the roof of his building.”

“Fallen or jumped?”

“They don’t know exactly.”

They sat in silence for a long moment. Maceo stroked his finger down her cheek and she leaned into his touch. “Ti amo. Let’s go home, Ori. It’s time.”

“Agreed.” She sighed and kissed him again.

“Knock, knock.” The doctor reappeared, looking uncomfortable. “Ori, the police are here.”

Ori noticed the doctor didn’t look at Maceo and wondered at his attitude, but gave her permission for the men to enter. Two police detectives entered the room, nodding at her.

“Are you here about the stabbing?” Maceo stood and offered his hand. The police officer ignored it.

“No … it’s about the death of Tyson Janek.” With a sympathetic glance at Ori, the officer reached into his pockets and drew out a pair of handcuffs. Suddenly Ori realized what was happening.

“No, no, please, not that.”

Maceo looked at her, his handsome face even more confused as the police officer reached for his wrist.

“Maceo Bartoli, I’m arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Tyson Janek….”