Page 48 of Tide and Seek (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #8)

I blinked at him, still feeling hazy. I remembered who he was, but wasn’t sure why he was here.

Max straightened, leaning on the hospital bed. “Royce just woke up. Maybe you could come back later? He’s still very tired and groggy.”

Ignoring Max, Hartley came further into the room. “I know my timing sucks, but I need to get his statement while the events are still fresh in his mind.”

“I’m sure that’s true, but he literally just woke up.” Max sounded annoyed. “This isn’t a good time.”

Hartley’s gray eyes settled on me. “It won’t take long.”

Max exhaled impatiently. “Surely this can wait?”

“It’s okay, Max. I can talk to him,” I said, even though my throat felt like I’d swallowed broken glass. “I’ve been asleep for twelve hours. It’s probably best I tell the police what I remember while it’s still fresh in my mind.”

“That’d be great,” Hartley said quickly, pulling out his worn notebook and looking relieved.

“For the record,” Max muttered, “I don’t approve of this.”

“How about you start at the beginning,” Hartley said, as if he hadn’t heard Max. “How did you end up in the caves?”

I took a breath, relishing the fact that just breathing was no longer an issue, and began. Max’s grip on my hand tightened as I described Ethan showing up, the fentanyl injection, waking up in the cave with water rising around me.

“Ethan Cole is in custody,” Hartley said when I’d finished.

“He’s already confessed to his involvement.

Claims Stiles Graham was running a drug operation, he got involved trying to make some money for his wife’s medical bills, and when he wanted to quit, Stiles threatened his family if he didn’t keep working for him. ”

“I think that’s at least partially true,” I said. “Ethan did express regret at what was happening to me during the abduction.”

“But he still went along with it, didn’t he?” Max’s voice was bitter.

“Yeah, he did.” I didn’t blame Max for feeling no empathy for Ethan. I’d have felt the same if our positions were reversed. “Is Stiles in custody too?”

Hartley hesitated. “He is, but unlike Ethan, he’s already hired a fancy, high-priced lawyer. He’s trying to pin it all on Ethan, but I don’t think that’s going to fly. Ethan didn’t have the connections or the cash to front an operation like that.”

I scowled. “Trust me, Stiles wasn’t taking orders from Ethan. That’s a joke. Ethan was practically wetting himself with fear anytime Stiles even looked at him wrong.”

Tucking his notepad in his jacket, Hartley shrugged. “Yeah, I believe it. But as you well know, Sheriff, a rich asshole like Stiles isn’t going to go down without a fight. If he can pin the whole thing on Ethan, he’ll try.”

“Was Mrs. Brownstone’s murder connected to the drugs?” Max asked.

Hartley’s gaze flickered. “It was, but I’m not ready to share all the information I have just yet.”

Max scowled. “Seems like you never want to share.”

Hartley grimaced sheepishly. “What can I say? I’m a cautious man.”

Max sighed. “Can you at least tell us if the killer is in custody, or should we be worried he or she is still out there?”

Hartley pursed his lips. “You can relax.”

“At least that’s one good thing,” Max murmured.

Hartley glanced at me. “I’m glad you and Dr. Thornton came out of your ordeal safely. I also appreciate your time today, Sheriff Callum. I know you’ve been through a lot.”

“I’m all good now.” I smiled weakly.

Hartley hesitated. “If this goes to trial, the D.A. will probably need you and Dr. Thornton to testify here in L.A. Since you live in Texas, we can get a Texas judge to order the travel if it comes to that, and victim services will cover flights and a hotel. If the case pleads out—and most do—you won’t need to come back. ”

I smiled. “Yeah, I know a little something about how this works.”

“That you do.” Harley nodded, extending his hand. “If I don’t see you before you head back to Texas, have a safe trip.”

“Thanks.” I shook his hand as did Max.

After Hartley left, the room fell into silence broken only by the beeping of monitors and the distant sounds of hospital activity. Max moved to sit on the edge of my bed, lacing his fingers with mine.

“Who do you think killed Mrs. Brownstone?” Max asked suddenly.

“I haven’t a clue. My brain isn’t firing on all cylinders yet.”

Max nodded, tugging at a loose thread on my hospital blanket. “I think it was Stiles. He sounds cold-blooded enough to bash an old lady over the head. From what you’ve said, he’d probably even enjoy it.”

“I can see him being the culprit.” I glanced down at my hand in his and then stiffened. “Where’s my ring?” I asked, sounding alarmed.

He smiled and patted his suit jacket. “I have it. It’s safe, don’t worry.”

I slumped with relief. “I was afraid I lost it in the cave.”

“Nope. The hospital removed your jewelry so I took it for safe keeping.” He leaned forward, his eyes warm. “You’re still engaged to me. Can’t get out of it that easy.”

“Like I’d want to get out of it,” I mumbled, tugging him closer. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Max. And I ain’t saying that just because you risked your life and saved me from drowning.”

He smirked. “You sure? I was pretty heroic.”

“You were,” I said softly. “I’ll never forget how scared, but relieved, I was to see you pop up in that damn cave. Couldn’t believe my eyes.”

He touched my cheek, his expression very serious. “Scariest moment of my life wasn’t being in that cave. It… it was not knowing where you were for hours on end.” He pressed his warm mouth to mine in a tender kiss.

When he pulled back, I smiled weakly. “Is there some reason we can’t ever just go on vacation without almost dying?”

He winced. “Maybe when we tie the knot, we should skip the honeymoon, just to be safe.”

I scowled. “Hell, no.”

He laughed. “You’re a glutton for punishment, I see.”

“Nah,” I said softly. “It’s just… I came so close to losing everything yesterday, it makes me want it all the more, Max. I want every moment I can get with you. The good, the bad, I don’t care. As long as we’re together, I’m okay with whatever happens.”

He swallowed hard, his eyes a little shiny. “Damn, Royce. Stop it. You’re going to get me all emotional. That’s not nice.”

“Told you I wasn’t the nice boyfriend.”

“Yes, you are, and we both know it.” He gave a tearful laugh, wiping roughly at his eyes and he leaned in and kissed me again. “How about you scoot over and make room for me?”

I gave a surprised laugh, shifting over. “You’re coming up?”

“Yes. I miss you and plus my ass is sore from sitting in that damn plastic chair all night. I don’t care if the nurse doesn’t approve. If I want to snuggle with my boyfriend after his near-death experience, that’s my business.”

“Well I ain’t complaining. Get your ass up here.” I patted the spot beside me.

He kicked his shoes off and gingerly crawled up beside me.

He slipped his arm around my waist, lowering his head onto my shoulder.

He let out a tired sigh, his breath warm against my throat.

In those caves, I hadn’t been sure I’d ever get to hold him again.

I had a lump in my throat as I pulled him closer, reveling in the fact that we were both alive.

His warm lips brushed my skin, and a tremor went through him. I knew he was feeling as shellshocked after our ordeal as I was. I was happy he wasn’t acting all stoic and was instead admitting he needed comfort. I sure as hell did.

“That was too close,” he said thickly.

“Yes.”

He whispered, “I… I was going to kill him, Royce.”

I frowned. “Who?”

“Ethan,” he said hoarsely. “If he hadn’t taken me to you. I… I think I might have actually pulled the trigger.” He sounded guilty, but also a little defensive.

I kissed his temple, inhaling the familiar scent of his skin and relishing the heat of his warm body.

“I’m no saint, Max. When you were missing in that damn sinkhole, if Lucas hadn’t been there with River, there’s no telling what I might have done out in that desert.

I understand your desperation because I felt the same. ”

He buried his face in my shoulder, his breathing uneven. I rubbed his back and we stayed like that for a long while. When the nurse came in to check my IV and vitals, she left us alone. She did her thing and crept quietly out of my room.

We ended up falling asleep, but I kept waking up with nightmares of drowning in that horrible, dank cave.

Each time, Max would quietly talk me through the lingering terror, reassuringly stroking my hair until I’d drift off again.

He left the bed at one point, and when I woke again, he was sitting beside the bed, holding my hand and watching me.

“Sorry I’m sleeping so much,” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

He wrinkled his brow. “It’s not a problem. That’s how you’ll heal.”

“I’m sure you’re bored.”

He shook his head. “No. I’m just grateful you’re alive. Sitting here is a privilege. I truly thought I’d lost you, Royce.”

I squeezed his fingers. “I’m right here, good as new.”

He smiled weakly. “Well, to be honest, you look a little worse for wear. But I’ll still keep you.”

“Thanks.” I laughed gruffly.

“I have a strict no-return, no-refund policy. You’re stuck with me.” He was teasing, but there were dark shadows under his eyes. It was obvious he’d been under tremendous strain and still wasn’t over the trauma of what we’d gone through.

“Suits me just fine.”

“I talked to the doctor while you were snoozing. They’re discharging you tomorrow morning.”

I nodded approvingly. “That’s great.”

“The nurse suggested I go home and sleep in my own bed tonight.” He smirked. “So I politely declined and suggested she find me a cot because I wasn’t going anywhere.”

I grinned. “Uh-oh. Were you at least tactful about it?”

He looked like he was trying not to laugh. “I think I was very tactful. She said she’d get me a cot.”

“Hmmm, before you get in it, be sure it’s not wired to the electrical socket.”

He blinked at me. “That’s a scary thought. Thank you for putting that in my head.”

“I just know sometimes you… er… rub people the wrong way when you think you’re being perfectly nice.” I tugged him closer. “But I know you mean well. You just want to stay by my side.”

“Exactly,” he said softly. “I want to be sure my fiancé is safe and sound.”

“I like the sound of that word on your lips, Max.”

“Me too.” He leaned down, brushing his mouth lightly over mine. “I’ll do my best to make you happy, Royce, till death do us part.”

I smiled, my cheeks warming a little. “Just by proposing, you’ve already made me happier than a hound riding shotgun with the window down.”

His dark brows rose. “And that’s a good thing?”

“That’s a very good thing.”