The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear (speed reading book txt) 📕

“Of course.” He looked searchingly into my eyes and cupped the right side of my face with his hand, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “I’ll fix this, Isabel. Losing you is the worst mistake I’ve ever made. I’ll be back after rounds.” He headed out and signaled to Davis he could come in.

Davis stealthily walked in, and wearing a serious look. My heart skipped a beat. Was it Josh? Maybe it was about the commotion in the ER. I forgot to ask David about the commotion the nurse mentioned. Maybe Davis would enlighten me. My heart was pounding and my pulse was racing. Davis could see that, since I was attached to all those machines. We looked at each other for an immeasurable moment. My pulse quickened even more and sent the machine into overdrive.

“Isabel, calm down, it’s all right!” His hands were pumping the air as if that would help slow my heart rate down.

“How can I calm down if you look like that?” I spit at him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to look like this. I thought I was wearing a pretty good poker face. Or maybe you’re just really good at reading people.”

“Please! Just say it. Is it Josh?” I was fearing the worst.

He took a deep breath. “Pam is doing fine. She has a concussion but nothing serious. She’s in a room resting and they want to keep her overnight for observation. Conny is still in the ER, he’s getting x-rayed. The doctor thinks he has some cracked ribs.”

Why is he telling me about Tim Conny? I don’t give a shit about Conny.

“And Josh?” my voice sounded jittery and the machines were still beeping loud and fast.

“Josh is in ICU.” He exhaled loudly. “Doctor Rodriguez had to go in and remove the bullet that was lodged close to his liver. The surgery went fine, she was able to repair everything and he should be able to function like a normal person. He just may have a hard recovery with the pain.” He sounded like he was leaving something out.

“What are you not telling me, Davis? This all sounds like good news but your body language is saying something more,” I said.

He started to fidget, not knowing what to do with his hands or even how to stand. “Josh is going to be fine and he should make a full recovery, but there was a small incident in the ER that has Tim Conny concerned.” Davis rubbed his head. “Stevens and I were in his room waiting for him to wake up. Conny was getting seen by a doctor so he wasn’t present to witness any of this, plus we were worried about Josh so we insisted on being by his side. Josh started to come to and the first thing he wanted to know was about you and how you were.” He paused and glanced at me.

“I didn’t stop to think and just blurted out that you were upstairs getting treated for a gunshot wound. Well, he came unglued and practically busted his staples open trying to get out of bed to get to you. I don’t know where he thought he was going, frankly, since I never said you were in the children’s wing. He was just determined to come find you. His wound started bleeding profusely, we had to hold him down and the nurse came in and pushed some medicine through his IV to relax him. He kept mumbling how he loves you and you found some texts?” He looked at me quizzically. “Anyhow, they patched him up again and he’s resting comfortably. Isabel, Conny is thinking Josh has feelings for you and being on this case with you will just cloud his judgment. I agree, so Josh is off the case. He needs to recover anyway so this is a good thing for him. He won’t need to worry about anything except his recovery.”

“I agree,” I said matter-of-factly. “He needs to be far away from me. I am glad to hear he’s doing well, though,” I said, wringing my hands. “So, what will he do once he’s strong enough to work?”

“We have this other case, kind of related to this case, that requires a lot of sitting in front of the computer. He’ll be placed on that and only that until he’s fully recovered.”

“I see,” was all I could say.

“So, what was he talking about when he said you found some texts? Were they related to the Triads?” Davis sat down beside me.

“No, it was nothing, really,” I lied. “I was trying to silence his phone and noticed about a dozen texts and social media pictures from these two college-age girls declaring their love for him, blowing kisses. He may be referring to that.” I leaned my head back on my pillow, trying not to look at him.

“Oh, those girls. And you said you only saw two?”

“Yes, why do you ask? Should there be more?” I felt a spasm of anger.

“Uh, yeah. Usually there’s more.” He was rubbing his chin, looking pensive.

“So, you know about all these girls? On his phone?” Davis just nodded his head, giving nothing away. My anger started to bubble inside me and the damn machines were giving me away. Davis stared up at them and then looked at me, a little perplexed.

“Davis, could you please get the nurse for me?” I asked.

“Are you in pain?” he looked concerned.

“I think I am.” It wasn’t the kind of pain he thought, but it might as well be. Every inch of me hurt, especially my chest. I couldn’t reconcile the idea that Davis knew about Josh’s playboy ways and probably everyone in the Bureau as well. I was such a sucker for a pretty face and a hot body. Isabel Langley, what is wrong with you?

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