River of Bones by Dan Padavona (books you need to read TXT) 📕

room. The woman I examined was much older than your friend.”

It took several minutes to sort out Chelsey’s location. She’d given Raven the wrong room number. Figures, Raven grumbled to herself as a nurse found Chelsey in her database. The hospital had moved Chelsey out of the emergency ward and into her own room.

Raven finally located Chelsey on the fourth floor. Cleaning solutions tickled her nose as she knocked before entering. Chelsey’s head was turned away as Raven walked inside. She spotted the black circles around her friend’s eyes, the sickly pallor of her drawn face.

“Chelsey. Are you okay?”

Raven set a hand on Chelsey’s arm. Her friend turned her head toward her.

“It’s back. My depression.” She sniffled and stared at the ceiling. “I’m such a basket case, Raven.”

“Slow down and tell me what happened.”

Chelsey lifted a shoulder and lowered her eyes.

“The doctor said I had an anxiety attack. I was at the mall, trying to relax and get away from work for a while, and it hit me all at-once.”

Raven brushed Chelsey’s hair off her face.

“What hit you?”

“It was terrible. My heart started racing out of control, I couldn’t breathe, and I was too dizzy to keep my balance. Next thing I remember, I was on my back with some mall cop leaning over me and radioing for an ambulance.”

“That sounds terrifying. The doctor checked your heart, I assume.”

“Yeah,” Chelsey said, choking on the word. “They ran all sorts of tests. My heart is fine, and I’m fit enough to run a marathon.” She wrung her hands. “This is just like when I was eighteen. Suddenly, my mind refuses to sit still. I did this to myself, Raven. All of it.”

“This isn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it is. It’s always my fault. Everything I touch goes to hell. And now I’m right back where I was fourteen years ago. I can’t go through that again.”

“You won’t, if I can help it.” Raven turned Chelsey’s head to face hers. “You’re my best friend, Chelsey. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“It’s out of our control. Depression isn’t a switch I can turn on or off.”

“Has anything like this happened before?” Chelsey chewed her lip. “Chelsey?”

“Once. During the Herb Reid investigation. He grabbed for my camera, and my heart kinda went nuts.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? This isn’t a game. You need to take care of yourself.”

“Like I said, I’m a mess.”

Raven rubbed her eyes.

“What did the doctors say? Are they treating your anxiety attacks so it doesn’t happen again?”

“He wants me on an antidepressant.” She sighed. “I thought I was done with these medications.”

Raven held Chelsey’s eyes.

“It’s not forever. They’re preventing a repeat of what happened to you as a teenager. Listen to your doctors, take your medication. And most of all, stop pushing your friends away. We’re trying to help.”

Chelsey’s eyes narrowed.

“Don’t you realize you can’t help? I lost out on everything. College, family, friends. You have no idea what it’s like. You weren’t there.”

“No, I wasn’t. But I care for my mother every day and make sure she’s stays on the straight and narrow. She’ll always be an addict, and each day is a new test. If she can conquer heroin, I’m certain you’ll get through this.”

Chelsey snatched a tissue from the table and wiped her eyes.

“Yeah, on my own. They’re kicking me out of the hospital in an hour. I lobbied to stay this long.”

“Why would you want to stay? Wouldn’t you be more comfortable in your own house?” Chelsey wouldn’t admit it, but she didn’t want to be alone. “Why don’t you stay with us tonight?”

“You don’t have the room.”

“Then I’ll call my brother and have him watch Mom. I can stay at your place.”

“It’s no use. Go home, Raven. I shouldn’t have called you here. I’ll handle this on my own.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“Why? I’ve always looked out for myself.”

“Right, you’ve always shouldered everyone’s problems, including your own. And this is where it got you. It doesn’t have to be this way. You’re overworked and wound tighter than a cheap watch. Take time for yourself and hire a third investigator.”

“If I ever find dependable help, I will.”

Raven groaned and leaned back. Chelsey was impossibly stubborn, forever concocting excuses to refuse help.

“I didn’t want to say anything. But my brother almost died today. That’s why he missed the appointment.”

Chelsey’s face twisted.

“He almost died?”

“The Harmon Kings don’t let their members walk away. Seems they’ve targeted LeVar.”

Chelsey stared at her hands.

“I didn’t know. Now I feel bad. Still, he should have called.”

“He called. You refused to answer. Give him another chance, Chelsey. I’m vouching for my brother, and despite everything you’ve said about me over the last month, you know I’ve never steered you wrong. LeVar will work harder than anyone else. And we need a male presence at the firm, a tough guy capable of banging heads together when things get rough.”

“Isn’t that what I hired you for?” Chelsey cracked a grin. Finally, a sign that Raven’s best friend was hiding beneath her shell. “Tell your brother I’ll interview him soon. Not this coming week. I’ve got too much on my plate. But I’ll give him a fair shot.”

Raven smiled.

“You won’t regret it. LeVar is exactly the person we need to fill the open investigator’s position.” A nurse wheeled a patient down the hallway. “Hey, why don’t I stay until they release you? I’ll follow you home. Maybe you’ll reconsider and let me spend the night.”

The sullen Chelsey returned. Kneading the blanket covering her legs, she turned away.

“I don’t need you watching me. Go home, get some sleep. I’m not a suicide risk. We’ll get back to work Monday morning.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“So, are we cool now?”

“We’re friends, Raven. But this isn’t something you can fix.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Saturday, August 14th

11:55 p.m.

 

The tree outside the window drew misshapen shadows across the ceiling. Sleep welcomed him with inviting hands, but he couldn’t follow.

Thomas Shepherd’s A-Frame was three-quarters glass. Experience warned him Uncle Truman’s house would get cold come winter. Year round,