Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (books to get back into reading TXT) 📕

he answered, his voice strained. “She never said... but the implication was there.”

If evil had a name it would be Ginger. I rubbed my temples, hating David for being such a selfish man. He had been thinking with the wrong head for a very long time and now it had gotten him into trouble and I was caught in the crosshairs. He didn’t think twice about starting this relationship with me again even after Ginger’s threat. He wanted what he wanted and it didn’t matter the consequence. Not once did he stop to think of me or how this may hurt me or affect my life.

“David, go do your rounds,” I snapped. “Let me be for today. I can’t be around you right now.”

“Isabel, please, I can fix this,” he pleaded.

“You can’t fix this, David, and don’t even try,” I hissed in a low voice. I was fuming. “You need to leave this to the authorities.” I stalked off, throwing my purse behind my shoulder, “And don’t bother me for the rest of today! I’ll call you if I want to talk to you.”

He jumped in front of me. “Honey, don’t do that to me, please. I just got you back. I’m sorry I put us in this situation. Please let me fix it.”

“You know what, David,” I said annoyed, “You’re a selfish, egocentric man! I want nothing to do with you,” I exclaimed. “I’m leaving for Dallas after the therapy session.” I pushed him out of my way.

He stopped me again, pleading, “You’re leaving? Why are you leaving? And why didn’t you tell me sooner?” He sounded wounded and surprised.

“I guess it slipped my mind with all the crap that’s been happening to me lately.” I swallowed my anger, trying to calm down, “David, I don’t want more crap happening to me and I certainly don’t want problems from Ginger,” I said harshly. “Why the hell is she still working here, David?” I asked a little too loudly.

“HR says they can’t fire her since I had a relationship with her…it could look like sexual harassment and they don’t want that lawsuit.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was something out of a movie… Work Relationship Gone Bad, Murder at the Hospital.

I blanched at him. “My father is picking us up after I’m finished with everything here. You need to leave me alone, David, and sort this out by yourself. I can’t and won’t help you.” I heard the elevators ping and decided to run and catch them. A nice man held the door open for me, letting them go just in time for David not to be able to get in.

19

I was almost to my office when I noticed the lights were already on. Ben was there with FBI SAC Conny. Oh good lord, what now?! I walked in apprehensively, trying to assess the mood of the two men. I looked around, wondering where my mother and Belín were. No one else had made it into the office yet, so I didn’t bother closing the door.

I greeted both men. “Gentlemen, you both look as if you just lost your best friend.”

They eyed one another surprised at my comment.

“Isabel.” Ben was frowning. “I think you should have a seat…” he glanced over at Conny, “I think we should all have a seat before beginning.”

Conny nodded and closed the door before he sat down. I was both bewildered and nervous at what they’d have to say. My eyes were wide and my heart was pounding. We were all sitting down, just staring at one another. Were they going speak? Were they at a loss for words? What the hell?

Conny leaned forward in his chair. “Isabel, there’s no easy way to say this so I’m just gonna say it… Special Agent Stevens is dead.” He briefly paused before continuing, “And Jill is not doing very well. She’s back in ICU and they had to intubate her again.”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. “What happened?” My voice was almost a whisper.

“Someone poisoned them,” Conny answered. “By the time Stevens realized what was happening to him, it was too late, but he managed to let another agent know his suspicions and the doctors were able to help Jill… we’re pretty confident she’ll pull through.”

“How do you know it was poison?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“We’re not one hundred percent certain but there were some telltale signs. Another agent thought he was choking on food… it wasn’t food… the autopsy will confirm all that,” Conny stated.

“How confident are you Jill will be fine?” My voice was filled with fear.

Ben peeked up at me. “It’s about a fifty-fifty chance.”

“We believe the poison was placed in her breakfast tray this morning,” Conny offered. “Stevens must have eaten some of her meal.” Conny got up and stood behind the chair, gripping it with both hands. “Isabel, do have any idea or suspicions who may have done this?”

I blinked a few times; shook my head as if I were shaking away the thoughts. The only person that came to mind was Ginger, but she couldn’t possibly be the one. Could she? She hates me but only me.

“Ginger,” I said impassively.

“I’m sorry Isabel, did you say Ginger?” Conny asked.

“Yes, Ginger. I was just down in the ER with David, eating breakfast and Ginger was there,” I said. “David said she’s one of the nurses taking care of Jill. I even asked him how no one is worried that Ginger may kill her.”

“Are you talking about the nurse Doctor David Summers was involved with?” Conny asked.

“Yes! David also told me she had some hooded men set his car on fire,” I exclaimed emphatically.

The two men looked surprised, yet they didn’t seem convinced.

“Isabel, that sounds more like a woman scorned,” replied Conny. “She’s