I actually laugh. That draws plenty of attention.
“After last night, you’ve got more on the job experience than any of us new boys,” Will says.
“Not sure you want any of the experience I had last night.”
“Maybe not, but clearly if it hadn’t been for you—”
“Not necessary, man,” I say, cutting him off with a shake of my head.
“I'm just saying. I was there when Jerry finally interviewed the girl. You were quick on your feet, quick with the trigger, and you saved her life and who knows who else’s.”
“Hmm?” I finally look him. “What does that mean?”
“We got a call right as I was leaving the station. These boys might have a few more bodies on them. All in the last six months. I'm just guessing, but they were probably escalating. So like I said, that was some good shit, Shep.”
“I heard you brought him in, Will. That's not nothing.”
“Yeah I'll take the collar, but I'd rather it hadn't been a complete accident. Clipped that asshole too, though. Kurt Milligan. Confessed to everything. Douglas Smith is the guy you dropped.”
“Milligan still up in the hospital?” I ask.
“Nah. He was fine. I bruised him up, but that was it. They cleaned him up and—”
“Most of the blood wasn’t his?”
“Bingo.”
“God, this is a fucking mess.” I push my plate away and pull on my hat.
“You heading back to Jad’s?”
“I have to pick up a few things from the market, but I was thinking about it.”
“Well, she's up. And she asked about you. I'm sure Fern told her day crew that you get visiting privileges.”
The sudden ache in my chest make no sense. I don’t know Claudia, but I do want to check in on her. I have to make sure she’s okay. I feel responsible for her.
I throw down a twenty, then clap a hand on Will’s shoulder. “Later.”
He nods, shoving a big chunk of pie in his mouth.
* * *
Ifucking hate hospitals. The smells, the sounds, the bright lights, and the washed out walls. To me they all signify the reality of death. And it doesn't mean shit to me that babies are born there. I was born on a boat. Babies are fucking resilient.
The night before I’d been reasonably distracted. I hadn’t paid attention to any of these things, the sounds, the smells, but they are harder to ignore when I’m being shuffled between the emergency room and where they’ve moved Claudia in a different part of the hospital.
When I’m finally directed to the correct wing and room number, I run into Sarah. Sarah Maxwell. It’s been a while. I’ve prayed several times that’ll I’ll never see her again, but a man can only be so lucky.
“Hey Shep,” she says. Her voice has that tone, like a sad warning. She feels bad for me.
“You’re back. When did that happen?” Sarah and I dated for a long time, but she didn’t think life on the mountain suited her. More like,mylife on the mountain didn’t suit her. Last I knew she was engaged to some guy up in Portland.
Her eyebrows pull together in annoyed confusion. “A few months ago.”
“You staying?”
“Looks like it.” She moves her hands in a sweeping motion, indicating the fresh pair of nursing scrubs she is wearing.