After administering the drug, he got out the needle and sutures then waited some. Finally, he said, “I think we’re ready.”
Oliver sat still while Heath tended to him. When he finished he asked, “What the hell were barbells doing so close to the door?”
“I have no idea. I stow them in the closet. Maybe Finn used them. But he’d never leave them where anybody could trip.”
“No, I guess he wouldn’t.”
They stared at each other. Oliver asked, “Do you think…”
“Yeah, I do.”
“What?” Juliet asked. Then she clapped her hand over her mouth. “No, not another thing against us. A violent thing.”
Oliver grasped Juliet’s hand. “I only came in for one session in an hour, then I was going back to…my girl.”
Juliet frowned. “Your girl? That’s vague.”
“I don’t want to say more.”
Oliver fished in his pocket for his phone and handed it to her. “Can you call my client, Leslie Long and cancel? She may not have left yet.”
Juliet made the call by the time Heath was finished.
“I’m done,” Heath said. “You can go to your girl, but you can’t drive. And you have to promise me you’ll go to the ER if you start feeling dizzy or in too much pain.”
“I promise. And don’t worry. She’s a doctor.”
“I’ll take you to her, Oliver.” Juliet sounded stronger. She’d gathered her composure.
Oliver stood. He grasped Juliet’s arm. “I’m shaky.”
“You better call what’s her name on the way over. I’ll get in touch with Captain Marshall before my group session.” Heath cracked a smile. “Unless you want to stay for it. It’s on sexual health.”
“No thanks, buddy, I’m fine in that area.”
All three of them laughed.
Heath helped Oliver to Juliet’s car and settled him in, even buckled his seatbelt. When they left, he blew out a heavy breath. In truth, he was worried as hell.
* * *
Anabelle cleaned up the girls’ room before Oliver was due back. Just as she finished, her cell buzzed. Oliver. She hoped he didn’t have to cancel. “Hello.”
“Hi, sweetheart. I’m on my way over.”
“Great.”
“Not so great. I fell going into my practice. I’ll explain it all when I get there.”
“Are you all right?”
“Not exactly. I hit my head pretty hard.”
“Then you should go to the hospital.”
“No, I’m fine. I’ll be there soon.” And he disconnected before she could say more.
After she tidied up the living room, she went outside to the front porch, sat down in a chair and waited for Oliver. The sun shone brightly and a soft breeze ruffled the trees. But she couldn’t enjoy it. Oliver had been hurt. Soon, an unfamiliar car pulled into the driveway. She got up and walked to it.