In the Shadow of the Shield (Secret Lives Series Book 2) Read Free Page A

him.”
    “Yeah, he got pissed and punched a hole in the wall because you two had an argument.” Jackson dropped into a chair facing her. “It must have been a doozy.”
    “What goes on between your father and I is really none of your business, son. But for what it’s worth, it’s not the first hole he’s punched in a wall either. Your dad had—has—quite the temper.”
    “Why did you do that?” Jackson jumped to his feet again.
    “Do what?” Diana asked, confused.
    “Say ‘had’ instead of ‘has’.”
    “I don’t know. It was a mistake.”
    Jackson pulled out his cell phone and plugged the ear buds he wore around his neck into it. Cranking his music so loud Diana could hear it, he dropped back into his seat and closed his eyes. Normally she would tell him to turn it down so he didn’t go deaf at seventeen, but she let it slide this time. There were other things to worry about.
    She leaned her head back against the wall behind her chair and closed her own eyes, letting out a long sigh. What was taking the doctors so long? Donnie was as strong as a bull—a fist to the wall shouldn’t have dropped him like that. He had been breathing hard, his face had also been unusually red—even for an angry Donnie—but nothing that should have kept him in the E.R. for so long.
    Relax, Di. He’s going to be fine.
    “Mrs. Massey?” a soft voice called. Diana’s eyes shot open, and she jumped to her feet.
    “Here. That’s me.”
    An older man, shorter than her by at least three inches and clothed completely in scrubs, walked toward her, his expression grim.
    “Mrs. Massey. I am so sorry, we did everything we could.” His grey eyes were soft with compassion as Diana struggled to comprehend what he said. Vaguely, she sensed Jackson standing beside her.
    “What do you mean? Is his hand that damaged? Will he need surgery? Physical therapy?”
    “His hand?” The doctor looked confused for a second. “No, ma’am, I don’t think you understand. Your husband suffered a cardiac event. We weren’t able to bring him back. I am so sorry.”
    “Cardiac event? What does that even…?”
    “He’s dead, Mom!” Jackson blurted, tears running down his face. Her son ran from the waiting area.
    “Jackson!” she called after him, still not entirely grasping the situation.
    “Why don’t you sit down, Mrs. Massey? You aren’t looking so well.”
    She felt cold. And dizzy. Sitting seemed like a very good idea. Diana dropped into the hard plastic seat. “How?”
    “We are running some blood work, but I suspect exposure to some sort of toxin. His CO 2 levels were very high.”
    “We were having an argument. He punched the wall. That’s it. Now he’s—now you tell me he is dead ?”
    “We did everything we could. I have to get back now. Again, please accept my condolences for your loss. I cannot even imagine what you and your son must be feeling.”
    The little man left the room as quickly as he had appeared. She should go find Jackson. Her brain said ‘move,’ but the rest of her didn’t seem to get the message.
    “Diana!” She looked up to see her friend Cyndi Mills standing in the doorway with her husband Jason. Donnie and Jason worked together. Cyndi ran to her and dropped down in the chair next to her.
    “What happened? Is Donnie okay?”
    She looked at her friend, unable to speak.
    “Diana? What did the doctor say?” Jason asked.
    “He—he’s gone.”
    “The doctor? It’s okay, I can go find him if you want me to,” Cyndi said as she took Diana’s hand.
    “No. Not the doctor. Donnie. He’s gone. He died.”
    “What? I just saw him at work not two hours ago! He was fine,” said Cyndi’s husband.
    “I know, Jason. He was fine when he got home, I think. I don’t know.” Diana dropped her head in her hands. It all seemed so unreal. One minute they were arguing over her job, the next Donnie was dead.
    “Have they told you anything else?” Cyndi asked.
    “The doctor said it appears he was