Meeting at Midnight Read Free Page A

blood,” he muttered as he snipped at whatever was holding my shoulder together. “The man’s in shock, there should be…what the hell?”
    I didn’t like the sound of that.
    â€œWhat is it?” one of the medical crowd asked.
    â€œLook at this. There, see?” He pointed at my shoulder, not quite touching it. I couldn’t see a thing. His hands were in the way. “That’s newly formed flesh. And this section is scabbedover. That’s not right. It’s…” He looked at me accusingly. “Mr. McClain. This is an old injury, isn’t it? Several days old, at least.”
    Idiot. I stared at him stonily over the top of the oxygen mask.
    He sighed and pulled the mask down. “Did you injure your shoulder a few days ago?”
    â€œNo. I think a tree limb punched through the window and pierced it when my truck rolled. I—”
    â€œImpossible.”
    Obviously not, since it had happened. But arguing with idiots is a waste of breath, and I didn’t have breath to spare. “I need to call my brother—Officer Duncan McClain.”
    â€œYou did not lose any substantial amount of blood from this wound tonight.”
    I gave up and turned my head. “Pete, I need to call Duncan.”
    Pete looked at me helplessly. “I imagine someone has already called him. He’ll be here soon.”
    â€œNo!” I’d had enough of lying flat while everyone ignored me. I struggled up onto one elbow. Things spun for a second and my forehead turned clammy, but I made it.
    â€œLie down, Mr. McClain.”
    â€œWhy? You decided maybe I am hurt, after all? Pete, I need to call Duncan myself. Don’t want him worried. I—”
    â€œThis man creating a disturbance?” said a voice from the doorway.
    â€œI tried to stop him, Doctor,” said a harried female. “He wouldn’t listen.”
    Relief hit like a slap in the face, puncturing my anger. My strength drained right out with it, so I let the nurse ease me back down. “I’m okay, Duncan.”
    â€œYeah?” The man who cut through the medical crowd to stand by my bed was shorter and lighter than I am. Betterlooking, too, with smoother features and eyes as pale as mine are dark. We have the same hair, though. Dark brown and board straight.
    Duncan had on his blank face, the one that makes him a good cop and annoys the hell out of me. Never have been able to read the boy when he doesn’t want to be read. He put a hand on my good shoulder and squeezed lightly. “I can see that you are.”
    â€œI am,” I insisted. But I was sure tired, and the pain wasn’t coming in waves anymore. It was this huge, steady presence, almost solid. I felt as if I’d bounced myself off that solid mass of pain a few times too many and rattled my brains. “Truck’s a mess, though.”
    One side of Duncan’s mouth quirked up. “You’ve looked better yourself.”
    â€œYeah, well…I tried to call you, but this stupid—”
    â€œNow, now,” he said.
    â€œBelligerence is not uncommon with those in shock,” the doctor said, all pompous and tolerant. “I’m afraid your brother’s attitude is impeding his treatment, however. Normally I would not allow a family member to be present at this point, but if you can persuade him to cooperate, Officer, you may remain.”
    As if he could stop Duncan. I snorted.
    â€œBelligerent, is he?” For some reason that made Duncan smile. He squeezed my good shoulder again. Anxiety nestled in the corners of his eyes, keeping the smile out, but I could read him now.
    I relaxed. If Duncan didn’t need his blank face, he wasn’t too upset.
    â€œYou heard the man, Ben. Play nice.”
    â€œMan’s an idiot,” I muttered, but someone had tied weights on my eyelids. They were closing in spite of me. It was allright, though. Duncan would keep an eye on the idiot.