Silent Vows Read Free

book in his pocket and prepared to leave.
    “You don’t believe me do you?” Now why had she asked that? She knew he didn’t.
    “It isn’t for me to believe or not, Miss. I only have to write the report.”
    “Why don’t you believe me?”
    He walked over to the room’s window, pulled back the shade, and exposed the skyline of the city.
    She hadn’t noticed the sky grow dark, or how the lights from the surrounding buildings glowed.
    The sight was awesome, mystifying to the point where Myra didn’t hear his next words until he repeated them.
    “I said, the world is full of opportunists. Any person found hurt on property owned by a corporation as large as the Magicland theme park is going to be under suspicion.”
    “And I am under that watchful eye?” She pulled her gaze from the panoramic view and met his.
    Opportunist? He thought she was after something from him, or whoever owned the land she’d been found on.
    He didn’t believe her lies. She would ponder the irony of that later. “Why should I care if you don’t believe me? ‘Tis the truth.”
    “Sitting in this deluxe hospital suite on someone else’s dime would certainly give one that feeling.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Who do you think is paying for all of this?” He spread his hands at the room. “You’re sitting in a private room in an overcrowded hospital. These cherry wood furnishings and plush blankets aren’t exactly standard hospital issue.” He walked over to a bank of electronic devices. “There’s even a CD player in here,” he mumbled.
    The comfortable room was small by her standards. Her room at home was three times as 9

    Catherine Bybee

    large. Perhaps she was receiving special treatment and didn’t know it.
    If someone else paid her way, he or she might not be able to care for themselves or their family. In her time, one would be happy to care for the sick or injured if able, but Myra wasn’t sick and instantly felt guilty for her lies.
    “Perhaps, I should leave.” She tossed back the blanket to get out of the bed and noticed her bare thighs and naked feet, then quickly covered herself back up. “If you’ll excuse me?”
    Officer Blakely held her gaze, his emotions masked. A slight tremor went through her when he didn’t budge.
    “Where will you go?” he asked.
    She opened her mouth only to shut it without uttering a word.
    “Listen, lady, I’m sure your overnight stay in the hospital isn’t going to break anyone’s bank.” He moved closer to the door. “Twelve hours will give me time to look up this name, maybe something will come up. Or you’ll remember who you are in the morning.”
    She wasn’t listening. Her eyes gazed beyond him. “So are you staying?”
    She closed her eyes. “Do I have a choice?”
    “I’ll be back tomorrow. If you remember anything, call this number.” He took out a card, walked back to the bed, and handed it to her. His fingers barely brushed hers.
    A vibration went up her arm at the contact. The lump in her throat eased into submission.
    He pulled his hand back in alarm. His surprised expression met hers the instant their fingers touched. “If I’m out, the department will contact me.” She studied the card.
    10

    Silent Vows

    When he turned to leave, she stopped him.
    “Officer Blakely?”
    He peered back with a thoughtful stare.
    “I truly have no idea where to go.” She spoke the truth.
    The blue in his eyes glistened, his gruff expression shifted. She peered closer, her Druid gift sought his thoughts. For a brief moment, Blakely believed her. He said nothing, nodded, turned and left the room.
    11

    Catherine Bybee

Chapter Two
    ‘Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.’ That was a cop’s motto.
    Todd had clocked out, changed clothes and drove to his favorite watering hole. He sucked down a longneck beer and pondered Jane Doe. Next to him, Jake sipped his Scotch and tried to get Todd to change the subject.
    “Let it go until tomorrow.