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They shook hands and Ethan went outside to confer with Detective Dunn.
In truth, Jake didn’t have anything pressing to deal with. He was still getting his act together after his mom’s death six months ago, going through her things, getting the house ready for sale. He was taking his time and slowly easing into his P.I. business.
Yet clients had conveniently appeared over the past few months when word got out that a former federal agent and army vet was offering his services as a private investigator. Jake had promised himself he’d be selective about his clients. He’d work with the fragile ones who were in trouble and didn’t know where else to go.
Fragile, like Mom. He had taken a leave from work when he’d learned his mom had six months to live. He could finally be there for her, take care of her during her last months on earth. He felt he was finally making up for letting her down time after time growing up.
Yet she never saw it that way. She actually blamed herself for the abuse, which had driven Jake even crazier.
“Let it go,” he whispered under his breath.
He’d been a good son in the end and now offered his services to clients who needed him most. He offered hope when they suffered from despair. That’s where he did his best work. God’s work.
The E.R. door swung open and a nurse glanced at Jake. “She’s asking for you.”
Jake pointed to his chest. “Me?”
“You’re Jake, right?”
“Yeah.”
“They’re taking her upstairs in a minute, but she wanted to see you first.”
With a nod, he followed the nurse and fought the urge to rush to Robin’s bed.
He approached with caution, steeling himself against how she’d look. She’d almost died a few minutes ago.
The nurse pulled the curtain aside and Robin glanced up at him with tired, brown eyes. She looked worn out but much better than she had an hour ago.
“Hey, you look good,” he offered.
“Don’t lie. It’s a bad way to start a relationship,” she joked.
“And a sense of humor. Amazing.”
“No, the bad guy luckily didn’t kill that.” She sighed and glanced at the nurse. “May I have a few minutes alone with Jake?”
“Sure.” The nurse pulled the curtain closed to give them privacy.
“Look, I’ve heard things about you,” Robin started, studying her fingers while she fiddled with the blanket.
“Don’t believe everything you hear.”
She glanced up. “What about the military background?”
“The hospital grapevine is pretty good.”
“And you used to be a federal agent?”
“True. How did—”
“It doesn’t matter. But I have a question—actually a favor—to ask, and I completely understand if the answer is no.”
“Go for it.”
She leveled him with desperate, cocoa-brown eyes. “I think I was almost killed tonight. Twice. I don’t know who I am, or who I can trust. Is there any way you could like, be my bodyguard or something, until this is all over?”
“Sure, I’d be honored.”
She tipped her chin. “You didn’t even think about it.”
“I don’t have to.”
She blinked, and a tear trailed down her cheek.
He fisted his hand, wanting to stroke her hair or hug her. But he knew better. He’d only break her.
“Wow, my luck is looking up.” She swiped at her face with the back of her hand. “Sorry about the tears. I know guys hate that, too.”
“Who are these guys you’ve been hanging out with?” he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
“I don’t remember,” she said with a slight smile.
The nurse pulled back the curtain. “Time to move her to a room.”
“Where?” Jake asked.
“Three-fourteen.”
He glanced at Robin. “I’ll meet you up there.”
She nodded and sighed as if everything was going to be okay. She was relying on him to protect her, save her from whatever threat planned to hound her until she was dead.
God, please let me be up to the task.
THREE
Where am I this time?
Robin opened her eyes and glanced across the room. Sunlight streamed through the curtains as she struggled to remember where she was. Right, she was in the hospital. Yet no flowers filled the window ledge, no balloons or notes from wellwishers.
Sadness settled in her chest. She felt so utterly alone and frightened, yet she knew she had friends. Her memories might be temporarily lost, but in her heart she knew some things as surely as she knew she was in a hospital bed.
Robin had friends and family who would be worried about her. If she could only figure out how to contact them.
“Can I see some ID?” Jake’s voice echoed from her doorway. He was keeping guard outside her doorway, having promised to protect her.
“Who are you?” a woman challenged. Her voice sounded familiar.
“ID,” Jake repeated.
A few seconds passed, then heels clapped against the vinyl flooring, and a cute blond woman came into view.
Jake stood beside her. “She says she’s a friend from work.”
The blonde rushed over and gave Robin a hug. Jake started to intercede and Robin waved him off. “It’s okay.”
There was something familiar about the woman, and Robin didn’t feel frightened. Actually, she appreciated the hug.
Jake nodded and left them alone.
“Oh, my God.” The blonde analyzed Robin’s bruised check and bump on the head. “When I heard the gunshot, then nothing, I was up all night trying to track you down. I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.”
“What time is it?”
“Three in the afternoon.”
“You—” Robin hesitated “—heard the gunshot?”
“We were on the phone, remember?”
“No, actually. I’m memory-challenged at the moment.”
“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry.”
Another hug. Robin fought back tears.
The blonde looked at her. “We were on the phone. You were at work, and I ordered you to join us for dinner, then bang!”
Robin jerked. Closed her eyes.
“Sorry, that was insensitive.” The blonde placed a hand on Robin’s shoulder. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. I—” she hesitated “—can’t remember.”
“Anything? I mean, you don’t remember what happened last night?”
“Nope.”
“Good.” The woman sighed. “I mean who wants to remember seeing someone get shot, right?”
“Yeah, right, I guess.” Robin clutched the blanket. “It’s all one, big blob of nothing.”
“That’s probably normal.”
Robin glanced at her friend. “I mean everything.”
The blonde frowned. “You don’t know me, do you?”
“I remember the sound of your voice, and you look familiar, but I don’t remember your name. Sorry.”
The blond woman shot Robin a sympathetic smile. “Don’t be sorry. It’ll come back. I’m Jenn. We work together.” With a bright smile, she extended her hand, and they shook.
Robin liked this woman. She was bright and positive, and her presence eased the ball of anxiety in Robin’s chest.
“I should call work and let them know you’ll be out for a while,” Jenn said.
“Where do I work?”
“You’re an events planner for the Anna Marsh Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Tomorrow is the walkathon to raise money for pediatric cancer research.”
Sadness washed over her. “I knew something big was happening.”
“See? It’s coming back to you. I’ll call Ruth, the executive director. Where’s your phone?”
“I think I lost it when…”
A scene flashed in her mind: crawling on her hands and knees. Pitch black. The monster stalked her. Closing in. Would she make it to the door? Pull the fire alarm!
“Robin?” Jenn said.
Robin glanced up. “I was remembering…something.”
Jenn frowned with concern.
“Never mind. It’s nothing,” Robin said.
“And your phone?”
“I don’t know where it is, but my briefcase is around here somewhere.”
“I’ll get it. Who else do you want me to call? Your parents?”
“Are they in Seattle?”
“Actually, they moved to Phoenix a few years ago.”
“No, don’t call them yet. I don’t want to worry them. Just for now, let’s keep this between you and me.”
“Well, the group kind of knows. They were with me when I was talking to you. Trevor was so worried.” Jenn winked.
“Trevor?”
“The guy you’ve been crushing on for the past three months. I could make up a playbill of people in your life to help you remember.”
“That would be great.”
“What’s causing the memory loss?” Jenn said.
