Hostile Witness (Sanctuary, Inc. #1)

Chapter 39

39

S he’d just launched into a review of concrete nouns when Principal Decker showed up outside her classroom door wanting to speak with her. After directing her students to their worksheet, Tia stepped into the hallway.

“There’s someone in the office needing to speak with you, T. Grab your things, and come with me.”

“What? Who is it? My class . . . ”

Yolanda nodded reassuringly. “It’s okay, honey. Get your stuff. I’ve asked one of the student teachers to cover your class.”

Who could possibly need to speak with her during the school day? She’d already gotten a late start this morning because the security company had come to fix the new alarm system at eight a.m. Tia dashed back into the classroom, swung her purse over one shoulder, and hoisted her work tote onto the other. She fell into stride beside Yolanda.

“Who is it?” Tia whispered.

“I left his business card on my desk, but he’s got a government ID. He’s a very nice man.”

Tia’s mind raced. She didn’t know anyone in the government. What the heck was going on? Her heart pounded. Had something happened to Carson or her mother?

Yolanda pulled the office door open, motioning for Tia to go ahead. The man waiting by the office window wheeled around.

Her heart leaped into her throat when she saw who it was. “Mac?”

“Hey, Tia, can we talk?” He nodded to the principal and took Tia’s hand, guiding her to a more private corner, then raking a hand through his hair. “We had a mission go south on us this morning,” he murmured. “Ethan’s in pretty bad shape, and he’s been asking for you every time he comes around. They’ve already removed four bullets from his chest. Can you come with me?”

And that was all she heard. Her ears rang, and the tote slipped from her shoulder to the floor. His mouth continued to move, but under oath she had absolutely no idea what he said. She turned to her principal and friend. “Yolanda, I have to go.”

Mac grabbed her tote and ushered her out the door to a black sedan that drove them to a waiting helicopter. It was all too surreal.

They landed at the helipad on top of Mac’s building in Baltimore. Mac had a building? Tia forced herself to speak, finally asking the question that had been crushing her brain. “How bad is he?”

Mac shook his head. “He took nine bullets, is in intensive care, and will undergo at least one more surgery today. We’re talking Shock Trauma here. This place is the best at dealing with the bad and the ugly. My only consolation right now is that the animal who shot him is taking a dirt nap.”

Tia laid her hand on Mac’s and squeezed. “Thank you.”

She recognized the hallways of Shock Trauma, having spent weeks here herself after the car accident. But nothing prepared her to see him so still and ashen. Tia bit back the tears. The last thing Ethan needed was to wake up and find her falling apart at his bedside.

The first hour crawled by infinitely slow. Mac brought her a cup of coffee and a sandwich. She took one little bite, and as if on cue, Ethan opened one eye.

“Are you eating my lunch?”

Tia pushed the little tray to the side and leaned in close. “Hey, you, welcome back.” She kissed his cheek.

He licked his lips. “I’m not staying long. Got another surgery. Get Mac.”

She hustled to the waiting room. “Mac, he wants you.” They hurried together back to the cubicle.

One corner of Ethan’s mouth lifted into a pained grimace. “Mac, you’re a witness here.”

“You got it, man. What am I witnessing?”

“Tia, I made you the beneficiary of everything that’s mine about a week ago. Just in case, Mac knows where everything is. He’s my medical power of attorney. I would never burden you with that.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “You’re not going anywhere but home when you’re better.”

“You gotta take care of Nan if something happens to me. Promise.”

“I promise,” they said in unison just as a nurse came in and added something to his fluid drip.

“Tia, come close.”

“I’m right here,” she whispered, and kissed his nose.

“Tell Flynn I want my side of the bed back when I get home.”

She chuckled through her tears. “Okay.”

He licked his lips again. “And pick a day I can visit your classroom, okay?”

Tia nodded. “I will.”

“And get some freaking food in the house besides tofu and horseradish.”

She nodded as Mac snorted a laugh.

Ethan continued, “I’m all in, T. We’re not done talking about it.”

The orderly locked the screeching side rails in place, released the brake, and started pushing the gurney out of the room.

“Get Tia out of here, Mac. I don’t want to see her until I’m up and moving.”

And just that fast, Ethan was gone. When Mac put his arm around her, she folded into him and cried her eyes out.