it she works here?”
“Yes, she’s a nurse,” the receptionist said. “She’d just gotten off her shift…” The woman sighed with a worried look. “I knew that parking lot wasn’t safe. They need to put in more lights.”
“Wouldn’t hurt. Has there been trouble before?”
The woman shook her head. “No, but you haven’t caught this man, yet. He’s still out there.”
“Then make sure the security guard walks you out at night. At least until we find this guy. Could you please tell me where they took Ms. Donnelly?”
“It’s Mrs.—Nora’s a widow and has the sweetest little boy.” She smiled, then it slowly faded. “It’s a shame she lost her husband so young.”
So the attacker wasn’t her husband. A boyfriend? Maybe. He shook his head. He had to stop speculating and talk to Nora Donnelly. “Where did they take her?”
“She’s in exam room four. The doctor is with her now.”
“Thank you,” he told her.
“No, thank you…” She leaned in to read his badge. “Deputy Randell.”
“Just glad I arrived in time.” Brandon started off in that direction. His gut told him this was more than just an attempted robbery. This guy wanted to punish her, to hurt her.
Brandon stopped by the closed exam room door. He took a seat and waited, making notes about the incident and calling in to the station. It was another twenty minutes before a nurse came out. He stepped into the open doorway to see Nora Donnelly sitting up in bed. There was still a doctor and a nurse with her. When the doctor said something she gave him a teary smile, and Brandon couldn’t seem to get enough air into his lungs.
In the light he could finally get a good look at her. She had a heart-shaped face with startling sapphire-blue eyes. Her nearly black hair hung to her shoulders in waves. His attention went to her mouth, full and inviting, especially the pouty bottom lip, giving him ideas he had no business thinking about right now. If ever.
She suddenly looked in his direction. He swallowed the dryness in his throat and managed to speak. “Mrs. Donnelly. Remember me, Deputy Randell?” He walked in, trying to exhibit authority as the nurse moved out of the way.
She tilted her head slightly. “Yes, Deputy, I remember you. You helped me. Thank you.”
He shrugged. “It’s my job. I believe this is yours.” He handed her the oversize purse.
She hugged the bag close to her like a shield. “Oh, thank you.”
Brandon found it hard not to stare at her. She was beautiful—even with her jaw bruised and bandaged. The only other imperfection on her skin was a faint scar along her eyebrow.
He finally managed to tear his gaze away and turned to the young doctor. “How is she?”
“She’s doing fine, considering the slight concussion. She has some bumps and bruises, but I expect a full recovery.”
“Then you don’t mind if I ask her some questions?”
“Why don’t you ask me if I mind?”
Nora Donnelly’s soft, sultry voice lured his attention back to her. “I apologize, Mrs. Donnelly. Would you mind answering a few questions?”
When Dr. Jenson and Gloria tossed a wave as they left the room, Nora wanted to call them back. She didn’t want to talk or think about the attack. It was her next move that was important. And what could possibly keep her and Zach safe.
She glanced up at the serious-looking deputy. He wasn’t going to leave until he got answers.
“I’m not sure what I can tell you, Deputy.”
“There are just a few questions.” His gaze met hers. “Did you know your attacker?”
She hesitated, and knew he saw it right away. “No.” It wasn’t exactly a lie since she hadn’t recognized him.
“Can you describe the man?”
“He was big, really big.” She examined the deputy closely. No way she couldn’t notice his dark good looks. Piercing brown eyes, coal-black hair and square jaw. “Much burlier than you.” She shivered, recalling his body pressed against her.
“White, Hispanic, African-American?”
“White.”
“Did he say anything?”
She flinched.
“Mrs. Donnelly.” He stepped closer to the bed. “I know this is difficult but anything he said could be a possible clue to finding him.”
Nora shut her eyes. She knew she couldn’t lie—not about this. “He said, ‘You thought you could get away with it.’”
She opened her eyes to find him watching her.
“You’re widowed, correct?” the deputy asked.
She tensed, but managed to nod. “Two years.”
He wrote in the notepad. “Could I get a list of your most recent male friends?”
“I can’t give you one.” When he started to press the issue, she stopped him. “There hasn’t been anyone in my life since my husband. Only my son.”
Brandon found that hard to believe. “Surely you’ve had men ask you out. Maybe someone who didn’t want to take no for an answer? A coworker?”
She sat up straighter. “I’m a professional, Deputy. I don’t date anyone I work with. I repeat, I don’t date at all. Any free time I have I spend with my son.”
Was she covering for some guy? “Who’s Zach?”
She blinked in surprise. “Why do you ask?”
“You said his name when I found you.”
“He’s my son.”
He nodded, checking him off the list. “What about someone who was once a patient here?”
Nora shrugged. “I think I’d remember a man that large.” She took a breath. “Now, if you’re finished with the questions, I’d like to go home.”
Brandon hadn’t meant to upset her. “Of course. I’ll wait for you outside.”
She paused. “I thought you were finished with the questions.”
“I am for now. You have a concussion, so I’m going to be driving you home.” He didn’t give her a chance to protest, just went out into the hall.
Call it his detective skills kicking in a week early, but Brandon wanted more information from the pretty Nora Donnelly.
She wasn’t telling him something. Something that could possibly
