“Forensics will want it. The body as well.”
“I understand.”
Jimmy Joe’s large belly heaved up and down when he spoke and his lungs rattled, reminding Shannon of the pneumonia he’d had last winter when he’d been admitted to the ER with a high fever. He was the most demanding and stubborn patient she’d ever attended.
She hit the elevator button again.
She realized now that Chief Bremen had lied to Dr. Timmons when he said he hadn’t touched a cigar for over a year. What bothered her most at the time was that he lied so effortlessly and convincingly. She didn’t trust him and it gave her the jitters to be anywhere near him.
Jimmy Joe pressed past the reporters into the hall and Dr. Scanlon followed.
The reporters swarmed.
“What about the other John Doe? Did he say anything? Did you find anything on him we might have overlooked?”
“No, nothing. Should I have?”
Jimmy Joe scratched his head. “Hell, I don’t know. These two fellas were in a bunch o’ trouble, but without any identification and no witnesses, we’re at a loss.”
A brash young female reporter stuck a small microphone in Dr. Scanlon’s face. “What have you got, Doctor?”
“Other than the fact that I place the gunshot wound at around midnight since he hadn’t yet bled to death, the only other medical specifics I can give you at this time is that one man is dead and the other barely alive.”
Jimmy Joe pressed his index finger in Dr. Scanlon’s bony chest. “When the other one comes around, I want to know about it.”
Dr. Scanlon frowned, rubbing the sore spot. “Of course, but it won’t be any time soon. He’s comatose.”
Jimmy Joe slapped his gray hat against his trousers as he walked toward the elevators. “I’ll check on him in the morning.”
“It is morning, Chief,” Dr. Scanlon said wearily.
Jimmy Joe smiled wanly. “Then I’ll call you later,” he said and ordered his men back to the station.
The elevator doors opened. Shannon secured the gurney, IV and respirator on the elevator.
“Appears it’s going to be a nice day,” Jimmy Joe said, watching her as she pushed the gurney into the elevator.
She held her breath, feeling his eyes free-falling across her backside.
Shannon rammed her thumb against the fourth-floor button and glanced down at her patient. When the doors slammed shut, Shannon exhaled with relief. “Safe once again.”
3
Ben Richards was the newest addition to the Shreveport Police Department, and therefore drew the unlucky assignment of standing guard over the comatose John Doe at St. Christopher’s Charity Hospital.
“I suppose you want to get reassigned,” Jimmy Joe said, exhaling heavily as he spoke.
“No, sir. I’m quite satisfied.”
“Satisfied?” Jimmy Joe eyed him suspiciously.
“Absolutely. If this is where you need me, then this is where I’ll be,” Ben said firmly.
“Good. You let me know the minute that guy comes around. I’ve got some questions that need answering,” Jimmy Joe continued. “You’ve only been here a few days…”
“And everyone else is needed for more important work?” Ben offered.
“That’s right.” Jimmy Joe smiled. “Glad to see you understand.”
“Of course. No problem.” Ben clasped his hands behind his back.
Jimmy Joe grinned widely. “You catch on quick, son.” He assessed the tall, thirty-six-year-old man. “You’re kinda old for a rookie. Why’d it take you so long to get through the academy?”
“I didn’t know what I wanted out of life until two years ago. I just kinda bummed around, I guess you’d say.”
“I see. Just so you know, every case is top priority to this office.”
Ben held his palm in the air. “Don’t apologize, sir. I’m happy to take this responsibility. If there’s any information forthcoming from John Doe, rest assured I’ll be on top of it.”
“Fine.”
“Did we ID the body in the morgue?” Ben slipped the question in easily.
Jimmy Joe nodded. “Even though there was no ID on either one of them when we brought them in, we found his initials inscribed inside his watchband. Then we ran his fingerprints. He had a misdemeanor arrest when he was sixteen. Probably got busted on prom night. His name is Adam Rivers, of New Orleans. I just got the call his wife’s coming in. She’s probably downstairs right now. Let’s go.”
Ben followed Jimmy Joe.
Shannon wrapped a pilled black cardigan around her shoulders as she waited outside the hospital, where she was to meet Alice Rivers, then take her to the morgue.
The automatic glass doors opened. Chief Bremen, Ben Richards and Helen Mayer walked toward her.
“Mrs. Rivers isn’t here yet?” Helen asked.
“No,” Shannon answered, glancing quickly at Chief Bremen. She felt chills surge across her back. She wished she was anywhere but here. She looked away from the older man to Ben. “Who’s he?” she asked quietly.
“John Doe’s bodyguard,” Helen whispered.
Ben overheard Shannon’s question. “My name is Ben Richards,” he said, putting out his hand.
She looked at his hand and nodded while hugging herself against the cold. “A bodyguard? He’s unconscious. He can’t hurt anyone.”
Shannon looked away from Ben’s probing eyes. The wind whipped around the corner, stinging her eyes. It gave her an excuse to close them and pretend she was nowhere near these men. Cocking her head toward Helen, she whispered, “This case gets more bizarre by the minute. And why should Alice Rivers need me…a nurse?”
Helen gave her a sidelong glance, pointing to the squad car as it pulled up. “Wait and see.”
Gallantly, Ben opened the car door and extended his hand to the woman inside.
“My God. She’s pregnant.” Astonishment cut through Shannon’s voice.
“Overdue, actually,” Helen replied.
“What are these bastards trying to do? Send her into shock?” Shannon glared at Ben.
He
