Bone Deep by Debra Webb

evaluation is needed as soon as possible I’d like to see her now if convenient. I was supposed to be here earlier today,” he added wearily as if he’d had the day from hell just like the two of them.
    The nurses exchanged glances. Bennett, the one who appeared in charge, eyed him speculatively. “We have no record of hospital approval for you to see the patient. I’m—”
    “There must be some delay in the paperwork,” Paul interrupted smoothly before she could say the deadly five-letter word. In his experience once sorry was on the table, few took it back. “I’m sure I was scheduled for today,” he insisted, his gaze traveling from her eyes to her mouth and back with blatant approval. “I’m later than I’d expected to be.” He adopted a harried look, much like hers. This was something else he’d learned long ago, consummate lying. Tell people what they wanted to hear and life went a whole lot smoother.
    Nurse Bennett glanced at the clock. “I should verify—”
    “My evaluation won’t take long,” he urged. “Chief Dotson will be very disappointed if I don’t have my conclusions to him tonight.”
    She caved. The change in her posture told the tale before she spoke. “Well, what can it hurt? There’s no point in you having driven all this way just to have me hold you up.” She pulled Kate’s chart. “Come on, I’ll show you the way.”
    “I sincerely appreciate your assistance,” he said as they moved away from the station.
    Nurse Bennett used her ID key card to unlock the door at the transition point. Paul followed her down a long corridor where she paused at room 415. She passed her key card through the reader and opened the door.
    “Buzz me when you’re finished. She’s all yours.”
    Paul flashed her another smile. “Thank you, Nurse Bennett.”
    She passed him the patient chart and scurried back to the station.
    He moved to the foot of the bed and scanned the chart for a time before focusing his attention on the woman, mostly to brace himself. She hadn’t spoken since they found her hovering over her husband’s body. She showed no emotion and ate only if fed.
    Placing the chart and the file he’d brought with him on the portable serving tray, he moved to the bedside. The swelling was diminishing, the bruises fading from purple to yellow. She looked vulnerable and helpless. Restraints prevented her from getting up without assistance.
    Katherine Ellington Manning was a bright woman, educated as a research analyst. She had an excellent work record with MedTech according to the chief’s report. She was cited as a loving wife and mother by all who knew her. And Paul sensed, without having read it, that she was not a violent person. Unlike her rebellious sister, Kate was quiet, submissive, always obedient.
    Yes, mother . Yes, father .
    His heart beat faster as the sensations toppled one over the other inside him. The voices whispered to him. Kate would never harm anyone, much less her child or her husband. Jillian knew this without reservation. She felt it. The connection was there, despite being buried beneath years of sibling rivalry and bitter disappointment.
    But she loved her sister. She wanted to save her.
    Kate’s eyes abruptly flew open. “They’re coming for us.”
    Paul jerked back a step. He inhaled sharply, blinked repeatedly and stared down at the unconscious woman. “Jesus Christ.”
    He squeezed his eyes shut and shattered the image seemingly burned onto his irises. Kate hadn’t moved a muscle. What he’d seen and heard had come from inside his own head. Maybe. The warning, wherever it came from, was real. The only question was, did the us in her warning apply to Kate and her sister, or to Kate and her son?
    He scrubbed a hand over his face. Slow, deep breaths. No panic. Turn it off.
    But he couldn’t... not just yet.
    He took her hand in his and closed his eyes. This was the part he hated most of all. He focused intently on Kate Manning. The pictures he’d