Truth or Lies?, A. Gomez [reading an ebook .TXT] 📗

then just to keep up. We got to my office and Belín was on her phone, pacing the floor, talking with someone in Spain. My mother was sitting on the loveseat waiting for us, sipping her coffee and looking at something on her phone. Ben saw the calm and casual scene—Belín was safe—the tension in his shoulders visibly relaxed.

“Sweetheart, why are y’all out of breath? Did y’all race up here on our account?”

“No, Ben just wanted to see if he could beat me at speed walking.” I snickered.

Belín smiled at us and waved. She held up one finger indicating to give her a minute. Ben’s shoulders seemed to relax some more.

“Honey.” She was patting the seat next to her. She wanted me to join her on the loveseat. “I just ran into Uncle Fitz and he gave me the most horrible news. A parent’s worst nightmare,” she exclaimed. “Their oldest daughter is missing. She’s been missing for a year now and they think her boyfriend may have had something to do with it.”

“Oh, dear lord!” A chill ran through me. “Caroline is missing?” I blinked at my mother. “Mom, I hate to say this but Caroline was always a little too wild, so I’m not that shocked to hear this.”

“Honey, her parents and the FBI have already considered this but they suspect she initially went willingly, however some evidence indicates she is being held against her will somewhere.”

“Wait a second…the FBI is involved?” I looked around the room for Ben. He was standing at the doorway, scanning the floor. He was making his way to the windows when he noticed me staring at him. He froze, looking at me in blank confusion.

“Ben, do you know anything about a case involving Caroline Fitzsimmons?”

“I don’t know any of the specifics on it,” he said. “I just know that’s one of the cases Josh is supposed to be handling once he’s healthy.” He paused, looking surprised. “Is Caroline Fitzsimmons related to Dr. Patrick Fitzsimmons? The new president of Cook County Hospital?”

“He’s her father, dear,” my mother answered. “So, you do know?”

“No, Dr. Langley, I’m sorry. I just know the name for reasons I can’t say,” he said regretfully. “Josh wouldn’t be able to give you any information either.”

My mother and I looked at one another thinking the same thing… the FBI, yet again, doesn’t like to share information. Even though I’m working on the same case.

“Ben, I think you should fill everyone in on your theory.” I got up to leave.

“Wait a minute, where are you going? You can’t leave without me, Isabel.”

“I am going to get my gun back,” I said. “And yes, I can leave without you because I’ll be with another FBI agent. Also, you need to be here when Stems comes up with Alex and Beth.”

“Isabel, it’s not a good idea for you to see Josh. He needs to recover and not come unglued. Seeing you may…”

“Seeing me may help him more than you think,” I snapped.

“I can’t let you do that, Isabel. What if Conny finds out? You’ll just be hurting Josh,” he said, his voice deliberate.

“Then you better not tell,” I said pointedly. “Call my cell when you need me,” I hollered as I walked out.

21

I took the stairs to Josh’s room, making sure no one saw me. Remarkably, the halls on his floor were fairly empty. I quickly walked to his room, my pulse racing once again. At his door I took one last look around to make sure I was not recognized. I walked in, praying he’d be alone and Ben wasn’t right about us getting caught. I locked the door behind me and quickly made my way to his bedside. He was sitting in the chair wearing his boyish grin, watching me walk in. My heart skipped a beat and it felt like I hadn’t seen him in ages. The blinds were open, letting the sun in and brightening up the room. The sun was hitting his hair just so, giving his wavy gold locks the illusion of highlights. He still hadn’t shaved. His hair looked considerably blonder compared to his short beard and it was starting to grow on me. He was still in the hospital gown, only this time he was wearing PJ bottoms with it.

“Hey there handsome,” I greeted him smiling. “You’re awake and look a great deal better.”

“I feel better. Look,” he held his hands up. “No more IV. And your wannabe boyfriend said I can go home today.”

I stared at him, gaping, not knowing what to say.

He laughed softly. “Don’t worry, baby. Your mom called and prepared me. She told me I better keep it together or else you may not be able to come back. And that was not an option for me,” he paused, looking bemused. “As a matter of fact, David looked dejected somehow. What happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about David right now,” I said, exasperated. “I just want to be here with you.”

“Fair enough.” He opened his arms, inviting me to sit on his lap. I obeyed willingly, trying not to hurt his wound. I gazed at him, tracing his face and lips. “Josh, not only do you look better from earlier this morning, I think you look like a different man. What happened?”

“You know, that’s what the nurse said, too. I think I just needed you,” he said in a low voice, kissing me.

“Mmm, your lips are cold,” I complained.

“I just had a lot of cold water. You can warm them up for me,” he said with his boyish grin. So, I did. His lips parted and I gently placed my lips on his top lip, kissing and tugging it. I kept my tongue out of his mouth.

“Now, do the same to my bottom lip,” he whispered.

I obeyed, this time