Page 16 of Vanishing Legacy
Cash lingered in the doorway of Penny’s exam room, watching his daughter sleep in the golden hue of the pediatric lights. Special lights allowed the children to choose their favorite color and Penny had chosen yellow. “Because it’s Thursday, and I always wear yellow on Thursday,” she’d chirped.
The image of Penny escaping such a dangerous man gnawed at him. He should have been there. He should have protected her. A renewed sense of purpose ignited within him. He would do anything to keep her safe from now on. Anything.
A reassuring hand landed on his shoulder. “Hey, man, how’s our girl?” Dr. Jonah Harris thrust his chin in the direction of Penny. Cash’s friend and fellow doctor wore tactical khakis and a collared shirt with the medical examiner’s seal on the breast.
Cash motioned for Jonah to follow him into the hall and closed Penny’s door behind him. Better she rest while they waited on the myriad of tests he’d ordered to come back.
“She’s in good spirits. Complained of a headache and nausea, so I ordered X-rays and blood work to start.”
“Good call. No need to subject her to the big machines and risk traumatizing her without cause.”
“Oh, the blood work was bad enough.”
“Didn’t go well?”
Cash shook his head. “Screamed bloody murder.”
Jonah acknowledged a passing doctor with a nod. “I stopped by to check on Libby, but Matt—Detective Williams, I mean—kicked me out after a short visit. Seems to be doing great, all things considered. What about her parents? How are they holding up?”
Cash folded his arms over his chest. “They’ve been surprisingly understanding.”
Jonah’s eyebrow shot up. “You lost me there. Why do you say surprisingly?”
He dropped his gaze to the linoleum floor. “It’s my fault. Libby was shot because she was taking Penny to speech therapy for me. If Libby’s recovery wasn’t going so smoothly, I’m pretty sure they’d unleash all their anger on me, right where it belongs.”
“Dude, you can’t seriously be carrying that weight on your shoulders. This isn’t your fault. You can’t predict every crazy thing that might happen. And blaming yourself for things out of your control won’t do anyone any good.”
He paused, letting Jonah’s words sink in. While the logic was there, Jonah didn’t quite grasp the truth. “I get what you’re saying, but it’s like I’ve got this track record of leaving a trail of pain behind me. Today, for instance. I wasn’t even scheduled to work. I took on an extra shift, thinking it’d improve my shot at becoming chief of surgery, and look what happened.”
Jonah’s eyes softened. “Cash, I hear you, but don’t discount the fact that being here is important too. You save lives. And Penny, she’s safe now. Everything worked out.”
Cash looked through the glass doors at Penny’s small form in the hospital bed. “I appreciate that, Jonah. I really do. But you don’t understand. The woman who found Penny told me the man threatened to come back.” Cash lowered his voice and stared at Jonah. “He knows where we live. My gut tells me she’s still in danger. And Libby too, if she keeps working for me.”
“Have you thought about bringing in some extra protection until the police apprehend this guy?”
“I’m Penny’s father. I’m more than capable of keeping her safe.” Even as he said the words, he knew he’d have to work at some point—he just wasn’t able to be with Penny one hundred percent of the time.
“Alana Flores—the one who found Penny—is part of Noelle’s agency. She’s an expert in martial arts. Used to be on the LAPD SWAT team. Trust me, if anyone can keep Penny safe, it’s her.”
“Listen, I’m sure Alana is amazing. She saved Penny and opened her home and her life to the investigation. I’m grateful for what she did, but I don’t need anyone else.”
“I hear ya.” Jonah’s thumb traced a deliberate path over his beard as he spoke. “Look into the Elite Guardians and get to know Alana. Consider it your backup plan.”
“Yeah, okay.” Alana Flores. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met. Tough, smart, and fierce, yet soft and kind. Everything he found attractive in a woman. And her past as a detective made her even more intriguing. It couldn’t hurt to google her. That wouldn’t be stalking or anything.
The overhead speaker crackled to life, summoning the medical team for a triage category one. The area came alive with nurses and doctors as they rallied to respond to an incoming patient in need of resuscitation.
Cash glanced at the nurse jogging by. “Hard not to jump in, isn’t it?”
“Took me a while to suppress that instinct. I’d take half a step before I realized I don’t work here anymore.” Jonah chuckled. “So how did Penny do with the police interview? I worried about that for her.”
He blew out a breath. “Rocky start, but Penny found her voice. Somehow, she managed to describe the perpetrator in her own way. Her description matched up with Alana’s and Libby’s. Savannah’s finest are on the hunt now.”
“Good. Let me know when they find him. In the meantime, hungry? Need a fresh set of clothes?”
Being in the hospital and wearing scrubs was so natural, Cash hadn’t thought to change. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten, but the thought of food made his stomach roil. “Nah, I’m all right. Thanks for swinging by, though. Means a lot.”
They did a bro handshake, interlocking thumbs in a firm grasp that morphed into a steadfast hug.