Blurred Lines by KD Williamson (15 page)

He glared. “Oh come on. I know you felt—”

She cut him off. “Don’t forget your belongings.”

His face reddened and his fists clenched. “Fucking bitch.”

Nora studied him and thought of Rader, another man who thought he had the right to casually sling names and insults at her. Her insides heated for an entirely different reason—anger—but she refused to let the feeling over take her. It felt good to be in control of something. Nora turned and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she glanced over her shoulder and calmly informed him, “I’ll call that cab now.”

“Why the fuck do I always get the crazy ones?” he mumbled.

As she closed the door behind her, Nora heard every word but couldn’t argue. Maybe he was right. She certainly felt a little crazy.

* * *

After he left, Nora sat on the couch and sipped her cooling cup of coffee. She swiped through the news stories on her tablet, but nothing grabbed her attention. She felt strange. Idleness did not suit her. She found it draining, and she hated her lack of energy. She stood and slowly paced in front of the sofa. There had to be a way to shake her emotions free, even for a short period of time.

Being alone had never been an issue, but the loneliness had become one. Something within her was missing. Nora wasn’t sure if that had always been the case, or if it was a recent realization. Unintentionally, she thought of Kelli, and for the briefest of moments, that ache disappeared.

Nora sat back down and went to Google on her tablet. She typed in Kelli’s name. The search returned several articles. Some had pictures, and Nora focused on those. She smiled. Kelli looked uncomfortable in the spotlight. Nora was amused by the pinched look on her face.

Kelli McCabe was a well-known and respected detective. Nora didn’t find this shocking at all. From firsthand experience, she knew a sharp intellect and generous spirit existed behind Kelli’s tactless exterior. She allowed recent memories to soothe her, but unless Nora pursued the nascent relationship forming between them, that comfort wouldn’t last. Despite the bond forming between them, Nora dismissed the idea as sheer lunacy. She brushed the thought away and ignored the twinge of disappointment that followed. Kelli was not the solution.

Nora hit the home button on her tablet and lifted the coffee cup to her lips once more. Its contents were tepid and bitter. She finished it anyway. For a moment, she didn’t feel lost, grounded in the routine of drinking coffee in the familiar setting of her home. The moment passed. Nora tried to single out and dissect her emotions. She didn’t have the energy to go on like this. One moment she felt almost normal and then she was overwhelmed by a massive wave of anxiety. There was also anger. It seemed to always be there right underneath the surface. Regardless of Rader’s attempts to ruin her, she knew who she was, or rather who she
used
to be. Nora had misplaced her confidence and self-assurance, substituting them with fear and listlessness. She was shaken, vulnerable, and needed to trace this mayhem back to its origins.

Without much thought, she knew what her first mistake was. She just didn’t see the scope of the problem at the beginning, when her life was first thrust into disarray. Opening herself to Kelli was pivotal, and everything she experienced after was the inevitable fallout. Kelli’s invasion wasn’t greeted with open arms, and Nora had yet to understand how she got in far enough to wreak such havoc. None of this made sense, least of all the instant flash of arousal Nora experienced a few hours earlier that had Kelli as its epicenter. She was baffled by her reaction. Yes, Kelli was clearly attractive, but Nora didn’t make a habit of objectifying her patients. The entire situation was just the result of all the turmoil around her. It had to be.

Nora turned her anger inward onto herself. In an attempt to hold back her emotions, she closed her hands into tight fists, as if preparing for a fight. Inadvertently, she dug her nails into her palms. Nora grimaced at the subsequent sting. The pain was preferable to the mess she found herself in. She glanced down and rubbed her thumb over the crescent marks left behind in her skin. The symbolism was not lost on her. Nora was responsible for her own agony, and Kelli was right in the middle of it. Her heart pounded against her chest. Then, she couldn’t breathe. Why couldn’t she breathe?

Rader, Kelli, and the suspension, Nora worried that she couldn’t handle it all. She needed to dam herself up before she drowned. That thought alone set off alarms inside her. There was obviously some part of her that wanted this. She tried to ignore the internal blaring, but the sound grew louder. Nora stood. Finally, she was able to take some breaths. She shook her head to clear it, which helped a little.

Nora didn’t recognize this rebellious portion of her psyche. There had been a few introductions as of late to hidden, buried pieces of herself, and she had eventually accepted them with ease. However, this opposition wasn’t welcome at all. There was a chance dangling right in front of her, a possibility to return to her natural…no, her previous state of existence, and a huge part of her resisted the carrot.

Again, Nora closed her hand into a fist. This time, she ignored the discomfort. Nora was stronger than this. She was. She had to be. Otherwise, these constantly exposed weaknesses would be her downfall.

* * *

Kelli held her breath as Travis’s eyes fluttered and opened. They were bloodshot and unfocused. She moved closer. There were other concerned people in the room, but Kelli wanted to be the first person he saw. It was a selfish act, sure, but that didn’t matter.

Gerry groaned.

“Son?” Gerald Travis Sr. towered over Kelli’s shoulder. He was a hulk of a man, but his voice cracked with worry.

Travis blinked, and his gaze met Kelli’s. “Hey.”

She felt so damn relieved she almost laughed. That probably wouldn’t have gone over well. “Morning,” she whispered instead. Kelli sensed someone coming up behind her. She turned slightly as Sean clapped her on the back. They grinned at each other.

“Did I…did I hear my dad?” Travis asked.

“Yeah, you did.” Kelli shuffled to the side.

Gerald Sr. cleared his throat and took Travis’s hand. “I’m here.”

Kelli had met Travis’s father before, but this was the first time that she saw him touch his son. Too bad it took something like paralysis for him to reach out to his kid. Good thing Gerry had a back-up family. Kelli swallowed the lump rising in her throat.

“Did it work?” Travis’s voice was small but hopeful.

Gerald Sr. hesitated for a moment and then looked at Kelli.

“Won’t know until the swelling goes down,” Kelli said.

As he smiled, his eyes shining, Travis’s father nodded.

Travis, himself, grimaced and exhaled shakily. “I’m so tired of this.”

Kelli felt tears prickle her eyes. She tried to breathe through them. Angry with herself, Kelli stepped back and turned away to compose herself. He needed her to be positive. She had to keep it together. She didn’t have the time to fall the hell apart.

“I’m sure you are, but we’re here.” Sean stepped forward.

“I know,” Travis murmured. “What the hell is this thing they have me in?”

“The nurse said it was called a halo.” Kelli told him.

“Well…it doesn’t make me feel…angelic.”

Kelli almost laughed. She thought the same thing not too long ago after seeing him strapped in for the first time. It was amazing how much they were in sync at times. His eyes drooped slowly. Then, his breathing evened out. Kelli didn’t blame him. She was fucking exhausted, and she wasn’t the one who had surgery.

Kelli leaned heavily on her new cane and watched Travis while he slept. Sean nudged her. “Mom just texted. She’ll be here in a few minutes to talk to the doctor.”

Kelli nodded. She didn’t like that her freedom from this hospital came with discharge instructions, but she was just glad to be leaving. The fact that Travis was awake and in good hands was a bonus.

“She wanted to take the day off, but…you know how she is,” Sean said.

“Yeah, I know. Let’s go then.” Kelli completed one mission and tried to mentally ready herself for the several more that waited for her. She paused in the doorway and turned. Right now her faith in herself was shaky, but Kelli had plenty in Gerry Travis Jr.

* * *

Her mother was already there, rummaging through the empty drawers, when Kelli walked into her room.

“Mom, I got everything.” She pointed to the duffle bag on the bed.

“I was just checking; you never know. Antony wanted to come, but he called. He’s doing a double at work.”

Kelli glanced at her brother. They communicated silently. It was one of his favorite lies, and they both knew it. “Yeah, okay.”

Their mother smiled. “You look good for somebody who had two bullets in ’em.”

Kelli snorted.

“Good morning, McCabes. I’m sure our detective is ready to get out of here.”

Kelli glared at Dr. Rader as he entered the room. “Just save it and give me whatever I need to sign.” What a fucking asshole. She was dying to rip him another one.

“Kelli!” Carina exclaimed. “Where are your manners? This man took good care of you.”

Kelli glanced at her mother. “Sure he did.” She turned her attention back to Dr. Rader, but he refused to meet her gaze. This made Kelli smile. “Prick,” she mumbled under her breath.

“It’s okay, Mrs. McCabe. She’s a handful, but we’re glad she’s healthy again.” Rader grinned.

Kelli controlled the urge to smack him with her cane…just barely. She imagined it instead, and the images in her head were so very satisfying.

Dr. Rader smirked, which added to his sliminess. “I’m sure Nora would have been here…if she could.”

Kelli smiled. She made sure it was wide and showed all her teeth. He was sticking his face in shark-infested waters, and if he kept pushing, Kelli didn’t have a problem biting his head clean off.

Dr. Rader’s eyes widened, and he looked away.

“Where is Dr. Whitmore anyway?” Sean glanced around the room as if he thought maybe he’d missed her somehow.

“Who?” Carina looked thoughtful for a second. “Is that the weird, pretty one?”

Kelli continued to smile. It was a real one this time. “Yes, that would be her, but don’t call her weird.”

“I like her,” Sean said.

“Me too,” Kelli glared at Dr. Rader. He was looking down at his shoes.

Rader cleared his throat. “Well, Ms. McCabe you will need to continue the physical therapy and check in with me once more on an outpatient basis before returning to your regular doctor.”

“Lovely,” Kelli added.

Her mother sighed. “I’m sorry, doctor. Trust me, I didn’t raise her to be like this. Can you also tell her that it would be better if she stayed with me until she can get around without the cane?”

“Mom! You got me the cane. Let me use it. I’ll be fine at my own place.” Kelli stared at Rader, daring him to disagree. If he did, there would be no holding back. She was definitely going to give him a nice swat with her cane. This fucker deserved it.

He licked his lips and swallowed audibly. “She’s ambulatory. She should be fine,” Dr. Rader said hastily.

Kelli bared her teeth at him. “See, Mom. Told you.”

“Fine, fine, but I’m coming over after work. I’m sure you need groceries…”

“All right.” Kelli conceded because her mother would show up anyway.

“Yes, well, a nurse should be in momentarily with discharge papers and further instructions.” Dr. Rader made his exit.

Carina stared at Kelli. “What is wrong with you? First you terrorize the nurses and now you’re on to doctors?”

Kelli rolled her eyes and waved her hand brushing the complaint away. “He deserves it. Guy’s a douche. I’ve got evidence now.”

“Was this Dr. Whitmore the only one you were nice to?”

Kelli shrugged. “Probably.”

Sean chuckled. “Only because she’s hot.”

“It was not! There were some hot nurses too. I—” Kelli started to defend herself.

Carina threw her hands in the air. “Whatever! I’m just glad they can’t sue you. I’ve got to get to work.” She pulled Kelli into a hug before she could protest. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

As her mother left, a nurse arrived with a wheelchair and a clipboard.

“No…no. I’m not getting in one of those things. I’m in real clothes for the first time in weeks, and I’m gonna walk out of here,” Kelli grumbled.

The nurse opened her mouth no doubt to fight with her. Instead, she thrust the clipboard in Kelli’s direction. “Sign by the Xs, and I mean this, we are glad to see you go.” Her smile was genuine.

Sean laughed.

Kelli glared. “Fine, whatever.”

* * *

The sun was too bright. Kelli shielded her eyes and tried to adjust. She shifted back under the awning and waited for Sean to pick her up. There were a few low-hanging clouds but not many. Strange. It was April in Seattle. It should be pissing rain; instead there was a sky full of sunshine. Kelli inhaled the fresh air. It was humid but she welcomed the feeling, because it was real compared to the smell and feel of the hospital. She was free from that place, but she couldn’t do what she wanted. Between the damn cane and her concerns about Tony and Nora, she couldn’t enjoy her parole. She was too worried. Antony was clearly getting high and doing who knew what else. And she had no fucking clue what was up with Nora, but whatever it was made Dr. Rader disgustingly happy. She couldn’t think clearly. There was too much coming at her, even though she tried to keep things separate. As soon as she started focusing on one fucked-up situation, the other needed her attention. Fucked-up shit all the way around.

The past couple of days, Kelli picked up the phone at least a hundred times to call Nora, but never had the balls to dial the number. Besides, a phone call wasn’t enough. Kelli had to see her. Nothing else would do. This pull she felt toward Nora was weird as hell, but it worked. Why question it?

Sean pulled his cruiser in front of her. He jogged around and opened the passenger side door. Kelli stumbled slightly as she folded herself into the car. “Dammit.”