When Niamh heard the outcome, she couldn’t help but praise Flynn’s skills–he really knew what he was doing.
By all accounts, things should have been settled: Susy was in jail, Jasper had turned himself in, and the case was closed.
But Niamh remembered clearly that, on the day she entered the construction site, there had been workers in hard hats and overalls. One of them had led her straight to the abandoned electrical room.
Yet the police never caught those men. Susy, for her part, named Marina as the mastermind who’d given her the plan.
Unfortunately, Marina denied everything, and the police couldn’t find a shred of evidence tying her to the crime.
Niamh knew, for the authorities, the case was over. But between her and Marina, it was far from finished.
Late that night, as the hospital grew quiet, Jonathan knocked on her door.
Niamh wasn’t surprised to see him.
In fact, she would’ve been more surprised if Jonathan hadn’t come to visit.
What she didn’t expect, though, was that he didn’t come alone.
Prescott followed close behind, his arms loaded down with gifts.
It was the first time Niamh had seen Prescott carrying so much by himself: a basket of fruit, bottles of milk, and all sorts of nourishing treats.
Prescott set everything down in her room.
She glanced around. No flowers.
For once, Jonathan had remembered.
“Just you here?” Jonathan/asked, frowning.
He’d brought Prescott because he was certain Niamh would already have company–either Lana or Elmer. If not Elmer, then Peter or Preston. Even Michael might swing by just to be part of things.
They all knew each other well enough. Jonathan had no desire to be caught alone visiting Niamh. If he couldn’t have a private moment with her, he figured he might
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as well bring Prescott along for cover.
But the room was empty–no one else around.
“I told them to go home and get some rest,” Niamh replied. “No sense in making everyone lose sleep over me.”
After all, the hospital’s family room was nothing like being at home. Both Elmer and Lana had jobs to worry about.
Besides, Niamh could afford the best private care now.
And the truth was, the wounds this time weren’t just physical. What hurt more was what had happened to her spirit.
h
Still, this wasn’t her first time being held captive. Her time in the juvenile center had toughened her up, in a way.
Now that she’d been rescued, she knew she wouldn’t be left with any permanent scars–at least, not the kind that haunted her.
Jonathan watched her, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes.
“You’re calmer, stronger than I ever imagined,” he said quietly.
Niamh blinked in surprise. Was Jonathan… complimenting her?
She smiled. “Well, I’ve had practice.”
“What?” Jonathan raised an eyebrow.
He hadn’t quite caught her words, or her meaning.
Niamh’s clear eyes clouded over, like milk swirling into whiskey.
He really didn’t remember.
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Didn’t remember her, or the days he used to bring her candy, over and over again, when she was locked up.
But she remembered the taste of those candies–every one.
“Jonathan, once, I was-”
The door creaked open. The nurse she’d hired stepped in, surprised to see Jonathan and Prescott
She set a thermometer on the nightstand and quietly
slipped into the adjoining room, shutting the door behind her.
Niamh ran her tongue across her dry lips.
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There was no point dredging up the past, not now.
Whatever bond she and Jonathan had, It was long since broken.
Jonathan, thank you for saving my life.”
He looked startled. “You know it was me?”
“Elmer told me,” she replied.
Even if he hadn’t, she would have known.
Jonathan glanced away, his expression conflicted.
“Oh, right–this is for you…”
He reached into the pocket of his slacks and handed something to Niamh.
