Fatal Tide - Iris Johansen [8]
Don't think of him.
And try not to think of Phil. Twenty-four hours was a long time, but he could still be out there.
If he'd grabbed a life vest.
If he hadn't been blown up before he hit the water.
Jesus, she wished she could cry.
“Should you be up?” Gary frowned with concern as he saw Melis sitting in the chair by the window the next morning. “The nurse told me you regained consciousness only last evening.”
“I'm fine. And I have to show them I don't need to stay here.” Her hands tightened on the arms of the chair. “They want me to wait and talk to the police.”
“Yeah, I've already given them my statement. They won't hassle you, Melis.”
“They're already hassling me. The police can't get here till later this afternoon and I won't wait. But the hospital is tying me up with such a string of red tape I can't make a move. I think it's just an excuse. They say I shouldn't leave until tomorrow anyway.”
“The doctors probably know best.”
“The hell they do. I have to go back to where the ship sank. I have to find Phil.”
“Melis . . .” Gary hesitated before he said gently, “I was out there with the coast guard. You're not going to find Phil. We've lost him.”
“I don't want to hear that. I have to see for myself.” Her glance shifted to the well-manicured lawns outside the window. “What was Kelby doing here?”
“Mainly turning the hospital upside down. They wouldn't even let me into your room, but Kelby had no problem. And before he came here, he was out helping the coast guard with the search. You don't know him, do you?”
“I never met him. But Phil told me he was trying to contact him. Do you know why?”
Gary shook his head. “Maybe Cal knows.”
Melis doubted it. Whatever business Phil had with Kelby was evidently part of this deadly scenario that had taken his life. And it was a business he hadn't been willing to share with even his closest friends.
Dear God, she was thinking of him as dead. She was meekly accepting what they'd told her. She couldn't do that. “Go find Kelby for me, Gary. Tell him to get me out of here.”
“What?”
“You said he could pull strings. Tell him to do it. I don't think you'll have any problem. He came here because he wants something from me. Well, he can't get anything from me while I'm in this hospital. He'll want me out.”
“Even if it's not good for you?”
She remembered the impression Kelby had given her of rock hardness. “He won't care. Tell him to get me away from here.”
“Okay.” Gary grimaced. “But I still don't think you should do it. Phil wouldn't have liked it.”
“You know Phil always let me do exactly what I wanted to do. It was much less bother for him.” She had to steady her voice. “So please don't argue with me, Gary. I'm having a few emotional problems today.”
“You're doing fine. You always do fine.” He hurriedly left the room.
Poor Gary. He wasn't used to her not being in control, and it was upsetting him. It was upsetting her too. She didn't like feeling this helpless.
No, not helpless. She instantly rejected the word. There was always something she could do, another path to take. She was just sad and angry and filled with despair. Never helpless. It was just that right now she couldn't see clearly what path was open to her.
She'd better decide soon. Kelby was hovering on the threshold and she'd been forced to let him draw closer. He would use that slightly open door to gain purchase and solidify his position.
She leaned back in the chair and tried to relax. She ought to rest and garner all her strength while she had the chance. It would take all her resources to push Kelby out and slam that door again.
Kelby smiled with amusement as he watched Melis Nemid walk toward the front entrance. A nun was trailing behind her with the wheelchair Melis should have been occupying, and she wasn't at all pleased.
He had a fleeting memory of his first impression of how fragile Melis appeared. That provocative aura of delicacy was still present, but it was