Silent Run - Barbara Freethy [28]
He stood up as Deputy Manning and his brother paused just outside the room, conversing with the hospital’s head of security.
Sarah grabbed his arm. “Don’t tell them what I just said,” she pleaded.
Jake wondered why. “I’m not going to keep your secrets.” But when Manning and Dylan walked over to join them, he decided to hear what they had to say first. He needed to think about Sarah’s latest flash of memory, figure out what it might mean. He also wanted to ask her why she’d panicked at the idea of him discussing her memory with the police.
“I’ve spoken with Mr. Jamison in security,” Manning said. “They don’t have any new information on the man who entered your room earlier. They’ve talked to the employees on the floor, and no one saw anyone who didn’t belong there.”
Jake hadn’t really expected a different answer. Sarah’s description had been vague at best.
“We removed your car from the canyon,” Manning continued. “It’s in the impound lot. We found no other evidence or clues to your past in the vehicle. Except for the items belonging to the child, the car was clean. Our best hope is that tonight’s broadcast will generate some new leads.” He glanced from Jake to Sarah. “Is there anything else you can tell me?”
Sarah gave a brief shake of her head, barely glancing at the deputy. She certainly didn’t appear eager to work with law enforcement, and it was clear she knew that Manning had his doubts about her. Who could blame him? Sarah was a mess of contradictions. Jake had lived with her for two years, but he barely recognized the woman before him.
“I’m not feeling well. I’d like to go to my room,” Sarah said, sending him a pleading look.
He felt himself weaken at her desperate gaze. She was hurt. She was scared. And she wanted him to help her. He told himself he was concerned only because of Caitlyn. He didn’t want Sarah to lose her grip on reality. Getting her memory back could be crucial to finding his daughter.
“I’ll walk you up,” he said as Sarah got to her feet.
He avoided looking at Dylan, afraid he would reveal too much.
“I’ll check with you both in the morning,” Manning said. “Hopefully we’ll have some good leads to follow.”
Jake put his hand on Sarah’s arm as he escorted her out of the room. Dylan fell into step on her other side, the security guard following behind them. They didn’t say a word as they made their way back up to the third floor.
Once inside her room Sarah kicked off her shoes and sat down on the bed with a weary sigh. She looked almost defeated, Jake thought. It wasn’t just the pain of her injuries that was taking a toll—it was the fear running through her. And he suspected it was that fear that was keeping her memory at bay. How could he give her the courage to face the demons in her head, especially when he didn’t know what those demons were?
She hadn’t trusted him enough to tell the truth about herself when they were together, and she certainly didn’t trust him now. Nor did he trust her. Where did that leave them?
There was a dinner tray on the bedside table, and Sarah picked up the aluminum cover to reveal a plate of chicken and mashed potatoes. Jake felt his stomach grumble at the sight. The food didn’t look all that appetizing, but he couldn’t remember when either of them had last eaten. “You should eat,” he told her. “You need to get your strength back.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Eat anyway. Do it for your daughter.”
She reluctantly picked up her fork. “What about you?”
“He’s coming with me,” Dylan said. “Down to the cafeteria. No arguments. The guard is outside, and Sarah isn’t going anywhere, right, Sarah?”
“Right,” she muttered. “I wouldn’t know where to go, and with someone trying to kill me, it’s smarter to stay where I have someone watching out for me. I’m not an idiot, no matter what else you may think of me.”
Jake hesitated, but his appetite won out. “Fine. I’ll be back in thirty minutes. You’d better be here, Sarah.”
“I will be,” she replied, meeting his gaze.
There had been a time in his life when he’d never doubted her. Now he had nothing but doubts.