Deadly Intuition(51)

“That’s so nice of you,” Marge cooed. “You have a big heart.”

James exchanged a glance with Grady, who had stopped pacing long enough to stare at Marge. “I guess.”

“Where is Mandy?” Grady finally spoke. “I thought she was going to get an update?”

“Give her a second,” James said. “She’s only been gone a few minutes.”

“Who is Mandy?” Conrad asked. “Does she work for you?”

“She’s my girlfriend,” James said, feeling Marge stiffen next to him. “She’s trying to get an update.”

“Your girlfriend?” Marge asked. “Is that an official title, or just a temporary position?”

James was definitely uncomfortable now. “I’m not sure I understand the question. Oh, look, here she comes.” Thank, God. James stood. “What did you find out?”

Mandy glanced at Conrad and Marge, clearly unsure of how to proceed.

“This is her editor and a friend from the office,” James said.

“I’m not her friend,” Marge replied. “I just came because I wanted to see if she survived.”

Yeah, that was odd.

“You’re Conrad Malcolm?” Mandy asked, reaching out to shake his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“You have?”

“You have a good reputation,” Mandy said. “I clerk for Judge MacIntosh. He has a lot of nice things to say about you.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Conrad said. “I know who you are. You’re the clerk who was attacked a few months ago.” He moved his eyes to James. “Which would make you the man who shot out the front door to get to her. You’re famous.”

“So I’ve been told,” James deadpanned.

“So, this is one of those brief but intense things that just burns out after time, right?” Marge interjected.

Mandy cocked her head to the side, sending a silent question to James. He didn’t know how to answer, so he merely shrugged helplessly in response.

Grady exploded. “What did the doctor say?”

Mandy turned to him. “He said that she has a concussion and she’s going to be sore for a few days,” she answered. “She’s going to have some bruises and a bump on her head, but she should be fine.”

Grady exhaled shakily. “Are you sure?”

“As sure as they can be until she regains consciousness,” Mandy said.

“And when is that supposed to happen?” Grady’s voice was sharp.

“Soon.”

Grady ran a hand through his hair, his expression still drawn. “Can I see her?”

“Are you going to be calm?”

“Are you trying to piss me off?”

Mandy shook her head. “No. I did manage to get you clearance to go into the room, but only if you’re calm.”

“How did you do that?” James asked.

“I told the nurse that Grady was her boyfriend and he was going to have a heart attack if he didn’t get to see her,” Mandy replied, watching Grady closely. “That means you can’t freak out when they call you her boyfriend.”

James was tense as he watched his brother. He almost jumped out of his skin when Grady reached for Mandy – worried his brother was going to shake her due to his frustration and emotional turmoil – but he relaxed when Grady pulled her in for a quick hug.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Mandy patted his back soothingly. “You’re welcome. She’s in room 218.”

Grady disappeared down the hall. Once he was gone, James turned to his girlfriend. “You managed to get all of that done in five minutes?”

“I’m efficient.”

James wrinkled his nose. “I was going to say awesome, but we’ll go with efficient.”

Mandy rolled her eyes. “We need to order some food and call Finn.”

“Order food? We’re staying?”

“Are you really going to leave him here alone?”

James shook his head, considering. “Actually, I figured I would stay and you would go home. I can leave long enough to follow you back and make sure you get settled.”

“You’re going to follow me home and then come back here? Why?”

“Because Sophie was run off the road on purpose,” James replied, already knowing that Mandy was going to balk at the harsh tone of his voice. “Forgive me if I don’t want that to happen to you.”

“Why would it?”

“You’ve been seen with her,” James said. “You and Ally were with her when that guy attacked her the other night. And, let’s be frank, he’s our prime suspect here.”

“He has no idea who I am.”