Amanda grasped his hand and kissed it. “I’ll never forget what you did.”
He winced at the pain in his side. “You were smart to set the phone down. I was trying to call you when I heard Carl’s voice. What was he after—coming back here?”
“I’m not sure. He was mostly talking—about his things. He mentioned some papers. When he started playing with Cece’s pencil, the one from the street fair, I got really shaky. I haven’t talked to Ian. He stayed with you when I went down to see about the girls. The campus police said the city cops took Carl into custody—he was gone when I went back to the office. I was so worried about you.”
He nodded.
“The statue of Shakespeare is toast—I think one of you ran into him when you crashed into the wall.” Amanda’s eyes filled. “Ian gave me his shirt to try to stop the bleeding, and then he went with you to the hospital.”
“I’ll have to thank him for that.” He grimaced again.“Did Cecelia see Carlton? Is she okay?”
“She seems to be. I need to call Sam’s mother to see how she is—the girls were together when they came to the office. I should let Joan know how you’re doing.”
“Can I talk to Cece? Is she here?”
Amanda waved to Cecelia, who had been waiting near the door. “Marcus wants to talk to you, honey.”
Cecelia approached the bed slowly.
“How are you?” he croaked.
“I’m okay. Mom says you’re a hero.” She edged closer.
He smiled. “Mostly just someone who tripped and fell down. But your mom says we broke the statue of old Will. Beatrice isn’t going to be happy about that.”
Cecelia nodded. “I hope she isn’t mad. I’ll tell her it wasn’t you. That it was the other man—that bad man—who did it.”
He gazed at her. “The main thing is you’re safe and your mother is safe. That’s all that matters.”
“Marcus, will you have to stay here for a long time?” Her eyes were wide as she looked at him.
“I hope not. But I’ll have to ask the doctor.” He tried to move in the bed and stopped at the pain that made him groan involuntarily. “I’m still pretty sore.”
“Because that bad man hit you?”
He nodded. “And because the doctors had to cut me open and then sew me back up again. That’s where it hurts the most.”
“I brought you someone—to make you feel better.”She pulled Eeyore out from under her jacket and placed the stuffed animal in Marcus’ hand.
He grinned. “Thank you, Cece,” and brought it up to his chin. “I feel better already.”
She smiled at him. “We need to go now so you can sleep. Mom says you need your rest when you’re hurting.”
“She’s right.” He looked over at Amanda, whose face radiated love as she wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands.
Cecelia moved away to stand next to Amanda and they walked toward the door. “Go to sleep, Marcus. We’ll come back later.” She blew him a kiss.
Cecelia pulled on Amanda’s arm then whispered something when she leaned down to her. The child approached his bed again. She reached out and tentatively touched his wrist before curling her small hand around two of his fingers. He tried to squeeze her hand.
“Marcus?”
He was silent as he looked back at her.
“I have a new book,” she said quietly.
He was having trouble concentrating. Probably the drugs they were pumping into him. “By Marguerite Henry?”
She nodded.
“What’s the title?”
“King of the Wind.”
“One of my favorites,” his voice barely above a whisper.
“I’ve only read the first chapter, but I think I’m going to like it.” She patted his hand where it rested on the bed. “I could bring it to the hospital and read it to you if you want—to help you get better.”
Her curls were a golden crown blurring before his eyes. “If the nurses let you, I’d like that.”
She beamed at him and then at her mother. “Okay. I’ll come back after your nap.”
Later that day, Amanda brought Cecelia back to see him. The child was reading to him when two detectives entered the room. One of them was Will Park.
“You can’t make him upset,” the little girl warned. “He needs to rest so he can get better.”
They nodded their heads. “We won’t stay long,” Will said.
“We’ll be in the waiting room,” Amanda said, and escorted Cecelia outside.
The other detective spoke first. “Professor Dunbar, you look kind of tired.” He paused to glance down at his notes. “If you’re up to it, we’d like to ask you some questions.”