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“I waited for you,” he said, his voice even and composed. “I figured we'd help with the evacuation.” He didn’t mention Jackson.
His cool words struck a nerve, a bitter reminder of the wall that stood between them. But for now, she pushed her thoughts aside, focusing instead on their job.
Though she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Liv joined Michael in the efforts to evacuate the hospital. Her professionalism kicked in as she helped usher patients to the safety of awaiting ambulances and buses. She hoped she would hear from Turk.
As the last of the patients were safely evacuated from the smoky scene, Liv allowed herself only a tiny moment of respite, her chest heaving with exhaustion as she surveyed the scene before her. The hospital facility had been saved from complete destruction, but the scars of the smoke would linger for months to come.
“Liv, I’m heading over to the power plant to do a walkthrough,” Michael said.
The idea of him checking for evidence bothered her. If he started the fire, he could also destroy the evidence.
Liv's heart sank as she glanced at her phone, realizing she had missed six calls while she was evacuating patients. The list included Turk, her mother, and Sophie—each one a reminder of the scene unfolding around her. But there were two other missed calls that caught her attention—both from Brad Killian.
“Michael, hold on,” Liv interjected, her voice tense with apprehension as she turned toward him. “I need to take care of something first.”
Before she could voice her concerns, Detective Joey Andrews approached, his expression grim as he surveyed the scene. “This is a shitshow,” he muttered, his breath heavy with exhaustion. “How's Captain Reynolds?”
“I haven't heard,” Liv admitted reluctantly, her stomach churning with worry.
“Well, go find out,” Joey insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Liv hesitated slightly before responding, “I was heading to do a walkthrough with Michael.”
But before she could protest further, Joey cut her off. “I got this. Mike and I can handle it. You head to County Hospital. That's where they took the most critical,” he instructed firmly.
With a nod of agreement, Liv turned on her heel and headed toward her car. As she drove to the hospital, she called Turk first. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for him to pick up. He answered on the first ring, his voice steady and reassuring.
“Turk, it's Liv,” she began, her voice tight. “What's happening with Jackson?”
Turk's response was immediate, his words a lifeline in the darkness. “We managed to bring him out of the dive within the hyperbaric chamber,” he explained, his tone filled with relief. “He's been transferred to the ICU at Waverly County Hospital. His oxygen levels are still low, and he's still unconscious, but he's responding.”
A wave of gratitude washed over Liv as she listened to his words, a sense of hope filling her. “Thank you, Turk,” she murmured, her voice choked with emotion.
But Turk's next question brought her up short, a chill running down her spine. “Why didn't you want Michael Wheaton near him?”
Liv hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “I'll explain when I see you,” she replied evasively, her mind filled with fear.
With a promise to meet him in Jackson's room, Liv ended the call and dialed her mother's number, her heart hammering in her chest as she waited for her to pick up.
“Mom,” her voice trembled with urgency, “is Martha okay?”
Charlotte's response was immediate. “Martha is with him, Liv,” she explained gently. “But until we know he's alright, she’ll be staying with me.”
Liv's breath caught in her throat at her mother's words, a surge of guilt washing over her. “I'm so sorry, Mom,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I should have been there.”
But her mother’s next words made her feel better. “Tell me what's going on, Liv,” she insisted. “I can help.”
With a deep breath, Liv launched into her theory, explaining in detail the suspicions that had been gnawing at her since the warehouse fire. “Mom, his timeline is off.”
Charlotte listened in silence, her breath catching as Liv recounted the evidence that pointed to Michael's possible involvement. And then it clicked. The whiff of memory hit her.
“The tomato can. Jackson wanted me to have it as evidence. Michael took it to process. He said he’d take it before ‘the explosive inside kills someone.’ We had no idea what it was.”
When Liv finished speaking, there was a moment of tense silence before Charlotte spoke, her voice steady and resolute. “I'll keep Martha safe,” she vowed, her words a promise.
Liv ended the call and dialed Sophie's number next, her hands dancing against the steering wheel as she waited for her sister to pick up.
“Sophie,” Liv greeted her sister as soon as she answered. “How is Jackson?”
