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“It is. You’ll have your own room.” Seeing the question in her eyes, he added, “I know it’s probably overkill, but I don’t want anyone knowing where we’re staying.”

“You don’t trust Rex?” She sounded upset. “I thought he was your boss?”

“He is my boss, and I do trust him. With my life and yours.” He gestured to the fading taillights of the car that had picked them up. “But we don’t know James, and anyone can be bought under the right circumstances.”

“Okay, if you say so.” She didn’t sound convinced, but that was okay. All that mattered was that he’d covered their tracks as much as possible.

It felt strange to walk along a well-lit street. He held Fiona’s hand, trying to look like a couple out for a stroll, despite her bedraggled appearance. Her comment about needing new clothes was more of a priority than he’d originally thought. She needed to blend into their surroundings.

Upon entering the Derby View Suites Hotel, he smiled at the desk clerk. “Do you have a two-bedroom suite available?”

“I’ll have to check. We’re almost completely booked.” The woman tapped her fingers on the keyboard. If she noticed they didn’t have luggage, she didn’t let on. “Okay, you’re in luck, there has been a recent cancellation. I can give you the room for two nights. May I see your ID?”

Doc handed over his ID and Grayson’s Guardians credit card.

She did more typing on the computer, then smiled at them. “Okay, Mr. Harmon. You’re all set.” She slid his ID and credit card back, along with a packet containing two room keys. “You’re on the second floor, room 2005.”

“Thanks.” He would have preferred a room on the ground floor, but since the hotel was almost completely booked, there was no point in asking for something else.

They rode the elevator to the second floor. He handed one key to Fiona, then used the other to unlock the door. The suite was spacious and well decorated, featuring a main living area complete with a small kitchenette and two bedrooms, one on each side.

“Wow, this is very nice.” Fiona sounded impressed, which surprised him. He’d figured this might be a step down from what she was used to. “Does it matter which room I take?”

“Nope. Your choice.” He crossed the room to peer out the window. Their view overlooked the front of the hotel, and he could just make out the trees beyond. He wasn’t overly fond of hotel rooms; generally, there was only one way in and out. Especially being on the second floor. Using the window as an egress required a significant drop to concrete below.

Trying to shake off the niggle of apprehension, he stepped back and drew the heavy curtain across the windows. Another glance at his watch confirmed it was half past ten o’clock at night. Truthfully, it felt much later.

He rolled his shoulders, trying to relax. Fiona emerged from one bedroom and crossed to the kitchenette to fill a glass with water. “I’m incredibly thirsty,” she admitted, before taking a sip.

“You’re probably still dehydrated. Running and walking haven’t helped.” He moved closer. “I’d like to check your pupils again. Just to make sure your condition has remained stable.” It was something he’d wanted to do earlier but had decided it wasn’t a priority under the circumstances.

Turned out, he was right about that.

She took another long drink of water, then set the glass aside. She stood perfectly still as he peered at her pupils. Her blue eyes were clear, and both pupils appeared equal and reactive to light.

So far, so good. He stepped back, wondering about her memory loss. His medic training hadn’t delved into amnesia, but he had to assume that a traumatic experience combined with an acute head injury had caused the condition.

“I would feel better having you checked out at the hospital,” he said, when he realized she was looking at him expectantly. “I don’t see anything that signifies a brain bleed. Your pupils are equal and reactive to light. But I’m not a neurology expert. My role in the army was to patch them up and get them to the medical staging tent for additional care if possible.” He tried not to think of the many times that hadn’t been feasible. Especially at the end.

Her brow furrowed. “I’m fine. I would rather stay here and get some rest.”

He sighed, unwilling to force her into doing something he wasn’t convinced was necessary. Based on the gunmen’s pursuit, he had to admit staying out of the hospital was likely a smart move. “Will you at least promise to let me know if your symptoms get worse? Especially your headache?”

“Yes, of course. I promise.” She smiled, her relief evident. “Thank you. I know I’ll feel better once I get some rest.”

“Okay.” He tucked his hands into the front pockets of his jeans to keep from reaching for her. He couldn’t allow himself to get too emotionally involved. “Sleep well.”

“Thanks.” She refilled her water glass, then carried it into the bedroom. In the doorway, she paused and glanced back at him. “Good night, Doc. I hope you sleep well too.”

“Good night.” He watched her step across the threshold, then close the door behind her. After a long moment, he scrubbed his hands over his face. She was twisting him into knots without even trying.

His own exhaustion was wearing on him.

Yet sleep was a luxury he couldn’t afford. Not yet anyway. He reached for the television remote. It took a few minutes to figure out how to work the television stations; he didn’t have anything this fancy at his cabin. After figuring it out, he found a twenty-four-hour news station.

Fiona Murphy’s father was rich and well-known in the state of Kentucky. If his daughter was missing, and he wasn’t involved in any way, he’d have immediately alerted the police and the media.

Stifling a yawn, he watched the news. During a commercial break, he rose to fill a glass with water, downing it in one gulp. He listened briefly at the door to Fiona’s room but didn’t hear anything.