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The door opened.
“I thought I told you—”
Angela’s voice was unmistakable.
“Excuse me,” a deep male voice said as the light flipped on a second before he brushed past Angela and ran into the hallway.
“Stop him,” Reese yelled as she scrambled to her feet.
Angela let the man brush right past her. She took one look at Reese and then turned back toward the hallway. “Stop that man!”
“Someone came into my room. I need my clothes. I’m leaving,” Reese said.
Angela grabbed her cell phone out of her pocket and made a call to security as she put her free hand up to stop Reese. After making the request, she said, “Your friend is out there. What happened in here?”
“I already told you,” Reese said, opening cabinets to locate the bag with her clothes inside. She distinctly remembered being given a plastic one but had no idea where it had gone.
“Did you know him?” Angela asked.
“I’m afraid I have no idea who that man was and he’s the reason I’m in here in the first place,” she said as Darren came barreling into the room. She made eye contact immediately. “He was here.” She lifted her arm so he could see the grip marks.
“How?” Darren muttered a few choice words. “Did you get a good look at him?”
“Afraid not,” Reese said as she opened the cabinet with her personal effects. “There we go. Right here. Now if you’ll excuse me.” She made a beeline for the attached bathroom.
Angela seemed to know better than to argue. “Security is on its way.”
Reese ripped off the hospital gown and put her clothes on, then slipped into her shoes. She couldn’t wait to get out of there.
Darren waited at the door, reminding her, “The nurse called Security.”
“Too late,” she said, staring at him. “I’m not staying here a minute longer.”
“I’m sorry I left you alone,” he said, then reached for her hand and linked their fingers. “This is my fault.”
“You had no idea this would happen,” she said.
“This bastard slipped past me when I was right down the hall.” He shook his head. “I never would have forgiven myself if something had happened to you.”
“You have been sticking your neck out and putting your life on the line for me since I showed up on your property,” she insisted. “You’ve done nothing wrong except try to help. If anyone is sorry, it’s me. It’s my fault your house is burned down. All your memories are gone.”
Tucking her chin to her chest, she stifled a sniffle.
“Let’s get out of here and then we can clear the air,” he said, lifting her chin up until her gaze met his again. “Deal?”
She nodded. “I’m ready.”
As they turned toward the door, it burst open. The deputy stopped in the door jamb, panting. “He got away. Any chance you got a good look at his face?”
“No,” Reese admitted. “And I have no plans to stay here for him to finish the job, security or not.”
She gave a quick rundown of what happened.
“How can I reach you?” the deputy asked.
“My cell burned beyond usage,” Darren said.
Deputy Lyle produced a business card. “Once you get a working cell, program this number in.”
