Read Online Critical Diagnosis by Alison Stone - Free Book Online Page B

off both his shoes and placed them next to Lily’s.
    Lily shivered. “There are tea bags in the little thingy on the counter.”
    “The little thingy, huh?”
    “Yeah.” She tiptoed across the hardwood floor, leaving wet prints, and pointed at a white ceramic thingy. She was right. “I bought it from my niece’s school fundraiser.” The hair around Lily’s face had sprung free from her smooth ponytail. The dampness had created fine curls that framed the delicate features of her face.
    He grabbed two mugs from the cabinet. “Now go. Get dry clothes on.”
    By the time he had two steaming mugs of tea on the small kitchen table, Lily had returned dressed in navy sweatpants and a university sweatshirt. Her damp hair flowed freely down around her shoulders. “The hot shower felt awesome.” She slipped into the chair, wrapped her hands around the mug and breathed in deeply. “Thanks.”
    “Feel better?” He studied her closely. Her face was scrubbed free of makeup. She was beautiful. A longing constricted his chest.
    “Much better. Thanks.” Lifting the mug to her lips, she took a long sip.
    “How much could you see when you were in the car tonight?”
    “Not much. It was raining so hard. I saw a shadow.” She set her mug down and locked her gaze on him. “It was the same guy, wasn’t it?” A wary expression settled in her brown eyes. “Who am I kidding? It had to be. He’s not going to stop until he’s caught.”
    “That’s what worries me.” James ran a hand over his mouth. “The chief called me today. An officer in Buffalo recognized the symbol you described. The one drawn underneath the bill of the thug’s baseball cap. It’s a symbol of a known violent gang in Buffalo.”
    All the color drained from Lily’s face. “Not what I wanted to hear.” She pulled the tea bag out of the water and twisted the string tightly around her finger, then unwound it. She dropped the tea bag and a brown liquid slowly spread across the white napkin. Wrapping her hands around her mug, she slowly lifted her eyes to meet his. “I’m in real danger, aren’t I?”
    “I’m afraid so.” He reached across the table and cupped her hand holding the mug. “I know you don’t want to, but I think you should take a long vacation. Go someplace away from here. Someplace safe.”
    Lily’s eyes flared wide, but she didn’t say anything.
    “Your life is at risk here.” He brushed his thumb across the back of her smooth hand.
    Lily slumped in her chair, letting her arms go limp at her side. “I’ve come so far with my research. I can’t run away now. There’s so much to do.” She shook her head as if deep in thought. “I still have research to do. There’re too many people counting on me.” Her lips trembled. “My niece is counting on me.”
    He resisted the urge to reach out and shake some sense into her. “You need to think about your own safety. You’ll be good to no one if you’re—” He couldn’t say the word. He hated to even think it.
    She closed her eyes briefly. “I can’t believe this is happening.” Leaning forward, she rested her elbows on the table. She traced the top of her mug with her finger. “Have you talked to your grandfather or Stephanie? Medlink stands to gain financially from my research, too. What would they think about me going away?”
    “I haven’t mentioned it to my grandfather. I’m worried about his health.” Couldn’t she see her safety was more important than anything else? “Stephanie agrees you need to get away. Perhaps your sister and niece can go with you. I can’t be responsible for something happening to you.”
    Lily pushed back from the table. “Since when am I your responsibility? I don’t recall having to answer to you.” Bright red splotches appeared on her porcelain skin.
    “I care about your personal well-being. And if that’s not enough for you, Medlink cares about your professional well-being.” There, he’d said it. “Stephanie and I fear