Read Online No Good Deed by Lynn Hightower - Free Book Online Page A

headed back to Delaney’s floor, moving quickly. Hoping the woman had not been admitted, or wheeled away for testing.
    The 7 a.m. shift were still doing their changeover, charting, chatting, in their own bubble world. Sonora scooted past the desk without being noticed, turned a corner, saw Sam standing outside Donna Delaney’s white-curtained cubicle, facing a man who reminded Sonora of an undertaker she’d known when she was a child.
    He had the self-important air of a newly minted MD, and he gave Sonora a glance over one shoulder, then turned to Sam.
    Sonora scooted into the cubicle with the bundle of blankets, half her attention on the medic, pontificating in the hallway.
    Something about continuous single-lock sutures.
    Sonora handed the blankets to Delaney, who took them with a surly ingratitude that made it easier for Sonora to look objectively at the bandaged hand.
    From the hallway came the sound of boot heels and a shout for a nurse. The curtains were pushed to one side, metal rings scraping. Delaney raised her head, moving slowly, groggy. But the light in her eyes was intense. Edgy, for a woman who was heavily sedated.
    The man who stood and looked at her had to be a doctor, if you discounted the huge hiking boots and Levi’s. There were clues. A stethoscope around his neck, the pager on the belt, the Rolex on his wrist.
    â€˜You’re tall,’ Sonora said, not thinking. He’d be six three in his thick white socks.
    â€˜You’re not.’
    Sonora showed her ID. ‘I’m waiting for Dr Gillane.’
    He flapped the white lapel, waving the name tag that said Gillane.
    â€˜I thought that was the guy in the hall.’
    â€˜Ken doll with the waxy complexion, looks like an undertaker? That’s Roth, Licensed Practical Nurse.’ He glanced at Delaney and frowned. ‘Why hasn’t anybody replaced the bag on your IV?’ His gaze went to Sonora, the blankets. Looked at the chart. ‘I see your buddy brought you some blankets, Donna – and they say there’s never a cop around when you need one. Why don’t you lie back …’ He reached toward Sonora and she handed over the blankets. ‘Let’s put them both on. There you go. Let me elevate your feet there, Donna, get you warmed up. That better?’
    Delaney turned her head to one side. Closed her eyes. Opened them.
    â€˜Dr Gillane, I’d like to ask her a few questions.’ He would kick her out, Sonora thought.
    â€˜Ask away. I’d like to know what happened myself.’ He looked at Delaney. ‘You up for this?’
    She didn’t answer and Sonora didn’t wait.
    â€˜Ms Delaney, do you know who cut … who your assailant was?’
    Delaney looked away from her. ‘No.’
    â€˜No idea at all?’
    â€˜None. You deaf?’
    Get your own blankets, Sonora thought. ‘Who was your visitor last night?’
    â€˜Just … no one. I was alone all night.’
    Gillane glanced at Sonora. Yes. That one was clearly a lie.
    â€˜Ms Delaney, there were two cans of beer on your coffee table.’
    Delaney frowned. ‘I drank two beers.’
    â€˜Did you cut off your finger yourself?’
    â€˜What the hell do you mean?’
    â€˜I mean that unless you cut your own finger off, you weren’t alone all night, were you?’
    â€˜Sonofabitch,’ Delaney said.
    â€˜Oh, don’t start that up again,’ Gillane said. Mildly. As if he didn’t really care.
    Sonora followed him out of the cubicle.
    â€˜Are you following me?’
    â€˜I’m trying, but you take big steps.’
    Gillane stopped and leaned lip against the wall. Even slumped – and the man had terrible posture – he was a head and a half taller than Sonora.
    Part of it was the worn Ropers. Maybe he rode horses too, Sonora thought. Horse people were everywhere, once you started to look.
    He folded his arms. ‘Are you a good witch or a bad