“You have to sleep sometime,” Bethany said lightly. “If the smell of food just happens to wake you up, I’m sure it will be from the next room.”
They all laughed and Josie felt lightness enter her chest. Things were going to be okay. She’d get through this. The doctor had even said she could go home in the next day or two if everything continued to improve as it was doing currently. After so many days in the hospital she was ready to scream.
She hadn’t even been able to get out of the bed except to shower and pee. She was dying to get up and stretch. Anything but lying here in this bed all day.
They talked more, laughing, joking and chatting until Josie began to yawn, fatigue settling over her. Ash noticed and sent a not-so-subtle look in the others’ direction. They immediately took the hint and announced they were leaving.
They crowded around Josie’s bed, giving her gentle hugs and kisses. Even Kai dropped a kiss on her cheek before stepping back to anchor Brittany to his side.
“I hate that you all are going so soon,” Josie said mournfully. “It gets boring just lying here all day. I’m about to climb the walls!”
“We’ll be back soon,” Mia promised. “And we’re bringing food!”
Mia sent Ash another warning glare as she said the last.
“I’ll be looking forward to it!” Josie said.
Ash bent over her bed and kissed her softly on the mouth. “I’m going to walk them out, darling. But I’ll be right back, okay? Want me to bring you something hot to drink? Doctor said you could have coffee or hot chocolate.”
“Oh, that sounds heavenly,” Josie sighed. “Coffee would be perfect. I don’t suppose you could bring me a latte?”
Ash grinned. “Anything for you. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Anything except food you mean,” Josie grumbled.
He caressed the side of her head and gave her an affectionate pat. “Anything except food.”
She waved him away and settled back against her pillows, sagging precariously to one side. The visit had exhausted her. Maybe she wasn’t quite as recovered as she wanted to think. But she was glad they’d all come.
Everyone filed out of the door and Ash turned back, sending her a look so filled with love that her breath caught in her throat. Then he turned, quietly closing the door behind him.
She sighed and closed her eyes, taking the opportunity for some rest. She’d just drifted off when she heard her door open. Surely she hadn’t slept that long. Ash hadn’t had time to go down with his friends, get her coffee and get back so soon.
Two men in suits appeared in her doorway and she recognized them as the detectives that had questioned her right after she’d been hospitalized. She didn’t remember a whole lot about the interview. She’d been groggy, in pain and doped up on pain medication. But maybe they’d arrested Charles. This time she’d done what she should have done when Michael assaulted her. She was pressing charges. She wanted Charles to go to jail for what he’d done because she was terrified of what Ash might do to him.
“Miss Carlysle, we’d like to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind. Do you remember my partner, Clinton? I’m Detective Starks. The last time we saw you was right after your attack. I wasn’t sure how much you’d remember.”
“I remember you, Detective Starks. And no, I don’t mind. Have you made an arrest yet?”
“That’s what we want to discuss with you,” Starks said in an even tone.
The looks on their faces put Josie immediately on guard. She glanced between them, trying to gauge what was going on.
“Charles Willis was found brutally murdered this morning,” Starks said bluntly. “We’d like to know who killed him.”
chapter thirty-six
Josie stared at the two policemen in shock. Fear raced through her veins. Oh God. Surely Ash hadn’t . . . He wouldn’t. Would he? Panic clutched her stomach and she had a hard time breathing, pain jolting through her chest with the effort.