He took a step closer to the hospital bed, then took Lizzy’s hand. I edged farther into the room, then moved down toward the foot so that I could see everyone, but still be out of the way.
Even with two black eyes and a nasty bruise rising on her cheek, I could tell she was pretty. Her blond hair was matted now, but I could tell she wore it in the same style as Amy, shoulder-length with bangs. Her arm was in a cast, and I had no idea about the state of her legs.
At the bedside, Cole gently stroked the fingers of her healthy hand while Tyler ran a gentle hand over her hair.
“Hey, Lizzy girl,” Tyler said. “You in there?”
When there was no answer, he glanced toward Cole. Their eyes met, and I saw so much pity and concern between the two of them that I wanted to cry.
“She worked for you?”
“Used to dance at Destiny,” Tyler said. “Earned her GED a few months ago, and just got her first office job. She’s one of ours,” he added, with a quick glance to me.
I nodded, understanding that she’d been pulled out of the trafficking ring. Poor girl had been through more than anyone should have to endure.
At her bedside, Tyler shook his head as if to clear it. “I’ll need to call Franklin. Get a temp to fill her slot.”
Her chart hung at the foot of the bed, and I flipped through it. I’m no expert, but when you work homicide, vice, or sex crimes long enough, you see the inside of a lot of hospitals and have the occasion to look at more than a few charts. As far as I could tell, Lizzy looked like a woman who had gotten supremely lucky. She’d be in some serious pain for a while, but in the end, bruises would fade and broken bones would heal.
I told them so, not sure if my words would give any comfort or not. To my surprise, it was Cole who turned to look at me. He nodded, one quick motion. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
I’m not sure what compelled me, but I moved from the end of the bed to Tyler’s side. “Do you want me to get you guys anything? Some coffee, maybe, while we wait.”
“No,” Cole said. “I’m good. Appreciate it.”
“Stay,” Tyler said, and as he spoke, he reached for my hand.
I took it without thinking, and as Lizzy stirred, Tyler’s fingers tightened around mine.
“Lizzy. It’s Cole. Wake up, sweetheart.”
At first, she didn’t react, and I feared that she’d fallen back into a deep sleep. Then her eyes fluttered. The left one blinked open, the swollen right one remained glued shut.
“Hey there, kid,” Tyler said, softly. “You’re going to be just fine.”
“Tyler?” I could barely hear her thin, fragile voice.
“Cole’s here, too. Evan’s on his way.”
Cole clutched her hand. “What happened?”
She licked her lips. “Water?”
While Tyler found the water for her, Cole fiddled with the bed. “Do you want to sit up?” he asked, then raised the bed in response to her affirmative nod.
She scanned the room, her eyes stopping on me.
“I’m Sloane,” I said. “I’m a friend of Amy’s.”
“Sloane’s with me,” Tyler said. “Go on. Do you feel up to telling us what happened?”
“My fault—ran a red light.” A tear trickled down her cheek. “The guy I hit?”
“Fine,” Cole assured her. “I asked when I got the first call. Treated at the scene. You didn’t hurt him.”
She nodded, then winced, as she reached again for the water.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have—” Her eyes drooped. “Medicine. I’m sorry. So sleepy.”
“Go back to sleep. You don’t have anything to be sorry about,” Tyler said. “It was an accident. And I’ll get a temp to cover for you. Just take your time, and you can go back to work when you’re well.”
“No.” Her eyes fluttered open. “Franklin … please … shoulda taken … pop job … I don’t …” Her eyes drifted closed, and sleep took her.
Cole tilted his head up to meet Tyler’s eyes.
“Poor kid,” Tyler said.
Cole glanced at me. “You two take my car. You go on to the benefit. I’m going to stay with Lizzy for a while.”
“You sure?”
“Hell, yes.”