Free Proof by Jordyn Redwood

rubbed the stubble on his chin for several seconds. “The day Torrence came in, there was a period of time that her keys were gone, but when it was time to leave, they were on top of her bag.”
    “Inside?”
    “No.”
    “On top … like they were staged?” Would Kadin detect the anxious edge to his voice?
    “Yes.”
    “Who was there when her keys went missing?”
    “You know, it’s the one idiosyncrasy that I can’t figure out about Lilly. She constantly leaves her bag in the central workroom. She says there’s enough foot traffic through there to keep it safe. They’d had a couple of thefts out of the locker area, so she didn’t want to keep it there. The only doctor I saw was Anderson, one of the senior attendings.”
    Nathan jotted the name in his notes.
    “Do you know if she had problems with anyone lately? Any patients giving her grief?”
    “She works in the ER. It lends itself to being a hostile environment.”
    “So she hasn’t mentioned anything to you.”
    “Nothing extraordinary from the usual weirdness,” Kadin stood abruptly. “I would be more than happy to continue our conversation once I know Lilly is all right.”
    Nathan resigned himself to the fact Kadin Daughtry wasn’t going to cooperate until his anxieties were alleviated. He remained sitting, finishing up his notes and listing the areas of questioning he still needed to cover. He stopped as Kadin’s shadow fell over him.
    “Detective Long, as a physician in this community, I strongly suggest you announce your concerns to the public about this criminal.”
    Nathan glanced up, struck motionless by the steel gaze.
    “If the police remain silent, I’ll call the local news myself and tell them everything I know.”

Chapter 8
    D RAKE M AGUIRE STOOD outside the large window to ICU room 23, debating what action would be best for his partner in practice. Through the glass, Kadin sat at Lilly’s bedside, an open Bible between his tented arms and interlaced fingers. He’d been reciting passages, rarely looking at the tissue thin pages, and praying since Drake’s arrival.
    It was unusual for Kadin to reach out to Drake for help in covering his patients. A friendship had been hard to forge between the two of them. Several factors could be cited. Even though Kadin was Drake’s junior in age, he was the head of their practice of three obstetricians. At first, Drake admired his fortitude in wanting to lead a practice so early in his career. Now, it seemed more like arrogance versus confidence not to respect his opinion in certain business decisions. Second, Kadin’s emotional attachment with families unnerved him. Unlike several of their colleagues, Drake considered it a weakness.
    Third was his constant referral to the saving nature of Christ.
    The only one who’d ever saved Drake was himself.
    Regardless of their differences, maybe this visit could create a new respect between them.
    Kadin stood and left Lilly’s bedside. Drake reached out to grab Kadin’s hand but was pulled into a quick hug.
    Drake wondered if Kadin felt his body stiffen.
    “I’m surprised you’d come here. Was there a problem with one of my patients?” Kadin asked.
    “No, not at all. The two in active labor have since delivered viable infants. No other interesting calls to speak of.”
    “Boys or girls?”
    “What?”
    “The deliveries. Were they boys or girls?”
    “You know, I honestly can’t remember at this point. Busy day.”
    Drake shoved his left hand in his pocket, rolling his coins. “How is she?” he asked, nodding in Lilly’s direction.
    “Her vital signs are steady. The guy that attacked her hit her with ketamine.”
    “I wonder where a common criminal would get that. You’re sure she was raped?”
    “The ER doc did a brief exam and stated so. They’re waiting until she wakes up to get permission for the rape kit.”
    “Who’s doing the exam?”
    “I’ve asked Melanie. It’s nice to have a partner who has privileges at both