Free The Werewolf Whisperer (The Werewolf Whisperer Series Book 1) by Camilla Ochlan, Bonita Gutierrez Page B

background.
    "Okay,
then." Star walked away, and Xochitl heard her say, "Julia, better
start setting up overflow triage out here. We're gonna have more."
    Xochitl scanned the room, searching for an unclaimed seat, but there was none to be had. Those who
were not fortunate enough to have a chair were resigned to sitting on the floor
or leaning against the wall. Xochitl spotted a small patch of empty space in
the far corner.
    "Floor
it is." Xochitl sighed, and began weaving her way through the maze of
people marred by bloody gashes on their arms, legs and faces.
    She
plopped down on the dingy grey carpet and leaned her head against the wall,
feeling exhausted. Xochi just wanted to get home to Miguel. She'd texted him at least twenty times on the ride over, but he'd
not responded. Her worry was kicking into high gear.
    What
if Memo got to him first? Stop it, Xochitl. He's probably playing Call of Duty
with Felix. Shit, Felix! Why didn't I think of that before?
    Xochi
pulled her cell out of her pocket and began texting Miguel's tagger friend
Felix.
    Felix?
Miguel w/u?
    No.
Left 2 hours ago.
    Where?
    Home?
    K.
Text me if u c him.
    K.
    "Pinche
teenage boys," Xochitl hissed. She scrolled through her contacts but the
only person she could think to call was Gyssell, Anita's alcoholic younger
sister. Anita and Gyssell were cut from the same cloth — drunk and bitter
all the time.
    At least Gyssell gives a shit about her kids .
    Xochi
pressed the call button on her phone. It rang for what seemed like five minutes
before Gyssell answered.
    "Hellooo?"
Gyssell slurred.
    "Gyssell,
it's me." Xochitl didn't want to waste time with the clearly drunk woman. "Where's Miguel?"
    "Umm..."
There was a long pause before Gyssell answered. "He's with you."
    "¡Híjole!"
Xochitl realized she'd shouted and put her hand up in apology to the patients
giving her annoyed stares. "Gyssell," she continued, gritting her
teeth. "Miguel's not with me. ¿Lo has visto?"
    "Ohhhh,"
Gyssell giggled. "No...Where's my sister?"
    "She's
fine," Xochitl said. "La chota's got her sleeping it off."
    Gyssell
howled with delight.
    "Gyssell?"
Xochitl tried to get her step-aunt's attention. "Gyssell!" Again she
put up a hand in apology. "Where's Tommy, Senior?"
    "Out."
Gyssell started to cry. "We had a fight. He's screwing that gringa,
Cherise...the puta!"
    "¡Híjole!"
Xochitl shook her head. "Just have Miguel call me if he comes to your
place." She hung up.
    Should
have known that'd be a waste of time.
    Xochitl
glanced at the clock on her phone.
    I've been here almost forty minutes. Pinche dog cop.
    A
blaring siren brought Xochitl's attention to the main ER entrance. Two more
ambulances were rolling up. Curious, she stood to get a better view when Lowell's
commanding officer, Captain Burch strode through the doors. He surveyed the
waiting area, and Xochitl averted her eyes so as not to make contact with his.
But it was too late. He'd spotted her, and he didn't look happy about it. Burch
beelined toward Xochitl as the waiting patients hastily cleared his path.
    "Where's
Lowell?" Burch placed his hands on his hips.
    Xochitl
craned her neck up toward the officer. "She went up with Officer Torres."
    "God
damn it, Lowell!" Burch spat, then he turned and walked away.
    I can relate.
    Xochi felt the entire room staring at her. She shrugged her
shoulders at her fellow hospital captives and sat.
    Fifteen minutes later, Officer Lowell stormed across the waiting
room and out the main entrance.
    "Huh? Wonder where she thinks she's going?" Xochitl
pulled the cruiser keys from her pocket.
    Almost immediately, Lowell walked back in and scanned the
waiting room.
    Xochitl stood. "Looking for these?" She waved the keys
in front of Lowell.
    *
    "11-54
approaching suspicious vehicle on Cesar Chavez...Pack of large dogs impacting
freeway at the 4-level...11-99 officer requests backup Pershing Square...repeat
11-99..." The police scanner began crackling and braying as soon as Lucy
started the cruiser.