Free Forget-Me-Nots in September by Clare Revell Page B

right? I was so worried when the police came and told me.”
    Bev hugged her. “I’m OK.”
    Gran took his hands gently. “What have you done?”
    “Mild burns. They’re just being over cautious. I acted on instinct when I knew Jude was still in there. Do they know how the fire started yet?”
    Gran shook her head. “There are so many people there, but they did let me pick up my car. They won’t tell me how Jude is because I’m not a relative.” She looked at his hands again.
    “It’s nothing more than a really bad sunburn,” he said, trying to reassure her. “The doctor is doing me a report and they’ve promised to fax it to the camp. I’ll probably have to report in tomorrow or the day after to see the CMO and base CO, but it won’t affect my operational status. At least I’m praying it won’t.”
    “You hope.”
    “I’ve got another two weeks before I report back. It’ll heal. You’ll see.”
    The curtain moved again and the tall doctor in the scrubs came back in. “Here you go, Colonel.”
    Bev took the outstretched envelope. “Thank you. I know you’re busy tonight, but I need it for work.”
    The doctor smiled. “Not a problem.”
    “Can you tell me how Jude is? She’s the lady I pulled from the burning shop.”
    “She’s got a broken leg, a few burns. We’re keeping her in overnight.”
    It could have been worse. He told himself furiously, trying to keep his emotions tight within him. “Can I see her?”
    “She’s already gone up to theatre. She’ll go from there to Keller ward. You can see her tomorrow. Visiting is two ‘til seven. You’re free to go. Take paracetamol for the pain, and if you have any problems, come back.”
    Bev nodded. “I will. Thanks, Doc.” He got up and headed into reception with Gran.
    DI Jenson crossed over to him. “Mr. King, how’s Jude?”
    “She’s in surgery, according to the doctor I just spoke with. Do you know how the fire started yet?”
    “Not yet.”
    “OK, because I could smell lighter fuel when I was in there.”
    “Are you sure?”
    He nodded. “I’ve done enough barbecues in my time to know what lighter fuel smells like. I said I’d pick her up, but she wasn’t ready the first time I came over. So I said I’d come back later. If anyone was watching they’d have seen me leave alone. Someone tried to kill her. You need to catch him before he tries again, because I won’t always be around to protect her.”
    ~*~
    Jude struggled through the layers of dark and finally opened her eyes. This wasn’t her room, unless seven other people had moved in overnight. Then it all came crashing back to her. The fire. Bev pulling her out. She was in hospital and something heavy was still lying on her leg.
    A nurse came over, a sweet smile on her face. “Good morning. How are you?”
    “Thirsty, but OK.”
    “No pain?”
    “Not to speak off. What time is it?”
    The nurse helped her sit up. “It’s almost nine in the morning.”
    The heavy feeling on her leg persisted and she shifted uncomfortably on the bed. It ached more than hurt. “Why am I here, other than the fire?”
    “You have a broken leg, which they operated on to fix. And a few burns, but they’ll heal in a day or two. Would you like some tea and some toast as you missed breakfast?”
    “Just tea, please.”
    “The police will be in to see you this morning, and depending on what the doctor says, you might be able to go home this afternoon. And a Bev King keeps calling. Is he a relative?”
    Jude hesitated. She hadn’t yet put him in the ‘boyfriend’ category and didn’t want to in case he didn’t agree. “He’s a friend, a good friend, he rescued me. How is he?”
    “I don’t know. You’re lucky he was there. I’ll get you that tea.”
    Jude nodded, her gaze caught by a tall, dark haired man standing by the nurse’s station. Wearing a doctor’s coat, all she could see was his profile as he read the file in his hands. He glanced her way and his eyes narrowed