Free Vegas Vacation by Clare Revell Page B

peaking.
    “Are you OK?”
    “My head hurts…”
    “Tammy!” Her father’s voice came from somewhere to her left. Daniel must have run and told him she was on her way to the police station.
    Detective Wick’s voice echoed, her vision swam and blurred, and she started to slide down the wall. Darkness rushed over her and she let it take her. Was she dreaming? Maybe she was still in the crashed car with Martin next to her. So long as this wasn’t reality, nothing mattered.
     
     
     
     

10
     
    Tamlyn woke to find herself in bed in a stark white room. Sun streamed through the windows. She turned over. A blurred figure sat in the chair beside the bed. She rubbed a hand over her eyes and Garth’s outline came into focus. “Where am I?”
    “Centennial Hills Hospital. You were in a car accident.”
    I know that, but there was dinner and a cop…surely I didn’t dream that.
    “Where’s Martin?”
    “Sgt. Ames was released and told his services were no longer required as I’m taking them over. I will let your father know you’re awake.” He stood and headed from the room.
    Tamlyn pushed upright. A wave of dizziness washed over her and she closed her eyes, willing the accompanying nausea to subside. Her fingers went automatically to her neck. Her cross was gone.
    Reaching over to the locker beside the bed, she checked for her bag. It was there, along with her clothes. Jeans, shirt and underwear. Not the dress she knew she was wearing. What was going on?
    Maybe if she spoke to that cop, Martin’s partner, whatever his name was, he’d know what was going on. Or Martin?
    Yes, she should ring Martin and go wherever he was. He’d protect her from whatever her father and Garth were planning. She opened her bag and took a deep breath. She’d half expected her phone to not be there, but it was. No signal though.
    At least there was no IV for her to remove or other equipment tethering her to the bed. She dressed as quickly as her body would allow. Then, grabbing her bag, she went to the door. The uniformed officer had his back to her, talking to one of the nurses. Just opposite was a staircase. That would do.
    She took a step and grabbed for the wall as a blast of dizziness caught her unawares. Maybe the stairs wouldn’t be a good idea, after all. Tamlyn crossed to the lift, just as the doors opened. She slid inside, expecting Garth or the cop to appear and stop her. Of course, she’d get into trouble for just walking out without discharging herself, but Martin could fix that.
    She hit the button for the ground floor. She’d call Martin and then a cab, once she got outside. The lift doors opened and she stepped out, glancing around.
    Garth stood by the desk. Lord, please, just a little help here. Enough to get me safe to Martin. Then I promise, once I’m thinking straight, I’ll talk to him and You and get things back on an even keel. I need You, I know that, and not this token thing I’ve had going.
    Tamlyn ducked behind a pillar as Garth turned and swept his piercing gaze around the lobby.
    I swear that guy is omniscient at times .
    Her heart pounded, and her stomach knotted. Finally, he turned back to the desk and Tamlyn headed towards the exit.
    Hot desert air assailed her senses as she left the hospital and made her way onto the street. The sun blazed down from a cloudless blue sky. She pulled the phone from her pocket and rang Martin, hoping he’d have his phone switched on.
    “Ames.”
    “Martin,” she managed. “Please, help me. I can’t stay here.”
    “Take a cab to Davis Park in Spring Valley. I’ll meet you there.” He didn’t even question her.
    “OK, thank you.” Tamlyn hung up and waved at the first cab she saw. Amazingly, it pulled over and she got in. “Davis Park in Spring Valley.”
    As the cab pulled away she saw Garth run out of the hospital and onto the street. She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes, trying to make herself invisible. If only her head would stop spinning,