Free Earth Enchanted by Brynna Curry

under Sam. His dad was Sam’s partner for a long time. I want to know who did this to him and why.”
    So that was where the authority had come from. He had been a cop, maybe he still was.
    “With due respect Mrs. Berringer, I think it was meant to be me who was shot.”
    Eleanor raised an eyebrow at her. “What makes you think that?”
    Liv carefully replayed her theory in her mind. “The shooter must have been waiting for us, or maybe he followed us, because he didn’t take a shot the whole time we were outside the theatre. We were right in the open and um…” She blushed when she remembered. “Caught off our guard. The shooter waited until I was in plain sight, and only then fired at me. If Jack hadn’t known somehow and knocked me down, I’d be lying in that hospital bed instead of him. I wish I knew why someone would want me dead.” Liv buried her face in her hands and forced back the urge to cry. It wouldn’t do any good now. Tears would solve nothing. Someone had tried to kill her. She was sure of it. They hadn’t succeeded and that meant they would try again. Who might be in the way next time? Ryan? Some hapless passerby on the street?
    “Olivia, you should tell Sam what you told me.”
    “They won’t let me see him. Why won’t they let me see him? I’m not family, but that shouldn’t matter. It’s my fault he’s hurt. I have to.” She couldn’t hold back the worry and fear any longer. Sobs burst out from her heart and she couldn’t have stopped them if she wanted to.
    Eleanor patted her shoulder and let her cry.
     

 
    Chapter 8
     
    Jack sat up weakly in the bed at the click of the door. Cap. He was still a little groggy from the anesthesia.
    “Cap, I want to talk to you about something later. When I’m outta here and get my feet under me. I can’t believe someone was shooting at us and outside the movies for God’s sake. Do you know how many teenagers were there tonight?”
    “What ifs can’t help us. I’m thinking it’s a case of fan rage or something with one of you. I’m going to post guards on you here and at home once you’re there. Miss Corrigan will have them too. Enough business. This is a social call. How’s the shoulder?”
    Before Jack could reply, he winced as the door opened again and the night nurse came in. No rest in a hospital.
    “I’ve come to check your vitals, Mr. Roarke. Are you in any discomfort at the moment?”
    He glowered at her while she poked and prodded.
    “No thanks Nurse ‘Helga.’ I feel great. What’s a little piece of lead ripping through your shoulder anyway?”
    She shook her head and stepped away to make the necessary notes on his chart.
    Sam kept his voice conspiratorially low. “Jack, your lady’s still out in the waiting room with Ellie. I got the impression she’s real upset. They won’t let her back to see you, her not being family and all. Maybe you could...” He trailed off as the nurse turned back to say something to him.
    Jack cleared his throat and yelled at her. “Hey Helga!” That wasn’t really her name but it suited her competent and gruff nature. “If you don’t let Liv back here right now, I’m going to walk right out that door, bullet wound and all.” He made a grab for the I.V. line in his arm. He had no intention of pulling it out, what with all that nice pain medication in it, but she didn’t know that.
    Her thin mouth formed an even thinner line. She was not a nurse woven of the fantasy sort, but if you wanted one out of nightmares, she was your girl. She rested her beefy hands at the wide waist of her white uniform. “No, sir, you will not.”
    “Watch me.” He tossed back the covers and though it cost him a little dizziness he stood up.
    “In your hospital gown? I don’t think so. Now back to bed with you.” She sighed wistfully.
    “I’m not shy, and I’ll make a lot of those pretty nurses out at the desk very happy, the ugly ones too.”
    She finally gave in with a laugh that lit up her stern