Don't Let Go Read online

  Her focus shifted from the hallway to the baked goods on the baking sheets. “I can do it.” She hopped down from her stool before Simon could stop her. Zoe’s knees buckled.

  “Whoa.” He caught her against his chest.

  Zoe closed her eyes and swallowed hard, hand pressed to her forehead, a forehead bruised and swelling.

  “You need to sit.” Simon lifted her to the barstool again and kept a hand on her shoulder to insure she stayed in place. “Do you have an ice pack?”

  “In the freezer. Right side, bottom shelf.”

  Once he found the ice pack, Simon wrapped a towel around it and pressed it gently to her forehead. “How is your vision?”

  “Blurry,” she admitted.

  “You probably have a concussion. You should go to the hospital.”

  “I have a bakery to run.”

  Nick Santana moved to her side. “You won’t be able to open today, Zoe. I’m sorry.”

  “I have orders to fill. I can’t afford to turn away business.”

  Simon thought through options and came up with one that might work. Zoe would also be in a secure environment where he could keep an eye on her. “I might have a solution to your problem if the doctor clears you to work.”

  That earned him a frown. Too bad. Shock masked symptoms. Zoe might have more injuries than she realized.

  The EMTs maneuvered their stretcher toward the kitchen and through the back door, carrying Macy to the ambulance.

  “I need to ask you a few questions,” Nick said to Zoe, shifting her attention back to him.

  “Anything I can do to help.”

  “She needs to go to the hospital to be there for Macy and to be checked herself, Nick.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “So you’ve said. You’re not. Not even close.”

  “After I have basic information, you can take her.” Nick grabbed his notebook and a pen. “Tell me what happened here, Zoe. Try not to leave anything out.”

  “Macy and I arrived at 2:30 this morning to start our baking.”

  Simon stared. Holy cow. Did she start this early every morning? No wonder she ducked out early from any dinner Bravo’s members and their wives attended.

  “Did you notice anything unusual when you arrived?”

  She shook her head and winced.

  “Did you see or hear anyone?”

  Zoe paused. “I heard a cat.”

  “You’re sure it was a cat?” Simon asked.

  “I heard a noise, like something had brushed against a metal trashcan, then a cat howled and streaked from a dark part of the alley.” She swallowed hard. “I assumed the cat was responsible for the sounds I heard.”

  “Go on,” Nick prompted.

  “I arrived at the bakery first. I unlocked the door and turned off the alarm, then relocked the door. Macy arrived fifteen minutes after I did. She’s usually a few minutes late.” Zoe wiped away a tear that escaped. “Anyway, we dived into baking muffins and cinnamon rolls. We were pushed more than usual this morning. We have an order from PSI to fill.” Zoe waved at the stack of covered aluminum pans on the other end of the counter near the door. “I prepped the coffee since Macy was pulling baked goods from the ovens. When the coffee was ready, I filled a to-go mug for Simon.”

  Nick’s gaze shifted to Simon. “You were already here?”

  He shook his head, reminding himself that Zoe always prepared to-go coffee for the operative who picked up PSI’s orders. Wasn’t logical, but he had the sense that she prepared the coffee for him. Yeah, he was pitiful, imagining a kindness specifically for him when Zoe was kind to all of them.

  “I usually have coffee ready for whoever picks up the order.” Though Zoe kept her gaze from Simon, her cheeks flared with color. Might be wishful thinking, but it sounded as though Zoe hoped he would be the one to stop by.

  “Then what happened?” Nick asked.

  “When I returned to the kitchen with the to-go coffee, I pulled baked goods from the oven and put in more. Macy wasn’t in the kitchen. I thought she might be in the bathroom so I boxed the last of PSI’s cinnamon rolls. When Macy still hadn’t reappeared, I became worried. Since she wasn’t in the cooler, I walked down the hall. I tried to turn on the light, but the bulb must have burned out again because it didn’t work.”

  Simon frowned. He’d changed the bulb himself last week.

  “Because my office was dark, I knocked on the bathroom door and asked Macy if she was all right.” She drew in a ragged breath. “When she didn’t answer, I twisted the knob and looked inside. I saw her on the floor, blood everywhere in the bathroom.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and eased her against his chest. Although he worried she might pull away, Zoe leaned against him.

  “You were in the shop, but you didn’t hear anything or see anyone?” Nick’s pen hovered over the pad, his gaze locked on Zoe.

  “It doesn’t make sense. I was in the dining room for ten minutes. How could someone slip into the shop and hurt Macy without her making a sound? It’s impossible.”

  Simon exchanged a grim glance with Nick, a veteran cop. Yeah, it was possible. Simon could have done the wet work in less than five minutes. So could any trained operative or professional. Would she be afraid of him if she knew the truth?

  “Are you sure Macy locked the door when she arrived?” Nick asked.

  Zoe nodded. “I heard the lock snick into place.”

  “But she would open the door for someone she knew. Is she having problems with anyone? Friends, family, or a boyfriend.” A slight pause. “Her employer.”

  Zoe stiffened. “You think I hurt Macy?” She sounded outraged.

  “I’m eliminating possibilities. You know I have to ask these questions.”

  “I would never hurt her. She’s my friend.”

  “Friends fight.”

  “We haven’t had disagreements since she started working for me. Without Macy, I would be working even longer hours.”

  “Is she fighting with her family or friends?”

  “She didn’t talk about her family, but Macy isn’t from Otter Creek. Her family lives in Kansas City.”

  “What about a boyfriend?”

  Zoe bit her bottom lip.

  What was Zoe hiding? “Holding back will slow down Nick’s investigation. The person who hurt Macy could go after her again if we don’t stop him.”

  Nick’s eyes narrowed. “We?”

  He refused to apologize for putting himself in the middle of Nick’s investigation. Whoever attacked Macy hurt Zoe, too. That made the attack personal for Simon.

  “Macy’s dating Isaac Lyons.”

  Simon frowned. “He’s one of our trainees.” And a troublemaker.

  “Does he have the skill to pull this off?” Nick asked.

  “Yeah, he does.” Barely. Simon was training others who could do the job faster and with more skill. “Unless they were fighting, I don’t see a motive.”

  Nick turned back to Zoe. “Do you know if they were having problems?”

  “Isaac was controlling and Macy was growing tired of his unfounded jealousy. I don’t spend time with them when they’re together.”

  “Because you don’t want to horn in on their dates or is there another reason?”

  “He doesn’t want me around and I’m uncomfortable with him.”

  Simon considered Zoe’s careful word choice. Suspicion growing, he vowed to hunt down Isaac and have a talk with the recruit before the day was over.

  Nick frowned. “What happened after you found Macy in the bathroom?”

  “I called the emergency dispatcher while I grabbed kitchen towels to slow the blood loss. I set my phone on the bathroom counter while I put pressure on the wound. Maybe a minute later, I heard something in the hall and thought the police or EMTs had arrived. When I checked, no one was there.” Zoe shivered. “I heard a noise behind me and started to turn. Someone grabbed my head and slammed me against the wall. I must have blacked out because when I o
pened my eyes, Simon was with me and the policeman you sent outside arrived.”

  Nick scribbled a few notes on his pad before flipping to a clean page and turning to Simon. “Your turn.”

  Simon summarized events from the time he arrived at 5:15 until now.

  “Did you get a look at the runner?”

  “Afraid not. I can’t say for sure that the runner was a man, but that was my impression from the stride and size of the person. I saw him for a second before he rounded the corner and disappeared. Not long after, an engine turned over and the vehicle sped away. There is probably some tire tread left on the pavement. Traffic cameras might come in handy. With Zoe’s permission, I’ll access the video feed from the shop and give you a copy.”

  “I’d appreciate it.” He glanced at Zoe. “Do I need a warrant?”

  “Of course not. I know this is a crime scene, but can I have my phone? It was in my pocket except when I called the dispatcher.”

  “I’ll return it later today. I need to make sure no trace evidence was transferred to your phone case.” Nick glanced back at Simon. “Anything else to add?”

  “Not at the moment.”

  “I’ll prepare your statements and have them ready this afternoon. Stop by the station to sign them. If I’m not there, Stella Armstrong will be on duty and able to amend the statements or answer questions. If you think of anything else that might help, contact me. I’ll be in touch soon with follow-up questions. In the meantime, don’t leave town unless you inform me first.” He held up a hand at Simon’s raised eyebrow. “Within reason, of course. I know Fortress Security might deploy your unit at a moment’s notice.”

  Nick laid a hand on Zoe’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about Macy. Go to the hospital to be checked. I might see you there.”

  “What about the cinnamon rolls for PSI?” Zoe gestured to the stacks of covered aluminum containers a few inches from her hand. “Is it all right if Simon and I make the delivery? Please?”

  “The stacks weren’t disturbed at all?”

  “No.”

  “All right. Don’t touch anything else, though.”

  “Thank you, Nick.”

  He moved toward the hallway with his flashlight in hand.

  Simon and Zoe quickly transported the cinnamon rolls to his SUV. She glanced at her kitchen, a worried expression on her face. “You’ll be back tomorrow, maybe the day after at the latest.”

  “Thank goodness I don’t have a wedding cake to prepare this week. I would have a hard time meeting a deadline after losing two days. As it is, I’ll have to discount the baked goods stored in the cooler.”

  “No one will complain about that.” Simon cupped Zoe’s elbow. “Where’s your purse?”

  “My office.”

  He glanced down the hall. “Nick, Zoe’s purse is in her office. Will you take it to the station or drop it off at PSI?”

  “No problem,” the detective called back.

  Simon led her toward the alley behind the bakery. “Come on. We’ll be in the way if we stay longer.”

  “Take me to PSI to deliver the cinnamon rolls. After that, I need to check on Macy. Should I call someone to drop me off at the hospital?”

  “I’ll drive you.” Simon refused to let her out of his sight unless she was with someone he trusted and that list was a short one.

  He opened the passenger door and tucked Zoe inside his SUV. She looked so sad and lost that Simon had difficulty keeping his hands to himself. All he wanted to do was hold her and tell her everything would be fine. He couldn’t and this wasn’t the time. The sooner she was checked by a doctor, the better he’d feel.

  He glanced at the bakery bustling with policemen. Simon wondered when Nick would realize that from the back, Zoe and Macy were similar in build, as well as style and color of hair. The intended victim might not have been Macy.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Zoe turned to look at Dr. Anderson, Otter Creek’s favorite physician. “What’s the verdict, Dr. Anderson?”

  “You have a mild concussion. You’ll have dizziness and a headache for a few days along with bruising. You’ll be baking decadent treats that tempt me to overindulge in a day or two.”

  “May I leave now?”

  “I’ll write a prescription for a mild pain reliever. The medicine might make you sleepy so wait two days before you drive. Once the nurse brings your discharge papers and a list of symptoms to watch for, you can leave.”

  Zoe breathed a sigh of relief. She could handle a headache for a few days. Perhaps Simon would drop her off at the bakery for the next two mornings. He seemed to be awake at all hours of the night based on the text messages she’d received from him over the past few months. A text from him between midnight and three in the morning wasn’t unusual. “Thank you.”

  The gray-haired physician chuckled and patted her shoulder. “You don’t enjoy our hospitality?”

  “I hate hospitals.”

  “I understand, my dear. If your symptoms worsen or you develop new ones, come back in so we can evaluate you.”

  “Yes, sir.” She’d promise anything as long as he let her leave after seeing Macy.

  A cell phone chirped with an incoming message. Dr. Anderson sighed and pulled out his phone. After glancing at the screen, he said, “I have a patient coming in by ambulance. I’ll see you later, Zoe.” He left.

  A light tap sounded on the door and Simon entered the room. “What did the doctor say?”

  “I have a hard head.” She smiled at his raised eyebrows. “You were right. I have a concussion. Dr. Anderson is giving me a prescription for pain, but I probably won’t take it.”

  “Why not?”

  “The medicine will make me sleepy and I don’t have time for naps during the day. If the medicine hits me too hard, I’ll be flat on the floor. I’m a lightweight when it comes to medicine.”

  “If you let the pain get out of control, it’s harder to kill. We’ll talk to Matt or Rio at PSI. They can help.”

  Matt Rainer, Simon’s teammate, was also Bravo’s medic. Although Zoe didn’t know mission details, she was aware of how often the members of Bravo returned with injuries.

  A knock sounded on the door and Grace St. Claire, the wife of Simon’s team leader, walked in with a sheaf of papers in her hand. “How do you feel, Zoe?”

  “I’ve been better.”

  “I can imagine.” She went over the instructions and symptoms to watch for. “If anything changes or your headache grows worse, come back in immediately. Be good to yourself. Take the pain medicine and rest. Give your body a chance to heal before you go back to the bakery.”

  “I don’t have much choice right now. Nick forced me to close the shop while he processes the scene.”

  “Don’t worry. You’ll make up for lost sales. People are busybodies in this town. The bakery will be packed when you open again for business.”

  “Have you heard anything about Macy?”

  “She’s still in surgery.”

  “Do you know how much longer they’ll work on her?” Simon asked.

  Grace shook her head. “If you plan to wait for news, let the desk nurse know. The doctor will update you when the surgery is complete. He’s the best surgeon in the area, Zoe. Macy is in good hands.”

  But would that be enough? “Thanks, Grace.”

  The nurse glanced at Simon. “Take care of Zoe.”

  “I plan to.”

  After hugging Zoe, Grace left to continue with her tasks. Simon held out a hand to Zoe. “Let’s fill your prescription while we wait for word on Macy.”

  The desk nurse gave them directions to the hospital pharmacy. Although unsure if she could tolerate the medicine, Zoe supposed being sleepy today wouldn’t matter. If Nick allowed her to open the bakery tomorrow, Zoe would stick to over-the-counter pain relievers. A foggy brain from medicine combined with hot ovens was dangerous.

  Once her prescription was ready, they walked to the cafeteria for a soft drink for Zoe and coffee for Simon. She sipped th
e fizzy drink, hoping the carbonation would settle her stomach. Between nausea from the concussion and worry over Macy, Zoe wouldn’t be eating for a while.

  Simon eyed her a moment, then said, “I’ll be right back.”

  She watched as he crossed the cafeteria to the worker manning the cash register. After he spoke to the lady for a minute, he walked to the salad bar and grabbed a handful of crackers and returned to his seat.

  He slid the packets of crackers toward Zoe. “Eating some of these might help.”

  “How did you know I’m feeling sick?”

  A slow smile curved his mouth despite the concern in his eyes. “Everything you feel shows on your face.”

  She hoped that wasn’t true. Otherwise, Simon Murray would know she was crazy about him, an embarrassing situation if he didn’t reciprocate her feelings. “I’ve never been a good liar.”

  “It’s a quality I value. I know if you tell me something, it’s true.” Simon’s phone signaled an incoming text. He glanced at the screen. “It’s Grace. We need to go back.”

  Zoe dumped the packages of crackers into her medicine bag. Simon tugged her to her feet and they returned to the waiting room. He informed the desk nurse that they were waiting for information on Macy and returned to sit beside Zoe.

  The wait was interminable even though she suspected the actual wait time was only a few minutes.

  Finally, a man wearing scrubs entered the waiting room. He zeroed in on them immediately. “Are you here for Macy Aldridge?”

  Zoe nodded. She hurried toward the surgeon, Simon a step behind. “I’m Zoe, Macy’s friend. How is she?”

  “I’m sorry. We did everything we could, but the injuries and blood loss were too severe. Ms. Aldridge died in surgery.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Simon enclosed Zoe in his arms. “I’m so sorry.” And ticked off over Macy’s senseless death. His heart ached for Zoe. Simon didn’t envy Nick the task of informing Macy’s next of kin about her death.

  Zoe burrowed closer to him, body trembling as she wept for her friend.