Chapter Seven

Jim poured himself a third cup of coffee and grabbed his cell phone from his jacket pocket. He called Dean Jessop, his friend, boss, and former Ranger unit LT. Dean picked up on the fourth ring.

“Jim?”

“Yeah, man. How you doing?”

“OK. I’m just getting ready to take Emma to her doctor’s appointment.”

“Yeah, I know. She nervous?”

“Hell, I’m nervous,” Dean said. “We find out if she’s moving closer to remission… if the transplant and last few rounds of chemo have had any effect.”

“You’ll give her my love?”

“You know it, man. Anyway, is this why you called? Or is something else up?”

“Both.” Jim sipped his coffee. “I wanted to wish Emma luck, but also, I wanted to ask if Mitch or Jase could cover my shift this afternoon.”

“You OK?”

“Yeah. It’s Kat.”

Dean’s voice sharpened. “You have her?”

“I’m at her apartment now.”

“Where the fuck has she been for the past week? Emma’s been going out of her mind with worry.”

“I know. Olivia and Jenny too, from what Dallas and Chris have told me. I picked her up last night from Curves.”

Dean paused. “Fuck me. What was she doing at that place?”

“Trying to drink all the whiskey in the state, if her bar tab was any indication of her intentions. The owner found Kat’s cell and called me at two a.m. I brought her home.”

Dean sighed. “Is she OK?”

“She’s still sleeping. She just puked for an hour, though, so she may feel better the next time she surfaces.”

“You want to stay there?”

“Damn right I do.” Jim glanced at the closed bedroom door. “I don’t think any of us can trust her as far as we can throw her right now, and my thinking is that if I leave here, she’ll grab the packed suitcase in her living room, and disappear into the sunset.”

“What? What suitcase?”

“The one she’s got packed by the door, ready to fucking bolt.”

“You asked her about it?”

“Nope. She just got up, puked, passed out again.” Jim rubbed the back of his neck. “Conversation’s been fleeting.”

“Yeah, OK, then. I’ll call Mitch and Jase. I know Jase especially wants the extra hours. You stay right there and wait for her to drag her hungover ass out of bed. You don’t go anywhere, man, not until she offers up some answers.”

“That’s exactly my thinking.”

“Good to know we’re on the same page. I imagine Emma will call the ladies, so don’t worry about telling Jenny or Liv. Just hang tight, and get us all some information.”

“That’s the plan.”

“And do you think she’s OK?” Dean said. “Emotionally, I mean?”

“Honestly? I don’t think so. I think she’s one hell of a mess about something, and I’m going to find out what it is.”

“Go easy on her, Jim.” Dean’s voice was suddenly gentle. “You know something about her ain’t right. We all know that, right? Just – just let her tell you when she’s ready.”

“I’ll try to cool my jets,” Jim said darkly. “If I don’t strangle her first.”