Give Me Hope by Zoey Derrick Read Free Book Online Page A

 
    “Relax, Mikah. As I said, the next twenty-four hours are critical. We won’t know anything definite for a couple of days, but I can tell you that there is a very strong heartbeat and we are monitoring for any distress.”  
    It just became a little easier to breathe. I’ve yet to figure out why I have such an attachment to this baby, but I do.  
    “Anything else?” I ask.
    “Medically, no, not right now. Other than she has a broken wrist and her shoulder has been set. It is in a sling and strapped across her body to prevent any movement. It is also acting as double duty for her ribs.”
    I remember her telling me this before, but it still strikes me dumb at the brutality. I haven’t even wanted to imagine what he did besides cut and beat her, but I guess my face betrays the unasked question.  
    “She wasn’t raped.” I fall into the nearest chair. “Judging by the severe bruising on her ankles and wrists, and by those around her neck, I imagine that was the intention, but we’ve checked her for any internal damage and there are no recent signs.”  
    My head falls into my hands. “Jesus Christ, what has she been through?”  
    “As a medical professional, I can’t tell you that. The only reason I’m telling you this much is because I know that her next of kin is her mother, who isn’t of sound mind, and...” She pauses. I look at her to continue. “When she was here last time, when you brought her in.” I nod. “She listed you as her emergency contact on the paperwork I left for her. Amanda, my nurse, found it in her room after she was discharged.”
    My heart skips a few beats, and I know I stop breathing. I have no clue why something as inconsequential as leaving my name as a point of contact has such a profound effect on me. Hell, I don’t know much of anything anymore.  
    “She’s broken, Mikah, and as much as I know you want to fix her, you need to talk to her first. Get to know her. Her physical history is telling. I have no doubt that if approached in the right fashion, she will open up and start talking to you. But don’t push her,” she says with a glare. I nod my understanding. “She’s upstairs, top floor.”
    Immediately I stand and hold out my hand. She takes it. “Thank you,” I say sincerely as I fight back the tears that threaten to spill over.  
    “My pleasure. Go. See her, be with her. I warn you though – she has a tube in her mouth, a machine is breathing for her, and she is very badly bruised up. And that is only what is starting to show now. So be ginger with her.”  
    I nod solemnly and head for the door and the elevator to my right. As I push the up button, I sense Red approaching.
    “Go home, cara . No need for you to be here,” I say at the same time that he pushes the down button.  
    “I know.”
    “Thank you. I really appreciate you being here.”  
    “I know. I’ll be back around six with food. Here, take this.” He hands me the duffle bag with my stuff in it. I take it from him. “Your chargers are in there, plus your laptop. Need anything else from home?”  
    I hear the ding of the elevator to my right and head toward it. “Right now, no. I will call if I think of something.”  
    He nods as the doors slide open and I step in.  
    “Oh, call Detective Stevens for me. Tell him what Dr. Alston said and that if he needs me, he knows where to find me.”  
    “Got it,” he says as the doors close.

Eighteen
    As I come around the corner from the elevator, I see two cops standing outside of a room. Neither is talking to the other, which I find strangely comforting. At least I know they’re paying attention. The one closest to me turns in my direction as I approach.  
    “How can we help you?” he says.  
    “I’m Mikah Blake. I’m here to see Vivienne Callahan.”  
    He nods in recognition of my name but turns to face me, feet apart, at the ready.  
    “I need to see some identification, please.”  
    I’m not sure whether to be