Too Close to Home: A Scarecrow and Mrs. King Continuing Story - Book 2

Chapter 7

The Hospital

"Scarecrow?" Lee looked up to see Billy and Francine striding into the hospital's private waiting room – one of the perks of the job. "No, no." Billy held up his hand, palm out. "Don't get up." He pulled up a chair facing Lee while Francine sat next to him.

Francine laid her hand on his arm. "How's she doing, Lee?"

"The doctor says he thinks they're both fine, thank God." Lee rubbed his hand over his face. "But taking that kind of a tumble at six months pregnant is not really something they would recommend. They're going to call me back in a minute for the ultra-sound." He leaned back in his chair. "They just want to be sure her placenta didn't tear."

"What about you?" Billy perused his face. "It looks like you've added to your collection of bumps and bruises."

"Yeah. You can add burns to the list now."

Billy took off his glasses and leaned forward in his chair. "What the hell happened, Lee? This was just supposed to be a simple interview."

Frustrated and angry with himself, Lee stood and paced to the other side of the room. "Damn it all, Billy. We knew someone might be watching this guy." He raked his hand through his hair. "I should have assumed they'd be watching his house. It was a rookie mistake that nearly got us both killed."

Francine watched him pace. "Lee, blaming yourself isn't helpful; you know that. You went in under-cover so no one could trace you."

"Yeah, well Francine, going in under-cover isn't really helpful when some guy throws Molotov Cocktails into the house."

"Cocktails?" Billy asked, emphasizing the plural.

"Yes." Lee looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes, seeing it all play out again in his mind. "God, it was a close one." He shook his head and returned his gaze back to Billy's. "We were thrown to the ground both times and barely got out of the house." Exhausted, he ran his hand back through his hair and let out a sigh. "Then I caught a glimpse of someone coming around the corner of the house and managed to kill him before he could finish us off."

Billy stood up and walked over to put a hand on Lee's shoulder. "I'm glad you're both alright, Scarecrow. Good job keeping her safe." Lee looked down at the floor and shook his head. Billy patted his shoulder and stepped away. "The police want a statement. Are you up for that?"

Lee's eyes snapped back up from the floor, defiance in his steely gaze. "The police are going to have to take a number. I'm not leaving until I see Amanda, and I know she and the baby okay."

"Understood." Billy motioned to Francine to follow him out of the room. "I'll tell the police what I can. You let us know what the doctor says...and try to get some rest."

"Mr. Stetson?"

Impatient to see his wife, Lee turned quickly to the man in the white lab coat with the stethoscope around his neck. "Yeah, Doc?"

The doctor offered Lee a compassionate smile. "Your wife is ready to see you now."

"You go ahead, Lee. Don't worry about anything except Amanda."

"Thanks Billy." Lee followed the doctor out of the room.

Dr. Pfaf was coming out of the room as Lee approached. "Is Tootie-Fruity the flavor of the day, Doc?"

Dr. Pfaf pulled the popsicle out of his mouth and pointed it at Lee. "Don't knock it 'til you try it, Scarecrow. You don't know what you're missing."

Lee looked down at the cold confection. "Uh-huh." He took Dr. Pfaf by the arm and pulled him a few feet from the door. "How's she doin', Doc?"