Princess & the Player

thirty-eight: danger approaching

Maggie's POV:

It was a text from mom, "almost there". 

That was it.

I showed it to the police officer and they said they were going to go to the camp and see if they could trace Jeb's steps. 

"I'll go with you," I offered. 

Marco and the police officer both shot me down. 

"Look, I know him. I know how he thinks. I practically raised him. You have to let me..."

The officer handed me a business card with a direct number written on it. "You need to keep safe, Miss, because all indications are that you're the next likely target. Call this number and speak to Sergeant Perry if either of them text a location or you get any ideas. Can you do that?"

I nodded, slowly. 

The other pair of officers was now leading Britty's parents away down the hall. I felt like I should apologize or something. 

Scottie stepped over to Marco and me. "It might be best if you all head out," he spoke in a low voice. 

"No. Not until we know Jacob's safe," I shook my head.

"Maggie," he put his hands on my shoulders. "I know you love Dad. But he would want you and Laurie safe. An aortic rupture is serious. Even once they find it and fix it, they will probably need to transfuse and then they will need to address the broken bones and any other compression injuries...what  am saying is that this is going to be a long night for Dad."

My heart lurched. "JJ..."

"I know," he whispered, his voice catching. He turned to Marco, "Keep an eye on them for me?"

Marco nodded. 

Scottie cleared his throat. "Thanks."

"I'll text you when we get to the apartment."

"Send me the address, too?"

I started typing on my phone but Marco stopped me. "You're still logged in as Jeb!"

"Shit, you're right." I winced. Where was my brain?

Marco pulled his phone out and texted Scottie the address. Scottie's phone chirped. They nodded at each other like they'd discovered a new planet. 

"You will let me know as soon as there's news?" I pleaded.

Scottie nodded and hugged me really hard. I could smell the hand antiseptic he was always using and his Nivea aftershave. 

 A hospital security guard was summoned to walk us all out. Marco and I met up with Grandma and Laurie and headed out to the rental. The guard waited until we had the doors locked and seat belts on before walking away.

I sat in the back with Laurie. She looked like she was in shock. "Is Dad gonna be OK?"

"That's what we're praying for, sweetie."

She hadn't been to the apartment yet so she perked up when we arrived. We let her run around, inspecting all the cabinets and drawers and especially her room. 

Marco chuckled. "She reminds me of you, our first time in West Virginia."

I flushed.

"I'm quite interested in your Mary House."

"It's a real house, Grandma," I explained. "Not a playhouse."

"Made out of a shipping container? Where is the art in that? Where is, as Le Corbusier called it, the truthfulness of materials?"