Page 117 of Carter

“Now you hold your horses, Detective Bennett. You are not moving from this bed,” the older nurse says. Margaret, that’s what her name tag says.

“I need to find him,” I say. “Where is he? Is he okay? How did he find out?Where is he?” I demand.

The nurses share a concerned look, then bring their attention back to me. I try to crawl out of bed again, and they move closer.

“Can I get an officer in here?!” one of them calls, but not in an emergent way. Not like she’s afraid for her life.

“What’s going on?” an officer says as he steps in. I don’t recognize him. He’s young.

“He’s trying to get out of bed to see the young man downstairs,” Margaret says.

The guy frowns. “Why?”

“I need to see him,” I say. “It’s important.”

“You related or something?” he asks.

I grit my teeth, then look him dead in the eyes. “He’s my boyfriend.”

The officer’s eyes widen. “Fuck, we didn’t know. I’m sorry. He came looking and said you weren’t related. He overheard Santos and went straight into a panic attack.”

“Panic attack? He’s having a panic attack?” I bark. “Someone better get me down there right this fucking minute.”

“Detective Bennett, don’t make me strap you to the bed,” Margaret says sternly. “I will. You cannot move from this bed. You are recovering from a gunshot.”

“I don’t care about me! I need to see Carter.”

The nurses share another look. The younger one says, “I’ll see what I can do.” Then she heads out.

“If you don’t get me down there to see him, trust me, I’ll do it on my own,” I warn in a dark tone.

Margaret gives me a look liketry me. I raise a brow.

“I’m not fucking kidding,” I add.

She rolls her eyes, then looks at the officer. “Make sure he stays in bed. I’ll be right back.”

Margaret heads out of the room, following the other. Just as she’s gone, Gendreau knocks on the door and comes in. Weber is right behind her.

“Holy shit, Bennett. You scared the fuck out of us,” she says with a laugh. “Why’d you—”

“I need one of you to go check on Carter in the ER.”

“Carter?” Weber asks with a raised brow.

“Carter Evans. He’s in the ER. Panic attack. I need you to make sure he’s okay.”

“The nurse is going to do that,” the first officer says.

I kind of want to punch him in the face.

“How do you know that?” I snap. “She probably isn’t doing shit because she doesn’t want me out of bed.” I look back atGendreau. “Go find out.” They both look at me like they’re unsure of what to do. “Please,” I grit out.

“Yeah, okay. No problem. I’ll go,” she says.

She leaves and Weber stays. He pats the young officer on the shoulder. “Why don’t you go get some coffee or something. I’ll stay with him.” He looks at me, like he can’t be sure if I’m going to stay or run.

“You’re not my fucking babysitter,” I growl.