Page 69 of Hell Hath No Fury

“If the glass looked new, I’d have considered it.”

“I thought you said they determined the glass they found was thicker than standard window glass.”

“They did. I’m just keeping all options open right now.”

Emma’s phone buzzed. She stared at the screen. “It’s Eric’s attorney.” She answered. And listened.

Matthias glanced over and saw the color drain from her cheeks.

“Is he—how bad is it?”

He slowed and looked for a spot to pull off the road, possibly turn around, thinking his chat with Winslow was going to have to wait.

“Okay. Thanks for calling. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Emma lowered her phone and turned to Matthias.

“What happened?”

“Eric’s been transferred to the ER at Washington Hospital. A group of inmates beat him up pretty bad.”

* * *

Emma spotted Fran Goodwin the moment they cleared security at the ER. Instead of a metal detector, Fran carried one of the large plastic bags the hospital provided for patients’ clothing. It took a moment before Emma remembered Fran saying she worked at the hospital.

Fran spotted her and waved her over.

“What’s going on?” Emma asked.

“Eric told me you were coming.” Fran glanced around furtively, her gaze settling on Matthias. “You’re going to have to wait out here.” She laser-focused on Emma. “You. Come with me.”

Emma gave Matthias an I-don’t-know shrug as she trailed after Fran, who led the way across the waiting room and into the women’s restroom. Fran checked under the stall doors for feet. Determining they were alone, she shoved the bag at Emma.

“What’s this?”

“Scrubs and a stethoscope.” Fran wagged a finger. “And an employee badge.”

“What?”

“Don’t ask.” Fran held one of the stall doors open. “Just get in there and change if you want to see Eric.”

Emma took the bag and stepped inside, latching the door behind her.

“There’s one cop standing guard outside Eric’s room,” Fran said, “but he won’t check close enough to see the badge doesn’t belong to you.”

Emma pulled it out and looked. “Timothy Ross? This is a guy.”

“Like I said. The cop won’t check.”

“What about the nurses?”

“They’re friends of mine. I’ve already talked to the ones you’re likely to encounter. It’ll be fine.”

Emma hoped she didn’t regret this. The last time she’d talked to Eric, he’d been furious with her. If the cop didn’t bust her and the ER staff didn’t catch her, Eric might turn her in himself.

She slipped out of her jeans and T-shirt, pulled on scrubs decorated with cartoon characters, slung the stethoscope around her neck, and clipped on Timothy Ross’s ID badge. After stuffing her clothes into the bag, she stepped out of the stall.

Fran gave her a quick inspection. “That’ll do. Come on.”

Emma trotted after Fran, out of the restroom and across the waiting room. “What’s Tim doing without his ID?” Emma asked, tapping the badge.