Page 164 of Fierce-Colson

“You will?” Bella asked.

“Hang on,” Wyatt said, then returned with another nurse. “This is Melissa. She’s the best there is.”

“I’ve got some gel that will numb you a bit too,” Melissa said. “It helps a lot.”

Dr. Charm returned. “Sorry. It looks like it didn’t save after your signature. If I can get it again?” Colson moved over to do that. He saw Bella getting worked up and wringing her hands as she was prepped for the IV. “Want to see a funny video of Dr. Fierce and me?”

Bella nodded her head. “Yes, please.”

“Dr. Charm just loves to show this off. The things we do at hospital picnics for our kids,” Wyatt said.

Marly had to see this herself, leaned over and watched as the two doctors were in a sack race. Each had one leg in the same brown sack, hopping next to a bunch of kids, then taking a tumble, and the minute they did, all the younger kids ran over and dove on them.

Bella was laughing, no one paying attention to Melissa.

“Why did they jump on you?” Bella asked.

“First doctors on the ground, the kids get to pile on. It’s a ritual. We lost because Dr. Fierce thought faster was better. I say, better to finesse it. That’s why I’m the surgeon and it’s his job to give everyone a nap and watch.”

“All set,” Melissa said.

“Talk about finesse,” Colson said.

“That’s why she’s the best,” Wyatt said.

Marly moved a few steps back while Wyatt finished explaining everything to Bella and Colson and her phone rang again.

She glanced down and immediately felt irritation spike.

Deputy Chief Wilson. The biggest pain in her ass in the department right now.

“Sorry,” she murmured, stepping out of the room and down the hallway before answering. “Yes.”

“I’m sure you heard,” Deputy Wilson said without preamble.

“I did.”

“We need the charges. I was told you’re not replying to Stacia.”

Her jaw tightened. She had told her ADA exactly what to pass along—that she was handling a family emergency—and Wilson knew damn well what Jose had been arrested for. The man had been in the meeting when they discussed it hours ago with Judge Carmichael.

Before they had made the arrest. When she was told it’d be another week or more.

“You and I both know that’s incorrect,” she said evenly. “You arrested Jose and you presented the charges. You know as well as I do that those aren’t final. Once I review all the evidence, we’ll add whatever else applies. For now, he’s exactly where he belongs.”

“His attorney is pushing for bail. We need to make a statement and I want it as impactful as possible.”

A humorless laugh escaped her. “Well, you’re lucky enough to have him in custody on a Friday night,” she said. “The courts are closed and Judge Carmichael isn’t someone who likes to be rushed. Consider yourself fortunate. Jose isn’t going anywhere until at least Monday morning. You stopped his supply chain and I’ll be prepared to make sure it doesn’t pick up again. What you say in your impactful statement is up to you.”

“You better damn well have those charges right when it comes time.”

That did it. Her teeth ground together as she stepped farther down the hall, lowering her voice but sharpening every word.

“I’ll have them when I’m ready,” she said. “Don’t try to push my hand because you rushed an arrest. We had a plan. I don’t know what changed on your end, but you knew exactly where I stood.” Silence stretched for a beat. “Just because I’m new to this position,” she continued, “doesn’t mean I’m green. Remember that.”

She ended the call before he could respond.

For a moment she just stood there, the phone still in her hand, her heart beating a little harder from the confrontation.