Page 121 of Unhinged Kallie
I ran my hand through my hair. My heart still raced, but something about Cain’s reassurance tamed the dread that I’d seen Kallie for the last time.
“But to play devil’s advocate, it would’ve taken longer to get here if I hadn’t left you in the truck.”
“Fuck that, you didn’t know I would get free.”
“True. How did you?”
“I dislocated my thumb like you showed us. Luckily, the person tying me was in a rush,” I said, crossing my arms.
“Psst, I hate to break up this sweet family moment, but we need to go before he wakes up,” Abel said. I only saw the top of his black hoodie and eyes peering over the truckbed before he disappeared again.
I forgot he was back there at all.
“I’ll make our guest comfortable before cleaning up any evidence connected to Kallie and whatever else I find. Then I’ll be back with clothes for you and Kallie,” Cain said.
“You think there’s something to find?”
“I guarantee it, but do I want to involve myself in that?” Cain took a step and I grabbed his arm.
“Kirby wanted that piece of shit caught for what he did. It meant something to her to put him behind bars for his victims. If she were here, what would she want you to do?”
Cain said nothing, and his eyes never changed, yet it felt like what I said hit for him. When I let go of his arm, he got in the driver’s seat of the truck and drove away.
“Mr. Kohlmann?” I turned at the sound of my name.
“Yes?”
“We need to take care of some paperwork for your wife, and the police will be here soon to take your statement.” The nurse held out a clipboard for me. “The system is down. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.” I took the papers and almost told her Kallie wasn’t my wife—at least not yet—but I kept my mouth shut as I saw the driver’s license clipped to the top. Kallie Kohlmann was already on the card. I looked back at the truck driving off. I didn’t know how he did this, but I knew it was him.
“Come on inside, I’ll get you some coffee. You look pretty shaken up,” the nurse said, and I nodded.
“Thank you.”
* * *
Four hours and thirty-one minutes had passed since they rushed Kallie into surgery, and I now understood why they removed clocks from schools. I hadn’t taken my eyes off the large clock across from me. The second hand continuously lapped the minute hand, and each tick was another minute until the hour hand moved. It was painful sitting alone, waiting to hear any information.
My leg bounced, and the coffee cup swung from my fingertips, cold and forgotten. I played over everything again. Prom seemed like weeks ago, but people were probably still at afterparties or sleeping off the alcohol while others passed out face-first on a bathroom floor. Some were fucking in places with people they would regret in the morning, and all of it seemed like a movie clip from someone else’s life. Had the coat room really happened?
“Mr. Kohlmann?” I jumped up, staring in horror at the doctor’s face. I must have looked like I would pass out because he grabbed me and held my shoulders steady. “It’s good news, you can breathe.”
Not caring if it was appropriate, I hugged the doctor. “Thank you, oh god, thank you.”
“Do you want to see your wife? She’s medicated but asking for you,” he said.
“Yes, of course.” I let him go. “Sorry, I’m just relieved.”
The doctor grinned. “That’s okay. I’m glad I could bring you good news. Do you want to hear about the injuries?”
I nodded, and he explained how part of her rib had broken and pierced her lung. The knife wound was deep, but by some miracle, it hadn’t hit a major artery. I heard him, but this was one of those rare moments when I really wished Cain was here. He knew what questions to ask.
“Here you are.” He stopped by an open door. “I will be by again shortly to check in.”
“Thank you.” Slipping into the room, I closed the door and grabbed the large chair in the corner to sit beside her.
“No,” Kallie said softly, and I froze. “Lay…” she licked her lips, and I grabbed the plastic cup of water and held the straw to her mouth. She took a little, and her face turned up to mine. “Lay with me.”
