Part 310 (1/2)

the hospital.”

”I don't need the hospital.”

He traced a fingertip over her temple. ”You've got a major-league b.u.mp

on your head.”

”I didn't even feel it.” Though she could now, with more clarity than

was comfortable, she stood firm. ”I won't go, Michael. I've had enough

of hospitals to last me a lifetime.”

”All right. We'll get someone to take you home and stay with you.”

”Can't you?”

”I've got to check this out,” he began, then glanced up when McCarthy

came back in.

”You must be a h.e.l.l of a driver, Miss McAvoy.”

”Emma,” she said. ”I was too scared to be a bad one.”

”Mike, I need you a minute.”

”Just sit. I won't be long,” he told Emma as he rose. Recognizing the

took on his partner's face, he shut the door behind him. ”Well?”

”I don't know how the h.e.l.l she managed to get through it in one piece.

Car looks like she took third place in the Demolition Derby.”

Casually, he laid a hand on Michael's arm. He didn't think his partner

was quite ready to take a look at it himself. ”I had one of the guys

check the hospitals before I took a look at her car. They just got an

admission, car wreck up in the hills. Cut the guy out of a brand-new

Cadillac. Blackpool,” he said and watched Michael's eyes narrow. ”He's

in a coma.”

Are you sure you're up to this?” Johnno took a careful study of Emma as

she came to the bottom of the stairs.