Disappointment flooded her. But she couldn’t expect instant results. What would Issy do when he called and couldn’t get hold of her? He’d get mad then worried. She felt so terrible. What was she going to do? Her laptop was gone, although at least everything was saved to the cloud. But everything she had of Dave was gone. All her stuff.
She let out a small sob.
“There, there, honey. Everything will be all right.”
She nodded, trying to give Emily a small smile. But she wasn’t sure she believed that. Not at all.
* * *
The door to her room opened. She glanced over, wondering if the policeman who’d just visited was back with more questions. She’d explained what had happened, then suffered through a scolding about entering a burning building, before he’d given her a sympathetic smile and left.
She seemed to be getting a lot of those smiles lately.
But it was Emily returning and she had a phone pressed to her ear. She smiled at Caley.
“Here she is. I’ll have to hold the phone up to her ear as her hands are bandaged. No, she’ll be all right as long as she takes care. Right.”
Emily pulled the phone away from her ear.
“Is it Archer?” she asked eagerly.
“No, honey, it’s Mr. Jensen. Very intense and demanding young man he is too.” Her smile told Caley that she wasn’t upset by his manner.
She held the phone up to Caley’s ear. “Hello?”
“Hello, Caley?” a masculine voice said warmly. “This is Kent Jensen. How are you?”
“I’ve been better.”
“I heard, sweetheart. Are you in any pain? Are they looking after you all right?”
“Yes, everyone here has been nice. I think I’m on the good painkillers.” It was a bit strange to be speaking to a stranger about this, but he seemed nice.
“Good. Sweetheart, I’ve tried to call Doc and Zander, but their comms are down at the moment. Not sure if Doc told you but Zander is kind of paranoid. We’re going to keep trying, but it might be easier for me to send someone to get Doc and I’ll come to you. How does that sound?”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Actually, it is.” His voice was firmer this time. “Doc is going to lose his mind when he finds out you’re injured and in the hospital. Someone needs to be there to take care of you until he can.”
She coughed. He didn’t say anything, waiting for her to finish. “I…I really want Doc.”
“I know, sweetheart. I’ll do my best to get him there as quickly as I can.”
“Can you…do you know Archer?”
“Doc’s brother? Sure, I know him. Do you want me to call him?”
“My phone is gone. I can’t remember his number. We left a message with his assistant, but he hasn’t called back yet.”
Because he’s too busy. You shouldn’t bother him.
“I think we have his personal number on file.”
“Oh, you know, actually, maybe don’t bother—”
“Caley, I’m going to interrupt you. Sorry, sweetheart. But I need to tell you that it’s not a bother. And that we need someone with you asap. Considering I’m far closer than Archer, I’m still coming even if he does as well. All right?”
She let out a small sob. “All right.”