“It’s too soon. Take another couple of minutes.”
“I don’t need a couple of minutes. I’m fine. Thanks for your help, but—”
“Yeah. Okay. Well, in that case…” He reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. “I’ll need to see your driver’s license. Your registration.”
“What for?”
“What for?” He laughed. “You just hit my car, remember?”
“Surely we can settle this on our own.”
The man from Campbell’s Security folded his arms over his chest.
“Really?”
“Really.” Jennifer swallowed hard. She still couldn’t see him clearly, but it wasn’t only because of the sun. Everything was shimmering. Sliding…
“Miss?”
His voice seemed to come from a long distance away.
The earth tilted beneath her feet.
She swayed, and the man caught her to him, his arm curving tightly around her, and he half-carried her to his car, opened the door and sat her down.
“This is ridiculous,” he growled. “You’re hurt. How about admitting it?”
“I—I’m fine.”
“Is that why you almost passed out?”
“I didn’t almost…Hey!” Her voice rose in shaky indignation as he pulled the floppy-brimmed sun-hat from her head. “What are you doing?”
“I want to check your scalp for bruises. I should have done it before. Bend forward.”
“I told you, I’m fine. All I need is an adhesive bandage for the cut on my forehead.”
“Must you argue over everything? Just bend forward.” His pressed his hand against the back of her head and she had no choice but to do as he’d demanded. She felt his fingers skim lightly through her hair and then he grunted. “Nothing there. Look up and let me see your eyes.”
“My—my eyes?” Jennifer’s voice faltered.
“Yes. I want to check for concussion.”
“I don’t have a concussion. Really. I—I—”
He muttered something and reached for her oversize sunglasses.
“Come on. Raise your head.”
No. She couldn’t. Without both the hat and the sunglasses he’d recognize her…
“Look, I appreciate your concern. But I’m fine. Really. And—and I’m in a bit of a rush. So—”
“Yes. I’ll just bet you are.”
Was it her imagination, or was there a sudden dangerous edge in his voice? She fought against the awful desire to look up and see the expression on his face. It was like driving past the scene of an accident; you didn’t want to look, but there was always that morbid sense of curiosity that urged you to turn your head, no matter what the risk.
She took another deep breath. “Why don’t you just give me the name of your insurance company? My car’s a rental and I took full coverage. I’ll tell the company the accident was my fault entirely. I’m sure there’ll be no—” her voice faltered as he stepped closer to her “—no problem.”