“What about Jones?” Nolan asked.
“He was picked up. The feds have a few people who have rolled on him and think they have enough evidence to convict.”
“Unless he has one of those pricey lawyers that know every loophole,” Dustin said.
“I’m telling you guys now if he gets off, I’m taking him out,” Nolan said.
“Fuck, man, we’ll help you,” Drake said.
They all nodded.
“I’ll stay here if you want to head home and get some rest,” Dustin said.
Nolan shook his head. “No. But thank you. I’ve already let her down. I’m not going to do it again.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Drake asked.
“I was supposed to keep her safe, and I failed,” he told them.
“That’s bullshit, man. Please don’t do this to yourself, or it’s going to affect your relationship with her,” Dustin said.
Nolan looked down. He wasn’t going to tell them it already had. He didn’t want to hear it anymore. He couldn’t take it. “I’m staying, but you guys go on home. I’ll keep everyone up-to-date on her progress.”
Reluctantly, everyone besides the two guards left. Nolan spent the time he couldn’t be by Caylee’s side sitting in the corner of the waiting room. Every minute that passed, his anger at himself grew. He knew a bit of it was the stress and the exhaustion, but he couldn’t get over how disappointed he was in himself, and he wouldn’t be surprised if Caylee was too.
“Sir, she’s awake again.”
Nolan jerked awake and stood. “How is she?” He walkedbeside the nurse through the double doors.
“Good. Her vitals are fine, and there is no evidence of the concussion damaging her brain. She’ll have a headache for a few days, but the doctor might give her something this morning when he comes in to check on her.”
“I hope so. I don’t want her in pain.”
The nurse smiled and nodded. “It’s still a ten-minute visiting limit. You’ll be able to stay with her when we take her to a private room.”
“When will that be?”
“It could be today. We’ll have to see what the doctor says.”
He nodded and walked over to the side of the bed. His first look at her shocked him. If anything, she looked worse than she had the day before. He knew in his head that it was normal, but seeing his little look so broken made him crazy.
“Hi,” she said.
He reached for her hand. “Hi, baby girl.”
“You didn’t get any sleep, did you?”
He shook his head. “I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t be. I’m going to be okay.”
“I know that.” He also knew that this would affect him for years to come, and he didn’t know how to handle this type of situation. He’d never failed to this degree before, and with someone he loved this deeply.
Chapter Ten
“I want to see Holly. How is she?” Caylee asked.
“She’s doing okay,” Nolan said. “She’s traumatized, but she didn’t get hurt like you did.”