Page 61 of Defending Love
We stopped as the woman came closer. I didn’t need to see her name badge to know who she was. “Becky.”
“You were present during your mother’s therapy-planning session.”
“I was.”
She handed me a clipboard. “It seems that somehow you entered without signing in downstairs. Please sign by the X. We make a point to keep our patients safe with up-to-date records.”
As I signed, I had a thought. “Do you know if the hospital Mom was transferred from has the same protocol?” I was trying to recall right after the incident, but honestly, it was all a blur.
“Yes.”
“So,” I asked, “if I wanted to check on some of Mom’s visitors, they’d be able to tell me?”
“They should. Every visitor is supposed to sign in, give the name of the patient they’re visiting, and sign out when they leave.” She took the clipboard. “Are you now leaving?”
“I am.”
She scribbled the time of day on the page before handing it to Eli. “Sir, could you also sign?”
He nodded as he wrote Elijah Rhodes, the date and time.
Becky didn’t stop us as we made our way to the back steps. It wasn’t until we were out and back inside the SUV that Eli asked a question as he pulled the vehicle away from the curb.
“Who do you want to check on, what visitor to your mother?”
“Mom said two FBI agents visited her at the hospital. She said the Sumter County Sheriff’s deputies came multiple times. The FBI only once.”
“What does she remember about the FBI?”
“Just two men. Couldn’t recall their names.”
“Are you wondering if they were real?”
I lifted my brow. “I am. Wouldn’t Jack check their credentials? He’d know they were fake, right?”
Eli inhaled. “I don’t know what to think. I’ll ask him if he recalls the visit.”
“What about the whole work setup in the villa—all those computers.”
“I spoke to my contact this afternoon. Guardian will clean it out. The location is compromised.” He handed me a small wallet. “For the flight back, you will be Candace Rogers. I’m your husband, Lloyd.”
“Lloyd,” I said with a giggle. “You could pick any name, and you chose Lloyd?”
“Mitchell already had the IDs. I didn’t get a choice.”
“Why are we not us?”
“Because at this exact time, I don’t trust anyone.” Through his sunglasses, he looked into the rearview mirror. “Have you called your brother to tell him you’re coming home early?”
I reached for my purse. “I should.”
“Don’t.”
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Eli
