Shades of Truth. Sandra Orchard

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СКАЧАТЬ because of her, he devoted his life to ridding the streets of people like the irresponsible teenager he’d been. While Kim worked to set them free.

      What he needed to know was … did she work out of compassion, or to sideline in something more lucrative?

      Because, if she was on the level, why had someone just tried to kill her?

      TWO

      “Change out of those wet clothes while I grab you an ice pack and find Ethan a bandage for his hand,” Kim’s brother said, unlocking the hall door.

      Ethan gave the room one last surreptitious scan before stepping into the empty corridor. Aside from the feeling in his gut, he had little evidence the attack on Kim was deliberate, let alone connected to his case. But at least no one could get to her in the locked room.

      The main floor of the facility was divided into three units that each housed ten residents and a staff station. Ethan turned left toward the closest. “I’d sure like to get my hands on whoever ran down your sister,” he said, hoping to loosen Darryl’s tongue.

      Darryl caught him by the shoulder and swung him around. “Don’t even think about messing with my sister.”

      Ethan whacked off the guy’s hold. “What are you talking about?”

      “I saw the way you looked at her. You’re here to do a job. Not cozy up to Kim.”

      Ethan backed up a step and lifted his hands in innocence. “Hey, I just want to catch the jerk who scared her.”

      A door clicked and Darryl’s gaze snapped to the end of the hall.

      The manor’s interim director, Aaron Sheppard, hurried toward them. Ethan fought not to gag at the overpowering scent of the thirty-year-old’s trendy cologne. Or maybe it was the smell of the gunk he used to make his hair poke out in that wannabe-actor look. His too blue eyes—had to be colored contacts—zeroed in on Darryl. “How’s Kim? I heard she had an accident.”

      Darryl stopped the guy from pushing his way into the locker room. “She was jogging and twisted her ankle. She’ll be fine. Her ankle just needs a little icing.”

      “But someone said—”

      “She’s embarrassed enough,” Darryl interrupted, apparently more concerned about guarding his sister than ticking off his boss. “She doesn’t need people yakking about her.”

      Aaron drew in a breath as if he intended to argue, but then his gaze shifted to Ethan. He thrust out his hand. “Ethan, right? Welcome aboard.”

      Ethan matched his firm grip, noting the way Aaron’s gaze returned to the staff room door, and then to Darryl. Definitely another man worth grilling for information.

      “Was there something else?” Darryl said.

      “Yeah, you’ve got a phone message. Wanted you to call back ASAP.”

      Worry replaced Darryl’s scowl. “The hospital?”

      “Not sure. While you’re in the office, let the in-charge supervisor know that she needs to call someone to cover Kim’s shift.”

      “Kim won’t like being sent home, but it’s probably not a bad idea. Could you show Ethan where he can get the ice?” Darryl’s gaze shifted to Ethan. “Then I’ll meet you back here to finish the orientation.”

      After Darryl disappeared down the corridor, Ethan took advantage of the opportunity to ply Aaron for information. “Who’s in the hospital?”

      “His dad. Cancer. Admitted on the weekend. The pain got to be too much. It’s only a matter of time now.” Aaron paused outside the door of unit one’s staff station. “I heard what you said about catching the guy who ran Kim down. So she didn’t just twist her ankle jogging?”

      “No, sir.”

      “Did you see the guy?”

      “Unfortunately not. You got any idea who it might’ve been?”

      “Some kid out bah-hawing, I expect.” Aaron’s lips pressed into a flat line as if he might have a particular kid in mind. He unlocked the door to the staff station—a glass-walled peninsula from which the entire unit could be viewed. Each unit consisted of a common room with a nailed-down sofa, TV and game tables, a washroom, a laundry room and a line of bedrooms, lockable only from the outside. The residents were in morning classes, so the unit was empty.

      “You get a lot of kids from the area driving crazy on these back roads?”

      “You know how it is. Boys will be boys.”

      “Hmm.” Ethan found the first-aid kit and swabbed his palm with disinfectant.

      Aaron pulled a bag of ice from a small fridge in the corner, and then waved to a plate of muffins on the desk. “Help yourself. Kim’s mom is always baking for the staff and residents. How she copes with stress, Mr. Corbett once told me.” Aaron rubbed his stomach. “I think we’ve all gained ten pounds since he took ill.” He handed Ethan the ice. “Here you go. Can you find your own way back?”

      “Sure, but—” Ethan’s gaze flicked to the glass partition. His mind buzzed with possible reasons Aaron might want to hang back in an empty unit. None of them aboveboard. “Didn’t you want to see Kim?”

      Aaron unlocked the door and motioned him to exit. “I’ll see her later, tonight.”

      Ethan frowned. Not that who Kim saw in her free time was any of his business … unless the person was connected to his case, which Aaron very well could be. It was more believable than thinking Kim was on the wrong side of the law.

      But before Ethan could ask another question, Aaron prodded him out the door. Definitely suspicious. Ethan hurried to the locker room. At least with Darryl fielding a phone call, he’d get his chance to question Kim alone.

      Raised voices stopped his hand midknock. Two voices. One female—Kim’s. One male.

      He strained to hear what they were saying, but the male voice dropped to an angry hiss.

      “No—” Kim cried, and slamming of metal on metal swallowed the rest of her words.

      Ethan twisted the knob uselessly and pounded the door. “Hey, open up.”

      The door jerked open, and Kim’s brother stood on the other side, teeth gritted.

      Because of the phone call? Or something else?

      Ethan pushed his way inside, his gaze sweeping the room. “What’s going on?”

      “I’m being sent home.” Kim hooked a padlock onto the door he’d heard slam, and then stalked to a wooden bench. She’d changed into a fresh green T-shirt that did amazing things for her eyes. Or maybe the disagreement with her brother had brought out those fiery flecks.

      Darryl snatched up the ice bag and tossed it to Kim. “Now keep that foot elevated until Ginny gets here.” He ignored Kim’s long-suffering sigh. “Come on, Ethan. I’ll take you to admissions. We have a resident СКАЧАТЬ