Fade to Red

Sierra: Done.

He paced the room, eventually ending up in the hall. Roxie’s parents looked surprised and then concerned when they saw him. Claire returned before he could explain anything to them. She stopped in front of Beckham and avoided looking any of them in the eye. A long, spiky icicle of fear lodged in his throat.

Claire took a shaky breath and began talking at super speed.

“I’ve talked to radiology and she hasn’t been down there. I’m the only nurse who has been in her room this shift. Hospital security is looking for her … putting guards at every exit. Someone will also be coming any minute to talk to you…” She ran out of breath. “I’m sure she’s fine,” she said, her voice slowing down and becoming softer with each word. “Oh, there he is now.” She let out a relieved sigh and motioned to the guard. He introduced himself, and Daniel and Rachel began talking at once.

Beckham looked over at Hernandez. “Wherever the hospital keeps the surveillance footage—that’s where I need to be right now. I don’t want to wait for any hospital protocol bullshit. Pull whatever strings you can. She was taken on your watch.”

Hernandez gulped and stood up taller. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Woods. I’ll do whatever I can to get her back to you.”

Beckham’s jaw ticked and it took everything in him to not take the guy’s head off. He gave an infinitesimal nod to Hernandez, but it was enough to get the cop moving.

Every minute Roxie was gone meant she was one step further away from him.

Hernandez spoke into his walkie-talkie and motioned for Beckham to walk with him as he listened. They got in the service elevator, went down several floors, and as soon as they got out, Beckham called Howie. He picked up on the first ring.

“I need you back at the hospital. Someone took Roxie. Can’t wait for a meeting with Dion—if he’s helping us, we need him now.”

“Already with him and we’re not far. Be right there, boss.”

A security guard met them in front of the door leading to the room with surveillance monitors, and indicated with a shake of his head that Beckham couldn’t enter. Hernandez gave him a guilty look as he went inside.

Beckham put his fist to his mouth and stared at the guard. “I need to get in there and see what’s on the cameras. Now. Please.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you in there, Mr. Woods,” the guard said.

“I need a moment with Mr. Woods and then you’ll let him inside, Charles.” A booming voice resonated through the hospital corridor. Dion walked just ahead of Howie, looking ready to pounce.

Charles ducked his head. “Yes, sir. Take your time.” He unlocked the door, and Howie went ahead, leaving Beckham in the hall with Dion.

“I trained that kid to do security—he ain’t giving me that mess, don’t you worry,” Dion said with a grim smile. He shook Beckham’s hand and pounded his back. “I’m sorry to be seeing you under these circumstances, son.”

“Me too. Just relieved you’re here,” Beckham said.

“We’ll get to the bottom of all of this. I promise you that. I wish I had better news for you about Ian,” Dion said.

Beckham’s hand dropped from Dion’s.

“A possible lead came in about a car sinking—some surfers reported seeing one that fits the description of Ian’s. Police are working on getting it pulled up as we speak. We’ll know if it’s his car soon. Not too far from your house…”

“Shit.” Beckham closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. The thought of Ian drowning out there was a nightmare. Why Ian and Roxie? Why not him? He felt a jolt of panic and stiffened. “My mom and Sierra. I need to make sure they’re okay.”

“Already have someone on them. You know I’ve always had a soft spot for your family. Think I’d let anything happen to your mama?”

Beckham sagged against Dion’s arm. “Thank you. I didn’t even think past Roxie. I can’t believe any of this is happening.”

“Let’s not jump to any conclusions yet. One thing at a time. Right now we need to find your girl.” Dion forced Beckham to look at him. “We’ll find Roxie and Ian. Okay?” He turned and knocked on the door before opening it.

“Right.” Beckham rubbed his face and followed Dion.

The room was not very large to begin with, but when the door shut behind them, it felt miniscule. Screens ran the length of the walls, showing different sections of the hospital. Hernandez was standing by a guy who faced the screens, and he motioned them to come closer.

“Ty is looking at all the traffic in and out of the exits for the past hour plus. So far, there’s been no one who looks like Roxie, but we’ll be watching it over and over,” Hernandez said.

Ty nodded at them and they all turned to the screens.

Dion spoke up. “Ty, while Howie is watching your footage, can you set it up for me and Beckham to watch from the begi

They sat in front of the screens and watched every frame closely. After fifteen minutes, Beckham shifted in his seat, frustrated that nothing suspicious was showing up. The thought of her out there, at risk in every way, made him crazy.

“Beck, come take a look at this,” Howie said. He was watching with Ty, about a half hour ahead of the footage Beckham watched.

Beckham looked over Howie’s shoulder at the screen. For a millisecond, he saw Roxie roll by in a wheelchair. Her head tilted back briefly and her eyes were closed.

“That’s her!” he yelled. His heart raced out of control as he watched her being pushed out of the hospital door.

Ty rewound and they watched the whole sequence again and again. The person pushing the wheelchair had slicked back hair and was wearing blue scrubs and a face mask that covered nearly everything.

“It’s a woman,” Dion said. “I’ll be damned.”

Ty slowed everything down and focused on the woman. It was hard to make out any features with the distance and most of her face covered. They watched it a dozen times before Beckham let out a startled groan.

“Can you focus on her feet?” he asked.

It took Ty seconds to fill the screen with the assailant’s shoes. They matched the scrubs so well that at first it was u

Before she left the hospital, she took her second dose of meds for the day and felt the calm wash over her. She’d gone too long without them yesterday and by the time she realized it, she’d almost been completely hypnotized by Ian Sterling’s charm.

No more.

She couldn’t think about his ever-changing eyes and pretty boy looks. His sweetness to her. He’d been interested in what she had to say. It didn’t matter. He knew too much and distracted her.

Half of her life had been spent working toward this—she was closer to Beckham than she’d ever been. She could finally feel him within her grasp. She couldn’t forget her priorities. Not when she’d just stolen the patient right out from under their noses.

She breathed in: Invincible.

Breathed out: Determined.

Roxie was a fighter. It just made this all the more enjoyable. Neither Ian nor Roxie should still be alive, but instead of feeling daunted, the thought excited her. She was up for a little challenge and wanted to prolong the play a little longer. What good did it do to put out the bait and then not enjoy the hunt?

It was all worth it. She put her camera strap around her neck.