Found Wanting Read Online Free PDF

like a balloon that someone had thoughtlessly pricked with a pin. "He's not with you?"
    "I didn't want him to be scared." Bending, Rachel slipped her cellphone out of her purse on the floor. "What's his cellphone number? We'll call him right now."
    The room began to whirl, and Alaina fought the dizziness. "I asked you to pick him up."
    "Yeah, and then you were unconscious," Rachel said. "What was I supposed to tell the poor kid? That you'd been hit by a car and I didn't know what kind of shape you were in? He would have freaked. And, frankly, I wasn't in any shape to drive after seeing you lying there like that ..." Her voice cracked, and she trailed off. "I guess I needed a little time to freak myself." She grasped Alaina's hand, squeezed. "You scared --"
    Rachel broke off as a nurse opened the door. "Alex Myers?"
    Alaina looked at the woman, her brain unable to process anything other than how to get to Jonah as quickly as possible, then out of town before the FBI showed up and arrested her. The feds could be on their way right this second.
    "Alex?"
    She forced herself to focus on Rachel, who was eyeing her with concern. "I'm sorry?" Alaina asked.
    Rachel gestured at the nurse. "She said there are two FBI agents asking to see you. Do you feel up to talking to them?"
    "No," Alaina said quickly. "I, uh, ... no."
    Rachel's brow creased. "Are you all right?"
    Alaina shook her head. Think. Think. "In a few minutes," she told the nurse. "Tell them I'll see them in a few minutes."
    Once the nurse was gone, Rachel said, "Those feds are pretty adamant about talking to you. What's the deal?"
    Instead of answering -- because she didn't know what to say or where to begin -- Alaina slid off the gurney, grateful that, when she wobbled, Rachel braced her.
    "Uh, what are you doing?" her friend asked.
    Alaina had no idea. Now that she was standing, however unsteady, she realized she couldn't just walk out. She wore nothing but a hospital gown. Her purse was nowhere to be seen. She had no money, no ID. All she had was Rachel, who was staring at her as if Alaina had just ripped off her human face to reveal an alien one underneath.
    She took a shallow breath, bruised ribs preventing anything deeper. "I need to get out of here. Now."
    Rachel stepped back, hands raised, cellphone still grasped in one. "Okay, you're officially wigging me out."
    "I'm not kidding, Ray. I need to get to Jonah."
    "I'm sorry, but you're going to wig him out, too."
    "Ray --"
    "How about this?" Rachel cut in. "I'll get Jonah. You stay here and get X-rayed."
    "No. I need to go."
    "Well, I'm not helping you. You just got hit by a car, and you're shaky on your feet."
    "I'm not asking your permission."
    "Then I'll get a doctor in here to talk some sense into you."
    "Yes," Alaina said, seizing on the opportunity to get Rachel out of her way. "Let's consult a doctor."
    Rachel hesitated, thrown. "You'll sit tight if a doctor tells you to?"
    Alaina nodded vigorously. "Yes."
    But Rachel, her eyes suddenly wary, folded her arms and stayed put. "You're just trying to get me out of here so you can take off."
    Alaina almost screamed in frustration. "Ray, dammit --"
    "Just tell me what the hell's --" The cellphone in her hand rang, cutting her off. She checked the display.
    "Who is it?" Alaina asked. It was a long shot, but if Jonah had gotten no answer on her cellphone or work phone, he might have tried Rachel.
    "It's work," Rachel said.
    Leaning against the gurney, Alaina stared at the floor while her friend turned her back to take the call. That was when she spotted Rachel's purse propped against the casters of the metal stool. The edge of her key ring peaked out of the side pocket.
    Keeping an eye on Rachel's turned back, Alaina bent and snagged the keys, careful to clamp them against her palm to prevent them from jangling.
    "I'm here with her now," Rachel was saying. "She's fine. I think. ... I don't know how long I'll be. I'll call you later, okay? ... Great, thanks for