Risk of a Lifetime Read Online Free PDF

Delirium? Something had her terrified.
    “This is FBI Agent Dwight Landon. He’s here to help with the bank case.” JB soothingly palmed her cheek and glanced at his previous work associate. “This is Marcy Bradley. My ex-wife.”
    Landon reached out his hand. “I figured as much. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Bradley.”
    “Marcy. Just Marcy.” Her voice trembled as she pushed herself up further in the bed, moaning with each little move.
    She scrunched her legs against herself. Like a frightened child, she eased her hand into JB’s. One look said she was seriously afraid. Like victims he’d consoled right after a vicious attack. Terrified. Panicked.
    His instincts revved, focusing on Landon. “How did you know this was Marcy’s room?”
    “The nurse told me.”
    Dr. Crowley stopped his check of the beeping equipment. “Which one?”
    Landon’s expression hardened at being questioned. “The male nurse assigned to this room.”
    The nurse working on Marcy’s hand glanced up. “There are no male nurses on this floor. This is my room assignment for the shift.”
    JB moved closer to the other agent. “Maybe you should explain how you got in here.”
    Landon stared at the bedrail and didn’t flinch. “I know you’re upset seeing as how it’s your wife.”
    “Ex-wife.” JB countered.
    Landon sighed. “Okay, ex-wife. But don’t push me, or you’ll end up with another write-up in your personnel file.”
    “Too late. I already quit.”
    The agent looked up in disbelief. “Now why the hell would you do that?”
    “Gentlemen.” Dr. Crowley stepped between the two men. “Please take this outside the room.”
    “First things first,” JB said. “What did this male nurse look like?”
    “Six-two. Green shirt. Heavy, black-framed glasses, grey hair, mustache. Pushing a cart loaded with books and magazines. Needles and syringes,” Landon said.
    “That sounds more like a volunteer, except he wouldn’t have sharps on his cart. Must have been pens.” The nurse worked at getting the bed sheets back in place. “They all wear a pale green shirt.”
    Landon eased his shoulders. “Look, I got off the elevator, and this guy was standing there at the nurse’s counter. I asked where the Bradley room was, and he pointed me in this direction.”
    “Without checking the room assignments?”
    “The man said he’d just left a book in her room. Then he got on the elevator, and I came down here.”
    “No one brought me a book.” Marcy’s focus flitted from Landon’s face to his hands then to his pocket and up again. “You…you tried to hurt me. Said you’d kill me…enjoy killing me.”
    “Me?” Landon scowled, picking up a magazine from the rolling tray by the bed. He held it up for everyone to see. “All I did was keep you from getting hurt.”
    “He was trying to help you, that’s all.” JB folded his fingers around hers. Her uncontrollable quivering told him she was about to lose control again. Shock couldn’t be far behind.
    “I know what I’m saying. He tried to rip my IV out.” Her voice rose in volume and anxiety. Her fingernails dug into his arm. “Don’t leave me alone with him. Please don’t.”
    JB had been around enough people who’d shot up to know that someone skewered by a drug reaction responded like this. They’d swear things had happened one way when surveillance clearly showed another.
    “I’m not going anywhere. It’s the medicine,” JB said. “They’ve pumped so many meds into you, you didn’t know what was happening.”
    “I did know.” She grabbed the doctor’s hand. “Why won’t anyone believe me?”
    JB caught Landon’s attention and motioned to the door. “Maybe you should wait for me at the nurses’ desk.”
    “Sure thing.” The man walked up beside JB and Marcy. “I hope you feel better soon, Mrs. Bradley.”
    Her breath accelerated, coming out in escalating pants. “Go away. Please go away.”
    JB pushed Landon aside with his body. What was wrong with