[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
She watched several leaves float past; the overcast skies made her
realize that it wouldn t be long before it turned really cold outside.
And now she had Ryan to keep her warm at night. Where did that
thought come from?
68
Traffic Stop
Tobi was startled when the phone rang. She glanced at the
clock and, realizing Marcy was already gone for the evening,
stepped over to answer it. She hoped it was Ryan calling to make
plans for the evening.
Dr. Drexler.
Silence.
Hello, this is Dr. Drexler. May I help you?
Tobi could hear breathing on the other end.
Hello? she said again.
Placing the phone back in the cradle, Tobi stood there with her
hand still on the receiver. That was odd. Tobi hoped that it wasn t
an emergency. She gave a startled yelp when the phone rang
again. She picked it up and raised it to her ear.
Dr. Drexler, Tobi said cautiously.
More silence.
This is Dr. Drexler speaking. Who is this?
Again& nothing.
I m going to hang up if you are not going to talk. Waiting a
full ten seconds, she made good on her threat. Before she had time
to think about anything else, the phone rang again.
Dr. Drexler! she said, exasperated.
Tobi?
Ryan, Tobi said, relieved.
What s wrong? Ryan asked, immediately alert.
It s nothing really. I just had a couple of phone calls that
threw me off.
What do you mean? Threw you off how?
When I answered the phone, nobody said anything. I could
hear someone breathing, but even when I threatened to hang up,
they didn t say anything.
Do you ever get accidental phone calls, being in the hospital
and all, where people hang up without saying anything?
That does happen, but this person didn t hang up. It was
almost like he or she was playing some kind of game with me.
Ryan was silent for a minute before saying anything.
I m off duty in about ten minutes. Why don t you wait there
and I ll come get you? We can go get something to eat for dinner
if you d like.
69
Tara Wentz
You don t have to do that, but I would like to see you, if
you re sure you don t mind. Dinner sounds like a great idea.
I m positive. I ll see you in about twenty-five minutes,
okay?
Okay.
After Ryan hung up, she sat quietly for a few minutes. The
cop in Ryan wondered if these calls to Tobi were just random or if
there was something behind them. Placing the report she had just
finished in its folder, Ryan stood up and grabbed her jacket. She
placed the folder in the finished wire rack, and with a wave to
Jake, headed out the door. Truman University Medical Center was
not that far, but all the stoplights made it seem farther. The only
thought in her head was to get to Tobi and make sure she was
okay.
Being a little protective, aren t we?
You again!
You say that like it s a bad thing.
What do you want?
Just thought I would point out that you are being protective.
And?
And just that it s been awhile since you ve felt this way
about anyone.
Your point is?
My point is that you ve already made a commitment to the
relationship and Tobi.
I didn t make a commitment!
Didn t you? You re taking chances and giving things of
yourself that you never thought you d do again.
I don t have time for this; I need to get to Tobi.
Ryan scrambled out of the Jeep and made her way into the
hospital and up to Tobi s office. She knocked on the door and
jumped in surprise when it was yanked open and her arms were
filled with a trembling woman.
What s wrong? What happened?
Ryan wrapped her arms around Tobi and walked them over to
the couch in her office. Once seated, Tobi leaned back and took a
deep breath before looking at Ryan.
Right after we hung up, the phone rang again.
70
Traffic Stop
The silent caller?
Yes, but this time, he talked.
Seeing her visibly shiver, Ryan pulled Tobi back into her arms
before nudging her to continue. Go on.
He said, I know who you are, and very soon, you will know
who I am, she said with a catch in her voice.
Did you recognize his voice?
No.
By your reaction, I take it that he didn t sound like a secret
admirer.
His voice was threatening. He sounded very angry.
We should report this.
Report it to whom? Report what? Don t you see, Ryan, he s
done nothing yet that would require any kind of response.
I know, Ryan replied, blowing out a breath of frustration. I
know. It s just& I just wasn t thinking there for a second. Sorry.
Don t be, I understand.
Ryan could hear the fear in her voice. She knew Tobi was
right, but she couldn t just stand by and not do anything. Before
Ryan had a chance to think about what she was saying, she blurted
out what was on her mind.
I ll stay with you. Until we figure out what s going on, I ll
stay at your house, and I can drive you to work.
Ryan, I can t ask you to do that. We have no idea if this is
really a threat or if anything will even happen. He just shook me
up.
You re not asking me to do it, and I m not willing to chance
that it s not a real threat. Ryan softened her tone before
continuing. Hey, I ve just found you; I can t pretend that I don t
have feelings for you, and I d be lost if something happened to
you, she pleaded, hoping Tobi would understand.
Leaning back in Ryan s arms, Tobi looked into her eyes and
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]